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Architecture

Vermilion Zhou Design Group Transforms ‘green massage’ into an Alice in Wonderland-Inspired Fantasy Forest

By Zarkon Group,19/11/2022

‘green massage’ Shanghai Madang Road store – Entering ‘green massage’ Madang Road, is like entering the “Rabbit Hole” in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Inspired by the Mad Hatter’s quote “There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery…”, your reality shrinks and shifts as you enter this fantasy forest. The process gradually disconnects your tired body from reality.

Architizer chatted with Creative Director Kuang Ming(Ray) Chou and Lighting Design Director Vera Chu at Vermilion Zhou Design Group to learn more about this project.

Architizer: This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?

Kuang Ming(Ray) Chou & Vera Chu: Massage services are very common in China, but the experience space always looks similar. We tried to jump from the typical oriental design and based on the brand thinking, with a new way to give the consumer a different atmosphere to experience massage service in every “green massage” space. In the end, to relax and treat every tired body and soul.

What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?

“green massage” is a chain brand based in Shanghai that has many experience spaces, some being very close to each other. The client’s demand was to keep the same brand DNA and exploring new customers.

“green massage” Madang Road is located in “THE ROOF”, the architecture was designed by Jean Nouvel, and the architecture attracts many people who visit. But “green massage” is on the second underground floor, we have to stand out to attract consumers. That’s why we create the “rabbit hole” entrance. “Curiosity”, and “exploratory” to the new consumers, also a freshness to members.

What drove the selection of materials used in the project?

“green massage” is on the second underground floor so the humidity is a problem, and also fire prevention is what we are concerned about. And we still want guests to feel relaxed in the whole environment, so the material must be the sense of soft, even visual.

What is your favorite detail in the project and why?

The rippling shape of the ceiling in the reception area, which seems the story’s preface, leads people to enter the story.

In what ways did you collaborate with others, and were there any team members or skills that were essential in bringing this Award winning project to life?

We intend to create a fantasy space based on our concept, so we choose “Nan Paper Art” as our collaborator. The paper material gives a soft sense that can fit our design and also can be malleable to make a huge size floral garden.

And this is the first time that their creations added lighting design, for them that’s a new inspiration, and for us is a great experience to enrich the whole design.

Were any parts of the project dramatically altered from conception to construction, and if so, why?

Even though not everything is so satisfactory from conception to construction, embracing change and figuring out the solution is the designer’s mission. Finally, we are so lucky to have good results.

How have your clients responded to the finished project?

In the beginning, the client has their concern, but eventually, they trust our profession. The result shows the consumers, the actual space users had very good feedback and increased the business.

What key lesson did you learn in the process of conceiving the project?

We have to believe what we do, dig into who is the actual user in every space then provide their actual need.

How do you believe this project represents you or your firm as a whole?

The design concept is the matter, every design is a new breakthrough, to observe, find out the key problem then solve them. The lighting design in this project was involved in the very early design phase, and it become the key design tone.

Team Members

Creative Director｜Kuang Ming(Ray) Chou, Interior Design｜Garvin Hung, Yue Hu, Reykia Feng, Chang Song Li, Yu Xuan Li, Ming Rui Gao, Lighting Design｜Vera Chu, Chia Huang Liao, FF&E Design｜Wan Lu Yang, Video｜Ming Shi, Ting Ho, Photographer｜Yunpu Cai,

Consultants

Nan Paper Art

For more on ‘green massage’ Shanghai Madang Road store, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.

‘green massage’ Shanghai Madang Road store Gallery

Reference

Architecture

The New Venture X Office by Studio+ Is a Masterclass in What Makes a Co-Working Space Great

By Zarkon Group,14/10/2022

When Studio+ began designing the new office space for Venture X, the firm asked itself the question: “What makes a co-working space great?”

