© Jaume Albert Martí

• Architects: Atelier M+A
• Location: Singapore
• Architect In Charge: Masaki Harimoto, Ng Ai Hwa
• Design Team: Steffi Marie Escalera Vinca, Chau Zi En, Trang Nguyen-Pham
• Area: 160.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Jaume Albert Martí , Masaki Harimoto

• Builder: IBuilders Pte Ltd

© Masaki Harimoto

The house is situated in an old residential district with predominant single-storey houses for the past century, and the recent reconstruction activities has seen sprouting of multiple-storey houses rising awkwardly within the neighbourhood. The Pitch House has been retained as a single storey house to preserve the existing scale of the houses in the neighbourhood. 

© Jaume Albert Martí

A single pitch roof is designed to slope away from the three-storey high party wall of the adjacent house, and the roof is positioned low in height with a gentle roof angle. The car porch roof at the front of the house forms a layering effect with the main roof in the same angle. 

© Masaki Harimoto

The Pitch House is designed with a simple form, where the family of the house can unwind and enjoy tranquility in this suburban part of the island.

Floor Plan

The interior space is intimate in scale, with the Living room opening out to the front patio and towards the garden, to serve as an extended space for family activities and occasional outdoor dining. 

© Jaume Albert Martí

An indoor open courtyard is also inserted in the middle of the house for the Master Bedroom to enjoy outdoor space.

© Jaume Albert Martí

In line with its simple form, the house also employs simplicity in its materials. 

In this tiny island where land is scarce and the city is overcrowded with development, the Pitch House remains single-storey and petite in size as it blends quietly with its neighbourhood.

© Masaki Harimoto

Product Description. We used the ‘Accoya’ wood as it is stable and durable as an outdoor timber material, it does not warp, split, expand or rot which is crucial, especially with the humid climate in Singapore. 

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© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

• Architects: Australia PT Design Consultants Limited
• Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
• Chief Designer: Shi Xudong
• Developer: Li Ning Foundation
• Total Area: 143,376 m2
• Area: 51320.0 m2
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

From the architect. Yangzhou Li Ning Sports Park is built based on the principle that integrates modern city functions with traditional historical culture, thus creating sustainable modern sports facilities that reflect the contemporary lifestyle.

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

The following are a few highlights in the design of the park:

1. Reflection of the City Culture

Located within the Sports Park in Guangling New City, the project has broken the building volume into pieces by adopting the design philosophy of landscape architecture. As an integral part of the park, the buildings reflect Yangzhou’s spirit of including both mountains and water in traditional parks by combining the artificial “built mountains” with the “natural water” in the area, which provides the city with a vibrant center with its sports culture.

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

2. Manifestation of Function Innovations

In recent years, China’s sport industry has gradually transformed from prioritizing competitive sports to developing public sports. The design has kept up with the change, avoiding simplification in function deployment. Modern leisure sports functions such as rock climbing and trampolining have been introduced on the basis of traditional sports activities. Meanwhile, relevant derived functions have also been introduced such as sports training, health maintenance and rehabilitation, and catering services, offering the community an area for complex activities. 

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

3. Concern on Financial Operation

Learning the lesson from previous cases where some stadiums ignored the operation after sports competitions, the design has been focused on the relationship between function and operation streamline in terms of the space, which promotes the consumption in related businesses such as rehabilitation and catering through the crowd from the stadium. At the same time, it also focuses on the multi-function and openness in using internal and external space, thus improving the utility efficiency and avoiding idleness.

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

The structure modeling has achieved the best cost efficiency by reasonably using concrete structure and large-span steel roofing system according to the span of the space.

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

4. Demonstration of an Artistic Style

The traditional Yangzhou paper cutting techniques have been adopted in the building style, where landscape was cut to an concave-convex effect on the ground. The convex parts are where the buildings are built while the concave parts become multi-function squares. The combination can be seen through the walking and running lanes indoor and outdoor, bringing a spatial sequence experience with a layered structure and rich visual points.

The technology of aluminum alloy curtain wall and enameled glass has been used in building elevation corresponding to the paper cutting effect.

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

5. Focus on Ecological and Environmental Protection

In the planning, the site water system has been used to create a rainwater collection and drainage system, and combined the landscape design and buildings, the natural landscape garden effects have been achieved; the earth-sheltered architecture improves the energy efficiency of buildings, and makes use of the roof space, which improves the green coverage in the area; the design has taken into consideration the features of public sports activities, making use of the natural light to a maximum effect and enhancing the natural light induction by the roof.

