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archello
Feld72 Completes Contextually Sensitive Infill Townhouse Development In Vienna
At Straußengasse 14 in the heart of Vienna's 5th district, an unusual vacant plot with a historic half-timbered house and workshop building provided an opportunity for a contextually sensitive infill development. Architectural studio feld72 designed a structure that respects the site’s existing heritage and addresses the pressure of urban densification (where appropriate infill development, for example, helps to arrest urban sprawl). feld72 designed a new building that incorporates the half-timbered house (originally built in 1907), creating a productive infill solution. The contemporary townhouse plan includes thirteen apartments, two ground-floor retail spaces, and two offices. The townhouse elegantly envelops the historic house — the entrance portal and floor above have been set back, giving the original structure further prominence on the street. An activated ground floor now fulfills several functions: “The spacious half-timbered house with its six-meter (20 feet) height invites creative use, while the retail space is generously oriented to the street,” says feld72. A double-height foyer adjacent to the original house serves as a meeting area and provides access to the the rest of the building. The facade’s rational design features sliding glass panels and includes industrial accents that make reference to the original house. The use of steel elements — fine, narrow slats, horizontal bands, and visible screw fastenings with diamond-shaped plates — creates a light and decorative filigree-like facade that frames the building’s “+room layer” (as defined by feld72). Winter gardens measuring two meters (6.5 feet) in depth extend across each of the apartments on the street-facing facade. This “+room layer” enables residents to control light, climate conditions, and privacy: “It encourages the users to actively ‘design’ their comfort zone — lighter or darker, cooler or warmer, breezy or cozy,” says feld72. The building’s design employs a cross-wall construction technique, utilizing reinforced concrete walls and columns — these support the reinforced concrete slabs above. “The stabilization of the entire structure is achieved in both directions by using reinforced concrete cross and longitudinal walls as well as concrete slabs,” explains feld72. “The roof structure is partially executed as a solid concrete slab, featuring cut-in terraces and a flat roof.” The townhouse consists of a basement, ground floor, five upper floors, and two penthouse levels. A typical standard floor comprises three apartments: there are two units with a double-sided layout that benefit from natural cross-ventilation and a compact central unit. The largest rooftop apartment measures 156 square meters (1,679 square feet) and has two terraces. There are thirteen apartments in total — nine located on the standard floors and four on the penthouse levels. The building’s approach to energy efficiency ensures a self-sufficient energy supply. Measures include: the use of an air to water heat pump, underfloor heating in residential and retail units, thermal concrete core activation in both the office floors and second penthouse level, and an integrated rooftop photovoltaic system. Gross floor area: 2,349 square meters (25,284 square feet)
mixed-use
Oct 25, 2024
archello
B-Architecten Completes First Phase Of New Mixed-Use Development In Brussels Canal Area
Belgium architectural studio B-architecten has completed the first phase of City Dox 7, a new mixed-use development in the Brussels Canal area. The studio worked in collaboration with Brussels-based design studio Veld. Split across two phases, City Dox 7.1 and 7.2, the development includes housing, commercial spaces, and a secondary school. The City Dox project is a key urban renewal scheme in Brussels, set along the banks of the Brussels-Charleroi Canal in Anderlecht, a municipality in the Belgian capital. B-architecten and Veld created the design for City Dox 7: block 7 of the new district master plan. City Dox 7.1 was recently completed: this phase comprises 74 apartments, four ground-floor commercial units, and split-level parking for cars and bicycles. City Dox 7.2, a new secondary school, is currently in the completion phase. City Dox 7 is uniquely positioned between the existing Parc de la Petite Ile and a new park that is being created centrally within the district. City Dox 7.1 comprises two differently-sized volumes that make one whole. A south-facing nine-story volume overlooks the site’s central park. To maximize daylight, B-architecten made a decision to limit the volume’s thickness, choosing not to use the permitted depth; this volume also includes the ground-floor commercial units. A lower rear volume comprises two side wings with apartments and an intensive roof garden, set on top of the split-level parking lot. Apartments in the side wings (levels one and two) and their balconies/terraces open onto this garden; stairwells also provide access for the building’s other residents. The development sits on a former industrial site and the split-level parking design therefore minimizes the amount of excavation required. Moreover, by centrally locating the parking area within the building, the architects reduced the interface between this space and the