Architecture Archives

Concrete grid defines Svendborg International Maritime Academy

Danish studios EFFEKT and CF Møller Architects have completed the Svendborg International Maritime Academy in Denmark, using an exposed concrete frame to echo its industrial surrounds.

Overlooking the harbour in the North Quay of the former port city Svendborg, the 12,500-square-metre centre unites several previously separate departments of Svendborg International Maritime Academy (SIMAC), providing combined study spaces for 1,000 students.

Front elevation view of concrete maritime academy in Denmark by EFFEKT and CF Moller Architects — EFFEKT and CF Møller Architects have created a building for Svendborg International Maritime Academy

EFFEKT and CF Møller Architects designed a “resilient grid” for the building formed of prefabricated concrete elements, which nods to the surrounding architecture and is divided with glass partitions to create teaching spaces that can be easily modified or adapted in future.

“We set out with the desire to create an extremely raw and transparent grid structure, contextually adapted to its industrious setting while capable of staging the school’s workshop-based content,” explained CF Møller Architects partner Mads Mandrup.

Facade dusk view of concrete maritime academy in Denmark by EFFEKT and CF Moller Architects — It is characterised by an exposed concrete grid

“[It is] a scaffolding of spatial possibilities, centred around encouraging young people to encounter and exchange ideas through informal meetings, both within and out towards its surroundings, activating the whole harbour front of Svendborg,” Mandrup added.

SIMAC’s teaching spaces are organised across five storeys around a central 20-metre-high atrium. Lined with balconies, this atrium visually connects each level to a communal seating area on the ground floor.

Internal frame of concrete maritime academy in Denmark by EFFEKT and CF Moller Architects — Five storeys of educational facilities surround a 20-metre-high atrium

Double-height spaces house specialist workshops alongside conventional offices and classrooms, with the glass partitions intended to “stimulate communication and informal exchange” between areas, said the studios.

On the roof is a communal terrace for students and staff, providing both internal and external spaces with expansive views out across the harbour framed by the hollow concrete grid.

Taking cues from the raw concrete structure, interior finishes have been kept minimal and unfinished, with exposed ducting and steel balustrades. Social areas are visually softened by wooden details, including an area of tiered seating.

On the building’s exterior, panels of glazing and corrugated metal have been pulled back to express the concrete structure. In each corner, the grid is cut away to create sheltered external areas for the cafe and canteen, which are open to the public.

Stairs and frame of concrete maritime academy in Denmark by EFFEKT and CF Moller Architects — An area of tiered communal seating is among those with wooden detailing

“You see the same raw, minimalist exposed column-girder structure both from the outside and the inside,” said EFFEKT co-founder Sinus Lynge.

“The space essentially flows through the building’s structure, and the intriguing aspect concerning the concrete elements is that SIMAC’s structure is the architecture,” he added.

Education space in concrete maritime academy in Denmark by EFFEKT and CF Moller Architects — Exposed ducting contributes to the raw interior aesthetic

SIMAC is the first project to be completed as part of a wider masterplan for a new district in Svendborg, which is set to transform 5.5 hectares of industrial area with new education, business and residential buildings.

Elsewhere, EFFEKT also recently completed Denmark’s first treetop walkway at the Hamaren Activity Park in Fyresdal and CF Møller Architects created the headquarters for Lego in Billund with a bright yellow atrium.

The photography is by Rasmus Hjortshøj.

Reference

Architecture

7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines

By Zarkon Group,14/01/2024

The Philippines is a country that has a rich tapestry of architectural culture, spanning from the indigenous Filipino Bahay Kubo houses and the Banaue Rice Terraces to contemporary skylines and eco-resorts. Admittedly, Philippine architecture is caught between the East and the West, with American, Spanish and Japanese colonial occupation rapidly transforming its built environment. Many architects were influenced by the country’s intercultural identity. Most notably, national Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin was known for his distinct style blending the modern and the traditional, crafting masterpieces like the Cultural Center of The Philippines.

