© Marc Goodwin

• Architects: Lund Hagem Architects
• Location: Geilo, Norway
• Architects In Charge: Einar Hagem, Torger Wendelbo
• Area: 150.0 m2
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Marc Goodwin

© Marc Goodwin

From the architect. Situated at 982 meters above sea level, this cabin has harsh winter conditions and heavy snowfall. The site has a panoramic view overlooking the valley of Geilo. During winter the cabin is only accessible with ski or snowmobile.

© Marc Goodwin

The cabin consists of three volumes; the main cabin, guest house and carport connected under a u-shaped pitched roof creating a sheltered inner courtyard. This south-facing courtyard allows the low winter sun to enter during the day. The outer geometry is formed by the important views and the adaption to the landscape. The cabin is placed as low as possible in the landscape and during winter is almost covered in snow.

© Marc Goodwin

Floor Plan

© Marc Goodwin

The facades facing the terrain are made of concrete. The rest of the cabin is a wood construction, painted black as the traditional buildings in the area. The concrete formwork is made out of the same dimensions as the timber cladding.  The concrete is tinted black.

© Marc Goodwin

The materials inside are black concrete floors and oak treated with iron sulphate. The dark tone allows the nature outside to come closer and a darkness that contrasts the white winter landscape. A long single frame skylight placed at the top of the roof and a fireplace hanging from the roof are other sources of light.

© Marc Goodwin

Product Description.The exterior of cabin Geilo applies dark coloured timber reference to the traditional houses in the area. The cabin applies consistently dark tones throughout interior and exterior. The dark tone allows to unite the building and the nature as well as contrasts the white winter landscape.

Exterior:
-Wall (Foundation)- Black tinted concrete
-Wall- Pine cladding, painted in black
-Roof- Roofing felt in black.

© Marc Goodwin

Interior:
-Floors-Black tinted concrete
-Interior wall-oak panel with iron sulphate 

© Marc Goodwin

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© Scheltens & Abbenes

• Architects: Houben & Van Mierlo
• Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Architects In Charge: Jelle Houben, Bas Van Mierlo
• Area: 1650.0 m2
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Scheltens & Abbenes

© Scheltens & Abbenes

From the architect. Amsterdam North is rapidly developing into a diverse and desirable district of Amsterdam. In a special location in the heart of this neighbourhood, Houben & Van Mierlo Architecten have designed the renovation of two old ‘potato barns’ into contemporary residential properties for two families, including an in-house photo studio for the famous photography duo Scheltens & Abbenes.

© Scheltens & Abbenes

One barn dates back to the Second World War and was built using hybrid construction techniques; the second was added in the sixties and built as a steel construction with wooden floors and a concrete stone facade. In accordance with the plan for the redevelopment and the renovation of the land and buildings, several old extensions were demolished and the existing interior completely stripped. Following a sophisticated plan, the main rooms were re-formatted into large, loft-like living and working spaces.

Floor Plans

In the arrangement of these spaces, the original constructions of the barns have remained visible. Together with the new plastered cement screed floor, they define the basic character of these interiors. Furthermore, the finish is simple yet stylishly designed and realized, whereby the characteristics of a robust industrial past go hand in hand with a modernist interior of art and design fittings.

© Scheltens & Abbenes

One of the involved clients is the photography duo Scheltens & Abbenes. They make both autonomous work for cultural institutions and commissioned work for a variety of international companies, in a world ranging from product design to fashion. The special finish of the interior of their residential house and studio was realized in collaboration with several of their clients, such as Delta Light, Farrow & Ball, Scholten & Baijings and Muller Van Severen. The use of fixtures and furniture, paint and wall tiles from these ‘partners’ with a simple yet sophisticated light and colour scheme gives the interior an extra dimension.

© Scheltens & Abbenes

In addition to the existing constructions, the robust custom made front doors, stairs and kitchens, and the furnishings with personal items and autonomous work by the photographers themselves, give this interior a unique quality and transform it into a truly ‘gesamtkunstwerk’.

© Scheltens & Abbenes

Product Description. The original, raw constructions of the barns have remained visible. These constructions consist of a steel structure; the roof and first floor in existing wood boards; external walls in concrete bricks. Existing and new facade openings designed with a combination of wooden window frames and industrial-like steel doors. Together with the new plastered metalstud walls and a plastered cement-screed floor, these define the basis character of these interiors.

© Scheltens & Abbenes

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© Hey! Cheese

• Architects: B+P Architects
• Architect In Charge: Chia-Hao Tsai, Tze-Chun Wei
• Design Team: Tzu-Li Lin, Chien-Tung Chen
• Area: 735.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Hey! Cheese

© Hey! Cheese

Renovation of a Historical Building

The historical building contains many strong characteristics of space and living and it expresses the significance of the certain age. While facing the renovation of a historical building, our first intention is to “re-specify” the initial gestures of the space in order to remain the condition for the traces of time could be experienced. Therefore, carefully but distinctive inserting an element to shape new spaces become the key issue of this project.  

