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New strides in generative design are being made with the development of Finch, a tool that can automatically generate floor plans based on the constraints of a site. Architecture studio Wallgren Arkitekter and Swedish construction company BOX Bygg collaborated to create the parametric design tool, which seeks to help architects understand potential site limitations in the early stages of the design process.

Currently under development, Finch will allow users to input data regarding building sizes and local planning regulations to create optimal internal plans in either two or three dimensions. It will be launched in 2020 as a plug-in to visual programming tool Grasshopper, within 3D computer graphics software Rhino. However, according to its creators, knowledge of Grasshopper or coding is not needed to reap the benefits of the tool.

This level of “user-friendly” is just one example within an entire phenomenon of generative design that is continuing to pick up steam. The possibilities for automation in architectural planning, as showcased by Finch, has been viewed online with both optimism and pessimism for architects and designers.

On the one hand, the potential benefits of generative design are endless. Using the power of computation, generative design can explore countless design solutions at an instant. On the other hand, some are concerned that increasing levels of automation will threaten the human component of creation and ideation. They fret that technology like this could lead to less experienced architects and CAD technicians struggling to find work, much like automobile factory workers have been made redundant by robotic manufacturing.

However, it would be absurd to claim that architecture will be driven entirely by computers, and it doesn’t seem as though this “doomsday” scenario for architecture is something generative design developers are striving for. The real role of Finch, according to its creators, is to leverage software to minimizer tedious and repetitive tasks. In doing so, time is reallocated towards actual design work, ideation, and problem solving.

In other words: Have no fear. Architects and designers, even those just starting out, should give themselves more credit for the work that can’t truly be replicated by digital tools. It’s yet to be seen just how far generative design can go, so for now let’s enjoy the solutions it does provide.

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A group of designers led by Faris Rajak Kotahatuhaha took second prize at the Association of Siamese Architects International Design Competition for a concept to create icebergs by refreezing Arctic sea water. Tasked with developing radical, unanticipated, transformative or “uncanny” ideas for sustainable architecture, Kotahatuhaha’s team took on the challenge of combating the impacts of climate change in the vulnerable Arctic region through geoengineering.

They created a prototype of an ice-making submarine that would submerge below the ocean surface, fill with seawater, rise back to the surface, and then contain the captured water in a hexagon-shaped well. The process of reverse osmosis would be conducted in order to desalinate the water so it could freeze faster.

The remaining concentrated salt would be dumped back into the sea leaving the resulting fresh water to freeze within the hexagonal cast. Turbines would be used to blast the water with cold air in order to accelerate the freezing process.

The submarines connecting newly formed icebergs to one another; image via Faris, Rajak, Kotahatuhaha

After a month, the vessel would sink into the water to release the newly formed 82-foot-wide, 16-foot-thick hexagonal ice mass, or “ice baby,” as the team calls it. Finally, the submarine would push the ice baby next to other recently formed icebergs in order to extend an ever-expanding ice field.

Kotahatuhaha and his team believe that restoring the polar ecosystem in this way could  effectively prevent issues relating to climate change-induced polar melting. This proactive approach is in response to their belief that too much emphasis is being placed on constructing reactionary solutions to rising sea levels, such as flood defense systems and sea walls.

Rendering of the submarine in use; image via Faris, Rajak, Kotahatuhaha

However, even their proposal, though radical and comprehensive, may only scratch the surface when attempting to impact the rate of sea level rise. Though there are a plethora of factors that contribute to climate change, sea level rise is mainly due to the melting of land ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets.

In conversation with NBC News, Mark Serreze, director of the University of Colorado’s National Snow and Ice Data Center, asserts that melting sea ice does not directly contribute to sea level rise because it’s already in the ocean, regardless of whether it’s liquid or solid. Sea ice, however, does play a critical role in reflecting the warmth of sunlight away and it provides habitats for polar organisms, so there are multiple potential benefits of the concept. 

The submarine’s hexagonal tank; image via Faris, Rajak, Kotahatuhaha

Questions over the idea’s feasibility, scale and ability to operate without the power of fossil fuels must surely be answered before a project like this can be realized. Furthermore, regardless of how effective geoengineering can be, it, in itself, is a reactionary response when the root problem is excessive greenhouse-gas emissions. We look forward to seeing how Kotahatuhaha can further develop these ideas.

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Summer is steadily coming to an end, meaning schools are gearing up for new and returning students. For those collegiate architects, this can be a time of both excitement and unease given the intensity of architecture school. But have no fear, it is possible to prepare in order to make the transition or return to college a seamless one. Anything to ease the pressures of university life should be accounted for, which is why we have put together a nice assemblage of tools and items that are sure to make life as an architecture student easier.

Wacom Intuos Pro Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet

Best Drawing Tablet for Architecture School

A drawing tablet will make life so much easier for those who do a lot of sketching, concept design, and rendering. Rather than go through the tedious process of converting hand drawn work into vector files, a drawing tablet skips these steps, allowing you to draw directly on screen. The Wacom Intuos Pro Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet will elevate your creative production and efficiency. It features multi touch gestures, customizable express keys, radial menus, bluetooth functionality, and a compact footprint. It also comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 2, which features impressive pressure sensitivity, tilt response, and lag free tracking. 

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Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook

Best Smart Notebook for Architecture School

The Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook offers an innovative approach to note taking. Rather than stashing old, full notebooks, The Rocketbook Everlast is endlessly reusable with 36 pages that can be wiped clean for future notation. With the use of the Rocketbook App you can then scan your notes in high resolution and have them sent digitally to your preferred locations where they can be edited further. It works with any pen, marker, or highlighter from the Pilot Frixion line. This is an environmentally friendly way to meet your note taking needs, and the best part is that it’s the last notebook you’ll need to buy.

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STAEDTLER Premium Quality Drawing Pencil

Best Pencils for Architecture School

In order to develop your architectural drawing and sketching skills you’re going to need a nice set of drawing pencils. STAEDTLER offers a timeless, high quality pencil suitable for writing, sketching, drawing, and hatching, as well as for professional graphic and artistic applications on paper and matte drawing film. The set comes with 12 finely graded pencils ranging in hardness and softness for practically any sketching situation. The super-bonded lead wears evenly and is easy to erase and sharpen.

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Mr. Pen Architectural Scale Ruler

Best Scale Ruler for Architecture School

This 12” architectural scale ruler is designed perfectly for accuracy and longevity with its high impact aluminum composition and three sides featuring six different scales. It’s quick and easy to read with color-coded grooves for quick selection of desired scales and precise, laser cut markings. The ruler is designed to facilitate the drafting and measuring of architectural drawings of all types. This is a simple tool you’ll always need as an architect and it’ll last forever. The best nine bucks you’ll ever spend.

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X-ACTO X5282 Basic Knife Set

Best Modeling Knife for Architecture School

A must have tool for model building, the X-ACTO precision knife is a tool for any application requiring a precise, accurate cut. Houses in a wooden chest, this set contains the original 1,2, and 5 X-ACTO knives along with a full set of X-ACTO precision knife blades, which totals to 13 blades. This complete set will ensure that you always have the proper tool to make the precision cut you need for any material.

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Storage Tube

Best Drawing Storage Tube for Architecture School

Make sure to keep your documents and plans safe and secure with this drawing storage tube. This is perfect for transporting your work during your daily commutes. It’s durable, lightweight, and its 3.5 x 24.5 x 3.3 inch dimensions can adequately house your work. This is a very practical tool that gets the job done, proving to be a low cost and highly beneficial investment.

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BYB E430 Metal Architect LED Desk Lamp

Best Desk Lamp for Architecture School

It’s essential that you keep your workspace well lit during those late night studio sessions. The BYB E430 Metal Architect LED Desk Lamp will prove to be an invaluable appliance for that and then some. It’s made of an aluminum alloy, featuring a sturdy, sleek design that can compliment any workspace. The lamp’s rotating base, double-hinged arm, and swiveling LED panel make it highly adjustable. It uses 144 power-saving LEDs that have a 50,000 hour lifespan, allowing up to 20 years of use consuming 75% less energy than traditional lighting. This lamp will allow you to choose 4 color modes with 6 brightness levels, which is coupled with a touch-control system allowing for ease of use and customization.

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The North Face Unisex Jester Backpack

Best Backpack for Architecture School

Comfort and utility are two pivotal qualities that should be present in a backpack, especially for the demands of architecture school. The North Face Unisex Jester Backpack offers a clean and stylish aesthetic met with premiere serviceability. It has a massive front accessory pocket, perfect for storing writing utensils and smaller appliances. This along with the large main compartment and laptop pocket will adequately and neatly hold all of your materials. The FlexVent injection-molded shoulder straps offer great support, which will allow you to seamlessly carry hefty loads, if need be.

