Architecture World

Future of an Icon: Ponte Tower in South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:43:00 -0500

Courtesy of Philip Bloom

Ponte Tower is a residential high-rise in Johannesburg, South Africa with a unique history, and now a promising future. The crime-ridden and derelict tower, once a symbol of extreme wealth, but now inhabited by very low-income families, has received attention from investors interested in transforming it into a decent and desirable place to live.

Designed by architect Manfred Hermer in the 1970s to be one of the most desirable place to live in the city, the building has fallen into disrepair and has become an icon of poverty and indifference in the city.

Source: CTBUH

Spectacular beam breaks through clouds to bring cloudy day to life

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Fri, 9 Dec 2011 23:00:00 -0600

This is the spectacular moment a bright beam of sunlight illuminated a skyscraper - while leaving the rest of the city in complete cloudy darkness. The extraordinary moment took place in West Kowloon, Hong Kong, and brought to life the 1,588ft tall, 108-floor International Commerce Centre (ICC).

In this real-life shot the ICC, which is the tallest building in Hong Kong, as well as being the world's second tallest building by floors, was caught on camera by keen Russian photographer Pavel Kiselev.

Source: mail online

The Tallest 20 in 2020: Entering the Era of the Megatall

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Wed, 7 Dec 2011 23:51:00 -0600

courtesy of CTBUH

The projected world’s tallest 20 skyscrapers in the year 2020

Source: CTBUH

The World Green Building Council’s Government Leadership Award for New York City

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Wed, 7 Dec 2011 23:26:00 -0600

New York City has been named a recipient of the World Green Building Council‘s Government Leadership Awards for Excellence in City Policy for Green Buildings. The award acknowledges that New York City, as well as fellow recipient San Francisco, has made important advances in sustainable building and has innovative city-level government policies in place to help reduce carbon emissions and move us toward a greener future.

As part of PlaNYC, the GGBP requires that large commercial buildings record and post their energy and water consumption so they can track their usage to meet benchmark goals and implement simple upgrades like installing more energy-efficient lighting. The plan is expected to reduce the city’s carbon dioxide emissions by 5.3 percent below 2009 levels, reduce citywide energy costs by $700 million annually by 2030 and create roughly 17,800 construction-related jobs over 10 years.

Winners were chosen by an expert panel of experts comprised of ICLEI International, UN HABITAT and the WorldGBC. San Francisco was honored with the Best Green Building Policy award for its Green Building Ordinance. Mexico City, Mexico; Birmingham, UK; Singapore; and Tokyo, Japan also all received awards.

Source: inhabitat

"Reading Between the Lines", Transparent Church in Belgium

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Tue, 6 Dec 2011 23:54:00 -0600

This is a church in Limburg, Belgium, completed by the Belgian designer Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh. They constructed a transparent, see-through church in the Belgian region of Haspengouw. The structure is made of 100 stacked layers and 2000 columns of steel plates.As this 10 meters high church with a special architectural structure, whether people in the building or outside the building can be seen through walls, for whom it’s a fantastic feeling.

“Transparency” has such a vague meaning, especially in a world where the word is used within governments, businesses, and even religions. The plates are positioned in a way that creates a beautiful view of the landscape from the surrounding countryside which is redefined by the abstract lines of the church’s architecture. When viewers are inside, they can see an intricate play of light and shadow. During different times of the day, depending on the position of the sun and direction of light, the church‘s interior changes, creating a feeling of supremacy and spirituality.

The church design changes an ideal view of a traditional church structure into a transparent object of art. The application of steel over other materials metaphorically expresses the bold relationship of church and religion in the Netherlands. With the number of churchgoers decreasing, architects in cooperation with Z33 named this project “Reading Between the Lines” to translate a meaning of transparency from the realm of information to the realm of the observable.