During the 1920s, architect Juan Nakpil paved the way for environmentally conscious construction techniques. He utilized bamboo as a locally sourced component for his designs instead of relying on imported materials such as stone and brick. His work was internationally renounced for its authentic Filipino character, introducing an innovative approach to the country’s architecture. Conversely, cities like Makati or Manila have now been transformed into bustling urban centers, filled with high-rise structures incorporating solar framing and rainwater collection systems, thus responding to the challenging tropical climate.

Albeit a geographically small country, The Philippines is architecturally vibrant and diverse. Throughout time, Filipino architects have reveled in the country’s intercultural nature. By creating new “assemblies” between architectural typologies and practices, they are constantly progressing the country’s built environment without sacrificing its cultural heritage.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in The Philippines based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of The Philippines architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 7 best architecture firms in The Philippines:

7. hearthgroup

We offer architectural design services to would-be homeowners, business people and property developers. Together with our engineering and design consultants, we deliver design solutions that are sensitive to clients’ needs, responsive to nature and improve the built environment for the benefit of the community.

Some of hearthgroup’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped hearthgroup achieve 7th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	3

6. Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates

Since its inception, JYAA has accumulated a few hundred projects of various types, from high rises to luxury residences. The company survived the Asian Financial crisis through fortifying the firm’s interior design services which currently makes up for a sizeable amount of JYAA’s portfolio. JYAA is an efficiently-sized architectural firm that offers comprehensive design services from concept/schematic design to construction coordination/supervision. The company is affiliated with select Technical Consulting Firms to support the offered comprehensive technical services.

Some of Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates achieve 6th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

5. DST Design + Build

We are new breed of individuals from the different fields, who are very passionate in the field of architecture, interior design, furniture and landscaping. We strive on modernizing Filipino architecture and interior design and piece all other design elements together in harmony. Moreover the firm remains steadfast on its advocacy to adapt principles and dynamics on building green.

At DST Design Lab we generally work the key concept of creating quality avant-garde architectural + design and workmanship. Our goal are to design and build quality and world renowned projects that will put Filipino architecture in the forefront.

Some of DST Design + Build’s most prominent projects include:

“The Tree House” (Multi-Level Residential house), San Mateo, The Philippines
“Unfinished Basket” (BOUTIQUE RESORT COMPLEX), San Mateo, The Philippines
Modern Nipa Hut (Bahay Kubo) 2-Story ”Family Villa”, San Mateo, The Philippines
Modern Nipa Hut (Bahay Kubo) 2 Story Villa ”Honeymooners”, San Mateo, The Philippines
Bahay Na Bato Stone and Wood 2-Story Villa, San Mateo, The Philippines

The following statistics helped DST Design + Build achieve 5th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	15

4. DEQA Design Collaborative (formerly DDC Architectural Studio)

We create impactful and sensory experience ecosystems that use the power of design to inspire and innovate our everyday. We are a design partner for ambitious clients and bold businesses. DEQA designs through our ideas, objects, places, buildings and communities. We focus on research-driven, human-centric and sustainably focused design.

We integrate planning, architecture, interior design, product design and branding to maximize interdisciplinary cross-pollination in our practice. We design at all scales from the micro to the macro, designing in powers of ten, to create value and innovation. Our process is highly collaborative. We work closely with our clients to understand their visions, values and needs.

Some of DEQA Design Collaborative (formerly DDC Architectural Studio)’s most prominent projects include:

Rizal Eco Center, Rizal, Calabarzon, The Philippines
Hyve, Taguig, The Philippines
Hyphy’s, Pasig City, The Philippines
Contemporary Museum of Art and Design Competition Entry, Taguig, The Philippines
Vyne, Taguig, The Philippines

The following statistics helped DEQA Design Collaborative (formerly DDC Architectural Studio) achieve 4th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	21

3. Jim Caumeron Design

Jim Caumeron Design is a Manila based architectural design firm, centered around residential architecture.