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Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM3

Best Headphones for Architecture School

When you really need to lock in and eliminate any distractions that could interfere with you work, a pair of quality noise cancelling headphones are just what you need. Sony’s WH1000XM3 are the industry-leading noise canceling, wireless headphones. Sony’s new proprietary noise canceling processor, its quick charge capabilities, 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, and updated comfortable design provide the best features for optimal concentration and enjoyment for long periods of time, regardless of the environment. They also have Amazon Alexa built in, which will give you someone to talk to when you’re stranded in the library.

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A Plushie to Snuggle with During Those Stressful Moments

Best Comforter for Architecture School

During those stressful periods buried in coursework, unfolded clothes, and ramen noodles, snuggle up with this adorable and comfy Line Friends plush cushion. It’s 16 inches of squeezable relief that can ease your worries and provide a nice bit of support whenever you need. Simply put, it’s cute and it’s soft, really soft.

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The post Your Survival Kit: 10 Essential Items for an Architecture Student’s First Semester appeared first on Journal.

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Beirut is one of the oldest cities in the world. Inhabited for more than 5,000 years, the city was shaped throughout time by diverse groups, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the Greeks and the Ottoman Empire. Following the Lebanese Civil War, the city’s cultural landscape underwent major reconstruction. In turn, new architecture began to be built. As the capital and largest city of Lebanon, Beirut has emerged as a global city for culture and design.

As a regional intellectual capital, Beirut is home to a range of modern projects that reinterpret history and tradition. Built by local and international design teams alike, the following projects showcase modern work across the city. Drawn from a range of programs and scales, they show how architects are building space for culture and new architecture in Beirut.

Beirut Terraces by Herzog & de Meuron, Beirut, Lebanon

Herzog & de Meuron’s project in Beirut was designed to respect the city’s past while embracing an optimism for the contemporary city. Five principles define the project: layers and terraces, inside and outside, vegetation, views and privacy, light and identity. The result is a vertically layered building: slabs of varying sizes allow for interplay between openness and privacy that fosters flexible living between inside and outside. Environmental engineering and specific use of vegetation was made to further enhance sustainability and the quality of life within the tower.

CALYPSO by SOMA, Beirut, Lebanon

Calypso is a residential project designed by Michel Abboud for SOMA Architects. The project design takes advantage of its unique site location and draws inspiration from the surrounding rock formation and Mediterranean Sea. The sculpted strands represent the unique living space and are formed to allow for maximum views with open terrace spaces for the living areas.

Hariri Memorial Garden by VDLA, Beirut, Lebanon

After the assassination of the ex-Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, VDLA was commissioned to create a memorial space dedicated to his memory. The team aimed to not only pay tribute to the vision and achievements of Hariri and perpetuate his memory, but also to create a public space which encourages intermingling in an open, welcoming environment. Located on a hillside below the Grand Serail (Government Palace), the Hariri Memorial Garden occupies a sloped triangular site.  Elongated planes of dark grey granite and water mirrors, laid within a grass lawn, step down towards the city.

Wadi Penthouse by platau, Beirut, Lebanon

This penthouse was made as an interior refurbishment located in Wadi Abu Jamil in Beirut Central District. The original arrangement of the penthouse presented a fragmented circulation between its two floors with poor spatial interaction, and a narrow main foyer. The most significant spatial intervention was the introduction of a double height space at the center of the house, reorganizing the project and the once fragmented realms of living areas, work areas, storage and bedrooms.

Stereokitchen by Paul Kaloustian Architect, Beirut, Lebanon

STEREOKITCHEN uses a simple design strategy to create complex spatial possibilities and effects. The restaurant bar is a simple glass pavilion on the last floor of an office building on Pasteur Street in Beirut. It enjoys views on the city from one city and the Mediterranean sea with Beirut’s Port from the other. The project includes an added metal structure cantilevering to cover the area below. The edge of the cantilever becomes very thin (2cm) and runs along the whole length of the façade and the corner on both sides.

Capitole Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge by PSLab, Beirut, Lebanon

Located on a rooftop of a historical building in Beirut’s Central District, Capitole is a summer restaurant and lounge. Wanting to go back in history and translate the theatrical DNA of the place, interior designer Adrian Perez created several platforms / floor levels to define the bar and dining sitting areas, building various scenes throughout the space. A self-lit circular bar is placed at the end on a higher platform, creating a mirror effect with a previously installed water tank located at the other end of the long rectangular shaped space.

Issam Fares Institute by Zaha Hadid Architects, Beirut, Lebanon

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) building by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) continues the on-going implementation of the 2002 AUB Campus Master Plan by Sasaki Associates to advance the university’s academic mission in the 21st Century. The IFI was established as a neutral, dynamic, civil, and open space where people representing all viewpoints in society can gather and discuss significant issues, anchored in a long-standing commitment to mutual understanding and high quality research.

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The post Brilliant Beirut: Incredible Modern Architecture Across Lebanon’s Ancient Capital appeared first on Journal.

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Drawings are their own form of architecture. In an age where renderings and photo-realistic images reign supreme, Zean Macfarlane takes a different approach. As an independent architectural designer working across the fields of art, architecture and education, Macfarlane’s work explores drawing as a way of building. Macfarlane’s interests move between sketches and digital work, lines and patterns. There’s a beauty in that diversity, as seen in the archive of his work. The drawings are exercises in understanding the possibilities of plans, sections and elevations.

Taking a survey of Zean’s work, the following 10 images explore the relationship between architecture and drawing. In his own words, “Being able to inspire people is a blessing and that’s why I do it. I’m interested in seeing how others connect with the work.” These ten drawings are all rendered in color, and the selection of patterned plans and elevations come from a larger range of sketches, axons, and artistic explorations over the last five years.

Outcrop

As seen in Outcrop, Zean’s elevations share a range of characteristics. Implying light through shadow, they are usually oriented to a sun, often with a direct dashed line connecting the architecture to the sky. Here, architecture is set in a context. Through gradient and opacity, different elements like forests, mountains or desert landscapes ground each structure.

Park Café

In a more recent work, Park Café also follows an interest in context. Providing a subtle celestial connection, lines across the plan can be read as the sun or movement across the site. Upon a second read, this is further understood as trees and structures have their own shadows. Even more so than the elevations, the plan drawings leave room for interpretation through abstract elements.

Keynote

Keynote brings together reoccurring elements in Zean’s drawings: light, shadow, pattern, scale figures, landscape, structure and different levels of opacity. The work explores layering as spatial culture, not unlike Japanese paintings and prints where space is represent in a seemingly flat way. This mode of representation leaves space for the viewer to uncover the work for themselves.

Crease

Crease plays with form, angles and texture. The weight of Zean’s work really comes to life in drawings like this, where our associations with the built environment engender multiple readings of materials, fenestration or cladding. At a smaller scale, the structure’s ambiguity in program also allows multiple readings through the way the drawing is composed.

Views Beyond

Stretching architecture out at the boundary between water and land, Views Beyond uses linework to imply connections and orientation outside architecture. Sited in an in-between space, the image can also be read with feint lines of suggested topography. The drawing becomes a source for inspiration simply through the act of different readings, while at the same time, the plan inherently shows a sense of organization.

Hark

In Hark, Zean draws back in scale while adding a layer of movement across multiple levels. Façade elements can simultaneously be read as fenestration or ornamentation, while a reoccurring theme of offset forms combines with more distinct or singular elements like the bright tower. Because we are only shown a single face, it’s up to the reader to imagine the depth and expanse of space.

Finding

Though it’s a bit older, finding stands out among Zean’s work. Both the scale figures and the structure contrast with the landscape, drawing attention to the architecture through color. A familiar element like an airplane is baked into the sky, while we are left to imagine whether the work is public or private space through scale and the number of figures on site.

Puzzle Pieces

Using color to subvert expectation, puzzle pieces turns the ground plane into a bright blue surface and topography upon which a series of patterned black structures rest. The simple act of using texture without other spatial or symbolic cues allows the shapes in plan to bcomee sculpture or architecture alike.

Entail

As a drawing that symbolizes why Zean’s work is significant, Entail is an exercise in reading and imagination. Taking those elements that are familiar, they are placed in such a way that the composition can be read as bridge, monument, or large scale civic space in equal measure. Here too, elements like the sky remain lighter than the ground to continue building upon our associations

Eco City

Eco City is a work that moves away from the object in isolation. It’s not simply a sole work in the landscape, but a project that’s part of a city and other structures. Connected but contrasted, the seemingly “new” architecture emerges from a quite literal gray context. The joyful addition is complete with a bit of greenery as it stands out from its neighbors.

