From the architect. We spent a year and a half or more on this project, working with one of the persons I care most in the world and who also happens to know about architecture. Having such clients is a privilege, because they let you do your work with an understanding of the reasons for your decisions.
Developing the plot was not the hardest thing: from the beginning we wanted the house to be positioned at the end of the plot and give priority to the views and breeze in order to make full use of the plot’s amplitude 5,000 –square-meters (50 by 100 meters).
Sketch
The requirement was to make a garden more than a house. The challenge was creating a setting rather than a container, with a unique program. The house is arranged in two volumes, one sitting firmly on the plot and other one floating above, with a visual connection between both. A special virtue of the project is the diversity of scales in the various areas: double-height spaces, corners with 2.20 meters, open-plan spaces throughout with a cozy slab that is welcoming and level changing on the floors.
The common and service areas are all on ground level. The second volume contains the bedrooms and at the same time is the roof of a large terrace. Between the two volumes is a reflecting pond, with fish and lilies. It works as a screen which reflects various episodes of architecture throughout the day. I consider that this house needs more time for the gardens to assume the leading role that they had when the project was first conceived.
The one and a half year of developing the project and the two years of construction, were very eventful. Sudden changes, readjustments of the soul and unforeseen absences, all combined to create a house that happened to be a special experience.
“The good news is that if we have the power to radically transform our planet by accident, imagine what we can do if we are actually trying to do it. Once you’ve accepted that there is no way we can be here without having a very, very significant influence on our planet, you just have to take it as a positive.”
In this interview from the Louisiana Channel, Bjarke Ingels discusses the impact of humanity on the environment, and the role we must take in shaping our global future. Ingels describes cities as “very specific experiment[s]” on how to inhabit each unique part of the planet, and how creating architecture requires both a local approach and learning from the successes of other communities.
Everyone wants to make their home beautiful. People are often inspired by the beautiful and picturesque interiors of houses in the magazines. It often happens that in an attempt to make some changes, we often end up moving furniture unnecessarily and throwing things out yet still fail to achieve the desired result. If you know the right changes that you need to make then you will save yourself from a lot of work and trouble. To make the house look beautiful you do not always need to make drastic repairs or changes. There are easy and simple tricks that will help in creating an elegant and striking interior.
If you know the right changes that you need to make, then you will save yourself from a lot of work and trouble. To make the house look beautiful, you do not always need to make drastic repairs or changes. There are easy and simple tricks that will help in creating an elegant and striking interior.
Here are some tips that will provide inspiration and affordable ideas for making the house look gorgeous.
Make the best use of mirrors
Mirrors are an excellent accessory to add to your house. They are an excellent tool for creating illusions. If you are creative in placing them around the house, then you will be able to achieve a beautiful look.
If you have small rooms, then putting mirrors on closet doors is an excellent way of making the room look bigger. Mirrors are not just useful in small rooms. You can get more creative and buy ordinary mirrors with plastic frames and make them unique by using simple things such as rope and glue. These small mirrors are an excellent decorative addition to any room.
Create layers
Layering is a good idea because it helps in adding color and texture to the place. Make sure that there are a lot of layers on your bed. Add things such as different types of pillows.
You should also add blankets. You can create a luxurious look by adding duvets such as goose down duvet or silk duvets. Creating layers not only makes a room look luxurious but also gives an impression that it has been decorated by a professional.
Get creative with curtains
Curtains play an important role in creating a decorative look. Whenever you are choosing curtains, always go for colorful print. Blank curtains create a boring and dull look. You can add texture and color to the place by using colorful prints. You can choose the color which coordinates with the walls and furniture.
Hanging curtains closer to the ceiling helps in creating an illusion that makes the windows look larger. You can also add a decorative touch by choosing distinct curtain rods. The decorative and unusual designs of curtain rods are an excellent way of adding emphasis to style and it also shows your taste. To add more styling, you can also choose curtain ties that are creative and unusual.
Hide wires
Wires are an essential part of every house but when they are hanging visibly, it does not create a beautiful sight. If you want to create a neat and tidy interior, then it is important that you make sure that no wires are visible.
