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How can AI help real estate professionals decarbonise?
CategoriesSustainable News

How can AI help real estate professionals decarbonise?

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: The UN Environment Programme reports that “Nearly 40 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions come from the real estate sector. Of these emissions, approximately 70 per cent are produced by building operations, while the remaining 30 per cent comes from construction.” While the climate impact of buildings is clear, for managers of large portfolios of commercial real estate, it can be difficult to build a complete and accurate picture of the sustainability of every building. 

Enter Cambio, a commercial real estate decarbonisation platform built by and for real estate professionals. The startup brings together climate and data scientists and retrofit and regulatory experts to provide portfolio and building managers with deep insight into building and equipment performance. 

Armed with an understanding of the sustainability changes that could make the quickest and largest reductions to a building’s emissions, portfolio managers can ensure compliance with regulations and drive progress towards net-zero goals. Cambio’s system integrates directly with every metre on a property, providing a livestream of energy use and emissions intensity.  

Additionally, the system works seamlessly with utility providers’ APIs, making it possible for portfolios of mixed ownership to monitor all properties in the same way. The platform uses artificial intelligence to analyse potential returns on investment for a range of retrofitting options, before ranking the properties based on the level of opportunity for carbon reductions.

As well as flagging compliance with regulatory policies, Cambio also automates reporting. This makes it possible for owners and managers of large portfolios to see total emissions at-a-glance, as well as those for individual buildings. They can then track interventions over time to evaluate their efficacy.  

The complexity of real estate decarbonisation management is reflected in the numbers of AI-powered solutions being created by innovators. Springwise’s archive includes projects that use blockchain to track buildings’ carbon emissions and AI recommended carbon transition plans.  

Written By: Keely Khoury

  

Reference

Basic Coffee by Office AIO
CategoriesArchitecture

26 Pioneering Architecture Firms Rethinking the Fundamentals of Design

By Zarkon Group,

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

As we look forward to a new year and a new era of architectural innovation, the following winning practices from the 11th A+Awards are leading the way. Ranging in size, geography and expertise, these 26 studios came out on top in the Best Firm Categories. Each team was judged on the strength of their portfolio and recognized for delivering some of the most compelling and creative projects the industry has seen over the past 10 years. Join them by submitting your firm for the coveted A+Firm Award today:

Apply for a Best Firm Award

Jurors considered a wide range of criteria and qualities before reaching a fair decision on the firms making extraordinary contributions to their fields. While the following practices excelled in their categories, their work has a broader resonance. Many studios embraced socially and environmentally conscious design approaches, rising to meet some of the most pressing challenges facing the built environment today, from the climate crisis, sustainability and land scarcity to the need for truly accessible and inclusive spaces. Here are the trailblazing architecture and design firms forging exciting new paths for 2024…

Best Interior Design Firm

Office AIO

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Interior Design Firm

Basic Coffee by Office AIO Bar Lotus by Office AIOFirm Location: Beijing, China

Pictured Projects: Basic Coffee, Beijing, China ; Bar Lotus, Shanghai, China

A deft hand at articulating mesmerizing spatial experiences, Office Aio was founded in 2014 by Tim Kwan and Isabelle Sun. The firm’s outstanding portfolio is a testament to its range and expertise, encompassing hospitality, retail, cultural, residential and corporate spheres.

The team’s thoughtful design philosophy reframes constraints as opportunities for creativity. The result is a catalog of projects that combine unique architectural solutions with remarkable contextual sensitivity.

EL EQUIPO CREATIVO

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Interior Design Firm

Patka Restaurant by EL EQUIPO CREATIVO Tunateca Balfegó Restaurant by EL EQUIPO CREATIVOFirm Location: Barcelona, Spain

Pictured Projects: Patka Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain ; Tunateca Balfegó Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain

Specializing in commercial, hospitality and branded projects, this Barcelona-based studio, made up of architect Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas del Pozo and Lucas Echeveste Lacy, is a master of spatial storytelling. Rooted in a solid conceptual approach, the firm elevates functional design into inspiring schemes that envelop the senses.

Stand-out spaces from the team’s body of work include the transformative Tunateca Balfegó Restaurant, with its school of fish spiraling overhead, and Pakta Restaurant, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion eatery clad in a vibrant, loom-like skin that pays homage to Peru’s textile heritage.

Best Landscape Design Firm

Design Workshop

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Landscape Design Firm

70 Rainey Sky Garden by Design Workshop Highlands Retreat by Design WorkshopFirm Location: Denver, Colorado (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: 70 Rainey Sky Garden, Austin, Texas ; Highlands Retreat, Aspen, Colorado

Creating socially and environmentally responsible spaces is central to the mission of Design Workshop. With eight studios across the US and an international reach, the renowned firm comprises a collaborative community of landscape architects, planners and strategists.

Adept across diverse scales and geographies, from private gardens to city parks and municipal masterplans, the practice delivers enduring, legacy spaces that forge meaningful connections with the organic world and the wider community.

ASPECT Studios

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Landscape Design Firm

Hongkong Land’s Yorkville - The Ring by ASPECT Studios The Urban Gallery at Hyperlane by ASPECT StudiosFirm Location: Melbourne, Australia (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: Hongkong Land’s Yorkville – The Ring, Chongqing, China ; The Urban Gallery at Hyperlane, Chengdu, China

Encompassing a global team of landscape architects, urban designers and strategists, ASPECT Studios specializes in carving out exceptional public spaces that benefit the natural environment and enrich the lives of local residents.

The firm’s skillful approach blends cutting-edge technology and practices with playful, conceptual ideas. The studio interprets the unique context and history of a site in its own distinctive voice, producing dynamic surfaces of discovery that elevate each locale.

Best Large Firm (41+ employees)

Olson Kundig

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Large Firm (41+ employees)

ANOHA—The Children’s World of the Jewish Museum Berlin by Olson Kundig Rio House by Olson KundigFirm Location: Seattle, Washington

Pictured Projects: ANOHA—The Children’s World of the Jewish Museum Berlin, Berlin, Germany ; Rio House, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The pioneering work of Seattle-based practice Olson Kundig can be found throughout five continents. The team’s outlook is grounded in the belief that buildings can be bridges between nature, culture and people, the same philosophy that fueled the firm’s inception back in 1966.

