nedjelja, 22. srpnja 2018.

Arch Daily

Arch Daily


Bahnhofstrasse Aarau Building Refurbishment / Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 10:00 PM PDT

Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects
Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

Text description provided by the architects. The existing apartment and commercial building dating from 1900 was part of a protected building ensemble situated in the city center. The task was to converse this building. During an extensive analysis of said building's structure, planners determined that the historical structure was in a poor state.

Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

The committee for urban design and the committee of preservation of historical buildings in the county agreed that a new building is the appropriate solution.

The design was based on the idea that the new building should continue to be part of the existing ensemble, which was a set of three attached houses.

Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

The characteristics of the ensemble is the horizontal arrangement, the sectioning into three parts; base, middle and roof section and the mural openings in the façade with standing window formats. The typologies were included and interpreted in a contemporary fashion. The structuring of the building happens through outward shifted offsets.

Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

The façade made of insulation concrete, a material of one substance only, offers a constructive analogy toward the existing buildings. Untreated timber windows and slender pull out blinds complement this reserved, high quality and noble appearance.

Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

The lower ground which receives light via skylights, and the ground floor will be used for gastronomy. The upper floors can easily be sectioned and will therefore be used for commercial purposes. The top floors contain two apartments.

Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects Courtesy of Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architects

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Distillery, Social Reactor / KOGAA Studio

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 10:00 PM PDT

© BoysPlayNice © BoysPlayNice
  • Architects: KOGAA Studio
  • Location: Brno, Czech Republic
  • Client: Social Reactor
  • Area: 650.0 m2
  • Project Year: 2018
  • Photographs: BoysPlayNice
© BoysPlayNice © BoysPlayNice
Ground Floor Plan Ground Floor Plan

Text description provided by the architects. The project is the first prototype of Social Reactor, KOGAA' s slow development lab tackling the problematic of inactive structures and their adaptation into substitute functions. Within the context of a post-industrial city with a strong past in the textile production, The Distillery is a representative example of how a vacant property can become a vibrant location, playing an active role on the urban and economic transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and life of the city.

© BoysPlayNice © BoysPlayNice

One of the latest and most impactive structural interventions was carried out at the second and third level of the building, where the central beam system was removed to create a double height hall and two balconies facing the central space. The former is meant for presentations, lectures, and workshops, while the upper balconies are dedicated to designers' ateliers and offices. Originally part of a Distillate factory founded by a Jewish family in the early years of the 19th century, the four-story structure is the last one standing out of seven connected buildings. The new programme is distributed across all three levels of the building, and the multiple functions are spread out across different spaces, creating a dynamic and challenging working environment.

© BoysPlayNice © BoysPlayNice
Axonometry Axonometry

Driven by the succession of programs hosted since its new occupants moved in, all restoring interventions were carried out in order to best utilize the spaces through their inherited qualities. For instance, before its latest stage as a coworking center, the main hall used to function as an event venue and later as an art cinema. The need for heat and acoustic insulation led to the installation of a continuous rubber strip along its walls. Most recently, a double floor box-like addition was introduced to accommodate a shared meeting room, a kitchenette, a library and working spaces on its upper part. Entirely built out of recycled materials from previous events, the wooden structure is surrounded by polycarbonate and corrugated plastic.

© BoysPlayNice © BoysPlayNice

In order to improve the qualities of services within the creative spaces, a bar was introduced in the inner yard, by engaging the existing historical elevator. Its cabin was transformed into the preparation area, meanwhile, its shaft is working as the installation duct, allowing the use of more complex equipment. The limited size of the cabin certainly makes it the smallest bar in the country.  The lack of spacious yet affordable spaces in the city center leads to a growing interest from the architects of KOGAA, under the umbrella of Social Reactor, to find new partners and locate new spaces with the potential of reconversion and adaptation.

