Northumbria University graduate Amelia Cook has taken home the PriestmanGoode award at this year’s New Designers showcase for developing a food container that allows hikers to preserve and eat home-cooked meals in the wild.
The Savour kit enables food to be cooked, dehydrated, transported and served in one dish, offering an alternative to the limited selection of pre-packaged meals typically available to outdoor enthusiasts.
Amelia Cook presented her Savour kit at New Designers. Photo by Gary Morrisroe
“Savour transforms outdoor dining from a basic necessity to a gourmet experience,” explained Cook, who completed the project as part of her undergraduate degree in product design.
“It allows users to enjoy delicious, home-prepared meals in the wilderness, combining the joy of a great meal with the beauty of nature.”
The pan is designed to be placed on the accompanying dehydrator
Users can prepare their desired meal at home using Savour’s metal tray, which is then sealed with a lid and placed onto the accompanying dehydrator to remove the moisture and preserve the food for up to three months.
On the trail, the food can be transported in the same pan and reheated on a camping stove with a splash of water to regain its original texture and flavour.
The Savour kit also includes portable tableware inspired by restaurant plates, allowing the meal to be served in a way that is both convenient and appetising.
The kit’s design places the plates on either side of the pan, facing inwards and held in place with an elastic band so their dirty surfaces don’t touch the rucksack whilst being transported home to be washed.
“The form of the Savour kit was influenced by the space limitations of the average daypack,” said Cook, who recently “bikepacked” from Munich to Venice. “The product conveniently sits at the base of a typical rucksack, allowing room for other equipment.”
Savour’s colours and material finishes were chosen to reference those found in nature. The textured surface on the plate and lid, for example, is based on lichen and was colour-matched to create a greater sense of connection to the outdoors.
The food can be rehydrated in the same pan
Cook also chose to redesign the dehydrator as part of the project, making it smaller than most current examples so it takes up less space on the user’s worktop or when stored in a cupboard.
Savour was presented at the annual New Designers event in London, which showcases work by graduates from UK universities and colleges.
The kit also includes two plates
Cook was announced as one of two winners of the inaugural PriestmanGoode Award, presented by the London-based multidisciplinary design firm.
Architecture studio Sukchulmok has created the cone-shaped Chul-02 Cone Stool to showcase the “sharp and mechanical form of steel“.
The piece is composed of three connected components – each featuring conical tops held up by pointed legs that can be inserted into the ground.
The stool is composed of three identical conical components
“These [three components] are designed to appear as individual pieces while also creating the impression of leaning against each other,” Sukchulmok lead designer Park Hyunhee told Dezeen.
“Inspired by peg-type landscape lights, the Chul-02 Cone Stool showcases the sharp and mechanical form of steel,” Hyunhee added. “The peg-type design features a pointed part, intended to be inserted into the ground.”
The pointed legs can be inserted into the ground
The trio of circular tops each measure 200 millimetres in diameter and join together to create a larger seat.
A mechanical joint, produced by Sukchulmok in tandem with design studio Object Leuci, was used to connect the conical tops to the legs.
“We wanted the joint that adjusts the angle between the support leg and the stool top to be structurally expressed, and decided to pay homage to the three-level joint and mechanical form of Jean-Michel Wilmotte’s Midland Table,” Hyunhee said.
This connection enables the adjustment of each leg for stability across different types of surfaces.
The steel stool is the first piece to be created as part of a series by the studio that aims to showcase the properties of different materials.
“The project begins with the creation of furniture or objects that deal with the material properties of stone (suk), steel (chul), and wood (mok),” Hyunhee said.
“My unique rules for establishing a sense of proportion will be applied in expressing these material properties, aiming to create forms of symbolic shapes that are unconventional for furniture.”
