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

Sustainable News

Illuminating agriculture: UV light revolutionises rice farming

By Zarkon Group,13/11/2023

Spotted: Rice is an essential crop for nearly half of the world’s population. Traditional rice cultivation involves planting seedlings in flooded fields, which presents many environmental challenges, such as methane emissions and water scarcity. Direct Dry Seeded Rice (DDSR) is a more sustainable practice where rice seeds are implanted directly into the soil rather than being grown as seedlings and transferred to flooded fields. But it comes with challenges such as increased weed management and reduced crop performance. But now, startup BioLumic believes that ultraviolet (UV) light could make DDSR more viable.

BioLumic’s UV Light Signal Recipe platform uses targeted light spectrum exposure to regulate the genetic expression in seeds and young plants without needing genetic modification, chemical inputs, or time-intensive breeding. BioLumic’s approach optimises rice seeds for DDSR production by activating preferred plant traits, including uniform and early seedling growth, weed competitiveness, and drought tolerance. The company’s methods are scalable, quick to implement, and do not require expensive facility expansion or large input costs.

Other crops that have undergone BioLumic’s light treatments have already shown improved quality, resilience, and greater root growth. And during trials conducted in the US, yields were also increased by 15 per cent for corn and 12 per cent for soybeans. The hope is that similar results can be achieved for rice – a staple for more than 3 billion people.

BioLumic is focusing its attention on the Indo-Gangetic region in India and recently received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help the company rapidly deploy its UV treatment technology, in a project that will run from this year until mid-2026.

UV light has been proven to be an effective tool in maintaining and cultivating plants. Springwise has spotted many innovations using UV to their advantage like robots and UV light that protect strawberries and grapevines, as well as a system that uses crop waste and UV light to generate renewable energy.

Written By: Anam Alam

Reference

Aerial view of BBT Hilltop restaurant in Kuwait City by TAEP/AAP

Architecture

TAEP/AAP tops BBT Hilltop restaurant in Kuwait with stepped roof

By Zarkon Group,13/11/2023

An oversized stepped roof that doubles as an “amphitheatre for the city” tops BBT Hilltop, a burger restaurant in Kuwait City designed by architecture studio TAEP/AAP.

Named after its client, Best Burger in Town (BBT), the restaurant in the Sharq district is elevated on a bright red plinth that doubles as an outdoor seating area for customers.

Above, the overhanging roof provides additional seating as well as a flexible events space that TAEP/AAP designed to be used for outdoor cinemas, parties and concerts.

According to the studio, the aim is to “create opportunity for certain activities to take place, that otherwise would be less likely to happen in the business centre”.

“A building such as this does not merely occupy its plot, it gives something back,” TAEP/AAP told Dezeen.

“It can host all sorts of parties and concerts, artistic-related events, expositions and so forth. The possibilities are limitless.”

Drive-through restaurant with stepped roof — BBT Hilltop is topped by a stepped rooftop

On the ground floor, an indoor seating area sits alongside the kitchens and logistical spaces. Glass hatches for ordering and picking up food are sheltered by the roof, the underside of which has also been finished in a bold shade of red.

An opening on the southern side of BBT Hilltop leads customers directly to a red spiral staircase that winds up onto the roof terrace.

Tower and neighbouring restaurant in Kuwait City — The roof features seating and a slide

On the roof, a group of red shipping containers contain a pop-up store selling the restaurant’s merchandise. There is also a series of wide steps leading to seating areas sheltered beneath umbrellas and a yellow slide on the eastern edge.

The roof has been designed to be able to support additional pop-up structures in the future depending on its use.

“On top, a ludic contemplation area was developed to enjoy the views while eating, or simply resting,” explained TAEP/AAP.

“A stand was created to be used as a sitting area and playground, with the addition of a slide that interacts with the inclination of the canopy,” it added.

Red staircase to roof of BBT Hilltop restaurant in Kuwait City by TAEP/AAP — The use of red is informed by the restaurant company’s branding

The use of red throughout BBT Hilltop is informed by BBT’s branding and has been incorporated throughout the interiors in fixtures and fittings, as well as in the barriers for the drive-through area.

Other burger restaurants featured on Dezeen include an interior by Sapid Studio in Geneva informed by a Japanese patchwork technique and a restaurant in Turin by Masquespacio with brightly coloured tiles.

