Arch Daily |
- House of Courtyards / BLOCO Arquitetos
- Tandrup Kollegiet / KANT Arkitekter
- Municipal Toy Library of Dólar / Carquero Arquitectura
- Elav Kitchen & Beer / Francesca Perani Enterprise + Marg studio
- South Beach / Foster + Partners
- BAAN RORB / Integrated Field
- Vanke Times Center / SHL
- Oakland University Human Health Building / SmithGroupJJR
- LBK / Ply Architecture
- Lone Tree Wellness Center / Neumann Monson Architects
- Núcleo / Ultra
- 3XN's Arena to Transform UNESCO Heritage Area of Bergen, Norway
- Colinas del Sol Park / Francisco Pardo Arquitecto
- BIG's Giant Reflective ORB Takes Shape at Burning Man
- Mamaroneck House / SPG Architects
- World's Longest Prestressed Concrete Bridge Nears Completion over Panama Canal
- Rogers Place and the ICE District / HOK
- High Speed Rail in the US: Myth or Near-Future Possibility?
- Joazeiro House / Cupertino Arquitetura
- Could You Live in 15 Square Meters of Space? SUMATORIA's 'Tiny Home' May Make You Think Twice
| House of Courtyards / BLOCO Arquitetos Posted: 30 Aug 2018 10:00 PM PDT  © Haruo Mikami
 © Haruo Mikami Text description provided by the architects. The House of Courtyards is located in almost flat ground, inside a lot without pre-existent vegetation. Its main openings are directed towards the north, from where it is possible to see parts of the Brasília’s city center. The orientation of the facades demanded the use of indented windows that create short eaves for solar protection.  © Haruo Mikami The project was designed using an orthogonal grid of 3,65x3,65 meters, placed diagonally in relation to the lot. The extensive program was distributed over two floors. Although all the functions of the program are clearly separated, the volumetric composition aims to disguise any hierarchy.  © Haruo Mikami   © Haruo Mikami The intention was to disperse the built volume following only the criteria of desired views, privacy and solar orientation for each room.  © Haruo Mikami This strategy also increased the area of the facades that are connected to the exteriors, both directly or through inner “courtyards”. The landscape design makes use of the "cerrado" vegetation (Brazilian savannah) that is typical in this part of Brazil.  © Haruo Mikami The green roofs over the ground floor are accessible through the bedrooms. The sightseeing terrace on the top of the second floor is accessed through a roofless stone-clad stair.  © Haruo Mikami  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Tandrup Kollegiet / KANT Arkitekter Posted: 30 Aug 2018 08:00 PM PDT  © Marco D´Ambrogio
 © Marco D´Ambrogio Text description provided by the architects. This significant piece of infill architecture in Copenhagen is located in the district of Vanløse, where it replaces a couple of worn buildings.   The building is based on a traditional concrete structure to ensure low construction costs – which at the same time has made it possible to pursue a distinctive and contemporary design with a façade solution somewhat uncommon for youth housing.  © Marco D´Ambrogio The key elements in the design is a combination of the distinctive black façade covered with natural slate blocks in combination with white balconies cut into the slate. The black and white facade makes the building stand out in the street while the scale and dimensions mimic the neighboring properties.  The building offers 10 studios and 18 small but bright two-bedroom apartments with private kitchen and bathroom. Three of these are specially designed for students with disabilities. Common areas are equipped with a shared kitchen and with laundry facilities.  © Marco D´Ambrogio The building is located just three kilometers from the CBS (Copenhagen Business School) and within cycling distance from the city centre. Thus giving attention to the needs and everyday life of young people was a persistent focus for the architects and the construction team. Furthermore, maximizing the residential square meters of every apartment has been a focus as the building has a limited footprint.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Municipal Toy Library of Dólar / Carquero Arquitectura Posted: 30 Aug 2018 07:00 PM PDT  © Carlos Koblischek
 © Carlos Koblischek Text description provided by the architects. We project the municipal playroom of Dólar (Granada) with a low budget (450 €/m2), subsidized with funds of agrarian employment for unemployed people. The plot is located in the south perimeter of this town of Guadix's region, with a form of arch that is opened to the rural landscape in the skirt of Sierra Nevada and that it´s leaned in one property line.  © Carlos Koblischek  Axonometry  © Carlos Koblischek The building is distributed in only one plant, diaphanous and functional, organizing the service in the eastern part and the space of playroom opened towards the landscape in the western part. Following the organic tracing, the main form is displayed to create an exterior space linked with the central core of games.  © Carlos Koblischek The pavement of red and white linoleum establishes the zoning of the program. To provide with a major spatial quality, according to his function, the flat cover has been fragment following a compositive scheme, introducing natural light and ventilation to the principal core.  © Carlos Koblischek  Elevations and Sections  © Carlos Koblischek For his construction, it has been materialized with a low budget: mixed structure of steel and concrete, closings with termoarcilla and coatings with mortar of lime, plaster and linoleum. The facilities are basic, concealing the exterior units above the low roof.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Elav Kitchen & Beer / Francesca Perani Enterprise + Marg studio Posted: 30 Aug 2018 06:00 PM PDT  © Francesca Perani
Text description provided by the architects. Independent brewery ELAV, original, home grown business renowned locally and throughout Europe for its product research and care, unveils a new design concept combining exclusive food and craft beer.  © Francesca Perani The specially studied rebranding allows the ambience to convey the close connection of the independent Bergamo brewery to its community, to nature and to the land that provides the raw materials, to the research and experimentation well matched to the traditions that give origin to this ever developing firm.
