Arch Daily |
- 111 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh
- Residence of Hsieh / Platino Interior Design
- Library of Xinjiang University Institute of Science and Technology / THAD
- Aurora Place / Renzo Piano Building Workshop
- HR&A / CHA:COL
- OMA's Qatar National Library Opens to the Public
- Chapel Suite Albergo Villa Marta / O2 Studio
- Frank Gehry Selected to Design Children's Facility for LA Philharmonic
- Vue53 / Valerio Dewalt Train
- Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion “Dematerialized” With All-White Surfaces
- Community Centre Altenessen / Heinrich Böll Architekt
- Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi Photographed by Laurian Ghinitoiu
- Why the Restoration of the Southbank Undercroft Is a Landmark for Both Architecture and Skateboarding
- EC Pavilion / MESURA
- New Sleek, Slender Tower by BNKR Will Enhance The World's Largest Mural
- AIA LA Showcases Award Winners After Surge of Submissions
| 111 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh Posted: 10 Nov 2017 06:00 PM PST  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour
 © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour Problem Mehrshar is arguably the last remnant of the old garden-city texture of Karaj. Although during the recent years, because of the unlimited urban constructions and the growth of the population, the lifestyle in this district has changed almost to the point of destruction of its old roots and if we consider the history of the changes in this district during the recent years, it would not be hard to predict the melancholy end of this pearl of an urban design.  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour Therefore, the project of 111 street is an opportunity to change this course of inappropriate constructions and introduce a better pattern of population and building density in Mehrshahr with designing a companionship between the building mass and the yards and green spaces.  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour Idea Thus, in the residential project of 111, the idea was formed based on the development and preservation of the green axis, and the recreation of the lifestyle of Mehrshahr which has several components. Of the characteristics of the houses in Mehrshahr are: -Direct connection between the house and the green and open spaces, and a special regard to the life in gardens and open spaces. -Spatial independence and the border of the adjacent residential units  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour -Spatial diversity in the houses -Creation of a collective space for the social interactions between the residents and the increase of the sense of place  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour Design Process The green axis of the 111 street, as one of the main networks of Mehrshahr, penetrates and spreads throughout the complex. This green structure, in a way, resembles the old garden-alleys with green spots that border-lined between adjacent units and resulted in a coexistence between the green spaces and residential spaces that defiantly improved both.  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour Green spaces and gardens are one of the main elements of the Mehrshahr residential complex. Therefore the locating of the mass in the green yard was one of the main challenges of this project. Not only is the mass challenge solved with the consideration of old trees and valuable vegetation but also the whole project is designed in a way that causes the least harm possible to this green spaces in the yard. In addition and for the development of the green spaces…  Diagram Another element of the project design is the importance of the view and the lighting of the apartments. Based on the studies on the view and because of the existence of negative points (a ten-story apartment mass in the south of the project) and using the existing potentials (a green mass in the southern east of the project) the southern front of the project mass, and in other words the southern apartments, with a 20 degree rotation both use the green mass and avoid the building. The rotation of the plan has resulted in rectangular balconies in the façade. Therefore the main façade of the building mixed with the rotated main mass of the building has converged in open balconies.  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour In addition to the view problem, the rotation of southern apartment has provided a great opportunity for supplying the light and the direct view of northern buildings. Although this apartment is located in the northern area of the complex, it has direct view to the main street and the green space of the city and also with the opening of its southern front, the possibility of direct lighting by the sun has appeared.  1st Floor Plan Overall, the apartment of 111 street can be considered as the encounter of green layers with the axes of view and the sunlight. Also, we have tried, by using network connections and access between the spaces in the internal space of the buildings to add diverse spaces into the life of the residents. The kitchen is located at the center of mass of the plan and the rest of the personal and public spaces have been scattered around the mass. The spatial diversity has become the embodiment of diverse activities and the house has provided a flexible coexistence of usability and spatial design for the residents.  © Farshid Nasr Abadi, Amir lakpour  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Residence of Hsieh / Platino Interior Design Posted: 10 Nov 2017 02:00 PM PST  © Kevin Wu