Studio+ figured that inspiring creativity in a workplace takes more than luxurious finishes and the right furniture but requires above all an understanding of the psychology behind great work. The firm took notes from the Venture X team — who have designed and built over 50 facilities around the world — and translated their lessons into a design that is both fresh and homey.

Technical Details: An Architect’s Guide To Level Thresholds

By Zarkon Group,10/10/2022

Emma Walshaw is the founder of First In Architecture and Detail Library. She has written a number of books aiming to facilitate a better understanding of construction and detailing. First In Architecture is a website providing resources and guides for architects and students.

Level thresholds can be very difficult to detail, with many standard details always showing a 150 mm step between the finished floor level and external ground level. However, level thresholds provide a future-proof solution to an aging population and ensure a building can be used and visited by everyone. They are also a very aesthetic solution to bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors.

Level thresholds are also a legal requirement for new build housing in the UK. This means that all external doors, front, rear and side, plus any sliding, bifold, French or terrace doors, must provide a level entrance and exit. Although it is not a building regulation requirement in renovation projects, some councils may require level thresholds as a planning condition within extensive renovation projects.

Below we look at key considerations when designing level thresholds to ensure water does not enter the building.

Bienville House by Nathan Fell Architecture, New Orleans, LA, United States

Accessible / Level Threshold

An accessible threshold is defined as a threshold this is level or, if raised, has a total height of not more than 15 mm, a minimum number of upstands and slopes and with any upstands higher than 5 mm chamfered.

Building Regulation Requirements

For single new build properties, Building Regulation Part M4(1) and M4(2) must be met. This requires all access to the dwelling to be step free, including the entrance, garden and any terraces. For larger developments or flats, the local council may require 10% of units to meet Building Regulations Part M4(3), meaning the unit is fully adaptable to a wheelchair user.

Whilst these Building Regulations do not need to be met in the case of an extension, some Local Authorities, Building Control and/or Approved Inspectors may require the need to meet Part M4(1) within a planning approval condition, requiring entrances and exits to the house to be accessible.

Ground Floor Thresholds

LHS – In-situ concrete threshold drain built under the sill and pavers, pavers to be removable or inspection hatch to be provided at either end of the drain for cleaning and maintenance.

RHS – Aluminum threshold drain installed between pavers and sill with removable grill for inspection, drain with low level water entry of water infiltration between drain and sill.

There are various ways of designing a level threshold based on aesthetic, cost, structure, site conditions and location. However, there are a number of key features that all level thresholds should take into account.

Door — When specifying a door to be used in a level threshold, most manufacturers will state if the system is compliant with Part M of the Building Regulations. This guarantees that the element you step over is no more than a maximum 15 mm in height with no upstands of more than 5mm. Most sliding door manufactures provide frames with a completely level base frame. However, it is important to check the base frame of elements such as front and rear doors, especially in timber, as these will need special aluminum thresholds to be fully accessible.

Threshold Drainage — This is a building regulations requirement when designing this type of threshold. A drain can be installed between the sill and external landscaping flush with the level floor or hidden under the finishes. Many door manufacturers will even be able to provide a threshold drain for the door system chosen. This will help drain away any water near the drain as well as water which hits the door or glass and drains through the frame.

Threshold drain designed to clip into the aluminum sliding door system to drain both surface rain and rain hitting the glass and filtering through the window frame.

Waterproofing — Damp proof membranes should be draped up the door or window frame system at the point of the threshold. Water should be moved away from the threshold, by sloping eternal finishes away from the drain. To either side of the threshold, the damp proof course should be minimum of 150mm above ground level.

Key Points To Remember

The threshold — including the door frame — should not be more than 15 mm in height overall. Of these 15 mm, there should be a minimum number of upstands and slopes, with any upstands higher than 5 mm chamfered.
If the threshold is exposed to wind driven rain the landing can be up to 10 mm below the level of the sill if the sill is rounded or chamfered.
The external landing should have a fall ratio of between 1:40 and 1:60.
Ensure all water falls away from the doorway in a single direction.
Build a drainage channel between the landing and the threshold.
Ensure the channel discharges to a drainage system or land drainage such as a soakaway.

