Submitted by WA ContentsDarlington Public School in Australia by fjcstudio wins World Building Of The Year Award for 2024Australia Architecture News - Nov 22, 2024 - 13:23 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024 has named the Darlington Public School in Australia, designed by fjcstudio, the World Building of the Year.The first practice in WAF history to win the award twice was fjcstudio, which had previously won Building of the Year in 2013.As hundreds of delegates from around the globe gathered at a grand finale Gala Dinner at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the ultimate awards of World Building of the Year, World Interior of the Year, Future Project of the Year, and Landscape of the Year were announced.At the closing ceremony to commemorate the festival's seventeenth edition, a number of Special Prizes were also given out, including Best Use of Color and Small Project of the Year. The announcement comes after WAF's last day, where winners of prizes in all 42 categories fought for the top honors.Situated on the outskirts of Sydney, the community school has a deep connection to Aboriginal people, which is reflected in its design.The renovated school now blends in perfectly with the surrounding area, providing views of the inner courtyard from the main entrance, encouraging children to feel private and part of a community, and offering publicly accessible amenities like the library, community hall, and covered outdoor learning area. The architects created an inclusive learning environment by working with the school community and educational consultants to inform the brief.By conserving and showcasing Aboriginal artwork throughout the school, the redesign celebrates the rich indigenous culture and helps to tell the nation's stories to coming generations. To teach students about indigenous culture and cuisine, a community garden featuring native plants has also been established. In order to minimize time, expense, and disruption, the school kept running while construction was underway. With passive design features like sawtooth roofs angled toward the sun, high-level glazing for indirect daylight, and protective curved screens for filtered daylight, the building also embraces sustainability. "Its very humbling given the modest scale ofthe building it's a little school project, so to have won against all the other big projects at WAF is atestament to the client and the community engagement that helped drive the design process," said Alessandro Rossi, Associate at fjcstudio."The real winners are the children who will spend time in the building - a place of enrichment for many years to come," Rossi added.On behalf of the jury Paul Finch, Programme Director of the World Architecture Festival commented on: "the very highquality of several of this years finalists, not least the National Star Observatory in Cyprus, but the jurys unanimous decision was reached relatively easily."The architect of the winning project explored and extended the formal programme of the client, to include the views and experience of the local community and a variety of users. This generated a reading of thehistory of place, culture and time," Finch added."The result of the project is poetic, a building in which topography and landscape, inside and outside, form and materials, flow seamlessly in an unexpectedly delightful way. It is also an inspirational proposition about the acknowledgement and reconciliation of historic difference a pointer to brighter, better futures for all," Finch concluded.The Super Jury for World Building of the Year chaired by Sonali Rastogi, comprised Emre Arolat, Mario Cucinella and Ian Ritchie.Site planGround floor planElevationOn November 68, 2024, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore hosted the World Architecture Festival and Inside World Festival of Interiors. The global architecture community gathers at WAF to celebrate, educate, network, and get inspired.The largest live-judged architecture awards program in the world is held annually by WAF. Through presentations by architects to eminent delegates and global judging panels, it honors design accomplishments.All images Brett Boardman.All drawings fjcstudio.> via WAF

Submitted by WA Contentsgmp completes Nanchang East Station with the rhythm of the arcsChina Architecture News - Nov 20, 2024 - 14:16 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The team of von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects (gmp) has completed a new station with the rhythm of the arcs in Nanchang, China.Named Nanchang East Station, the 100,000-square-meter station has been built in Nanchang, a well-known city that is situated along the middle Yangtze and the southern shore of Poyang Lake.The project was created by Shanghai United Design Group (UDG), China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group (T4), and von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects (gmp).According to gmp, the station is the centerpiece of a brand-new neighborhood in eastern Nanchang that was created using the concepts of transit-oriented development, or TOD. This neighborhood will have residential units, shops, spaces for creative industries and cultural events, and office space for start-ups. The station houses eight platforms and sixteen tracks.With rail links to Beijing in the north, Hong Kong in the south, Kunming in the west, and Shanghai in the east, it is a significant hub within China's quickly growing high-speed rail network.Additionally, it serves as the beginning of a new route that travels through Jingdezhen to Huangshan, a popular tourist destination.A distinctive feature of the stations design is the three-aisled arc structure, designed by schlaich bergermann partner (sbp) and gmp.The main entrance on the western side is highlighted by a laterally shortened arc. In total, the roof structure consists of a steel construction of 14 rows of triple arc elements.The central, large arc spans 96 meters, creating a spacious, column-free area in the middle for the concourse. The construction time for the structure was significantly shortened by pre-fabricating each arc truss directly on the construction site and then positioning them with the help of a crane runway.The atrium functions as an "urban living room"The main entrance atrium on the west side forms a three-story continuous space that connects the various functional areas across different levels: the main halls, taxi stands, and the subway stations.The atrium functions as an urban living room, linking the station with Nanchangs city center and the TOD area, with eateries and retail outlets that are open to the public.In Chinese urban development, Nanchang East Station is regarded as a prototype transit-oriented development project. The station is a new transportation hub in the eastern part of Nanchang, which is home to about five million people.To facilitate a smooth and quick passenger flow into the city, the station's infrastructure was modified using the Ground Traffic Center (GTC) model, which is utilized in contemporary airports. The station is conveniently located for both public transportation and pedestrians.Employees at surrounding companies can commute to work from farther away thanks to its connection to the high-speed rail network, which enables rapid travel to other major cities.After Tianjin West Station, Hangzhou South Station, and Beijing's Fengtai Station, this project is gmp's fourth significant high-speed rail station in China. Ground floor planSectionRecently, the team of von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects (gmp) completed the conversion of a 1940s Santiago Bernabu Stadium, known as Estadio Santiago Bernabu, in Madrid. In addition, the firm completed the refurbishment of a 1969s multi-purpose hall, known as The Hyparschale in Magdeburg, Germany.Another significant gmp project is the Alsterschwimmhalle, often called Hamburgs Swimming Opera, which reopened after an extensive refurbishment.Project factsProject name: Nanchang East StationArchitects:gmpLocation:Nanchang, ChinaCompetition:2020 1st prizeDesign: Meinhard von Gerkan and Nikolaus Goetze with Jan BlaskoCompetition Project Lead: Nils KlinkmannCompetition Team:Tim Andrasko, Deng Zihe, Mariam Hamidou, Li Bo, Liu Jianfeng, Pan Mei, Alp YilmazDetailed Design Project Lead:Liu JianfengDetailed Design Team:Deng Zihe, Lesley-Anne Fischer, Mariam Hamidou, Nils Klinkmann, Luo Dian, Li Jiahui, Lin Qihong, Lorenz Riedinger, Monica Sallowsky, Johann von BothmerProject Management:China Pan MeiPartner Firm in China: China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group, UDG GroupStructural Engineering: schlaich bergermann partnerLandscape Architecture:WES LandschaftsArchitekturClient:Jiujingqu Railway JiangxiGFA: 100,000m2All images CreatAR.All drawings gmp.> via gmp

Submitted by WA ContentsSnhetta wins competition for cable car stations in Koblenz, Germany Germany Architecture News - Nov 20, 2024 - 14:43 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Norwegian architecture firm Snhetta has won a new competition for the new city cable car stations in Koblenz, Germany.The Upper Middle Rhine Valley's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site requires extra caution, according to the firm. The expressive stations respectfully integrate into the historical setting as modern statements.Since 2011, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite side of the Rhine has been connected to Koblenz's city center via a cable car. The popular, eco-friendly mode of transportation was initially intended to be a temporary structure for the Federal Horticultural Show, but it is now intended to be used permanently.A redesign of the stations was required due to technical requirements and the location's sensitive historical context. Snhetta's proposal for the sculptures for the valley and mountain stations, which form a "cohesive pair" and respond sensitively to the respective context, won the architectural competition held by the cable car operator.The Basilica of St. Castor, which is listed, is close to the valley station. The gently curved shape reinterprets the city's architectural heritage and motifs while paying homage to the historic basilica.According to the jury, "the design exhibits restraint within the World Heritage Site without losing any of its architectural significance." "The St. Castor Church is referenced in the design by the graceful roof shape."A wooden framework supported by V-shaped concrete columns holds up the metal roof shell. While the gently sculpted concrete columns are reminiscent of the church's vaulted stonework and traditional masonry along the river, the metal shingles on the roof are inspired by the city's traditional faade and roof motifs.The reflections and play of light and shadow along the river and the tree-lined riverbank are further enhanced by the subtle green hues and the glossy metal cladding.This subtle effect is further enhanced by the station's curved shape. The station's open area blends in with the Rhine promenade's natural surroundings.The mountain station's technical facilities are also covered by a common, gently chamfered metal roof. Strong, stoic shapes establish a connection to the Ehrenbreitstein stronghold.The metal cladding, whose warmer hues allude to the earthy tones of the fortress walls, supports the wooden structure on slender columns. In front of the station, a "flying" roof incorporates an existing tree, provides a covered waiting area, and spans the ticket office, technical rooms, and kiosk.The historic landscape in front of the fortress is clearly horizontal, as highlighted by the station and the cantilevered canopy. Similar to the bottom station, the top station will keep all of the cable car's technical installations while adding amenities for long-term use."The cultural landscape and identity of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley are characterised by centuries of human intervention," Patrick Lth, Snhetta Partner and Managing Director of the Innsbruck studio."The new stations are part of this natural and cultural context and with our design we continue the dialogue with the significant cultural landscape of Koblenz," Lth added.Snhetta, recently, completed a new expansion and site redesign for the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, United States. Moreover, the firm completed the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas, Austin. In addition, the firm also completed Beijing City Library in China, with a giant canopy supported by ginkgo trees and wraped by a fully glazing faade. All images Snhetta.> via Snhetta