 © Kevin Wu Text description provided by the architects. Destruction is the prelude to renovation. The wall was then replaced with a glass and ironwork partition, allowing natural light into the rooms. What had been an aging townhouse soon became a totally brand new home. Winding gray ironwork extends upward to connect the soul of all five floors of the townhouse in one fell swoop. The custom-made gray handrail ironwork sometimes bends and folds, while other times it is higher or lower or combines with a partition.  © Kevin Wu The Project This narrow and long attached townhouse is deprived of natural light in the center of the dwelling. Aside from not having enough light, too much space had been given over to passageways, the flow of movement wasn't meeting everyday needs and an inadequate amount of storage space were all issues that had to be overcome.  © Kevin Wu .jpg?1508478995 "2F&3F Plan") 2F&3F Plan  © Kevin Wu First of all, the designers came to a consensus with the owner about redefining the space by moving the master bedroom out of the second floor, where the family had been squeezed in together, to the third floor where an open yet more private space would be created for the master bedroom. In this way, the daughter's bedroom and the study where the family can gather, go online, do homework, etc. would be on the second floor, which would also allow for making the passageways less obtrusive.  © Kevin Wu Transformation Destruction is the prelude to renovation. After taking out a wall, more usable space was created from the passageways in front of the stairs on each floor. The wall was then replaced with a glass and ironwork partition, allowing natural light into the rooms. With the removal of the wall, the focus of life took on a new meaning. What had been an aging townhouse soon became a totally brand new home – all because a wall was removed!  © Kevin Wu Combining Winding gray ironwork extends upward to connect the soul of all five floors of the townhouse in one fell swoop. The custom-made gray handrail ironwork sometimes bends and folds, while other times it is higher or lower or combines with a partition.  © Kevin Wu The open format of the first floor is extended with an expansive back wall featuring an exposed concrete like pattern and the seamless interaction of layered grays of the cement floor all the way to the open kitchen area with the visually highlighted impact of the patterned tiles producing a subtle balance. .jpg?1508479090 "B1&1F Plan") B1&1F Plan Iron sliding glass doors that extend all the way to the top of the central stairway to the basement cuts off the air coming from the parking garage while also separating the private and public spheres of the dwelling. A more warming wooden veneer has been employed in the design of the ceiling to balance out the cooler tones of the overall space.  © Kevin Wu The open-format study area on the second floor allows the whole family to sit down together and read or do homework or go online and work on the computer. The daughter has also started sleeping in her own room, where the walls had been left appropriately undecorated and open, which the daughter, who loves to paint, could hardly wait to adorn with some of her own artwork. The new master bedroom on the third floor with the small luxuries of a boutique hotel was a beautiful surprise to this client who happened to love boutique hotels! The texture of the two-toned wood veneers balances the cool tranquility of the marble. The imported stone panels have been installed using symmetric tiling, with the ironwork delicately embedded in the stone panel seams for an unassuming refined sense of beauty.  © Kevin Wu Connecting the master bedroom with bathroom is a changing room that uses tawny glass and gauze curtains to create an open yet private space. The large bathroom furthers the black marble lexicon, providing a quiet and private space in which to completely relax.  © Kevin Wu  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Library of Xinjiang University Institute of Science and Technology / THAD Posted: 10 Nov 2017 12:00 PM PST  © THAD
 © THAD Project Overview Situated on the axis across the main gate, the 21.9-meter-tall library building is the architectural centerpiece of the campus. The Library is a 4-storey building with a floor height of 5.2 meters. The site area is 27,000 square meters and total floor area is 21,298 square meters. The building not only functions as the library, but also as the archive, reading, research and Information Center of the university.  © THAD Highlights 01 The form of the building indicating the concept of “Scroll” The design adopts the concept of “scroll”, with which the regular stacking of floors is transformed into a convoluted continuous space. Upon completion, the whole building looks like a thick scroll resting on a huge base.  © THAD 02 Façade design mirroring natural landscape Inspired by the image sampling technic of the parametric design, an image of Mount Tomur of the Tianshan Mountains is chosen and processed. According to the brightness of individual pixels, the curtain wall on the south façade is designed as a matrix of perforated aluminum plate with different aperture sizes, the manufacturing of which is realized by rationalizing the complexity through CNC technology. During the implementation process, the size of each aluminum plate is set as 1500mm*900mm. The perforations are done with different diameters ranging from 18mm to 250mm and arranged with a spacing of no less than 50mm. As a result, a vivid image of Mount Tomur is presented on the façade to achieve a strong architectural expression of natural landscape. The real Mount Tomur is also visible in distance, creating an interesting contrast with the architecture.  © THAD 03 Dynamic campus facility Spaces such as outdoor gallery, cantilever balcony, study room, corridor around the atrium and roof terrace are very popular and well utilized. All kinds of events and performances organized by students are held in these cantilevered spaces, which are exactly the results of the “scroll” concept. In addition, areas for resting and discussions are arranged accordingly to make the library a place full of vitality. Its distinctive architectural presence has gained wide recognition and positive feedback from local communities.  © THAD At present, the library has become the landmark building of the university, which is the only Science and Technology university in southern Xinjiang. It is also the largest school library in this area. Since completion, it has been serving over 2,500 teachers and students. In line with the university’s mission to serve the regional economic and social development, the library becomes a part of the effort to cultivate high-level professional talent for the economic and social development of southern Xinjiang.  © THAD  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Aurora Place / Renzo Piano Building Workshop Posted: 10 Nov 2017 11:00 AM PST  © Martin Van der Wal
 © John Gollings Text description provided by the architects. An office and apartments skyscraper in the historical district of Sydney, designed to be human and hospitable, like a vertical village. The use of double-skin, in this case, gives lightness to the building, and acts as a temperature regulator, thus saving valuable energy. To celebrate the Olympic Games in Sydney in the year 2000 the Australian corporation, Lend Lease Development, initiated and commissioned the design and construction of a commercial tower and a residential building. At first sight, the buildings seem to be an exercise in pure form, as if they were sails that rise until they suddenly adopt the shape of an unfolding fan. In fact, however, the building's striking form also incorporates functionality, sociability, and technological innovation.  Site Plan The project is located in the city's historic district, which dates back to the 1850s. This meant that certain architectural details had to be respected while keeping in perfect harmony with the symbol of the city: its Opera House. The second challenge was of a social order: to build a people-friendly environment where residents and employees would cross paths unobtrusively. The project is comprised of two buildings linked by a glass-covered square which creates an urban microcosm.  © Martin Van der Wal  Elevations and Sections  © Olaf de Nooye The residential building has 17 levels and faces Sydney's Botanical Gardens. The office tower is 200 meters high, rises 44 levels, and encompasses 49,000 square meters, and was designed to allow integration between the levels, which was achieved in part by the inclusion of winter gardens and terraces. The design has a built-in ethereal quality making it less imposing on its surroundings. It was important to give it a delicate, free shape, as captured in the shell-like slope of the main facades. The fritted glass "skin" of the building regulates the sun's rays and wall temperatures while taking on a homogenous cream-white, ghostly pallor. This glass skin extends beyond the building volume, dissolving its edges, and accentuating the building's overall lightness.  © Martin Van der Wal  Residential Building East Facade Section  © Martin Van der Wal  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 10 Nov 2017 09:00 AM PST  © Edward Duarte
 © Edward Duarte Text description provided by the architects. This project is a workplace for the Los Angeles offices of a leading consulting firm specializing in economic, real estate and urban planning. With offices in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., the company approached us regarding their upcoming relocation within a high-rise in downtown Los Angeles.  Floor Plan Strategic planning is central to the firm's work, in particular, "...the reinvention of cities into vibrant urban centers...". The physical space was a relatively compact 2,500 sqft on the 29th floor of a high-rise complex (The Bloc) commanding dramatic views north and westward of the city. Open work culture, California, urban planning were then merged into a single design operation.  © Edward Duarte We proposed a specific combination of positive and negative pairs of spaces, servicing each other based on rules. There are no fully enclosed offices; only open or "semi-private" individual workplaces. All other uses are services by enclosed pods. Collaboration and conferencing needs are met by two conference areas, large and small. Acoustic privacy by a 'phone booth'. An unprogrammed lounge and open break area are placed in the corner, at the intersection of all views. The firm is, therefore, free to use any spatial combination it sees.  © Edward Duarte  Carpet Axonometric Exploded  © Edward Duarte  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| OMA's Qatar National Library Opens to the Public Posted: 10 Nov 2017 08:10 AM PST  Qatar National Library. <a href='http://https://www.facebook.com/TheQatarNationalLibrary/photos/a.777400588989497.1073741838.436689453060614/1548283765234505/?type=3&theater'>via Facebook</a> The OMA-designed Qatar National Library has opened to the public in the Education City district of Doha, Qatar, giving residents access to a wealth of top-of-the-line facilities, including computer labs, group study spaces, a writing center, innovation stations offering 3D-printing tools and musical instruments, and of course, a massive library containing more than one million books, periodicals and special collections. Some stunning shots of the library have already begun to circulate across social media streams, showing off the building's striking form and expansive interiors, including the open rows of stacks, hanging seating lounges, interactive media walls, and central labyrinth, among other features. Check out some first looks at the building below, and stayed tuned for professional photos next week.
