© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

• Architects: West-line studio
• Location: Shang Che Tian, Huaxi Qu, Guiyang Shi, Guizhou Sheng, China
• Design Team: Haobo Wei, Jingsong Xie
• Area: 6620.0 m2
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

The Tourist Center is located just outside Chetian Village (车田村), on the main road arriving from Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province. The stone village, famous for its houses built with local blue-stones, has more than 400 years of history and its population is mainly composed by Miao (苗), one of the oldest ethnic minority groups in China. 

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

The Village runs parallel to a river and the local traditional architectural style is characterized by single units (stone houses with open air courtyards) repeated in a parallel way. Each unit is linked to the others and all these parallel bands form separated groups.

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

Floor Plans

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

The Architects integrated this characteristic parallel feature in the design of the tourist center. Three parallel units (bands) are arranged following a L shape, which creates interesting outdoor spaces, in China categorized as “Yuan” (院), courtyard. This first band is characterized by white walls embracing the courtyards, white walls which create a ritualistic impression in contrast with the stone ones.

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

Categorized as “Xiang” (巷), lane, the space created by the second band is located on the widest area on site, on its north end. The building at the very end of the long quite secluded corridor hosts the restrooms facilities and has been built according to Chetian Village’s traditional stone masonry techniques.

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

The third band is the largest volume on site and it is categorized as “Tang” (堂), hall. Here are located the visitor center’s public functional areas: reception and info point, an exhibition hall and a tea room. Upstairs is the private office area. The interior units follow the parallel flow and have been partitioned according to their functions. Architects deliberately designed the turn near the south end of the first band and the second band in order to combine the three bands into one structural group. Group which still preserves the singular L shape units in aim of retaining the relative independence among the parallel bands, while gaining the benefits of uniformity and integrity. 

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

Axonometric

© Jingsong Xie / West-line studio

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© Aman Sonel

• Architects: Design Buro Architects
• Location: 91, Phase 2, Shri Krishna Avenue, Rani Bagh, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452020, India
• Architect In Charge: Navendu Shrivastava
• Area: 270.0 m2
• Project Year: 2014
• Photographs: Aman Sonel

• Structural Consultants: Pyramid Consultants

© Aman Sonel

The house was conceptualized around keeping the family interactive all round the day. The footprint of the residence was confined to only half of the available site, overlapping the spaces for increased interaction; as well provide an open space for various activities. The dichotomy between the built and the un-built, play of light, space and materials provided for the quality of spaces.

Section

The residence is built only on a narrow plot of 1050 sqft, and utilizing the complete width of the plot, the rooms and spaces stay comfortable for a lavish living. The walls are only 125m thick and with no columns in the residence, the spaces come out to be neat and cozy.

© Aman Sonel

The minimalistic approach makes the whole depth read as a single space, integrating the way the family lives. The sequence of spaces ensured that the privacy wasn’t hindered but at the same time maintained a connection when required. The extended living room eradicated the feeling of living on a busy city street with the hybrid between the organic nature and rectilinear concrete.

© Aman Sonel

The void in the centre of the building envelope celebrates the spaces connected to it and maintains the joy in the family. Sunlight filling in from the courtyards and the greens segregating the spaces provide a comfortable atmosphere for living. 

© Aman Sonel

The light washes smoothly on the walls through the large glass opening and skylights, creating a strong dialogue between the rough and the smooth.

© Aman Sonel

Product Description:The postform sunmica panels provided for a clean and minimalistic furniture that blends seamlessly with the plain concrete walls and roof and at the same time providing a contrast in the colour and texture.

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© Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

• Architects: BONE Structure®
• Location: Wentworth, QC J0V, Canada
• Area: 3000.0 ft2
• Project Year: 2013
• Photographs: Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

© Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

Quebec is known worldwide for its picturesque landscapes and natural beauty – and along the horizon a new technology is disrupting how North Americans are building their homes. At the forefront of high-performance custom homes lies BONE Structure®, a company devoted to designing and building energy efficient steel structure homes. 

© Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

Situated two hours northwest of Montreal, in the township of Wentworth, this 3,000 sq. ft. home is characterized by its open concept main floor and easy access walk-out basement. 

