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Dutch architecture firm UNStudio has designed a skyscraper for Singapore that looks like a cactus.

Located within Singapore’s business district, the V on Shenton building for property developers UIC will replace an existing tower block that has housed the company since the 1970s.

The building will comprise a 23-storey office tower that matches the height of surrounding buildings, as well as a 53-storey residential tower that rises above.

Glass hexagons will be arranged in patterns across the facades of both towers, creating angled surfaces that will reflect light and provide shade. Its chamfered edges will glow blue at night.

Another recent proposal for Singapore by UNStudio is a tower with chunks missing from its facade.

See more stories about UNStudio »

Here’s some more information from UNStudio:

V on Shenton, Singapore, 2010-2016

Ben van Berkel / UNStudio have designed the new UIC building, ‘V on Shenton’, in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District.

The former UIC Building dominated the city skyline as Singapore’s tallest building for many years since its completion in 1973 and was part of an important collection of towers located along Shenton Way in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District.

Today, the area is undergoing rejuvenation and transformation and ‘V on Shenton’, the new UIC building, forms part of this redevelopment. The dual programming of ‘V on Shenton’, comprising office and residential, presents a unique situation in this area of the city.

The twin tower of ‘V on Shenton’ is comprised of a 23-storey office building and a 53-storey residential tower, with the dual programming of the building highlighted through its massing.

The office tower corresponds to the scale of the surrounding buildings and the street, while the residential tower rises up to distinguish itself from the neighbouring buildings. Above the third sky lobby the unit mix of the residential tower changes with a subtle display of its split core.

Facade

Just as the office and residential towers are of the same family of forms, so do their facades originate from the same family of patterns. The basic shape of the hexagon is used to create patterns that increase the performance of the facades with angles and shading devices that are responsive to the climatic conditions of Singapore. Along with systematic material variations, these geometric panels add texture and cohesion to the building, whilst reflecting light and pocketing shade. The texture and volume of the facade are important to maintaining the comfort of those living and working in the residential and office buildings. Shading devices and high-performance glass are important for developing a sustainable and liveable facade.

Ben van Berkel: “The pattern of the façade comprises four to five different textures, each varying depending on the programme. At times the glass of the façade creates texture through the relief effect and the coloured side lighting, whilst the volumetric balconies of the residences create a deep texture in the total volume of the building.“

Each tower is framed by “chamfers”; a line that unifies the composition of the residential tower, the office tower and the plinth. During daytime the chamfer appears smooth in contrast to the textured surfaces of the towers. At night the chamfer lights up as a continuous line framing building.

Ben van Berkel: “’V on Shenton’ will have an incredible presence within the whole organisation of the city and is in that respect a very public project. But we see it also as a sculptural object, where the continuous line of the chamfer highlights the form and where the different textures are not purely related to programme, but also ‘dress’ the building”

Lobbies

On the ground floor of the development stainless steel lines are inlaid into the floors and lines of light are traced across the ceiling, guiding pedestrians to their destination.

The office lobby is divided into a reception area and a large café which extends along the view corridor to create a lively atmosphere in the public areas.

Sky Gardens

The sky lobbies and the sky garden are an integral part of ‘V on Shenton’ and provide 360 degree views of Singapore. The most ample and diverse of the three sky gardens covers the entire 8th storey of the development. Here residents are able to take full advantage of the amenities while still having privacy to train or entertain guests.

Along with the facades, the sky gardens are an integral part of developing the sustainable lifestyle of ‘V on Shenton’. These lush green spaces provide a refuge from the city with the climate and vegetation naturally providing fresher, cleaner air.

At the two sky lobbies in the heart of the residential tower, residents are given even greater privacy combined with views of the city or the ocean. The residents of the penthouse levels will also have exclusive access to the outdoor roof terraces.

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by UNStudio appeared first on Dezeen.

