Reviving nature: a new era of tech-driven restoration
CategoriesSustainable News

Reviving nature: a new era of tech-driven restoration

Spotted: In all the talk of technology to help various sectors reach climate targets, less attention has been paid to nature-based solutions. Often, nature restoration projects are met with long and cumbersome processes, which hinders fundraising, scaling, and speed.

Nature tech company Arkadiah Technology has developed a solution to bring traceability and transparency to these projects, making it easier to unlock financing and scale land restoration projects. Arkadiah has built a platform designed especially for climate mitigation projects in Southeast Asia, a region that saw greenhouse gas emissions rise faster than anywhere else in the world between 1990 and 2010.

Arkadiah’s approach uses artificial intelligence (AI), LiDAR, satellite imagery, and ground truthing to provide transparent and verifiable data. Project developers, landowners, and corporations can then use this information to streamline the deployment of nature-based climate solutions, such as reforestation projects, and quickly issue quality carbon removal and biodiversity credits.

The company has recently closed a successful seed funding round led by Golden Gate Ventures, with participation from The Radical Fund and Money Forward Venture Partners. Oriana Soryo, Head of Marketing at Arkadiah, told Springwise that the company is “now working on developing the technology and onboarding project partners and investors. Our focus is on restoration and regenerative agriculture, where there is a shortage of such high-quality carbon removal projects.”

Platforms like Arkadiah’s can help make it easier and quicker for climate projects to attract the funding they need. Springwise has spotted other platforms that are boosting essential nature-based projects, including the use of AI to unlock climate investments and prevent wildfires.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

HawkinsBrown renovates offices to create a “connection to nature”
CategoriesInterior Design

HawkinsBrown renovates offices to create a “connection to nature”

A stack of meeting rooms and a moss-covered wall overlook the atriums of Here + Now, a pair of office buildings in England refurbished by architecture studio Hawkins\Brown.

Informed by changing attitudes to workplace design following the Covid-19 pandemic, the two buildings have been renovated with a focus on wellbeing and a connection to nature.

They are located within a wider business park in Reading, formerly used by Microsoft.

Atrium at the Here+Now office building by Hawkins\Brown
Hawkins\Brown has renovated a pair of offices in Reading called Here + Now

Connected by a bridge at their centre, the two buildings contain different facilities. One of them, named Here, offers space for more established companies, while the other, named Now, contains offices for smaller companies and start-ups.

“Here + Now is located on a business park, not in a city centre, which provides users with a much closer connection to nature and therefore better opportunity for activity and wellbeing,” Hawkins\Brown partner Massimo Tepedino told Dezeen.

“The idea is that companies can scale up or down and thereby stay on the campus for longer – this ultimately helps to create a sense of community,” he added.

Atrium at the Here+Now office building
A moss-covered wall overlooks an atrium in the Now building

While the two buildings share a similar material and colour palette, the finishes of each were slightly different based on its tenants.

The approach to the Now building focuses on more cost-effective, flexible spaces, while the Here building is finished to a higher specification.

Here+Now office interior by Hawkins\Brown
Wood has been used to form seating areas and quiet nooks

Each of the two buildings features a large arrival atrium designed to evoke a sense of “wonder”.

In the Here building, this space has a stack of meeting pods described by Hawkins\Brown as a “treehouse”, while dehydrated moss-covered balconies animate the atrium in Now.

Shared by both buildings are a range of on-site amenities, including a gym and treatment rooms, as well as a “lifestyle manager” who organises events and workshops.

“The benefit of having two buildings share amenities is that office spaces can accommodate a wide range of budgets, while everyone benefits from best-in-class amenities and the opportunity to socialise with established professionals and young entrepreneurs,” explained Tepedino.

Glass pitched roof at the Here+Now office building
The two buildings are connected by a bridge

The glass and metal structures of the existing buildings have been treated internally with wooden panelling, which complements new wooden seating areas and nooks.

Particular attention was paid to the colour scheme, with a muted palette intended to evoke the nearby natural landscape and create a relaxing atmosphere.

Exterior of the Here+Now office building by Hawkins\Brown
The project is located on a business park

“We know that colours can facilitate, regulate, and even influence people’s behaviour – our colour palette takes its cues from the natural landscape and compliments the neutral tones of the existing buildings,” explained Hawkins\Brown.

“The bathrooms take inspiration from spas and hotels, with green shades and bold graphics create a strong visual connection to nature and a calming environment.”