Submitted by WA ContentsNEXT architects completes Watchtower Einderheide for humans and animals in BergeijkNetherlands Architecture News - Nov 19, 2024 - 13:46 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"NEXT architects has completed a watchtower for humans and animals in Bergeijk, the Netherlands.Named Watchtower Einderheide, the 26-metre-high wooden watchtower was designed to observe and experience the surrounding forest, the tower elevates leisure visitors to new heights.Image Karl BanskiAdditionally, the wooden structure serves as a home for the different bat species that call the area home. Despite its simplicity, the design features a distinctive and iconic shape that adds to Einderheide's identity.The watchtower serves as a rest stop and a point of orientation for participants in the Einderheide forest area's recreational cycling and walking network.Image Karl BanskiThe location is ideal for housing a variety of bat species because it is situated along the bats' flight path. A variety of niches and cavities are made at different heights in the structure to support different kinds of habitats, including winter and summer homes as well as locations for mating and nesting.Image Karl BanskiAt a height of 26 meters, visitors ascend a spiral staircase to the lookout platform, where they can take in a comprehensive view of the surroundings.The notches at various elevations provide a startling view of the forest and trees as you ascend. The final element in the set of local symbols that provide the N69 provincial road with a distinct and identifiable identity is the understated yet distinctive landmark.Image Koen MolWith notches at various heights, the tower is primarily made of laminated wood. Since the wooden structure replicates the natural habitat of many tree-dwelling species, it fits in perfectly with the forest landscape and is the perfect material for the bat accommodation. The animals can land and crawl away thanks to the wood's roughness.Image Koen MolTwenty specially created habitats are incorporated into the facade to provide a home for a range of bat species, in addition to the winter shelter located in the tower's basement.Image Koen MolImage Koen MolImage Koen MolImage Koen MolImage Koen MolDrawing NEXT architectsProject factsProject name: Watchtower EinderheideArchitects:NEXT architectsLocation:Bergeijk, the NetherlandsClient:Gemeente Bergeijk en Provincie Noord-BrabantSize: 26 meter hoog/26 meters (height)Completion year: June 2024Design team:Michel Schreinemachers, Bart Reuser, Marijn Schenk with Bobby de Graaf, Douwe Strating, Angelos Chouliaris, Snia Cunha, Vyasa Koe,Monika PopkiewiczIn collaboration with: H+N+S Landschapsarchitects, Boskalis, WSP, Mos Ecologisch Advies en Onderzoek, Gemeente Bergeijk, KunstLoc Brabant, Elianne van Elderen (schrijver/dichter), Houthandel Van Dal (leverancier en hoofdaannemer), Reijrink Staalconstructie, Van De Sande (fundering).Top image Karl Banski.All images Koen Mol and Karl Banski.> via NEXT architects