facade. Living at City Dox 7 is organized around bright stairwells, encouraging active use of the building and chance interactions between residents. The design ensures that the south-facing facade is entirely available for accommodation. A secondary “racking structure” with loggias provides the majority of apartments with generous outdoor spaces that overlook the central park; these loggias also offer protection to interior spaces from the south-facing sun and create a portico along the row of commercial units. The structure gives the building a distinctive face — the terracotta-colored concrete provides an aesthetic contrast with the building’s light-colored brickwork. This terracotta color continues on the building’s rear and sides, decorating windows and stairwells; surface blocks covered with glazed stone also enliven the facades. A second frame on the roof garden ensures views towards the Parc de la Petite Ile. The City Dox 7.1 development follows the energy performance of buildings (EPB) regulations required by the Brussels-Capital Region, including reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, while ensuring comfort for residents. The roof of the main volume is equipped with solar panels that provide the building’s energy requirements. Rainwater retention roofs drain water into a rainwater storage tank for reuse — a connection between the apartment building and school ensures that during school holidays, water can flow to the apartments. Green roofs and the intensive roof garden with its heavier vegetation contribute to biodiversity. The apartments, commercial units, and school occupy a compact plot. The school’s design will balance the need for privacy for students and openness to the neighborhood. An outdoor space and multipurpose space connect with the plot boundary, creating an opportunity to utilize these areas outside school hours while still controlling access to the school. Apartments: 8 studios, 18 one-bedroom, 33 two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom Parking: 56 car parking spaces and 139 bicycle parking spaces Total surface area: 17,205 square meters (185,193 square feet)
mixed-use
Jul 04, 2024
archello
Snøhetta Completes Norway’S First Naturally Climatized Mixed-Use Building
Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has completed Norway’s first naturally climatized mixed-use building. Vertikal Nydalen is located in the Nydalen neighborhood of Oslo, a former industrial area by the river Akerselva. The visually appealing and dynamic structure incorporates a simplified and self-sufficient climate system, based on research into sustainable energy solutions. Over the course of several decades, Nydalen has transitioned from an industrial area into a modern business hub. The site on which Vertikal Nydalen sits had been used as a car park. In a bid to transform the neighborhood into a vibrant residential district, there was an opportunity to create a new town square — a car-free zone with a high-rise, mixed-use building. Officially opened on 25th April 2024, Vertikal Nydalen consists of restaurants at street level, five floors of office space, and apartments, spread across 11,000 square meters (approx. 118,400 square feet). “To maintain certain sight lines and gain a lighter impression, the building is divided into two volumes of different heights, where only one part exploits the plot's maximum potential of 18 stories,” explains Snøhetta. The ground floor is activated with various pockets and passageways, created for public use. The design maximizes exposure to sunlight while minimizing wind in the new plaza. Vertikal Nydalen’s design serves as a prime example of environmentally conscious architecture and is part of Snøhetta’s effort to find viable environmental solutions in the face of a climate emergency. Described by the studio as a “triple zero solution” building, no energy is purchased for heating, cooling, and ventilation. “This is achieved using geothermal wells, PV panels, a low-energy system for heating and cooling, and natural ventilation,” says the studio. “The project has more than 50 percent overall reduction of CO2 emissions from materials, transport, and energy compared to a reference project.” Water from the geothermal wells circulates in the building’s clay walls and concrete slabs when either heating (via hot water) or cooling (via cold water) is required. Vertikal Nydalen’s concrete core provides a thermal mass, ensuring the slow release of heat and cold from the floors. Heat absorbed during the day is released at night — this contributes to a stable temperature throughout the building. The heat pump that controls the heating and cooling system is powered by rooftop photovoltaic panels. Conventional ventilation systems in office buildings typically require ceilings lowered by up to one meter from the slab. In Vertikal Nydalen, the use of a natural alternative — without ducts or fans — saves space and opens up rooms, providing better spatial qualities and natural light. A naturally ventilated office will also require less technical maintenance and remodeling. The building’s angled facade and varied facets act to provide pressure differentials and velocity changes as wind hits the surface. By optimizing the wind speed, internal ventilation is improved. Snøhetta explains: “The air enters through valves in the facade, which open and close as needed. When two