volumes Archives

stacked volumes & half domes shape babnimnim’s kuwait mosque

babnimnim studio unveils mamluki lancet mosque

A contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Egyptian architecture, the Mamluki Lancet Mosque by Babnimnim Design Studio poses a spiritual sanctuary for the local community in Al-Masayel, Kuwait. The architects draw on classic Islamic motifs, including calligraphy relief, intricate geometric ornamentation, archways, and the Moqarnas typology to balance a large half dome over the rectilinear space. The mosque unfolds as a sequence of five stone masses, stacked and rotating, each resonating with the five daily prayers and symbolizing the foundation of faith, alignment to the Qibla (prayer direction towards Makkah), and connection to the surroundings. Meanwhile, three intervening masses dynamically coalesce to form a funnel-like configuration, creating an unobstructed interior devoid of columns, facilitating unhindered alignment for prayers.

Mamluki Lancet Mosque | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

a contemporary expression of historic islamic architecture

The five progressively rotating masses ascend toward the central half dome which is marked by the symbolic Islamic moon, engraved in intricate metalwork that is echoed in the minaret to signify unity and connection to the divine. A strategically positioned additional mass completes the Islamic Star plan when viewed from above, enhancing the mosque’s identity and visibility in the neighborhood while demarcating alternative side entrances. Babnimnim Design Studio punctuates the facade with minimalist lancet cutouts — motifs and proportions found in classical Mamluki mosques — that frame windows and structural elements at various levels. A grand wooden door invites worshippers into the sacred space, echoing the half dome that defines the mosque’s core by an elongated form to envelop and house the primary lobby gateway towards the main interior.

The Kuwaiti architects have arranged adjacent smaller half domes in a stepped configuration to serve as luminous wells, infusing natural light within and marking an inviting prelude to the women’s quarters. A stately minaret stands tall and aligns with the central axis, descending within to mark the indoor Mihrab area. It unites the exterior and interior elements, inviting worshippers to focus their devotion towards the Qibla.

sited within a residential neighborhood in Kuwait | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

stone masses and islamic engravings bridge past and present

Stepping inside the Mamluk Lancet Mosque, a dynamic interplay of masses and finishes marked with juxtaposing ornamentation and simplicity define the space. Lower masses are enveloped in stone for stability while upper masses rendered in pure white evoke lightness and movement. Thuluth-style Quranic inscriptions adorn walls and partitions in calligraphic strokes in a modern relief effect, illuminated by ethereal rays penetrating through rotating volumes. An adaptable sliding partition separates the male prayer hall from the women’s area for daily use, expanding during Ramadan to support larger congregations to maintain inclusivity and unity.

Inspired by the historic era of the Mamluk Empire, the mosque embraces a modern material palette through gray stone cladding and white clay plastering for a subdued yet genuine reinterpretation. The harmonious cool grays and whites, complemented by subtle brass accents, enrobe both the interior and exterior and bridge the gap between past and present, lending a graceful air of timelessness to the architecture.

a series of half arches create a harmonious flow of imagery | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

a grand wooden door invites worshippers into the sacred space | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

the architects draw on classic Islamic motifs in contemporary expressions | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

geometric ornamentation | image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

image by Mohammed Alsaad, Nasser Alomairi

Reference

Architecture

five wooden house-shaped volumes compose nursery school in tokyo

By Zarkon Group,25/09/2023

himawari nursery school reimagines early childhood education

Akaike Tohyama Architects designs Himawari Nursery School in Musashimurayama City, Tokyo, relocating and expanding the original structure. Situated in the residential expanse extending toward the Musashino Plateau and Sayama Hills, the project reimagines early childhood education.

Departing from the previous two-story RC structure that segmented children’s activities, a single-story wooden structure rises to enrich interactions among children of varying ages. To achieve this, the design strategically places the nursery room, hall, and childcare functions on the first floor, while staff facilities, including the reception desk, are arranged on the second floor. This zoning strategy eliminates the division of children’s activities and fosters an environment conducive to cross-generational interaction.

all images by Kawasumi & Kobayashi Kenji Photo Office

nursery school becomes a dynamic playground

The entire site becomes a ‘playground’ where children are encouraged to explore both indoor and outdoor realms. Given the necessity for a single-story wooden structure, coupled with considerations for bicycle parking, childcare areas, and site conditions, the design team forms a compact schoolyard. Rather than opting for a single expansive playground, the approach scatters smaller play areas across the site. This arrangement integrates the ‘playground’ within the architectural volumes, culminating in a circulation system that seamlessly connects the interior and exterior. The plan offers a variety of play activities facilitated by accessible openings from nursery rooms and the hall, uneven terrain, diverse yard pavement textures, and pockets of green.

