Restoration: The Latest Architecture and News

The Biotope converts the remains of an old water purification plant in an ecological mixed use development. Conceived as an ecological education centre, the Biotope will be the home for eco-related institutes like IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), for several schools of Amsterdam, for residential spaces and for sport facilities.

More info and images after the break.

Los Angeles is often portrayed as the example of the car-friendly city. The traditional image of the town is an endless pattern of single family dwellings, interconnected by traffic-clogged freeways, where transit is undeveloped and the air is choked with smog.

However, Los Angeles is changing. The city’s Transport Authority has planned in the last years a series of measures aiming to improve quality of life through improving transit and walking and providing alternative to car commuting.

Architects: Pedro Domingos Arquitectos Location: Lisbon, Portugal Collaborators: João Graça, Margarida Faria Project year: 2008 Constructed area: 280 sqm Budget: US $130,290 Client: Ara, Alves Rodrigues, Associado Lda. Photographs: FG + SG - Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

The project consist in the reconstruction of building of XIX century, inserted in the Lapa/Prazeres district.

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Architects: gh3 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Design Team: Pat Hanson, Anthony Provenzano Structural Engineer: Blackwell Bowick General Contractor: Jens Nielsen Project year: 2006-2007 Budget: US $500,000 Constructed Area: 185.8 sqm Photographs: Ben Rahn

The interior of the building was stripped back to a more modern tradition of interior. The house becomes a neutral shell punctuated by three sculptural elements – a block of stone that is associated with kitchen elements, a curved stair, and a 20′ stone bench/shelf and fireplace wall. Each of these elements is associated with windows, skylights, and double height spaces to enhance the spatial experience of the house. Kitchen working areas and storage for dishes, books and media are organized linearly along the exterior walls and are concealed behind full-height doors.

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