windows open on different sides of the building, the pressure difference forces the air to move through the premises.” Valves open more frequently when more people are in a particular area. Vertikal Nydalen’s facade consists of wooden elements that are clad in heat-treated pine, adding to the overall warmth and aesthetic appeal of the structure — this pine will grey gracefully with age. A series of vertical wooden slats emphasize the direction of height. Moreover, forty-three angled balconies with a steel finish protrude from the wooden surface, enhancing the characterful quality of the facade. The perforated graphic railings and multifaceted underside of each balcony capture light from different angles. The use of natural ventilation set certain parameters for the building’s forty apartments. Concrete remains exposed as much as possible — adding material coverings would impact the more than three-meter-high (10-feet-high) ceilings and affect the heating and cooling. The concrete floors in each apartment have a thin oak parquet layer. Apartments range in size from 44 square meters (474 square feet) to 143 square meters (1,539 square feet), and have various layouts. Each apartment has large windows that flood the interiors with natural light. In communal hallways, oak ceiling suspensions, carpets, and soft furnishings absorb sound and add warmth. The building’s basement provides parking spaces and cleaning facilities for bikes (there are no spaces for cars). Two rooftop terraces are placed partially below the photovoltaic panels and wooden planters are designed to store rainwater for use in irrigation. Vertikal Nydalen’s development was informed by the results of two research projects, LowEx and Naturally, supported by The Research Council of Norway: “LowEx focuses on heating and cooling with very little added energy, and aims to develop new total concepts for thermal energy supply in zero-energy buildings and energy-positive buildings,” Snøhetta explains. “Naturally, with 13 participants from the Norwegian construction industry, focuses on developing new strategies for natural ventilation.” Vertikal Nydalen’s energy performance will be monitored via the Hybrids research project (an extension of Naturally). Sensors placed throughout the interior will track heating and ventilation, with feedback used to further optimize the building’s climate. Vertikal Nydalen is a FutureBuilt pilot project that has been certified according to Norway's BREEAM-NOR environmental certification system: “Excellent” for the office area and “Very Good” for the apartments.
mixed-use
May 08, 2024
archello
Modu’S Design For A Mixed-Use Office And Retail Center In Houston Tempers The Hot Texan Climate
Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary architecture and design practice MODU has completed Promenade, a 15,000-square-feet (1,394-square-meter) mixed-use office and retail center in Houston, Texas. The use of self-cooling facades, tall “fins” that offer shade, and overhanging trellises, are central to tempering the effect of the hot Texan climate and improving outdoor comfort. In addition, these features provide Promenade with a uniquely visual exterior. At Promenade, tenants avail of both indoor and outdoor areas, with exteriors that are also healthy green spaces. “The planted gardens connect people to their surroundings and extend the indoor activities of working and shopping outdoors,” says MODU. Green spaces incorporate outdoor seating, inviting people to gather and socialize. Set at an angle to the street, these inviting spaces act to increase Promenade’s visibility and attract visitors; moreover, they work to improve the well-being of tenants and visitors alike. A core tenet of MODU’s architectural practice is to link well-being with the social and environmental fabric of cities. One example is the design of microclimates — such as Promenade’s planted green spaces — that create a healthy and accessible environment. With Promenade’s open outdoor setting, architectural elements that create more temperate areas are a key part of a healthy and accessible environment. (Houston experienced “45 days of triple-digit temperatures in 2023”: 100 degrees Fahrenheit = 38 degrees Celsius.) “The self-cooling concrete walls are cast with patterns that, when passed over by wind, dissipate solar heat more quickly,” says MODU. “More patterning is used for walls in direct sunlight to increase self-cooling.” As a result, the surface temperature is decreased by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (6.7 degrees Celsius). Tall aluminum “fins” around each of the entrances provide additional levels of shade; some of these fins are partly covered with a mesh material to encourage climbing plants and create additional shade. Promenade’s design also features the use of canopies and pergolas/trellises. Such low-tech and sustainable measures help to minimize the building’s overall energy requirements, reduce its carbon footprint, and improve comfort levels for users. “People stroll along gardens planted from different local ecologies: a Texas rock garden, a tall grass garden, a garden for pollinators, and a desert garden,” says MODU. The effect is a multisensory experience that enhances both architecture and well-being. MODU worked with Houston-based Identity Architects and landscape architectural firm Kudela & Weinheimer to complete Promenade.
