'patchwork pavilion' and 'cave house' by DOMO arquitetos associados at night, light shines through the exterior patterned blocks of the 'patchwork pavilion' 'patchwork pavilion' is a temporary art gallery designed by DOMO arquitetos associados. the structure was originally built for the casa cor 2008, an exhibition for home textiles in brazil. the name of the pavilion is fitting, as the exterior is constructed from a random combination of four different pre-cast concrete blocks whose patterns have been inspired by embroidery pieces that originate in the northeast part of the country. these concrete blocks were largely used in early modernist buildings in brazil, because of their ability to ventilate and allow light to pass through the patterns, as well as for their low-cost and shape. the four different patterned tiles create a graphic patchwork effect 'cave house' DOMO arquitetos associados' 'cave house', was originally designed for a competition called 'luxury for all' which explores the idea of luxury living which considers our sensorial experience with buildings and objects, with an approach to sustainability. the structure aims to continue the flow of nature through the cave-like space.

Project: Ginkgo Lounge, a Contemporary Lounge by Tiago Rosado

Ginkgo Lounge is contemporary clean, unique, different and comfortable lounge design located in Portimao, Portugal designed by Tiago Rosado. This project was one of the architect’s first projects. Originally designed as a small, hotel poolside bar, the design for Ginkgo Lounge demanded more – more size, more space, more style. The name ‘Ginkgo‘, which is the name of a species of trees that exists for over 30 million years, is a reminder of the longevity of the good ‘design’, in this case by nature.

[images by FG + SG, via ArchDaily]

Travelling exhibition Pavilion for Chanel by Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid’s Chanel Pavilion in Central Park was conceived of as a mobile gallery to house artwork inspired by Chanel’s quilted chain-strap 2.55 handbag — pieces like an enormous Chanel handbag spilled over. Chanel paid $400,000 to the Central Park Conservancy, and donated an undisclosed sum to the organization. The pavilion is located at Rumsey Playfield, near Fifth Avenue and 69th Street and will be up until November 9th, after which it will be traveling to London.

The work has drawn criticism for its cluelessness, and its place in the Park, which theNew York Times calls an “instrument of psychological healing for the weary.” Apparently Chanel’s little interlocking Cs don’t have quite the same calming effect, even when they’re wrapped up in Hadid’s creativity.

In creating the Mobile Art Pavilion for Chanel, Zaha Hadid has developed the fluid geometries of natural systems into a continuum of fluent and dynamic space – where oppositions between exterior and interior, light and dark, natural and artificial landscapes are synthesised. Lines of energy converge within the Pavilion, constantly redefining the quality of each exhibition space whilst guiding movement through the exhibition. The work of selected artists has been commissioned for the exhibition. Hadid created an entire landscape for their work, rather than just an exhibition space. Visitors will be guided through the space using the latest digital technology developed in collaboration with the artists.

“The fascination of the Mobile Art Pavilion is the challenge of translating the intellectual and physical into the sensual – experimenting with completely unexpected and totally immersive environments for this global celebration of the iconic work of Chanel. I see the Pavilion as a kind of a total artwork that continually reinvents itself as it moves from Asia, to the USA and Europe,” states Zaha Hadid.

The Emerald Plaza Abu Dhabi UEA by Emergent Architecture

The Emerald Plaza, A contemporary “square” linking buildings and people in extreme hot climates in the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates designed by Emergent Architecture. The project is based on creating continuity between three elements which were outlined in the design brief: a garden, central sculptural volume and network of canopies. the landscaped garden roof, acts as a canopy, offering shade to the walkways below, but also connects surrounding buildings with one another. pools inside give the feeling of a grotto and also have a cooling effect, providing a getaway from the hot environment.

Emergent Architecture’s Emerald Plaza design aims to create continuity between the three key elements specified in the brief: a garden, a central sculptural volume, and a network of canopies. At the macro scale, the project is a linking element between three high-rise buildings design by others.