Some of Jim Caumeron Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jim Caumeron Design achieve 3rd place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	2

2. TJSO ARCHITECTS

Arch. T. Jordan Ong graduated B.S. Architecture from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (Now College of Architecture) at the University of Santo Tomas. He has worked in various reputable architectural firms and has risen among the top key employees on all occasions. He has handled hundreds of residential and high-rise projects during his stay in one of his previous firm, where he worked as department head for construction. But having the drive and passion to pursue his goal, he humbly started his own practice in the summer of 2007 and since has expanded his portfolio, designing various projects ranging from high-end residential projects, townhouses, mid-rise buildings, high rise buildings, restaurants and commercial buildings. He embraced the modern minimalist style, and it shows in all of his works, but has added his own style in the process.

Some of TJSO ARCHITECTS’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TJSO ARCHITECTS achieve 2nd place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	7

1. WTA Architecture + Design Studio

Define. Design. Refine. We seek to redefine the role architecture plays in our society and focus on the creation of positive social impact. We create architecture for moments. Moments that matter to you, and the people around you. In WTA Architecture and Design Studio, we create spaces that encourage connection. We believe in social architecture that engages people, breaks down barriers and designs hyperlocal communities. At WTA, we build communities.

Some of WTA Architecture + Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The Book Stop, Manila, The Philippines
El Museo del Prado En Filipinas, Manila, The Philippines
The Oriental Legazpi, Legazpi City, The Philippines
The Oriental Leyte, Tacloban City, The Philippines
New Taipei Museum of Art, Taipei, Taiwan
Top image: Journey by the Bay, Concept

The following statistics helped WTA Architecture + Design Studio achieve 1st place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in The Philippines:

A+Awards Winner	3
Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	77

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

Project completed within the last 3 years
A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
High quality, in focus photographs
At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

Reference

Architecture

Bright colours fill converted brick structure in San Miguel de Allende

By Zarkon Group,12/01/2024

Architecture studios Oficina de Diseño Colaborativo and Atelier TBD have created a cultural space that preserves the “self-built essence” of San Miguel de Allende.

Created in collaboration with interior studio Maye Colab, Santa Tere Espacio is a cultural space and office that will primarily serve to foster reading in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Blue doorway in alleyway — OCD, Atelier TBD and Maye Colab have created a brightly coloured cultural space in Mexico

“Santa Tere Espacio emerged from the idea of creating architecture through renovation, reuse, repair, and repurposing,” said the team.

“Based on the self-built essence of the neighbourhood, Office of Collaborative Design, TBD Atelier, and Maye Colab joined forces with a shared vision to propose a project that engages with the site’s legacy.”

A blue door open to red-tiled kitchen — Located in San Miguel de Allende, the team sought to preserve the “self-built” nature of the city

According to the team, self-construction is a “common building practice in Latin America”, a technique they sought to preserve by repurposing both the existing architecture and materials from the site, which was a former six-room, single-story dwelling.

For Santa Tere Espacio, the team distributed several meeting rooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a central courtyard along the structure’s lateral plan with a second, detached bathroom tucked into a corner of the site.

yellow chairs in front of a blue door — The site was a former single-story residence

A long alleyway, marked with a curving concrete path, runs along the length of the exterior and provides access to each space.

“The intervention primarily involved demolitions to bring in light and allow ventilation of the spaces, and the incorporation of new elements such as doors, windows, and tile finishes that contrast with the pre-existing structure,” said the team.

Yellow walls facing a blue colored door — The team preserved much of the existing architecture and repurposed material found on-site

“Openings were created in the form of doors, windows, and domes, and some walls were demolished to make way for the central courtyard.”

Colab worked with a palette of red, yellow and pink on the interior, based on hues found during construction.

primary colored office — The interior palette was informed by colours found during the construction

“The idea of capturing the site’s essence is also reflected in the project’s colour palette, designed based on the colours found in the construction, with a contrasting colour being the blue of the ironwork.”

Bright blue windows and doors were distributed across the space and finished with geometric handles.

A red table and office chair — Red was primarily used for furnishings

Interior furnishings were finished primarily in red, with the kitchenette covered in bright red tile and desks throughout the space trimmed in the same shade.

In a desk at the front of the building, the stalk of a plant grows through an opening carved in its surface, while a silver of a triangular skylight sits above.

The project’s landscape design incorporates both native plants and others commonly found around the neighbourhood’s rooftops, patios and facades.

