Submitted by WA ContentsTunnel-like villa is enhanced by reversed arch elements to define intricate courtyard in Iran Iran Architecture News - Nov 07, 2024 - 12:24 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Tehran-based architecture practice Next Office has designed a villa that plays with a stack of volumes to create an intricate courtyard in the center in Lavasan, Iran.Named The Central Courtyard Villa, the 734-square-metre villa comprises linear, tunnel-like, and reversed-arch volumes that connect each other, creating different vistas.Image Reza NasseriAn elaborate three-dimensional central courtyard is created in the Central Courtyard project by a tunnel/bar structure with a continuous arrangement of stacked arches. Different levels of permeability can be seen in this courtyard's floor - through the pool, walls, which open to opposing views, and sky.Images Parham TaghioffAt the center of the mass is a courtyard formed by the intersection of two L-shaped elements, both in plan and section.This three-dimensional central courtyard, in contrast to its predecessors, is connected to the outside on multiple levels and creates different levels of enclosure, privacy, and layers within the space through different configurations.Images Parham TaghioffImages Parham TaghioffImages Parham TaghioffImages Parham TaghioffImages Parham TaghioffImages Parham TaghioffImages Parham TaghioffImages Reza NasseriImages Reza NasseriImages Reza NasseriImages Reza NasseriImages Reza NasseriGround floor planFirst floor planSecond floor planParallel drawingNext Office released design for a new mixed-use tower in Shiraz, Iran.Next Office was founded by Alireza Taghaboni in 2009. Alireza Taghaboni is one of well known architects of Iranian architecture. He won the 2018 Royal Academy Dorfman Award, one of the most prestigious prizes in the field of architecture in 2018.Project factsProject name: The Central Courtyard VillaArchitects:Next OfficeOffice name: NextOfficeCompletion Year:2024Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2):734 m2Project Location: Lavasan, IranBuilding Function:Residential (Villa)Lead Architects:Alireza TaghaboniTop image in the article Neel Studio.All images Parham Taghioff, Reza Nasseri, Neel Studio.All drawings Next Office.> via Next Office

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Fukutake Foundation has announced the opening of the Naoshima New Museum of Art, located on a hilltop near the Honmura district of Naoshima, Japan.Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the Benesse Art Site Naoshima will be Ando's tenth architectural work, the Naoshima New Museum of Art.It will display and expand a collection of significant pieces, including recently commissioned, location-specific pieces created by Asian artists and groups. The pieces will be shown in the caf area, outdoor grounds, and four gallery spaces in a three-story building with a ground floor and two basement levels.The museum is set to be opened to the public in spring 2025.The inaugural exhibition will feature works by eleven artists and groups, including Aida Makoto, Martha Atienza, Cai Guo-Qiang, ChimPom from Smappa!Group, Heri Dono, indieguerillas, Takashi Murakami, N. S. Harsha, Sanitas Pradittasnee, Do Ho Suh, and Pannaphan Yodmanee.Both permanent and sporadically changing exhibits will be on display at the museum. This strategy seeks to create dynamic yet leisurely artistic engagement, giving visitors something new every time they visit, in contrast to previous Benesse Art Site Naoshima facilities that were more focused on permanent exhibitions.The museum will hold a variety of public events, including talks and workshops, in addition to special exhibitions. These events will be intended to convey a variety of viewpoints, expressions, and complex messages about modern society.It is anticipated that this changing experience will make it a destination that draws tourists time and time again, fostering meaningful interactions and relationships with people from both on and off the island.This constellation of locations will provide more integrated art encounters that are profoundly resonant with the local communities and environment as the new museum connects with the island's existing art facilities.It seeks to further explore what it means to be a museum deeply rooted in the local community's spirit as the first museum to be named Naoshima, fostering an even greater harmony between art, architecture, nature, and everyday life on the island.Benesse Art Site Naoshima has owned and operated a number of facilities in Naoshima since the 1990s. Tadao Ando's Benesse House Museum (1992), Chichu Art Museum (2004), and Lee Ufan Museum (2010) are situated in the southern portion of the island that faces the Seto Inland Sea.The Honmura district, which serves as the hub for the town's administration and residents, is home to the Ando Museum (2010) and the Art House Project - which has been going on since 1998, which transforms abandoned old homes into art installations.CafeTadao Ando, who has been involved in museum projects for Naoshima for more than thirty years, starting with the Benesse House Museum, which opened in 1992, is the architect behind the Naoshima New Museum of Art.With two floors below ground level and one on the ground floor, the new three-story museum features a large roof whose slope complements the hilltop location.Straight from the ground floor to the underground floors is a staircase that lets in natural light from a skylight. There are four galleries on either side of the staircase. On the northern portion of the ground floor is a caf that provides a picturesque view of the island of Teshima and the passing fishing boats, a typical sight of the Seto Inland Sea.In order to blend in with the surrounding landscape of the Honmura area, the museum's exterior will have stacked pebble walls and black plaster that resembles burned cedar walls. The entrance's approach and architecture are intended to link visitors' experiences with the history and daily lives of the people of Naoshima."I believe it was, more than anything, Mr. Fukutake Soichiro's enthusiasm and passion that led Naoshima to flourish as a world-famous island of art and culture," said Tadao Ando."While there are a number of wonderful art museums around the world, I have not seen many that demonstrate the personal senses of an individual as vividly as the one in Naoshima does.""Working on this new museum project, more than thirty-five years since I first met Mr. Fukutake, I am drawn more than ever to follow his liberal spirit and strong will now and going forward into the future," Ando added.Atrium"The exhibition to commemorate the inaugural year of the museum is comprised of works of art that Soichiro Fukutake, the Honorary Chairman of the Fukutake Foundation, selected to express messages he wishes to be communicated in our present time and onward to the future," said Miki Akiko, Director of the Fukutake Foundation."On view are a diverse range of works, from representative works to new and site-specific works, created by artists who have been involved with Benesse Art Site Naoshima from its beginning, those who have been acquainted with us since the venue of the Benesse Prize moved from Venice to Asia, and those who we encountered during our research trips in recent years. In presenting such works of art, the exhibition raises questions about our times, society, environment, and our way of living," Akiko added.At Benesse House Museum and Chichu Art Museum, Benesse Art Site Naoshima has mostly gathered and displayed the creations of well-known contemporary Western artists.LobbyBy moving the Benesse Prize, which was created in 1995 to support artistic endeavors that prompt us to consider well-being, from the Venice Biennale to the Singapore Biennale, it has recently increased its focus and interest in contemporary Asian art.Building on this, the new museum will gather and display artwork from Asia, including Japan, that reflects the distinct and critical viewpoints of individual artists on our times, society, and the environment.Tadao Ando was bornin1941 in Osaka. He founded Tadao Ando Architects & Associates in 1969. Ando is a self-taught architect. He was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 1995.AmongthenotablepiecesaretheinParis,ChurchoftheLight inOsaka, built in1989,ChichuArtMuseum inNaoshima, built in2004,andNakanoshimaChildrensBookForest inOsaka, built in2020.Ando also completed theHe Art Museum(HEM) in Guangdong, China.Project factsProject name: Naoshima New Museum of ArtFounder: Fukutake Foundation (Naoshima, Kagawa: Chairman, Fukutake Hideaki / Honorary Chairman, Fukutake Soichiro)Design:Tadao Ando Architect & AssociatesArchitecture:3 stories (1 above ground and 2 underground), with a caf (144 sq m)Galleries:(1) 373 sq m, (2) 300 sq m, (3) 320 sq m, (4) 494 sq m (rounded numbers)Site Area:6,017.67 sq mTotal Floor Area:3,176.43 sq mLocation:3299-73, Naoshima, Kagawa, JapanDirector:Miki AkikoAll renderings: Naoshima New Museum of Art Tadao Ando Architect & Associates.> via Naoshima New Museum of Art

Submitted by WA ContentsKengo Kuma & Associates completes clay museum resembling "a mountain of pottery" in ChinaChina Architecture News - Nov 06, 2024 - 14:48 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Kengo Kuma & Associates has completed a clay museum that resembles "a mountain of pottery" in Jiangsu, China.Named UCCA Clay Museum, the 3,437-square-metre museum was created as an art museum to highlight Yixing's ceramic culture. Yixing is referred to as the "ceramic capital" and is well-known for producing pottery made from purple clay.Image Fangfang TianWith its many pottery factories and ateliers, the location was once the epicenter of Yixing's ceramic culture.Kengo Kuma & Associates created a sculptural structure resembling mountains, covered in ceramic panels with varying hues and gradients.Image Fangfang TianWhile the wooden structure adds various layers of light to the spaces, it acts as a shell that sometimes touches the ground and sometimes rises above it, allowing people to walk underneath.This project, which incorporates ateliers and workshops while preserving the remains of decommissioned factories, is in line with the masterplan to redevelop the area and envisions a ceramics cultural center.Image Fangfang TianThe mountain-shaped volume of ceramics is modeled after the dragon kiln, a climbing kiln that has been in continuous use for 600 years, and Shushan Mountain, which is close to the project site and was beloved by writer Su Dongpo of the Northern Song dynasty.The building's seamless integration with the site's axis and the surrounding factory complex was achieved by puncturing the mountain-shaped volume to connect it to the pottery factory and the canal.Image Fangfang TianFour layers of wooden lattice beams support the roof, which is shaped like an inverted shell and has virtual spheres carved into it. In addition to drawing the line of sight and circulation flow deeper into the building, this lightweight yet sturdy wooden structure dynamically alters the interior space.Image Fangfang Tian"The facade, which evokes the temperature of pottery in the manufactory, was developed in collaboration with local artisans," said Kengo Kuma & Associates."Its uneven surface is glazed with varying color gradations, creating different expressions depending on the time of day and season," the studio said.Image Fangfang TianLike Chinese tea-ware, these ceramic panels are warm to the touch and have a slightly coarse texture.They represent the ceramic city's history and culture, which have been passed down through the generations for over a millennium.Image Fangfang TianImage Fangfang TianImage Fangfang TianImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoMasterplanBasement floor plan 1Floor plan 1Floor plan 2Section A-ASection B-BSection C-CEast elevationWest elevationStructural diagramRecently, Kengo Kuma & Associates redesigned the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian with spacious, curved canopy in Lisbon, Portugal.In addition, the firm completed a hot spring resort surrounded by a sculpted landscape and cascading rice terraces on the Kyushu island, the third-largest island of Japan's five main islands.Project factsProject name:UCCA Clay MuseumArchitects:Kengo Kuma & AssociatesLocation: Jiangsu, China.Size:3,437m2Completion year:2024Construction: Jiangsu Hanjian GroupFacility Consultants: Jiangsu Hanjian GroupDesign Team:Yutaka Terasaki, Mengxian Bao, Qirui Liu, Yiwen Shen*, Pan Luo*, Xiaoshan Huang, Yoo Shiho (Graphic)Illumination Consultant:Yushe YuzhuCooperation:CROWNHOMESTop image Fangfang Tian.All images Fangfang Tian, Eiichi Kano.All drawings Kengo Kuma & Associates.> via Kengo Kuma & Associates

Submitted by WA ContentsKengo Kuma & Associates completes clay museum resembling "a mountain of pottery" in ChinaChina Architecture News - Nov 06, 2024 - 14:48 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Kengo Kuma & Associates has completed a clay museum that resembles "a mountain of pottery" in Jiangsu, China.Named UCCA Clay Museum, the 3,437-square-metre museum was created as an art museum to highlight Yixing's ceramic culture. Yixing is referred to as the "ceramic capital" and is well-known for producing pottery made from purple clay.Image Fangfang TianWith its many pottery factories and ateliers, the location was once the epicenter of Yixing's ceramic culture.Kengo Kuma & Associates created a sculptural structure resembling mountains, covered in ceramic panels with varying hues and gradients.Image Fangfang TianWhile the wooden structure adds various layers of light to the spaces, it acts as a shell that sometimes touches the ground and sometimes rises above it, allowing people to walk underneath.This project, which incorporates ateliers and workshops while preserving the remains of decommissioned factories, is in line with the masterplan to redevelop the area and envisions a ceramics cultural center.Image Fangfang TianThe mountain-shaped volume of ceramics is modeled after the dragon kiln, a climbing kiln that has been in continuous use for 600 years, and Shushan Mountain, which is close to the project site and was beloved by writer Su Dongpo of the Northern Song dynasty.The building's seamless integration with the site's axis and the surrounding factory complex was achieved by puncturing the mountain-shaped volume to connect it to the pottery factory and the canal.Image Fangfang TianFour layers of wooden lattice beams support the roof, which is shaped like an inverted shell and has virtual spheres carved into it. In addition to drawing the line of sight and circulation flow deeper into the building, this lightweight yet sturdy wooden structure dynamically alters the interior space.Image Fangfang Tian"The facade, which evokes the temperature of pottery in the manufactory, was developed in collaboration with local artisans," said Kengo Kuma & Associates."Its uneven surface is glazed with varying color gradations, creating different expressions depending on the time of day and season," the studio said.Image Fangfang TianLike Chinese tea-ware, these ceramic panels are warm to the touch and have a slightly coarse texture.They represent the ceramic city's history and culture, which have been passed down through the generations for over a millennium.Image Fangfang TianImage Fangfang TianImage Fangfang TianImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoImage Eiichi KanoMasterplanBasement floor plan 1Floor plan 1Floor plan 2Section A-ASection B-BSection C-CEast elevationWest elevationStructural diagramRecently, Kengo Kuma & Associates redesigned the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian with spacious, curved canopy in Lisbon, Portugal.In addition, the firm completed a hot spring resort surrounded by a sculpted landscape and cascading rice terraces on the Kyushu island, the third-largest island of Japan's five main islands.Project factsProject name:UCCA Clay MuseumArchitects:Kengo Kuma & AssociatesLocation: Jiangsu, China.Size:3,437m2Completion year:2024Construction: Jiangsu Hanjian GroupFacility Consultants: Jiangsu Hanjian GroupDesign Team:Yutaka Terasaki, Mengxian Bao, Qirui Liu, Yiwen Shen*, Pan Luo*, Xiaoshan Huang, Yoo Shiho (Graphic)Illumination Consultant:Yushe YuzhuCooperation:CROWNHOMESTop image Fangfang Tian.All images Fangfang Tian, Eiichi Kano.All drawings Kengo Kuma & Associates.> via Kengo Kuma & Associates

Submitted by WA ContentsSO-IL unveils design for Art Omi Pavilions with asymmetrical cone-like roof in Chatham United States Architecture News - Nov 06, 2024 - 15:23 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"SO-IL has revealed the design for a new pavilion at Art Omi Pavilions in Chatham, located in the rolling meadows of Hudson Valley in New York, United States.Called Anima, the 173-square-metre pavilion encourages guests to contemplate art while taking in the surrounding natural beauty and the artwork.The construction of the pavilion is expected to be completed in 2026.Anima is a changing presence rather than a fixed form that stands on the ridge where the sky and landscape meet. There is only one entrance and exit for each of the five separate gallery spaces that are connected.They differ in size; some have windows that let in natural light, while others have skylights that let in light from above. These volumes, which have simple yet functional forms, are dressed in a dark gray monochromatic and rest peacefully in the grassy setting.A delicate, filigree-like texture is produced above these galleries by a roof structure made of thousands of stacked wooden blocks.The asymmetrical cone-shaped roof, which rises from 7 (2 meters) to 35 feet (11 meters), is difficult to identify because it is gauze-like and changes from every direction. It softens the area below by casting a diffuse shadow from the light flowing through it.Guests are reminded of the expansive terrain beyond by the horizon, which is framed from the bottom of the roof and displays far-off mountain ranges.The trip can be taken alone or silently, but you come across a single piece of art in every location. Unabated, time slows down until you decide to move on. Short breaks between areas give you a view of the surroundings before you disappear back into the silence of the pavilion."What we create is not just what you seeit is what you feel, what you cannot escape encountering," said Florian Idenburg & Jing Liu, SO-IL."This pavilion invites stillness, where architecture becomes a reflection of your own experience, unfolding with each light and shadow," Idenburg and Liu added.Art Omi Pavilions at Chatham Co-Executive directors Francis Greenburger and Natalie Diaz share their enthusiasm for the project: "The Mini Pavilions will offer visitors a unique, durational viewing experience that cultivates privacy and intimacy with a singular work of art.""We aim to counter the false urgency of our culture by encouraging viewers to pause and sit with a piece, fostering meaningful encounters with a work of art that allows its properties to be revealed and studied beyond a glance, drive-by, or a crowded view," Greenburger and Diaz added.Floor planSectionSO-IL also unveiled the design for new pinkish and staggered residences in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, United States.In addition, the firm unveiled plans for a new multi-use arts campus in the Stanton Yards marina on the Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan, United States.Project factsProject name: AnimaArchitects:SO-ILClient:Art OmiLocation: Chatham, NY, USAProgram:GalleriesCompletion:Expected 2026Project area: 1,860 GSFSO IL Design Team: Florian Idenburg, Andrea Fos, Marlena Fauer, Summer Liu, Andrew Song.Consultants:Executive Architect: Wallace ArchitectureOwners Project Manager:Time Equities Inc.Timber Design Assist Partner and Structural Engineer:StructureCraftMEP Engineer:Derive EngineersLighting Designer: Office Natalia PriwinAll renderings & drawings SO-IL.> via SO-IL

Submitted by WA ContentsHenning Larsen unveils Unboxing Carbon, open-source carbon catalogs Denmark Architecture News - Nov 04, 2024 - 12:29 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"In order to give architects and designers access to Global Warming Potential information for both interior and exterior building materials, Henning Larsen has released new open-source catalogs.Henning Larsen has expanded its focus on data-driven design choices by releasing fresh research on building materials' carbon emissions that is intended especially for architects and designers.Copenhagen Studio, Henning Larsen. Image Rasmus HjortshjHenning Larsen introduced Unboxing Carbon in 2021 as a carbon literacy course to give designers the fundamental knowledge they need to understand the environmental impact of building materials in response to the pressing need for climate action within the construction industry.In 2022, the first Unboxing Carbon Catalog for exterior construction materials was released as a result of this initiative. Two extensive catalogs are now available from Unboxing Carbon: one for interior materials and an updated version for exterior materials.Henning Larsen, KAB HQ. Image Laura Stamer, 2021Using information gathered from more than 1000 participants since the program's launch, the catalogs are the outcome of workshops held during the Unboxing Carbon course.The data, which is quality-controlled by Henning Larsen, comes from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and includes easily readable metrics like Global Warming Potential (GWP). Based on carbon calculations, the catalogs give architects a useful tool to help them make better design decisions.Unboxing Carbon, Changing Our Footprint Exhibition, Henning Larsen. Image Rasmus Hjortshj"These catalogs are our way of giving back to the industry - providing graphically appealing, easily readable, quality-controlled catalogs that professionals can use directly in their projects and in discussion with clients," said Martha Lewis, Head of Materials, Henning Larsen."The data is sourced from Environmental Product Declarations, organized by category, and broken down to an easily understandable unit, per square meter.""Our aim is to keep the information accessibleno complex digital tools, BIM, or EPD interpretation skills requiredjust straightforward, visual graphics for immediate use in carbon-conscious design decisions," Lewis added.Unboxing Carbon, Henning Larsen, UIA. Image courtesy of Henning LarsenComprehensive information on materials like wallboards, system walls, interior cladding, tiles, countertops, and interior finishes can be found in the recently released Unboxing Carbon Interior Material Catalog.World of Volvo, Henning Larsen. Image Rasmus HjortshjThe most recent advancements in material manufacturing and environmental regulations are reflected in the expanded selection of materials in the updated exterior materials catalog, which now includes roofing, insulation, and updated data points.Now that the exterior and interior catalogs can be downloaded, the industry has a vital resource for promoting sustainability in design.Henning Larsen won a competition to design a state-of-the-art concert hall in western Norway. In addition, the firm completed an experience centre for the acclaimed Swedish brands, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group in a Swedish landscape with a striking "forest-like canopy".Top image: Sundby School, Henning Larsen. Image Rasmus Hjortshj.> via Henning Larsen

