Hasta La Ideas

Gravel coats the exterior of this house in Japan by Keitaro Muto Architects, including a wedge-shaped block with outward sloping walls.

Named Ginan House, the two-storey residence is located at the back of a long and narrow site, behind a gravel garden that separates it from the street.

A small swimming pool is tucked into a recess in the facade, marking the divide between the two overlapping blocks that comprise the building.

Sloping walls continue inside the house and separate the two bedrooms and staircase in one block from a third bedroom and a living and dining room in the other.

A walk-in-closet and small toilet are also located on the first floor and can only be accessed by crossing a metal bridge.

We’ve also just featured another Japanese house, which is shaped like an arrow.

See more Japanese houses on Dezeen »

Photography is by Apertozero.

Here’s the architect’s project description:

“GINAN “, whole site including a building is like a Japanese garden.

A client requested me to relocate a garden stones and trees from a garden of the house which he used to live.

This site is long and narrow. I left half site on the road as a “garden” for future for their children.

The whole site is as a “garden”, spread gravel all over the site and placed some big garden rocks and trees.

The building stands as if it was a part of this garden.

This diagonal wall which is made with gravel makes the ground look as if it were standing up, making it a magnificent scene.

Inside this architecturally designed building(mass), you will find the bedroom, bathroom and other rooms where you will be able to have your own space for comfort and privacy.

The spaces left by the volumes are open spaces where the family can get together.

Both the inside and outside of this house were dynamically designed to give the owner an open and clear feeling as if they were in a garden.

Architects: Keitaro Muto Architects
Collaborators: Atushi Fujio
Location: Hashima-gun, Gifu, Japan
Use: Residential
Structure: Timber frame construction
Completion: 2012
Project Area: 147.86 sq m

Site plan – click above for larger image

Ground floor plan – click above for larger image

First floor plan – click above for larger image

Section – click above for larger image

The post Ginan House by
Keitaro Muto Architects appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Wire: world heritage body UNESCO has called for a crackdown on high-rise development around London’s South Bank, reports the Evening Standard.

The organisation has asked the British government to include it in the decision-making process on any major schemes proposed for the area in order to protect views from the Tower of London and the Palace of Westminster.

While UNESCO has no direct power over planning decisions, it can ultimately remove World Heritage status from sites if they are significantly altered by new building developments.

Deputy mayor for planning Sir Edward Lister said the Greater London Authority would “fight” for growth. “We understand their concerns but have to balance them with the demands of an expanding city,” he said. “It’s all about moderation from both sides.”

The South Bank is home to a number of London’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Royal Festival Hall, the London Eye and Renzo Piano’s Shard skyscraper.

See all our stories about London »

The post UNESCO warns against further high-rise
developments on London’s South Bank appeared first on Dezeen.

Spain and Kuwait-based AGi Architects have designed three seafront houses in Kuwait for three siblings and their families (photos by Nelson Garrido).

The S Cube Chalet comprises three small houses connected by walkways and a central staircase, each with private terraces overlooking the sea.

Two of the houses are mirror images of each other and are separated by the staircase, which leads up to the third house on the upper level.

The buildings have been situated to limit their exposure to the sun on the south facade and increase shaded space on the north side which looks out to sea.

The floors, stairs and a dividing wall between two of the houses are clad with Indian sandstone.

Photographs are by Nelson Garrido.

Here’s some more information from the architects:

S Cube family chalet is made up of three intertwined beach houses. The owners – two brothers and their sister each with their own families – want to continue enjoying the same exceptional environment in which they grew up, but with complete independency and privacy from each other.

For these reasons, the design of these three small houses calls for a duplicated programme that maintains privacy while benefiting from outdoor areas and sea views by the use of several terraces.

Click above for larger image

Architectural solutions proposed by AGi
In order to create private and independent houses for each family – comprising three young couples with two small children each – AGi architects have divided the plot into two units composed of two houses that are mirror images of each other, named S2 and S3. These units are separated by a staircase leading towards the third house, located at the higher level. The third house is positioned on top and across from the two residences, enjoying a large roof terrace with direct views towards the sea. Each of the three houses enjoys an individual outdoor area that is open to the sky, privacy from its neighbor, and extended sea views.

The highly dense programme in the intertwined houses is manipulated to create outdoor spaces which harvest the prevailing winds and enhance their circulation within the courtyards, allowing people to comfortably reside in them. The building is carefully situated to protect its exposure to the sun on the southern façade, whilst increasing shaded space on the northern side to frame views out to the sea as well as create a pleasant outdoor environment.