A mechanical joint enables the legs to be adjusted
Isn’t it strange that the AirTag isn’t designed to fit into the one item worth actually tracking – your wallet?! Its bulky design just doesn’t go well with sleek wallets or traditional bifolds, and the fact that third-party companies like Chipolo and Tile are designing sleek card-shaped tracking devices just feels like a missed opportunity entirely. That is, until the folks at ESR stepped up and designed the first Geo Wallet with built-in tracking. Instead of worrying about having a card or tracking device IN your wallet, the ESR Geo Wallet is ITSELF a tracking device. It works with Apple’s Find My network, letting you see your wallet’s location in real time. When the wallet is nearby but still out of sight, you can also ‘ring’ your wallet thanks to a powerful speaker built into the Geo Wallet’s sleek design.
Here’s what I personally love about the Geo Wallet’s design. It’s futuristic if you think about the fact that your wallet has a built-in tracking device – but it doesn’t look futuristic. The wallet isn’t the kind you attach onto the back of your phone, it isn’t made of metal or carbon fiber, it doesn’t have fancy moving parts or a rugged design you can run over with your car – it’s as classic as it gets. The traditional bifold that the entire world loves and uses – except underneath the faux leather exterior is a fair bit of technology that makes the Geo Wallet so remarkable.
A full-fledged tracking chip with a Find My module allows you to track your Geo Wallet just the way you would an AirTag. It pairs with your phone, letting you see its location at all times. If you get separated from your wallet, you get an alert… and if you do end up losing your wallet or if someone steals it, the Find My app lets you track your Geo Wallet in real-time, seeing its location update on the fly. A speaker lets you ‘ring’ the wallet too, in case it’s nearby and you can’t find it.
Despite the electronics, the Geo Wallet measures a mere 15mm thick, making it a slick piece of EDC to add to your collection. It features a spacious cash compartment, four convenient card slots, two ID windows, and extra room for coins. You’ve got enough space to store up to 10 bills, multiple credit + ID cards, and 15 coins – talk about being super traditional!
The ESR Geo Wallet comes in 7 colors, all made from faux leather to keep things stylish yet eco-friendly. A built-in rechargeable battery allows the Geo Wallet to run for 5 months on a full charge… and unlike any other wallet, the exterior also features a magnetic contact point that lets you charge your wallet using ESR’s proprietary snap-on charger (which charges your Geo Wallet in under 2 hours). The ESR Geo Wallet is currently available on Kickstarter for $38 – quite a bargain for a wallet with its own Apple-compatible Find My tracker, no?
PriestmanGoode’s collaboration with Korean Air has led to a remarkable transformation of the cabin interiors for the airline’s 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft, seamlessly blending traditional Korean aesthetics with modern luxury. The project, initiated in 2018, brings a sophisticated, contemporary vision that honors Korean heritage while ensuring passenger comfort and modernity.
Designer: PriestmanGoode
Korean Air Business Class
The business class cabin features bespoke Collins Horizon Business Class seats with high privacy walls, 24-inch monitors, Bluetooth headphones, USB-C ports, and a full drop-down screen between seats. These features cater to modern travelers’ needs for privacy, connectivity, and convenience. The seats convert into double beds in the middle section, enhancing comfort for long-haul flights.
Korean Air Business Class – Middle section converts into bed
Rich textures brushed finishes, and intricate patterns inspired by traditional Korean textile art add a luxurious and unique cultural layer to the design. Patterns like Jogakbo patchwork and linear dynamic structures provide depth and character, ensuring a cohesive design language.
Luxury materials, such as rich, dark tones combined with soft, tactile fabrics, create a sense of sophistication and comfort. Detailed stitching and fabric choices reflect traditional Korean art, while brushed metal finishes and high-quality plastics ensure a premium feel and durability. The cabin layout maximizes privacy and personal space, catering to solo travelers and pairs, enhancing the overall passenger experience, and underscoring the focus on providing a state-of-the-art experience.
