One of the architectural proposals for the volume of the building is to maintain a direct visual relationship with the outside through a metal lattice that covers most of the façade, and integrates advertising volumes in the large loose truss.

Entorno AID

+ Project description courtesy of Entorno AID

AutoSura Bogotá, image courtesy of Entorno AID

The Service Center seeks to meet the needs of policyholders and clients in general, regarding basic procedures for preventive and corrective maintenance of the car.

The project is located on Avenida 19 # 139, Bogota, Colombia has its principal address facing the Avenida which makes an impact in the project’s volumetric development. The building is set in a high volume of triple and a double skin bioclimatic using concepts that can optimize the natural light, ventilation and thermal comfort.

AutoSura Bogotá, image courtesy of Entorno AID

One of the architectural proposals for the volume of the building is to maintain a direct visual relationship with the outside through a metal lattice that covers most of the façade, and integrates advertising volumes in the large loose truss.

On the first floor, the Client’s Reception Entry is located in a glass box that allows a visual connection with the Vehicle’s Technical Inspection area (-Dynamometer- Test Tracks). It is situated in a perimeter, like a parking area, outside the building with a direct and independent entrance and exit of vehicles.

AutoSura Bogotá, image courtesy of Entorno AID

The second floor is divided in the Employee Area and the Customer Zone which functions independently. The Customer Zone has a reception, a Waiting Room, and the offices for the claim of insurances, and a cafeteria for clients.

In the third floor there is the Technical Area of the building arranged in one volume.

AutoSura Bogotá - Ground floor plan, drawing courtesy of Entorno AID

AutoSura Bogotá - 1st floor plan, drawing courtesy of Entorno AID

AutoSura Bogotá - Front elevation, drawing courtesy of Entorno AID

+ About

Entorno AID Ltda. is a company specialized in the Urban and Architectural design. It is formed by a group of four designers whose strength is based in the fusion between the image and the contemporary design applied to Architecture. Dedicated to evolve this premise in the development of each design, we have created a working group whose main objective is the sum of creativity and collective efforts. Within our work dynamics we use technological tools that merge with elements of art like Bioclimatic and the awareness of the urban environment. The final product is an integral aesthetic, functional and environmentally friendly concept. Our premise is to build a more dignified and fair city.

+ Project credits / data

Architect: Entorno AID
Project: AutoSura Bogotá
Location: Avenida 19 # 139, Bogota, Colombia

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Entorno AID

+ Description courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune

In Sweden, as in many other countries, much of the market for new private houses is provided for by kit house manufacturers. In their catalogues you can pick your house from a selection of styles and sizes to put on your lot. The advantage is that the price is more or less fixed and that the construction process is handled by the company.

Folded Roof House, image courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune | Photo © Åke E:son Lindman

Unfortunately, these houses carry little or no architectural ambition, as they are often designed by company engineers or sales people. The idea behind the new company, Arkitekthus, is to provide kit houses designed by leading architects at prices competitive with these other manufacturers.

Folded Roof House, image courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune | © Louise Billgert

Folded Roof house is our second house for Swedish kit house manufacturer Arkitekthus. It is a one-storey house with an asymmetric folded roof plane. The floor plan provides for separation between private bedrooms and a communal kitchen and living room. The bedrooms are positioned at the gable ends and the living room is between, with an open main façade.

Folded Roof House, image courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune | © Louise Billgert

The openings are fully glazed and inset into the house volume so that roof-covered terrace spaces serve as continuations of the interior. Another important visual feature is the framing of these insets by the thin wall and roof edges. This was possible because no insulation is needed in the sections located outside of the actual house.

For the site on Muskö island the separate guest house and sauna buildings were specifically designed for the client.

Folded Roof House - Floor plan, drawing courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune

Folded Roof House - Elevation, drawing courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune

Folded Roof House - Elevation, drawing courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune

+ Project credits / data

Architect: Claesson Koivisto Rune
Project: Folded Roof house
Location: Muskö, Haninge, Sweden
Client: Arkitekthus AB
Design: 2006
Construction: 2008–2009
Project team: Mårten Claesson, Eero Koivisto, Ola Rune, Deta Gemzell
Structure/Materials: wooden structure and facade
Total floor area: 140 m2
Photo: © Louise Billgert and Åke E:son Lindman

+ All image courtesy of Claesson Koivisto Rune | Photo by Åke E:son Lindman / Louise Billgert

Rain Collector Skyscraper - Diagram, drawing courtesy of Ryszard Rychlicki + Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR

Polish 4th year students of architecture Academy of Fine Arts, Ryszard Rychlicki and Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR received a special mention for their proposal in the 2010 skyscraper competition – Rain Collector Skyscraper. The proposal understands the water consumption of its inhabitants in US, it aims to capture rainwater as much as possible through the innovative roof and external shell design.

+ Project description courtesy of Ryszard Rychlicki + Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR

Capture the Rain skyscraper is a building whose roof and external shell ,which consists systems of gutters, are aimed at capturing as much rainfall as possible to meet the daily needs of its inhabitants. Average daily consumption of water per person is 150 liters, out of which 85 liters may be replaced by rain water. Within the last thirty years water consumption has significantly increased.

There are lots of factors that contribute to such an increase such as increasing number washing machines and dish washers, increasing popularity of garden showering devices and flushing toilets. A third of water being used in households in western countries is flushed in toilets. Since 1900 the total water consumption in the US has increased by 1000%. At present, an average American uses five times more water that a citizen of developing countries. Such an increase is related to among others improved living standards.

Rain Collector Skyscraper, rendering courtesy of Ryszard Rychlicki + Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR

On the other hand, a national hobby of the Danes is collecting rain water for washing and watering plants. Within the last ten years average use of pure water in Denmark dropped by 40% and inhabitants of the so called eco-villages use a third part of the national average. In view of these data, we decided to design a tower, whose structure will allow for capturing and processing as much rainfall as possible to provide with water for its inhabitants.

Rain Collector Skyscraper, rendering courtesy of Ryszard Rychlicki + Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR

For millennia plants have been developing systems of capturing and processing rainfall. Such systems helped them to deal with water deficits or surpluses. Similarly, we wanted to copy their simple mechanisms of rainfall capturing and processing. Initially, in designing the tower, we focused at shaping and modeling the surface of the roof to capture as much rainfall as possible.

Rain Collector Skyscraper, rendering courtesy of Ryszard Rychlicki + Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR

Under a roof’s surface, there are water reservoirs in the form of a large funnel and reed fields, which serve as a hydro botanic water treatment unit. The unit processes water into usable water that is further transmitted to apartments. A network of gutters on the external surfaces of the building is designed to capture rainfall flowing down the building. Such flowing rainfall is transmitted to floors and its surplus is stored in a reservoir under the building.