Floor Plan

The wrap-around balcony encourages the occupants to step outside and enjoy the natural view of the Laurentians. Indoors, they continue to breathe easy in the completely open-concept main floor. The sense of peace comes from a combination of the open floor plan and the 15’ ceilings above the living and lounge space. The floor to ceiling black aluminum windows allow light to completely flood the social spaces of the main floor and highlight the elegantly simple furnishings of the home. The main floor boasts primarily white furnishings, accented with natural wooden and sandy tones that complement the natural forest outside. Most notably, the kitchen stands out on its own, with its quartz Caesarstone countertop and black walnut natural tone cabinets. The polished concrete flooring that supports this floor is radiant and emits heat as necessary for comfort in the chilly Canadian winter months. The master bedroom has arguably one of the best views in the house and a personal walk-out balcony that allows occupants to completely immerse themselves in it.

© Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

Descending into the walkout basement, guests may find themselves seated in the supplementary lounge space or in one of the two additional bedrooms available in the home. The walkout to the outdoors is an excellent complement to the balcony of the main floor. Guests can now venture outside, unrestricted and as far into the woods as desired.

Floor Plan

This home would not have been complete without the exterior’s classic finish of wood siding from Maibec, outlined with black metal that gives this home its modern feel. 

Courtesy of BONE Structure®

Detail

© Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

BONE Structure challenges the traditional construction process with its innovative patented steel construction system, allowing a home of this size to be built and ready to move in within a few months. All BONE Structure homes are pre-engineered to the highest standards with incomparable precision and flexibility; while making it simple and fun for their clients. 

© Ulysse Lemerise / OSA

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Courtesy of Aedas

Aedas has released its design for Gmond International Building, a representative regeneration project located in the old town area of Shenzhen, China. The 200-meter super high-rise building is inspired by the traditional form of Chinese totem bamboo, which symbolizes prosperity and moral integrity.

With nearly 60,000 square meters of gross floor area, the building will house the headquarters for Tellus-Gmond, Grade 5A lettable office spaces, and a jewelry-trading center.

Courtesy of Aedas

Courtesy of Aedas

“The ascending podium massing recaptures a growing bamboo, featuring exterior landscaped staircases, public platforms, eco-friendly rooftop gardens, and an art center that will also serve as a jewelry exhibition venue.”

Courtesy of Aedas

Courtesy of Aedas

Additionally, the podium façade resembles large bamboo leaves, and encloses the commercial component of the building, “forming an interesting duet with the blooming tower.”

Courtesy of Aedas

Gmond International Building is expected to be completed in 2019.

News via Aedas. 

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© Takuji Shimmura

• Architects: MGAU
• Location: Paris, France
• Architects In Charge: Michel Guthmann, Stéphanie Appert, Olivier Barthe
• Area: 4500.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Takuji Shimmura

• Architects Team: Oona Savransky, Nicolas Zaegel
• Engineers: AT3E (MEP)
• Client: NEXITY
• Constructors: ECM, HELBUL, EEGC,

© Takuji Shimmura

The project for Lot B1 of the Saint Denis Confluence urban project is located on the south side of the West Square in front of the RER Saint Denis station. It is one of the first projects to be built in this new district, and is a natural extension of the overarching vision of the coordinating urban planners. Thanks to its location, it is exceptionnaly visible from the front square of the railway station. The building takes full advantage of this location on the square, while masking effects and shadows created by inserting the building between the public space and the sun are minimized in order to ensure the highest possible quality of housing.

Axonometric

Schemas

It is a relatively compact building aligned along the streets, it can be considered from different angles: its urban presence, its multi-functional street level that enlivens the public space, and as the part of a built environment encircling a central interior garden.

© Takuji Shimmura

A large vertical fault opens a passage out of the north façade, revealing a less massive silhouette from the far end of the square, and allowing the planted, sunny interior of the block to be felt all the way from the station. Light and sun can therefore shine through from the south to the square and diminish the shadows cast by the building. The reflection of light on the interior façades of this passageway add vibrancy and a variable component that changes according to the hour of the day and the season.

© Takuji Shimmura

Floor Plan

© Takuji Shimmura

Dividing the building in such a way allows for the multiplication of orientations, and maximizes the light and energy provided by the sun. All the landings are naturally lit.

