light Archives

Snøhetta designs compostable hemp light Superdupertube

Norwegian studio Snøhetta has teamed up with lighting brand Ateljé Lyktan to create Superdupertube, an office lamp made from extruded hemp and sugarcane bioplastic.

The design is a contemporary update of Ateljé Lyktan‘s Supertube – an office light from the 1970s made from extruded aluminium.

Hemp lamp by Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan — The Superdupertube is a modern take on the Supertube lamp

“[The Supertube] had finished production in 2010 or something like that, so it was iconic but sort of forgotten,” Snøhetta partner Jenny B Osuldsen told Dezeen. “And it’s a tube. It’s not rocket science but it is what you need for a smart lamp in an office.”

“We really loved it and think it has a lot of possibilities, so we wanted to upgrade it to a new level,” she added.

Tubular hemp lamp — It is made from hemp and can be industrially composted. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

The extrusion technique for the original lamp was developed in the 1960s, and Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan decided to create a lamp that would nod to the original design.

However, the aim was to lower the carbon footprint of the lamp by choosing the most sustainable material possible.

View of compostable lamp made from hemp — Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan chose to use hemp as the material is renewable and durable

The studios played around with multiple different materials before settling on the hemp bioplastic, which was used to form Snøhetta’s first office lighting design.

Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan first worked together on The 7th Room, a charred-timber cabin suspended among the treetops in northern Sweden, for which they also collaborated on the lighting design.

Detailed view of Superdupertube lamp — The lighting features twisted louvres. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

“When we were doing The 7th Room project up in northern Sweden, everything was in pine and there were lots of pine cones,” Osuldsen said.

“We wanted to find a product or material that isn’t used for anything else, so we started testing the use of pine cones by grinding them, but it didn’t work.”

“The fibres in the cones are too short,” said Ateljé Lyktan product director Malin Gadd. “We also tried using coffee grounds but they are even shorter, so we realised quite quickly that we needed fibres that are long and strong.”

“That’s where the hemp fibres come into the picture,” she added.

Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan sourced the hemp used for the lights from the Netherlands, as the quality of the hemp from Swedish farmers “wasn’t quite there yet”, according to Gadd.

The Superdupertube light shown in an interior — Its shape is both extruded and injection-moulded

The hemp is mixed with a polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic derived from sugarcane, alongside wood cellulose and different minerals to create a fossil- and gas-free composite.

The material is then extruded to create the main body of the lamp, which also comprises injection-moulded louvres and side covers. To add to the organic feel of the light, its electric cables are covered with linen fabric.

“Hemp is an old cultural plant and it’s very easy to renew [by growing more],” Osuldsen said. “And it’s very durable.”

Fastening on hemp lamp by Ateljé Lyktan — Linen fabric covers the electric cable. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

The Superdupertube can be composted in an industrial composter or recycled and ground down into pellets to create more lamps.

However, this currently requires owners to send the lamps back to the producer, as the material cannot be processed in regular recycling centres.

Using the hemp bioplastic reduces the lamp’s carbon footprint by over 50 per cent compared to traditional aluminium variants, according to Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan.

Colour of Superdupertube — The Superdupertube comes in a natural colour. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

The dimmable Superdupertube features twisted louvres – an architectural detail that helps the light feel softer by angling the glare away.

“That’s why it’s a perfect workspace luminaire, it’s adapted to be better for the person sitting working and it’s also totally unique – it doesn’t exist on the market,” Gadd said.

The Superdupertube, which comes in four different lengths, has an organic beige colour with a natural pattern from the hemp and other ingredients.

Wooden wall behind Superdupertube lamp — It is the first time Snøhetta has designed an office lamp

“We didn’t really know how it would look,” Osuldsen said. “The material is the colour of the hemp. And, of course, there’s probably something from the sugarcane because it’s heated up. It’s burnt sugar in a way.”

“So we get this specific colour and that also means that all of them will be a little bit different,” she added. “It’s all about the crops; if it’s a wet year or a dry year, the humidity in the material will be a little bit different. That’s why it’s sort of alive.”

Other recent Snøhetta projects include a glass-lined library in China designed to look like a forest and a hexagonal paving system for urban landscapes.

The photography is by Jonas Lindstrom unless otherwise stated.