The photography is by Fernando Guerra.

Reference

Sustainable News

Could ‘biosolar leaves’ be the future of protein production?

By Zarkon Group,12/11/2023

Spotted: Agriculture and related land use represents around 17 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, global demand for protein is set to rise significantly by 2050, along with the growing population. Meeting this will require innovative approaches to efficiently scale protein production. One such approach is that developed by startup Arborea, which grows microalgae and phytoplankton on solar panel-like structures.

Arborea designed the panels to be placed on buildings, where they absorb CO2 and produce oxygen. The company claims that they do this at a rate equivalent to 100 trees from the surface area of just a single tree. At the same time, the organic biomass produced by the organisms can be harvested and used as additives for plant-based food products.

The company’s Biosolar Leaf technology mimics the function of a real leaf, using CO2 and sunlight as feedstock. But unlike real leaves, the system is able to self-regulate and indefinitely maintain ideal growth conditions with minimal energy inputs – and it doesn’t require fertile land or agricultural feedstocks.

Arborea was spun out of Imperial College London, with grant funding and support from Imperial’s SynbCITE, a synthetic biology and engineering biology industrial accelerator.

Improving food production while reducing carbon emissions is the subject of a number of recent innovations spotted by Springwise. These include an in-house mycelium production system for producing food additives and using acorns as a protein source.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Boston Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines and Zoning Overlay District.

Architecture

Architects’ Guide: Short and Long Term Design Strategies for Flood Defense and Urban Resilience

By Zarkon Group,12/11/2023

Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards are officially underway! Sign up for key program updates and prepare your submission ahead of the Main Entry Deadline on December 15th.

With over half of the world’s megacities located along coastlines, many are at risk of experiencing rising sea levels and potential flooding. Projections suggest that by 2050, sea levels will increase by 0.25 inches (0.65 centimeters) per year. Cities around the globe are increasingly embracing comprehensive coastal resilience initiatives to address the urgent challenges of climate change. With climate change triggering a range of impacts, including the alarming rise in sea levels, extreme storm surges and high tides, urban areas are recognizing the need for proactive strategies to safeguard their coastal regions and the communities within them.

A diverse array of measures and actions — including nature-based and/or man-made defenses — are aimed at fortifying cities against the adverse consequences of coastal hazards. The impacts encompass not only the physical encroachment of water onto land but also the destructive effects on infrastructure, buildings, open spaces, and the well-being of urban populations.

Adapting the built environment to reduce the impact of flooding could include building codes, restricting construction in at-risk areas, and planning to live with water. Inevitably, moving away from the coastline will occur in some places. Proactive, managed retreats will have significantly lower social and economic impacts than forced, reactive retreats after the event of coastal flooding.

Fostering Resilience Through City Initiatives and Guiding Principles

Boston Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines and Zoning Overlay District by Utile, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Resilient design principles serve as essential tools for municipal authorities, property owners and developers, facilitating informed, forward-looking decisions related to flood protection for existing structures and new construction. By following these guidelines, cities can minimize damage and disruption, all while fostering greater awareness among residents and businesses. The uniqueness of each at-risk location is considered in the design, tailoring strategies to the specific circumstances. For example, Boston has implemented initiatives like Climate Ready Boston and the city’s Coastal Flood Resilience Guidelines, which are exemplary instances of resilient design in action.

As a crucial component of the city’s Climate Ready Boston ongoing initiative, Utile spearheaded the creation of Boston’s first Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines in collaboration with the Boston Planning and Development Agency. These guidelines, applicable to existing and forthcoming developments, ensure that structures are constructed or adapted to withstand the threats posed by sea level rise and storm surge. This initiative will be facilitated by a future zoning overlay, encompassing areas at a 1% risk of coastal flooding by 2070.

Working alongside Kleinfelder, Noble, Wickersham & Hart, LLP, and an advisory team featuring HDR and Offshoots, Inc., Utile employed a comprehensive project approach. This approach integrated national best practices, current regulations, analysis of Boston’s urban landscape, community input, and expertise in cutting-edge building technology. The Guidelines seamlessly complement various other initiatives within the Climate Ready Boston program, including neighborhood plans, public right-of-way guidance and existing zoning.