Himawari Nursery School is situated in a residential area of Musashimurayama City in Tokyo

House-Shaped Volumes Embrace a Child-Friendly Atmosphere

At the heart of the School’s plan lie five wooden house-shaped volumes that echo the scale of surrounding detached houses. The design maintains a low flat roof height, complemented by high ceilings, creating a gentle structure that seamlessly blends into the local townscape. Exposed wooden beams envelop the space in warmth, and each volume boasts a distinct structure, lending character to individual areas. Wood extends to the exterior and walls, enveloping the entire building in a child-friendly, inviting ambiance.

To seamlessly integrate the kindergarten into the neighborhood, the building’s volume is thoughtfully dispersed throughout the site, with the yard nestled within the architectural margins. The design introduces a walkway that connects the small garden with an alley-like path, allowing children to roam both indoors and outdoors. The small yard fosters unrestricted play for daily childcare. Himawari Nursery School redefines early childhood education, promoting childhood exploration and community integration.

five wooden house-shaped volumes that echo the scale of surrounding detached houses

the site becomes a ‘playground’ where children are encouraged to explore both indoor and outdoor realms

the small yard fosters unrestricted play for daily childcare

exposed wooden beams envelop the space in warmth, and each volume boasts a distinct structure

Reference

Architecture

concrete residence in latvia unfolds two distinct dynamic volumes

By Zarkon Group,17/06/2023

The House in Jurmala by Chado responds to the natural context

Nestled amidst a grove of ancient pines, The House in Jurmala by architectural studio Chado effortlessly responds to the surrounding landscape and Latvian climate. Facing southward, its facade embraces the views, while the rugged texture of concrete walls forms a unique composition. The formation of a planted patio cuts through the structure separating the private sleeping zones from the common living spaces. The building unfolds two volumes, each boasting a distinct height and purpose. The lower part hosts the children’s and guests’ rooms, while the upper volume reveals a large living room, dining area, kitchen, and master bedroom.

all images by Alvis Rozenbergs

design composes an interplay of concrete forms and volumes

Within the heart of the house, the central public area exudes an intriguing contrast to the monumental volumes of the private spaces. Here, the console roofing boldly extends, creating dynamic cantilevers. As an elegant focal point, a vertical fireplace tube provides the area with a sense of verticality and warmth. The design team at Chado composes an interplay of forms and volumes developing a harmonious design narrative, where the concrete embraces the landscape responding to the natural context.

the structure is nestled amidst a grove of ancient pines in Jurmala

the architecture effortlessly responds to the surrounding landscape

the rugged texture of concrete walls forms a unique composition

the formation of a planted patio cuts through the concrete structure

the concrete embraces the landscape responding to the natural context

the glazed atrium separates the private sleeping zones from the common living spaces

Reference

Interior Design

Studio Vaaro reconfigures House M using built-in storage volumes

By Zarkon Group,04/05/2023

For the renovation of a house in Toronto’s West End, local firm Studio Vaaro added minimally detailed millwork to form kitchen cabinetry, the staircase and a feature bookcase in the living room.

Studio Vaaro‘s overhaul of House M, a three-storey detached property that had been renovated and extended multiple times over the years, involved reconfiguring the layout to remove the awkward subdivided spaces.

Ground floor divided by pale blue storage volumes — The ground floor of House M is partitioned by storage volumes laid out in a diamond formation

“Our clients were a professional couple with two young children, who were looking for flexible and resilient spaces that could accommodate their home offices, overnight guests, and the changing needs of their growing children,” said the studio.

“We, therefore, developed a spatial concept based on ‘functional volumes’, in which well-proportioned spaces are partitioned by blocks of storage and service functions.”

