Wilkinson Eyre Architects has won an international competition to design “Sydney’s next masterpiece.” Selected over three other shortlisted firms – Renzo Piano, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, and KPF – the London-based practice will now be responsible for the design of a $1.5 billion sculptural icon to host a six-star Crown Sydney resort on a 6000-square-meter site in the inner-city waterfront precinct of Barangaroo.

Subject to approval, the 235-meter-tall skyscraper will provide 350 guest rooms and suites, along with four restaurants, a cafe, an ultra-lounge, day spa, roof top pool and luxury retail facilities.

On winning the design competition, Chris Wilkinson, Founding Director, Wilkinson Eyre Architects stated: “Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it is a great privilege to design such a significant building on the waterfront. My ambition is to create a sculptural form that will rise up on the skyline like an inhabited artwork, with differing levels of transparency, striking a clear new image against the sky.”

Paul Baker, Director, Wilkinson Eyre Architects added: “The architecture takes its inspiration from nature, composed of organic forms that provide an abstract, sculptural shape; it does not try to mimic any particular plant or flower but is derived from the specificity of the site and the client brief. Its curved geometry emanates from three forms which twist and rise together. The first form peels off, spreading outward to form the main hotel room accommodation, with the remaining two twisting together toward the sky.”

Reference: Crown Hotel, Wilkinson Eyre Architects

Foster + Partners has been selected to developed a proposal for a low energy, high-density residential community in Islington, London.  The site is a 1980s business park that is to be regenerated into a residential zone of two towers and a landscaped park.  The project will incorporate the arera’s planned high-rise buildings and is ultimately set to provide a new landmark for the city.

The two residential towers at 250 City Road will provide the area with 800 new units.  At 36- and 42-stories, the two towers are taller than the surrounding buildings, but are stepped down in such a way as to blend with the existing low-rise architecture.

The site is designed to create a comfortable and healthy environment that provides outdoor spaces, amenities, transportation connections and protection against wind and noise in the open spaces.  The site is interconnected with pedestrian routes, connections to adjacent streets and transportation links and shops and cafes to establish an urban quarter.

The buildings are designed with a combined heat and power plant that can be connected to the local grid, photovoltaic panels, green roofs, and rain water collection systems.

Architects: TASH – Taller de Arquitectura Sánchez-Horneros
Location: Toledo, Spain
Design Team: Emilio Sánchez-Horneros, Antonio Sánchez-Horneros, Álvaro Cabrera
Area: 680 sqm
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Miguel de Guzmán

Structural Engineer: Carlos Asensi, Antonio de Blas
Technical Engineer: Francisco Guadamillas, Ignacio de La Cal
Client: SHG society
Construction: Hospital General de Toledo UTE

Throughout history, large scale projects had auxiliary constructions to host the technical teams and in some cases, their families when they were remote places. Associates to dams, new cities, bridges or airports, architecture of great value emerged. Modern day society allows architecture and engineering to happen without the physical presence of those times. That’s why this Technical Construction Pavilion shows the vocation of making a slow and precise architecture. More than an architecture project, it’s a way of doing architecture.

The expiration of use in a building is normal and common but this must not confuse, nor lead us to design temporal buildings. Designing a building means an economic and environmental wear that shouldn’t be dissipated. Under a strict point of view, temporal architecture should only be associated with theatrical shows, so the wear is seen to achieve higher actions. With this building, we propose to state the temporality in relationship to its use, so it petrifies its character.

Since the Pavilion is the first finished element in the building, the first reference to a hostile environment, of great mountains of land excavation, material stockpiles, dust and noise, the implantation is made so it protects through a cloister structure fully closed in the exterior perimeter and open to the garden defined by the own building. The orthogonality of the building allows to control the space and define a reference for the rest of the project, so extensions can be incorporated for future uses.

The C-form open to the north and closed to the rest orientations benefits a low-rise office building and generates a microclimate in the inner patio that benefits the summer conditions.

The use of a self-ventilated clear brick allows a favorable behavior of the whole set with a well proportioned disbursement. This brick is a key element in the buildings’ expression, seeking an image that constitutes a novelty for this material.