Plans Change Again for World's Most Expensive Building

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:18:00 -0600

From left, artist's impressions of Triple One, DMC Landmark Tower, and Lotte Super Tower

The developers of the Yongsan Landmark Tower have hastily altered the plans to make it Korea's tallest building. The skyscraper in the downtown Seoul business district was originally intended to be 100 stories and 500 m high, but the developers have decided to add 11 more stories and 120 m to make it the tallest building in Korea.

The developers also decided to change the name from Landmark Tower to Triple One standing for 111 the ostensible number of floors. There are three other skyscrapers being built in Seoul that will be more than 100 stories high -- the Lotte Super Tower in Jamsil, Global Business Center next to Seoul Forest and the DMC Landmark Tower in Sangam in northwestern Seoul, which was expected to be the tallest building in Korea at 133 stories and 640 m. But the developers of the DMC Landmark Tower are scaling back their plans citing high construction costs and a low occupancy rate due to the economic slump.

Italian star architect Renzo Piano (74), who built the New York Times Tower in the U.S., is in charge of the new design. Construction will be handled by Samsung Corporation, which built the Burj Khalifa and Taipei 101. An insider said if Piano completes the design by the end of this year, construction will start in 2013.

Triple One was estimated to cost W1.4 trillion to build or W12.1 million per 3.3 sq m, making it the most expensive in the world, but that is expected to rise even further due to the height extension.

Source: Chosunilbo

CTBUH 2011 Competition Results: Why Tall?

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:25:00 -0600

1st prize

2nd prize

3rd pr

Images courtesy of CTBUH

The First Annual CTBUH International Student Design Competition picked up on the 2011 CTBUH Seoul Conference themes, seeking to find innovative ideas to shed new light on the meaning and value of tall buildings in modern society from the themes of green, safety, and humanity.

The Competition saw over 200 submissions from all over the world. In total, teams participated from 49 different countries. 32 Finalists were selected through a first-round judging process. The six member second-round jury, led by Mr. Pedersen, reviewed the exhibition and scored the panels individually based on four areas: Creative Approach, Response to Site, Sustainability, and Functionality. Winners and Honorable Mentions were then determined through discussion among the jurors.

1st Prize - Entry 370: "MultipliCITY"

2nd Prize - Entry 809: "Cloud Skyscraper"

3rd Prize - Entry 628: "Vertical Neighborhood"

Source: CTBUH

CTBUH 2011 International Competition Proposal by Hoxha, Vathi, Millona

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:55:00 -0500

Courtesy of Ajmona Hoxha, Elis Vathi, Klodiana Millona

The project proposal for the first CTBUH international student design competition by Ajmona Hoxha, Elis Vathi, Klodiana Millona aims to redefine the gap created between the two extreme social classes of India as the widening income gap between the rich and the poor over the years has raised fears of a social backlash.
The site of the proposal is situated purposely in front of the tallest building in New Delhi.The project examines a possible redirection of social organization by new environment, in which the Tallness of the building influences the change of the skyline by giving “power” to the poor.

Courtesy of Ajmona Hoxha, Elis Vathi, Klodiana Millona

The building is composed by small blocks of house units repeated in vertical and horizontal direction with common green public spaces placed between them. These units are planned to be an ecosystem of products and solutions designed around the real needs of the inhabitants. Each roof is covered with an inexpensive solar panel and also equipped with a battery for the lighting of the house. At the same time the battery also serves as power source for the mobile phone.

Courtesy of Ajmona Hoxha, Elis Vathi, Klodiana Millon

These units are projected to facilitate their maintenance by economic means. They are shifted from each other for solar gain purposes. To increase the interaction between dwellers of the building a great number of public areas are placed all over the proposed object.

Courtesy of Ajmona Hoxha, Elis Vathi, Klodiana Millona

Source: arch daily

“Theatre of the Public Realm” by Moshe Safdie

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:51:00 -0500

The new Kauffman Center for Performing Arts designed by Moshe Safdie & Associates, with BNIM Associates, Associate Architects, aims to reaffirm the role of the arts in public life, and to give Kansas City, Mo., a pair of world-class performance venues.

