Thai-Decor.com

Posts Tagged ‘Architects’

PLAN01 Architects have designed the Rennes Mtropole Crematorium in Vern-sur-Seiche, France.

Full description after the photos….

.

Photography by Stphane Chalmeau and Luc Boegly
.

Rennes Mtropole Crematorium by PLAN01 Architects

Largely marginal in the 1970s, cremation has experienced a slow but regular progress for the last 20 years, reaching a 29% rate today. In 2030, cremation will become the main funeral practice in France, outreaching the symbolic 50% rate. This true reversal of traditions underlines the progessive spreading of cremation, both geographically, outside major urban centres, and socially, religious and older people are less opposed to cremation.

From a free thinker ceremonial to a mass practice
If cremation is becoming a major practice on a strict mumber basis, some of its aspects are still influenced by former perceptions. In many ways, it is still evocating the roughness and the severity of a ceremonial for free thinkers and reprobate people. The difficulty of combinating cremation with a truly respectful and solemn ceremony still remains. It is particularly perceptible in the architectural layout of crematoriums. They are not well conceived, not very appropriate to this difficult and particular situation; they make the mourning process even more complicated and painful.

In the continuity of what have been made in Northern Europe, a reflection on the architectural quality of crematoriums in France is more than needed. Far from beeing a detail in crematorium conception, architecture is a key step in the invention process of a dignified ceremony.

Rennes mtropole Crematorium, the result ofa collective approach
In this very particular and stimulating context, the group of agencies PLAN01 got the opportunity to work on the crematorium project in Vern-sur-Seiche. The innovative organisation of the group- 4 architecture agencies sharing a same workspace and working together on important projects – results in a relevevant architectural answer.

Over the group meetings held during the first two years, the ten partners had the opportunity to share their first impressions, to clear the eventual apprehensions, to refine their approach of the project and develop their first ideas.

This collective way to proceed has facilitated the elaboration of a strictly secular space that does not expel anyone, without denying the needs of emotion, solemnity and spirituality shared by everyonne.

The Circle
The circle is repeated throughout the spatial configuration and its many declinations shape both the landscape and the building. From the clearing to the shape of the rooms, the circle is a recurrent theme. This spatial layout referred to life circle, constellation, but also to Stonehenge or Land Art works.

Above all, it can be interpreted in many philosophical, religious or cultural ways. Completely non-denominational and easily accessible to all, the crematorium rises up, solemn and imposing. The references to daily life vanish, creating a singular experience where orthogonality does not rule any more.

This layout is also a reaction against monumental architecture. Unlike a mausoleum, the crematorium does not overwhelm users and nature.

Although monumentality is dismissed, the need of solemnity is not rejected, though. On the contrary, the choice of simple shapes and materials provides an integrated landscape of peace and tranquillity. It creates a dignified and serene area.

A landscape building or architecture as landscape
The first problem to be addressed was the parking issue. This very particular situation requires to escape from the mundane world of the automobile. The building fits into a vast clearing, surrounded by trees and fields. Small car parks are discretely included in those wooded areas. By leaving theirs cars in those special areas, mourners can detach themselves from the outside world and enter a place entirely dedicated to ceremony and meditation.

The architectural reflection on access was influenced by the idea to avoid imposing one single common path leading to the crematorium, but rather to create a large number of possible approaches. Thus, the various pathways encourage a gradual progress from the external environment towards internal intimacy, from outer noise to inner silence.

After crossing a broken enclosure formed by thick granite blocks (extracted in a local quarry), users go down a gently sloping planted section that converges on the building standing at the end of a large curved open-air horizontal space. The building itself appears like an enormous disc floating in the centre of the clearing and bringing together the various elements of the programme. It creates an impression of fluidity between internal and external spaces.

Interior areas
The large central hall is the key piece in the people circulation system. There are no corridors but only flowing spaces, mainly illuminated by natural light with framed external views. This space has been conceived in order to reduce the feeling of being shut in. Its the place where members of the families get together, where they can decide to speak or not, where people can be overwhelmed with emotion.

There are two different sorts of area opened to the public: the rooms where the ceremonies take place and the waiting rooms.