To celebrate Visionaire‘s new issue on Rio de Janeiro they’ve teamed up with the online art marketplace Paddle8 to publish ten photographs of buildings designed by legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. His curvilinear forms are credited with reshaping “Brazil’s identity in the popular imagination and mesmerizing architects around the globe.” Among his best known and most radically innovative projects are the Cathedral of Brasilia, Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) and Gustavo Campana Palace. These and seven more breathtaking structures were shot by Brazilian photographer Vicente de Paulo, whose work up until this point seems to be chiefly concerned with young, hardbodied male models.

That explains the Visionaire connection, who, in typical Visionaire fashion, would never merely present ten great photographs without adding a touch of luxe, so they’re giving Niemeyer the 3D treatment. Produced in an edition of 200, the Niemeyer portfolio will be available in September, though you can preorder yours at Paddle8 along with the Visionaire 62 RIO issue, which is also printed in 3D and includes a stereoscope for viewing the slides. Together they’re $450, but if that’s a little rich for you blood you can still head to Paddle8 and listen to their exclusive interview with the 104-year-old architect and view a selection of his drawings, blueprints, family photos as well as the 2D versions of Depaulo’s photographs, though it’s really not the same without that extra dimension.

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Chunky wooden ribs bend around the walls and ceiling of this library in Norway by Helen & Hard Architects and integrate lighting, bookshelves and seating.

The 27 ribs frame the outline of a double-height hall, which spans the length of the Vennesla Library and Cultural Centre and includes a mezzanine.

Glue-laminated timber beams and columns provide the structure for each rib, while air conditioning ducts are sandwiched behind the lighting fixtures and plywood casing.

As the columns wrap around to meet the floor, hollows lined with cushions provide sheltered study spaces.

Existing buildings are located either side of the library, but natural light floods in through glazed facades that are exposed at the front and shaded behind timber slats at the back.

Stairs lead down to a basement floor containing offices, classrooms and a local history collection.

We’ve published a string of libraries on Dezeen lately, including two in Washington by Adjaye Associates and one in south London.

See all our stories about libraries »

Photography is by Hufton + Crow.

Here’s some more information from Helen & Hard Architects:

Vennesla Library and Culture house

The new library in Vennesla comprises a library, a café, meeting places and administrative areas, and links an existing community house and learning centre together.

Supporting the idea of an inviting public space, all main public functions have been gathered into one generous space allowing the structure combined with furniture and multiple spatial interfaces to be visible in the interior and from the exterior.

An integrated passage brings the city life into and through the building. Furthermore, the brief called for the new building to be open and easily accessible from the main city square, knitting together the existing urban fabric.

This was achieved using a large glass facade and urban loggia providing a protected outdoor seating area.

In this project, we developed a rib concept to create useable hybrid structures that combine a timber construction with all technical devices and the interior.

The whole library consists of 27 ribs made of prefabricated glue-laminated timber elements and CNC-cut plywood boards.

These ribs inform the geometry of the roof, as well as the undulating orientation of the generous open space, with personal study zones nestled along the perimeter.

Each rib consists of a glue laminated timber beam and column, acoustic absorbents which contain the air conditioning ducts, bent glass panes that serve as lighting covers and signs, and integrated reading niches and shelves.

The gradually shifting shapes of the ribs are generated through adapting to the two adjacent buildings and also through spatial quality and functional demands for the different compartments of the library.

Each end façade has been shaped according to the specific requirements of the site. At the main entrance, the rib forms the loggia which spans the width of the entire square.

Basement level plan – click above for larger image

Against south/west the building traces the natural site lines, and the building folds down towards the street according to the interior plan and height requirements.

Ground floor plan – click above for larger image

On this side, the façade is fitted with fixed vertical sunshading, This shading also gathers the building into one volume, witch clearly appears between the two neighbouing buildings.

Mezzanine plan – click above for larger image 

A main intention has also been to reduce the energy need for all three buildings through the infill concept and the use of high standard energy saving solutions in all new parts.

Click above for larger image

The library is a “low-energy” building, defined as class “A” in the Norwegian energy-use definition system.