Water captured and processed by the building may be used for flushing toilets, feeding washing machines, watering plants, cleaning floors and other domestic applications. Having analyzed rainfall in several large cities in developed countries, we obtained a formula that shows what percentage of daily pure water consumption may be replaced with rainfall thanks to the technology applied in our building.

+ Project data

Project: Rain Collector Skyscraper
Location: USA
Architect: Ryszard Rychlicki, Agnieszka Nowak of H3AR
Award: Special Mention-2010 Skyscraper Competition eVolo

+ All images and drawings courtesy of H3AR

Watertower, image courtesy of Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

Watertower - Section, drawing courtesy of Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

Hugon Kowalski of H3AR recently designed the Watertower which was inspired by a water tower and also by the symbol of the African savanna – the baobab. This proposal is part of the 2010 skyscraper competition hosted by evolo magazine.

+ Project description courtesy of Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

This is a special year for Africa. it’s been 50 years since UN Declaration about the independence of African nations which was the end of the colonization and exploitation of the third world countries. Year 1960 was called Year of Africa.

Watertower, image courtesy of Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

The conflict over water and land in Sudan has created political unrest for decades. However, in 2007, scientists from Boston university discovered and underground lake in the region of darfur, Sudan. this lake is tenth biggest lake in the world (31, 000 m2) and would have great potential in resolving the conflict if managed correctly.

Addressing this water issue, polish firm H3AR architect and design recently proposed a building that allows access to underground waters through the application of water pumps.

Watertower, image courtesy of Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

The form of the building was inspired by a water tower and also by the symbol of the African savanna – the baobab. the building houses water pumps, a treatment plant but also a hospital, a school and a food storage center. This building is meant to provoke economical development but also stimulate cultural exchange and the coexistence of the three different religions and languages in sudan.

The design proposal was part of the 2010 skyscraper competition hosted by evolo magazine the building walls are constructed using compressed dry stacked clay bricks, made on site using a rough mixture of earth, cement and water. the bricks would be baked in the hot sun, thus, requiring no extra energy and limiting the environmental impact of the materials.

The choice of using this technology represents the desire to introduce alternative and sustainable technologies within a context that is tied to stardardized though not always optimal building practice.

Two water circulation processes would be in place. first set of extracted water is meant to heat or cool the building, and is accessible to the users. second, set of extracted water is used for the building itself (i.e. kitchen, toilets).

+ Project data

Project: Watertower
Location: Africa
Architect: Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

+ All images and drawings courtesy of H3AR

Our intention was to create an “Inside is outside is inside” environment, where inside and outside spaces were interchangeable elements.

Architects Eat

ELM & Willow House, image courtesy of Architects Eat

+ Project description courtesy of Architects Eat

This project involves restoration and alteration to the existing Edwardian house, and the demolition and construction at the rear for a new addition. The transparency and openness of the new part is a deliberate counterpoint to the introverted Edwardian house with its dark central corridor. Our intention was to create an “Inside is outside is inside” environment, where inside and outside spaces were interchangeable elements. The project evokes a certain reference to the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe, and many courtyard houses in Melbourne by McGlashan and Everist.

ELM & Willow House, image courtesy of Architects Eat

The two mature Elm and Willow became the constraints to the project. They informed the arrangement of our new addition, and together with passive solar orientation the result is a U-shaped plan enclosing a north-facing courtyard.

ELM & Willow House, image courtesy of Architects Eat

The structure is suspended over the ground to avoid damaging the critical root zones of the two trees. The concrete floor and roof slabs are meticulously detailed, with significant input from our structural engineer, to appear and feel light, floaty and airy, a dialectic relationship between weight and material. This quality is enhanced by a skeletal structure of “skin and bones”, in which the non load-bearing glass sliding windows become a mere breathing skin between occupants and the outside world.

ELM & Willow House, image courtesy of Architects Eat

Internal planning strategies were devoted to the spatial hierarchy, in an interplay of inner and outer, and sequence of spaces. The link between the old and new is merged into the layering of spaces where inside and outside becomes one – the transparency of the borders separating interior and exterior allows the eye to perceive other elements that create the spatial order: fences, trees, stones, woods, clouds and borrowed landscape.

ELM & Willow House, image courtesy of Architects Eat

The addition has a passive ventilation system, whereby louver windows promote cross ventilation. The building materials specified are non-toxic and from renewable resources. The concrete structure provides thermal masses to the house with the slabs further insulated to minimise heat loss. All glazing are double-glazed to provide comfort to the interior, and the deciduous trees provide essential shading to the house during summer. Energy and water-saving fittings have been used throughout, and rain water is harvested for use in the gardens. A new carport with grid-connect solar power panels is in the design process.

It was a total of 3 years from the first meeting with the clients to the day they moved back into the house, during which the construction took 18 months, the client found passions in designing his gardens and their first child was born. It is a house for enjoyment, living in landscape with the family, and appreciation of tranquillity, intimacy and sanctuary – which were our original brief.

ELM & Willow House - Floor Plan, drawing courtesy of Architects Eat

ELM & Willow House - Elevation, drawing courtesy of Architects Eat

+ Project credits / data

Project: ELM & Willow House
Architects: Architects EAT
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Project Team: Albert Mo, James Coombe, Eid Goh
Structural Engineer: R. Bliem & Associates
Building Surveyor: Building Strategies
Builder: Sargant Construction
Landscaper: Heath Landscape
Project Area: 278 sqm
Project Year: 2007-2009
Construction Year: 2008-2009
Photographs: Earl Carter & James Coombe (j.a.coombe@gmail.com)

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Architects Eat

GESTERBINE / gesture + water + turbine / The anti-steppisation device.

Problem The main reason of steppisation in Greater Poland

(Wielkopolska) is the specific location – the area between oceanic and continental climates characterized by a small amount of precipitation (even less than 500 mm a year, the country’s average of 600 mm), while high evaporation (the difference between rainfall and run-off, on average 400-450 mm per year). It’s also affected by high permeability of the soil in the central part of the Warta River bed.

The other reason of steppisation is decreasing area of forests in the last century due to agricultural needs. As a result of new field division a lot of ponds and swamps surrounded by green oasis disappeared. In addition Warta river due to the inland navigation has been drastically regulated – (straightened) – which shortened the river bed over 100 km – this means that water flows faster through the land and the hydration is smaller. This tendency has quickly lead to lowering of ground water level so important for water circulation in nature.

GESTERBINE / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010, courtesy of mode:lina

GESTERBINE / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010, courtesy of mode:lina

Resources

In terms of wind energy resources Wielkopolska is classified as “very good” due to high average wind speed and good topographical conditions – mainly flatlands.

