© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

The two levels give place to one, through the “folding up” of the entrance level. The new volume releases itself from the ground, as a business card for anyone who enters. Suspended over the void, it directs people to the entrance, which is made to the North over the void that gives access to the parking lot.

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

The rotation of the upper volume translates, on the base level, a negative that directly exposes the parking lot, allowing construction to mix with a green protection area. The building is intimately connected with its natural surroundings, taking advantage of it as a barrier against external agents.

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

In terms of materials, the solution is as restrained as possible to ensure the sobriety of the whole. Therefore, a limited range of materials is introduced in order to emphasize the formal clearance required: white spread surfaces and screen-printed glass are assumed as predominant materials.

Within the site’s demise, the design will seek to articulate, complement and integrate, as necessary, the new Convention Centre with both, the Exhibition Centre and the Bogotá Water and Sewage Company Buildings. This can be achieved in various levels, which will range from the association/affiliation of its relevant programmatic areas to the integration of its public and green spaces.

A redefinition of the ground mass as a continuous landscape that seamlessly weaves between the different site components can create a cohesive network of fully integrated facilities.

The proposal explores the potential of different visual fields within and around the site in an attempt to maximize the openness and therefore its perceptive scale without limiting the openness of the site.

This is attained by drawing visual fields from strategic locations towards the ‘cerros orientales’ (eastern mountains) and the Sanctuaries of Monserrate and Guadalupe, key landmarks of Bogotá, serving not only as an orientation device to the visitors, but fundamentally providing strong references to the city from critical corners of the proposal. The incorporation of a virtual topography provides a zoning plan where the floor area ratio can be increased without limiting the openness of the site.It is the aim of our proposal for the new Convention Centre to create strong links with the surrounding context, which can then be translated into synergies for the development and the area. The close proximity of new infrastructures such as the Water & Sewage Company, the redeveloped Corferias campus and the car park buildings present the area with a unique opportunity for the creation of an important civic hub consisting of a series of public spaces with the potential to thrive as a new centrality for the city.

With this in mind, the proposal plans to exploit two main axes: the relationship between the new Centre and the Water Plaza and the connection between the car park and Corferias. The symbiotic relationship between the BICC, the Water Plaza and Corferias, drives and determines the arrangement of the building mass. By shifting it towards the Carrera 40, the building opens up towards the EAAB building’s podium, placing the public space at its core and providing a strong spatially integrated civic space by complementing the Water Plaza with an area where community events can be staged at. The integration and consolidation of this space opens plenty of possibilities for setting-up entertainment activities, which can complement the exhibition and cultural uses.

By elevating this public space, the proposal addresses the other main axis of connectivity that are presented by the car park building and Corferias, giving way to a covered podium or plaza that is further articulated by reaching out to Carrera 40, as a focal point for pedestrian access, and inserting public programme at the roof by means of a roof terrace and a café / bar. The space created allows for multiple threads of pedestrian movements to be pulled through the site and buildable area, effectively composing an interface of movements-paths that carve into the building mass.

Basis for the composition of the complex is the emblem of Azerbaijan with an eight-pointed star on a shield, painted in national colors – blue, red and green. The architects presented the eight-pointed star as a 3D structure based on Vladimir Shukhov’s system of crossing rods. The star is turned to the sky and raised off the ground, so it becomes a giant observation platform. There is a staircase leading to each ray, consisting of 8 flights and the space among the platform and stairs is glassed. This creates the image of a star growing into the slope with interlaced crystal blades. Such composition adds an incredible dynamic to the entire construction: it seems that the dance of stairs will break the law of attraction in a little while.

The inner space of the complex is arranged around the panoramic elevator shaft, penetrating the “star” exactly in the center and leading to the observation platform. The platform is a system of tracks along the perimeter of the rays and the central atrium with an elevator. In addition, within the complex there is the 2 level Azerbaijan Independence Museum, and the underground level houses souvenir shops and cafes for visitors. Text by: Anna Gerasimenko

© Pierre Soulard

© Pierre Soulard

© Pierre Soulard

The different materials and inclined planes create a particular atmosphere using all the senses, helped by giant screens: walls and sloping floor modify the perception of space. Located at the back of the restaurant, dogs’ room is visible for the customers and mostly to provide a link between the dog and his owner.

© Pierre Soulard

© Pierre Soulard

Special thanks to v2com.biz

The main idea of the building is offering flexibility in its functions. Not only by combining apartments, offices and a commercial area within a single complex, but also providing a structure that allows individual units to be easily adapted from offices to apartments or vice-versa, adapting to the future needs of the building and the city. As a plus, the residential areas offer in some cases double height spaces and, in others, roof gardens.

