The method and means of tectonic principles that govern the dispersion of mass and surface in the project proposal by MA2 Architecture are subject to folding and overlapping of curved tectonic bodies. These tectonic and massing arrangements are intended to create paths of intersection and to architecturally express a forward movement projected toward the sea. The architectural formation is governed by articulation of space for the purpose of international expositions and cultural showcases. Retail and entertainment are also integrated as part of the seascape dynamic Expo Center. As the multi-massed complex is a dispersion of activates ranging from shopping, dining, expositions, and yacht clubs, it transforms the edge of Abu Dhabi into an iconic sea formation. Iconic architectural expressions within the proposal are articulated in the sail composition of being in flight at the precipice of the sea. The flowing sail architectural node within the complex becomes the epicenter of the showcase functions while enhancing the viewing, dining, and entertainment experience. Read the rest of this entry »

The site for this project designed by MuuM is located in the centre of the vast and dry Anatolian plains in central Turkey and was once used as a fish farm where water was collected in a serious of artificial ponds. Over the years, the presence of these surfaces of water altered the surrounding landscape that is now occupied by lush vegetation and trees which can be considered a true oasis in a land deprived of water.

This area has been recently acquired by the Health and Education Foundation for Children with Leukaemia with the intention of creating a unique educational and recreational complex dedicated to the promotion of a sustainable lifestyle focused on the cycles of nature, organic agriculture, permaculture, balanced growth and management of livestock and an adequate waste and compost management. As the country is experiencing a very rapid, often chaotic and devastating urbanization process with an increasing desensitization towards the destruction of natural environments, the vision behind this project is ground-breaking by offering the visitors a unique opportunity to directly engage in a variety of activities that can provide them with the practical knowledge and tools to achieve a more balanced and healthier lifestyle.

The master-plan includes various types of accommodation facilities, small conference rooms, open-air event and concert areas, workshop areas, a small market, green houses, organic farms, permaculture facilities, animal barns, compost management and waste disposal facilities, small scale energy production systems and various water related leisure facilities. Read the rest of this entry »

According to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, God is three consubstantial persons: It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds. During the design processes, WVA Architects emphasise on the regroupment of the structure based on the Trinitarianism. The project comprises three independent irregular building volumes. The main church symbolizes “the Father”, which locates at the front of the whole ensemble. The tower in the front stands straight pointing upright to the sky, and the cross at the top not only highlights the theme of the Christian church, but also symbolizes the connection of heaven and earth. The second church and the auxiliary buildings adjoin the main church, forms a triangle in plan. The object of the design is to embody the relation among “three persons” by using geometrical language.

While the river to the west of the church combines perfectly with the path, offering a picturesque landscape; the eastern side approach the main road, taking advantage of the convenient traffic to attract visitors to the church plaza. People gather in this peaceful place to makes a serene break from the hustle and bustle of the modern life.

Towards the outside, a suitable white coating meets the triangle-shaped church, standing as a modern sculpture beside the river. From inside, two stories are designed to increase both seating capacity and sense of space.

Comparing with the traditional stained glass, which is generally with gorgeous color and relative to the contents of the Bible, the optimized stained glass window integrates both vintage conception and modern elements, thus adds luster to the contemporary sacred space.

Taking in consideration the significance of energy-efficient concepts to the modern architecture, the window sizes of the building are optimized in order to save energy and satisfy the interior brightness at the meantime. The strip-shaped clerestory windows on the roof are selected to bring in natural light and view from outside, creating a sacred and tranquil vibe pairing white coating and newly-designed stained glass window.

Project Team:：WVA ARCHITECTS
Location： Zhangjiagang, China
Area：4270.0 sqm
Architect in Charge, Project Manager: Jean Hubert Chow
Project Team:：　Valerio Visagli, Bao Lei , Xiao Yanjun
Rendering Company：ELITE
Photographs: Courtesy of WVA ARCHITECTS Read the rest of this entry »

General Νight View © sparch Sakellaridou/ Papanikolaou Architects & Ch. Marathovouniotis

The concept

The goal is to transform the site into a hospitality experience, the feeling of space and program into the art of experience, the actions into a viable and flexible development program.