With a focus on retrofitting, the guidelines incorporate case studies outlining short- and long-term adaptation strategies tailored to the most common building types in flood-prone areas, effectively communicated through clear, concise graphics. Additionally, our zoning recommendations facilitate the implementation of these enhancements while striking a balance between private interests and their impact on the public domain.

Resilient Infrastructure: A Canvas for Innovative Design

Efforts to enhance flood defense and adapt to rising sea levels represent a design opportunity. These initiatives not only mitigate coastal hazards but also serve as remarkable engineering, architectural and urban creations. They blend aesthetics and functionality, fostering resilient, sustainable and visually appealing solutions that enhance urban landscapes while addressing climate challenges.

Located between St. Pauli Landungsbrücken and Baumwall in Hamburg, the new 2,050-feet (625-meter) Zaha Hadid Architects’ river promenade at Niederhafen is a vital component of the city’s upgraded flood protection system. Initially established in response to the catastrophic storm surge floods of 1962, which claimed 315 lives and displaced 60,000 residents, Hamburg’s flood barrier was erected between 1964 and 1968, reaching up to 24 feet (7 meters) above sea level.

Subsequent hydrological analysis and computer simulations pinpointed the necessity of raising the barrier by approximately 3 feet (1 meter) to fortify Hamburg against future winter storm surges and extreme high tides. Inspections in 2006 exposed overloaded supporting elements and foundation challenges, leading to a design competition and, eventually, the selection of Zaha Hadid Architects for the project.

The Niederhafen flood protection barrier occupies a prominent location encompassing Hamburg’s renowned riverside promenade — a tourist attraction and one of the city’s main public spaces. From its elevated position, the promenade provides unobstructed views of the Elbe River and the bustling port.

The finished project has reconnected Hamburg’s Niederhafen flood protection barrier with the city’s urban fabric, providing a popular riverside walkway and facilitating connections with nearby neighborhoods. The barrier’s eastern section stands 8.60 meters above sea level, while the western part reaches 8.90 meters, safeguarding the city from maximum winter storm surges and high tides. With a minimum width of ten meters (approximately 33 feet), the riverside promenade offers ample space for pedestrians, food vendors, cafes, shops, and public amenities at street level, enhancing its appeal as a vibrant public space.

Envisioning the Future: Flood Protection Infrastructure as Urban Catalyst

Next Tokyo 2045 by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Tokyo, Japan.

The potential of flood protection infrastructure goes beyond its primary role as a safeguard against inundation. It has the capacity to provide the groundwork for the creation of dynamic recreational open spaces and the expansion of high-density urban communities.

Next Tokyo 2045 envisions a resurgent megacity that that adapts to the challenges of climate change by establishing a high-density eco-district firmly underpinned by robust infrastructure. This archipelago of reclaimed land is planned to accommodate half a million residents, while fortifying Tokyo Bay against various water-related risks, such as rising sea levels, seismic activity and an increased frequency of typhoons.

Next Tokyo 2045 addresses the vulnerability of the low-elevation coastal zones around Tokyo Bay by implementing coastal defense infrastructure along the upper Tokyo Bay shoreline. Not only do these resilient infrastructural components enhance the city’s safety, but they also lay the groundwork for the creation of recreational open spaces and the development of high-density urban areas across the bay. This ambitious vision even includes the remarkable Sky Mile Tower, reaching over 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) in height.

As part of this development strategy, a share of the value generated from this newly coveted waterfront real estate will be allocated to support the essential municipal infrastructure required to sustain this urban transformation.

Safeguarding Cities: Resilience, Collaboration, and Urban Innovation

Qianhai’s Guiwan Park by Field Operations, Shenzhen, China | Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Urban Transformation

Cities are proactively implementing strategies not only to shield themselves from coastal hazards but also to create resilient, sustainable urban environments that can navigate the challenges of climate change. These coastal resilience initiatives aim at safeguarding current and future community well-being.

Collaboration and coordination among cities are pivotal, enhancing the effectiveness of actions and resource pooling, as the decisions of one location can affect neighboring areas. Coordinated efforts at various levels bolster regional climate resilience and promote the exchange of tools and knowledge. Moreover, community engagement is paramount to ensure inclusive action plans that address the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

The visionary Next Tokyo 2045 project demonstrates the potential of flood protection infrastructure extending beyond its core purpose. It not only safeguards against flooding but also serves as the foundation for the development of vibrant recreational open spaces and the growth of high-density urban communities. This innovative approach aligns resilience with urban expansion, showcasing how infrastructure can play a multifaceted role in shaping the future of cities.