Find out more about Zean’s work through his Tumblr archive, and check out his ebook for 100 helpful architecture tips.

Discover More Architectural Drawings

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California state transportation officials and conservationists are currently in the final stages of design development for a 200-foot-long wildlife crossing, which will be the largest of its type in the world upon completion. The bridge will span across the U.S. 101 in Liberty Canyon, just 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, making it the first wildlife crossing in such close proximity to a major urban center.

A rendering of the Liberty Canyon overpass; image via the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM)

This $87 million project is in response to habitat loss induced by the sprawling, ten-lane highway, which restricts and isolates the domains of the region’s indigenous wildlife. As a result, the health of certain animal populations, including bobcats, coyotes, deer, fence lizards and mountain lions, has been greatly impacted. According to The Architect’s Newspaper, Mountain lions are particularly at risk, with some experts suggesting that the local population could face extinction within the next 15 years if access to greater numbers of mating partners aren’t provided. 

The wildlife crossing will provide at-risk wildlife a safe route towards open space with better access to food and potential mates. It will connect each side of the freeway, preventing these creatures from taking the risk of traversing the traffic filled lanes of the 101. The bridge will be adorned with native landscaping and equipped with sound barriers to mitigate the negative effects of vehicular noise on animal comfort. Wildlife fencing will line both sides of the highway to guide animals towards the overpass. It will also reduce emergency response and repair costs due to vehicle, wildlife collisions. 

Artist’s rendering of the proposed wildlife crossing; image via RCDSMM

Antiquating wildlife into artificial environments, however, poses a major challenge for the proper implementation of the crossing. Some animals, such as cougars and bears, can take years to become familiar with these types of structures. Therefore, a lot of behavioral research to ensure effectiveness is required to adequately cater to the animals. 

Wildlife crossings are particularly common in western Europe and Canada with one of the most famous and successful examples located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. There lies six overpasses and 38 underpasses, enabling the likes of bears, moose, and elk, to cross the Trans-Canada Highway. 

The Trans-Canada Highway wildlife crossings in Banff National Park; image via Joel Sartore, Nat Geo Image Collection

According to The Associated Press, the Liberty Canyon Overpass has entered its final design phase, on track to break ground by 2021 and set to complete by 2023. 80% of its $87 million price tag will be gathered from private sources, having already raised $13.5 million in private funding. Hopefully the successful inception of this project will inspire greater investment in habitat conservation in other threatened regions.

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The post California is Set to Build the World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing appeared first on Journal.

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Under the theme of “Metamorphosis”, this year’s Burning Man festival witnessed a slew of captivating structures displaying ingenious, temporary design and construction. The diverse array of sculptures, installations, and pavilions came together, forming a circus of distinctive ideas and experiences that painted the sandy planes of Black Rock City.

Upon its conclusion, it is only right that we showcase some of the event’s most jaw dropping creations. Below is a selection of these monuments and modern day relics, featured across Instagram, that may just inspire you to make the desert bound pilgrimage.

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The Temple of Direction moved me in the most powerful of ways. It burns tonight, soon becoming just ash and embers, but I will hold it in my heart forever. 💛🔥💛#burningman2019 #templeofdirection #artinstallation #burningmanart

A post shared by Taylor Brown (@doseoftay) on Sep 1, 2019 at 2:11pm PDT

Temple of Direction by Geordie van der Bosch

This large wooden pavilion is influenced by Japanese torii gates that are often located at the entrances of shrines. It features four gates facing the festival’s entry points; a fitting entryway into the festival.

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27 Stones #benjaminlangholz

A post shared by Bjarke ingels (@bjarkeingels) on Aug 27, 2019 at 2:59pm PDT

Stone 27 by Benjamin Langholz

An assemblage of magically floating rocks, this more minimalist installation features 27 elevated stones that form a circular, climbing frame fashioned around a central pillar. They can be traversed up and down, though maintaining one’s balance may prove challenging!

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A post shared by Kim (@kimmio22c) on Aug 26, 2019 at 7:58pm PDT

Mariposita by Chris Carnabuci

Mariposita, or as it translates, “little butterfly”, presents a large, female figure emerging from a curved wooden shell that closely resembles the shape of a hatched egg.

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May as well be Egypt. Huge glass pyramids that are 6 or 7 stories high. Burningman 2019

A post shared by Greg Nielsen (@gregvnielsen) on Aug 28, 2019 at 6:40pm PDT

Grand Pyramid by PlayAlchemist

Inspired by the Great Pyramid of Giza, the 71-foot high Grand Pyramid served as a gathering place, sanctuary, and retreat. At night it glimmered with violet lights and spectacular visuals demarcating it as an event space.

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Travelling from Russia, a bright-green, inflatable elephant designed by @liberteegram stands out amongst the desert landscape. Called #Slonik, the animal sits on its round rear with its trunk pointed upwards. The artist would like to draw people’s attention to the problem of #elephant abuse in Africa and Asia, and to call for them to not support cruel businesses like circuses, zoos, and recreational tourism services that exploit animals. 📸 by @bjarkeingels

A post shared by EastEnd Magazine (@eastend_magazine) on Aug 29, 2019 at 1:21am PDT

#Slonik by Michael Tsaturyan

This giant, neon-green inflatable elephant stands out within the surrounding desert landscape. Sitting on its rear with its trunk piercing the sky, the monument is meant to draw people’s attention towards the issue of elephant abuse in Africa and Asia.

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Various art on the playa. First two are of The Folly, by Dave Keene. They get torched to the ground later this week in a huge bonfire. Burningman 2019

A post shared by Greg Nielsen (@gregvnielsen) on Aug 26, 2019 at 4:48pm PDT

The Folly by Dave Keane and the Folly Builders

A treehouse without a tree; this large structure comprises a clock tower and pitched dwellings that combine together to form a hub of entertainment clad with viewing decks and terraces.

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Sacred Grounds by Michael Benisty 🙌🏼 #burningman2019 #sacredgrounds #michaelbenisty

A post shared by David (@davidohin) on Aug 27, 2019 at 10:57pm PDT

Sacred Grounds by Michael Benisty

This shiny, reflective sculpture features an amalgam of a woman and a tree with a trunk and sprawling branches that seamlessly extend from the body of the lady. It is amongst a number of gleaming pieces populating Black Rock City this year.

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#burningman2019 #disconnectionfromtheworld #creativity

A post shared by Monica Lam (@monioninstagram) on Aug 26, 2019 at 9:36am PDT

ILY by Dan Mountain

ILY is an accumulation of recycled and repurposed scrap metal that forms an eight-meter-high forearm. Dan Mountain integrated gears and mechanisms into the structure, allowing individuals to raise and lower the fingers.

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Mutant vehicles – just a few of the amazing examples of creativity, ingenuity and engineering. Many thanks to those who bring their art to share with everyone. #burningman #mutantvehicles #artcar

A post shared by Cathleen (@cassiopoea) on Aug 27, 2019 at 9:01pm PDT

Mutant Vehicles at Burning Man

Not every Burning Man creation has to be static. Some provided flashy passage throughout the festival, such as these constructed mutant vehicles that display vivid theatrics and characters.

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WOW – what a feeling – @burningman your crew nailed it. What an honor. #burningman2019 #burningman #hybycozo

A post shared by HYBYCOZO (@hybycozo) on Aug 24, 2019 at 1:56pm PDT

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Wow the culmination of so much hard work, beauty, and energy… Into the fire and into the dust.. bravo to the man crew and all the people whos creative voodoo created this man and all its surprises… Photo by Neil Girling @mr_nightshade #burningman #burningman2019 #hybycozo

A post shared by HYBYCOZO (@hybycozo) on Sep 2, 2019 at 1:51pm PDT

The Man by David Best

This timber Burning Man figure was the centerpiece of the city; a piece that was formerly designed by Burning Man founder Larry Harvey each year. It was subsequently set ablaze at the conclusion of the festival.

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The post The 10 Most Dazzling and Magnificent Creations of Burning Man 2019 appeared first on Journal.

Among the winners of the 7th Annual A+Awards was a select group of projects that used their surrounding natural environments to determine their designs and functionalities. Built to accommodate nature rather than obstruct it, these structures blend seamlessly into their surroundings, and, in turn, use them as primary elements within their spaces. Green terraces, interspersed gardens, drainage systems, galleries, and even a bathroom on a mountain are just a few of the features these pieces of green architecture can provide.