Submitted by WA ContentsODA unveils design for Ombelle, a pair of sculptural residential towers in Downtown Fort LauderdaleUnited States Architecture News - Nov 04, 2024 - 13:30 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"New York-based architecture practice ODA has unveiled design for Ombelle, a pair of sculptural residential towers in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Called Ombelle, the project aims to blend the local charm of Flagler Village with the energy of downtown. In order to maximize residence views and natural light access, two sculpture towers rise skyward from a broad podium base, increasing in distance as they do so.Building Side View with PeopleIn addition to an outer shell of terraces and wrap around balconies that vary in depth, length, and density, the building's glass faade is protected by a delicate steel grid known as its exoskeleton.Developed by Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities, the 43-story development will feature 775 turn-key residences, more than 11,000 square feet (1,022-square-metre) of ground floor retail space, and more than 100,000 square feet (9,290-square-metre) of indoor and outdoor amenities.Lobby, cafeThe thoughtfully designed homes at Ombelle include a variety of opulent penthouses with 2,4002,600 square feet (223-242-square-metre), as well as studios and three-bedroom apartments that range in size from 465 square feet (43-square-metre) to slightly over 1,400 square feet (130-square-metre).The newest smart building technology, premium appliances, and beautifully finished Italian custom-designed kitchens and bathrooms will all be available at Ombelle.View from the poolEvery home will have open concept layouts, designer-curated finish packages, 10-foot (3 meetrs) ceilings in the main living areas, and spacious, elegant interiors. Completely furnished packages will be available to residents, adding to the feeling of comfort and exclusivity in this lively neighborhood."Ombelle combines the urban vibrancy of downtown Fort Lauderdale with the neighborhood charm of Flagler Village," said Eran Chen AIA, founder and executive director of ODA."Every moment in the building offers an experience, inspires a sense of community, and establishes a strong connection to the city and nature our interior design deeply inspired by Fort Lauderdales rivers and canals," Chen added.Pool deckThe property's impressive 15,000-square-foot (1,394-square-metre) lobby and arrival lounge provide residents with a warm and engaging welcome experience, complete with an artistic cultural garden.A reception area, several lounges, and a special residents-only caf are all located on the ground floor. The purpose of these designated areas is to improve the general sense of community and encourage social interaction.A complete floor of contemporary wellness and lifestyle-focused amenities, carefully chosen by Arch Amenities, will be available to residents on the ninth floor of the building. This will give them everything they require in a single, handy location, establishing a true community within a community.Sauna with garden viewA chef's kitchen, dining room, and dining lounge, a grab-and-go restaurant, a dedicated coworking suite with lounge seating, private workstations, and private conference rooms, a library, a music room, a recording studio with two private recording pods and instrument storage, a creative arts and crafts studio, a resident lounge and entertainment area, a fully furnished game lounge, and two indoor pickleball courts on the garage level are all features of the North Tower. Living roomAn additional indoor lounge area, a top-notch, state-of-the-art fitness center with private training, Pilates, massage, and immersive studios, as well as yoga studios, are all features of the South Tower.There is also a Wellness Lounge with an outdoor sauna, cold plunge, treatment rooms, an experiential shower, a steam room, and a sauna, as well as a swing sports game simulator and a children's playroom with both indoor and outdoor space.A resort-style lap pool, a plunge pool with cabanas by the pool, and a summer kitchen with several seating areas will all be exclusively available to outdoor residents.KitchenPrimary bathroomFull Building Drone Shot at SunsetSide Street Lobby View No PeopleODA specializes in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. The firm aims to balance the quality of life with the conditions of vertical urban living using a variety of scales and typologies. Since its establishment in 2007, ODA has rapidly become one of the most well-known companies of its generation, earning a reputation for producing innovative and ground-breaking designs.All renderings ODA.> via ODA

Submitted by WA ContentsFlorencia Rodriguez appointed as the Artistic Director of the 2025 Chicago Architecture BiennialUnited States Architecture News - Nov 04, 2024 - 14:08 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Chicago Architecture Biennial has announced that Florencia Rodriguez has been appointed as the Artistic Director of the sixth edition of Chicago Architecture Biennial.Florencia Rodriguez, a writer, editor and Director at the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Architecture, will be the Biennial's first Latina Artistic Director.The 6th CAB is themed "Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change". With a particular emphasis on the cultural influences that influence design, such as the need to reconsider collective housing, material culture, ecologies, and the effects of migration on our cities, the event will form a broad and multifaceted exploration of the field of architecture and the built environment globally.By tackling the most important problems of our day, new and commissioned projects will set a new course for modern design.Every two years, CAB has produced the largest exhibition of contemporary architecture in North America and has supported an international forum on architecture and urbanism based in Chicago for the past ten years. Stereoform Slab by SOM. The installation was presented at the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial. Image Dave BurkThrough more than 400 original projects made by architects, artists, and designers from almost 50 countries, our exhibitions and public programs have introduced more than 2.2 million visitors to cutting-edge design concepts.CAB, one of the world's most open and accessible architecture events, has established a strong forum for ideas and is now starting a new decade of expansion and ambitious initiatives.CAB 6 will be open to the public and on view from September 12, 2025 through February 28, 2026.The hub of the Biennial will once again be the Chicago Cultural Center, located in downtown Chicago. The main exhibition and hub of the Biennial are housed in the historic Chicago Cultural Center, the headquarters of the City of Chicago Department of Culture and Special Events (DCASE), which is part of the Millennium Park Campus in the center of downtown Chicago.Top image: Florencia Rodriguez, CAB 6's Artistic Director. Courtesy Chicago Architecture Biennial. Image Noah Sheldon.> via CAB

Submitted by WA ContentsDesignMarch 2025 will be held from April 2 to 6 in Reykjavk, IcelandIceland Architecture News - Nov 02, 2024 - 12:39 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"DesignMarch is an internationally acclaimed event that houses exhibitions, talks, workshops, and a conference in Reykjavk, Iceland. DesignTalks, the keynote event of the DesignMarch festival, will take place on April 2nd, 2025.DesignMarch 2025 will take place from April 2 to 6, 2025 in various locations in Reykjavk, Iceland.The overall theme for both DesignMarch and DesignTalks in 2025 is The Source.DesignMarch is Iceland's leading design festival, bringing together people and progressive design and innovation since 2009. The festival heralds new and surprising approaches and is a vibrant platform for ideas, diverse perspectives and knowledge driving force that enriches and enhances society.DesignTalks has been the signature event for DesignMarch from the beginning and has taken place for a full house in Harpa through the years. Hln Helga Gulaugsdttir, designer is the curator of the day and event is produced by the center of Iceland Design and Architecture.Through the years, speakers have included Bjarke Ingels, Katharine Hamnett, James Merry, Liam Young, Atelier NL, Alan Ricks MASS Design Group, Winy Maas, Calvin Klein, Kristian Edwards Snhetta, Henrik Vibskov, Christien Meindertsma, Lisa Lapauw & Mous Lambrat, Robert Wang Google Creative Lab, Studio Swine, Daisy Ginsberg, Jonathan Barnbrook, Paola Antonelli MOMA, Eley Kishimoto, Jessica Walsh Sagmeister&Walsh, Harry Parr Bompas&Parr, Paul Bennett IDEO, Ilkka Supponen, Marti Guix, Jersey Seymour, Anthony Dunne Dunne&Raby, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Marije Vogelzang, Anders Lendager Lendager Group, Ingvar Helgason Vitralabs, Aamu Song og Johan Olin COMPANY, Natsai Audrey Chieza, Refik Anadol and many more international guests as well as a plethora of local designers and architects.Read more about the festival on the website.Top image in the article courtesy of DesignMarch.> via DesignMarcharchitecture event

Submitted by WA ContentsChicago Architecture Biennial will be held from September 12, 2025 to February 28, 2026United States Architecture News - Nov 02, 2024 - 13:26 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an international forum on architecture and urbanism by producing year-round programs and a biennial exposition of city-wide activations for a diverse audience of designers, educators, advocates, students, and local communities.The 6th edition of Chicago Architecture Biennial will take place from September 12, 2025, through February 28, 2026. The hub of the Biennial will once again be the Chicago Cultural Center, located in downtown Chicago.Florencia Rodriguez, a writer, editor, and Director at the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Architecture, will be the Biennial's first Latina Artistic Director.CAB 6 is themed "Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change".With a particular emphasis on the cultural influences that influence design, CAB 6 will conduct a comprehensive and multifaceted investigation of architecture and the built environment worldwide. These forces include the need to reconsider collective housing, material culture, ecologies, and the effects of migration on our cities. By tackling the most important problems of our day, new and commissioned projects will set a new course for modern design.Every two years, CAB has produced the largest exhibition of contemporary architecture in North America and has supported an international forum on architecture and urbanism based in Chicago for the past ten years. Through more than 400 original projects made by architects, artists, and designers from almost 50 countries, our exhibitions and public programs have introduced more than 2.2 million visitors to cutting-edge design concepts. CAB, one of the world's most open and accessible architecture events, has established a strong forum for ideas and is now starting a new decade of expansion and ambitious initiatives.Read more about the Chicago Architecture Biennial on the website.Top image in the article: The Gun Violence Memorial Project by MASS Design Group and Hank Willis Thomas. Image Kendall McCaugherty.architecture event

Submitted by WA ContentsExhibition: Rural Rebellion by Christoph Hesse Architects, Korbach/BerlinGermany Architecture News - Nov 02, 2024 - 14:18 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The firm Christoph Hesse Architects addresses the challenges of rural areas by questioning and reinterpreting traditional structures of villages and landscapes in unconventional ways. Raised on a farm in the Hochsauerland region of Germany, Christoph Hesse brings his deep connection to nature and agricultural life to the projects, which are often developed in collaboration with local and international partners.Focusing on five central themes, Rural Rebellion presents a selection of spatial interventions through striking models, large-scale panoramic drawings, films, portrait photos and statements by the Rural Rebels. The exhibition illustrates how the projects create social, environmental and economical focal points, enabling a future-oriented transformation one that not only improves life in the countryside, but also redefines it as a source of innovation and societal progress.Strohtherme. Image Thomas BaronFollowing Grounded (2019), Rural Rebellionis the second monographic exhibition by Christoph Hesse Architects at Aedes Architecture Forum.Christoph Hesse spent his childhood and youth on a farm in Referinghausen in the Hochsauerland region. His experiences with intensive interaction with nature and agricultural work in solidarity form the basis of his architectural and cultural visions. These experiences are expressed in a regenerative way of thinking and taking action that is oriented towards the natural rhythm of the seasons of the year from the sowing of seeds to the harvest.Offene Kapelle. Image Laurian GhinitoiuThe term agriculture is derived from the Latin word agricultura, which in its original sense denotes cultivation. What is meant is a conscious approach to nature through working sustainably rather than exploiting its resources. For Christoph Hesse, respect and understanding for nature are reflected in this position. The projects he initiates are thus shaped by this approach and emphasize considered, responsible action in which human beings and their relationship to the environment are central.With its collaborative projects, the team of Christoph Hesse Architects with its international network responds to an increasingly individualised society. Against this backdrop, the projects are regarded as both an impetus for a change in thinking and precise interventions in existing structures. They represent a rebellion against the lack of responsibility of people towards their environment and in favour of more self-efficacy in the community. What therefore stands in the centre of the exhibition at Aedes is a future-oriented change of perspective.Mosque of Nature. Image courtesy of Bild Christoph Hesse ArchitectsExhibitionOne important component of the exhibition Rural Rebellion are the impressive models of already realised projects and ones still under construction. They are supplemented by the statements and portraits of Rural Rebels as well as large-format panorama drawings on linen banners and films providing extensive insights into the firms visions and methods. The exhibition invites visitors to contemplate the challenges and potentials of rural areas, which will be of crucial significance for coming generations.The exhibition is structured in five thematic fields:Perspective ChangingThe Open Mind Places a series of twelve installations by the Rural Rebels from Referinghausen in the Sauerland region open up new perspectives on rural regions and promote self-efficacy.Visionary SeedingProjects like the House of Knowledge in Xinyang, China, and Circle of Life in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, promote the connection to nature and impart knowledge about regenerative agriculture.Collaborative GrowingInternational collaborations show how global partnerships lead to local solutions, including the Ways of Life project on Edersee, the Garden House in Bad Wildungen, and the Mosque of Nature in Cairo.Resourceful PioneeringThe Rural Rebels from Titmaringhausen in the Sauerland region are pursuing sustainable transformation. The self-sustaining Villa F stands for the transition to a CO2-neutral lifestyle, independent of fossil energy sources.Regenerative HarvestingThis form of harvesting contrasts with the conventional use of resources only what regrows is picked. Examples such as the Siebenhof Farm in Ginseldorf show how regenerative principles promote ecological renewal and function as a social anchor.Christoph Hesse Architects is an internationally active architecture firm with offices in Korbach and Berlin. The firms focus is on cooperative cultural and ecological projects in rural areas that promote regenerative thinking and action and strengthen the self-efficacy of participants. The firm was established in 2010 by Christoph Hesse, who was awarded his Master of Architecture at the ETH Zrich and his Master in Urban Design, with honours, at Harvard University. The firm has had a second office in Berlin since 2018.Christoph Hesse Architects have received numerous national and international awards, including the Architectural Record Design Vanguard Award in New York. Publications such as vita (Libria, 2023) and Open Mind Places(Deutscher Architektur Verlag, 2020) document the firms work. It has been exhibited in important venues like the Architecture Biennale in Venice, documenta fifteen in Kassel, Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin, Being Art Museum in Shanghai, and Sapienza University in Rome, where Christoph Hesse currently teaches. He was previously a guest professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing (202024) and has conducted research and taught at the ETH Zurich, Harvard University, and TU Darmstadt, among other institutions.Chapel of Light, Ways of Life. Image Thomas BaronExhibition factsExhibition: 26 October 2024 24 January 2025Venue:Aedes Architecture Forum, Christinenstr. 1819, 10119 BerlinOpening Hours:Mon 15pm, TueFri 11am6.30pm, Sun and public holidays 15pm, Sat 26 October 2024, 15pmTop image in the article: Kornfeld Pavillon Open Mind Place, Referinghausen, 2023. Image Thomas Baron.> via Aedes Architecture Forumarchitecture event

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Entriesforthe49thCycleoftheWAAwards10+5+Xarenow open!The WA Awards 10+5+X, an online architecture awards program celebrating its 49th Cycle, is a trailblazer in recognition thanks to its more inclusive process.Architects, interior designers, and students worldwide are welcome to submit their entries for the WA Awards 10+5+X 49th Cycle until December13, 2024 (23:59 GMT +0).If you are a WAC member, sign into your account here. If you're not a WAC member yet, create an account and submit your entry.More than 2,350 projects were crowned at the WA Awards 10+5+XThe WA Awards, a worldwide awards program, are distinguished by their emphasis on originality, novelty, diversity, and creativity that demonstrate and encourage a dedication to the art of architecture. Additionally, they present projects that have not yet been made public through the program.Thus far, the WA Awards program has recognized over 2,350 projects in the categories of architecture, interior design, and student work. Would you like to be crowned the winner of the WA Awards with your innovative project?WA Awards 10+5+X has a standard deadlineThere is a standard deadline for the WA Awards, and only a limited number of categories are open for submission. Furthermore, as the deadline approaches, the participation fee remains the same.By registering with WAC on this page, architects, interior designers, and students studying architecture and interior design will have time until December13, 2024, 23:59 GMT +0, to submit their projects. It's free!Start your entry today, create an account, and submit your entry by selecting Architect, Interior Designer, or Student (Academic) with a correct representative of their status.WA Awards 10+5+X 48th Cycle Winner PostersParticipants may upload their projects to their WAC Pages and submit them at any prior to the deadline, allowing for review and editing.Who are eligible members at WA Awards 10+5+X?Applications for WA Awards 10+5+X are only open to architects, architecture offices, interior designers, interior design offices, and architecture and interior design students.WA Awards 10+5+X has limited categoriesThere are few categories in the WA Awards 10+5+X. The WA Awards program consists of two primary sections: Interior Design and Architecture. Participants must submit their projects under one of the three subcategoriesRealized, Designed, or Studentafter choosing the appropriate section.Participants should make sure to submit their projects that meet the conditions of each category. You can see category details on this page.Schedule of WA Awards10+5+XThe WA Awards 10+5+X are normally divided into 34 cycles annually, with each cycle lasting about 3 or 3,5 months. Participants are allowed to submit their projects until the specified deadline.The 49th Cycle of the WA Awards ends on 13December, 2024.The Voting period of the 49th Cycle is planned to open in mid-December. We plan to announce the winners towards the end of December.You can consult our How to Participate page to learn about the current cycles submission deadline.High-resolution (print-quality) posters of previous Awards WinnersWho are the jurors for the WA Awards?An elite group of invited architects, renowned critics, scholars, and theorists, as well as editors of architectural magazines, curators, and other professionals, comprise the WA Awards Jury, the program's first jury panel. It is composed of previous WA Award winners and WAC Honorary Members.The second jury panel for the awards program is composed of academics, students, architects, and interior designers who have registered on our platform and are members of the World Architecture Community. They select the next five winning projects.Nikos Fintikakis, co-founder of SYNTHESIS AND RESEARCH, Professor engl ymen Gr, acclaimed Indonesian architect Budi Sukada, who is senior lecturer at the University of Tarumanagara, artist and teacher Ruth Jacobson, Alhadeff Architects founder Giancarlo Alhadeff, Sanjay Puri, the founder of Sanjay Puri Architects, architectural consultant Jane Samuels, are among the WAC's Honorary Members.World Architecture Community announces the Voting period on WAC website, emails and social media.The voting stages for WAC Members, WAC Honorary Members, and previous WA Award Winners are all taking place at the same time on the WA Awards 10+5+X Submissions page.WA Awards 10+5+X has a low-pricing policyThe WA Awards 10+5+X offers low entry fees to encourage worldwide participation. The program aims to increase global involvement and establish the WA Awards as the most affordable and accessible online awards program. Additionally, this initiative aims to enhance visibility between larger offices and medium- and small-sized firms.Participants do not have to pay any additional fees when they pay for each category in the cycle of the competition.Find out more about WA Awards 10+5+X fees.WA Awards Winners get a special WA Award Winner Poster and a digital WA Award CertificateThe winners of the WA Awards will receive a digital high-resolution WA Award Winner Poster and a digital WA Award Certificate. They will be made available to the participants in a few weeks following the announcement of our winners.Havemorequestions?See our How To Participate page for visual instructions and to start your entry. For any additional inquiries about WA Awards 10+5+X, please reach out to the WAC team via [emailprotected].Top image in the poster:Sanjay Puri Architects'sAatma Manthan Museumin India won the WA Awards in the 48th Cycle in the Interior Design/Realised category. Image Vinay Panjwani.WA Awards

