ARCHITECTURE NEWS

Archipelago House by Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Еke E�son Lindman
Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter designed this summer house in Stockholm archipelago, Sweden. The light construction of the house is built up of plywood and glass. Тhe building area is 130 sq. m. plus the terrace.

AV House by BGP

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Rafael Gamo
A house by the famous architect Bernardo Gomez-Pimienta from BGP Studio. The project has been realized in Mexico, on a lot of 650 sq.m. The building area is 641 sq. m. The architect had to remodel an existing house. So, the outer skin of the building was changed, as well as the disposal of the spaces according to the needs of the client.■

Famous architects in help of Hurricane Katrina�s victims

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Make It Right 9

Тhirteen famous architects design 150 safe eco-houses in New Orleans, ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Тhe initiative for the project called Make It Right belongs to Brad Pitt. Among the mix of local studios, US architects and international names can be seen the names of David Adjaye, MVRDV, Shigeru Ban, Morphosis and Graft.

Jinbocho Theater by Nikken Sekkei

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Harunori Noda

The new theater in Jimbocho, Tokyo is the newest project of Nikken Sekkei architects. The multi-sided shape of the building is made of reinforced concrete, left raw and unpolished. Clad steel plate has been fixed on the external facings with no order. By emitting the idea of a well-proportioned facade the total floor area was increased. Now the total floor area is 1428 sq. m which is quite impressing having in mind that the site area is only 320 sq.m.

Rotating Skyscrapers by David Fisher

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: Dynamic Architecture
David Fisher designed dynamic architecture - a rotating skyscraper. The floors rotate independently and the building lets the tenants decide their own view. The skyscraper produces energy for itself and the neighbourhood, thanks to photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. The structure is made of pre-assembled industrial modules. The first rotating skyscrapers are about to be built in Dubai in Moscow.

Suntro House by Jorge Hernandez de la Garza

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Paul Czitrom

This is the latest residential project of architect Jorge Hernandez de la Garza. Suntro House, finished last year, is situated in Oaxtepec, Mexico. The budget for the project was 200 000 USD. The curved shape of the building responds to the hot climate of the region. Every space is placed in such a way that opens to obtain the best climate and views and to let the wind circulate so that in summer the house can stay cool.■

Arezzo Law Court by Manfredi Nicoletti

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Manfredi Nicoletti

A new Law Court in Arezzo, Italy, designed by arch. Manfredi Nicoletti. The curvilinear form of the building is geometrically warped in shapes characteristic of leaves. The New Wing is enclosed on the North side by a coved wall of black granite slabs. The South fa?ade is designed as an undulating transparent sunscreen of stainless steel. A silver bioclimatic foliage protects the interior spaces by a luminous shadow. The project got IAA International Award.

Beranda Residence by Gonzalo Mardones

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Florencia San Martin

One of the last projects of arch. Gonzalo Mardones. Beranda Residence, realized in 2007, is situated on the Chilean cost of the Pacific Ocean. It consists of two volumes with L-shape that embrace the garden, �hide� the living space from the street and open towards the sea. The house is totally white. The finishes of the doors and the windows are in cedar wood. This simplicity, caused by the use of one material and one color, gives austere look to the residence. The feeling is emphasized by the stone floorings � they are the same in all spaces, as well as on the terrace. The public areas are situated on the lower level. The private zones are above them.■

TDA House by Cadaval & Sola-Morales

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photo: Santiago Garcis and Cadaval & Sola-Morales
TDA house is a very nice project by Eduardo Cadaval & Clara Sola-Morales from Mexico. �It is a low-cost house with minimum maintenance; flexible in its uses and configuration; a house that can open up completely to the exterior or close in on itself�, explain the architects. TDA house is spread on 350 sq.m. and is built in concrete. It is divided in three zones � a tower volume which breaks its opacity at strategic points so that it opens at the level where nothing blocks its views over the Pacific ocean; a second bedroom volume suspended over the water and the garden; and the third one - a wide, high central space that gathers the different activities of the house. ■

Crystal Island by Foster + Partners

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

All images courtesy of Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners creates the world�s largest single building. Crystal Island will be built in Moscow. Its height will reach 450 m and the total floor area will be 2,5 million sq. m. Crystal Island is a city within the city with about 3000 hotel rooms, 900 apartments, offices, shops, museums, theatres, cinemas, and an international school. There will be also two observation platforms � at height of 150 and 300 m.

The Shenandoah Retreat by Carter+Burton

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: Daniel Afzal

An energy-saving weekend house by the American studio Carter+Burton, situated in the region of Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia. The open plan of the house demolishes the boundaries between inside and out. The public and the private spaces of the Shenandoah Retreat are separated via a concrete tower and an entry bridge. The passive-solar design, the geothermal heat pump, the radiant floor heating and the roof and walls, made of structural insulated panels, provide energy saving. In the winter months, the living room is warmed by the low sun through the south facing windows. The exposed concrete floors throughout the home absorb and slowly release this heat. In the summer large overhangs shade the interior of the house. Balanced day light is provided by the high northern windows. This reduces the need for electric lights to be turned on.