While the practice is historically known for its residential design, its portfolio demonstrates expansive expertise across all manner of typology, broaching commercial, industrial, educational, spiritual and hospitality spaces. Regardless of the scale or function, the studio’s attention to detail, from the big ideas to the minutest of details, is unwavering.

Architects 49

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Large Firm (41+ employees)

Prince Mahidol Hall by Architects 49 VELAA (THE SINHORN VILLAGE) by Architects 49Firm Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Pictured Projects: Prince Mahidol Hall, Salaya, Thailand ; VELAA (THE SINHORN VILLAGE), Bangkok, Thailand

Founded in 1983 by Nithi Sthapitanonda, Architects 49 espouses simplicity and elegant, clean lines. Inspired by the vibrant landscape of Thai art and architecture, the firm imparts a distinctive character to each project it encounters, embracing strong, dynamic forms that quickly cement themselves as local landmarks.

Its astonishing portfolio, spanning Asia and the Middle East, exemplifies the team’s adaptability, ranging from intimate residences to mixed-use developments and sprawling masterplans.

Best Medium Firm (16 – 40 employees)

WOODS + DANGARAN

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Medium Firm (16 – 40 employees)

Desert Palisades by WOODS + DANGARAN Case Study by WOODS + DANGARANFirm Location: Los Angeles, California

Pictured Projects: Desert Palisades, Palm Springs, California ; Case Study, Culver City, California

Headquartered in Los Angeles, WOODS + DANGARAN is renowned for its outstanding work across the residential sphere. Exploration drives its practice, from interrogating a project’s context to establishing a rich, collaborative dialogue with clients.

The studio’s architectural catalog is defined by crisp, disciplined forms. Its approach is holistic, embracing the varied facets of residential typologies, weaving streamlined architecture with stand-out interiors and custom furnishings to curate a fluid spatial journey.

Hooba Design

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Medium Firm (16 – 40 employees)

Hitra Office & Commercial Building by Hooba Design Kohan Ceram Central Office Building by Hooba DesignFirm Location: Tehran, Iran

Pictured Projects: Hitra Office & Commercial Building, Tehran, Iran ; Kohan Ceram Central Office Building, Tehran, Iran

Founded in 2007 by Hooman Balazadeh, Hooba Design has established itself as an accomplished all-rounder. The firm’s impressive scope extends from commercial buildings, such as factories, showrooms and office blocks, to residential apartments and multi-unit housing developments.

Utilizing pioneering design and construction methods, its work is informed by each site’s unique cultural and geographic qualities. Consequently, the studio’s projects strike a considered balance between innovation and contextual sensitivity.

Best Small Firm (6 – 15 employees)

MQ Architecture

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Small Firm (6 – 15 employees)

Magazzino Italian Art Museum by MQ Architecture Stella’s Cucina by MQ ArchitectureFirm Location: Manhattan, New York

Pictured Projects: Magazzino Italian Art Museum, Cold Spring, New York ; Stella’s Cucina, Boulder, Colorado

Demonstrating mastery over typologies including cultural, corporate, hospitality, retail and residential, MQ Architecture specializes in high-end architectural design. The New York-based firm offers its clients a full-service architectural package, incorporating design, permitting and construction management.

The studio’s portfolio showcases its attention to detail and aptitude for problem-solving. Projects like the Magazzino Italian Art Museum display a deft handling of natural light and scale, while Stella’s Cucina is an exercise in delicate yet immersive interior design.

MARS Studio

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Small Firm (6 – 15 employees)

Tianfu Conference Center by MARS Studio SOMESOME Bar & Restaurant by MARS StudioFirm Location: Beijing, China

Pictured Projects: Tianfu Conference Center, Chengdu, China ; SOMESOME Bar & Restaurant, Beijing, China

Headquartered in Beijing, MARS Studio has already made a global impact in the short years since its founding. From planning to conceptual design to construction, the firm instils quality into every step of the project workflow.

After previously making waves at the 10th A+Awards in 2022, this ambitious team has gone from strength to strength. Their stand-out projects so far include a captivating restaurant, defined by its undulating surfaces, and a compelling concept for a futuristic, floating conference center.

Best X-Small Firm (1 – 5 employees)

Blue Temple

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best X-Small Firm (1 – 5 employees)

Plot ABC by Blue Temple Infinity by Blue TempleFirm Location: Yangon, Myanmar

Pictured Projects: Plot ABC, Yangon, Myanmar ; Infinity, Yangon, Myanmar

From innovative housing solutions for displaced communities to public parks and playgrounds, Blue Temple’s portfolio comprises an array of compassionate projects instigating real change across the landscape of Yangon in Myanmar.

The firm’s approach is rooted in the wisdom of traditional local materials like bamboo, along with time-honored building techniques. This recourse to the past stands as a counterpoint to the city’s new metal structures and a reminder of the wisdom of vernacular construction.

Rangr Studio

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best X-Small Firm (1 – 5 employees)

Buena Vista House by Rangr Studio Compound in the Hudson Valley by Rangr StudioFirm Location: Berkeley, California (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: Buena Vista House, Berkeley, California ; Compound in the Hudson Valley, Columbia County, New York

Informed by founder Jasmit Singh Rangr’s childhood in India, the remarkable work of Berkeley-based Rangr Studio draws inspiration from the historic architecture of the Mughal Empire. Combined with cutting-edge sustainable materials, the firm’s approach places past and present in dialogue.

Their body of work, from residential to hospitality and educational spaces, is deeply reactive to environmental and cultural contexts. Prioritizing ancient design principles that utilize solar, wind and hydropower, the studio delivers conscientious projects that respond to the challenges of climate change.

Best Young Firm

MUDA-Architects

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Firm

Garden Hotpot Restaurant by MUDA-Architects Minjiang Courier Center by MUDA-ArchitectsFirm Location: Chengdu, China

Pictured Projects: Garden Hotpot Restaurant, Chengdu, China ; Minjiang Courier Center, Chengdu, China

Founded in 2015 and establishing its first office in Chengdu two years later, MUDA-Architects has already carved out a strong, definitive voice in its relatively short history. Excelling across commercial, cultural, municipal and interior design spheres, its polished portfolio is a testament to the firm’s ingenuity.