mixed-use
Jan 03, 2024
archello
Aart’S New Mixed-Use Nicolinehus Development Contributes To Urban Life In Aarhus
Nicolinehus is a prodigious mixed-use development designed by Scandinavian architectural studio AART in collaboration with the Danish developer Bricks. Located in Aarhus, Denmark, between the city’s marina and Havnebadet (Harbor Bath), Nicolinehus offers a mix of urban, commercial, and residential accommodation and facilities. It is the last building project in the first phase of “Aarhus Ø” (a new city neighborhood). Plans for Aarhus Ø date back to 1997 when the City Council adopted a new master plan that would expand the Port of Aarhus. The plan’s aim was to transform the then unused container port into a completely new district, linking the city and port together. Despite intense development, Aarhus Ø has faced criticism for its lack of urban life. In a bid to remedy this, AART explains that the idea behind Nicolinehus “was to create a building that would contribute to urban life and urban quality on Aarhus Island, turning it into a more vibrant and attractive district.” "Urban life is an important factor for the attractiveness of a neighborhood,” says Anders Strange, architect, CCO, and partner at AART. “Today, Aarhus Ø consists primarily of residential buildings in a very attractive location between the city center and Aarhus Bay. In Nicolinehus, we wanted to create a building that entices more people to Aarhus Ø during the day.” With an impact-oriented approach to architecture, AART designed Nicolinehus based on the experience of and knowledge gained from previous projects, including the studio’s mixed-use Pakhusene project also in Aarhus Ø. Nicolinehus comprises an array of accommodation types and amenities across its expansive 45,000 square meters (484,376 square feet) of space, including: 243 owner-occupied and rented apartments (eight of which are townhouses), offices, shops, cafes, restaurants, and the Markedshallen Nicolinehus, a large market hall situated at street level. A new cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly city street, with shops and entrances to the market hall, divides Nicolinehus in two. AART’s design for Nicolinehus included the ambition to create a project that helps improve overall quality of life for people living in and around the building. In addition to its commercial and shopping facilities, the studio focused on other key quality of life factors such as outdoor space, lighting, noise, and views. Owing to the building’s distinctive staircase shape, each apartment in Nicolinehus is designed to capitalize on both views and daylight. The design of Nicolinehus draws inspiration from the old brick blocks found in Aarhus city center. Adjusting to the context of harbor life, AART reworked the idea of courtyards surrounded by apartments into a hybrid of the classic residential block. The building is divided into commercial and residential sections that slope towards the marina and open onto their respective courtyards. Nicolinehus is clad in red bricks, a construction material with a long lifespan and ability to withstand changeable coastal weather conditions. These bricks also provide a connection to the architecture of Aarhus City Centre and the erstwhile container port. The building “has been developed with a long-term perspective in relation to social, economic, and environmental value creation,” says AART.