Timber Frame Key Considerations

LHS – Timber frame construction either side of threshold showing concrete slab construction and raised foundation blocks 150 mm above finished floor level, with threshold drain.

RHS – Level threshold with drain

Usually when designing for a timber frame structure, the timber frame should begin 150 mm above the ground level. This concept should be maintained when the ground level externally is level with the internal finish floor level. All the same considerations as above should be taken to account as well as the foundation or timber structure being raised 150 mm above the external ground level, usually 150 mm higher than the internal finished floor level.

Raised Terrace

Another way of preventing water ingress at this critical junction is to use a raised terrace such as paving slabs on pedestals. Whilst this is the best option if you have a raised terrace area, it is also used when the garden level is lower that your internal ground floor level, such as with a beam and block construction. Further details can be found in the following section.

Level Balcony and Terrace Thresholds

When designing a level threshold onto a raised terrace or balcony, even more care needs to be taken to assure that water does not enter the building fabric.

When creating a level threshold over a heated space, care needs to be taken when setting the internal finish floor level and ceiling level to allow for the new insulation. Many people opt for vacuum insulation to this area to allow for a reduced terrace build-up.

Adjustable pedestals can be used to bridge the gap between the level pavers or timber deck with the sloped flat roof. The gaps between the deck material is also key in allowing the water to drain through to the roof and the roof outlet.

Key Points To Remember

The threshold including door frame should not be more than 15mm in height overall. Of these 15mm, there should be a minimum number of upstands and slopes, with any upstands higher than 5mm chamfered.
The gap between door sill and paving or timber to be a minimum of 10mm.
The gap between paving or timber to be a minimum of 6mm.
Flat roof to have 1:40 falls for a 1:80 minimum built slope.
Ensure all water falls away from the doorway in a single direction.
Build a drainage outlet on the opposite side of the flat roof to the threshold.
Ensure the flat roof has an overflow.
Ensure all waterproofing has a minimum of 75mm upstand under the threshold.
Provide a minimum 150mm waterproofing upstand to sides such as brickwork.

Bienville House by Nathan Fell Architecture, New Orleans, LA, United States

Resources

If you want more inspiration on level thresholds, detailing and precedents, be sure to follow Detail Library on Pinterest where we have lots of examples.

For more information on how to detail level and accessible thresholds check out the fully resolved details on The Detail Library.

Top image: Canyon Run by Migration Studios, Concept

The Fourth Annual One Drawing Challenge is open for entries! Architecture’s most popular drawing competition is back and bigger than ever, including larger prizes. Get started on your submission and hurry — the Main Entry Deadline of October 21st is fast-approaching.

Reference

Architecture

A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Drawing Architectural Lighting Plans

By Zarkon Group,06/10/2022

Enter the One Drawing Competition

Are you interested in improving your architectural drawing technique? Follow along as the Founder of 30X40 Design Workshop and One Drawing juror Eric Reinholdt designs and draws an architectural lighting plan showing the necessary fixture types, switching, receptacle locations and all electrical devices and equipment. Designing such details in coordination with the other essential building systems — architectural, structural, mechanical and plumbing — affords the architect more control in the final outcome by anticipating how these systems will work in conjunction with invisible elements such as beams, ductwork, vent stacks.

Drawing and overlaying each helps to identify conflicts on paper where it’s much more efficient and cost-effective to make changes. In this video, you’ll see how the abstract concepts of ambient, task and accent lighting are accounted for and applied in a real-world design of a remote, off-the-grid residential project in Maine, USA.

Want to get your drawings in front of industry experts like Eric Reinholdt? Consider entering architecture’s biggest drawing competition, which Eric will judge along with other architectural figures such as Bob Borson, Dan Hogman and more!