© Zhang Xuetao, Gao Yu

Modern leisure sports buildings are integrating complex functions including public sports, entertainment leisure and cultural business, bringing new challenges to urban planning, architecture design, sports operations, etc. It is hoped that the practice of Yangzhou Li Ning Sports Park will provide a beneficial case for the construction of the Chinese public sports.

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© Peter Bennetts

• Architects: iredale pedersen hook architects
• Location: Applecross WA 6153, Australia
• Architect In Charge: Adrian Iredale, Finn Pedersen, Martyn Hook, Vincci Chow, Caroline di Costa, Tyrone Cobcroft, Giancarlo Belviso, Alex Willis
• Area: 1600.0 m2
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Peter Bennetts

• Structural: Terpkos Engineering
• Landscape Architects: Carrier Postmus
• Hydraulics Engineer: Peter Hodson LnC Hydraulic and Fire

© Peter Bennetts

Our clients desired a building that would endure time, evoke a sense of permanence and a sense of already existing on the site. Brick was the natural choice that immediately met this requirement.

© Peter Bennetts

The site sits on the edge of the Swan River with views to the city of Perth. The design creates an experiential connection to the meandering river, a fluid and dynamic body of water that has carved out mass forming a direct engagement with the occupant.

Sketch

The street is revealed through the pushing and pulling of the protective brick walls while opening on to the river view. The walls wrap around the east and west side boundaries filtering the intense Perth light and views through brick screens and bouncing light from reflective brick on deep reveals.

© Peter Bennetts

The bricks mass is simultaneously heavy and light; one storey is hung from the upper level and the cranked columns on the east boundary. At a finer level brick patterning slips and slides continuing the sense of movement.

© Peter Bennetts

The house extends over five levels with the ground semi embedded in to the earth. This is used as an opportunity to explore a change in experiential weight and movement as the house frees itself from the ground. Each level becomes lighter and more fluid finishing with the upper level roof terrace that opens and welcomes the meandering Swan River. 

© Peter Bennetts

It is purposely placed to the north of the site and allows for future sub-division to include an additional dwelling as part of a suburban densification program. One level of the house is designed to be self-sufficient and act as a separate apartment dwelling allowing friends, relatives or other people to occupy the site.

Diagram

Geo-thermal heating and cooling maintain constant temperatures. The thermal mass of the house has enabled no additional heating in winter to date. A thermal chimney over the entry space extends for three levels, extracting hot air in summer using a low velocity fan. 

© Peter Bennetts

The house position creates a long and stretched entry garden that includes a meandering path through the evolving forest. The mature trees partly screen the house from the street and slowly reveal the house and entry to visitors as one walks through the garden. A sense of mystery and surprise begins with the entry to the house and finishes on the upper roof terrace level.

Site Drawing

Product Description. One material is used on the house and on the boundary walls, Austral Elements Platinum and Zinc. Slightly different in appearance both bricks reveal a mysterious depth and shimmer over the duration of a day. 

© Peter Bennetts

Detail

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© Chris Cooper

• Architects: Francis Cauffman
• Location: Newark, NJ, USA
• Architect In Charge: James Crispino, Matthew Leonard, Kasia Zielonka, Shawn Marren
• Area: 70000.0 ft2
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Chris Cooper

• Building Systems Engineer: Buro Happold
• Structural Engineering: Thornton Tomasetti
• Construction Manager : Sciame
• Langan Engineering: Site Civil, Traffic and Landscape Architecture
• General Contractor: Natoli Construction

© Chris Cooper

A Global Leader

A contract research organization, based in France with offices in Paris, London and Montreal, strategically sought a North American Headquarters. Setting a precedent for future city development, the architect was engaged for the first phase of the research organization’s master plan located in the University Heights Science Park of Newark, NJ. In the project’s preliminary stages ensuring the confidentiality of the laboratory, pharmacy and clinical facility operations was paramount in the building’s design, layout and overall conception. 

© Chris Cooper

Two Interlocking Planes

The architect’s basic concept of the five-story building is formed by two interlocking planes; one plane comprises primarily of solid black brick with matching mortar and the other plane encompasses a fritted curtain wall. A ribbon of metal panels ties the two planes together and represents the fluid nature of chemistry and science. This metal ribbon begins on the private side of the building, forming the canopy, and continues inside the building, where it becomes the lobby ceiling. It emerges on the public side as a frame for the vestibule. 

Diagram

A Building Design of Contrast 

Although the 70,000 GSF building is considered modest, the architect was inspired to design an iconic structure that reflects the high quality nature and state-of-the-art clinical practices. This design concept also incorporated a balancing act between the open versus restricted – both contrasting approaches were carefully contemplated. 

