Zarkon Group, Author at Zarkon Group Real Estate Builders & Developers

Beretta Associates Breaths New Life Into the 19th Century Università Cattolica

By Zarkon Group,06/04/2022

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Università Cattolica of Milan has been promoting important projects to accommodate the growing number of students: thus, the two phases of the impressive expansion project of the historic university complex of Largo Gemelli have been started. The first phase concerns the construction of the new didactic pole in Via Lanzone and the second for the redevelopment of the neighboring Caserma Garibaldi on Piazza S. Ambrogio.

Both interventions, located in contexts of high historical and testimonial value and subject to the protection of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the metropolitan city of Milan, were designed by the historic Milanese studio Beretta Associates that has paid careful attention to the preservation and enhancement of the typological and figurative characteristics of the pre-existing, without sacrificing a contemporary language as regards the new buildings that are placed in an effective dichotomous relationship with the historic buildings.

Photo by Andrea Martiradonna

The new gravitational pole of via Lanzone is part of the renovation of an eighteenth-century residential complex, formerly owned by the university, that consists of three buildings that encircle a central courtyard. The project, designed to accommodate 7 new classrooms — from 50 to 100 seats — also involves the restoration of the historical portions of the complex, as well as the demolition and reconstruction of the building facing Via San Pio V, which was bombed and rebuilt after the war.

Photo by Andrea Martiradonna

The new building, with its projecting glass and metal façade, highlights the new university function through a contemporary vocabulary, creating a lively dialogue with the modern architecture of the neighboring buildings (designed by the famous duo of Milanese architects Asnago and Vender). Inside, the materials and colors of the original courtyard have been recovered. According to the new university’s needs, the replacement and integration of the horizontal and vertical structures, as well as the realization of the plant networks, were prioritized.

Courtesy of Studio Beretta Associati

The redevelopment for the conversion of Caserma Garibaldi — the former Milanese headquarters of the State Police dating back to the Napoleonic period — into the headquarters of the Università Cattolica is part of a complex urban revision of the entire area aimed at creating spaces for educational activities and services.

The historic building, with a quadrangular plan articulated around two large courtyards of equal size, in coherence with the original military destination is characterized by a severe neoclassical setting. The fulcrum of the project is the optimization of the internal layout respecting the existing plant and the realization of a new building in the north courtyard to meet the need for classrooms.

From a restoration point of view, the project has a clear philological intent, bringing the monumental building back to its original consistency through the demolition of inconsistent buildings added over time, restoring the trend of the roof pitches and returning the height of the attics in the original positions (modified in the seventies).

The conversion of the nineteenth-century complex into a university building required important plant and structural upgrading interventions to meet the static safety and seismic improvement verifications of the building. Particular attention has also been paid to the issues of sustainability, energy and water saving, reduction of emissions and improvement of the ecological quality of the interior with the use of low-carbon materials: the complex will be certified according to the LEED BD+C v4 Core & Shell GOLD level standard and to the WELL® protocol, managed by the International WELL® Building Institute (IWBI) for the comfort, health and well-being of people.

Photo by Andrea Martiradonna

Courtesy of Studio Beretta Associati

From a functional point of view, the project foresees the realization of classrooms of various size, among which the aula magna (main classroom). The existing plan consists of a sequence of spaces, delimited by transversal load-bearing walls, which overlook particularly large central corridors (apparently also used for military exercises on horseback). The respect of this configuration — extremely constrained from a structural point of view — has allowed the construction of classrooms with an average capacity of about 50 seats and only in a few cases of a hundred seats: to overcome this limitation, a major intervention underground was designed in the north courtyard, where there was already an underground garage, which will allow the construction of two classrooms for three hundred seats, two for four hundred and the aula magna for eight hundred.

Courtesy of Studio Beretta Associati

The new building, which contains the vertical connections to the underground classrooms, is characterized by a parallelepiped volume that is almost completely glazed: the choice of a sober, essential and “ethereal” volume emphasizes a clear desire to differentiate the intervention from the morphology of the imposing historical buildings, with which the new building relates without any conflict.

As the architect and engineer Mario Dezzi Bardeschi used to say, “restoration is the sum of two orders of operations: restoration = project of preservation of the existing (as overall value) + project of the new (as additional value)”. And this dualism seems to best express the spirit of Studio Beretta’s projects to give new lymph to the University of Milan.

