| House BFW I [tp3] architekten Haag am I Hausruck Austria I 2008 |
These two leading themes are arranged to create a single overall structure through the symbiotic positioning of the different roof landscape. The integrated roof landscape means that at first glance it is not clear to the individual that these are actually two separate buildings, yet the roof that slopes towards the west connects the residence with the garage and therefore enables the existence of an intimate outside area in this interim zone. The ground floor is accessible directly above this zone. Although the north façade has a pitched roof, the actual separation of each design theme is highlighted by a house with a pent roof in front of the southern façade. This means that the building also looks like two different buildings from the two opposite sides. This is not visible in terms of the overall context, however, and basically refutes the configuration of the layout. This does not in any way reveal that the roof landscape may be configured differently. The living areas are incorporated in the ground floor in a clear expression of form and have a special connection with the outdoors due to the interior courtyard. The private areas are located on the first floor and are arranged towards the south. The cladding of the passive house is a wooden construction, including cladding with a spruce formwork (with rear ventilation). The remaining heat and the hot water are produced using a heat pump with deep drilling.
| WFH House I Arcgency Wuxi I China I 2012 |
“The Little House” on the parking lot is the story of a house, that uses less energy than it produces, is built of old shipping containers and can be transported by land or sea. But it is not just a house. It is a factory build product, with endless opportunities for individual customization, both in terms of climate, culture and style. You configure your house online and 16 weeks later you move in. The prototype is built in Denmark and the first houses will be built in WUXI, China. They are a low carbon, resource conscious solution for the fast growing country. The project has been developed for worldFLEXhome in collaboration with a wide range of producers, Danish Techno¬logical Institute and technical advisors. In many ways the project reflects Arcgency’s work: Architecture that is defines by resource consciousness, individual solutions for people and alterative building methods.
| Astana Railway Station I atelier4d Architekten Astana I Republic of Kazakhstan I 2010 |
The New Astana Main Station is envisaged as a starting and focal point for urban development. To give it enough strength and power to sustain on its own the station itself has been supplemented by the following other uses: Cinema and Conference Centre, Shopping and Retail Centre, Hotel. Recurring regularly throughout the city, the new Astana Main Station plays a primary role in establishing the identity and personality of the capital’s public spaces. It will become the very landmark by which one orients oneself and forms a sense of place. Its form, texture and colour will contribute to the clarity of the urban diagram and to the ease of transportation throughout Astana. Its boldness, plasticity and elegance are some of the qualities, that sets Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, apart and will make it a memorable and uniquely desirable flagship city in which to live and work.
| Enclave House I BKK Architects Melbourne I Australia I 2010 |
Formally, the extension at the rear of the existing residence is conceived through a subtractive approach that appears to have been carved from a solid block, chiseled away to cater to the planning/heritage overlays, whilst also drawing light back into the residence. Deep reveals form the windows to the upper floor to protect the gaze from the surrounding residences. An interior lightwell and water feature extend the garden space to the centre of the living spaces. The garden has also been carefully crafted to create its own secret garden, complete with designer cubby house. There is an overwhelming sense of seclusion in both the house and garden that creates a type of space that is the family’s own, a retreat from busy lives and the surrounding chaos. The fabric of the building/s operates like a protective cocoon. The differing materiality of the two levels of the extensions creates the impression that the house has been capped or that a “helmet” is placed upon the exterior walls.
| LA Modern I Carlo Donati Studio Lodi I Italy I 2012 |
LA modern is a 500 sq meters single family villa in the Italian country side facing to the Po riverside. The architectural language reminds the atmosphere of the Palm Springs’ villas designed by Neutra and Frey, but it reinterpretates them using contemporary materials. The three bodies of the villa define the courtyard with the pool and have different heights. The double height living space is in the heart of the house, with the mezzanine that overlooks the studio and the living. The kitchen is designed as a low volume with a long flat roof crossed by a tall cork tree. The façade on the main street has no windows, instead the ones facing the courtyard are open towards the garden and the pool continuously multiplying the views and the perspectives. Circular holes in the façade enlight the walkway to the spa area at the ground floor. At night, the light coming out from the holes is reflected in to the pool. The wooden slats cover the first floor wall and all the exterior floors around the pool.
| Federal Cultural Foundation I Dannheimer & Joos Architekten Halle I Germany I 2012 |
The Federal Culture Foundation’s new headquarter is located on the grounds of the Franckesche Stiftungen. It is elegantly integrated in the historic surrounding, underlining the goals of the foundation—promoting, initiating and funding art and innovative cultural projects. The gap of a once closed row of houses is not filled entirely. The building rather incorporates the eaves and ridge lines of the neighbouring houses. It stands on its own as a solitary building, thus keeping the balance between adaptation and symbolism. The architectural style of the surrounding can be found in the building’s structure. The white façade and framework adapt historical elements. They are filled with flush glass. Facing the square, a folded, white coated stainless-steel structure veils the glass front. Depending on the perspective, the façade changes from seemingly closed to transparent. Inside the foundation the architecture is straightforward and reduced. The building has an open office concept, also the employees are offered communication spots and “thinking cells”.