Its team of creative designers is innovative yet considered in their approach. Ever mindful of each project’s cultural and environmental landscape, the studio fuses respect for the past with forward-looking visions of the future.

Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Firm

Full House by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design Camera House by Leckie Studio Architecture + DesignFirm Location: Vancouver, Canada

Pictured  Projects: Full House, Vancouver, Canada ; Camera House, Pemberton, Canada

Fueled by a desire to push the conventional bounds of architecture, Leckie Studio Architecture + Design was founded in 2015. The ambitious newcomer has set itself apart thanks to a catalog of extraordinary projects across varying scales, spanning residential, commercial and institutional typologies, as well as installations and product design.

While the studio delights in subverting tradition, its pioneering work is fundamentally rooted in creative problem-solving. Combined with sustainable principles and a sensitive regard for locality, the result is artful spaces that articulate the unexpected.

Best Young Interior Design Firm

Pulse On Partnership Limited

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Interior Design Firm

SHANGHAI ONE EAST - PALACE CINEMA by Pulse On Partnership Limited BONA INTERNATIONAL CINEMA AT XIAN JOY CITY by Pulse On Partnership LimitedFirm Location: Hong Kong

Pictured Projects: SHANGHAI ONE EAST – PALACE CINEMA, Shanghai, China ; BONA INTERNATIONAL CINEMA AT XIAN JOY CITY, Xi’an, China

This Hong Kong-based interior design practice was established in 2017 by Ajax Law and Virginia Lung. Specializing in the commercial realm, the fledgling firm has already made its mark transforming entertainment spaces, retail stores and offices into rich inner worlds.

Its roster of work displays the team’s skill in creating immersive, multi-layered schemes. In SHANGHAI ONE EAST – PALACE CINEMA, floating installations of glass bricks create a mirage that plays with light and permeability. Meanwhile, their BONA INTERNATIONAL CINEMA AT XIAN JOY CITY project responds to its ancient locale, channeling the lines of historic Chinese architecture to inform striking, abstract tableaus.

Etereo Design

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Interior Design Firm

Ghaf Majlis by Etereo Design Sontuosa by Etereo DesignFirm Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: Ghaf Majlis, Ajman, United Arab Emirates ; Sontuosa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Where the artistic heritage of Italy meets the aesthetics of the Middle East, Etereo Design harmoniously combines two distinct design cultures to deliver exceptional, inspiring spaces that promote the creativity of their users.

From commercial to residential projects, the firm is deeply involved in every step of project planning, from design conception to material selection and sourcing suppliers. The team’s diverse personal and professional backgrounds allow them to fuse contrasting concepts like engineering and poetry to achieve a measured balance between form and function.

Best Commercial Firm

Stonehill Taylor

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Commercial Firm

The Ned NoMad by Stonehill Taylor NYLO New York City by Stonehill TaylorFirm Location: New York, New York

Pictured Projects: The Ned NoMad, New York, New York ; NYLO New York City, New York, New York

An impressive all-rounder, Stonehill Taylor is particularly skilled at reimagining commercial spaces, from restaurants and hospitality projects to showrooms and corporate headquarters. Its diverse portfolio is indicative of the careful attention the firm gives to each brief, resulting in unique, creative responses to its client’s needs.

The New York-based team’s expansive skillset covers cutting-edge construction techniques, adaptive reuse projects and interior design, as well as furniture and product design. Holistic and meticulous in its approach, the practice delivers remarkably well-rounded schemes.

UUA (United Units Architects)

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Commercial Firm

Dalian 37 Xiang by UUA (United Units Architects) The Exo Towers by UUA (United Units Architects)Firm Location: Beijing, China (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: Dalian 37 Xiang, Dalian, China ; The Exo Towers, Shaoxing, China

Based in Beijing and London, award-winning practice United Units Architects (UUA) has made a name for itself in the commercial sphere. The pioneering firm’s philosophy pairs technical precision with a humanistic approach, championing integrated design and prefabricated construction methods.

Forward-looking solutions are at the heart of the team’s work. Designing with an uncertain future in mind, the firm ensures its buildings are versatile and adaptable in form, embracing space frames and other architectural solutions to increase the flexibility of each structure, should it need to be repurposed in the future.

Best Cultural Firm

MAD Architects

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Cultural Firm

Harbin Opera House by MAD Architects Hutong Bubble 218 by MAD ArchitectsFirm Location: Beijing, China (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: Harbin Opera House, Harbin, China ; Hutong Bubble 218, Beijing, China

Futurism and localism collide in the compelling portfolio of Beijing-headquartered MAD Architects. Founded in 2004, the firm’s adventurous, parametric designs are balanced by its sensitive regard for context and community.

This intuitive understanding of the complexities of place establishes a powerful connection between structures, spatial users and the surrounding environment, something that’s vividly demonstrated in the firm’s catalog of work – ranging from the sinuous Harbin Opera House, designed in the spirit of its wetland locale, to the masterful Hutong Bubble 218, which places old and new in communion.

Hariri Pontarini Architects

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Cultural Firm

St Lawrence Centre for the Arts by Hariri Pontarini Architects Baha’i Temple of South America by Hariri Pontarini ArchitectsFirm Location: Toronto, Canada

Pictured Projects: St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Concept ; Baha’i Temple of South America, Santiago, Chile

Founded in 1994 by Siamak Hariri and David Pontarini, Hariri Pontarini Architects is the mastermind behind numerous landmark cultural buildings, including the curvilinear Baha’i Temple of South America, cloaked in cast-glass panels, and the dynamic concept for the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, with its permeable glazed skin.

The Toronto-based studio is a full-service architectural practice with an array of awards under its belt. Known for its commitment to quality, the firm uses its clients’ aspirations and requirements as a springboard for creativity.