A spindly palo verde plant was planted in the courtyard to provide shade, a species considered sacred to the Aztecs and associated with the feathered serpent god, according to the team.

Santa Tere Espacio will act as a co-working and cultural space and will host OCD, Maye Colab and the bookstore Una Boutique de Libros.

Programming will focus on “reading, feminism, design and diversity”.

Blue metal door — Blue ironwork was used for windows and doors

Founded by Nadyeli Quiroz Radaelli, OCD and Maye Colab are design studios based in Mexico, while Atelier TBD, founded by Victor Wu, is an architecture office based between Brooklyn, Taipei and San Miguel.

Elsewhere in San Miguel de Allende, design studio Mestiz opened a studio to showcase its collaborations with local craftspeople.

The photography is by Leandro Bulzzano.

Project credits:

Architecture: Oficina de Diseño Colaborativo OCD, Atelier TBD
Interior design: Oficina de Diseño Colaborativo OCD, Atelier TBD, Maye Colab
Furniture and colorimetry: Maye Colab
Landscape architecture: Oficina de Diseño Colaborativo OCD, Atelier TBD
Principals: Maye Ruiz, Nadyeli Quiroz, Victor Wu
Design team: Alejandra Skinfield, Paola Bravo, Sara Lopez Farias
Structural consultant: Formula+, Yoyo Wu
Sources:
Steelwork: Crónica Estudio

Reference

Interior Design

This week we looked forward to the architecture and design trends of 2024

By Zarkon Group,11/01/2024

This week on Dezeen, we looked forward to the buildings set to be completed in 2024 and the architecture, design and interiors trends that will impact the upcoming year.

We rounded up 12 key buildings that will be completing over the next year – these include projects by Kéré Architecture, Sou Fujimoto, Zaha Hadid Architects and Foster + Partners.

Interior by Mexican studio RA! — We looked at the trends of 2024

We also looked at the architecture, design and interiors trends of 2024. Interior design will have a focus on individualism and see a backlash to the rise in AI design, while we will see less experimentation and more “safe spaces” this year in architecture.

Dezeen’s editorial director Max Fraser predicted that in design, we will see the rise of material intelligence and a rush for sustainable accreditation.

Mercedes-Benz skyscraper — Mercedes-Benz is designing a skyscraper in Dubai

In architecture news, car brand Mercedes-Benz and developer Binghatti have revealed plans for a supertall skyscraper in central Dubai.

The car company’s first branded residential tower will reportedly be 341 meters high and located close to the Burj Khalifa.

“Our aim with our first branded real estate residential tower is to create new, desirable grounds that inherit our brand’s DNA and give our customers a place to arrive, unwind and come home to,” said Britta Seeger, a member of the management board for Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Reference

Architecture

Santiago Viale and Juan Manuel Juarez use screens for Córdoba offices

By Zarkon Group,09/01/2024

Local architects Santiago Viale and Juan Manuel Juarez have wrapped the offices of an animal feed plant in Córdoba with a perforated metal screen.

The 18,040 square foot (1,676 square metre) administrative building is part of a larger 199,000 square foot (18,460 square metre) industrial complex for Biofarma, which produces feed for animals including poultry, swine and cattle.

A long industrial building — Local architects Santiago Viale and Juan Manuel Juarez have wrapped an office building in a metal screen in Córdoba

Santiago Viale and Juan Manuel Juarez organized offices, meeting rooms, printing areas and lounge areas across two rectangular floors, punctuated by two internal courtyards at the centre.

The courtyards, along with wood-clad staircases at either end of the building, create collaborative and interactive spaces for employees across the two levels, according to the team.

The front doors on a facade of an industrial building — The building is part of an industrial complex that produces animal feed

The office and meeting spaces were distributed along the internal perimeter, with one side abutting floor-to-ceiling windows that span the exterior and the other, a central passageway.

Glass partitions enclose several office spaces, while others were left open.

A building wrapped in a metal skin — A perforated metal skin wrapped around the exterior provides sun protection

“The company managers’ offices are distributed around a double-height space that connects with a hierarchized entrance on the ground floor, reinforcing the sense of institutional identity,” said the team.