mixed-use
Nov 27, 2023
archello
Trellik Design Studio Transforms An East End Victorian Building Into A Creative Community Space
London-based architectural practice Trellik Design Studio has transformed a one-time photography agency office into a bright and bijou mixed-use space. Located in De Beauvoir Town, a neighborhood in east London, the practice reconfigured the building as a co-working studio, maker’s workshop, and cafe, open to the East End's creative community. Franco-British architect Jean Dumas, Trellik Design Studio’s founder, purchased the small Victorian terrace in 2019 with the aim of retrofitting the space “in the spirit of community engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration.” Embodying Trellik Design Studio’s approach to playful architecture, the building’s quirky interior delivers a homey aesthetic that makes use of natural materials and colorful accents. “We have intentionally kept the space intimate to reflect the typology that offers a dynamic, home away from home workplace,” says Dumas. “Post-pandemic working culture means that no one day is the same here.” The design celebrates the Victorian structure’s raw character and charm. Original timber rafters were restored and exposed, while exterior insulation and new roofing were installed without causing disruption to the characterful interior. This approach opened up the ceiling height and the addition of new skylights filters much needed natural light into the old building’s darker recesses. An internal floor area of just 124 square meters (1,335 square feet) is spread across three floors plus a mezzanine level on the ground floor. The building’s entrance leads visitors into a multi-functional ground floor cafe and events space. This steps down into a sunken maker’s workshop, an area that is currently in use as a natural fabric dye atelier. Trellik Design Studio retained the building’s original staircases — leading to the workspaces, the stairs have been painted in a vibrant cobalt blue. A steel mezzanine hovers over the cafe — constructed using laser cut perforated steel, it allows light to permeate the ground floor level. The multipurpose mezzanine functions as a breakout space, a library, and an area that accommodates exhibitions and small pop-up shops. The building’s first and second floors host private co-working spaces, separate from the public areas. In its design approach, Trellik Design Studio chose to contrast recycled fabrics with pre-existing materials. The project was an opportunity to test the application of recycled materials such as acoustic PET felt panels — made by Dutch brand ReFelt from recycled plastic bottles — on the ceilings and walls. As well as working to dampen sound across the open-plan workspaces, “desk tenants” use the walls as pinboards. Committed to reusing materials, Trellik Design Studio preserved the building’s original timber flooring and repurposed old floor joists as shelving. The studio also salvaged and modified photography light boxes, adding LED fittings to improve energy performance. Across the entire project, a network of local artisans and suppliers helped to create the eclectic interior palette, including handmade plywood desks, a “Bianco London Plane” Foresso kitchen worktop, and lamps made using algae and crushed wine bottles.
mixed-use
Oct 19, 2023
archello
Cobe Designs A Mixed-Use Development As Part Of An Urban Renewal Program
Multidisciplinary architecture and design firm CoBe has completed the design and construction of the Laherrère center, a mixed-use development in Pau (a commune overlooking the Pyrenees in southern France). In the heart of Pau’s Saragosse district, an area undergoing major urban redevelopment, CoBe, in collaboration with partner architect WEEK, built two buildings that comprise housing for students and young workers, office and training spaces, craft premises, shops, and services. Built in the 1950s and 1960s, the Saragosse neighborhood is a large social housing district with around 14,000 inhabitants. An urban renewal project identified the area as having great social fragility: low-rent housing makes it a solution for people in precarious situations and local services are wholly inadequate. At the same time, the Saragosse district’s location, ten minutes from Pau’s center, is advantageous. Recognizing all of this, the State, National Agency for Urban Renewal, and city of Pau, along with the social landlord Pau Béarn Habitat, made the decision to invest in the district. The Saragosse district is currently undergoing significant redevelopment, scheduled to finish in 2027. With a view to becoming an eco-district, there is investment in new buildings, landscaping, cycle paths, public transport, and a district heating network. The construction of the Laherrère center is a key part of the urban