Here + Now has been shortlisted in the large workplace interior category of Dezeen Awards 2023.

Other projects recently completed by Hawkins\Brown include a student hub at Queen’s University Belfast with RPP Architects and the transformation of the historic Central Foundation Boys’ School in London.

The photography is by Jack Hobhouse.

Reference

Pressure sensors inspired by nature for non-invasive surgeries
CategoriesSustainable News

Pressure sensors inspired by nature for non-invasive surgeries

Spotted: Surgeons are increasingly turning to robotics to assist with surgeries. Many of these involve ‘graspers’ – tools controlled remotely by the surgeon. One drawback of these tools is that the surgeon cannot feel exactly how much pressure is being exerted. While pressure sensors are used for this, they often lack the precision required for delicate surgeries.

Now, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a novel aero-elastic pressure sensor, called ‘eAir’, which they hope will address these challenges. The sensor could potentially transform some types of surgery by enabling better tactile feedback for surgeons, allowing more precise manipulation of patient tissues.

Conventional pressure sensors have trouble delivering consistent readings and can miss subtle changes in pressure – leading to potential errors. To address this, the NUS team drew inspiration from a phenomenon known as the ‘lotus leaf effect’. This is a natural phenomenon where minuscule, water-repelling structures cause water droplets to roll off a leaf’s surface. The team has engineered a sensor that mimics this effect, detecting minute pressure changes.

The eAir sensor includes a liquid and a trapped layer of air. As external pressure increases, the air layer compresses. The surface of the sensor registers the movement at the interface of air and liquid, triggering a change in electrical signals that accurately reflects even minute amounts of exerted pressure.

The NUS team is hoping to collaborate with key players in the medical field to develop the so. They have filed a patent for the eAir sensor technology in Singapore, and are working to refine the sensor for real-world applications.

This is not the first time we have seen researchers take inspiration from the natural world. Springwise has also covered cancer researchers who used spiders for inspiration and energy-saving paints inspired by butterflies.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Montalba Architects prioritises nature at Manhattan Beach House
CategoriesArchitecture

Montalba Architects prioritises nature at Manhattan Beach House

A slender pool lined with a “vertical garden” features in an oceanfront home in southern California designed by US studio Montalba Architects.

The house is located within a dense, beachside neighbourhood in Manhattan Beach outside of Los Angeles. Designed for a couple who are long-time residents of the area, the dwelling is imbued with a sense of calm and a connection to the outdoors.

Exterior of a multi-storey home in California by Montalba Architects
Facades were covered in stucco and western cedar

“Manhattan Beach House is intended to provide a spacious, peaceful feeling, offering an experience close to nature throughout the interior of the building itself,” said Los Angeles-based studio Montalba Architects

Situated on a narrow, sloped lot, the home rises three levels and encompasses 6,000 square feet (557 square metres).

Courtyard with a planted tree in a Californian home by Montalba Architects
Montalba Architects aimed to provide a connection to nature in the home

Facades are clad in smooth-troweled stucco and western cedar. Along the front elevation, a cedar and aluminium screen provides privacy and acts as a guardrail.

The slatted screen wraps around the north side of the home, where the main entrance is located. The screen adds definition to an entry courtyard while also providing visual continuity between the front and side facades.

Steps leading to an outdoor swimming pool with a green wall
A green wall sits beside an outdoor swimming pool

The front elevation looks west, toward the ocean, while the rear side faces an alley. To form sight lines and usher in daylight, the team focused on creating openings on both the exterior and within the house.

“Behind the street front, the volume of the house dissolves, with glimpses through openings between floors and between distant rooms.”

On the ground level, the team placed a four-car garage, gym, laundry room and guest quarters. The first floor holds the primary bedroom suite and a pair of offices, along with a two-car garage that is accessed via the alley.

A double-height courtyard on the first floor showcases a maple tree that is meant to be “a reminder of natural time and the seasons”.

“The courtyard is visible throughout the house, whether moving along the length of the house or up to the third floor,” the team said.

Living room in a Californian home with seating, a piano, and glass sliding doors with views of the city skyline
Glass doors on the top floor lead to a balcony

The top floor encompasses a kitchen, dining area, living room and media room. Glazed doors provide access to a balcony and a pool terrace.

The pool is lined with a “vertical garden” filled with drought-tolerant plants, including hardy geraniums, creeping Jenny and blue chalksticks.

