‘M-velope,’ Shelter by Michael Jantzen
The M-vironments were developed by Michael Jantzen to accommodate a wide range of markets with different sizes, shapes, materials, and panel types. The system can be used for exhibit structures, pavilions, play environments for kids, retail spaces, office modules, and other commercial applications.
It is a small functional art structure designed to be a special place in which to escape from the normal reality of a predictable conventional space. The entire structure is made of sustainably grown western red cedar wood, which has been stained a sage green color. Read More…
‘First Light’ House for Solar Decathlon 2011
The house is called ‘First Ligh’t because “New Zealand is the first place the morning light shines at the start of a new day” . The Meridian First Light house was inspired by the traditional Kiwi bach – a New Zealand holiday home. The design reflects the relaxed New Zealand lifestyle where socializing and a connection with the outdoors are central to living. The heart of the design is the glazed central section which functions as a bridge between the natural environment and the indoors.
Though First Light is modeled on a vacation home, it was intended as a permanent residence for a couple. It was recently sold at an auction, and following Solar Decathlon 2011, it will return to New Zealand and its new owners. The student team, along with Victoria University, are exploring commercial opportunities as a result of the project, according to Nuttall: “There is a lot of demand out there for this sort of thing and we hope to continue our creative involvement in this field.” Read More…
‘PHANTOM,’ Opera Garnier Restaurant by ODBC Architects
The new restaurant of the Opera opened in July 2011, has been conceptualized and designed by French architect Odile Decq Benoit Cornette Architects (ODBC). The architect had to deal with many constraints as it was forbidden to touch or alter the original structure as the restaurant needed to be “reversible”. “All our facilities, piers, mezzanines and equipment were integrated into the site without touching the stones,” owner Pierre-Francois Blanc was quoted as saying in le JDD. Working within construction limitations and standards applied to French historic buildings is challenging, to say the least. Thus, there is no visible structure and the restaurant sorts of floats above the ground.
The facade of the restaurant is a veil of undulating glass, sliding between each pillar. With no visible structure, the glass is held in place by a single strip of bent steel running along the arched curve of the ceiling. This steel strip is fixed to the upper cornices of the columns 6 meters above the ground with stainless steel connecting rods. The glass is therefore held in place as if « by magic ». The façade therefore allows for clear views and a minimum impact. Providing enough floor space to seat 90 people was another requirement for this limited space.
The mezzanine was therefore created as a continuous surface. Narrow columns extend upwards towards the molded plaster hull, which curves to form the edges of the handrail. This vessel, which has been slipped under the cupola, is a cloud formation floating between the existing elements of the room without touching them. It’s an allusion to the changing form of the phantom, whose white veil glides surreptitiously in space. Quietly, almost insidiously, the soft protean curves of the mezzanine cover the space with a volume that arches, undulates, and floats above the guests. The space is open and turned outward. Read More…
Brooks Avenue House by Bricault Design
For the house located on Brooks Avenue House in Venice, California, the clients asked more space to accommodate the needs of a growing family, but they were reluctant to leave their location in Venice – one of the few walkable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The solution was to maintain and remodel their existing 2000 square foot home, while creating a 1700 square foot addition and courtyard on the rear lane side.
With an ideal climate for much of the year, a primary design driver was to create a seamless connection between inside and outside, while eliminating the need for air conditioning. To this end, a central sculptural staircase links the ground floor with the rooftop deck, while doubling as a chimney to draw cooling breezes through the house. On the main floor, a sequence of pivoting doors opens the house to the courtyard, while on the second floor, windows fold back and full-height exterior panels slide into walls. A system of cedar battens serve as a shading device along much of the addition.
Truffle, Camouflage Shelter by Ensamble Studio
Spanish Studio Ensamble have created ‘la trufa’ (the truffle), a small shelter in costa de morte, in the north of spain.
To build the Truffle, contractors dug a large hole, compacted the excavated soil around the cavity to form a rough retaining wall, stacked hay bales inside, and poured concrete over them.Once the concrete set, workers removed the compacted soil formwork to reveal an amorphous, boulder-like mass impregnated with a rough texture and an earthen color.
The Truffle is a piece of nature built with earth, full of air. A space within a stone that sits on the ground and blends with the territory. It camouflages, by emulating the processes of mineral formation in its structure, and integrates with the natural environment, complying with its laws. Read More…
‘Shoreham House,’ Westernport Bay, Australia by SJB Architects
This is exactly the kind of house we love on CubeMe. From the inside, the house is like a frame open to the surrounding landscape. It’s like being part of the nature. The structure of the house is built with perfect proportions and the minimalist shape allows to maximize the use of the energy of the place.
Shoreham House built by SJB Architects is situated on a stunning site overlooking Westernport Bay, Australia. this residence was conceived as two pavilions sliding across the landscape, creating shelter, shade and relief from the unpredictable coastal weather patterns. Read More…
Penthouse in Berlin by LecaroliMited Architects
Lecarolimited was commissioned to remodel the penthouse of a German apartment building, spread over two floors. The mirrors of different shapes and sizes create geometric patterns across the partitioning walls of the penthouse apartment, surrounding the kitchen, fireplace and seating areas.
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Casa Ponce, Mexico by Coutiño & Ponce Arquitectos
Mexican Coutiño & Ponce Arquitectos have sent us photographs of their lastest project in Tabasco, México.
At night, from outside the house is colored by the rooms that are illuminated from different color and with the facade that is illuminated by colored LEDs.
Bamboo that grows near the facade through the roof allowing the bamboos to rise and let in light. Inside the room it gives the impression that the house is an integral part of the landscape.
