Wraps

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dynamic curtain of concrete walls of varying heights engulfs japanese home by GOSIZE in tranquility
CategoriesArchitecture

GOSIZE wraps japan home in concrete walls of varying height

By Zarkon Group,
dynamic curtain of concrete walls of varying heights engulfs japanese home by GOSIZE in tranquility

gosize melds external and internal spaces at ashiya s house

 

Amid an upscale residential neighborhood in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, the Ashiya S House stands as a three-story block of concrete infused with a dynamic sequence of spaces. The home, conceived by Go Fujita of studio GOSIZE, fuses traditional Japanese perspectives with modern aesthetics, resulting in a space that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior, motion and stillness, and yin and yang.

 

Situated in close proximity to neighboring apartment buildings and a busy road, the architects placed emphasis on blocking sightlines and noise, prioritizing privacy and tranquility for residents. The spatial solution devised a series of outer walls surrounding the building, each varying in height and strategically positioned to create an open space that fosters intimacy while inviting natural light and views inside.

dynamic curtain of concrete walls of varying heights engulfs japanese home by GOSIZE in tranquility
height-changing walls envelop the building | all images courtesy of Go Fujita / GOSIZE

 

 

fusion of traditional japanese design with modern aesthetics

 

Approaching the entrance, residents are guided along a semi-external path formed by gaps between overlapping exterior walls, marking a transition from public to private. Stepping inside, rough yet delicate tatami-finished walls adorned with contemporary art fuse traditional and modern elements, creating a serene ambiance that sets the tone for the rest of the Ashiya S House.

 

Ascending the stairs, guided by subtle indirect lighting, unveils a living area that exudes a sense of openness. The double-height windows allow sunlight to stream in, softly reflecting off the tin wallpaper and diffusing into every corner of the living space. The team at GOSIZE has carved these expansive openings into the thick walls to also serve as screens, framing the ever-changing views of the outside world, effectively merging the indoor and outdoor experiences.

dynamic curtain of concrete walls of varying heights engulfs japanese home by GOSIZE in tranquility
a walled courtyard and porch marking a transition from exterior to exterior

dynamic curtain of concrete walls of varying heights engulfs japanese home by GOSIZE in tranquility
GOSIZE’s design concept fuses traditional Japanese perspectives with modern aesthetics

dynamic curtain of concrete walls of varying heights engulfs japanese home by GOSIZE in tranquility
the living space is infused with light and openness despite the home’s location in a bustling area

Reference

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland
CategoriesArchitecture

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats in poland

By Zarkon Group,
fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland

Ultra Architects form ‘Broken Down House’ in Poznan

 

Ultra Architects takes over the construction of a three-story residence designed following the unfavorable shape of a sloping plot in Poznań, Poland. Confined by the requirements imposed by the development conditions, the ‘Broken House’ forms a fragmented structure on the elongated parallelogram site, while retaining the mandatory building line that specifies the placement of walls, the angle of inclination of the roof, and the maximum height of the ridge. The frame’s main body contains functional interiors, and its elevations covered with raw larch slats fit perfectly into the natural, green surroundings.

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland
all images by Przemysław Turlej

 

 

classical barn-like shape revised and fragmented in blocks

 

The design team at Ultra Architects revises the classical barn-like shaped block for the design of the contemporary residential project. The body of the house fits into the plot through a bent in the place of the ridge. The volume forms a roof with two slopes, with the eastern elevation based on the building line indicated by the office. The rather problematic geotechnical terrain leads to the construction of a reinforced concrete frame of adequate rigidity and economic efficiency, allowing the design of more daring spatial solutions. The structure expands three levels along the descending plot. The middle floor arranges the entrance area, garage, children’s rooms, and a small independent apartment, while the living and kitchen area and a conservatory reside on the lowest story. The upper level assembles the master bedroom and a study zone.

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland
the design revises the classical barn-like shaped block

 

 

a structural staircase interconnects all floors

 

The binding element between all the floors is a spatially designed staircase. The formed staircase acts as a ventilation chimney in summer, forcing the natural movement of air, while in winter it draws the heat generated by the sun into the house, along with the adjacent conservatory. The facade and roofs of the house, as well as the fence, are finished with raw larch slats. In the interior, the structural frame of the house made of concrete remains unplastered. All furniture in the interior is designed from lacquered plywood, and the floors of the living and communication areas are made from terrazzo. 

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland
the facades covered with wooden slats fit perfectly into the natural, green surroundings

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland
the facade and roofs of the house, as well as the fence, are finished with raw larch slats

fragmented residence wraps in raw larch slats on narrow sloping plot in poland
the structure expands three levels along the descending plot

Reference

Curtain pulled back to reveal a mirror
CategoriesInterior Design

Lovers Unite wraps Bar Chelou in Pasadena with expressive drapery

By Zarkon Group,
Curtain pulled back to reveal a mirror

Late artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude influenced the dramatic drapery around this restaurant in Pasadena, California, designed by Los Angeles studio Lovers Unite.

Conceived by chef-owner Douglas Rankin as a take on a Parisian bistro, Bar Chelou opened earlier this year in a building in a Spanish Colonial Revival plaza next to the Pasadena Playhouse.

Curtain pulled back to reveal a mirror
Natural muslin is draped around Bar Chelou, emulating the works of Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Lovers Unite had just a few weeks to transform the space into an operational dining room, so looked to ways it could make maximum impact with minimal time.

