Green light for Kengo Kuma’s redesigned V&A at Dundee

News: Kengo Kuma’s latest proposals for a new outpost of the V&A museum in Dundee, Scotland, have been granted planning permission, following a redesign to reduce costs (+ slideshow).

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee

Planned for construction in Dundee’s Craig Harbour, Kengo Kuma’s competition-winning design for the V&A at Dundee first gained approval in autumn 2012, but spiralling costs forced the architect to redesign the structure so that only its prow projects over the edge of the water, rather than the whole building as originally intended.

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee

The £45 million building will be constructed on the site of a former leisure centre and will feature an angular body with thick horizontal striations, creating exhibition spaces that are naturally lit and ventilated. It is set to become the leading centre for design in Scotland.

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee

Philip Long, director of V&A at Dundee, commented: “Kengo Kuma’s fabulous design will give Dundee and Scotland a wonderful space to enjoy outstanding international exhibitions, and to learn about and get involved with Scotland’s remarkable history of design creativity. I believe it will attract visitors from across the world.”

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee

Detailing the timeframe for construction, he said: “The projected date for the main fabric of the building to be in place is the end of 2015. Its completion, the interior fit-out and installation of the first exhibitions and displays will follow throughout 2016.”

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee

Kengo Kuma and Associates is working with Edinburgh studio Cre8 Architecture to deliver the project. The two studios won the original design competition back in 2010, seeing off competition from a shortlist that included Steven Holl Architects, Snøhetta and Delugan Meissl Associated Architects.

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee

Other recent projects by the Japanese studio include a timber-clad art and culture centre in France and an experimental house in Japan. See more architecture by Kengo Kuma »

Green light for Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee
Proposed site plan

The post Green light for Kengo Kuma’s
redesigned V&A at Dundee
appeared first on Dezeen.

Ardbeg Whisky Distillery: We visit the wild island of Islay to discover what makes Scotland’s peatiest single malt so unique

Ardbeg Whisky Distillery


Those familiar with single malts will recognize the tiny, wild island of Islay as the birthplace of Scotland’s most heavily peated whiskies. Once home to over 20 distilleries, Islay (pronounced “eye-lah”) now hosts just eight, but the few remaining are some of…

Continue Reading…

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The southernmost tip of Scotland’s Isle of Skye is the setting for this small wooden house by local firm Dualchas Architects (+ slideshow).

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The single-storey house was designed by Dualchas Architects as the holiday home for an English family, who have been visting the island for years and wanted a more permanent base.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

Unlike the gabled buildings that typify the island’s architectural vernacular, the house has a rectilinear form with large windows and deep alcoves. Larch panels clad each elevation, arranged in horizontal stripes.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

“The proportions, massing and siting of this house are derived from traditional forms,” say the architects, explaining how the building manages to fit in with its surroundings. “Despite its obvious abstraction from the local vernacular it remains a house rooted in its place.”

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The body of the house is divided into two blocks, with three bedrooms lined up on the rear side, and living and dining rooms running along in front. A bathroom, utility room and entranceway are sandwiched into the space between.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

Small patios were added to three sides of the house to catch the light at different times of the day. The largest spans the length of the living room, while the second and third are positioned beside the kitchen and main bedroom.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The living room also sits slightly lower than the rest of the rooms, corresponding with the natural slope of the landscape.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

Another wooden house completed on the Isle of Skye is Rural Design’s Fiscavaig Project, with a glazed northern elevation facing out across the landscape. See more architecture in Scotland.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

See more holiday homes on Dezeen, including a courtyard house near the beach in Melbourne.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

Photography is by Andrew Lee.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

Here’s a description from Dualchas Architects:


Tigh Port Na Long, Aird of Sleat

The Singletons had been visiting Skye with their dogs for many years. They love the landscape and positively enjoy the unpredictable weather and choose to eat outdoors in all seasons. They brought to us photographs of their main home in Lancashire which is simple and minimal, a CD of their favourite music and the encouragement to do something different.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The site is at the end of the road at Aird of Sleat. It has a sense of the end of the world, shore access and extraordinary views back to Knoydart, Morar, Ardnamurchan and down the coast to the island of Eigg. There are views on 3 sides and it was decided to tuck the bedrooms behind the main living spaces to enable us to create a terrace from the kitchen for the morning light, a terrace from the dining space for the afternoon light and a terrace off the main bedroom for the evening light.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The design developed into 2 distinct forms with a stepped foundation to give additional height to the main living space and to allow views across the dining space from the kitchen to Eigg beyond the fireplace. This step in the foundation corresponded precisely to the slope in the landscape. The link between the 2 forms houses a utility room and shower room.