The economy class reflects a thoughtful integration of cultural and contemporary elements. The seats are upholstered in vibrant fabrics inspired by Hanbok saekdong, showcasing Korea’s cultural diversity. The color palette in economy class blends dark and light neutrals with bursts of color, creating a visually pleasing and comfortable environment. The ergonomic design ensures passenger comfort, while the aesthetic choices provide a cohesive and elegant look.
Korean Air Economy Class
The design process involved meticulous selection of materials and patterns. Each element, from geometric patterns inspired by Jogakbo patchwork to linear dynamic structures, has been thoughtfully integrated to enhance the passenger experience. High-quality materials ensure durability, while the design is timeless, promising longevity and continued appeal. The pattern development and material selection reveal a rigorous process where traditional Korean motifs were reimagined in a modern context. Custom patterns and textures developed by PriestmanGoode’s Color, Material, and Finish team, including those inspired by Jogakbo and Hanbok, are seamlessly incorporated into the cabin’s interiors.
Luxury materials and textures are evident throughout the cabins. Rich, dark tones combined with soft, tactile fabrics create a sense of sophistication and comfort in business class, while vibrant, multicolored fabrics bring a lively yet refined ambiance to economy class. The cabin lighting complements the color scheme, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The overall layout ensures easy movement and accessibility, with thoughtful placement of seats and aisles.
Each swatch of fabric, every thread, and the choice of colors reflect a deep respect for Korean heritage and a commitment to quality. The collaboration between PriestmanGoode’s design team and Korean Air has resulted in cabin interiors that are visually stunning and functionally superior. Attention to detail in every design aspect ensures passengers have a comfortable and luxurious experience.
PriestmanGoode’s use of materials draws inspiration from luxury automotive and domestic settings, ensuring both durability and elegance. The layering of rich textures, brushed finishes, and pressed fabric patterns creates a sophisticated and timeless atmosphere in the cabins. The meticulous attention to detail in business and economy class underscores the consultancy’s ability to innovate while respecting cultural nuances.
Overall, the redesigned cabins demonstrate Korean Air’s commitment to providing a high-quality passenger experience. The new interiors promise longevity and continued appeal with a design that honors tradition while embracing modernity. This project by PriestmanGoode highlights the importance of blending cultural heritage with contemporary design principles, creating a luxurious and culturally resonant flying experience for Korean Air passengers. The result is a cabin interior that is both functional and beautiful, offering a unique and memorable experience for all who fly with Korean Air.
Designed by the LA-based multidisciplinary architect Malek Alqadi, the Folly Mojave is a 200-acre wilderness retreat nestled at the intersection of the Mojave National Preserve and the Joshua Tree National Park. The Folly Mojave is a stunning off-grid home that draws inspiration from the region’s earthy hues and rocky textures. The Martian-esque terrain also inspired the home, allowing it to be a bold architectural statement. The Folly Mojave is one of the latest additions to Folly’s secluded stays.
“Folly Mojave acts as a nature-derived, divine space, welcoming guests seeking wellness, healing, and self-reflection,” says Alqadi. The property includes three standalone properties which function as suites. The suites represent the four elements of nature, and they seamlessly vanish into the landscape during the day. The Water Suite perfectly merges indoor and outdoor realms and is equipped with a lovely bed, a well-designed kitchen, a walk-in shower, a loft-like ceiling, eco-friendly solar utilities, luxurious features, as well as an open-air sky terrace, which also serves as a fully functional bedroom for those who want to watch the sky at night.
The other two suites are the Fire + Stone and Wind, and they’re designed to deliver a luxurious experience amped with stunning views through the massive windows. Each suite has a raw and rustic appeal to it, accentuated by blackened steel accents and concrete shells. Wood was charred using the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, and it adds a lovely texture to the buildings. The choice of materials incorporates a connection between humans and nature. Solar panels in the form of trees have been placed next to each suite, to encourage energy efficiency. “Folly Mojave strives to operate as a self-sufficient microgrid, with the sun reigning as the primary energy source – truly disconnecting from external utilities,” said Alqadi.
