Zhixin Hybrid Office Building / P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S

31 de octubre de 2010.

© Courtesy of P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S
Architects: P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Client: Chengdu Qingyang Suburb Construction & Development Co.
Firm Principal/Partner in Charge: Marcelo Spina and Georgina Huljich
Project Manager: Courtenay Bauer
Project Designers: Rick Michod and J. Travis Russet
Project Assistant: Jeeyea Kim
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Courtesy of P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S

Concept: Fluid Core Yard
A Connecting exterior core with a triple height Light-well continuously structuring the building.

The central core is the structuring concept of the project, the space per excellence of social interaction and the most beautiful space inside the building. The dramatic effects of light coming from the roof will allow visitors to move up and explore.

Program Organization
The building is organized intro three stacking layers [3 levels] coinciding with the 3 main programmatic zones of the program: Working, Living and Leisure. Logistics zone is located in several levels [see plans for more detailed information]

These 3 layers are united by a vertical connecting core, organized around a light-well that goes from ground level all the way to the roof. Because of its performance and the rich spatial quality, this is the most important element of the project. We envision this area to become a sort of interior courtyard, socially very active, with people from different levels interact.

The first level [ground] contains all of the leisure area of the building, in relation to the private garden and terraces on the back facing the golf course. The circulation spine connects from the lobby top the garden through the building. The second level contains the working area [office] including meeting rooms, projection rooms and a large area for lectures, large meetings, receptions and conferences that can be subdivided into smaller rooms.

The third level houses the living area of the building. Main bedrooms and guest bedrooms are organized around a private terrace overlooking the site. A large reception hall with space for dinning and lounge and a wine bar are organized around a more public terrace facing the golf course.

The logistics area including central kitchen, storage zone, electrical and mechanical rooms are located in the basement. The Kitchen has an independent access and ventilation to the south.

The main core of the building, contain the main stair around a triple height space, a main elevator with a service [exiting] stair and restrooms for every level.

Atmospherics / Exterior and Interior
The building is conceived as a monolithic concrete form articulated with varying scales of fenestration. Large panels of glass stand in stark contrast to the weight of the overall concrete mass. Conversely, the small scale perforations add weight to the mass while opening the form to light. These perforations approach a fused relationship between structure, mass and light. That relationship is thus communicated to the building’s inhabitants at the scale of the eye and hand. The overall form of the project is very important for us -it needs to communicate a strong building identity for the company it will house as well as for the inhabitants that will occupy it.


Back Views / Exterior
In the back, the second level slopes down towards the pool, allowing for a covered outdoor seating area overlooking the adjacent pool and the golf course behind. The third level also cantilevers over this area over producing a strong sensation when seen from the pool or the golf course.










http://www.archdaily.com/85194/zhixin-hybrid-office-building-p-a-t-t-e-r-n-s/#more-85194

Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee / Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

29 de octubre de 2010.

© Amit Geron
Architects: Schwartz Besnosoff Architects
Location: Kinneret College, Galilee, Israel
Initiator: Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee
Donor: Sklare family foundation, Rashi foundation, Council for Higher Education
Team: Gaby Schwartz, Roy Talmon, Julia Grinkrug, Abraham Rotal
Management: Rashi Foundation, Arch. Shlomi Pariente
Supervision: M. Barnea, Engineering and building LTD
Construction: Yossi Shiran Construction engineering
Electricity: Dan Sharon engineering
Acoustics: S. Mashiah Audio and Acoustics LTD
Elevators: D.Barnea
Landscape: Miller Blum and Co Environmental Planning LTD
Air conditioning: Lanir Vishkin Engineers LTD
Safety Consultant: Naftali Ronen
Plumbing: Ada Bronfman Enginners and consultants LTD
Contractor: Y.M. Shoval 2000 Engineering and construction, Eng. Eran Druker
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Amit Geron

The space of the the Robert and Yadelle Sklare Family library enables optimal transfer of information. On the one hand, it provides the opportunity to spend time in an atmosphere that encourages concentration and study. On the other hand, the library space enables interaction with other people who are there for the same reason, thus constituting a social space in every sense. Because social and cultural activity plays a critical role in the functioning of the library, we made this a central component in our project proposal.

The concept of landscape is central to our planning work. Seeking a way to incorporate the concept of landscape in the building, we created an environment, and not a building. We needed to meet the requirements of the general plan, but also help create a place that utilizes its surroundings, integrates them within it and enables them to pass through it.