Open-plan kitchen and dining room with large windows looking onto an outdoor swimming pool
Cedar covers the ceilings while oak lines the floors

“To maintain the living wall, the gardener is suspended over the adjacent pool on a rolling platform, which is stored on-site,” the team said.

Throughout the home, the team used earthy finishes such as cedar ceilings and white oak flooring and millwork.

Exterior of a multi-storey home in California by Montalba Archietcts
The home was designed for a couple living in Manhattan Beach

The kitchen is fitted with oak cabinetry and Caesarstone countertops, and the fireplace surround is made of silver travertine.

Other recent projects by Montalba Architects include the renovation of a 1960s Los Angeles building by Edward Durrell Stone and the completion of a hillside home in Santa Monica that features ample glazing and a clever siting strategy.

The photography is by Kevin Scott.


Project credits:

Architect: Montalba Architects
Landcape design: Pamela Burton
Living wall: Habitat Horticulture

Reference

Ten houses with outdoor showers for connecting with nature
CategoriesInterior Design

Ten houses with outdoor showers for connecting with nature

There are few things more therapeutic than bathing under an open sky. In this lookbook, we collect 10 outdoor showers from around the world.

A grotto-like house in Hawaii, a brutalist surfer’s refuge and a Swedish villa feature in this list of projects that demonstrate different approaches to the outdoor shower.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring sunken baths, hammocks and indoor trees.


Villa Pelícanos by Main Office
Photo by Rafael Gamo

Villa Pelícanos, Mexico, by Main Office

Villas at this seaside holiday complex in Sayulita, renovated by architecture studio Main Office, feature outdoor showers cut into the coastal rock.

Tropical flora and the thatched roofs overlook the pale concrete walls and pebbled terrazzo floor.

Find out more about Villa Pelícanos ›


Volcanic rock near house
Photo by Douglas Friedman

Kua Bay Residence, USA, by Walker Warner Architects

Kua Bay Residence by Walker Warner Architects is perched on a mountainside in Hawaii among volcanic rock formations.

Taking advantage of the dramatic surroundings is a private outdoor shower that looks up to the mountains and feels like a rocky grotto, with the adjacent shallow water feature designed to mimic molten lava.

Find out more about Kua Bay Residence ›


Litibu house shower
Photo by Luis Young

Litibu house, Mexico, by Palma

This semi-outdoor shower in a Mexican holiday home by architecture studio Palma opens up to the backyard through slatted wooden doors.

The effect of the sunlight streaming in is enhanced by the bathroom’s long, narrow form, high ceiling and dark concrete walls.

Find out more about this Litibu house ›


Open-air showers
Photo by Ana Paula Álvarez

Casa Nu, Mexico, by Chris Luce

Casa Nu, also in coastal Mexico, was designed by architect Chris Luce as a functional sanctuary for surfers.

Among the outdoor spaces is a board-formed concrete block containing open-air showers for use after surfing, alongside laundry facilities and a surfboard rack.

Find out more about Casa Nu ›


Exterior of Villa MSV by Johan Sundberg
Photo by Markus Linderoth

Villa MSV, Sweden, by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur

An outdoor shower sits on a patio next to the sauna and bathroom spaces at this house in Sweden designed by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur.

It is partially covered by a larch canopy but to catch the sun, it is located on the southern side of the home.

Find out more about Villa MSV ›


Casa Las Vistas outdoor shower
Photo by Andres Garcia Lachner

Casa Las Vistas, Costa Rica, by Zürcher Arquitectos and Taller KEN

The main bathroom of Casa Las Vistas opens onto a patio with an outdoor shower, nestled among large potted plants in a nod to the surrounding forests.

Weathered copper piping on the shower is one of the few rustic touches within the large Costa Rican house, designed by Zürcher Arquitectos and Taller KEN.

Find out more about Casa Las Vistas ›


Salt Point Residence by Reddymade and Ai Weiwei
Photo by Ashok Sinha

Salt Point Residence, USA, by Reddymade and Ai Weiwei

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei helped architecture studio Reddymade to design a corrugated metal extension for a house in Salt Point, New York.

At the southern end, the walls and gabled roof extend to form a porch featuring an outdoor shower fitted into a mirrored wall and looking out across the landscape.

Find out more about Salt Point Residence ›


Coral Pavilion is a beach house in Lagos that was designed by cmDesign Atelier
Photo by Tolu Sanusi

Coral Pavilion, Nigeria, by CmDesign Atelier

The freestanding yellow-pipework shower outside Coral Pavilion was designed by German studio Tarantik & Egger.