Below is a selection of eight incredible green architectural projects that received either Jury or Popular Vote A+Awards this year:

Solaz Los Cabos by Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
2019 A+Awards Jury Vote Winner in the Concepts – Plus-Architecture +Landscape category

Covering an area of 9.5 hectares amongst the extraordinary natural surroundings of the peninsula of Baja California, Solaz Los Cabos seamlessly blends into the unique topography of the region. The hotel’s architectural concept was guided by the need to properly integrate the construction into its surroundings, which was achieved through the use of organic forms that refer to the movement of waves. This is apparent through the series of curved volumes at the center of the hotel comprising hotel rooms and timeshares. Ascending in accordance with the site’s steep topography, the terraces rise presenting breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortes.

“The Shadow Garden” of World Horticulture Expo in Yangzhou by OfficeOffCourse, Yangzhou, China
2019 A+Awards Popular Vote Winner in the Concepts – Plus-Architecture +Landscape category

As part of the first completed phase of the 2021 World Horticulture Expo site in Yangzhou, “The Shadow Garden”, generates a new relationship between landscape and architecture. The pavilion reflects the beauty of the local landscape while serving as an educational space. Three rectangular buildings are divided by a continuous, meandering wall, which is shaped around the contours of the existing landscape. As a result, each space carved out by the dimensions of the wall and buildings is unique in layout and comprised of gardens with particular scales, spectrums, and vegetation. Overall, the design presents an architecture that is highly flexible and mixed-use where unique perspectives can be garnered through its diverse spaces.

Chishui Danxia World Natural Heritage Visitor Center by West-line Studio, Chishui, Zunyi, China
2019 A+Awards Popular Vote Winner in the Details – Plus-Architecture +Stone category

The Chishui Danxia World Natural Heritage Visitor Center is nestled in a scenic, narrow valley surrounded by bright red cliffs, peaks and streams to the north, and a red Danxia stone, arch-shaped cave to the west. The system of steps and the building shape aim to highlight the ritual importance of the historic site. Located at the base of a mountain, the project collects Danxia stones during floods, which are collected and used by workers. The building on the southern side is composed of a group of seven stone boxes, which serve as a rainwater collecting system, light capture system, and tree courtyards. Surrounding these stone boxes are flexible recreational spaces that correspond to the different courtyards’ environments.

Longs Peak Privies by Colorado Building Workshop / University of Colorado Denver, Colorado, United States
2019 A+Awards Jury Vote Winner in the Details – Plus-Architecture +Stone category

In response to outdated and deteriorating toilets, resulting in grueling waste collection and disposal, the National Park Service collaborated with ColoradoBuildingWorkshop to redesign and construct four new backcountry privies. They explore lightweight prefabricated construction and emerging methods of waste collection to minimize the human footprint in Colorado’s environment. The final design solution is a series of prefabricated structural gabion walls, which contain a series of thin steel plate moment frames that triangulate the lateral loads within the structure. Stones collected on site are used as ballast. This assemblage method allows for rapid on-site construction and an architecture that disappears into the surrounding landscape.

IKLAB Uh May by ROTH-ARCHITECTURE, Francisco Uh May, Mexico
2019 A+Awards Jury Vote Winner in the Details – Plus-Architecture +Wood category

IKLAB Uh May is designed as a trans-disciplinary site for research, transformation, and creation, in which the first phase of the project features an incredible art gallery. It is a holistic center for human vision and evolution situated in the jungle of Tulum. This cultural center aims to reconnect individuals and tribes, both native and contemporary, with one another, with others, and the environment. IKLAB Uh May’s unique integration of ancestral knowledge, technological innovation, applied sustainability, practiced spirituality, and collective experiences will culminate into new ways of learning, creating, and healing.

79&Park by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Stockholm, Sweden
2019 A+Awards Jury and Popular Vote Winner in the Residential-Multi Unit Housing – Mid Rise (5-15 Floors) category

79&Park is a wooden hillside residence comprised of 3.6m x 3.6m modules organized around an open green courtyard. The building’s tallest corner is lifted up to 35m in order to maximize the inflow of natural daylight as well as scenic views accessible to most of the units. The organic expression and cedar-cladding is present in the courtyard, which provides different sized plateaus that create small activity pockets and spaces for amenities. All dwellings have access to private and shared roof terraces brimming with rich varieties of plants. The ground floor of the complex houses commercial spaces open to the public. 79&Park seems like a gentle hillside as it seamlessly blends into the nature surrounding it.

No Footprint House (NFH) by A-01 (A Company / A Foundation), Ojochal, Costa Rica
2019 A+Awards Popular Vote Winner in the Concepts – Plus-Architecture +Sustainability category

The No Footprint House (NFH) is located at the edge of a vast tropical rainforest along the western coastline of Costa Rica. The building responds to the surrounding climate by passive climate control through natural ventilation and solar shading. The house is organized around a central service core, which contributes to the efficiency of space, assembly, and maintenance. Façade panels can be opened or closed individually in order to regulate views and exposure, augment or reduce air flows, as well as to increase privacy and security. The NFH was prefabricated and transported to the target location on a single truck as it was designed as a prototype for serial production. It seeks integral sustainability through its environmental, economic, social, and spatial performance.

Manshausen 2.0 by Stinessen Arkitektur, Steigen, Norway
2019 A+Awards Popular Vote Winner in the Details – Plus-Architecture +Cantilever category

Manshausen 2.0 is an extension of the Manshausen Island Resort located in the Steigen Archipelago off the coast of Northern Norway. The design of the extension seeks to relate to the specific positioning in the pond and the surrounding landscape. Wave heights, extreme weather conditions, and future increases in sea level were studied to determine the exact positions of the cabins. Given the high exposure to the natural elements, aluminum sheet cladding was chosen to withstand salt water exposure. Access to the cabins is via the rocky formations that jut out into the sea. The cabins are designed to offer their guests shelter and comfort while simultaneously accommodating the outside elements.

Hit the button below to see every A+Award winner and finalist in this year’s incredible competition:

See the 2019 A+Award-Winning Projects

The post A+ Architecture: 8 Green Projects in Harmony With Nature appeared first on Journal.

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The debate around the purpose and utility of architecture conferences has gone on for many years. Their questionable value is largely down to the fact that they are conflated with AEC trade shows, meaning that their primary focus is more about products than it is about the profession. The demographic of these shows has also tended to skew older (a fact that, while evolving, remains the case), and their schedule is designed to cater to established players in the profession. As a result, many young and aspiring architects feel disconnected from these events, unable to find relevance besides grabbing themselves a few obligatory CEU credits.

In short, most architecture conventions suck.

Enter the Young Architect Conference. Designed and delivered by Michael Riscica of Young Architect, #YARCHCON19 was created with emerging professionals specifically in mind. Taking place at the end of August, the event was a huge success, bring together a community of architects from across the United States and beyond to learn from, connect with and inspire each other. What made this conference so different, and why does it set a new bar for architecture conventions? Here are just a few key factors…

An Amazing Venue

The Young Architect Conference took place at the Redd on Salmon, an extraordinarily beautiful events space in Portland, Oregon. Unlike the typical convention centers, complete with the world’s worst carpets, this former factory building is full of details to make architects swoon: huge, industrial windows, giant pieces of dormant machinery and raw, exposed materials abound. More importantly though, informal seating, ample open spaces and break-out areas within the venue made a significant difference to the dynamic of the conference. The venue’s layout was designed to foster connections, encouraging conversations among speakers and attendees alike.

No Sales Overload

This was perhaps the biggest differentiator between the Young Architect Conference and just about every other industry convention in existence: There were no building product representatives at the venue. Manufacturers’ booths, so often the dominant feature of conferences around the globe, were deliberately omitted to allow the architectural profession itself to take center stage. This gave emerging professionals the time to talk to each other without the distraction of salespeople attempting to sell them the latest tiles, timber floors and toilets.

Relevant Workshops and Keynotes

As well as eschewing sales representatives to allow attendees the breathing room to engage, the workshops and keynotes were 100% geared towards young architects. Speakers ranged from architects to work culture experts and entrepreneurs from outside the profession, all with a common goal — to help nurture and encourage the next generation of architects to be successful. The focused nature of each speech and workshop meant every session was perfectly crafted for its audience, providing them with genuinely valuable advice for their next career steps.

Diversity and Equality

The Young Architect Conference was notable for the demographics of its speakers and attendees. Women made up the majority of the keynote speeches, while professionals and entrepreneurs of all ethnicities and parts of the world played crucial roles throughout the weekend. Far from the old-white-male dominated conferences everywhere else, the diversity in the room during #YARCHCON19 was a true reflection of the architectural profession today, and aspiring architects from all backgrounds felt empowered to participate as a result.

A Growing Community

All of the above ingredients added up to a conference of connection. By the time the closing party came around — or “rager”, as founder Michael Riscica accurately described it! — it felt like almost everyone at the event knew about each other in some way, whether through personal discussions or broader presentations. Unlike most conferences, where trying to cover the show floor feels unrelentingly exhausting, the Young Architect Conference forged a series of what promise to be long-lasting professional relationships.