The founding values of brand's products have been reinterpreted with a dramatic and welcoming setting. The project's concept integrates existing, significant architectural elements with new key elements, such as the earth bar, the opening onto a courtyard and the draught beer systems.  Plan The brewery's mission, strongly linked to rural life and agriculture, is reinterpreted in the 8 metre long bar at the centre of the main hall: an "earthen" bar, constructed using a special cladding in resin mixed with grit and hay. This important element, instantly recalling the genuine world of agriculture and craft, is the focal point in the space, linking the service and public areas, connecting guests and staff thus offering a shared experience.  © Francesca Perani  Section 03 A draught beer system descends from above onto the centre of the bar. 7 brushed steel pipes, each specific to a single type of beer. The beer line normally carrying the drink to the taps for serving, branches out into a diversified image, echoing both the routes of pipes in breweries and the metal articulations of the lighting system.  © Francesca Perani A suspended system of galvanised steel pipes twists following the shape of the reinforced concrete lacunar ceiling and delicately illuminates the main room and the intimate dining area offering the customers a warm and homely light.  © Francesca Perani A theatrical end wall, purposely set up, illuminates the restaurant creating a fictitious opening onto a courtyard, where a continuous, walnut coloured boiserie leads the guests into a rural world with its barns and traditional structures, in touch with nature.  © Francesca Perani The main space is decorated using a system of metal grills with a geometrical texture clearly recalling the concrete lacunar ceiling. On the lower floor, the canteen area, these subdividing elements help to separate private and exhibition space in the cellar, where 36 types of craft beers are showcased. Graphics used in the service areas also demonstrate the attention to detail applied to the renovation work.  © Francesca Perani  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| South Beach / Foster + Partners Posted: 30 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT  © Nigel Young
 © Nigel Young Text description provided by the architects. The South Beach development covers an entire city block between the Marina and Civic District in the heart of downtown Singapore. Combining new construction with the restoration of existing buildings, the mixed-use, energy efficient new urban quarter brings together places to live and work with shops, cafes, restaurants, a hotel and public spaces. A wide landscaped pedestrian avenue – a green spine – weaves through the site and is protected by a large canopy, which shelters the light-filled public spaces beneath from the extremes of the tropical climate.  © Nigel Young  © Foster+Partners  © Nigel Young Two interconnected pairs of towers stand towards the north and south of the site, connected by the green spine – the south towers are divided between a hotel and apartments, while the north towers contain offices. Their facades extend into a gentle arc, which continues the language of the undulating canopy below – they are angled to capture prevailing winds and direct air flow to cool the ground level spaces. Reinterpreting the Singaporean ideal of the 'city in a garden' in a high-rise form, the towers are intersected by densely planted sky gardens with impressive views of the city and Central Business District. At a lower level, the treatment of the perimeter buildings is sensitive to the scale of the nineteenth century Raffles Hotel on the opposite side of the street – the four adjacent former military buildings along Beach Road have been carefully restored and are interspersed with mature trees, which have been conserved on the site.  © Nigel Young The canopy's ribbons of steel and aluminium louvres flex above the primary circulation routes and public spaces, and dip near the edges to meet the Beach Road buildings. The ribbons are supported by slender pillars and rise up the exposed east and west elevations of the towers to form a series of vertical louvres, which are carefully angled to encourage natural ventilation. The entrance to the canopy rises up to form an arc, which acts as a wind scoop, drawing the prevailing breezes through the space and promoting natural ventilation. Beneath the canopy are a series of smaller buildings and flexible spaces for functions and events. Combining rainwater harvesting with a range of environmental strategies, the development aims to achieve the Green Mark 'Platinum' Rating. Creating a highly permeable pedestrian public realm, vehicle access to underground parking and drop off points are placed around the edges of the site, and public transport is integrated via a direct 'green' link to Esplanade MRT station.  © Nigel Young  © Nigel Young  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 30 Aug 2018 04:00 PM PDT  © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace
 © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace Text description provided by the architects. BAAN RORB (or 'บ้านรอบ' in Thai which literally means 'Around / Surround / Cycle / Round HOUSE) is a residence for a Thai- Chinese family consisting of the retiring parents and 2 family members. The initial idea from the family is to have a simple and serene space to enjoy the garden and space that will create more chances for family member to interact to each others.  © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace Despite almost 3,200 sq.m. land size, it seems the environment surrounding the site give quite limited option in the setting alternatives since half of the surrounding are 6 storey buildings in the north and west with more than 100 rooms facing toward the site. Therefore, the main issue is to give privacy and to prevent the surrounding that would create the disturbance for family members, and at the same time increase the interaction possibilities between family members. .jpg?1535602680 "© Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace") © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace With such conditions of the site and the main objective of the project, IF proposed the idea to set the house to the furthest end of the site and use all the necessary solids of all service areas such as kitchen, maid's room and toilet to prevent all the surrounding building from seeing the family activities inside. The main circulation that runs around the internal courtyard from ground to the second floor is the main feature that give the family member a better chance to see each other and grow their relationship while appreciate the natural court.  