Conclusions

During the day, when there is a high electricity demand, GESTERBINE looks like typical power plant supplying average households, farms, small offices etc. During the night, when the demand for electricity is rather low, GESTERBINE works as a self- sufficient water pump which transports river water into the land.

This water if further used to support or even create small retention water reservoirs across the land. This action should go along with planting new trees to keep the surface water as long as possible within the land in order to raise ground water mirror.

GESTERBINE / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010, courtesy of mode:lina

Form

Relationship between energy resources and height above the ground level is directly proportional: for distance 10m above the ground 73 W/m2, 40m above the ground 198 W/m2. That is the main reason to use a skyscraper as a platform for wind turbines plant.

Instead of using one huge windmill,a vast number of smaller turbines was chosen, to get the ability to make them work separately – when one turbine get broken the energy flow is kept thanks to others.

GESTERBINE / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010, courtesy of mode:lina

Human energy into energy for humanity. The form is an effect of experiments on human gesture kinetics. The idea is to transpose human body kinetic energy into vectors. These vectors are used afterwards to build an energy producing skyscraper.

Chosen method of human gesture research: human body tangled in LED lights and camera set on long exposure in the darkroom and experiments in 3D using cardboard models out of vectorized photos.

Posters for eVolo 2010 Skyscraper Competition:

GESTERBINE / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010, courtesy of mode:lina

GESTERBINE / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010, courtesy of mode:lina

Modern Bainbridge Island Home

Stunningly Modern Bainbridge Island Home

The clean modern lines of this newly constructed waterfront home are a rare and perfect match for the person looking for simplicity and a zen-like quality in a home. Striking and progressive materials are utilized throughout in this smart and edgy design. Featured in a recent Seattle AIA exhibition, the architect/builder has been recognized as one of the top twelve firms that will shape the future of Seattle architecture with their forward thinking.

Modern Bainbridge Island Home

The home’s exterior is comprised of clear tongue-and-groove cedar that is vertically mounted to the roofline and a rainscreen siding system made of Cembonit panels. The Cembonit panels shield a waterproof membrane that allows an exchange of inside and outside air. The purpose is to create a healthier interior air quality by allowing the home to breath while still providing insulation.

Modern Bainbridge Island Home

As you turn the corner to the great room, you are greeted with an overwhelming view through a dramatic wall of windows reaching clear to the ceiling and seemingly bringing nature directly into the living space. The architect designed the ceiling and outdoor soffit as one continuous line so as not to distract the eye from the immensity of the clouds, water & greenery. Between windows, a sleek, tall column houses a two-sided, see-through propane fireplace that provides definition of living spaces, but does not distract from the view. Sliding doors open to one of three ironwood decks.

Modern Bainbridge Island Home

The home is sited on approximately ½ acre and offers nearly 90 feet of sandy waterfront that is an accessible setting for swimming, kayaking and long walks on the beach. Yet, the home is located only minutes from the Bainbridge Island-Seattle ferry in a quiet, cul-de-sac neighborhood.

Modern Bainbridge Island Home - Ground floor plan

For more information about the green architecture visit: www.bainbridgeislandmodernhome.com

+ All images and drawings courtesy of www.bainbridgeislandmodernhome.com

The F club, image courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

The F club, image courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

Italian studio PROGETTOSPORE has designed The [F] club located in LIDO DI CAMAIORE [LU] Italy.

The plan’s aim is to build a structure which answers the needs of a beach Club and at the same time is not a visual barrier but a frame between people who walk along the shore and the seaside.

The choice of the materials included wood, brick, glass and hemp, which have a lower environmental impact because of their physical and production characteristics.

+ Project credits / data

Project: The [F] club
Location: LIDO DI CAMAIORE [LU] Italy
Year: 2007-2009
Architectural plan: PROGETTOSPORE
Buyer: Assonautica
Graphics: werkdesign

+ All images and drawings courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

Over the years, the problems included corrosion of the building’s exposed steel frame, failure of the lobby glazing system and extensive cracking and discoloration of the travertine plaza. The restoration included recoating the steel frame facade and cleaning the original aluminum windows. In addition, new sandblasted glass in the lobby recreated the soft, velvety glow of the original. Finally, the plaza was rebuilt by replacing the original travertine slabs and recreating the original plaza lighting scheme.

One of the things I’ve learned from restoring these buildings is that, for Mies, there was never a final answer… He was always interested in what else could happen, what the other design possibilities might be. What’s fascinating is to watch his thinking evolve over the course of a project. At 860-880, for example, the early sketches show a scalloped exterior with large bay windows. This eventually changes to what is there today. There’s also a continual process of refinement in terms of the massing, the enclosures at the bottom and the way the plazas are laid out.

Krueck

860-880 Lake Shore Drive Restoration by Krueck & Sexton Architects

+ Description courtesy of Chicago Design Bureau

Krueck & Sexton Restores Mies Classic

860-880 Lake Shore Drive redefined highrise living for post-war generation

Architects Krueck & Sexton recently completed restoring one of legendary Modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s most celebrated commissions: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago.

860-880, which was built between 1949 and 1951, consists of two 26-story, exposed steel and glass apartment towers set at right angles on an irregular travertine plaza.

Based on ideas and theories Mies had been perfecting since his earliest days as an independent architect in 1920s Berlin, the buildings redefined highrise living for the post-war generation.

They were the most radical buildings of their time… They’re light and delicate and surprisingly sexy. They also prove that – contrary to what many people believe — it’s not so easy to design a glass box.

Ron Krueck

860-880, which is both a local and national landmark, is located just north of Chicago’s Loop central business district and steps away from Lake Michigan.

Many architects and critics believe 860-880 is the closest Mies ever came to achieving his goal of less is more “skin and bones” architecture.

According to the American Institute of Architects’ “Guide to Chicago,” “No other building(s) by Mies had as immediate or strong an impact on his American contemporaries, and the influence of these structures was to pervade much of modern architecture.”

860-880 Lake Shore Drive Restoration by Krueck & Sexton Architects

There’s not a lot to them… They’re mainly just steel and glass used in the most efficient way possible. By contrast, buildings today often have layer upon layer of materials.

Mark Sexton

In addition to more than half a century of normal wear and tear, the buildings had endured several restoration attempts over the years. The problems included corrosion of the buildings’ exposed steel frame, failure of the lobby glazing system and extensive cracking and discoloration of the travertine plaza.

860-880 Lake Shore Drive Restoration by Krueck & Sexton Architects

There were also aesthetic issues. The original frosted glass in the lobby had been replaced in the early 1980s by a laminate system with a translucent interlayer that created an historically inaccurate aquamarine tint.