One of the creative ways of hiding wires is to use a shower rod. You can also use moldings on walls to camouflage wires.
Do not leave the walls empty
Empty walls do not look good. It gives an impersonal impression which does not add to the beauty of the house. You should always decorate the walls by hanging the photos of your family or by hanging some art pieces.
Just make sure that the walls are not totally bare. You can also make use of the wall space and get built-in shelves.
Add color through outlets and switches
You can also add some texture and color by using colorful cases for outlets and switches. It is not difficult to decorate outlet covers. All you need to have is a scrapbook paper. There are also other small items that you can use to decorate the cases.
From homedesignlover.com
Now weren’t these tips easy to do? Make some time and get going on some of these ideas!
A/D/O, the new design space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn founded by MINI, has completed construction, and will open to the public following the holiday season. Designed by Brooklyn based nARCHITECTS – the award-winning firm, founded by Principals Eric Bunge and Mimi Hoang, that was behind New York City’s first micro-unit building – A/D/O will provide a groundbreaking new kind of space for designers.
Axonometric
Occupying a former warehouse at the intersection of Norman and Wythe Avenues in Greenpoint, the new space will be open to the general public, combining spaces for events and exhibitions, design education, free communal workspace, a fabrication lab, a design shop, and the new restaurant Norman, by chef Fredrik Berselius with Claus Meyer. The building will also host Urban-X, an accelerator founded by MINI and SOSV, which supports startups working on products and services to improve urban life.
Reflecting the role of A/D/O in actively encouraging the cross pollination of creative ideas, nARCHITECTS’ transformation of the 23,000sf building was guided by a principle of remixing. According to nARCHITECTS Principal Eric Bunge, “This idea of remix – which we applied to both the physical building and its program – involves placing existing and new conditions into varying and often ambiguous relationships.”
“Rather than simply dividing the existing warehouse into various zones for different activities, or, on the other hand, creating a continuous and undifferentiated space,” says Bunge, “We chose to create variable connections between gastro, event, design, exhibition and retail spaces. Neither rooms nor an open hall, the spaces kind of bleed into each other, allowing people who are curious to see what would normally be going on behind closed doors.”
Floor Plan
One example of this intentionally ambiguous approach to remixing can be found in the new “porch” at the main entrance. A triangular section at the southwest corner of the building was removed, replacing an opaque facade with full glazing that invites passersby, and offers wide views down Wythe Avenue from within. While this intervention is clearly new, nARCHITECTS has rebuilt the building’s modified outline using the original graffiti covered bricks, resulting in “reconstituted graffiti”. This approach was applied to all the new apertures that have been introduced into the existing façade. “What was really important to us,” says Principal Mimi Hoang, “was to create a project with rich layers of history – of the building, and of the community.”
A central feature of nARCHITECTS’ design is a large kaleidoscopic periscope that reflects both the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines, joining these together into a single horizon – a remixing at an urban scale that visually and metaphorically brings the city together and into the space.
Model
Extending the principle of remixing, nARCHITECTS has designed custom reconfigurable furniture for the project, including the large X-shaped modular “Crosstalk Table”, the “Pie Lounger”, functioning as both seating and a stage; the “Design Library” bleacher seating, and custom tables throughout the restaurant. The flexible nature of this furniture will allow these free-flowing spaces to double as platforms for A/D/O programming.
The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe has announced the 356 projects from 36 countries which have been nominated for the 2017 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award. Among the countries included, France and Spain are represented the most among the selected projects, with each country featuring 28 times. Meanwhile, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine appear in the prize for the first time, with Georgia offering a commendable 7 listed projects.
Among the building types included on the list, as in the 2015 Prize housing and cultural buildings dominated. However, the 2017 Prize sees an increase in the number of educational buildings and mixed use buildings compared to two years ago.
The list will be narrowed to a shortlist of 40 projects in late January, with the winner announced in April 2017. In addition to the main prize, the Fundació Mies van der Rohe is once again running a special mention award for emerging architects, with winners of this award receiving a €20,000 prize.