Kitchen separated from dining room by pale blue partition — The pale blue-grey volumes provide additional storage space for the kitchen

These built-in storage blocks partially partition four rooms on the ground floor while keeping an open flow between them.

Laid out in a diamond formation, all are coloured pale blue-grey to highlight their function against the otherwise white walls.

Kitchen with oak cabinetry and marble countertops — In the kitchen, oak cabinetry contrasts with the marble countertops

“The large amount of built-in storage ensures the rooms themselves are free of clutter and ready for use,” said Studio Vaaro. “In line with the family’s personalities, colour and playful details abound.”

In the entryway is a coat closet that hides the view of the living room behind, where an oak bookcase sat atop a teal powder-coated fireplace covers almost an entire wall.

Oak staircase with built-in bleachers and white guardrails — Bleachers are built into the oak staircase, offering a display area or extra seating

A powder room is placed between this space and the kitchen, also forming additional cabinet and counter space within its volume.

Further kitchen storage sits in front of the dining room, and another closet is tucked under the doglegging staircase.

Bedrooms viewed through deep portal doorways coloured dusty pink — On the first floor, the bedrooms are accessed through deep portal doorways

“A ‘mixing bowl’ at the centre of the plan, at the base of the stairs, visually and physically connects all four spaces,” the studio said.

Both the entry and the dining room volumes are pulled away from the home’s exterior walls, allowing additional views between rooms.

Kid's room with patterned wallpaper and writing on a closet door — The portals are coloured dusty pink and the kids rooms are also colourful

The remaining built-in furniture is oak to match the flooring that runs throughout, including kitchen millwork and the staircase, which incorporates oversized bleachers for displaying kids’ artwork or creating extra seating during a party.

A white metal “picket” guardrail, softened with rounded details, allows light to pass down from the upper levels.

On the first floor, two parallel volumes separate the children’s rooms at the front of the house and the primary suite at the back from the central corridor.

These create both storage for the rooms, and deep doorway portals that are highlighted in dusty pink.

Bathroom vanity with an angled skylight above — Skylights in the stepped angled roofs bring extra light into rooms at the rear, including the primary bathroom

Carefully considered details include recesses for the door handles, allowing the doors to open the full 90 degrees without banging into the wall.

Work and study spaces in the attic are minimally furnished, though feature built-in desks that step up to form shelves behind.

Study area with built-in oak desk — Study spaces in the attic also feature built-in furniture

Skylights in the stepped, angled roof planes on all three floors bring extra light into the dining room, primary bathroom, and the stairwell.

Other Toronto homes that have undergone extensive renovations to make them better suited for their occupants include a 14-foot-wide house where pale woodwork forms storage to make more space, and another “disguised as a gallery” – both designed by StudioAC.

The photography is by Scott Norsworthy.

Project credits:

Team: Aleris Rodgers, Francesco Valente-Gorjup, Shengjie Qiu.

Reference

Architecture

6 Rural Residences Composed of Clustered Volumes

By Zarkon Group,06/07/2022

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

Whether on top of the mountain or deep into the woods, staying in close contact with nature can free your heart and mind from exhausting urban life. When designing with rich natural contexts, breaking the architectural volume down into smaller units is an unexpected approach that architects should consider. This strategy allows flexibility in organizing functional spaces, especially when the project needs to cope with the undulating landscape.

Explore with this collection of projects that are clustered in groups of small volumes across stunning landscapes. Instead of a huge, loud form, they communicate with their natural surroundings more harmonically.

Photos by Kevin Scott

Sail House by David Hertz Architects, Studio of Environmental Architecture, Grenadines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 2020
Jury Winner, 2021 A+Awards, Private House (XL > 6,000 sq ft)

Located on one of the beautiful islands of the Grenadines, the Sail House consists of a series of residences overlooking the bay. Hiding in the jungle, there are a primary residence, a caretaker’s residence and several guesthouses, all scattered across the mountainous landscape.

Inspired by the local sailing culture, the roofs are formed by white membranes which are stretched into shapes by steel ‘masts.’ The tensile roofs provide enough shading to keep the residences from overheating. At the same time, the second layer of membranes allows heat to escape from the roof without exposing the interior to rainwater. Rainwater is collected by the roof system and channeled down to the basement through the structural masts. Utilizing the rich precipitation of the site, the sail house is self-sufficient in water.