The restoration included recoating the steel frame facade and cleaning the original aluminum windows. In addition, new sandblasted glass in the lobby recreated the soft, velvety glow of the original.

Finally, the plaza was rebuilt, a process that included replacing the original travertine slabs, designing a new drainage system and recreating the original plaza lighting scheme.

Designed to take advantage of a 2008 tax credit, the project began in the summer of 2007 and was completed in December. The cost was $9 million.

860-880 is the third and largest Mies commission Krueck &  Sexton, a firm more noted for its original work, has completed in recent years.

The other two – all are in Chicago – are Crown Hall on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.

One of the things I’ve learned from restoring these buildings is that, for Mies, there was never a final answer… He was always interested in what else could happen, what the other design possibilities might be. What’s fascinating is to watch his thinking evolve over the course of a project. At 860-880, for example, the early sketches show a scalloped exterior with large bay windows. This eventually changes to what is there today. There’s also a continual process of refinement in terms of the massing, the enclosures at the bottom and the way the plazas are laid out.

Krueck

+ About Krueck & Sexton Architects

Krueck & Sexton Architects was founded by architects Ronald Krueck and Mark Sexton in 1991 and is a multi-disciplinary firm with a varied portfolio. In addition to its innovative Mid-Century restoration and renovation practice, it has completed numerous award-winning civic, commercial and residential projects. The firm’s Spertus Institute Building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago received three AIA awards in 2008, including a Distinguished Building Award. The firm currently is working on a 25 acre expansion of Grant Park in downtown Chicago, the highlight of which will be a new home – also designed by Krueck & Sexton – for the Chicago Children’s Museum.

+ Project credits / data

Project: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Date:

Original Completion Date: 1951
Restoration Completion Date: 2009

Client / Owner:

860 Lake Shore Drive Trust
880 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago IL 60611
Marc Boxerman, Board Member & President

Building Management :

860 Lake Shore Drive Trust
880 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago IL 60611
Kayla Ehrlich, Building Manager

Owner’s Representative:

Cotter Consulting, Inc.
100 South Wacker Drive
Suite 920
Chicago IL 60604
David Krc, Senior Project Manager

Architect & Prime Consultant:

Krueck & Sexton
221 West Erie Street
Chicago IL 60610
Mark Sexton, Principal in Charge; Ron Krueck, Design Principal; Tim Tracey, Project Architect

Preservation Architect:

Harboe Architects, P.C.
140 S. Dearborn Street
Suite 205
Chicago IL 60603
Gunny Harboe, Principal in Charge; Douglas Gilbert, Preservation Project Architect

Forensic Analysis, Structural Engineering

Wiss Janney Elstner Associates, Inc.
330 Pfingsten Road
Northbrook IL. 60062
Arne Johnson, Principal in Charge & Structural Engineer; Michael Scheffler, PE, Senior Consultant; Ken Itle, Forensic Project Architect

Wiss Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
10 South LaSalle Street
Suite 2600
Chicago IL 60603
Paul Gaudette, Concrete Quality Control; Joshua Freedland, Paint Forensics; Jason Aspin, Roofing

Lighting Consultant:

Schuler Shook
750 North Orleans
Suite 400
Chicago IL 60610
Jim Baney, IALD, LC

Chicago Landmark Review:

City of Chicago
Department of Planning and Development
Landmarks Division
33 North LaSalle Street
Suite 1600
Chicago IL 60602
Dijana Cuvalo, Director of Permit Review

General Contractor:

Bulley & Andrews, LLC
1755 West Armitage Ave
Chicago IL 60622
Paul Hellermann, President
Bruce Wance, Sr. Project Manager

Painting Subcontractor:

National Decorating Service, Inc.
2210 Camden Court
Oak Brook IL 60523

Travertine Supplier / Fabricator:

Mariotti Carlo & Figli S.p.A.
Via Tiburtina 287
00011 Tivoli Terme (Roma) – Italy
Primo Mariotti; Fabrizo Mariotti

Travertine Testing:

Corestone S.r.l
Via Delle Ciocche, 889
55047 Seravezza
Italy
Marc Heinlein

Travertine Installer:

Cleveland Marble Mosaic Company
4595 Hinckley Industrial Parkway
Cleveland OH 44109
Robert Zavagno Jr., President; Daniel Ulmer, Project Manager

Waterproofing Sub-Contractor:

Allied Waterproofing, Inc.
4205 Lawndale Ave.,
Lyons IL 60534-1131
Bill Leonhard

Landscape Contractor:

Landscape Maintenance Kinsella Landscape, Inc.
13821 South Harrison Avenue
Blue Island IL 60406
George Kinsella

Material Testing:

STS
750 Corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
Raul Dilig

Photographer: William Zbaren

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Chicago Design Bureau

The facades overlooking the public space are calm, light and simple, in contrast to the domestic setting of the inside of the block, which is expressed by colours, external extensions, materials greenery and plants climbing the tower’s facades, which the residents are free to add to.

Badia Berger architects

+ Project description courtesy of Badia Berger architects

79 Logements PLUS, image courtesy of Badia Berger architects | Photo by David Boureau

The urban rules applied by Christian de Portzamparc in the Massen a district offer a new kind of freedom.

This freedom would be of no interest if it consisted merely of work on shapes and materials. We have used it to form a new urban landscape which balances the density of the developments with the quality of the housing.

79 Logements PLUS - Site plan, drawing courtesy of Badia Berger architects

The built-up blocks that make up the open lot

This is a high-density block, inserted between two university developments, notably the UFR de Biologie built by Francois Chochon and Laurent Pierre, which are separated from by a narrow, 10m-wide street.

The land coefficient on our plot is 4.8, which is comparable to the land coefficient of 5 that exists in the Opera district, the most densely occupied area in Paris.

The project arranges the built-up blocks into two main entities: a “square”, that uses the lines and angles of the main streets with, as a counterpoint, on the secondary street Elsa Morante, a “tower”, that frees up the land and space, a volume whose contours are dematerialised compare with the UFR de Biologie block.

In order to open up spaces to provide far-reaching views, we are using the maximum heights permitted, while controlling the impact of the shadows created.

The tall spaces are positioned in the angles at 9th floor level, and the “tower” at 11th floor level provides a relationship with that of the UFR: a space with moving contours contrasts with the perfect space opposite.

The volumes were checked at the time of the competition by sunlight studies.

The mass ratios, as with those of the materials and colours, were also regularly checked before and druing construction. For example, to address teh constrast with the UFR, studies were carried out on a mock-up of the whole site on a 1/100 scale.