Read on for the full list of 356 selected projects.
Courtesy of Fundació Mies van der Rohe
TID Tower / 51N4E Tirana, Albania
Marubi National Museum Of Photography / Casanova+Hernandez Architecten Shkodra, Albania
Tiwag KWB Control Center / Bechter Zaffignani Architekten Silz, Austria
Primary School Dorf / Feyferlik / Fritzer Lauterach, Austria Lauterach
Pfauengarten Development / Pichler Graz, Austria
Panzerhalle Salzburg / LP architektur ZT GmbH Salzburg, Austria
Residential Care Home Erika Horn / Dietger Wissounig Architekten Graz, Austria
Herberge Refugee Home / STUDiO LOiS Barbara Poberschnigg Walch Elias Innsbruck, Austria
House Moser / Madritsch Pfurtscheller Neustift im Stubaital, Austria
KAMP Office Building / gerner°gern er plus architects Theresienfeld, Austria
Motorway Maintenance Centre Salzburg / Marte.Marte Architekten Salzburg, Austria
Residential building St. Gallenkirch / Dorner\Matt St. Gallenkirch, Austria
Barn Loft / Georg Bechter Architektur+Design Hittisau, Austria
Weingut Högl / Ludescher + Lutz, Architeken Spitz an der Donau, Austria
Building. School of Arts and Architecture / studio3 – Institut für experimentelle Architektur Innsbruck, Austria
Erste Campus Headquarters Building / Henke Schreieck Architekten ZT GmbH
Vienna, Austria
Revitalisation of the Biomedical / Gangoly & Kristiner Architekten Graz, Austria
NAVEZ – 5 social units as Northern entrance Brussels, Belgium / MSA / V+ Schaarbeek, Belgium
Structure and Gardens / BAUKUNST Brussels, Belgium
House H / Broekx-Schiepers architecten Belgium
Keramis – Ceramic Center / Association Coton_Devisscher_Lelion_Nottebaert_Vincentelli La Louvière, Belgium
OFFICE 119: Villa Der Bau / OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen Linkebeek, Belgium
M Garden pavilion / Vers.A Renaix, Belgium
DC L-Berg / architecten de vylder vinck taillieu Ghent, Belgium
University Psychiatric Centre Gasthuisberg / Stéphane Beel Architecten bvba Leuven, Belgium
Mons Memorial Museum (MMM) / Atelier d’architecture Pierre Hebbelinck – Pierre de Wit Mons, Belgium
TRAX: Redevelopment of a former train / BUUR | bureau voor urbanisme Roeselare, Belgium
Zwin national park / Coussée & Goris Architects Knokke-Heist, Belgium
Polyvalent Infrastructure / BAUKUNST Spa, Belgium
House CG / architecten de vylder vinck taillieu Pajottenland, Belgium
Hotel Pino Nature / Studio Zec Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cherry Orchard Residence / Events / bureau XII Sofia, Bulgaria
Observation House / I / O a r c h i t e c t s Sofia, Bulgaria
Varna Office Building / MMXX Architects Varna, Bulgaria
Hotel Amarin / STUDIO UP Rovinj, Croatia
Vacation Housee on Silba Island / AB Forum Zadar, Croatia
Sala Beckett Theatre and International Drama Centre / Flores & Prats Barcelona, Spain
National Museum of Pilgrimages and Santiago / Manuel Gallego Santiago de Compostela, Spain
House 104 / HARQUITECTES Granollers, Spain
Ressò / RESSÒ – ETSAV – UPC Rubí / Spain
COMMUNITY ARCHITECTS. Office of Citizen Assistance at the Raval in Barcelona / ETSAB-UPC (Esclla Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona – Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) Barcelona, Spain
Recovery of the Irrigation System at the Thermal Orchards / CICLICA [space, community & ecology] Caldes de Montbui, Spain
New access to the historical centre of Gironella / Carles Enrich architecture + urbanism Gironella, Spain
Collective housing for elderly people and civic and health centre / Bonell i Gil Barcelona, Spain
Federico García Lorca Centre / MX-SI architectural studio Granada, Spain
Encants School / AMB (Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona) Barcelona, Spain
Fire Prevention Park – Firemen space / Roldán+Berengué, arqts. Barcelona, Spain
Architecture School of Granada Sciences of UGR University, Granada / Victor Lopez Cotelo Granada, Spain
Learning Center at the Campus of Health / Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos Granada, Spain
New Helsingkrona Student Nation / Fojab Lund, Sweden
Malmö Live / Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects Malmö, Sweden
Katscha Appartments / a+d reppen wartiainen Norrköping, Sweden