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Entriesforthe49thCycleoftheWAAwards10+5+Xarenow open!The WA Awards 10+5+X, an online architecture awards program celebrating its 49th Cycle, is a trailblazer in recognition thanks to its more inclusive process.Architects, interior designers, and students worldwide are welcome to submit their entries for the WA Awards 10+5+X 49th Cycle until December13, 2024 (23:59 GMT +0).If you are a WAC member, sign into your account here. If you're not a WAC member yet, create an account and submit your entry.More than 2,350 projects were crowned at the WA Awards 10+5+XThe WA Awards, a worldwide awards program, are distinguished by their emphasis on originality, novelty, diversity, and creativity that demonstrate and encourage a dedication to the art of architecture. Additionally, they present projects that have not yet been made public through the program.Thus far, the WA Awards program has recognized over 2,350 projects in the categories of architecture, interior design, and student work. Would you like to be crowned the winner of the WA Awards with your innovative project?WA Awards 10+5+X has a standard deadlineThere is a standard deadline for the WA Awards, and only a limited number of categories are open for submission. Furthermore, as the deadline approaches, the participation fee remains the same.By registering with WAC on this page, architects, interior designers, and students studying architecture and interior design will have time until December13, 2024, 23:59 GMT +0, to submit their projects. It's free!Start your entry today, create an account, and submit your entry by selecting Architect, Interior Designer, or Student (Academic) with a correct representative of their status.WA Awards 10+5+X 48th Cycle Winner PostersParticipants may upload their projects to their WAC Pages and submit them at any prior to the deadline, allowing for review and editing.Who are eligible members at WA Awards 10+5+X?Applications for WA Awards 10+5+X are only open to architects, architecture offices, interior designers, interior design offices, and architecture and interior design students.WA Awards 10+5+X has limited categoriesThere are few categories in the WA Awards 10+5+X. The WA Awards program consists of two primary sections: Interior Design and Architecture. Participants must submit their projects under one of the three subcategoriesRealized, Designed, or Studentafter choosing the appropriate section.Participants should make sure to submit their projects that meet the conditions of each category. You can see category details on this page.Schedule of WA Awards10+5+XThe WA Awards 10+5+X are normally divided into 34 cycles annually, with each cycle lasting about 3 or 3,5 months. Participants are allowed to submit their projects until the specified deadline.The 49th Cycle of the WA Awards ends on 13December, 2024.The Voting period of the 49th Cycle is planned to open in mid-December. We plan to announce the winners towards the end of December.You can consult our How to Participate page to learn about the current cycles submission deadline.High-resolution (print-quality) posters of previous Awards WinnersWho are the jurors for the WA Awards?An elite group of invited architects, renowned critics, scholars, and theorists, as well as editors of architectural magazines, curators, and other professionals, comprise the WA Awards Jury, the program's first jury panel. It is composed of previous WA Award winners and WAC Honorary Members.The second jury panel for the awards program is composed of academics, students, architects, and interior designers who have registered on our platform and are members of the World Architecture Community. They select the next five winning projects.Nikos Fintikakis, co-founder of SYNTHESIS AND RESEARCH, Professor engl ymen Gr, acclaimed Indonesian architect Budi Sukada, who is senior lecturer at the University of Tarumanagara, artist and teacher Ruth Jacobson, Alhadeff Architects founder Giancarlo Alhadeff, Sanjay Puri, the founder of Sanjay Puri Architects, architectural consultant Jane Samuels, are among the WAC's Honorary Members.World Architecture Community announces the Voting period on WAC website, emails and social media.The voting stages for WAC Members, WAC Honorary Members, and previous WA Award Winners are all taking place at the same time on the WA Awards 10+5+X Submissions page.WA Awards 10+5+X has a low-pricing policyThe WA Awards 10+5+X offers low entry fees to encourage worldwide participation. The program aims to increase global involvement and establish the WA Awards as the most affordable and accessible online awards program. Additionally, this initiative aims to enhance visibility between larger offices and medium- and small-sized firms.Participants do not have to pay any additional fees when they pay for each category in the cycle of the competition.Find out more about WA Awards 10+5+X fees.WA Awards Winners get a special WA Award Winner Poster and a digital WA Award CertificateThe winners of the WA Awards will receive a digital high-resolution WA Award Winner Poster and a digital WA Award Certificate. They will be made available to the participants in a few weeks following the announcement of our winners.Havemorequestions?See our How To Participate page for visual instructions and to start your entry. For any additional inquiries about WA Awards 10+5+X, please reach out to the WAC team via [emailprotected].Top image in the poster:Sanjay Puri Architects'sAatma Manthan Museumin India won the WA Awards in the 48th Cycle in the Interior Design/Realised category. Image Vinay Panjwani.WA Awards

Submitted by WA ContentsBIG designs its new HQ around one column and a giant staircase on Copenhagen harbor Denmark Architecture News - Nov 01, 2024 - 13:54 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"BIG has designed its new headquarters around a single column and a large staircase on the Copenhagen harbor in Denmark.Named BIG HQ, the new 4,488-square-meter headquarters is surrounded by warehouses and maritime infrastructure in Copenhagen, at the tip of Sundmolen.BIG HQ represents one of the first examples of the studio's integrated LEAPP approacha partnership between BIG's internal Landscape, Engineering, Architecture, Planning, and Product Design teams. The project was completed in the spring of 2024.Additionally, the building is made of Uni-Green concrete developed in close collaboration with Unicon.BIG's new headquarters, a 27-meter-tall, seven-story building rooted in the harbor's industrial past, is situated on a narrow pier in Copenhagen's Nordhavn neighborhood.The building, which took two years to build in partnership with LM Byg, Unicon, Energy Machines, El-Team Vest, Eiler Thomsen, and HB Trapper, now houses BIG's 300 employees in Copenhagen.The building, which was designed to achieve DGNB Gold, incorporates geothermal and solar energy systems, helping to achieve a 60 per cent renewable energy reliance.When used in tandem with passive design techniques like natural ventilation, the geothermal energy system meets all of the building's cooling needs and 84 per cent of its heating needs.Compared to an equivalent traditional concrete mix, the building represents the first use of Uni-Green concrete, which was created in partnership with Unicon.The Uni-Green concrete involves replacing some of the cement clinker with calcined clay and lime filler, resulting in a CO2 reduction of about 25 percent.Tested and developed during construction, BIG HQ is a testament to Uni-Green's durability and potential. It is also a pioneer project in terms of building methods and materials, pushing the limits of concrete's potential."The idea behind LEAPP is an architecture practice as a renaissance, interdisciplinary body of people and knowledge - LEAPP being the acronym for Landscape, Engineering, Architecture, Product, and Planning," said Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG."Every single aspect of LEAPP has been involved in our HQ, including the planning, the product design, the very complex stacking of the concrete elements. Because of the way its engineered, it only holds one column in the whole building.""A series of Scandinavian granite and marble are stacked between the beams and everything else is these concrete walls resting on each other. Every floor has access to an outdoor terrace that is connected to the outdoors terrace above and below. One of the means of egress is that you can walk all the way from the roof to the ground floor," Ingels added."This creates incredibly framed views as you move through the building sometimes you see a fragment of the Nordhavn community, sometimes you see a frame of the water, sometimes a framed view of the windmills at Middelgrunden," Ingels concluded.BIGsters and visitors will enter the main entrance through a 3-meter-tall glass door and be greeted by a Piranesian space where the interior of the building is revealed through diagonal views up to the top floor. This space is connected visually and physically by a central staircase made of blackened steel that zigzags.At the center of the open area is a single load-bearing stone column made of six different types of rock, from porous marble at the top to dense granite at the bottom, which rotates on each floor to line up with the beam it is supporting. From the roof to the quayside, a 140-meter-long staircase winds around the building's facade, giving each floor access to an outdoor terrace and facilitating movement between floors. By serving as an extra fire escape, the staircase frees the interior from the traditional core's obstruction.In order to maximize the amount of light available to the model shop and meeting rooms, the elevator, vertical risers, and a smaller, secondary egress staircase are relocated to the north edge of the building, leaving the work areas as open as possible.Inspired by the sandy beaches and coastal forests of Denmark, BIG Landscape has converted a former parking lot at the base of the building into a 1,500-square-meter public park.Native forest trees, like oaks and pines, provide shelter from the harbor's severe winds to the north. In order to promote habitat creation for biodiversity and provide a soft surface for play and relaxation, areas with planting, rocks, and woods have been created toward the south.American artist Benjamin Langholz's "Stone 40" sculpture, nestled among the trees, is sure to astonish and captivate guests of all ages. 40 stones are arranged in a spiral pattern to create the sculpture, which serves as a fun and sensory-challenging path.Wind-tolerant trees, shrubs, perennials, and herbsincluding the herbs used by the chefs in the studio canteenare planted along the exterior staircase that circles the headquarters.The rooftop terrace, which offers staff and visitors a distinctive view of the city and the water, is paved with wood from a nearby sawmill and carries on the park's theme of natural materials to create a comprehensive connection between urban space and architecture. "At the tip of Sundmolen in Nordhavn, weve transformed what was once a parking lot into a 1,500 m beach parka hidden gem in the heart of the city. Inspired by Denmarks beautiful coastal landscapes, we envisioned a place where people can relax, play, fish, and connect with nature," said Giulia Frittoli, Partner and Head of BIG Landscape, BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group."The park reflects what would have naturally grown here before the harbor emerged, making it an homage to both the past and future. By preserving the sites industrial character and merging it with the Danish coastal landscape, it offers a living space where nature and people thrive together.""We hope it becomes a lasting part of visitors memories and an example of inhabitable nature," Frittoli added.BIG recently unveiled design to transform a former supermarket building into the new Museum for Paper Art in the North Jutland region of Denmark.In addition, the firm's Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring curved roofs, topped out in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Moreover, the firm unveiled design for a group of holiday villas on Japans Sagi Island called NOT A HOTEL Setouchi.Project factsName:BIG HQSize:52,528sq ft / 4,880 m2Location:Client:Collaborators:LM Byg, Aalborg Portland, Centrum Ple, Connex, El Team Vest, Energy Machines, Skel.dk, PaschalStillads, Kjellerup VVS, HB Trapper, Eiler Thomsen, Deko, Brnnum,Primatag, Optimus, Krak Bau, Alt omFugningAps, YOUR PARTNER,KvadratAcoustics, GOTESSONS, AkustikMilj, DanskBelgningsenterprise, NO.BA Studio, Ceramica Cielo, TONI Copenhagen, Dinesen Floors A/S,Influit, Helden, Artelia Group, DTU,Popl, Rambll,EcoBetonDanmarkApS, PD Elevator, Fritz Hansen, Muller van Severen,Aluflam, Artemide,Funktionen,Windowmaster,Byggeweb,Viasol,Schco, Anker & Co., E. NielsensMekaniskeStenhuggeriA/S,Allremove, Miele, SHURE, Shack Trapper, BoConcept.Project teamPartner in Charge:Bjarke Ingels, Finn NrkjrProject Manager:Design Lead:Frederik LyngProject Architect:Jesper Boye AndersenTeam:Annette Jensen, Justas Zabulionis, Hanne Halvorsen, Alda Sol Hauksdttir, Jesper Boye Andersen, Gabrielle Nadeau, Lisbet Fritze Trentemller, Tobias Hjortdal, Fabiana Cortolezzis, Maria Natalia Lenardon, Sergiu Calacean, Lenya Schneehage, Steen Kortbk Svendsen, Katrine Juul, Mads Enggaard Stidsen, Kaja Terze, Eddie Chiu Fai Can, Mathieu Jaumain, Jannik Albk, Matthew Thomson, Felicia Olofsson, Helen Shuyang Chen, Mads Primdahl Rokkjr, Arthur Martinevski, Ewa Zapiec, Snorre Emanuel Nash Jrgensen, Marius Tromholt-Richter, Kresimir Blazina, Magni Waltersson, Atibadi Brugnano, Graham Forrest Jordan, Ioannis Mathioudakis, Yunyoung Choi, Dobrochna Anna Klimczak, Shu Zhao, Joos Jerne, Narisara Ladawal Schrder, Mikkel M. R. Stubgaard, Sren Martinussen, Kim Lauer, Lone Fenger Albrechtsen, Jonas Hgh Rask, Tommy Bjrnstrup, Kanetnat Puttimettipanan, Celia de la Osa Muoz, Anne-Charlotte Wiklander, Helena Hammershaimb, Danyu Zeng, Guoyu Liu, Thor Larsen-Lechuga, Filip Jacek Rozkowski, Irie Annik Meree, Anna Wozniak, Hgni Laksafoss, Jonathan Otis Navntoft Russell, Jiewei Li, Frederik Skou Jensen, Luca Pileri, Margarita Nutfulina, Gl Ertekin, Aya Fibert, David Zahle, Paula Madrid, Xingyue Huang, Andreas Klok Pedersen, Yehezkiel Wiliardy, Omar Mohamed Nabil Mohamed Saad Mowafy, Alexandra-Madalina Nita, Petra Hajdu, Johan Frederik Lindqvist, Mariana De Soares E Barbieri Cardoso, Marah Wagner, Xinying Zhang, Jakob Lange, Martyna Kloda, Nandi Lu, Henrik Jacobsen, Bart Ramakers, Celina Holck, Mussa Algasra, Andrea Angelo Suardi, Xavier Thanki, Agla Egilsdottir, Eddie CanBIG Engineering:Andrea Megan Hektor, Tim Christensen, Alexander Gale Heiede, Jesus Fernandez Fraile, Kai-Brith Kalda, Thomas Lejeune, Andreas Bak, Kannan Selvaraj, Jonathan Otis Nanvtoft RussellBIG Sustainability:Alexander Matthias JacobsonBIG Landscape:Giulia Frittoli, Ulla Hornsyld, Louise Mould, Anders Fnss, Brian Malig Collado, Christian Kuczenski, Ahmed Badra, Anna Bertolazzi, Anna Lindgaard Jensen, Barbora Hrmova, Bartlomiej Lew, Dina Brndstrup, Fernanda Furuya, Giulia Genovese, Ines Zunic, Jialin Liang, Jonathan Udemezue, Juhye Kim, Kristian Mousten, Milan Moldenhawer, Xinyi ChenSite Management:Lars Thonke, Michael James Kepke, Jannik Albk, Louise Brndbjerg, Mathilde Jeppesen, Marija Cvijovic.All images Laurian Ghinitoiu.All drawings BIG.> via BIG

Submitted by WA ContentsMVRDV completes the transformation of Aldo van Eyck's Tripolis Park in AmsterdamNetherlands Architecture News - Oct 31, 2024 - 13:17 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"MVRDV has completed the renovation and transformation of Dutch architect Aldo van Eyck's Tripolis Office complex in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.Named Tripolis Park, the project was one of the last projects completed by the celebrated Dutch modernist architect Aldo van Eyck.In accordance with Van Eyck's original plans, MVRDV restored two of the three listed heritage buildings on behalf of developer Flow.Additionally, a 12-story "landscraper" was erected along the site's perimeter to protect the complexwhich also houses Van Eyck's Amsterdam Orphanage next doorfrom the dust and noise produced by the nearby A10 highway.In order to create an exciting in-between space where the two meet, the new building carefully maintains a respectful distance from the heritage buildings. Bridges span overhead to connect the old and the new.Tripolis, three unique office buildings measuring 11,000, 8,000, and 6,000 square meters, was built in close proximity to Van Eyck's masterpiece, the Amsterdam Orphanage.One of the most significant structures of the Structuralist movement, the orphanage was finished in 1960, but by 1986 it was already in danger of being demolished.After a successful global effort to save the orphanage, the Amsterdam municipality offered the developer the nearby land, but only if Aldo and Hannie van Eyck designed the new office complex. After their new design was finished in 1994, Tripolis started serving as the orphanage's symbolic savior.The design of MVRDV represents the next development in this history. The original Tripolis remained vacant for years due to its lack of commercial success.In the meantime, there was a threat of more noise and pollution due to the impending expansion of the nearby A10 highway, which would include a new on-ramp directly next to the Tripolis site.In turn, the Tripolis buildings required an intervention to ensure their future, much like the orphanage in the 1980s.After conducting archival research and working closely with Van Eyck's heirs, MVRDV's design has brought the buildings' faades back to Van Eyck's original designs, which is an improvement over their original state.For instance, in contrast to the less expensive wood and granite combination that the Tripolis developer had demanded in the 1990s, the faades are now entirely covered in wood. Additionally preserved are the building's multicolored window frames.The renovation preserves the buildings' interior features, like the staircases and the natural stone floors, but it also updates the structures to meet contemporary standards, which increasingly view offices as places for gathering and teamwork.The building is now less divided thanks to the removal of dividing walls, and it is more sustainable thanks to a number of interventions.With greenery and pavilions that facilitate interaction among all complex users and can be utilized for events, the roofs are now utilized more frequently. Additionally, solar panels are added, which aids in the development's BREEAM Outstanding sustainability certification.According to the firm, the project is more than just a renovation; on the edge of the plot, a 12-story skyscraper called "The Window" is positioned as close to the A10 as feasible to create a barrier between the highway and the remainder of the property.To draw attention to the project's heritage features, a sizable rectangular window overlooking the original Tripolis complex has been cut out of the 34,000-square-meter office building's gridded south faade.The northern faade, which is indented by an "echo" of the intricate shapes of the Tripolis buildings, reacts playful to them on the opposite side of the structure.With bridges connecting the old and new buildings, this intervention creates an exciting, low-noise intermediate space with an undulating interior."Demolition of heritage is always the easy option, especially if it is located in a business district dominated by high-rise buildings," said MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas."Tripolis Park offers an approach to protecting heritage that at the same time meets peoples expectations for an office today. It combines this with new densification, a continuation of the development at Amsterdam Zuidas, that doesnt copy Van Eycks intention, but creates a new one, like a new layer in time.""And it celebrates the in-between which, as Aldo explained to me when I was a student, is one of the main sources of beauty in architecture," Maas added.The fact that Tripolis Park has drawn two prestigious tenantsUber and the law firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroekdemonstrates how Van Eyck's monument has been re-established in the contemporary office rental market.The third of the original Tripolis buildings will be completed in the upcoming years.The site's greening will continue, creating a park-like campus where Aldo van Eyck's buildings, both from 1960 and 1994, are protected and conserved. It will be conveniently accessible by foot and bicycle from the other Zuidas and the adjacent metro station.Floor planFloor planFloor planFloor planElevationMVRDV released the first details of design for Tripolis Park in 2020. In addition, the firm transformed a former German military base from the Second World War into a residential and cultural community in the Netherlands. Moreover, the firm revealed the design for a new office building in Munich, the building's facade is covered in recycled plastic shingles.Project factsProject name:Tripolis ParkLocation:Amsterdam, The NetherlandsYear:20182023Client:Flow DevelopmentSize and Programme:61,000m2 Offices, Public amenitiesSustainability certification:BREEAM-NL-OutstandingArchitect:MVRDVFounding Partner in charge: Winy MaasDirector: Gideon MaaslandAssociate Design Director: Gijs RikkenProject Leader: Rik Lambers, Bob de RijkDesign Team:Steven Anton, Roxana Aron, Guido Boeters, Teodora Cirjan, Joao Viaro Correa, Guillermo Corella Dekker, Karolina Duda, Cas Esbach, Valentina Fantini, Rico van de Gevel, Piotr Janus, Nika Koraca, Urszula Kuczma, Claudia Mainardi, Sanne van Manen, Rugile Ropolaite, Irgen Salianji, Maxime Sauce, Claudia Storelli, Karolina Szstkiewicz, Laurens Veth, Olesya Vodenicharska, Mark van Wasbeek, Mariya Badeva, Rebecca Fiorentino, Nefeli Stamatari, Michele Tavola, Aleksandra WypirVisualisations:Antonio Luca Coco, Luca Piattelli, Kirill Emelianov, Pavlos Ventouris, Francesco VitalePartnersCo-architect:Powered by EGMContractor:G&S BouwProject coordination:Toussaint Project ManagementLandscape architect:DeltavormgroepStructural engineer:Van Rossum Raadgevende IngenieursInstallations consultancy:ArcadisMEP: Bosman BedrijvenCost calculation: BBNBuilding Physics & Environmental Advisor:DGMRInterior architect:ConcreteAll images Ossip van Duivenbode.All drawings MVRDV.> via MVRDV