Its colour contrasts with the coral-pink concrete pool terrace and simple white form of the main beach house, created by Tosin Oshinowo-led studio CmDesign Atelier.

Find out more about Coral Pavilion ›


Harrison Residence by Jeffrey Dungan
Photo by William Abranowicz

Harrison Residence, USA, by Jeffrey Dungan Architects

A semi-outdoor double shower steps down onto a first-floor terrace at this house in the Florida Panhandle, designed by Alabama practice Jeffrey Dungan Architects.

With the paved floor, white-rendered concrete walls, arched opening and cut-out window shelf, the shower room resembles a small garden pavilion.

Find out more about Harrison Residence ›


The Voxel outdoor shower
Photo by Adrià Goula

The Voxel, Spain, by the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

Students and researchers from Barcelona’s Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia built this wooden cabin in the Collserola natural park as a place for self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.

It features an outdoor shower that is both raised off the ground and positioned outside the structure’s main elevation, wrapped in charred and slatted timber panels.

Find out more about The Voxel ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring sunken baths, hammocks and indoor trees.

Reference

Infrastructuring Nature: Appropriating the Industrial Ruins of New York City
CategoriesArchitecture

Infrastructuring Nature: Appropriating the Industrial Ruins of New York City

Architizer’s new image-heavy daily newsletter, The Plug, is easy on the eyes, giving readers a quick jolt of inspiration to supercharge their days. Plug in to the latest design discussions by subscribing. 

In his essay Nature, Infrastructure and Cities, Antoine Picon writes, “Before the rise of the environmental crises we now face, nature served as the support for infrastructures. Roads, bridges and canals were generally located in natural settings. However, in our contemporary technologically driven world, nature increasingly appears as a fragile entity that is itself in need of infrastructure support.”

New York has been the melting pot for architectural experimentation and innovation as well as the home to many industrial settings and infrastructures that are no longer operative. This, along with the more environmentally conscious approach architects are enforcing, has led to the appropriation of many of these settings fused with natural elements. These seven architectural projects showcase new, intuitive ways of “infrastructuring nature” by repurposing old industrial systems to create a “greener” New York City. As Antoine Picon points out, nature will never be prevalent in current metropolitan cities, nor will it be sustainable without artificial support. Nevertheless, the damage of overdevelopment is not irreversible as long as there are projects that recognize the hidden opportunities of these forgotten industrial ruins.


High Line

By James Corner Field Operations & Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Manhattan, New York, United States

Jury Winner, 2014, A+Awards, Concepts – Architecture + Light

alt=

alt=How can an abandoned railroad be reused by the citizens of New York City? Connecting the Meatpacking District with the Hudson Railyards, 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) of elevated rail tracks have been transformed into the High Line project: a public park that stands as an agricultural oasis amidst the franticness of the big city. Prior to the project’s realisation, the deserted railroad had already been “reclaimed” by nature. Consequently, when James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed the High Line they celebrated these natural diversities, by employing the strategy of “agri-tecture”. Irregular paving patterns and planting beds form a series of asymmetrical pathways, allowing the people of New York to experience the city through a different, more impromptu, type of lens.


Terminal Warehouse

By COOKFOX Architects, Manhattan, New York, United States

alt= alt=Built in 1891, the Terminal Warehouse is an iconic post-industrial ruin of New York. No longer needing the traditional warehouse in West Chelsea district, the Terminal Warehouse is gradually being transformed into a collection of biophilic office spaces. As part of their design strategy, COOKFOX Architects have preserved the building’s historic architectural typology and used its masonry structure as an infrastructure for supporting a series of gardens and green terraces. Additionally, through a set of rail tracks, the Terminal Warehouse is directly linked with Hudson river. The disregarded railroad becomes an opportunity for reuse and is transformed into a pedestrian route that reestablishes the link between city and water.


Governors Island Park and Public Space

By West 8, Manhattan, New York, United States

Jury Winner, 2017, A+Awards, Public Park
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Photo by Iwan Baan

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Photo by Noah Devereaux

Infrastructure comes in all shapes and sizes. The Governors Island, located south of Manhattan, is a piece of land that has been repurposed countless times. From an unspoiled landscape to a military base to a hotel and racetrack, the island was expanded through artificial means to host a number of contradicting functions. Finally, in 2006, West 8 won the competition for creating a masterplan that transforms the island into a public destination and landmark. They designed a historic park, a plethora of public spaces and a large promenade that wraps around the island. Nowadays, Governors Island has formed a symbiotic relationship with the New York harbor, eventually becoming its natural extension.