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Los Angeles-based architecture practice Conner + Perry Architects has revealed a new Club James addition to Los Angeles iconic mid-century residence originally designed by John Lautner in the 1962.The development and completion of the accessory entertainment facility represents a fully collaborative effort between Goldstein and three design teams spanning nearly fifty years, which was initially envisioned by estate owner James Goldstein and renowned mid-century architect John Lautner.Club James: The newly completed accessory complex, Club James, emerges from the lush jungle landscape, its crystalline geometries playing against the surrounding wild flora and bright blue southern California skies. The infinity tennis court roof sits atop the canted glass enclosure of the office, which floats effortlessly above the lower terrace and poolConner + Perry Architects have unveiled the recently finished annex, Club James, at the Sheats-Goldstein Residence.The Sheats-Goldstein Residence, one of the most well-known mid-century homes in Los Angeles, is almost as iconic as the Hollywood sign itself.It has been praised by many in the fields of architecture and design and has appeared in countless movies, TV shows, fashion shows, and music videos.Club James Nightclub: Concrete seating with custom upholstered silver leather cushions surrounds the stainless-steel dance floor. The cantilevered DJ booth in the background is the control center for state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems that give the space a fully immersive nightclub experience. A portrait of owner Jim Goldstein in his iconic couture, shot by photographer Mikael Jansson, watches over the space near the main entryThe renowned Beverly Hills enclave has a lengthy and intricate construction history that started in 1962 with John Lautner and the Sheats family and continued with Lautner and current owner James Goldstein.Over the course of the last seven decades, the enclave has undergone numerous expansions and enhancements in partnership with three different architectural teams.Offices: Goldsteins office is located at the southwest corner of the building and features a unique canted frameless glass enclosure that heightens the dramatic sense of the space pushing out into the view beyond. A custom cantilevered concrete desk dominates the room providing a spectacular perch from which to look out on the city. Custom stainless-steel shelves and built-in concrete and leather cabinetry house basketball memorabilia and photographs of Goldstein with a variety of celebrity friends. Behind (Off-Camera, Right) are the offices of Goldsteins assistants, featuring glass clerestories and custom built-in concrete and leather office furnitureGoldstein worked with Conner + Perry Architects' Kristopher Conner and James Perry on the design, and since 2015, they have been in charge of the additions. Before that, the two collaborated as Project Architects with Lautner's associate and apprentice, Duncan Nicholson, who remained at the property after Lautner's passing in 1994.Adjacent to the original residence is Club James, the most recent development on the property. Because the planned hillside tennis court would require extensive construction, it was decided that the office and a new entertainment area should be housed beneath the new building.Club James Office: Behind the striking cantilevered concrete and stainless-steel desk of James Goldstein one looks out over the garden to the panoramic views of Los Angeles beyond as day breaks on the cityThe wood and cardboard model that hangs in the house today is a remnant of Lautner's original master plan, but Goldstein and Nicholson and then Conner + Perry Architects worked together to create the current Club James design.An entertainment area, a VIP room/library, offices for Goldstein and his staff, a movie screening room, an outdoor terrace with kitchen and dining amenities, a pool, and a spa were all added as the project progressed. Construction began in the early 2000s. The most recent outdoor terrace design by the current team was finished in 2023 and includes the main staircase, dining tables, locker room, pool, kitchen and BBQ areas, and restroom.Nightclub Bar: The clubs one-of-a-kind concrete bar cantilevers dramatically at one end pointing toward the hidden entry to the VIP Room/Library and Restrooms. In this image one can see the various treatments of each concrete surface. The floors are a pebble finish, matching the walking surfaces throughout the property both inside and out. The walls and vertical surfaces are board-formed with a 1-1/2 wide plank, a subtle variation of the wider plank utilized more sparingly in the original residence. The countertop is highly polished and waxed, as are all the other horizontal utility and seating surfaces. And the ceilings are board-formed but have been sand blasted to provide a subtler texture and expose more of the aggregate"The most rewarding aspect of this project is working with a client and patron like Jim who enjoys the process as much as the outcome and has the perseverance to pursue an architecture that will stand the test of time," said James Perry."It was a huge responsibility and an honor to take over the reins of this project and to be included in the lineage of amazing designers involved in the development and expansion of the property over the decades," added Kristopher Conner."It is a delicate balance to preserve and respect the genius of the original residence while developing designs that are in dialogue with it. We look at our work as an evolution of the visual language established by Lautner. The DNA of the house is there, but the expression is adapted to the environment and functions of the new spaces."Club James Office: View from inside the dynamic canted glass enclosure of the office looking east along the nightclub faade toward the lower terrace pool and lush vegetation surrounding the original residence beyond. Here you can see how the geometry and minimal frameless glass details give the sense of the interior pushing out into the open space beyondIn addition to creating these innovative and dynamic designs, Conner + Perry Architects is in charge of the original Sheats-Goldstein Residence's upkeep and restoration, as well as the James Turrell Skyspace installation "Above Horizon"s repairs and enhancements.Like Nicholson before them, Conner and Perry's designs seek to respect Lautner and Goldstein's architectural heritage by adhering to the principles of organic architecture, modifying fundamental concepts to suit new purposes, coming up with fresh details and forms, and designing areas that honor the human spirit's capacity for freedom.Club James: View from the lushly planted tropical garden pathway below, looking through the steel Arc sculpture by Bernar Venet, back up at Club James; with its hovering 100-foot-long concrete pool, cantilevered stair up to the nightclub and office level, and the infinity tennis court on the roof"The thing that differentiates this property from many other significant mid-century homes in LA is that it is not a static museum frozen in time or a private retreat," said Perry."It is full of life, with tours, and shoots, and events, all of which expose the public to this unique work of art; and it is alive in that it is continuously progressing and improving, with a lineage of three generations of architects and a team of consultants and trades people who make it all possible," Perry added.Lower Terrace Lounge: Built-in concrete seating with custom upholstered cushions wrapping around a cantilevered concrete table. The composition is emblematic of the firms design approach, adapting the visual language established on the project to new functions and contexts, continuing to blur the line between architecture and furnitureTo guarantee that this architectural gem and cultural icon will be conserved, accessible to the public, and able to inspire upcoming generations of designers, Goldstein has actually left the entire property, along with his extensive fashion and art collections, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in an incredible act of philanthropy.Lower Terrace Formal Dining: Below the club and offices is the outdoor entertainment terrace, which features multiple dining areas each with dramatic concrete tables. The table in the formal dining area is an engineering marvel, its slender profile cantilevering approximately 11 feet in both directions from a single tapered center support"John Lautner's work is a radical advancement in his teacher Frank Lloyd Wright's search for a uniquely American architectural language; it is somehow both of its time and timeless, an expression of boundless optimism and freedom, an attempt to reconnect us to nature through an embrace of technological advancement with a deep appreciation of human craft," concluded Conner."The Sheats-Goldstein residence is one of the best examples of these pursuits, as Lautner was given the opportunity, the time, and the means to perfect the home over years of collaboration with Goldstein. James and I have had the privilege of continuing Lautner and Goldsteins work, while making our own unique contributions to the propertys legacy."Lower Terrace Restroom: Water cascades from the custom-fabricated cantilevering stainless-steel faucet into the all-glass sink as it is carried down the inside edge of the glass guardrail to a drain in the pebble finished concrete slab below. The sink is an homage to the Lautner-designed glass sink in the original residences primary bathroom, providing an unobstructed view into the lush tropical landscape beyondSheats-Goldstein Residence: The living room, the focal point of the home, immortalized in film and an icon of modern architecture. It is one of Lautners truest expressions of his interpretation of organic philosophy. The famous concrete triangle coffered ceiling with hundreds of tiny round skylights is at once massive and light. The frameless glass wall and continuity of the building with the landscape blurs the boundaries between the indoor and outdoor spaceSheats-Goldstein Residence: View of the original Lautner-designed residences main entrance vestibule with a koi pond garden featuring a waterfall and glass and concrete foot bridge. The entire entry procession and secondary spaces of the main floor are covered by a low-slung redwood ceiling that compresses the space giving it a more intimate scale and emphasizing the dramatic transition into the iconic living room space beyondLower Terrace Stair Detail: The stainless-steel handrail seems to delicately hover in mid-air, supported only by the frameless glass guardrails. The projects characteristic board-formed concrete provides a substantive yet refined backdrop for their dramatic angular geometriesSheats-Goldstein Residence: View stepping out from the living room onto the pool deck wrapped in pebble finished concrete. The powerful yet light triangulated concrete coffered roof structure hangs overhead, punctuated with tiny skylights that allow the sunlight to dapple through. The zero edge of the pool sits flush to the surface of the deck and was the first of its kind in the United StatesClub James Nightclub: Concrete entry into Club James looking back at the main entry stair. Here you can see the interplay of light and shadow with the complex geometries and the versatility and subtlety that the various treatments of the concrete surfaces bring to the spaceClub James Office: Looking out through the canted frameless glass enclosure of Goldsteins office at dawn, the dynamic angles and minimal custom fittings create a crystalline form that pushes out into the space over the terrace and pool. Featuring the "Tetra Chair" by Jude Chaaban and Aya ElmokadamClub James Office Detail: This all-glass detail is a modification of the door pulls in the original Lautner-designed residence, illustrating the new project's ties to the adjacent home. It is a prime example of how the organic philosophy's holistic approach permeates the entire design at every scale, and materials are expressed in their purest formsLower Terrace Stair: A concrete cantilevered stair winds from the terrace level down into the lush gardens below. As the architecture reaches out into the landscape it becomes more dynamic responding to the topography and wild fauna. The angular stainless-steel handrail floats above the structure supported only by frameless glass stanchionsLower Terrace Infinity Pool: The pebble concrete deck becomes the pool as a striking glass shard defines the corner overlooking the pool spillway, gardens, and views of the city and Pacific Ocean beyondNightclub: Below the court is a fully functioning private nightclub. This facility includes a full concrete and stainless-steel bar, state-of-the-art sound and light systems controlled from a cantilevered stainless-steel DJ booth, stainless-steel dance floor, a 26-foot-long LED display wall, and operable glass faade framing the panoramic view of the cityAbove Horizon Turrell Skyspace: The Skyspace oculus and window are opened up during the day, framing the brilliant azure sky. The artwork was originally intended by Goldstein to be a collaboration between James Turrell and John Lautner, however Lautner passed away before the design process could begin in earnest. The installation was completed in 2004 under the direction of architect Duncan Nicholson. Most recently the lighting and programming have been upgraded by Turrells studio in consultation with Conner + PerrySheats-Goldstein Residence: View of the operable frameless corner windows of the primary bedroom suite looking out to the view of Century City and beyond. The built-in concrete and leather lounge with swiveling cantilevered stainless steel and triangular glass cocktail tables, the exotic Bubinga wood floors, frameless glass, and exposed concrete were all part of the improvements to the original residence undertaken with Lautner and Goldstein between 1979 and 1994Lower Terrace: The newly completed lowest level of Club James. In the foreground, the new pool reflects the upper levels of the office and tennis court above in the dwindling evening sunlight. The outdoor entertainment terrace features multiple dining areas with dramatically cantilevered concrete tables, a lounge area, full bar, and a fully functioning catering kitchen with a custom concrete and stainless-steel bar-b-que. Bordering the terrace on the south edge lies a pool with a 100-foot-long infinity edge. At the cantilevered western end of the pool is a triangular spa separated from the pool by a nearly invisible acrylic wall. Adjacent to the spa is a fire pit and cantilevered concrete bench. A restroom with outdoor glass sink and a changing room were also addedSite planTennis court planRecreation roomSection AASection BBAfter working on the Goldstein property under Nicholson since 2007, architects James Perry and Kristopher Conner established their own firm, Conner + Perry Architects, and assumed responsibility as the property's architects of record.Future projects for the firm will include the estate's upcoming stages of development, which will include a theater and a guest house. James Goldstein left the whole estate to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in 2016, along with his large art and fashion collections.Project factsProject name: Sheats-Goldstein ResidenceClient/Homeowner:James F. GoldsteinArchitect (Current):Conner + Perry ArchitectsArchitect (Past):Nicholson ArchitectsArchitect (Original): Lautner AssociatesStructural Engineer:Andrew Nasser, Omnispan CorporationCivil Engineer:CRC EnterprisesSoils Engineer:Robertson Geological IncGeologist:Irvine Geotechnical IncMechanical Engineer:The Sullivan Partnership IncLandscape Engineer:Eric NagelmannLighting Designer:SJ LightingSound Consultant:Sound Investment AVGeneral Contractor (Current):Empire Group Fine Construction IncGeneral Contractor (Previous): Ostermann ConstructionMetal Fabricator:Breakform DesignGlass Contractor:Giroux Glass IncTennis Court Contractor:Zaino Tennis Courts IncElectrician:Erik RettedalUpholstery:Gina Berschneider, IncNumber of Floors:4Site Area: 2.22 acresSquare Footage:7,125-square-feet; 4,389-square-feet of patios and decksTop image in the article: Lower Terrace Stair: Elevation view of the main entertainment terrace cantilevered concrete stair; with a bar and lounge area behind, and leading up to the office and nightclub second level. The stair is an excellent example of the intense collaborative design process between the architects and owner James Goldstein: after the lounge area was completed Goldstein requested that the stair be redesigned to preserve the views as much as possible. In response Conner + Perry cantilevered the entire structure from a single point, and following Goldsteins suggestion added the triangular opening in the stair stringer, a detail which references similar motifs found in the original Lautner-designed residence.All images Joe Fletcher Photography.All drawings Conner + Perry Architects.> via Conner + Perry Architects