© Hey! Cheese

Structure as furniture

Minimal utilizing the historic space and re-using original materials are our main concept of the design. The main timber truss for the retail shop at the front room introduces the idea of “Structure as furniture”, a free-standing individual component that is detached with the existing wall. The idea of moderate intervention with minimal attaches and less anchoring that will undermine the existing building is taking place in this project. 

© Hey! Cheese

Structure Diagram

© Hey! Cheese

The timber truss is a structure designed to support the display shelf and to integrate the wiring of lighting and air-conditioning units. The truss appeared as an inverted frame is a modest response to a new insertion to an old building.     

© Hey! Cheese

Yeh family is one of the many grain stores locate in Dihua street, where it is the central commercial area of Taipei during the time. We remain considerable amount of existing furniture and grain equipment replaced back to the space to give its presence of the historic context. The timber used for the truss is made from Japanese cypress that is also used to make gain utensils at the time as well. Besides the gentle explicit response of the form, the implicit connection of materials and textures is also our design thinking towards a historic building.

© Hey! Cheese

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© Namgoong Sun

• Architects: Moon Hoon
• Location: Dogok-dong, gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Design Team: Kim jaekwan, Kim sookhee, Kim haeree, Shin Jinseok , Jade Narrido, Jason Houliston
• Area: 40.76 m2
• Photographs: Namgoong Sun

Drawing

From the architect. It reflects the client’s personality in a frank manner. Considering that the client, who had dreamt all kinds of mysterious dreams only to overcome them while living in a house built on a rock of mystical forces at a high area of Gangbuk, Seoul, purchased the plot of a fortuneteller and a shaman beside a tall wall in Gangnam, this is a world that must be full of many unexplainable things. In contemporary terms, this building would be considered a mixed-use narrow house, combining a basement studio for the client’s son, a photographer, a reception area, as well as a residence for mother and son that has been equipped with a compact elevator to account for the weakened joints of the elderly.

© Namgoong Sun

I feel uncomfortable whenever I see contemporary buildings with large openings. Such an entrance could be even worse if it is for a residence because personally I think it is often feared that it would only allow too much light inside and violate my privacy. Of course, it can be controlled with a variety of devices, such as curtains or louvers, but they can’t be used as the fundamental solution. Thus, I proposed small and unique windows to my client for this project. At first, they were concerned that it would be too dark inside but it has resulted in a space that has both sufficiently bright spots and dark ones.

© Namgoong Sun

Longitudinal Section

© Namgoong Sun

While I was blithely dancing along with the imaginary building line, in addition to my habit of desiring ‘to connect things that seem irrelevant with lines’, I also established the order of randomness and this became the basis for designing external appearance of buildings. Virtually projected on the building, the lines were left as decorative marks on the interior walls. The biggest reason for taking on an uncontrollable situation as a designer or handing over the role of designer to random events and chance is not because I am indifferent but because they often present better solutions than I.

© Namgoong Sun

© Namgoong Sun

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© ZENG Zhe

• Architects: IAPA Design Consultants
• Location: Beijing, China
• Architects In Charge: Paul Bo Peng, Yang, Yen Hu, Stoney Yu
• Area: 2500.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: ZENG Zhe

• Clientother Earth Happiness Group: The Mother Earth Happiness Group

© ZENG Zhe

Yin Ma Chuan of the Great Wall – The Seeking the Happiness of Mother Earth Area is the first cultural resort at the foot of the Great Wall of China. IAPA partnered with The Mother Earth Happiness Group to design works from planning, architecture, landscape, interior, to construction documentation. The design of the resort has a unique emphasis on environmental protection and art culture.  Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum is now complete and in use.

© ZENG Zhe

Axonometric

© ZENG Zhe

The Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum has a modular container as the main body of its structure, which incorporates exhibition, catering, leisure and office spaces. The modular container is connected with galleries, bridges and platforms to create an enjoyable space using the style of the Courtyard House. The design embraces the scenic nature of the Great Wall, offering visitors a magnificent landscape view.

© ZENG Zhe

© ZENG Zhe

Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living Museum is a representation of the continuity of traditional cultural heritage. The structural form, the indoor and outdoor spaces, the contrast of stone and steel, the timber and hemp, the interaction of corridors, bridges, and viewing platforms, provide a pleasing environment to enjoy the enchanting, unique experience of Seeking the Happiness of Mother Earth.