Inspired by the souks of Northern Africa as a model for creating interiority and passive cooling as an alternative to open, western public spaces, the canopies merge into a landscaped roof which provides shade for walkways below. This roof also connects the perimeter high-rise buildings together, creating a bi-level entryway into each. In an environment where people often avoid the outdoors during daytime hours, this project offers a spatial and atmospheric solution; pools in the plaza underneath the roof have a cooling effect, both evaporative and psychological. During the day, when temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, this involuted, grotto-like space becomes an inviting sanctuary.

Emergent’s investigation into surface-to-strand geometries lead to the conclusion that hybrid, transformative geometries offer a wider range of flexibility than surface, strand, or volume systems alone. Following this principle the surface of the roof transforms into a volume at the center of the plaza. The resulting space becomes a conference and media center, available to all three buildings.

The University of Sheffield’s state-of-the-art music practice and studio facility, the Soundhouse, is now complete. The striking development, conceptually designed by Carey Jones architects and delivered by Jefferson Sheard Architects, is completely enveloped in black rubber – a technique never seen before in the UK.

Covering 450 sq m and three storeys in height, the building’s unique black cube structure is set to become a landmark on the university campus, the bold and simple design reflecting the existing inventiveness of the Portobello area.

To create this effect it was necessary to vulcanise the rubber sheets off-site which involved welding 1500mm-wide sheets together to form a single homogenous sheet, with dimensions of 14m x 8m. There were to be four in total, one for each elevation of the building. Each sheet weighed half a ton and a safe system of works was devised for their installation and final fix to the external structure.

The rubber membrane was placed under tension similar to the skin on a drum, fixed and then decorated with 100mm diameter stainless steel studs. These studs were adjustable and could be screwed back to the reinforcing plates behind the insulation and rubber quilt, thus compressing the insulation and creating the quilted effect.

“Working with a forward thinking client such as the University of Sheffield allowed careyjones to really push the design boundaries for the Soundhouse. The pioneering ‘music box’ design creates a stunning piece of architecture that sits well as part of the dynamic urban fabric, respecting important existing and new buildings in the surrounding area,” said Mike Harris, Director at careyjones architects. “Furthermore, the overall aesthetic of the black rubber quilt is intended as a literal translation of the need to acoustically contain the building’s use contained within. As a practice we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the University and continuing our work in Sheffield.”

Architect: HHF Architects + Ai Weiwei
Location: Ancram, New York
Function: weekend house
Area: 400m2
Material: wood construction
Construction: 2006 - 2008
Design team: Herlach Hartmann Frommenwiler & Ai Weiwei with Bhavana Hameed, Tom Strub, Fumiko Takahama, Magnus Zwyssig
Structural engineering: Crawford & Associates, Hudson, NY
Construction management: Crawford & Associates, Hudson, NY
General Contractor: Robert Reed Construction, Germantown, NY
Photos: Iwan Baan and Nikolas Koenig
Livable area: 375m² / 4000sqft
Architect Homepage: www.hhf.ch

Tsai Residence is a countryhouse designed for two young art collectors. The design reflects their request for simple abstract looking piece, sitting almost without scale on top of the vaste property, which is located two hours upstate from New York City.

The four equal sized boxes are built as simple wood construction covered with corrugated metal panels on the outside and wood and gypsum panels on the inside. The floor plan is based on the needs of a traditional countryhouse. Only partially the organization of the rooms is a direct consequence of the rigid outer form.

The Living Room focuses on the different light conditions needed for an existing and future art collection, while the great view into the nearby countryside is present without being dominant. The sequence of the different rooms reflects the idea of a private gallery. Natural light is coming into the spaces through the openings in between the outer boxes.

HHF architects
St. Johanns - Vorstadt 17
4056 Basel
Switzerland
Tel + 41 61 263 80 80
Fax + 41 61 263 80 90
info@hhf.ch / www.hhf.ch

Eric Corey Freed is the owner of Organic Architect in downtown San Francisco. His firm specializes in the 'Green', sustainable design of buildings and interiors.



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