Submitted by WA ContentsMacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects expands a concrete spa and thermal reserve in Quebec Canada Architecture News - Nov 18, 2024 - 14:25 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Canadian architecture practice MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects has expanded a spa and thermal reserve in Quebec. A new concrete base houses an open swimming pool and an inviting relaxation room.The Balnea Spa and Thermal Reserve was intended to provide an even more intriguing and restorative experience, encouraging rest and reflection in a remarkable natural environment.Ground-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image Maxime BrouilletThe architectural firm MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, which is well-known for its global design excellence and cultural responsiveness to local landscapes, climate, and material culture, came up with the project, which is set in the rural area of Bromont, Quebec, Canada.Image Maxime BrouilletA New Way to Showcase NatureAn experience that stimulates the senses and imagination is promised by this new installation, which includes a large infinity thermal bath and a cozy relaxation area.The 670 square foot (204-square-metre) thermal bath, which can accommodate more than 25 people, provides a stunning panoramic view of Lake Gale and is a great place to unwind and reflect.The relaxation area encourages visitors to relax and de-stress while soaking up the fine sand and beach-like ambiance.Terrace Infinity Thermal Bath. Image Maxime Brouillet"These new installations represent a perfect blend of innovation, sustainable practices, and architectural excellence. Every detail has been designed to awaken the senses and enhance the well-being of our guests," said Denis Laframboise, President of BALNEA spa + rserve thermale."We aimed to offer a unique, immersive, generous, and authentic experience inspired by the richness of the surrounding nature," Laframboise added.Terrace Infinity Thermal Bath. Image Maxime BrouilletThis is the most recent milestone in a major expansion project that was started in the spring of 2023 and funded by the Tourism Industry Recovery Assistance Program (PARIT) of the Quebec Ministry of Tourism.Terrace Infinity Thermal Bath. Image Maxime BrouilletArchitecture in Harmony with NatureThrough its form and materiality, the project makes reference to the surrounding natural environment. The spa's concrete volume rises out of the surrounding terrain, alluding to the Appalachian rock and texture.The expanded spa terraces and new thermal bath are supported by a plinth created by the form.Aerial View. Image Maxime Brouillet"The generous new thermal bath and spa terrace grounds the scheme within the landscape," said Brian MacKay-Lyons, Founding Partner of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects."The use of natural materials enhances the reading of the spa in nature, while offering a wide range of haptic user experiences," MacKay-Lyons added.As the establishment gets ready to celebrate its 20th anniversary in October 2025, BALNEA started a massive eco-friendly expansion project in April 2023 to fulfill its vision.Aerial View. Image Maxime BrouilletAdditional changing rooms will be added this summer, and the Beatnik Hotel will be expanded and upgraded in early 2025, doubling its room capacity. The official inauguration is planned for the summer of 2025, but the hotel will stay partially open during the renovations.MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects and the numerous partners involved share the project's commitment to an eco-friendly approach.Ground-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image Maxime BrouilletFor instance, the wastewater treatment system has been relocated away from sensitive areas, and the new terraces are heated by recovering heat from the mechanical rooms.Furthermore, by optimizing the filtration system, the installations' size has only doubled while the system's treatment capacity has tripled.Long-term preservation and renovation of more than 20,000 square feet (1,858 square meters) of buildings will maximize material reuse and resource use.Ground-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image Maxime BrouilletGround-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image James BrittainGround-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image James BrittainImage James BrittainGround-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image James BrittainImage James BrittainImage James BrittainImage James BrittainGround-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image Maxime BrouilletGround-Level Four-Season Relaxation Room. Image Maxime BrouilletGround floor planSectionElevationTerrace floor planProject factsProject name: A Larger Than Life Project in the Heart of NatureArchitects:MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple ArchitectsLocation: Bromont, Qubec, CanadaCompletion Date: June 2024Client: BALNEA spa + rserve thermaleMacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Ltd.Design Lead: Brian MacKay-LyonsArchitect Project Manager:Tyler ReynoldsProject Team: Talbot Sweetapple, Paryse Beatty, Ryan DeWolde, Andrew Tomchyshyn, Matthew MacKay-Lyons, Ryhland TaylorEcological architecture:tienne LemayContractorConstruction: Maurice David & FillesPanoramic Lift and Slide: Bachand & BosquetExterior Door:Bachand & BosquetTop image Maxime Brouillet.> via MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

Submitted by WA ContentsGSAPP launches a new dual degree program in Urban Design and ClimateUnited States Architecture News - Nov 18, 2024 - 15:26 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"A new dual degree program in Urban Design and Climate has been announced by the Climate School and the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP).The Dual Degree in Urban Design and Climate is a new program that GSAPP, a school that promotes climate action through the built environment in its research, pedagogies, and publications, is thrilled to launch in collaboration with the Columbia Climate School.Students can combine three semesters at GSAPP with two semesters at the Climate School to earn the dual Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design and Master of Science in Climate starting in the 20252026 academic year."No impact on climate can be made without mobilizing the built environment," said GSAPP Dean Andrs Jaque."This new dual program brings together GSAPPs leadership in the transformation of the built environment with Climate Schools pioneering climate and environmental sciences," Jaque added.The new dual degree with the Climate School offers students an unparalleled academic path to develop a powerful blend of critical, scientific, and design skills. It also broadens the opportunities for interdisciplinary studies both within GSAPP and with programs at other Columbia schools.Graduates with these skills are better equipped for an expanding array of professions focused on adaptation and mitigation of the global climate crisis, from policy to design.Led since 2015 by Professor Kate Orff, the MSAUD program and its faculty have a strong tradition of working with students and communities around the world to develop innovative urban design strategies that address urgent issues related to climate and ecological crisis. The design studios take a critical approach to comprehending the intersection of social, political, and ecological factors that call for new design solutions responsive to climate justice by being located in specific locations, which can range from the US to Colombia, the Caribbean, or India.Water urbanism and enhancing resilience in coastal communities are frequent studio topics. Professor Kate Orff specializes in these topics, and in 2018 GSAPP established the Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes (CRCL) under her leadership. Through research, education, and design development, CRCL establishes global collaborations with governments and organizations to promote climate adaptation and resilience building.A transdisciplinary academic culture is embodied by GSAPP, where students apply their specialized fields of study to specific problems in real-world situations. In order to foster collaboration among students from the School's academic programs in Architecture, Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, and Real Estate Development, GSAPP introduced Studio Clinics in 2022 as a novel course format. In addition to six dual degree options with other institutions, GSAPP currently offers 11 dual degree options within its own programs.By combining three semesters at GSAPP (45 credits during the summer, fall, and spring) with two semesters at the Climate School (32 credits during the fall and spring), the dual MS in Architecture and Urban Design and MS in Climate degrees can be finished in two years, which is less time than when the degrees are pursued independently.More information with application requirements and deadlines can be found online on GSAPP MS in Architecture and Urban Design and Climate School MS in Climate, or by emailing [emailprotected].Top image in the article: GSAPP Urban Design students conducting field work in Madurai, India.> via Columbia GSAPP

Submitted by WA ContentsSnhetta completes a new expansion and site redesign for the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha United States Architecture News - Nov 18, 2024 - 12:25 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Snhetta has completed a new expansion and site redesign for the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, United States. The new 42,000-square-foot (3,902-square-metre) addition was completed with local architects Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture (APMA).In order to fulfil the needs the and investigate the potential of an expanding permanent collection, the team designed a new addition with its bright galleries.Along with the addition, the team designed the restoration and modernization of the Joslyn Memorial building's existing spaces and over three acres of revitalized public gardens and outdoor areas on the property.Returning visitors to the Joslyn Art Museum will notice the new expansion right away because it makes the grounds more accessible and makes it clearer where they are coming from.Reimagined as a vast congregation of landscape spaces and outdoor "rooms," immersive sculpture gardens adorned with native plants encircle the site, connecting the buildings and outdoor areas around a spine created by sculptor Jess Moroles's existing installation, The Omaha Riverscape.Visitors are greeted by an expansive collection of visual art before they even enter the building, which makes the transition to the pieces kept indoors seamless.The team's new addition floats atop two granite garden walls, while the existing monolithic buildings have a heavy, anchored presence. The first floor is transparent and contains a new atrium lobby, Museum store, and multipurpose community space.These ground floor spaces gradually rise to the level of the existing buildings through a gently sloping, accessible walkway. The hovering expansion's weightless effect pays homage to the deep overhangs and horizontal expressions of regional Prairie Style architecture, as well as the remarkable cloud formations that cover the Great Plains.Visitors are welcomed into a large, light-filled atrium with a variety of areas for lounging, people-watching, and looking out at the gardens after entering the building through the low-slung entry canopy.In keeping with the Joslyn's past identity, the two-story addition wraps around and frames the existing buildings, creating a more open and welcoming front that ushers in a new era of the Museum's mission to provide dynamic, inclusive public access to the arts.The expansion creates a dynamic, inclusive design that is accessible to everyone, building on Joslyn's long history as a cultural center and iconic landmark.The Hawks Foundation's Rhonda and Howard Hawks are honored by the pavilion's name. The Hawks Foundation offers funding for the arts, social services, and higher education.Snhetta, recently, completed the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas, Austin. The firm also completed Beijing City Library in China, with a giant canopy supported by ginkgo trees and wraped by a fully glazing faade.In addition, the firm completed Vesterheim Commons in Decorah, Iowa, USA. Moreover, the studio unveiled design for a new opera house in the historic town of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, referencing to traditional Najdi architecture.Project factsProject name:Joslyn Art MuseumArchitects: SnhettaLocal Architects:Alley Poyner Macchietto ArchitectureLocation:Omaha, Nebraska, USASize:3,902m2Completion year:2024Client:Joslyn Art MuseumProject Manager:Anser AdvisoryStructural Engineers: MKACivil Engineer: OlssonLighting Design:ArupAcoustics:ArupAll images Nic Lehoux.> via Snhetta