Reference

Interior Design

PSLab’s monochromatic Berlin showroom is a “sacred place for light”

By Zarkon Group,15/01/2024

A pared-back palette of raw materials creates a calm backdrop for PSLab’s lighting products inside the brand’s Berlin workshop and showroom space, designed in collaboration with Belgian firm B-bis architecten.

The newly opened studio occupies the ground floor and basement of a 1907 residential building in the city’s Charlottenburg district.

Entrance of PSLab's Berlin studio — PSLab has opened a new workshop and showroom in Berlin

PSLab, which designs and manufactures light fixtures for architectural projects, set out to create a showroom where customers can experience lighting effects in a home-like environment.

“PSLab is not a digital platform where clients pick and buy products,” the company’s founder Dimitri Saddi told Dezeen. “Therefore the physical space as a ‘home’ is most important for one-on-one communication.”

“In Berlin, as with all our studios, we wanted to design a canvas to show the quality of our light and to show the process of our bespoke design approach by integrating a material library of endless opportunities and possibilities.”

Library of materials inside lighting showroom by B-bis architecten — The space includes a materials library with a movable ladder

Working together with B-bis architecten, the design team looked to create a contemporary space that contrasts with Charlottenburg’s classical architecture whilst retaining references to common elements like colonnades, arches and symmetrical forms.

The entrance takes the form of a large zinc-and-glass sliding door that is set into the facade of the building on Niebuhrstrasse. Moving the door aside reveals a full-height opening that welcomes visitors into the studio.

Vase illuminated inside PSLab's Berlin studio — The interior was designed to present the brand’s lighting to its best advantage

Inside, a double-height space with a six-metre-high ceiling allows lighting products to be hung in various heights and configurations.

Arched openings on either side of the staircase void lead through to a garden room that looks onto a leafy courtyard. Daylight streams into the space through large windows to create a tranquil atmosphere.

The workshop space includes a materials library where visitors can touch and explore the physical qualities of the brand’s lighting products. A movable ladder provides access to items on the library’s upper rows.

The cosy basement level is a place for informal conversations with clients. A projector in this parlour space also allows the team to display the company’s extensive digital library.

Lounge inside lighting showroom by B-bis architecten — The basement serves as a cosy lounge

Throughout the studio, PSLab chose materials and finishes including lime wash, concrete, zinc and textiles that focus attention on how the space is lit rather than its architectural features to create a kind of “sacred place for light”.

“It is all about monochromatics and textures, which are specific to the location,” said Mario Weck, a partner at PSLab GmbH. “The atmosphere lets people focus on our approach.”

Llighting rig inside PSLab's Berlin studio — Gantries provide support for various light sources

On the ceiling of both the front room and garden room is a grey-steel gantry that helps unify the spaces whilst supporting various light sources as well as technical elements, much like on a theatre stage.

Furniture is mostly built in, with simple cushions providing casual seating while cylindrical wooden side tables and coffee tables offer somewhere to place a cup or catalogue.

Exterior of PSLab's Berlin studio — The showroom is set in Berlin’s Charlottenburg

PSLab has studios in Antwerp, Bologna, London, Stuttgart and Beirut, where the firm originated. For its UK headquarters, the company commissioned JamesPlumb to convert a Victorian tannery into a space that evokes the “quiet brutalism” of the former industrial building.

Previously, the lighting brand has collaborated with Parisian studio Tolila+Gilliland on the design of an Aesop store in London featuring felt-covered walls and slim black pendant lights.

The photography is by Nate Cook.

Reference

Sustainable News

Illuminating agriculture: UV light revolutionises rice farming

By Zarkon Group,13/11/2023

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

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

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

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

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

Written By: Anam Alam

Reference

Interior Design

Light and Air opens up Z House in Brooklyn to the outdoors

By Zarkon Group,19/09/2023

Local studio Light and Air has introduced a light-filled void at the centre of a Brooklyn townhouse as part of a major reconfiguration and extension project.

The home in the leafy Clinton Hill neighbourhood was bought by a family of four with roots in India and required a complete gut renovation to open up the spaces to the outside.

Townhouse rear extension with cube pale-brick volumes — The overhaul of Z House involved a significant rear extension, comprising cube volumes clad in pale brick

“They wanted a house that exhibited a strong connection to nature, featuring a more seamless integration between inside and out,” said Light and Air.