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| Chapel Suite Albergo Villa Marta / O2 Studio Posted: 10 Nov 2017 07:00 AM PST  Courtesy of Albergo Villa Marta
 Courtesy of Albergo Villa Marta Text description provided by the architects. Albergo Villa Marta, a hotel near Lucca in Tuscany, has on its land a Neo Gothic church from the XVIII century. This incredible church was used as storage space until O2 Studio was asked to transform it into a hotel suite.  Courtesy of Albergo Villa Marta O2 Studio accepted the challenge and tried to preserve the historical and artistic heritage of the space while adding new elements for the building´s new use. The frescos have been restored and the altar became part of the new central furniture.  Floor Plan This new piece of furniture serves as the "Passatoia per Cerimonie" of the room; the red carpet that in catholic tradition is used for joyful and special occasions. It integrates the bed, a sofa and a tv with the altar. The altar functions as a bed front and stays as the main element of the space. Laying on the bed gives customers the opportunity to admire the original and extraordinary work that covers all the central nave ceiling.  Courtesy of Albergo Villa Marta The side niches have been converted into relaxation and bathroom areas, including a walking closet space, which have been designed using high quality materials in order to maintain a balance with the original decoration of the chapel.  Courtesy of Albergo Villa Marta  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Frank Gehry Selected to Design Children's Facility for LA Philharmonic Posted: 10 Nov 2017 06:30 AM PST  Photograph by <a href='http://https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Concert_Hall#/media/File:Disney_Concert_Hall_by_Carol_Highsmith.jpg'>wikimedia user Carol M. Highsmith</a>. Image is in the public domain Coinciding with their 100th anniversary, the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) has announced plans to build a new, dedicated space for the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) to be designed by Los Angeles' own Frank Gehry. Architect of Los Angeles' and one of the world's most famous performance spaces, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Gehry has been called upon to transform a 17,000-square-foot facility in the LA neighborhood of Inglewood that will allow LA Phil to reach its goal of doubling the number of students involved in its programs by 2022. "The Beckmen Center will take the core beliefs that I have expressed and turn them into something tangible for the children of LA and help ensure a brighter future for them and for all of us," said LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. "We commit ourselves as an organization to a better life for our inheritors - this amazing facility will ensure that." YOLA currently serves about 1,000 students in satellite venues located throughout the city. The new Judith and Thomas L. Beckman YOLA Center @ Inglewood will support an additional 500 students from the surrounding community, as well as provide a facility for larger student events. Frank Gehry said, "The LA Phil is the first orchestra anywhere to take such an enormous step for the future of its community. Thanks to the time I've spent with Gustavo, I've seen the difference that YOLA makes in young people's lives. I'm proud to play my part by making spaces where the kids can feel inspired, and YOLA can open up the whole world of music to them." Learn more about LA Phil's Centennial Campaign here.
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| Posted: 10 Nov 2017 05:00 AM PST  © Steve Hall
 © Steve Hall Text description provided by the architects. Vue53 is the newest addition to the rapidly evolving skyline of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. A mixed-use development with 267 units, modern amenities, and 28,000 sf of retail space, Vue53 offers contemporary living space in an historic area.  © Steve Hall Although home to the University of Chicago, Hyde Park has long lacked a town center. To strengthen connections to the neighborhood and boost the economy, the university partnered with the city and local community leaders to redevelop the 53rd Street dining/shopping/retail corridor. As part of these efforts, the university selected the team of Avison Young Development, Peak Campus Development, and financial partner Blue Vista Capital Management to develop, finance and manage a mixed-use residential community on 53rd Street across the street from Nichols Park.  © Tom Harris Once the retail center of Hyde Park, 53rd Street is lined with an eclectic mix of three- to four-story buildings punctuated with eight- to 10-story buildings, such as the 1920s-era Hyde Park Bank Building, which reaches the same height as Vue53. At 13 stories tall, Vue53's blue glass-clad exterior and rectilinear concrete frame symbolizes the rebirth of 53rd street as a retail and entertainment destination.  Site Plan The architecture carefully responds to its context. The 10-acre Nichols Park extends from the university campus on 55th street all the way to 53rd street, where Vue53 acts as a bookend to the park. The mass of the building is divided into two towers. The south tower is on 53rd street; voids in the elevation minimize the structure's perceived mass while framing views of the park across the street. The north tower is set 100 feet back from the street to minimize its mass. Parking occupies the two floors above the retail level, screened from 53rd Street by apartments and amenity spaces lining the south facade.  © Steve Hall In addition to studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, Vue53 offers amenities such as a game room, an exercise room, and outdoor sun decks, including a large communal roof deck that provides sweeping views of the city's South and West Sides. Although open to all, Vue53 is tailored to appeal to design-savvy graduate students and university faculty and staff, with its exposed concrete interiors and two-story collaborative study spaces. To maintain affordability, units are 800 sf or less. Fifteen percent of the units are dedicated to affordable housing, reinforcing the neighborhood's already diverse community. Affordable units are scattered throughout the building and are identical to the market-rate units.  © Steve Hall A Target occupies two-thirds of the ground-floor commercial space, providing the area with much-needed neighborhood-serving retail. Working beyond the architecture, Valerio Dewalt Train Associates collaborated closely with its in-house design studio, Media Objectives (M-O), and Searl Lamaster Howe Architects to design experiential graphics and interior spaces, respectively.