© BoysPlayNice © BoysPlayNice
Cross Section Cross Section

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Habitation Mathieu / Crahay & Jamaigne

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 07:00 PM PDT

© Laurent Brandajs © Laurent Brandajs
  • Architects: Crahay & Jamaigne
  • Location: Thy-le-Bauduin, Belgium
  • Lead Architects: Jean-François Crahay & Guy Jamaigne
  • Collaborator: Solange Dumez
  • Area: 113.0 m2
  • Project Year: 2015
  • Photographs: Laurent Brandajs
© Laurent Brandajs © Laurent Brandajs
Second Floor Plan Second Floor Plan

Text description provided by the architects. Given the sun's course at the back of the lot and the sloping plot configuration, the project proposes a different concept of a traditional habitat. The entrance to the house is made by a semi-buried level in contact with the road (entrance / cloak room / cellar / car-port for one car / bicycle storage and garden) and the living areas are located on the first floor (living room / back kitchen / dog area / games for children). Upstairs, (sleeping areas / dressing rooms / bathrooms) allows access to the back of the garden by a slightly sloping footbridge. It allows the children to access directly at the field level. The two lavatories are accessible from  each landing of the staircase.

© Laurent Brandajs © Laurent Brandajs
West Elevation West Elevation

The building fits perfectly in the natural slope of the landscape. The house is corbelled on the ground floor, and protected of overheating by the first floor. It creates an outdoor area which is covered by the corridor to the garden. The landscaping of the surroundings (on the street side) allows some space for two to three parking spots for visitors.

© Laurent Brandajs © Laurent Brandajs

The project was studied in the interests of sustainable development and economy of energy (materials, insulation and construction techniques),  both on the means and the methods of construction, for short and long term usage.

© Laurent Brandajs © Laurent Brandajs

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dwelling in Hutong / MINOR lab

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 03:00 PM PDT

view from courtyard to entrance (with artificial light). Image © Hao Chen view from courtyard to entrance (with artificial light). Image © Hao Chen
view from roof top to the courtyard (in autumn). Image © Yichi Wang view from roof top to the courtyard (in autumn). Image © Yichi Wang

Text description provided by the architects. Hutongs of the old Beijing are deemed as an authentic urban zone. Located within the second ring, this flat and intensive maze of alleyways and courtyards is surrounded by 20-metre-wide elevated expressways, ever-expanding skyscrapers and modern blocks. MINOR lab is situated in north Dongcheng District, close to the bustling Beiluogu Xiang. Quadrangle courtyards (Siheyuan), tenement yards(Zayuan), old residences of 4 to 6 storeys and scattered stores constitute the entire neighborhood. The layout of streets in Beijing are normally upright and square, whereas the width of alleyways reduces to 3 to 5 metres or an even narrower scale. The zigzag of Hutong lanes appears naturally due to human scale and their interactions, as the measurement and vein of the city.

courtyard view. Image © Hao Chen courtyard view. Image © Hao Chen

In the morning and on the way to the studio, once turning into the Hutong from the main street, we would be welcome by a quotidian yet lively scene: neighbors with baskets shopping from peddlers and a slow traffic moving through a busy lane. The scent in the air smells familiar too: home cooking in the kitchen, breakfast stalls, public restrooms and seasonal humidity… As for the sound, it is equally vivid: neighbors' chatting, peddlers'selling stuffs, passengers' arguing…Different dialects, rustling leaves, singling birds and insects compose an intriguing symphony. 

courtyard view from south to north. Image © Hao Chen courtyard view from south to north. Image © Hao Chen

The courtyard that has been transformed to MINOR lab is a 13.5 by 9.5 metres rectangular site. When the wooden door is pushed open, a square space enclosed by grey brick walls presents itself. Two grand ginkgo trees stand in the yard – a unique space is created underneath the trees and on the rooftop, tranquil yet still immersed in the beats of Hutong. We came across this courtyard in the summer of 2017; back then, the landlord was reconstructing the wooden structure, grey brick walls and grey roof tiles. After rounds of communication, we decided to rent, redesign and transform the whole yard so that we could take root and build our own world of making architecture.