renewal program. “The primary intention of the project was to constitute a real living space, on the model of a village square, like the market that the site has hosted since the beginning of the work,” says CoBe. Materials The studio designed two L-shaped buildings with the same material composition: they are built with concrete, wood, and glass. The double-height ground floors in each building comprise a series of differently-sized low-carbon concrete arches that were poured on-site. These glazed archways open the buildings to the square, helping to enliven the surrounding area. Upper floors are clad in wood with wood fiber insulation. Wood joinery and soft, yellow awnings/blinds (used to regulate solar gain), complete the warm, rich, and varied exteriors of the two buildings. Internally, solid wooden openings are hidden in the facades. The approach to the Laherrère center’s sustainable development combines bioclimatic design, bio-based materials, and energy performance. “All of the wood species constituting the project come from French forests located less than 450 kilometers (280 miles) from the site,” says CoBe. The facade frames are made of pectinated fir from forests in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées in southwest France. The coating is made of pre-grayed Douglas fir from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeast-central France. The joinery of the building is produced using Scots pine from Corrèze, a department in France that borders the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Mixed-use development The Laherrère center’s design fulfills an interesting mix of housing, service, and social needs. A post and beam structure accommodates a range of amenities and will facilitate any future changes to the buildings as they evolve over time. There are 116 housing units for students (each with an area of approximately 17 square meters – 183 square feet) and 60 housing units for young workers, aged 16 to 30, with limited financial resources (unit sizes vary depending on individual/family requirements) — the student and young worker units share common spaces and facilities. An entrepreneurial hub, with office and co-working floors, offers support for business creation — for example, there is the “Cuisine Mode d’Emploi(s)” school and its training restaurant, founded by French chef Thierry Marx. There are local services and shops, including a police station, two breweries, five craft premises and associated shop spaces. A 234-square-meter (2,519-square-feet) multipurpose room serves as an event space for residents, users, and the wider district. The ground floor areas of both buildings operate autonomously, hosting the craft premises, shops, and services. A brewery is located on the corner of each building. Double-height entrance halls, facing onto the square, provide access for tenants, workers, and visitors. In the hallway of the East Building, used for housing, custom-made joinery that frames the mailboxes and a wood-lined ceiling create a homey space. In the West Building, the entrepreneurial hub, a reception desk made from moorland pine and Arudy stone (from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques), welcomes visitors to the space. Between the two buildings, there is a landscaped pedestrian street. Common areas in the buildings benefit from large loggias that punctuate the facades. On the rooftops, there are shared terraces with pergolas and vegetated areas. In order to ensure the project’s future success, CoBe paid great attention to the integration and sharing of spaces between young workers and students, as well as to the overall quality of the spaces. “We wanted to design housing with exemplary habitability, whose layout promotes [ownership] by tenants, giving them a feeling of comfort and privacy: of home,” says the studio. Technical data Design team: CoBe Architecture et Paysage (main architect), WEEK (partner architect), AIA (main engineer), and Gamba (acoustic engineer). Construction of two mixed buildings: East Building: Student residence, young workers hostel, shared common spaces, administrative premises (5,050 square meters – 54,358 square feet), restaurant (138 square meters – 1,485 square feet), police station (202 square meters – 2,174 square feet), cooking school with training restaurant (596 square meters – 6,415 square feet), and multipurpose room (234 square meters – 2,519 square feet). West Building: Office floors, co-working, and professional training areas (3,174 square meters – 34,165 square feet), 5 craft premises (855 square meters – 9,203 square feet), bakery (134 square meters – 1,442 square feet), restaurant (154 square meters – 1,658 square feet), and services (562 square meters – 6,049 square feet). Surface area: 11,206 square meters (120,620 square feet).