Ground floor plan All shared functions such as Chinese spirit house, ancestor room, living and dining space are on the ground floor and can see each other from each area. The second level consists of family room and bedrooms with internal skylight to receive enough natural light and ventilation.  © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace The mood and tone of house based on the warm tone with color with and woods, except the main feature which is the main circulation that is constructed by steel structure which looks light and distinctive. Those structures come with opening folding windows to give full ventilation when needed. Naturally, the wind would come from the south most of the year and the same as the sun that would come along in the steep angle. Therefore, the opening in the main entrance that have a covered terrace to enjoy the front yard allows the ventilation throughout the house most of the day but on the second floor would require a help from the trees as the first screening layer and the insulated glass as the second layer to protect the house form the sun.  © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace The design of BAAN RORB is an attempt to understand and 'inner and outer' round of the house and develop space that give the serenity, relaxing and the continuity of family members relationship 'around' the internal court.  © Wison Tungthunya / W Workspace  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 30 Aug 2018 03:00 PM PDT  © Yuzhu Zheng
 © Yuzhu Zheng Text description provided by the architects. Located in Beijing's busy Chaoyang District, Vanke Times Center is a new creative urban complex that blends retail shops and offices with grand art installations, a multi-functional exhibition space, and a bamboo meditation garden. Vanke, one of the country's largest residential property developers, commissioned Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects for its first complete renovation project — the revitalization of a former shopping mall into a vibrant hub for the city. Now complete, Vanke Times Center is home to a host of retail shops on the basement and ground floors, while upper floors will house offices, green spaces and events.  Site plan "Vanke Times Center is a significant project for us as it signals a strategic judgment of the urban regeneration market," said Xue Zheng, Design Partner at Beijing Vanke Co. Ltd. "Schmidt Hammer Lassen's diverse body of work and imaginative design scheme matched the value of our enterprises and our vision for Vanke Times Center, our first building among Beijing Vanke's Manhattan Project."  © Zhenyu Liu A light-filled, creative urban complex  Sketch. Image Courtesy of Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects  Section featured media plaza "Our design of the Vanke Times Center redevelopment was influenced by the trend of businesses wanting a more dynamic, well-rounded office environment for their employees," said Chris Hardie, Partner at Schmidt Hammer Lassen. "In addition to opening up the atriums and bringing a Scandinavian sensibility to the design, we pushed for the inclusion of artistic and creative spaces that both the public and tenants could enjoy."  © Yuzhu Zheng The 18-meter-high entrance atrium located on the north side of the building, also known as the "Creative Living Room," opens to the city through a glass curtain wall. Behind the façade hangs a giant suspended sculpture installation by French photographer and artist Charles Petillon called "Heartbeat." Known for his massive balloon installations, Petillon's white balloon piece for Vanke Times Center endows the atrium with a whimsical overhead wonder and adds a theatrical quality to the space. Also in the Creative Living Room atrium hang two cantilevered conference rooms that jut out from the wall and provide views from Petillon's clouds to the bustling activity below. Art permeates the Vanke Times Center with eight additional significant pieces scattered throughout the building.  © UAP The "Media Plaza" is the core of the building that connects the underground commercial area to the ground floor office space with two sweeping bamboo staircases. The open, ascending layout of the Media Plaza with its scattered seating make it an ideal venue for conferences, lectures, art exhibitions and performances, or just a leisurely rest. Between the 24-meter-high skylight and the staircase are large walkways and footbridges that connect upper levels.  © Yuzhu Zheng  Section  © Yuzhu Zheng Vanke Time Center's third and most intimate atrium is the "Meditation Bamboo Garden" on the western side of the second floor. The space is an oasis for office workers looking for a restful escape during the workday. Dotted with vertical bamboo-like installations, the Meditation Bamboo Garden directs the gaze up towards the sun and sky beyond the atrium's skylight. The berth white gravel and stone waterscape of the bamboo forest enhance the quiet atmosphere of the space.  © Yuzhu Zheng Nordic elegance in Beijing's media hub  © Yuzhu Zheng As a renovation project, Schmidt Hammer Lassen's sustainable design focuses on site utilization, energy consumption, water-saving measures and careful material selection. The building has been pre-certified as LEED Gold.  © Yuzhu Zheng "One of our firm's first projects in China was Anderson Garden, a high-end residential complex also in the Chaoyang District, making the completion of Vanke Times Center a full-circle moment, " said Rong Lu, Partner at Schmidt Hammer Lassen. "During this very transformative time for Beijing real estate, it is a thrill to have designed Vanke's first renovation and urban regeneration project flush with art and light right in the heart of the city's media corridor."  © UAP  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Oakland University Human Health Building / SmithGroupJJR Posted: 30 Aug 2018 02:00 PM PDT  © Prakash Patel