F.R.E.D., Fostering Resilient Ecological Development

By Ennead Architects, Queens, New York, United States

Jury Winner, 2017, A+Awards, Unbuilt Masterplan

alt= alt=Located in a beach-front site in the Rockaways, the F.R.E.D. proposal introduces a new type of pairing between nature and infrastructure. Ennead Architects used the iconic Row House typology and the local sand dunes as the two components for designing a resilient infrastructure system. Their aim was to create a flexible strategy, which could be easily repurposed for other waterfront sites with the same characteristics and expand upon the research on “infrastructuring nature”.


Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park

By SWA/Balsley & WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, Queens, New York, United States

alt="Hunter'sPoint-01" alt="Hunter'sPoint-02"For two hundred years, Hunter’s Point was a series of wetlands on the East river. Later on, the site was turned into an industrial hub and rail station. Eventually, it was diminished to a post-industrial ruin filled with decaying piers and steep landfills, inaccessible to the wider public. Finally, in 2018 it became one of the most transformative and ecologically driven projects in the city. A coastal park, a footbridge, a cantilevered overlook and even a landfill peninsula transformed what used to be an empty industrial site into an adaptable infrastructural system that reinvented the once iconic water edge.


Pier 35

By SHoP Architects, Manhattan, New York, United States

alt= alt=Enclosed by the Hudson and East rivers, the island of Manhattan is naturally surrounded by many raw, uninviting concrete piers. Fortunately, the Pier 35 proposal transformed one of these flat blocks of artificial land into a much needed esplanade project. Pier 35 is literary “infrastructuring nature”. It consists of a folded landscape that gradually slopes down to the surface of the water. Its crinkled form interacts with the varying tidal currents, while replicating the physical characteristics of the East river shoreline. Above the water, a series of landscape lawns, dunes and inclined plant-covered screens form pedestrian walkways filled with vantage points towards Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge.


The Dryline

By Rebuild by Design & BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Manhattan, New York, United States

Jury Winner, 2015, A+Awards, Masterplan

alt= alt=Also known as “The Big U,” this conceptual 10-mile-long (16 kilometer) protective ribbon around Manhattan was imagined in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Ultimately, it was deemed unfit to respond to the challenging weather conditions that increasingly threaten the city. Subsequently, the Dryline is a project that redesigns lower Manhattan’s water edge, proposing a series of components that will aid to both the physical and social infrastructure requirements of the neighboring districts. More specifically, the project consist of a continuous protective element that also operates as playful street furniture, an elevated pathway and finally, a series of overarching greenways. In short, the Dryline project has essentially become the blueprint for effectively designing social as well as physical infrastructure strategies for coastal cities, providing new insights for “infra structuring nature” practices.

Architizer’s new image-heavy daily newsletter, The Plug, is easy on the eyes, giving readers a quick jolt of inspiration to supercharge their days. Plug in to the latest design discussions by subscribing. 

Reference

EFFEKT creates treetop walkway accessible to “all nature lovers”
CategoriesArchitecture

EFFEKT creates treetop walkway accessible to “all nature lovers”

Architecture studio EFFEKT has completed Norway’s first treetop walkway, which winds up through Hamaren Activity Park in Fyresdal and ends at a circular viewpoint.

Raised 15 metres high in the air, the platform was designed with a gentle incline accessible to people of all ages and physical abilities, as well as cyclists, pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Norway's first treetop walkway
EFFEKT has completed Norway’s first treetop walkway

“The treetop walk in Hamaren Activity Park offers all nature lovers, regardless of age, disability or physical limitation, a new perspective on the natural landscape of Fyresdal,” said Danish studio EFFEKT.

“It grew out of a heartfelt desire to give all people, regardless of physical abilities, the sensational feeling of walking amongst the treetops.”

Aerial view of Hamaren Activity Park in Norway
It winds up through Hamaren Activity Park in Fyresdal

Hamaren Activity Park opened in Fyresdal in 2017. Alongside the new treetop walk, it has cycling and nature trails, and facilities for activities including trampolining and climbing.

The treetop walkway is one kilometre in length and is placed along the ascent of Klokkarhamaren – a hill with an elevation of 338 metres.

