rammed

Zarkon Group Real Estate Builders & Developers > Blog > rammed

Tag: rammed

MONO architekten builds a tower of red-tinted rammed earth
CategoriesArchitecture

MONO architekten builds a tower of red-tinted rammed earth

By Zarkon Group,

areal am kronenrain: earth architecture in germany

 

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

MONO architekten areal kronenrainimages © Gregor Schmidt

 

 

mono architekten takes on a complex site

 

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

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

 

 

the observation tower over neuenburg am Rhein

 

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

MONO architekten areal kronenrain
part of the State Garden Exhibition 2022, the design bridges gaps and redefines connections MONO architekten areal kronenrain
visible from afar, the tower establishes a landmark, engaging in a dialogue with the adjacent parking garageMONO architekten builds a tower of red-tinted rammed earth in germany
the urban ensemble comprises a parking garage, public space, bridge, and observation tower

Reference

Archi-Union works with students to design rammed earth community centre in rural China
CategoriesArchitecture

Archi-Union works with students to design rammed earth community centre in rural China

By Zarkon Group,

A sweeping, tiled roof informed by the surrounding mountain ranges tops the Yong’an Community Hub in China, which has been designed by students from Tongji University in Shenzhen with architecture studio Archi-Union.

Referencing local structures and involving residents in its construction process, the rammed-earth, courtyard-style building provides a gathering space and residence for the Yong’an village’s more isolated upper area.

Shortlisted in the civic building category of Dezeen Awards 2022, Yong’an Community Hub forms part of an ongoing social welfare programme funded by Tongji University and led by Philip F Yuan, principal of Shanghai-based studio Archi-Union.

Aerial image of the Yong'an Community Hub and surrounding setting
Archi-Union worked with Tongji University to create the community hub

“The villagers from the upper village often suffer from inaccessibility to transportation, and are living in strained circumstances,” said the project’s team.

“The majority have no space to interact with one another other than their working space, therefore building a community centre for the upper village [became] the main goal of the volunteer activity.”

Bordered by stone walls, the main building sits at the north of the site, with a smaller toilet block on the opposite side of a large courtyard. Both were built using rammed earth partially made from the red sandstone found near the site.

Image of children playing at the Yong'an Community Hub
The building features rammed-earth walls

A run of wooden doors allows the main building to be almost completely opened to the courtyard, while a thin, letterbox-style window in its northwest corner frames views back towards the village.

The steel-framed, curving roof contrasts these traditionally-built rammed earth structures, using parametric design methods to create an undulating arc around the courtyard and minimising the use of non-standard components to make construction easier.

This roof shelters what the team describes as a “floating corridor”, an area of covered seating space that provides an area to dwell, watch performances or take in expansive views of the surrounding valley landscape.

“While retaining the functionality of the interior spaces, we tried to maximise the open public space as much as possible… from funerals to weddings or even daily socialising, the openness of space becomes the top priority to [the villagers],” said the team.

“The ‘floating corridor’ became a continuous yet fluid element that held the spaces together…to accommodate the low height of the entrance the roof was lowered, forming a starting point that ends when it meets the mountain slope.”

Interior image of a space that is zoned by rammed-earth walls
An undulating canopy wraps around the centre

Other projects on the shortlist for the civic project category of Dezeen Awards 2022 include a hospital in Myanmar by German practice A+R Architekten, which also drew on materials and typologies local to the area for its design.

The photography is by Schran Images.

Reference