Realtime Designs

07/06/2015

Anchoring at the end of the proposed Hongqiao primary retail axial in Shanghai, and with a canal meandering through the northern edge of the site, Linkong Block 10-1 Development is the destination for public within the Linkong Business Park. The programme of Linkong Block 10-1 Development, The Urban Crossing, calls for a boutique urban mixed-use project with office, retail, gallery, conference centre, and water promenade plaza. The concept is to create a brand new landmark, which further establishes a strong civic presence through its iconic form and vibrant program mix. Portrayed as the Gateway of Hongqiao Airport Transportation Hub, the project is deemed to generate synergy from public and commercial activities.In keeping with metaphoric image with functional requirements within a limited site confine, the concept places a series of vertical forums and stages using inter-connecting layers of platforms, while maintaining a strong gateway presence. These platforms allow access and offer distinct views at various levels and locations. The Urban Crossing also signifies a dynamic mix of urban forum, windows, stage, and observatory, providing platforms for different activities throughout the day. The form consists of two office towers linked by two weaved platforms at upper and lower floors. The platforms combine with a north-south directional shift on the towers to complete the portal concept. The elevated linkages complete this iconic form, and the diagonal connections receive circulation movements from three different axes and distribute people flow to various platforms. Simple shifting and connecting paradigm enriches the overall spatial quality, while satisfying the users’ functional requirements and providing a place for drifting. The Urban Crossing is capable of hosting multiple major events, while maintaining daily commercial/retail activities as part of the urban living scene. The project will be the focal point in Linkong Business Park where people gather and exchange. The shifting of architectural form, layering and circulation pattern expressed the Crossing concept in architectural terms. Functional interaction and spatial extension between the interior and exterior, further strengthens and completes the inter-connected vertical living room/showcase concept at The Urban Crossing.

06/10/2015

This pavilion for entertaining and changing was added in 2007 to our 1999 home design. The wall and roof planes have been pushed/pulled apart and made translucent to create a sense of air and light.

06/09/2015

DESIGNED BY
Salassa-tissot-castañeda / STC
https://www.facebook.com/s.t.c.werkbund

TYPE
Residential › Private House

YEAR
2015

“We are interested in the house as a fundamental instrument to live in our time…”
Charles Eames..

MEMORY AND TRANSGRESSION

An atemporal container supported on the semi-urban grid, as an artificial element that only seeks to contemplate the environment, as well as the environment seeks to contemplate it. In a contemporary way, its boundaries evoke the remnants of
the industrial era of Alta Gracia, the English style steel sheet houses, the station and the train.
THE SPACE

Diaphanous environments, without fanfare. What matters is the interaction of the object with its surroundings. The intermediate spaces pose the eternal tension between the natural and the human impact.
Located in the west of the city of Alta Gracia, in a peripheral area of high environmental quality. On a plot of 12×50 party we design a compact house, prioritizing good natural light and the views to the mountains and creek. The level of support is above 2.5 meters with respect to the sidewalk, this allowed us to generate large openings without prejudice to privacy.

Photographed by : Gonzalo Viramonte
https://www.facebook.com/arqgonzaloviramonte?fref=browse_search

Viramonte

06/02/2015

Roccolo’s Swimming Pool / act_romegialli

Architects: act_romegialli Location: Parco Monte Barro - Museo Etnografico Dell'Alta Brianza, 23851 Galbiate LC, Italy Year: 2015 Photographs: Marcello

08/04/2014

This design proposal for two vacation homes for two brothers and their families on a large plot of land in upstate New York represents an examination of a curious part-to-whole relationship. The mathematical principle of “dis- section” states that any two regular polygons with equal areas can be divided into sets of similar shapes. This scheme appropriates this principle as a solution to general similarities in the programmatic requirements, and distinctions in the desired relationships to the site.