Aerial view of Hamaren Activity Park treetop walkway by EFFEKT
It is built from pinewood

Visitors to the walkway are guided from the pine forest floor, along past a lake and up between the treetops to the summit of Klokkarhamaren.

At the end of the trail, EFFEKT has incorporated a circular viewpoint that measures 50 metres in diameter and provides a panoramic view of the natural landscape surrounding it.

Aerial view of Hamaren Activity Park treetop walkway by EFFEKT
It ends at a circular viewpoint

“Reconnecting with nature is an important part of the great change we are undergoing now,” studio co-founder Tue Foged told Dezeen.

“Although being a small gesture in the bigger picture, we hope that granting people free and universal access to experience the sublime nature of this site, can serve as an example for others.”

Walkway through pine forest
The walkway weaves through a pine forest

The structure is two metres wide throughout most of its length but widens into balconies at certain points to spotlight specific views or provide rest areas. It is raised on pillars that align with “the natural curves and gradients of the terrain”.

Its boardwalk-like appearance was made from locally sourced pinewood, chosen to blend in with the surroundings.

“It uses only small and straight prefabricated elements that can easily be handled with small machinery and by hand on-site to protect nature during the building process,” explained Foged.

“When joined together the segments form an organic shape that bends around the trees and along the mountain,” he said.

“The structure literally blends in with existing trees on the mounting, sometimes giving the visual impression that the boardwalk levitates through the forest.”

Hamaren Activity Park treetop walkway
It is designed to blend with its surroundings

This structure was developed by EFFEKT in collaboration with local contractor Inge Aamlid.

According to the team, this was to ensure the design also nodded to the area’s history of pinewood construction by using local craftsmanship techniques.

Treetop walkway by EFFEKT
It begins at the forest floor

“The region has a long history with logging and tradition of building with pinewood structures,” said Foged.

“The premise of the design was, therefore, to use the local predominant material of the pine tree. Pinewood is used as the loadbearing structure as well as the boardwalk and railing,” he explained.

Wooden walkway
It follows the ascent of Klokkarhamaren

Based in Copenhagen, EFFEKT is an architecture studio founded by architects Sinus Lynge and Foged in 2007.

Other projects by the studio include Camp Adventure, a spiralling tower in the midst of a forest, and the transformation of an abandoned windmill factory into a skatepark and youth centre.

The photography is by Rasmus Hjortshøj.

Reference

MRDK creates a “journey through nature” at Attitude boutique in Montreal
CategoriesInterior Design

MRDK creates a “journey through nature” at Attitude boutique in Montreal

Blocks of granite among planted beds are used to display plastic-free beauty products at this Montreal store, designed by local architecture firm MRDK.

MRDK, also known as Ménard Dworkind, designed the interiors of the Attitude boutique to reflect the sustainable focus of the cosmetics for sale.

Planted beds surrounded by raised ceramic floor
Planted beds are surrounded by a raised ceramic floor at the Attitude store

“From the moment you step inside, the design of the space reflects their commitment to sustainability and a connection to nature,” said the studio.

Located on Saint Denis Street in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood, the 1,000-square-foot (93-square-metre) shop is laid out to evoke a “journey through nature” according to MRDK.

Sinks carved out of a granite block
A large granite block at the centre has two sinks carved into its top

Planted beds in the store window and around the space overspill with greenery, and a raised ceramic floor creates the impression of traversing a boardwalk between them.

“This subtle elevation change immediately transports you into a new space, a forest floor full of life and colour,” MRDK said.

Oak shelves display products
The brand’s plastic-free beauty products are display on oak shelves that emerge from the greenery

Chunks of granite are used as pedestals for displaying products in the window, while a much larger block in the centre has a pair of sinks carved into its flat top.

“The boulder-like shape and texture of the island suggest a natural element, as if it has been carved by the forces of nature over time,” said MRDK.

“This centerpiece perfectly complements the natural theme of the space, giving customers the sense of being in a nature surrounded by rock formations.”

The majority of Attitude’s products are presented on white oak shelves that emerge from the plant beds on both sides of the store.

Granite plinth surrounded by plants
The raised floor is designed to create a boardwalk between the planted beds

Suspended on white poles and backed by fritted glass, these shelves match the rectangular cashier’s desk at the back, into which the brand’s name is hewn.

There’s also a refill station that customers can use to replenish the aluminium bottles, further promoting sustainability.