Safdie Architects was hired 12 years ago by Julia Irene Kauffman, a prominent Kansas City philanthropist whose mother first proposed the idea, and provided the initial funding. From the beginning, Safdie was enthusiastic about the site: 13 acres crowning a slope that extends south into the city’s Crossroads Arts District.

It was the prominence and visibility of the site that allowed him to conceive the project as an exercise in “urban extroversion,” a move to connect the performing arts to the city, and the city to the celebrating public.

Safdie oriented the building to the south to take advantage of expansive views over the city. The arched forms on the northern façade ascend from the ground to the highest point of the structure, then meet a descending slope clad in stainless steel. Near the bottom of the slope, the steel turns to glass, and the roof form connects with a glass curtain wall suspended at an angle through a system of steel cables.

Source: AIArchitect

CTBUH 10th Annual Awards Symposium

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:28:00 -0500

The CTBUH 2011 award winners will be recognized and awards conferred at the CTBUH 10th Annual Awards Ceremony & Dinner on November 3rd, 2011 at Illinois Institute of Technology. All of the winning projects and finalists will be celebrated at this gala event. Additionally from the four regional best tall building winners, one "Worldwide" winner will be chosen and announced to close out the Dinner event.

More Information: CTBUH

World's Most Expensive Building Being Built in S. Korea

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:13:00 -0500

It is more expensive than the Burj Khalifa, which cost around W11.5 million per 3.3 sq.m and costs 40 percent more than the Samsung Group headquarters in Seocho-dong, which cost W8.5 million per 3.3 sq.m.

The skyscraper will be packed with cutting-edge equipment and facilities. The structure was designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, who created the Pompidou Center in Paris and London Bridge Tower.

Samsung Corporation, which also served as the main contractor on the Burj Khalifa and Taipei 101 (101 stories, 508 m), the latter in Taiwan, will build the new architectural landmark in Yongsan.

Scheduled to be built inside the international business district in Yongsan, the tower will not quite measure up to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (162 stories, 828 m) or the Lotte Super Tower being built in Jamsil (123 stories, 555 m), but it will be the most expensive building per square unit.

It will house the offices of global businesses and will offer a wide range of high-tech functions. First of all, the skyscraper will be equipped with the fastest elevators in the world that travel at 800 meters per second, more than six times faster than the lifts installed in high-rise condominiums in Korea (120 m/s).

The tower is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. There is a less than 25 mm room for error in the building's actual height. To ensure that, GPS-based surveying technology using three satellites will be deployed.

Source: Chosunilbo

OODA's Twisted Cubic for Taipei City Museum of Art Harvests Rain and Sun

noreply@blogger.com (PAYAMARCHI) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:01:00 -0500

The Portuguese design firm enables the cubic building to harvest both rainwater and sunshine. And further demonstrating their commitment to sustainability, they intend to plant a mini forest around the museum in Taiwan in order to offset their anticipated carbon footprint. Read more: OODA's Twisted Cubic Taipei City Museum of Art Harvests Rain and Sun.

Source: INHABITAT

THE NEXT GENERATION ® 2011 DESIGN IDEAS COMPETITION

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:57:00 -0500

Winning Design to be Awarded $10,000; Entry Deadline is January 31, 2011

Metropolis, the leading magazine for architecture and design professionals, announces the theme for its annual Next Generation® Design Competition, in partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The challenge is to take an ordinary GSA office building in Los Angeles, apply immense skill and creative energy, and GET ZERO - Zero Environmental Impact.

With support of competition sponsor, Herman Miller, Inc., Metropolis will be gathering the best and brightest among emerging designers from which the first "one" will emerge. But, for the first time in the 8-year history of the Next Generation® Design Competition a partner is contributing the other "one" - an entire eight-story office building in downtown Los Angeles. The partner is the General Services Administration (GSA), one of the biggest landlords in the world, and the owner of more than 362 millions sq. ft. of office space in which over 1.2 million federal employees work.