Tigh Port na Long by Dualchas Architects

The proportions, massing and siting of this house are derived from traditional forms; narrow in span and tight to the ground. It is clad in a skin of narrow larch cladding walls and roof. It fits in to the township settlement pattern and sits quietly in its place on the edge of its world. Despite its obvious abstraction from the local vernacular it remains a house rooted in its place and a direct response to both site and brief.

The post Tigh Port na Long
by Dualchas Architects
appeared first on Dezeen.

101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die

Expert Ian Buxton catalogs the globe’s most essential drams

101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die

Building on his already immense knowledge, whiskey expert Ian Buxton continues the enviable job of tippling his way across the globe. In his follow-up spirits directory, “101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die,” Buxton shares his favorite bottles from Tasmania to Honshu and Bangalore to Cork, offering insight…

Continue Reading…


Glenmorangie Artein

Single malt Scotch whisky born of stone and finished in Super Tuscan casks

Glenmorangie_Artein_1.jpg

Joining Finealta and Sonnalta PX in Glenmorangie’s Private Edition range, Artein is fantastic single malt that combines ripe fruit aromas with zesty notes of spearmint and citrus. Its unusual flavor profile received the thumbs up from everyone at CH HQ who had the opportunity to sample it.

The first thing that stands out is the deep, rich caramel color. The nose definitely bears the mark of the Scotch’s finishing—initially aged in white oak bourbon barrels, Artein is a blend of Glenmorangie 15 year old (around 2/3) and 21 year old (around 1/3) whiskies which are then transfered to Italian Super Tuscan wine casks for marrying and “extra maturation”. The Super Tuscan casks lend just enough flavor to enhance an already fine whisky, and avoids the unfortunate over-flavoring of some other finished whiskies. Super Tuscan wines are known for the intense terroir of the rocky terrains in Italy’s Tuscan coast, and the relatively strong 46% Artein remains pleasantly manageable in terms of volatility, allowing the palate to open up nicely when a few drops of water are added.

Glenmorangie_Artein_3.jpg

Named after the Gaelic word for “stone”, Artein uses the hard water from Glenmorangie’s Tarlogie Springs. Naturally filtered through layers of limestone, the spring is one of Glenmorangie’s well-protected secrets. The distillery takes inspiration for its signet from the Cadboll Stone, an ancient carved “pictish” stone. For Artein, Glemmorangie wanted to produce a whisky that exemplified the rich mineral characteristics of stone at every turn.

Artein is available for purchase from specialty retailers as well as online.


Monkey Shoulder Whisky

Scotch whisky manually mixed for smooth flavor from a blend of three malts
Monkey-Shoulder-label.jpg

As one of the few remaining whisky distilleries in the world still using manual mixing techniques during the production process, Monkey Shoulder makes a rich and uniquely flavorful blend. This hands-on turning of the barley was once known to cause a temporary ailment for which this whisky is named. Monkey Shoulder has adopted the same time-tested techniques under better working conditions—and without the risk of injury—to create their signature triple malt Scotch whisky. The spirit has been available in its native U.K. for some time, but just recently launched in the U.S. in January 2012.

Monkey-Shoulder-detail.jpg

The first distillery to blend three malts, Monkey Shoulder is made from a trio of fine Speyside single malts—Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Kininvie. Once selected, the malts are left to mature in bourbon casks for a length of time only the “malt master” knows. This process lends the whisky subtle, but distinct smokey notes of oak that compliment the spirit’s naturally sweet vanilla and brown sugar flavors. Each batch contains just 27 individually taste-tested casks to keep quality consistently up to grade.

Monkey Shoulder is now available in the U.S. from select Chicago stores and online nationwide at the brand’sBinny’s for $30 per 750ml bottle. For more information on the production process and for heaps of inventive cocktail recipes head to e-shop.


House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

London studio (and near-neighbours of Dezeen) Raw Architecture Workshop have designed a partly submerged wooden house for the Scottish Highlands.

House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

The three-storey coastal house is to be clad in black-stained timber and will house a schoolteacher and deep-sea diver.

House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

The house will be prefabricated to maximise airtightness and insulation, and is due to complete in 2013.

House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

Some other interesting projects in the Scottish highlands include a small timber house with wooden feet and an artists’ studio in a treehouse.

Here’s some more text from architect Graeme Laughlan:


RAW secures planning approval for rural house

London based practice Raw Architecture Workshop has secured planning approval for a private rural house at Camusdarach Sands, Morar, Scotland. The 150m2 dwelling will be situated on exposed, steeply sloping, former rough grazing land with views towards the islands of Eigg, Rum and Skye. Due to the nature, location and proposed building position RAW participated in an in-depth dialogue with the Highland Planning Department, during which the scheme received considerable local support.