Submitted by WA ContentsInspireli Awards launches Kashitu School Competition in ZambiaZambia Architecture News - Nov 16, 2024 - 12:53 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Inspireli Awards, the worlds largest architectural competition for students, proudly announces a new competition as part of its global platform: the Kashitu School Competition in Zambia. This initiative invites architecture students worldwide to reimagine and design innovative structures for the Kashitu Secondary School Campus, challenging them to push both architectural and technical boundaries beyond the conventional designs of typical Zambian schools.This unique Design and Build project offers students the rare chance to participate in both the design and construction of the school, gaining hands-on experience that bridges academic study with real-world application. All participants get a chance to travel to Zambia, contributing directly to the building process and enhancing their skills in sustainable design, teamwork, and construction.The announcer of the competition is the Czech Technical University in Prague in partnership with Architects Without Borders. Together, they aim to inspire students to create impactful, community-focused designs that address local needs while showcasing global architectural innovation.Inspireli Awards connects students and architects from over 160 countries, offering a platform to present their work and participate in real-world challenges like the Kashitu School project. Kashitu School competition is one of 4 ways how to participate in Inspireli Awards.JuryChairman: Jan TilingerJuror: Petr anda (Project Coordinator)Juror: Bornface Mamfunda (Chairman of New Renato Community Society)Juror: Aneka Havrnkov (Chairman of Ptel New Renato)Juror: Andrea Tabocchini (Founder of Andrea TabocchiniArchitecture)Juror: Hermann Kamte (Founding Associates and the Creative Director at HKA | Hermann Kamte&Associates)The other members of the jury will be specified latter.PrizesThis is a non-profit project and therefore it is not possible to provide financial prizes. The winning team will be given the opportunity to build the selected building by themselves, on site in Zambia. (Winning the competition does not guarantee the provision of funds for construction, transportation, or accommodation of the team members. However, the participating organizations will provide support in obtaining funding for the construction, transport and accommodation)In case of construction of the design (s), the name(s) of the author(s) of the winning design(s) will be displayed at the appropriate building, which will come from the winning design.Registration is now open, the competition ends on June 15, 2025 and is free-of-charge.ScheduleTermination of registration for the competition: June 15, 2025Voting in the semifinals: June 17-23, 2025Voting in the finals: June 26-July 7Announcement of finalists: June 26, 2025Announcement of the winners: Autumn 2025Download the materials:For more information, please visit website.Top image courtesy of Inspireli.> via Inspireli Awardsarchitecture competition

Submitted by WA ContentsTerraViva launches La Juanita architecture competition in ArgentinaArgentina Architecture News - Nov 16, 2024 - 13:17 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"TerraVivalaunchesLA JUANITA, a new architecture competition in which participants will work on the design of a contemporary house facing the amazing natural landscape oftheParan river (Argentina).Prizes up to 8.000 will be awarded to the winners selected by an international jury panel composed, among others, by Giancarlo Mazzanti (El Equipo Mazzanti), Virginia Theilig (FAPyD), Diego Arraigada (Diego Arraigada Arquitectos) and Luciana Lembo (Adamo-Faiden).BriefThe idea of 'La Juanita' as a permanenthousinglocation invites architects and designers to imagine what an Argentine home would look like today, nestled in ariverside landscapethat slows the frenetic pace of city life and fosters a deep connection with thenatural context.The villa should be designed for a family of four, with the possibility of receiving and eventually accommodating a couple of guests who will enjoy all the comforts and privacy.Prizes & Mentions1st Prize: 4.0002nd Prize: 2.0003rd Prize: 1.0002 Golden Mentions: 500 each10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition30 Finalists: published on TerraViva channelsGuidelinesThe design can be single-story or spread over two levels (ground floor + first floor). Both compact and more dispersed layouts will be equally considered. The layout, size and arrangement of the homes intimate and social spaces, as well as their relationships and spatial hierarchies, will be at the discretion of the designers.Designers are invited to incorporate double-height spaces, semi-covered areas, pergolas, galleries, terraces and exterior flooring treatments, ensuring a gradual transition from the interior to the surrounding nature. These intermediate zones will be crucial for the everyday use of the house, providing enjoyment throughout the year. Do not forget to enhance and value the incredible views with your design proposal. It will be essential to consider the characteristics of sun exposure, visuals and topography of the site.Requested MaterialTwo A1 panels (59,4 x 84,1 cm) landscape oriented + a brief text describing the proposal (250-500 words);JuryGiancarlo Mazzanti (Bogot, Colombia) | El Equipo MazzantiVirginia Theilig (Rosario, Argentina) | FAPyDDiego Arraigada (Rosario, Argentina) | Diego Arraigada ArquitectosLuciana Lembo (Buenos Aires, Argentina) | Adamo-FaidenAlejandro Puente (Quito, Equador) | PESASara Alves (Barcelona, Spain)| TWOBO ArquitectosLoris L. Perillo (Basel, Switzerland) | CommisuraTongtong Zhang (Los Angeles, USA) | RIOSScheduleCompetition Opening: October 14th69 Early Registrations: October 14th - December 13th89 Standard Registrations: December 13th - February 14th109 Late Registrations: February 14th - March 14thSubmission Deadline: March 14th (3:00 pm CET)Winners Announcement: April 14thDownload full brief here.Requirements & EligibilityThe competition is open to architects, landscape designers, interior designers, students, enthusiasts, engineers, artists, makers and anyone interested in the fields of architecture and urban regeneration. Participants can join the competition either individually or with a team.More info can be found at the website.Contact: [emailprotected].Top image courtesy of TerraViva.> via TerraVivaarchitecture competition

Submitted by WA ContentsTerraViva launches Mountain Guardian architecture competition in ItalyItaly Architecture News - Nov 16, 2024 - 13:39 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"TerraViva launches Mountain Guardian, a new architecture competition that invites the participants to work on the design of an alpine bivouac immersed in the wonderful natural context of Stelvio National Park (Italy).Prizes up to 10.000 will be awarded to the winners selected by an international jury panel composed, among others, by Matteo Francesco Ruta (Arketipo), Aldric Beckmann (Aldric Beckmann Architectes), Lula Ferrari (Lula Ferrari Studio) and Martin enberger (Mar.s Architects).BriefThe aim of this competition is to creatively address the experience of living the high-altitude lands, exploring historical, marginal and extreme situations of the alpine environment, rethinking the canons of the relationship between man and nature, based on concepts such as responsibility, respect and sustainability.The project aims to explore a unique architectural typology - the bivouac - essentially based on a temporary accommodation in close connection with wild nature. Nowadays, it is commonly believed that living the high mountains should be intimately linked to a more contemporary design approach.Prizes & Mentions1st Prize: 5.0002nd Prize: 2.0003rd Prize: 1.0004 Golden Mentions: 500 each10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition30 Finalists: published on TerraViva channelsAll Participants: 10% discount on a Mapo Tapo travelGuidelinesThe competition involves the design of a self-sufficient bivouac for 8-10 people, located near the original site of Rifugio Bernasconi (Valfurva, Stelvio National Park), interpreting the essentiality of living in the mountains by reducing any superfluous comfort to the minimum.Intended primarily for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the building will be designed as an autonomous and sustainable organism, proposing an alternative model to traditional bivouacs (often outdated), responding in the most innovative way to the critical issues of the place and to the needs of the new generations of mountaineers.Requested MaterialTwo A1 panels (59,4 x 84,1 cm) landscape oriented + a brief text describing the proposal (250-500 words);JuryLuciano Bertolina (Valfurva, Italy) | CAI ValfurvaAndrea Federico Toccolini (Tokyo, Japan) | Kengo Kuma & AssociatesMatteo Ruta (Milan, Italy) | Arketipo + PolimiLula Ferrari (Milan, Italy) | Lula Ferrari StudioAldric Beckmann (Paris, France) | Aldric Beckmann ArchitectesMartin enberger (Prague, Czech Republic) | Mar.s ArchitectsYilin Zhang (San Francisco, United States)| STUDIOS ArchitectureAlberto Cervesato (Udine, Italy) | UNIUDScheduleCompetition Opening: November 11th 202479 Early Registrations: November 11th - January 17th99 Standard Registrations: January 17th - March 14th129 Late Registrations: March 14th April 11thSubmission Deadline: April 11th (3:00 pm CET)Winners Announcement: May 12th 2025Download full brief here.Requirements & EligibilityThe competition is open to architects, landscape designers, interior designers, students, enthusiasts, engineers, artists, makers and anyone interested in the fields of architecture and design. Participants can join the competition either individually or with a team.For more info, visit website.Contact: [emailprotected].Top image courtesy of TerraViva.> via TerraVivaarchitecture competition