© ZENG Zhe

Product Description. The project is located within the historic site of the Great Wall. The modular containers were chosen to form the main structure body. Locally sourced woven reeds, used for the outdoor corridor ceilings, and recycled timber decking create a natural aesthetic that represents the traditional cultural heritage of the site.

© ZENG Zhe

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© Eric Laignel

• Architects: TPG Architecture
• Location: Winston-Salem, NC, United States
• Architect In Charge: Larry Berger, RA
• Lead Designer: Carly Jacobson, LEED AP
• Area: 37500.0 ft2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Eric Laignel

© Eric Laignel

From the architect. After a successful teaming for the design of their Boston headquarters, MullenLowe engaged TPG Architecture to design its new office in Winston-Salem, NC: a 37,500 square foot space in the city’s newly developed Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. The office design was an opportunity to create a strong communications touchpoint expressing MullenLowe’s identity as a “challenger” in the advertising industry, a scrappy do-everything ad firm with a global reach.

© Eric Laignel

MullenLowe’s staff work in multiple disciplines for diverse clientele, so their space had to be flexible and inspirational. The space itself was breathtaking when the design team first walked through. Built in the 1930’s, the building was originally a tobacco factory. A large, deep floorplate, 14’ ceilings and metal-frame windows were the raw materials that provided the framework for MullenLowe’s new offices.

© Eric Laignel

The design concept was to respect and celebrate the existing structure, leaving the walls and ceiling untouched by using floating free forms – rectangular boxes built between the columns – to create space within the space.

© Eric Laignel

The L-shaped floor plate naturally split the space in two distinct wings. The reception area is logically situated at the vertex of the wings, in an existing open atrium with stairs to the lobby. By placing reception there and using the free form boxes to subdivide the space, the design team was able to bring focus and continuity to the plan, dividing the raw space into functional neighborhoods and providing myriad open and inspiring creative environments. The program required an assortment of collaborative spaces including conference rooms, huddle booths, photo and recording studios, and a media screening room with stadium seating.

Plan

Structural columns and beams were left exposed, still coated with nearly a century of layered paint, which was minimally sandblasted to prevent peeling. Finishes and furniture were inspired by the raw space; the free form boxes are clad in plywood and dark-gray painted sheetrock, while the chair colors were sampled from the peeling paint on the concrete walls. The designers devised a system of perforated metal screens to allow for magnetic pin-up space throughout the office without interrupting the openness and fluidity of the floor.

© Eric Laignel

Today, MullenLowe’s space is more conducive for hosting events for local groups such as the Arts Council, as well as outside vendors, such as the local coffee house who provide the staff with on-site barista. Internally, the open work environment and common areas allow for more accidental collisions and natural collaborations, all of which are selling points when hiring new talent and pitching clients.

© Eric Laignel

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The interior of the Crystal Cathedral in 2005. Image © <a href='http://ift.tt/2hOvV4p user Nepenthes</a> licensed under <a href='http://ift.tt/2aA6y58 BY-SA 3.0</a>

When the Crystal Cathedral was constructed near Los Angeles in 1980, its design was pure Hollywood: designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee for televangelist star Robert Schuller, the design combined traditional elements of church design with features that made it suitable for television broadcasts. However, when Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy in 2010, the building was passed to a very different tenant, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, who then commissioned Los Angeles-based firm Johnson Fain to adapt the building to be a better fit for the Catholic Church.

A recent article by Mimi Zeiger for Architect Magazine investigates how Johnson Fain are converting the 1980 classic into something more suitable for its new life out of the spotlight—including modulating the light within the vast all-glass structure and rearranging the seating.

Visit Architect Magazine here to find out more about the renovation by Johnson Fain—including a set of renders—or find out more about Philip Johnson’s original design for the cathedral via the link below.

AD Classics: The Crystal Cathedral / Philip Johnson//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

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© Nico Saieh

• Architects: 332 Arquitectos
• Location: Colina, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
• Architects In Charge: Paola Adrovez, Rafael Bas y Daniel Díaz
• Area: 364.0 m2
• Project Year: 2014
• Photographs: Nico Saieh

• Landscape: Cristobal Elgueta

© Nico Saieh

Architectural assignment. 
This project in Piedra Roja is a house designed for a family consisting of a couple and their four children, two small children and two teenagers. Due to this assignment  , the house should have rooms that allow and make compatible the different activities of its members, at the same time foster the convergence of the family group and its friends. 

© Nico Saieh

It was also a requirement that parents have some control over spaces in the house, understanding its spread dimensions. 

Floor Plan 02

In addition, the house had to be developed on one floor and take full advantage of the relationship with its surroundings and natural lighting through large windows. 

© Nico Saieh

The land and the location of the house.
The site adjoins a park that is part of the condominium, and within its almost triangular form, a good part of its boundaries are faces exposed to public spaces. 

