CaixaForum Zaragoza de Carme Pinós

En el año 2008 salió a concurso el CaixaForum Zaragoza, en una nueva área denominada Milla Digital, recuperada de los terrenos de la antigua estación ferroviaria de El Portillo. Este desarrollo urbano planeado por el Ayuntamiento, junto con la Escuela de Arquitectura del MIT, conforma la ‘Ciudad de la Innovación y el Conocimiento’. El proyecto ganador, del estudio de Carme Pinós, se inserta en el Parque del Portillo, la mayor zona verde del centro de la ciudad. Con 6.000 metros cuadrados, el volumen se define como nuevo referente cultural de Zaragoza, desde donde se puede observar el paisaje urbano en los espacios de transición entre las salas de exposiciones.
El edificio, que alberga un nuevo museo, quiere formar parte de Zaragoza. Por ello se constituye como un volumen singular de apariencia escultórica, formado por dos piezas desplazadas entre sí que permiten la observación del paisaje urbano. La elevación de los dos cuerpos que albergan las salas de exposiciones y el restaurante permite liberar la planta baja, dando continuidad al parque por debajo de una parte del edificio y conectándolo así con la ciudad de Zaragoza.

La estructura del museo está formada por una serie de muros de carga, un pilar fusiforme y un núcleo de hormigón armado en que se apoya una subestructura de acero formada por varias cerchas trianguladas, que funcionan como voladizos. El pilar fusiforme, de 25 metros de alto, que tiene como armado una cercha de acero triangulada, se ocupa de mantener la gran cercha que alberga la planta tercera y la cuarta del edificio, y resiste los esfuerzos del voladizo de la segunda planta.

Tanto las escaleras para visitantes, que se encuentran en el núcleo central de hormigón armado, como las de emergencia, en el exterior, soportadas mediante una estructura ligera, funcionan como elementos representativos. La fachada se cubre mediante bandejas de chapa de aluminio de 3 mm de espesor, que han sido previamiente definidas mediante procesos de perforación o de embutición, y que crean una envolvente continua con dibujos orgánicos.

http://www.arquitecturaviva.com/es/Info/News/Details/5929

OMA / Ole Scheeren, viviendas ‘The Interlace’ en Singapur

En 2007, siendo director de OMA en Asia, Ole Scheeren recibió el encargo para construir en la ciudad-estado de Singapur ‘The Interlace’, un conjunto residencial de 1.040 apartamentos. El arquitecto alemán finalizó la construcción en 2013, años después de que hubiera abandonado la firma de Rem Koolhaas y fundado su estudio propio. Debido a la concentración de población se exigen muy altas densidades residenciales en Singapur. Las viviendas están agrupadas en una disposición entrelazada poco habitual: 31 bloques de seis plantas, apilados formando conjuntos hexagonales, y articulados alrededor de ocho patios. Rodeada de zonas verdes y de ocio, la ‘aldea vertical' de 170.000 metros cuadrados presenta volúmenes escalonados, conectados horizontalmente, que generan una geometría irregular, en un terreno con más de ocho hectáreas.

http://www.arquitecturaviva.com/es/Info/News/Details/5974

W design architecture studio blends house within the nature of africa

Located within the serene environment of the eye of africa estate, W design architecture studio has completed a project that they call ‘the light house.’ following the success of previous projects within a similar context, the designers were approached with a request to do what they consistently do – create spaces that enhance the experience of living in africa amongst its nature. thus, the clients are constantly connected and exposed to their surroundings through a series of carefully orchestrated forms, materials, and programs.

the materiality of the residence is characterized by an exterior façade clad in steel and concrete. the metal alloy encloses a gabled roof structure that uses its durability to reduce the overall height of the house with the understanding that a conventional roof of wooden joists and struts would have added an unnecessary amount of volume. this has helped the architects aesthetically blur the house into the treetops when viewed from afar. furthering this link, the cement mixture provides a surface occupied by a green roof where fresh grass extends the ground floor garden to the rooms above.

within the center of the complex, a pond provides a cool oasis where large groups can relax while functioning as an air conditioning system that lets breezes of air flow through the guest rooms and living area. glazed, maneuverable doors work in complement to the feature as they let north-facing light penetrate the boundaries between the interior and the exterior.