mixed-use
Sep 27, 2023
archello
Fletcher Priest Architects Completes Phase One Of London’S Historic Knightsbridge Estate Regeneration
In London’s upmarket Knightsbridge district, Fletcher Priest Architects has completed the first phase of a regeneration of the historic Knightsbridge Estate, purchased in 2010 by The Olayan Group. This stage consists of the redevelopment of the estate’s northern end and incorporates a mix of retail, hospitality, offices, and apartments. The Knightsbridge Estate is described as a 3.5 acre “island site” located between Harvey Nichols and Harrods, two iconic London department stores. The large block of buildings is bounded by Brompton Road, Sloane Street, Basil Street, and Hans Crescent: a part of the Knightsbridge Conservation Area, the estate includes several listed buildings. The estate’s extensive redevelopment involves the restoration of a number of notable buildings into contemporary mixed-use properties, while retaining their architectural heritage. This includes: 6,224 square meters (67,000 square feet) of office space at One Hooper’s Court; 33 “luxury” rental apartments set around a secluded internal courtyard garden, raised to a second floor level; a rooftop restaurant and street-level cafe; and seven new retail spaces, five of which can trade across three floors. Fletcher Priest worked in collaboration with Donald Insall Associates, an expert in the conservation of historic buildings, to refurbish and upgrade the century-old facades of The Knightsbridge Estate. “This process involved restoring the architectural integrity of each individual building, recreating lost elements of the ‘houses’ and creating a coherent design from ground to roof,” says the architect. “Retaining most of the facades contributed to embodied carbon footprint reduction.” Historic drawings and architectural records were used to achieve an accurate refurbishment of the buildings. This involved the delivery of several previously unrealized elements of the estate’s early designs, including the cupola for No.1 Sloane Street. The cupola was originally designed in 1903 by the architect William Duvall Goodwin. Its placement “now marks the realization of these plans after 120 years,” says Fletcher Priest. Moreover, by restoring the missing half of a building on Brompton Road, this created a “300-meter-run of Edwardian gables that had been lost for decades.” Knightsbridge was identified in the "London Plan 2021" as an “international shopping and leisure destination.” In this busy part of central London, an upgrade of the existing public realm was carried out as part of The Knightsbridge Estate redevelopment. This includes a newly located main entrance to Knightsbridge Underground station on Brompton Road, a new step-free entrance on Hooper’s Court, and wider pavements — up to a maximum of nine meters (29.5 feet) — on Brompton Road and Sloane Street. In redeveloping the estate, an opportunity to improve heat extraction from London Underground’s Piccadilly Line has resulted in an increased frequency of trains to Heathrow Airport’s terminals. The original Knightsbridge Underground station building in Hooper's Court passage is something of a tribute to the architect Leslie Green. London’s iconic red-tiled tube stations were designed by Green in the early 1900s. “The redesigned Hooper’s Court pays homage to the original Knightsbridge station with its restored faience oxblood facade,” says Fletcher Priest. “Working with London Underground, we have reactivated the historic lift shafts enabling a new step-free access to the station.” Hooper's Court passage and the new workspace building above, One Hooper’s Court, feature a recurring floral honeysuckle motif. The motif is digitally printed on a vitreous enameled, unitized metal façade. The decorative image is inspired by John Hooper, a local botanist who laid out the passageway in the late 18th century. “The design narrative continues to the brand-new rooftop restaurant above, with the motif recurring in the form of a perforated metal structure wrapped around the restaurant,” says Fletcher Priest. Project status: Ongoing. Size: 31,600 square meters / 340,000 square feet.