Visitors enter the building’s lobby through a concrete vestibule that extends out from underneath a metal screen enclosing the exterior.

Wooden staircase in a lobby — Two internal courtyards and staircases create interactive spaces for employees

A small auditorium sits next to the lobby, clad in wooden panelling with integrated lighting running through its ceiling and walls. Large windows extend along its side.

Lounge areas and a coffee break space provide additional gathering spaces on the second floor, while a dining area opens onto a roof terrace.

Couches and chairs in the lobby of an animal feed building — The offices line the internal perimeter

Reinforced concrete was used for the building’s structure, which was then wrapped in pre-painted grey galvanized expanded metal sheet skin.

A gap of 27 inches (70 centimetres) sits between the metallic screen and the building’s exterior to create sun protection.

Lobby area with concrete ceiling — Concrete was used for the building’s structure

“This skin plays a significant role in the project, as it forms an intermediate shaded space between the glass closure and the exterior, reducing direct sunlight radiation and, consequently, the building’s energy consumption,” said the team.

Moveable panels were also integrated into the cage-like wrapping, while integrated vertical blinds provide further sun protection for inhabitants.

“It also gives the building the language and institutional character of the company,” said the team.

Two large metal-framed openings were placed on either side of the building, which open onto the outdoor dining area.

A small wood paneled room with theatre seating and large windows — A small auditorium, dining spaces and terrace were also integrated

A metal “Biofarma” sign was also placed on the exterior.

Other projects recently completed in Córdoba include a black concrete house by AR Arquitectos and two modular cabins by Set Ideas.

The photography is by Gonzalo Viramonte.

Project credits:
Collaborators: Salvador Viale, Tito Maximiliano Gonza, Francisco Gavilán, Nicolás Macasso, Santiago Viale Beviglia, Rocío Cornacchione, Emiliano Pino, Nicolás Borra, Lourdes Bruno, Fiama Ríos, Ricardo Cortesse, Eduardo Storaccio, Sonja Czeranski, Juan Macías
Deployed metal: ETC.
Integral front: Abest
Curtains: Suquía Curtains
Vinyl floor: Julia Sol
Auditorium Seats: Rassegna

Reference

Sustainable News

TVK designs limestone buildings for “first zero-carbon district” in Paris

By Zarkon Group,06/01/2024

French architecture practice TVK has completed a neighbourhood in Paris made up of limestone buildings surrounding a garden and designed as a sustainable development that aims to increase biodiversity.

Located on a triangular site in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, the project is “the capital’s first zero-carbon district”, according to TVK.

Named Îlot Fertile, which translates to “fertile island” in French, it contains apartments, a youth hostel, student residences, a hotel, offices, restaurants, shops and sports facilities.

Paris zero-carbon neighbourhood by TVK — TVK claims Îlot Fertile is the first zero-carbon district in Paris

The four buildings that make up the neighbourhood range in height from seven to nine storeys tall, each with ground-floor levels made from low-carbon concrete and designed to achieve large, unobstructed interior spaces.

The upper levels were made from load-bearing limestone sourced mainly from the local Ile-de-France region, aiming to reduce the carbon cost of transportation.

TVK claims the 35,200-square-metre development is the largest load-bearing stone building site since Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s reconstruction of Paris in the mid-19th century.

Îlot Fertile zero carbon neighbourhood in Paris by TVK — The buildings were made from load-bearing stone and concrete

“Each material is used in the right place and the right quantity,” TVK founders Pierre Alain Trévelo and Antoine Viger Kohler told Dezeen.

“We chose to use mainly limestone from the Paris region – it’s the same one used to build the Haussmann buildings.”

Public spaces, including restaurants and shops, are located on the ground floors of the buildings and open onto the central garden.

Hotel accommodations and apartments are on the upper levels, and a raised outdoor level provides additional garden spaces with an orchard, vegetable patches, insect hotels and nest boxes.

Office spaces are located in a building that sits parallel to a railway line and, aiming to work with the site’s existing topology and move as little earth as possible, TVK designed a sunken sports centre in a large hole on the site to create an interior with high ceilings.

“The biggest challenge of the project was to bring together more than a dozen programmes and turn them into a fully-fledged part of the city,” said Trévelo and Kohler.