79 Logements PLUS, image courtesy of Badia Berger architects | Photo by David Boureau

Apartments

Our proposal uses several devices contained in the “oversized mantle” to provide views and quality sunshine for each apartment.

Those located in the square’s podium block have all the usual configurations. However, all the apartments in the tall spaces and the tower automatically benefit from double or even triple aspects. Many have far-reaching views.

This arrangement of angled apartments means they can be close to the built-up blocks. The prospects are calculated on the main views. Only the secondary views open up onto the UFR.

79 Logements PLUS - Typical floor plan, drawing courtesy of Badia Berger architects

The plans were designed to provide a spatial continuity in contact with the facade in the daytime spaces, allowing, for example, for benefiting from continuous sunshine from the South-east to the north-west by connecting the living room, kitchen and dining area.

The quality of the accommodation contributes to the quality of the town; the living environment created offers glimpses of life through the facades and breathes life back in to the public space.

79 Logements PLUS, image courtesy of Badia Berger architects | Photo by David Boureau

Courtyard and private garden

The open lot lets you discover the private garden from the street, set up visual escapes, allow light and sunshine to pass through and to arrange the continuity of planted areas.

The facades overlooking the public space are calm, light and simple, in contrast to the domestic setting of the inside of the block, which is expressed by colours, external extensions, materials greenery and plants climbing the tower’s facades, which the residents are free to add to.

We are trying to get maximum use from the open plot’s private garden, individually and collectively: external home extensions, ground floor garden.

The garden theme inspires the floors and the walls on the ground floor, and back on to the tower’s facades.

The plant-theme inspires the floors and the walls on the ground floor, and back on to tower’s facades.

The plant-themed panels, designed by the painter Elisabeth Guilhem, will be covered with vinces and ivy from flower boxes in which the residents will also be able to plant what they like.

79 Logements PLUS, image courtesy of Badia Berger architects | Photo by Benoit Fougeirol

+ Project credits / data

Project: 79 Logements PLUS
Location: Seine Left Bank Urban Development Zone Paris 13th Arrondissement
Status: Architectural competition September 2003, winning project

Client / Contractor: Paris Habitat

Project management
Architect: Badia Berger
Design and Development: GEC Ingenierie
Lanscape designer: JM Rameau
Surface are: 6,974 m2 TNFA
Cost: €8.66 million excluding tax

Company
Paris Ouest Construction

Materials
Facade: Decorative coating Terrastyl polychrome, Raw concrete finish, Ultra high performance concrete

Joinery
Enamelled aluminum

Flooring
Outside: Serpentino Verde stone
Inside: Polished Serpentino stone (Entrance halls)

Photographers
Benoit Fougeirol, David Boureau

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Badia Berger architects

+ Project description courtesy of spaceworkers

The idea of a vernacular architecture (forgotten) and how it seeks to form a clear speech between the landscape and programmatic needs is something that we always admire.

A very successful example of this discourse, are the structures to support agriculture (normally function barns / granary), which in a more or less random would punctuate the countryside, as blocks of ephemeral appearance that levitated on the ground.

It is precisely this idea of “gravitational lightness” that fascinates us and which is based the concept of this project.

Generally, the proposal make reference to the tripartite elements vernacular, the Base, with a static image of monoblock and megalithic, which contain the functions of a nonpublic space, the open area, where are all the public spaces of the house, and that explores the visual and physical relationship with the outside, and finally the Block “gravity” where private spaces are located.

Project 07CBE, rendering courtesy of Spaceworkers

Project 07CBE, rendering courtesy of Spaceworkers

Project 07CBE - Section 3, drawing courtesy of Spaceworkers

+ Project credits / data

Project Code: 07CBE
Project year: 2007 – Ongoing
Size: 800 m2
Budget: €600 000.00
Adress: Urbanização da Pena – Paredes Portugal
Client: Belmira Eduarda Azevedo
Author: spaceworkers®
Team:
Arquitectos Coordenadores | Principal Architects
Henrique Marques – Arq.to
Rui Dinis – Arq.to
Arquitectos Colaboradores | Architects
José Carlos – Arq.to
Vasco Giesta – Arq.to
Daniel Neto – Arq.to
Sérgio Rocha – Arq.to
Rui Rodrigues – Arq.to
Engineering: Aspp – Engenharia, Lda
Landscape: Joana Neto – Designer Paisagista

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Spaceworkers

+ Project description courtesy of spaceworkers

A simple idea …

A “Shelter” which demonstrates the simplicity of the act of building, looking for an idea of ancestral family life, without wasting domestic duties that lead to the dispersal of several unnecessary compartments.

A relaxed way of living … punctuated by different fragments of landscape explore every moment of the house. A space that is not intended to be the whole story, but the starting point for a interactive narrative between man and the landscape.

A home … to inhabit the landscape …

Project 08CCB, rendering courtesy of Spaceworkers

Project 08CCB, rendering courtesy of Spaceworkers

Project 08CCB - Elevation, drawing courtesy of Spaceworkers

+ Project credits / data

Project Code: 08CCB
Project year: 2008 | Ongoing
Area: 290 m2
Budget: €130 000.00
Address: Carquejal De Baixo – Felgueiras – Portugal
Client: Marcio Daniel e Carla Sofia
Author: spaceworkers®
Team:
Arquitectos Coordenadores | Principal Architects
Henrique Marques – Arq.to
Rui Dinis – Arq.to
Arquitectos Colaboradores | Architects
José Carlos – Arq.to
Vasco Giesta – Arq.to
Daniel Neto – Arq.to
Sérgio Rocha – Arq.to
Rui Rodrigues – Arq.to
Engenearing : AP – Engenharia, Lda
Landscape: Joana Neto – Designer Paisagista

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Spaceworkers

Casa Madrid, image courtesy of A-cero

Spanish architecture firm A-cero recently has completed a house in Madrid, Spain.

+ Project description courtesy of A-cero

The house is located on a 3.500 m2 plot presenting a light slope that is used by the access ramp to the garage. The floor plan has the form of a greek cross, and is delimited by the access pathway and the other properties on both of its sides.

Casa Madrid, image courtesy of A-cero

The design of this 1.200 m2 compact single-family house is guided by two main concepts: a great functionality in the distribution of the interior spaces and their openness to the exterior to make the most of the views. Both ideas are also present in the interior design and in the selection of the construction materials.

Casa Madrid, image courtesy of A-cero

Inside the house, the design follows a functional structure evolving around the hall stairs, an central design element that provokes a surprising visual and spatial effect. Another breathtaking space is the double height volume that contains the living room.

The form has been object of design since the conception of the project, in the same way and degree than any other functional or technical aspect. A clear and smooth composition of shapes, born from the encounter of expressive and massive blocks composing a sculptural group.