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion “Dematerialized” With All-White Surfaces Posted: 10 Nov 2017 04:00 AM PST  © Adrià Goula Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion is being transformed into a "1:1 scale model" of itself in a new exhibition designed by Anna and Eugeni Bach titled "mies missing materiality." Over the next week, the iconic structure – the longest standing temporary pavilion in modern architectural history – will be completely covered with white vinyl, obscuring the beautiful marble, travertine, steel, chrome, and glass for which it is recognized. The project sets to prompt discussion about the role of material in the original design, as well as the symbolism of the white surface within modern architecture. Work on the project began on November 8, and will be completed on November 16 when it opens to the public with a round table discussion with Anna and Eugeni Bach, María Langarita (winner of the Emerging Architect special mention of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2013) and Carlos Quintáns (winner of a Golden Lion in the Biennale di Venezia 2016) based on the reflections of renowned architect and theorist Juhani Pallasmaa. Pallasmaa described the intervention "an extraordinary proposal that will evoke a lot of conversation: an exceptionally rich project in associations, memories, references and cross-references."  © Adrià Goula The installation with remain on view until November 27th, upon which it will be returned to its original design. Read the full artist statement from Anna and Eugeni Bach below: Dressing the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion to strip it of all materiality. This simple act turns the Pavilion into a 1:1 scale mock-up, a representation of itself that opens the door to multiple interpretations about aspects like the value of the original, the role of the white surface as an image of modernity and the importance of materiality in the perception of space. The Pavilion in Barcelona upon which we act is a reconstruction, a replica so faithful to the original that it is often difficult to remember its true nature. A building that should have been temporary was immortalised first by the written account of the modern movement and later by its own reconstruction.  © Adrià Goula Turning the Pavilion into a mock-up, with all the surfaces restricted to the same material, as white as it is indeterminate, reveals the building's representative role—both that of the original, as a national symbol, and that of the replica, by representing the former. For a time, the Pavilion will be the longest-standing 1:1 scale mock-up of the replica of the temporary pavilion in modern architecture. Removing all materiality from the Pavilion also raises other interpretations related to the historiography of 20th-century architecture. The Pavilion in Barcelona was enthroned as an icon of modernity at the 'Modern Architecture' exhibition at the MoMA in New York in 1932. The exhibition catalogue presents various buildings by architects like Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Neutra, Wright, Oud, Gropius and others through a selection of photographs and critical essays in which Philip Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock indicate the homogenising criteria for combining all the works through the same lens. These include the white surface as an emblem of a new architecture, which appears as one of the most insistent.  © Adrià Goula To provide the Pavilion in Barcelona with that homogenising whiteness means to endow it with one of the defining features of modern historiography (not of modernity). Yet at the same time, it also involves stripping the Pavilion of its materiality and its unique characteristics—specifically the one that erected it as an icon of the modern movement. The installation turns this paradox into an experience. It helps visitors to consider these ideas and many more through their own experience in a pavilion that will lose all trace of its materiality for a few days to assume all its representative potential. - Anna and Eugeni Bach News via Fundació Mies van der Rohe  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Community Centre Altenessen / Heinrich Böll Architekt Posted: 10 Nov 2017 03:00 AM PST  © Thomas Mayer
 © Thomas Mayer Text description provided by the architects. Our architectural concept interprets the new center as a place of community. Central space of the new building is a courtyard which is framed on three sides, which opens to the south, and hence formulates an inviting gesture. The slight twisting of the floor plan from the given order refers to the church and opens a dialogue with the spiritual gathering place of the congregation. The clear shape of the floor plan and the sculptural roof landscape makes the community center a strong solitaire in the wide urban space of the Mallinckrodtplatz. It uses the stage given to demonstrate its importance in the urban realm as place of community next to its large neighbours the church and the hospital.  © Thomas Mayer  Floor Plan  © Thomas Mayer The outer facade is made of brick referring to the neighbouring church. The inner facade fronting the courtyard is transparent, made of glass and structured by several doors allowing an easy transition between indoor and outdoor in the summer. The corridors are oriented towards the courtyard hence appear open and light. The coming and going, the entrance and exiting through the courtyard and the corridors allows communication and encounter. The three wings of the building host three different uses: the eastern wing hosts the youth area, the northern wing the gathering spaces, and the western wing the office and the charity shop. The layout of the different spaces along the ground floor makes the house barrier free in all areas.  © Thomas Mayer  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi Photographed by Laurian Ghinitoiu Posted: 10 Nov 2017 02:30 AM PST .jpg?1510084039 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu The much-anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel, opens this week in the United Arab Emirates. The project has enormous significance as a transnational partnership between the French and Emirati governments, and is set to become a center for art and learning in the Gulf region. Located on Saadiyat Island and surrounded by the sea, the museum comprises twenty three permanent galleries and exhibition spaces, a Children's Museum, an auditorium, and a research center – all connected together by waterfront promenades and a vast, shimmering dome. .jpg?1510083646 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083631 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083661 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083928 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083891 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510084069 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083999 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083902 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083839 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083850 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083718 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510084079 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510084014 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083943 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083819 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083863 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083738 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083789 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083709 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083779 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083758 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083769 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083679 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083694 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu .jpg?1510083702 "© Laurian Ghinitoiu") © Laurian Ghinitoiu  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 10 Nov 2017 01:30 AM PST  Artist's interpretation of the restored Undercroft. Image © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Southbank Undercroft, which lies beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall along the River Thames in London, has been the subject of much debate in recent years following a proposed closure and redevelopment in 2013. Long Live Southbank, an organization born out of this threat of expulsion, gave the diverse community who call the space home a voice. After 17 months of campaigning, they were successful in ensuring the Undercroft was legally protected and fully recognized as an asset of community value. Since then, the group of activists has begun another groundbreaking journey. In partnership with Southbank Centre, Long Live Southbank recently launched a new crowdfunding campaign to restore the legendary Undercroft. The restoration project will cost £790,000 and is set to open in 2018, improving Londoners' access to free creative spaces in the heart of the City. These types of space are becoming increasingly rare and the restoration effort reflects a desire to celebrate the authentic cultural sites that make London the vibrant landscape it is.  © Nicholas Constant The objective of the restoration works is to reinstate the Undercroft to be as close to the 1960s design as possible and for it to merge seamlessly into the current skate space. Adjacent to the skate space, a new center for schools and young people will be opened to provide creative activities for young people as part of Southbank Centre's year-round program across all art forms. The Undercroft is a primary feature of one of the most iconic and recognizable buildings in the UK and along with leading London practices Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Max Fordham and Arup, the project is at the forefront of the London Architecture circuit. The skateboarders, BMX riders, and graffiti writers who call the Undercroft home exemplify the concept that Carsten Höller brought to the Hayward Gallery in 2015 with his "Decision" exhibition which, through the installation of two slides leading visitors out of the gallery and back to the ground outside, emphasized the richness of human experience framed by a choice of passage. Just as Höller encouraged participants to explore different journeys through the Hayward Gallery, the architecture of the Undercroft encourages those who go there to explore a range of different options to travel through the space.  © Nicholas Constant The theoretical approach to skateboarding is one of possibility, with an extension of the skate space increasing the range of pathways and potential routes that can be taken through and around the Undercroft. The endless combination of journeys available to skateboarders fills them with a sense of effortless freedom. This experience is seen by the members of the public who walk past the Undercroft daily, and is part of the new crowdfunding strategy launched by Long Live Southbank; the fundraising table is housed directly at the Undercroft and we encourage those who are interested to talk to members of Long Live Southbank and experience the vibrant passion and sense of community first hand.  © Nicholas Constant The theme of movement and transition has been ingrained in the Undercroft since the time of its design in the early 1960s. The project was led by London County Council architect Norman Engleback at the height of the authority's progressive utopianism; also on his team was Dennis Crompton, who sat down and spoke with Long Live Southbank in 2016, as they were preparing for the restoration project. His insight into the team's intention for the space casts a light on its legacy and explains why Crompton is pleased with the appropriation of the space by the skateboard community since the 1970s:
 © Nicholas Constant Crompton went on to form the avant-garde architectural group Archigram who, among other projects, produced The Plug-In City, The Walking City, and The Instant City, continuing to focus on a nomadic way of life. Considered radical by many, reinvention was the intention of the Hayward Gallery and Undercroft, with the spaces and terraces able to flex and adapt to displays and shows.  © Nicholas Constant 2017 marks a new juncture for reinvention as planning permission has been granted by Lambeth Council to restore sections of the Undercroft that have been sectioned off since 2004. Long Live Southbank has been working relentlessly since the Undercroft was secured to make this reinvention a reality, intending for the space to allow young individuals to engage in free creative expression while building confidence.  Artist's interpretation of the restored Undercroft. Image © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The project is an important one that deserves the support of the architectural community. Drawing from Peter Rowe's Civic Realism, which helps establish a theoretical framework for the restructuring of public space in large cities, skateboarding exemplifies a playfulness in our environment. When discussing the act of play, Rowe explains that it allows participants to "define and formalize relations among elements of public authority and civil society." The creative expression of skateboarding allows the public to define their own space and engage in civil society in their own way, while experiencing joy and a sense of freedom. Due to consistent use the Undercroft, as a publicly accessible space that is open to all at all times, offers users a sense of collective ownership. In this collective space, the activities of the Undercroft allow for an experience framed by collective reverence of the Undercroft and its history and heritage.  © Nicholas Constant The build, which will not be possible without donations from supporters, has been recognized as a ground-breaking and pioneering heritage project that will serve as an example and inspiration for others. The campaign is a case study in how grassroots organizations can work in collaboration with large institutions to inspire and captivate those interested in the arts. The underlying ethos of Long Live Southbank is that we must remember that cities do not exist to act as engines of wealth. Instead, they should be viewed as systems to improve the well-being of their citizens through coexistence.  © Nicholas Constant Long Live Southbank have coined the term "reclaration"—a synthesis of reclamation and restoration—to describe this landmark project. This addition to the lexicon of the built environment prompted Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, to say that "the Undercroft at the Southbank Centre has become a very significant place for the local and global skateboarding community. 'Reclaration' is an interesting new word which sums up what Long Live Southbank wants to achieve: reclaiming and restoring a space with the cultural vibrancy that skateboarding contributes to the South Bank. We wish them every success in their fundraising campaign."  © Nicholas Constant The legacy of the Undercroft and the Architects that worked on it is one of looking towards the future and of shifting perceptions. It is important now more than ever to foster a strong sense of community between our citizens. The Southbank Undercroft invites citizens to enjoy a sense of community, as do many other important contemporary Architectural accomplishments. The community, bliss and freedom that the Southbank Undercroft provides to the skateboarders is best seen on a summer evening when friends gather by the river, exchanging stories and chatting about the tricks that have gone down, which now exist only as a smudge of paint and a fond memory. Stuart Maclure is Project Manager for Long Live Southbank. If you want to donate to the campaign and get exclusive rewards, or want more information, head over to www.llsbdonate.com. Alternatively, you can email us at hello@llsb.com with any ideas on fundraiser events or collaborations. All money raised goes towards the cost of materials, contractor fees and campaign running costs which are broken down at www.llsb.com.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 10 Nov 2017 01:00 AM PST  © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed
 © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed Text description provided by the architects. In Can Esclapez, located in the countryside of Elche, any excuse is a good reason to celebrate anything. They know how to enjoy one of the most traditional and simple pleasures in the world: eat and taste the most delicious Mediterranean meal in the best environment, the family.  © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed The family has grown up and inner spaces are quite limited. The number of grandchildren increase and the garden gets packed. An addition to this fact which is undeniable, it's the bad understanding of the traditional architecture, which rejects flexible spaces, and it's characterized by spaces which have no relationship between inner and outer spaces, in other words, which are conceived as separated interior or exterior areas.  Plan Consequently, current celebrations in the countryside from Elche can only take place with good weather in those wide shadowy spaces, because inner areas are scarcely ever flexible and have no contact with the garden. Therefore, MESURA has been requested to give some advice in the search of the most adequate place in the extensive land proposed for this new space. This new space is going to be a pavilion, flexible enough, to include a kitchen and a bathroom.  © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed The objective of MESURA is to create a new shadowy and at the same time lively space, similar to the original porches of the anonymous local architecture… a porch for all days of the year. We are talking about a long piece of land, orientated from north to south, at the south countryside in the periphery of Elche. It is formed by several industrial buildings for commercial uses. The main house has fixed limits (from east to west) and there is a huge garden divided in cross strips.  © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed The pavilion constitutes a new strip in the area of the garden. The east-west transversal line is going to generate two big façades and two enclosed or delimited gardens. The north façade will be completely opened to the new garden, and will be connected to the swimming-pool, while the south facade will only be opened occasionally, in order to protect the pavilion of the warm-humid weather with a garden of tall palm trees, which will act as sun protecting areas, and with some native plants which will finally be a new vegetable garden or patch (an additional supply to the new dining room)  © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed A concrete slab on the ground is going to constitute the shadowy area of the pavilion. It's going to be supported on three transversal walls, forming the barbecue and the lattice, and two pillars, which increase the opening to the north front side. The horizontal wall face, the white concrete slab at 2.40 meters high, will give a human and fresh appearance (appropriate to the weather) while the walls and pillars will reflect a warm and friendly atmosphere with the characteristic reddish colour of the area.  Lattices Study Such an structure will separate the different uses by means of the three walls, where one wall limits the multi-use or versatile space (inner/outer), another wall encloses bathroom and kitchen and the third one is reserved for the exterior barbecue (separated from the new garden and in connection with the pavilion and the swimming-pool) Thanks to the new shadowy inner/outer area which limits the new garden created by the pavilion, the festivities in Can Esclapez will continue and the new generations will also have the possibility to enjoy this place of leisure and entertainment in the countryside of Elche during the whole year.  © Teddy Iborra Wicksteed  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New Sleek, Slender Tower by BNKR Will Enhance The World's Largest Mural Posted: 10 Nov 2017 12:00 AM PST  Courtesy of BNKR The Polyforum Cultural Siqueiros is an outstanding example of extraordinary artistry crafted by Mexican muralist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, together with Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. The building was constructed in 1971, taking the shape of a diamond and housing "The March of Humanity," what is recognized as the world's largest mural. It blankets both the interior and exterior surfaces, covering a total of 8,000 square meters. In 1981, the Polyforum was declared a monument of Mexico's National Patrimony. Nearly four decades later, the sparkling diamond does not shine as bright as it once did. Today, there are many problems concerning the Polyforum. The mural's fragile materials and paints have become victim to the elements and air contamination, requiring constant attention and restoration to promote and preserve the structure's condition. However, being a private museum, the Polyforum receives no government support and requires constant expenditure for its crucial maintenance and restoration. The museum simply does not have the adequate funds to support its mission: to preserve and promote the unique, extraordinary work of David Siqueiros.  Courtesy of BNKR In response to these problems, the owners of the Polyforum proposed to create an integral project which would guarantee the maintenance, conservation, and promotion of the murals. On the north side of the building, a slender tower will rise, designed to be a backdrop to embrace, enhance, and preserve the beauty of the Polyforum.  Courtesy of BNKR The project begins with ridding the area of its existing parking sites to generate an inviting public space, ideal for viewing the Polyforum's exterior. The tower's footprint will only occupy 15% of the entire site, and on the lower floors, the public space extends into the building as areas designed for sitting and resting. Here, visitors can enjoy views of the north side of the forum, a viewpoint which is currently hidden.  Courtesy of BNKR As the tower rises above the height of the Polyforum, it will double in width, resulting in a slight cantilever covered in glass positioned right over the Polyforum. The inclined form along with the reflective properties of glass will reflect the murals of the roof onto the street and plaza to be noticed and admired by visitors and pedestrians. The cantilever culminates with a sky lobby featuring an open, public terrace, which again, creates a viewpoint for observing the Siqueiros' stunning murals. The remaining, upper floors of the tower will house commercial establishments, offices, apartments, and hotel. Portions of tenants' rent will contribute directly to the Administrative Trust for the preservation of the Polyforum. The architects were careful to design a discreet building which would not take away from the beauty or importance of the existing forum. The resulting project was carefully designed to combat the Polyforum's current difficulties without changing, moving, touching, or affecting the landmark or its precious masterpiece.  Courtesy of BNKR
News via: Bunker Arquitectura.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| AIA LA Showcases Award Winners After Surge of Submissions Posted: 09 Nov 2017 10:00 PM PST  Next LA - Honor: West Hollywood Belltower / Tom Wiscombe Architecture, Inc. courtesy of AIA LA The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles (AIA|LA) just announced the winners of their 2017 Design Awards honoring Los Angeles based architects and architecture. The ceremony took place Monday, October 30th, at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, recognizing each of the winners. The awards include four groups of honorees, the 2017 AIA|LA Design Awards, 2017 AIA|LA Next LA Awards, the 2017 AIA|LA COTE Awards, and the 2017 AIA|LA Presidential Honorees. Each award has its own jury selected for their expertise specific to the award category. Three of the awards -- the Design Awards, Next LA Awards, and the COTE awards, each have three classifications: Honor, Merit and Citation, and the most prestigious of them, Honor.  Design - Merit: House Noir / Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects © Paul Vu The AIA|LA Design Award celebrates the completed works. This year, SOM and Michael Maltzan Architecture received Honors in this category, while Dan Brunn Architecture, Gensler, Walker Workshop, and Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects received Merit recognition. The volume of submissions and the high caliber of work make the AIA|LA awards among the most competitive of AIA Chapter awards to win.  Design - Citation: Desert Palisades Guardhouse / Studio AR&D Architects © Lance Gerber Unbuilt and under-construction projects are recognized with the 2017 AIA|LA Next LA Awards. The West Hollywood Belltower by Tom Wiscombe Architecture received Honors and the Merit recognition went to the Los Angeles Residence by Baumgartner + Uriu.  Next LA - Citation: St. Georges Church / PARALX ©Renati Mhanna  Next LA - Citation: Twin Villa / Patrick TIGHE Architecture & John V Mutlow Architects © Patrick Tighe Architecture The Committee for the Environment (COTE) recognizes projects that implement sustainable features, judged on performance, systems integration, in addition to design. The committee gives the AIA|LA COTE Award, four receiving Honors: Mithun, ZGF Architects, SOM, and Brooks+Scarpa.  COTE - Honor: The SIX Veterans Housing / Brooks+Scarpa © Tara Wujick  COTE - Honor: J. Craig Venter Institute La Jolla / ZGF Architects, LLP © Hendrich Blessing The final group recognized at the event are the Presidential Honorees. The Presidential Honorees are selected by the 2017 AIA|LA President, Douglas Teiger, along with the 2017 AIA|LA Board of Directors. "The AIA|LA is delighted to share these examples of design excellence with our greater community. Though each project receiving a design award is different, all demonstrate the possibilities that architects bring to our area: design that benefits individual lives and our society as a whole," noted Executive Director Carlo Caccavale, Hon. AIA|LA.  Design - Merit: Oak Pass Main House / Walker Workshop © Joe Fletcher Photography  Next LA - Citation: Sberbank Technopark / Eric Owen Moss Architects Courtesy of AIA LA  Next LA - Citation: A4H Office Building / P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S courtesy of AIA LA News via: (AIA|LA).  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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