The property also includes another outdoor structure – the Mara Pavilion. This pavilion is inspired by the Oasis of Mara, which is one of the five palm oases in Joshua Tree National Park. This building is intended for self-care and wellness activities, and it will host movie nights, sound baths, yoga classes, and other intimate gatherings. The pavilion also includes a sauna, cold plunge pool, heated pool, and steam room. Therapists will also offer myriad spa treatments from a specially curated menu.
There’s a consensus in the common world that if something isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it – it’s a consensus that designers often reject because good design isn’t a goal, it’s a journey. The way current umbrellas open and close isn’t particularly faulty – but that didn’t stop designer Vinayan Ravikumar from taking things to the next level. Meet the Bloombrella, an umbrella that blooms open just like a flower. Relying on origami folding techniques, the Bloombrella borrows from a NASA experiment for unfolding foil shades/sails in space. The umbrella’s fabric starts as a folded cluster that opens outwards, becoming a perfect octagonal parasol that protects against sun and even rain.
Vinayan’s design borrows inspiration from the blooming of the dianthus flower. The flower bud practically unfurls in bloom, and is also the inspiration for NASA’s Starshade. Vinayan’s explorations led him down a similar path, relying on origami to mimic how the starshade opens outwards. The result, an umbrella like nothing you’ve seen before. Watching it open and close is nothing short of hypnotic, as the umbrella’s fabric creases and un-creases to take its closed or open shape. The creases are uniquely geometric too, resulting in an umbrella that doesn’t need any artwork or patterns to make it look attractive.
“The umbrella is an interesting object. As designers, we don’t notice or revere it the way we see chairs, cars, or lamps. Yet when caught in a sudden downpour, it becomes a lifesaver. An object of understated elegance and functionality, its form hasn’t changed much over the past hundred years,” says designer Vinayan Ravikumar. “Drawn to this fascinating contraption that has sheltered us for millennia, I felt it was the perfect canvas to explore tension in motion.”
Rethinking how the umbrella opened or closed meant rethinking the umbrella entirely. The Bloombrella comes with a stem and shade, but its intermediary mechanism gets completely redone. The new mechanism responds to twisting, rather than pressing a button or pushing a member up the umbrella’s shaft. The twisting action allows metal rods to move outwards, opening the umbrella’s shade. Vinayan created his prototype using Tyvek, a tear-proof paper-like material from Dupont. Tyvek has the unique distinction of being great at creasing as well as being durable and waterproof. This made it a perfect candidate for the Bloombrella’s shade, allowing it to hold its origami shape incredibly well, while still repelling water to a noticeable degree.
The rest of the prototype uses traditional materials, like aluminum for the metal parts, and plastic for the mechanism, moving elements, and hinges. The Bloombrella is currently just a student concept, but given that NASA has been employing similar techniques for its starshade shows it’s more than just a proof-of-concept… at least on a cosmic level! Whether it makes for a great umbrella is still something worth determining – perhaps as a larger beach umbrella or a shade for an arena/stadium!
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that there is no dearth of easy-to-tow camping trailers that are off-road ready and willing to go anywhere you want them to tag along. The limitation with most of them is the limited availability of space. No matter how spacious it is, a camping trailer still begs for a room unless it is one that can self-inflate in minutes to offer almost a luxury villa at the campsite to spend a weekend in with your family.
Enter the luxurious new camping trailer from South Africa. Called the AlphaGo S6 Air V4, this is an off-road trailer designed to accommodate a family of six within a self-inflating camper that maximizes time at the camp and reduces set up and set down stress. The basic nature of this trailer is to effortlessly transition from a low towable trailer into a splendid multi-room villa with luxurious amenities packed within.