The outdoor spaces on the ground floor and the roof terrace of the third house on the upper level are the main distinguishing elements and spaces of this project; from which the three houses are organized around them. They are beach houses designed to optimize and enhance the outdoor experience.

Click above for larger image

Programme
S Cube chalet is developed into three levels:
S2 and S3 houses comprise mirrored programmes, occupying two levels:
Ground floor: Main bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and a large courtyard open to the sea.
First floor: Two bedrooms, bathroom and a terrace with side views to the sea, designed as a playing area for children.
The terraces of both houses are visually separated by a grid.
S1 house is developed in two separate levels:
First floor: Main bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and a terrace connected to the S3 terrace.
Second floor: Two bedrooms, bathroom and a large terrace facing the sea.

Click above for larger image

Materials
The flooring, stairs and dividing wall between S1 and S2 are all are clad using Indian sandstone. Interior walls and ceilings are finished using plaster and paint, while handrails are cladded with wood.
The interiors have been designed by AGi architects. All materials used in the S Cube project are locally manufactured. The loose furniture produced by Spanish brands, supplied by Gunni & Trentino.

Design Team: Joaquin Pérez-Goicoechea, Nasser B. Abulhasan, Salvador Cejudo
Architectural team: Robert A. Varghese, Abdul Hafiz, Mohammed Mónica Marqués, José Á ngel del Campo

Project Name: S Cube Chalet
Type: Residential 750 m2
Location: Kuwait
Date: 2007-2011

The post S Cube Chalet
by AGi Architects appeared first on Dezeen.

Architecture studio Tredje Natur is redesigning a Copenhagen neighbourhood to better handle the floods expected as climate change leads to fewer but heavier rain storms.

When heavy rainfall strikes Saint Kjeld’s Kvarter, the water will be collected above ground in parks and squares to simultaneously relieve the sewer systems and create new recreational areas around the pools.

A giant ring in the main square will spray out a cooling mist on hot days, while excess water will be channelled along new cycle lanes that will double as storm drains, leading to canals and out to the harbour rather than into people’s basements.

The architects and local government hope the scheme will become a model for green urban planning and a showcase for climate adaptation technology.

“Only last year, three cloud bursts cost the society over 5 billion DKK in damage to the buildings and infrastructure,” says Flemming Rafn Thomsen, partner at Tredje Natur. “The climate adaptive plans in Copenhagen, and whole of Denmark really, are humongous and will probably have a time frame longer than 20 years, but the political will to get something done soon is pretty strong.”

Flemming Rafn Thomsen and Ole Schrøder won the competition to re-design the site as part of the Europan architecture competition in 2011, after which the city of Copenhagen signed them up to advise on the strategic development of the area.

The detailed plans will be unveiled to Copenhagen residents tonight and construction is due to begin in 2013, with completion scheduled for 2015/16.

Click above for larger image

Here’s some more information from Tredje Natur:

Copenhagen based architecture firm TREDJE NATUR develops Denmark’s first climate adapted neighborhood.

On the 18th of August 2012 the plans for Copenhagen’s first climate adapted neighborhood is presented to the public. The project’s visions to transform Saint Kjeld’s Quarter into Copenhagen’s greenest neighborhood are presented at a grand opening by Danish Environmental Minister, Ida Auken,

Click above for larger image

The climate is changing behavior. The Copenhageners can look forward to fewer but heavier rain showers, as the city has already been experiencing over the last two summers. In Saint Kjeld’s Neighborhood a comprehensive urban development project seeks to demonstrate how the city can be arranged so rainwater can be managed in the streets in a more natural and effective way. The project was designed by the newly established architectural firm TREDJE NATUR, and promotes new solutions for how we adapt to the climate changes and develop our cities.

Click above for larger image

“The increase in rainfall is a major challenge for our city. But by tackling the challenge the right way, we can secure the city from cloudbursts while also bringing the city new recreational values. The ideas in Saint Kjeld’s Neighborhood are a really good example of this,” says Technical and Environmental Mayor of Copenhagen, Ayfer Baykal (SF).

Click above for larger image

Pragmatic and Innovative Urban Development
TREDJE NATUR’s project offers a wide range of pragmatic strategies to meet the many expectations in the area. As a key principle the architects reclaim 20% of the street area by optimizing the infrastructure and parking lots according to current standard. The obtained area counts potentially 50,000 square meters and is to be used for new urban space development. It is also an important parameter not to compromise the city’s existing functions.

