Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

MAD Architects and Asplan Viak have collaborated to create a feasibility study for Visjon Dokken, an idea for a 25-hectare urban development dock that could become a new center for “residential, business park, commute, and energy sufficient systems.”

Located in Bergen Harbor in Norway, the project would be the second largest development in the country and could house 3,500 dwellings and 8,000 workspaces, 37,000 square meters of public parks, as well as a connected walkway system and bicycle paths.

The initiative to start Visjon Dokken was made based on the manifest  that has an ambition of building 10,000 new dwellings in the city center within the next 10 years. To be successful, local, regional, and governmental authorities must find solutions and collaborate with Bergen builders and building planners. For Bergen to successfully handle the expected growth in population, it is important that we also make space for new dwellings in the city center stated the architects. 

Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

The construction of Visjon Dokken hopes to revitalize Bergen city center, by promoting the area as a natural focal point and urban mixed-use environment.

Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

In order for the project to be developed, an existing cargo port at the site must be moved elsewhere. While Visjon Dokken does not offer suggestions for where the port should be moved, it does suggest possibilities for new ferry and cruise ship docks.

Courtesy of Mad Arkitekter and Asplan Viak

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Courtesy of reSITE

“What is your city? And what do you need to make that entire city yours?” These are some of the questions being posed by co-founding principal of nArchitects, Mimi Hoang, in reSITE’s Small Talks series. The videos, produced and edited by Canal180, were recorded during the reSITE event that took place in Prague earlier this year, titled “Cities in Migration.” Reiterated again and again by several of the interviewees is the fact that migration is, in the words of founder and chairman of reSITE Martin Barry, “a natural human phenomenon; everyone is moving to cities to improve their lives.”

Since 2011 reSITE has exploded into an international platform; a democratic process to “integrate people in a 21st century modern, contemporary, sustainable way,” says Barry. Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic at the New York Times, calls it “a place where people can come from different parts of the world and have a conversation; often a conversation that doesn’t really take place in public.” Saskia Sassen, Urban Sociologist Professor at Columbia University and the London School of Economics, reiterates that the conference “is really wonderful because it is bringing so many different perspectives.”

The “migration question” is not a new one; Sassen makes a point of saying that we have always seen “this on-going influx of migration” in big cities. However, as Kimmelman reflects, “architects maybe lost touch in many cases with that role that they played more clearly, even a century ago, trying to shape society.” He continues to say that now is the time to reiterate these beliefs that “will shape the way the cities of the future looks.” Watch the series to hear about the rest of their thoughts.  

Martin Barry, reSITE

Michael Kimmelman, NYT 

Mimi Hoang, nArchitects 

Saskia Sassen, Columbia University 

Martin Rein-Cano, Topotek 1 

Joana Dabaj & Riccardo Conti, Catalytic Action

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© Adrien Williams

• Architects: MXMA Architecture & Design
• Location: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montreal, QC, Canada
• Architect In Charge: Maxime Moreau
• Area: 104.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Adrien Williams

• Construction: Catlin Stothers
• Design: Susan Bronson

© Adrien Williams

From the architect. MXMA Architecture & Design is inspired by the foliage of Montreal’s Lafontaine Park in this metamorphosis of a duplex interior to create an innovative living space with abundant wood surfaces.

© Adrien Williams

Located in the heart of Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal Borough, facing Lafontaine Park, this turn-of-the-20th-century duplex recently underwent a major interior transformation. The project, realized by MXMA Architecture and Design, was inspired by the park’s abundant foliage. As we enter the home, at the second floor level, we discover a vast wooded area that gradually unfolds as you look into to the inner reaches of the space, resembling the character of a branch. Composed of solid planks of white oak, this branch is arched and deformed, redefining the sense of being at home in the city. Wood surfaces extend continuously into the space, metamorphosing into floors, walls, ceilings, handrails and even built-in furniture.

© Adrien Williams

The organization of the living spaces revolves around the architectural form of the ceiling. Continuity of wooden surfaces becomes the organizing principle of the home’s more public areas, such as the entrance, the living room, the dining room and the kitchen. It creates an experience of movement that leads to the third floor, where the more private areas, including three children’s bedrooms and the master suite, are located.

Floor Plan

The natural, vibrant ambiance of the Casa is enhanced by the irregular surfaces of the ceilings. Their angular volumes adjust to the conceal the new structure, which includes an imposing steel beam (33 feet long) that supports the third floor. They also cover all the ventilation ducts. Finally, the ceiling melts comfortably into the structure of the existing staircase and then unfolds to become a railing on the third floor, like a flower opening up towards the sunlight, which enters the space through a large skylight.