By that virtue, the new AlphaGo camping trailer vouches to “represent the ultimate in freedom, luxury and style.” The trailer employs air inflation technology created by Opus Campers ensuring that it does not need traditional tenting poles and can set up in five minutes, creating a spacious interior and adjoining space that allows the occupants to make the most of their camping adventure, as opposed to the trailers that limit the owners within their four walls.
Trailing behind your 4×4, this AlphaGo trailer keeps a low profile and glides like the ‘air.’ It has a lightweight aluminum body based on a galvanized steel chassis and features a 10-leaf spring suspension to tackle the grumpy roads. When you’re at the campsite, this marvel of engineering opens to reveal its beastly appearance. The two sections of the roof unfold to create sleeping platforms while the awning and bathroom inflate at the push of a button to create more space outdoor and living area inside to relax and unwind.
Within its spacious, premium finish interior, the camping trailer has a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and a lounge/dining area that transforms into a third bed. For entertainment, it’s installed with a 60-inch screen and a high-definition projector. AlphaGo S6 Air V4 starts at 449,995 South African Rand (roughly $24,500) with a 100 Ah battery, charging system, and 75-l fresh water tank. An inverter and solar panels are optional.
US studios WXY Architecture and Jerome Haferd Architecture are among four firms that have won a competition to design several cultural venues for historic Africatown in Alabama.
The Africatown International Design Idea Competition, spearheaded by Renee Kemp-Rotan of local architecture firm Studio Rotan, called for proposals to assist a Mobile, Alabama community in the improvement of the historic Africatown district.
WXY Architecture is among four studios that have won the Africatown International Design Idea Competition. Courtesy of WXY Architecture
Included in the winning proposals was a design for a cemetery, an Africatown Museum, affordable housing, a marina, a hotel, a performance centre, and a “gateway” back to Africa.
The studio designed a memorial using rammed-earth walls. Courtesy of WXY Architecture
Located on the outskirts of Mobile, Africatown is the landing location of America’s “last” slave ship, Clotilda, which held 110 enslaved African peoples that were illegally transported to the country after an 1807 legislation prohibiting the importation of the enslaved.
Upon reaching land, it was burned and sunken to destroy any evidence of its existence and to keep the transporters from legal prosecution.
Jerome Haferd Architecture focused on the redesign of a demolished public housing site. Courtesy of Jerome Haferd Architecture
Today, the town is home to many third-generation descendants of those transported on the Clotilda and has been blighted due to nearby power plant pollution.
The descendants of these enslaved peoples had struggled to prove the claim to land based on the site.
Woven elements were used throughout the design. Courtesy of Jerome Haferd Architecture
The competition was launched around the question of ownership over the “story” of Africatown.
Body Lawson Associates proposed a water-based intervention. Courtesy Body Lawson Associates
“It does make a difference if [the narrative] is told through the story of the blood memory of people that suffered on that boat versus the kinds of stories that come from curators that see the boat as a fine American artefact,” Kemp-Rotan told Dezeen.
“I would hate for somebody to ride through here about 50 years from now and see a marker that said ‘Africatown used to be here’.”
The studio’s proposal reconnects communities via floating pavilions. Courtesy Body Lawson Associates
One notable portion of WXY’s design submission is the Memorial Shrine and Garden.
“Central to our design philosophy was to design a memorial that could attest to the strength of the descendant’s knowledge and lived experience in Africatown,” director of global practice at WXY Farida Aby-Bakare told Dezeen.
Fabl Design designed a museum, hotel, spa and performance centre. Courtesy of Fabl Design
The design’s circular rammed-earth wall pays homage to West African cultural histories while also referencing vernacular architectural styles from the region like the “castle houses” of Benin and mud brick constructions in Mali.
“Understanding the kingdom of Benin and those kinds of connotations of what rammed earth meant and how each family’s lineage and stories were based in rammed earth; they would have different symbols and the complexity of it would prove the families’ wealth. [That materiality] just resonated a lot with all of us,” Abu-Bakare continued.