Best Public Projects Firm

MJMA Architecture & Design

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Public Projects Firm

Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Sports Park by MJMA Architecture & Design UBC Aquatic Centre by MJMA Architecture & DesignFirm Location: Toronto, Canada

Pictured Projects: Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Sports Park, Mississauga, Canada ; UBC Aquatic Centre, Vancouver, Canada

With more than 30 years of experience in delivering valuable community spaces that elevate the civic realm, MJMA Architecture & Design is leading the evolution of public typologies.

Featuring a team of over 60 architects and designers, the firm’s viewpoint is driven by innovation and a desire to make meaningful, positive contributions to the built landscape. From sports and recreation centers to campuses and community hubs, the practice’s varied work across a range of scales establishes it as a key player in its field.

ROBERT MAIER ARCHITEKTEN

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Public Projects Firm

Hydroelectric power plant Töging by ROBERT MAIER ARCHITEKTEN HLR Secondary School by ROBERT MAIER ARCHITEKTENFirm Location: Neuötting, Germany

Pictured Projects: Hydroelectric power plant Töging, Töging am Inn, Germany ; HLR Secondary School, Altötting, Germany

Headquartered in Neuötting in Bavaria, ROBERT MAIER ARCHITEKTEN distinguishes itself with a varied portfolio across the public sphere, encompassing educational structures, municipal buildings and even a hydroelectric power plant.

The team excels at out-of-the-box thinking, pairing in-depth research and creativity to produce astonishing buildings designed to endure and adapt to future demands. Experts at delivering comprehensive schemes, the firm combines urban development, architecture and interior design into a single, harmonious concept.

Best Residential Firm

Alterstudio Architecture

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Residential Firm

Highland Park Residence by Alterstudio Architecture Constant Springs by Alterstudio ArchitectureFirm Location: Austin, Texas

Pictured Projects: Highland Park Residence, Highland Park, Texas ; Constant Springs, Austin, Texas

Highly skilled in shaping rich, residential projects, Alterstudio Architecture’s work is informed by its belief that the built environment should deepen the experiences of spatial users, while drawing attention to the wider world beyond its walls.

The Austin-based firm embraces all aspects of sustainable design, delving beyond mechanical features to consider a structure’s relation to its ecological and cultural surroundings, as well as remaining mindful of finite resources. The practice emphasizes ethical architecture, prioritizing spaces that uplift users and the environment.

DXA studio

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Residential Firm

Conexus Home + by DXA studio Montclair Residence by DXA studioFirm Location: New York, New York

Pictured Projects: Conexus Home +, New York, New York ; Montclair Residence, Montclair, New Jersey

A veritable jack of all trades, DXA studio has an especially deft hand with residential typologies, from multi-unit developments and prefabricated housing solutions to private homes and historic renovations.

Founded in 2011, the firm’s thorough design process is informed by extensive research into a site’s context and complexities. The team’s remarkable work treads the careful line between contrasting virtues, balancing technical excellence with creativity, craftsmanship with contemporary flair and a modern outlook with veneration for the past.

Best Sustainable Firm

Perkins&Will

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Sustainable Firm

The Exchange at 100 Federal by Perkins&Will Water Institute of the Gulf by Perkins&WillFirm Location: Chicago, Illinois (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)

Pictured Projects: The Exchange at 100 Federal, Boston, Massachusetts ; Water Institute of the Gulf, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

With over 20 studios across the globe and a team of more than 2,000, Perkins&Will has an impressive, international reach. The interdisciplinary firm is a trailblazer, advocating the industry to adopt more sustainable practices while advancing climate action and social justice through its own work.

Committed to designing a better world, the firm still remains faithful to its original mission to create beautiful, inspiring spaces, with an uncompromising approach to design excellence. The firm’s specialisms are wide-ranging, spanning commercial and residential architecture, interior design, branded spaces and landscape design.

SUP Atelier of THAD

Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Best Sustainable Firm

Yunzhai Community Center by SUP Atelier of THAD Village Lounge of Shangcun by SUP Atelier of THADFirm Location: Beijing, China

Pictured Projects: Yunzhai Community Center, Xinxiang, China ; Village Lounge of Shangcun, Jixi, China

Established in 2011 in Beijing, SUP Atelier of THAD is committed to championing sustainability across the built environment. By taking inspiration from vernacular design and drawing on salvaged materials and native natural resources, the practice’s work showcases innovative structures that are acutely embedded in their locales.

Stand-out projects from the studio’s portfolio include the Village Lounge of Shangcun, a revived public space that combines reclaimed bricks, tiles, stone and wood from the site with locally sourced bamboo, and the Yunzhai Community Center, a modern iteration of the traditional Chinese garden, which preserves the land’s pre-existing trees.

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Reference

Exterior of De Durgerdam hotel by Aedes
CategoriesInterior Design

De Durgerdam hotel takes over 17th-century sailor’s inn on a dyke

By Zarkon Group,

Dutch hospitality company Aedes has pushed Amsterdam’s building restrictions to their limit to convert a heritage-listed tavern into an all-electric hotel.

De Durgerdam hotel occupies one in a row of almost identical gabled buildings perched on a seawall on lake IJmeer, which together make up the small village of Durgerdam near Amsterdam.

Constructed in 1664, the building originally served as an inn for sailors and fishermen, its white-painted clapboard facade acting as a beacon for boats that could pull right up to its deck in the Zuiderzee bay of the North Sea.

Exterior of De Durgerdam hotel by AedesExterior of De Durgerdam hotel by Aedes
De Durgerdam hotel is set on a seawall outside Amsterdam

Due to recurring flooding, the village was cut off from the sea with the construction of a dam in 1932, turning the bay into a freshwater lake while the inn became a ferry terminal and later a cafe and restaurant.

Following a five-year restoration led by Aedes, the building reopened this year as a boutique hotel with 14 rooms and interiors designed by material research studio Buro Belén.

De Durgerdam, the first hotel to be owned and operated by the Aedes, provided an opportunity to see how far heritage restrictions could be stretched to make the building as sustainable as possible.

Front door of hotel with white weatherboarded facadeFront door of hotel with white weatherboarded facade
The hotel occupies a former inn with a white-painted clapboard facade

“What we have done in terms of sustainability is fairly innovative for a historic building of this kind,” said founder Paul Geertman. “We have pushed the boundaries as far as we could to reduce its environmental impact.”