© Adrien Williams

The woodwork gives the home a homogeneous, natural and lively feeling. Technically, it demonstrates how wood can be used to provide flexible and complex solutions with a high-quality finish. Surfaces, materials and light resonate together to create a living space that emanates warmth and is inspired by its context.

© Adrien Williams

Product Description. The casa of Paul & Sigi faces the important greenery of Parc Lafontaine in Montreal, hence the use of wood in the indoor spaces. To reach the residence, you must climb to the second level. From there, one discovers a vast wooded-space filled with life that unfolds to the hollow of the house, like a branch. This branch, composed of massive white oak planks, is vaulted and deformed on several angles in an effort to challenge our sense of being at home. It becomes, in turn, floors, ceilings, guardrails and integrated furniture. In the Casa, wood is used in different ways. The continuity of the wooden surfaces accompanies us in our movements while ordering spaces. The quality of the wood gives a homogeneous, natural and living aspect to the project. 

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© nabil gholam architects

Nabil Gholam Architects’ unbuilt proposal for a future bank headquarters competition, a.spire, has been named the winner of the Office-Future project category at World Architecture Festival 2016. The project, designed for the Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, is a flexible intervention meant to both meet the client’s needs in the present day and adapt to its long-term evolution.

The exterior of the proposal is deceptively simple, housing a complex layering of working and living spaces on the interior. The core of the project’s design philosophy is the duality of inhabitants and neighbors, both of whom are served with several levels of private and public spaces.

© nabil gholam architects

Most visitors, clients, and employees will first experience the headquarters on the ground floor, which serves as the dominant interface between the Tower and surrounding neighborhood. The second tier is a raised ground floor, which is exclusive to pedestrians and fosters interaction with public space away from vehicular traffic. This level serves as the threshold to the main lobby and secret gardens, inviting visitors upward with views of the surrounding site.

© nabil gholam architects

The tower will contribute to Mar Mikhael’s quickly developing skyline, eschewing ornament for an understated sculptural facade that transforms throughout the day with the angle of the sun. The building appears monolithic from a distance, while upon closer examination its porous facade and rhythmic landscaping become visible. The upper-level platform will serve to add healthy green space to its urban environment and at night, the lit sky gardens can be recognized from all parts of the city.

• Architects: Nabil Gholam Architects
• Project Team: nabil gholam architects, AKT II, atelier ten, FMDC Ltd., VDLA, BERM, Barbanel Middle East sal, Logic+Format, JVL Studio, SKA, TMS Consult, Acousystem Liban, DG Jones & Partners
• Area: 2340.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: nabil gholam architects

News via: Nabil Gholam Architects

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Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

• Architects: Slangen+Koenis Architects
• Location: Pierre de Coubertinlaan, 1362 Almere, Netherlands
• Area: 6050.0 m2
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

• Team: IJsselstein (The Netherlands), Erik Slangen, Jakko Koenis, Robert de Boer, Joep Koenders
• Client: Municipality of Almere
• Commussion: Integrated Design

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

From the architect. Across from the existing top sport centre, in the green field development Olympia Kwartier (Olympia Quarter located in the new town Almere Poort which is part of the Amsterdam metropolitan area) a new indoor sports centre has been realized based on the 2521 Simply Swimming concept. This concept incorporates a high level of flexibility and expandability. The municipality of Almere has shown interest in the stacked version of the concept adding complementary functions such as sports halls and club rooms on top of the 2521 swimming pool.

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

The dimension of the pool in combination with a partly movable pool floor increases the flexibility and functionality of the swimming pool. Due to the clever floor plan with its compact layout and visual connections, the building can be operated more efficiently. Supporting functions, like changing rooms, offices and club rooms are positioned on the mezzanine floor. This floor also serves as a climatological buffer between the high temperature and humidity of the pool and the cooler climate in the sports hall. One of the principles of the 2521 concept is completely building above ground, eliminating the long building time and complexity that is associated with excavating the filter basement and basin. A wide range of sustainability measures including very high thermal insulation, innovative water treatment and building services installations ensure large reductions in operational costs. The ground floor level is mainly occupied by technical installations, however the main entrance and the adjacent commercial space create an open gesture towards the exterior surroundings.

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

Diagram

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

The entrance gives access to an inviting central staircase that circles around the elevator shaft. This ‘core’, like a runway, runs from the bottom to the top of the building and, finished with stylish blue- black linoleum and characteristic graphical signage elements on walls and floor, it is designed to be a recognizable element in the building. On each floor this ‘core’ is expanded with a zone that houses facilitating functions. On the ground floor the core gives access to the main entrance; on the second floor to the reception, cafeteria and pool hall; on the fourth floor to the changing area, martial arts hall and club rooms; on the fifth floor to the sports hall and finally on the sixth floor to the spectator stands. In accordance with the 2521 concept, the interior of the complex is finished with a combination of fresh, functional finishes combined with warm wooden walls and ceiling surfaces. This creates a warm, but at the same time athletic atmosphere.