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An architecture firm in Kyiv creates comfort-first, modular shelters for Ukrainian refugees

By Zarkon Group,05/04/2022

Spotted: The need for emergency shelters in Ukraine has increased exponentially as a result of the country’s invasion by Russia. In response, architect Slava Balbek began designing new housing for people forced to flee their homes. He knew this would not be easy, but wanted his design solution to help refugees regain some sense of stability.

When half of Balbek’s 75-person company was forced to relocate, he realised that others would need new housing too. After convening a team of 10 architects at his company, he began to work on designs for refugee shelters that could be built quickly. The team analysed 20 existing models from around Europe before deciding on its final product – which is tailored to suit Ukraine’s cold climate.

The shelter’s design is modular, with small units that can be arranged in configurations that cater for different numbers of people – from as few as 50 to hundreds. Some configurations feature communal bathrooms, kitchens, and green space, while others have room underneath them dedicated solely towards playgrounds and sports fields.

The design is open-source, so others are also free to make use of it. However, the firm is asking everyone to maintain the sense of spaciousness and ensure that everyone stays within comfort boundaries to provide ‘dignity life’. “You can change designs, models and produce your own for a more personalised space,” explains Balbek.

Other innovations, spotted by Springwise, that cater for the needs of refugees in emergency situations include, refugee shelters that pop-up at the touch of a button, shelters made from recycled plastic, and a language learning app that helps migrant children navigate cultural differences.

Written By: Katrina Lane

4th April 2022

Email: hello@balbek.com

Website: balbek.com

7 Ways to Recreate the Timeless Charm of Regency Interiors

By Zarkon Group,05/04/2022

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Period dramas are all in rage, both in written fiction and cinematic productions. Fans of Emma and Downtown Abbey are now indulging in the Netflix adaption of Julia Quinn’s popular Bridgerton novels. In addition to causing sleepless nights of binge-watching, the series has also prompted several Pinterest searches for Regency-era aesthetics and décor.

This dramatic aesthetic developed in the 19th Century, under George IV’s rule as Prince Regent. The style of design is synonymous with grandeur and flamboyance. It was influenced by Greek, Egyptian, Gothic and Chinese architecture, celebrating art in all forms. Muted hues, decorated wall panels, ornamental moldings, plus seating, noteworthy chandeliers, fluted columns, brass inlays, rich woods and large mirrors are just a few components that combine to make up this style.

Adapting the Regency style for today’s homes is not straightforward; it can be approached by adding individual elements that reflect the era or by recreating an entire setup that exudes regal European charm. Some of the extravagant elements mentioned above can be statement pieces in minimal interiors — like an imposing chandelier in an otherwise plain hallway. On the flip side, if used subtly, they can all come together to create a cozy and inviting home that displays hints of history while being rooted in today. Channeling this style also presents a great opportunity to upcycle vintage furniture and old decor pieces, or to try some DIY experiments on plain IKEA furniture. Below are a few examples of how these elements have been used in spaces across the world.

Children’s Room Design by Ami Austin Interior Design, Memphis, Tennessee | Image by Chip Pankey

Powdery blues, soft pinks, pistachio greens and luxurious cream hues were a staple in this era. This pastel palette can be layered in any space by using patterned wallpapers, painted furniture and matching upholstery. The combination of patterns prevents the space from becoming monotonous and creates interest in an otherwise muted palette.

This technique is clearly exhibited in the children’s room design by Ami Austin Interior Design. The same tone of powder blue is used in the wall, curtains, window seating and a desk chair. The white baseboards and mirrored vanity make it more current and add some brightness.

Beautiful living room in palace style by Mirt

This palatial setting might be hard to replicate in contemporary interiors as is but there are some elements that could be introduced in modern homes to give them a historic touch. Decorating the walls with patterned wallpapers and then strengthening that design language with ornate mirrors and gold-framed paintings can be one way to spruce up dining or living areas. This can also be taken a step further by breaking up the walls with molded panels to divide functions in a large space without using walls.

Ladbroke Grove Townhouse by BWArchitects, London, United Kingdom

Gold and pearlescent tones have long been indicators of wealth and luxury. And since the Regency style was all about celebrating opulence, furniture and fixtures with such finishes were not uncommon. Adding golden or cream edges to highlight the lines of tables or desks, or even using gold in lights or bathrooms fittings is an easy way to incorporate this trend. This soft aqua cabinet with beige panel outlines in a townhouse designed by BWArchitects is a great example of vintage-style furniture in a modern setting.