© Nico Saieh

Therefore, the first design strategy was to extend the house as much as possible, in order to generate a protected border from the outside, where the main enclosures of the house will be located, in a succession of open volumes To the north, separated by small courtyards and interior planters. This would keep the house garden indoor and private, and all rooms open to this interior space.

© Nico Saieh

The Algarrobo. (Prosopis chilensis)
On the site there is a large Algarrobo tree. Then, the house, along with being extended, was designed to give space to this tree and include it as an integral part of the project. The House´s family spaces  are related directly to the algarrobo through terraces and windows. 

Elevations

Passive architecture. 
Energy efficiency considerations were taken through passive architecture design, using ventilated skins (perimeter walls and decks), orientation to the north of the main enclosures, inclusion of landscaping as a tool to avoid overheating, study and application of Layers of thermal insulation, use of DVH Low-e, etc. 

© Nico Saieh

Section

It emphasizes the projection of ceilings with eaves, according to the solar inclination in order to take care of the room´s sunning, which makes that the house is formally distinguished, without pretending, of the rest of the neighborhood. 

© Nico Saieh

Promenade.
Because of the house´s geometry, programmatic relations between the more domestic spaces are produced; for example, between the workshop, the dining room and the family room is materialized a small south patio that is finally configured as a new way to meet and walk through the house. 

© Nico Saieh

Currently, the gardens of the house have been integrated with the adjacent park and the natural landscape of the hills, making their boundaries blur. Likewise, it is the house that defines its limits and the scope of protection of family privacy, regardless of fences or other normative obligations of the condominium. Indoor, the house is constantly looking at itself.

© Nico Saieh

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Alejandro Aravena at TEDGlobal 2014. Image © TED Conference (Flickr) licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Chilean architect Alejandro has been selected as one of “28 creative geniuses who defined culture in 2016” by the New York Times, in a list that includes personalities such as First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, singer Lady Gaga, photographer William Eggleston and designer Junya Watanabe.

Aravena achieved spectacular success this year, being awarded the Pritzker Prize in January and acting as director of the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale which opened in May. Through his work, he directed a discussion about the role of architects and their impact on society.

Together with musicians, chefs, designers and artists, the Chilean is one of three architects selected by the publication alongside the iconic duo of European Postmodernism Trix and Robert Haussmann.

See the complete list here.

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© Sergio Grazia

• Architects: Brenac + Gonzalez et associés
• Location: 86000 Poitiers, France
• Project Manager: Stefan Tuchila
• Main Project Leader: Jean-Pierre Leveque
• Area: 11000.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Sergio Grazia , Stefan Tuchila

• Client: CHU of Poitiers
• Landscape Architect: Agence Hilaire
• Cost Control: Oteis
• Structural Engineering: Oteis
• Utilities Engineers: ITF
• Acoustical Engineers: Sigma Acoustique
• Façade Engineers: Van Santen
• Lighting Design: Lumesens

© Sergio Grazia

The new building of the CHU de Poitiers gathers all the administrative services, which were originally scattered around the campus of la Milétrie, in a single place. The personnel, whose members have been working without ever meeting or seeing each other, are henceforth grouped together in the same building.

© Sergio Grazia

It is mainly comprised of an agora in the middle of a wooded park, a genuine public place of exchange, generating links and encouraging sociability. 

© Sergio Grazia

The project is based on three powerful ideas:
-Placing the landscape of the site in the heart of the project,
-Creating brightly lit work spaces and friendly spaces for sharing,
-Proposing iconic architecture as a landmark in this vast area

Floor Plan

More than just the form, the originality of the administrative building of the CHU de Poitiers resides in the ambiguity created inside and on the exterior by the presence of an immense central lobby.

© Sergio Grazia

The project of the CHU of Poitiers is composed of two E-shaped branches joined by the large central void, the agora. The site is characterized by the presence of a magnificent wooded landscape and a traffic circle that will undoubtedly become a new axis for entering the CHU. 

© Stefan Tuchila

The two naves frame the landscape. The ETFE roof further links these volumes, creating a sort of display case for the scenery. In this interior/exterior space, plants and a waterfall are domesticated evocations of a luxuriant natural environment.

© Sergio Grazia

© Sergio Grazia

The two branches of the building are placed in parallel and, through a series of gaps and raised volumes, the forecourt and the lobby can be seen from the intersection. These branches enjoy interior patios and generate pleasant workspaces and an interior distribution that enjoys generous natural light, all brought together around the great central plaza. 

Section

Section

The interior street, the first contact with the administrative building serves as reception area and visitor orientation, while also offering a pleasant environment for users. Spaces designed for rest and relaxation and sharing are made available on every level; they all benefit from natural light and the views offered by their triple height volume.

© Stefan Tuchila

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