 © Jeff Amram Text description provided by the architects. The 5-story Human Health Building at Oakland University houses the School of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing. The building is located on the northwest corner of Oakland University's 1,441-acre campus and is the first building constructed as part of the proposed Oakland University Health Quadrant. The primary function of this building is to educate future healthcare providers and promote patient-centered care delivered by the healthcare profession. The design of the Human Health Building anticipates further collaboration between disciplines and provides state of the art simulation lab space, team-based instructional labs, interactive classrooms and informal collaborative spaces.  Elevation 03  Elevation 02 The Human Health Building features a variety of learning spaces including physical therapy clinics, clinical laboratories, distance learning, a public clinic, classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty and administration space. The facility includes amenities and technologies which replicate those found in hospitals and community health centers.  © Jeff Amram The design of the building employs stacked double-bar shaped planning modules on the 4th and 5th floors containing classrooms and laboratories. These east/west program bars are designed 40' and 30' wide respectively as column free space, intended to provide for long term flexibility as programs are modified and need changes.  © Prakash Patel Outside, the plan is ordered in an east/west direction to take advantage of the solar orientation and the sloping hillside. A grand porch created by the overhang of the upper floors protects faculty offices from the solar heat gain of a southern exposure. Exterior offices are outfitted with vertical sunshades and fritted glass to reduce glare. Inside the building, an elongated floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows allows for abundant access to natural light and views of outdoor spaces.  First floor plan  Second floor plan  Third floor plan  Fourth floor plan Central to the program bars and the idea of community are the Student Living Rooms. Located on the fourth level these two-story spaces are centralized living rooms designed to promote a social attitude. Clerestory daylighting and a plethora of materials and textures create a place for relaxing between classes and encourage students of both programs to mingle.  © Prakash Patel Oakland University was committed to providing a facility on campus to showcase both human and environmental wellness. The building's placement respects the natural site surroundings including a landmark oak tree, which is a focal point for the health campus. The southern façade bends around the tree, paying homage to its prominence on campus.  © Prakash Patel A natural terracotta facade clads the student spaces on the upper floors and floats above a mid-tone gray brick base separated by a glass curtain wall. The clay materials recognize the original brick campus but are used in a refreshingly new manor.  © Jason Robinson The rich multi-toned terracotta rainscreen has a visual softness of a shingle style home. This notion of creating a "soft" building was derived by the two schools' programs that prepare professionals for the physical care of patients.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 30 Aug 2018 01:00 PM PDT  © Chris Jeffery
 © Chris Jeffery Text description provided by the architects. A modern, light filled extension to the rear of a quaint heritage listed cottage, set in a narrow, leafy suburban laneway. The major driving factor was to replicate the mass and scale of the existing cottage to create the rear living area, with a flat, low scale, minimalist link between the two.  © Chris Jeffery The rear living area opens to high level sky views and a seamless transition between interior and exterior, where the existing yard aspect has been reoriented from west to south. Careful consideration of junctions between existing and new elements has allowed for clear definition yet still creates harmony between modern and heritage aesthetics.  © Chris Jeffery  Plan  © Chris Jeffery  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Lone Tree Wellness Center / Neumann Monson Architects Posted: 30 Aug 2018 12:00 PM PDT  © Integrated Studio
 © Integrated Studio Text description provided by the architects. The Lone Tree Community Wellness Center, located on the town's main thoroughfare, will serve as a gathering place for this town of 1,400 people, not unlike the elm tree for which it is named. As a valuable community resource, the building deepens residents' roots and encourages the town's growth.  © Integrated Studio The project originated with the Lone Tree Community School District's need for a wrestling room and full-sized gym. The wrestling team operated from a poorly-insulated metal building while the basketball team squeezed into an undersized space next door. The Architect had designed school additions for the District twice in the past, so this project continued a well-established relationship.  © Integrated Studio The process gained momentum with the opportunity to address the community's health and wellness goals as well. By partnering, the Community School District and the City raised the necessary funds for the facility, which the school will own and operate for shared use. Including sitework and landscaping, building costs amounted to $127/sf.  Ground Floor Plan  Section Perspective A In the new building, a raised indoor track orbits the wrestling/exercise room's perch overlooking the basketball court. The building's language is clear and direct. Transparent and translucent materials at the street front usher in the town during the day and project users' movement at night. Materiality is minimal and durable, with black-painted steel structuring interconnected, daylit spaces.  © Integrated Studio  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 30 Aug 2018 10:00 AM PDT  © Gabriel Carpes
 © Gabriel Carpes Text description provided by the architects. The conceptualization of the Núcleo space arises from the brainstorm on the theme 'Casa Viva', bringing premises such as exchange, dialogue, coexistence and convergence.
Conceived through curves that embrace and lead visitors, the flowing and at the same time centralizing form integrates harmoniously into the environment. Its sinuosity in two dimensions gains strength and sharpness through its gradation of height in the third dimension and it is along its course that its different uses are developed.  © Gabriel Carpes  Floor Plan  © Gabriel Carpes  Curved Sofa Detail In order to guarantee the protagonism of the central element, a homogeneous surface envelope is created, acting as a second skin, solving both functional and aesthetic demands.
Transcending the physical notion of space, Núcleo is therefore an experience to be lived and shared.