Pattern House by ALEKSA studio, London, United Kingdom

Gilded fixtures can also be paired with white marble tabletops in salons or countertops in bathrooms. Due to its versatility, marble can also be used on floors or be carved to create intricate sculptures and more. In Pattern House, ALESKA studio has paired marble slabs with metallic gold or brass sinks and taps to elevate the simple layout. Golden doorknobs and light fixtures further help build the aesthetic.

Living room design in light tones by Mirt

Another characteristic design element from this era was a sitting room with plush sofas and ornate chaises. As evidenced in this living room design, multiple seating options, all with curved lines and decorative embellishments, add an air of comfort and luxury to any living space. These can be upholstered in velvet or delicately patterned fabrics. When paired with equally embellished furniture, they can effortlessly transport users back to the 1800s.

Jerusalem Penthouse by Annette Frommer-Interior Design, Jerusalem, Israel

We often underestimate how dramatically curtains change the look of a space. Pleated drapes with thick fabrics or sophisticated prints that go all the way from the ceiling to the floor can give the appearance of bigger windows and higher ceilings. They can also be accompanied by decorative ties or layered with sheer curtains to make the setup more luxurious. As showcased above, curtains can be a good way to add depth, color and texture to living spaces.

Chateau in height by Estudio Jorge Felli, Buenos Aires, Argentina

No Regency setup would be complete without a grand chandelier. Large suspended illuminators with dazzling crystals and romantic swirls celebrate the artistic expression of the period. These can also work with minimal spaces with sleek lines or more themes setups. In a bedroom in the Chateau in Height, the large chandelier is accompanied by matching drapes and beddings, marble and wooden floors and a dark floral wallpaper to create a balanced room.

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An Australian startup develops enzyme-based technology that can break down plastics

By Zarkon Group,04/04/2022

Spotted: What if there was a way to help eliminate the global plastic crisis without having to significantly compromise any of the conveniences we’ve grown accustomed to in our everyday lives? Meet Samsara Eco. With enzyme-based technology that can break down plastics, the Australian enviro-tech startup may have just what we need. The company’s innovative solution can break down single-use plastics into harmless organic molecules that can be easily recycled or composted.

This ‘cradle to cradle’ solution offers a way to recycle plastics sustainably, recreating them into new plastic or upcycling them into more valuable commodities. Enzymes—organic substances that catalyse bio-reactions—are the key to the technology. The enzymes break plastic ‘polymer’ molecules down into their constituent parts – known as ‘monomers’.

Samsara’s process is carbon neutral, and can be performed at room temperature. This is a significant benefit compared to other advanced plastic recycling processes – which require large amounts of heat. The startup therefore offers a more sustainable method of recycling, estimating that it will save 3 tonnes of carbon emissions for every tonne of plastic recycled using the process.

Founder and CEO of Samsara Eco Paul Riley explains that the technology ensures that plastics no longer need to be made from fossil fuels or plants, and won’t end up in landfills or oceans. He explains, “The motivation behind this work comes from our concerns about the environment, especially relating to carbon emissions and plastic waste, combined with our love of enzyme engineering – being able to design proteins to do new and useful things.”

Founded in 2021, the startup has a team of 13 composed of scientists, engineers, and researchers from the Australian National University in Canberra. The startup’s long-term vision is to extend its technological capabilities to infinitely recycle other oil-derived plastic products such as clothes made from polyester and nylon.

Other innovative recycling technologies recently spotted by Springwise include a decentralised network of advanced recycling sites, a chemical-free process for turning plastic into a building material, and a water-based recycling process for hard-to-recycle plastics.

Written By: Katrina Lane

4th April 2022

Website: samsaraeco.com

Contact: samsaraeco.com/contact-us

An experiential space to relax and recharge

By Zarkon Group,03/04/2022

Spotted: Workers’ daily stress levels reached a record high in 2020 according to a global survey by Gallup, with 43 per cent of respondents in over 100 countries claiming to have experienced stress. With such striking figures, it’s little wonder that the World Health Organization has called stress the ‘health epidemic of the 21^st century’. Against this context, designers are beginning to think about how the built environment can reduce stress levels – particularly in the workplace.

Designed by Finnish designer Pekka Kumpula, Silmu is an experiential space for focus and relaxation. The single-person pods are designed to be installed in places that lack privacy – such as workplaces and public spaces. Combining a natural design language with state-of-the-art technology, the idea is that Silmu can act as the perfect setting, either for a ‘micro-break’ during the most hectic periods of the day, or for highly concentrated work that requires maximum focus.