Eric Reinholdt is an architect, founder of the residential architecture practice, 30X40 Design Workshop, author of Architect + Entrepreneur, innovator of progressive practice models, and the creator of the eponymous YouTube channel, 30X40 Design Workshop. From his remote island studio, Erc makes videos about architecture, designs simple, modern homes, and shares his process online.

Reference

Architecture

ADEPT Creates a New Identity for the Aarhus School of Architecture: NEW AARCH

By Zarkon Group,12/09/2022

The intentional simplicity of the NEW AARCH design by ADEPT is a detailed response to the Aarhus School of Architecture’s need for functional and robust spaces. The completed building allows the tutors to experiment with new and contemporary ways of architecture education while, at the same time, providing a stronger spatial identity that matches the ambition of being one of the best architecture schools in Europe.

Architectural Details: GOA’s Perfectly Perforated Pyramidal Roof

By Zarkon Group,04/09/2022

How can architecture be a force for good in our ever-changing world? During Future Fest, we’ll pose this question to some of the world’s best architects. Launching in September, our three-week-long virtual event will be 100% free to attend. Register here!

Amid a swampy plain in Suzhou, China, one can see a series of glowing pyramids peeking through a grove of metasequoia trees. (A native deciduous variety also known as dawn redwoods, the fast-growing trees are among the shorter in their genus, although no less beautiful with their pyramidal-shaped profiles.) The newly constructed Restaurant of Metasequoia Grove, designed by GOA (Group of Architects), draws inspiration from these plants to create an unusual building profile for the restaurant typology. The building is part of the Wujiang Beautiful Village plan that focuses on the rural revitalization of the surrounding Zhongjiadang area, which aims to encourage tourism and promote local culture. Inspired by the local flora, this restaurant and banquet hall is just the first step in this development.

The idea of the scheme is to make it a part of nature to heighten the dining experience for the user. “Water, sky and buildings constitute a background picture,” the team said. “The new restaurant will not only provide people with a place to enjoy the scenery, but it will also become a landscape embellished on the coastline.”

The nature-forward design of the restaurant takes a lot of inspiration from the site itself. The site’s northern edge is flanked by farmland and trees and the southern side is surrounded by water. The conical shapes of metasequoia trees around are abstracted into pyramids of different heights and widths to create something akin to a geometric forest. “Three different scales of modules mix and cluster together, forming a continuous canopy structure that traces an artificial forest profile within nature to simulate the natural substances’ generative process,” the firm said.

The total height of the roof canopy is just below forty feet. Each of the pyramidal forms is topped with a skylight to allow more natural light to enter the structure. The outer layer of these modules is covered in diagonal lines and a stippled pattern that recreates the texture of the metasequoia trees. Additionally, this perforated aluminum surface is layered with glass underneath and supported using grilled wood panels. This arrangement allows warm light to shine through the perforations during the night, much like a cluster of fireflies peeking through dense foliage. The contextual vision of this design has cemented its position in this year’s A+Awards gallery with both the Popular and Jury votes in the Restaurant category.

Despite the different heights on top, the lower end of the roof is evenly lowered by about nine feet to create a crisp frame of the view around. “Standing under the eaves and looking out, the vastness and tranquility of the plain wetlands seem to be included in the picture scroll,” GOA explained. The underside of the roof is also free of vents, which are in turn placed at the ground level along the glass windows, to create a disruption-free experience.

In order ensure maximum visual impact, GOA has used just ten load-bearing columns within the structure. These larger columns are combined with three slender columns. On the periphery, they have restricted the number of columns to just 11 to create unobstructed views of the water beyond. The team has used full-length single bay glass windows to envelop the main dining area.

In addition to eliminating partition devices, the team has further blurred the boundaries between the structure and site around by using the same paving materials within the restaurant and the terrace that extends outwards. The terrace also includes a planned water body, closer to the natural water body, which creates a continuous line of vision when sitting inside.

