Hasta La Ideas

Dutch architectural practice BaksvanWengerden has completed a wonky delicatessen in the town of Oegstgeest.

The ground and first floors of the three-storey Dames Dietz Deli Shop lean outwards to maximise space on the compact plot while also creating a double-height entrance between the wall and the first floor balcony.

The third floor then leans sharply inwards again to create a sloping roof that meets the neighbouring building’s roofline.

The walls and ceilings of the interior are finished in horizontally clad wood while the exterior is clad in brown ceramic tiles.

The shop occupies the ground floor, while the the kitchen and storage areas are located upstairs.

We recently featured a splayed concrete extension to a triangular house in the Netherlands by the same architects.

See all our stories about shops »
See all our stories about the Netherlands »

Photographs are by Yvonne Brandwijk and Kaj van Geel.

Here’s more information from the architects:

A deli shop was commissioned for the main shopping street of the town Oegstgeest. The ambition is to realise a highly sustainable building. The plot is located next to a side gable wall of a terrace house development. Due to the limited plot size the only way to fit the programme is to stack it in three layers. The cantilever on the upper floors maximises the volume.

Build in different historical time periods, the location is surrounded by a large variety of roof shapes and styles. These roof shapes were mostly derived from practical effectiveness and technical limitations as well as social and cultural reasons. All these arguments are still valid, except for the technical ones. Therefore the sloping planes are interpreted more freely.

Ground floor plan

The municipal development plan and an ease of use attached to the plot prescribe clear and absolute regulations. Combining these parameters BaksvanWengerden created a building that diverges from the vertical and horizontal on all levels. Sloping planes to draw one into the shop; to bring in natural light; to create more space on the upper levels and to continue the existing roofline. The result is a building which appears simultaneously integrated and alienated.

First floor plan

The shop is constructed in a 100% sustainable building system; Nurholz. It is the first commercial project completed with this Cradle2Cradle structural framework method. This unique, sustainable system integrates the structure, the services, the internal finishes as well as the insulating properties.

Second floor plan

Client: Dames Dietz
Programme: New building for Deli Shop in Oestgeest
Area: 100m2
Project Architects: Gijs Baks, Jacco van Wengerden,
Contributors: Rui Duarte, Vineta du Toit
Stuctural engineer: Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Adviesbureau Luning
Contractor: Van Berkel Aannemers, Leimuiden
Interior designer: BaksvanWengerden Architecten, Amsterdam
Structural framework: Bouwpuur, Roosendaal
Interior fit-out: Thomas Meubels, Amsterdam
Status Commenced: September 2009, completed May 2012

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by BaksvanWengerden appeared first on Dezeen.

News: architect Frank Gehry has today unveiled proposals for a major new art gallery and university complex at the centre of Toronto’s entertainment district.

Working alongside David Mirvish, director of production company Mirvish Productions, Gehry has designed three 80-85 metre-high residential towers on the top of the new buildings, which will be located beside the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street West.

The Mirvish Collection gallery will sit beneath two of the towers and house a collection of abstract art built by David and Audrey Mirvish over a period of 50 years. The neighbouring OCAD University Public Learning Centre for Visual Art, Curatorial Studies and Art History will be positioned beneath the third tower and will accommodate exhibition galleries, seminar rooms, studios and a public lecture theatre.

“It’s especially interesting that this project involves the arts,” said Gehry. “With this project, I wanted to create buildings that were good neighbours to the surrounding buildings and that respected the rich and diverse history of the area.”

Six properties currently located on the site will be preserved and maintained as part of the development, as will the Canada Walk of Fame along King Street West and Simcoe Street, but three warehouses and a small theatre are set to be demolished.

Gehry is also designing the new campus for Facebook, and recently donated $100,000 towards a new annual prize for architecture graduates.

See all our stories about Frank Gehry »

Here’s the full press release from the developers:

David Mirvish and Frank Gehry Unveil Conceptual Design to Transform Toronto’s Entertainment District

Reimagining of King Street Entertainment District Continues Mirvish Family’s Legacy While Supporting Toronto’s Thriving Cultural Corridor

Major Cultural Additions to the District Include the Mirvish Collection, a 60,000-Square-Foot Gallery Dedicated to Abstract Art, and OCAD University Facility

David Mirvish, founder of Mirvish Productions, and world-renowned architect Frank Gehry today unveiled the conceptual design for a mixed-use project that will transform Toronto’s downtown arts and entertainment district and advance the area’s future as a thriving cultural centre. The multi-year, multi-phase project is the largest and most significant urban commission to date for the Toronto-born architect, bringing new cultural, residential and retail spaces to a site immediately next to the Royal Alexandra Theatre and creating a new visual identity for the city’s premier arts district.