The Auditorium Public Park / Tyréns AB Norrköping, Sweden
Östermalm’s Temporary Market Hall / Tengbom Stockholm, Sweden
KTH School of Architecture / Tham & Videgård Arkitekter Stockholm, Sweden
KAPKAR/SF-P7S / Studio Frank Havermans Heeswijk, The Netherlands
De Halls Amsterdam / Architectenbureau J. van Stigt bv Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Integrated Coastal Defense & Underground Parking Garage Katwijk, the Netherlands / Royal HaskoningDHV Katwijk aan zee, The Netherlands
Tennisclub IJburg / MVRDV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Cheese Dairy / Bastiaan Jongerius Architecten Westbeemster, The Netherlands
KWR Watercycle Research Institute / Architectenbureau Cepezed b.v. Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
A Home away from Home / COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seeker of the Netherlands) The Hague, The Netherlands
Nieuw Bergen / Monadnock Boxtel, Brabant and Noord, The Netherlands
Timmerhuis / O.M.A. Rotterdam, The Netherlands
deFlat Kleiburg / NL Architects Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Supreme Court of the Netherlands / KAAN Architecten The Hague, The Netherlands
Luchtsingel / ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles] Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Museum Fort Vechten / Anne Holtrop Bunnik, The Netherlands
Public transport terminal building / Koen van Velsen architects Breda, The Netherlands
Protel Office Building / HS Architects Istanbul, Turkey
Diyarbakir Yenisehir Municipality Building / Uygur Architects Diyarbakır, Turkey
A. Nuri Çolakoğlu Anatolian Technical / Norm Architects Kocaeli, Turkey
Sky Garden / SO? Architecture and Ideas Istanbul, Turkey
TAC-SEV New Campus / Erginoglu & Calislar Architects Mersin, Turkey
T-House / Teke Architects Izmir, Turkey
Abdullah Gül University Sümer Campus / EAA – Emre Arolat Architecture Kayseri, Turkey
The Architecture Faculty, Mardin / Mardin Artuklu University Faculty of Architecture Mardin, Turkey
Angelos Organic Olive Oil Mill / Mimarlar ve Han Tümertekin Bademli, Dikili and Izmir, Turkey
Kılıç Ali Pasha Hamam / Cafer Bozkurt Architecture Istanbul / Turkey
Abdullah Gül Presidential Museum and Library / EAA – Emre Arolat Architecture Kayseri, Turkey
Robert College Murat Karamancı Student Center /l Alatas Architecture and Consulting Istanbul, Turkey
Beyazıt State Library Renovation / Tabanlioglu Architects\ Istanbul, Turkey
The Space of Synagogues / Franz Reschke Landschaftsarchitektur Lviv, Ukraine
University of Greenwich / heneghan peng architects London, United Kingdom
Drawing Studio / Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau Ltd Poole, United Kingdom
Holmes Road Studios / Peter Barber Architects London, United Kingdom
Shepherdess Walk Housing / Jaccaud Zein Architects London, United Kingdom
Leadenhall Building / Graham Stirk, Senior Partner, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners London, United Kingdom
Weston Library, University of Oxford / Wilkinson Eyre Architects Oxford, United Kingdom
Outhouse / LOYN + CO ARCHITECTS Brockweir, United Kingdom
Sir John Soane’s Museum Opening Up / Julian Harrap Architects LLP London, United Kingdom
The Whitworth / MUMA Manchester, United Kingdom
Stanbrook Abbey / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios Wass, United Kingdom
House of Trace / Tsuruta Architects London, United Kingdom
Investcorp Building / Zaha Hadid Architects Oxford, United Kingdom
Ely Court / Alison Brooks Architects London, United Kingdom
York City Art Gallery / Simpson & Brown with Ushida Findlay York, United Kingdom
Pensthorpe Play Barn / Adam Khan Architects Fakenham, United Kingdom
Granby Four Streets / ASSEMBLE Liverpool, United Kingdom
A House for Essex / FAT Essex, United Kingdom
Newport Street Gallery / Caruso St John Architects London, United Kingdom
The Fishing Hut / Niall McLaughlin Architects Hampshire, United Kingdom
Detailed Design And Construction Management : Radmila Blagovcanin, Gabi Kottsieper, Katja Mezger, Hendrik Winter, Kenneth Wong, Volker Bastian, Sebastian Baumeister, Torsten Hinz, Raimund Kinski, Christian Kleiner, André Wegmann, Roger van Well