Understanding the interaction between architecture and its environment has always been a priority for GOA. They believe that architecture has the potential to redefine the way a location is perceived and can have a long-lasting impact on its growth and use. This restaurant design stays true to the firm’s idea of creating a landscape as opposed to a structure. Its true immersion into the site promises a tranquil sanctuary where visitors can disconnect and take in the mesmerizing waters and woods.

Reference

Architecture

Koichi Takada Architects’ Latest Tower Is Creating Major Waves on Australia’s Golden Coast

By Zarkon Group,19/08/2022

Nestled between beloved Surfers Paradise and chill Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads is a small suburb on Australia’s famed Golden Coast, known for its crowd-drawing surf breaks and iconic towering pine trees. In recent years, a hip dining scene has emerged, reflecting how the area’s popularity has grown. Now, there is a need for more multi-residential developments has increased to help house the growing influx of locals and visitors alike. For the first time in the area in three decades, a multi-residential development has gone up, taking the name of Norfolk, Burleigh Heads.

The iconic luxury apartment building gets both its name and from the heritage Norfolk pine trees found around the site, making a significant contribution to the unique features that set this area apart from the rest. “Just like their pinecones protect its seeds from bad weather and open when in ideal natural settings, Norfolk’s architecture can be adapted to protect residents from the elements or opened up to take in the 300 days of subtropical sunshine and stunning natural surroundings,” said the building’s visionary Koichi Takada Architects, a firm known for the diversity of their portfolio and imaginative willingness to push the bounds of architectural form.

Images by Scott Burrows

The 10-story building bagged both the Jury and Popular Choice A+Awards in the Multi-Unit Housing – Mid Rise category and for a good reason. It makes a statement, challenging how we imagine multi-residential towers, while staying true to the unique features that make the site special. Fanned balconies, a ribbed spine and endless views are just a few other elements that make it special. Its organic form allows it to be a spectacle from every angle and makes it seem like it will take flight. And while its geometry sets it apart, its neutral beige hue helps tie it to the beachy surroundings.

Large open balconies and maximized exterior surfaces allow more natural light to enter the building and increase the resident’s connection with the outdoors. Instead of being stacked uniformly on top of one another, the floating balcony slabs all vary in shape and are strategically overlapped to create additional shade and privacy for the homes below. Imitating the Norfolk pine, their sides are covered in slatted screening to create additional privacy. One can see that these floating slabs are also tapered at the edges and extend beyond the glass balustrade, making them seem even lighter and reflect natural light further into the homes.

Image by Scott Burrows

Cementing the relationship with nature, the architects have also added a spine to the building that curves inwards and allows the blades of the balconies to connect together like ribs. This provision creates shade in the summer, enhancing privacy while also allowing those inside to get glimpses of the ocean. The sides of the building also have slatted screens arranged in a diagonal pattern across the balconies to break up vertical lines and add some dynamism. Since these diagonal panels are movable, the façade is constantly changing are creating new patterns, further reflecting the ever-changing qualities of nature.

Images by Scott Burrows and Tom Ferguson

The structure holds fifteen apartments and a part of two-level penthouses with private rooftops. Making it even more enticing to residents is the inclusion of a gym, outdoor pool and sauna. While all the apartments have generous light and ventilation, the north-facing homes have an unhindered 180-degree view of the ocean. The living, dining and kitchen areas spill out into the large balconies. The southern end of the building holds the en-suite bedroom. There are two additional rooms in the center of the floor as well. Natural timber floors used within the home extend to the balconies as well and create a clear visual connection with the sandy shore beyond. The interior spaces of these homes, fashioned by Mim Design, build on the natural tones found on the exterior of the building to create a cozy coastal home.

Reference

Architecture

This Danish Firm Took Rainwater-Damaged Walls and Made Interactive Green Spaces

By Zarkon Group,11/08/2022

This is the story of an apartment building in Frederiksberg, Denmark, which was often called one of the ugliest buildings in the neighborhood over the past few decades. Its continuous concrete balconies and a stark grey façade might have been associated with efficient rental architecture when it was designed by Ole Hagen Arkitekter in the 1960s, but in the 2000s, it came across as cold and isolated. Over the years, residents became plagued with rainwater-damaged walls and constant nuisance from the heavy traffic on the street beyond.