Submitted by WA ContentsTAO completes concrete bookstore with protruding structure on a steep slope in China China Architecture News - Oct 29, 2024 - 14:54 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Beijing-based architecture practice TAO (Trace Architecture Office) has completed a concrete bookstore made of a protruding structure on a steep slope in Nujiang Prefecture, China.Named Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde, the 637-square-metre building is situated on a plot of land in the southern Nujiang province's capital, Lushui.The city, which is surrounded by the Biluo and Gaoligong Mountains, is the starting point of Avant-Garde's upstream trip along the river and the southern entrance to the Nujiang Canyon.The Nujiang River, China's last unrestricted river, separates the Gaoligong Mountains and Biluo Snow Mountain to its east and west as it meanders through the creases of the Hengduan Mountains in western Yunnan.Perched atop the Gaoligong Mountains, the Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde faces the two sacred mountains of the Lisu and Bai ethnic groups on the other side of the river.The third partnership began in 2021 when Librairie Avant-Garde asked TAO to design three new stores in Nujiang Prefecture.The bookstore is located in Yangpo Village, which is situated atop the Gaoligong Ridge. For many generations, it has been a primitive Lisu settlement. One of the most prominent ethnic groups along the Nujiang River, the Lisu originally lived in the expansive river valleys of the Yalong and Jinsha Rivers in Sichuan and Yunnan.Outdoor terraceIn the middle of the 16th century, they fled to northwest Yunnan because of the threat of war. They created unique tools, especially crossbows and arrows, which became a cultural totem and a major source of inspiration for the project after adapting to the difficult terrain.The project, which faces the canyon from Yangpo Village's entrance, organically represents the line separating nature and civilization.The site was originally known as the "Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde" because of an incomplete viewing platform that provided a panoramic view of the canyon and a prime vantage point of the Hengduan Mountains.Street viewAdditionally, the prominent location serves as both the public face of Librairie Avant-Garde and the village's landmark. As a result, the structure needs to be a bold, avant-garde symbol that is in conversation with the villagedifferentiated but in harmony with its surroundings.The main concern throughout the design is how architecture strikes a balance between uniqueness and local context. Architecture must adapt to the Lisu village, which stretches along the ridge of the Gaoligong Mountains and embodies both strong natural characteristics and cultural identity. EntranceThe unique texture of mountainous terrain has been captured by Yangpo Village, an ancestral Lisu settlement that has grown naturally along the contours. However, remnants of construction from different eras overlap, creating a disorganized and collage-like appearance, as homes from different periods have displaced and compressed one another.As a highly abstract expression rooted in the current construction context, the bookstore ultimately adopts a completely contemporary language to respond to the village's prevalent sloped-roof typology within the complex historical context.The bookstore also turns into a medium that links the village's past and present as a result of this conversation.EntranceThe structure connects with the mountainous landscape through the slanted areas it creates. The building's steep gradient and angled geometry, combined with the site's natural topography, create a dynamic momentum akin to "an arrow on the bowstring" as it sits atop the slope at the village entrance.The building's dynamic form is reflected in the shapes of the numerous openings on the exterior walls that are oriented in various directions. The building serves as a conduit between the sky and the ground, with each opening framing a distinct view of the canyon landscape.EntranceThere are two distinct circulation routes connecting the building's three levels. Following these paths both inside and outside the structure, one is treated to a constantly shifting series of areas, where they come across passageways that are occasionally lofty and narrow, occasionally dim and profound, and occasionally wide and airy. Internal circulation starts at the tall caf at the top, which has a sloping roof that faces the sky and creates a meditative atmosphere. Heavy concrete walls on three sides protect visitors from the elements as they descend to the mid-level bookstore. Two skylights beneath the water's surface provide a shimmering light for the lower-level theater. CafeTwo six-meter-tall camphor-wood doors at the theater's end open and close in a daily ritual. While the land lies in silence and Nujiang thunders with rage outside, people read, recite, and converse with past souls inside the doors.The canyon, where the Nujiang and literature meet, opens up like the curtain of a stage.Similar to the canyon composition created by the Nujiang River with tall mountains on either side, the entrance is where the external circulation starts, where two opposing forms define a narrow and elevated entry space.Cafe barA sense of openness is revealed as one abruptly moves from the man-made "canyon" to the natural canyon after leaving the entry space and descending along the central axis.The building's main entrance is in line with Yangpo Village's main road, as can be seen from the aerial view. The two viewing terraces on different levels are connected by an outdoor circulation, creating a public area that is always open to locals and tourists.Entrance of cafeAccordingly, the bookstore can be viewed as an extension of the village's public area, which faces the canyon and combines vernacular mechanics with modern architectural language.As its name implies, Librairie Avant-Garde is at the center of the village, aiming the Lisu people's crossbow toward the distant lands of poetry.TerraceYangpo Village, an ethnic minority settlement, has benefited from the modern cultural spark brought by Librairie Avant-Garde. Librairie Avant-Garde will use the bookstore as a pivot to further revitalize the village's cultural life and raise awareness of the Nujiang Grand Canyon and ethnic minorities worldwide in the future.TerraceBookstoreBookstoreBookstoreBookstoreOutdoor terraceTheatreTheatreBookstore at sunsetBookstore at sunsetOverlook to the villageAerial viewVillage and bookstoreMasterplanSecond basement floor planFirst basement floor planFirst floor planCross sectionLongitudinal sectionEast elevationWest elevationSouth elevationNorth elevationConcept collageInterior circulation analysisExterior circulation analysisSite modelTAO designed a project that comprises a concrete-shear wall cafe and a towerhouse - a vertical volume pointing to the sky.Project factsProject name:Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore of Librairie Avant-GardeArchitects:TAO (Trace Architecture Office)Client: Librairie Avant-Garde, Lushui Culture and Tourism BureauLocation:Lushui, Nujiang, YunnanPrincipal architect:HUA Li | TAO (Trace Architecture Office)Design team:HUA Li, ZHANG Peng, LIU Zhaorui, ZHANG Yuheng, TAM Yue, ZHOU Chenyue, SUN Wenhao, WANG JiahaoStructural engineer: MA Zhigang, ZHAO XiaoleiMEP engineer:LV Jianjun and Kcalin design group MEP engineer: SUN Jing, LI XinConstruction team:Construction General Contractor - Lushui Construction Development Investment Co., Ltd.; Concrete Restoration - FAN Shuming, ZHU Feifei; Interior Construction Contractor - WEI Xiaogang, LIANG Jigang, TANG Zhigang, FU Kunhua, MENG Chunmei, LI ShibinFloor area:637m2Design:2022.1 - 2022.12Construction:2023.2 - 2024.9All images AOGVISION.All drawings & models TAO.> via TAO

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled design for The Grove, a new seafront neighbourhood and marina aiming to bring the highest standards of design and sustainability.The new development, called The Grove, will consist of 293 apartments offering expansive views of Qetaifan Bay and the Lusail skyline. It will feature a waterfront promenade at its center for the community.Located in Qetaifan Island North, Qatar, The Grove's waterfront promenade, a tree-lined pedestrian street along the shore, will feature neighborhood restaurant and cafes in addition to local stores and boutiques that enhance the energy of alluring neighborhoods worldwide.Residents and guests can enjoy outdoor dining, living, and recreation along the neighborhood's waterfront promenade all year round thanks to the combination of passive design techniques and cutting-edge cooling technologies.The promenade will be made more comfortable during the warmer months by using pre-cooled extracted air from the buildings, which is powered by on-site renewables and designed for maximum efficiency.With integrated shading and the high thermal mass of its low-carbon concrete structure, which includes foundations intended to transfer heat away from the buildings, The Grove maximizes its renewable energy potential while minimizing consumption.Energy from a high-efficiency geothermal heat pump system will supplement photovoltaic panels inside the optimized building envelope.Micro-irrigation systems for plants that are acclimated to the area and rainwater harvesting will reduce water demand, while a network of photovoltaic "trees" along the promenade will improve outdoor comfort by combining lighting, water harvesting, shading, and the generation of renewable energy.An elevated landscape of covered walkways, lush gardens, and terraces with infinity pools that provide residents and visitors with unobstructed views across the bay is supported by The Grove's connecting podium.At this level, residents can directly interact with this elevated landscape through the members' club, wellness center, entertainment lounge, and other amenities."We are greatly honoured to collaborate with JMJ Properties. Located on the shoreline of Qetaifan Island North with spectacular views across the bay, The Grove will seamlessly combine living, leisure and recreational spaces of the highest quality within the most integrated, sustainable community centred around its waterfront promenade and marina," said Gianluca Racana, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects."This mixed-use development looks to future with a unique design incorporating advanced technologies that ensure the comfort and wellbeing of residents and visitors throughout the year," Racana added.Together with the finely detailed interiors of the common areas created by Zaha Hadid Architects, the orientation and layout of the residences at The Grove have been planned to maximize views, shade, and privacy.Large outdoor living areas are featured on each apartment's roomy balcony, allowing residents to dine and unwind in The Grove's cool outdoor setting, which is powered by renewable energy sources.The development's distinct geometries are defined by the faades, which have been designed to meet the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) targets of less than 50 per cent glazing. They are distinguished by the interaction of vertical and horizontal "scoops" that produce a dynamic visual rhythm.The vertical elements in the faade and the stepped balconies give residents privacy and seclusion while preserving each apartment's view of the waterfront.The faades improve the building's environmental performance and offer extensive shading in response to the region's climatic demands. They were developed as a modular system that allows for repetition and optimization to increase production efficiencies."Innovation has always been at the heart of Zaha Hadid Architects approach to design. Collaborating with Qatars leading companies to harness the technology, sustainability, and cultural understanding that will shape the city of the future, The Grove exemplifies how architecture can be a catalyst for creating vibrant, resilient communities," said Juan Ignacio Aranguren, Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects.ZHA recently unveiled design for a new scientific research centre featuring giant wind towers in New Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In addition, the firm unveiled design for 100 refuelling stations for recreational boats to be installed in Italian marinas.Project factsClient:JMJ Group HoldingOperator:SLS Hotels & Residences Design:Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)ZHA Principal:Patrik SchumacherZHA Project Directors: Gianluca Racana, Juan Ignacio ArangurenZHA Project Associates:Alejandro Daz Fernndez, Arya Safavi, Gerhild AyasZHA Project Team: Alessandra Laiso, Alexandra Fisher, Angelica Videla Cardenas, Ceren Tekin, Gabriele De Giovanni, Gizem Dogan, Gizem Muhtaroglu, Hamze Machmouchi, Jillian Nishi, Jinhee Koh, Juan Pablo Londono, Karina Linnsen, Keyur Mistry, Marco Amoroso, Michael On, Michael Rogers, Paulo Flores, Ryan Szanyi, Sharan Sundar, Sven Torres, Xuanzhi Huang, Yiying Wu, Abdel Chehab, Effie Nakajima.ConsultantsExecutive Architect: FD ConsultInterior Designer Apartments: Design LabStructural Engineers:FhecorEnvironmental Consultant:Werner SobekFaade Engineering: Werner SobekMEP: FD ConsultLandscape Consultant:CracknellLighting Design:SEAMCost Consultants:Turner & Townsend QatarAll renderings Atchain.> via ZHA

Neri Oxman Unveils AI-Powered Eden Tower, Featuring "An Endless Ecosystem"html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Design studio Oxman has unveiled an AI-powered, conceptual skyscraper, featuring "an endless ecosystem" and uniting "human-centric cultural typologies" in a single tower.Named Eden Tower, this conceptual tower aims to maximize ecological well-being through innovative methods of construction that are valuable to all kingdoms.Oxman calls the process as "the EDEN platform" based on an computational framework. The comprehensive framework is cross-scale generative design driven by data and facilitated by generative optimization and quick environmental simulation. Oxman has utilized artificial intelligence (AI) tools to analyze site-specific data and generate a wide range of architectural designs.The structure comprises a series of singular platforms and three-dimensional structures that accommodate inhabitable units or the landscape. Circular platforms are connected through a central core, while thin columns suspend some of the level.A physical model of the EDEN Tower, a computationally- "grown" and ecologically- programmed vertical typology whose urban footprint is minimized while maximizing ecological surface area. Image Phillip Le, courtesy of OxmanThe Eden tower offers a new architectural design paradigm: "Ecological Programming"The Eden Tower aims to establish a new architectural design paradigm called "Ecological Programming," which optimizes green structure as much as possible."An ecological program is like an architectural program in that it determines space and adjacency needs, yet it focuses on these requirements through the common denominators that enable all life on Earth to thrive," said Oxman in its website."Working across scales and harnessing recent developments across disciplinesfrom generative artificial intelligence (AI) and reinforcement learning to architectural design, landscape urbanism, and applied ecologywe can address the complex challenges of designing architectural structures that not only meet the needs of human occupants but also promote biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and the performance of critical ecosystem services."By using generative optimization models, the structure can feature "the most biodiverse layout of a site".In addition, Oxman highlights that instead of using a typical top-down process of architectural and urban design, this approach uses a bottom-up computational design approach in which specific, quantifiable design objectives are achieved along three environmental impact axes: biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services. Policies are then set to direct the form generation process."Pushing the boundaries of conventional architectural and urban design, we present studies for ecologically programmed environments, from small-scale pavilions to large-scale towers," said the studio."In these studies, we explore a vast array of spatial and species distributions that prioritize a sites biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services, aiming for positive environmental occupancy impacts.""The goals of each distribution strategy are based on the needs of the site, such as the remediation of polluted landscapes or the creation of protective habitats for keystone species.""Once deployed in the wild, on-site data related to species count and abundance, soil composition, climate, and atmosphere are continuously gathered in order to inform additional design decisions that will further improve the sites health and overall performance," the studio added.There are two phases to the EDEN studies in the Eden Tower: gathering data and design generation, as the studio explained.During the first stage, the studio collected a lot of information about the biology, ecology, and needs of different plant and animal species. The team also collected information about the site's environmental factors and ecosystem interactions.This data serves as the basis for the computational design framework, or "computational rulebook," which sheds light on and deepens our comprehension of the particular needs and traits of the ecosystems the studio is targeting.In the second stage, the studio used the collected data and generative optimization to explore the large solution space of architectural configurations. The possible solutions are then iteratively improved by generative algorithms to maximize ecological well-being while guaranteeing that human needs are satisfied and utilizing resources as little as possible.Environmental conditions, habitat connectivity, resource availability, ecosystem stability, and the provision of particular ecosystem services like carbon sequestration or air purification are among the factors taken into account during the optimization process.Models and prototypes for the EDEN Tower integrating interior spaces with ecological infrastructure. Image Nicholas Calcott, courtesy of Oxman"Anovel verticaltypology"Described as "a novel vertical typology", the tower maximizes ecological surface area while minimizing urban footprint. An organizational system comprises integrated structural, programmatic, and ecological elements.The primary truss level of the system anchors the heavier ecosystems above and stabilizes the four lighter lower levels. Ecosystems of forests and grasslands that are growing on the tower's exterior control natural processes like carbon sequestration and thermal buffering. Naturally occurring water reservoirs appear in the curved and sloping surfaces, increasing the ecosystem's biodiversity.Interior spaces with transparency make it easier to provide human-centered cultural services like education and recreation. Services for providing material resources, such as wood from a young forest, fibers from open fields, and pollination and foraging in flower meadows, are provided by interstitial zones.The structure serves as a public gathering place and an example of how ecological programming can optimize a site's biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services. Future architectural design interventions will be informed by the insights gained from this initial structure."Beneath a pastoral English landscape of manicured gardens, we discover an origin story of spatial control and species manipulation, where the sumptuous art of monoculture has overtaken the dignified practice of biodiversity," said Oxman."The earliest records of the native ecosystem comprising this site are documented in the Celtic Ogham alphabet, where each ancient letter corresponds to a sacred plant," the studio explained.Our goal in creating this small-scale architectural pavilion design is to bring back a landscape that has been eradicated by a millennium of human-centered architecture, as the studio noted.At the beginning of its existence, the Eden Pavilion is carbon negative. Over its lifetime and into the afterlife, it keeps sequestering more and more carbon dioxide as it expands and stabilizes. By doing this, it supports an ecosystem in which human and ecological programs interact through energy and nutrient cycles, landscape enhances architecture, and architecture renews landscape.The Eden platform also includes technology-driven rooms known as Capsules. Regardless of location or climate, researchers can ascertain the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on plant growth across various ecosystems by utilizing the Capsule, which offers a controlled environment that simulates designed ecologies."Computationally "grown" and ecologically programmed, the EDEN Tower's spatial and species distributions prioritize a sites biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services, aiming for positive environmental occupancy impacts. In the central levels of the EDEN Tower, grassland and forest ecosystems are interwoven with interior spaces. Image VA-Arts, courtesy of OxmanReal-time measurement and autonomous growing condition adjustment are made possible by integrated AIand bio-sensing platforms, which also inform quick environmental simulations and generative optimization workflows to improve design.The Capsules are one of those technologies used in the project alongside, Distributon-based Generative Optimization, Neural-Field Based Generative Optimization, Diversity-searched based General Optimization, and Rapid Environmental Simulation.The site is covered by a field of 2,000 solar panels, which have been optimized over several hundred iterations to maximize annual solar exposure and energy production."An application of neural-field based generative optimization in conjunction with rapid environmental simulation to maximize biodiversity on a one-hectare site, while ensuring that plants receive adequate sunlight and water," said Oxman."Structural elements and large trees are designated as fixed elements which are optimized around. Over time, the system increases biodiversity while decreasing the number of plants receiving inadequate sunlight and water," Oxman added.Neri Oxman and her Mediated Matter Group at MIT have released the process of the Silk Pavilion II in Italy. Oxman is a new kind of company that combines design, technology, and biology. Through a research and development arm, the studio creates platform technologies that facilitate design and production in harmony with nature.Project factsProject name:Eden TowerStudio: OxmanResearch team: Christoph Bader, Nic Lee, Neri Oxman, Khoa Vu, Tim Tai, Nitzan ZilbermanConsultants:Voxeljet, VA-Arts, Salehi / Kushi StudioAcknowledgmentsPhotography:Nicholas Calcott, Phillip LeTechnical Advisor:Jun Sato; Tobias WallisserAll images courtesy of Oxman.> via Oxman