The pods integrate music composed by film and TV composer Mars Lasar – which is played through built-in, noise-cancelling speakers. To further deepen the experience, ‘feel-the-sound’ technology lets users feel the music all over their body. A fan and air filtration system keeps the pods fresh, and LED lights can be adjusted for colour and brightness. Users can tweak the environment within the space using an interior control panel or through a mobile app. The seat within the pod is ergonomically designed for maximum comfort.

“The design language of Silmu comes from the nature of the Nordic, from the first shoots of spring,” explains Kumpula. “Like when nature wakes up, Silmu also helps you to re-create yourself, relax and refresh,” he adds.

Other stress-busting innovations spotted by Springwise
include smart
devices that re-create forest bathing, a
vibroacoustic bed that could aid physical and mental health, and lighting
panels that boost mood when working from home.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

1st April 2022

Email: silmu@silmux.fi

Website: silmux.fi

BNIM’s Customized Glass Façade Inspires New Forms of Art Making

By Zarkon Group,03/04/2022

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.

Art and design are defined by how we experience the world and express ourselves. The spaces for creation and ideation shape what we make, and in turn, can provide the platform for making new works of art. When BNIM designed the Fine Arts + Design Studios (FADS) building at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park, Kansas, they brought together multiple disciplines into a single, carefully crafted facility. The result is an open architecture that allows students, faculty and staff to explore what expression means to them.

At the heart of the FADS building is the idea of bringing diverse ideas and art practices together. The building was made to exemplify the notion of learning by doing, drawing together disciplines that were previously dispersed across campus: graphic design, sculpture, ceramics, metals, painting, drawing, photography and filmmaking. The architecture was designed to provide a framework for new synergies and enhanced collaboration and, in doing so, inspire creativity and new forms of art making.

The FADS building was completed with Clark & Enersen, who provided programming and equipment planning, as well as mechanical, electrical and structural engineering for this building. In turn, they were selected for a range of services for priority projects identified in Johnson County Community College’s 2016 Master Plan. A goal of the facilities master plan was to reinforce campus neighborhoods by promoting adjacencies. The FADS building brings these ideas to life and contains the arts programs that were formally housed in the Arts & Technology building, along with filmmaking and graphic design.

As the design team notes, the FADS building included classrooms and studio space, material storage, multi-use common spaces, as well as display and collaboration spaces throughout building corridors. Fueling a desire to create, FADS includes these hallway gallery spaces and a covered outdoor courtyard, which functions as a year-round workspace for student and faculty artists alike.

In addition to providing collaboration spaces, the design features flexible and vibrant interior studios. The project was sited to provide intimately scaled exterior spaces for the creation and display of art, and to integrate and strengthen campus connections.

BNIM’s design features a rectangular volume lifted off the ground by a concrete podium and pilotis. In turn, the building volume is offset by acid-etched and ceramic-fritted glass panels. They worked with architectural glass and systems manufacturer Bendheim to bring the glass panels to life.

The customized, ventilated glass façade features a 170-foot-wide façade with Bendheim’s Lumi Frit Surface 1 fritted glass. It acts as a screen that filters soft, glare-free daylight into the studios through second-story windows, while creating a white aesthetic during the day. The glass also reflects sunlight to a shimmering white effect. Bendheim sampled multiple Lumi Frit patterns and surface options to test and evaluate for optimal diffusion and projectability.

Just steps away from the Midwest Trust Center, the Wylie Hospitality and Culinary Academy, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Fine Arts & Design Studios (FADS) facility was made to anchor a new arts neighborhood on campus. The FADS strengthens these connections and provides space to reimagine how art is made.

“In the fine arts are these silos of specialties, but the trend is to break through those silos,” says Fine Arts Professor Mark Cowardin. “Painters are embracing more materials, and sculptors are working with ceramics and drawing. We want that sort of cross-pollination, not only with our students but with our professors. We are encouraging a creativity zone where we can build on our reputation and present to our students the opportunity for innovation.”

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.

Using microbes to clean contaminated soil

By Zarkon Group,02/04/2022

Spotted: Contaminated soil from polluted sites, such as old industrial facilities and petrol stations, causes problems across the globe. Until now, the main method for cleaning these sites has been the physical removal of contaminated soil to a landfill site, where it is used as a filling material. Fresh soil must then be brought in as a replacement. This is an extremely expensive, time-consuming, and emissions-intensive process – potentially requiring thousands of truckloads of soil to be transported over many kilometres.