Diagram

A complementary palette of vintage blues and light beige tints was chosen for the public areas, making them clearly recognizable and enhancing the orientation through the complex. The basic 2521 consists of a plinth upon which is stacked the volume containing the pool hall, cafeteria and changing rooms. Due to the large upper volume, a cantilever is created, making a strong visual gesture. The volumes appear to be two separate boxes that are stacked on top of each other. The building is firmly embedded in its surroundings. Interior spaces within the building are connected through large window openings in the facade with the public outside space. The warm interior shines through these glazes surfaces emphasizing the buildings character.

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

Courtesy of Slangen+Koenis Architects

The lower box, the buildings’ plinth, is cladded with robust anthracite fibre-cement panels. Light golden window frames, weather trims and fixings create stylish accents. The floors above are cladded with white profiled metal panels. This creates an interesting play of shadows and adds another layer to the geometry of the building. The light golden accents are also present in the upper volumes and connect to the warm interior finishing. At night the ambiance of the building changes because some windows are placed behind deep vertical louvres creating an even more explicit relationship between inside and outside. Thanks to its powerful geometry, its public character and contemporary materialization, the indoor sports centre provides a strong presence in the Olympia Kwartier. The building, which is an important addition to the sports facilities of the fast-growing city of Almere, has an outspoken urban quality, contributing an important factor to the public life of the Olympia Kwartier.

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© Pasteiner

• Architects: HOLODECK architects
• Location: 1010 Vienna, Austria
• Architect In Charge: Arch. Marlies Breuss, Arch. Michael Ogertschnig
• Design Team: Arch. Marlies Breuss, Arch. Michael Ogertschnig, Sven Klöcker, Jan Chladil, Stephan Goos, Sebastian Uhl, Stefan Förg, Alexej Kolyschkow
• Area: 1400.0 m2
• Project Year: 2012
• Photographs: Pasteiner

© Pasteiner

From the architect. The rooftop extension containing multi-level apartments is divided into private and public areas based on the concept of green filter areas, roof folding an views. Starting out from the gridlines of the existing windows the roof shape shifts according to the inner functions and the urban context.

Section

The urban strategy to integrate the building into the surrounding urban context leads to the concept of roof folding. The large scaled roof tiles evolve according to inner functions and urban context, with views into the city the landscape and within the multileveled apartments. The levels are divided into private on the lowest level, and common areas, on the upper levels, with vertical sliding walls and slanted panoramic sliding windows.

© Pasteiner

Floor Plan

© Pasteiner

Product Description. The Skin of the roofs was done with big alucobond elements in fire protection category A2. Its directly shaped and fixed on / next to the roof. Perfect process without any tolerance according to the size of the elements and without logistic problems in the historical city of Vienna.

© Pasteiner

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View 2. Image © Hannah Wu / People's Architecture Office

• Architects: People's Architecture Office
• Location: Shenzhen, China
• Principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
• Project Team: Zhang Minghui, Lin Mingkai, Amy Song, Zhang Zhen
• Client: CHINA VANKE CO., LTD. & LDG Narrative Design
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Hannah Wu / People's Architecture Office

Birdview 2. Image © Hannah Wu / People's Architecture Office

The Plugin Tower curtails the investment necessary for building a home since it excludes the risk of losing one’s property: residents can pack up their homes and bring it with them if they are ever forced to relocate. Classified as a temporary structure, the Plugin Tower does not require an underground foundation, thereby circumventing the strict planning approval for permanent structures and easing the requirements for building a private house. 

Future scene 1

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

View 1. Image © Hannah Wu / People's Architecture Office

A multi-story prefab system that is infinitely expandable, the Metabolist-inspired Plugin Tower is comprised of a steel space frame, a kit of parts that can be assembled in endless variations. Empty bays within the frame are plugged with living units, altered and unplugged when necessary. Units are made with PAO’s proprietary Plugin Panel system, modules that incorporate insulation, wiring, plumbing, interior and exterior finishes into one molded part. Panels are attached with integrated locks, easily installed by a couple of unskilled people with just a hex wrench. Unlike with shipping containers, Plugin Panels allow living spaces to be added without heavy machinery, and does not restrict their layouts to the shape of a box. 

Interior 2. Image © Hannah Wu / People's Architecture Office

3rd floor plan

Birdview 1. Image © Hannah Wu / People's Architecture Office

2nd floor plan

Suggesting the instability of the state of housing in China, the ‘future of housing’ proposed by People’s Architecture Office is a flexible design that adapts to changing needs and fluctuating conditions.