Photos by Kyungsub Shin

Knot House by Atelier Chang Ltd, Geoje-si, South Korea, 2014
Jury Winner & Popular Choice, 2015 A+Awards, Hotels + Resorts

The Knot House comprises five sculptural volumes. Five volumes are modular yet closely connected, creating a continuous geometrical form that follows the geological profile. Each knot is a folding shape that provides a private ocean view. The houses are twisted 40 degrees toward the sea to create a triangular private zone by each knot. This twisting exaggerates the dynamicity in the overall form, making the building visible from far away. Among the five knots, the big knot houses a clubhouse and the owner’s residence, and four one-story knots host six guestrooms. Tilted walls and fragmented timber surfaces extend the formal dynamic to interior spaces.

jikka_exterior jikka_interior JIKKA by issei suma/SUMA, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, 2015

JIKKA is like a bunch of mushrooms growing in the woodland of Shizuoka. The house consists of five huts that together accommodate two ladies in their 60s. Each hut is tailored to fit its program, making them vary in dimensions. The dining/living room and the master bedroom each have a skylight on top, while the other three huts housing the guest room, guest bath and utility room have enclosed, pointed roofs. In contrast to the tall ceiling, the glazed openings are relatively low while meeting the ground. Such form-making strategies create a spacious yet cozy living space.

casa sardinera_far casa sardinera_pool Casa Sardinera by Ramon Esteve Estudio, Xàbia, Spain, 2014

Casa Sardinera stands on the top of a rockery hill, enjoying an unblock view of the Mediterranean Sea. The building is east-west orientated which facilitates cross-ventilation in the summer and helps capture sunlight in the winter. Adjustable shutters provide shading and privacy for the entry-facing west façade. In contrast, the east façade is made transparent by floor-to-ceiling glazing, generously inviting the attractive landscape into the rooms. The overhangs become sheltered verandas that lead to the outdoor pool and panoramic view of the landscape. While the architectural volumes are rather blocky, white concrete and pale-color timber create a sense of lightness.

Es Pou_aerial Es Pou_exterior Es Pou by marià castelló, architecture, Balearic Islands IB, Spain, 2021

The project is sited on a rural plot on the island of Formentera. Around the project are farmlands and a flourishing woodland in the west, protecting the house from the setting sun. All three volumes are oriented south-north to avoid overheating. From south to north, the first volume consists of a porch that protects against the burning summer sun. The volume in the middle houses the main living space and the third volume accommodates two bedrooms. The three volumes are similarly white triangular blocks but vary in width, roof plan, and façade openings. Textured with ceramic and wood, the interior has a cozy coolness. Timber breeze walls add textuality to the sleek surfaces while controlling the amount of light and heat that enters the rooms.

Comporta 10_aerial Comporta 10_courtyard Comporta 10_inner Comporta 10 by Fragmentos, Grândola, Portugal, 2021

Comporta 10 is situated in a landscape that features sand dunes and diverse vegetation. The residence comprises a group of one-story white blocks and a courtyard on one corner of the site. The courtyard is loosely enclosed by a group of blocks yet still closely connected to the surrounding natural environment. Living areas and en-suite bedrooms are placed opposite each other and organized by a straight corridor. The kitchen, living room, and dining room enjoy the view of the carefully designed courtyard through large glazed sliding doors. Meanwhile, the bedrooms are rather enclosed that open only toward private verandas and the corridor.

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

Reference

volumes

stacked volumes & half domes shape babnimnim’s kuwait mosque

babnimnim studio unveils mamluki lancet mosque

a contemporary expression of historic islamic architecture

stone masses and islamic engravings bridge past and present

five wooden house-shaped volumes compose nursery school in tokyo

himawari nursery school reimagines early childhood education

nursery school becomes a dynamic playground

House-Shaped Volumes Embrace a Child-Friendly Atmosphere

concrete residence in latvia unfolds two distinct dynamic volumes

The House in Jurmala by Chado responds to the natural context

design composes an interplay of concrete forms and volumes

Studio Vaaro reconfigures House M using built-in storage volumes

6 Rural Residences Composed of Clustered Volumes

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