In the office area, the striking feature is its central terrace that can be used both as an outdoor extension of the office in summer and also a social area for clients and the workers of the different companies installed in the building.  For the commercial areas, installed in direct connection with the central plaza, the design reflects a careful creation of diverse spaces, reminiscent of the lively old town, with the advantage of developing synergies between living, working and shopping. The crucial idea is to reinforce the spirit of urban lifestyle, where living, working and leisure are blended into a major urban area, creating a real regeneration within the city of Linz.

For the headquarters of the Wimmer Medien, the main company to be installed in the building, the program is distributed on three levels and organized around two atriums. The idea behind is to maximize integration and communication between all parts of the building. The newsroom is symbolically the inner core of the project, once it is the main activity of this company. The result is an impressive space and high quality working areas.

Project name: Wimmer Medien Linz
Area: 33 600 m² GFA
Main Materials: Concrete, glass, stone
Renderings: MISS3

© Thomas Mayer

10 of the 65 floors are below ground and 55 floors are above the ground where the street level entrance from the main street is to the shopping area after a small plaza. The residential units have their private entrances. With the antenna the construction is 261-metre high. The two top floors are reserved for the café and simulation hall where one may experience Istanbul in 3-D, and at the very top the observation deck is open to public.

Being the highest structure in Maslak, Istanbul Sapphire claims a new way of life relying on the opportunities of contemporary architectural and urban manner, respecting the environmental values of the world.The building is basically a concrete structure supported by steel elements. The thin building form is supported by the two cores at the narrow ends. In different levels of the building, there are residences of different sizes with a private terrace or garden; the building is planned as 4 separate housing zones, and in the 4 common areas between the sections; there are various social areas and indoor gardens for the residents of the building: these buffer zones also house the maintenance and support facilities and the mechanical systems of the building.

© Helene Binet

© Thomas Mayer

The 4-meter (gross/net 3.40) high ceilings and floor-to ceiling transparent glass windows benefiting the panoramas to the most, grant ample volumes and optimum daylight. All apartments either have balconies or large decks and gardens; 360 degree spectacle panoramas include the Bosporus, the forest views and the cityscape at the highest point of the city. The building façade consists of two independent shells. The interiors are protected from adverse weather conditions and noise on account of the outer shell. This transparent shell also creates a buffer zone between the indoor area and the outside, and has a positive effect on structural solutions. Most originally, the space created between the two shells is used as gardens and terraces of each apartment; every three floor is a component with a garden floor and two floors overlooking the gardens, around the atrium there are 9 or fewer apartments depending on the size of each unit.

The garden zone is naturally ventilated though the louvers taking the air in (at lower lever) and out (at top). The louvers automatically open and close according to weather conditions; the interior temperature is always almost equal to the exterior temperature. Although there is a restriction for balconies above the 11th storey, due to the double façade application, the interior gardens protected by the outer shell provide a unique experiment of being in your private garden in a skyscraper.  Living in a tower, yet the feeling is sharing a 3-floor house with close neighbors like in country side or in a traditional Istanbul house.

Environmental friendly systems of the construction grant low energy consumption. The double façade itself provides a 25-30% saving in air conditioning. Furthermore, the green areas, namely the indoor gardens at various levels, offer a natural and a warm setting for those living at higher levels as well. Besides the inner gardens, every ninth floor recreation areas, such as a mini golf course at 187 meters with a great Bosporus view or a swimming pool overlooking the woods of Istanbul, are programmed.

© Thomas Mayer

On the city’s new central business district, alongside the corporate skyscrapers, there are the escalating residential towers. The people who are moving back from gated communities in the outlying suburbs demanded a City life back in the core of the metropolis. For the last five years, Büyükdere region has started to regain its allure by alternative residential developments. Joining the developing elegant and contemporary  neighborhood in the booming region, the 261-meter hi-technology Tower possesses a smart cityscape; at the same time its elegant and transparent the structure contributes to the image of the city.

187 apartments – with different floor plans, varying in size basically from 120 m2 to 447 m2, including 1100 m2 penthouses and duplexes – are flexible for unison and smaller divisions, situated at 48 floors of the construction. Viewed from the outside, the building gets slightly thinner as it rises upward. As of the fourth level, it expands downwards and the glass covering the surface of the building earns a sort curve and then extends horizontally as the skirt of the building, which covers the cafés, bars, restaurants, cinemas and stores, maintaining the integrity of the retail and social zone. This area, designed especially for high-quality brand shopping, is perceived as a multi-layered, dynamic, large single space. This wide space benefits natural light to the maximum extent, and in addition to the stores in this broad area, as of the basement, four levels of shopping zone have been planned in the ground floors.