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Courtesy of M CO Design

M CO Design has released its designs for “Dragon’s Link,” a new dragon-inspired, mixed-use infrastructure on the south side of Hong Kong Island “that will serve a large part of the community and will enhance a local historic monument,” the Tai Tam Dam, which will celebrate its 100^th anniversary this coming February. 

Drawing inspiration from local traditions and the natural topography of Hong Kong, the project will create new connections within an existing network of roads and hiking trails in Tai Tam Country Park in “a juxtaposition of old and new,” in order to improve user experience and infrastructure.

Courtesy of M CO Design

Through Dragon’s link, it is hoped that existing transportation issues—namely concerning traffic and safety, such as bottlenecking and flooding due to outdated drainage—will be solved.

Courtesy of M CO Design

Courtesy of M CO Design

Additionally, the project will dedicate space for cyclists, pedestrian paths with scenic lookouts, a hikers’ plaza, a visitor pavilion with special event terraces, and lanes wide enough to accommodate oversized buses and trucks.

Courtesy of Unknown

Courtesy of M CO Design

We have already shown [the project] to the district representative for the area surrounding the site and with his invitation we will be presenting it to the HK Government in the next District Council meeting on transportation issues, said Scott Myklebust, founder and president of M CO Design. The representative noted that the government has been trying to solve this traffic issue for a long time, without success. He felt this was a groundbreaking proposal and unique solution.

Courtesy of M CO Design

Courtesy of M CO Design

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© AL_A

Architectural firm AL_A has unveiled its design for Pitch/Pitch, a series of 5-a-side soccer pitches designed for unused or temporarily vacant lots across London, as well as in other cities internationally. 

Created as a response to shortage of sport space in inner cities, the project is meant to be fast and easy to construct, “meaning it could be set up for a fortnight to coincide with a World Cup tournament, or last for a year, bringing use to vacant sites that might otherwise lie dormant.”

After working with Arup, the practice developed a modular system that utilizes a lightweight carbon-fiber structure, a material generally associated with the aerospace industry, but that is emerging architecturally at larger scales.

© AL_A

This material was also used by AL_A in 2015 at the second annual MPavilion.

© AL_A

We’ve designed this intervention to encourage the theatre of the game, with spectators and would-be players drawn in as Pitch/Pitch animates the cityscape, said AL_A Director, Maximiliano Arrocet. Pitch/Pitch allows the game to retain an urban flavor, adapting to the number of players and awkward shaped sites.

© AL_A

AL_A is currently working with partners in order to finance and implement Pitch/Pitch across London.

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© Bartosz Makowski

• Architects: Estudio Lamela
• Location: Warsaw, Polonia
• Area: 27000.0 m2
• Year Project : 2014
• Photography : Bartosz Makowski

© Bartosz Makowski

The outline of the building has been dictated by the road layout on the South and the West side, while both remaining elevations have been located in a way that allowed to simplify the building’s shape.

© Bartosz Makowski

As a result of this combination a building with a rhomboid base has been born. The untypical outline of the building required a provision of  an unusual structural grid, which in that case follows a triangular modulation, with an independent structural grid for the underground part of the building (housing a car park).

© Bartosz Makowski

Whole project follows Breeam recommendations. Advanced technologies have been employed in order to provide a highest level of building’s quality (including structural elements and finishes), a quality of office environment, energy efficiency, sustainable performance,  building’s accessibility, as well as, building’s management and maintenance during the construction stage as well as operation phase. 

© Bartosz Makowski

Courtesy of Estudio Lamela

© Bartosz Makowski

A great effort has been put into designing of all four elevations of Pacific building. In order to prevent accumulation of heat the East, South and West elevations have been designed using a double curtain wall system with openings on the bottom and on the top of the façade – a combination that allows for a natural circulation of the air in summer and limits the heat loss during winter period.  Technical bridges have been located between both curtain walls layers. 

Proposed building’s envelope solution enabled an esthetically coherent image of external all-glazed elevations in symbiosis with building’s physics. Additionally, the possibility to open the windows from inside of the office space allows for a higher level of environmental comfort of the office space, which is extremely transparent but not fully enclosed. The North elevation which is similarly fully glazed, is turned into the proximate greenery and Warsaw’s cityscape. Elevations have been equipped with additional decorative illumination in order to highlight the depth of the façade, which results in a very attractive look, especially just after the sunset. 

© Bartosz Makowski

The extensive view can be enjoyed as well from building’s top terrace, which is accessible from both staircases equipped with glazed canopies at the last level. The accessible, open part of the terrace is intended to be a cozy, relaxing space, for this reason it has been separated from the busy Domaniewska Street and from the technical part of the terrace by horizontal louvers. A smaller landscaped terrace has been located at the first floor level.   

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