Top image: Bai’etan Exhibition Center Landscape by Sasaki, Guangzhou, China | Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Landscape / Planning Project

Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards are officially underway! Sign up for key program updates and prepare your submission ahead of the Main Entry Deadline on December 15th.

Reference

St John Street, UK, by Emil Eve Architects

Interior Design

Seven cosy living rooms with industrial material palettes

By Zarkon Group,11/11/2023

Living rooms with tactile brick, concrete and wood surfaces feature in this lookbook, which shows that opting for industrial materials doesn’t have to sacrifice cosiness.

Typically informed by old and unrefined factories, lofts and warehouses, industrial-style interiors are a go-to for many contemporary designers.

Homes of this style are often characterised by a combination of man-made and natural materials, including brick, wood, concrete and metal, and the exposure of details that are usually concealed, such as ductwork.

While, for some, the image of industrial spaces can conjure up feelings of being cold and unwelcome, this list of living rooms proves that with the right finishes, the style can actually be warm and inviting.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.

St John Street, UK, by Emil Eve Architects

Emil Eve Architects retained the raw aesthetic of this former warehouse while transforming it into a warm and inviting home.

In the living room, old brick walls, metal window frames and a rough concrete ceiling form a tactile backdrop to contemporary wooden furnishings and an abundance of tall plants.

Find out more about St John Street ›

Living room of Michigan Loft by Vladimir Radutny — Photo by Mike Schwartz

Michigan Loft, USA, by Vladimir Radutny Architects

A suspended black-metal fireplace is the centrepiece of this lofty apartment, which is located in Chicago and dotted with floor furnishings including a Toga sofa.

The fireplace is complemented by exposed black ducting and hanging lights, which pop against the surrounding brick, warm wood and concrete elements.

Find out more about Michigan Loft ›

Gale Apartment living room with brown lounge chairs and concrete walls — Photo by Fran Parente

Gale Apartment, Brazil, by Memola Estudio

Exposed services, ducting and concrete help achieve an industrial look in this living room, which is located in a Brazilian apartment designed by Memola Estudio.

To add warmth to the space, these finishes are balanced with natural details including dark wooden floorboards and furniture, suede chairs and a textile wall tapestry.

Find out more about Gale Apartment ›

Photograph showing large sofa in living area looking into dining area — Photo by Andrey Bezuglov and Maryan Beresh

Relogged House, Ukraine, by Balbek Bureau

This living room belongs to a Ukrainian cabin, designed by Balbek Bureau with a utilitarian aesthetic that aims to challenge conventional cabin interiors.

Concrete is the predominant material, but stainless steel and wooden elements such as horizontally stacked logs also feature throughout. To add warmth, a giant fireplace takes centre stage and is positioned opposite a modular sofa on which visitors can cosy up.

Find out more about Relogged House ›

Living room of South 5th Residence by Alterstudio — Photo by Casey Dunn

South 5th Residence, USA, by Alterstudio Architecture

In this lounge, the stripped-back material palette helps to draw attention to the “dramatic vistas” over a valley in Austin, Texas.

Rough-textured concrete forms the walls of the space, while polished concrete lines the floor. Window frames made of wood and steel add to the room’s industrial look, and colour is introduced through furnishings including a tubular pink-metal armchair.

Find out more about South 5th Residence ›

Living room of A Forest House by Aquiles Jarrín — Photo by JAG studio

A Forest House, Ecuador, by Aquiles Jarrín

Aquiles Jarrín married dark Chonta wood with black-steel beams and rough concrete for the design of this textural living room, found in A Forest House in Quito.

The wooden elements help break up the open-plan interior, carving out cosy nooks and storage spaces for the owner. The seating area is warmed by a cowhide rug and tan butterfly chairs.

Find out more about A Forest House ›

Kundig faulkner Analog House Truckee — Photo by Joe Fletcher

Analog House, USA, by Olson Kundig Architects

A tactile material palette of metal, concrete and glass tones was used for the living room of Analog House, a home in a Californian forest created by Olson Kundig Architects with the founder of Faulkner Architects – the client for the project.

In the lounge, these materials are paired with light wooden floors and minimalist furnishings including hanging lights, a sleek black sofa and tubular chairs.

Find out more about Analog House ›

Reference

Sustainable News

Building your dream home with seaweed

By Zarkon Group,11/11/2023

Spotted: Seaweed has become a versatile ingredient used in everything from animal and human food to cosmetics, packaging, and biofuel. Yet despite such growth, experts believe the industry’s potential is still largely untapped. Currently, the vast majority of the world’s seaweed is grown in Asian countries, one of the reasons researchers consider that the “opportunities for growth in new regions and applications are high.”

One new company getting involved in the industry is Australia’s Phycoforms, which has developed a collection of commercial composites made from waste seaweed sourced from Tasmanian seaweed farms. This innovation grew out of an exploratory project during founder Shimroth Thomas’ master’s degree at Australia’s RMIT University. After graduation, at which he received a sustainability award for his work, Thomas continued his R&D programme in order to further develop and commercialise the materials.

Video source Phycoforms

The seaweed-based materials are biodegradable and designed to replace bricks, concrete, and more in traditional construction work. Depending on the item being produced, Phycoforms adds other materials to the seaweed, such as waste coffee grounds, seashells, and other beach detritus. The composites are available as large pressed sheets as well as in products that include tables, chairs, bowls, floor lamps, and other homewares. Thomas has also explored the feasibility of a ‘PhycoWall’.

From removing overabundant algae blooms to create new products to using seaweed to increase the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries, innovations spotted by Springwise are transforming the easy-to-grow plant into sustainable solutions in many different industries.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

Architecture

a vibrant social space, haixin bridge curves across pearl river to reconnect guangzhou

By Zarkon Group,11/11/2023

SCUT proposes a revived plan for Guangzhou’s haixin bridge

In the heart of Guangzhou’s CBD, the Haixin Bridge marks the first pedestrian landscape bridge across the Pearl River. Proposed by the Architectural Design & Research Institute of South China University of Technology (SCUT), it will stretch from Ersha Island Art Park in the north to Guangzhou Tower in the south to strategically connect key points in the cityscape. As an extension of the city’s public realm, the bridge serves as a vibrant and engaging social space, imbued with a sense of place and cultural identity that is essential to the region’s architectural heritage. Its curved shape will integrate with existing pedestrian systems, addressing the need for connectivity between the metropolis split between the two sides of the river while paying attention to the spatial order of the central axis. With an open posture, the bridge will offer panoramic views of the Pearl River’s core area.

all images courtesy of SCUT

a bustling urban space mirroring cultural motifs

Deeply rooted in regional cultural identity, SCUT’s design draws inspiration from the water sleeve and ancient Qin, cultural motifs distinctive to the Lingnan region. The landscape design of the bridge deck mirrors the local water flower market, resulting in a cohesive and integrated design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The introduction of flower boats creates a physical separation between the eastern and western sides of the bridge deck, enhancing functionality and providing additional space for pedestrians while creating a distinctly dynamic urban space.

The segmented bridge deck features a varied height profile, incorporating flower ponds, observation decks, and two types of pedestrian walkways for upper and lower levels. This use of space caters to the diverse needs of pedestrians for passage and sightseeing, enhancing the city’s vitality with distinct spatial textures. Its sloping connection to pedestrian walkways on both sides ensures an uninterrupted urban public experience, with additional user-friendly features like warm wooden handrails, glare-free lighting, rounded corners to prevent collisions, and mist cooling systems for comfort and accessible use.

project info:

name: Guangzhou Haixin Bridge
architecture: Architectural Design & Research Institute of SCUT Co., Ltd.

location: Guangzhou, China

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

Reference

Atrium at the Here+Now office building by HawkinsBrown

Interior Design

HawkinsBrown renovates offices to create a “connection to nature”

By Zarkon Group,10/11/2023

A stack of meeting rooms and a moss-covered wall overlook the atriums of Here + Now, a pair of office buildings in England refurbished by architecture studio Hawkins\Brown.

Informed by changing attitudes to workplace design following the Covid-19 pandemic, the two buildings have been renovated with a focus on wellbeing and a connection to nature.

They are located within a wider business park in Reading, formerly used by Microsoft.

Connected by a bridge at their centre, the two buildings contain different facilities. One of them, named Here, offers space for more established companies, while the other, named Now, contains offices for smaller companies and start-ups.

“Here + Now is located on a business park, not in a city centre, which provides users with a much closer connection to nature and therefore better opportunity for activity and wellbeing,” Hawkins\Brown partner Massimo Tepedino told Dezeen.

“The idea is that companies can scale up or down and thereby stay on the campus for longer – this ultimately helps to create a sense of community,” he added.

Atrium at the Here+Now office building — A moss-covered wall overlooks an atrium in the Now building

While the two buildings share a similar material and colour palette, the finishes of each were slightly different based on its tenants.

The approach to the Now building focuses on more cost-effective, flexible spaces, while the Here building is finished to a higher specification.

Here+Now office interior by Hawkins\Brown — Wood has been used to form seating areas and quiet nooks

Each of the two buildings features a large arrival atrium designed to evoke a sense of “wonder”.

In the Here building, this space has a stack of meeting pods described by Hawkins\Brown as a “treehouse”, while dehydrated moss-covered balconies animate the atrium in Now.

Shared by both buildings are a range of on-site amenities, including a gym and treatment rooms, as well as a “lifestyle manager” who organises events and workshops.

“The benefit of having two buildings share amenities is that office spaces can accommodate a wide range of budgets, while everyone benefits from best-in-class amenities and the opportunity to socialise with established professionals and young entrepreneurs,” explained Tepedino.

Glass pitched roof at the Here+Now office building — The two buildings are connected by a bridge

The glass and metal structures of the existing buildings have been treated internally with wooden panelling, which complements new wooden seating areas and nooks.

Particular attention was paid to the colour scheme, with a muted palette intended to evoke the nearby natural landscape and create a relaxing atmosphere.

Exterior of the Here+Now office building by Hawkins\Brown — The project is located on a business park

“We know that colours can facilitate, regulate, and even influence people’s behaviour – our colour palette takes its cues from the natural landscape and compliments the neutral tones of the existing buildings,” explained Hawkins\Brown.

“The bathrooms take inspiration from spas and hotels, with green shades and bold graphics create a strong visual connection to nature and a calming environment.”

Here + Now has been shortlisted in the large workplace interior category of Dezeen Awards 2023.

Other projects recently completed by Hawkins\Brown include a student hub at Queen’s University Belfast with RPP Architects and the transformation of the historic Central Foundation Boys’ School in London.

The photography is by Jack Hobhouse.

Reference

Sustainable News

Sustainable soil-boosting bacteria – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,10/11/2023

Spotted: In our ever-developing world, demand for raw materials surges, surpassing our supply. Until now, we have relied on increased mining and agrochemicals to try and balance supply with demand. However, this has come at the expense of our resources, environment, health, and the planet’s biodiversity.

Using a technology that’s been developing for over 35 years, Slovakian startup Ekolive is rewriting the playbook. The company has found a way to ecologically process minerals, revive mining waste, and rejuvenate contaminated or exhausted soils using microorganisms.

The company’s eco-friendly solution to the mineral supply-demand challenge harnesses the power of bacteria to remove impurities. This method enhances raw material value, accessibility, and usability of unprocessed, primary materials and secondary minerals. Ekolive’s technology can also be applied to hazardous materials like mining waste, giving newfound value to materials previously deemed useless.

But that’s not all: Ekolive discovered its technology also had amazing effects on agriculture. Managing Director Darina Štyriaková explains that the specially selected mix of minerals and microorganisms “regenerates” contaminated soils, optimises the structure of exhausted soils, and “strengthens plants in different ways.” Štyriaková adds that these results are “not created by mixing chemicals” but “by a replication of natural weathering and soil formation recipe.”

Founded in 2018, Ekolive is now focusing on commercialisation after successful validations. The company currently has five bioleaching production sites in the EU, with three more in the pipeline outside of Europe.

Springwise has previously spotted other innovations that process soil contaminants, from soil-cleaning microbes to pre and probiotics that improve soil health and crop resilience.

Written By: Georgia King

Reference

A white home overlooking Virginia mountains

Architecture

Schaum/Shieh conforms house “gently” to contours of steep Virginia site

By Zarkon Group,10/11/2023

US architecture studio Schaum/Shieh has embedded a Virginia house with irregularly shaped volumes into the contours of a steep site.