In addition to the comfort provided by the modern technology, Istanbul Sapphire has the infrastructure and the location that will ensure easy transportation. Owing to the metro connection and the 6 underground car-park levels, the transportation and the parking problems are solved. A part of the 6-storey underground car park has been reserved as storage areas for the residents and for other storage services.Being the highest structure of the country, especially after the big earthquake of 1999 in Istanbul, the building is designed according to new earthquake and fire regulations. The vertical circulation is provided by 14 elevators 8 of which are express elevators at high speed; in addition there are 8 conveyor belts and 13 escalators. 2 elevators have direct access to the very top floor where the restaurant and the observation deck is, the privacy of the residences are preserved by private access.

© Thomas Mayer

Central heating and ventilation, security, maintenance services and “intelligent house” system grant a user-friendly environment and easy access.  The complex, supported by the recent technologies and professional service administration, offers a comfortable and fashionable life-style. Technological facilities, modern healthy infrastructure and management policy makes the building user-friendly and provides easy maintenance. Starting at the main entrance and the elevator access, digitally controlled systems provide a protected environment, supported by the security personnel as well. There is 24-hour concierge service is ready for operational directives. Immediate services and other facilities granted to the residents of the building, beside the shopping facility. To motivate a futuristic social mood with its roots back in local traditions, the architectural approach with smart local solutions created an energetic and at the same time serene and easy house-life in Sapphire where one steps in to new way of living and  become a member of younger generation aiming high.

© Steve Montpetit

© Steve Montpetit

For this project, the architects revised the master plan of the site development and we did feasibility study which included a functional and technical program.

© Steve Montpetit

© Steve Montpetit

© Steve Montpetit

The museum’s transformation program was developed to meet the following requirements:
- Grouping functions which were similar;
- Facilitate the circulation and improve the visitor’s experience;
- Improve climatic comfort ;
- Improve the safety of people and goods: alarm system, sprinkler, emergency exit;
- Improve accessibility for disabled people;
- Improving the mechanical and electrical systems: efficiency,conformity and security.

© Steve Montpetit

© Steve Montpetit

The project involves the installation of an elevator in the courtyard and an architectural staircase to improve universal accessibility and the circulation through the museum ‘s the three levels. The elevator is covered with mirrors to create the effect of a kaleidoscope which binds the new construction to it’s historical context.

Special thanks to v2com.biz

© Claude-Simon Langlois

© Claude-Simon Langlois

THQ, a multi-national video games company, opened their largest development studio in Montreal in 2010, occupying 57,000 sq. ft. on 2 floors in a historic building: the former headquarters and printing press of the Montréal Gazette newspaper.This massive studio with a 400–person capacity includes all sorts of disciplines that serve as THQ’s creative engine. The client’s objective was to maximize the number of people in a collaborative workplace setting and social zones.The large floor plates were divided into 2 distinctive zones: a darker atmosphere was designated for the artists, a brighter outdoor setting in honeycomb-shaped workstations and wooden “skate park” platforms, for the other disciplines.

© Claude-Simon Langlois

Over-sized metal poles, feed the electrical and communication cabling, and create an abstraction of trees or lampposts. Connecting these 2 zones is a giant-sized white tunnel incorporating social gathering spaces and offices.Complimentary rooms took on a theme of their own; the lunchroom turns into an outdoor rest stop, the screening room exposes its theatrical side and conference room tables transform themselves into ping-pong tables.The space emulates the very nature of the organization, each zone plays out as series of screen shots underscoring the culture of the multi-media industry, work at play.

© Claude-Simon Langlois

© Claude-Simon Langlois

About id+s Design

id+s design solutions inc., founded in the year 2000, brings together more than 50 years combined design experience of its principals, Susan Silveri and Joanne Imperatori. Their vision for the company, based on their well honed industry experience was and remains above all an exemplary service and design quality. At the heart of this service is their own involvement in all aspects of their projects. Today id+s is a multi-disciplinary team of 12 designers and technicians of acknowledged merit. Successful from day one, their exhaustive list of projects encompasses office design of all types of businesses, as well as the design of public and commercial spaces.

© Claude-Simon Langlois

© Claude-Simon Langlois

Services range from consultation through to managing all aspects of projects from planning through design to moving coordination. Efficiency, creativity, functionality, intelligence, resourcefulness and simplicity are the principles which guide the organization and its design philosophy. Clients are their best testimony. Id+s design has won the Shaw Contract Group “Design is …” award in 2010 for the law firm of Heenan Blaikie in Toronto and in 2011 for the offices of Astral Media in Montreal.