Taller Segovia Molina Enriches Beige Casa Aguilar With Interior Patios And An Abundance Of Lighthtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Mexican firm Taller Segovia Molina has designed a beige house enriched with interior patios and an abundance of light in Quertaro, Mexico.Named Casa Aguilar, the 330-square-metre house has emerged with the idea of creating an interior oasis where a family can experience introspection and contemplation while inhabiting their home.Image ZAICKZAn envelope of thick walls that serves as a second skin and blocks views of a densely populated area is how its architecture reflects this architectural idea. Inside, the three levels' patios let in natural light, which makes the space feel calm and cozy.Image ZAICKZThe house appears to be a closed volume with tall walls that appear to float above the ground when viewed from the outside. A series of wild gardens can be integrated into the open floor with the goal of drawing endemic birds and pollinating insects. Because of its nearly hermetic design, the house only opens to the interior landscapes, making it possible to enjoy and hear the local flora and fauna. As a result, its residents live in a calm, quiet, and private setting.Image ZAICKZThe house is arranged around open areas, each of which has a distinct personality. These areas serve as a guide from the main entrance to the social area on the ground floor.The double-height interior is flooded with natural light from the rear patio that is accessible from the kitchen and dining area. The warmth of the light-toned carpentry balances the texture of the walls.Image ZAICKZA spatial sequence that evokes visual and sensory changes when transitioning from a closed space to an open one and vice versa was created as a result of the project's pursuit of intimacy as its central axis.Image ZAICKZThis duality is evident throughout the house's three levels, where each area starts as a small, dark space before opening up to a large, bright space with views of the outside. The incorporation of vegetation, wind, rain, and the sky into these areas, which frame each section of the house, enhances the everyday experience.Together with the south-facing rooms, the semi-public and private spaces also include a ceramics workshop and a home office, both of which have large windows facing north.The fully open ceramics workshop is connected to a terrace that rises to double height from the interior's domestic scale. The home office on the top floor is connected to a smaller terrace and gets indirect light, which makes it feel cozy.The rooftop's design, which houses the last garden, is the result of the pursuit of awe and reflection. Surrounded by the plants and insects that call this area home, it is designed for meditation and keeps a comfortable and protective ambiance."Casa Aguilar offers monumental spaces while maintaining a human scale. Its design plays with closed and open spaces, providing an enriching experience and a continuous connection with its natural surroundings," said Taller Segovia Molina."The strategic placement of windows not only facilitates the full opening of the house, but also ensures optimal thermal comfort by taking advantage of the orientation and interaction with the exterior.""These dualities make the residence a serene refuge from which to enjoy the Quertaro sunset," Taller Segovia Molina added.Ground floor planFirst floor planSecond level floor planRooftop floor planSectionProject factsProject name:Casa AguilarArchitects:Taller Segovia MolinaLocation:Quertaro, MexicoYear:2024Plot:250m2Built: 330m2Director:Daniel Segovia MolinaTeam:Daniela Sigales, Ernesto PereaClient:PrivateCollaboratorsStructure:Andrs CasalLandscaping:MatorralAll images Diego Vzquez Mellado, unless otherwise stated.All drawings Taller Segovia Molina.> via Taller Segovia Molina

Semi-Circular Housing Block Features Golden, Lightweight And Moveable Elements In Leiriahtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Lisbon and Paris-based architecture practice Bureau des Msarchitectures has added a semi-circular extension to an existing house in Leiria, Central Portugal.Encompassing a total of 383-square-metre area, the extension blends heavier, static components like natural deactivated precast concrete panels with lighter, movable ones like aluminum shutters and golden windows.Named Martires Housing Complex, the project consists of seven apartments, and is situated in a newly constructed semi-circular addition to a renovated house. It aims to challenge daily behaviors by upending domestic rituals.The new housingcomplex is located in the Rua dos Mrtires, a prime neighborhood of the small city of Leiria in Central Portugal. It is sandwiched between a narrow old street that leads to the city's historic district and a wide modern avenue with new construction.The project includes seven apartments, a shared private parking area, and a new addition to a small house that was previously renovated.Between these two urban conditionsa narrow street with squat houses and a developing area with tall buildingsthe four-story building acts as a hinge.Bureau des Msarchitectures uses a paneled facade with precise geometry, materiality, and rhythm to address this urban friction. The building's curved footprint and overlapping concrete panels resolve the site's contradictory realities on both sides.The original structure, a house from the early 20th century with a distinctive yellow facade and tiled roof, has been converted into two apartments: a one-bedroom apartment above and a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor.Five apartments, two four-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments, and one three-bedroom apartment are included in the new addition.A shared stairwell connects the project's old and new sections.As Didier Fiza Faustino, conceptual artist, architect and founding director of Bureau des Msarchitectures puts it, "Architecture allows us to create friction, address contemporary questions and design stages for the body: the individual, the social and the collective."The extension building's facade is composed of a very rigid grid that blends heavier, fixed components, like natural deactivated precast concrete panels, with lighter, movable elements, like aluminum shutters and golden windows.The building functions as a living structure in constant flux, sometimes open and sometimes closed. This is particularly apparent as sunlight moves along the curved facade, giving it ever-changing colors and reflections.Each apartment in the building has a unique identity that is supported by architectural details of the existing house or by features like the surrounding views.A few of the apartments have small windows that open to the building's interior backyard, making them cozy and private. Some have large windows and roof terraces that let in plenty of natural light.Soft colors, such as light gray walls, cozy epoxy floors, and wall paintings, define the interior of the apartments. They offer a cozy, tranquil, and cozy atmosphere with exposed concrete structure elements, birch doors, and furniture paired with alpinina stone.Some of the main conflicts in urban housing are made visible and resolved by the building, including the conflict between openness and protection or introspection. The building is obviously a part of the city; its expressive facade is a public gesture that could be confused with another type of building, like a gallery or school.The project also provides its occupants with privacy from the outside, which is an essential component of any home design. In this way, the project seeks to reinterpret how our domestic structures allow bodies to inhabit the city.To a certain degree, its expansive windows and striking facade make life seem like a performance, with all of the city's dramas playing out simultaneously.MasterplanUrban context planGround floor planFirst floor planSecond floor planThird floor planFourth floor planSection AASection BBElevationAxonometric drawingFounded in 2002 in Paris by conceptual artist and architect Didier Fiza Faustino and architect Pascal Mazoyer, Bureau des Msarchitectures is a studio based between Paris and, since 2018, Lisbon.From installation to experimentation, from the production of subversive visual artworks to multi-sensorial spaces, the practice is multifaceted and operates at the intersection of art and architecture.Project factsProject name:Martires Housing ComplexArchitects:Bureau des MsarchitecturesDates:2018 2024Location:Rua dos Mrtires 3, Leiria, PortugalPlot area: 518 m2Construction area:383m2Total construction area: 1369.38m2Faades:Precast concrete panels and aluminium shutters and windowsEngineering:Gravidade Engenheiros and GLFV, Engineering, Design, Maintenance and Supervision OfficeConstruction Company:Ergsilva, Construction and RestorationAll images Francisco Nogueira.All drawings Bureau des Msarchitectures.> via Bureau des Msarchitectures

Submitted by WA ContentsRCNKSK uses wood and quarried stone for chapel in NesvailkaCzech Republic Architecture News - Oct 28, 2024 - 12:49 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Czech architecture practice RCNKSK has used wood and quarried stone for a chapel in Nesvailka, Czech Republic.Named Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel In Nesvailka, the 150-square-metre chapel is inspired by medieval construction techniques, and the central natural circular sacred structure bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary technological capabilities.Hand-hewn beams and a creative wooden lamellar structure created with CNC machining make up the structure. It rises from an earthen floor and a stone plinth.For more than a century, the residents of Nesvailka have yearned for a chapel, a place for introspection and a place where they can come together as a religious community.Along with this desire, the parishioners and Father Ren Strouhal had a shared vision: to construct a structure that would impact the local culture, society, and legacy in addition to reshaping the surrounding landscape. At the time, the studio had no idea that this choice would lead to a twelve-year journey.Countless fields stretch as far as the eye can see in southern Moravia's expansive, gently rolling terrain. With its original layout maintaining an elevated spot above the village where the settlement naturally ascends and is visible from a distance, Nesvailka has not changed much since its baroque beginning. With only soil and fields in sight, no forests or rocks, this location seemed destined to realize the baroque ideals of cultivating the land.In order to instill faith in a vast desert, natural materials like wood and stonewhich are uncommon in this areaare used. The studio decided on the idea of a focal point, a building that would serve as a beacon and a point of spiritual and spatial orientation atop the hill."The locals selected Our Lady of Sorrows as the chapels patroness, symbolizing the suffering she endured. Her story and emotions are reflected in the space," said RCNKSK."Upon the dust and soil of this place, which form the floor, we build a temple. The lower section, made of gneiss stones, represents us stubborn, disobedient, and difficult to mold.""From these stones, seven beams rise toward the heavens, symbolizing the Seven Sorrows of Mary, connecting us to God. From the sky falls a veil of Marys tears, weeping over us. The delicate wooden structure, interwoven with small windows, allows sunlight to penetrate the heart of the chapel at all times.""The building is encircled by a ring of the Stations of the Cross, complemented by apple trees, which form an avenue leading to the chapel, and an orchard behind it connecting to the surrounding fields," the office added.The building combines modern and traditional elements. In conversation with contemporary technologies, the construction draws inspiration from medieval building techniques.Quarried stone makes up the walls, and compacted, rammed earth makes up the floor. CNC milling was used to create the supporting lamellar structure, which is composed of a thousand wooden components that are typically connected with pegs and wedges.The steel spire on the roof crowns the fifteen-meter-long beams that are hand-carved and freely move throughout the room. Five-meter-tall doors greet you as you enter and lead to a vibrant area.Visitors are drawn upward by the view of the surrounding structure and the beams. The chapel is timeless. Its expression, the interplay of light, sound, and fragrance, is what you experience.The natural, tactile, and handcrafted materials are meant to elevate you above the ordinary. The capacity to age gracefully, improving rather than lowering their quality over time, was a crucial consideration in the selection of materials.Donations were used to finance the entire project, which prolonged the building period. But this time gave me the chance to reevaluate the design critically and give careful thought to both the technical and symbolic elements, guaranteeing careful execution.The architects' meticulous attention to detail and close cooperation with the builders enabled the architects to create the production and construction documentation, improving the procedures to meet technical and financial limitations.Site planGround floor planChancel floor planSection AASection BBWest elevationEast elevationNorth elevationSouth elevationSchemeDiagonal lamella detailVertical lamella drawingLamellas axonometric drawingProject factsProject name:Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel in NesvailkaArchitects: RCNKSKLocation: Nesvailka, Czech Republic.Built up area:150m2Client:The Roman Catholic Parish of MoutniceAuthor:Jan nCo-author:Michal nStructural engineering: Vt Mlzovsk, Filip ChmelLandscape planning: Eva WagnerovCarpentry and stonework, EPDM:David ebestaCNC production:Karel HrdlikaMetalwork and steel tower construction: Zmenictv FialaAll images Ondej Bouka.All drawings RCNKSK.> viaRCNKSK

Submitted by WA ContentsCasa Emma by HW Studio features a museum-like experience with high skylight in Mexico Mexico Architecture News - Oct 28, 2024 - 15:06 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Mexican architecture studio HW Studio has designed a house that brings a museum-like experience inside the house with its high skylight in Morelia, Michoacn, Mexico.Named Casa Emma, the 54-suare-metre house is inspired by the atmosphere of the Paula Rego Museum, designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura in Portugal.FacadeA few years ago, the principals of HW Studio visited the Paula Rego Museum, which was designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura. Upon entering the museum, they were moved the moment.They were impressed by a feeling of indescribable calm and awe that surrounded them beneath one of the pyramids.Facade"Light filtered gently through a high skylight, cascading like golden rays on the museums surfaces. It felt as if every corner of the building was bathed in soft, velvety, warm light that touched everything and brought it to life," said HW Studio."The way the light descended from those ceilings was soothing, creating shadows and reflections that danced all over the walls and floors. The visitors immediately felt embraced and protected.""In this fascinating world of architecture, several encounters can move our inner selves; light and space become elements that awaken emotions and create transformative experiences," the studio added.Living roomBased on their experiences, HW Studio created this house, Casa Emma.The firm's goal in this project was to use light to evoke this feeling of peace and tranquility. In order to create an immersive experience that aims to touch visitors as much as they were touched, they meticulously investigated how to capture the downward light.However, in contrast to Eduardo's museum, they perceive Casa Emma as an excavation project as they create a hole in the shape of Troje, a Purpecha granary that Emma had a particular affection and bond with.Ceiling viewFor this reason, the interior is completely composed of wood in an effort to highlight this idea and make it more reminiscent of those traditional structures, with a sense of respect and continuity, while also expressing the same sense of peace and tranquility through light that the architects felt on that particular day.Situated on a tiny plot measuring only 4 by 10 meters, it was essential to not only optimize ventilation and lighting but also make excellent use of available space.StairsTo provide access while hiding the roof, which is exposed later, an access corridor was positioned at the front. There are no space-consuming partitions between the living room, dining room, and kitchen, which are all located in an open-plan area in the middle.The utility and storage room, the refrigerator, and the vertical circulation (stairs) that leads to a small vestibule are all located at the back.KitchenThat path then leads to the bedroom on the mezzanine level and the full bathroom. Since it is the only component with a distinct materialitya white volume that floats within the housethat area is important from a design standpoint.The purpose of the shifting material is to make it seem lighter or to obscure its existence, like a piece of cotton floating in space. It was necessary for light to diffuse its boundaries through reflection in order to achieve this effect.Bedroom AccessWiththisproject,thefirmhopestogivevisitorsanemotionalandthought-provokingexperience,tryingtoreplicatewhattheywentthroughthatdayinCascis.The house honors the beauty of light and Emma, who now greets us from heaven, and invites us to enter a world where light becomes the language of emotions and self-connection.BedroomBedroomDetailEntrance viewBridge viewKitchenDining roomGround floor planTop floor planRooftop floorSection AASection BBNortheast facadeHW Studio designed the Shi House based on the combination of horizontal and vertical surfaces in Morelia, Mexico. Additionally, the firm designed Casa Enso II, the elongated house is situated on a poetic rural landscape of the Guanajuato region, where the landscape complements the low-rise house with textures and material character.Project factsProject name:Casa EmmaArchitects: HW StudioLocation:Morelia, Michoacn, MxicoCompletion:July 2024Building Area:54.35m2Site Area: 40m2Leads Architects: Rogelio Vallejo BoresArchitects:Oscar Didier Ascencio Castro, Nik Zaret Cervantes OrdazStructural Engineering: ARGA ConstructoraConstruction company: Alberto Gallegos Negrete (Grupo GAPSE)Clients:Alejandro Sols HernndezAll images Csar Bjar.All drawings HW Studio.> via HW Studio

Submitted by WA ContentsCharles University and Inspireli invite students worldwide to reimagine Zahradky CastleCzech Republic Architecture News - Oct 26, 2024 - 10:37 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Inspireli is proud to announce the launch of the Zahradky Castle Competition, a new addition to the prestigious 10th Inspireli Awards. Open to architecture students worldwide, this competition challenges participants to envision the transformation of Zahradky Castle into a dynamic conference center, blending historical preservation with innovative contemporary design.The project aims to restore the castle and its surrounding buildings, integrating multifunctional spaces that will serve as a conference center, municipality information hub, and a center for leisure activities. The design must also incorporate accommodation facilities, while further restoration efforts will repurpose the orangery and farmhouse into a caf or small restaurant, enhancing the site's cultural and social vibrancy.Charles University, the owner of the castle, is committed to reconstructing the complex based on the winning student project, offering an extraordinary opportunity for young architects to see their vision realized.The competition is as always free of charge to enter, providing an inclusive platform for students globally to participate. Submissions are due by June 15, 2025, and the total prize pool of 6,000 EUR, along with a special Innovative Solution Prize, will reward the best proposals.JuryChairman: Martin Masek, Bursar of Charles UniversityJury Member: prof. Jan Kuklk, Vice-Rector for Academic AppointmentsJury Member: dr. Josef Fontana, Vice-Rector for Strategy and DevelopmentJury Member: Jitka Bakov, Executive Director of the RectorateJury Member: Ji Brandtlk, Technician of the Development DepartmentOrganizer: Inspireli AwardsAnnouncer: Charles University, Czech RepublicCompetition Opens: Oct 1, 2024Submission Deadline: June 15, 2025Eligibility: Open to architecture students worldwideEntry Fee: Free of chargePrizes: Total of 6,000 EUR, plus a special Innovative Solution PrizeGoal: To reimagine Zahradky Castle as a functional conference and leisure center, preserving historical integrity while modernizing the space for contemporary use.For more information, including competition guidelines and registration details, visit the website.About Inspireli AwardsThe Inspireli Awards is the largest international student competition in the field of architecture, offering young architects a platform to present their ideas and projects to a global audience. The awards celebrate innovation, creativity, and sustainable design, helping shape the future of architecture.Top image courtesy of Inspireli Awards.> via Inspireli Awardsarchitecture competition

...

Submitted by WA ContentsIrish Design Week will be held from November 11 to 15, 2024Ireland Architecture News - Oct 26, 2024 - 11:50 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) has announced the programme of events for Irish Design Week 2024. Organized by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, the Irish Design Week will take place from November 11 to 15, 2024 in various places such as Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick and Sligo.The theme for Irish Design Week 2024 is Imagination for Opportunity.The weeklong programme will include workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions from some of the leading voices in the design world, including Irish-American fashion designer KidSuper (Colm Dillane); Lesley Lokko, founder and Chair of the African Futures Institute (AFI); leading Dutch graphic design firm THONIK co-founders Thomas Widdershoven and Nikki Gonnissen, and Sir David King, head of the Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG).The programme will promote potential solutions to challenges with discussions around innovative, creative solutions to global issues such as the climate emergency, the housing crisis and social inclusion are many and varied.Each day will also feature a Design Diplomacy event in which an Irish designer meets an international designer for a unique curated discussion between two creative minds. The concept was originally developed by Helsinki Design Week and brings together two designers for the first time over a card game of questions. The themes for the Design Diplomacy events are Interior Design & Architecture, Fashion Design, Experience Design, Climate Design Entrepreneurs, and Communication Design.The Irish designers featured within the Design Diplomacy strand include Oisn Lennon, founder and Chief Executive of Danu Sports, graphic designer Joanne Byrne, and designer and educator Lara Hanlon. International designers that will feature include Dutch designer and architect Lars Courage, and German virtual reality designer Cordula Hansen.Read more about the event on the Design and Crafts Council Ireland.Top image courtesy of DCCI.> via Design and Crafts Council Ireland

Submitted by WA ContentsThe 19th Cycle of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture is Now Open for Entries!France Architecture News - Oct 26, 2024 - 12:25 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The 19th edition of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture launches today, on World Architecture Day. The Award's theme is "Architecture Is Transformation," dedicated to how we can transform the existing built environment, urban and rural infrastructures through sustainable design, and its material and immaterial dimensions.Created in 2006 by architect and researcher Jana Revedin, the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture annually honours five international architects, urban planners or landscape designers who stand out in their commitment to sustainability.TimelineAward launch: World Architecture Day, October 7, 2024Deadline for questions:October 28, 2024Deadline for answers: November 4, 2024Deadline for submissions:January 20, 2025Jury meeting: May 5, 2025. Winners will be contacted by May 31, 2025.Official announcement of winners: Spring 2026 (date to be announced) at the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture SymposiumJury members- Jana Revedin, architect and founding president of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, Venice, Italy.- Marie-Hlne Contal, architect, Dean of the Ecole Spciale dArchitecture, Paris, France- Jacopo Galli, architect, Universit IUAV di Venezia, Venice, Italy- Spela Hudnik, architect, Ljubljana University, Slovenia- Deniz Incedayi, architect, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, Turkey- James Steele, architecture historian, PSU University Riyad, Saudi Arabia- Ashraf M. Salama, architect, Co-Director of the UIA Education Commission (UIA representative)Each year, two Global Award winners from former years, who are also experts in the chosen yearly theme, are invited to join the jury. For Architecture Is Transformation we are pleased to welcome:- Marta Maccaglia, architect, Lima, Peru- Boonserm Premthada, architect, Bangkok, ThailandAlternate juror - Nuno Soares, architect, Co-Director of the UNESCO-UIA Validation Board (UIA representative)Jury membersThe Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, which is endorsed by the UIA, recognises a nominees professional, scientific, social, and political engagement, not single projects. Participation is open to all architects, urban and landscape designers around the world, and submissions must be written in English.Read more information on the website.Top image courtesy of UIA.> via Global Award for Sustainable Architecture