A regular six-sided polygon and a regular four-sided polygon contain the same five shapes—each are made up of the same four trapezoids and one triangle. The adjacen- cies between the five shapes are different, as are their orientations, within each of the polygons. Translated into spatial divisions in an architectural plan, these fixed arrangements prompt sectional-flexibility. Conceptually, in section the floor planes and the roof planes are configured in order to accommodate strategic micro-topographic continuities and discontinuities across the collective surfaces. Flows in circulation of residents and water govern possible configurations of the floor-scapes and roof-scapes respectively.

Programmatically, the pairs of parts are used similarly between the two houses, although each programmatic piece utilizes its unique adjacencies; the triangular space is used as a vertically-oriented, sun room in the center of the square house, and as a landscape- oriented, screened-in porch in the hexagonal house.

08/04/2014

I have a bone to pick with contemporary architecture. How do we make good stuff? What does it take? It is worth noting that we are abundantly a visual species. Over 70% of all nerve function in our bodies takes place in the eyes. But is it enough? Can we just make good looking buildings? Asymptote Architecture has certainly done that.

The Abu Dhabi Yas Island is a 500 room, hotel located in Abu Dhabi . It incorporates an 85,000 square-meter complex and becomes a part of the greater Yas Marina Abu Dhabi development. The hotel’s star attraction (other than its proximity to the grand prix tracks) is the large steel ‘drape’ that envelopes the hotel. 5,800 pivoting, diamond shaped glass panels fit with steel framing. Contained beneath the semi-opaque shell are two hotel ‘towers’ and an adjoining bridge which spans the Formula 1 track that cuts through the complex.

However. I am not impressed with the hotel structures themselves. If I may be excused for directness- One doesn’t live up to the other. And that one is the Holiday Inn hiding underneath a beautiful work of architecture. The ‘drape’ exhibits clarity, a sense of purpose and an overall beautiful form. The sterile floor plates punctuating facades that make up the hotels display none of these characteristics. But before I digress too far, the life contained within the shell seems to reemerge beyond the hotel facade and seek refuge in the interiors. So it is a question of facades and we humans being so visually oriented, would perhaps like to see a little more continuity of ex*****on.

,

08/03/2014

I once had a homeless person walk up to me and express incredulity that the car had been ‘invented’ in 1908 (Model T) and since then, it had only been made prettier. I was somewhat taken aback by this to-the-point critique. But the truth is that he was and continues to be right, and it doesn’t just pertain to cars. Cities are something that have been with the human race for literally millennial. And they have essentially continued to be massive users and polluters and in spite of all our new technology, only really gotten prettier. Nothing has really changed. I think the problem is perhaps one of smell.

In the past, a city would stink of the waste it produced. This waste was typically rotting food or just plain old excrement. It was physical, in your nostrils, stuff. This was the kind of stuff that made people step back and say ‘You know, it’s wonderful that we’re all living so close and it’s making us ever so much more productive, but we gotta do something about all the s**t everywhere- it smells like s**t.’

Today, our cities are enormous bastions of productivity. They produce and reduce and refine and all of it happens behind the scenes. Our cities are larger and they don’t stink as much. Haven’t we solved the problem. Pat on the back. Unless… maybe we just got smart and started producing things in ways that only give off odorless, colorless gasses and our cities are much dirtier only in a less noticeable way? It is interesting to me that for many years now it has been known that any combustion should have proper ventilation to prevent excessive build-up of exhaust; you know, don’t run your car in the garage with the door closed. And yet, we as a species failed to make the mental leap comparing self-contained garage to also self-contained planetary atmosphere. So now that it’s getting hard to ignore, we worry about it. This is where Masdar City comes onto the scene.

Built in the United Arab Emirates , it is set to be the first zero-waste, zero-carbon footprint city in the world. Designed by Norman Foster, they describe the city as inspired by the Architecture & Engineering and Urban Planning of traditional Arab cities, Masdar City incorporates narrow streets; the shading of windows, exterior walls and walkways; thick-walled buildings; courtyards and wind towers; vegetation and a generally walkable city.”]

