Hasta La Ideas

This twisted residential tower clad in zinc-coated steel is part of a mixed use development proposal in Shoreditch, London by Amanda Levete Architects.

Proposed on a former industrial site opposite the new station, Huntingdon Estate would provide retail spaces at ground floor as well as a gallery, creative workshops and a covered market.

The project, which has been in development since 2009, has been submitted for planning.

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Here are some more details from Amanda Levete Architects:

Huntingdon Estate 2009

AL_A has developed plans for a mixed-used site in the heart of London’s East End. Located between Bethnal Green Road and Redchurch Street, the scheme for the Huntingdon Industrial Estate proposes the radical transformation of a former industrial site into an innovative and energised commercial, cultural and residential centre. London is a city that continues to evolve and re-invent itself, and Shoreditch is an intrinsic part of this.

The density and diversity, and the innovative and creative spirit which defines this area is reflected in the mixed residential and business communities that inhabit it, and the varying scales of building that surround it. AL_A’s design for Huntingdon addresses this complex urban context, and draws on the site’s vibrancy and pivotal position on the City fringe.

The plinth and tower structure will compliment surroundings by responding to the duality inherent in the site. The plinth is modelled with the same small scale, fragmented grain of historic Shoreditch and uses materials, which echo the tough, light industrial character of the area. The different sized retail spaces found here have been designed specifically to attract local, small and independent businesses, supported by capped rent, which will continue to contribute to this expanding community. Plans to further preserve and enrich the neighbourhood’s cultural and creative life centre around the development of a gallery space, creative workshop atelier and a covered, pedestrianised market.

The slim residential tower, positioned immediately opposite the new Shoreditch station appears to rise from the plinth, twisting elegantly as it reaches upwards. A material palette of glass and zinc-coated steel of different scales, textures and finishes, enables a low density mass over the majority of the site, and creates an urban grain that integrates with the surroundings. The sophisticated dynamic form responds to solar conditions throughout the day enabling optimum daylight for new and existing homes, and minimising unwanted solar gain. A rich mix of apartment sizes, and a green landscaped roof, will offer a variety of environmentally friendly, energy-efficient homes in this sought after location, and will set a precedent for landmark quality apartments that do not currently exist in Tower Hamlets.

The Huntingdon Estate scheme is being developed by Londonewcastle and was submitted for planning in March following in depth consultations with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, GLA, CABE, EH and local residents and community groups.

Client: Londonewcastle
Programme: Mixed use residential building
Area: 16,220m²
Status: Submitted for planning March 2011 by Londonewcastle (Shoreditch Ltd)
Architect: AL_A
Principal: Amanda Levete
Project Director: Ho-Yin Ng
Project Team: Matthew Wilkinson, Alice Dietsch, Frederick Pittman, David Flynn, May Leung, Naoki Kotaka, YooJin Kim, Dessislava Lyutakova
Consultants: Planning DP9
Townscape and Conservation: Richard Coleman
Structural Engineer: AKT
M&E Engineer: Grontmij
Quantity Surveyor: EC Harris
Landscape: Gross Max
Rights of Light: GIA
EIA: Waterman Environmental
CDM: PFB Construction
Traffic: Savell Bird & Axon
Programming: Elizabeth Tweedale

See also:

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Subway Station by Amanda Levete & Anish Kapoor	10 Hills Place by Amanda Levete Architects	Central Embassy by Amanda Levete Architects

This house on a rocky hilltop in Sweden by Swedish architect John Robert Nilsson sits upon on a limestone-covered concrete plinth, which provides a continuous floor surface inside and outside of the house.

The exterior of Villa Överby is finished in matte black, interrupted only by glass walls which provide views out towards the sea.

The glass wall frames sit in recesses in the limestone slabs, allowing the base of the glass to be flush with the ground.

The plinth extends out into a terrace at the rear of the building with a cut-away at the edge that creates a sunken swimming pool.

Photography is by Åke E:son Lindman.

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The following information is from the architect:

Villa Överby
Värmdö, Stockholm

Situated on a natural plateau atop a rocky headland, the house enjoys panoramic views across the bay and the evening sun to the west. The Gotland limestone on concrete foundation is crafted like a massive plinth, building walkways along three of the house’s façades under the roof’s deep overhangs.

On the side facing the sea, the limestone-covered foundation opens out into a large terrace with a sunken swimming pool and recessed sitting area providing shelter from the wind. The same limestone-covered foundation forms the connected floor space throughout the house.

The entrance side of the house features a solid façade wall, plastered and decolored to matte black. The only interruption is a ceiling-high pivot door with a thin lattice of black stained oak filtering the light. The other façades are made up of a structural glazing system of full glass walls.

The insulated glass consists of an outer layer of Optiwhite glass, reducing daylight discoloration, and an inner layer of thermal control glass to avoid condensation and downdraft.  The bottom of the glass frame is completely recessed and hidden between limestone slabs, making the boundary between outside and inside practically non-existent. A hidden moat around the house, constructed of stainless steel with a limestone cover, channels rain and snow water away.

The floor plan of the house, a simple rectangular shape, is clearly divided into private and social spheres. The private sphere is further divided into bedrooms, bathrooms and storage, built around an open-concept living space. Instead of traditional doors, most openings are ceiling height. Simply turning the corner gives you the impression of entering a new room.

The formative idea behind the house was to create a clear and concentrated form in marked contrast to the surrounding landscape. The presence of a concrete object, abstract for the location, also heightens the experience of the rich shades of nature.

While an agreement on the basic idea was reached quickly, finalizing requirements regarding quality, precision and attention to detail was an extensive project. Behind the clean lines hides a series of advanced technological systems. Tap water is extracted from the sea and treated in a desalination unit. Heating for the floors, outdoor pool and hot water is produced by a geothermal heat pump.

District cooling, so-called free air-conditioning, is also pumped into the house through the rock shaft, which means that all air-conditioning is basically free of charge. All systems are operated by a smart control and monitoring solution, using a web-based interface, controlled via the internet or a mobile handset.

Architects (chief, managing and co-workers): John Robert Nilsson Arkitektkontor, Robert Nilsson chief, Maria Århammar managing, Niklas Singstedt / Martin Zetherström / Vincenzo Cassotta contributory.
Interior design: John Robert Nilsson Arkitektkontor
Landscaping, garden: Mikado Mark & Trädgård, Robert Forsberg
Other contractors: Geo Markservice AB, Eva Holmqvist (water/sewage), CSE Projekt, Henrik Nilsson (construction), Itecon AB, Eskil Stenstrand (water), Jan Fransson Elkonsult AB, Håkan Ackland (electricity)
Glass contractors/Suppliers: JB Glaskonsult AB, Johan Backlund, JONI Metall & glasprojektering/ CL Specialglas, Claes Lundén
Client: Private
Construction form: Shared construction
Building contractor: Liljestrand Entreprenad LE AB
Gross area, sq. m: 250 sq. m
Year built: 2007-2009

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