The Mirvish/Gehry project is the vision of David Mirvish, who through his family’s support of the arts has helped make the city a major international centre for performing arts and has transformed the downtown King Street Entertainment District. Bordered by many of Toronto’s leading cultural institutions including the Royal Alexandra Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall to the east, the Toronto International Film Festival Bell Lightbox to the west, and the John Street Cultural Corridor to the west culminating at the Art Gallery of Ontario to the north, the project will have at its centre the new Mirvish Collection museum and a new facility for OCAD University.

Frank Gehry, whose other major Canadian project is the redesigned Art Gallery of Ontario (2008), grew up in the King Street West neighbourhood, and his design relates directly to the scale, materials and feeling of the area. “We see an opportunity to join our history with Frank Gehry’s history and continue our ongoing commitment to the neighbourhood,” said David Mirvish. “This area was transformed 50 years ago after my father purchased the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and this project will continue the theatre’s future and transform the neighbourhood again for the next 50 years. I am proud that we can continue this legacy that my father began.”

“It is very special for me to be able to work in Toronto where I was born and to engage the neighbourhoods where I grew up,” said Gehry. “It’s especially interesting that this project involves the arts. That is always meaningful to me. With this project, I wanted to create buildings that were good neighbours to the surrounding buildings and that respected the rich and diverse history of the area. I also wanted to make nice places for the people who live in and visit the buildings. David has an exciting vision, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

The Mirvish/Gehry design will create a new profile for the arts and entertainment district at the streetscape and in the skyline, add significantly to the John Street Cultural Corridor, and provide new and enhanced public spaces. The site includes the north side of King Street West and the south side of Pearl Street, occupying the entire block between John Street and Ed Mirvish Way and a portion of the block between Ed Mirvish Way and the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and consists of six properties owned by the Mirvish family. The Canada Walk of Fame, located along King West and Simcoe Streets, will be preserved and maintained. The project’s development, management and construction will be led by Peter Kofman of Projectcore Inc. in conjunction with David Mirvish.

The conceptual design, which will continue to evolve, consists of two six-story stepped podiums, which relate in scale and articulation to the neighbouring buildings, topped by three iconic residential towers, ranging in size from 80 to 85 storeys. Each tower has a complementary but distinctive design, which fits with the history and texture of the surrounding neighbourhood. The trio of towers works together to form a dynamic still life on the skyline. The west block of the plan, oriented to King Street West, features a stepped podium with the Mirvish Collection in the atrium and planted terraces that create a green silhouette overlooking King Street and Metro Square. The east block of the plan includes the preservation of the Royal Alexandra Theatre and another stepped podium housing the OCAD University facility that fronts onto King Street West.

The new 60,000-square-foot Mirvish Collection will be a destination for viewing contemporary abstract art from the exemplary collection of Audrey and David Mirvish. The collection was built over 50 years, beginning when David Mirvish ran a globally recognized art gallery in Toronto from 1963-1978. The Mirvish Collection comprises works by leading artists including Jack Bush, Anthony Caro, Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Louis, Robert Motherwell, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitski, Larry Poons, David Smith and Frank Stella. The nonprofit Mirvish Collection, which will be free and open to the public, will present curated artist-focused exhibitions that leverage the depth of the Mirvish holdings and will be available to other institutions. It will also host traveling exhibitions.

The project incorporates a new multi-floor facility for the OCAD University Public Learning Centre for Visual Art, Curatorial Studies and Art History, including exhibition galleries, studios, seminar rooms, and a public lecture hall. The galleries will feature curatorial programming drawn from OCAD University faculty, the OCAD University Art Collection, the OCAD University Archives and the Printmaking and Publications Research and Production Centre. “Urban universities such as OCAD University contribute to and benefit from their situation within a creative city,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, OCAD University President andflivbrary Vice-Chancellor. “We are a hub for art, design, media, research, innovation and the business of creativity, and this new facility, in the heart of a transforming cultural district, is a perfect setting for OCAD University.”

As part of the plan, the Princess of Wales Theatre, owned and operated by Mirvish Productions, will be replaced along with adjacent warehouses. The artist Frank Stella, whose commissioned murals are part of the Princess of Wales Theatre, will partner with Frank Gehry to develop new work for the project, integrating art and architecture. “The Princess of Wales Theatre is a wonderful space to experience theatre, but the next step for the future of this neighbourhood is providing new kinds of cultural spaces,” said David Mirvish. “We are dedicated to providing more theatre in Toronto, not less, and through our other theatres, we will continue to provide world-class theatre experiences.”