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/w-design-architecture-studio-light-house-africa-07-14-2014/

behnisch + studio jantzen team up for santa monica parking structure

Behnisch architekten and studio jantzen have teamed up for the ‘city of santa monica parking structure #6', which serves a variety of major destinations for locals and tourists in a downtown area on the los angeles coastline. the area presents a lively blend of activity, including retail shops, pedestrians, bikers, motorists, vegetated landscapes, and places for rest and relaxation. the garage seeks to enhance this public energy, via a spatially dynamic and highly performative façade. the elevation is composed of a colorful panelized metal skin, with a visually bold external staircase breaking through for circulation.

the porous façade functions to mediate daylight entry, specifically designed to transmit light deep into the parking levels while eliminating harsh direct gain and glare. each module is comprised of two triangular panels, one of which is perforated and white, while the other is colored and angled. the latter serves to catch and redirect sunlight into interior spaces, with strips of mirror-finish stainless steel its inner surface. beyond functional benefits, the permeable nature of the skin system produces a visual transparency, displaying a blurred motion of cars to the outdoor areas below.

the circulation scheme clearly directs parking patrons to second street below, where the majority of public activity occurs. the stair is broken into multiple segments across the large elevation, and weaves in and out of the outer skin. on the upper levels, it protrudes from the building to take advantage of the site’s ocean views.

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/behnisch-studio-jantzen-santa-monica-parking-structure-07-09-2014/

3M headquarters in minnesota revamped by atelier hitoshi abe

The global headquarters for ‘the 3M company’, located in st. paul, minnesota, has undergone extensive renovations involving a team of architects including atelier hitoshi abe and peter ebner and friends. each firm had separate responsibilities in the transformation of the corporation’s work environment, which is comprised of four structures linked by a second story walkway. specifically, atelier hitoshi abe’s scope included the conversion of the site’s central parking lot into a large plaza, the addition of many open and collaborative work spaces, as well as the redesign of various other public areas such as the employee entrance and café.

the renovation work transforms the site’s existing central parking lot into a pedestrian plaza. its design is characterized by a tangram patterning of tiles, with similarly shaped concrete planters, seating, and shade canopies. the surfaces utilize 3M stamark tape, a highly reflective adhesive backed material typically used for roadway markings.

the project attempts to subvert the complex’s previous arrangement, comprised of highly compartmentalized rooms, by inserting many open work spaces throughout the office structures. these ‘hubs’ were strategically located in key areas of the buildings to encourage informal congregation, discussion, and foster collaboration among various departments. specifically, these zones provide touch screen computers integrated with table surfaces, allowing for digital connection to complement face to face meetings. the interface allows employees to access network files, as well as link up their mobile devices and lap tops in order to seamlessly share information.

the open collaborative spaces are situated in transitional areas of the complex, which are typically considered less useful in workplaces, but where highly productive informal discussions tend to occur. each ‘hub’ is distinguished with brightly colored furnishings, and feature LED screens which present a constant stream of information. the displays are typically integrated with soffits protruding from the ceiling, and inform employees and visitors of news, announcements, and events for the minnesota campus as well as 3M workers around the globe.

various other spaces throughout the campus have been redesigned to reinvigorate the complex. for example, a large ‘forum’ area accommodates larger groups for trainings, seminars, or new employee orientation, with glazed partitions providing maximum daylight penetration and transparency. adjacent, a café provides a place to grab a coffee and light snack, as well as seating for meetings and an open working area.

additionally, two new stairs serve to improve circulation between different levels. one, painted in black, creates a direct connection between the primary employee entrance and the level below, providing access to the central plaza. a red-painted staircase links the dining area on the main floor to the lower level employee mall. in addition to a 3M shop, the mall contains various shops and services that include newspaper stands, a recreation room, laundry facilities, and a credit union.

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/3m-headquarters-minnesota-atelier-hitoshi-abe-07-08-2014/