The winner of Next Generation 2011 receives a $10,000 prize, but, much more important, the kind of career-building attention that previous winners have enjoyed: they've become leaders in their fields, the subject of TV series on PBS as well as of Metropolis's film, Brilliant Simplicity, and received recognition from manufacturers, design firms, governments, important design schools, major NGOs - and, of course, clients. Susan S. Szenasy, Metropolis's editor in chief notes that, "In terms of real-world impact, our Next Generation GET ZERO competition may be the most important initiative Metropolis has ever undertaken to date. We're all eager to see how the skills and creativity of this environmentally concerned, community-oriented, and technically savvy generation of designers can make a positive impact on our built environment."

Find More Information: http://www.metropolismag.com/nextgen/ng_artwork/projectbrief2011.pdf

Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud by Kengo Kuma, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:49:00 -0500

This wonderful project of architecture designed by the Japanese master Kengo Kuma, a ceramic tile structure called "Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud". The monument is situated in front of the tile manufacturing headquarters in Padana, Italy.

"We were asked by the world wide known ceramic tile maker Casalgrande Padana to create a monument for a road roundabout in front of their facilities' entrance.
Being able to work with such a capable manufacturer, we took the challenge of involving the ceramic tile as an architectural element itself, avoiding its conventional use as a mere cladding. Just after developing with Casalgrande Padana's team the specific detail of how to panel and connect their standard ceramic tiles, we understood the possibilities of how to assembly and organize them creating different structures. ..." Kengo Kuma said.

The white of the ceramic tile paired with the transparency of the overall structure create an ambient effect that speaks to the project’s nickname of “cloud,” though said nickname not entirely obvious if one is looking for a round, fluffy architectural installation.

Source: casalgrandepadana

Choi+Shine Wins BSA Unbuilt Architecture Award For ‘Land of Giants’

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:11:00 -0500

Brookline, MA-based Jin Choi & Thomas Shine of Choi+Shine recently received the 2010 Boston Society of Architects Unbuilt Architecture Award for their “Land of Giants” project. The project was originally submitted for an Icelandic pylon competition, where it received an honorable mention. The competition was to find a new typology for Iceland’s high voltage power lines and pylons.

This design transforms mundane electrical pylons into statues on the Icelandic landscape by making only small alterations to existing pylon design. Making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, we have created a series of towers that are powerful, solemn and variable. These iconic pylon-figures will become monuments in the landscape. Seeing the pylon-figures will become an unforgettable experience, elevating the towers to something more than merely a functional design of necessity.

The pylon-figures can be configured to respond to their environment with appropriate gestures. As the carried electrical lines ascend a hill, the pylon-figures change posture, imitating a climbing person. Over long spans, the pylon-figure stretches to gain increased height, crouches for increased strength or strains under the weight of the wires.

“These designs were submitted as a competition entry in March of 2008 to Landsnet, Iceland national power transmission company who was working in collaboration with the Association of Icelandic Architects. The competition’s goal was to obtain new ideas in types and appearances for 220kV high-voltage towers and lines. The competition emphasized that specific consideration be given to the visual impact of the towers (or lines) and that careful consideration be given to the appearance of towers near urban areas and unsettled regions.

“The competitors were free to choose whether all the towers would have a new look, particular towers and selected environments would have a new look, or whether the appearance of known types of towers would be altered. In addition, it was left up to the competitors whether the design would blend into the landscape in rural and urban areas, or the tower/towers would stand out as objects.


© 2010 Choi+Shine Architects, LLC

“The main goal of the competition was that a new type of tower/towers would emerge, altering the overall appearance of line routes and that towers could be developed further with respect to environmental impact, the electromagnetic field lifetime and cost.
“The competition was advertised in Iceland and abroad.