The project involved extending the building one level vertically, bringing its total number of storeys to four, as well as pushing it out significantly at the back.

Kitchen and dining area with oak millwork and pale brick wall — The brick continues into the kitchen and dining area on the lower floor

While the historic front facade was carefully restored, the rear elevation now presents as a contemporary stack of pale-brick cube volumes.

The interior was completely reorganized to allow sightlines between the original spaces, the new extensions and the outdoors.

Kitchen with brick walls, oak millwork and a central island — Oak millwork in the kitchen continues through the minimal interiors

The most dramatic change involved swapping the stacked staircase with a switchback configuration – a similar approach taken by the studio at another Brooklyn townhouse in 2018.

This arrangement allows for improved visual connections between the levels and gave the project its name, Z House.

Wooden staircase that leads to perpendicular white staircase above — Reconfiguring the house involved swapping the stacked staircase for a switchback arrangement from the parlour level to the top floor

In addition, an angled skylight was added above the staircase void, bringing in light all the way down to the parlour 40 feet (12 metres) below.

“Filled by light and air, the stair’s drama is heightened by the placement of large windows punctuating the rear facade, allowing the vertical space to open to the exterior,” said the studio.

Switchback staircase beside a corridor with wooden doors — A skylight over the staircase void brings light down into the home

Of the home’s four storeys, the lower levels are occupied by the public spaces including the kitchen, dining, living and media rooms.

The top two levels are reserved for the children’s rooms and the primary suite respectively. The uppermost floor also accommodates a home office and provides access to a roof terrace created by the rear extension.

“This private, elevated, exterior space offers a unique domestic experience not typically found in most Brooklyn rowhouses,” Light and Air said.

Interiors throughout are clean and minimal, with white walls and custom oak millwork, built-ins and furniture.

Bedroom with custom oak bed and built-ins — The primary bedroom on the top floor features a custom oak bed and built-ins

The pale brick of the rear facade is also expressed inside the double-height kitchen and dining area, which is open to the back patio.

“Located above the garden level addition is a green roof that buffers sightlines from the parlor floor, creating the effect of a floating garden beyond,” said Light and Air.

Historic townhouse facade in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn — The historic street facade of the Clinton Hill townhouse was also restored as part of the renovation

Founded by Shane Neufeld in 2017, the studio has completed a variety of interior design projects across New York City.

These include a Brooklyn apartment retrofitted with ample custom cabinetry and a spiral staircase and a Financial District loft where partitions were removed to create an open, inviting space.

The photography is by Kevin Kunstadt.

Reference

Interior Design

Studio Varey Architects celebrates natural light in Notting Hill house

By Zarkon Group,28/08/2023

London firm Studio Varey Architects has simplified this Victorian terraced house to create a light-filled home in Notting Hill, with timber-framed skylights designed to catch the sun.

Set in the Westbourne Conservation Area, Huron House has belonged to its current owners for the last 25 years.

Exterior of house in London by Studio Varey Architects — Huron House is a renovated Victorian terrace in west London

The overhaul of the 19th-century building started as a simple ground-floor renovation to replace the kitchen and improve the connection between the house and its garden.

However, exploratory works showed the four-storey property to be in bad structural condition, which demanded major improvement works but also gave the owners an opportunity to reimagine their period home.

Dining area of Huron House — Decorative oak beams frame the skylight in the extension

The new brief to Studio Varey Architects included a full house renovation and interior design, with special emphasis on the bathrooms as well as custom joinery and the rebuilding of the 1990s rear extension to create a new open-plan kitchen and dining room.

“Our goal was to create an open-plan living space and bring lots of natural light into the ground floor, helping it to feel more inviting and better suited to entertaining friends and family,” the studio told Dezeen.

Stairwell of house in London by Studio Varey Architects — A simple white staircase leads upstairs

The property sits on a rough east-west axis, giving it the potential to achieve great light levels throughout the day, with the sun moving from the back of the house in the morning to the front in the afternoon.

“We wanted to ensure this natural light was captured through the architecture and design of the spaces,” the studio said.

On the ground floor, Studio Varey Architects removed a structural post that supported the building but divided the back wall.

Bathroom with light well in Huron House — A skylight illuminates the top-floor bathroom

This has been replaced with a steel frame, which allowed the studio to introduce slimline aluminium sliding doors that now run along the whole back of the property.