Taken altogether, these differentiators resulted in an architecture conference unlike any that has come before. It was fun, educational and culturally relevant to the profession, but most of all, it was pioneering. Heads of other conferences across the profession should look to the Young Architect Conference as a new precedent in how to create a truly valuable event for architects, young and old — there is much to be learned from its success. We can’t wait to see what #YARCHCON20 brings.

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All photographs courtesy of Young Architect and Timothy Niou Photography

The post 5 Ways the Young Architect Conference Changed the Game for Emerging Professionals appeared first on Journal.

Epic Games, the creators of the Unreal Game Engine, recently acquired Twinmotion, a real-time 3D immersion software that produces high-quality images, panoramas and standard or 360º VR videos in seconds. Designed to help architecture, construction, urban planning and landscaping professionals better communicate their designs, it offers a simple and intuitive interface backed by the power of Unreal Engine.

The software allows users to quickly and easily transform their BIM or CAD models from static renderings into compelling, lifelike experiences. Its developers claim that, regardless of project size and complexity, materials and previous computer graphics experience, the platform is easy to learn and intuitive to use.

When it comes to props, the software takes a step forward with the ability to integrate ambient sounds, animated human and animal characters, and even swaying plants. Users can drag and drop these props into their visualizations along with lights and materials in an instant. Also, simply by dragging a slider you can alter the season or weather conditions.

Twinmotion’s interface; images via Unreal Engine

It features real-time radiosity with over 600 PBR materials that react to their environments, making it easy to get the specified, realistic look one needs. The services this software provides are seemingly endless.

Set your project’s geographic location, apply a real context, visualize the construction phases of your project, easily create paths, and fill it with moving vehicles and pedestrians. It also offers direct one-click synchronization with ARCHICAD, Revit and SketchUp Pro, enabling users to edit their models and make design decisions that automatically update in Twinmotion. 

Twinmotion’s 3D architectural visualizations; images via Unreal Engine

Twinmotion is available for both Windows and macOS and compatible with all BIM software. It’s available for free through November 2019, so be sure not to miss out on this incredible real-time rendering tool. Your renderings will love you for it.

Download Twinmotion for Free

The post Twinmotion is Free Until November. Here’s How it Can Supercharge Your Renderings appeared first on Journal.

AI Spacefactory, the architects behind MARSHA, the NASA-award-winning Mars habitat, have revealed TERA. It’s the first eco-habitat on Earth created through space-grade technology and materials developed for long-term sustainable missions on Mars. Before TERA makes the 54.6-million-kilometer trip to the Red Planet, though, the first version of this futuristic abode will sit in the woods of Upstate New York overlooking the Hudson River.

The residence is now accepting pre-bookings for nightly stays starting in March 2020 via indiegogo.com. 

Based on the 3D printing technologies and compostable materials employed for the MARSHA prototype, AI Spacefactory realized the use of these components had the potential to be considerably more sustainable than traditional construction methods. Out of this came TERA, which seeks to apply this technology within the context of Earth and beyond.

Renderings of AI Spacefactory’s MARSHA habitat on Mars

TERA is built from a 3D-printed biopolymer basalt composite, a material developed from crops like corn and sugarcane, which has been tested and validated by NASA to be at least 50% stronger and more durable than concrete.

The project presents a break from the building industry’s use of energy and waste-intensive materials and serves as an example of a new type of structure that is incredibly durable, while also recyclable and compostable.

MARSHA model being 3D printed

Harvested from the Earth and able to be returned back to it, TERA is designed to be minimally invasive to its surrounding environment able to fit seamlessly into the natural world. 

TERA’s design was inspired by the conditions of its wooded site location. The habitat stretches two-stories with an exterior 3D printed shell covering a wooden, structurally independent interior. Porous windows scattered along one of its sides fill TERA’s interior with light and provide captivating views of the Hudson River.

On the ground floor lies TERA’s living area, which contains a bathroom, shower, food preparation counter, and a living room with a seating area that transitions into a 3D printed terrace. Spiraling stairs connect the second floor, a space that can be adapted to the preferences and activities of the inhabitants. Furniture can be freely rearranged allowing this more private space to serve a multifunctional role within the home. 

Renderings of TERA’s interior spaces

TERA is just an hour and a half train ride away from New York City. Every stay at this residence will inform improvements to future designs for Earth and space habitats. By emphasizing the use of renewable technologies for building on Earth, while understanding ways to live on Mars, TERA can help achieve a greater degree of sustainable living — regardless of planet.

All images via AI Space Factory

The post Introducing TERA: The Future of Living on Earth (and Mars) appeared first on Journal.

Probably the most basic and widely used pieces of furniture, the chair serves the functional purpose of providing seating. In its simplicity there lies the freedom to diverge from convention, essentially making chairs a blank canvas that can easily be morphed based on the preferences and ideas of their designers. Works by architects tend to exemplify this flexibility who implant their architectural philosophies into the relatively small dimensions of chairs.

As a result, a more singular and personal quality is present. They’re elevated from simply seats to “pieces”, works of art that simultaneously serve the practical function of providing comfortable seating. Below is a collection of 10 iconic chairs, whose designers speak through every element of these captivating pieces of furniture: 

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen

Designed by one of the grandfathers of modern Danish furniture and the minimalist Danish style, the Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair was the culmination of new and unconventional design techniques. Jacobsen first sculpted the chair out of clay in his garage in order to perfect the shape. He then molded it out of a strong foam inner shell under the upholstery, which resulted in a unique shape that can provide privacy regardless of environment. The Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair also provides a sculptural contrast to the vertical and horizontal surfaces present in many buildings.

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Wishbone Chair by Hans Wegner

Inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting on Ming Chairs, Danish designer, Hans Wegner, developed the Wishbone Chair, which has been in production by his firm Carl Hansen & Søn since 1950. The chair is comprised of a steam-bent solid wood frame and a seat handwoven from paper cord, which combine to provide the utmost sitting comfort and lasting durability.

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Panton Chair by Verner Panton

Conceived by Verner Panton in 1960, the Panton Chair is an icon of twentieth-century design. The S-shaped, plastic chair was the world’s first moulded plastic chair; a design based on the desire to create a stackable, cantilevered plastic chair. The Panton Chair’s prominence is reflected in its numerous international design awards and presence in the collections of many prominent museums.

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Jacobsen Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen

The second Arne Jacobsen piece on this list is the Jacobsen Series 7 Chair. It is the most popular chair in the history of Danish furniture company, Fritz Hansen, and quite possibly also in furniture history. The Series 7 is stackable and features a seat in pressure moulded wood veneer. It comes in different veneers and finishes, making this masterpiece suitable for a variety of tastes and preferences.

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Wegner PP130 Circle Chair by Hans Wegner

Hans Wegner’s PP130 Circle Chair features elements both old and new within his body of work. The lounge chair features a net of pleated flag lines with steel clips, an ash wood frame and removable seat, and headrest cushions upholstered in the original fabric. It also has casters on the back legs allowing it to be moved around. Wenger believed the circle was the most simple and elegant of all shapes, and designing a chair of that form was a long held dream of his. The design for the Circle Chair wasn’t completed until he was 72, and despite difficulties in its manufacturing, the chair turned out to be one of Wegner’s most iconic designs.

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Finn Juhl Pelican Chair by Finn Juhl

Finn Juhl’s Pelican Chair reflects the designer’s fascination for surrealism, making it one of his most innovative pieces. Originally presented in 1940, the chair stands out with its unusual shape, resembling that of a Pelican, and sturdy legs. Its characteristic soft and organic shape is almost like a body holding a body. Offering several comfortable ways to sit, sitting in the Pelican Chair is like receiving a friendly hug.

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Wegner PP225 Flag Halyard Chair by Hans Wegner

Hans Wegner’s Flag Halyard Chair pays homage to the ideas of early modernists, such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer. Remaining clearly a Wegner piece, the chair’s surfaces are made of plaited flag halyard with the longhaired sheepskin softening the industrial sharpness of the steel. Inspired by a make-shift seat he made by digging into sand while at the beach, the Flag Halyard Chair is made for comfort and relaxation. The chair comes with pillow straps in the same leather as the neck pillow, and a white or colored sheepskin can be selected.

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Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck

The Louis Ghost Chair is a postmodern triumph of technical innovation and historical style as it reinvents the classic Louis XVI armchair. This translucent rendition is a robust chair with a medallion backrest for leisurely comfort. Both ironic and elegant in its appropriation of its more regal predecessor, the Louis Ghost Chair is made to captivate and dazzle. It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use in both residential and commercial settings.