Section

The interior and city façades are in contrast one to another. On the city side, a strict pattern of openings confirms its urban stature. These facades are finished with a dark material (dark plaster) that is in keeping with the urban surroundings. The interior façades, on the other hand, largely exposed to the sun, are finished with a light-colored paint (light metal paint), which reflects the sunlight all the way to the square. A planted, open-ground garden sits in the center of the block. 

© Takuji Shimmura

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© Omega Render

Mecanoo has unveiled its design to transform The Soestdijk Estate into Eden Soestdijk, “an experimental garden for a sustainable society and a paradise destination for all” in The Netherlands. In an effort to become an educational tool for environmental awareness, the project aims to make a significant contribution to meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“The world is facing pressure from increasingly larger and more complex problems when it comes to water, food, climate and energy,” said Anton Valk, chairman of the Eden Soestdijk foundation. “Eden Soestdijk wants to tackle these problems and contribute to a more sustainable society by stimulating and inspiring visitors to change their behaviour in a positive way.”

An architectural greenhouse behind the palace gardens will be the centerpiece of the project, and will house an interactive exhibition focusing on topics like circularity, ecological balance, and social aspects of sustainability.

© Mecanoo architecten

© Mecanoo architecten

The existing palace and gardens will be restored to their original character. Chambers within the palace will showcase the estate’s history and residents, and will serve as cultural and business event space, as well as an incubator space for entrepreneurial sustainability efforts. Moreover, the wing chambers of the palace will house multimedia, interactive exhibitions.

© Mecanoo architecten

© Rijksvastgoedbedrijf

“The palace gardens will be restored in full glory. Exciting, educative and fairytale-like gardens and landscapes strengthen the experience of nature. They will each connect with the central theme of sustainability while showcasing a unique individual atmosphere.”

© Mecanoo architecten

A pedestrian and cycling tunnel beneath the Amsterdamse Straatweg will provide public access to the front square, which connects the palace and restaurant in the conservatory.

“The Palace Soestdijk Estate is one of the most fairytale like surroundings of the Netherlands: the ideal canvas for Eden Soestdijk,” noted Francine Houben, Creative Director at Mecanoo. “The royal family has always cherished the relationship with the surrounding landscape. The plan for Eden Soestdijk responds to this in a beautiful manner.”

© Mecanoo architecten

© Mecanoo architecten

From 2020 onwards, more than half a million visitors are expected to come to Eden Soestdijk annually, which is projected to feed 57 million euros back into the regional economy each year.

As a response to the redevelopment competition for the Palace organized by the Dutch government, the proposal is a collaboration between the Eden Soestdijk foundation, Mecanoo architecten, Kossmann.dejong and Royal HaskoningDHV. Development of the project additionally is in dialogue with residents, entrepreneurs, and organizations from the region.

Learn more about the project here.

News via Mecanoo.

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© Luis Díaz Díaz

• Architects: Arrokabe Arquitectos
• Location: Teo, A Coruña, Spain
• Area: 191.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Luis Díaz Díaz

• Masonry: MGM Edificación e Infraestructuras SL
• Carpentry : Carpintería Rebordelo SC
• Technical Architect: Francisco Fernández Novas

© Luis Díaz Díaz

From the architect. The project is resolved as a single storey household covered by a three-gable roof that covers the enclosed part and the open exterior spaces including a garage. This seminal decision allowed to reduce the scale of the set by adjusting the height of the facades.

© Luis Díaz Díaz

The garage is located by the access limits of the plot, some 50 cm above the ground level of the household and adapts to the original topography, thus reducing the needs for ground preparation and conditioning for vehicle access whilst contributing to the privacy of the more domestic areas.

Ground Floor

The room program is organized around a main living-dining room that can be enlarged by opening completely towards a southeast porch, where the kitchen also opens. Variations in height and the way the relationship between inner spaces is resolved contribute equally to a greater feeling of spaciousness. The outlines featured in the storey plan respond to purpose of finding the best aspect for each room together with views above the valley and the nearby woodland.

© Luis Díaz Díaz

The result is a single volume, low, stout and anchored to the ground. From the point of view of the composition, it recalls resources that are usual in traditional buildings (heavy closings with a rugged texture contrasting with the use of wood in panels and carpentry work). From an structural point of view the project is resolved with a simple system of bearing walls and a covering woodwork.

Sections

References to traditional architecture are far from literal as they are rather expressed in solutions meaning a respectful attitude towards both the environment and to former presences in the area.