An existing skylight in the flat roof here was enlarged and framed with oak beams, pulling more light into the centre of the hybrid kitchen-dining space.

“Natural light cascades into the back of the house, while the introduction of oak beams created a feature that plays with the light as it travels through the property,” the studio said.

The whole staircase was replaced and positioned further away from the home’s large rear windows, creating a lightwell funnels sun into the lower floors.

On the top floor, an existing bathroom was fully renovated. Situated in the middle of the top floor it featured no windows save for a small skylight, meaning that light levels were totally inadequate.

Here, Studio Varey Architects cut back the ceiling to create a multifaceted surface clad in birch plywood – its colour knocked back with a wash of soft white – to bounce light around the space.

Timber-clad light well in Huron House — The ceiling was cut back to allow more light into the interior

“We created a splayed ceiling that increased the height of the space, allowing for the playful integration of materials to emphasise the new angles,” the studio said.

“Naturally finished birch ply, leading from the skylight down into Tadelakt walls, beautifully captures sunlight creating a special warmth in the space.”

Living room of house in London by Studio Varey Architects — Oak forms bookcases in the sitting rom

White oak can be found throughout the house in the form of built-in joinery from bookcases and wardrobes, as well as in the feature beams of the extension.

“We wanted to simplify the material palette and keep it light, both in appearance and number of elements we used,” the studio said.

“This was done to emphasise the quality of the materials themselves, highlight the craftsmanship of the work and establish a visual link between the interior spaces throughout the home.”

Bedroom of house in London by Studio Varey Architects — Oak joinery features in the primary bedroom

Polished concrete, used for the floor at ground level, is underlaid with underfloor heating and provides a durable surface that is easy to clean for the owners after walking their dog.

Other recently renovated houses in London include Sunderland Road House by 2LG, which features pastel-painted corniced ceilings, and Graphic House by Office S&M, which is defined by graphic shapes and bold hues.

The photography is by Taran Wilkhu.

Reference

Architecture

Designing with Light: 6 Ways Architects Are Using Swisspearl’s Progressive Cladding Panels

By Zarkon Group,20/08/2023

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

We first understand architecture through it’s façade, the face that it presents to us. This first impression is deeply tied to the materials and building systems a structure is made of. As designers and architects collaborate with manufacturers and fabricators, they continuously reimagine what this “first impression” can be and how buildings perform. A global provider based in Switzerland, Swisspearl is a manufacturer known for rethinking cladding and façades. The company’s guiding principle is to develop and produce forward-looking, functional and aesthetically convincing designs with architects, craftspeople and building material suppliers.

The headquarters of today’s Swisspearl Group is located in Niederurnen, where one of the first production facilities for fiber cement was founded in 1903. For many years, Swisspearl has been developing products made of natural materials for use in building envelopes, interior design and landscapes. The company’s products from their workshops in Niederurnen and Payerne have shaped Swiss building culture and, over time, have been used in projects worldwide. Swisspearl became well-known for cement composite panels (formerly called fiber cement panels or fiber-reinforced cementitious panels) offered in a wide color range. The following projects highlight their panels and product innovations used in architecture worldwide.

Denver Botanic Gardens Science Pyramid

By EUA, Denver, CO, United States

This iconic Science Pyramid was inspired by nature. The team wanted the façade of the building to mimic the hexagonal structure of a honeycomb. The pyramid’s two peaks and 16 facets twist and turn towards the sky as if it was a result of the earth’s colliding tectonic plates. Located in the center of the gardens, the pyramid’s proportions are a inverse of the adjacent amphitheater, made to create harmony between the building and the surrounding landscape.

Faced with the task of designing a transparent pyramid, as specified in the competition brief, the architects of the winning competition entry drew their inspiration from the geological processes causing the ragged rock formations of the nearby mountain ridges. The envelope of the structure informed by a biological metaphor and features almost 500 dark gray, hexagonal Swisspearl panels interspersed with thirty photo-voltaic collectors and multiple windows and skylights.

US Land Port of Entry, Warroad MN

By Snow Kreilich Architects, Warroad, MN, United States

Snow Kreilich designed the Warroad Land Port of Entry to support the mission-driven demands of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The 40,108 square foot facility was conceived as a specific response to the vast open landscape along the Minnesota-Canadian border. In turn, its form reiterates the dominant horizon of the landscape while making reference to the East-West border. Inflected building forms facilitate intuitive use by visitors, the officer’s ability to survey the entire site, and vehicle access to secondary inspections.