 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 3XN's Arena to Transform UNESCO Heritage Area of Bergen, Norway Posted: 30 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT  © 3XN 3XN has been commissioned to design a new arena and masterplan for central Bergen, Norway. Responding to the city's ambition to revitalize the core of its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scheme will act as an anchor for the development of an entirely new neighborhood connecting the inner city with the waterfront. The scheme is intended as an "urban arena" serving as a destination for concerts, sports, and cultural events in an underutilized central part of the city. The design of the arena will also incorporate a vibrant public district "offering places to live, play, rest, and work."  © 3XN The existing site is characterized by heavy traffic and urban spaces with poor connectivity to the surrounding city. The 3XN strategy seeks to introduce the arena as an "urban driver," acting as a catalyst for a new neighborhood to feature housing, a police school, a hotel, and a cinema.  © 3XN
The scheme forms part of a boarder masterplan aiming to become an "urban connector by stitching the area together with the adjacent districts." A new program of public plazas, vibrant streetscapes, and pockets of city life with seek to breathe new life into the area, but with an architectural language which respects the "unique character of its UNESCO heritage."  © 3XN The project was commissioned by Nygårdstangen Utvikling—a consortium consisting of Olav Thon, EDG Property and Rexir. 3XN Architects developed the scheme in cooperation with GXN and Arup. Click on any of the images above to access the full gallery of 3XN's Bergen arena. News via: 3XN  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Colinas del Sol Park / Francisco Pardo Arquitecto Posted: 30 Aug 2018 08:00 AM PDT  © Jaime Navarro
 © Jaime Navarro  © Jaime Navarro Text description provided by the architects. The Colinas del Sol Park was commissioned by CIDS and INFONAVIT — the main Mexican Housing Institutions reshaping Mexico’s mortgage market and promoting sustainable housing development — Parque Colinas del Sol is part of a wider program rethinking public space to revert the poor conditions of social housing over the last 30 years and heal the scars of abandoned properties and social segregation that affect the urban outskirts of the country.  © Jaime Navarro  Site Plan  © Jaime Navarro  Bump Plan Parque Colinas del Sol consists of the revitalization of the plazas and parks pertaining to the Unidad Habitacional de Colinas del Sol in Almoloya de Juárez. In order to optimize the two-hectare area, the site has been divided into different thematic areas — from the playground to the meditation spot, the skate ramp and football court to the pavilion for public events, enabling spontaneous and effective architectural interventions.  © Jaime Navarro  Isometric A partially contaminated water stream has been transformed into a river allowing a slow drop watering system for vegetation and articulating the different sections of the park, which have been designed according to the activity and the users’ age, to foster family gatherings and the integration of the community.  © Jaime Navarro  © Jaime Navarro Although they have been designed according to specific natural and social conditions, both projects feature common elements, thus ensuring harmony among the built and natural environments that can be repeated or integrated into a system that is potentially applicable to any other context. One is the floor cement block, which can be easily adapted to any layout, be it natural or artificial. The creative combination of the blocks and in-situ poured concrete filling, generate new patterns like an urban tapestry. The second is the playground system: the various concrete walls and metal bars can be arranged in multiple configurations, thereby constituting different spaces that are suitable for all uses and users. More than just oases to help citizens reconnect with nature, the parks are tools for engagement and environmentalism. Through the transformation of suburban areas into green recreational spaces embedded in the city fabric, Parque Colinas del Sol and Parque Héroes are fast becoming a beloved urban spot for residents.  © Jaime Navarro  © Jaime Navarro  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| BIG's Giant Reflective ORB Takes Shape at Burning Man Posted: 30 Aug 2018 07:00 AM PDT  ORB. Image © Kai-Uwe Bergmann Bjarke Ingels Group has built an 80-foot-diameter ORB at the 2018 Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada. The ORB was designed as an inflated spherical mirror with a steel mast. A series of photos have captured the ORB from both Burning Man festival goers and BIG partner Kai-Uwe Bergmann. As a landmark in The Playa, the ORB conceptually references mother earth and human expression, designed to leave no trace following its deflation. Scaled at 1/500,000th of the earth's surface, the reflective sphere sits "at the axis of art & utility, capturing the entire Black Rock City in an airborne temporal monument that mirrors the Burning Man experience to the Burners as single beings in the midst of an intentional community." Bjarke Ingels and Jakob Lange intended the giant sphere to act as a guiding landmark for festival-goers, and the two set up an Indiegogo campaign back in July to raise the remaining funding for the installation. Though short of its goal, the campaign is still live, and the ORB has already underwent construction. The Burning Man Festival 2018 is now underway in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada until September 3rd.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mamaroneck House / SPG Architects Posted: 30 Aug 2018 06:00 AM PDT  © Peter Murdock