© Luis Díaz Díaz

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Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Daniel Valle Architects has been awarded first prize in the public competition to design a kindergarten and senior welfare center in Seoul, South Korea, with its project, Maebong Daycare Center.

Located in the neighborhood of Oksu-dong, the 700-square-meter Center is designed around the idea of shifting the scale of the building, so that children feel more comfortable. For example, the massing of the space is broken down into five units that utilize various colors, geometries, and materials to emphasize smaller units within the whole.

“Interior spaces are designed considering both the adult and the children size.  Classrooms and other spaces are provided with smart storage solutions to maximize the usage of space and flexibility. A ‘thick wall’ will contain most of the items needed in the classroom as well as provide exercise and fun features.”

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

All spaces in the daycare face the central playroom, which features a double-height ceiling and natural lighting, and which will additionally serve as a lobby, circulation space, and learning area. Moreover, for lighting optimization, most of the classrooms and teacher’s rooms are oriented towards south and east, whereas vertical communications and mechanical rooms are located on the north and west sides.

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Three playgrounds will occupy a portion of the space at the entrance level—one indoor, one semi-exterior space surrounded by fencing, and one exterior garden.

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Courtesy of Daniel Valle Architects

Learn more about the project here.

Location: Oksu-dong. Seoul, South Korea

Size: 700 m2

Year: 2016

Credits: Daniel Valle, Irene R Vara, Saemin Kim, Sunmin Lee, Iago Blanco

News via Daniel Valle Architects.

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© Rodrigo Dávila

• Architects: Leonardo Álvarez Yepes
• Location: Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia
• Area: 7100.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Rodrigo Dávila

• Lead Design Consultant: Edwin Alexander Alfonso
• Collaborators: Néstor Iván Gualteros, Diana Martínez García, Mónica Viviana Delgado, Fabián Vargas, Camilo Mora Triana.
• Furniture Design: D.I. Jorge Arrieta
• Bioclimatic Design: Jorge Ramírez
• Acoustic Design: Daniel Duplat
• Budget & Progamation: Álvaro León Rodríguez
• Structure: Jaime Buitrago Nova
• Flooring: Germán Tapia
• Hydraulic: Jorge Granados Robayo
• Electric: Juan Antonio Díaz
• Lightning & Automation: Pablo David Ariza Martínez, Luis Eduardo Mancera
• Voice And Data: Oficina de Tecnologías UNAL Sede Bogotá, Esteban Junco Acevedo
• Safety Control: División de Vigilancia y Seguridad UNAL Sede Bogotá, Wilson López

© Rodrigo Dávila

History

The Project Nursing Faculty of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia was planned for over 20 years. In 1995 the architect Rogelio Salmona developed a preliminary project. In 2003 a competition for a design was made and in 2008 under the policy of the Regularization and Management Plan (PRM) of the university the project was reborn and finally in 2013 the construction started.

Site Plan

Heritage and Site

The Project is located in the Campus of the Universidad Nacianal following the line of the master plan of Leopoldo Rother, surrounded by a building of historic value, that are on a high level of preservation: The Faculty of Law and Political Science building, the Faculty of Social Science building and the assembly of construction of the veterinary medicine. 

The building is placed perpendicular to the core block of the Faculty of Law and Political Science building, organizing and defining the exterior areas draw by the nearest buildings maintaining the visual relation between one and other, while the longest facing is parallel to the main walk that connects two principal highways of Bogotá, the El dorado avenue and N.Q.S. avenue, with the center of the university campus.

© Rodrigo Dávila

 Landscape and Roam

The decision of lifting the building from the ground surface and arrange the least number of structural elements enabling the maximum of visual relations and attending the urban connections among the open spaces of campus. This condition is enhanced with the second-floor slabs inclination, avoiding the visual superposition with the Faculty of Law and Political Science building when roaming through the walks designed by Leopoldo Rother 

Ground Plan

When approaching, the tilt plane the space compresses near the entrance and opens the sight towards the landscape, upon ascending with the stairway begins a lengthwise roam tensing the visuals to the near and far landscape. In the terrace roof the three open patios instructs an austere and passive atmosphere encouraged by the oriental hills of the city.

© Rodrigo Dávila

The experience of roaming through the project is emphasized by the luminous condition in each floor, which various along the floor and allows transitions between dark and bright spaces. The reflection of light on the ocher concrete creates an environment that transmits warmth and stability in an academic building.