Low-pitched, terraced roofs were used throughout the design. Courtesy of Fabl Design
Rather than working against one another as contestants for a prize, the four studios opted to work collaboratively to design what was best suitable for the Africatown community.
According to Haferd, the four studios chose to meet throughout the process to discuss the cultural mile as a collaborative landscape, sharing ideas and also approaches to ensure fluidity of aesthetics and intention across the cultural mile.
The competition called for proposals to assist in the improvement of the Africatown district in Alabama. Courtesy of WXY Architecture
The proposal draws upon Native American and African stewardship of the site to celebrate solid earth and flowing woven elements that encourage remediation and co-existence with the natural floodplain.
“The title of this project In the Wake is a reference to writer Christina Sharpe as she ponders blackness in this kind of wake of loss, slavery, ceremony and emergence,” Haferd told Dezeen.
Body Lawson Associates proposed a water-based intervention to reconnect communities via floating pavilions on Chickasaw Creek. Each pavilion serves as a storytelling point to the history of the arrival of the Africans.
“We wanted to use the spirit of the water to connect the [African] Continent and Africatown. Our proposal had a transcontinental reach,” said Body Lawson Associates founder Victor Body Lawson.
Fabl Design, in its proposal for the Africatown Museum, also referenced vernacular African architecture and the history of the site.
The competition’s organizer is working to make the designs a reality. Courtesy of Jerome Haferd Architecture
By incorporating a low-pitch roof, the form of the building also continues this dialogue between Africa and Africatown.
While the competition was completed in 2023, Kemp-Rotan is continuing to work with the community to understand the next steps needed to make these design proposals a reality.
Welcome to Wrist Watch Wednesday, where we dive deep into the latest and most captivating timepieces in the world of horology. Today, we explore the Omega x Swatch collaboration, MISSION TO THE SUPER BLUE MOONPHASE, a chronograph that marks the rare blue moon of August 19, 2024. This watch celebrates the summer season and a rare astronomical event, encapsulated in a design that seamlessly merges both brands’ expertise.
Designer: Omega + Swatch
MISSION TO THE SUPER BLUE MOONPHASE
The watch boasts a striking blue Bioceramic case, crown, and pushers, creating a sleek and modern aesthetic that is sure to captivate. The blue VELCRO strap, adorned with light blue topstitching and a blue Bioceramic attachment loop, perfectly complements the case, ensuring a cohesive and comfortable fit.
The dial is the centerpiece of this watch, showcasing a blue and silver opaline panda design. The silver opaline background is clean and sophisticated, while the contrasting blue subdials add a dynamic visual element. The blue hour markers are meticulously applied for precision, making them easily readable. Both the hour and minute hands are blue and coated with Grade A Super-LumiNova®, ensuring they glow brightly in low light. The chronograph seconds hand shares this luminescent coating, guaranteeing legibility in any condition.
This dial’s unique and poetic feature is the moon phase indicator at the 2 o’clock position. This subdial features two large blue moons on a dark blue disc, which rotates to display the moon’s different phases. Under UV light, hidden details in various shades of blue emerge on the moon phase mask and disc, adding a delightful visual surprise. This hidden moon design echoes the battery cover, linking the front and back aesthetics.
The blue Bioceramic bezel around the dial includes a white pulsometer scale, a practical tool historically used by medical professionals to measure heart rates. This pulsometer enhances both the watch’s functionality and its unique character.
The dial is protected by box-shaped bio-sourced glass, known for its durability and clarity. The center of this glass is etched with an “S” for Swatch, a subtle brand signature. The dial’s outer ring features a finely crafted circular pattern that beautifully catches light, adding depth and texture to the design. Recessed subdials contribute to the multi-layered appearance of the dial, ensuring that every element is functional and visually appealing. The sharp, smooth lugs integrate seamlessly with the case, and the Bioceramic material provides a unique tactile feel.