Magma Architecture‘s Olympic and Paralympic Shooting Arenas have just been distinguished with a 2013 AIA UK Excellence in Design Award. Driven by the desire to evoke an experience of flow and precision inherent in the shooting sport through the dynamically curving space, the shooting arenas were the only buildings of the London 2012 Games to be selected. While all three ranges were configured in a crisp, white double curved membrane façade studded with vibrantly colored openings, the fresh and light appearance of the buildings truly enhanced the festive and celebratory character of the Olympic event. For more images and information on their award-winning project, please visit here.

Architecture for Humanity-Denver is seeking to raise money for the transformation of a museum parking lot into an outdoor classroom for children in need. The goal of Denver’s Museo de las Americas is to educate the community about the diversity of Latino Americano art and culture from ancient to contemporary through innovative exhibitions and programs, but the museum is lacking the necessary space for its increasingly popular youth summer camp.

Read more about the project and how you can help after the break.

Research shows that students exposed to arts education are 4 times as likely to succeed academically, but the reality is that 29,000 Denver youth have no access to such art programs. Because 85% of the disadvantaged youth in Denver are Latino and the dropout rate for Latino youth has reached a whopping 37%, the Museo de las Americas decided to create and host a summer camp to “teach art as a tool for fostering self-esteem in children and as a vehicle for encouraging understanding of Latino culture among all.” During the camp, children learn about and participate in dance, music, theatre and visual art activities that they then enjoy sharing with their community.

The parking lot is arguably the most attractive area of the museum, with its fresh air, openness to the sky and mountain views. Therefore the goal of the new design is simple: to construct a new permanent fence, gate and surface and a temporary overhead canopy for shading the classroom in the summertime. The space will be flexible enough to still accommodate parked cars when not being used as a classroom and will also be able to host other community events such as movie screenings.

The majority of the materials used for the outdoor classroom are salvaged from a building currently being demolished that would otherwise go to waste. Some of the necessary components, however, could not be repurposed and that’s where AfH-Denver needs YOUR help! Rewards for those who donate to the project are made from the same materials as the classroom, only in the form of earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces and even fake mustaches – unique keepsakes to remind you of the gift you have given Denver and its disadvantaged youth.

To learn more about the campaign and to donate to the cause, click HERE.

References: Kickstarter, GOOD, AIA Colorado 

Architects: A-001 Taller de Arquitectura
Location: Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico
Architect In Charge: Eduardo Gorozpe Fernández
Project Year: 2013 
Area: 650 sqm
Photographs: Jaime Navarro

 “Casa del Viento” extends the realm of fiction and turns it into a resting and contemplation space. Inspired in the legend of the Tepozteco (A huge volcanic formation in the site), it opens the possibility that the rows of wind and water erosion, indeed where actually made by the people of the town trying to bring down the god of the winds (Ehécatl).

Three imaginary pieces of rock fallen from the volcanic formation and turned into walls; three lines that give place to a house opened to the winds, in a constant exchange with the environment for which it was conceived. Cantilevered structures create transitional spaces between the exterior and interior.

As a form of tribute, “Casa del Viento” faces north to the Tepozteco to fill every interior space with a 180 degrees view of a rock formation that changes personality as the sun journeys the sky. It´s slender form allow harnessing the natural lighting from the south and the view from the north, as well as creating cross ventilation in all the rooms.

A continuous contrast in the use of contemporary vs. regional materials, constructs a reflection of the cultural mix that characterizes Tepoztlan. Cast concrete used in the floors and limestone in the exterior and interior walls gives the house performance a thermal insulation and a low maintenance. The application of sustainability techniques as rainwater capture and use of solar heaters, support maximum energy and natural resources.

It´s architectural layout creates inhabitable spaces in welcoming environments opened to the experience of the country site. “Casa del Viento” hides intimacy corners through sustainable details: a meditation terrace, small balconies that protects the rooms from solar insulation and a pool that _____ day talk with a reflection of the Tepozteco.

Each room wraps the inhabitant in the landscape itself, from which, with his own presence becomes the new sculptor.