Source: ArchiCentral, Choi+Shine Architects, LLC

Recommended Book:

Future City: Experiment and Utopia in Architecture

By Marie-Ange Brayer, Jane Alison, Frederic Migayrou, Neil Spiller

Sculptures Parks in Europe: A Guide to Art and Nature

By Jimena BlÃ¡zquez

LAMP LIGHTING SOLUTIONS AWARDS ‘11

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:12:00 -0500

LAMP LIGHTING SOLUTIONS values the creativity, innovation and sustainability of the lighting projects, regardless of the manufacturer or the brand of lights used in the project.

The awards are divided into 4 categories:

1. Architectural Exterior Lighting
Lighting projects for exterior illumination such as: facades, sport facilities, monuments, canopies, etc.
2. Interior Lighting
Lighting projects for interior illumination such as: shops, restaurants, museums, exhibition halls, single buildings, offices, etc.
3. Urban and Landscape Lighting
Lighting projects for urban illumination such as: squares, roundabouts, avenues, streets, parks, bridges, etc.
4. Students Proposals

This year’s theme is “Nomads”; lighting projects for mobility areas such as: airports, harbors, metro, bus and tram stations, taxi stands, bicycle stops, etc. Only idea-based projects will be accepted.

The jury will determine four finalists in each category and four winners, with a total economic reward of 33.000€, higher than 2010:

• Architectural Exterior Lighting Award: 10.000€
• Interior Lighting Award: 10.000€
• Urban and Landscape Lighting Award: 10.000€
• Students Proposals Award: 3.000€

The jury’s verdict will be announced at a special event in the city of Barcelona during the month of June 2011. The LIGHTING CONCEPTS ‘11 book will include the finalists’ projects.

Any lighting designers, architects, urban planners, interior designers, engineers, landscapers or students who are authors of a lighting project can participate.
Registration for the awards and the submitting of projects can be made on-line at www.lamp.es/awards from 1 November 2010 until 28 February 2011.

The panel of judges will include prestigious professionals specialised in the lighting design, architecture, interior design and press sectors.
Source:www.lamp.es/awards

CTBUH 9th Annual Awards, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:06:00 -0500

"The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat is pleased to announce the winners of its annual “Best Tall Building” awards for 2010. These awards recognize outstanding tall buildings from each of four geographical regions, and this year are awarded to: Bank of America Tower, New York (Americas); The Pinnacle @ Duxton, Singapore (Asia & Australasia); Broadcasting Place, Leeds (Europe); and Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Middle East & Africa). These buildings were selected for their design and technical innovations, sustainable attributes, and the enhancement they provide to both the cities and the lives of their inhabitants."

Follow the Award Ceremony to find out "Best Tall Building 2010 Overall".

Source: CTBUH

House MC1

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:17:00 -0500

This residential project is located in the Pacific ocean on the island Costa Rica, near the national park Manuel Antionio in Quepos. The concept was created in compliance with neighboring nature. No tree was cut. The house fully respects natural environment and minimizes the impact on the living environment and inhabitants, seeking to join the local climate.

Architects designed a number of environmental equipments to minimize the energy and water consumption. The building is made of durable materials and systems according to the concept of reuse and recycling. The design seeks to respect the traditional popular architecture of the area.

Recommended Book:

The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture

By Alanna Stang, Christopher Hawthorne

World’s Largest and Most Expensive Family Home Completed

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:48:00 -0500

"The “Greenest of All Buildings” was recently completed in Mumbai, India and we couldn’t be more appalled. The Antilia house which unveiled its first renderings just over two-years ago has become a frightening reality, egregiously boasting 27 stories at 568 feet high, with a total area of over 398,000 square feet of living space.

What at first glimpse looks and sounds like a typical skyscraper is far from it – the Antilla is in fact a $1 billion family home built for India’s richest man (and Forbes’ fourth richest man) Mukesh Ambani, his wife, and three children. Constructed within a country estimated to have one-third of the world’s poorest population, the Antilia truly exemplifies the disease of excessive consumption, extreme wastefulness, and unsustainable living that is permeating today’s society."