The 17th-century building now runs on renewable energy – provided by 32 rooftop solar panels and a green energy supplier – and its operations are entirely gas-free.

This was made possible via meticulous insulation and four separate heat pumps, which cover all of the building’s heating and cooling needs in lieu of a traditional boiler.

Lounge area inside De Durgerdam hotel with interiors by Buro BelénLounge area inside De Durgerdam hotel with interiors by Buro Belén
The ground-floor restaurant integrates a small lounge area

With limited space in the old inn, the heat pumps are dotted across the garden where they are hidden in tiny outbuildings complete with gables and clapboards, which Aedes constructed especially to work around local building codes.

“A heat pump in Amsterdam normally has to be inside of your building, otherwise you just don’t get the licence,” Aedes head of sustainability Esther Mouwen told Dezeen. “So we had to build a house around them.”

The windows posed a similar struggle, as the municipality rarely allows the distinctive hand-blown glazing of heritage buildings to be changed.

But Aedes was able to source an energy-efficient triple-glazed model with a pattern of tiny dots across its surface, which creates the optical illusion of looking at rippled glass.

Seating area of De Mark restaurantSeating area of De Mark restaurant
An Ingo Maurer chandelier hangs above a vintage sharing table in the restaurant

The renovation itself was a balancing act between changing as little as possible about the building while ensuring that it could survive for another 500 years.

Although from the outside, the three-storey building looks almost exactly like it did when it was first constructed, large parts of its structure had to be carefully dismantled and reconstructed.

“The building had deteriorated over time and the structural integrity had been compromised in some areas,” said Aedes marketing manager Monica Hanlo.

“The interiors had to be carefully renovated and restructured, with beams and stones disassembled, inspected and either reused or replaced.”

Bedroom of De Durgerdam hotel by Buro BelénBedroom of De Durgerdam hotel by Buro Belén
The bedrooms are finished in a moody colour palette

Where timber could no longer serve a structural function, it was converted into floorboards alongside reclaimed wood sourced from old church pews and demolished timber houses from Austria.

This wood was smoked for 18 hours to create a rich colour that permeates the timber rather than sitting on top like a stain, which would wear down over time and need re-upping.

“Normally, they do not smoke it that long,” explained Buro Belén co-founder Lenneke Langenhuijsen. “Now it will patina super beautifully because all throughout, it became this really dark wood.”

“It was important to us to make well-based decisions, maybe invest a bit more but it’s a long-lasting product that ages with the hotel and makes it even nicer over time.”

De Durgerdam marks the first time that Buro Belén has applied its material research approach to an entire hotel interior.

“We did a lot of research so that the hotel also feels very grounded in what it once was, in its place,” Langenhuijsen said. “And if you look at the Zuiderzee, it was a very important part of the Netherlands, all the villages around made their living from it.”

Layered throughout the hotel’s interior are references to this seafaring history, delivered via an eclectic mix of new, vintage and bespoke elements created by Buro Belén.

Fireplace in bedroom of hotel by AedesFireplace in bedroom of hotel by Aedes
A rusty red colour was used to highlight the building’s beams

In the ground-floor restaurant De Mark, framed photos provide a glimpse of the inn’s evolution over the years.

A shaggy curtain frames the lounge area near the entrance, made from traditional flax rope and raw flax fibres that were once used by local fishermen to make their nets.

Weather permitting, patrons can dine outside on the jetty atop lake IJmeer or sit at a long sharing table that forms the centrepiece of the restaurant.

Bathroom of De Durgerdam hotel by Buro BelénBathroom of De Durgerdam hotel by Buro Belén
The same colour dominates the guest bathrooms

Overhead, Buro Belén suspended Ingo Maurer’s chandelier Lacrime del Pescatore – or “fisherman’s tears” – made of sparkling crystals that droop from a nylon net.

Its name, according to Langenhuijsen, acts as a subtle reference to the plight of the local fishers, who lost their livelihoods as the village was cut off from the sea.

Upstairs, the inn accommodates three suites and one room, accessed via the building’s untouched original staircase, which still shows the deep grooves that were worn into the wood by thousands of shoes over the centuries.

Garden annex of hotel by AedesGarden annex of hotel by Aedes
Ten of the hotel’s 14 rooms are housed in a garden annexe added in 2006

De Durgerdam’s remaining 10 rooms are housed in a garden annexe that was added to the building in 2006. All share a moody colour palette that was drawn from the craft and building traditions of the Zuiderzee.

A rusty red colour – reminiscent of sails treated with tree-bark tannins to prevent rot – was used to highlight key architectural features like the building’s timber beams and the monochrome bathrooms.

Similarly, the inside of the bedrooms’ Shaker-style built-in wardrobes was painted in a sky blue colour that nods to a traditional paint made from buttermilk, chalk and a particular blue pigment, historically used by locals across cupboards and box beds to repel insects.

Small gabled outbuilding outside garden annex of De Durgerdam hotel by Aedes Small gabled outbuilding outside garden annex of De Durgerdam hotel by Aedes
The hotel’s heat pumps are hidden in tiny gabled outbuildings

Even though construction is complete, Aedes is still working on reducing the hotel’s operational footprint, with the aim of getting 80 per cent of the way towards being zero waste by the end of next year.

The company is also looking into a reliable way of offsetting the building’s whole-life carbon emissions via a reforestation scheme but has so far struggled to find a reliable company that can guarantee measurable, traceable carbon removals.

“We’re not fans of offsetting, because we think we have to make sure we don’t create emissions,” Mouwensaid. “But it’s not possible yet.”

Aedes has previously converted Amsterdam’s art deco Bungehuis building into a Soho House members’ club.

The photography is by Chantal Arnts and Studio Unfolded.

Reference

A plant-inspired anti-reflective coating for solar panels 
CategoriesSustainable News

A plant-inspired anti-reflective coating for solar panels 

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Most top-end solar panels today work at an efficiency rate of around 23 per cent, and if there was a big jump in that rate, it would be a significant boon for global decarbonisation efforts. Right now, experts predict that renewable energy sources will provide 35 per cent of the world’s power by 2025.  