Submitted by WA ContentsMVRDV turns old shipping container into a clubhouse for refugees Netherlands Architecture News - Nov 15, 2024 - 15:38 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"MVRDV has turned an old shipping container into a modular, multi-functional clubhouse to use the power of sport to aid refugees.Named KLABU Clubhouse, the project was developed for KLABU, which means "club" in Swahili. KLABU is an Amsterdam-based social enterprise that uses the happiness, pride, and hope of sports to help refugees start over.KLABU constructs clubhouses in cities, settlements, and refugee camps that offer Wi-Fi, TV broadcasts, sports equipment, and activities, fostering a friendly and inclusive community.The new clubhouse is located inside a shipping container and contributes to KLABU's mission to support refugees through the power of sport.The clubhouse's creative and easily replicable design offers refugees a versatile, secure, and entertaining area to socialize and have fun.Currently in its third iteration, the KLABU clubhouse design will soon be installed at the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan, which houses about 41,000 Syrian refugees.Following this are clubhouses created by MVRDV that are used in the M'bera refugee camp in Mauritania, which offers safety to 100,000 Malian refugees, and the Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter in Boa Vista, Brazil, which aids indigenous Venezuelans who were forced to leave their homeland.Every version of the clubhouse is created in consultation with KLABU, TCHAI (the fabrication and fitout firm), and the camp clubhouse managers, taking into account their input."Sometimes the most powerful design comes from the simplest concept. Taking a shipping container, ordinarily the most mundane, everyday object, and transforming it into a bright, multi-functional clubhouse providing sports opportunities for refugees has been a deeply rewarding challenge," said Gideon Maasland, director at MVRDV."For all of us at MVRDV, to have played a part in enhancing the meaningful impact KLABU has on vulnerable communities is humbling. We will continue to work with KLABU on new iterations of the clubhouse to help support the needs of refugees," Maasland added.A modified ISO dry shipping container, selected for its robustness, security, and portability, serves as the foundation for the clubhouse. KLABU can create a "flat-packed" sports clubhouse by utilizing a shipping container as the foundation, which allows them to deliver the required sports equipment and the actual clubhouse structure all at once.The clubhouse, which can be reused in the same or different locations, offers a scalable model for sports opportunities that can be readily duplicated to support the more than 120 million people who have been forcibly displaced worldwide.The clubhouse turns into a vibrant and upbeat hub in the camps, giving refugees easy and secure access to a range of the most well-liked sports, fostering social, athletic, and interpersonal ties in these marginalized communities.The KLABU logo is laser-cut into the shipping container's striking orange exterior, giving it a recognizable and hospitable appearance. Compact, modular, and adaptable interior installations contrast with the exterior's orange hue in a sky-blue interior.Because they provide a lot of storage space, clubhouse managers can easily access all materials once they are mounted and ensure that they can be pre-loaded into the container before shipping. Durability and ease of customs transit have been taken into consideration when selecting interior fixtures.The clubhouse's third design iteration features an "open side" container that opens along its longer, 20-foot side in addition to having doors at the end.This delivers greater adaptability and visibility for the clubhouse, incorporating a substantial window open to the public, a canopy, and a large television screen, while ensuring that the overall structure maintains its necessarily robust and functional characteristics.Because of the canopy's ability to provide shade throughout the day, the clubhouse can be used for a variety of other purposes, such as socializing and playing sports like table tennis.The design makes it possible to install solar panels on the roof to provide renewable energy. Multiple electrical outlets, charging stations, and wireless internet capability are also included to support activities other than sports, such as education, in order to facilitate connections for mobile and portable devices.The sturdy structure of the shipping container helps protect against the various climates found in refugee camps worldwide, and the design also takes into account the need for durability and flexibility in a variety of situations."Sometimes the most powerful design comes from the simplest concept. Taking a shipping container, ordinarily the most mundane, everyday object, and transforming it into a bright, multi-functional clubhouse providing sports opportunities for refugees has been a deeply rewarding challenge," said Gideon Maasland, director at MVRDV."For all of us at MVRDV, to have played a part in enhancing the meaningful impact KLABU has on vulnerable communities is humbling. We will continue to work with KLABU on new iterations of the clubhouse to help support the needs of refugees," Maasland added.The involvement of MVRDV was centered on the project's requirement for adaptability and simplicity. The new clubhouse typology can be easily assembled, disassembled, and transported, which allows it to be used in a variety of settings.The clubhouse's reach and impact can be expanded by easily deploying it to various refugee communities thanks to its inherent flexibility.Within the next ten years, KLABU hopes to replicate this model in more than 50 locations, establishing a network of lively and safe areas where refugees can mingle, have fun, and prosper. More than 36,000 members have joined the clubhouses that have been set up in seven locations thus far.Thanks to the kind donations of many partners, including MVRDV, who have given freely of their time and resources to support KLABU's mission and are dedicated to promoting positive social change and enhancing the lives of marginalized communities, this ambitious project is now possible.As part of its goal to become the largest sports club in the world, KLABU encourages people and businesses all over the world to join by buying sports kits, making teamwear for their own teams, and participating in KLABU workouts and other social events.Image Richard HuClubhouse diagramClubhouse diagramClubhouse diagramClubhouse axonometric drawingClubhouse axonometric drawingMVRDV, recently, completed the renovation and transformation of Dutch architect Aldo van Eyck's Tripolis Office complex in Amsterdam. In addition, the firm revealed the design for a new office building in Munich, the building's facade is covered in recycled plastic shingles. Moreover, the firm transformed a former German military base from the Second World War into a residential and cultural community.Project factsProject name:KLABU ClubhouseArchitects:MVRDVLocation:multiple locations around the world: Ter Apel, Netherlands; Boa Vista, Brazil; Mbera, Mauritania; Azraq, JordanYear:2022 - ongoingClient:KLABUSize and Programme:14 m2, sports facilities and gathering spaces (storage, lockers, ping pong table, TV screen, shaded spaces)Partner: Stefan de KoningDirector:Gideon MaaslandDesign Team: Valentina Chiappa Nunez, Jose Manuel Garcia Garcia, Herman GaarmanStrategy and Development: Sruti ThakrarPartnersContractor:Loods121, TCHAISponsors: Nike, Philips, SignifyAll images Coco Olakunle unless otherwise stated.All drawings MVRDV.> via MVRDV

Submitted by WA ContentsOODA unveils Ndarja, a pair of fragmented towers in the center of TiranaAlbania Architecture News - Nov 14, 2024 - 15:47 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Portuguese architecture firm OODA has unveiled design for a new high-rise that comprises a pair of "fragmented" volumes in the center of Tirana, Albania.Encompassing a total of 41,000-square-metre area, the project, called Ndarja, is located on Myslym Street in a central district of Tirana, where old and new converge.Image PlompOODA has created two similar, fragmented volumes aligned at their narrowest sides, which it describes as "an opportunity for a break."This fragmentation opens up a void that welcomes visitors into a squarea sanctuary for gatherings where individuals can escape the relentless pace of the city.Image PlompThe structure, which combines commercial, residential, hotel, and office space, is tailored to the constantly changing urban morphology. This area, which is surrounded by lush vegetation and has a reflective water surface for illumination, softens the structure's solidity and lets the architecture breathe.A fluid connection between the building and the street is encouraged by the "break" in the structure's volumes, which is accomplished by a rotating design.At its center is a transparent water mirror that connects the outside and inside by attracting natural light from below. This open space creates a pleasant microclimate for the neighborhood by combining the greenery from the square, the balcony gardens, and the surrounding streets. The square transforms into a genuine urban oasis rather than merely a corridor.Image PlompWhile the upper floors support a mixed-use program, the ground and first floors are occupied by commercial spaces that profit from the street's close proximity and visibility.Taking full advantage of the stunning city views, the volume facing Myslym Street offers a range of apartment types and a high-end hotel on the upper levels.Along with additional office space, the volume on Pitarka Street is devoted to apartments and has distinct lobbies for each use. With its earthy color scheme, the faade integrates the building into the overall visual coherence of the city.Image PlompPerforated metal sheets and brises-soleil control light and give residents privacy while reflecting the activity on the balconies back into the city, simulating the urban setting inside.Apartment Living RoomThe plants were carefully chosen for the building's interior, with species picked for their resistance to sunlight and wind. This promotes a harmonious integration of nature into the urban environment by guaranteeing the creation of healthy green spaces.Apartment Living RoomHotel RoomSketchFloor planFloor planMassing diagramProgramSketch - bringing green to the centerDigital modelOODA completed a student residence with colonnaded skin in the City of Porto, Portugal. In addition, the firm revealed design for dancing Bond Towers in Tirana, Albania.Project factsProject name:NdarjaArchitects:OODALocation:Tirana, AlbaniaDate:2024Size:41,000m2Status:LicensingLandscaping:P4Engineering:LAIIITop image in the article Plomp.All renderings Plomp unless otherwise stated.All drawings OODA.> via OODA

