aesthetics architects go group: minister of municipal affairs & agriculture building, doha, qatar

minister of municipal affairs & agriculture building, doha, qatar by aesthetics architects go group
image courtesy aesthetics architects go group

bangkok based aesthetics architects go group have designed the minister
of municipal affairs & agriculture (MMAA) new office building in doha qatar,
also known as the cactus project.

the building's design draws its inspiration from the ability of cacti thriving
in a desert. the energy efficient structure features sunshade panels that open
and close according to the sun's intensity, as well as a botanic dome adding
to its green rating.

the high-rise building follows the innovative approach to sustainable architecture
that the firm is recognized for.

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canon neoreal 'prism liquid' by akihisa hirata and kyota takahashi

japanese artist kyota takahashi and architect akihisa hirata collaborated on 'prism liquid',canon's neoreal installation at milan design week 2010.
the space is structured as a polyhedron, which glows in various prism-like colors.
the lights flicker and move just as if water was flowing, changing their shape several times.
two opposite concepts - static and dynamic, concrete and abstract, input and output -
coexist in one world. the polyhedral screens are arranged in a sprial that is connected three-dimensionally,
in which a world of new images comes to life through the colorful lights created by takahashi
which are projected onto the larger-than-life construction (almost 6 m high, 8 m wide, 40 m deep)
by akihisa hirata. the technical details behind the installation are possible through canon digital
imaging technologies. the images which are seen have been taken with a digital single lens reflex
camera and are projected in many colors, through 21 projectors on several polyhedral screens.

the idea behind the installation originated from the projectors themselves.
a bunch of light beams generated by these machines as the capacity to give birth to an 'invisible'
pyramid-shaped space. the images break up into small pieces of bright color, similar to that of a puzzle,
becoming abstract visions. the pieces come together, assembled three-dimensionally, like an origami
sculpture, enhanced by the digital imaging technology and primitive color variations and dynamic
movement of the lights and images.

'I wanted to express the idea of 'input to output' as simply and directly as possible.
without using any computer graphics, elaborating the images, the brightness, and the projection method,
I decided to try and extract the maximum appeal a picture can have. then I tried to express -
in a single world - concepts such as 2D / 3D, concrete / abstract, static / dynamic -
which are usually difficult to capture because of their binomial characteristics. these images begin
with horizontal wide screens found at the back of the space. the images in this section are projected
simultaneously with five single-lens reflect cameras which have animation shooting functions;
using these images I managed to create a panoramic world of extremely realistic, vivid, digital images,
just like an 'emakimon' (picture scrolls). then I installed the vision scroller* and created the conditions
for those visiting the booth to taste the sense of interactivity and liveliness by themselves,
by experiencing the images on their own.' - KT

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16A: TSMmuseum

tokyo-based 16A architecture studio finds inspiration in the mountains and the clouds for the TSMmuseum.
the project features a two-story volume mounted on a series of irregular plinths, suspending the building
like a cloud. the plinths themselves sit atop a raised mound on the ground which holds the museum’s storage, office and library facilities in addition to a cafe. this mound is inspired by the formation of mount
fuji as found in japanese woodblock prints of hokusai. the raised volume above features a zig-zag like
design that opens the space up to the park around it. the massive length of glass surrounding it, keeps he
space light, floating like a cloud.

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apollo architects: tepe

'tepe' by apollo architects
all images courtesy apollo architects


built on a hill, in higashikurume city, tokyo is 'tepe' (turkish for hill) by japanese apollo architects.
the private residence was designed for a family and to provide enough room for guests.

the main entrance faces the road, where parking has been incorporated under the main structure
and access is through a side staircase.

the view from the living and dining rooms provides views of gardens and neighboring areas.
the effect of gradual steps separates the living and dining area and clearly defines each space.
the ground floor is open and the second floor consists of a courtyard surrounded by bedrooms.

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Studio Gang Reveals Eco-Friendly Solstice On The Park Building For Chicago

Today we found out some interesting facts. Did you know that the best angle for glass to keep an apartment warm in the winter and cooler in the summer is 71 degrees? Find out that Studio Gang architects have designed an entire building based on that perfect angle.
The team is trying to make the most energy-efficient and beautiful building ever made, and it will be aiming for LEED Silver certification with a host of other eco features. Solstice on the Park will have 26 stories and 145 apartments upon completion.
Each living space is chiseled to create a self-shaded south-facing surface to keep the sun out in the summer, reducing air conditioning costs and energy-usage. During the winter, the glass allows sun to enter the apartments for passive solar warming, decreasing the need for artificial heating. The building is divided into 145 dwellings, outdoor gardens, a party room, offices, conference spaces and a parking lot.