The visit to the project site on the day of the meeting included a short tour among the temporary structures and the hill, with its spectacular view. We believed that the best way to instill this spirit of “place” in the building is by integrating the idea of a walk in the proposal. The building arises from the ground like a topographic fold, and passing through its wings is a walk through nature in every sense. From the central public element that continues from the outdoor courtyard, through the fold that begins in the entrance lobby, the interior space is created and designed as a internal landscape. The center of the building is designed like a landscape element, and the movement within it is determined and organized in relation to the landscape. All these enable the organization, inside and outdoors, of special events for the entire campus (folk dancing, a student fair in the outer courtyard, films at the top of the inner ramp and more). The central area, the fold that climbs up, constitutes the hub of activity and the heart of the library. The space is built as a ramp (thus also providing access for disabled people), with informal sitting areas of varying sizes within it. It also serves as an additional means of access to the book storerooms.

We sought a way to create a diverse, inspiring, dynamic space for situations of many types – from formal seating facing the pastoral landscape (a setting for maximum concentration) and group seating in the seminar rooms, studying at a computer and facing the landscape, to a comfortable environment for studying or sitting informally in groups. We wanted to organize the different situations so that they support one another, together creating a student experience on campus. The resulting was the creation of a ground level with an uninterrupted panoramic view of the magical Sea of Galilee. This level is connected to the entrance level by stairs and an elevator, but otherwise it has no spatial connection to the library space. This is the place that offers the best conditions for studying and concentrating.

The entrance lobby, at the mezzanine level, is connected to the upper level in the central area by means of the fold; it is a system of terraces that create a sort of mini public space. An inner climbing street enables varied types of seating in this public space. This is the heart of the library, the center of social interaction, and it is directly connected to the book storage areas. We believe that this space will constitute a quality, inviting place for the students and that they will take advantage of its different spaces whenever they have free time. The area is created by combining spaces that function as informal sitting areas, the entrance lobby and the display of periodicals. It does not involve the addition of space beyond that defined in the general plan. We found a suitable location for a multimedia space under the fold, where a graduated space can serve for showing films. The planning concept regarding book storage allows broad flexibility. We propose four storage areas, however, because the space is open, and accessible from the central space it is perceived as a single homogenous unit. In addition, the compact method of storage enables use of these areas for social interaction.










http://www.archdaily.com/84689/kinneret-college-on-the-sea-of-galilee-schwartz-besnosoff-architects/#more-84689

H&M Seoul Store / Universal Design Studio

27 de octubre de 2010.

Courtesy of Universal Design Studio
Universal Design Studio has designed the exterior façade for the H&M Korean flagship store in Seoul. This is based on the distinctive modular design of other locations and projects for the brand.

Universal Design Studio has accentuated the three-dimensional appearance of the facade by using small and large-scale perforations to produce tonal contrast and visual depth to the pleated cladding. The façade comes alive at night when concealed illumination turns the store into a dramatically lit beacon. The three-storey-high sculptural relief creates an effect that softens the hard, dominant lines of the existing building structure.

Internally, the design also includes a concept staircase created from a ‘ribbon’ of white glass. This forms the internal balustrade, and an articulated shroud of tightly stacked vertical louvers form the external walls.

This project is an example of Universal Design Studio’s ability to tailor solutions to individual sites whilst still creating engaging spaces and brand continuity.

http://www.archdaily.com/84834/hm-seoul-store-universal-design-studio/

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Set to Open

26 de octubre de 2010.

Ireland’s Dublin Airport will open its Terminal 2 towards the end of next month, Dublin Airport Authority has announced.

The opening of Dublin Airport Terminal 2 will take place bit-by-bit – ceremonially, it will be inaugurated on November 19th, while airline services will get underway four days later.
Airlines such as Etihad and Aer Lingus will move into the new structure gradually, ensuring regular services are not interrupted. The same is true of the various American carriers that use the site, which include Continental Airlines, US Airways and Delta.

Terminal 2: Dublin Airport
“The opening of Terminal 2 will transform the travel experience throughout Dublin Airport and will offer passengers the type of facilities, comfort and space they have been seeking for many years”, Declan Collier – Dublin Airport Authority Chief Executive – stated.
“It has always been our intention to open Terminal 2 on a phased basis and we have been working closely with our airline customers, ground handlers and the various State agencies in recent months to ensure a smooth transition.”
With passenger levels beyond 20 million in 2009, Dublin Airport is Ireland’s busiest, ahead of Shannon and Cork airports. Three passenger carriers are based here - Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Aer Arann – and there are three runways, the longest of which extends to over 8,500 feet.

Second Terminal: Dublin Airport
Aircraft operations at Dublin Airport date back to 1940 and the only commercial terminal there at present, Terminal 1, opened to passengers in 1972. The second terminal will boost Dublin Airport’s passenger capacity to 35m and it will be used for long-haul flights.
Dublin Airport Terminal 2 trials have been underway since early 2009 and will continue right up until the opening day.


In recent months, these trials have involved passengers and, to date, over 3,000 have participated. “All the various systems in the new terminal including the baggage system, safety, security, and building management have also been meticulously tested and those tests are continuing”, Mr Collier added.



http://www.airport-int.com/news/dublin-airport-terminal-2-set-to-open.html