“The shape of each building is linked to the very specific geometry of the site shaped by the railway infrastructure,” they continued. “This brings diversity to a building complex of this scale.”

Îlot Fertile zero carbon neighbourhood — It is located on a triangular site next to a railway

TVK designed Îlot Fertile to have a minimal carbon footprint in its construction and operation. It topped the buildings with photovoltaic panels and green roofs to produce energy while also aiming to increase biodiversity.

“Its proximity to public transport means that Îlot Fertile does not require any car parking, and we used a bioclimatic design to keep energy requirements to a minimum for heating, cooling and lighting,” said Trévelo and Kohler.

“For the small amount of energy that will be consumed, the project plans to compensate for it by producing green energy via bio-solar roofs.”

Tennis court in a sports centre — The development includes a sports centre built into an existing hole in the site’s topography

“Driven by the City of Paris’ ambition for ecological transition, zero-carbon is a long-term objective for the life of the entire operation,” added Trévelo and Kohler.

Elsewhere in Paris, Christ & Gantenbein completed a 124-metre-long steel-clad housing block, and RSHP unveiled its design for a “post-carbon” neighbourhood that will be located in the La Défense business district.

The photography is by Julien Hourcade.

Project credits:

Architect: TVK
Client: Linkcity
Landscape design: OLM
Building and civil engineering: Berim
Engineering: Carbone 4 and Amoes

Reference

Architecture

Hamptons artist studio by Worrell Yeung is tucked among the trees

By Zarkon Group,06/01/2024

Architectural studio Worrell Yeung has completed a two-storey, black-coloured home extension called Springs Artist Studio that is meant to offer the “experience of being perched in the trees”.

The Brooklyn-based firm was tasked with designing the 800-square-foot (74-square-metre) addition for a Long Island house belonging to a florist and a painter.

Black-stained artist studio — Worrell Yeung tucked a Hamptons artist studio among the trees

The couple has an extensive collection of art and special objects. Their home is located in Springs, a hamlet in East Hampton that is popular with artists.

“The hamlet of Springs has a strong history of painting,” said Max Worrell, co-founder and principal of Worrell Yeung. “We were drawn to that lineage; Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler and Jane Freilicher all painted out here.”

Artist studio interior by Worrell Yeung — It is an addition to a Long Island home

The team conceived a two-storey addition that contains a painting studio on the upper level and an exhibition space down below that doubles as a garage.

The ground floor also has a powder room.

Artist studio interior featuring a gabled roof — The building has a gabled roof

In response to strict zoning rules and environmental sensitivities, the studio created a small-footprint building that preserved existing trees and minimised the overall impact on the landscape.

Rectangular in plan, the building has a gabled roof and walls clad in pine boards that were stained black to match the main house.

Birch plywood interiors — Interior finishes include birch plywood

Different-sized boards were used “to create a sense of shifting, lateral scale that counters the vertical massing of the structure”.

The lower portion of the building is covered in 12-inch-wide boards (30 centimetres), while the upper areas are clad in 4-inch and 1-inch versions (10 and 2.5 centimeters).

In the power room, the birch plywood has been stained blue

“From afar the studio reads as an abstract volume,” the architects said.

“Up close, the textured wood and varied-sized planks break down the scale of the building to something more accessible and rich with detail.”

The black cladding is interrupted on the upper level by a band of ribbon windows.

The architects worked with Silman Structural Engineers to create the continuous windows, which are supported by steel-rod cross bracing and slender steel columns that match the mullions.

Within the building, the four-foot-tall (1.2-metre) ribbon windows offer immersive views of the landscape.

“Natural light streams in while unique views appear from each direction, framed by unobstructed glass corners,” the team said.

Ribbon windows in extension by Worrell Yeung — These offer immersive views of the landscape

“We wanted to create this experience of being perched in the trees – a retreat for working,” added Jejon Yeung, cofounder of Worrell Yeung.

Interior finishes include birch plywood, which was used for flooring, walls and cabinetry. In the powder room, the plywood is stained a rich shade of blue.