ADA1 Project by J. Mayer H. Architects

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Dirk Fellenberg, Schraubverschluss, fotografie Schaulin

The office complex �An der Alster 1� is situated in Hamburg, Germany. The building has been designed by Juergen Mayer Architects. For its realization concrete has been mainly used, combined with glass for the exterior and plasterboard for the interior. The �irregular� windows that spread horizontally along the facade bring original apperance to the building. The size of the complex is 56,70 x 18,70 m. It is spread on 6555,65 sq. m. The total cost of the project is 10 mln. Euro.

Villa Romana Residence by MMBB

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Nelson Kon

One of the most complicated projects of the Brazilian architectural studio MMBB. The residence is situated on a corner plot with a drop of 10 m from one side of the plot to the other. An artificial terrain has been created to allow the usage of the external areas for day-to-day activities. The building is divided into two autonomous blocks. Thus the residence serves as a home but also as an art working studio of the owner. The size of the site is 500 sq.m. The building area is 435 sq.m. The budget equals to US$ 425,000. Vila Romana Residence got an �Honor Mention� at the VII International Biennial of Architecture in Sao Paulo, 2007.

Armadale Residence by Greg Gong

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Project: Greg Gong

Photos: Shannon McGrath

Armadale Residence in Melbourne is a test case of how smart design can deliver a quality modern living environment within an extremely tight and irregular site (290m²). The �big IDEA� is to integrate interior and exterior space so that they �borrow� space from each other and enhance each other.

Danfoss Universe by Juergen Mayer Architects

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: J. Mayer H and Danfoss Universe

Danfoss Universe by Juergen Mayer Architects is a science park in Denmark that has been enlarged. The two new buildings - the Cumulus exhibition building (curiosity center) and the restaurant (food factory) - stand out for their cloud-like shape, emphasized by the Alucobond facade. The building area of the restaurant is 500 sq. m. The curiosity center is spread on 1200 sq.m. The total cost of the project is 3 mlln. euro

Casa 3 by Studio at103

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Frida Escobedo
A summer villa in Acapulco, Mexico, designed by studio at103. The project included the restoration and the addition of an existing house. �For us, the challenge was to conserve the original architecture with the new expectations of living in the 21�st century - more space of storage, new technology and new dynamics�, explain the architects. An old salt-water pond in the lower part of the site plays the role of the project�s heart. All the public spaces in the house are gathered around it. The total building area is 600 sq.m.■

Tama Art University Library by Toyo Ito

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Project: Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects

Photos: Ishiguro Photographic Institute

Tama Art University Library in Tokyo is one of the last projects by architect Toyo Ito. It is a part of the Tama Art University campus and has been finished in 2007. Library�s total floor area is 5,639.46 sqm. The building has one basement and two stories.

Main Street Residence by Christopher Robertson

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Christopher Robertson

A house by Christopher Robertson � the founder of Robertson Design. He has designed the project for his parents. Main Street Residence has three volumes, forming a U-like yard. On the first floor there are a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen, as well as a big bedroom with a bathroom. The office of the owner can also be found here. Above, two more living rooms are situated, together with another office space and two bedrooms with bathrooms. The guest bedrooms are on the third floor. The total building area is 1020 sq.m.

Yoga Studio by Carter+Burton

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Daniel Afzal

This project, designed by Carter + Burton Architecture, serves as a yoga studio and a guest house. Typically for the style of the architects, the construction is realized with the use of structural insulated panels, geothermal, passive solar, local materials, green roof and LED lighting. The inner space of the house is designed with the aim of maximal efficiency, too. One of the most interesting decisions are the beds coming out of the floor of the living space. The project earned a LEED Gold certification when it was completed in 2007.

Alan-Voo House by Neil M. Denari Architects

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Fotoworks Fotoworks / Benny Chan

A house in LA. The family owning the site wanted 1000 sq ft to be added to the existing 1000 sq ft house. Neil M. Denari Architects have left half of the building for the daughters� bedrooms. The other half, plus new extensions in front and back, has been incorporated into a public zone and a bedroom for the parents. This way a new 16 ft wide linear house has been inserted into the existing one. Bright colors accentuate the new pieces. The total budget equals $700 000.

Under the Moonlight with Giovanni D�Ambrosio

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Studio Giovanni D�Ambrosio

A project by Giovanni D�Ambrosio. �Under the Moonlight� house reminds of the life of countrymen and cowboys that lived in this area. Stone, wood and metal have been used for the project. It has been designed so that inhabitants could appreciate nature outside. Many glazed frames that grant wider external views make this possible. �The relationship between man and nature is love�, explains Giovanni D�Ambrosio. The house has been designed to prevent damage to local vegetation and trees.

Skyline Residence by Belzberg Architects

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Benny Chan of Fotoworks

A recent project for a main house combined with a guest house by Belzberg Architects. Both buildings are enclosed by a single folded surface with infill glazing and screened walls. Each room has at least one fully glazed wall. The fold itself represents the only solid exterior surfaces defining the form of the building. The guest house is separate from the main house. The Southern face of the guest house is used for movie projections. The project has been realized with the use of sustainable techniques, which lowered the cost of the project to $180 per sq. f.

А cross-like residence by A-cero

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: A-Cero

Have a look at the cross-like new residential project of the Spanish architectural studio A-cero. The house, finished last October, is located on a 3500 sq.m plot presenting a light slope. This 1200 sq.m single-family residence is composed of the two rectangular intersected bodies. They surround a cylinder in which the staircase, connecting all the areas in the house, is situated. The structural system of the residence is made only of reinforced concrete walls, avoiding intermediate columns. The building is divided in three levels. The design follows the concept of maximal functionality in the distribution of the interior spaces and their openness to the exterior.

А cross-like residence by A-cero

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: A-Cero

Highlands Pond House by Antoine Predock

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Timothy Hursley

A project by arch. Antoine Predock. The building area is 13 000 sq. ft. Stone, wood and glass are the basic materials, used for the house. The premises have minimum wall partitions. Grand stone stairs lead to the public zone of the house - the living room, the dining room, the kitchen and the breakfast area. From the kitchen a glazed passage leads to a detached office. The master suite is distanced from the communal spaces. On the lower level there are rooms for two teenagers and a guest area with a secondary entrance.

Highlands Pond House by Antoine Predock

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Timothy Hursley

Klein Bottle House by MCR

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: John Gollings

A holiday house designed by MCR. The project is inspired by the geometrical object Klein bottle, described in 1882 by the mathematician Felix Klein. �What began as a spiral or shell like building developed into a more complex spiral, the Klein bottle. We thought an origami version of the bottle would be achievable and hold some ironic fascination�, the architects explain. Klein Bottle House use experimental geometry adapted to meet contemporary needs for habitation. The project revolves around a central courtyard. All the levels оf the house are connected via a grand stair. The floor area is approximately 258 sq.m.

Klein Bottle House by MCR

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: John Gollings

An Inn-Home by Syntax

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: Klaus Pichler and Syntax

Syntax Architecture has turned an inn from 1900 into a modern home. It consists of a public and a private tract, arranged in two buildings. The kitchen, the wine cellar, and the stone wall, that were parts of the inn, have been restored. The basement is now a swimming pond. Rendered brick, concrete, frameless glazing elements, and prefabricated timber roof with copper finish have been used. The most expressive part of the project is the roof reaching the ground and embracing the back of the house. The usable floor area includes 150 sq. m for the new building and 75 sq. m for the ex-inn.

Twin-like Houses by A-cero

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: a-cero

An interesting interpretation of the twin houses in architecture by A-cero. The project presents two residential buildings placed in adjacent plots with similar areas - 3.000 sq. m. The plots have a rectangular form and present a light slope. Nevertheless their alike look, both houses have a unique design that follows the requirements of the land and the clients� preferences. This is an expression of �the theory of a couple of twins with similar appearance and deep ties, but also with different personalities and distinctive features�, explain the architects.

Twin-like Houses by A-cero

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: a-cero

Watercube by PTW Architects

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Chris Bosse - PTW Architects

Watercube - the National Aquatics Center in Beijing - has been officially opened a short time ago. The project has been designed by PTW Architects. The entire structure is based on a unique lightweight-construction, developed by PTW with ARUP, and derived from the structure of water in the state of aggregation of foam. With its ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) cushions the building looks like a cube of water bubbles where its name comes from.

Madrid Civil Courts of Justice by Zaha Hadid

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Photos: Zaha Hadid Architects

Zaha Hadid together with and Patrik Schumacher designed the new Civil Courts of Justice in Madrid. The size of the building is 74,448 sq.m - 49,033 overground and 25,415 underground. The exterior layer of the facade is composed of metallic panels. They shift from open to closed and from flat to extended. The metallic panels on the rooftop incorporate photovoltaic cells.

Royal Ontario Museum & Daniel Libeskind

1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Images: Royal Ontario Museum

Daniel Libeskind has designed a new wing for the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) - the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The building is named after Michael Lee-Chin who donated $30 million for the extension of the museum. The crystal-like project comprises five interlocking, self-supporting prismatic structures. There are almost no right angles. The inner space is traversed by criss-crossing bridges. The building houses eight galleries, shops, restaurants, event spaces and a new entrance and lobby. Approximately 3 500 t of steel and 38 tons of bolts were used to create the skeleton, and roughly 9000 cub m of concrete were poured.