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We aimed to maximize the use of wood in the building.

Click above for larger image

In total, over 450m3 of gluelam wood have been used for the construction alone.

All ribs, inner and outer walls, elevator shaft, slabs, and partially roof, are made in gluelam wood. All gluelam is exposed on one or both sides.

A symbiosis of structure, technical infrastructure, furniture and interior in one architectonic element creates a strong spatial identity that meets the client’s original intent to mark the city’s cultural centre.

Location: Vennesla, Norway
Client: Vennesla Kommune

Competition entry: 2009
Completion: 2011

Budget: 66,4 mill NOK (excl. tax)
Area: 1938 m2 gross

Team Helen & Hard: Reinhard Kropf, Siv Helene Stangeland, Håkon Minnesjord Solheim, Caleb Reed, Randi Augenstein

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by Helen & Hard Architects appeared first on Dezeen.

This doughnut-shaped pavilion by Scottish artist Aeneas Wilder offers visitors a view across the landscape of Limburg, Belgium, from behind a ring of wooden slats (+ slideshow).

Named Untitled #158, the wooden structure is positioned on a hillside and is lifted up on legs as the ground slopes away beneath it.

An open doorway leads into the pavilion, inviting anyone to step inside.

The project is one in a series of permanent structures instigated by the Z33 gallery for public spaces in the Haspengouw region. Other completed projects include a see-through church.

Photography is by Kristof Vrancken.

Here’s a project description from Wilder’s website:

Pit, Art in the public space of Borgloon

Untitled # 158.

This permanent public art installation was the culmination of several years project development between Z33 and Aeneas Wilder.

The resulting installation, Untitled # 158, is an architectural construction consisting of a 360° wooden chamber projecting horizontally from the side of a small valley in the province of Limburg.

The structure sits close to the hamlet of Kerniel in the proximity of the Klooster van Colen and references the religious heritage of the surrounding area, the historical development of town settlements from the middle ages as well as the natural cycle of this rich agricultural landscape.

Materials: Douglas Fir, stainless steel, tropical hardwood, concrete.

Size: 1700cm x 1700cm x 520cm.

Date: May 4th 2012

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by Aeneas Wilder appeared first on Dezeen.

This library by London architects Studio Egret West looks like a row of books (+ slideshow).

Clapham Library occupies the lower floors of a 12-storey building, sitting underneath a number of private apartments.

The exterior of the building is clad in white bricks infused with a mineral aggregate which gives the facade a sparkling effect.

Inside the library, bookshelves follow the curve of a wide spiral ramp which leads up from the cafe and children’s library on the basement level to the reading room on the upper level.

A spiral staircase also corkscrews straight to the upper level for quicker access.

On the basement level, the children’s area doubles as a space for readings and musical performances with room for up to 100 seats.

A study bench inside the long ramp provides additional seating for events, while the ramp itself can also be used as a viewing platform.

Acoustic buffers hang down from the ceiling at angles to limit noise in the library.

The library completes the £80m Clapham One regeneration scheme, which also includes a leisure centre, a doctor’s surgery and housing.

We recently featured another project by Studio Egret West – a shoal of titanium fish outside a shopping centre in east London.

See all our stories about libraries »

Photography is by Gareth Gardner.

Here’s some more information from Studio Egret West:

Cathedral Group and Studio Egret West collaborate on new London library

The new Library Building in Clapham has opened its doors to complete the £80m Clapham One mixed-use regeneration scheme, which has transformed leisure services across two sites in Clapham Town Centre. The Clapham One development has been delivered by PPP (Public Private Partnership) specialists Cathedral Group, working in partnership with United House and Lambeth Council.

In addition to the new library, the scheme also provides a highly sustainable leisure centre, a new GP surgery and some of the most high quality residential accommodation in the borough including affordable housing, in partnership with Notting Hill Housing Group.