With an anti-reflective coating applied directly to the top glass layer of photovoltaic arrays, German energy technology company Phytonics is helping improve the efficiency of standard solar panels. The company’s coating could improve each system’s annual yield by 5 to 10 per cent. 

Inspired by the efficient and robust nature of plant photosynthesis, the startup – a spin-out from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – has used nature’s designs as a starting point for its proprietary technology. The coating combines micro- and nano-technology elements to replicate the sunlight-absorbing capability of rose petals. Available for use with all sizes of energy systems and wavelengths of light, the coating reduces glare from every angle. It also helps extend the lifespan of panels by adding an additional layer of protection from the elements. 

The laminating foil is applied during the solar panel production process and is currently in-situ in two different locations. The company encourages anyone interested in participating in retrofitting sites to get in touch for more information as the process develops. In mid-2023, the company began building its first commercial pilot production facility.

From panels that work in the shade to nanogrids that work off-grid, the versatility of solar power is showcased in a variety of innovations in Springwise’s library.  

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
CategoriesArchitecture

stacked volumes & half domes shape babnimnim’s kuwait mosque

By Zarkon Group,

babnimnim studio unveils mamluki lancet mosque

 

A contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Egyptian architecture, the Mamluki Lancet Mosque by Babnimnim Design Studio poses a spiritual sanctuary for the local community in Al-Masayel, Kuwait. The architects draw on classic Islamic motifs, including calligraphy relief, intricate geometric ornamentation, archways, and the Moqarnas typology to balance a large half dome over the rectilinear space. The mosque unfolds as a sequence of five stone masses, stacked and rotating, each resonating with the five daily prayers and symbolizing the foundation of faith, alignment to the Qibla (prayer direction towards Makkah), and connection to the surroundings. Meanwhile, three intervening masses dynamically coalesce to form a funnel-like configuration, creating an unobstructed interior devoid of columns, facilitating unhindered alignment for prayers.

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
Mamluki Lancet Mosque | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

 

 

a contemporary expression of historic islamic architecture

 

The five progressively rotating masses ascend toward the central half dome which is marked by the symbolic Islamic moon, engraved in intricate metalwork that is echoed in the minaret to signify unity and connection to the divine. A strategically positioned additional mass completes the Islamic Star plan when viewed from above, enhancing the mosque’s identity and visibility in the neighborhood while demarcating alternative side entrances. Babnimnim Design Studio punctuates the facade with minimalist lancet cutouts — motifs and proportions found in classical Mamluki mosques — that frame windows and structural elements at various levels. A grand wooden door invites worshippers into the sacred space, echoing the half dome that defines the mosque’s core by an elongated form to envelop and house the primary lobby gateway towards the main interior.

 

The Kuwaiti architects have arranged adjacent smaller half domes in a stepped configuration to serve as luminous wells, infusing natural light within and marking an inviting prelude to the women’s quarters. A stately minaret stands tall and aligns with the central axis, descending within to mark the indoor Mihrab area. It unites the exterior and interior elements, inviting worshippers to focus their devotion towards the Qibla.

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
sited within a residential neighborhood in Kuwait | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

 

 

stone masses and islamic engravings bridge past and present

 

Stepping inside the Mamluk Lancet Mosque, a dynamic interplay of masses and finishes marked with juxtaposing ornamentation and simplicity define the space. Lower masses are enveloped in stone for stability while upper masses rendered in pure white evoke lightness and movement. Thuluth-style Quranic inscriptions adorn walls and partitions in calligraphic strokes in a modern relief effect, illuminated by ethereal rays penetrating through rotating volumes. An adaptable sliding partition separates the male prayer hall from the women’s area for daily use, expanding during Ramadan to support larger congregations to maintain inclusivity and unity.

 

Inspired by the historic era of the Mamluk Empire, the mosque embraces a modern material palette through gray stone cladding and white clay plastering for a subdued yet genuine reinterpretation. The harmonious cool grays and whites, complemented by subtle brass accents, enrobe both the interior and exterior and bridge the gap between past and present, lending a graceful air of timelessness to the architecture.

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
a series of half arches create a harmonious flow of imagery | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
a grand wooden door invites worshippers into the sacred space | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
the architects draw on classic Islamic motifs in contemporary expressions | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
geometric ornamentation | image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque by babnimnim
image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque
image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque
image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque
image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

rhythmically stacked, rotating volumes and half domes compose kuwaiti mosque
image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

Reference

White oak arch over light grey bar counter, accompanied by hot pink chairs
CategoriesInterior Design

Format Architecture designs “delightfully untraditional” Brooklyn restaurant

By Zarkon Group,

Bright colours, neon lighting and expressive furniture create a playful mood inside this Brooklyn restaurant, designed by local studio Format Architecture Office.

Cafe Mars is an Italian eatery located in Gowanus, founded by co-chefs Jorge Olarte, and Paul D’Avino – whose grandfather lived across the street when he first emigrated from Campania in 1901.

White oak arch over light grey bar counter, accompanied by hot pink chairsWhite oak arch over light grey bar counter, accompanied by hot pink chairs
Playful furniture throughout Cafe Mars includes chairs with hot-pink arched and zigzag legs

Honouring these roots, the restaurant is designed as a celebration of all things Italy: from the Memphis design movement of the 1980s to the glamorous Amalfi Coast.

“It was important to connect the intent of the culinary experience with the intent of the spatial experience,” said Format principal and co-founder Andrew McGee.

The bar and open kitchen framed by white oak panelsThe bar and open kitchen framed by white oak panels
The bar and open kitchen are framed by white oak panels

“If the driving force of the menu was to showcase knowledge and love of traditional Italian cuisine, twisted and subverted at just the right moments to create something playfully rebellious and unusual, it seemed only natural to reference the character and movement in [Ettore] Sottsass and the Memphis style with a similar vintage in the architecture and design realm,” he continued.