Casa Madrid, image courtesy of A-cero

The façade’s geometrical configuration offers inclined walls with clean cuts. The two rectangular intersected bodies surround the cylinder containing the staircase that connects all the house’s areas.

The building is divided in three levels according to the program’s needs. The access is on the ground floor, where all the more public spaces are located: hall, living and dining rooms, office, TV room and kitchen. The living room occupies a double height space open to the exterior views through great glass panes. All the objects that could interfere with the contemplation of the views, like railings or walls, have been suppressed or replaced by transparent elements. The main entrance door is made of a 6 m high glass pane, letting the visitor perceive the interior of the house.

On a lower level are located the technical installation rooms, laundry, indoor swimming pool, games room, wine cellar, garage and a leisure area with a reading space, dining room and TV.

Casa Madrid, image courtesy of A-cero

A staircase with glass railings and a glass corridor that goes through the double height space takes to a studio on the upper level overlooking the living room. Next to this area are the master bedroom, equipped with a walk-in closet and bathroom, and four more bedrooms with bathrooms, organized around a corridor covered with shelves.

The richness of this spatial composition is also apparent in the exterior, and organizes the connection between the house and its surroundings. This dynamical and rich design is also translated to a structural system made only of reinforced concrete walls, avoiding intermediate columns that could alter the space’s scale and cleanliness.

At some point, the structure pierces the façade to form a porch that finishes its composition, protects from the sunlight and creates an interesting play of light and shadow. The house is covered with white travertine, creating a clean and smooth finishing, the porch’s floor and the deck surrounding the pool and jacuzzi are made of ipê wood . The garden on the front of the house is organized in terraces and parterres, forming a decorative outline surrounded by a surface covered with white gravel. Three sculptures are carefully placed in this place, marking the entrance.

The interior of the house follows the same colour scheme and predominance of natural materials. The floors are covered with ceramic tiles and wood on the upper level.

+ Project credits / data

Architect: A-cero
Project: Casa Madrid
Location: Madrid, Spain

+ All images courtesy of A-cero

‘Floating Gardens/SpaWellness Amsterdam‘ is a world first, and from February 20th to May 16th, 2010 on display during the exhibition “Architecture of Consequence’ at the NAi (Netherlands Architecture Institute) Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

+ Press release courtesy of Studio Noach

Floating spa from hamburger clamshells with green walls

Studio Noach founders Kizito Musampa and Michel Kreuger along with architect Anne Holtrop developed a floating spa wellness center based on recycled polystyrene – used styrofoam including hamburger clamshells and coffee cups. The walls and roofs contain a coating of flowers and plants by the inventor of the ‘living wall’, Frenchman Patrick Blanc.

Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam, image courtesy of Studio Noach

‘Floating Gardens/SpaWellness Amsterdam’ is a world first, and from February 20th to May 16th, 2010 on display during the exhibition “Architecture of Consequence” at the NAi (Netherlands Architecture Institute) Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Patrick Blanc who designs his Living Walls all over the world explains:

Do plants really need soil? No, … Earth is no more than a tool. Just water containing minerals and nutrients, along with common daylight and carbon dioxide are necessary for plants to make photosynthesis possible.

Blanc has proven his expertise on many locations including museums around the world. From the perspective of nature it is possible for plants to grow on a surface where there is no soil. As long as there’s no shortage of water.

Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam, image courtesy of Studio Noach

‘Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam’ has been developed for the lake near the city where plenty of fresh water is available. A similar island has never been developed anywhere else. A floating sustainable biotope, using recycled materials with a vegetation coating that from its pores literally breaths oxygen and wellness is unique for our planet.

Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam, image courtesy of Studio Noach

Architecture

A surface is – apart from the waterside – probably the most neutral environment for architecture. It is difficult to imagine the architecture of the country to continue on the water. But what architectural form can be found for a building on the water? The approach for floating gardens is to create a construction of a landscape. Like a stone of Alberto Giacometti is a construction of a stone.

Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam, image courtesy of Studio Noach

The architecture makes the walls and ceilings the outer for hills and valleys. Inside the interior follows the counter form of the landscape. Amorphous areas with faceted ceilings, all of different sizes and heights, blend as one.

A visitor will experience a sequence of baths, panoramic saunas, chill and relax areas. From the interior, the windows frame the constructed landscape and give access to outdoor terraces and pools.

Sustainability

The composite GreenRexwall ™ was developed in collaboration with the German constructor Aquahouse GmbH and is that strong and constructive that building cement, steel or bricks are no longer needed. The ultimate isolates, is constructive, and light – not important – it is particularly buoyant. Not just the recycling of polystyrene is environmentally friendly Floating Gardens, the vegetation on the walls and roof, CO2 is converted to oxygen, and particulate matter demolished.

Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam, image courtesy of Studio Noach

The vegetation is a breeding ground for birds, butterflies and insects but most will feel at home. The innovative technical installations provide big energy savings. The surrounding water acts as a heat exchanger, like a refrigerator works conversely. It can serve as heat – and cooling source and is up 70% more efficient than conventional energy systems.

In the Netherlands, one quarter of the land is below sea level and 50% is only one meter above sea level.

Amsterdam seems well on the way with this project as the first world stage to rise to the opportunities it offers in such areas as exposure, sustainable development and quality of life.

Patrick Blanc’s ‘Living Wall’ is according to TIME Magazine in 2009 amaong the World’s 50 best inventions.

In 2008 architect Anne Holtrop received on behalf of the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund the Charlotte Köhler prize for architecture.

Studio Noach was awarded for the concept of ‘floating gardens’ during the ‘Les Respiration’ conference with an ‘Oxygen Award’. Les Respiration is supported by the French Ministry of the Environment and the Committee Sustainable Energy of the European community.

+ Project credits / data

Architect: Studio Noach
Project: Floating Gardens / SpaWellness Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Green: Living Wall – Frenchman Patrick Blanc

The building’s dynamic and innovative character is expressed via its spiral shape. On the facades, the movement is seen in the glazing strips that stretch towards the sky across the six storeys of the building and create the impression of a spiral sequence…

C. F. Møller Architects

Vitus Bering Innovation Park, image courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

+ Project description courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

Teaching and entrepreneur start-up office facilities side by side – that’s the philosophy behind the distinctive extension to the existing 1970’s structure of the University College Vitus Bering Denmark in Horsens. The new Innovation building is designed to sit on a brick base, which is a direct continuation of the existing complex’ architecture, but from there on it is distinctly different and unique.