This exclusive model is available for purchase only from August 1 to August 19, 2024, starting from 5 pm at selected Swatch points of sale worldwide. The limited availability reflects the rarity of the blue moon that inspired this watch. The phrase ‘once in a blue moon’ is often used to describe something that happens very rarely, and this watch truly embodies that sentiment. Remember, it’s not often you get the chance to own something this special—truly a ‘once in a blue moon’ opportunity!
The specifications of the MISSION TO THE SUPER BLUE MOON PHASE include: – Case Material: Blue Bioceramic – Case diameter: 42.00 mm – Case thickness: 13.75 mm – Lug-to-lug distance: 47.30 mm – Movement: Quartz chronograph with moon phase indicator – Water resistance: 3 bar – Strap: Blue VELCRO with light blue topstitching and a blue Bioceramic attachment loop
This collaboration between Omega and Swatch brings together the best of both brands, creating an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional watch. The moon phase indicator, pulsometer scale, and luminescent hands all contribute to a design that captures the beauty of a rare astronomical event. The MISSION TO THE SUPER BLUE MOONPHASE is not just a timepiece; it’s a collector’s item that embodies the essence of a once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon, making it a must-have for watch enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Local architecture studio Atelier l’Abri has created a shed at a Montreal farmhouse with a galvanized steel and hemlock timber structure.
Named Melba Pavilion, the 45-square-metre structure was designed as a workspace and storage for the surrounding Maison Melba property, which includes a residence, studio, workshop and greenhouse dedicated to sustainable agriculture.
Atelier l’Abri has completed a garden shed on a Montreal agricultural property
Located between the property’s greenhouse and main house , the pavilion contains a central storage space, a lofted, open space for activities and an external workspace protected by generous eaves.
Its design was informed by the vernacular architecture of the area and emphasises “simplicity”, according to Atelier l’Abri.
The structure contains a central storage space, external workspace and a semi-enclosed loft
“The ideas behind the Melba Pavilion concept align with Kenneth Frampton’s ‘Studies in Tectonic Culture’, with an emphasis on the expressive potential of construction and the importance of materials and their assembly in defining a building’s character and impact,” said the studio.
“[It] exemplifies simplicity and elegance through its use of readily available, cost-effective materials.”
The studio used “raw and accessible” materials to create the structure
The building’s exposed structure was made of local hemlock wood, with a large gabled roof that sits atop the storage space, which is wrapped in steel panels.
A series of beams fall down around the storage space, leaving significant space between them for working.
The structure is made of hemlock wood
At the front of the building, a wooden ladder leads up to a semi-enclosed loft, covered by the roof’s polycarbonate translucent panels and left open on the sides.
Steel decking and a trap door in the upper level look into the storage space below.
The loft space is marked by the building’s rigorous structure, which forms a series of trusses informed by a residential building that was renovated on-site.
“The design is inspired by the rhythmic repetition of trusses that were stripped during the renovation work of the old home, resulting in a unique functional structure,” said the studio.
“The pavilion’s large timber frame, built from local hemlock wood, becomes a sculptural element in the landscape, establishing a connection between the garden and the main house.”
Its oversized roof also takes notes from surrounding architecture and pays homage “to the roof as the prototypical form of shelter”, according to the studio.
The oversized roof pays homage to “prototypical form of shelter”
The studio used “raw and accessible” materials throughout the process in the pursuit of sustainable practices, mirroring initiatives throughout the surrounding property which is “soon-to-be” LEED Platinum-certified.
The property also “follows principles of ecological, edible, and regenerative landscaping”, with landscape design by local landscape architecture studio Écomestible.
Its structure was informed by an older building renovated on site
“It embodies the principles of sustainable beauty in proposing a unique design solution to celebrate the daily gardening activities that will contribute to the site’s sustainability and self-reliance,” said the studio.
“By promoting minimal construction practices and reducing environmental impact through the use of local low-carbon materials, the Melba Pavilion exemplifies a commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.”
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