The city’s orientation is northeast-southwest, which coupled with narrow, carless streets cuts down on how much city dwellers are exposed to the hot, daytime winds and increases their access to night breezes. This seemingly little thing is to me perhaps the most important. It signifies a deeper examination of situation. Mankind’s solution to problems has for a long time been to throw something else at it. ‘Everything can be fixed by making it bigger’. It is becoming increasingly clear that no amount of high-technology can beat nature. So Foster + Partners has chosen to work with it in setting up a city that will hopefully become a hallmark for the future.



Foster + Partners

07/28/2014

What is the roof for? ‘Well it keeps us dry.’ Yes, yes indeed. But what goes up there? Is it like the top of a shelf or dresser, where we stick all the stuff that won’t fit below? Is this all it can be? The newly redesigned Siemens headquarters in Munich, Germany as a very good answer for us. Here is a technologies company that gets a little bit of the big picture. Amongst their portfolio of environmentally sustainable products are photovoltaic cells and they intend to use them.

Recently, Virginia Tech built a new parking garage. This semi-eyesore is located on the back end of campus, ironically one of the first things prospective students see when they arrive for a visit. It is six floors for cars with a roof deck also open for parking. In the last few weeks I have had the privilege of seeing three large rows of photovoltaic panels installed on this roof and it got me to thinking. We as a civilization have at this time literally millions of flat roofs, many of them on towers with excellent solar access. And so far the only things these flat roofs do for us are keep us dry and overheat our cities. With so much free, unused space, it seems silly to leave it empty, actually working against us, if there is a product that could make something of that space.

The winners of the competition held by Munich City Council and Siemens were the Danish firm, Henning Larsen Architects . Their proposal incorporated, as stated above, a range of products from Siemens’ own Environmental Portfolio as well as passive systems and a detailed examination of sustainable urban planning.

The scheme will replace most of the site’s existing buildings, keeping only the Ludwig Ferdinand Palace, which has been recently renovated. The facades of the proposed reconstruct take a cue from the neoclassical palace, providing a contemporary reinterpretation, breaking the grid evident in the original. Beneath the facades are open floor plans with expansive meeting rooms, common areas and a bistro/restaurant. Lavish gardens fill inner courtyards and are open to pedestrians as well as the 1,200+ employees the reconstruct will accommodate.


DESIGN HENNING LARSEN ARCHITECTS -ENERGY

07/26/2014

Carlo Ratti Associati presents with Cesare Griffa & EcoLogicStudio a natural man-made sustainable prototype, first bio-digital canopy, for the Future Food District project of the Milano Expo 2015. It exploits principally the use of algae as a consolidated architectural fabric & urban agriculture mechanism.

The functioning principle of the prototype is based on the exceptional properties of micro-algae organisms, which are ten times more efficient photosynthetic machines compared to large trees and grasses’ said Carlo Ratti. Algae represents a significant component of health & liveable ecosystem, endorsing life to inexplicable urban gardens that can be utilized as an ingenious energy for diverse food production techniques.

Agriculture Europe PC EXPO Italy Milan, Italy

Micro-algae perform a crucial photosynthetic activity with 150kg of biomass per day – 60% of which are natural vegetal proteins. It absorbs considerable supplies of carbon dioxide and oxygen, while simultaneously performs as a second skin of buildings with passive cooling. Cesare Griffa additionally states, ‘micro-algae open up an incredible potential for new renewable energy resources, and hope for a greener future building and architectural surfaces.

Urban façades and roofs represent billions of square meters that instead of being made of an inanimate material such as concrete, could become clever photosynthetic surfaces that respond to the current state of climate warming.

OMA Pavilion Renewable energy Sustainability

07/24/2014

The proposal aims not only to create a place for peace and reflection for all religion but a place which also symbolizes the cultural unity of Kazakhstan.

The concept is derived from tradition, The Kazakhstani burials, in which the body is placed in a circular pit and then covered by stones and earth, effectively creating mounds that dot the landscape like tiny hills are evoked. The circular shape becomes the crux of the concept where it also represents continuity of life, perfection and divinity.