The raw material_the limit, the diffusion, the center

The border: The listed buildings demarcate the central outdoor space with their shape, they accumulate the cultural activities, touristic infrastructure, hospitality, relaxation and entertainment programs (Interactive Museum, Agri-tourism, Baths, Accommodation). The enhancement of uses with reversible constructions of (container) type in a discreet relationship with the listed buildings reinforces the concept of limit and functions as a transitional element from and to the central area (Central Square), into the diffusion area (Natural Element).

The diffusion: The outdoor space that surrounds the existing building complex is designed as a “productive scenery”, acquires discrete interfering and takes an equal part in the interactive experience of the Farm (Experimental and Educational Crops, Artist Guesthouses, Track Networks, Shaded Paths)

The center: the role of the central outdoor area, the melting pot of two worlds, the old and the new, as well as of various functions is strengthened. Its size that acquires public space characteristics, is transformed into a Central Square in the Farm, while a flexible use to the viability of the Complex is sited under the ground (Multiple Use Center). The new building mass is partly concealed, while the shape of the Square, a flowing installation of water and glass, makes the Farm an urban space. Read the rest of this entry »

Designed by Aedas, the project occupies one of the best locations in Dubai Marina, facing the Arabian Gulf on one side and the Dubai Marina on the other. It consists of three residential towers standing above a cluster of podium loft units with retail facilities at lower levels. The towers range from 43 to 56 storeys, offering spacious, modern apartments and duplex penthouses. They are tied together by a seven-storey podium that houses waterfront villas and boutique retail units. Each building has its own tropical pool deck, gym and facilities.

The client’s vision for the development was to provide spectacular views of the Marina for each apartment with well planned orientation and spatial layouts. Architecturally the development ‘grows’ from the ground. Aedas designed a solid base of stepped retails and villas with concrete and textured paint finishes, while the apartment towers above have a glass façade with a lightweight and transparent feel. The towers look clean and elegant in daytime, shaded with mesh fins that reflect the adjacent water, and transform into a lit sculpture at night, creating an iconic architecture on the most prominent site in Dubai Marina. Read the rest of this entry »

The Gobi desert has a dry prevailing Westerly wind, which choreographs a shifting landscape, reforming dunes and redefining ecological terrains. The Gobi’s extreme climate and latitude contribute to the nature of the wind currents.

One of the biggest problems of the Gobi is desertification and the accelerated rate at which the desert sands and loess expand, the Gobi Desert resulting in an increasing number of dust storms claims 3,600 km2 of grassland every year.

The expansion of the Gobi is attributed mostly to deforestation, overgrazing, and depletion of water resources as well as the prevailing westerly winds The most recent plan involves the planting of the Green Wall of China, a huge ring of newly planted forests; helping stabilize the soil, retain moisture, and act as a buffer against further desertification.

The solar cluster project acts as an underground seed vault, the rotating cluster of photovoltaic solar cells and holographic filters glass panels act as a heliostat reflecting light underground aiding germination and protection against the harsh environment, sand turbines harness the kinetic movement/renewable energy of shifting sands to produce electricity for a sustainable building. This underground shaft acts as an inverted greenhouse, which can also produce food.

The solar panels are arranged in a pattern, which rotate changing angle as necessary for maximum efficient output, sand turbines are framed within the tower which disperses seeds into the environment to slow down the desertification of the Gobi Desert. The sand piles also retain the desert temperatures for longer and can be used as a type of energy storage as they take longer to cool. The second stage of research focuses on solar updraft towers, which use sand as an insulation technique.

Design by: Margot Krasojevic

The Yongqing international clothing city, designed by the team of WVA Architects, aims to create a whole industry chain model equipped with high-quality human resource and multi-functional service, perfect infrastructure, and convenient traffic system, thus further promote the regional clothing Industry.