Courtesy of MINOR lab Courtesy of MINOR lab
courtyard and guestroom (door opened). Image © Hao Chen courtyard and guestroom (door opened). Image © Hao Chen

Communicate via architecture
Historically speaking, Beijing as an imperial city, has been established on the core basis of imperialization. The axes, Forbidden City and even the red city walls represented the absolute existence of imperial authority. Within such a complex institution of power and functionalities, Hutongs took shape gradually and became venues for the mass. Quadrangle courtyards on both sides of Hutongs were neighbors to each other. Behind the walls, every courtyard stood for a particular family space; and when they were aligned together by walls, all of them started to coexist and co-live on top of Beijing's unique disposition.

view from office space to courtyard. Image © Hao Chen view from office space to courtyard. Image © Hao Chen

In the course of modernization, the collapse and reconstruction of order has triggered massive changes to Hutongs and quadrangle courtyards in Beijing. As a result, after the upheaval, demographics, population density and the social structure have made it challenging to define quadrangle courtyards. The outline of Hutongs has been retained, however, the scenic substances behind the walls of Hutong courtyards have been fragmented in constant tearing down and reconstruction.

café library space. Image © Hao Chen café library space. Image © Hao Chen

What has not changed for Hutongs, whether it is within or outside the walls, is that the community is still living their lives and sticking to their lifestyle in a timeless manner. Yet for us, we leverage the form of an architectural studio to open up a courtyard, wipe away the boundaries, and create a space for communication in Hutongs.

office space. Image © Hao Chen office space. Image © Hao Chen
office space. Image © Hao Chen office space. Image © Hao Chen

Flowing life under the roof
Walls on either side of the Hutong prevent direct sunlight from getting inside, which can be seen as a boundary between public and private venues. Within the walls remains an inward and enclosed space, however, the yard resembles a vast container, letting in sky, wind, sunlight, air and sound. The crowns of the two grand ginkgo trees are the flowing roof in the open air, overlapping layers of grey tiles. The exterior space under the trees connects to the interior one underneath the four roofs, floating and exchanging in a continuous way.

Section Section
courtyard view. Image © Hao Chen courtyard view. Image © Hao Chen

The main room in the north of the courtyard is the office space, the biggest indoor space. What connects itself and the yard is a transparent strip of space, instead of a mere façade. This virtual space is made of a metal thin wall, transparent glass and thick acrylic boards. From the entrance of the courtyard, a showcase window, a sliding door and a semi-outdoor and transparent exhibition space appear in proper order. The façade demonstrates reflections and diffused reflections of several processed metal materials, as well as different degrees of transparency relatively by acrylic boards and glass. Not only the façade transmits enough daylight, but also the strip space functions as a carrier of light. It mirrors indoor and outdoor views, blurs the boundary between the two spaces – daylight and views extend horizontally and working indoors feels like sitting under the trees.

view from café library to guestroom. Image © Hao Chen view from café library to guestroom. Image © Hao Chen
view from courtyard to entrance (daytime). Image © Hao Chen view from courtyard to entrance (daytime). Image © Hao Chen

The semi-outdoor exhibition space is separated from the yard with 13 25-millimetre-thick acrylic boards, placed in an inclined yet parallel manner. Within the 700-millimetre-wide space, one may feel the breeze, the light and shadow, the crystal presence and subtle reflection of the boards. The space is clear and transparent; actually, it is an exhibit itself. Apart from displaying models, it also holds exhibitions from time to time.

guestroom. Image © Hao Chen guestroom. Image © Hao Chen

The other side of the courtyard houses a guest room (East), a bathroom (Southeast), a kitchen (Southwest), a café/mini-library (West). In the limited courtyard space, we have modestly imbedded a light and translucent interface made of steel frame, glass and polycarbonate panel. It combines the functional spaces and makes the aisle an extension to the courtyard space, which permeates the limited indoor space through the translucent interface or glass sliding door. The polycarbonate panel we have used guarantees proper privacy and thermal insulation, and softens the natural light indoor. It also varies the indoor scene with the changing sunlight and shade.

view from kitchen to courtyard and café library. Image © Hao Chen view from kitchen to courtyard and café library. Image © Hao Chen

In terms of usage, it is much more than just a studio for daily work. By hosting weekend public events and exhibition and inviting artist over, we are sharing the courtyard space with the city. During this process, we learn to keep exclusive memories of the courtyard.

