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Submitted by WA ContentsNOA and Atelier4 design new Tirana tower with a stack of archetypal village house pieces Albania Architecture News - Dec 02, 2024 - 15:47 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Italian architecture studios Network of Architecture (NOA) and Atelier4 have designed a new high-rise that incorporates the elements of an archetypal village house with a gabled roof on its faade.Named Puzzle Tirana, the tower features a striking faade showcasing various sizes, colors, and shapes of traditional village houses. In a densely populated area, where ten-story buildings alternate with two-or three-story residencesa typical scenario in Tirana.The mixed-use tower is situated on a rectangular 75 by 25 meters plot.Theexistingstructurewillbereplacedbyanewmixed-usebuildingthatwillhouse160apartmentsofvaryingsizes(between70and130 square meters), apartments, penthouses,ahotel,andasizablecommercialspace."In Tirana, a new tower designed by NOA reflects the rapid transformations of the Albanian capital," said NOA."The archetypal village house with a gabled roof is multiplied and stacked in a dizzying vertical composition, resembling a puzzle that awaits its final piececapturing both the citys past and its future yet to be written," the studio added.As the studio explained, Tirana has undergone rapid urban change in the last century. The city's architecture has frequently been used as a political propaganda tool since it was named the capital in 1920. Urban growth accelerated after the communist regime collapsed in 1991, frequently without any planning.A wave of famous architects was drawn to Tirana and Albania when Edi Rama was elected mayor in 2000 and prime minister in 2013, ushering in a period of major urban renewal and international openness. In this regard, NOA was hired to design a new structure on Rruga Medar Shtylla, near the city lake in the southwest section of the city."Walking through Tirana, I experienced a city with a rich yet turbulent past, visible in the diverse architectural fragments scattered around the urban landscape. It seemed like a kind of puzzle where the old and new worlds coexist in a fascinating interplay of contrasts," said Lukas Rungger, architect and NOA founder.The idea behind the concept was to symbolize the city's rapid growth by showing the shift from rural homes to urban apartments. The project forms a distinctive metropolitan village as it rises vertically."In our design, we aimed to portray the encounter/clash between rural and urban life, drawing on elements of both," said Lukas Rungger."We created an extremely rational and optimized core, capable of housing diverse types of spaces, while the facade is driven by extreme dynamisman apparent chaos in which, however, every piece is in its place," Rungger added.Constructing a puzzle, Tirana is designed like a tower, featuring four facades that project between 0.5 and 3 meters. These facades comprise a dynamic and varied composition of house-shaped modules with gabled roofs. These modules differ in form, roof orientation, number and size of openings, and color."The houses work as puzzle pieces," explained Lukas Rungger. "They fit into each other, rotating until they click into the structure."Each module in this vertical village represents additional space for residences and business spaces, making it more than just a formal feature. It's a multipurpose indoor-outdoor area that can accommodate a variety of uses, including loggias, swimming pools, saunas, barbecuing areas, open-air movie theaters, and hanging gardens.The tower's harmonious interaction with the surrounding urban context is made possible by the equal architectural value of the building's four facades. The shopping center on Rruga Medar Shtylla has a triangular entrance."The facade elements extend into the buildings interior," added Andrea Dal Negro, architect on the project."The inner courtyard fronts, spanning the first two floors dedicated to commercial spaces, are also inverted houses that define the circulation areas," Dal Negro continued.Grafting native plants and shrubs onto the modules' projecting sections enhances the facades even more. Sculptures complement this hanging garden on the first two floors, forming an artistic walkway along the facade."Between the 8th and 11th floors, a large void, shaped like a rotated house, cuts across the facade from side to side, adding an unexpected elementa volumetric void, as though it were the missing piece of the puzzle," concluded Andrea Dal Negro.The functional distribution is vertical, with underground parking, a commercial area on the first two floors, a mix of hotels and apartments from the second to the sixth floors, and only apartments (158 units total) from the seventh to the sixteenth floors.ConceptConcept diagramConceptConcept1st floor plan8th floor plan17th floor planLongitudinal sectionCross sectionAt 58 meters above the rooftops of Tirana, the tower's three floors are devoted to five penthouses, each in a single volume and encircled by a vast, verdant garden. The project is now in the executive design phase after receiving approval for its preliminary design.NOA designed a new hotel composed of self-contained tree suites raised on 3-metre high stilts to reduce the footprint of the building on this natural terrain in Siusi, South Tyrol, Italy. In addition, the firm renovated and extended a historic family resort in the Pustertal valley with a large wave roof that acts as a kind of hill and a kind of playground for the little guests.Project factsProject name: Puzzle TiranaArchitects:NOACo-Author: Atelier4Location:Rruga Medar Shtylla, Tirana, AlbaniaSurface:32,700m2All renderings Atelier4, NOA.> via NOA