Submitted by WA ContentsWA Awards 48th Cycle Winner Posters and Certificates are ready to downloadUnited Kingdom Architecture News - Oct 25, 2024 - 15:42 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The 48th cycle of the WA Awards winner posters and certificates are available for download on the World Architecture Community.We present the 48th Cycle of WA Awards with 38 Winner Posters and 42 Winner Certificates.The winners of the 48th cycle of the WA Awards can access their high-resolution Winner Posters on the pages of their individual winning projects. After logging into their accounts, they can visit the "My Winner Page" section to download their Winner Certificates.The 48th Cycle winners for the Architecture and Interior Design can be found on the WA Awards Winners page.One Cycle ends and another begins!If you want to see your architecture and interior design project potentially awarded, the best is to participate. The 49th Cycle of the WA Awards is now accepting submissions.Submit your entries for the 49th cycle of the WA Awards 10+5+X until 13December 2024 (23:59 GMT +0).If you're not a member of WAC, start your registrations on this page.Visit our page to learn more about the categories, fees, eligibility requirements, and judging process. To consult our visual guidance, visit our page.WA Awards

Submitted by WA ContentsTaller Segovia Molina enriches beige Casa Aguilar with interior patios and an abundance of light Mexico Architecture News - Oct 24, 2024 - 12:38 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Mexican firm Taller Segovia Molina has designed a beige house enriched with interior patios and an abundance of light in Quertaro, Mexico.Named Casa Aguilar, the 330-square-metre house has emerged with the idea of creating an interior oasis where a family can experience introspection and contemplation while inhabiting their home.Image ZAICKZAn envelope of thick walls that serves as a second skin and blocks views of a densely populated area is how its architecture reflects this architectural idea. Inside, the three levels' patios let in natural light, which makes the space feel calm and cozy.Image ZAICKZThe house appears to be a closed volume with tall walls that appear to float above the ground when viewed from the outside. A series of wild gardens can be integrated into the open floor with the goal of drawing endemic birds and pollinating insects. Because of its nearly hermetic design, the house only opens to the interior landscapes, making it possible to enjoy and hear the local flora and fauna. As a result, its residents live in a calm, quiet, and private setting.Image ZAICKZThe house is arranged around open areas, each of which has a distinct personality. These areas serve as a guide from the main entrance to the social area on the ground floor.The double-height interior is flooded with natural light from the rear patio that is accessible from the kitchen and dining area. The warmth of the light-toned carpentry balances the texture of the walls.Image ZAICKZA spatial sequence that evokes visual and sensory changes when transitioning from a closed space to an open one and vice versa was created as a result of the project's pursuit of intimacy as its central axis.Image ZAICKZThis duality is evident throughout the house's three levels, where each area starts as a small, dark space before opening up to a large, bright space with views of the outside. The incorporation of vegetation, wind, rain, and the sky into these areas, which frame each section of the house, enhances the everyday experience.Together with the south-facing rooms, the semi-public and private spaces also include a ceramics workshop and a home office, both of which have large windows facing north.The fully open ceramics workshop is connected to a terrace that rises to double height from the interior's domestic scale. The home office on the top floor is connected to a smaller terrace and gets indirect light, which makes it feel cozy.The rooftop's design, which houses the last garden, is the result of the pursuit of awe and reflection. Surrounded by the plants and insects that call this area home, it is designed for meditation and keeps a comfortable and protective ambiance."Casa Aguilar offers monumental spaces while maintaining a human scale. Its design plays with closed and open spaces, providing an enriching experience and a continuous connection with its natural surroundings," said Taller Segovia Molina."The strategic placement of windows not only facilitates the full opening of the house, but also ensures optimal thermal comfort by taking advantage of the orientation and interaction with the exterior.""These dualities make the residence a serene refuge from which to enjoy the Quertaro sunset," Taller Segovia Molina added.Ground floor planFirst floor planSecond level floor planRooftop floor planSectionProject factsProject name:Casa AguilarArchitects:Taller Segovia MolinaLocation:Quertaro, MexicoYear:2024Plot:250m2Built: 330m2Director:Daniel Segovia MolinaTeam:Daniela Sigales, Ernesto PereaClient:PrivateCollaboratorsStructure:Andrs CasalLandscaping:MatorralAll images Diego Vzquez Mellado, unless otherwise stated.All drawings Taller Segovia Molina.> via Taller Segovia Molina

Submitted by WA ContentsTaller Segovia Molina enriches beige Casa Aguilar with interior patios and an abundance of light Mexico Architecture News - Oct 24, 2024 - 12:38 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Mexican firm Taller Segovia Molina has designed a beige house enriched with interior patios and an abundance of light in Quertaro, Mexico.Named Casa Aguilar, the 330-square-metre house has emerged with the idea of creating an interior oasis where a family can experience introspection and contemplation while inhabiting their home.Image ZAICKZAn envelope of thick walls that serves as a second skin and blocks views of a densely populated area is how its architecture reflects this architectural idea. Inside, the three levels' patios let in natural light, which makes the space feel calm and cozy.Image ZAICKZThe house appears to be a closed volume with tall walls that appear to float above the ground when viewed from the outside. A series of wild gardens can be integrated into the open floor with the goal of drawing endemic birds and pollinating insects. Because of its nearly hermetic design, the house only opens to the interior landscapes, making it possible to enjoy and hear the local flora and fauna. As a result, its residents live in a calm, quiet, and private setting.Image ZAICKZThe house is arranged around open areas, each of which has a distinct personality. These areas serve as a guide from the main entrance to the social area on the ground floor.The double-height interior is flooded with natural light from the rear patio that is accessible from the kitchen and dining area. The warmth of the light-toned carpentry balances the texture of the walls.Image ZAICKZA spatial sequence that evokes visual and sensory changes when transitioning from a closed space to an open one and vice versa was created as a result of the project's pursuit of intimacy as its central axis.Image ZAICKZThis duality is evident throughout the house's three levels, where each area starts as a small, dark space before opening up to a large, bright space with views of the outside. The incorporation of vegetation, wind, rain, and the sky into these areas, which frame each section of the house, enhances the everyday experience.Together with the south-facing rooms, the semi-public and private spaces also include a ceramics workshop and a home office, both of which have large windows facing north.The fully open ceramics workshop is connected to a terrace that rises to double height from the interior's domestic scale. The home office on the top floor is connected to a smaller terrace and gets indirect light, which makes it feel cozy.The rooftop's design, which houses the last garden, is the result of the pursuit of awe and reflection. Surrounded by the plants and insects that call this area home, it is designed for meditation and keeps a comfortable and protective ambiance."Casa Aguilar offers monumental spaces while maintaining a human scale. Its design plays with closed and open spaces, providing an enriching experience and a continuous connection with its natural surroundings," said Taller Segovia Molina."The strategic placement of windows not only facilitates the full opening of the house, but also ensures optimal thermal comfort by taking advantage of the orientation and interaction with the exterior.""These dualities make the residence a serene refuge from which to enjoy the Quertaro sunset," Taller Segovia Molina added.Ground floor planFirst floor planSecond level floor planRooftop floor planSectionProject factsProject name:Casa AguilarArchitects:Taller Segovia MolinaLocation:Quertaro, MexicoYear:2024Plot:250m2Built: 330m2Director:Daniel Segovia MolinaTeam:Daniela Sigales, Ernesto PereaClient:PrivateCollaboratorsStructure:Andrs CasalLandscaping:MatorralAll images Diego Vzquez Mellado, unless otherwise stated.All drawings Taller Segovia Molina.> via Taller Segovia Molina

Submitted by WA ContentsSemi-circular housing block features golden, lightweight and moveable elements in LeiriaPortugal Architecture News - Oct 24, 2024 - 14:02 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Lisbon and Paris-based architecture practice Bureau des Msarchitectures has added a semi-circular extension to an existing house in Leiria, Central Portugal.Encompassing a total of 383-square-metre area, the extension blends heavier, static components like natural deactivated precast concrete panels with lighter, movable ones like aluminum shutters and golden windows.Named Martires Housing Complex, the project consists of seven apartments, and is situated in a newly constructed semi-circular addition to a renovated house. It aims to challenge daily behaviors by upending domestic rituals.The new housing complex is located in the Rua dos Mrtires, a prime neighborhood of the small city of Leiria in Central Portugal. It is sandwiched between a narrow old street that leads to the city's historic district and a wide modern avenue with new construction.The project includes seven apartments, a shared private parking area, and a new addition to a small house that was previously renovated.Between these two urban conditionsa narrow street with squat houses and a developing area with tall buildingsthe four-story building acts as a hinge.Bureau des Msarchitectures uses a paneled facade with precise geometry, materiality, and rhythm to address this urban friction. The building's curved footprint and overlapping concrete panels resolve the site's contradictory realities on both sides.The original structure, a house from the early 20th century with a distinctive yellow facade and tiled roof, has been converted into two apartments: a one-bedroom apartment above and a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor.Five apartments, two four-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments, and one three-bedroom apartment are included in the new addition.A shared stairwell connects the project's old and new sections.As Didier Fiza Faustino, conceptual artist, architect and founding director of Bureau des Msarchitectures puts it, "Architecture allows us to create friction, address contemporary questions and design stages for the body: the individual, the social and the collective."The extension building's facade is composed of a very rigid grid that blends heavier, fixed components, like natural deactivated precast concrete panels, with lighter, movable elements, like aluminum shutters and golden windows.The building functions as a living structure in constant flux, sometimes open and sometimes closed. This is particularly apparent as sunlight moves along the curved facade, giving it ever-changing colors and reflections.Each apartment in the building has a unique identity that is supported by architectural details of the existing house or by features like the surrounding views.A few of the apartments have small windows that open to the building's interior backyard, making them cozy and private. Some have large windows and roof terraces that let in plenty of natural light.Soft colors, such as light gray walls, cozy epoxy floors, and wall paintings, define the interior of the apartments. They offer a cozy, tranquil, and cozy atmosphere with exposed concrete structure elements, birch doors, and furniture paired with alpinina stone.Some of the main conflicts in urban housing are made visible and resolved by the building, including the conflict between openness and protection or introspection. The building is obviously a part of the city; its expressive facade is a public gesture that could be confused with another type of building, like a gallery or school.The project also provides its occupants with privacy from the outside, which is an essential component of any home design. In this way, the project seeks to reinterpret how our domestic structures allow bodies to inhabit the city.To a certain degree, its expansive windows and striking facade make life seem like a performance, with all of the city's dramas playing out simultaneously.MasterplanUrban context planGround floor planFirst floor planSecond floor planThird floor planFourth floor planSection AASection BBElevationAxonometric drawingFounded in 2002 in Paris by conceptual artist and architect Didier Fiza Faustino and architect Pascal Mazoyer, Bureau des Msarchitectures is a studio based between Paris and, since 2018, Lisbon.From installation to experimentation, from the production of subversive visual artworks to multi-sensorial spaces, the practice is multifaceted and operates at the intersection of art and architecture.Project factsProject name:Martires Housing ComplexArchitects:Bureau des MsarchitecturesDates:2018 2024Location:Rua dos Mrtires 3, Leiria, PortugalPlot area: 518 m2Construction area:383m2Total construction area: 1369.38m2Faades:Precast concrete panels and aluminium shutters and windowsEngineering:Gravidade Engenheiros and GLFV, Engineering, Design, Maintenance and Supervision OfficeConstruction Company:Ergsilva, Construction and RestorationAll images Francisco Nogueira.All drawings Bureau des Msarchitectures.> via Bureau des Msarchitectures

Shanghai-based design and research office Neri&Hu has created "a journey of surprise and discovery" for the interiors of Artyzen New Bund a Hotel in Shanghai, China. Named Artyzen New Bund a Shanghai, the hotel is situated amidst a sea of skyscrapers in the Pu...

Submitted by WA ContentsRCR Arquitectes unveils design for Muraba Veil, a new form of skyscraper for Dubai United Arab Emirates Architecture News - Oct 23, 2024 - 14:28 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"RCR Arquitectes, in collaboration with Muraba, unveils design for Muraba Veil, a new form of skyscraper for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.Called Muraba Veil, the height of the Muraba Veil is 380 meters, and the building is unique in that it is 22.5 meters wide, the width of one apartment.In an effort to adapt architecture to the site and work with nature rather than against it, the team offers a novel skyscraper design for the area. The 2017 Pritzker Prize Laureates RCR Arquitectes and Muraba present a modern architectural style that incorporates vernacular heritage and tradition.Muaba Veil, Canal ViewThis fifth collaboration between Spanish RCR Arquitectes and Dubai-based Muraba, the result of a ten-year partnership, brings a common goal of working in harmony with the natural environment while letting the distinctive features of each site inform the concept.Muraba and RCR propose a new type of skyscraper for the area that takes advantage of Dubai's culture and climate. It's an attempt to adapt architecture to the location by collaborating with nature rather than against it.The 73-story tower, which has been approved and registered with RERA, will have 131 units, including Exclusive Residences with two to five bedrooms. It will also have a variety of carefully chosen recreational amenities, such as a restaurant, gallery, padel court, private meeting spaces, a private movie theater, and a wellness spa.Thetopengineeringconsultingfirmintheworld,WSP,was chosen to provide engineering services for Muraba Veil. Arup will provide client advisory services.Despite Dubai's hyperbolic architectural landscape, Muraba Veil is a bold, jaw-dropping sight that rises from the dunes above the most futuristic and cosmopolitan city in the United Arab Emirates.The first layer to reveal the building is the "Veil" itself, a specially designed stainless steel mesh that is responsive and porous, reflecting the various hues of the sky and dematerializing the architecture's presence. Inspired by centuries-old domestic architecture, the structure's unusually narrow profile and appearance could only be accomplished with the most recent engineering and design.Traditionally, domestic architecture has sought to satisfy basic human needs for privacy, security, and refuge as well as a close relationship with nature.Muraba Veil, 4 Bedroom Duplex Outdoor LivingThe interior of the Veil is modeled after the Arabian house, which is a representation of a paradise on earth. It emerges in layers, softened by shade and greenery, and eventually reaches the inner courtyard, the cool, social, and pleasant center of the house. The entire width of the building is occupied by each of the 131 Exclusive Residences.The residences, which are screened by a veil inspired by the Mashrabiya and have spacious outdoor areas on either side, benefit from two perspectives and a mild breeze that naturally lowers the temperaturethe Arab courtyard reinvented.The Veil is ultimately intended to serve as a haven for this location and this time, providing the chance to live a calm, secluded, and possibly contemplative life while hovering over the city. It is a haven for the mind and body, a haven from the present, the tangible, and the virtual. Guests can have the feeling of being both freed by space and swathed and protected from the heat of the outside world wherever they go in the Veil.Muraba Veil, Wellness PoolHidden beneath a massive dune-like carapace at the base of the tower, the cavernous subterranean spa is a wellness club that includes a number of experiential pools, treatment rooms, and a gym, as well as a restaurant, lounges, "oasis," and an amphitheater. This is true not only of the deep, high, wide rooms, and terraces of individual residences, but also of the Veil's other world."We are passionate about ensuring our buildings are responsive to the place, that they belong to the site and the native landscape where they are situated," said RCR Arquitectes."They must communicate with nature and be infused with the atmosphere of the local culture," the firm added.The residential tower's slim profile conceals its use of traditional ventilation and natural light techniques, utilizing an architecture that is both creative and reflective. It is situated in a prime canal-side location adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's main transportation thoroughfare.The architectural treasure is a well-protected piece of art, with a gallery tour devoted to its distinctive features that is by appointment only. It was crafted with precision, performance, and beauty in mind.Spain-basedfirmRCRArquitectes won the. Having worked in their hometown for more than 30 years, the founders Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, and Ramon Vilalta have a strong bond with the local architecture and landscape. Top image in the article: Muraba Veil, Oasis.All images courtesy of RCR Arquitectes.> via RCR Arquitectes

Submitted by WA ContentsRCR Arquitectes unveils design for Muraba Veil, a new form of skyscraper for Dubai United Arab Emirates Architecture News - Oct 23, 2024 - 14:28 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"RCR Arquitectes, in collaboration with Muraba, unveils design for Muraba Veil, a new form of skyscraper for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.Called Muraba Veil, the height of the Muraba Veil is 380 meters, and the building is unique in that it is 22.5 meters wide, the width of one apartment.In an effort to adapt architecture to the site and work with nature rather than against it, the team offers a novel skyscraper design for the area. The 2017 Pritzker Prize Laureates RCR Arquitectes and Muraba present a modern architectural style that incorporates vernacular heritage and tradition.Muaba Veil, Canal ViewThis fifth collaboration between Spanish RCR Arquitectes and Dubai-based Muraba, the result of a ten-year partnership, brings a common goal of working in harmony with the natural environment while letting the distinctive features of each site inform the concept.Muraba and RCR propose a new type of skyscraper for the area that takes advantage of Dubai's culture and climate. It's an attempt to adapt architecture to the location by collaborating with nature rather than against it.The 73-story tower, which has been approved and registered with RERA, will have 131 units, including Exclusive Residences with two to five bedrooms. It will also have a variety of carefully chosen recreational amenities, such as a restaurant, gallery, padel court, private meeting spaces, a private movie theater, and a wellness spa.Thetopengineeringconsultingfirmintheworld,WSP,was chosen to provide engineering services for Muraba Veil. Arup will provide client advisory services.Despite Dubai's hyperbolic architectural landscape, Muraba Veil is a bold, jaw-dropping sight that rises from the dunes above the most futuristic and cosmopolitan city in the United Arab Emirates.The first layer to reveal the building is the "Veil" itself, a specially designed stainless steel mesh that is responsive and porous, reflecting the various hues of the sky and dematerializing the architecture's presence. Inspired by centuries-old domestic architecture, the structure's unusually narrow profile and appearance could only be accomplished with the most recent engineering and design.Traditionally, domestic architecture has sought to satisfy basic human needs for privacy, security, and refuge as well as a close relationship with nature.Muraba Veil, 4 Bedroom Duplex Outdoor LivingThe interior of the Veil is modeled after the Arabian house, which is a representation of a paradise on earth. It emerges in layers, softened by shade and greenery, and eventually reaches the inner courtyard, the cool, social, and pleasant center of the house. The entire width of the building is occupied by each of the 131 Exclusive Residences.The residences, which are screened by a veil inspired by the Mashrabiya and have spacious outdoor areas on either side, benefit from two perspectives and a mild breeze that naturally lowers the temperaturethe Arab courtyard reinvented.The Veil is ultimately intended to serve as a haven for this location and this time, providing the chance to live a calm, secluded, and possibly contemplative life while hovering over the city. It is a haven for the mind and body, a haven from the present, the tangible, and the virtual. Guests can have the feeling of being both freed by space and swathed and protected from the heat of the outside world wherever they go in the Veil.Muraba Veil, Wellness PoolHidden beneath a massive dune-like carapace at the base of the tower, the cavernous subterranean spa is a wellness club that includes a number of experiential pools, treatment rooms, and a gym, as well as a restaurant, lounges, "oasis," and an amphitheater. This is true not only of the deep, high, wide rooms, and terraces of individual residences, but also of the Veil's other world."We are passionate about ensuring our buildings are responsive to the place, that they belong to the site and the native landscape where they are situated," said RCR Arquitectes."They must communicate with nature and be infused with the atmosphere of the local culture," the firm added.The residential tower's slim profile conceals its use of traditional ventilation and natural light techniques, utilizing an architecture that is both creative and reflective. It is situated in a prime canal-side location adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's main transportation thoroughfare.The architectural treasure is a well-protected piece of art, with a gallery tour devoted to its distinctive features that is by appointment only. It was crafted with precision, performance, and beauty in mind.Spain-basedfirmRCRArquitectes won the. Having worked in their hometown for more than 30 years, the founders Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, and Ramon Vilalta have a strong bond with the local architecture and landscape. Top image in the article: Muraba Veil, Oasis.All images courtesy of RCR Arquitectes.> via RCR Arquitectes