Astana DSC Group Kazakhstan

An artificial topography is created with domes buried in the landscape. Each dome represents a religion and are arranged around a central prayer space of 40 m diameter. A ramp connects the lower area(water and earth) with upper one(heaven and eternity). The domes made with lightweight, transparent plastic, durable and recyclable materials (ETFE domes) and steel structures and are integrated with the landscape instead of being obstacles.

The circle also represents the Kazakhstani Flag and hence in concept, the complex also represents a common meeting ground for all religions and people, of modernity and tradition

Landscape FLAG OF REPUBLIC KAZAKHSTAN Modernity Traditions

07/23/2014

BIG) Bjarke Ingels Group and Allard Architecture with the assistance of three additional architectural firms proposed the design for “ArtA” a social, interactive atmosphere along the periphery of the Rhine located in Arnhem, Netherlands. The design will gradually host the Museum Arnhem and the Focus Film Theater in hopes to try to converge or bridge the gap between the city and its waterfront.

Arnhem, Netherlands BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group Art & Architecture

BIG also intends for the two designated programs to consolidate with the public Art Plaza, allowing ArtA to become a kind of focal point where city life can spiral; where art, education, recreational activities and social interaction can create a more intriguing experience for the general public.

The exterior also acts as a reflective surface that is kind of integrated into the landscape through a gradual twist. The vertical fins along the exterior also allows light to seamlessly interact with the interior spaces in a joyful manner. The interior also has this perception of an endless continuity, as the building itself acts as a type of natural progression, a bridge from one common area into the other.

ArtA is also seen as a large type of art installation that sparks a level of interaction between the city and the public. The building also acts as a canvas that display levels of social activities that emanates a welcoming vibe that encompasses a broad range of interests.

Installation art Netherlands Theater

07/23/2014

UK’s Metropolitan Office of innovation have aimed for designing a regeneration scheme for a new mixed-use development in the Jiangsu Province of China. The Baoye Sui-Ning City Plaza is designed to celebrate the creative blend between tradition and modern lifestyle in the city of Suining, Jiangsu, China

Interestingly, MOI Architecture the Shanghai, China office have chosen a ‘forgotten’ city to introduce the development to. The new YOHO City within Sui Ning is designed to represent a new architectural landmark for the state of being ‘forgotten’. A main focus in MOI’s approach was to achieve a sense of balance in the ex*****on of the project. The state of being ‘forgotten’ is interpreted as Sui Ning being a city of old Chinese traditions not quite accommodated to the modern-day needs and uses. Therefore, the city’s historical and spatial identity plays a crucial role in deriving the design driver for MOI.

The province of Jiangsu, in close proximity to Shanghai, carries a significant value in its historic contribution. Famous for its silk weaving, that goes on to be the studio’s design rationale. The metaphoric interpretation of the silk weaving is further developed in an aesthetic and both tradition-based and innovative composition: the architects have strived to bring together streets, boulevards, plazas and squares and link them to one another just like stitching. Thus, creating the ultimate and functional city fabric that is currently disjointed and scattered.

The outcome from the improved city infrastructure is to achieve regeneration in the area, as well as to bring out the most vibrant and culturally significant side of the whole province. The metaphor for silk weaving is further developed as an analogy of how city habitat functions and this is the kernel, the essence of MOI’s aims. A central focal element in their design therefore is the intervention, which derives from the metaphor-analogy synchronisation. It [the intervention] is in the form of a single tower with a dynamic slope. It is designed to offer river view spectacles and accommodate a sense of comfort in its interior habitat: hotel, serviced apartments, offices and outdoor terrace access with views towards the exterior landscape – the commercial plaza and courtyard.

Therefore, balance, as considered in Chinese traditional Ying-Yang belief, is ultimately achieved through creating the intervention tower linked to the traditional Chinese courtyard space. As the Ying-Yang, the project offers 241.994 sqm of harmony between innovation and tradition, between built environment and nature.