Submitted by WA ContentsStudio Dashline crafts Terra Casa with meticulous details to escape from the chaos of urban life India Architecture News - Dec 02, 2024 - 15:24 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Indian architecture practice Studio Dashline has crafted a house with meticulous details to escape from the chaos of urban life in Gwalior, India. Named Terra Casa, the creation of the house was more than just a project, as the studio explained. It was a labor of love and a painstaking effort to provide a haven where their clients could find comfort in the middle of the bustle of the city.Imagine yourself in the middle of Gwalior's busy streets, where Terra Casa stands out as a haven of peace and quiet, providing a second home to people in need of some resttime.As soon as one steps onto the expansive 10,000 square foot (929 square meters) plot, a feeling of peace descends upon them, as though nature is gently embracing them.Here, amidst verdant foliage and gentle breezes, Terra Casa tells its tale, expertly interwoven into the terrain to blend in perfectly with its surroundings.Terra Casa becomes an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle, a place where the urban setting disappears as tall trees and lush foliage cover the surrounding buildings.Terra Casa's architectural wonder, however, is what really makes it stand out and is evidence of the studio's love for delicately and carefully fusing form and function.The design honors the land from which it originates by embracing earthy tones and locally sourced materials, which are inspired by the rustic charm of farmhouse living.The restroom's skylights provide a gentle, natural light, and the wicker furniture and wooden windows exude warmth and friendliness, dreamy visitors to stay and relax.Terra Casa is more than just a building; it's a haven created out of extreme need and desire. The clients were craving a place to connect with nature, a place to get away from the city and enjoy the great outdoors during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the architects.They sought out Terra Casa, a home away from home where they could make enduring memories with their expanding family, after realizing that their current house lacked the space and tranquility they desired as they approached the next stage of parenthood.The house invites users to leave their worries at the door and enjoy the small pleasures of outdoor living as solitude envelops they like a warm embrace.Every element, from the architecture's soft yet straight lines to the thoughtfully chosen landscaping, demonstrates the studio's dedication to establishing a place of peace and connection.A 15-foot-tall (4,5-meter) bamboo pergola outside provides shade from the intense sun and makes a dramatic silhouette against the blue sky.The retreat is reinvigorated by the kitchen garden, and a glamping area invites visitors to spend the night outside. Perhaps Terra Casa's most impressive feature is its training pool, which is illuminated by a central elliptical skylight that casts a gentle, dreamy glow over the water. Children's laughter can be heard in the nearby sand pit, and energetic football games can be played outside.The spirit of connection thrives throughout Terra Casa, creating a fabric of enduring memories. Families can find a break from the bustle of the city here, where architecture and nature coexist, and where the basic pleasures of outdoor living are embraced.The house serves as a sanctuary, a haven, and a second home for the soul in addition to being a place to retreat.Ground floor planFirst floor planSectionSectionSectionProject factsProject name: Terra Casa Architects:Studio DashlineLocation:Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, IndiaCompletion Year:April 2024Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2):278 sqm / 3000 sqftTotal Land Area (m2/ ft2):930 sqm / 10,000 sqftFounder & Lead Architect:Dheeraj BajajCo-Founder & Lead Designer:Pranav DakoriaCo-Founder & Lead Architects:Shriya SohiAll images Yash R Jain.All drawings Studio Dashline.> viaStudio Dashline