View through arch towards banquette seating and tables with exposed brick aboveView through arch towards banquette seating and tables with exposed brick above
Above each table in the main dining space is a yellow panel with a hole cut-out, exposing the building’s original brick

To enter the 1,100-square-foot (100-square-metre) restaurant, visitors must turn a pasta die door handle sourced from local third-generation manufacturer D Malardi & Sons.

“The detail is a charming nod to the building’s pasta factory and Italian grocery history whilst ushering in its restaurant future,” the studio said.

Row of white and yellow double-sided banquettesRow of white and yellow double-sided banquettes
The custom banquettes are coloured one yellow for every two white

Once inside the long narrow front space, the bar area can be found on the right and a row of back-to-back banquettes runs along the left.

The bar and the open kitchen further down are framed by white oak panelled arches, revealing a bright blue back bar that echoes the same shape.

Dining room with cobalt-coloured seating and exposed brick wallsDining room with cobalt-coloured seating and exposed brick walls
The “blue room” in the back features cobalt-coloured seating that contrasts the exposed brickwork

A tall, light grey counter forms an L-shape within the first arch, with a lower surface for diners seated in custom chairs by Studio Apotroes with hot pink zig-zag legs.

More seats – this time with white details – face the kitchen area, beside a bright green shelving unit for tableware tucked under the bar counter.

Pendant light with hot pink cord above blue banquette and wood tablesPendant light with hot pink cord above blue banquette and wood tables
Hot pink reappears in the cords of pendant lights, which have shades made from mushroom mycelium

Opposite, the custom double-sided banquettes have ribbed edges and are coloured one yellow for every two white.

In between are arched yellow panels with circular holes that expose the original brick walls behind, and Stuff by Andrew Neyer globe pendants that hang above each table.

View through black archway into purple-hued bathroomView through black archway into purple-hued bathroom
Pasta illustrations by artist Massimo Mongiardo are found throughout the interior, including in the bathroom

The “blue room” in the back features cobalt-coloured seating that contrasts the exposed brick walls, black window frames and white hexagonal floor tiles.

Hot pink reappears in the cords of pendant lights with MushLume shades made from mushroom mycelium, while bespoke wooden tables have puzzle-piece tops that slot together in various configurations.

At night, colourful LED lights within the circular wall elements, under the bar counter and above the back bar all match a neon sign in the window, which traces the Cafe Mars logo designed by artist Massimo Mongiardo.

His illustrations of pasta shapes can be found throughout the interiors, including in the bathrooms, and across the black-painted roller shutters pulled down when the restaurant is closed.

Black roller shutter covered with colourful illustrations of pasta shapesBlack roller shutter covered with colourful illustrations of pasta shapes
Mongiardo’s illustrations also cover the black roller shutter on the exterior

“The goal was to strike a delicate balance between fanciful and comforting, transformative and familiar,” said Format co-founder and principal Matthew Hettler.

“The design, however loud, becomes a backdrop for a quality experience, and that is something we are excited about.”

A neon version of the Cafe Mars logo placed in a windowA neon version of the Cafe Mars logo placed in a window
A neon version of the Cafe Mars logo sits in the window, matching the colorful LED lighting inside

Other relative newcomers to Brooklyn’s ever-evolving culinary scene include Nabila’s, a Lebanese spot designed by Frederick Tang Architecture, and Usonian-inspired eatery Sereneco featuring interiors by Carpenter + Mason.

Over in Manhattan, the number of Italian restaurants continues to balloon, with Bad Roman and Cucina Alba among the many to have opened in the past year.

The photography is by Nick Glimenakis.

Project credits:

Architecture and interior design: Format Architecture Office
Project team: Clare Hačko, David Hettler, Matt Hettler, Andrew McGee
Construction: Rusk
Structural engineer: Blue Sky Design
MEP engineer: Department of Approvals

Reference

Tech-enabled traceability: transforming fishing with AI
CategoriesSustainable News

Tech-enabled traceability: transforming fishing with AI

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: As the world’s oceans continue to experience the damage caused by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, marine proteins continue to become more expensive. To help combat the effects of overfishing and other harms that come from IUU, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is encouraging countries to commit to Catch Documentation Schemes (CDS). While compliance and participation are voluntary, so much of the world’s ability to reverse climate change relies on healthy oceans – and that, in turn, relies on more organisations and nations developing fully traceable fish supply chains. 

Costa Rican marine technology company Remora is filling the knowledge gap with a set of digital tools designed to increase transparency at every stage of the fishing process, from sea to plate. The company’s Internet of Things (IoT) Vessel Monitoring System makes tracking small boats affordable and provides a wealth of data in addition to that gathered by the tracking of large fishing boats. At landing and unloading locations, Remora’s Smart Scale uses image processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to measure the weight and dimensions of every fish and save that information to the cloud. Each fish is assigned a digital tag that is then used throughout its journey to the end consumer. 

Also being developed by the company is a mobile app called WhatsFish to connect fishers with marketplaces and provide consumers with information on their food. All three tools contribute to Remora’s aggregator Fishing Data Platform that compiles information for big-picture analysis of the fishing industry, environmental conditions, consumer behaviour, and more. Remora is running a pilot programme in Cabuya, Costa Rica, with 15 fishing boats.  

Seafood is such an important part of the global diet that innovations seeking ways to improve the health of the world’s oceans are focusing on both wild fishing practices and farmed production. Innovations in Springwise’s library include solar-powered tanks for land-based tuna farming and precision technology to reduce bycatch.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

Proctor & Shaw design London home extension with zinc roof
CategoriesArchitecture

Proctor & Shaw tops London home extension with serrated zinc roof

By Zarkon Group,

Architecture studio Proctor & Shaw has topped a home extension with a steeply-angled roof clad with red pigmented zinc in East Dulwich, London.

Home to a family of seven, Proctor & Shaw designed the project as an extension to an existing Edwardian house, extending the ground-floor kitchen and dining room.

Proctor & Shaw design London home extension with zinc roofProctor & Shaw design London home extension with zinc roof
Proctor & Shaw has designed a serrated roof edge for a London home extension

In order to restrict potential onlooking from neighbours, the studio crafted a unique serrated-edged roof with exposed rafter tails to run alongside the extension – enhancing both privacy and daylight access.