Swisspearl was used along the building façade, along with cedar planks stained black. Surfaces that face inward, in contrast, are an auburn-colored cedar. The Warroad Land Port of Entry sets a new standard for remote, small ports in achieving the highest design standard for public buildings. While embracing CBP’s operational procedures and inevitably changing technologies, the design advances the dual mission to protect national security while facilitating trade and travel in a comfortable, efficient facility.

Davis-Harrington Welcome Center

By Dake Wells Architecture, Springfield, MO, United States

Dake Wells designed the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center as a new “front door” welcoming visitors to Missouri State University’s campus. The 13,000 square foot facility includes a two-story lobby and 100 seat presentation room to provide a multi-purpose venue for special events. Tasked by the University with providing a “signature piece of architecture”, the design solution was made to be both economical and monumental. The building program is arranged in a two-story scheme, placing administrative functions on an upper level in order to increase the building’s visual presence as it reinforces the campus edge.

The building enclosure combines a variety of materials in response to the surrounding campus context. The architects used a seemingly paper-thin layer of white Swisspearl panels to sheathe the fully glazed upper sections of the east and west façades. As the team explains, the latter extends slightly beyond the pointed corner of the building where the lower part folds slightly away to extend a welcoming gesture to visitors. Inspired by the pattern of a composition booklet, a seemingly random arrangement of circular perforations feeds dappled light into the atrium and allows views from the second-floor walkway.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

By Gensler, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

The design team wanted to transform Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens from an underused park to a vibrant center of activity for residents and visitors. By adding a new restaurant, open-air pavilion, bandshell and addition to the existing conservatory as well as redesigning the landscape, the design team set out to give the park new appeal. The buildings are linked through consistent geometry derived from the pure Euclidian form of the original botanical conservatory. The compositional elements that form the architectural language include single-story geometric forms, white cementitious panels, water-clear glass and extended overhangs.

Each structure has its own unique character informed by its distinct program. Swisspearl was used as siding for the project throughout. The restaurant is a perfect square, where cantilevered overhangs extend 18 feet on the west side to provide shade from the harsh summer sun. Twelve foot curved glass panels form the circular dining area. While the bandshell is a complex 3D sculptural and monumental form. Since the park’s grand re-opening, the new Myriad Botanical Gardens has added vitality to downtown Oklahoma City attracting visitors each year.

Kindergarten Cerkvenjak

By Superform, Municipality of Cerkvenjak, Slovenia

Desigend as a kindergarten is in the village of Cerkvenjak, this project is located in the center of the Slovenske Gorice region of Slovenia. The kindergarten was designed to be inseparably connected with the natural surroundings of the trees and playground equipment. The concept of the kindergarten is similar to its local surroundings with the rhythmic string of volumes and roofs. Because of this concept, the kindergarten does not surpass the scale of an individual house and gives the user — a child — a sense of home.

The architects drew the inspiration for this kindergarten from a nearby learning path running through the Slovenian village of Cerkvenjak. Intended to enrich the children‘s spatial experience, the hallway inside varies in width and each playroom unit boasts a unique, irregular and contorted shape. The design of the Swisspearl envelope support this idea. The kindergarten is a new program and function that upgrades the existing learning path. The result of using the principle of a learning path is a unique division and rhythm of the playrooms, where the kindergarten is closer to the scale of a child.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

By SPF:architects, Denver, CO, United States

SPF:architects took on the revitalization of the dormant Beverly Hills post office site to create a new performing arts center. Built on the historic site, the new project includes a 500-seat theater building connected via promenade and outdoor sculpture garden. The historic WPA building built in 1934 is repurposed to house a 120-seat studio theater, a café, gift shop, box offices, administration facilities and a 3-classroom theater school for children. Outside, a garden and courtyard connect the historic with the new building with direct visual connection to the shops and restaurants of downtown Beverly Hills.