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Toronto’s entertainment district appeared first on Dezeen.

Stray balls aren’t a problem on the rooftop tennis court of this sports centre in western Poland by PL.architekci, thanks to the cage that covers the building (+ slideshow).

“The plot was too small to locate a tennis court on the ground, so we decided to put it on the roof,” architect Bartek Bajon told Dezeen. “We designed an eight-metre-high cage to protect people on the ground from falling tennis balls.”

The metal cage wraps the facade and roof of the two-storey building, creating the framework for a row of shutters that can be fastened shut across the glazed elevations.

Inside the centre, a two-storey climbing wall surrounded by a cafe and reception area sits in the crook of the L-shaped plan.

The climbing wall can be seen from almost every other part of the building, which includes bowling alleys, squash courts, a gym and a children’s play area.

Faceted staircases lead up to the rooftop tennis court, which Bajon says offers “picturesque views of the old town, park and lake”.

Other sports centres on Dezeen include a timber-clad football training centre and a sports hall with a rainbow-coloured facade.

See more stories about sport »

See more buildings in Poland »

Photography is by Bartosz Makowski.

Here’s some text from the architects:

Fala Park

Fala Park is a sports and recreation centre situated in the small and picturesque town of Wolsztyn, Poland, famous as the location of a locomotive roundhouse.

The new centre has been built on a former brownfield site bordering a historic park and offering views to a nearby lake.

Our intention was to take full advantage of the sites location by creating visual connections from the building to its attractive surroundings with the main internal spaces requiring natural light having views towards the lake.

A rooftop tennis court – Poland’s first – offers users an exciting platform to admire the far-reaching panorama of the town’s historic church towers and dense rooftops.

The form and massing of the building is derived from the spatial requirements of the sporting functions within.

Although initially Fala Park was supposed to be enclosed, we persuaded the investors to keep it open and welcoming; creating a new, inviting and energetic public space that seeks to strengthen the connections between the town, the park and the lake.

Along with the rooftop tennis court, Fala Park accommodates: 4 bowling alleys, 2 squash courts, a full height climbing wall, a gym with spin and fitness studios, a children’s play area, a mini-golf course, a cafe, and bike and Segway hire.

The building has been wrapped with semi-translucent, vertical brise-soleil panels arranged to create an expressive modular façade whilst reducing solar gain. Inside, contemporary and vivid interiors have been used to enable easy orientation within the entwining yet distinctive buildings functions. Bright accent colours and clear graphics and signage were used throughout to appeal to users of all ages.

A striking, green climbing wall, which can be seen throughout the building dominates the main interior space and acts as a notional ‘core’ and way-finding device for users.

The climbing walls distinctive form is also playfully expressed in the treatment of the stairs, furniture and other elements of the building. Even though Fala Park was completed on a very tight budget (jointly founded by EU grants and private equity) we believe we have succeeded in delivering a contemporary, playful and contextual building.

Ground floor plan- click above for larger image

First floor plan- click above for larger image

Second floor plan- click above for larger image

Section- click above for larger image

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by PL.architekci appeared first on Dezeen.

This golden library in Copenhagen by architects COBE and Transform is meant to resemble a pile of books (+ slideshow).

Libraries for children, teenagers and adults are split between three of the differently shaped floors, while a concert hall sits on the top.

Perforated aluminium gives the building its bumpy, golden facade and also lines the walls of a triple-height atrium that cuts through the interior.

Entrances lead into this atrium from both sides of the building, while balconies branch across it on the upper floors.

Windows for some of the rooms are concealed behind the metal cladding and are only visible after dark.

Above: photograph is by Stamers Kontor

The architects won a competition to design the building back in 2009 – see our earlier story for the original proposals.

Above: photograph is by Stamers Kontor

We’ve featured a few golden buildings in recent months, including the new wing at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. See more stories about golden architecture and interiors here, and see more stories about libraries here.

Photographs above are by Adam Mørk, apart from where otherwise stated.

Above: photograph is by Kåre Viemose

Here’s a project description from COBE:

The Library is an extension of an existing culture house in Copenhagen’s north-west. The extension fulfills four main functions: a children’s library, a youth library, a library for adults and a concert hall.

Above: photograph is by Stamers Kontor

The building’s unique design is comprised of four golden boxes stacked on top of one another, each containing one of the building’s four main functions. Deliberately designed to resemble a stack of books, the building’s floors each contain a world of their own, including individually staged scenography.