The studio found inspiration in the legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who famously wrapped some of the world’s most recognisable monuments in giant swaths of fabric – most recently the Arc du Triomphe in Paris, which was realised a year after Christo’s death.

The duo’s seemingly effortless but meticulously planned drapery is echoed on a much smaller scale around the Bar Chelou space, which was formerly a Baroque-themed restaurant called Saso.

Dining room with copper tables and green floor
The restaurant in Pasadena features copper-topped tables that reflect light from an amber glass chandelier

“We felt the spirit of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work was a good conceptual fit for a project, which is supposed to evolve over time, but we’re able to be referential while being playful with our approach,” Lovers Unite told Dezeen.

“Translating the gesture of the wrap to a human scale and a hospitality context changes the meaning and impact of the gesture — it’s not necessarily an artwork but it’s evocative and surprising.”

Patrons enter via an arched doorway, and are immediately met with the sight of natural muslin fabric hung around the walls and above the bar.

Curtains surrounding dining room
Curtains surround the dining room and offer glimpses of the kitchen in places

“Upon entering, one might feel as if they are visiting an expansive and uncluttered artist’s studio in a transitory state; hints abound that change is coming,” said the Bar Chelou team.

Lifts and pleats in the curtains created by thick ropes reveal the chefs at work in the kitchen, as well as framing views of the arched windows seen in mirrored panels.

A dark shade of green was chosen to contrast the natural muslin and is used across the dining room floor and built-in leather banquettes.

Similarly coloured tiles clad the front of the walnut-topped bar counter at the front, which is slightly lower that the main dining area and offers additional seating.

Bar clad in glossy green tiles
A dark shade of green chosen to contrast the fabric covers the front of the bar counter

Thonet-style bistro chairs accompany polished copper cafe tables, which reflect the light from a custom, amber glass chandelier that spans the length of the room.

Walls were painted to match the hue of the curtain fabric, and the window frames are bright green.

Bar area illuminated by green-framed arched windows
Light pours into the bar area through arched windows with frames painted bright green

Pasadena located is northeast of Los Angeles, where many new restaurants with notable interiors have opened over the past few months.

Among them are the retro-futurist 19 Town designed by Jialun Xiong, and Great White Melrose, which offers outdoor dining on a pink-plaster patio.

The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

Reference

Exterior image of the Caisse d'Epargne Bourgogne Franche Comté Headquarters
CategoriesArchitecture

GRAAM Architecture wraps Burgundy office building in timber exoskeleton and “glass veil”

By Zarkon Group,
Exterior image of the Caisse d'Epargne Bourgogne Franche Comté Headquarters

A glazed skin hangs from a timber exoskeleton at this office building in France by French studio GRAAM Architecture, which has been shortlisted in the business building category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Completed for banking group Caisse d’Epargne in Dijon, Burgundy, the seven-storey building was designed to provide airy, flexible and naturally-lit workspaces that meet the Passivhaus requirements of using no more than 15 kWh/m2 per year.

Raised above its sloping site on a concrete podium containing garage space, GRAAM Architecture‘s design was informed by a desire to use materials and companies local to the area.

Exterior image of the Caisse d'Epargne Bourgogne Franche Comté Headquarters
The Burgundy office building was designed by GRAAM Architecture

“Located on the heights of Dijon in Burgundy, a few metres from the tramway stop, the building is built of seven levels, allowing it to be seen from a distance from the city’s expressway,” said the practice.

“Its wooden structure echoes the local resources of the Burgundy region, whose reputation for hardwood and softwood forests is well known,” it continued.

The timber structure of the building prioritises the use of traditional beam and joist techniques, only using concrete and cross-laminated timber (CLT) where necessary, such as for the floors and stair and lift cores.

Exterior detail image of the street facing entrances at Caisse d'Epargne Bourgogne Franche Comté Headquarters
The building incorporates a timber exoskeleton

Helping to free up the interiors, the structure is supported by an exoskeleton of timber bracing, the upper beams of which are used to hang the external “glass veil” envelope, supported by secondary steel elements.

The choice of materials means the structure could be entirely dry-process built, with the concrete elements prefabricated before being brought to the site.

“The project responds to a desire for exemplarity, modularity and intelligence,” said the practice.

“[It is] designed with a wooden structural skeleton, prefabricated concrete floors, and a wooden exo-structure covered with a glass double skin,” it continued.

“The building allows the bank to play a part in environmental issues, displaying its exemplary and unique nature without ostentation.”

Exterior image of Caisse d'Epargne Bourgogne Franche Comté Headquarters glass facade
The exterior is clad in a double glass skin

At the base of the structure, thin white steel columns support the building’s outer structure, creating a small sheltered area around the building’s perimeter that extends onto a terrace created by the concrete base and lined by a metal balustrade.

Inside, thin, almost full-height windows on each floor flood the office spaces with natural light, and the spacing of wooden columns allows for the easy addition of partition walls.

Interior image of a timber column-lined space at the office in France
The interior was developed to be divided and organised to best suit its users

“The space can be subdivided to create working areas for specific departments, or rented out to another firm if needed,” said the practice.

Among the other buildings shortlisted in the business building category of Dezeen awards 2022 is the Sanand Factory in India by Studio Saar, which aims to elevate otherwise typical factory structures with thoughtful details.

Photography is by Nicolas Waltefaugle.

Reference