House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

The Client, a deep sea diver and local primary head teacher, have a strong desire that the key spaces should capture the sunset views over the islands. The proposal is a part subterranean (thermal mass), upside down house that climbs the hill, with living space on the top floor, sleeping on mid floor, and main entrance, boot room and further accommodation on the lower level. The scheme responds strongly to the immediate topography, prevailing wind, and sunpath, and will be clad in black stained timber in reference to the dark colours of the surrounding landscape.

House at Camusdarach Sands by RAW

Timber will be sourced from Highland Forestry Commission sustainably managed sources. Planting of a temporary landscape has already commenced and will be relocated to surround the building upon completion. RAW are exploring prefabricated timber panel construction to minimise the on-site exposure and programme, which will also provide very high levels of insulation and airtightness. Site start is scheduled for mid 2012, with and expected completion date early in 2013.

Highlands

Après sa série Waterscape Photography, le photographe Akos Major est allé se ballader en Ecosse et a ramené de son retour de voyage une série de clichés splendide. Intitulée sobrement “Highlands”, celle-ci parvient à retranscrire une ambiance particulière. Plus dans la suite



highlands15

highlands14

highlands13

highlands12

highlands11

highlands10

highlands9

highlands8

highlands7

highlands6

highlands16

highlands41

highlands3

highlands2

highlands

















Previously on Fubiz

Copyright Fubiz™ – Suivez nous sur Twitter et Facebook

Outrage at gardens for Aberdeen by Snøhetta, Foster + Partners and Diller Scofidio + Renfro


Dezeen Wire:
architects including Diller Scofidio + RenfroFoster + Partners and Snøhetta have submitted plans to a controversial competition that proposes the transformation of a Victorian public gardens in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Models of the six shortlisted entries were unveiled at a public exhibition yesterday but Andrew MacGregor, secretary of the protest group Friends of Union Terrace Gardens, condemned the designs as an “absolute abomination” and said there would be rolling public protests by supporters who want to keep the gardens as they are – The Scotsman

Maggie’s Gartnavel by OMA

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Coinciding with the OMA retrospective opening at the Barbican in London this week, here are some photos of the Maggie’s Centre for cancer care that the firm just completed in Glasgow.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Maggie’s Gartnavel opened on Monday and is the second in Glasgow, located on top of a hill at Gartnavel General Hospital.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

The building comprises a sequence of L-shaped, interlocking rooms around a landscaped courtyard.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Glazed walls afford views of the surrounding trees, planted in glades according to a design by Lily Jencks, daughter of Maggie’s founders Maggie Keswick Jencks and Charles Jencks.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Visitors to the OMA/Progress exhibition can walk over a 1:1 plan of the building in the Barbican’s sculpture gallery. See visuals of the building that were produced at the start of its construction in our story from November 2010.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Maggie’s was founded fifteen years ago to provide support to anyone affected by cancer and they now have 15 centres around the UK, including the London facility by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners that was awarded the 2009 Stirling Prize.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

See all our stories about Maggie’s Centres here.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Photographs are by Philippe Ruault.

Here are some more details from Maggie’s:


Pioneering cancer caring charity Maggie’s open their eighth centre in the UK, Maggie’s Gartnavel – the first of three new Maggie’s Centres set to open before the end of the year.

The building is funded by grant making charity Walk the Walk from some of the money raised at The MoonWalk Edinburgh, providing a much needed second Maggie’s Centre in Glasgow to serve the west of Scotland’s cancer population – an area with a high incidence of cancer. The centre acknowledges the support from the tens of thousands of women and men who have taken part in The MoonWalk Edinburgh, Power Walking a half or full marathon in brightly decorated bras over the past six years, throughan engraving on the front door.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

The centre is designed by OMA Founding Partner Rem Koolhaas and OMA Partner-in-charge of the project, Ellen van Loon. OMA is one of the most influential architectural practices working today, whose most celebrated buildings include the Seattle Central Library and the Netherlands Embassy in Berlin. Maggie’s Gartnavel will be OMA’s first permanent building to open in the UK, followed closely by a new headquarters for NM Rothschild and Sons in London.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Maggie’s Gartnavel is a single-level building in the form of a ring of interlocking rooms surrounding an internal landscaped courtyard, which overlooks the hospital site and city from its position atop a hill on the Gartnavel Hospital site. The centre is located a stone’s throw from the Scotland’s leading oncology facility, the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, which serves a population of 2.8 million people (60 per cent of Scotland’s population).