Source: inhabitat

Recommended Book:

The Green Skyscraper: The Basis for Designing Sustainable Intensive Buildings

By Ken Yeang

"Bridge of the Future", Awesome Design in South Korea

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:21:00 -0500

Many iconic bridges were built in the last century - the Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and Sydney Harbour Bridge, just to name a few. But what will bridges look like in the future? Seoul-based architecture firm, Planning Korea, gives us the answer...

Instead of serving just one purpose, the Paik Nam June Media Bridge in Seoul, South Korea is a .67 mile (1080m) mega-structure would serve as a park, meeting space, mall, museum, and more. In addition to providing new green space to the city, the whole bridge would be covered with solar panels to generate its own energy.

The bridge’s overall shape is organic, fluid, and streamlined. Travelers are encouraged to ditch their cars and walk or bike across instead. Horizontal and vertical gardens would be introduced on each floor and would be watered using river and rainwater. The skin of the bridge can be used as a canvas to showcase video installations and other media.

Recommended Book:

Masterpieces: Bridge Architecture and Design
By Chris van Uffelen

Zaha Hadid Wins Stirling Prize With MAXXI Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Wed, 6 Oct 2010 22:36:00 -0500

The Zaha Hadid-designed MAXXI Museum of 21st Century Art, located in Rome, has nabbed the 2010 Stirling Prize. The Royal Institute of British Architects announced the winner of the £20,000 award during a ceremony in London.

© Iwan Baan

The animated architect alluded to this void in her awards cabinet during a short acceptance speech, quipping: "It's really very exciting for me to win a British prize for a change", which drew cheers from supporters and competitors alike.

© Iwan Baan

The MAXXI itself was arguably the most arresting of the six shortlisted projects; its bold, unapologetic chunks of raw concrete almost outshining the art it was designed to house - although it is understood that during the design process, Hadid was yet to be informed as to what would be exhibited in the series of rooms she was creating. An open weave of heavily swerving staircases criss-cross the soaring central atrium, as the basic colour palette of cream, black and vibrant red oozes through the yawning spaces.

Second Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

MAXXI, built on the site of a former army barracks, took 10 years and 150 million euros ($207 million) to complete. It was designed in 1999: Rome wanted its own contemporary-art museum at a time when London’s Tate Modern and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, were opening. In her acceptance speech, Hadid said that working in Rome was “very difficult.” She regretted the absence at the ceremony of the museum’s Italian director, because of a passport loss. “It’s a confirmation of the Italian-ness of this project,” she said.

© Iwan Baan

Section

© Iwan Baan

More Information: Zaha Hadid

Recommended Books:

Qatar Stadiums for 2022 FIFA World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Wed, 6 Oct 2010 00:12:00 -0500

Courtesy of Al Rayyan, AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

The world’s largest sporting convention in Dubai, Designed by Albert Speer & Partner GmbH, the stadiums display striking and dramatic facades and incorporate state-of-the-art technology in an effort to stand out from the crowd bidding to host this popular tournament.

Designs for the five stadiums each boast a different distinctive feature, be it a specially designed membrane to present current match footage, updates and tournament information, or an entrance linked to the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge, which is set to be the longest free-standing bridge in the world. Each one has either been inspired by a specific element of Qatari culture and tradition, or acts as a symbol to the rest of the world of the relationship that Qatar shares with the competing nations.

Courtesy of hhvision, Cologne

The structures are set to exploit the extreme environmental conditions in Qatar by channelling the sunlight to generate a large portion of the stadiums power using solar technology. Using innovative climate control technology, temperatures within the stadiums are set to stay below 28°C, despite the nation's fierce heat, making the 2022 FIFA World Cup the first ever cooled outdoor sporting event. To ensure a lasting impression, Qatar 2022 have proposed that post-World Cup, many modular components of the stadiums no longer needed will be dismantled and shipped to other countries in order to promote football development.