The two ceremonial rooms are large circular spaces with dedicated patios that bring light and air. This special layout design reconciles the contradictory need for openness and intimacy. Each room is complemented by draperies that enhance the acoustic characteristics.

The waiting areas are located as ante-rooms to the ceremonial spaces. Their walls are made of glass that can be completely hidden by translucent curtains, so that the levels of intimacy and openness can be controlled. This system also gives the possibility to avoid embarrassing encounters between two different families.

An ecological approach : project fundamentals
Far from the up-to-date and superficial greenwashing concept, PLAN01developed a complete ecological approach. PLAN01 created PLAN02 – a twin structure – specialized in eco conception and bioclimatic design.

Not just a building, a complete site. With its grass-covered roof and large exterior pool, the project blends into the vegetation of the landscape. It is also an integral part of its geographical surroundings through the use of local materials such as granite and wood.

By incorporating various current international frames of reference (HQE, Habitat and Environment, Effinergie, LEED, BREEAM, etc), PLAN01 has defined 7 criteria for optimising the crematoriums environmental performance. In this project the environmental issue is treated as a springboard for innovation, not as a constraint, as an underlying principle, not just as a green veneer.

Visit the PLAN01 website – here.

.

.

Platform 5 Architects have designed the Meadowview House in Bedfordshire, England.

.

The Meadowview House by Platform 5 Architects

Meadowview is situated on the edge of a rural village in Bedfordshire and was designed as a family home for a retired couple. The plot, enclosed by hedgerows and mature trees, borders onto an expanse of arable fields. The site has been divided into different areas by the house and hard landscaping, setting up an interplay between the building, gardens and distant landscape.

The abstract nature of the surrounding agricultural landscape and vernacular buildings has informed the design, resulting in a house with a simple linear form with a horizontal emphasis. Small differences in height make a big difference to what you can see in a flat landscape so three datums were struck across the site expressed in bands of slate, white render and timber cladding to mark the viewing platforms.

On the ground floor, areas of glazing set up close, sensual relationships with the garden whilst the first floor offers a more detached experience of the landscape with long views framed like pictures on the wall.

The sweet chestnut clad box overhangs the ground floor so that from across the fields it looks like it is floating over the hedgerows. The deep recessed balcony acts like a lens hood, framing sunsets over the countryside. The concept of a hovering building is continued into the details of the ash tread stair that is cantilevered off the wall in the entrance hall. The lightness of the timber box is juxtaposed with the heavy ironstone gabion wall that encloses the private walled garden.

A meandering route through the house creates a sequence of gradually more private internal and external spaces. The entrance hall offers visitors views straight through the house to the pavilion in the back garden whilst screening off the living areas. As you progress though the ground floor, the space expands into a double height living room that is overlooked by the first floor study. From the living room, you can gain access to the courtyard garden where more delicate plants can grow protected from the wind and cold. To the rear of the house, swathes of long grasses and meadow flowers are animated by the breeze giving the terrace a wharf-like feel. An area of the garden is given over to food production in raised beds, providing all of the households fruit and veg over the summer months.

The house is well insulated and also incorporates mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce heat losses whilst a rainwater harvesting tank supplies water to the WCs and the garden irrigation system.

Visit the Platform 5 Architects website – here.

.

.

Guz Architects have completed the Fish House in Singapore.

.

Description of the Fish House by Guz Architects:

This modern tropical bungalow encapsulates the essence of living in the hot and humid climate of Singapore by creating open spaces which encourage natural ventilation and offer residents views to the ocean.

The main design concept is to create a house which has close relationship with nature and this is achieved by having a swimming-pool linking the house with the landscape and ultimately visual connections with the sea. The idea of connection is reinforced by having the basement level media-room with a u-shaped acrylic window which allows diffuse natural light in and also views out into the pool. The curved roofs, which symbolizing the sea waves, also emphasize the idea of the nearby sea. These are almost totally covered with thin bendable photovoltaic panels supplying enough energy to the house, while the remaining area is used as a green roof giving residents some outdoor leisure spaces.

Fish House is a modest and yet luxurious residential design which gives residents opportunities to live in harmony and comfortably with nature.

Visit the Guz Architects website – here.

.

.