builds Archives

areal am kronenrain: earth architecture in germany

The German town of Neuenburg am Rhein sees the completion of the ‘Areal am Kronenrain’ complex, designed by MONO Architekten. The development, including an observation tower for viewing the vast landscape, marks a transformative moment for the city, which is found in the tri-border region of France, Switzerland, and Germany. As part of the State Garden Exhibition 2022, the project aimed to reorganize urban areas, with a particular focus on the site between the city center and the redesigned green space ‘Stadtpark am Wuhrloch.’ The architecture prioritizes durable materials, and takes shape with red-tinted rammed earth and Corten steel, inspired by the region’s red sandstone and the former Rhine riverbank.

images © Gregor Schmidt

mono architekten takes on a complex site

MONO Architekten notes that the initial urban situation at the site of Areal am Kronenrain site posed challenges, characterized by limited usable space and a substantial height difference of around nine meters. In response, the architects conceived a distinctive ensemble, comprising a parking garage, public space, bridge, and tower, effectively bridging the gap and establishing a connection between the green space and the town center. The design further contributes to the city’s identity. The tower, a prominent feature of the ensemble, serves as a striking city entrance, visible from a distance. Its dynamic interaction with the adjacent parking garage and the connecting bridge structure forms a clear landmark, setting the tone for the revitalized urban space.

Neuenburg am Rhein’s ‘Areal am Kronenrain’ development is completed as a pivotal urban space

the observation tower over neuenburg am Rhein

The thirty six-meter-high tower, with its unique design and materials, stands out as a focal point. Offering an observation platform with a panoramic view, the tower becomes an essential element in connecting visitors with the picturesque landscape. Future plans for extending the bridge as a ramp to park level enhance accessibility, providing a barrier-free connection for all. The Münsterplatz, situated atop the three-story parking garage with 231 parking spaces, introduces a new public space. This plaza, which blends outward to integrates with the city plan, alleviates inner-city traffic due to its central location. Future plans for densification and mixed-use further emphasize its role as a hub for public engagement.

part of the State Garden Exhibition 2022, the design bridges gaps and redefines connections
visible from afar, the tower establishes a landmark, engaging in a dialogue with the adjacent parking garage
the urban ensemble comprises a parking garage, public space, bridge, and observation tower

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

Minimalist living room inside House by the Sea by Of Architecture

Interior Design

Of Architecture builds beachside home for surfer-and-artist couple

By Zarkon Group,28/04/2023

London practice Of Architecture has used a fuss-free colour and material palette to create this understated home for a young couple in the town of Newquay in Cornwall.

House by the Sea belongs to an artist and a surfer, who told Of Architecture that they wanted a home without extravagant finishes, instead preferring a living space that appears “simple, robust and utilitarian”.

Though the brief was relatively straightforward, erecting the home proved tricky for the practice.

“The house is located by the cliff side of Pentire peninsula and has a very steep driveway, so transporting material was a big challenge for everyone on site,” the Of Architecture co-founder James Mak told Dezeen.

“We had to work with materials that could be carried by a small vehicle or by hand.”

Once the framework was in place, the house was finished with a “monolithic and modest” lime plaster facade.

Key rooms were dispersed across the home’s open-plan first floor, where walls are almost exclusively painted an off-white shade.

Prefabricated staircase inside House by the Sea by Of Architecture — Prefabricated steps grant access to a cosy mezzanine

In one corner is the kitchen, which features black melamine plywood cabinetry and a large breakfast island topped with stainless steel.

Overhead hangs a couple of industrial-style pendant lamps.

Adjacently lies a sitting area that directly overlooks Newquay’s picturesque Pentire Steps beach.

Fronted by expansive sliding windows, the space is dressed with a classic Eames lounge chair and an L-shaped sofa upholstered in beige marl fabric.

Another sitting area lies towards the rear of the first floor, facing a concrete blockwork wall.

Backed against the wall is a wood burner with a tall slender flue that stretches up to meet the four-metre-high ceiling.

Prefabricated plywood steps lead up to a mezzanine level tucked beneath the home’s sloping roof, which is held up by steel beams.

Intended to serve as a cosy retreat, the space is illuminated by a single skylight while artworks are casually leaned up against its walls and books are showcased on a wrap-around gridded shelf.