The new building of the State Fire Brigade School in Würzburg has been completed to a design by the architects practice von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp). The practice had been commissioned with the building in 2012 after a negotiated procedure. During an official opening ceremony, the building was handed over to its user – the State Fire Brigade School. In his speech, Bavaria’s Secretary of State for the Interior and Construction, Gerhard Ecke, praised the sophisticated and state-of-the-art technical installations of the training hall, which meet the exacting requirements of the Fire Brigade School.
In spite of its size, the design for the new training hall of the State Fire Brigade School in the Würzburg suburb of Zellerau integrates well in the surrounding mixed development area. Seen from the Marienburg historic building, the complex marks a conspicuous point in the urban context. A complex overall appearance is created with the help of two basic building volumes; a high-rise building intersects with the generous glass facades of a larger, horizontal hall building, which measures 77 x 40 x 21 meters. The uniformly white- rendered side elevations of the hall and roof seem to lay a metaphorical bracket around the high-rise build- ing and the hall. The glass facades of the training hall admit generous amounts of daylight to the interior, and also provide access via integrated lifting gates. During the day the new building reflects its surround- ings, while at night the interior lighting radiates outwards, offering a view of its sophisticated loadbearing structure, which is also used for training purposes.
Spread over ten levels of the building with its 5,500 square meters of floor area, there are installations for the realistic simulation of extinguishing and rescue operations, technical support activities, or ABC deployments. Using the windows and rooms of the solid, fair-faced concrete training structure inside the hall, it is possible to enact scenarios for deployment in high-rise buildings, restaurants, hotel and office premises, at shops, in a hospital, or a medical practice – situations with different degrees of difficulty which have to be faced by the Fire Brigade on a daily basis. In the northern part of the hall, a single-family house with tiled double-pitched roof and dormer windows provides the opportunity to practice the placement and scaling of ladders, while on the outside of the hall, the trainees are prepared for the challenges of a multi-story facade fire. On this side of the hall, the actual training structure penetrates conspicuously through the glass facade. In contrast to the strict pattern of the inside facade, the outside elevation has been designed in a more random fashion – window openings of different types are placed in a seemingly accidental pattern, representing additional deployment situations. Slanted prefabricated fair-faced concrete components simulate a mandatory mansard roof, without trivializing the abstract design of the otherwise austere facade.
On the west side of the hall there is a haulage company with rail siding, an HGV garage with delivery ramp, and a high-bay warehouse. The space is rounded off with a building pit which can be covered, and with areas for “technical help” and “hazardous substances” training. The basement floor houses an underground car park, a cellar which can be flooded, a walk-in sewer system, and cellar spaces for additional training purposes. Mobile platforms have been installed on the roof of the hall to provide scenarios for the placement and scal- ing of ladders. Photovoltaic elements have been installed on the main roof to reduce energy consumption, and a 200 cubic meter cistern has been provided to collect rainwater for extinguishing exercises.
Debating whether or not to cut back on your coffee habits? Already an avid tea drinker and seeking info on how your habit can help you? Then you’re in the right place! We’ve gathered 5 of the top health benefits of tea to make sure you have all the information you need.