Courtesy of Al Rayyan, AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

At this point, AS&P have presented designs for five football stadiums located across Qatar, two of which are adaptations of existing buildings. The Al Rayyan Stadium is currently situated 20km northwest of the capital, Doha. Plans are to adapt the existing building, surrounding it in a membrane-like structure onto which will be projected match updates, tournament information and other filmic material. Its current capacity it set to be doubled in size by incorporating additional modular components to increase capacity to 44,740.

Courtesy of Al Rayyan, AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

The second adaptation suggested by AS&P will include Al Gharafa, close to the city of Doha. Also set to double in capacity to 44,740 using a modular upper tier stand, the facade of the existing stadium is to be transformed into a vivid explosion of colour. Ribbon-like elements are to be woven around the circumference of the structure, displaying all the colours of the competing teams, to symbolise the ‘friendship, mutual tolerance and respect of the FIFA World Cup and Qatar’.

Courtesy of Al Rayyan, AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

Designs for three brand new sports complexes have also been drawn up by AS&P. Al Shamal, a 45,120 capacity stadium in the north of Qatar has been inspired by the traditional local fishing boats of the Gulf, ‘dhows’. The dramatic façade swoops up at opposite ends, creating an impressively powerful and indeed rather intimidating statement. Around 10% of visitors to the stadium are predicted to arrive at Al Shamal via the world's longest free-standing bridge - the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge.

Courtesy of Al Rayyan, AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

Designs for Al Wakrah suggest not only a singular stadium but rather an extensive sports complex, including a multi-purpose hall, themed swimming-pool, spa zone and shopping mall alongside the obvious sports facilities. The entrance to the 45,000-seater stadium itself will face onto a stunning plaza, creating the sense of one large extended park.


Courtesy of Al Rayyan, AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

Last, but by no means least, is the design for Al Khor, whose seashell-inspired asymmetrical structure is set in landscaped gardens and is set to hold 45,330 football fans. Some spectators will also benefit from the flexible roof above the stadium, shading them from the intense heat of the Qatari sun.

Source: World Architecture News

AS&P - Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

LUMENHAUS - Proposed Module for Zero Energy House

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:20:00 -0500

The name LUMENHAUS comes from "lumen", meaning "the power of light", and "haus", a reference both to the Bauhaus design movement in which the Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies has roots, and the German word for house or home.

Designed by students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University for the – 2010 Solar Decathlon Europewhich it won – LUMENHAUS was inspired by the iconic glass pavilion-style Farnsworth House from Bauhaus architect Mies Van Der Rohe.LUMENHAUS uses : responsive architecture all of the systems have been designed to work together to balance occupants' comfort and energy efficiency.

The house maximizes occupants’ exposure to bright light during the day through its open, flowing spaces and at night radiates it back via a low-energy LED lighting system in the insulating panels.The color temperature of the white lights can be controlled to optimize mood and wellbeing. For example, a warmer temperature could be used to promote relaxation and a cooler temperature to increase concentration.

Solar (or photovoltaic or PV) panels cover the roof and the house uses passive energy systems, radiant heating and building materials from renewable and/or recyclable sources. The prefabricated construction process reduces waste and increases efficiency. A meter records the usage of energy throughout the day. If the house produces more energy through the photovoltaic panels than it uses, the net energy gain provides an opportunity to sell energy back to the power company or to power an electric car.

The fully automated Eclipsys System is an advanced building facade comprising two layers: a metal shutter shade and a translucent insulating panel. The shutter shade slides along the north and south facades, providing protection from direct sunlight while allowing for indirect, natural light, views to the exterior and privacy.

The sliding insulating panel is a translucent polycarbonate panel filled with aerogel, a super lightweight, highly insulating translucent material that provides insulation equivalent to a typical solid wall during harsh weather conditions without blocking natural light.