The minimalist aesthetic of the first floor then carries over onto the home’s ground floor, which accommodates two guest bedrooms – complete with their own en suites – a cloakroom and a utility room.

House by the Sea by Of Architecture — Rooms on the home’s ground floor are also pared back

A number of other architecturally striking homes can be found along the British coast.

Examples include RX Architects’ Seabreeze in East Sussex, which is coated in smooth pink concrete, and Mole Architects’ Marsh Hill House in Suffolk, which is shaped like a seagull’s wing.

The photography is by Lorenzo Zandri.

Reference

Architecture

Design Ni Dukaan builds “citadel-like” concrete house in India

By Zarkon Group,08/04/2023

Multidisciplinary studio Design ni Dukaan has completed a house in Gujarat, India, with a board-formed concrete exterior walls that wrap the home and define courtyard spaces.

Located on a remote site in the municipality of Himmatnagar, the studio designed the undulating enclosing walls as a “second skin” informed by the spaces within.

“Situated on a mound, the citadel-like compound is bound by peripheral walls comprising two curved and two straight surfaces that are disjointed at their intersections to create points of entry or subtle exits into the adjacent landscape,” said Design ni Dukaan.

“In the absence of a strong context, we relied on the client’s brief to inspire the design, but his complete disinterest in how the house would look from the outside prompted us to question the very basis of built forms,” it continued. “This caused a shift in our perception that resulted in an inside-out approach to the design, wherein the experience of space from within took precedence over the external form.”

Wide shot of the exterior of the Enclosure concrete house complex by Design Ni Dukaan — The enclosing wall curves towards the main entrance

Two concrete walls curve towards a main entrance that is covered by a concrete canopy and leads to a central courtyard space.

The kitchen, formal living and dining room, secondary kitchen and dining room, two main bedroom suites and three additional bedroom suites are arranged around this central open space.

Set back from the courtyard are two additional bedroom suites, a gym and a lounge room next to an outdoor swimming pool.

Covered concrete walkway with a swing seat in front of an opening the the wall that overlooks a courtyard — A covered walkway separates interior spaces from the outdoor courtyard

A covered walkway creates a buffer between the outdoor courtyard and indoor spaces, protecting the interior from the harsh tropical sun and hot winds while letting in natural light and ventilation.

Design ni Dukaan added “frames” throughout the home, including a swing seat placed by a large opening that overlooks the courtyard.

At three points in the home, volumes rise above the height of the enclosing wall to second-floor level and accommodate an artist’s loft, attic room for the family’s grandson and a water tank.

“We imagined them as three sentinels in conversation, floating above a seamless sea of green once the vegetation had reclaimed the concrete,” said Design ni Dukaan.

A grass lawn and trees surrounded by a concrete home — Greenery was added to complement the concrete

The studio merged indoor and outdoor spaces using a material palette of textured concrete, white-plastered walls, Kota stone and greenery.

“When the vegetation eventually grows over this backdrop of grey, the boundaries between inside and outside will further dissolve and diminish any notion of form,” said Design ni Dukaan.

Double-height living space with concrete walls, wooden-framed windows and and opening leading to a courtyard lawn — The central courtyard lets natural light into the home

The texture of the concrete walls was created by unbolted wooden formwork and the imperfections in its finish informed material choices elsewhere in the house.

“The unpredictable but beautiful texture caused by the shifting and warping of unbolted wooden formwork was fascinating,” said the studio.

“We decided to embrace these ‘anticipated imperfections’ as part of the construction process, even extending this choice to the use of other materials such as the flooring in the corridors, which utilises strips of leftover stone from the interiors to mimic the pattern of the concrete walls.”

A living room with polished concrete floors, wood-panelled walls and a grey L-shaped sofa — The home was designed to entertain guests

The neutral colours of the concrete, stone and white walls are punctuated by terracotta-coloured accents, including swimming pool tiles, seating and sculptural objects.

More playful colours were used in some of the bathrooms, which have monochrome green, blue or golden finishes.

Swimming pool with red pool tiles and timber decking in front of a white house — The studio added terracotta-coloured accents

The home was designed for the residents to entertain guests, with a formal lounge opening onto a lawn and a movie theatre in the basement. The house also has a mandir with a depiction of the deity Shreenathji engraved in black granite.