 © Peter Murdock Text description provided by the architects. Sitting on a scenic lot of about 1 acre in a wooded neighborhood outside NYC, this single-family house consists of 5500 SF of a primary living area, plus a fully finished basement and a three-car garage. The program consists of a large eat-in kitchen, formal dining and living rooms, a media room, a study, a large master suite, three children's bedrooms, a family room, and a guest bedroom. The 3000 SF conditioned basement compliments the primary living spaces, incorporating an expansive children's play area, a media center, and a small gym.  © Peter Murdock  First Floor Plan  © Peter Murdock The house addresses the suburban setting in a thoughtful manner. The distinctive public facade is shaped by tightly configured circulation zones, which run parallel to the street and are defined by a series of planar façade manipulations. The street facade presents itself frontally to the street but addresses entry from the driveway with a dynamic canopy that provides shelter from the previously paved parking area.  South Section While the entry façade is planar in nature, the rear façade is animated with a more dynamic relationship between indoor and outdoor living areas. This side of the house is defined by a double-volume transparent cube and several more solid volumes which provide a more ambiguous relationship between indoors and out. A free-standing outdoor dining pavilion further blurs this distinction.  © Peter Murdock The rear terrace extends the occupancy of the house beyond the home's interior to the site at large. The property is unified from front to rear through a clearly defined axis that runs perpendicular to the entry façade and runs from the street to rear of the property, linking the house and its site from front to back. Just as the envelope of the house is expressed with great intention in order to unify the spatial sequences of indoors and outdoor spaces, the horizontal planes that define the roof and floors are purposefully punctuated with openings to unite the house from top to bottom.  © Peter Murdock The roofline of the entry sequence is separated slightly from the front façade, helping to modulate the front plane of the house with shadow and unexpected light, while a cutout in the roof-plane provides a glimpse of the sky above. Similarly, the interior open stair, which is capped by a large skylight, pierces the interior of the house with a three-story space that brings natural light into the center of the house. The dynamism of the stair is increased by the quality of light that changes over the course of the day and the year.  © Peter Murdock The complex spatial relationships between adjacent living areas are rendered in a more minimal architectural vocabulary and palette, expressed in stucco, wood screens & cladding, stainless steel rods, and window planes and cut-outs that define the volumes. Walnut floors and porcelain tiles in variations of grey define the ground planes. Natural light and shadow are purposefully manipulated with the large planar openings, while the exterior façade is dappled and softened by tree-filtered daylight.  © Peter Murdock  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| World's Longest Prestressed Concrete Bridge Nears Completion over Panama Canal Posted: 30 Aug 2018 05:00 AM PDT  © Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP) The Panama Canal is to soon celebrate another milestone in its long history, with the imminent completion of the what will be the longest concrete four-lane cable-stayed structure in the world. With a 1750-foot (530-meter) central span, the Atlantic Bridge will connect the banks of the canal's Atlantic Ocean entrance when it opens in early 2019. Construction of the bridge began in 2013, in an effort to connect the seaport of Colon to communities west of the Canal. The bride was designed by the China Communication Construction Company consisting of HPDI and Louis Berger Group.  © Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP) Given its position at the Atlantic entrance to one of the world's most crucial shipping routes, the bridge has been designed with a 250-foot (75-meter) clearance to allow Neopanamax containerships to pass underneath. Above, a four-lane passing for cars, pedestrians, and bicycles will be supported by double-plane cables anchored to two delta-shaped main pylons reaching 695 feet (212.5) meters in height.  © Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP) The bridge has been constructed using reinforced concrete, departing from the typical steel construction technique used in modern bridges of this scale. The material was chosen due to its resilience in the region's highly corrosive environment.  © Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP) When completed, the Atlantic Bridge will be the third bridge over the Panama Canal after the Bridge of the Americas and the Centennial Bridge, both of which are on the Pacific side of the canal.
Click on any of the images above to access the full gallery of the Atlantic Bridge nearing completion. News via: Panama Canal Authority  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Rogers Place and the ICE District / HOK Posted: 30 Aug 2018 04:00 AM PDT  © Michael Robinson
 © Michael Robinson Text description provided by the architects. Rogers Place and the ICE District meld an iconic architectural design and new development with Edmonton's well-established commercial and residential neighborhoods. The arena and district represent a significant reinvestment in the city fabric by the Oilers Entertainment Group.  © Michael Robinson One of the primary project challenges was connecting the arena to the ICE District and Edmonton's downtown. The design and planning team proposed extending the arena's footprint over the main thoroughfare—104 Avenue—to connect the two parcels of land identified for development. This elevated, multipurpose entryway, dubbed Ford Hall, is enhanced by street-level commercial development.  © Michael Robinson  Concept Sketch  © Michael Robinson The curvilinear covered extension creates bold connectivity, a physical presence and a distinctive brand identity that reinforces the street grid and activates Rogers Place and the ICE District year-round. The pliable, unpainted stainless-steel cladding provides a dynamic and sleek backdrop for the events happening inside.  © Michael Robinson The ICE District is in the process of becoming a lively mixed-use development spanning 25 acres. The district includes a community rink, private development, office development, residential units and parking spaces, as well as a connection to an existing light-rail system.  © Michael Robinson The arena design creates a premium experience for every guest. Seating options include 3,100 club seats, 900 PCL Loge seats, 500 drink rail seats, 300 ozone club seats, 57 Scotiabank executive suites, 24 theater boxes, three clubs, two club lounges and Curve, a full-service restaurant. The arena features the NHL's largest high-definition scoreboard, at 46-by-46 feet, as well as more than 1,200 HDTVs.  © Michael Robinson  Section  © Michael Robinson As Canada's first LEED Silver-certified NHL arena and the second in North America, the facility is designed to use 37 percent less water and 14 percent less energy than conventionally design venues.  © Michael Robinson The fan-oriented arena and adjacent ICE District are expected to invigorate the urban core and catalyze additional downtown development while extending Edmonton's existing footprint and communicating its civic character.