The £6.5m, 19,000 sq ft public library, which has been designed by the architects Studio Egret West, is located in the heart of Clapham on the High Street on the site of a former office block, Mary Seacole House. In addition to holding more than 20,000 books, it provides a stunning new performance space for local community groups, as well as modern meeting room facilities. It is housed in a 12-storey, mixed-use building, with the community uses focused on the ground floor and the Clapham High Street frontage, and the high quality residential apartments above.

Behind the Library is the Primary Care Centre which includes two separate facilities, the Clapham Family Practice and a Primary Care Trust Resource Centre. There is also a basement car park that provides plant area and the required parking for the Primary Care Centre and the Library, along with car parking for the residential homes above.

Click above for larger image

Library design

The Library has been designed as a distinctive public building with a well-defined identity that sits underneath a discreet, private building of desirable homes above. The Library embodies an audacious spiral design of seamlessly connected spaces. The openness and flexibility of the central space allows it to be transformed into a performance area, where the open spiral ramp offers visitors a great view of any performance.

The spiral represents a path of seamless learning, which connects the multifunctional building in a way that has not been seen before. On entering, it is immediately apparent where all the various elements of the building are located with the ramp spiralling up towards the reading room and down towards the childrenʼs library.

Click above for larger image

The bookshelves follow the spiral of the ramp and face towards the open side of the ramp. This means that wherever you are standing, and especially from the entrance you will be able to see the main focus of the Library, the books. The books are arranged on standard shelving units that sit on level plinths which are part of the Library ramp. The books follow the ramp into the basement area where the childrenʼs Library is located.

Angular acoustic buffers hang down from the ceiling to prevent too much noise. At the bottom of the ramp, in the centre of the space and overlooked by the whole building, is the performance space which doubles as a reading area for the childrenʼs Library in the daytime.

Click above for larger image

The stage is overlooked by the ramp as it spirals down from the reading room. As well as having a possible 100 seats at ground floor, there is also a study bench that follows the inside edge of the spiral, which can be used as additional audience seating. This configuration enhances the flexibility of the performance space. It can be used as a traditional theatre with rows of seating in the ʻstallsʼ and the ʻcircleʼ along the ramp even provides an ʻupper circleʼ.

Alternatively, the space can be used for smaller scale readings with seating around tables next to the stage area. As the performance space is at the centre of the building below the void, it lends itself to orchestral or musical performances. With musicians located in the reading area and the audience viewing from the ramp above the whole space will fill with music.

The Cafe is located on the ground floor. It has a prime high street position in the new Library without interfering with any of the community facilities in the building. It acts as a magnet from both the street and the Health Centre.

The exterior of the building is designed to be elegant and unobtrusive. Although the form of the building is unique, the colouring has been kept purposefully low key. Cladding reinforces the form of the building, but also gives it a texture that will become more interesting the closer it is viewed.

The material employed is a white split-clad brick infused with quarts (sparkling Mica aggregate) for adding glistening qualities. The blocks are formed by breaking a single cast element into two sections, the broken (or split) face is unique to every block and has a three dimensional finish. From afar the masonry finish will have a uniform look, leaving the form of the building to shine through. When viewed from close-by the finish will be non-uniform with shadows and bright spots providing texture to the building.

Rising above the library and around the corner of the High Street into St Luke’s Avenue is the residential component in the form of three white, sculptured volumes. The soft curvaceous, three-fingered composition breaks up the massing of the building, gently stepping down to meet the Georgian house scale of the neighbouring residential streets. A cantilevered element at the first floor level is supported by a large, render-clad sculpted column, nicknamed ‘the stiletto’.

Developers: Cathedral Group and United House
Partners: London Borough of Lambeth
RSL partners: Notting Hill Housing Trust
Architect: (Mary Seacole House site) Studio Egret West
Contractor: (Mary Seacole House) United House
Contractor’s Architect: DLA Architecture and Studio Egret West (Library fit out)
Architect: (Leisure Centre site) LA Architects
Contractor: (Leisure Centre site) Morgan Ashurst

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Studio Egret West appeared first on Dezeen.