Now, Finnish company Remsoil, has developed an entirely different approach to the problem. The company has developed a new method of soil ‘remediation’ that reduces the concentration of contaminants in the soil to safe levels.

The process takes advantage of the restorative capabilities of soil microbes. An additive made from animal and plant by-products is added to the contaminated soil. This waste contains high levels of nutrients that benefit the microbes, stimulating their activity. This activity then breaks down contaminants such as oils and PAH-compounds – a class of chemicals occurring naturally in coal, crude oil, and petrol.

This method for treating contaminated soil is cost-efficient and up to three times quicker than conventional remediation processes. Moreover, the additive can be applied to the soil on-site meaning that there is no need to transport soil back and forth. At the same time, the process also returns agricultural waste back to nature’s circulation.

Other microbe-based innovations recently spotted by
Springwise include a startup that uses microbes to boost
carbon sequestration, cement
that is ‘grown’ using microbes, and a
vegetable oil replacement made using microbes.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

1st April 2022

Email: jan.hainari-maula@remsoil.com

Website: remsoil.com

Wavy Balconies With Overhanging Plants Are A Design Feature On This Apartment Building

By Zarkon Group,02/04/2022

A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

Architecture firm K.A Studio has designed the remodel of an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, that included the addition of green space.

In an area filled with concrete and hard lines, this updated apartment building, which is now used for staycations, has been designed as an oasis in the city, with the curved balconies creating a soft edge on the facade.

Overhanging plants cascade down the side of the building, while taller plants add different layers and grow up between the voids created by the balconies.

The underside of the balconies is lined with wood, adding to the natural look of the building.

The underside of these balconies is lined with wood, adding to the natural look of the building.

At night, uplighting creates shadows on the balconies above.

The balconies overlook a pool that’s located on the ground floor and has curves that mimic the exterior of the building.

A curved swimming pool complements the curved balconies above.

Throughout the building materials like woods, local split stones, concrete, terrazzo, and rattan are featured.

The interior of this building features materials like woods, local split stones, concrete, terrazzo, and rattan.

Bright hallways with lighting embedded in the concrete floors, and in the ceiling, guide guests to their private apartments.

Bright hallways with lighting embedded in the concrete floors, and in the ceiling, guides guests to their private apartments.

The apartments are minimal in their design, with simple wood furniture in the living room, and a kitchenette.

A minimalist apartment interior with LED lighting and a small living room.

A minimalist apartment interior with LED lighting, a small living room, and kitchenette.

In the bedroom, a horizontal wood accent above the bed hides LED Lighting, which also complements the lighting on the opposite wall. There’s also a floating wood desk that lines the wall, and a sliding door opens to a balcony.

In this bedroom, a horizontal wood accent above the bed hides LED Lighting, which also complements the lighting on the opposite wall.

Photograph: Hiroyuki Oki | Architects: K.A Studio | Lead Architects: Doan Quoc Khanh | Design team: Dang Anh Khoa, Hoang Anh Dung, Tran Quoc Nhat, Le Duc Duy | Construction: La Maison Du K

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Top 10 Architecture Projects on Architizer in March 2022

By Zarkon Group,02/04/2022

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

Architizer’s journal is fueled by the creative energy of the thousands of architects from around the world who upload and showcase their incredible work. From conceptual designs to projects under construction to completed buildings, we are proud to serve as a platform for showcasing global architectural talent and the brilliance of visualizers, engineers, manufacturers, and photographers who are crucial members of the industry. A stellar drawing, rendering or photo, as well as a detailed project description, can go a long way in making a project stand out, as does indicating the stellar contributors on a project.

Firms who upload to Architizer share their work with professionals and design enthusiasts through our Firm Directory and Projects database. They also gain exposure by having their projects shared on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, as well as in our Journal feature articles. Indeed, through these various channels, hundreds of thousands of people in the global design community have come to rely on Architizer as their architectural reference and source of inspiration. In 2022, we’ll be rounding up our database’s top 10 most-viewed, user-uploaded architecture projects at the end of each month.