Click above for larger image

In the large urban spaces, such as Saint Kjeld’s Square and Tåsinge Square the office has put a great effort into creating new kinds of urban experiences founded in the city’s and nature’s changeability. A gigantic floating ring sprays a cooling rain mist out on the hot summer days, hundreds of plant species secures an attractive nature all year round and a hilly terrain invites you to play and stay.

Click above for larger image

“At Saint Kjeld’s Square and Tåsinge Square we optimize the terrain effectively doubling the urban space’s surface area. This provides new space for a comprehensive volume of natural value, a better micro-climate and hence more urban life and better rain water management. The large spaces will be both striking and natural hot spots in the district. It is also possible to integrate new cafes and playgrounds in the optimized terrain,” says Partner in TREDJE NATUR, Flemming Rafn Thomsen.

Click above for larger image

Naturally the water plays a particularly important role in the project. A key concept is the idea that the urban spaces are flooded when it rains and that the water remains in the urban spaces a little longer than usual. This relieves the sewer systems, and also helps to transform the experience and the use of the urban spaces.

Click above for larger image

Copenhagen’s Greenest Neighborhood

The project introduces bicycle paths that act as storm water channels, water towers, green roofs, urban gardens, green houses and canals that carry water out from the neighborhood to the harbor. And simultaneously give rise to greater biological diversity in the city. These are just some of the ideas for new ways to adapt to the climate change that will emerge over the coming years. The City of Copenhagen plans to transform the densely populated neighborhood into a showcase area for climate adaptation technology. It is hoped to become a place that exhibits how we at one hand ensure our cities to future climate challenges, and moreover upgrade our urban spaces and streets significantly.

Click above for larger image

“By far the greatest challenges our society face lies in the existing city. The goal is to upgrade the city to residents’ expectations as to how the city must perform in terms of sustainable, social and health related issues. Our key concepts are driven by the notion that a coherent and natural design creates the most powerful strategy and solution for the neighborhood as a whole, but also comprise a sensitivity to individual spaces, places and the people in the area,” says partner in TREDJE NATUR, Ole Schrøder.

Click above for larger image

Adaptation to the climate changes should not only deal with larger sewers or rising taxes. Therefore, the project will instead operate with the city’s visible surface and make the city greener, so that water is both delayed and the urban spaces are simultaneously transformed into wondrous places for the city’s residents to hang out or exercise.

Click above for larger image

“In Copenhagen we must secure the city against the heavy rains we expect in the future,” says City Architect Tina Saaby. “The projects in this neighborhood show how we at once can create beautiful, green streets and spaces and at the same time establish an effective technical solution that leads the rainwater in our streets to the harbor – instead of into our basements. It is architecture that integrates art and aesthetics in a new and very exciting way, “says Tina Saaby, City Architect of Copenhagen.

About TREDJE NATUR

In the latest edition of A10, the prestigious international architecture magazine, TREDJE NATUR is singled out as Shooting Stars together with 10 other young leading architectural practices in Denmark. The newly established office, based in Copenhagen, has experienced an impressive debut on to the Danish architectural scene. With a three-year scholarship awarded by The Danish Arts Council in 2011 Ole Schrøder and Flemming Rafn Thomsen realized the vision of a new architectural practice where the distinction between nature and architecture are revoked. TREDJE NATUR recently entered successfully into the final stage of the largest Danish planning competition in the City of Aalborg and is also shortlisted for the international competition on new major campus buildings in Kongsberg, Norway.

About Saint Kjeld’s Neighborhood

The architectural office TREDJE NATUR got the assignment in December 2011 by winning the European competition coalition EUROPAN11. The competition proposal comprised a visionary plan for how the district’s streets and open spaces can become more diverse by letting the rain and natural phenomena merge with the urban life. In few years the neighborhood will be able to showcase the new solutions in real life and the ambition is to create a model area, which both nationally and internationally will inspire broadly and strengthen Denmark’s position in urban water management and urban design.

The Opening Party is held at Tåsingegade in Copenhagen on Saturday the 18th August at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See The City of Copenhagen’s own website for more info.