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Maggie’s Gartnavel will work in tandem with the original Maggie’s Glasgow at the Western Infirmary (opened in 2002), to provide a first class level of evidence based emotional support and practical advice to people with cancer, their friends and family. People at any stage of their cancer journey will be able to access the professional and peer led support available at Maggie’s, to help them to build a life with, through and beyond cancer.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Maggie’s place great emphasis on the designs of their centres to help facilitate the work they do. Seemingly haphazardly arranged, Maggie’s Gartnavel is actually a carefully considered composition of spaces responding to the needs of a Maggie’s Centre. As opposed to a series of isolated rooms, the building is designed as a sequence of interconnected L-shaped figures in plan that create clearly distinguished areas – an arrangement that minimises the need for corridors and hallways and allows the rooms to flow one to another. The plan has been organised for the spaces to feel casual, almost carefree, allowing one to feel at ease and at home; part of an empathetic community of people. The centre has been constructed by local company, Dunne Group.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Complementing the centre’s design is a landscape design consisting of internal courtyard plantings and a surrounding wooded glades area, designed by Lily Jencks, daughter of Maggie’s Founders, Maggie Keswick Jencks and Charles Jencks, in conjunction with the landscape architecture and urban design company HarrisonStevens. Furthermore, leading contemporary Scottish artist Callum Innes has gifted three oil on oil paper 205 x 100cms paintings to the centre. These paintings are similar to art works that Callum has made that are based in the Pompidou and National Galleries of Scotland.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

2011 is a landmark year for Maggie’s as the charity celebrates its 15th birthday, and its growth to 15 centres which are either open or in development. Maggie’s Gartnavel, Maggie’s Nottingham and Maggie’s South West Wales will all open before the end of the year, as part of a dramatic expansion to improve the landscape of cancer care and support across the UK. In the space of 15 years, Maggie’s has helped nearly half a million people to build a life with, through and beyond cancer and has been recognised as providing outstanding cancer care by the Department of Health. The Architecture of Hope Exhibition to mark Maggie’s 15th anniversary year is currently on display at The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Architecture and Design, until November.

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive, said: “It is an honour to open our eighth Maggie’s Centre. Today is a celebration of a fantastic new resource for the west of Scotland’s cancer population, as well as a celebration of this pivotal year in Maggie’s history. It’s hard to believe that it was fifteen years ago when we opened our very first centre in Edinburgh – delivering Maggie Keswick Jencks vision of providing an antidote to the isolation and despair of cancer. It soon became apparent that other regions and communities greatly needed a Maggie’s Centre too, and through wonderful support, we have managed to grow our network of centres and today take great pride in our newest centre – Maggie’s Gartnavel. OMA have created a truly unique environment, which will help to facilitate our programme of support, by making people feel safe, inspired and valued, whilst Lily Jencks garden design complements the centre beautifully. Most importantly, Maggie’s Gartnavel has been made possible through a unique partnership with Walk the Walk, whose tenacious Edinburgh MoonWalkers, take to the streets of Edinburgh each year in wonderfully decorate bras to raise money to support cancer charities. Thank you to Walk the Walk and to everyone who has graciously support us over the years – you are helping to make a huge difference.”

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Click above for larger image

Nina Barough, Chief Executive and Founder of Walk the Walk Worldwide, said: “What a proud day it is for Walk the Walk! Over the past six years, our Scottish MoonWalkers have trained hard, devised fantastic fundraising schemes, designed outlandish bras, and then actually had the courage to go into the streets of the capital at Midnight wearing their creations as they take on their marathon challenge at The MoonWalk Edinburgh, all with a united vision of helping to support people facing cancer. Today that vision has become a reality as Walk the Walk has become the principle funder for this wonderful new Maggie’s Centre, which will offer cancer patients the care and support so needed when facing a cancer diagnosis. We have a very special relationship with Maggie’s and are pleased that in 2011, as we partner to open this new centre, Maggie’ s celebrate their 15th year and Walk the Walk are about to start a celebration of 15 years of MoonWalking!”

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Click above for larger image

Ellen Van Loon, OMA Partner-in-charge of the project, said: “I enjoyed designing such an exceptional environment with this very dedicated and inspired team of designers and contractors. The sequence of spaces is an interplay of openness, retreat and support to underpin the Maggie’s programme.”

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Click above for larger image

Rem Koolhaas, OMA Founding Partner, said: “We were touched to be asked to design a Maggie’s Centre, and invigorated by the opportunity to work on a completely different scale, with different ambitions, and in a different environment. Maggie’s Centre is so unique and urgent among the projects we are working on.”

Maggie's Gartnavel by OMA

Click above for larger image

Callum Innes, Contemporary Artist, said: “Often works leave the studio and take on a life of their own and you never know where they are or who is seeing them. It gives me great pleasure to gift these works to Maggie’s and know they will be seen by different people who come through their centre.”


See also:

.

OMA/Progress
at the Barbican
Parc des Expositions
by OMA
McKinsey & Company
by OMA