When the Eclipsis System is open, floorspace doubles and the interior and exterior of the house meld seamlessly, connecting the house to the natural environment outside..The panels automatically adjust to best capture the sun’s energy in all seasons and all weathers. In the cold months, the Eclipsis System will open up to allow sunlight to passively heat the concrete slab floor, decreasing the amount of energy needed to heat the house.Computer automated controls, which can be activated via iPhone or iPad, allow the house to automatically adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Visit the LUMENHAUS website for information on materials used, appliances and fixtures, and the geothermal heating and cooling system.

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Japanese architects win 2010 Pritzker Prize

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Thu, 1 Apr 2010 20:31:00 -0500

courtesy SANAA

KAZUYO Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, partners in the architectural firm, SANAA, have been chosen as the 2010 Laureates of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Pritzker Prize, considered the highest honour in architecture, is regarded by many as equivalent to the Nobel Prize. Sejima and Nishizawa are the fourth Pritzker laureates to be chosen from Japan after Kenzo Tange, Fumihiko Maki and Tadao Ando.

courtesy SANAA

Sejima, 54, and Nishizawa, 44, were honored for work that included art museums, university buildings and designer-label fashion boutiques in Japan, the United States and Europe. "We want to make architecture that people like to use," said Sejima.

courtesy SANAA

While most of their work is in Japan, Sejima and Nishizawa have designed projects in Germany, England, Spain, France, the Netherlands and the US, under their combined name SANAA. The first SANAA project in the US began construction in 2004 in Ohio – a Glass Pavilion for the Toledo Museum of Art. Completed in 2006, it houses the museum’s vast collection of glass artworks, reflecting the city’s history when it was a major centre of glass production.

courtesy SANAA

"They explore like few others the phenomenal properties of continuous space, lightness, transparency and materiality," the jurors wrote. "They seek the essential qualities of architecture that result in a much-appreciated straightforwardness, economy of means and restraint." The jury also mentioned the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's newly opened Rolex Learning Center, a single-story slab-like concrete and glass structure that undulates over a four acre site, punctured in places to let light enter the massive open space that makes up its interior.

courtesy SANAA

"We're always thinking, 'How we can open up the architecture to the people or to the surroundings that each project has?' This is one of the reasons why our architecture becomes open and transparent and light," Nishizawa said. "This is just to allow people to come in and to allow people to stay within the building as they like," he said. "The architecture is like a park."

OMA wins Québec museum expansion

noreply@blogger.com (Payam Bahrami) — Thu, 1 Apr 2010 12:06:00 -0500

The Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) has won the competition to design a major expansion to the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ). OMA's MNBAQ expansion, which will be linked underground with the museum's three existing buildings, is located on Quebec's main promenade, Grande-Allée, adjacent to St. Dominique Church. The design aims to integrate it with the surrounding park and initiate new links with the city.

The 12,000 sq. m. new building, a cascade of three overlapping boxes at the juncture of downtown Quebec City and the historic Battlefields Park, will be OMA’s first built project in Canada. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2013.

The three stacked galleries vary in size, as you can see on the axo and models included below: contemporary exhibitions (50m x 50m), the permanent contemporary collection (45m x 35m) and design / Inuit exhibits (42.5m x 25m). The cantilever over the street creates the grand hall, a 14m tall transparent space connected to the park, starting point of an ascending path trough the boxes.

Shohei Shigematsu commented: "Our ambition is to create a dramatic new presence for the city, while maintaining a respectful, even stealthy approach to the museum's neighbours and the existing museum. The resulting form of cascading gallery boxes enhances the museum experience by creating a clarity in circulation and curation while allowing abundant natural light into the galleries."

The other firms on the short list were:
• Barkow Leibinger Architekten/Imrey Culbert Architects, Berlin and New York
• Brière, Gilbert et Associés/Nieto Sobejano, Montreal, Quebec
• Fichten Soiferman et Associés Architectes/Allied Works Architecture, Montreal, Quebec
• Groupe ARCOP/David Chipperfield Architects, London, England