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| High Speed Rail in the US: Myth or Near-Future Possibility? Posted: 30 Aug 2018 02:30 AM PDT  Courtesy of Flickr user Andrew Stawarz. ImageKing's Cross Station Concourse / John McAslan + Partners In Europe, Asia and much of the developed world, high speed rail is convenient and accessible. Whether for business or pleasure, travelers are served by an efficient and extensive rail network that connects passengers to the desired destination on time and with relatively little effort. Although these train systems can travel as fast as 350 kilometers per hour, speed is not the only important factor. Rail stations in Europe, for example, are an integral part of the historic urban fabric. These facilities are often perceived as civic destinations that play a fundamental role in the mobility system, providing a wide range of services for the larger collective; shopping, entertainment, commercial and civic uses are often paired with transit services as new stations are built and historic stations are retrofitted. But as California and Texas embark on the development of high speed rail, how can urban planners and designers ensure the success of such systems in the US? When planning for high speed rail in the US, many of the local community members and stakeholder groups that we engage in our design process understand the efficiency, comfort and overall benefits of high speed rail especially as it functions in Europe. However, the American landscape is quite different, and one recurring question we are asked is: "How do we make it work here?" While there are many lessons we can learn from Europe, the unique culture, history and physical attributes of US cities require tailored strategies. Here are three to consider: Establish a destination Sacramento Valleys Station Master Plan. Image Courtesy of Perkins + Will Before even designing the station, it is important to first plan for its context. While high speed rail stations all across Europe are, for the vast majority, at the heart of vibrant cities, in the US this is rarely the case. The high cost of infrastructure and the impact on private properties often pushes stations towards the outskirts of downtown and in some cases at the edge of the city limits. Even when the station is located within downtown the lack of a supportive mix of uses and population densities frequently undermines the potential of rail interventions. Highly efficient, long-range rail connectivity is a critical asset and a catalyst for sustainable urban development that can positively contribute to local economic growth. High speed rail provides an opportunity to rethink the urban environment of many American cities as well as a chance to introduce new urban spaces that are centered on people, not cars. The design for Perkins + Will's Sacramento Valley Station aims to establish not only a functional and performing transit facility but a true gateway for the city as a whole. The new station area is designed to overcome the physical barriers surrounding the site such as the existing rail alignment to the north, the I-5 viaduct, and the 5th street overpass, and ultimately showcase the city's culture and identity. By incorporating restaurants, art, and public gathering spaces into the design of the new station, we are able to overcome the physical barriers and bring people together. A new system of open spaces and the extension of the existing street grids provide greater access to the site, the Old Sacramento historic district, the American River and trails. The proposed station layout acts as a bridge straddling the existing rail alignment connecting the historic Sacramento Valley Station to the Railyards Central Shops. A well programmed public realm and the strategic adaptive reuse of historic structures provide opportunities for community gatherings as restaurants, cafes, art galleries, farmers markets, etc. delivering a distinct sense of place that supports and celebrates the station as a new welcoming civic destination. The master plan introduces a carefully balanced mix of uses such as jobs, housing, local and regional amenities that will leverage the proximity to transit and support a safe and engaging urban environment. This framework is instrumental in attracting new development both within and beyond the station area. Attract an Audience BART Station Experience Design Guidelines. Image Courtesy of Perkins + Will Today, US rail services compete with other modes of transportation that Americans are much more accustomed to using. Cars and airplanes play an undisputed role in the American mobility system. In order to make existing and future rail services successful, it is important to not only ensure efficiency, but also make rail travel appealing. As consumers are presented with the latest model, car commercials briefly describe specifications and performance; what they are really sold on is a distinctive experience. Similarly, when planning for high speed rail, experience must be at the center of the design process. Urban planners and designers are tasked with making sure that the journey from origin to destination is efficient, convenient, and most of all pleasant. In order to create a competitive transit service that can break into a car-dominated US market, we must work to establish an appealing user experience that does not end at the station front door. A cross-disciplinary approach is needed in order to deliver a project that successfully addresses each stage of the customer journey. This method leads to a design that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor, letting elements such as mobility, public realm, active ground floor uses, identity, and wayfinding seamlessly extends into a continuous ground plane of activities serving the station and its surroundings. Setting clear experience design guidelines is a fundamental step towards achieving this goal and transit authorities, such as BART, are incorporating this approach more frequently. Provide a Network Confidential US High-Speed Rail Station Area Plan. Image Courtesy of Perkins + Will Ultimately, a rail station primarily requires strong mobility. As we step off the train in some of the most successful stations in Europe, we are immediately connected to a range of mobility options that will easily bring us to our final destination. High speed rail relies on the ability to effortlessly transition from regional to local transit, minimizing the need for private vehicles in order to cover the first and last segment of the journey. The lack of a mature local transit network and a prevailing car-centered culture are some of the main challenges of implementing rail infrastructure in the US. When planning for it, we need to ensure that all local transit services are