Above: photograph is by Stamers Kontor

The spaces between the boxes are used as flexible spaces. Moving through the building, you experience an interplay between the different staged spatialities in each box versus an open, flexible space outside and between the boxes.

An important element in the architecture is the golden brown siding inside and out of extruded, gold anodized aluminium, which offers the possibility of varying the transparency of the fenestration and creates a uniform facade expression.

Above: photograph is by Jens Lindhe

Seen from the outside, the facade changes over day depending on how the daylight falls. Some windows are placed behind the expanded metal, which is barely visible in daylight, but clearly appears in the evening when the house is illuminated from the inside.

Above: photograph is by Jens Lindhe

North-west is an area in Copenhagen located between the lively, dense and diverse urban neighbourhood of Nørrebro and the villa neighborhood at the edge of the city.

Above: photograph is by Kåre Viemose

Many people live and work in this multiethnic area.

Yet, since the area is located in the vicinity to numerous entry roads, most Copenhagener’s only use the north-west as passage when going in and out of the city by car. Located here, The Library appears as a golden gem, beautifying an often disregarded part of town – a much needed institution for arts and culture in the area.

Above: photograph is by Stamers Kontor

Place: Copenhagen, Denmark
Client: Copenhagen Municipality
Program: Transformation of existing culture house and extension containing library and concert hall
Size: Existing 1.150 m2, new build 2.000 m2
Status: 1st prize in competition 2009, completed 2011
Architects: COBE and TRANSFORM

Above: photograph is by Stamers Kontor

Landscape Architects: Schönherr
Engineers: Wessberg
Contractor: Bdr. A&B Andersen
Budget: DKK 42 m.

Concept sketch one

Concept sketch two

Concept sketch three

Ground floor plan – click above for larger image

First floor plan – click above for larger image

Second floor plan – click above for larger image

Third floor plan – click above for larger image

Section – click above for larger image

Section – click above for larger image

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and Transform appeared first on Dezeen.

The latticed facade of this Tokyo bookstore by Klein Dytham Architecture comprises hundreds of interlocking T-shapes that subtly reference the logo of entertainment retailer Tsutaya (+ slideshow).

“The T idea for the project came to us during the initial briefing session with the CEO of Tsutaya,” architect Mark Dytham told Dezeen. “He was hoping for an iconic building, branded in a non-branded way, without having to rely on signage.”

The little shapes also combine to create larger Ts on the elevations of the three buildings that make up the complex.

The grid created by the shapes lines up with the structural systems, and Dytham explained how this helped them to “determine the general layout” of each building.

This layout was also influenced by the locations of several large trees, which the buildings nestle between.

Louvred steel bridges link up with aisles on the first floor of each block, which the architects refer to as the “magazine street”.

As well as sales areas for books, CDs and DVDs, the store also contains a convenience store, a lounge and cafe.

Other projects we’ve featured by Klein Dytham Architecture include an airport lounge for Virgin Atlantic and a combined home and salon.

See more stories about Klein Dytham Architecture »

Photography is by Nacasa & Partners.

Here’s a project description from Klein Dytham:

T-Site, Daikanyama, Tokyo

Klein Dytham architecture won the T-Site commission in a 2 stage invited competition. 77 architects were invited to submit proposals and KDa made it to the final selection with Kengo Kuma, Atelier Bow Wow, Mikan Gumi and Kumiko Inui, before winning the project in the final round.

KDa’s new Daikanyama T-Site is a campus-like complex for Tsutaya, a giant in Japan’s book, music, and movie retail market.

Located in Daikanyama, an up-market but relaxed, low-rise Tokyo shopping district, it stands alongside the legendary Hillside Terrace buildings designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki.

Slotted between large existing trees on the site, the three pavilions are organized by a “magazine street” that threads through the complex, blurring interior and exterior.

Tailored particularly to over-50 “premium age” customers, Tsutaya’s normal product range is complimented by a series of boutique spaces carrying carefully curated product ranges.

Other facilities include a café, an upscale convenience store, and the Anjin lounge, where visitors can browse a library of classic design magazines and books or peruse artworks for sale as they eat, drink, read, chat, or relax.

Externally, KDa’s characteristic wit emerges in subtle ways – the perforated screens of the façade are formed from the Ts of the Tsutaya logo, and much larger T-shapes are disguised in the building plans and elevations.

Architecture and interior design: Klein Dytham architecture
Art Direction: Tomoko Ikegai
Architectural Consultant: RIA
Structural Engineer: Structured Environment
Main Contractor: Kajima Construction

Ground floor plan – click above for larger image

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Klein Dytham Architecture appeared first on Dezeen.