Attitude storefront on Saint Denis Street
Smaller blocks of granite are used as plinths to showcase the products in the storefront

MRDK was founded by partners Guillaume Ménard and David Dworkind in 2010, and has completed a wide variety of projects in and around Montreal.

These include a 1970s-themes pizza restaurant, a colossal Chinese brasserie and a wine bar that takes cues from bottle labels, as well as a renovated 1980s home and a cedar-clad hideaway.

The photography is by David Dworkind.


Project credits:

Architecture: MRDK
Team: David Dworkind, Benjamin Lavoie Laroche
Contractor: Groupe STLC



Reference

Blending In with Nature: The Inspiration Behind COMMOD-Haus GmbH’s Weekend Home
CategoriesArchitecture

Blending In with Nature: The Inspiration Behind COMMOD-Haus GmbH’s Weekend Home

 

The Little Black One – The ambition of this project was to design a house that blended so perfectly into the breathtaking landscape as if it had always been there. It didn’t need to show off as the scenery speaks for itself but still it should live up to the ambition of providing its owners an elegant weekend spot. A house that is always in style – like a little black dress – that keeps on fascinating you over and over again.

Architizer chatted with Michaela Maresch, CEO & Founder at COMMOD-Haus GmbH, to learn more about this project.

Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?

Michaela Maresch: COMMOD “The Little Black One” was definitely inspired by nature. The harsh, wide, mountain landscape at Semmering was inspiration and challenge at once.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

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

The Little Black is an amazing example of how architecture can set the stage for the beauty of nature. I think that people currently desire to live closer to nature than ever before and this house reflects a simple yet stunning way to do so.

The minimalistic form of the house, the colour chosen for the spruce wood façade and the play of light and shadow that reveals different shades of black on the façade.

Well protected from the harsh climate outside by the beautiful wooden façade, the living area inside is flooded with light. The generous window fronts and open spaces create a sense of even being part of nature while still enjoying all amenities of a modern home.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

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

The main strength of this project was also its biggest challenge: a gentle, subtle embedding of the house into the existing terrain that yet creates a connection to the partents home next door and emphasises the view of the mountains.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

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

The design of this project is only fully comprehensible if you take into account its entire context. The client-family living in the big city of Vienna wanted to spend their weekends away from it all in pure nature. It was our top priority to give them a space where they could fully breathe in the beauty of nature. However, considering the fact that they did not want to harm this nature in any way by building their weekend house, our construction method was simply ideal for them. The screw foundations can be removed without leaving any residue after their lifecycle is over. Soil sealing is absolutely not an issue here. So they can live in harmony in and with nature.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

What is your favorite detail in the project and why?

I can’t help but love the walkway that leads onto the terrace. It reveals this unique distant view of the rugged mountains, but at the same time exudes a calming effect on the visitor through the natural materials and the regularity of the slats.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

How important was sustainability as a design criteria as you worked on this project? 

As already mentioned, it was extremely important to the owners not to interfere too much with nature. Using the system of point foundations, this was not a problem.

Basically, sustainability has been anchored in our DNA since the creation of our company, so for us it is almost not worth mentioning that our material consists of 99% renewable raw materials. We work hard to be and remain pioneers in this field.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

How have your clients responded to the finished project?

This project illustrates all our strengths: Sustainability, adaptability, modern design, high quality standards and speed on site (this house took only one day to be delivered and assembled).

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

How has being the recipient of an A+Award evoked positive responses from others?

We are always very honoured when our houses receive awards. This not only makes us proud, but also the owners of the houses. But here it was something even more special. There are few awards that are as internationally respected as the Architizer A+Award. We feel grateful and happy to have become part of the Architizer Family and hope to impress with many more innovative projects in the future.

© Commod-Haus GmbH

© Commod-Haus GmbH

Team Members

Michaela Maresch, Gerald Brencic, Volker Ast, Ingmar Zwirn, Uwe Lackner, Gamze Olcay, Oumaima Laassibi, Lisa Gattebrauer, Rita Fruhmann, Jannis Fielers, Nadja Wieland

Products and Materials

Colour Synthesa „Greywood Forest 03“

For more on The Little Black One, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.

The Little Black One Gallery

Reference

Dezeen’s Pinterest roundup features nine sauna’s in touch with nature
CategoriesInterior Design

Dezeen’s Pinterest roundup features nine sauna’s in touch with nature

Saunas are trending on Pinterest and Dezeen has featured some of the best, including a floating sauna in Stockholm and a three-storey, outdoor sauna in the USA. Follow Dezeen on Pinterest and read on to discover the projects.