integrated into the station area, minimizing conflicting options and prioritizing space-efficient modes of transportation such as walking and biking. Today, the US is at the epicenter of a mobility revolution. Transportation network technologies, such as Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing platforms are radically disrupting the way we move and, if well regulated, they have the potential to solve endemic challenges of many communities across America. With this in mind, high speed rail stations should be elevated to multimodal transit hubs, capable of serving a fast-changing mobility ecosystem. Stations in the US can - and should - be new landmark destinations for commuters, visitors and local communities alike, placed at the core of successful, vibrant mixed-use urban environments that strategically leverage access to transit. Luca Giaramidaro is an associate and urban designer at Perkins+Will, providing design, planning and programmatic services for a diverse range of projects, including transit stations, large-scale mixed use, infill and brownfield urban development, mixed use regeneration and transportation enhancement. Luca works in California, throughout the U.S. and internationally, including Asia, South America and the Middle East.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Joazeiro House / Cupertino Arquitetura Posted: 30 Aug 2018 02:00 AM PDT  © Maíra Acayaba
 © Maíra Acayaba Text description provided by the architects. The house is located in an old neighbourhood where buildings are more than 40 years old. The particular conditions of the site and the building regulations led to an atypical organization of the program, with the house facing the back of the lot and well below the level of its neighbors.  © Maíra Acayaba The land is 50 meters from an important avenue of São Paulo but at a higher elevation and on the opposite side there is a preserved green area. This makes that despite the central and urban situation of the lot appear to be inserted in a green area.  © Maíra Acayaba  Section  © Maíra Acayaba Thus the program's organization was reversed with the rooms on the street level and the social areas one level below. The ground floor program places the kitchen and dining room, rather than the living room, in contact with the garden. The social life of the owners often develops around food and therefore this arrangement allows everyone to gather in the same space.  © Maíra Acayaba  First Floor Plan  © Maíra Acayaba Current legislation, unlike the neighboring houses that were executed at 40 years, requires that the maximum height of the construction relates to the slope of the ground. The new construction, therefore, lies far below the neighbors and special care has been taken for the sunlight to reach the lower level. For this we developed the program of the rooms in two volumes separated by a void with total transparency so that the light penetrated the house.  © Maíra Acayaba The initial idea was to develop a rain-screen cladding with laser-cut designs on a metal sheets creating a shading element for a glass building envelop. But the first tests showed difficulties with suppliers and we decided to develop the same concept with a traditional technique. We created a regular pattern on ordinary clay brick, almost a texture, and worked inside this matrix to create opaque or transparent zones according to the internal program. This allowed us to reconcile the entrance of light and open visual lines without the loss of privacy.  © Maíra Acayaba  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Could You Live in 15 Square Meters of Space? SUMATORIA's 'Tiny Home' May Make You Think Twice Posted: 30 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT .jpg?1534865234 "Cortesía de Sumatoria") Cortesía de Sumatoria Casa FOA is one of the most important exhibitions for architecture, interior design, landscaping, and industry in Latin America. Chilean architects SUMATORIA were selected to represent their country in the 'Emerging Design of Miniature Housing,' or the Tiny Home, a living space of only 15 square meters (equivalent to the size of a container module).  Cortesía de Sumatoria SUMATORIA proposed a living solution based on digital transformation and increasing urbanization. The solution starts with an efficient, scalable, and easy-to-implement design for primary residences, secondary residences, or even a hotel project, where demand for comfort and durability plays out in a reduced space. The scalability and efficiency of the design works under the 'Plug and Play' concept, which permits serial construction, and makes for reduced building time and costs, as well as easy implementation.  Planta. Image Cortesía de Sumatoria  Cortesía de Sumatoria In this 15 square meter (250 x 600 cm) structure, basic needs for a living space are fulfilled. The space is flexible and can play the role of a dual kitchen and living room, bathroom, and bedroom. The dimensions are defined, yet structured in a manner that allows the inhabitant to make use of every centimeter of space without feeling claustrophobic. This is achieved with the installment of mirrors that create the illusion of a larger space.  Cortesía de Sumatoria  Axonométrica. Image Cortesía de Sumatoria The kitchen/living area is outfitted with an appliance that serves as a two-burner stove, a combo oven (that fulfills the role of a conventional oven and a microwave) and a refrigerator located beneath the dishwasher. In front of the 'kitchen,' there is a living area with a table. The restroom is located between the living room/kitchen and bedroom; it also serves as a mediator between the two spaces. The space is fitted with a light shaft that serves as both ventilation and an entry point for natural light, giving the bathroom an element of vertical spaciousness. The shower is located on the other end of the bathroom and is outfitted with two workable glass doors that can be extended to form the shower, or a way to conceal the wash area when not in use. The bedroom hosts a full-size bed, while under the mattress are 6 suitcase-sized compartments that serve as a closet. At the back of the bed, there are reading lamps and USB outlets with a shelf that also serves as a nightstand. .jpg?1534865165 "Cortesía de Sumatoria") Cortesía de Sumatoria Everything in the Tiny House fulfills sustainability criteria, from the reuse of grey water to the possibility of installing solar panels, and even insulation materials. The project was awarded the Casa FOA prize for 'Best Transformation of a Space' and 'Best Application of ROCA' which are distributed in Chile by CHC.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from ArchDaily. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar