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Interior Design

Eight concrete kitchens with raw and tactile surfaces

By Zarkon Group,27/05/2023

Kitchens with exposed concrete surfaces take centre stage in this lookbook, which includes homes in Mexico, Japan and Ireland.

Concrete is a ubiquitous material in architecture, but it is less commonly used in interiors – particularly in residential spaces such as kitchens.

However, its durability and impermeability make it an ideal surface material for cooking and food preparation, while its raw aesthetic can create a striking backdrop for dining and entertaining.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. Other recent editions showcase airy balconies, marble bathrooms and gallery interiors.

House in Jiyugaoka, Japan, by Airhouse Design Office

Airhouse Design Office created this kitchen as part of its renovation of an apartment for a fashion fanatic in Nagoya, Japan.

Like the rest of the home, the kitchen’s walls, floor and ceiling have been stripped back to expose the concrete beneath. While some areas were left with chipped edges and plaster, others have been polished for a smooth finish.

Find out more about House in Jiyugaoka ›

Interior of Casa H3 by Luciano Kruk — Photo by Daniela Mac Adden

Casa H3, Argentina, by Luciano Kruk

This open-plan kitchen and dining room sits on the ground floor of a holiday home by architect Luciano Kruk in Mar Azul.

Blending seamlessly into the home’s concrete structure, it features geometric shelving and kitchen counters that extend from the walls and floor. Its industrial look is complemented by an enamel pendant light and a pair of wireframe chairs.

Find out more about Casa H3 ›

Concrete kitchen of Casa Alférez by Ludwig Godefroy — Photo by Rory Gardiner

Casa Alférez, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy

In a pine forest in Mexico, architect Ludwig Godefroy created a brutalist cube-shaped home that is built from concrete cast in situ.

This includes its kitchen, where the shelving and worktops are also all cast from concrete. Here, their raw finishes are juxtaposed with delicate ceramics and Danish designer Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chairs, visually softening the space.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

Sunken kitchen inside Flower House by Ezzo — Photo by João Ferrand

Flower House, Portugal, by Ezzo

The concrete worktops of this sunken kitchen double up as a smooth floor for the dining room at Flower House, a renovated dwelling in Porto.

Wood-fronted cabinets slot in beneath the flooring, which was hand-poured on site and has been covered with a waterproof coating to give it a polished look.

Find out more about Flower House ›

Toad’s House, Mexico, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

Throughout the minimalist Toad’s House on Zapotengo Beach in Oaxaca, architecture studio Espacio 18 has left the concrete structure unfinished and exposed.

In the bar-style kitchen, the board-marked walls are teamed with glass ornaments and woven baskets, while a central island has been topped with a wooden countertop.

Find out more about Toad’s House ›

House T, Japan, by Suppose Design Office

This concrete kitchen is among the purposely dark and cave-like living spaces in the monolithic home that Suppose Design Office designed for its founder in Tokyo.

Its concrete walls and worktops have tactile finishes, which stand against a backdrop of large stone floor tiles and wooden furnishings.

Find out more about ›

Hollybrook Road extension in Ireland by TOB Architect — Photo by Aisling McCoy

Hollybrook Road, Ireland, by TOB Architect

Irish studio TOB Architect designed this concrete kitchen extension to evoke the feeling of “being a child under a very robust table”.

It was cast in situ as one geometric form with the goal of creating a seamless and cavernous look inside. The architect chose an otherwise restrained material palette of terrazzo, walnut and Accoya wood in an effort to retain focus on the texture of the concrete.

Find out more about Hollybrook Road ›

Casa Golf, Argentina, by Luciano Kruk

Another concrete kitchen by architect Luciano Kruk is found in Casa Golf, a holiday home on the Argentinian coastline.

Paired with black cabinets and extractor ducting, its dark-grey surfaces add texture to the space without distracting from the outward views framed by the variety of windows that line the space.

Find out more about Casa Golf ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. Other recent editions showcase airy balconies, marble bathrooms and gallery interiors.

Reference

Sustainable News

AI-powered reverse vending machines – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,26/05/2023

Spotted: Most beverage bottles are recyclable, but actual recycle rates vary significantly. For example, although most glass is 100 per cent recyclable, only around 32 per cent of glass containers are actually recycled – and the figure for plastic beverage bottles is much worse. A Thai startup called Sustaintech is hoping to change this with a sustainable reward system for beverage bottle recycling.

Sustaintech has developed the CircularOne, an artificial-intelligence-enabled (AI) reverse vending machine that’s placed in stores. Users can deposit their used bottles in the machine. Using AI and visual analytics, the machine is able to automatically check the material quality and sort the containers, including PET bottles, aluminium cans, and glass bottles.

The CircularOne can identify each type of container, scan bar codes, and measure weight to determine if there is any liquid left in the container. ‘Depositors’ can then receive a variety of rewards for their deposit – such as vouchers, contributions to charity, or digital tokens for future purchases. The machines can also be customised to match store design, branding, and reward options.

Sustaintech has partnered with Tencent Cloud to allow the platform to produce and analyse data on the type of materials recycled. Mr. Chang Foo, COO of Tencent (Thailand), commented that, “Apart from sorting used containers, [Sustaintech’s] solutions can also detect and eject broken or damaged glass bottles and send notifications which consume less time and make the sorting process more effective.”

With recycling rates for materials like plastic and glass still quite low in many countries, it is vital to try and make improvements. Innovations that Springwise has recently spotted, like carbon-negative textiles and a backpack made from recycled plastic, are helping to show the way to circularity.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Architecture

cochi architects builds ‘house in shikenbaru’ for an okinawa farmer

By Zarkon Group,26/05/2023

a harmonious blend of architecture and agriculture

The House in Shikenbaru, designed by Studio Cochi Architects, is a residential structure located in the village of Nanjo, Japan. Situated near the sea in southern Okinawa, this concrete house serves as a home for a couple and their four children. It is not merely a dwelling but also a space that seamlessly integrates with the local farming activities and the natural environment of Okinawa. The architecture of the house takes into account the region’s unique characteristics, such as its temperate climate and abundant agricultural opportunities. This essay explores the innovative design and features of the House in Shikenbaru, highlighting its harmonious integration of farm work, spatial layout, and environmental considerations.

images © Ooki Jingu | @ookijingu

Sustainable Farming and Local Context

The owner of the Studio Cochi Architects-designed ‘House in Shikenbaru’ is a farmer, cultivating a variety of vegetables including okra, green beans, and papaya. With a focus on sustainability, the architects consider the owner’s farming activities and aim to provide a conducive environment for his work. The site’s location near fields and the absence of snow or frost in Okinawa enables year-round vegetable cultivation, which influenced the architectural decisions. The house becomes a vital element in supporting the owner’s farming endeavors, allowing for efficient operations and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor work areas.

Spatial Considerations and Layout

To create a functional and adaptable living space, the layout and volume of the House in Shikenbaru were carefully planned, taking into account the surrounding environment and prevailing wind direction. Given the spacious site, the decision was made to construct a single-story house. The removal of the original block wall facilitated easy access for tractors and cultivators from any direction, creating a versatile environment conducive to agricultural activities. Additionally, a vacant lot was designated around the building, providing storage space for farming tools and ensuring a smooth workflow that integrates both indoor and outdoor tasks.

deep overhangs shelter semi-outdoor spaces

Seamless Integration of Interior and Exterior

The architectural design of the House in Shikenbaru employs a simplistic yet elegant approach to seamlessly blend the interior and exterior spaces. A continuous vaulted ceiling, varying in height, unifies the indoor and outdoor areas. Stretching from north to south, this vault crosses the boundaries between the interior and the garden, forming a semi-outdoor intermediate space.

With deep eaves, this area serves as a hall for daytime farming activities and fosters a connection between the occupants and the surrounding natural environment. The rhythm of the continuous east-west vaulted ceiling creates a sense of visual harmony within the simple plan, while the interplay of natural light through the roof and wall gaps produces a subtle and captivating gradation of light and shadow.

the interiors and exteriors are united by a continuous vaulted ceiling of varying heights

Environmental Adaptations

The House in Shikenbaru effectively adapts to the demanding Okinawan climate through innovative architectural choices. The valley at the top of the vaulted ceiling is filled with soil, providing insulation against the intense sunlight. This strategic design element helps regulate the indoor temperature, ensuring comfort for the residents and protecting delicate crops.

Furthermore, the entire surface of the vaulted roof is covered with vibrant ivy plants, such as passion fruit and bougainvillea. This living roof not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the house but also contributes to environmental sustainability and acts as a testament to the owner’s commitment to cultivating fruits and vegetables in diverse soil depths.

the house opens up with seamless, gradual transitions between the interiors and exteriors

The House in Shikenbaru exemplifies the successful integration of architecture, farming, and the natural environment in southern Okinawa. Studio Cochi Architects have skillfully crafted a residence that caters to the needs of a farming family while honoring the local context and sustainable practices. Through the layout, seamless blending of spaces, and environmental adaptations, the house creates a harmonious environment that embraces the rhythm of farm work and facilitates a deep connection with the surrounding landscape. The House in Shikenbaru stands as a testament to the power of architecture to enrich lives, promote sustainable practices, and create spaces that resonate with their inhabitants.

Reference

Birch Selsdon hotel occupies a 19th-century mansion

Interior Design

Birch Selsdon hotel takes over 19th-century Croydon mansion

By Zarkon Group,26/05/2023

British hotel chain Birch has opened an outpost in south London, with grounds rewilded by designer Sebastian Cox and interiors conceived by local studios A-nrd and Sella Concept.

Birch Selsdon is housed in a 19th-century mansion in the borough of Croydon and accommodates 181 rooms alongside a wellness space and lido, co-working facilities and a medley of restaurants and bars.

The building was first turned into a hotel in the 1920s, with slapdash extensions and modifications added over the following century.

Local studios A-nrd and Sella Concept took a “restorative approach” to the interior works, stripping back much of the existing fit-out to allow the building’s original architecture to come to the fore.

Entrance lobby hotel by A-nrd and Sella Concept — The building’s original stone walls and bas-relief ceilings can be seen in the lobby

Restoration was also the focus for Sebastian Cox, who developed a woodland management plan for the hotel’s grounds as well as a rewilding strategy for its 18-hole golf course.

This will involve introducing grazing pigs and ponies, which can naturally distribute seeds and shape growing vegetation. The former fairways of the golf course will become wetlands, while the sandy bunkers will eventually attract small reptiles and other animals.

Entrance lobby of Birch Selsdon hotel — Timber from the grounds was used to create the shingled reception desks

Cox has also turned trees harvested from the grounds into a series of furnishings for the hotel, creating affordable, locally produced products while providing ecosystem benefits for the woodland.

“Managed woodlands have higher biodiversity because when you harvest the trees, light gets onto the woodland floor and other vegetation can grow,” Cox explained during a recent episode of Dezeen’s Climate Salon podcast.

“So we can categorically say that our furniture actually makes a net contribution. It doesn’t just harvest materials, it actually contributes to the spaces that the materials come from.”

Vervain restaurant inside hotel by A-nrd and Sella Concept — An arched nook discovered during the hotel’s renovation is now a dining space

Among Cox’s furniture contributions is a pair of shingled timber reception desks in the entrance lobby, backed by an ombre curtain that mirrors the shifting seasonal hues of the landscape around Birch Selsdon.

The lobby’s floral bas-relief ceiling was preserved alongside the original masonry walls, which peek out from behind the curtain.

Meadow Bar inside Birch Selsdon hotel — Peach-coloured surfaces appear in Birch Selsdon’s Meadow Bar

Dotted throughout the space are moss-green velvet sofas as well as wicker armchairs, potted plants and vintage petal-shaped pendant lamps made from Murano glass.

When guests are hungry, they can head to the hotel’s all-day restaurant Vervain, which serves a farm-to-table menu.

The space is anchored by two huge, arched banquettes featuring seat cushions upholstered in an abstract camouflage print and sawn-timber backrests, which were also sourced from the hotel’s woodland.

Oversized rice paper lanterns hang from the ceiling overhead, which is painted a rich apricot shade to highlight the existing ornate bas-relief.

The Snug inside hotel by A-nrd and Sella Concept — The hotel includes another bar called The Snug with wood-panelled walls

For drinks, guests can head to the hotel’s peachy-hued Meadow Bar or to the Snug, which has a slightly more grown-up aesthetic thanks to the dark, wood-panelled walls that are original to the building.

The space is dressed with vintage travertine coffee tables and an array of lounge chairs in sumptuous colours like ochre, olive green and damson purple.

The Orangery inside Birch Selsdon hotel — Chequerboard flooring in The Orangery nods to the Victorian period

To one side of the room lies a curved seating nook that was uncovered during the renovation works. Its interior was rendered in blush pink to foster a warm, intimate dining ambience.

There’s also the option to relax in The Orangery, a light-filled space centred by a wiggly cobalt-blue sofa. Terracotta tiles are arranged in a traditional checkerboard pattern across the floor in a nod to the building’s Victorian past.

Guest bedrooms inside hotel by A-nrd and Sella Concept — Bedrooms are filled with textural details like linen curtains and sisal rugs

The aesthetic of the hotel’s communal spaces is maintained in the guest bedrooms, which are finished with textural decorative elements like linen curtains and hand-blown glass lamps that cast dappled light across the limewashed walls.

Larger suites come complete with lounge areas, dressed with plump armchairs and sisal rugs.

Timber from the hotel’s woods was also used to produce 352 bedside tables for the rooms, all crafted in Cox’s Kent workshop.

Guest bedrooms inside Birch Selsdon hotel — The bedside tables are also made with timber from the hotel’s grounds

The launch of Birch Selsdon comes just three years after the opening of the inaugural Birch branch near Hertfordshire.

It was designed by architecture studio Red Deer to challenge the notion of a luxury hotel and features a series of pared-back rooms with quirky, unfinished details.

The photography is by Adam Lynk.

Reference

Sustainable News

Lego-like modular building bricks made from cork

By Zarkon Group,25/05/2023

Spotted: With short-term renting, homeworking, and growing families: living is more dynamic now than it ever has been before. Although DIY (Do It Yourself) has been a fair solution to modern life so far, its time-consuming and inflexible nature lets it down. Noticing a gap in the market for a way to build structures at home with easy modularity and flexibility, a father and daughter decided to take matters into their own hands. And so, they founded Portugal-based Corkbrick to help to reinvent the spaces we live in.

Inspired by Lego, Corkbrick is a real-size modular system with interlocking cork blocks, or brocks, that are the company’s trademark. There are seven of these brocks, two that are foundational, four that are directional, and one that is a filler to create dynamic furniture, furnishings, and structures. These eco-friendly, sturdy, heat-resistant, and soundproof blocks can be assembled and disassembled easily, without the need for tools, screws, or glue.

Video source Corkbrick

For the founders, cork was a natural choice for their product. It has a minimal impact on the environment because the harvesting of cork does not require the harming or cutting down of trees. Once the bark is extracted, a new layer of cork regrows, making it a renewable resource – and each cork tree typically lives more than 250 years.

Corkbrick is a fully operational enterprise, providing solutions and products from home decor, workspace furniture, and even kid’s play.

Springwise has previously spotted other architectural innovations that resemble Lego, from stackable homes to help solve the housing crisis to building bricks made from volcanic glass that don’t need mortar or insulation.

Written By: Georgia King

Reference

Architecture

Dezeen Debate features “beautifully executed” brick cafe in South Korea

By Zarkon Group,25/05/2023

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features a red brick cafe in South Korea by Seoul studio Sukchulmok. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

Seoul studio Sukchulmok has designed a red brick cafe in South Korea inspired by European public squares.

The building, named Parocindo Bakery Cafe, features lively curved shapes and rounded walls. For its interior, the studio used small tiles made from travertine limestone.

Commenters dissected the project. One loved the project and thought it was “beautifully executed”, whereas another described it as “odd” and “strange”.

Venice Architecture Biennale pavilions — Venice Architecture Biennale “does not show any architecture” says Patrik Schumacher

Other stories in this week’s newsletter that fired up the comments section included an opinion piece by Patrik Schumacher on the “lack of architecture” at the Venice Architecture Biennale, four inflatable structures by Steve Messam at Clerkenwell Design Week and BIG being named as the masterplanner of Neom’s octagonal port city.

Dezeen Debate

Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.

Reference

Interior Design

6a Architects brings Soho sex shop windows to JW Anderson Milan store

By Zarkon Group,25/05/2023

British fashion brand JW Anderson has opened a flagship store in Milan that was designed by British studio 6a Architects and draws on the local atmosphere as well as Soho sex shops.

The 53 square-metre-store is located on the Via Sant’Andrea luxury shopping street in Milan’s Quadrilatero shopping district. It is set across a single floor and comprises two rooms.

While the boutique primarily draws reference from its “bourgeoise” Milanese surroundings, the retail space also pulls from designer Jonathan Anderson’s first JW Anderson store in Soho and from the 2017 exhibition Disobedient Bodies, which was curated by him.

It was designed by 6a Architects, who Anderson began working with in 2017 after selecting the studio to design the set for Disobedient Bodies at The Hepworth Wakefield.

Interior photo of the JW Anderson store — It draws on a Milanese atmosphere

“I thought [6a Architects] really grasped how to take my visual language and turn it into something which was able to be educational,” Anderson told Dezeen.

“They’re very good at hybrid, old or new. They’re very good at this combination, they’re great architects.”

“The store actually is a combination of Disobedient Bodies and a store. It’s a little bit more elevated,” he said. “The front of the building feels Soho, and as you go in, it feels more kind of domestic Milanese.”

Interior photo of the JW Anderson store in Milan — It carries over elements from the Soho store

In a nod to the store frontages of the sex shops found in London’s Soho area, the windows of the Milanese store were decorated with neon lighting and rainbow-slatted curtains.

Anderson and 6a Architects used the design as a juxtaposition against the more typical Milanese interior.

“For me, there is something very sexual about neon lighting,” said Anderson. “I think we associate it with grand gestures and I felt like a window is kind of like a television set. There’s something with neon that it does, it kind of tricks you.”

Photo of the JW Anderson store — Traditional Italian furnishings and finishes fill the interior

“There are little alleyways and they have all these amazing sex stores on and these curtains,” Anderson continued.

“I liked the idea that we have this in Milan and then suddenly you enter into a kind of Milanese setting, something which is very bourgeoise.”

Inside, gridded handmade terrazzo covers the floor and visually divides areas of the interior through bespoke contrasting tones of grey and sand.

Brassy, metallic curtains ripple along the rear walls of the store, in a similar way to 6a Architects’ use of curtains in the exhibition design for Disobedient Bodies.

Photo of artworks at the store — Jonathan Anderson selected furniture and artwork for the interior

Aluminium scaffolding, which was also carried over from Anderson’s Soho store, was translated into display shelving and brought an “angst” to the interior that contrasts against traditional Italian furnishings, such as fluted walnut panelling that envelops two curved walls.

“There is something slightly more underground in terms of the construction of a JW Anderson store, whereas, I think Loewe [for which Anderson is creative director] is about a heightened perfection,” said Anderson. “With JW Anderson, there’s always a bit of slight angst to it.”

“It’s softer inside, and then you have this harshness with the windows where there’s neons and sex curtains and it’s kind of like a theatre. It has moveable parts and in a weird way the store becomes a giant window.”

Photo of the store — It has furniture by Mac Collins

Furniture and artworks personally selected by Anderson fill the interior.

Designer Mac Collins’ black Iklwa chair was paired with matching side tables, while a Cardinal Hat pendant light by Lutyens Furniture is suspended from the ceiling of the main space.

Oil paintings by Chinese artist Hongyan appear to float on the ripples of the brass-coloured curtains, and images by photographer Wolfgang Tillmans sit on the walls of the store’s fitting room.

Photo of the fitting room — An image by Wolfgang Tillmans is placed in the fitting room

“I don’t believe that stores should be completely cookie-cutter,” said Anderson. “I feel like the key is to make sure that each store has a different universe because there’s no point in having something which is just a duplication, duplication, duplication.”

Jonathan Anderson founded his eponymous label JW Anderson in 2008 and was appointed creative director of Spanish luxury house Loewe in 2014, which recently announced the winner of its sixth annual craft prize.

During London Fashion Week, JW Anderson presented a “parallel world of people trapped in their computers” for its Spring Summer 2023 collection.

The photography is by DePasquale+Maffini, courtesy of JW Anderson.

Reference

Rain harvesting house at dusk with reflection

Sustainable News

Water shortage concerns influence design of Rain Harvest Home in Mexico

By Zarkon Group,25/05/2023

Robert Hutchison Architecture and Javier Sanchez Arquitectos include an extensive system for capturing and reusing stormwater for a family nature retreat in a mountainous region of Mexico.

The Rain Harvest Home, or Casa Cosecha de Lluvia, is located in the rural town of Temascaltepec, which lies about 140 kilometres west of Mexico City.

The retreat was designed by Seattle’s Robert Hutchison Architecture and Mexico City-based Javier Sanchez Arquitectos (JSa), which have collaborated on projects together in the past. The retreat was designed for JSa’s founder and his family, who plan to make it their permanent residence in the future.

The property consists of three independent structures – a main house, a bathhouse and an art studio.

Rain Harvest Home in Mexico — A main house is included in the complex. Photo is by Jamie Navarro

Landscaping elements include bio-agriculture gardens, an orchard and a network of pathways.

Permaculture principles were used to “establish a holistic, integrated relationship between people and place”, the team said.

Permaculture – a portmanteau of permanent agriculture and permanent culture – is an approach to design and land management that takes cues from natural ecosystems.

Round bathhouse building at Rain Harvest Home in Mexico — The bathhouse is a round building. Photo is by Rafael Gamo

One of the main goals for the project was to be mindful of resource consumption, particularly water. In turn, all of the structures are designed to capture and reuse rainwater.

The harvesting system meets 100 per cent of the home’s water needs, according to the architects.

Standalone art studio by Robert Hutchinson Architecture and JSa — A standalone art studio also features at the site. Photo is by Laia Rius Solá

“Here, as in the surrounding region of Central Mexico, water has become an increasingly precious resource as temperatures rise and populations increase,” the team said.

The region has a robust rainy season, but rainwater harvesting is uncommon. Instead, water tends to be pumped in from faraway watersheds.

Communal area within main house of Rain Harvest Home by Robert Hutchinson Architecture and JSa — The home features various communal areas. Photo is by César Béjar

“Rain Harvest Home takes a different tack, proposing an integrated approach to designing regeneratively with water,” the team said.

Encompassing 1,200 square feet (111 square metres), the main house was envisioned as a pavilion for year-round use and features a large amount of covered outdoor space, with views of the landscape on all sides of the building.

Open-plan kitchen of Rain Harvest Home — The residence includes an open-plan kitchen. Photo is by Rafael Gamo

The home’s communal area consists of an open living room, dining area and kitchen. The private zones hold two bedrooms, a den, a small bathroom, a powder room and a storage/laundry space.

Nearby, the team placed the bathhouse, which totals 172 square feet (16 square metres). The building is designed to offer “a poetic dialogue with the experiential qualities of water”.

Central pool with four surrounding chambers at bathhouse — Circular in plan, the bathhouse has four chambers that surround a central pool. Photo is by César Béjar

Circular in plan, the bathhouse has four chambers that surround a central cold-plunge pool that is open to the sky. The chambers contain a hot bath, sauna, steam shower and washroom.

The final structure is the 206-square-foot (19-square-metre) art studio. The rectangular building has a main level and an “outdoor skyroom”.

All three buildings have wood framing and black-stained pine cladding. Concrete-slab foundations are topped with pavers made of recinto volcanic stone. Roofs are covered with vegetation.

In the main residence, slender steel columns support deep roof overhangs. Rising up from the roof are protruding light monitors sheathed with unfinished steel plates, which will develop a patina over time.

Plywood finishes within main home — Interior finishes include plywood made of Southern yellow pine. Photo is by Rafael Gamo

Interior finishes include recinto stone and plywood made of Southern yellow pine.

All three buildings have strategies in place to capture rainwater. Moreover, bioswales in the landscape help direct water to the property’s above- and below-ground reservoir system, where water is stored and purified.

Kitchen clad with stone and wood — Recinto stone was used for the flooring in some places. Photo is by Laia Rius Solá

“The on-site water treatment system is completely self-contained and primarily gravity-fed, containing five cisterns that provide potable and treated water,” the team said.

“A chemical-free, blackwater treatment system treats all wastewater on-site, returning it to the site’s water cycle as greywater for use in toilets, and to irrigate the on-site orchard,” the team added.

In addition to water conservation, the architects were also mindful of energy production. A 10-kW photovoltaic array generates electricity for all three buildings.

Overall, the home is meant to be a model for how to integrate water conservation into home design.

Timber elements at Rain Harvest Home — The home is meant to be a model for how to integrate water conservation into home design. Photo is by Laia Rius Solá

“It stands as a testament to the potential of rainwater harvesting for off-grid, self-contained water systems that eliminate reliance on municipal water sources,” the team said.

“At the same time, the element of water contributes to the overall spatial and experiential quality of the project, reconnecting people with their environment by engaging the senses.”

Other rural homes in Mexico include a house with a cruciform-shaped plan and hefty stone walls by HW Studio Arquitectos, and a brutalist-style, concrete house in a pine forest that was designed by architect Ludwig Godefroy.

The photography is by Jaime Navarro, Rafael Gamo, Laia Rius Solá and César Béjar.

Project credits:

Architects: Robert Hutchison Architecture and JSa
Project team: Robert Hutchison, Javier Sanchez, Sean Morgan, Berenice Solis
Structural engineer: Bykonen Carter Quinn
Mechanical engineer: TAF Alejandro Filloy
General contractor: Mic Mac Estructuras
Landscape architect: Helene Carlo
Wood construction and fabrication: MicMac Estructuras (Johan Guerrero)
Steel construction and fabrication: Rhometal Roberto Chavez
Water systems consultant: Miguel Nieto
Solar systems consultant: Teoatonalli (Oscar Matus)
Kitchen consultant: Piacere Charly Trujillo

Reference

Sustainable News

Cleaning up fashion with carbon-negative textiles

By Zarkon Group,24/05/2023

Spotted: Every year, the fashion industry is responsible for 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, which is more than the maritime and aviation sectors combined. Because of this, more and more textile brands are looking for innovative ways to cut back on their carbon footprints. Enter Rubi Laboratories, which makes textiles using captured carbon dioxide.

The US-based startup creates textiles through its patent-pending, cell-free biocatalytic process. First, the company captures CO2 from the waste streams of manufacturing processes using its proprietary enzyme system. The gas is then converted into cellulose pulp, which is used to create viscose-based yarn or fibres to be used in textiles.

Viscose, also known as Rayon, is normally made from wood pulp, but Rubi Labs’ solution means no trees need to be cut down to produce the popular material. Using its innovative technology, the startup can create fabrics made 100 per cent from carbon emissions, with almost no water or land needed. The process also produces zero waste and, at the end of their usable life, the textiles will naturally biodegrade.

Earlier this year, the biotech startup secured an additional $8.7 million (around €8 million) in seed funding, bringing its total funds to $13.5 million (around €12.5 million). The extra funding has allowed Rubi Labs to enter its next stage of testing, including projects with Ganni, Reformation, and Urban Outfitters.

The textile industry is booming with sustainable alternative options, and Springwise has spotted fully recyclable 3D-printed footwear, plant-based plastic-free alt leather, and baby shoes that will dissolve in water.

Written By: Anam Alam

Reference

Architecture

Take Our Survey on the Future of Architectural Visualization and Win a $500 Amazon Gift Card!

By Zarkon Group,24/05/2023

Architectural visualization plays a crucial role in bringing designs to life and communicating ideas effectively. As the industry continues to evolve, it is important to gather insights from professionals like you to understand the present landscape and envision the future of architectural visualization.

In partnership with Chaos and Enscape, Architizer invites you to participate in a global industry survey to share your experiences and perspectives. As a token of our appreciation, one lucky respondent will have the chance to win a $500 Amazon gift card! (Terms and conditions apply).

The survey will open very soon (click here and sign up to the newsletter to be one of the first to know when it’s live!) and should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

Image courtesy of Enscape

Help Shape the Future of Architectural Visualization

Built in collaboration with Chaos, a world leader in 3D visualization technology, this key industry survey aims to capture valuable insights about architecture firms’ visualization workflows, together with their expectations for the future. By participating, you’ll contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the industry, which will help shape the direction of architectural visualization tools and technologies.

The survey covers a range of topics related to your firm and its visualization practices. Some of the key questions include demographic details of you and/or your firm, the types of work you specialize in, the visualization techniques and tools you utilize, the stages of the design process where you employ visualizations, and your experiences with real-time rendering software.

Additionally, we explore your views on the future of architectural visualization, including potential advancements in collaboration, design tools, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and immersive technologies such as virtual reality.

Image courtesy of Enscape

Benefits of Participating

By responding to the survey, you’ll not only contribute to the collective knowledge of the architectural community but also gain insights into the practices and trends in architectural visualization. The results will be summarized in the form of a white paper, which will be shared first with survey respondents. The report will provide valuable benchmarks and information for professionals like you to enhance their visualization workflows.

Furthermore, your participation enters you into a draw to win a $500 Amazon gift card, which could be a great opportunity to invest in tools, resources, or treat yourself to something special.

We encourage you to share this article with your colleagues and peers, including anyone you know who works in architectural visualization. The more respondents we receive, the richer the data, and the better insights we’ll be able to offer about the present and future of the industry!

Image courtesy of Enscape

How to Participate

Participating in the Chaos / Enscape + Architizer Survey is easy. Simply visit [survey link] to access the questionnaire. The survey should take approximately [estimated time] to complete. Please ensure your responses accurately represent your firm’s practices and opinions.

Conclusion: Architizer invites you to contribute your insights to the Chaos / Enscape + Architizer Survey on the future of architectural visualization. Your responses will shape the trajectory of the industry and help identify areas for improvement and innovation. Don’t miss the opportunity to win a $500 Amazon gift card! We value your participation and appreciate your dedication to advancing the field of architectural visualization. Start the survey today and join us in envisioning the future of architectural visualization!

Disclaimer: The survey is organized in partnership with Chaos, who will provide the $500 Amazon gift card to one randomly selected respondent. Participants must comply with the survey terms and conditions to be eligible for the prize. Restrictions apply; see: http://amazon.com/gc-legal

Images courtesy of Chaos & Enscape.

Reference

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a harmonious blend of architecture and agriculture

Sustainable Farming and Local Context

Spatial Considerations and Layout

Seamless Integration of Interior and Exterior

Environmental Adaptations

Birch Selsdon hotel takes over 19th-century Croydon mansion

Lego-like modular building bricks made from cork

Dezeen Debate features “beautifully executed” brick cafe in South Korea

6a Architects brings Soho sex shop windows to JW Anderson Milan store

Water shortage concerns influence design of Rain Harvest Home in Mexico

Cleaning up fashion with carbon-negative textiles

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