Celebrating the history of the site, the skin is formed in copper-colored concrete panels. A 4 foot by 9 foot envelope-shaped panel is repeated across the façade. The result is an abstract textural pattern, engraved into the building skin. Made out of Swisspearl cement boards, the team redesigned the façade to alter the size and modulation of the gaps between panels, resulting in 30% savings in material. The plan preserves and celebrates the historic architecture, as well as affords the Center the opportunity to create a new, state-of-the-art, flexible performing arts facility with ample back-of-house amenities.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

Reference

Interior Design

Tile-clad Tokyo toilets are drenched in bright green and yellow light

By Zarkon Group,22/06/2023

Local studio I IN has renovated two toilets in a Tokyo shopping centre, using lights that “propose new colours for genders” to create vivid interiors.

The interior design studio completely renovated the two toilets, which are located on the restaurant floor of the shopping centre Shin-Marunouchi in Chiyoda City, Tokyo.

It began by wrapping both restrooms in white tiles to give them a clean feel that would also function as an unobtrusive background for the coloured lights.

Exterior of Tokyo colourful bathrooms — The bathrooms are marked by bright green and yellow light

“We used a mosaic tile by Dinaone that is made in the Tajimi area, which is famous for tile-making in Japan, and it has a special non-slip treatment on its surface,” I IN told Dezeen.

“We wrapped the space in tiles to express the feeling of cleanliness; we think public restrooms need to offer a sense of purity so that this whole space can be cleaned easily,” the studio continued.

“Our aim was also to create a continuous floor, wall and ceiling using one material so that people can experience entering an unrealistic space.”

Interior of yellow bathroom — Stainless-steel sinks contrast white tiles inside

The all-white interior was then enhanced by hidden light fixtures that colour the female bathroom entirely yellow, while the male bathroom is all green.

“The main aim was to propose new colours for genders,” the studio said.

“The universal toilet signage is usually red and blue – we wanted to bring them closer together. In rainbow colours, which define diversity, yellow and green are next to each other.”

Green bathroom interior in Tokyo by I IN — The bathrooms are located in the Shin-Marunouchi building

The colours of the toilets can be changed for seasonal events, but will otherwise remain yellow and green.

The studio also designed sinks especially for the toilets, in which almost all the functions are hidden away to help create tidy spaces with a futuristic feel.

“We used silver metal – stainless steel – to create original sink designs for both the women’s and the men’s room,” I IN said.

“Here, you do not see typical equipment such as faucets, soap dispensers and hand dryers; these are designed inside the counters but you can easily find and use them,” it added.

“As the space is all about new restroom experiences, we designed a new experience for washing hands as well.”

Green toilet exterior in Chiyoda Tokyo — The spaces were designed to be “extraordinary”

I IN collaborated with architecture and engineering studio Mitsubishi Jisho Design on the design.

The studio hopes that the washrooms will create a memorable experience for visitors.

“The sensation of being saturated by the color of light transforms all elements of the restroom experience into something extraordinary, leaving a powerful lasting impression on the visitor,” the studio concluded.

I IN was longlisted for emerging interior design studio of the year at Dezeen Awards 2022 and has previously overhauled a 1980s apartment in Tokyo to give it an understated luxury feel.

The photography is by Tomooki Kengaku.

Reference

Architecture

byró restores authenticity & infuses light into barn in czech republic

By Zarkon Group,23/04/2023

BYRÓ restores blacksmith barn

A reconstruction of a reconstruction, Blacksmith Barn by BYRÓ revives a deteriorating cottage in the quiet valley in Pošumaví, Czech Republic, back to its original value. With a sustainable approach and respect for the site’s natural surroundings, the architectural office utilized local resources to uplift and connect the former blacksmith’s workshop and home. Further, the interior of the adjoining, relatively well-preserved wood and brick barn has been opened up and illuminated using only subtle interventions to maintain yet enhance the historical authenticity of the structure.

view from the sawmill | all images courtesy of the author

minimal interventions using local resources

Located in an unspoilt area in a valley by the Blanice River, the building’s only neighbors are the ruins of a former mill, an active sawmill, and the silence of the surrounding pastures. As per the client’s requests, the architects at BYRÓ predominantly used materials that were available at the plot where possible to carry on the renovation, eliminating the inconsistent elements due to previous insensitive interventions.

The barn next to the cottage, which was found in an unaffected state though with an interior stacked all the way to the ridge, was opened up and infused with light. The architects removed the unfinished belt dormer installed in the 1990s and replaced it with lighting roof tiles that bring in a dynamic interplay of light and shade throughout the day.