The project is situated in the middle of Langfang city, which is located at the centre of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (biggest urbanized region in Northern China), and also belongs to the heart of Circum-Bohai Sea Economic Zone. This perfect location offers a great flow of people and goods, thus support the development of the city and additionally acts a “radiation” effect to the north-south axis.

The city is arranged as a leaf, consists of one transversal and three lengthwise leaf veins. Financial core area run transversely through the city, connecting the JT and TL Highway; shopping and Expo districts established along the JT Highway set a landmark that attracts clients and expands brand influence; While the logistic harbor and enterprise headquarter install along the south-north axis, forest park is closely aligned with residential, improving the urban livability. Each part weaves a sustainable “green leaf city”.

Architects: WVA
Location: yongqing, Hebei, China
Client: the city of Yongqing
Project Year: 2014
Photographs: Courtesy of WVA Read the rest of this entry »

In the ongoing discussions concerning the renovation of American cities and new developments for both business and culture, the current proposal by MA2 is an intervention in the reshaping of Houston, Texas’ downtown area. The proposal is an instigation for an iconic set of towers that encourages and amplifies Houston’s international businesses and ongoing urban development. Part of the scheme is more than just an iconic set of towers but a development of modern residential and commercial towers, along with a state-of-the-art luxury shopping mall located at Houston’s downtown center, across the sports stadium.

The idea is to modernize the current cityscape and promote a stronger urban presence with high-end living/working environments and luxury shopping. Its purpose for modernization is to encourage a more dynamic living and working environment, and promote current business while attracting new business to be part of the new revitalized city center. Houston, Texas has many robust economic sectors and a high living standard, but with a new iconic node within Houston’s landscape, it can help strengthen its development and potential future. Read the rest of this entry »

Hyperlocalization of Architecture

The Fort Collins Museum of Art is proud to host the official book release of [ours] Hyperlocalization of Architecture: Contemporary Sustainable Archetypes, written by local author Andrew Michler. The book release event will be held at the Fort Collins Museum of Art on Friday, September 25,^, 2015 from 6:00-9:00pm. The evening will include a short film, slideshows, book signing, and Michler will be reading from select chapters. Libations for the evening will be provided courtesy Odell Brewery. Michler is requesting RSVPs through the event’s Eventbright page.  [ours] Hyperlocalization of Architecture: Contemporary Sustainable Archetypes will also be available for purchase in the Fort Collins Museum of Art gift shop.

[ours] Hyperlocalization of Architecture: Contemporary Sustainable Archetypes by Andrew Michler journeys to seven regions around the world for a firsthand account of powerful movements in contemporary sustainable architecture. The book explores the possibilities and promise of deep sustainable building design through the lens of some of the most provocative projects and esteemed architects of our time. Michler explores and documents the work first hand, and with extensive commentaries from the architects readers gain a unique insight into how these buildings function in the context of their culture, environment, and utility. The book is published by eVolo Press, research is supported by the Institute for the Built Environment at CSU.

Andrew Michler has lived off-grid for two decades in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and is a LEED AP BD+C and Passive House Consultant. He has written extensively on sustainable architecture in print and for leading design blogs. With an extensive background in sustainable design and construction, he pioneered a net zero energy and foam free Passive House informed by the local foothills and as a personal investigation into the potential of hyperlocal design. His house is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the Americas.

The mission of the Fort Collins Museum of Art is to engage our community in cultural experiences that promote an awareness and appreciation of the visual arts. To offer our audiences the highest-quality art experiences, the Fort Collins Museum of Art presents a diverse series of exhibitions, community events, publications, and educational programs for children and adults. The Fort Collins Museum of Art seeks to enrich the cultural life of the region and advance community understanding of the power of the visual arts to foster life-long learning, social interaction, and personal inquiry.

The museum is located 201 South College Ave., in the middle of Old Town Fort Collins.