Other examples of concrete homes in India that use central courtyards to keep interior spaces cool in the hot summers include a house in Bharuch designed by Samira Rathod Design Atelier and a home in Chennai by Matharoo Associates.

The photography is by Ishita Sitwala, The Fishy Project.

Project credits:

Principal architect: Ar Veeram Shah
HVAC consultants: Anjaria associates
Structural consultants: Saunrachna Strucon Pvt
Contractor: Vastu Engineers

Reference

Open-plan kitchen and dining room with concrete flooring, wood kitchen island with seating and wood storage cupboards

Interior Design

Emily Sandstrom builds Sydney home extension from recycled materials

By Zarkon Group,08/03/2023

Australian architect Emily Sandstrom has transformed a run-down 1930s bungalow in Sydney by adding an extension that was partly built from demolition materials.

Sandstrom aimed to restore the home, which had been left untouched for decades, and celebrate its original features including picture rails and ceiling mouldings.

The architect demolished a small rear kitchen, outhouse and sunroom and reused the bricks and materials from the demolition to construct a 45-square-metre U-shaped extension, which accommodates an open-plan kitchen and dining space.

Two large sliding glass doors open out to a courtyard and let natural light into the kitchen extension.

Rear garden of a bungalow with brick steps leading to a patio and home extension — Demolished bricks were reused to build the extension

The U-shaped extension and courtyard were designed to provide a connection between indoor and outdoor entertainment areas.

According to Sandstrom, concrete flooring and overhanging eaves help to passively heat the home in winter and cool it in summer. Solar panels were also added to the home, meaning no additional heating or cooling systems were needed.

Kitchen with concrete flooring, wood ceiling and a large kitchen island with seating — Sandstrom aimed to create a connection between indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces

“The U shape in combination with the wide and curved eaves provides passive heating to the home during the winter months and shade during the summer,” Sandstrom told Dezeen.

“This in combination with a concrete floor for thermal mass, double glazing and high windows located for cross ventilation, means there is no need for additional heating and cooling systems.”

A large island with a countertop made from recycled Australian hardwood is the focal point of the kitchen, where a step down in floor level separates the “work zone” on one side of the island from the rest of the room.

“The kitchen was a particular focus in the design, and a strong central point of the home,” said Sandstrom.

Kitchen with concrete flooring, white brick walls and wood cabinets — A change in floor level separates the kitchen from the dining space

Informed by Japanese design and bathing rituals, the bathroom features a sunken bathtub that sits below floor level.

Timber decking covers the floors and conceals the drainage points for an overhead shower. Glass sliding doors lead to a small garden with an additional outdoor shower.

“[The bathroom] was designed to achieve an atmosphere of calm and seclusion, and the design captures many different outlooks into the garden and directs the eye away from the less ideal views,” said Sandstrom.

Bathroom with sunken bath, blue tiled walls and a window overlooking a garden — The bathroom features a sunken bathtub that overlooks a garden

Throughout the home, the architect removed carpets to uncover the original floorboards and restored original features, including stained glass windows, ornate ceiling mouldings, dark timber doors, trims and architraves.

Newly added joinery was designed to preserve the home’s skirting boards, picture rails and ceiling mouldings, as well as maintain the original scale and layout of the rooms.

A bedroom with wood floors and dark timber window frames and picture rails — The home’s original features such as ceiling mouldings and picture rails were maintained

Other homes recently completed in Australia that have been featured on Dezeen include an oceanside residence in Sydney that was transformed to suit a family of five and a home in Melbourne with interiors finished in timber, terracotta and rich jewel tones.

The photography is by Rohan Venn.

Reference

Architecture

SOM Builds a Community Hub with Heavy Timber

By Zarkon Group,22/03/2022

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

As spaces for gathering and discovery, libraries are made for exchange. Breaking away from tradition, the new Billie Jean King Main Library by SOM provides a welcoming and flexible environment for the diverse community of Long Beach, California. Showcasing new approaches to construction with the use of heavy timber, SOM designed the Billie Jean King Main Library to incorporate 80 percent of the natural material throughout. The result is an open, warm and inviting community hub that embraces the public.