Located in the Allegheny Mountains, the 2,750 square foot (255 square metre) Shenandoah House conforms to the topography of its hillside site “gently”, as Schaum/Shieh neither wanted to add a cantilever nor flatten the topography.

“We didn’t have the inclination to make dramatic use of the steepness with a cantilever, and we didn’t want to flatten any portion of the site to erase the slope, so we decided to build along the contours as much as we could,” said Schaum/Shieh co-principal Rosalyne Shieh.

The one-story home unfurls in a 120-foot-long (36-metre) horizontal line that runs parallel to the topography, with its front elevated to meet wooden terraces, and portions of the back sitting flat on the slope.

A long horizontal home made of various volumes — The studio wanted to avoid “dramatic” cantilevers

Along the footprint, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a dining room, a living room, a study and a garage branch off a slim, central corridor in irregularly shaped volumes – or pods.

The spaces between each pod create room for gardens, outdoor nooks and wooden terraces along the house, while a parking area was carved out of the hillside at the back.

A white house in a meadow — The house is organized along one long horizontal line

The grey metal roof reflects the area’s rolling hills. Each individual volume is topped with a rounded gable roof that runs diagonally across its centre so that the profiles dip and rise with the surrounding environment

“We discovered that by doubling the ridgeline and rounding the peak we could create a softness that reflects the sloped surroundings,” said Schaum/Shieh co-principal Troy Schaum.

A large concrete fireplace in a white house with curved walls — Irregularly shaped volumes are connected by a slim central corridor

“It seemed appropriate on the hillside and took what was a simple, more functional logic and grounded it in the dynamic, undulating nature of the site.”

Rectangular windows on either end of the horizontal plan create an interrupted view through the centre of the house and large sliding glass doors and picture windows were installed on the facade.

A kitchen with light cabintry — Rounded corners and integrated lighting bring softness to the interior

Small clerestory and porthole windows were placed on the uphill side.

Rounded corners on the home’s exterior are reflected on the interior, further softening a largely white interior palette.

A wooden bed frame in the middle of a room — Concrete, wood and soapstone were used for furniture pieces

“Lighting was also subtly integrated to create interrupted lines throughout the house,” said the team.

“No lights or other features interrupt the ceilings; instead, lighting emerges through slots at the ceiling edge and on the quasi-furniture objects that provide texture across the home.”

These furniture elements include bespoke wooden cabinetry, a large island, a wooden bed frame and a central wood stove unit made of concrete and soapstone.

The house is finished with bamboo wood floors and insulated stucco.

Gray tiles in bathroom — The house is clad in insulated stucco

“The hillside as an old problem in house design was a major motivator. Our clients knew many hilly sites from growing up in the area and their time in Greece. We wanted to intervene gently but opportunistically into the hill,” said Shieh.

“They wanted a house that fit organically but was not derived from the local vernacular materials or solutions in a straightforward way. We focused on the hill, the seasons, the distant view, and the intimate life of the site.”

Other recently completed projects by Schaum/Shieh include a Houston art galley covered in white sculptural panels and a concert venue designed to endure “rough handling”.

The photography is by Naho Kubota.

Project Credits:

Architect: Schaum/Shieh
Design team: Troy Schaum, Rosalyne Shieh, Giorgio Angelini, Andrea Brennan, Tucker Douglas, Ane Gonzalez
Contractor: Blue Ridge Green – Jonathan Kuntz
Structural: Truesdell Engineering- Jordan Truesdell, PE

Reference

Illuminating agriculture: UV light revolutionises rice farming

TAEP/AAP tops BBT Hilltop restaurant in Kuwait with stepped roof

Could ‘biosolar leaves’ be the future of protein production?

Architects’ Guide: Short and Long Term Design Strategies for Flood Defense and Urban Resilience

Fostering Resilience Through City Initiatives and Guiding Principles

Resilient Infrastructure: A Canvas for Innovative Design

Envisioning the Future: Flood Protection Infrastructure as Urban Catalyst

Safeguarding Cities: Resilience, Collaboration, and Urban Innovation

Seven cosy living rooms with industrial material palettes

Building your dream home with seaweed

HawkinsBrown renovates offices to create a “connection to nature”

Sustainable soil-boosting bacteria – Springwise

Schaum/Shieh conforms house “gently” to contours of steep Virginia site

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