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Shea Homes by kitHAUS
Their versatile modules have been adapted as add-on office space for homes, writers/artists studios and more, but Shea Homes development project in San Diego is using one in a new way – as a high end leasing office at their site. The project was completed in 3 weeks, and the module is fully insulated, heated and air conditioned. Read More…
Tai Pei Art Museum by Kois Associated Architects
Greek firm kois associated architects has sent us their proposal for Tapei Art Museum.
When we started the design process we noticed that the site was a so-called terrain vague, urbanistically speaking a no man’s land with remnants of industrial installations. While it had some elements of exterior design like the sculpture garden on its west boundary with the prominent sculpture feature, on its south east boundary the amphitheater and on the north east boundary the art resource center. These facilities although present within the strong boundaries of the site appear disconnected and the site gives the image of a vacant land. According to the established schedule the site was to become a part of the architecturally organized and well defined city. Our aim was to convert this area into a prominent and recognizable district within the urban landscape of Tai Pei. For that reason we decided that we wanted a building that will act as landmark within the city and could become an icon for the new image of Tai Pei.
We decided since the beginning that we did not want to merge the two programs in one but instead we wanted two separated programs consecutively two separate museums that will develop a dialectic relationship between them.
We followed different patterns of organization for the two museums. The children’s art museum is organized and structured in a free fluid manner in comparison with the more rigid ortho-kanonic organization of the art museum located below it. The reason is that we felt that it was more appropriate to give its users the children the freedom of exploration and the spontaneity of discovery.
AIBS House in Spain by AABE Architecture
‘AIBS’ house has been completed by Atelier d’Architecture Bruno Erpicum & Partners in Spain. The house which overlooks the sea from the cliff seems to engage in landscape. Away from view, the swimming pool lies to the side of the building beyond the terrace, surrounded by the natural environment.
Under blue skies the building appears calm and serene whilst in stormy weather it has a striking and tormented air about it. The land becomes rippled before turning into a staircase which leads you down to the lower bridge from where you can appreciate the landscape in all its beauty. The living areas are enclosed by a single large window frame. The windows also provide protection against the winds. Read More…
Harajuku Church by Ciel Rouge Creation
The Harajuku Protestant Church, located in Tokyo, was first designed by Ciel Rouge Creation. The architecture for this Protestant Church is centered by a wide nave arranged with six arches and a bell tower that symbolically lay importance on the seven elements, the seven days of creation, the seven churches of the Orient. The ceiling is specially made to reverberate natural sound for 2 seconds to provide a unique listening experience for worshipers and tourists.
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Kitchen With Folding Facade by dmvA Architecten
The challenge dmvA Architecten was to turn the kitchen in an existing art nouveau extension of a 19th-century townhouse into a multi purpose family space that can be transformed easily into a film-screening or a meeting room.
The panels simply close to hide the kitchen , making functional way for a truly multi functional area. The worktop cantilevers out from the rear wall and hovers like a magic tick ready to be used as a work surface, dining table or desk.
Parking Boxes Overlooking the Hill by Peter Kunz
The architect Peter Kunz built these parking boxes with glass facade so you can park your car and enjoy the view at the same time. From outside the cars look like a piece of art in precious boxes. Read More…
‘La Maison Champs-Elysées,’ Hotel by Martin Margiela
‘Maison Champs-Elysées’ hotel is located at 8 Jean Goujon in the eighth district has commissioned Maison Martin Margiela redecorates the suites, restaurant, smoking room, bar and reception area into a surreal atmosphere.
La Maison Champs-Elysees combines modern and traditional aesthetics. One of the two buildings of the hotel was built in Napoleon era, formerly a private residence shared by the French Emperor and his wife Eugénie de Montijo’s from 1864 to 1989.
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Office 04 by I29 Interior Architects
i29 interior architects designed their new offices for about 80 people. With Tribal DDB their main objective was to create an environment where creative interaction is supported, and to achieve as much workplaces as possible in a new structure with flexible desks and a large open space. All of this while maintaining a work environment that stimulates long office hours and concentrated work. As Tribal DDB is part of an international network a clear identity was required, which also fits the parent company DDB. The design had to reflect an identity that is friendly and playful but also professional and serious. The contradictions within these questions, asked for choices that allow great flexibility in the design.
Situated in a building where some structural parts could not be changed it was a challenge to integrate these elements in the design and become an addition to the whole. i29 searched for solutions to various problems which could be addressed by one grand gesture. At first a material which could be an alternative to the ceiling system, but also to cover and integrate structural parts like a big round staircase. Besides that, acoustics became a very important item, as the open spaces for stimulating creative interaction and optimal usage of space was required. Read More…
Apartment Building in Prague by Znamení Čtyř
Znamení Čtyř sent us the photos of their latest construction of apartment building based in Prague city quarter.
The apartment house consists of simple and traditional mass following the street line, set back from neighboring building. The concept is based on cutting out of volume from basic block – characterized by dark brick facing. Two volumes with residential stories are situated above one story underground area, which is partially below grade and containing parking places. Each of residential volumes has its own vertical circulation. The total number of flats is 17. The typical size of flats is about 100m2. On the ground floor flats are placed just on the park side with their private gardens.
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House in Hamamatsu, Japan by Yukiharu Suzuki & Associates
This awesome barn style home design is a unique workshop / home in Hamamatsu City by Japanese architecture firm Yukiharu Suzuki & Associates. This industrial-chic house has a “homey” twist that makes it an inspiring working and living space. This three-storey concrete and wood barn is perched on a hillside with dramatic views of the sea and skyline.
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