“From the side, the serrated edge blocks oblique views from the principal first-floor neighbouring windows,” Proctor & Shaw director John Proctor told Dezeen. “It is designed to be pulled back (with the shortest overhang) at the mid-window point to allow the maximum amount of light directly from above.”

Serrated roof edge designed for Edwardian house extensionSerrated roof edge designed for Edwardian house extension
The unique roof design features exposed rafter tails lined with Douglas fir

A newly built porcelain-tiled living space sits adjacent to the kitchen and dining room and is also sheltered by the roof’s large overhangs.

Deep skylights punctured into the roof draw daylight into the space below, while sliding doors seamlessly connect the interior with an outdoor patio.

View from newly built living space in London home extensionView from newly built living space in London home extension
Deep skylights draw daylight into the newly built living space

The interior space is defined by kitchen units and seating lined with warm-toned Douglas fir, which are contrasted by cool-toned concrete flooring and countertops.

A centralised services unit nestled behind the kitchen provides a bathroom and utility space defined by bold, pink-hued walls and matching floor tiles.

Built into a sloping site, level changes pose as thresholds – dividing the open-plan interior and exterior spaces.

Externally, metal steps lead down to the landscaped garden, which comprises a paved outdoor kitchen, seating area and outbuilding, designed in collaboration with Barbara Samitier Garden Design.

London home extension with Douglas fir interiorLondon home extension with Douglas fir interior
The kitchen and dining room have a largely concrete and wooden interior

According to the studio, drainage from the gutter-less zinc roof, as well as the home’s existing pitched roof, is provided at ground level to allow for a finely detailed roof edge.

“[The gutter-less roof] required careful navigation of regulatory requirements for rainwater drainage, which was ultimately achieved with the side roofs being kept small,” Proctor said.

Services unit within Proctor & Shaw's home extensionServices unit within Proctor & Shaw's home extension
The services unit is defined by bold-coloured walls

Other London home extensions completed by Proctor & Shaw include a glazed extension added to Sky Lantern House and a micro-apartment with a translucent “sleeping cocoon”.

The photography is by Nick Deardon.

Project credits:

Architect and interior designer: Proctor & Shaw
Structural engineer: Constant Structural Design
Landscape designer: Barbara Samitier Landscape and Garden Design
Contractor: R & D Nunes (trading as Yorkland Stone)
Building control: Cook Brown Buildings Control Ltd

Reference

Michael Hsu interior design of 44 East
CategoriesInterior Design

Michael Hsu Office of Architecture utilises soft shapes for Austin high-rise

By Zarkon Group,

Texas studio Michael Hsu Office of Architecture has designed the common areas for a 50-storey residential high-rise building in Austin, as shown in this exclusive video captured by Dezeen.

Called 44 East, the building is located east of downtown Austin in the Rainey Street Historic district. The firm designed the interiors of the building’s common areas, which take cues from its natural surroundings, particularly the neighbouring Colorado River.

Michael Hsu Office of Architecture has designed the interiors of 44 East

The practice enhanced the space using colour and texture, layering vintage and custom furnishings to create a relaxed and inviting ambience.

Curved surfaces and light colours are incorporated throughout the space, with poured concrete terrazzo floors incorporated to pay homage to the gravel of the nearby riverside trail.

Michael Hsu interior design of 44 EastMichael Hsu interior design of 44 East
Curved surfaces and light colours are incorporated into the lobby area of 44 East

The interior is characterised by the use of soft shapes and natural materials throughout the various spaces, including on the eleventh floor, where pastel hues complement subtle architectural details.

The outdoor swimming pool features a series of pebble-shaped islands, with a partially-covered patio inviting guests to relax outside and enjoy the views of the river.

Swimming pool area of 44 East Swimming pool area of 44 East
The eleventh floor features a circular outdoor swimming pool

On the thirty-seventh floor, a large moon-like pendant light is suspended above a plush circular sofa.

The higher vantage point offers scenic views of downtown Austin, and features jewel tones and darker materials intended to complement the Texas skyline at dusk.

37th floor of 44 East37th floor of 44 East
The thirty-seventh floor features darker tones to complement views of the Texas skyline

44 East was developed by Intracorp, while the tower and unit interiors were designed by Page and landscapes designed by DWG.

The interior design of the common spaces is one of the latest projects by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, which is based in Austin and Houston.

The company recently completed its self-designed Austin studio, which is adorned in wood-and-fabric lined walls and industrial details, to accommodate its growing team.

The photography is by Chase Daniel.

Partnership content

This video was produced by Dezeen for Michael Hsu Office of Architecture as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.



Reference

Can we combat antimicrobial resistance with precision antibiotics? 
CategoriesSustainable News

Can we combat antimicrobial resistance with precision antibiotics? 

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that “the world faces an antibiotics pipeline and access crisis.” Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rising worldwide while research and development fall further behind. In the last 30 years or so, the number of new antibiotics developed has decreased considerably. This is making infections much more difficult to treat while significantly increasing the risk of what, until now, had been routine surgeries.  

Following a review of 3,000 scientific papers published in the last decade, the WHO created a priority list of the top 40 most important research topics. The list is meant to help scientists around the world focus their work on the areas needing support to lessen or prevent further AMR.  

Scottish biotechnology company Glox Therapeutics is building on the vast experience of its founders to create extra strong, targeted antibiotics that target several of the illnesses on WHO’s list of 40. The new antibiotics are engineered to attack only the disease-causing agents and nothing else. This helps reduce a patient’s level of illness during treatment by not further weakening the body.  

The extremely narrow application of the antibiotics also makes them much more difficult for pathogens to adapt to, which is what helps reduce the risk of further development of AMR. The company’s initial focus is on two pathogens, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae, which cause ventilator-associated pneumonia. The medicines are delivered intravenously. Sepsis, lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, and other acute pneumonias are some of the diseases being targeted in the company’s next stage of research.  

The global development of AMR is a major concern, with innovations spotted by Springwise highlighting solutions that include a new library of DNA to help researchers more rapidly develop new antibiotics and an antimicrobial lipstick.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference