The Gustav Heinemann Comprehensive School in Essen features a carefully considered architectural design that integrates well with its surroundings. The building volume is divided into distinct sections, allowing for clearly defined outdoor spaces on the school campus. By offsetting the individual building sections, the school blends seamlessly into the urban context while creating a prominent entrance zone.

Interior Layout and Functionality

Continuing the clarity of its exterior structure, the interior of the school is thoughtfully organized to reflect its functional requirements. Theme-based rooms are grouped into building units, interconnected via a central circulation axis. The two-storey forum serves as a versatile and communicative space, functioning as the heart of the school. Surrounding the forum are communal areas such as the school hall and library, enhancing the southern part of the building dedicated to shared activities.

Clusters and Learning Spaces

The architectural dominance of the clusters, known as “year group or learning houses,” is evident along the school boulevard. These clusters house classrooms and informal learning areas, grouped around courtyards to ensure ample daylight and clear orientation. Group rooms at the center of each cluster facilitate various forms of learning, promoting collaborative activities and individual study.

Exterior Design and Sustainability

Externally, the school boasts a robust masonry facade made of light-colored, whitewashed facing bricks, providing a uniform and calming appearance. Large window elements in wood-aluminium construction adorn the upper-floor facades, enhancing natural light and ventilation. Internally, wood-based materials contribute to a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Sustainability and Certification

Built to passive house standards, the school surpasses the requirements of the 2016 German Energy Saving Ordinance by 20%. The certification process according to the Assessment System for Sustainable Building (BNB) aims to achieve a BNB Silver certification, considering factors such as energy efficiency, ecology, economic viability, and architectural quality. The result is an energy-efficient, sustainable building designed with careful consideration for all phases of development.

Situated in Accord, NY, the Gray Niva Pool House stands as a versatile sanctuary designed for year-round enjoyment, offering a space for play, swimming, exercise, and relaxation. Although technically classified as a natatorium, this structure blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor pool environments, seamlessly integrating with its surrounding landscape.

Design and Features

The pool and its surrounding space are designed to be welcoming and functional regardless of the season, with gracious openings that connect the interior space with the landscape. Two large elliptical skylights and a south-facing glass door flood the area with natural light, creating a holistic connection between the indoor and outdoor environments. During colder months, the enclosed pool and deck benefit from light through the skylights and glass wall, while in warmer seasons, the south wall opens up to extend the deck outdoors, forming an indoor/outdoor solarium.

Outdoor Amenities

In addition to the expansive south deck, the Gray Niva Pool House features an east-facing terrace equipped with a teak-covered wall, bench seating, and a steel wood-burning grill. The directionally angled roof provides ample shade throughout the day and offers sweeping views of the aerated pond on the property. Furthermore, amenities such as a bathroom, changing area, double interior showers, a bar space, and an equipment room enhance the overall experience.

Sustainable Design

Embracing green design principles, the natatorium incorporates a geothermal hydronic system and a reclaiming hydronic dehumidifying system to efficiently heat and cool the space and the pool. The architectural details are meticulously planned to minimize environmental impact, with strategically oriented openings and roofs optimizing natural light and heat, and maximizing airflow through cross-ventilation. Additionally, super-insulated walls and roofs ensure optimal temperature retention, further reducing energy consumption.

In conclusion, the Gray Niva Pool House exemplifies a harmonious blend of architectural innovation and environmental sustainability, providing a tranquil retreat for year-round enjoyment while minimizing its ecological footprint. Through thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail, this sanctuary offers a seamless connection between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity, making it a truly exceptional space for relaxation and recreation.

The Garden House, conceived by Al Borde, embodies the philosophy of its owner, José, who is deeply connected to ecology and views himself as an integral part of nature. Inspired by this ethos, the house blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, integrating elements seamlessly into its surroundings and transforming the garden into a vital component of its design.

Rethinking Comfort Standards

Jose challenges conventional notions of comfort within the Garden House. In this unconventional dwelling, daily activities such as transitioning from bed to bathroom or showering occur outdoors, fostering a symbiotic relationship between inhabitants and nature. The lines between garden and house blur, creating a unique living experience where nature permeates every aspect of daily life.

Vernacular Architecture Lessons

Drawing from vernacular architecture principles, the Garden House harmonizes with its natural setting. The structure, constructed from bamboo, embodies the vitality of the garden, with the greenhouse shower serving as a prime example. Supported by Lechero poles and covered with polycarbonate, this innovative feature blurs the distinction between indoors and outdoors, exemplifying the fusion of architecture and nature.

Integrating Natural Elements

For Jose, even private rituals like using the restroom become intimate interactions with nature. Glass enclosures surrounded by Lechero trees provide privacy while maintaining a connection to the outdoors. The trees, strategically planted and nurtured, contribute to the house’s ecosystem, enhancing its overall sustainability.

Sustainable Practices and Permaculture

The Garden House incorporates sustainable practices at every turn. José’s permaculture system, meticulously developed and implemented, ensures minimal environmental impact. From filtering black water with red worms to cultivating fruit trees with filtered gray water, every aspect of the house’s ecosystem contributes to its self-sufficiency and ecological balance.

A Harmonious Union of Architecture and Environment

In essence, the Garden House exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of architecture and the natural world. Through thoughtful design and sustainable practices, it not only provides shelter but also fosters a deep connection to nature. By challenging conventional comfort standards and embracing ecological principles, the Garden House emerges as a testament to the beauty and resilience of living in harmony with the environment.

The Floating Bamboo House, designed by H&P Architects, presents a novel housing solution tailored to Vietnamese communities whose lives revolve around river-based livelihoods, particularly those residing in the Mekong Delta. This innovative dwelling represents a departure from traditional housing models, offering a resilient and sustainable living space that adapts to the challenges posed by its environment.

Construction and Design Features

The core structure of the Floating Bamboo House comprises solid cored bamboo, meticulously joined together using simple latches and ties. The house is enveloped with lightweight materials, including compressed weaved bamboo sheets, leaves, corrugated iron, and bamboo screens. Its expansive roof not only collects rainwater but also harnesses solar energy, enhancing its self-sufficiency.

Flexibility and Resilience

Flexibility is a key aspect of the Floating Bamboo House’s design. The door systems can open and close flexibly, ensuring the house remains sturdy during adverse weather conditions while imbuing it with a distinctive aesthetic akin to flowers amidst floating waters. Plastic drum systems tethered to the floor beneath enable the house to remain afloat on water.

Functionality and Adaptability

With a square ground plan of 6m x 6m and two levels, the Floating Bamboo House offers functional living spaces that can be expanded as needed. Removing the second-floor panels transforms the house into a more spacious communal area, reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese gathering places such as the Rông house and Đình pavilion.

Future Prospects and Climate Resilience

Looking ahead, the Floating Bamboo House paves the way for the development of peaceful floating communities, interconnected by floating playing grounds, vegetable-growing rafts, and fish-raising areas. In a country heavily impacted by climate change, this innovative housing model offers a promising alternative for vulnerable communities to adapt to rising sea levels and secure stable and safe accommodations.

In conclusion, the Floating Bamboo House exemplifies sustainable architecture that addresses the pressing challenges of climate change while meeting the needs of river-based communities in Vietnam. As the country braces for the impacts of climate change, this resilient housing solution emerges as a beacon of hope for millions of individuals seeking refuge from environmental uncertainty.

The design of the “Finally a Court House” by Spacecraft Architects is centered around the concept of a courtyard, influenced by Wellington’s constant wind patterns and the desire to provide sheltered outdoor space. The house features a blank exterior with high insulation, except for the north-facing wall which allows winter sun to pass through onto an insulated concrete slab, facilitating passive solar heating. All rooms within the house open up to the central courtyard, offering ample daylight and natural ventilation.

Sustainable Construction and Thermal Efficiency

Constructed on a thermally broken natural concrete slab, the house employs thicker wall framing to enhance thermal insulation. Exterior walls are clad in economical and fireproof fiber-cement sheets, while the walls facing the courtyard are adorned with locally sourced untreated Heart Macrocarpa. Corrugated polycarbonate sheets serve as exterior screens/roof, shielding the courtyard from wind while permitting sunlight into the garden.

Energy-Efficient Features

Windows throughout the house are powder-coated aluminum with clear double-glazed units, strategically oriented north and west to harness winter sunlight for warmth. Natural ventilation is facilitated by large doors opening onto the courtyard, eliminating the need for artificial cooling. Additionally, a skylight in the bathroom allows for easy ventilation and steam removal.

Winter Comfort and Heating Solutions

During winter, the living room and bedroom concrete slabs benefit from direct sunlight, effectively captured by the high levels of insulation. A small combustion wood fireplace in the living room serves as both a heater and stove, contributing to the cozy ambiance. Hot water is supplied by an instant gas system located within close proximity to plumbing fixtures, ensuring efficiency.

Lighting and Sustainability Measures

The house features low-energy LED lighting with ceramic light shades designed by the architects, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency throughout the space. This conscious approach to lighting design further enhances the eco-friendly features of the “Finally a Court House.”

In essence, Spacecraft Architects have succeeded in creating a sustainable and energy-efficient residential space that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, offering comfort and functionality while minimizing environmental impact.

The most striking aspect of the Essenza Residential Building is its facade’s three-dimensionality, achieved through geometric rips in the concrete, resembling bodily reactions or blisters. These geometric cuts create an illusion of undulation and movement, particularly noticeable on the facade facing the park, where larger openings and a subtler protrusion effect are observed.

Integration with the Surrounding Environment

The design of the building ensures optimal utilization of park views while maintaining conceptual integrity. The geometric patterns on the facade, complemented by golden aluminum frames, add a touch of sophistication. Moreover, the vegetation in the planters enhances the facade’s aesthetic appeal, blending harmoniously with the building’s white-toned exterior.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Essenza prioritizes sustainability and energy efficiency. Solar panels are utilized for centralized water heating, with excess energy redirected to heat the fifth-floor pools, minimizing wastage. Additionally, ventilation systems and condensing boilers contribute to a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Luxury and Comfort Features

Technology and luxury finishes converge to provide maximum comfort to residents. Home automation systems, radiant floor heating in circulation spaces and living areas, and Carrara marble in bathrooms exemplify the fusion of luxury and functionality. The marble, sourced directly from Carrara and processed in Portugal, adds a touch of elegance to the interiors.

Aesthetic Harmony

Aesthetic harmony is paramount in Essenza’s design. Golden flower boxes adorn the facade, creating a vibrant contrast with the concrete and infusing the building with natural charm. This emphasis on aesthetic balance enhances the overall visual appeal of the structure.

Contribution to Urban Landscape

Essenza Residential Building seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, contributing to the architectural and constructive enhancement of the area. By embracing its proximity to the park, Essenza fosters a symbiotic relationship between architecture and nature, enriching the urban landscape.

In conclusion, Essenza Residential Building stands as a testament to architectural innovation, sustainability, and luxury, offering residents a harmonious blend of modernity and natural beauty.

The Esment Inca Building is conceived as a vast container intricately filtering natural light to gradually sculpt interior spaces intimately linked with the exterior. This symbiotic relationship between interior and exterior serves as the cornerstone of the project’s conception.

Enveloping Skin

A paramount objective of the design is to establish a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. To achieve this, the building is enveloped in a skin that not only fosters spatial connectivity but also blurs the boundaries between the interior and exterior realms.

Architectural Layout

Longitudinally arranged along the site’s longest facade, the building features three above-ground floors and one below-ground level. A deliberate gap between the main structure and the dividing wall accommodates essential communication elements, such as the vehicle ramp and vertical access points.

Functional Zoning

Each floor of the building is meticulously programmed to cater to specific activities while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding environment. From production spaces and restaurants on the ground floor to private residences on the upper levels, the design promotes community interaction across diverse areas.

Inclusive Design Philosophy

As the building is owned by the Fundació Amadip Esment, dedicated to individuals with intellectual disabilities, inclusivity is a guiding principle. Spaces are tailored to accommodate users’ needs while fostering integration with the broader community through shared facilities and services.

Sustainable Features

The building incorporates various sustainable features, including a photovoltaic panel installation for self-consumption and a heat recovery system for water heating. Furthermore, the design prioritizes natural ventilation and minimizes air-conditioned spaces, thus reducing the overall carbon footprint.

Materiality and Aesthetic

The architectural expression emphasizes solidity at the ground level, with exposed reinforced concrete, while subsequent floors exude lightness through visible slabs and lattices. Locally sourced materials, such as fired clay from Majorca and Accoya wood, not only enhance aesthetics but also minimize maintenance requirements.

Conclusion: A Harmonious Blend of Form and Function

The Esment Inca Building stands as a testament to the seamless integration of architectural form with functional pragmatism. From its fluid interior-exterior relationship to its sustainable design features, every aspect of the building reflects a meticulous balance between aesthetics, functionality, and inclusivity.

In the genesis of the creative process, metaphors often weave seamlessly into the essence of its realization. Such is the case with House EP 02, where metaphors subtly intertwine, offering an intuitive experience for users. Unbeknownst to many, the alignment of planes landing in perfect synchrony from the balcony mirrors the trajectory of stars on the horizon, a poetic nod to the Guadalajara international airport’s landing track, approximately 10 km away.

Architectural Composition and Layout

Spanning 340 m2 within the El Palomar private neighborhood in Tlajomulco de Zuñiga, Jalisco, House EP 02 boasts a two-story structure characterized by three distinct “boxes” harboring varied proportions, materials, and programs. Strategically stacked and oriented, these elements forge a functional, practical, and aesthetically pleasing abode. The ground floor, housing service rooms, provides the foundational support for the upper private bedrooms module.

Harmonizing with the Landscape

Positioned atop one of the city’s highest hills, the house seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings. The second module, resting organically on the ground, capitalizes on the site’s natural slopes. Linked by a terrace connector space, the upper modules offer panoramic views of Guadalajara, epitomizing urban grandeur.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Designed as a permanent residence for an elderly couple, the house prioritizes accessibility. Vehicular and pedestrian ramps facilitate easy access without compromising architectural integrity. Sustainability echoes throughout the design, evidenced by a water management system comprising a biodigester, filters, and irrigation, ensuring efficient water usage and minimal environmental impact.

Embracing Natural Elements

A testament to environmental respect, the front patio incorporates a fragment of the site’s volcanic history—a striking obsidian rock embedded in the retaining wall. This homage to the land’s preexistence underscores the integration of natural elements into the architectural narrative, fostering a symbiotic relationship with the environment.

Conclusion: A Poetic Fusion of Design and Nature

House EP 02 epitomizes the poetic fusion of design ingenuity and environmental consciousness. From metaphorical alignments to sustainable practices, every facet of the house reflects a harmonious coexistence with its surroundings, offering residents not just a home, but an immersive experience deeply rooted in nature and metaphor.

For over a century, the Columbia Congregational Church served as a cornerstone in Rainier Valley, fostering community and economic growth. After its closure in 1993, the building changed hands multiple times before becoming vacant in 2012, presenting a challenge for redevelopment due to its historical significance and zoning restrictions.

A Vision for Renewal

In 2014, Allied8 embarked on a mission to rejuvenate this iconic structure, collaborating closely with the client to navigate regulatory hurdles and maximize the building’s potential. Recognizing the importance of preserving the exterior massing, our team devised an innovative strategy to increase the interior floor area while maintaining the building’s curbside presence.

Integrating Design and Planning

Through meticulous planning and creative design, Allied8 successfully revised the master use permit and implemented an adaptive reuse concept, expanding the total floor area by 28%. This expansion enabled the developer to enhance the building’s facade and introduce a public plaza, enriching the community space and cultural offerings.

Embracing Heritage and Individuality

Inspired by the Abbey’s rich history, each apartment was crafted with unique architectural features, paying homage to the building’s past while offering residents a personalized living experience. From exposed rafters to original brick walls, every unit exudes character and charm, fostering a deeper connection to the neighborhood’s heritage.

Sustainable Revitalization

Incorporating sustainable practices, Allied8 prioritized the preservation of the Abbey’s structural integrity, ensuring its longevity for future generations. By repurposing original materials and prioritizing energy-efficient solutions, the project achieved significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact, securing the Abbey’s legacy for another century.

A Testament to Success

After years of neglect and failed redevelopment attempts, Columbia City Abbey Apartments now stand as a beacon of success, blending historic preservation with modern living. Through Allied8’s dedication and vision, the Abbey has been revitalized, enriching the community and preserving its cultural heritage for generations to come.

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) stands as a beacon of hope amidst the global energy crisis, offering a viable alternative in many nations. At the Nong Fab LNG Receiving Terminal, architectural innovation converges with environmental consciousness to educate visitors on the significance, production process, and benefits of LNG.

Architectural Concept: Emulating the LNG Tank

Central to the architectural narrative is the emulation of the LNG tank’s unique environment within the main office space. Mimicking the diameter and shape of the LNG tank, the design fosters an immersive experience, bridging the gap between infrastructure and architecture. Natural landscaping, including a green roof cascading to ground level, seamlessly integrates the structure with its surroundings.

Harnessing By-Product Energy for Sustainability

The terminal harnesses by-product cold energy from the LNG regasification process, repurposing it to regulate internal temperatures. This innovative approach not only ensures energy efficiency but also facilitates the cultivation of cold climate flora year-round, enhancing biodiversity and ecological sustainability.

Environmental Integration and Restoration

Externally, the terminal harmonizes with its ecosystem, preserving the original wetland environment and native Hymenocardia trees. Efforts to restore the damaged wetland include recreating natural water flow systems and establishing a large pond for water catchment, rejuvenating the ecosystem and promoting environmental resilience.

Conclusion: A Nexus of Energy Education and Environmental Stewardship

The Nong Fab LNG Receiving Terminal stands as a testament to the fusion of architectural ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Beyond its functional role in LNG reception, the terminal serves as an educational hub, enlightening visitors on the pivotal role of LNG in the global energy landscape while exemplifying sustainable design principles in action.