Taking place August 28-September 6, the University of Genoa’s San Rocco Summer School (SRSS) will teach you to design buildings by making drawings, copying precedents and talking about corner solutions. Each teacher, who is a member of the San Rocco editorial board, and some friends and colleagues, will participate for two days, taking over the work developed by the colleagues that preceded him in the days before. It is the students who will provide the SRSS with consistency, being the only constant. The building to be designed is the new mosque of Genoa. Applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 on June 10. For more information, please visit here.

Architects: LPzR architetti associati
Location: Andreoli 18, Milano, Italy
Architect In Charge: Gabriele Pranzo-Zaccaria
Design Team: Gabriele Pranzo-Zaccaria, Luca Gobbo, Chiara Pranzo-Zaccaria
Year: 2007
Photographs: Chiara Pranzo-Zaccaria, Gabriele Pranzo-Zaccaria

Construction Supervisor: Gabriele Pranzo-Zaccaria
Assistant To Construction: Chiara Pranzo-Zaccaria
Structural Engineering: Nicola Boreatti
Volume: 1,570 m3
Client: MD Group
Main Contractor: NICA costruzioni s.r.l.

Context
The building is located in Milan (Italy), inside the industrial Bovisa Quarter. Here new housing buildings coexist close to warehouses, gasometers, chimneys and workshops

Project
The project concerns the residential transformation of a warehouse. The client, a real estate developer, required a young and up-to-date look for his new apartments. The design made by LPzR architects keeps the former building perimeter and adds a new livable floor. Four apartments are placed at the ground floor and four at the first floor.

Architectural design
The main building volume is a simple red parallelepiped. An apparently random pattern of windows is applied, generating dynamic effects on the main façade. The asymmetries of the solid white frames give the façade a unique three-dimensional look.

The Double View Bench from Outdoorz Gallery is a small but sweet two-seater that is big on style and sustainability. French design firm Chloe De La Chaise put a literal twist on the traditional Victorian love seat in her contemporary bench concept, which features a double backrest that pivots back and forth, allowing a pair to sit side by side or face to face. The bowed base allows you to rock gently. Crafted by a French cabinetmaker with work recognized by the Ateliers d’Art de France, the Double View Bench features quality construction and is made using sustainably harvested materials – of the four pieces of wood used, three come from certified forests in France, and the fourth is moabi, a naturally oiled African wood also sustainably harvested. Wood choices include chestnut, oak, robinia-acacia and moabi. With just 50 Double View Benches in existence, this limited edition piece is in high demand and can be yours for a price of 2979€. For more information, visit Outdoorz Gallery.

Architecture for Humanity-Denver is seeking to raise money for the transformation of a museum parking lot into an outdoor classroom for children in need. The goal of Denver’s Museo de las Americas is to educate the community about the diversity of Latino Americano art and culture from ancient to contemporary through innovative exhibitions and programs, but the museum is lacking the necessary space for its increasingly popular youth summer camp.

Read more about the project and how you can help after the break.

Research shows that students exposed to arts education are 4 times as likely to succeed academically, but the reality is that 29,000 Denver youth have no access to such art programs. Because 85% of the disadvantaged youth in Denver are Latino and the dropout rate for Latino youth has reached a whopping 37%, the Museo de las Americas decided to create and host a summer camp to “teach art as a tool for fostering self-esteem in children and as a vehicle for encouraging understanding of Latino culture among all.” During the camp, children learn about and participate in dance, music, theatre and visual art activities that they then enjoy sharing with their community.

The parking lot is arguably the most attractive area of the museum, with its fresh air, openness to the sky and mountain views. Therefore the goal of the new design is simple: to construct a new permanent fence, gate and surface and a temporary overhead canopy for shading the classroom in the summertime. The space will be flexible enough to still accommodate parked cars when not being used as a classroom and will also be able to host other community events such as movie screenings.

The majority of the materials used for the outdoor classroom are salvaged from a building currently being demolished that would otherwise go to waste. Some of the necessary components, however, could not be repurposed and that’s where AfH-Denver needs YOUR help! Rewards for those who donate to the project are made from the same materials as the classroom, only in the form of earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces and even fake mustaches – unique keepsakes to remind you of the gift you have given Denver and its disadvantaged youth.

To learn more about the campaign and to donate to the cause, click HERE.

References: Kickstarter, GOOD, AIA Colorado