AD Classics: Robin Hood Gardens / Alison and Peter Smithson
Robin Hood Gardens is a social housing complex in East London in the residential area of Poplar. It was designed by architects Alison and Peter Smithson and completed in 1972. The Brutalist buildings stand as an example of the Smithsons’ theories in practice. Practices that today face an uncertain future. More information after the break.
Golden High School / NAC Architecture
Architect: NAC Architecture
Location: Golden, Colorado, United States
Consultants: Martin Martin Consulting Engineers, V3 Consultants, The RMH Group, M-E Engineers, David L. Adams Associates, Inc., Wenk Associates, Ricca Newmark Design
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: Frank Ooms
Golden High School has been in existence in name since 1873. The current building is designed by architecture firm NAC Architecture and is the fourth incarnation in Golden, Colorado. Completed in 2008, the new building by NAC Architecture takes advantage of the outdoors to create a positive environment for the students inside and out.
Falsified Concrete Testing on Major New York Projects
Back in 2008, a rash of falsified concrete testing reports on major projects in New York including the Yankee Stadium and the Second Avenue subway station had construction executives scrambling to find replacements. American Standard Testing and Consulting Laboratories were selected as the replacement company. However, the owner and five other employees have currently been arraigned on charges stemming from exactly the same things they were hired to rectify.
AD Classics: Rusakov Workers’ Club / Konstantin Melnikov
The collapse of the old regime in Russia that took place with the Revolution of 1917 was followed by an artistic period of powerful activity in formal experimentation directed at the establishment of a creative language capable of expressing the new ideals and aspirations of Soviet Society. Konstantin Melnikov’sRusakov Workers’ Club in Moscow shows an intense fascination with dramatic structure, in this case through bold cantilevered seating constructed of reinforced concrete. More on Rusakov Workers’ Club after the break.
AD Classics: Sangath / Balkrishna Doshi
Balkrishna Doshi‘s own studio, Sangath, features a series of sunken vaults sheathed in china mosaic as well as a small grassy terraced amphitheater and flowing water details. Having been considered the building that fully describes himself, Sangath is a complete combination of Doshi‘s architectural themes from his previous work including complex interiors and structures, ambiguous edges, vaults and terraces. More about Sangath after the break.
AD Classics: Kanchanjunga Apartments / Charles Correa
By developing climatic solutions for different sites and programs, Indian architect Charles Correa designed the Kanchanjunga Apartments. Located in Mumbai, the U.S. equivalent of New York City in terms of population and diversity, the 32 luxury apartments are located south-west of downtown in an upscale suburban setting embodying the characteristics of the upper echelon of society within the community. The Kanchanjunga Apartments are a direct response to the present culture, the escalating urbanization, and the climatic conditions for the region. They pay homage to the vernacular architecture that once stood on the site before the development in a number of ways. More on Kanchanjunga Apartments after the break.
Recycling+Building Materials
In today’s world “going green” has become a top priority in our society, and sustainable buildings and design are at the forefront of this green revolution. While many designers are focusing on passive and active energy systems, the reuse of recycled materials is beginning to stand out as an innovative, highly effective, and artistic expression of sustainable design. Reusing materials from existing on site and nearby site elements such as trees, structures, and paving is becoming a trend in the built environment, however more unorthodox materials such as soda cans and tires are being discovered as recyclable building materials. Materials and projects featured after the break.
AD Classics: Leça Swimming Pools / Alvaro Siza
Since its completion in 1966 the Leça Swimming Pool complex, by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza, has been an internationally recognized building. Still almost half a century later, it has gracefully retained its architectural integrity and remained a popular retreat. The Leça Swimming Pools has established itself as one of Siza’s greatest early works, and as an example of his careful reconciliation between nature and his design.
Shelter in the Swiss Alps / Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architectes
Architects: Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architectes
Location: Eison, Switzerland
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: Tonatiuh Ambrosetti, Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architects
New Design for Eduard-Wallnöfer-Platz Public Square / LAAC Architekten + Stiefel Kramer Architecture
Architects: LAAC Architekten + Stiefel Kramer Architecture
Location: Innsbruck, Austria
Project Year: 2010
Project Area: 9000 sqm
Photographs: Günter Richard Wett
Breiavannet Park / Helen & Hard
Architects: Helen & Hard
Location: Stavanger, Norway
Client: Breiavannet Eiendom AS
Project Area: 880 sqm
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Courtesy of Helen & Hard
Single-Family House in Pedro Verde / Elisa Valero Arquitectura
Architects: Elisa Valero Arquitectura
Location: Granada, Spain
Project Year: 2008
Project Area: 229.44 sqm
Photographs: Fernando Alda
M3/KG / Mount Fuji Architects Studio
Architects: Mount Fuji Architects Studio
Location: Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
Site area: 177.27 sqm
Building area: 106.33 sqm
Total floor area: 259.72 sqm
Project Year: 2006
Photographs: Ryota Atarashi & Satoshi Asakawa
House in Inokashira / Studio NOA
Architects: Studio NOA Architect & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Project Year: 2011
Project Area: 86 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of Studio NOA
Kindergarten in Chana / Elisa Valero Arquitectura
Architects: Elisa Valero Arquitectura
Location: Granada, Spain
Project Year: 2010
Project Area: 880.90 sqm
Photographs: Fernando Alda
Therapeutic Pool / meier + associés architectes
Architects: meier + associés architectes
Location: Landeyeux, Switzerland
Project Year: 2007
Project Area: 1,440 sqm
Photographs: Yves André
Office Building and Logistic Center / modostudio
Architect: modostudio
Location: Nola, Italy
Client: Giorgia & Johns Spa
Project Year: 2011
Project Area: 13,760 sqm
Photographs: Julien Lanoo
L’arbrisseau Neighborhood Centre / Colboc Franzen & Associes
Architects: Colboc Franzen & Associes
Location: Lille, France
Project Year: 2011
Photographs: Paul Raftery
The Hill Plain House / Wolveridge Architects
Architects: Wolveridge Architects
Location: Victoria, Australia
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Courtesy of Wolveridge Architects
Satu House / Chrystalline Artchitect
Architect: Chrystalline Artchitect
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Design principal: Christophorus Jauhari
Design team: Febrian Adhitya , Suryo Adi , Dwi Utomo , Marita Satyawati, Nelly Candra, Margareth
Structure consultant: Hadi Jahja & Associates
Project Year: 2011
Project Area: 330 sqm
Photographs: William Sebastian