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Chair 69 by Alvar Aalto

Chair 69 is one of Artek’s most popular chairs. Designed by Alvar Aalto, it’s a universal wooden chair in the tradition of classic kitchen and café chairs. Chair 69 exudes durability and stability while remaining elegant with its broad seat and supportive backrest. It’s available in a variety of colors and finishes.

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The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen

For The Spanish Chair, Børge Mogensen was inspired while on a journey through Spain by traditional chairs with wide armrests, which were common in areas influenced by ancient Islamic culture. Mogensen combined this with his earlier works and signature functionalism to form The Spanish Chair. Its wooden construction achieves a sturdy design and enduring character, and its broad armrests serve the practical function of holding items such as glasses or ashtrays. The chair has a leather seat and backrest, which contribute to its rustic character.

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The post 10 Iconic Chairs Designed by Architects appeared first on Journal.

David Staczek is a principal at ZGF. Staczek’s 26 years of design experience have focused on healthcare facilities while being informed by a broad portfolio of work, from office buildings and financial institutions, to pedestrian bridges and multimodal centers.

We like lists because they provide tidy packages for complex ideas. Listicles are everywhere: top 15 buildings of the year, top 3 new products, top 100 architecture schools; the list goes on (literally!).

But how do we tackle something as sophisticated as the modern hospital? How can we distill the journey of healthcare design into a chart of key elements?

The answer is, it’s hard. Healthcare environments continue to grow in complexity. Today’s perfect hospital design addresses many functions for a variety of users, including patients, families, staff, and c-suite. And while patients and their families are the primary focus for many healthcare institutions, even a list that focuses on patient-centered design is extensive.

Despite the complexity, I believe there are design elements that have the power to positively affect multiple populations within a hospital. If I had to pick 10 areas to advise a client on where to focus – if I looked carefully at the basic elements healthcare designers must chart – I would start with the following:

1: Architecture & Campus Design

Good campus planning and architecture allows the layout of streets, building approach and building entries to serve as wayfinding devices. Trying to read signs while driving is nerve-wracking. Vehicular access and approach roads should be designed to be intuitive and clear to alleviate stress on the commute. In addition, choices in scale, lighting and materiality for the main entry to the hospital, parking structures, and medical office buildings put patients and their families on the quickest path to the front door. Locating vertical circulation towers and major public spaces near main entries serves as a beacon for those arriving at night, signaling to patients and families where to go with clearly illuminated entrances.

Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel by ZGF Architects, Portland, OR

2: Welcoming Design Aesthetic

Good hospital design should reflect both the region and the visual and cultural ethos of the institution. Today, many institutions reference elements of hospitality design when discussing their vision for new buildings. This includes covered drop-offs with valet parking, open and transparent lobbies and public spaces, and warm, natural materials that evoke a sense of comfort. Concierge and check-in services are becoming more common. Art and sound play a key role in creating a calming and welcoming aesthetic and providing positive distractions upon arrival.

3: Drop-Off and Parking

There is no better way to feel that you are being taken care of – pampered even – than by eliminating all worry of arrival, drop-off and parking. Free valet services reduce stress of finding a space, paying and returning to your car. An expanded vehicular drop-off and pick-up area accommodates these services. It is also adaptable for ride-share and a potential autonomous car revolution. With more patients and visitors utilizing alternative arrival methods, this drop-off sequence will become more important than ever before as parking garages shrink or are converted to other hospital functions.

4: Internal Wayfinding

When architecture, medical planning, interior design and environmental graphics harmoniously blend, a first-time visitor can walk through a space without the aid or “you are here” maps. Aligning the patient journey with key architecture and interior elements alleviates the need for excessive signage, which can become distracting. Less signage also means more room for design that creates joy and delight. For example, bold colors or visually distinct changes at elevator banks pull people toward them. Using the concourse concept or promenade to connect departments together is a way to intuitively organize wayfinding.

Seattle Children’s Hospital by ZGF Architects, Laurelhurst, Washington © Benjamin Benschneider

5: A Better Waiting Area

The same holds true for check in desks and waiting areas – use the spaces and their visual identities to intuitively help patients navigate. The waiting room is one of the most stressful parts of a visit so make it an amazing place to be: provide expansive views, windows for daylight, art and beautiful, comfortable furniture. Locating waiting areas along the perimeter is an effective way to promote wayfinding and mitigate patient and family stress.

6: Pleasant Clinical Environment

Patients and staff benefit from a well-designed space. While it is tempting to focus only on lobbies and waiting areas, clinical areas need just as much attention. Imaging suites, procedure rooms where patients are conscious, and blood-draw stations benefit from natural daylight and positive distractions in art, material palette and views. These areas are critical in creating a calming and healing environment.

7: Onstage / Offstage Environments (The Disney Effect)

Today, many healthcare institutions take cues from Disney’s onstage/offstage concept, where impeccable service appears to happen seamlessly. When designing a new hospital, it isn’t just about separating experience areas from service areas but designing a circulation and planning diagram that allows the separation of goods and services from patients and their families, both vertically and horizontally. There are varying degrees to this separation and many influential criteria. For example, adding service and patient transport elevators centered in the patient wing instead of at the end of the units decreases the amount of crossover between patients and services.

The University of Arizona, The University of Arizona Cancer Center by ZGF Architects, Phoenix, AZ

8: Healthy Building = Healthy Occupants

Healing happens inside hospitals and the building itself should participate in that healing process. Designing with Red List-free materials, providing clean and filtered air, and offering access to outside experiences with operable windows or terraces in places where immune systems are not compromised are all strategies for healthier buildings. Looking beyond patients to a healthier planet, excess heat, rain and wind should be captured and stored for use. Since hospitals are mission critical facilities and need to remain open and accessible after events like wildfires, tornados and earthquakes the perfect hospital is a standalone, net zero, resilient structure.

9: Personalization and Choice

Personalization goes a long way in creating a comforting experience. It also helps patients and their families have a better visit – potentially leading to better outcomes. Just think of all the different ways for patients to customize their experience: change room color or lighting; pick from a group, semi-private or private room for infusion or dialysis treatment; customize overhead music or artwork; select from city or river views. When patients are offered choice it provides a feeling of control over their visit and their care.   

10: Dignified Discharge

Finally, consider how to give a dignified exit for patients who are leaving the hospital, but still require assistance. Provide a comfortable and private discharge route that does not go through the main hospital doors for those using crutches or a wheelchair for the first time or recovering from a day procedure. This not only provides the departing patient a more dignified departure but can calm nerves for new patients entering the hospital.

As designers, we must pay attention to these 10 patient-centered elements to create positive reactions for all populations within a hospital. For healthcare institutions, this list can be used to start asking the right questions about your own healthcare project and how design decisions will affect your hospital. For patients, these 10 elements have the power to ensure a comfortable visit for patients and their families, faster healing and improved outcomes.

The post 10 Elements of the Perfect Hospital Design appeared first on Journal.

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Coastal homes hold their own magic. These houses by the ocean are made to bring us closer to beaches, waves and an endless horizon. Seaside landscapes are natural in Uruguay, a South American country where fertile lowlands run along over 400 miles of coastline. Bordered by Argentina, Brazil and the Río de la Plata, Uruguay’s rolling plains and low hill ranges open up to the Atlantic Ocean. In turn, its urban environments and architecture are strongly tied to the sea.

Drawing influences from the Charrúa people, the Portuguese and the Spanish, Uruguay is now a democratic constitutional republic. Regarded as one of the most socially advanced countries in Latin America, it features diverse cities and locations, from Montevideo and Salto to Punta del Este. Today, history and contemporary design culture come together through varied architectural styles. These is embodied in a range of private and collective housing projects. The following work showcases this idea and how new homes are inspired by the Atlantic coast.

Beach House by Martin Gomez Arquitectos, La Boyita, Uruguay

Punta del Este-based studio Martin Gomez Arquitectos completed this beach house in 2006. Overlooking the ocean, the project is made with warm wood interiors and incredible views from multiple sides. On the exterior, a subtle screen façade wraps the simple, rectangular volume to create visual separation from the more private areas of the house and the road access. The project focuses on floor-to-ceiling glass to embrace natural light and open up to the sea.

Casa Abierta by Rosario Talevi, Punta Rubia, Uruguay

As Rosario Talevi’s first project, Casa Abieta was designed for her mother. Located not far from La Pedrera, a seaside village in Rocha on the south east coast of Uruguay, the home is conceived as the assembly of two bodies: one that responds to the restrictions of the land and stretches along the lot’s entire 34m length, and one orientated to the south to provide shelter against southeast winds. Resting on a wooden structure elevated above the ground, the home has views over the surrounding landscape and to the sea.