The decor includes vintage Eames molded fibreglass chairs and a vintage chandelier by David Weeks.

Black cabin in the woods — The siding was painted black to match the main house

The addition is connected to the main home by a glazed passageway that brings in the natural surroundings while “providing a moment of respite between home and the studio/work environment”.

Other projects by Worrell Yeung include a series of gabled timber buildings on a New York farm and a refresh of a cedar-clad dwelling on Long Island that was originally designed by famed US architect Charles Gwathmey.

The photography is by Naho Kubota.

Project credits:

Architecture: Worrell Yeung
Design team: Max Worrell, Jejon Yeung, Yunchao Le Structural Engineer: Silman
Contractor: Fifth and Dune

Reference

Interior Design

Method Architecture outfits own Houston studio with vibrant mural

By Zarkon Group,04/01/2024

Texas studio Method Architecture has completed an office for itself in Houston with maximalist design, vibrant colours and a mural at its centre.

The 8,612-square foot (800-square metre) studio was completed in 2023 with a reception area, open office plan, private and collaborative meeting spaces and staff lounges.

Colourful interior of studio for Method Architecture — Method Architecture has completed its self-designed studio

Located in the mixed-use East River development, designed by architecture studio Page, the office was designed to serve as an inspiration source for the studio’s clients.

“Our approach was to pursue maximalism with the goal of creating an environment where our clients would feel safe expressing their bold and innovative ideas with us,” Ashley Bettcher, Research and Design Specialist with Method Architecture told Dezeen.

Table tennis table in Method Architecture's studio — The office was designed to serve as an inspiration source

“Creativity has no limits and great design doesn’t necessarily need to cost more. Method’s new Houston office perfectly encapsulates that mantra.”

The “ego-free” focus of the design is a nearly 50-foot multi-wall mural by local artist David Maldonado, known for creating nearly 20 pieces of public artwork throughout Houston.

Multi-wall mural by David Maldonado — David Maldonado created a multi-wall mural for the studio

With pops of magenta, cobalt, and yellow, the mural features icons from the city and state like the skyline, a rocket for Johnson Space Center, a bluebonnet as the Texas state flower, and the neighbouring Buffalo Bayou.

The artwork also slips in custom motifs representing the studio, such as Method’s rubber duck mascot.

Acoustic baffles suspended from the ceiling — Light grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling

“This feature piece of artwork helps set the tone for the remainder of the office including bold colors, geometric patterns and shapes and a secondary mural designed and installed by Maldanado featuring drip paint in mirroring colorways located at the back of the office,” the team said.

The mural is complemented by a 3D-printed wall installation behind the reception desk composed of the studio’s signature “M” logo and the raw ceiling with exposed mechanical lines all painted a vibrant shade of fuchsia.

Half-arched portal at Method Architecture office — Clients pass through a half-arched portal

Light grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling adding to the maximalist design. Light blue bicycles are mounted on one wall as another unique installation.

From the reception area lounge, clients pass through a half-arched portal – created with custom millwork and embedded lights – into the main office space which includes rows of desks over custom greyscale carpet.

Desks and geometric carpet in self-designed studio — Hotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work styles

Hotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work styles for both in-office and at-home work.

“Cozy architectural work booths are nestled amid the bustling breakroom and office areas, offering a quiet refuge for more private work, private conversations or meals with coworkers,” the team said.

The workspace is flanked by six meeting rooms: a large creative conference space, three medium-sized conference rooms and two smaller huddle spaces.

The all-white conference room was left intentionally blank to showcase the client’s material selections with tunable white lights to adjust the light temperature for each project.

An M-shaped window cutout opens the conference room to the rest of the office.

In the break room, bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls to provide an unexpected texture and pale blue lamp shades – reminiscent of the shape of inverted cupcake liners – serve as a geometric juxtaposition to the rounded banquette boxes.

Bright blue-walled break room — Bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls in the break room

“Plush, psychedelic-inspired fabrics in meeting booths and distinctive light fixtures keep the space feeling light and fun to inspire creative design,” the studio said.

In addition to being designed for flexible workflows and teams, the space features multiple sustainable and WELL features like ample daylighting, repurposed materials and ergonomic furniture.