© Chris Cooper

The architect was motivated by the research organization’s desire to build enduring relationships with clients and to have an impactful and dynamic North American Headquarters. A taller five-story building with smaller plates was opted for and the relatively narrow long floors allow natural light to penetrate deeply into the interior spaces. This design also gave the building a feeling of grandeur that was appropriate within its urban setting. 

© Chris Cooper

The Ground Floor

With a continuous glazed wall, sunlight penetrates into the two-story lobby. A grand staircase accesses a bridge connecting the two sides of the second floor and the upper floors of the building appear to hover above this transparent base. The two-story lobby runs through the building, connecting two exterior plazas. 

© Chris Cooper

Multiple Streams of Influence

Despite the regulatory demands brought on by the research organization, the resulting structure is far from conventional. The architectural approach has maximized the building’s impact and the lobby design leaves visitors and clients with a strong impression of the research organization’s expertise, state-of-the-art practices and cutting-edge services within the highly-competitive life sciences industry.

Diagram

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Courtesy of Studio Gang

Studio Gang has revealed their design for One Hundred, a mixed-use tower to be located on Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Studio Gang’s first project in the city, the tower will rise over 350 feet and include retail, amenities, parking and residential apartments featuring views of the park and the Gateway Arch.

Courtesy of Studio Gang

Developed by Mac Properties, Studio Gang’s design calls for a tiered, angled tower that will provide each unit with views and improve energy performance. Each tier will comprise four stories, creating space for outdoor terraces for a quarter of the apartments. Inside the tower, each apartment features a corner living room with double exposures to capture and enhance the quality of natural light throughout the unit.

All units will have access to a communal terrace atop the building’s green roof podium, which will house a range of amenities and social spaces. On the ground floor, a series of retail spaces will activate the street and create connections between St. Louis’ Central West End district and Forest Park, strengthening the city’s overall urban fabric.

Courtesy of Studio Gang

“In a climate with four distinct seasons, we wanted to make it possible for residents to enjoy the different views and natural changes in light over the course of the year,” explains Jeanne Gang. “By experimenting with the geometry of the facade and refining the apartment layouts, we were able to make every apartment into a corner unit perched above the park and city.”

The building has also been designed with environmental concerns in mind – the leaf-shaped plan and tiered massing will both contribute to an efficient performance, reducing overall energy use. The building’s green roofs will double as rainwater collection banks for irrigation and to abate stormwater runoff.

One Hundred is expected to break ground next year, and is scheduled for completion in 2019.

Learn more about this project, here.

News via Studio Gang.

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Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Steven Holl Architects have revealed plans for a new library and campus design in Malawi, coinciding with the project’s approval by The Miracle for Africa Foundation. To be constructed of local stone, bamboo and concrete, the library will provide 66,000 square feet (6,132 square meters) of study and gathering space to the community.

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

The 66,000 sq. ft. library is organized via a section that provides maximum reflected light to the interior with optimum solar PV collection on the roofs

The library has been organized using a tiered section that will provide maximum reflected light to the free plan interior space, with meeting rooms and archives housed within glass, humidity-controlled enclosures. A rain collection pool in the center of the plan will direct visitors to the main circulation desk and bounce rippling reflections throughout the building in a “cloud-like light.”

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

The project’s signature element, the building’s curving, prefabricated Ductile concrete roof, will further bounce natural light through the space, creating what the architects call a “field within a field,” while PV panels on the rooftop will provide energy for the library. Around the building perimeter, local bamboo will be utilized to create a patterned screen to filter light and create a shaded arcade encircling the structure.

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

The library will be the first construction within a new campus masterplan, whose morphology draws inspirations from the paintings of a Malawi batik artist.

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Ground Floor Plan. Image Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

“There is great excitement about this project as an artistic masterpiece, and about the solar energy concept as it works with maximal light, ventilation, and humidity control, said the client, Mr. Y.K. Chung, chairman of the Miracle for Africa Foundation.

“I’m astonished at the consideration and interpretation of Malawian batik art, the reflective pool, waves in a field of light, and the philosophical axes of the campus. This project is historic, the library will be an iconic marker for a great moment in the architectural history of Malawi and for all of Africa; especially Malawi, which has been away from modern civilization for so long.”

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Known as “The Warm Heart of Africa,” Malawi is one of the smaller countries on the African continent by area, containing a population of 16.7 million people. It is also among the world’s least developed countries, with a GDP per capita of only $381.40. The Miracle for Africa Foundation was founded to serve the people of Malawi and Africa by expanding healthcare, education, and agricultural opportunities. You can learn more about the Miracle for Africa Foundation, here.

News via Steven Holl Architects.

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

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