Now, the old concrete edifice has been transformed into a spectacular award-winning building that has earned praises from both the locals and the government and stands as a source of inspiration for those with new visions to transform old buildings. In an interview with Renover Denmark, residents said that they now felt proud to call this building a home. So how did this dramatic transformation come to pass?

Instead of just addressing the water damage, Tegnestuen LOKAL came in with a vision to turn the existing façade of Ørsted Gardens into an interactive green space. “The main idea with the Ørsteds Haver project is to create a holistic environmental, social and architectural counterpoint to the pragmatic renovations that are carried out all over the country, and which often have a one-sided focus on energy,” they explain. This approach is one of the reasons that the building swept the Architecture +Renovation category in the 10th Annual A+Awards.

The idea was to create an environment that catalyzed random interactions, in turn generating new friendships between neighbors — which may sound idealistic, but has proven successful according to local residents. In addition to addressing the needs of future inhabitants, the design also takes into account the passersby and their experience of the building as they walk by it. The studio achieved this feat by creating triangular semi-private spaces to replace the older balconies. The system uses a mechanism similar to shelves where these boxes are fitted into the existing concrete structure. The bays on the bottom support the ones on the stop. Tension bands have been placed around to building to ensure that the additions don’t fall outwards.

These triangles are angled with glass on one side and a slatted screen on the other. The modules are staggered to break up a monotonous surface and also create space for planters within the gaps. Furthermore, the fifty small gardens also bleed into the interiors with small soil patches inside where residents have the option to plant their own saplings within these nooks. This helps them customize the space the way they would want it and introduces subtle differentiation between the modules. These bays also have openable glass panels to ensure that the space can be used through the different seasons. Another advantage is that this system acts as a buffer and dampens some of the noise from the busy street below.

The small gardens set between these balconies are made of welded steel boxes that come from the manufacturer and are placed directly into these gaps. They have an automatic irrigation system as well as spouts to ensure that the excess water from the garden falls directly into the garden below, indirectly enabling them to water themselves.

Introducing a social dimension to the building was more important to the studio than simply focusing on an energy-efficient model. “Energy renovations are effective from an economic and environmental point of view, but in their basic substance they do not take a critical view of the architecture being renovated,” they said. “Often, the architecture is simply repeated, without regard to the quality of the original project, and this unfortunately results in buildings with both poor social and environmental attributes being renovated solely with a better operating economy as the primary success criterion.”

Sustainability stands at the core of design decisions today. However, new additions might not solve the problems of current structures that consume too much power, have bad ventilation systems, don’t work with natural light and more. Additionally, the older buildings might not meet the changing needs of their residents. Think about the past two years; being locked at home during the pandemic has reminded people across the world of the importance of human contact, face-to-face conversations and the need to connect with nature for mental and physical wellbeing.

Finding innovative ways to radically transform current buildings is something many architects will have to look into in addition to planning new net zero energy homes and offices. In instances where building-level renovations might be impossible, there are still many opportunities to retrofit water collection, solar generation, green systems or spaces that boost connectivity into the outer envelope of the building that can dramatically change how the building functions and also contribute to the wellbeing of those using it. One single project might not change the world but it sure can make a difference one community at a time.

“If we want to achieve a sustainable future, we cannot rely on only building sustainable buildings going forward. We need to have a visionary method of transforming and adapting existing buildings to meet our changing needs,” said the firm.

Reference

Architecture

From the Top: 7 Way Statement Ceilings Can Add an Architectural Punch

By Zarkon Group,04/07/2022

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Late Entry Deadline of July 22nd. Get started on your submission today!