Here’s why you should be drinking tea on a regular basis:
Lower Caffeine
If you drink several cups of coffee each day, you consume a lot of caffeine. An 8 oz cup of coffee can contain up to 200mg of caffeine. In contrast, a cup of black tea, the tea with the highest caffeine levels, contains up to 95mg of caffeine only. This level of caffeine is even lower in other teas like green tea which only contains around 45mg.
If you wish to avoid caffeine entirely, tea has a solution for this too. Rooibos tea doesn’t contain any caffeine. So, you can enjoy a hot cuppa without having a drop of caffeine!
Caffeine isn’t actually terrible when you consume it in moderation. Around 400mg is considered to be an acceptable amount for adults. Yet, when you go over this or if you are especially sensitive to caffeine, you can experience unpleasant side effects like restlessness, insomnia, and an upset stomach.
To avoid these unpleasant side effects, opt for tea instead. It has significantly less caffeine than a cup of coffee so you can still enjoy multiple cups of a hot and tasty beverage without going over your daily caffeine limit.
Not only does tea have less caffeine than coffee, but it also has more antioxidants. According to the Harvard Medical School, tea contains catechins and epicatechin — two types of polyphenols which are antioxidants. These antioxidants attach themselves to oxidants that are harmful to the body.
However, how do we know that these antioxidants have any kind of benefit? Well, long-term studies conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health suggest that in the long run, tea drinkers have less chance of becoming diabetic. They suggest that this occurs because the polyphenols in tea help regulate blood sugar levels.
Additional research by Harvard suggests that these antioxidants may also contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Still, it is important to combine tea consumption with a healthy diet and regular fitness routines in order to truly create a well-balanced healthy lifestyle.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas offer a whole new avenue to health as well. While some herbal teas do contain actual tea leaves, many are created from a blend of different herbs, fruits or spices like peppermint and ginger.
These unique blends lead to several different health benefits depending on the ingredient. For instance, peppermint and ginger are both traditionally used to soothe upset stomachs. Then, teas with valerian root or chamomile can also help you sleep. Many herbal teas also contain floral ingredients like lavender and rose hips.
Herbal teas with dried fruits like mangoes, oranges, pineapples and papayas can also benefit you. Instead of the traditional health benefits for digestion, like peppermint or ginger, these fruity teas offer an alternative to sugary pops or artificial juices. If you are trying to make over your diet then a fruity, herbal tea could provide a top solution!
So, with so many different ingredient options for herbal teas, the possibilities are truly endless.
Hydration
Healthcare professionals are increasingly suggesting that you don’t need to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. This is because it is now acknowledged that water is not the only source of hydration. Most other fluids you drink throughout the day, like juices or teas can also hydrate you as can some foods.
While healthcare professionals continue to debunk the myth that eight glasses of water is the key to health, hydration is nonetheless recognized as key to good health.
Dehydration can lead to fatigue, lower moods, decrease motivation and can even cause headaches or reduce athletic performance. So, it is nonetheless important to drink fluids throughout the day and drinking tea is a top way to ensure that you stay hydrated.
Have a Better Workout
Remember those catechins in tea? Scientists believe that they may have a positive effect on the body’s metabolism. Based on studies with mice that were given green tea extract, these catechins may be able to increase muscle endurance.
In a separate study, researchers also determined that mice who were given green tea extra had greater running endurance.
While the benefits of green tea extract in exercise performance of humans has not yet been determined, these studies nonetheless suggest that regular consumption of green tea could lead to a better workout. Plus, regularly drinking green tea can help to keep you hydrated. So, tea and exercise are really a win-win situation.
Drinking tea is an excellent way to look after your health. From soaking up antioxidants to keeping your body hydrated, tea has plenty of health benefits. The best part is, tea is entirely affordable and you can purchase it at most grocery stores.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and have a cup of tea!
Winter white and evergreen create a lovely palette at Olympic National Park in Washington. Snow in the lower Sol Duc Valley has added more beauty to an already stunning place. With over 875,000 acres of wilderness in the park, you’re sure to find many peaceful spots to enjoy. Photo by Megan Juran, National Park Service.
