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Posts Tagged ‘Architects’

Hughes Umbanhowar Architects have designed the River Road house in Sewall’s Point, Florida.

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The River Road House by Hughes Umbanhowar Architects

When morning breaks in the small residential community of Sewalls Point, the house is cloaked in light that is reflected and refracted from the faceted Mahogany framed windows of this regal residence. Home for a young family, the structure is reverent in its embrace of the outdoors, both the two-acre waterfront lot it occupies and the landscape beyond. Ensconced in the hillside which overlooks the water, the structure is a series of expansive and intimate courtyards and cantilevered decks, which architectonically echo the diaphanous volumes of the interior, spaces which seem to defy gravity, even while embracing the solidity of Italian limestone and stucco facades. Views to the southwest encompass the dynamic activity of the marina in an inland waterway and track the movements of sun, wind and water.

The 12,300-square foot house, completed in 2008, is a complex composition, reminiscent of the canvases of Georges Braque, in which geometric forms appear and disappear in a constant dance of illusion and materiality. The house comprises a series of distinct, yet interlocking rectilinear volumes conjoined by a transparent longitudinal axis. Positive volumes are balanced atop negative creating a heightened tension and intrigue. A glass-skinned throughway connects and distinguishes the two dominant volumes, or towers, capturing light and adding to the sense of interior capaciousness. Exterior glass, limestone, stucco and mahogany outline, augment and anchor what otherwise might be a cacophony of disparate forms.

Whether allegro, andante or largo, the varied rhythms of the internal structure are adroitly composed. Denizens move with leisure or efficiency, depending on need and mood. Interior spaces are carefully orchestrated to conceal and reveal dramatic views to the water. Surprise and delight are amplified by skillful interior and exterior framing. In the same way, the arrangement of program and use moves inhabitants through a logical gradient from public to private space, from activity to slumber, from conviviality to introspection. At either end of the longitudinal axis that connects the two domestic partitions, separate stairways enhance circulation and provide discrete access to the three-storied parapets.

The gracious interior is highlighted by the use of Mahogany, Minnesota Limestone, and plaster finishes. Afternoon sun is mitigated by aluminum louvers and astute structural arrangement. The bulthaup kitchen is enhanced by a sliding window wall which opens to an exterior courtyard, further collapsing the distinction between exterior and interior space, and thereby underscoring the sense of spontaneous yet calculated arrangement.

Visit the Hughes Umbanhowar Architects website – here.

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

Full description after the photos….

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Photography by Stphane Chalmeau and Luc Boegly
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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.

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

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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.

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Guz Architects have completed the Fish House in Singapore.

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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.

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Kevin deFreitas Architects have completed a new chapel, built on the Rincon Indian reservation in San Diego County in California.

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Saint Bartholomews Chapel by Kevin deFreitas Architects

Context + History:
Located in the picturesque back country of San Diego Co. the very small historic St. Bartholomews Chapel was destroyed by a wildfire that ravaged the Rincon Indian reservation in late 2007. Only the original adobe bell tower and original Mission bell survived, which would become the anchor element in the redesign planning. The needs of the current community changed significantly over the past 100 years. The fire presented a blank slate opportunity to expand and update the facility primarily by doubling the seating capacity and adding a standalone multipurpose social hall which created and framed a third space; an outdoor prayer garden. While respecting traditional customs, emulating or recreating the past literally was not a project goal. Design elements in plan, section, and elevation were conceived to reference and infuse meaning into the chapel. Rammed earth walls, radial plan elements, butterfly roof, and extensive use of locally sourced materials all draw from a limitless well of Native American and Catholic symbols and metaphors. A thin film Solar PV system, high thermal mass construction, thoughtfully placed glazing, deep overhangs and ultra low water consuming plant palette all acknowledge the Native way of living lighter on the land.

Design Objectives:
The new design was conceived to reverently knit together past and comfortable traditions, while acknowledging and offering something relevant to current and future generations. Thus, emulating or recreating the past literally was not a project goal. Native American as well as Catholic/Christian symbols and metaphors were referenced in every design element; plan, section, and elevation as a way to infuse meaning into the chapel on several layers.

Sustainability + LEED:
In an effort to reconnect with traditional Indian culture of living lighter on the land, the client specifically requested that the project thoughtfully incorporate a full complement of green materials, efficient technologies, and sustainable strategies into the redesign. The building consumes approximately 26% less power, and 35% less water than comparable structure. This was achieved using a combination of low and high tech solutions. Low tech passive features employed include; oversized roof overhangs, protected glazing, few west facing openings, clerestory windows and skylights for natural daylighting, and strategically placed operable windows to encourage cross ventilation. Some of the high tech products include; a flush mounted thin film PV systems invisibly incorporated into the metal standing seam roof, high efficiency mechanical units, a computerized lighting control panel, high performance solar E glazing, and Icynene self expanding foam insulation dramatically improved the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of the project. The entire landscape incorporates highly drought tolerant species that complement the overall building theme. The chapel is currently pursuing LEED certification at the Gold level.

Natural Materials:
The Chapel utilizes a significant amount of site harvested building materials; the signature element being the massive rammed earth walls that flank the sanctuary, each nearly 60 feet long, 18 feet tall, and 2 feet thick. Symbolically important, these beautifully textured and organic walls are literally molded from 120 tons of sacred reservation soil. Other earthy materials such as the 3 ton boulder that was crafted into the baptismal font and the 5 thick slabs of wood hewn from a Coastal Live Oak physically connect this congregation to the beauty of their natural surroundings, the significance of their ancestral home, and most importantly to the Spirit of their God in a very tangible and palpable way.

Project Data:
Owner: Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians
Address: 2 Mazzetti Lane, Valley Center, California

Chapel: 3,560 square feet
Social Hall: 2,385 square feet
Courtyard: 1,820 square feet

Design Team:
Church Committee: George Arviso, Juan Reed, Patty Duro, Rose Duro, Georgiana Viveros
Architect: Kevin deFreitas Architects, AIA
Project Team: Kevin deFreitas & Manish Desai
Structural Engineer: Envision Engineering
Landscape Architect: LandLAB Inc.
Mechanical Engineer: Stueven Engineering
Plumbing & Electrical Engineer: BTA Engineers

Contractor: Lusardi Construction Company

Photography: Harrison Photographic

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