Submitted by WA ContentsOODA unveils Ndarja, a pair of fragmented towers in the center of TiranaAlbania Architecture News - Nov 14, 2024 - 15:47 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Portuguese architecture firm OODA has unveiled design for a new high-rise that comprises a pair of "fragmented" volumes in the center of Tirana, Albania.Encompassing a total of 41,000-square-metre area, the project, called Ndarja, is located on Myslym Street in a central district of Tirana, where old and new converge.Image PlompOODA has created two similar, fragmented volumes aligned at their narrowest sides, which it describes as "an opportunity for a break."This fragmentation opens up a void that welcomes visitors into a squarea sanctuary for gatherings where individuals can escape the relentless pace of the city.Image PlompThe structure, which combines commercial, residential, hotel, and office space, is tailored to the constantly changing urban morphology. This area, which is surrounded by lush vegetation and has a reflective water surface for illumination, softens the structure's solidity and lets the architecture breathe.A fluid connection between the building and the street is encouraged by the "break" in the structure's volumes, which is accomplished by a rotating design.At its center is a transparent water mirror that connects the outside and inside by attracting natural light from below. This open space creates a pleasant microclimate for the neighborhood by combining the greenery from the square, the balcony gardens, and the surrounding streets. The square transforms into a genuine urban oasis rather than merely a corridor.Image PlompWhile the upper floors support a mixed-use program, the ground and first floors are occupied by commercial spaces that profit from the street's close proximity and visibility.Taking full advantage of the stunning city views, the volume facing Myslym Street offers a range of apartment types and a high-end hotel on the upper levels.Along with additional office space, the volume on Pitarka Street is devoted to apartments and has distinct lobbies for each use. With its earthy color scheme, the faade integrates the building into the overall visual coherence of the city.Image PlompPerforated metal sheets and brises-soleil control light and give residents privacy while reflecting the activity on the balconies back into the city, simulating the urban setting inside.Apartment Living RoomThe plants were carefully chosen for the building's interior, with species picked for their resistance to sunlight and wind. This promotes a harmonious integration of nature into the urban environment by guaranteeing the creation of healthy green spaces.Apartment Living RoomHotel RoomSketchFloor planFloor planMassing diagramProgramSketch - bringing green to the centerDigital modelOODA completed a student residence with colonnaded skin in the City of Porto, Portugal. In addition, the firm revealed design for dancing Bond Towers in Tirana, Albania.Project factsProject name:NdarjaArchitects:OODALocation:Tirana, AlbaniaDate:2024Size:41,000m2Status:LicensingLandscaping:P4Engineering:LAIIITop image in the article Plomp.All renderings Plomp unless otherwise stated.All drawings OODA.> via OODA

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Trkiye Pavilion has announced the project and curators for the19thInternationalArchitectureExhibitionof the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennalein Venice, Italy.Commissioned bytheIstanbulFoundationforCultureandArts(IKSV), the exhibition, titled Grounded,curatedby Istanbul-based curatorCerenErdemand Berlin-based architectBilgeKalfa.The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale will take place fromMay10 to November23 November 2025 at the Giardini, the Arsenale and various venues in Venice.TitledIntelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective, the exhibition will be curated by Carlo Ratti, an architect and engineer, Carlo Ratti is currently holding teaching positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and at the Politecnico di Milano.Ceren Erdem, Bilge Kalfa. Image courtesy of theIstanbulFoundationforCultureandArtsAfter evaluating 48 projects, the Selection Committeewhich included Melike Altnk, N. Mge Cengizkan, Prof. Dr. Zeynep elik, Oral Gkta, and Dr. Sait Ali Kknarselected Grounded, which was curated by Ceren Erdem and Bilge Kalfa, from a shortlist of three finalists, each of whom was noteworthy for its distinctive design concepts and content.Grounded examines soil as a living archive, an ecosystem, a form of natural intelligence, a supportive model, and a repository of ecological and cultural memory.The project was selected because of its creative research proposal, which seeks to unearth fresh optimism for the future, primarily from Trkiye, while integrating significant artistic perspectives in an interdisciplinary approach that enhances its story, advances global understanding, and stimulates critical thinking.By highlighting the qualities of soil as a source of life, memory, and knowledge, Grounded will establish a connection between the past and the future.The Pavilion of Trkiye, Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture. Image Rachele MaistrelloThe exhibition's main goal is to remind us that this object, which is sometimes dismissed as inert and unimportant, actually holds important knowledge about historical civilizations, ecological systems, and the potential for coexisting peacefully with the natural world. It will do this through sensory experiences, scientific documentation, architecture, and artwork.Grounded will combine new research with traditional building techniques with the soil, as well as future visions that value life both above and below the soil equally.With the help of 21 sponsors and the purchase of the permanent location at Sale d'Armi, Arsenale, at the initiative of IKSV, the Trkiye Pavilion has participated in the International Architecture Exhibition since 2014.Ceren Erdem is an Istanbul-based curator who has worked on exhibitions and publications internationally. Some of her projects include Tack, Limb, Ilizarov, Depo, Istanbul (2023); All Else Is Far (2021) and Ad Infinitum (2019), Dirimart, Istanbul; Inverse Grayscale, Pasinger Fabrik, Munich (2016); Istanbul. Passion, Joy, Fury, Fondazione MAXXI, Rome (2015); Water Knows All My Secrets, Pratt Manhattan Gallery (2015) and Private Matters, apexart (2014), New York.Erdem has taken full-time roles at Dirimart, Istanbul, Tina Kim Gallery, New York, British Council Turkey, Istanbul, and Istanbul Biennial.The Pavilion of Trkiye, Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture. Image Rachele MaistrelloErdem received her Master's Degree in Modern Art: Critical and Curatorial Studies at Columbia University, New York, MFA in Visual Arts - Visual Communication Design at Sabanc University, Istanbul, and BSc in Industrial Product Design at Istanbul Technical University.Bilge Kalfa is an architect who owns Bilge Kalfa Architecture and is an adjunct professor at Berlin International University. In addition to furniture design that emphasizes natural, cyclical materials, Kalfa's expertise encompasses all stages of architectural and interior design.A graduate of Istanbul Technical Universitys Faculty of Architecture with a bachelors and masters degree, she also co-owns The Keep, an artisanal rug company. In 2010, she received a national architectural prize for the group project mkanmekan. She has completed numerous projects in Istanbul and Berlin, including the renowned Moda Sahnesi and Theater Hall at Boazii University, with her former business partner. Her approach aims to honour the interconnectedness of life and the environment as much as possible.At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, the Trkiye Pavilion hosted the exhibition, titled Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture curated by Istanbul-based architecture studio SO?, co-founded by Sevince Bayrak and Oral Gkta. The exhibition aimed "to question the taken-for-granted images and approaches to buildings and to reveal hopeful proposals for the future."Top image: The Pavilion of Trkiye, Ghost Stories: Carrier Bag Theory of Architecture. Image Rachele Maistrello.> via IKSV

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Deond, the studio co-founded by Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo, has designed an installation wrapped by three dimensional corrugated cardboards referencing " the rough, spiky seed of nature" in Dubai.The installation, named Enfold Pavilion, was showcased at the Dubai Design District (d3) during Dubai Design Week from November 5th to 10th, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.With an AI-infused "second skin" fabric that reacts to the state of the body, the installation delves into the idea of phy-gital therapy. It seamlessly blends the digital and physical worlds to produce a profoundly immersive experience.Established in 2023, Deond is a multidisciplinary practice that combines innovative vision with state-of-the-art knowledge. In order to promote a sustainable coexistence between the built and natural environments, they combine advanced manufacturing, interactive installations, and architecture in their pursuit of creating environments that are beautiful, useful, and sustainable.With an exterior that alludes to the coarse, spiky seed of nature and a calming, regenerative core inside, the installation is a perfect example of biomimicry in design. Its overall circular shape represents the holistic embrace that connects technology, body, and mind in a continuous sense of enclosure.Soft, natural light can enter the room through the perforated roof, which varies in size and density. The intensity of the light changes as the sun moves across the sky. In keeping with the exhibition's dedication to sustainability, the entire structure and finish are made of corrugated cardboard.The so-called phy-gital display, a volumetric 3D podium, is located inside the pavilion. It is made up of two digital screens that are integrated into the architectural skin of the pavilion and a group of transparent reflective wires.When the HUG (Holistic Unified Garment) bodysuit is viewed from a particular angle, the collection of wires creates a seamless, flowing garment.The volumetric garment can float and interact with the light thanks to this creative suspension system, which eliminates the need for large supporting materials and improves the conceptual and visual coherence of the body, technology, and space.Deond, HUG Holistic Unified Garment. Image DeondThe HUG bodysuit imagines new kinds of speculative tools that could help treat anxiety and de-accelerate the mind and body by fusing Eastern treatment methods with Western approaches to science and technology.The clothing stimulates the body's triggering points and imitates natural shapes using Al and 3D design tools.Deond investigates the potential advantages for both people and the ecosystem as a whole if the dichotomy of "Body as Machine/Body as Garden" were to vanish."Body as Machine is an idea developed in the West that attempts to prioritise technological acceleration and considers a body as a vehicle that doesnt know its limitations," said Ila Colombo & Deff Collective. "Body as Garden" enhances self-regulatory capacity. This perspective is nourished in the East, where the body is not viewed as a vehicle with many separate parts, but a whole a holistic environment.""What if technological acceleration could give us a chance to become closer to nature - to return to what has been neglected and forgotten? How can we envision embedded devices that prevent physical anxiety, acting as a protective, healing second skin? How should we merge technology and nature to bridge?," they added.Project factsProject name:Enfold: The Holistic Embrace of Body and TechnologyDesign by:Deond (Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo)Creative and Art Direction:Ila ColomboLocation:Dubai Design District (d3), Near the UAE flag, front facing the road between building 9-10Bodysuit garment sponsor:StratasysDigital content:Deff collectiveAll images Deed Studiounless otherwise stated.> via Deond