One thing that ties together the Sistine Chapel, The Peacock Room and The Romanian Athenaeum is their majestic ceilings. These buildings are proof that these surfaces can serve a purpose beyond just holding light fixtures. However, excessive embellishments and traditional techniques can look out of place in contemporary homes or restaurants. Below are just a few modern alternatives that ensure that the ceiling takes center stage.

Bella Italia Weine by Ippolito Fleitz Group – Identity Architects, Stuttgart, Germany

Gallery walls are a common occurrence in the Pinterest home décor search results. Another trend is creating a composition of mirrors featuring different design styles to create interest and play with the dimensions of the space. One interpretation of this trend is to adapt it to the horizontal plane or the celling of a room.

This approach is showcased in the Bella Italia Weine in Stuttgart. 90 different mirrors obtained from several rummage sales are mounted on the ceiling, ranging from large rectangular framed ones to decorative handheld mirrors. One of them even features hanging crystal lights to replicate a chandelier. They create broken reflections of the activity below and also imitate the comfort and intimacy offered by the home-style cuisine served here.

ARKHE Beauty Salon by Moriyuki Ochiai Architects, Chiba, Japan

While a sculpture can enhance the look of any space, turning an entire element of architecture into a sculpture can leave a significantly stronger impact. Using different materials, textures and forms in ceilings can create a captivating effect, reflect light in new ways and also help give dimension to an otherwise plain space. In ARKHE Beauty Salon, the firm uses strips of recycled aluminum curled and twisted over and over again on the entire surface to create almost a fluid composition. The firm wanted to replicate the movement of water and the lightness of the hair. The reflection of light on the metal’s surface also mimics the visual of light falling on the surface of the ocean.

Zafar Dental Office by ReNa Design, Tehran, Iran | Images by Reza Najafian

Zafar Dental Office is a great example of how even subtle introductions in a space can make a big difference. Here, they have used small cutouts in the ceiling to hold lights, much like simple cuts in a sheet of paper. These cuts have both sharp profiles as well as sinuous curves. The form is then continued n shelves and seating throughout the space to unify the design. This proves that even small changes in lighting design and geometry can create interest in spaces where it is difficult to add color or protrusions either due to the nature of the function or lack of height.

Over View by FreelandBuck, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Art has been shown to be a successful way of decorating ceilings throughout history. It compels people to stop and look up, changing the way they use and perceive space. Taking this one step further, using optical illusions on the horizontal pain can not only trick people into believing there is a 3D form instead of a plane but also create movement. This helps create the perception of greater floor height as well. Over View, an installation composed of printed textile pieces, transforms the lobby of the Carnegie Library into a Renaissance-era spectacle. When seen from the center of the room, it appears to have depth and go higher. When seen from other angles, it looks as if it is protruding toward the floor.

Tsujita by SWeet Co, LTD, Los Angeles, California

Being able to look at clouds when dining can make for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. But outdoor dining can also be challenging when grappling with uncertain weather. Interior decorators have often tried to bring the outdoors in by painting murals on walls and ceilings or bringing in greenery. This technique can be altered to better fit fine dining establishments by using a more abstract version of natural elements to add more whimsy. In Tsujita, 25,000 wooden sticks of different lengths are used to create the imagery of clouds. This image changes when seen from different angles due to the space between the sticks.

:PM Club by MODE, Sofia, Bulgaria

Vaults and domes have been significant structural elements in religious and cultural buildings throughout history. Now, we can see modern versions in interiors that are purely aesthetic. It can be done by padding beams to create vaulted tops or using wooden panels to add curves to flat surfaces. Another way to add dimension is by using hexagonal and pentagonal forms to create geometric domes as in :PM. The panels also diffuse the color-changing lights placed in this arrangement. This technique combines the charm of conventional domes with the grandeur of chandeliers.