Special thanks to v2com.biz

© Tim Crocker

© Tim Crocker

Located at the heart of the campus and within the historic quarter famed for Coventry Cathedral, Sir Basil Spence’s post-war modernist icon, the Lshaped plan of the new £19m building opens up previously inaccessible  routes through the campus and links to the city centre. The main East-West route across campus has been widened and allows for a long view of the cathedral spire. A large bright yellow steel gate utilised during evening events protects external courtyards created within the depth of the plan.

© Tim Crocker

Along the north and east elevation the building recesses at ground floor level to provide shelter on the approach to the two main entrances into the Hub. A roof terrace maximises the opportunity for green spaces and offers striking views across the university campus and city centre beyond. A key feature of the new building, the exterior is clad with a flush glazed curtain walling system wrapped around like a taut skin or hard shell. Taking inspiration from the neighbouring cathedral’s use of artist designed decorative glass, the glazing here is patterned with a ceramic frit that enlivens the facade and creates a surface texture with depth. The absolutely flush surface provides a clean unbroken sightline to emphasize the dramatic sculptural form of the building.

© Tim Crocker

Designed with state-of-the-art IT, networking and security facilities, Coventry University Hub is open 24/7 and able to accommodate 1000 students at any one time. It provides a comprehensive range of facilities including dedicated areas for employment and careers, health and faith arranged over 4-storeys. Additional facilities include a Student Union bar and flexible event space that can cater for gigs, screenings and productions. Areas are colour zoned according to the primary function: yellow for informal learning; red for entertainment and to indicate that alcohol may be consumed; blue for medical; and purple for faith.

© Tim Crocker

2,800 sqm of space within the building is allocated to Informal Learning and at first floor level the space extends over 100 metres along the northern perimeter. Fusing the library and common room – if the Hub as a whole is ‘home from home’, Informal Learning is the ‘living room’ for the campus. Responding to a growing trend of students living at home with their parents and travelling in to the University for the day, Informal Learning provides a place for students to pass time between lectures – to socialize, relax or carry out private study. Both students and staff share facilities to encourage cross-fertilization between disciplines as well as breakdown traditional barriers.

© Tim Crocker

The design rejects the use of conventional rooms in favour of playful bright yellow bespoke furniture – booths and nests – which are of a sufficient size to sub-divide the space further and provide small-scale semi-enclosed interiors. The bespoke furniture comes complete with power and large flat screens to work in tandem with laptops (personal or available on loan from
the reception) with a wireless network available throughout the building (including the roof terrace), providing all the facilities required for activities ranging from private research to group tutorials. Playing on the idea of a ‘home from home’ the booths are house shaped, the nests contain super-sized ‘fatboy’ bean bags and domestic fittings including sofas, low slung chairs, rugs, wallpaper and lampshades are employed throughout to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Form
The house is an extruded box from which slices were cut to reduce the square footage and create an intelligent and beautiful house.  Cuts into the basic form reveal its shape and functions.  A slice in the front of the house places the carport on an incline and conceals the parked car from the street.  A large opposing slice on the south side removes a volume to create a covered sun deck.  A number of other slices give form to the entry, dining room, and several windows.

The sum of the slices is a set of spaces simple in their design and materials yet spatially intriguing.  Each window was carefully placed to maximize the home’s connection to nature and light.

Materials
The architects chose to use simple materials that have inherent beauty.  The lower level is a combination of exposed concrete floors, white GWB walls, white kitchen cabinets, large glass windows and a few accents of plyboo wood for the short flight of stairs to the kitchen and the coat closet doors.

Structure and Construction
Concrete Base – The base of the Slice House is a precast concrete foundation and base, enabling the carport cantilever.

SIP Panels – Above the concrete base, the house is constructed of Structural Insulated Panels (SIP).  These panels are pre-cut and pre-wired to match builder specifications and include the interior GWB finish wall, allowing the house to be constructed by three people in two days, generating significant savings in construction time and cost.  The SIPs are attached to one another and do not require additional stick framing. The structure acts as a shell, is typically 30% stronger than a comparable wood stud home, and allows greater design flexibility.

Sustainability Zero Energy Home (ZEH)
The Slice house is a carefully thought-out sustainable home that will significantly reduce the energy costs of the owners while using readily available technologies.  The concrete base acts as a thermal mass.  The low winter sunlight (at a 32 degree angle in Atlanta) enters the large south-facing windows of the great room, heating the concrete floor and moderating the temperature changes throughout the day.  The high summer sun (79.8 degrees in Atlanta) is blocked by the large roof overhang, allowing the concrete thermal mass to keep the house cool.  The exterior SIPs have a high R rating of R-30 for the walls and R-50 for the roof.  SIP construction is not only more insulated but also airtight, which enhances energy conservation.  Low-E coated double glazed windows also improve the home’s energy efficiency.  A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel system can be added for an additional $6500-$10,000 to further reduce energy consumption.