brunch activity. Image © Dan Zhao brunch activity. Image © Dan Zhao

The lab of life & an organic city of people, objects and nature
We have chosen some common materials and leveraged simple craftsmanship in Hutongs. In this way, we have tried to harmonize new things and the initial scene and to create some new meanings. The birth of architecture or the evolution of a city is backed by a well-defined infrastructure. Rather than just a workplace, this courtyard serves as a laboratory for us. We treat every object, tool, plant and little animal with curiosity while working, exchanging, cooking, resting and walking around. By doing this, we are discovering how to place and interact with them properly. We are gradually learning how to create our own approach under the roof, and interpret it in our works and even conversations. These nuanced practices and observations are part of the architecture, and also clues depicting the memory of a city.

the original condition before rebuilt. Image © Xiangyu Zhang the original condition before rebuilt. Image © Xiangyu Zhang

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Stadium Luka Šokčević Šaljapin / GE+ARHITEKTI

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 01:00 PM PDT

Courtesy of GE+arhitekti Courtesy of GE+arhitekti
  • Architects: GE+ARHITEKTI
  • Location: 32260, Gunja, Croatia
  • Lead Architects: Gorana Giljanović, Eugen Popović
  • Project Team: Gorana Giljanović, Eugen Popović, Lea Kovač
  • Client: Croatian Football Federation
  • Area: 245.0 m2
  • Project Year: 2018
  • Photographs: Robert Leš
Courtesy of GE+arhitekti Courtesy of GE+arhitekti

Text description provided by the architects. In 2014 major floods hit eastern Croatia causing, among casualties, catastrophic damage to infrastructure. Croatian Football Federation together with World (FIFA) and European (UEFA) Football Federation gathered funds for the reconstruction of 5 football fields together with a new stadium. Particular attention was devoted to the new stadium as the center of gathering and interaction of local community and new generations of athletes.

Site Plan Site Plan
© Robert Leš © Robert Leš

Stadium construction was of great importance for the local community.  It has generated a comprehensive design approach that explored context, reviewing the typology of small football stadiums, integrating modern architecture and design into a rural landscape, making this facility larger than its physical size. The most prominent element of visual identity stands out in its main facade. It is made out of bricks and gives a monumental value given that the bricks originate from the ruined houses destroyed by floods. By selecting between 12,000 preserved pieces, the best were used through special re-built technology.

© Robert Leš © Robert Leš

The building fits in perfectly with the rural landscape typical of Slavonija. It is the concept of the building that is characterized by fitting the building into the context of greenery and rural ambiance. Architects have recognized that this facility could be more than a classic renovation of a sports infrastructure in a small rural setting. From the beginning, the building was considered as an important gathering place for the local community, but also as an interesting story that could be embedded as a memory.

© Robert Leš © Robert Leš
Sections Sections

The initiator of the architectural concept is the very cause of construction - a catastrophic flood that destroyed the old stadium and which was materialized through the usage of bricks from the demolished houses on the facades of the building. Also, this was the first infrastructure built by Croatian Football Federation. The budget allowed only the most basic functions of the building to be met, leaving minimal space for the visual appearance of the building. This required great architectural creativity and engineering flexibility in order to, besides functional features, give the building also a visual value.

© Robert Leš © Robert Leš

The financial constraints have deprived the building of numerous technological elements and focus was brought on the architecture and added value that it can bring to the local community. The structure of the building was mostly influenced by the rural context and the location of the building situated in a green environment that can be described as a park venue characterized by an alley of high linden planted along the edge of the parcel in parallel with the lines of a football field creating a natural, green scenography.

Courtesy of GE+arhitekti Courtesy of GE+arhitekti
Concept Diagram Concept Diagram

By designing the stadium to raise out of the field, the designer creates a symbiosis of architecture and the environment as well as a symbolic memory of the event created by embankment breakage. The element which balances the entire composition of the building is designed in a shape of a concrete canopy in 'L' form with somewhat of a memorial character, which is additionally emphasized by the stadium inscription.

© Robert Leš © Robert Leš

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Herzliya Pituach House / Tomer Ben Dor

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 11:00 AM PDT

Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor
  • Architects: Tomer Ben Dor
  • Location: Herzliya Pituach, Israel
  • Area: 182.0 m2
  • Project Year: 2017
Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor

Text description provided by the architects. The building's size is 182m² and it was built on a 500m² lot. It's the home of 6 people – the parents and their four children.
The ground floor includes the living room, kitchen, dining area, guests' rest room, main bedroom with a private bathroom and a shelter that is also used as a closet room. The first floor includes two bed rooms, a bathroom and a laundry room. Another bedroom is located in the attic.

Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor
Ground floor Ground floor

This project was in fact a renovation of an old building – emptying its interior, strengthening it and enlarging it, mainly by using light construction materials. Originally, the building had several rooms on the ground floors – including a cowshed – and an external staircase led to the first floor, where the main living area was.

Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor

The building set some challenges for us as designers, the main one was the very low ceilings and even lower structural beams (2.15m from ground level to the lower part of the beams). That prevented sun light from entering the building's inner spaces and caused the feeling of suffocation and a lack of fresh air.
The leading guideline for the design of the exterior appearance was using neutral dark shades in order to create a building that fits in the shadow of the tall trees and the garden that surround it. Therefore, the chosen shades for the front of the building were mainly grey and dark green.
The experience one gets while walking down the path, the yard and all the way to the lobby is of a natural structure that assimilates in its surroundings which creates a feeling of surprise when entering the house's inner spaces.

Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor
Elevations Elevations
Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor

This feeling of surprise when entering the inner space of the lobby is achieved by the great amount of sunlight that enters the light shaded and tall space (6.5m tall) that we created by removing the old ceiling in order to combine the storey into one, where we also placed the new path between the levels.
We replaced the outer walls of the upper part of the building with large glass windows, 3.2m wide. In order to regulate the amount of sunlight that enters the house, electric blinds were installed.

Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor

The massive appearance of the thick pillars and salient openings is more than just a matter of design but also a static solution for problems with the old construction. By encasing the old pillars in concrete, iron and bricks, these problems were solved.
The new additions to the building, the new floors and attic were all made with light materials such as iron profiles, wood, panels etc.

Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor Courtesy of Tomer Ben Dor

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

GroupGSA Designs a Double Helix-Inspired Building for iCarbonX Headquarters in China

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT

Courtesy of GroupGSA Courtesy of GroupGSA

Australia-based GroupGSA's recent design for iCarbonX's Super Headquarters in Shenzhen, China has been dubbed "outstanding" by the competition's jurors. The firm was invited to submit an entry which explored iCarbonX's goal to "build an ecosystem of digital life based on a combination of an individual's biological, behavioral and psychological data, the Internet, and artificial intelligence."

Courtesy of GroupGSA Courtesy of GroupGSA

The two towers mirror the double helix structure of DNA with the twisting form and connecting balcony spaces. The balconies are heavily landscaped gardens, which add a sense of serenity to the design. The building houses a multitude of workspaces, long connecting corridors, and circulating balconies. Large windows and perforated panels are used to flood the interior with natural light.

Courtesy of GroupGSA Courtesy of GroupGSA

GroupGSA Principal Alina Valcare commented on the project, saying, "Our core aim was to connect experience, data, and people through this design. iCarbonX is taking steps into an uncharted new future in medical science and we wanted to create a space that reflected the scale and ambition of their truly innovative mission."

Courtesy of GroupGSA Courtesy of GroupGSA

News via: GroupGSA

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Gortemaker Algra Feenstra Designs a 'Transparent' Dutch Town Hall for the 21st Century

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 07:00 AM PDT

Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra

In the world of politics, the notion of "transparency" refers to the honesty constituents expect of their elected officials. In architecture, it means something much more literal: a transparent surface, like a window or glass wall, is one you can see through. In the small Dutch municipality of Albrandswaard, architects Gortemaker Algra Feenstra have melded the two definitions with a circular, glass town hall. As the firm writes of the project, "a single transparent space...shows the process of democracy as soon as you enter."

Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra
Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra

The town of Rhoon (within the municipality of Albrandswaard) will house the town hall, which will sit at the crossroads of an eclectic collection of public spaces: a metro station, an arcaded shopping mall, a fifteenth-century castle, and the Groene Kruisweg, a major road that runs through the town below an overpass. Conceiving of the town hall as yet another public space, the architects have composed a scheme that connects the second floor of the building to the elevated overpass; "the entrance and all public amenities will be on this level," explain the architects, leaving space on the ground level for car and bicycle parking and maintenance rooms. The two circular stories, slightly shifted relative to one other, create "a covered outdoor area with a sheltered entrance as well as permanent awning" on the opposite side. 

Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra Courtesy of Gortemaker Algra Feenstra

Within the building, uses will not be restricted to municipal business. The program abandons the traditional town hall structure in favor of a style that more closely resembles the modern coworking space, with "office spaces for Stichting Welzijn Albrandswaard, the neighborhood team, flex workstations and a rooftop terrace." By creating fluid connections to the city and reframing the role of a municipal building, the architects hope the building will be one in which "citizens and employees can identify themselves and of which they can be proud, a building in which approachability and accessibility are of the utmost importance."

News via: Gortemaker Algra Feenstra

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Fede House / Unoencinco Arquitectura

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 06:00 AM PDT

© Lucia Triolo © Lucia Triolo
  • Author Architect: Abate Laura, López Alejo, Maldonado Noelia, Triolo Máximo, Urruty Miguel.
  • Masonry: Antonio Gonzalez
© Lucia Triolo © Lucia Triolo

Text description provided by the architects. Casa fede is a project that falls within the framework of the program "Pro.cre.ar Bicentenario" (Argentine Bicentennial Credit Program for Single Family Housing), a line of credits accessible for the construction of a first family home in the Republica Argentina, awarded since 2012.

Floor Plan Floor Plan

The neighborhood "El Ocho" of the party of Pilar is a land of incipient consolidation, with lands of half hectare that present a physiognomy type Pampa humid characteristic of great part of the province of Buenos Aires.

© Lucia Triolo © Lucia Triolo

The project assumes a strategy of clearly differentiating the relationship with the landscape from the living spaces-on the one hand-and the night and service areas-on the other.

Section Section

Under a covered plan two "boxes" are arranged with measured spans, landscape cuts sometimes horizontal, sometimes vertical, that house the services and the night sleeping and support areas respectively. In the interstice between them, the living area is located in full relation with the landscape. A gallery that takes an entire edge with its full / empty nuances acts as bellows and expansion to the outside.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

AMKNA's Ode to Africa Shortlisted for the 2018 World Architecture Festival Award

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 05:00 AM PDT

Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio

AMKNA, the Dubai-based studio, has been shortlisted for the 2018 World Architecture Festival, in recognition of their design proposal of a cultural center in Sedhiou, Senegal. The proposed "Sedhiou Cultural Center" will provide citizens with a rich cultural, social, and educational experience, all while sustaining the surrounding environment and keeping African heritage alive.

Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio

The power of a cultural building lies in its ability to morph history, music, food, dance, color, and material into a well-designed, functional space. Senegal's Sedhiou is one of Africa's underdeveloped towns but is rich in cultural vibrancy. Regardless of its lively heritage, the town lacks a place of artistic expression and is constantly affected by the economy's globalization. The proposal's design seeks to become an icon for the entire country, ensuring sustainability and the use of local materials. The structure will include areas for education, exhibition, performances, bureaus, and restrooms, catering to everyone in the country.

AMKNA's design tells centuries-old stories of Africa. Sedhiou inhibits approximately 22,000 citizens and has been affected by the Casamance conflict during 1980 – 2005. The Casamance River was crucial for transporting natural resources, such as Kapok, Palm, and Fromager trees, from Sedhiou to neighboring towns, but the ongoing war took its toll on the city's trade movements, affecting its economy. Even though Senegal is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the country suffers from a devastating water crisis, killing millions of people yearly.

Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio

Naturally, drought is very apparent on the land as it creates cracks on the ground's surface. Instead of submitting to these constraints, the architects decided to use the land's imperfections and derive the structure's concept from the cracks' forms and the land's excessive need for water. The roof of the building is split into inwardly-inclined platforms so that people can benefit from the rainwater harvesting. In addition, the plan was intricately designed in a way that allows natural winds to travel through the building via vents (cracks) on the facades, creating cross-ventilation within the space. The structure will house reading rooms, musical areas, craft workshops, and outdoor activities.

Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio

Since it was vital to make use of the existing natural resources, the architects chose to use a clay/mud hybrid for the project's structure, as it is traditionally used in the construction of housing in Senegal. The architects also chose to use bamboo, wooden beams, traditional plaster, and plenty of vibrant hues of blue, red, green, and gold to keep the traditions of Africa alive.