Sketch

Sketch

Corporeity and Technique

The disposition of a constant ventilation system in the classrooms allows a passive way of controlling the air flows with the use of a vertical duct in the central wall, that permits the air renewal in the classrooms and drive out the hot air on the top of the building. this same solution was raised for the office spaces where the central hall is the extraction system that is regulated by the façade ventilation.

© Rodrigo Dávila

The shuttering of the concrete forms leave a wooden texture on the ochre concrete of walls and ceilings maintaining vivid the traditional techniques of construction, and also making a quality and durable building.

© Rodrigo Dávila

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© Agnese Sanvito

• Architects: Neil Dusheiko Architects
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Area: 174.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Agnese Sanvito , Tim Crocker

© Tim Crocker

From the architect. Neil Dusheiko Architects have completed a beautiful and very personal renovation of a Victorian terraced house in Stoke Newington. The house was designed for the architect’s father-in-law, just around the corner from the architect’s own house where he lives with his wife and family.  

© Agnese Sanvito

Neil Dusheiko said: “My wife wanted her father to be closer to us so we could easily pop in and out of each other’s homes. We found a house in the road parallel to ours but it was a bit dark and damp. I wanted to make it into a light and airy home where my father-in-law could live comfortably and easily in a really beautiful space.” 

© Tim Crocker

One of the priorities was to make sure that there was plenty of room for to display his collection of art and ceramics. The kitchen wall is lined with bespoke, oak shelving, where ceramics and glassware are displayed. The materials in the kitchen have been carefully chosen for their texture and warmth, complementing the numerous objects d’art. The floor is paved with brick pammets and the worktops are wood, as are the floors in the adjoining sitting room area.  

Section

The kitchen was very important as the client is a keen cook. It is a light filled space with a skylight over the dining table, a large, glass door leading into the garden and a comfortable window seat, the perfect place for visitors to sit and chat to the cook.  

© Tim Crocker

In the sitting room there are simple, bespoke wooden cabinets but the design has been kept simple as the walls are filled with the owner’s collection of paintings and prints. Art works also line the walls on the landing and in the bedrooms throughout the rest of the house.  

© Tim Crocker

Neil Dusheiko, Director of Neil Dusheiko architects said: “It was important in the design to strike a balance between bringing in light but also creating a private and intimate space that felt very personal. We wanted to modernise the house and make it a more comfortable place to live but retain a feeling of warmth.” 

A new loft has been added, which is light and bright with skylights, and large windows through which you can see the spire of the local church in the distance. It is also cosy and private, with wooden cupboards and floors and dusty red walls which complement the client’s kilims and textiles.  

© Agnese Sanvito

Practice Director Neil Dusheiko said: “We wanted the house to feel light and to be comfortable and modern but at the same time to be very personal. By designing the house around all of my father-in-laws beautiful things I hoped to make the move from the old family home a little easier. My wife and I and our daughter are always in and out of the house and every time I visit there’s another picture up or another ceramic dish on the shelves. I’m really enjoying seeing him settle into the house.”

Section

Product Description.
The materials were carefully selected to create a unified palette that would help exude a warm calm atmosphere, tying the contemporary design into the existing historic fabric of the home. Materials work well together due to the inherent relationships between natural and reclaimed materials.

Reclaimed Brick
We used reclaimed brick tiles for the new kitchen and dining spaces which provides warmth and texture to the newly created space. We used the same material outside on the patio to create a sense of connection between inside and outside.

© Tim Crocker

Glass
A large pivot door and fully glazed roof over the dining rooms maximise light ingress and create a strong connection between the house and the garden. Tall sliding glass panels allow for framed views from the house to the outside.

© Tim Crocker

Oak Joinery
Bespoke oak joinery provides lighter textured infill areas for storage and display for the client’s ceramic and glassware collection. The joinery also houses the heating storage containers, handrails and plenty of space for the client’s personal effects collected over his lifetime.

© Agnese Sanvito

Zinc Cladding
We chose black anthracite zinc cladding for the loft structure as we wanted to use cladding in large sheets to give a more monolithic feel to the roof extension. This included creating large panels of solid metal with simple clean openings framing up views from the roof to key local attractions.

© Tim Crocker

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