House Architecture Rifa by Martinez Rudolph Architects, Punta del Este, Uruguay

This project was designed at the Facultad de Arquitectura, Universidad de la República, for the CEDA’s organized housing contest. The home was organized around the site, with two cement, paneled forms defining an in-between space that embraces the nearby pine forest and becomes the main public space of the house. Its section takes advantage of the topography, allowing the continuity of the interior spaces by its shapes and textures. Its asymmetric “H” typology outlines two outdoor patios, while the perforated and ventilated façade generates a passive conditioning system.

Follow Nature by Estudio Matias Sambarino Arquitecto, La Pedrera, Uruguay

In the Follow Nature project, Estudio Matias Sambarino Arquitecto designed the home so that natural elements of the surrounding context shape the building’s form. These external natural elements mold the layout to produce an adapted, versatile and energy efficient house in a temperate suburban area. While the basic structure is constructed in concrete, the house is mainly built with regional hard wood which was transformed manually. The project also utilizes recycled elements and a series of round, aluminum porthole windows.

Luna Llena House by Candida Tabet Arquitetura, Punta del Este, Uruguay

Designed as a holiday home in José Ignacio, Uruguay, the Luna Llena House was derived from the landscape. Inspired by Eladio Dieste and his brickwork, the team balanced this heavy material with a series of wood pergolas that create ever-changing shadows along the façades. Brick volumes define the four main functional areas that create the kitchen, dining room and suites. The home’s massing was made with tall openings to frame the landscape of the Pampas.

Riachuelo by ESTUDIO ZIP, Montevideo, Uruguay

This project is located in the coastal residential neighborhood of Punta Carretas, in Montevideo, Uruguay. It consists a ground floor with three residential levels. There is a total of nine residential units, four single level with private courtyards and five with their own roof terrace. The building was divided into two blocks, separated by horizontal and vertical gardens, and linked by light construction bridges which differentiate from the orthogonal fabric of new apartments in the neighborhood.

Siete Mares by Martin Gomez Arquitectos, Punta del Este, Uruguay

The Siete Mares home was designed as an seaside lodge that’s part of an eucalyptus forest near the Atlantic Ocean. Formed with a large concrete wall, the structure of the house is located on the first floor so that the upper levels could capture views of the ocean. The project has three independent suites, a living and dining area, and a series of decks and outdoor terraces. Siete Mares was made to bring people together around nature and Uruguay’s coastline.

La Pedrera Block House by Gualano + Gualano arquitectos, Montevideo, Uruguay

Designed to be a weekend house in La Pedrera, a little village along the Atlantic coast, this concrete block home was designed for systematized construction, easy mounting, and straightforward detailing. The project includes two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen, dining room, and an outdoor deck. As a sequence of programmatic  bands, the project is defined by geometry and program. This house is formed as a single abstract piece with a low wall that defines the vehicular and pedestrian entrance and embraces the tall eucalyptus trees on site.

Casa Marindia by MASA Arquitectos, Marindia, Uruguay

As Montevideo’s east urbanization has been spreading from Ciudad de la Costa up to the Canelones’ seashore, Casa Marindia was made between city and the coast. The natural landscape emerges in contrast with the geometry of the structure, and the house is made with simple forms within a rough environment. Merging nature and architecture, the team aimed to blur the edges and boundaries of the home. In turn, the facade behaves as a screen, a veil, which can be widely opened, inviting outside nature into the interior.

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The post Seaside Retreats: 8 Incredible Houses Along Uruguay’s Coast appeared first on Journal.

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Swiss art curator Klaus Littmann has transformed an Austrian soccer stadium into a native Central European forest. Using 300 trees and the help of landscape architect Enzo Enea, the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt is now Austria’s largest public art installation.

Image via UNIMO

Entitled, For Forest – The Unending Attraction of Nature, the project is Littmann’s realization of Austrian artist and architect Max Peintner’s The Unending Attraction of Nature, a dystopian drawing depicting a world where nature could only be exhibited in designated spaces, like animals in zoos. 

Max Peintner’s “The Unending Attraction of Nature”; image via Max Peintner

The work was originally created in 1971 and discovered by Littmann in the 80s, making For Forest decades in the making. However, the timing of its inception couldn’t be better. The installation, even when it was merely a pencil drawing, highlights the pressing issues of climate change and deforestation, phenomena currently at their zenith and the subjects of growing global discussions and activism. It aims to challenge our perception of nature and question its future as it’s transplanted into a completely abnormal context. For Forest allows us to physically experience a scenario where natural spaces only exist as objects in an exhibition. 

Overseen by Enea Landscape Architecture, a diverse range of tree species, such as Silver Birch, Alder, Aspen, White Willow, Hornbeam, Field Maple and Common Oak, have been carefully inserted atop the existing soccer field. The artificial forest will take on a life of its own, changing colors as the season turns and attracting wildlife. 

For Forest is currently open for viewing until October 27th. Under natural light or flood light, the forest will be in full display daily, allowing audiences to experience a unique and odd perspective of nature. After the installation concludes, the forest will be replanted on a public site of the same size near the stadium to remain as a living “forest sculpture”. A wooden pavilion will be constructed alongside the site and serve as an education hub for future visitors and students.

Image via UNIMO

Photography is by Gerhard Maurer unless otherwise stated.

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The post Klaus Littmann Has Converted an Austrian Soccer Stadium into a Forest appeared first on Journal.

The wait is finally over. The public votes have been counted and verified, and we’re thrilled to announce the 100 Finalists for the first ever One Drawing Challenge! Without further ado, click the button below to head to the gallery, and enjoy some seriously stunning architectural drawings:

View the 100 Finalists

Every one of these drawings will be published in the inaugural One Drawing Challenge eBook, an incredible visual feast of architectural storytelling. This publication will go live later this year and be shared throughout Architizer’s huge online community, so watch out for it!

The judging process is officially underway, with our stellar line up of expert jurors reviewing each drawing in minute detail. They will be judging the drawings based on the competition criteria to come up with their top drawings.

The jurors’ rankings will be converted into scores, which will then give us our two Top Winners and 10 Runners-up. As a reminder, the two Top Winners will receive:

– $2,500 cash prize
– iPad Pro
– Apple Pencil 2
– Procreate digital illustration software
– Luxury drawing sets from Sakura and Copic

10 Runners-Up will also receive Procreate software and drawing sets worth more than $200!

We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our first ever architectural drawing competition — thank you to everyone who entered! As we await the winners’ announcement, join in the hype by following the hashtag #OneDrawingChallenge on Instagram, and stay tuned for more exciting competitions from Architizer, soon to be revealed…

Take Me to the Drawings!

Top image: Memento Mori – A Peckham Hospice Carehome by Jerome Ng, Bartlett School of Architecture

The post One Drawing Challenge: Revealing the Top 100 Architectural Drawings appeared first on Journal.

SO&CO is pushing the boundaries, quite literally, with the creation of a 2.7-meter-wide office block in Tokyo. It’s been slotted into a narrow alley between two buildings and contains five minute, concrete workspaces. Named the Multi-Tenant Building, it’s situated on an L-shaped plot in Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most prominent shopping districts. 

It has a smooth, concrete façade that is unassuming due to its size and simplicity, yet bold in its divergence from the more conventional and drab buildings that surround the office. It can’t be missed, an ironic consequence that is characteristic of the prevalent compact dwellings scattered across the Japanese metropolis.

Therefore, the Multi-Tenant Building manifests SO&CO’s desire to create an “iconic building” that is representative of Ginza’s fashionable and attractive aesthetic. 

In order to maximize usable space within the confines of the site, SO&CO divided the building into two connected volumes, one that faces the street coupled with an enveloping, L-shaped structure.

The office’s entrance is demarcated by a narrow walkway that leads into a vestibule that evokes the character of the alley that’s been replaced. The concrete interior and wide windows on both sides highlight this illusion.

A bright circulation space lies at the heart of the structure connecting the two volumes through a four-story staircase. Lined with complimenting glass walls, this space also serves as a light well due to an overhead skylight.

As a result, each of the office spaces are able to receive ample amounts of natural light. The exposed concrete interiors of the offices contrast the light and airy stairwell, which serves to designate private and shared space. 

The central lightwell

Making the most out of an incredibly tight situation, SO&CO’s Multi-Tenant Building has efficiently carved out usable space. How enjoyable it actually is to be within the 2.7-meter-wide confines of this structure is another question.

Skinny buildings like this may only increase in number as cities around the world increase in density. In other words, let’s enjoy our leg room while we can.

All images via Takumi Ota 

The post Welcome to the World’s Thinnest Office Building appeared first on Journal.