Submitted by WA ContentsOPEN Architecture completes double-shell concrete Sun Tower in YantaiChina Architecture News - Nov 12, 2024 - 13:46 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Beijing-based architecture studio OPEN Architecture has completed a double-shell concrete tower in Yantai, China.Named Sun Tower, 50-metre-tall structure features outdoor theater, digital exhibition spaces, library, cafand bar. Atop the summit is a unique semi-outdoor "Phenomena Space".Sun Tower facing the oceanEncompassing a total of 4,960-square-metre area, the movement of the sun as seen from the site's vantage point shapes the geometry of Sun Tower. Sun Tower is an oceanfront public cultural facility in Yantai Yeda Development Zone.Yantai was one of the first locations in China where an ancient sun-worshiping culture developed, according to archeological findings.Frontal viewIn addition to providing much-needed cultural and communal amenities to the new urban district, OPEN designed the Sun Tower to capture and celebrate natural phenomena, reestablishing people's connection to nature's spiritual power.The library and digital exhibition spaces aim to increase environmental awareness and promote conversations about coastal community collaboration.Sun Tower between Sea and City. Image Iwan BaanOn the equinoxes, the northern edge of the building's outer shell runs parallel to the noon sun. On the summer solstice, the axis of the outdoor theater faces the sunrise over the fabled Zhifu Island, and on the winter solstice, the entrance tunnel faces the setting sun.On the summer solstice, the circular shape of the roof is situated on a plane perpendicular to midday sunlight.Sun Tower at Autumnal Equinox. Image Iwan BaanDuring the summer, the majority of the building's spaces lack air conditioning. Rather, the design makes extensive use of passive techniques to preserve interior comfort while drastically cutting down on energy use.These tactics, which effectively increase people's comfort zone through improved indoor airflow, include using tunnel cooling for fresh air supply, using thermal mass to reduce indoor temperature fluctuation, inducing cross ventilation, and using the chimney effect to remove hot air.Ramp exhibition gallery. Image Iwan BaanDesigned with a shell structure, the main body is made up of two layers of white concrete shells that are joined and supported by ramps and slabs.The building's concave inner shell, which faces the sea, serves as a sound collector by absorbing and enhancing marine sounds. Its base features a semi-outdoor theater that doubles as a spot to unwind and watch the sea.The library and the Phenomena Space are located inside a smaller inverted shell that sits on top of the inner shell. Both print and digital books are available at the library. It's a very special experience to read above the sea and beneath the sky.Sun Tower, In Between Space. Image Iwan BaanThe phenomenon space is a purposefully ill-defined semi-outdoor void area. A breathtaking view is framed by its horizontal opening that faces the ocean.Rainwater can enter through the oculus opening in the middle of the roof and collect in a tiny pool. As a unique time device, the pool's water swirls for nine minutes every hour, from five in the morning to nine in the evening.The Digital Exhibition Space, which zigzags upward along the ramps, is located in the center of the building, between the inner and outer shells.Sun Tower, Kissing Shells. Image Iwan BaanThe exhibition's contents can be readily changed thanks to new technologies. To allow for the hanging of objects, some of the tie holes in the interior walls have been meticulously treated but left unfilled. Pairs of hanging points are also thoughtfully incorporated into the ceilings.The structure is situated on a plaza shaped like a seashell. The outdoor theater's stage and the tower's footprint make a complete circle. The stage is transformed into a space with mist and fountains when it is not being used for performances. From the stage, the plaza's floor rises toward the sea, creating a sizable outdoor amphitheater.Sun Tower, Outdoor Theater. Image Iwan BaanA set of elliptical rings that resemble planetary orbits radiate out from the plaza's center. Time is marked on the equinoxes by a water channel that is tangent to the tower and carved into the stone plaza; on the hour, the shadow of the tower's northern edge crosses each elliptical ring precisely along the channel.Fountains honoring the 24 Solar Terms of the conventional lunar calendar are set into a section of the outer ring. The sprays from the fountains match the high and low tides of the sea on typical days.Sun Tower, Phenomena Space. Image Iwan Baan"Sun Tower is special as a building typology, it is a cultural lighthouse where ancient wisdom in respecting nature is integrated with contemporary urban cultural life," said OPEN Architecture."The architecture frames and transforms invisible energiesair, light, sound, and natural phenomenainto tangible and visceral experiences, allowing people to establish moments of connection with the universe and otherwise endless cycles of nature," the studio added.Sun Tower night viewIn between spaceIn between spaceIn between spaceLibraryLibraryLibraryMain entranceMist and fountains on the plazaOutdoor TheaterPhenomena SpaceRamp exhibition galleryThe upper partTwo layers of white concrete shellsViewing platformEntrance tunnelSite planGround floor planUpper Level Digital Exhibition Floor PlanLibrary floor planSectionPhenomena Space SectionFirst idea sketchSun and Sea & Far and NearOPEN Architecture revealed plans for Sun Tower in 2022. In addition, the studio unveiled the design for a partially floating theater overlooking the Yangtze River in China. Moreover, the Chapel of Sound is one of significant built projects of the studio in Beijing.Project factsProject name:Sun TowerArchitects:OPEN ArchitectureInterior and Landscape design: OPEN ArchitectureLocation:Yantai, China.Design year:2019-2024Client:YEDA City Development GroupBuilding area:4,960m2Site area:9,850m2Principals In Charge: LI Hu, HUANG WenjingProject Team:Design phase: CAO Mengxing, LIU Xiaoyang, Daijiro NAKAYAMA, LU Di, WEN Peng, WEI Zihao, ZHANG Ziyao, LIN Jingran, Crystal Kwan, BI Shunjie, Giovanni ZORZI, Anastasia MASLOVA.CA Phase: LU Di, Daijiro NAKAYAMA, WANG Dongsheng, LIU Dandi, TANG Junhan.Structural & MEP: ArupLocal Design Institute: Shandong Pulaien Engineering Design Co., Ltd.Landscape Construction Document: Yantai Urban Planning and Design InstituteSpecial Fireproof Design:Institute of Building Fireproof System, CABRScenographer: dUCKS scnoCuratorial Consultant:Aric ChenLighting Consultant: Ning Field Lighting DesignAll images Jonathan Leijonhufvud unless otherwise stated.All drawings OPEN Architecture.> via OPEN Architecture

Submitted by WA ContentsStaggered volumes define educational and cultural centre shaped around the pond in China China Architecture News - Nov 12, 2024 - 15:47 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"A new educational and cultural centre, defined by staggered volumes, was undertaken as a nonprofit endeavor by students at the University of Hong Kong, guided by professionals through the platform of Project Mingde.Named Duling Educational and Cultural Centre, the 500-square-metre building is located in the quaint Hakka village of Duling, nestled in the verdant countryside of Guangxi, China.Time seems to slow down in Duling, where the sounds of rural life fill the air. This village, which is home to about 3,000 Hakka people, is a living example of the values of education and hard work that are woven throughout daily life.Situated in an area that receives a lot of rainfall but lacks fresh water, the village was faced with a conundrum. Due to the lack of a water infrastructure, the villagers, who frequently experience rain showers, were forced to rely on a limited supply of well water.The community's health and well-being, especially that of the younger generation, were at risk due to hygiene issues that arose from this deficiency.Culturally-respectful sustainable designThe project aims to meet community needs while honoring the Hakka culture's core values. The design concept, which was based on sustainability and respect for tradition, aimed to turn a struggling village into a setting that would provide a safe place for kids to play and learn as well as a gathering area for the community.The project was completed in two stages. The existing school building was first renovated, strengthening its structural integrity and adding a new roof structure to protect it from additional weather-induced deterioration.In order to address the urgent hygiene problems that plagued the school community, a sustainable restroom facility was also implemented.The village's cultural center and kindergarten were built during the second phase. In order to alleviate the community's freshwater shortage, this design made the most of the difficulty posed by heavy rainfall.With a cascading form that culminates in a series of tiered roofs, the building takes into account the topography, airflow, landscape views, and culture of the site. Rainwater from these roofs is directed into an underground recycling system and then into a collection lotus pond. After that, the building's clean water is eventually pumped up for use.An embrace of cultural incluenceThe lotus pond, which doubles as a rainwater reservoir and an educational symbol, is at the heart of the building's design, which was inspired by the Hakka culture's significance of the water pond.This pond seamlessly incorporates sustainability into the architectural narrative while evoking memories of intrinsic cultural heritage.Throughout the design process, the space's openness and adaptability were crucial factors. In order to maintain a flexible arrangement while optimizing airflow and thermal control, the interior classroom spaces were designed to blend in with the outdoor areas.Without being limited by a set arrangement, users can modify these highly configurable spaces to suit their needs.This strategy places the users' demands first, enabling an interactive experience in the area.Fostering bonds and removing cultural barriersIt is crucial to consider the actual purpose of the project that has been started when concluding this phase of the journey.The philosophical underpinnings of the physical structures are what give them intrinsic value, even beyond their usefulness. These values, which are rooted in empathy, humanity, and cultural awareness, are what motivate these initiatives.Through this project, the significant influence of the built environment on creating strong community ties and overcoming geographical and cultural barriers has been recognized.These moral considerations have made it possible to design environments that reflect respect and understanding between people, demonstrating the tenacity of the human spirit.Project factsProject name: Duling Educational and Cultural CentreCompletion Year: 2024Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2):500m2Lead Architect: Elisabeth LeeAll images Jin Weiqi (Macau University of Science and Technology).All drawings Lokz Ng.> via Project Mingde

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