 "The intervention area represents a breeding ground of centuries-old cultures, rich in rituals and experiences coming from father to son, and telling stories about Africa. Cultures here are mixing together in harmony, within an environment full of experiences. Some of those ethnic groups are deeply rooted in history, and, since they never had any archives or written works, they passed those stories only thanks to words coming from the Elders."
-AMKNA designers

Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio Courtesy of AMKNA Design Studio

Winners will be announced during the World Architecture Festival which will be held on 28 - 30 November 2018, in RAI Amsterdam.

News via: AMKNA

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

AMBAR / Diez + Muller Arquitectos

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 02:00 AM PDT

© Sebastián Crespo © Sebastián Crespo
  • Architectonic Design: Gonzalo Diez, Felipe Muller, Sergio Barrella
  • Construction: GERENPRO - Roberto Donoso, Pablo Hidalgo
© Sebastián Crespo © Sebastián Crespo

Text description provided by the architects. The design of Amber Building emerges from a special condition of an urban lot with a single front which proportions and especially its extremely narrow front creates a challenge both for the architecture and the structural solutions.

The building is a 12-story tower with 5 floors of underground parking. Municipal regulations and technical requirements demand that, given the size of the land, the structural solution for the whole building be subject to the development of the parking area.

At street level, the building has free office areas with different modulation options and only two structural axes in each.

© Sebastián Crespo © Sebastián Crespo

The tower, as a continuation of the already built urban design, attempts to be a clean and simple volume without much pretense compared to adjacent buildings, but with an important idea of lower urban scale and integration into the city.

This is achieved by an open plaza and a double height glazed entrance that is projected to the inside by means of a connection to the plaza.

Drawing 5 Drawing 5

The first two floors are retracted from with the rest of the tower, built approximately 3.5 meters to the street, thus creating a canopy over the entrance plaza while extending the lobby space outside.

The main volume of the tower opens up with a large glass front onto the main street, while it is partially blind to the sides with more controlled windows to the surrounding buildings.

© Sebastián Crespo © Sebastián Crespo

The building is constructed in steel structure and was used to express the structural elements both inside and outside the building by means of beams and exposed columns.

Section Section

The palette of materials is pretty limited but consistent with the idea of simplicity and purity where glass and steel are the predominant materials and wood is used in various details like a warm contrast material.

Drawing 4 Drawing 4

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Henning Larsen Release New Renders of Their Luxurious Spa Hotel in the Georgian Mountains

Posted: 21 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT

Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects

New renders have been released of Henning Larsen's "luxurious hideaway in the Georgian mountains" after construction started on the 25000m², 135 room hotel earlier this year. The new Agobili Hotel is located at the Abastumani spa resort in Georgia, which itself has been a health retreat for both the Tsar family and general public alike. The new building hopes "to create a story about the magnificent place it inhabits."

Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects

Drawing from both the heritage and breathtaking landscapes of the Otskhe River Valley, the distinctly Scandinavian design brings "a new sense of life and wellness into the lush forest landscape".

The combination of honoring history and nature at the same time is very important for the region. And, for Georgia as a whole, the hotel sets new standards for the tourism economy. We are proud to realize this design, which will give tourists a truly unique experience and make them curious to go exploring the country further.
- Werner Frosch, Partner at Henning Larsen

Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects
Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects

The project is split into two parts. The base, acting as a solid plinth for the scheme, houses the public functions of the building, seamlessly melting into the surrounding landscape. The private rooms, in contrast, sit overtly upon the plinth, their timber cubed forms offering exceptional views of the surrounding woodland.

Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects
Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects

In order to blur the boundary with the outside, a dark stone is extensively used within the public interior of the new Agobili Hotel. The project's materiality hopes to grow with the context, gradually integrating with the natural landscape, and each material selected supports the scheme's sustainable strategy. When coupled with the flowing, expansive plan, the project begins to take on cave-like qualities, where "at every corner, visitors are allured to discover different destinations at different levels."

Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects Courtesy of Henning Larsen Architects

After winning the competition in 2011, construction began in 2018 and is due to finish in 2020. The newly released renders show an update on the initial design.

News via: Henning Larsen

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Nema komentara:

Objavi komentar