Submitted by WA ContentsLaunch of the Second Edition of the YMAA in Casablanca and a Heartfelt Tribute to Fouad AkalayMorocco Architecture News - Oct 22, 2024 - 12:51 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Sacr-Cur Church in Casablanca hosted a memorable evening for the launch of the second edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards (YMAA), under the patronage of the Ministry of National Territory Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, dedicated to celebrating architectural excellence.This event revealed the nominees for this edition, emerging from Moroccos young architectural scene.Open to architects under the age of 45, the call for applications aimed to recognize the most innovative and impactful projects, showcasing the dynamism and creativity of the new generation of architects in the kingdom.The opinion of Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, chairman of the YMAA juryThe YMAA jury, chaired by architect Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, announced the 51 nominated projects during an emotion-filled ceremony.This edition also paid a heartfelt tribute to Fouad Akalay, a visionary architect and founder of the YMAA, whose commitment to Moroccan architecture has left a lasting mark.Frou Akalay and the members of the juryA Moving Tribute To Fouad AkalayThe evening began with a deeply emotional moment when Frou Akalay took the floor to deliver a solemn and touching tribute to her late father, Fouad Akalay. Architects and professionals from the sector, who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him, shared heartfelt memories of their time with him, highlighting the profound impact he had on the profession and the field of architecture. Their stories shed light on his intellectual contributions, his major role in the development of the profession, and the lasting and significant impact he left through the Archimedia Group, touching the audience deeply."He had this awareness, as an architect, of being invested in a mission to move forward with all that creativity means in this profession, without ever compromising on the protection, understanding, recognition, and integration of our heritage into the world of architectural creation," said As Andr Azoulay, advisor to His Majesty Mohammed VI.Frou Akalay, YMAA 2024This heartfelt tribute reminded everyone of Fouad Akalay's deep commitment to Moroccan architecture and his unwavering dedication to passing on his passion, forever enriching the collective memory of the profession.A Ceremony Dedicated To Architectural ExcellenceAfter this moving tribute, the ceremony continued with the introduction of the jury members for this second edition, chaired by Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, a key figure in Moroccan architecture. The 51 nominated projects, submitted by Moroccan architects under 45 as part of the YMAA call for applications, were then revealed by the jury members and presented to the public. All nominated projects are available online on the official website."The Young Moroccan Architecture Awards have established themselves as an essential platform to support and promote the new wave of architects shaping the future of contemporary architecture in Morocco," said Mohamed Fikri Benabdallah, architect and president of the jury.Save The Date For December 2024 For The Awards CeremonyThe second edition of the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards has generated great enthusiasm, with nearly 200 registrations. The awards ceremony, set to take place in December during a gala evening, will honor one winner per category.In addition to the category prizes, three prestigious distinctions will be awarded: "Building of the Year," the "Public's Favorite" the result of an online vote and the highly anticipated "Fouad Akalay Prize," in tribute to the YMAA founder.Fouad created this event with the ambition to promote the emergence of young talents and afford them a real chance to stand out in the field of architecture.List of Projects Nominated for the Young Moroccan Architecture Awards 2024:These nominations, spread across various categories, highlight the achievements of architects under 45 years of age registered in the competition and who shape and enrich the architectural landscape of Morocco.Zvaco Special Prize:Yassine BenkiraneMonument porte d'entre de LaayounAnas Koubaiti Ribat bioclimatique RabatHealth and well-being:Venus Architecture: Sabrina Choukry & Aya Semlali - Spa htel Royal Decameron TafouktMohamed Yahya El Alj - Clinique dentaire Les Tulipes - CasablancaTeaching:Zineb AjebbarLe lyce franais international, BenguerirSamia Moukhalid et Mohammed Mjahdi Lyce Mohammed Ali Skalli, TangerLahkim Youssef Facult de mdecine des sciences et de la sant - CasablancaIndividual residential real estate:All In Concept: Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati Villgiature "Lhermitage" El Menzeh RabatMerouane Oussama Zouaoui Villas des Roses et Villas Fleuries RabatRetail and commercial architecture:Younes DiouriOvillage shopping CasablancaMerouane Oussama Zouaoui Sela galerie RabatMDB Architectes Showroom Electro Bousfiha - Dar BouazzaLeisure and tourism:AGA StudioCentre socio-culturel - KnitraYassine Benkirane Complexe salle omnisports et piscines olympiques "Les surs jumelles"Lahrech Aziza Ramnagement et extension dun club de vacancesLahkim Youssef Piscine semi-olympique de Tit MellilInterior design and decoration: Asri Yasser Sige Label Vie AGA Studio Restaurant Da Milena - Rabat Yassine Benkirane Appartement CFC All In Concept: Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati Extension cole E1337 Khouribga Mine Verte Muffak Mhammad Domus Bistro TangerRenovation and rehabilitation:AGA StudioOffice HeadquarterLahrech Aziza Ramnagement du sige de la CDG Rabat: Entresol - RDC - tage 1 (space coworking salle de conferences bureaux)Venus architecture: Sabrina Choukry & Aya Semlali Villa MB - CasablancaLoubna Berrada cole Universalis - CasablancaLamia Hamriti The 3 meter wide building - CasablancaMerouane Oussama Zouaoui Rsidence Delacroix - RabatHbibi Rida Fondouk Kabbaj MarrakechDetached house:Younes DiouriVilla ID TangerGroupement Ibdaa Concrete villa FsSophia Sebti Villa Jacaranda 06Dadoun Saad Villa Rubiks Dar BouazzaOffice building:Yassine Benkirane Immeuble LaayouneAdil Sadik & Camelia Dendane Conseil de la concurrenceCollective housing:Youssef Lahkim Immeuble Zig ZagFirst work:Khaoula NaimiPrscolaire ChichaouaSbai Adnane Villa S C Dar BouazzaBoujida Tariq Villa E N MarrakechArchitect Designer of the Year:Yassine BenkiraneAgence Archeasy CasablancaVenus architecture : Sabrina Choukry & Aya Semlali Kitchenette plateau bureau M-CasablancaSelma Khamlichi Century ClubMuffak Mhammad BooketMarouane Oussama Zouaoui Banc Sela Park - SalUncategorized:Samia Moukhalid et Mohammed MjahdiStand de Luxalight au SIB 2022 - El JadidaAll In Concept: Sakina Belkasmi & Ahmed Amine Khiyati Complexe rsidentiel universitaire de 880 lits AmaneMarouane Oussama Zouaoui Siel - RabatBest Male PFE:Othmane BoudlalRendre le littoralSalahdine Hamza De la ville intelligente lintelligence de la ville : la dystopie de la Jouteya de Derb GhallefBest Female PFE:Ines Khalili La renaissance de llot Moulay-AbderrahmanHadj Hamou Wiam Le corridor urbain pour une connectivit intercommunale-CasablancaMouassaoui Rim Vers un nouveau modle d'co-quartier adapt au contexte marocainWorld Architecture Community is the official media partner of YMAA 2024.All images courtesy of YMAA.> via YMAA

Submitted by Berrin Chatzi ChouseinSumayya Vally creates a stepped wellness centre that blends seamlessly with the Kakuma landscapeKenya Architecture News - Oct 21, 2024 - 10:48 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Counterspace has unveiled the design for a new refugee wellness and fitness centre that will blend seamlessly with the Kakuma landscape in Kakuma, Kenya.Named Regenerate Kakuma, the new facility, designed by award-winning South African architect Sumayya Vally, is developed in collaboration with To.org, a dynamic creative collective founded by Nachson and Arieh Mimran to build transformative and impactful spaces.Regenerate Kakuma is a collaborative philanthropic project that aims to establish a wellness and fitness facility in Kakuma, a settlement in northwest Kenya home to 285,000 refugees. The aim of this innovative project is to establish a peaceful and welcoming facility for the refugee community by integrating fitness, agriculture, education, and cultural programs.Kakuma is one of the largest refugee settlements in the world, providing essential support to families and children fleeing from 19 different countries, including Somalia and South Sudan. Many migrants experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with studies indicating that this affects up to 47 percent of individuals. Factors such as the length of their journey, their country of origin, the destination country, and whether they are labor migrants or refugees can all influence the likelihood of developing PTSD.Sumayya Vally, known for her designs that emphasize the values of migration and community, fostering a sense of belonging while reflecting on the past and future, integrates the healing power of architecture with the terraced and geometric form of the building."Regenerate Kakuma is foremost about honouring the cultures, communities""For us, Regenerate Kakuma is foremost about honouring the cultures, communities, and architectures that Kakumas people come from," said Sumayya Vally, founder of Counterspace."The design draws architectural inspiration from their diverse rituals, iconic sacred vernaculars, and landscapes from regions across the continent where the communities of Kakuma have migrated from, particularly ceremonies related to nature.""From the rock-cut Lalibela churches in Ethiopias Amhara region to the incredible Neolithic rock paintings of Laas Geel in Somaliland, and Ugandas Kasubi Tombs - these sacred sites have been fertile sources of inspiration," Vally added.This collaboration began when Nachson Mimran, co-founder and Creative Executive Officer of to.org, visited the Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Sumayya Vally, in the summer of 2021.He was deeply moved by the pavilion's poignant story, which addressed migration in London while honoring the past and present places that have supported communities over time."Climate change and climate-related conflict have driven involuntary migration at an unprecedented rate. Refugee settlements have rapidly growing populations and lack critical infrastructure, resources, and opportunity," said Nachson Mimran, co-founder and Creative Executive Officer of to.org."These settlements should be recategorized as future cities, with purposeful spaces for people to regenerate, play, think, and create - four essential categories we see as requirements to lead a fulfilled human existence.""At to.org, we believe in creating spaces and opportunities to improve mental and physical wellbeing by prioritizing creativity, expression, and movement as tools to enable trauma reduction, self-development, and social cohesion.""We are committed to establishing these spaces. Building on the successful December 2023 launch of Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre in northern Ugandas Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, we are delighted to announce Regenerate Kakuma, an ambitious project around mental and physical well-being in Kenyas Kakuma refugee settlement," Mimran added.Kakuma, derived from the Swahili word for "nowhere," symbolizes resiliency, empowerment, and inspiration within the community despite numerous challenges.The centre's design is deeply influenced by its residents' cultures. Drawing inspiration from their countries of origin, practices, and traditional instruments, the architecture and aesthetics reflect the community's rich tapestry. The design considers Kakuma's unique context, highlighting residents' challenges and successes.The design is more than a building, it serves as "a monument"In design, Vally reinterprets the region's termite mounds, resilience, and community strength, as a new "sculptural" embodiment. All of these elements serve as a metaphorical foundation for the centers design, incorporating lessons from nature into the architecture.The design is more than a building; it serves as "a monument" that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape. The center is surrounded by robust stone walls, rising in a graceful stepped formation, while connecting deeply with its environment.The square-formed structure features carefully positioned openings and courtyards, shaped by abstract forms derived from Counterspaces insightful research into the refugee community, making it a poignant tribute to resilience and belonging."The concept is further built around the abundant available natural light as a building material while harnessing local skill sets and building only with what is available in the vicinity of the camp," said Vally."Throughout the design process, we were, and remain, mindful of the fact that Kakuma represents the new home that these communities forged after migrating from their own places of belonging.""This exemplifies our practices interest in the beautiful and complex relationships between territories," she added.These shaped openings act as points of entry and let movement, air, and light into the room. The design intends to use natural ventilation concepts and methods that utilize the natural properties of materials that are directly obtained from the environment and the building's surroundings.Native stone from the Turkana region will be used in the construction of Regenerate Kakuma. This stone was selected for both its thermal qualities and visual coherence with the surrounding terrain. Because of the stone's inherent thermal mass, heat will be slowly released during the day as the outside temperature drops during the evening and night.Regenerate Kakuma was created as a result of the inspiring tales of two exceptional individuals. Rita Brown and Abubakar Rugamba, two motivational athletes, are a part of the global network of Creative Activists that To.org has established.The facility will feature a gym, an outdoor fitness area with a basketball court, a meditation hall, and an agroforestry zone. An agroforestry zone will incorporate various cultural practices connected to nature and the landscape, promoting access to locally produced, fresh food at affordable prices.Climate change-related land degradation is a contributing factor to Kakuma's environmental problems, according to the organization. Besides locally-produced food, the implementation of market gardens and agroforestry techniques seeks to mitigate these issues by addressing flooding, erosion of topsoil, and pests in addition to providing food.To.org co-founder Nachson Mimran has currently launched a crowdfunding campaign to build this ambitious project.Sumayya Vally designs a new pedestrian bridgeSaudi Arabia's first Islamic Arts Biennale, which took place in the Western Hajj Terminal designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in 1981 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the architect is designing the scenography, pavilions, and exhibition spaces of the new Presidential Center and Library in Monrovia, with Mariam Kamara responsible for the overall design of the building.All images courtesy of Counterspace.> via Counterspace

Submitted by WA Contentsselgascano wins competition to design Beijing Xicheng District Urban Exhibition Hall China Architecture News - Oct 21, 2024 - 11:27 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Spanish architecture practice Selgascano has won the first prize in an international competition to design an exhibition hall in Beijing, China.Named Beijing Xicheng District Urban Exhibition Hall, the 12,600-square-metre project is conceived as an architectural marvel, it consists of two distinct yet seamlessly integrated parts that redefine the cityscape.A large open exhibition area at street level with transparent facades encourages community interaction with cultural exhibits, promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between the structure and the surrounding urban landscape.Above, an artificial landscape in the form of a rooftop plaza mixes lush greenery with urban elements to create a communal oasis perched above the city.Front viewA three-story building with a smaller footprint, aimed as a natural and private haven amidst the urban landscape, floats elegantly above the plaza. The linear structures below are given a fluid contrast by this private volume.The building's iconic image is the result of the harmonious interaction of transparency and solidity, nature and urbanity, and the public and private domains.This architectural dialogue establishes the structure as a landmark that embodies contemporary design and cultural integration with references to history in the city's center, and it also symbolizes the dynamic spirit of modern Beijing.AccessSeamless Transition and "a Grand Invitation"The ground floor functions as a welcoming and airy public exhibition area. It greets guests with wide glass facades that open up a colorful world of artistic expression and cultural exhibits.The architecture functions as a transparent canvas that links the exhibition spaces within to the surrounding urban landscape. As a result, the building and the city develop a symbiotic relationship that encourages interaction between the locals and the rich cultural mosaic it houses.The creative concept of a "urban living room" is woven throughout the new structure in an intricate way. The ground floor as a whole is intended to be a series of transitional zones that blur the boundaries between public and private spaces and promote a natural flow of people, social interaction, and a sense of community.Social areas like the reading room, cafeteria, and workshop are arranged in a way that promotes interaction and teamwork. Inviting the community to participate in the lively activities within, the architecture itself takes on the role of an open invitation to the city.PlazaFlexible ConfigurationsThe interior spaces are designed to be flexible. Modular designs, movable furniture, and convertible areas facilitate a range of uses, from unstructured get-togethers to formal events. This flexibility guarantees that the structure can change to meet the needs of its users as they change, much like a living room can accommodate different uses within a house.Within the structure, media spaces and exhibitions highlight Beijing's diverse cultural landscape. Integrating historical, contemporary, and local art pieces makes the building a cultural center that reflects the city's identity and diversity. The building's function as a communal area for the community is further supported by this cultural integration.Street viewRoof Plaza: Nature and Urbanity in HarmonyThe roof plaza, the focal point of the structure, is located above the opulent exhibition space. This raised area has two uses: it's a place for people to come together as a community and it's an artificial landscape that blends urban and natural elements together.A haven suspended above the city is created by lush vegetation, water features, and sculptural urban furniture. The roof plaza blurs the lines between shared and private areas by serving as both a public gathering place and a haven for building occupants.The building tries to recreate the calm atmosphere of a living room that is bathed in sunlight by incorporating elements of natural light and greenery. Skylights, expansive windows, and verdant areas establish a smooth transition between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. This design decision contributes to a sustainable and upbeat atmosphere in addition to improving the aesthetic appeal.Private Oasis in the SkyFloating above the expansive roof plaza is a three-floor building with a smaller footprint. This distinct volume houses the most private and intimate spaces, providing a contrast to the openness below.The organic shape of this volume introduces a sense of fluidity and harmony, creating a visual contrast against the linear and structured elements of the plaza.This upper structure, almost ethereal in appearance, serves as a sanctuary above the dynamic urban tapestry, offering privacy and tranquility, offering a retreat for reflection, meetings, product presentations, business reception and investment promotion.Iconic City LandmarkThe building's iconic image is defined by the contrast and combination of its two main components, the intimate private volume and the expansive public exhibition space.Transparency and solidity, nature and urbanity, are contrasted to create a dynamic dialogue between the parts that represents the city's rich diversity and constantly changing identity. The way these components interact not only enhances the building's aesthetic appeal but also makes it a symbol of contemporary Beijing.According to the studio, this recognizable structure reimagines the cityscape by balancing urban functionality, diversity of culture, and natural elements.Its distinctive blend of open exhibition areas, a roof plaza immersed in nature, and an ethereal private volume results in a building that goes above and beyond the norm and becomes a representation of modern architecture and cross-cultural coexistence in the center of Beijing.MasterplanSelgascano and Diego Cano built a house wrapped by recycled aluminum colourful tubes in Los Angeles hills in the United States. In addition, the studio and Andreu Carulla converted an industrial mechanical workshop into a restaurant in Madrid, Spain.Ground floorPublic plazaFirst floor planThird floor planCross sectionLongitudinal sectionWest elevationSouth elevationProject factsProject name:Beijing Xicheng District Urban Exhibition HallArchitects: SelgascanoCollaborators:Paolo Tringali, Justo DazLocation:Beijing, ChinaYear:2023Area:12,600m2Status:on goingAll images courtesy of Selgascano.> via Selgascano

