GDS Architects are setting out to build what they believe will be the world’s first invisible tower. With that in mind, they are defying the actual notion of a tower by refusing to be a landmark in the concrete sense. Below are the project details.
It is always a joy to see a house built using stone and wood as the main finishes on is façade. This is the best way to incorporate natural elements in architecture to feel harmonious with the nature surrounding it. This beautiful residence is by Architect Marcio Kogan who created open spaces yet allowed the dark Brazilian wood, stone, and water features to continue to the interior. Enjoy the photos below.
This is another project in Kuwait designed by an international architecture firm. I have no idea if it will actually be realized or just a concept for the WAF competition. I found the project interesting in terms of utilizing the best features of the location and enhancing others, allowing a great view for most tenants in addition to privacy and spaces to enjoy sports. In terms of aesthetics, I guess the openings are a bit too busy, but I would support it any day if it will be built with the exact characteristics mentioned by the architects.
The design for the ‘Wafra Living’ complex by AGi Architects won the first prize in the future project/residential category in the WAF 2011 competition. The proposal consists of a high rise building set back from the street and an L-shaped building defining the street edge, conceived to maximize privacy within the community, whilst providing ample natural light and usable indoor and outdoor common spaces. Cuts have been made in the front building in order to provide better views for the lower floor apartments in the back tower. The proposal combines at different levels domestic and collective scales, private and public, within the complex, whilst at the same time traces the way to merge in the neighborhood by offering part of the ground floor level (where the pedestrian and car access are) to community life through the retail facilities included. At level +6.00 m is created a “High Square”, a community space for the tenants to enjoy sports or any other leisure activities in a more private environment.A “veil” climbs the façade as an occupiable layer that conceals the various service spaces within the apartments that do not directly relate to the public. It also hosts the fire escape stairs, separated away from the cores to be placed in this secondary circulation layer that faces the inner courtyard of the complex.
Lebanese architects Karim and Rames Najjar of Najjar-Najjar Architects have designed this stunning 420sq.m residence in Austria back in 2008.The property is accessible from the road behind leading down hills to the building’s main entrance, covered by an extended cantilever roof structure. On the street side the building facade is closed with natural stonework to provide intimacy towards the street.
Following the topography of the site the house is partly carved into the ground where the fitness and wellness facilities are located as well as an office and playroom for children. The dining area with an open kitchen is reached by taking a few steps down from the central hall. From there another couple of steps lead to a comfortable area where one can lounge on the sofa or chaise lounge overlooking the swimming pool and enjoying the marvelous view over the city. The floor materials are distinguished according to level and function. The bedrooms are located on the upper levels that are accessed by stairs which leads to an open gallery.
One of the reasons I fell in love with this house is not just the bold design and the wonderfully hidden spaces that can be utilized while overlooking the breathtaking island, it’s the fact that there is a story behind the construction of this house which lasted almost a decade. According to the NYTimes, Pedro Correia and his wife, Graça who live on the largest of nine volcanic islands in the Azorean archipelago. They decided after the family started growing to build their 3,767-square-foot dream house and commissioned their architect friend Bernardo Rodrigues founder of Bernardo Rodrigues Arquitecto in Porto, Portugal.
The project was slowed by both a lengthy delay in receiving materials from Lisbon and the paucity of skilled laborers on the island. It took one year to build and assemble the steel framing for the doors and windows, and another two years to pour concrete and install flooring and finishes in the home. The exterior walls were painted Siena red and pewter. Inside, the walls were given hues of either chestnut brown or olive green. The total cost of construction was just over $500,000. Mr. Correia and wife and two daughters, Maria, 13, and MaFalda, 9, moved into the three-bedroom, two story home in early 2010.
Mrs. Correia said their dream home was more challenging and expensive than they had expected. But as she put it, “that’s the price you pay to have the best home.”
Check the beautiful photos of this project below.