Pinners have been attracted to Dezeen’s sauna board. The most popular saunas are inspired by their natural surroundings and have cosy and relaxing interiors.

An out-building sauna in Canada, up a slope behind the main cabin, stood out due to its miniature size and unique shape.

Scroll down to see nine popular projects pinned on Dezeen’s Pinterest and browse our sauna Pinterest board to see more.


A detached sauna structure

Ambassador Crescent, Canada, by BattersbyHowat Architects

This detached sauna, built on the property of a mountainside home in Whistler, British Columbia, was designed by Vancouver-based studio BattersbyHowat Architects.

Clad in standing seam metal, the small sauna mimics the design of the nearby holiday home.

Find out more about the Ambassador Crescent ›


A floating sauna

The Big Branzino, Stockholm, by Sandellsandberg

Pine planks clad the exterior of a floating sauna by Swedish studio Sandellsandberg, which they designed to blend in with the surrounding forests.

For the interior, the studio used red cedar and added a fireplace, meaning that the central space can be heated for overnight trips when not used as a sauna.

Find out more about The Big Branzino ›


A red and orange sauna

Bademaschinen, Norway, by ACT! Studio and Borhaven Arkitekter

ACT! Studio and Borhaven Arkitekter designed a collection of floating red and orange buildings in Oslo harbour to be a playful and relaxing space sauna.

For the project, the studio covered the floors with red vinyl. Birch plywood was used for the walls, tiered seating and changing rooms.

Find out more about Bademaschinen ›


Löyly by Trolle Rudebeck Haar

Löyly, Switzerland, by Trolle Rudebeck Haar

Graduate Trolle Rudebeck Haar designed another floating sauna in Switzerland to fit up to three people. It has a sloped roof, wooden stove, bench, translucent glass windows and an exterior deck.

Löyly sits on a floating pontoon deck which allows it to be placed on any water with low-wave motion.

Find out more about Löyly ›


A black timber sauna

Saunaravintola Kiulu, Finland, by Studio Puisto

Simple and traditional materials such as black wood and red epoxy flooring were used by Studio Puisto to create a sombre and crisp atmosphere for this sauna at a lakeside wellness centre in the town of Ähtäri, Finland

Located in its own independent wooden cabin, the studio added a large window with the aim of connecting with the surrounding environment.

Find out more about Saunaravintola Kiulu ›


A three-storey outdoor sauna

Sauna Tower, USA, by BarlisWedlick

This treehouse-style, three-storey outdoor sauna in New York’s Hudson Valley was designed by American studio BarlisWedlick.

A concrete sauna acts as the base for stacked-timber platforms made from Alaskan yellow cedar, topped with a viewing platform.

Find out more about the Sauna Tower ›


Arctic Sauna pavilion

The Arctic Sauna Pavillion, Finland, by Toni Yli-Suvanto Architects

The surrounding natural environment inspired the design of the Arctic Sauna Pavilion by Tony Yli-Suvanto Architects in Lapland, Finland.

Inside, both bathing and relaxation take place in the same space, in accordance with an ancient arctic tradition. The walls of the building tilt outwards in the local custom to prevent the timber wall construction from getting wet.

Find out more about The Arctic Sauna Pavillion  ›


A sauna installation

Atmosphere, Australia, by Studio Rain

Studio Rain created a temporary sauna that is prefabricated and off-grid. Polycarbonate panels clads the walls and ceilings and it is heated by a wood-burning stove.

Made of reclaimed timber, it can be built, disassembled and reused without the need for any equipment.

Find out more about Atmosphere  ›


House and sauna in Cambridge by Neil Dusheiko Architects

Dark Spa, UK, by Neil Dusheiko Architects

This spa was built in the garden of a renovated Victorian semi-detached home by Neil Dusheiko Architects. Inside the spa, the studio added a Japanese soaking tub, sauna, shower, gym and relaxation room with a fold-down bed.

With walls clad in Sapele timber and black slate flooring, the Dark Spa is intended to be “silent and mysterious”, the studio told Dezeen.

Find out more about the Dark Spa ›

Follow Dezeen on Pinterest

Pinterest is one of Dezeen’s fastest-growing social media networks with over 1.4 million followers and more than ten million monthly views. Follow our Pinterest to see the latest architecture, interiors and design projects – there are more than four hundred boards to browser and pin from.

Currently, our most popular boards are retail interiors and staircases.

Reference