Solstice On The Park

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China Is Building A Giant Flower-Shaped Stadium

Everybody knows that China has all be best gadgets and recently they’ve just gone supersize. Construction has already started on what will be the biggest sports park in all of China. It will be Olympic-sized and inspired by the local flora on the banks of Hangzhou’s West Lake. The 400.000 sq meter flower is designed by NBBJ and CCDI and the seeds were planted way back in December, with the full blossoming being expected in 2013.

The sport park is located opposite the city’s new Central Business District and is designed to be a sustainable public park surrounded by the entire city’s fast developing urban landscape. Among the joys it will bring to everyone we can find an open space, retail spaces, community playing fields, tennis courts and walking trails.

Exact details are not yet clear, with Robert Mankin AIA, LEED AP, principal and sports practice director at NBBJ saying that this project is a transformational one, which redefines sustainable design in sport centers in all of Asia. It takes an important step in environmental awareness and the people of Hangzhou should be appreciated for their innovative view on things.

Hangzhou-Sports-Park-1

Hangzhou-Sports-Park-2

Hangzhou-Sports-Park-3

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Eco Lusial Iconic Stadium May Enhance Qatar’s Chances To Host World Cup In 2022

The beautiful city of Qatar is hoping to host the World Cup in 2022, and they got an ace up they’re sleeves, because they allied with Foster + Partners to build an astonishing energy-efficient world-class football stadium.
This project is called the Lusial Iconic Stadium and it will be built to seat over 86,000 spectators. The construction will begin in the capital city of Doha, and it will be adapted for the extreme summer conditions. The canopies surrounding the stadium will generate solar power.
We think that this stadium will enhance Qatar’s chances to win the bid and host the World Cup in 2022, and the problem is that they have serious competition including Australia, South Korea, the United States, England, Japan, Russia, Spain and Portugal, and Belgium and The Netherlands.
Lusial Iconic Stadium will have a saddle-shaped roof that will create the illusion that it floats above the concrete bowl featuring a retractable canopy that can open or close by a push of a button. The project will include access roads and a new metro line to ensure that anyone can quickly get to it.

Lusial Iconic Stadium Outside View

Lusial 

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Nuvist Offers An Artistic Solution For The Izmir Opera House0

The design Nuvist Architecture and Design have for Izmir Opera House is revolutionary. It fits very well with the purpose of the building. A structure that is made for art and cultural ideas should have the same aspect, and the designers achieved it with this concept.
In a combination between past and present the structure should integrate both. And we have to take notice about the different cultures that live side by side in the city.
The nature appears to integrate very well in the landscape. Having fine curves the building seems to be a hill that rises from the earth. Trees will be planted on some parts of the roof.

Izmir Opera House

It could also have (we hope for this to happen) some photovoltaic panels adding to its big consumption (by the size of it we are sure the electric bill will be huge) some eco energy. Why don’t let what nature already offered us, give a hand.
We don’t know if the project has been selected or what is the launch date, but we are sure it will be a marvel of engineering.

Izmir Opera House

Izmir Opera House

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Zaha Hadid Architects Unveils Nassim Villas Designs For Singapore

The well known firm Zaha Hadid Architects just managed to release a new outstanding project, some luxurious garden-filled homes called Nassim Villas. These modern structures are tied together into the landscape through a series of terraces and ramps.
The designers built an innovative cantilever by extending the topography into the sky while reducing sun exposure at the western façade and doubling as a rooftop terrace.
The new buildings have a curvy and glossy design, and seems to blend perfectly into the greenery that surrounds them. The meandering paths and ramps that connect the spaces dip down to a garage at the lowest level and then up to a peaceful pool and finally to the homes themselves.
The interiors have the same fluid lines that the exteriors do, and have sloped floor to ceiling windows for daylight. Just like the curvy levels outside, some rooms within the home dip down to create nooks for other rooms. Fiber-reinforced plastic and Corian are some of the materials being considered for the interior elements and glazing.

Nassim Villas

Nassim 

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