Hasta La Ideas

The surrounding mountains were the inspiration behind the textured concrete forms of a civic centre and police station in Mestia, Georgia, by German firm J. Mayer H. Architects.

Four asymmetric hexagons provide the elevations of the two-storey civic centre, named the House of Justice, which has glazed entrances at two of its corners.

The nearby five-storey police station has a crooked profile that bends out towards a road that runs alongside.

Glazing infills blob-shaped voids in the concrete facade of this building to provide windows that stretch across different rooms and floors.

Last year J. Mayer H. also completed an unusual airport in the same mountain town. See it here alongside a few more of their projects.

Photography is by Beka Pkhakadze and Jesko M. Johnsson-Zahn.

Here’s some more information about each of the projects from the architects:

HJM – House of Justice, civic centre, Mestia, Georgia

The House of Justice serves as a two storey civic centre for the people of Mestia, a village with a strong cultural heritage. Its concrete structure frames the spectacular landscape of the Caucasian Mountains. The building is part of an ensemble of new public buildings around the main central public plaza.

Project Team: Juergen Mayer H., Jesko M. Johnsson-Zahn, Danny te Kloese, Hugo Reis
Project: 2011
Completion: 2012
Floor Space: 350m2
Client: Ministry of Justice of Georgia
Architect on Site: Ltd. Alioni 99

Mestia Police Station, Georgia

The project is situated in the heart of the old town of Mestia, next to the newly built city-hall. Its towerlike shape pays homage to the medieval stone towers which are traditional to Mestia’s mountainside region.

The facade is comprised of prefabricated textured concrete and large openings which offer a maximum of transparency.

Team: Jürgen Mayer H., Christoph Emenlauer, Hugo Reis, Danny Te Kloese
Preliminary Design: 2011
Completion: 2012
Function: Police Station
Clients: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Georgia

Architects J. Mayer. H have completed a giant latticed timber canopy as part of their redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon in Seville, Spain.

The Metropol Parasol scheme includes an archaeological museum, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, and bars and restaurants, all contained beneath and within the parasol structure.

More architecture by J. Mayer H. on Dezeen »

Here are some more details from the architects:

Completion of Metropol Parasol

April 2011 marks the completion of “Metropol Parasol”, the Redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon in Seville. Designed by J. MAYER H. architects, this project has already become the new landmark for Seville, – a place of identification and to articulate Seville’s role as one of the world´s most fascinating cultural destinations. “Metropol Parasol” explores the potential of the Plaza de la Encarnacion to become the new contemporary urban centre. Its role as a unique urban space within the dense fabric of the medieval inner city of Seville allows for a great variety of activities such as memory, leisure and commerce. A highly developed infrastructure helps to activate the square, making it an attractive destination for tourists and locals alike.

The “Metropol Parasol” scheme with its impressive timber structures offers an archaeological museum, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols, as well as a panorama terrace on the very top of the parasols. Realized as one of the largest and most innovative bonded timber-constructions with a polyurethane coating, the parasols grow out of the archaeological excavation site into a contemporary landmark, defining a unique relationship between the historical and the contemporary city. “Metropol Parasols” mix-used character initiates a dynamic development for culture and commerce in the heart of Seville and beyond.

International Competition: 1. Prize, 2004
Project: 2004-2011
Opening: March 27th 2011
Completion: April 2011
Client: Ayuntamiento de Sevilla and SACYR
Architects: J. Mayer H. Architects
Technical Consultant and Multidisciplinary Engineers for Realization: Arup
Timber Construction Company: Finnforest-Merk GmbH, Aichach

See also:

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Swoosh Pavilion at the Architectural Association	Versailles Pavilion by Explorations Architecture	French Pavilion by Jacques Ferrier Architectures