Other recently completed projects in Houston include Nelson Byrd Woltz’s grassed park that bridges a six-lane highway and Modu’s design for a wellness building with a self-cooling exterior.

The photography is by Ana Larranaga, Method Architecture.

Project credits:

Architecture: Method Architecture
MEP: Telios Engineering
General contractor: Burton Construction
Furniture: AGILE Interiors, MDI, OP,
Flooring: Interface, Shaw Contract
Tile: Trinity Surfaces, La Nova
Textiles: Knoll Textiles
Masonry: Upchurch Kimbrough
Demountable partitions: DIRTT
Countertops: CAMBRIA
Mural: David Maldonado
Lighting: Lighting Associates Inc.
Signage: ARIA Signs

Reference

Interior Design

Happy new year from Dezeen!

By Zarkon Group,01/01/2024

Happy new year from Dezeen! We’ll be back tomorrow, but in the meantime, you can read about the biggest design and architecture stories of 2023 and our full review of the year.

The review looks at the most interesting architecture, design and interior stories from 2022. It includes roundups of the the year’s rebrands, innovative materials, restaurant and bar interiors, controversies, US architecture, cabins and more.

Read the review of 2023 ›

The photo of the Las Vegas Sphere is by Sphere Entertainment.

Reference

Architecture

Mono Architekten tops perforated concrete car park with public plaza

By Zarkon Group,31/12/2023

Berlin studio Mono Architekten has combined a perforated concrete viewing tower with a car park topped by a public park to create a new entrance to the town of Neuenburg am Rhein, Germany.

Located close to the border with France and Switzerland, the project is situated between the town itself and the recently redeveloped green spaces a Stadtpark am Wuhrloch, a meeting point which was previously difficult to traverse due to a nine-metre height difference.

Bridging these two conditions, Mono Architekten sought to complement the functional need for a 231-space car park with more public facilities, including a new public plaza and a 36-metre-high viewing tower.

Carpark interior in Germany by Mono Architekten — The connecting tower and carpark offer a new entrance into the nearby town

“The aim was to develop independent typologies from the functional requirements of parking and barrier-free access to the city park,” Mono co-founder André Schmidt told Dezeen.

“Together they create an identity-forming urban ensemble,” he continued.

“The parking garage roof was thus designed as a public square – Münsterplatz – and the vertical access structure to the city park was designed as a tower – Bertholdturm – with a publicly accessible viewing platform.”

Interior view of carpark with public park in Germany — Spiralling ramps provide vehicle access to the carpark

Using the site’s level change as an advantage, the new car park meets the level of the town to allow it to connect seamlessly to the new public square, which is finished with planting and paved seating areas.

Two spiralling ramps at either end of the carpark provide access for vehicles, while the perimeter of the structure curves to meet the existing road with its perforated concrete facade.

In the nearby viewing tower, an elevator core links the ground floor entrance with the rooftop, where 360-degree views of the landscape are accompanied by corten steel panels on the parapet that detail landmarks and their distances.

A bridge of corten steel links the car park roof with an upper entrance to the tower, and in future there is a plan to extend this bridge to create a ramp down to the adjacent parkland, creating a step-free, accessible route between it and the town.

Mono Architekten top carpark with public park in Germany — Both structures were made using blocks of tamped concrete

The two structures were united by their matching exterior finish, with blocks of tamped concrete arranged to create square perforations that allow air to flow freely.

“The sedimentary tamped concrete layers at the entrance to the city are inspired by the city’s former location on the banks of the Rhine,” explained Schmidt.

“The reddish pigmentation harmonizes with the sandstone traditionally used in this area,” he continued. “The monolithic construction emphasizes the archaic character of the buildings.”

Exterior view of perforated tower and bridge by Mono Architekten — A corten steel bridge provides expansive views of the landscape

Mono Architekten took a similar approach to blending infrastructure with public facilities in their design for a service station in Thuringia, which also includes an exhibition space about the site’s nearby bronze-age burial mound.

The photography is by Gregor Schmidt.

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Happy new year from Dezeen!

Mono Architekten tops perforated concrete car park with public plaza

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