Banq by Office dA, Boston, Massachusetts

There has been an emergence of designs that allows floors, walls and ceilings to blend into one another. Pirogovka Appartment does so by allowing paint from the walls to crawl up the ceiling and floor and a bakery in Oporto continues vertical panels from the wall as swooping curves on the ceiling. Banq in Boston uses wooden slats to create a contouring canopy that continues upwards from the columns. This system also serves an additional function of concealing the old mechanical and structural systems from the previous design. The design also features a wine storage area in the center that becomes a part of this system.

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Late Entry Deadline of July 22nd. Get started on your submission today!

Reference

Architecture

Free Webinar: How to Photograph Iconic Architecture (and Avoid Clichés!)

By Zarkon Group,01/07/2022

Send us a photo. Tell us a story. Win $2,500! Architizer’s 3rd Annual One Photo Challenge is underway with a Late Entry Deadline on July 15, 2022! Start your entry for architecture’s biggest photography competition here.

We’re excited to reveal our second architectural photography webinar of the year — and you’re invited! Join Architizer’s Architecture Editor Hannah Feniak on Tuesday, July 12th at 1pm ET, as she chats with renowned photographer Paul Clemence about the challenges and opportunities involved in shooting iconic architecture.

Oscar Niemeyer. Zaha Hadid. Le Corbusier. Louis Kahn. The works of these renowned architects are among the most photographed in the world, and it’s no surprise given the striking forms and classic silhouettes of their buildings. That said, once a building has been captured in a million photographs, its image can start to feel repetitive. How can we reframe iconic architecture in new and unexpected ways? Which perspectives of these buildings have not yet been caught on camera? Is it possible to change perceptions of the world’s most famous buildings by photographing them in unconventional angles and unusual light?

As the 3rd Annual One Photo Challenge approaches its exciting climax, award-winning photographer and competition juror Paul Clemence will join us to explore answers to some of these questions. We’ll look back at some of the best images of iconic architecture from last season’s competition, and explore the ways in which photographers can help us see these familiar structures in a new light.

By attending this talk, you’ll learn:

How to look for new and interesting angles when photographing iconic architecture
How composition and lighting can completely change the way in which a famous building is viewed
How Paul capture the works of renowned architects around the world

About Paul Clemence

Paul Clemence is an artist, photographer, writer and filmmaker focusing on expressing the subjective and poetic side of Architecture. His work has been widely published and he exhibits in events like Venice Biennale, ArtBasel/Design Miami. “Architecture Photography”, aka ARCHI-PHOTO, his Facebook page, is a worldwide social media phenomenon, with more than one million followers worldwide. Trained as an architect, he is originally from Brazil and is now based in Brooklyn, NY.

About Hannah Feniak

Hannah Feniak is Architizer’s Architecture Editor. When she’s not leading our talented team of writers and interviewing the industry’s most innovative designers, Hannah is likely to be found exploring the latest exhibition openings. A trained art historian and educator with a focus on architecture and urbanism, Hannah holds degrees from McGill University in Montreal and NYU.

Reference

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The New Venture X Office by Studio+ Is a Masterclass in What Makes a Co-Working Space Great

Technical Details: An Architect’s Guide To Level Thresholds

Accessible / Level Threshold

Building Regulation Requirements

Ground Floor Thresholds

Key Points To Remember

Timber Frame Key Considerations

Raised Terrace

Level Balcony and Terrace Thresholds

Key Points To Remember

Resources

A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Drawing Architectural Lighting Plans

ADEPT Creates a New Identity for the Aarhus School of Architecture: NEW AARCH

Architectural Details: GOA’s Perfectly Perforated Pyramidal Roof

Koichi Takada Architects’ Latest Tower Is Creating Major Waves on Australia’s Golden Coast

This Danish Firm Took Rainwater-Damaged Walls and Made Interactive Green Spaces

From the Top: 7 Way Statement Ceilings Can Add an Architectural Punch

Free Webinar: How to Photograph Iconic Architecture (and Avoid Clichés!)

About Paul Clemence

About Hannah Feniak

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