mixed-use
Jul 12, 2023
archello
Amstel Design District Combines Residential Accommodation And Workplace Amenities With A Future-Oriented Vision
The Amstel Design District is a new future-oriented and mixed-use residential and commercial development in Amsterdam. Designed by Dutch architecture studio Mecanoo, the 80,000-square-metre scheme combines residential accommodation and workplace amenities, with an emphasis on diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. The district’s ambition is to become a significant place for the whole city. Amstel Design District’s composition of stacked volumes with setbacks includes: a mix of social, mid-rent, and private housing, collective facilities, creative office space, retail, and a design museum. Timber will be used for part of the construction and green spaces and “retreats” will feature throughout. Located between a highway and a metro line, the project’s design responds to a number of site constraints, including noise pollution and logistics. Adaptability is integral to the long-term resiliency of Amstel Design District. The scheme “facilitates new demands from work environments with a dynamic variety of business and collaboration spaces,” says Mecanoo. The office hub is part of Amsterdam’s lively hustle and bustle. It is anticipated that the city’s urban scene and entrepreneurial spirit will contribute to Amstel Design District’s creative atmosphere, particularly in a place where residential and working communities connect. From Mecanoo’s perspective, “an increasing part of the lives of young urban dwellers takes place outside the home.” The studio therefore integrated a number of “in-between spaces for informal meetings and chance encounters.” The aim is to create a balance and to build a district “that embraces work-life effectiveness for the community.” Biophilic design is a central part of Amstel Design District’s development. “Extensive planted areas and pocket parks run through the district like a green artery,” says Mecanoo. The purpose is to encourage exercise and play, and to offer alternatives for relaxation and al fresco dining. Green roofs are a part of the design and will provide water retention as well as encouraging biodiversity. Dutch architecture firm KettingHuls is working in collaboration with Mecanoo on the urban plan of Amstel Design District.
mixed-use
May 18, 2023
archello
Mja Studio Reinstates A Neglected Local Corner Site Into A Vibrant Community Space
Australian suburbs corner stores have long been communal spaces than mere public utilities; they not only encourage walkability but also offer the residents a place to interact and socialise. With the overtaking of commercial supermarket chains and petrol stations, the neighbourhood lost its zestful character as a public space. Therefore, to revitalise this neglected corner site, a passionate local of Mt Lawley collaborated with MJA Studio to design a mixed-use project to enrich the area. The project, Clifton and Central, seeks to celebrate the unique heritage of Mt Lawley and create a place which goes beyond housing by integrating it with open communal spaces. The building comprises fifteen apartments and six commercial tenancies, offering a vibrant lifestyle. The corner store is surrounded by new community-friendly open spaces that provide a sense of airiness and lightness around the heritage building. The Central Avenue entrance is integrated with the public space, encouraging community interaction. The six commercial tenancies provide varied services to the local community, from boutique outlets for food and beverages to speciality retail. The stores activate the street front and foster a lively pedestrian environment. The red-faced brick facade and gable roof celebrate references to the local vernacular of Mt Lawley while presenting a dramatic street presence. Artisanal and expressive brick courses over different facade exteriors add dynamism and visual interest. Landscape Architects, CAPA, were involved in the design process since the beginning. Landscaping along the southern edge creates a natural buffer while a diverse selection of greenery throughout the building offers a relaxing environment. Sustainability features like high-performing glass, overhang and shading devices, EV charging stations, solar arrays, and hot-water recycling help minimise operational costs. Therefore, the project rejuvenates the humble corner site by seamlessly integrating the characteristic architectural palette and enriching the local community.
mixed-use
Feb 23, 2023
archello
Angular Balconies And Scenic Views Of The Black Sea Dictate This Mixed-Use Residential Block By Starh
Varna-based architecture studio STARH completes the design of a mixed-use building in Bulgaria comprising offices, amenities and ateliers on the lower floors and apartments above. Located at the east of the city centre, the structure is separated from the Black Sea by the Sea Garden public park, providing abundant natural light and direct views of the sea. Built on a triangular plot, the 6170sqm building boasts a distinct angular form with sharp angles and cantilevered balconies, emerging from the irregularly shaped site. The design is defined by its robust horizontal profile tapering towards the bottom, clad in a completely white palette. The apartments have an orthogonal layout, while the east-facing loggias facing have a triangular outline extending towards the sea. Balconies on the upper floors cantilever up to 8 meters in length. Constructed using pre-stressed concrete, the balconies aesthetically drive the design, becoming the project's focal point. Fibre-cement cladding panels and aluminium windows with high-performance glazing further ensure the longevity and durability of the structure. Therefore, the design dramatically embraces the irregular plot, creating a visually striking building.
mixed-use
Jan 05, 2023