Submitted by WA ContentsIgnacio G. Galn and OF Architects complete Beyond-the-family Kin Housing in Madrid Spain Architecture News - Oct 21, 2024 - 12:19 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Ignacio G. Galn and OF Architects have completed a family housing with zigzagged profile roof in Madrid, Spain.Named Beyond-the-family Kin Housing, the house represents the ideals and aspirations of a contemporary, multigenerational society and strives to be much more than just a place for age-appropriate living.This intergenerational home embodies a concept for lifelong living in every detail, with its design principles being defined by flexibility and durability. The design of the tiles and ceramic faade were not chosen at random.An elderly couple commissioned Ignacio G. Galn and OF Architects to design a house that would create and meet the needs of future generations. The project is the antithesis of an isolated, stand-alone family home. It encourages inhabitants and their surrounds to create alternative lifestyles where community, retreat, individuality, and collective togetherness can all equally and flexibly claim their space through open and barrier-free spatial design.The architecture considers the needs of both future generations and an aging population with a long lifespan through its adaptability, accessibility, and urban design.Ceramic faade and historic shed roofinterpreted in a modern wayThe building's blue KeraTwin faade from Agrob Buchtal and shed roof, which contrast with the striking appearance of wavy steel panels, define its bold exterior.The faade has other uses besides looks. It integrates a number of technological approaches to ensure that the project is both environmentally friendly and energy efficient.On the advice of the architects, the clients chose a rear-ventilated ceramic faade to guarantee the building's sustainability. Although it is strong and long-lasting, it can also be easily disassembled and reassembled. The building and ceramic panels offer the strongest foundation for establishing a long-lasting connection between the present and the future for the robust fundamental idea of the architecture designed by OF Architects and Ignacio G. Galn.The shed roof's movable windows work in tandem with automated blinds to regulate lighting and temperature, resulting in a cozy and well-ventilated interior. The house's underfloor heating is powered by solar panels, which are held up by the recognizable green steel structure on the roof.Underfloor heating and tiles: An energy-efficient modern pairingIn order to achieve energy efficiency, barrier-free design, and aesthetic design goals, the building owners chose to use thermally conductive tiles in large portions of the interior along with underfloor heating.Tiles allow heat to enter a room more quickly and efficiently than parquet or other flooring, this adds 100% to the energy efficiency of the house.The pair is incredibly durable, incredibly easy to install, and extremely efficient. The tiles are especially welcome in the summer, when temperatures are high, and are frequently utilized in warm nations like Spain.In their showcase project, the architects have created a comfortable and healthful living space for people of all ages through the use of contemporary natural material tile.Consistent room design with slip resistanceA primary focus of Kin Family Housing is accessibility, which is also a requirement for the architectural style of OF Architects and Ignacio G. Galn, who aim to encourage inclusion and participation for all residents both inside and outside the building.With an inner courtyard, among other things, the new buildings in the area promote the formation of communities and social connections, even though most social life is confined to their rear-facing terraces. The ground floor's open layout and direct access to the street promote neighborhood interaction. From street level to the entrance is a short ramp.From toddlers to seniors, there is a smooth flow of spaces within the house that can be explored and lived in safely and comfortably on each of its three floors in varied degrees of autonomy and community. The house is surrounded by a series of cascading gardens that feature a small pool and outdoor seating. A roof terrace provides more gardening space.The conscious use of modern tile design has broken down architectural barriers and ensured unrestricted mobility in the home. The architects saw tiles as a crucial component of inclusive residential architecture, a concept that will only grow in significance in the future.The house is designed to be flexible enough to adjust to the changing needs and lifestyles of its residents both now and in the future thanks to its open and flexible floor plans and, most importantly, its ceramic faade. Project factsProject name:Beyond-the-family Kin HousingArchitects: Ignacio G. Galn and OF ArchitectsLocation:Madrid, SpainCompletion year:2023Architect:Ignacio G. Galn, OF ArchitectsYear:2023Ceramic facade:KeraTwinAll images Imagen Subliminal/Miguel de Guzmn.All drawings Ignacio G. Galn and OF Architects.> via Ignacio G. Galn and OF Architects

Submitted by WA ContentsMelike Altnk Architects completes the world's first pioneer robot & AI museum in Seoul Korea, South Architecture News - Oct 16, 2024 - 12:50 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Melike Altnk Architects (MAA) has completed the world's first pioneer robot & AI museum in Seoul, South Korea.Named Seoul Robot & AI Museum (RAIM), the 7,400-square-meter museum has officially opened to the public in Seoul, South Korea.Located in the northeastern region of Seoul, RAIM, the world's first pioneer Robot & AI Museum, is a cultural landmark that will serve as a hub the for the fourth industrial revolution.The museum was realized by MAA in collaboration with Korean firm Withworks, and becomes an excellent example of cutting-edge architectural and construction techniques.The museum is distinguished by its spherical, non-directional form characterized by fluid, organic shapes that resonate with the advanced technologies."This dialogue between contemporary architectural expression and technological innovation forms the foundation of RAIM's design philosophy," said MAA, led by Melike Altnk."The architectural form of RAIM is not merely an envelope but an integral part of the museums narrative, reflecting the fluidity and dynamism of the AI and robotics fields.""The buildings design fosters an ongoing interaction between its innovative form and the groundbreaking technologies it showcases," the studio added.The four-storey museum includes a library, shop and cafe, education spaces, offices, exhibitions, special exhibition room and event space. The museum also has two basement floors that are used for car parks and technical service facilities.The goal of RAIM is to promote innovation, science, and technology development and dissemination. By motivating and involving the community, it seeks to make a major contribution to the growth of Seoul's AI industry ecosystem, the studio explains.The museum offers a venue for exhibitions, interactive experiences, and educational programs centered around robotics and artificial intelligence.Its strategic location aims to foster public-researcher connections with researchers from surrounding universities, research institutes, and corporations.RAIM is positioned as a key node in the regional science and culture network because of its integration of academia, industry, and public engagement.RAIM will be further integrated into the local cultural landscape through planned exhibitions and partnerships with neighboring cultural and entrepreneurial establishments like "Chang-dong Aurene," "Seoul Museum of Photography," and "Startup and Cultural Industrial Complex."It is anticipated that these projects will boost the regional economy and advance Chang-dong Sanggye's cultural renaissance.RAIM is "a living exhibition"MAA design principal Melike Altnk describes RAIM as "a living exhibition, where the architecture embodies the very smart technologies it exhibits.""The museum is not merely a space for displaying robots; it integrates smart technologies from design and construction through to operation, making it a seamless part of the technological narrative it presents," said Altnk.The journey is introduced by friendly robots at the entrance, where visitors start their experience at RAIM. The ground floor creates a seamless connection between the interior spaces and the external public realm with its reception, ticket halls, caf, and shop.The vertical exhibition tunnel, which connects the museum's upper floors to the permanent and temporary exhibitions, blurs the line between the physical world and the world of robotics and artificial intelligence. The second floor houses the administrative and educational spaces.The goal of this spatial design is to guide visitors through a story of scientific and technological advancement while inspiring a sense of exploration and discovery.Building Information Modeling (BIM) was used to ensure precision in both design and construction during the museum's construction, utilizing smart building techniques.The process made use of Off-Site Construction (OSC) techniques, which made it possible to realize the museum's intricate, non-linear forms in an effective and high-quality realization.Using cutting-edge 4th industrial revolution technologies, RAIM's symbolic exhibition began with the implementation of the non-directional spherical exterior, the fluid-like gate, the escalator tunnel that seems to lead visitors into an unknown world, and the numerous non-linear RAIM shapes applied here and there onto the ground.Image MAAThe smooth, spherical exterior design was produced by combining reverse engineering and digital fabrication. Robot welding and laser CNC machining were used in the construction process to ensure high precision and few mistakes in the complex faade's execution.A prominent architectural feature of the museum, the central vertical exhibition tunnel was built with cutting-edge technologies usually only found in the aerospace and marine industries, underscoring the creative approach that pervaded the entire project.Image MAA"RAIM is more than a museum""RAIM is more than a museum; it is a symbol of the future of architecture, science, and technology in Korea. It embodies the potential of robotics and AI to redefine our built environment, serving as a landmark for Korea's 4th Industrial Revolution," said MAA."It stands as a testament to the fusion of advanced architectural practices and cutting-edge technology, marking a new era in museum design and cultural engagement."Image MAA"Through its smart design and construction, RAIM not only showcases the future but actively participates in its creation, making it a pivotal institution in the ongoing evolution of architecture, science, and technology," MAA added."As an architectural and cultural icon, RAIM will play a critical role in shaping the discourse around the integration of smart technologies into our daily lives, offering a space for reflection on the ethical and humanistic implications of these advancements," MAA concluded.Image MAAImage MAAImage MAARAIM Exploded + Non-Directional diagramRAIM Interior Atmosphere diagramRAIM abstract modelRAIM detailed modelRAIM detailed modelMAA won an international competition to build the worlds first Seoul Robot & AI Museum in 2019. In addition, the studio designed the futuristic supertall TV and Radio Tower in Istanbul, Turkey.Project factsProject: Seoul Robot & AI MuseumClient: Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentLocation: Seoul, South KoreaDate: 2019 - 2024Size: 7,400m2Design Architect: MAA - Melike Altnk ArchitectsArchitect of Record:MAA-Melike Altnk Architects + WithworksEngineers & ConsultantsStructural Engineer:Dongyang, MetalYap ENGMEP Engineer:Hanil MECCivil Engineer:NOW GIOLandscape Architect:Green Culture, AU LandscapeLandscape Lighting Consultant:MeitechSignage & Wayfinding Design: MAAExhibition Planner:XOBISCertification: SB EnvironmentGeneral Contractor: LC ConstructionFaade Contractor:Dongyang GTS, Faade TechAll images Namsun Lee unless otherwise stated.All drawings MAA.> via MAA

Submitted by WA ContentsMAD reveals mixed-use tower that features a cracked-open canyon in the heart of Denver United States Architecture News - Oct 17, 2024 - 14:28 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"MAD has revealed a mixed-use tower that features a cracked-open canyon in the heart of Denver, Colorado, United States.Named One River North (ORN), the residential tower, which spans 31,835 square meters, is a new development that aims to redefine urban living in Denver.A natural terrain crack fractures the 16-story glass facade of One River North (ORN), a brand-new mixed-use development near Denver, Colorado's River North Art District (RiNo).Image Iwan BaanORN is a vertical landscapeAs MAD explains, ORN is more than just an apartment complex; it's a vertical landscape that residents can explore as though they were hiking in the mountains."Imagine living in a building yet feeling as though you're immersed in a natural landscapelike living within a canyon itself," said MAD Principal Architect, Ma Yansong.Image Parrish Ruiz de VelascoFollowing the sounds of cascading water that can be heard from the street below, residents walking the building's canyon trail from the sixth to the ninth floor are submerged in carefully designed environments inspired by Colorado's foothill and canyon ecosystems.By fusing natural elements with contemporary architecture to create immersive living environments that promote community and deepen residents' ties to the natural world, MAD hopes to reinvent urban living with One River North.Image Iwan BaanThis innovative approach was developed in response to Denver's unique environment, which is characterized by rugged mountains and profound canyons enveloping the city.One notable transformation has taken place recently in the city is the River North Art District (RiNo). It was once an industrial center, but today it's a thriving hub for artists, creators, and outdoor enthusiasts who work together to revitalize Colorado's vibrant and creative culture.Image Vic Ryan Photograph"One River North addresses Denver's need for high-density urban housing while offering an expanded lifestyle centered on wellness and accessibility in a safe, walkable neighborhood," said MAD."The design reflects the city's active culture by encouraging exploration, well-being, and a connection to nature that strengthens its residents' ties to their surroundings and to one another," the studio explained.Image Vic Ryan PhotographThe building has a ground floor retail area that is 9,000 square feet (836 square meters) in size and blends in perfectly with the surrounding streetscape and landscape. The building has 187 rental units distributed over 15 stories. The connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces is strengthened by the flow of exterior materials and landscaping into the interior.MAD has created a spacious canyon made of soft surfaces. This four-story amenity space is carved out to resemble a slot canyon, contrasting with the crisp geometric lines of the building's massing. The Canyon was inspired by natural erosion, as MAD explains.Image Parrish Ruiz de VelascoThis feature features water features that encourage a strong connection between residents and the natural environment, as well as over 13,000 square feet (1,207 square meters) of landscaped terraces that seem to hang in open space, offering some of the most breathtaking views in the city.The faade's canyon-like structure blurs the lines between architecture and nature, combining indoor and outdoor areas to create an immersive, natural experience.Image Parrish Ruiz de VelascoWith its canyon-inspired design, the amenity area features fitness centers, shared rooms, and outdoor seatingall of which are intended to encourage meaningful connections and engagement.Its landscape design, which takes cues from Colorado's varied biomes, captures the state's unique plant life and natural surroundings, which shift with the four seasons.Image Parrish Ruiz de VelascoResilient plant species have been carefully chosen to create a landscape that will flourish over time and turn the canyon-like feature into a lush, thriving area that benefits the local community and the residents' quality of life.The Canyon climbs through the facades of the building, reaching a landscaped rooftop terrace 16 stories above street level as its peak. This alpine-inspired area offers unobstructed views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains from its pool, spa, and garden.Image Iwan BaanFitwel Certification is a distinguished honor that One River North has achieved, underscoring its dedication to advancing the mental and physical health of its tenants.Less than 1,000 buildings worldwide have received this certification, which is a testament to the project's creative use of mixed-use development.Image Iwan BaanOne River North establishes a new benchmark for urban living that prioritizes human health and wellness by providing a carefully chosen, immersive living experience that places an emphasis on placemaking and cultivates a feeling of community.Image Iwan Baan"One River North is more than just a place to live""Imagine our three-dimensional urban spaces," Ma Yansong explained, "where high-rise office buildings and high-rise hotels introduce sky gardens, canyons, and waterfalls.""In this vision, the future city is not just made of concrete boxes anymore; it becomes a place that integrates and connects people with nature.""One River North is more than just a place to liveit is a place to thrive, in which the boundaries between the urban environment and the natural world disappear," Yansong added.Image Parrish Ruiz de VelascoOne River North, which is already a must-see landmark for the River North Art District and all of Denver, offers a novel viewpoint on the mixed-use building type by skillfully fusing convenience, nature, lifestyle, and community into a modern residential experience. This will undoubtedly inspire many more in the future.Image Iwan BaanImage Iwan BaanImage Iwan BaanImage Parrish Ruiz de VelascoImage Iwan BaanSite plan7th floor plan14th floor planRoof planWest elevationPartial sectionDiagramPhysical Model. Image by TAL + Bai YuMAD released the preliminary design of One River North in 2021. In addition, the firm revealed design and construction update for Tencent's new Shenzhen Headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Moreover, the firm completed an innovation center with a "biomorphic, clover-like green roof" in Beijing, China.Project factsProject name:One River NorthArchitects:MADLocation:Denver, ColoradoDate: 2019-2024Site Area:Approx. 28,198 sfBuilding Area:Approx. 342,674 sfPrincipal Partners:Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke HayanoDesign Team:Jon Kontuly, Flora Lee, Peng Xie, Edwin Cho, Horace Hou, Yunfei Qiu, Evan Shaner, Shawna Chengxiang MengClient: The MAX CollaborativeOwner:The Max Collaborative, Uplands Real Estate Partners, Zakhem Real Estate GroupExecutive Architect: Davis Partnership ArchitectsContractor:Saunders ConstructionInterior designer: The Interior Studio at Davis Partnership ArchitectsStructural Engineer: Jirsa HedrickMEP Engineer:ME EngineersLandscape:Davis Partnership ArchitectsCivil Consultant:Kimley-HornTop image in the article Iwan Baan.All images Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco and Vic Ryan Photograph.All drawings MAD.> via MAD

Submitted by WA ContentsLondons Elizabeth Line wins 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize for ArchitectureUnited Kingdom Architecture News - Oct 18, 2024 - 12:08 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Elizabeth Line - Londons new transport network - by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRalis has been named as the winner of the the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the prestigious annual award crowns the UKs best new building since 1996.The Elizabeth Line, named for Queen Elizabeth II, connects Reading, Heathrow, Essex, and South East London. With 62 miles of track and 26 miles of tunnels that can accommodate 700,000 passengers on a weekday, it is an incredibly intricate architectural achievement concealed by its elegant simplicity."It rewrites the rules of accessible public transport"RIBA President and Jury Chair Muyiwa Oki stated that "the Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport.""Its an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease.""Descending into the colossal network of tunnels feels like entering a portal to the future, where the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience," Oki added."This is architecture of the digital age a vast scheme that utilises cutting-edge technology to create distinctive spatial characteristics and experiences.""It rewrites the rules of accessible public transport, and sets a bold new standard for civic infrastructure, opening up the network and by extension, London, to everyone," Oki concluded.Building the Elizabeth Line was a great achievement. Deep under London, the network threads its way through centuries of unexplored history, dodging sewage systems and both old and new subterranean footings.The excavation project turned into the biggest archaeological dig in Britain's history, revealing a plethora of historical artifacts ranging from woolly mammoth remains dating back 55 million years to a Tudor bowling ball.In order to make room for the network's tunnels, six million tonnes of earth were removed; this earth was later used to establish a nature reserve in Essex.The Elizabeth Line offers a peaceful, quiet atmosphere that is in stark contrast to much of the previous network. An easy-to-use, intuitive experience is produced by its scheme-defining subdued color scheme of perforated cladding, sensitive lighting, and cogent wayfinding systems.Passengers are gently guided to flow around corners, down vast vaulted tunnels, and onto expansive, open platforms by curving, fluid lines that intersect and split.With direct, cool lighting in smaller cross-passages and a warm, softly-diffused band of indirect lighting spanning the platforms above the train doors, the lighting subtly alternates between warmer and cooler tones to highlight various levels and junctures.While major features like seating and freestanding "totem" concourse signage made from screen-printed toughened glass are repeated from station to station, the vast tunnels and uncluttered double-length platformsdesigned to accommodate full-size trainsfeel generously spacious.Passengers can confidently navigate the network thanks to the family of finishes, which gives the entire system coherence."The network is an exemplar of inclusive design""The network is an exemplar of inclusive design, not only through the application of step-free access throughout, but through sensitive considerations to each sensory experience," RIBA stated."Interventions such as hiding acoustic mats behind cladding to absorb excess noise, removing unnecessary fixtures and fittings and employing a restrained colour palette help to create a sense of calm for those who find underground travel overwhelming," it continued.Environmental factors, which include escalator motion sensors that minimize energy waste and passive cooling at the platform level to lessen the need for mechanical heating, help to future-proof the network. Additionally, room has been made for additional temperature control and air conditioning, allowing the network to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.Platform architecture, passenger tunnels, escalators, station concourses, furniture, fittings, finishes, and auxiliary technology are all included in the winning design. Every one of the ten new stations has an unique design.Neill McClements, Partner, Grimshaw, on behalf of the line wide design team including Grimshaw, Atkins Realis, Equation and Maynard, said: "The Elizabeth Line is a piece of infrastructure that has been transformative, not only for Londons transport network but also for many peoples lives, highlighting the role design plays in elevating our every day.""It is also a recognition of the challenges that our profession faces today the responsibility we have to rapidly respond to the climate emergency, decarbonise our cities and prioritise social and economic equity.""We know this is only achievable through collaboration and the Stirling Prize recognises all of the design and construction teams that have come together to make the project the success that it is," McClements added.The RIBA President Muyiwa Oki chaired the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize Jury, which included the following members: Alex Ely, the founder and director of M and winner of the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize; Mary Duggan, the director of Mary Duggan Architects; Yana Peel, the global head of arts and culture at Chanel (Lay Assessor); Minna Sunikka-Blank, the sustainability consultant and professor of architecture and environmental policy at Cambridge University; David Light, the sponsor of the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize, EMEA ECS Consulting Director at Autodesk.The winner was announced at a ceremony on 16 October at Londons Roundhouse.The Elizabeth Line was shortlisted for this year's award, alongside other nominees; Chowdhury Walk in London by Al-Jawad Pike, Kings Cross Masterplan in London by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates, National Portrait Gallery in London by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell, Park Hill Phase 2 in Sheffield by Mikhail Riches, Wraxall Yard in Dorset by Clementine Blakemore Architects.In 2023, the John Morden Centre - a retirement day centre in London - by M Architects was named as the winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize.All images Hufton + Crow.> via RIBA