Responsible Partners: Flemming Rafn Thomsen and Ole Schrøder
Design Team: Monica Galiana, Anna Sissela Michalsdottir, Joan Melgaard Rasmussen, Lotte Randeris Kristensen, Louise Fiil Hansen and Hans H. Bærholm
Location: Saint Kjeld’s Kvarter, Copenhagen.
Client: The City of Copenhagen
Size: 105 Ha
Project period: 2011-16

The post Saint Kjeld’s Kvarter
by Tredje Natur appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Wire: the winners have been announced for this year’s Open Architecture Challenge, hosted by non-profit organisation Architecture for Humanity, with the top award going to a Ugandan proposal to build community hubs in a former refugee camp.

The Founders’ Award went to Paicho Huts (above), a proposal to transform a former IDP (internally displaced people’s) camp in Gulu, Uganda into community hubs for local people. The Challenge Winner was an Ocean & Coastline Observatory (below) on the site of the Trafaria defence batteries outside Lisbon in Portugal.

Other proposals include a food co-operative for a former air raid shelter in Berlin and a brass foundry to recycle spent ammunition shells in Pretoria, South Africa. See all of the winning projects on the Open Architecture Challenge website.

Over 500 teams submitted work to be judged on five criteria: community impact, contextual appropriateness, ecological footprint, economic viability and design quality.

T. Luke Young, who coordinated the competition at Architecture for Humanity, said the turnout had been “incredible”, adding: “This is the most geographically diverse response we’ve had to an Open Architecture Challenge, a fact made more interesting considering the complexity of the project.”

See all our stories about Architecture for Humanity »

Here’s the press release from Architecture for Humanity:

August 1, 2012: [UN]RESTRICTED Winners

Winners have been announced for the Open Architecture Challenge: [UN]RESTRICTED ACCESS hosted by Architecture for Humanity. The Founders’ Award goes to Paicho Huts, a Ugandan proposal to transform a former IDP camp to benefit rural countrymen. The Winner of the Challenge, OCO – Ocean & Coastline Observatory, is a Portuguese proposal to reassign the Trafaria defense batteries outside Lisbon.

Challenge Winner – Ocean & Coastline Observatory, near Lisbon, Portugal

Founders’ Award – Paicho Huts, near Gulu, Uganda

Finalists arranged by jury-determined categories:

Environmental Impact
First Place: Humboldthain Food Cooperative, Berlin, Germany
Second Place: Ecological Processing Zone (EPZ), Oakland, United States
Third Place: REGENERATE FT. CARROLL: a gateway ecological park, Baltimore, United States

Political Response
First Place: ALTER YOUR NATIVE BELFAST//ALTERNATIVE BELFAST, Belfast, United Kingdom
Second Place: Kikotemal’ Rik K’aslem Memorial, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Third Place: Healing a Nation: Healing the Wounded, Tripoli, Libya

Economic Development
First Place: Magazine Hill: a weathered continuum, Pretoria, South Africa
Second Place: [ARCH]itecture for Comm[UNITY], Anniston, Alabama, United States
Third Place: The Store – Pillbox Conversion, Napier, New Zealand

Small-scale Intervention
First Place: PLUG-In HEBRON – People Liberated Urban Gaps In Hebron, Old City Hebron, Israeli Occupied Palestinian West Bank
Second Place: B-Tower (TM), various sites, Netherlands
Third Place: Paicho Huts, outside Gulu, Uganda (recipient: Founders’ Award)

By the Numbers:
510 teams registered for the challenge
74 countries responsed to the Challenge
174 entries qualified for Round 1 jury
24 semifinalists qualified for Round 2 jury
13 finalists received awards and a feature at the 2012 Venice Biennale
10 countries on 6 continents contain award-winning design proposals

These proposals highlight the results of a Challenge that had engaged 510 teams from 71 countries in re-imagining former military spaces. The nature of the resulting standings reflect the extreme difficulty with which the interdisciplinary jury of 33 professionals evaluated the entries.

From five judging criteria – community impact, contextual appropriateness, ecological footprint, economic viability, and design quality – four further projects showing incredible strength were named equal First Place winners, behind the First Place and Founder’s Award, and seven additional teams identified as Runners-Up. Back-to-back rounds of judging narrowed nearly 200 qualifying proposals to 24 semifinalists, and then the winners.

“The turnout and production for this Challenge were incredible,” remarks T. Luke Young, who coordinated the competition at Architecture for Humanity. “This is the most geographically diverse response we’ve had to an Open Architecture Challenge, a fact made more interesting considering the complexity of the project.” Young recognised the effort made by the jury to provide each entrant with a thorough evaluation.

The post Military zones re-imagined by finalists
of Open Architecture Challenge appeared first on Dezeen.