The first Long Beach library was founded in 1896 in a room adjoining the City Council office. Three years later the library moved into City Hall next to Pacific Park, and in 1909, a new Carnegie library opened near the location of the present Main Library. In 1915 Pacific Park was renamed Lincoln Park.

For more than six decades, the Main Library in Lincoln Park served the public, but a growing collection combined with a fire in the 70s made the construction of a new library a necessity. In 1976 a new Main Library opened, and on September 21, 2019 the City of Long Beach unveiled the new Billie Jean King Main Library at the corner of Broadway and Pacific. Inside and with abundant natural light, visitors are invited to experience the warmth surrounded by wood.

With its name that pays homage to the famed athlete and Long Beach native, the Billie Jean King Main Library is adjacent to Lincoln Park, a local landmark. The library was imagined as a pavilion within the new park, welcoming people inside from all parts of the city. It was made to serve as a traditional library and a modern, technology-focused hub for the community. SOM outlines that while there was a tight budget, the open interiors incorporate multi-use, flexible spaces that allow visitors of all ages to participate in solo and collaborative activities.

Interior spaces are organized around a central, triple-story atrium for porosity and lightness. The building serves the city’s diverse population with a variety of spaces including group study rooms, independent work areas, and a technology-driven “makerspace” with a learning lab and 3D printers. An independently operated community center with meeting rooms and programs is also available for public use.

The library offers a rich program of activities, in which reading and browsing book stacks are only a part of the experience. For instance, the main level features sizeable open spaces dedicated to children’s literature and activities organized by age. Each space is designed for social interaction, play and learning, while computers, book collections and quiet reading areas are available for use on the second level.

Lounge spaces with views of Lincoln Park and the surrounding neighborhood are dispersed around the floorplate’s exterior perimeter. Beyond the program, the signature element of the library is the heavy timber structural system. Timber was selected for its light weight, architectural warmthand character.

The building is one of the few in Southern California that utilizes a heavy timber structural system, composed of renewable timber reinforced with steel and concrete where needed. Each material is employed in a hybrid system to optimize its respective properties. The library’s superstructure consists of glue-laminated timber girders and joists with plywood decking, highlighting the warmth and character of the building.

American ash, ideal for bending and turning, is used for interior decoration and furniture. It is strong and tough with distinctive grain, character and color. This type of timber is also generally straight-grained with a coarse uniform texture. Working together, Douglas fir was chosen for the superstructure, while the American ash was also used for the bottom layer, such as girders and joists. Not only did the team choose to celebrate the timber structure, but also expose most of the mechanical, electrical and fire safety systems.

By using timber, a lightweight material, the library could be built atop the existing structure of an underground concrete parking garage. Saving most of the extant concrete structure also allowed the design team to significantly cut down on material waste; the design reduces embodied carbon by 61 percent, compared with erecting a new parking garage and a conventional concrete building. “Our goal was to leverage the power of clear ideas, natural materials, and Southern California sunlight to create a bright, beautiful, and beloved new place for the people of Long Beach” noted Paul Danna, Design Partner.

After its completion, the Billie Jean King Main Library received LEED Platinum certification. The Library also won the Gold Award for the Best Social Infrastructure Project in 2016 and the Excellent Structural Engineering Excellence Award from the Southern California Structural Engineers Association in 2020.

The 93,500-square-foot library is part of the Long Beach Civic Center Master Plan, along with a new City Hall and Port of Long Beach Headquarters. SOM also designed the master plan to revitalize 22 acres of downtown Long Beach by creating a vibrant, mixed-use district and reactivating Lincoln Park. Today, the two-story timber building opens to visitors and the community while offering numerous activities that foster connection, learning, and collaboration.

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

Reference

builds

MONO architekten builds a tower of red-tinted rammed earth

areal am kronenrain: earth architecture in germany

mono architekten takes on a complex site

the observation tower over neuenburg am Rhein

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

a harmonious blend of architecture and agriculture

Sustainable Farming and Local Context

Spatial Considerations and Layout

Seamless Integration of Interior and Exterior

Environmental Adaptations

Of Architecture builds beachside home for surfer-and-artist couple

Design Ni Dukaan builds “citadel-like” concrete house in India

Emily Sandstrom builds Sydney home extension from recycled materials

SOM Builds a Community Hub with Heavy Timber

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