By JJP Architects and Planners, New Taipei City, Taiwan

This church sits at the heart of a planned long-term elderly care village in a rural coastal district in northern New Taipei City, Taiwan. Inside, three hyperbolical solid shells form two voids and are enclosed by fully transparent glass. Horizontally, the church is bisected by a double-height glass corridor. The curved top of the shells form a unique gap that follows the sun’s path, inviting a flood of natural light into the interior space throughout the day, as well as a modern representation of longstanding church imagery of “open heavens”.

By XRANGE Architects, Penghu County, Taiwan

This house is named after a famous archipelago west of Taiwan where vernacular coral stone homes — characterized by a nine-square plan, distinctive “rolled” roof ridges resembling a curved gable and “slits and pillars” — are unique. This modern home reinterprets its forebears. From a distance, the overlapping layers of rolled roof ridges create the illusion of a village made up of many small homes. Likewise, the traditional slits-and-pillars openings are reimagined as screens that shade floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which improves access to natural light and ventilation.

By Wood Marsh, Point Lonsdale, Australia

The majestic, undulating terrain of the Australian coastland stands alone as an aesthetic experience. So, the architects who designed the Lonsdale Links — a club house for a golf course — sought to create a building that appeared as a “relic” in “the prehistoric landscape.” The soft contours and stunning volume of the building act like a natural extension of the site. Positioned on the crest of a hill, it appears differently from various sight lines. Dark laminated timber beams create a soft and radiant contrast to the verdant links; their finishing ahas a raw weathered quality that timelessly integrates with the coastal context.

By Metaform Architects, Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE

While the formal aspects of this project are visually dazzling, an even more impressive aspect of the the design remains invisible to the naked eye: it is built of 70% reused or recycled materials. While the steel structure was a natural choice to help reach this goal. fiberglass membrane is more surprising. Although difficult to recycle, the latter can be reused by the producer, who specifically agreed to it for this project.

By GUILLEM CARRERA arquitecte, Tarragona, Spain

Nestled in a small fold of the urban fabric, a small neighborhood with a triangular perimeter has quietly persisted over the the past half century. The houses here sit on small plots, rubbing shoulders with their neighbors. This new addition to the community seeks to maintain that dialogue; yet, interestingly, the main façade faces the back garden, rather than the street. The house pivots around a central porch, which is located in the belly of the structure.

Photos by Ivo Tavares Studio

By ESQUISSOS, Sintra, Lisbon, Portugal

The idea centers on the desire to develop a lower area beneath the home. To this end, a white closed building seemingly emerges in a crisp, clean volume from the topography. This design move ensures greater privacy and protection, superior energy efficiency, simple and clean, almost “monolithic” construction, in addition to wind protection and sunlight appreciation. Meanwhile, two independent boxes are perched above the white ground level, bringing the organizational plan into dialogue with the street level. The wooden slats add a textural intrigue and visual permeability that softens the purism of the white prism.

By A-001 Taller de Arquitectura, Valle de Bravo, Mexico

This two-storey weekend home is set on a 9,000 square meter site; hence, it is just one part of a larger, sustainable microsystem, within which the dwelling is respectfully integrated. This reinterpretation of the region’s traditional homes plays with the geometry of superimposed volumes. A nearby body of water feeds a hydraulic mill, which meets 70% of the home’s hydraulic needs; it is also the source of irrigation of vegetables, fruit trees and a series of wetlands. Additionally, a rainwater collection system helps feed the plumbing fixtures, the pool, and the irrigation of green areas.

By Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, Valencia, Spain

With a series of NIU projects, this Spanish firm is exploring innovating construction systems. The N70 is the smallest model in this series, which juxtapose aluminum walls and extruded spaces to open glazing. The goal is to make more sustainable, quicker-to-build homes that promote healthier lifestyles.

By RISOU, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

In Ho Chi Minh City, townhouses are often long and narrow slices that run back from the street. As a result, the interiors have less windows and access to sunlight than residents desire. With this design, the architects prioritized the creation of natural light while optimizing construction costs. The result is a luminous family home that is enlivened by a central atrium, which invites the sun’s rays to dance in the deepest nooks and crannies.

By Mado Architects, Mazandaran Province, Iran

Set in a suburb that is dotted with gabled roofs and homes made of brick, cement and wood materials, this project subtly distinguishes itself from the neighborhood in sophisticated ways. The design is rooted in the geometric archetype of nine-squares, which is the guiding principle of its programmatic distribution. The interconnected network of courtyards, pools and domestic faces interlock like a Mondrian composition, resulting in a dynamic and highly functional home.

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