BYRÓ restores Blacksmith Barn in Pošumaví, Czech Republic

the architects removed the unfinished belt dormer installed in the 1990s and replaced it with lighting roof tiles

using local materials the structure is an interplay of wood, brick, and stone

Reference

Architecture

Let the Light In: Maximizing Natural Light in the Design of Oudong Residence

By Zarkon Group,21/04/2023

Oudong Residence – aims to combine functionality with artistic flair, creating living spaces that are both functional and visually appealing. Drawing inspiration from a unified composition of textures inspired by nature itself, and cultural influences, the creative vision for this particular residence emphasizes sustainability, innovative use of materials, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. The project brief outlines the key requirements and objectives for the residence, with a strong focus on maximizing natural light, ensuring energy efficiency, and fostering a sense of community among the occupants. Furthermore, the design aims to be adaptable to the evolving needs of the residents, reflecting a dynamic and modern approach to residential architecture.

Architizer chatted with Alessandro Mangano, Partner at Architectural Engineering Consultants, to learn more about this project.

Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?

Alessandro Mangano: The initial concept for the residential design was inspired by the desire to create a harmonious balance between modern living and nature. Drawing upon elements from various architectural styles, the design seeks to establish a seamless connection with the surrounding environment, while ensuring functionality and comfort for its inhabitants. The use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies further reflects our commitment to preserving the ecosystem and promoting a greener future. Ultimately, this architectural concept aims to provide a haven where residents can enjoy the best of both worlds – contemporary living in tune with nature’s grace.

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

One of the key factors that contributed to the success of our project was the exceptional collaboration and communication among team members. This enabled us to leverage individual expertise and skills to move the project forward effectively. Another standout component was our dedication to continuous improvement and adaptability. By constantly assessing our progress and adapting our strategy, we were able to overcome challenges and ensure the timely delivery of a high-quality project.

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

The greatest design challenge we faced during the project was effectively balancing aesthetics with functionality. Understanding the importance of incorporating visually appealing elements while maintaining the project’s core purpose was crucial to its success. To navigate this challenge, we fostered open communication among team members to ensure we understood their expectations and goals. Additionally, we incorporated iterative design processes, allowing for continuous adjustments and improvements while keeping both aspects in harmony.

How did the context of your project — environmental, social or cultural — influence your design?

The Cambodian context of the project had a significant impact on the design process, particularly in regards to the environmental, and cultural factors. The diverse ecosystems near the outskirts of Phnon Penh city, required us to carefully consider the environmental impact of our design, ensuring that it would support sustainable development in the region. Moreover, we incorporated elements into our design, to feel a deeper connection to the space while also respecting the traditions of the community. Lastly, we accounted for the social dynamics within the Khmer societies, emphasizing elements that encourage communal interactions and emphasizing harmony with the natural environment.

For more on the Oudong Residence, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.

Oudong Residence Gallery

Reference

Sustainable News

Modular light electric vehicles for urban transport

By Zarkon Group,23/09/2022

Spotted: Having experienced life in a bike seat as a bicycle messenger in Vienna, the founder of GLEAM e-bikes put his on-the-road experience into creating a multi-use vehicle that easily handles the complexities of urban cycling. To create something that can easily compete with the carrying capacity of a car, yet with the freedom that biking provides, GLEAM uses a three-wheeled base to carry a multitude of types of cargo.

Leisure users can carry up to two children as well as bags and other goods. Businesses can choose from two sizes of cargo boxes, as well as an insulated option, and all versions are customisable for branding and advertising. The cargo containers lock, and for other transport needs, there is a further three sizes of covered trailer to choose from.

Dynamic Tilting Technology ensures that passengers and cargo stay level when travelling over uneven surfaces, and the base can be resized as needed depending on what is being carried. The motor is quiet and reaches top speeds of more than 25 kilometres per hour. The company provides a range of manuals and video guides for setting up and using the bike and offers a variety of custom design options. Each order takes four to six weeks to fulfill, and customers only need to mount the front wheel when the bike arrives.

The need to make cycling more accessible in order to combat air pollution is leading to innovations such as zip-on tyre treads for cold weather biking and e-rickshaws that reuse old EV batteries.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

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Let the Light In: Maximizing Natural Light in the Design of Oudong Residence

Oudong Residence Gallery

Modular light electric vehicles for urban transport

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