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Australia is known for its coastline, one that can be lush and inviting while equally rugged and grandiose. With over 16,000 miles of coastline, it’s hardly a surprise that the country with the world’s best beaches has yielded some of the most beautiful beachside residences.

Consistently playing an important role in Australia’s architectural evolution, the continent’s topography and climate have guided its architecture to adopt robust and smart design. The incorporation of sturdy materials like iron, treated wood and concrete have become commonplace in modern homes, resulting in sleek designs that draw from a variety of international styles. There are a number of standout examples from the Architizer database, each of which illustrate the beauty of simplicity along the coastline of Oz:

Mermaid Beach Residence by B.E. Architecture, Gold Coast, Australia

The waterfront views in this home are about as good as they’ll get. The treated wood which sits alongside the stark concrete allow the home to feel sturdy against the elements, yet comfortable as a family home. The structure has been designed around a central, protected courtyard intended to shield the pool and outdoor space from heavy ocean winds.

Palm Beach Project by Alexander and Co., Palm Beach, Australia

The Palm Beach project seems to be the physical representation of sophistication meeting seaside escape. Only an hour north of Sydney, Palm Beach has long been the go-to location for Sydney-siders to escape to throughout the year. The hoe as a whole embodies typical Australian characteristics, while the particular attention to detail throughout the indoor and outdoor space give this sleek home added interest.

Gerroa House by BOURNE + BLUE ARCHITECTURE, Gerroa, Australia

The beachside town of Gerroa finds its heart through its proximity to Seven Mile Beach — on full display in the home’s rear panoramic view. The long, clean lines of the courtyard bring the eye towards the main living space and allow the owners to take full advantage of their vantage point over the ocean. Increasingly common in Australian Architecture, particular attention was paid to sustainable living practices. Hot water pump technology, thermal mass building materials and rainwater harvesting systems were all incorporated into the Gerroa House.

Blairgowrie Beach House by DX Architects, Victoria, Australia

The pale timber and iron detailing set against a canopy of trees gives the Blairgowrie Beach House a distinctly Australian feel. Situated on the Mornington Peninsula outside of Melbourne, the project expanded the living and bedrooms in the home.

Sorrento Beach House by AM Architecture, Sorrento, Australia

Situated on Victoria’s first settlement site dated back to 1803, Sorrento Beach House sits in stark comparison to the soft seaside landscape it looks over. Much like the Mermaid Beach Residence, the warm wood tones offset the hard lines of iron and concrete. The large transitional doors shield the home from the unpredictable weather which is characteristic of the area and the rooftop provides a prime and private sunbathing spot.

Architects: Showcase your next project through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

The post 5 Bold, Minimalist Beachside Homes in Australia appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Showcase your next project through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

A unique and fantastical way of expressing architecture has been developed by Rafał Barnaś through his upcoming movie, “ArchiPaper: A Surrealist Story About Architecture”. “ArchiPaper” presents an abstract world built out of moving paper cutouts.

It will tell the story of Polish Farm, a unique house currently under construction designed by Barnaś’ brother, who is an architect and the founder of BXB Studio. Through a combination of digital animation and photographs of a physical model of the house, Barnaś was able to bring the project to life and tell a surrealist story about architecture.

Physical models of Polish Farm used as the basis of the film; image via ronenbekerman.com

Rafał Barnaś is the owner of Unique Vision Studio, a company that specializes in audiovisual arts, architectural visualization, animation, and filmmaking. He was, thus, able to utilize his expertise to enliven his brother’s physical models and create this paper world that teems with life.

“ArchiPaper” is Barnaś’ attempt at using an alternative means of expression in describing architecture. Through its unconventionality, the film appears refreshing and immersive in how it communicates the delicate work of an architect and their project.

Barnaś’ film is set for release later this year.

Architects: Showcase your next project through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

The post ArchiPaper: An Enchanting Movie About an Architect and His Project appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Showcase your next project through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

Corrugated iron, for many of us, instantly evokes images of tattered barn roofs, bare industrial headquarters or stark Scandinavian homes. Rightly-so considering its seemingly exclusive use as a durable and practical building material. In the last decade there has been a rise in the use of corrugated iron in residential properties around the globe. Despite its unwavering use as a mass-produced building material, the stark nature of the material is now being seen as its appeal, rather than its drawback.

Dissimilar from cheap alternatives like aluminum and vinyl siding which seem to churn out ill-thought-out edifices before it’s too late, corrugated iron’s expanding market has been a largely slow and intentional one. The apprehension held by consumers in the residential market has created a sort of architectural bottleneck in the sense that there is only a certain collection of architects who are able to consistently satisfy consumer expectations.

On top of that, there are only a handful of consumers who are open to the idea of corrugated iron making up a part (or whole) of their new home. But corrugated iron has proven itself superior than other cheap building materials because of its unapologetic use as exactly what it is, rather than being used to mimic a more expensive material.

Corrugated iron huts, also known as Nissen Huts, being built in Bazentin, France, 1916. Photo courtesy of The Imperial War Museum, London, UK. © IWM (CH 1459)

In the early 20^th century newly built residential homes built of corrugated iron were scarce, but did exist after years of exhibitions demonstrated the versatility of the material. In the following decades you’d have better luck at a military outpost in Britain or France where rows of Nissen Huts made of corrugated iron sheets were erected during World War One and Two.

More efficient production allowed iron sheets in the former years of the industrial revolution to be mass produced and widely distributed from Britain. Defining events like the California and Australian Gold rushes and WWI and WWII accelerated the improvement and demand of cheap, durable materials that could be transported easily — corrugated iron fit the bill.

Fast forward into the 21^st Century and the incorporation of corrugated iron into residential properties isn’t so uncommon. Take award-winning architect Glenn Murcutt for example. Murcutt has made a name for himself across the world through his particular attention to the topography and climate of the regions he works in.

Corrugated iron’s ability to resist temperature change allows the interior of structures to remain cool even in extreme heat conditions, while its fire-proof quality only adds to the practicality of the material. Architects now realize, perhaps more than ever before, that the use of materials resistant to extreme and unpredictable weather conditions are just as important as sustainable ones.

Marie Short House by Glenn Murcutt, Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. Image via OZ.E.TECTURE.

Even with the expanding use of corrugated iron, the versatile building material has maintained its respected place in the world of mega-warehouses and modest barns. We’ve complied just a few projects which demonstrate the ingenuity arising from residential projects which have incorporated the stark material into attractive residential designs.

Iron Maiden House by CplusC Architectural Workshop, Longueville, Australia.

The delicate balance of wood and iron used throughout the Iron Maiden house design has given the hard lines of the exterior a satisfying texture. The vertically arranged wood planks at the entrance along with the uninterrupted sheets of corrugated iron draw the eye upward, while the rear of the house has used warm tile to offset the geometric iron structure.

Tsai Residence by HHF Architects, Ancram, NY, USA

Made up of four boxes connected by smaller passageways, the iron-clad design by HHF Architects sits in stark comparison to the lush greenery of upstate New York. Both the Tsai Residence and the accompanying guest house commissioned two years later show how simple architectural design is buttressed by simple materials.

Guest House, Tsai Residence by HHF Architects, Ancram, NY, USA

Shoreham House by Tim Spicer Architects, Shoreham, Australia

The Shoreham House was a successful effort to renovate a previously dysfunctional home into a well-landscaped, sustainable and overall practical re-design. The long sheets of iron siding complement the intricately landscaped and low-lying home while large double-glazed windows open-up the interior.

Cabin at Femunden by Aslak Haanshuus Architects, Femundsmarka National Park, Norway

Perched along the shores of Lake Femunden in southern Scandinavia, this captivating structure was originally two small log cabins. The now connected cabin now sits atop a cantilevering deck and is matched by a corrugated steel overhanging roof which has created a protected outdoor space (translucent panels have also been added in some areas to maximize light inside the cabin). The challenge of the project was making the “traditional construction work with and create a dialogue with the presicion of the corrugated iron.”

Seal Rocks House by BOURNE + BLUE Architecture, Forster, Australia

The Seal Rocks House Two sits among the trees just south of the coastal town of Forster Australia. The simple structure mimics the retro feel of the early years of modern architecture yet represents many of the simple architectural methods which dominate this part of the country.

Inland House by Gerrad Hall Architects, Mangawhai, New Zealand

The concept of the Inland House was ‘modern farmhouse’ which seems fitting for its location, tucked away in a valley in Auckland, NZ. The corrugated iron siding was chosen exclusively for the tallest portion of the three structures and balances a sleek look with rustic materials.

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The post Show Your Metal: Corrugated Iron Is Moving into the Residential Market appeared first on Journal.