Vitus Bering Innovation Park, image courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

The building’s dynamic and innovative character is expressed via its spiral shape. On the facades, the movement is seen in the glazing strips that stretch towards the sky across the six storeys of the building and create the impression of a spiral sequence, while internally it is expressed via the main staircase in green fibre cement, which runs in a spiral form between the storeys in the unifying internal atrium. The inclined forms of the building also have the practical advantage of allowing a necessary fire escape route to be cut through the building.

Vitus Bering Innovation Park, image courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

The basic floor plan of the building is a simple and flexible layout, to allow the integration of numerous uses and adaptations. The large and dynamic green stairway element leads to common meeting facilities and a roof terrace with a beautiful view of the Horsens Fjord. The stairs land in a different position on each level, thus activating the entire atrium as the central hub of the building. The atrium is covered by a dynamic, diagonally split roof-plane with circular skylights, of which one half forms the common roof terrace.

The Vitus Bering Innovation Park is one of the first office complexes in Denmark to be classified as low-energy class 1, which means that its energy efficiency is twice that of the minimum required by the Danish building regulations. The low level of energy consumption is achieved through such factors as highly insulating windows and extra insulation on all of the building’s external surfaces. Another feature is the building’s intelligent air conditioning system, which adjusts itself according to the number of people present in each individual room.

Vitus Bering Innovation Park - Elevation, drawing courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

Vitus Bering Innovation Park - Section, drawing courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects

+ Project credits / data

Project: Vitus Bering Innovation Park, Horsens
Client: University College Vitus Bering Denmark
Architect: C. F. Møller Architects
Landscape architect: C. F. Møller Architects
Engineers: Grontmij | Carl Bro
Contractor: Pihl & Søn A/S
Size: 8.000 m2
Address: University College Vitus Bering, Horsens, Denmark
Year: 2008-2009 1st Prize in architectural competition
Photographer: Julian Weyer

+ All images and drawings courtesy of C. F. Møller Architects | Photo by Julian Weyer

[One] is simultaneously both a ‘victim’ and a viewer, who on the one hand surveys and evaluates the installation, and on the other, follows those associations, recollections which arise in him[;] he is overcome by the intense atmosphere of the total illusion.

IIya Kabakov

Deli at Gateway, image courtesy of 10×10 Design Consultants

+ Design description courtesy of 10×10 Design Consultants

This 800 sft space is a cafe that’s part of an up market chain of hotel. The client brief was to develop a design that reflects the “today” and to address a younger crowd. The internal area of 600 sft has the guest seating area as well as the service counter. The out door area deck of 200 sft has casual seating.

The idea of a cafe being primarily a transit was the basic premises on which the design evolved.

This involves a very broad range of everyday materials that have been chosen at times for its evocative qualities. The design has been developed on the basis of local references. The site is located next to the shipping port of Kochi. The primary tone has been restricted to shades of brown. However red being their corporate color had to be incorporated on the primary board and furniture. The 5 key elements that’s holding this space together would be saucer lights, metropolis, rust wall, 361 lights and the Kochi – New York installation.

Deli at Gateway, image courtesy of 10×10 Design Consultants

- Saucer lights- In terms of material these are saucers that’s often used to mix cement and aggregates at construction site. This light is part of the mood setting and adds to the character of the ceiling.

- Metropolis- The metropolis has drawn inspiration from the night light scape of the city. The lit urban fabric that’s visible from a tall building or more ideally a flight is the primary thread of this wall of light. Fragments of mild steel platestaggered over 7 levels with 7 shades finished to get a similar texture to that of the wall forms the metropolis. During day time, even when not lit the variance in color from plate to plate makes it lively.

- Kochi-New York- This installation acknowledges “New York” as the commercial capital of the world. The idea of location has been represented in abstract form through the “Deli at Gateway” board and the Bread stand. The city of Kochi has been mapped and it’s been extruded to transform into the identity board. The city of New York with its grid layout transforms to form the bread stand.

Deli at Gateway, image courtesy of 10×10 Design Consultants

- Rust wall- This takes its cues from the shipyard that’s located behind this property. Its rusted steel sheets reflect the metal hull of the ships.

- 361 lights- This is all about memories. We and our generation grew up under such incandescent lights. It’s primarily a tribute to the past. The light has glows at different intensities through the voltage fluctuations. It’s reminiscence of the past. The 361 lights glow with a bare minimum intensity.

Deli at Gateway - Floor plan, drawing courtesy of 10×10 Design Consultants

+ Project credits / data

Project: Deli at Gateway
Area: 800 sft
Location: Taj Gateway, Kochi
Design: 10X10 design consultants

+ All images and drawings courtesy of 10X10 design consultants

This our formal choice arises from the evaluation that the contemporary individuality –exactly such the ribbons are- cannot be understood without knowing the others to whom it is linked. Wishing more and more to appear unique, we change our identities into boxes of gum which have to be pressed firmly among the few empty places (they are defined by what we are not, the non-I) that remained.

PROGETTOSPORE and Samuele Calamai

Parish complex, rendering courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

+ Project description courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

The parish complex consists of three main volumes. Although trying to show deep inside its own architectural language, the design remained strongly linked to the technical and functional needs dictated by the Episcopal commission for liturgy.

Parish complex, rendering courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

The formal development arises from the intent to relate to each of the three buildings three ribbons placed freely in the three-dimensional space. Their relation enables the definition of volumetries which are concluded, or better closed through the use of opal glass planes. Having no preference for the Cartesian axes there is such a little distinction between plants and sections that clear daughters of the same seed become the proof of this formal approach. The project is dipped into white but in every building one of the three volumetric ribbons had been divided into bundles of colour.

Parish complex, rendering courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

Each of these ribbons , how we like to call them – as if it were a fabric waving into the wind moulded by the case- in reality it is more assimilated to a three-dimensional course which is always looking for a formal contact with the other two. This our formal choice arises from the evaluation that the contemporary individuality –exactly such the ribbons are- cannot be understood without knowing the others to whom it is linked. Wishing more and more to appear unique, we change our identities into boxes of gum which have to be pressed firmly among the few empty places (they are defined by what we are not, the non-I) that remained.

Even in the pastoral ministry premises, as in the parsonage house, the development of forms kept firm and solid to the decidedly functional needs, in the attempt to unify the emotions arises from looking at the fulfillment of the body moving through the space.

+ Project credits / data

Project: Parish complex – Ribbons In The Space
Location: Galciana (PO), Italy 2008
Status: Design contest
Architectural project : PROGETTOSPORE and Samuele Calamai
Graphics : werkdesign

+ All images courtesy of PROGETTOSPORE

Consisting of a volume set in concrete and glass, the building is organized by sector and by “key elements”, reinforcing its importance for the spatial organization on the ground and the landscape.

Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties, image courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

+ Project description courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

Deployed so as to obtain a reception area and redesigning the urban landscape of the central area of the city of Suzano, the Medical Specialties Clinic organizes a new urban landscape for a corner lot with 5000.00 square meters in size and becomes a reference for users of health and pedestrians who pass by this neighborhood.

Consisting of a volume set in concrete and glass, the building is organized by sector and by “key elements”, reinforcing its importance for the spatial organization on the ground and the landscape.

Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties, image courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

A first volume in a “U” contains the offices and reception of the general clinic, access is provided through the path between the square of arrival and reception of the building.

Starting from the side street in the concrete wall divides this volume in order to organize the continuous use of offices and restricted areas such as inhalation rooms, dressing and mini surgeries. This same wall breaks this volume to the other end of the area by creating access to the auditorium of the other buildings.

Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties, image courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

A large monolithic black contains the auditorium marked by yellow awning that floats in the concrete wall, increasing the entry and enabling their independent use of the daily routine of the clinic, as well as ensuring their use for meetings and meetings by the local community.

The administration of the building appears as a box made of concrete protected by the brise-soleil made of wood, which rests on the main block reinforcing the below the local landscape.

To ensure better thermal comfort and privacy for users, offices protected by a cast concrete elements, a reference to Lina Bo Bardi to the use of “muxarabi, the elements cast in yellow form the elevations as an” abstract design “without the frames as reference for full and empty, except for the main entrance where we can see all the movement of offices, increasing the incidence of light from the east in this space and the dynamics of this facade as a “living showcase” for passing on the street.

Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties, image courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

At dusk, the Clinic of Medical Specialties is changing with the lighting that enhances the main elements of the architectural and redraws the night scenery in that space.

Finally, the city gets a quality public facility where architecture plays the important role of filling gaps in the existing urban fabric mangled, while the population receives more than a public space that regenerates in gaps and rehabilitates the neighborhood as a single body .

In this sense, we understand that the health of buildings should be well designed, sustainable, safe, healthy and productive, while providing a quality internal environment to promote health and wellbeing of users, integrating with the local environment and meeting the needs of local communities, with flexibility and adaptability to changing needs.

Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties - Floor plan, drawing courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties - Sections, drawing courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

+ Project credits / data

Architecture:

Project: Clinic of Medical Specialites
Location: Suzano, São Paulo, Brazil
Architects: Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú
Board of Public Projects: SMPU – City of Suzano

Execution:

Construction Chaia (1st phase), PS Engineering (2nd phase)

Management of work:

Civil Engineer: Antonio Carlos Pereira de Souza
Board of Works: SMIOIES – City of Suzano
Area: 5.000.00 m²
Construction area: 1.000.00 m²
Date of project: 2006
Date of completion of work: 2009
Photography: Edmilson Santana

+ All drawings and images courtesy of Architects Elvis Vieira and Ricardo Hatiw Lú

The architecture is a sculpture, moulding itself around its contents. Its elliptical form has developed from the constraints of a narrow site and the prospect of creating a landmark.

studioMAS architects + urban designers

Circa on Jellicoe, image courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban design

Circa on Jellicoe, image courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban design

+ Project Synopsis courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban designers

Circa on Jellicoe, sketch courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban design

COMPLETING THE ART[S] EXPERIENCE – UNRAVELLING THE ARCHITECTURE OF CIRCA

Johannesburg is home to Circa on Jellicoe, a multi-media art gallery designed by South African based practice, studioMAS. Located on a busy urban intersection, it marks a prominent public intervention that challenges perceptions of “art” and “art galleries”.

The architecture is a sculpture, moulding itself around its contents. Its elliptical form has developed from the constraints of a narrow site and the prospect of creating a landmark.

Circa on Jellicoe, image courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban design

Its main feature is an aluminium fin facade that allows views into and out of the building. The inspiration for this came from nature, with its paradox of implied order and chaos.

Circa on Jellicoe, image courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban design

The experience of shadows on the ramp accentuates the sensory discovery of space and encourages views through the fins into the city. Circa comprises of three levels; the public ground floor, consists of 106m2 of craft exhibition space. Beyond this, users traverse a perimeter ramp that connects ground and first floor exhibition spaces.

This 177.76m2 double volume multi-purpose exhibition space has 7 movable display screens that can drop through the floor into the ground level below, when unused. The top floor consists of a 105m2 private lounge and deck overlooking Johannesburg’s urban forest.

Circa is built as a part of the city, its art and its people; it is a fluid point in time, that will morph and evolve as South Africa, and its art, does.

Circa on Jellicoe - Floor plans, drawing courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban design

+ Project credits / data

Project: Circa on Jellicoe
Typology: Multi-media Art Gallery
Architect: studioMAS architects + urban designers
Realization: November 2009
Address: No2. Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, South Africa
Photos: Tristan McLaren, John Hodgekiss & studioMAS

+ All images and drawings courtesy of studioMAS architects + urban designers

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar - Brochure, image courtesy of mode:lina

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar, image courtesy of mode:lina

Polish studio mode:lina architektura & consulting, in collaboration with architect Zbigniew Pyda and graphic designers Zbigniew Flakus and Krzysztof Pyda have created a brochure for potential investors interested in locating their capital in Sunset Paradise resort on Zanzibar island.

+ Project description courtesy of mode:lina

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar, sketch courtesy of mode:lina

Resort “Sunset Paradise” is situated on the west coast of Zanzibar ½ hr drive from Stone Town Airport. The size and shape of the plot make it the perfect location for an exclusive holiday resort.

There are several sandy paths that lead down to the sea – whether the tide is high or low, giving perfect conditions for bathing. The entire bay is free of rocks and sea urchins and the water is clear.

On the north side of the plot there is a river, providing an additional attraction.

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar, image courtesy of mode:lina

Resort facilities:

• AREA PROPERTY 12,1 ha
• MAIN ENTRANCE 10,0 m2
• RECEPTION, LOBBY, SHOPS ca. 90,0 m2 + hall 100m2
• LODGES 15-16 all (multi- roomed Villas) 100,0-145,0 m2 each

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar, image courtesy of mode:lina

Designed as a traditional African house, luxuriously appointed.
Each 15 lodges are discretely scattered along the beach and cliff line, each with panoramic views of the clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, ensuring maximum privacy and seclusion.

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar, image courtesy of mode:lina

Designed and positioned to make them feel like a part of the surrounding landscape, the lodges are bulit from local traditional materials and topped with thatched (makuti) roofs, allowing the invigorating sea breeze to circulate and affording a cool atmosphere day and night.

Large private wooden verandas give an impression of living outdoors.

Sunset Paradise Resort in Zanzibar, image courtesy of mode:lina