RIBA said the house blended in with surrounding homes while expressing its own individual characterSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building NarrativesSource: Building Narratives1/10show captionA home designed by the director of small London practice 31/44 Architects for his family has been chosen by RIBA as its 2024 House of the Year.Six Columns, a two-storey house in Crystal Palace, was designed by Will Burges for himself, his wife and his two children.The four-bedroom home, which is named after the six columns that form the main structure of the building, occupies a restricted wedge-shaped plot in the south London suburb.Burges was inspired by a broad range of influences including the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe and the Case Study houses in California.But RIBA said the carefully balanced house is still discrete and considerate in its surroundings, echoing the proportions and materials of neighbouring terrace houses while retaining its own individual character.While the building features a brick facade and terracotta tile roof which blend with the rest of the street, RIBA praised touches of bespoke grandeur including concrete beams and a statement veined marble panel by the front door.Inside, a central hall leads on one side into a light and airy kitchen with a distinct raw aesthetic, featuring unpainted pine cupboards, and on the other side into a living room characterised by exposed pine walls.Source: Building NarrativesThe main living room is characterised by exposed pine wallsOutside, there are three separate garden spaces, including a low-maintenance, west-facing rainwater garden that channels water from all the roofs that tumble out of a huge spout and into a steel tank to prevent overflow and promote reuse.RIBA president Muyiwa Oki described the house as a beautifully crafted family home that cleverly incorporates Brutalist references and creative flourishes while retaining a strong sense of suburban belonging.> Also read:The Elizabeth Line wins 2024 Stirling PrizeIt shows what can be achieved when working with even the tightest of suburban sites, and its flexible, unfinished aesthetic offers a solution to futureproofed design: this is a home that can evolve with its occupants changing needs overtime, Oki said.The generosity of space belies the limitations of this small garden plot. As we look for creative and practical solutions to the housing crisis, Six Columns offers a blueprint for bespoke urban infill development.Source: Building NarrativesRIBA said the kitchen had a distinct raw aestheticJury chair Je Ahn added: What makes a great home? Building your own home is a hugely intensive endeavour; if you are lucky enough to do it at all, you will probably only ever do it once in your life.One-off houses are as unique and varied as we are as individuals, so often producing them needs a closer understanding between the client and architect.This philosophy of the home as a lifelong process might be a tricky concept in this fast-paced contractual world, however, Six Columns demonstrates an important message that we should all remember; your home is not a static slice of time, but continuously evolves with you.The house beat a shortlist of five other finalists to win the prize, including Surman Weston, Town Dowdall Architects, Hugh Strange Architects, Taylor Hare Architects and Studio Brassica Architects.

Nearly 30 developers commit to doubling speed of remediationThe government says it will fix dangerous cladding on all high-rise buildings included in publicly-funded schemes by the end of the decade.The new target was announced this morning as part of the publication of a new Remediation Acceleration Plan.Source: MHCLG / FlickrThe housing secretary will address the House of Commons later todayBuildings taller than 11m but below the 18m high-rise threshold will be expected to have a target date for completion by the end of 2029, or the landlords will be held liable for penalties.There will be new investment in enforcement for local councils, fire and rescue authorities and the Building Safety Regulator as part of the acceleration plan.According to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), developers will also be required to double the rate at which they fix the buildings they are responsible for under a new joint action plan.At least 29 developers have committed to this goal, which would mean work on all their buildings would have started by summer 2027.> Also read:We will deliver a generational shift Why the Grenfell Inquiry report means another building safety shake-upMHCLG says these developers cover more than 95% of buildings that are being remediated privately.The drive to remediate tall buildings in England came as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire of 2017, in which 72 people lost their lives.Earlier this year, an inquiry into the fire highlighted catastrophic failures in government and private industry, which it said resulted in the deaths.The government is considering its response to the report and has committed to providing an update on its progress by next March.The Labour government has stuck with the previous administrations commitment to invest a total of 5.1bn into removing unsafe cladding.As of August this year, MHCLG had spent 2.3bn on remediation and in the recent budget it committed to spending a further 1bn in the 2025/26 financial year.Deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner said: More than seven years on from the Grenfell tragedy, thousands of people have been left living in homes across this country with dangerous cladding.The pace of remediation has been far too slow for far too long. We are taking decisive action to right this wrong and make homes safe.Our Remediation Acceleration Plan will ensure those responsible for making buildings safe deliver the change residents need and deserve.Rayner is set to address the House of Commons this afternoon, where she will commit to bringing forward a long-term social housing remediation strategy next spring.Heather Kidd, chair of the Local Government Associations safer and stronger communities board, said: Councils are committed to keeping tenants and residents safe, and are keen to work with Government to drive the pace of remediation.However, for local government to carry out enforcement and addressing cladding issues as effectively and quickly as possible, multi-year funding arrangements are needed.Councils are keen to remediate the buildings they own that have dangerous cladding, but they need access to the necessary funding to do so on the same basis they had to remediate ACM cladding.Benjamin Ralph, head of building safety and fire service at Hollis Global, said: After years of continuing uncertainty since the fire at Grenfell Tower, its good to see another proactive step forward regarding cladding remediation.But residents should not have to wait another five years to get this work done. The government also needs to step in with further skills and funding support to ensure the industry can meet the new 2029 deadline.

Teams selected for the framework will design and install a series of disabled adaptations to domestic properties including ramped access, level access showers and ground floor extensions.The framework is divided into five lots covering minor adaptations; level access showers and associated adaptation works; bedroom and bathroom extensions and garage conversion works; major adaptation liaison, design and surveying services; and the manufacture and fitting of temporary and semi-permanent ramps.According to the brief: Knowsley MBC, intends to establish a four-year framework agreement, with the option to extend by up to 24 months, for the provision of disabled adaptation services.AdvertisementThe works are intended to improve the facilities and access for disabled people with sensory and mobility loss in privately owned and rented properties throughout the Borough of Knowsley.Knowsley is a large settlement of around 11,000 residents located on the north-east outskirts of Liverpool. Earlier this year, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority launched a search for consultants for 31 new strategic cycling and walking routes across the Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral areas.Bids for the latest commission will be evaluated 60 per cent on quality and 40 per cent on price. Applicants must hold employers liability insurance of 10 million, public liability insurance of 5 million and professional indemnity insurance of 2 million.Competition detailsProject title DFG Adaptations FrameworkClientContract value 6.5 millionFirst round deadline Midday, 10 January 2025Restrictions TbcMore information https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/2f6ba0ce-756a-4e00-be2a-dfa0f3a0e537

The winning team selected for the estimated 20,000-to-30,000 contract will draw up plans to repair and restore the venue which was created in 1979 inside a former James Green-designed Mechanics' Institute in the centre of the historic Lancashire settlement.The project is part of a wider initiative dubbed High Five for Heritage which aims to restore and safeguard key heritage buildings, improve sustainability and community inclusion, transform public realm and enhance cultural and wellbeing spaces across Burnley.According to the brief: Ultimately, we want to protect our heritage, make it sustainable for the future, connect with our community and make Burnley a more attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit.AdvertisementWe have now entered a second phase application stage (Delivery Phase Application), during which we will develop detailed designs/plans in consultation with project partners for the delivery of a five-year programme.Under our first key intervention, we intend to deliver a comprehensive repair and restoration scheme to the Mechanics Theatre and are seeking the services of a professional to work with the project team to develop detailed plans and costings for this scheme.Burnley is around 34km north of Manchester, and became a major centre of cotton cloth production during the industrial revolution. Today it hosts many advanced manufacturing and aerospace businesses.The town centre is bounded to the west and south by the historic Leeds Liverpool Canal. A 17hadistrict known as Weavers Triangle surrounds the western section of the canal, featuring many disused mill buildings and brownfield sites.BDPs 2005masterplan for Burnley town centre led to various developments including a 90 million UCLan campus, a train station, new public realm and a heritage-led district known as On the Banks in Weavers Triangle.AdvertisementBDP won a second contract to draw up a comprehensive, ambitious and deliverable masterplan for Burnley town centre and the neighbouring post-industrial Weavers Triangle area in 2017.Burnley Borough Council launched a search for a design team to extend its cemetery in September.Bids for the latest commission will be evaluated 70 per cent on quality and 30 per cent on price. Applicants must hold public liability insurance of 5 million and professional indemnity insurance of 5 million.Competition detailsProject title Professional Services in respect of a full repair and restoration scheme to the Mechanics Theatre, BurnleyClientContract value TbcFirst round deadline 3pm, 18 December 2024Restrictions TbcMore information https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/74cdf8ee-88a4-43d2-85e9-ae50cdbb5b40

The wait is over! Skeleton Crew, the latest addition to the Star Wars universe, releases today on Disney+ first two episodes now streaming.The series follows the thrilling journey of four kids who stumble upon a mysterious discovery on their home planet, catapulting them into an unfamiliar galaxy filled with danger, wonder, and unexpected alliances.With stunning visuals, compelling storytelling, and a touch of intergalactic magic, Skeleton Crew promises to be an adventure like no other. A massive congratulations to our incredible crew for helping to bring this captivating intergalactic adventure to life.Talking about the show, Chris McLaughlin, VFX Supervisor, said:Working on Skeleton Crew was an incredible experience, and it was a privilege to contribute to the Star Wars universe and help bring its iconic universe to life. Its rare that the opportunity to work on a show like Skeleton Crew comes along, and the team really made a tremendous effort to make it something special!Dont miss the chance to dive into this epic talestream the first two episodes of Skeleton Crew now on Disney+!

Our November newsletter has landed!Ready for the latest on show announcements, company updates and more? Read on for a round-up of all the exciting things that happened at DNEG in November!Heres a quick sneak peek:SPOTLIGHT Those About to Die received the award for Best Virtual Production at the Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards!LATEST RELEASES Skeleton Crew is now streaming on Disney+, and That Christmas lands on Netflix on the 4th!BEHIND THE SCENES Uncover our work on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 with our new VFX Breakdown.IN THE PRESS A closer look at the work our crews delivered on Venom: The Last Dance!Click here to read:Want to stay up to date? Subscribe here!