SPOTLIGHT: HHF Architects | VETROPACK

HHF Architects was founded in 2003 by Tilo Herlach, Simon Hartmann and Simon Frommenwiler. Their design projects range from urbanism and public structures to master planning and large-scale construction., geographically spanning across parts of Europe and Asia. HHF approaches architecture with innovative concepts and sustainable urban practices, viewing a space as a connected and functioning organism.

Vetropack is an Urban Study done in Bulach, Switzerland of late 2013. It is a collaborative project featuring Topotek1, Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure,  Amstein+Walthert and Intep Integrale Planung (to name a few). HHF entered the space trying to "create a sustainable urban environment that provides a comprehensive pedestrian network and reduces energy requirements in order to transform a former industrial site into a vibrant neighborhood."

To improve the area, they introduced active outdoor spaces  to create proximity between the residential buildings and positively alter the complexion of the landscape. HHF also reconfigured the urban topology, organizing the various programs so that they "formed individual clusters that harmonize with their surroundings such as locating the senior housing and the medical center adjacent to the train station, and the more active public programs closer to the highway."   

 

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HHF is one of the masterly design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

 

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

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http://www.hhf.ch/hhf/studio/profile.html  ||  http://www.hhf.ch/hhf/projects/projects/100-vetropack.html#

"Vetropack." HHF Architects. Projects. Overview. HHF Architects, 2013. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.

 

SPOTLIGHT: ACME | MINORIES REDEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF LONDON

ACME is a contemporary architecture and urban planning firm, established in London of 2007. ACME's objective is to create the "pinnacle of perfection" in each of their physical "expressions." On an urban scale, ACME strives to achieve profitability, cultural mixing, and sustainability. Their urban work shapes residential, public, and commercial spaces. Several of these projects have received international recognition from architectural committees and presenters—projects have won RIBA and ArchDaily awards. 

ACME, on behalf of 4C Hotel Group, has submitted planning application for the Minories Redevelopment in the City of London. The development includes a "20,000 sqm office building, a 16,500 sqm Hampton by Hilton Hotel with 370 rooms, and an 8,000 sqm residential building." Additionally, the schematics include public green patches and urban squares. According to ACME, these design aspects are integral to the "regeneration and expansion of the core fabric of the City of London…helping to re-structure an area with a very inconsistent physical and social fabric."

A beautiful design feature of the redevelopment is the façade. It is a "curtain wall and two layers of fins that help unify and animate the large surfaces of the façade. The fins give a resonant and dynamic appearance to the office massing and also perform as a shading device. The depth of the fins varies depending on the orientation in order to enhance their performance."

ACME remarks that within its site boundary the "Minories development is a microcosm of this evolving environment." Moreover, the site’s prime positioning next to corporate hot spots, "provides the opportunity for the building to play a role in the life and image of the city." With this development, ACME aims to "resolve the specific complexities and contradictions of this key site."

 

ACME is one of the talented design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

Visit gdnyu.com, like Global Design NYU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@gdnyu).

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http://www.acme.ac/   |||   http://www.acme.ac/projects/minories?p=text

"ACME." MINORIES. ACME, 2013. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.

SPOTLIGHT: Bjarke Ingels of BIG, "HEDONISTIC SUSTAINABILITY."

            Bjarke Ingels is the founding partner of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). This urban architecture firm is based in Copenhagen and New York. They specialize in creating a new architectural form, a kind of pragmatic utopia—where ecological mediums are harmoniously integrated with urban systems. In the end, these ideas generate projects that may be defined as biotopes.
           

 

            Bjarke Ingels, in his thoughts and constructions, hopes to clarify the concept of sustainability—he sees the "neo-protestant" notion of, "it has to hurt to be good" as highly fallacious. He wants to redefine and embrace "hedonistic sustainability." Ingels knows a sustainable lifestyle can be without sacrifices; thus, he strives to make designs that are "attractive, desirable and pleasurable," but at the same time sustainable. This methodology will result in a shift in consciousness of what it means to act sustainability.

 

BIG is one of the brilliant design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

 

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

Visit gdnyu.com, like Global Design NYU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@gdnyu).

 

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http://www.ted.com/talks/bjarke_ingels_hedonistic_sustainability.html               

SPOTLIGHT: WORK Architecture Company (WORKac) | SHENZHEN INTERCHANGE

WORKac was founded by Dan Wood and Amale Andraos and is based in New York City. WORKac conflates several design disciplines, operating at the edge of each. In this outer-lying area, they re-invent the nexuses between architecture and "everything else." Their work is progressive and fresh, shaping the future of sustainable urbanism.

WORKac has been a part of many innovative projects; one that stands out, is their design of the Shenzhen Interchange. This is a massive skyscraper placed in a circulatory core of Southern China. WORKac wanted to celebrate the tower's position. Their approach was to "trace the diagonal line of the Metro Line #1 up through the building." In this way, "the subway can also be easily accessed directly through the main elevators of the tower, which also provides direct and convenient access for hotel guests and office workers to travel directly from the secure tower metro lobby to the upper floors."

  

This design also features sustainable practices: "green pockets are chiseled into the building, creating a natural counterpoint to the hard edges of the tower and providing a striking visual confirmation of the building’s commitment to the new ecological urbanism." Additionally, the building uses a cyclical hydrological system and roof-mounted solar panels.

It is a brilliantly designed structure.

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WORKac is one of the innovative design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

 

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

 

Visit gdnyu.com, like Global Design NYU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@gdnyu).

 

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 http://work.ac/  |||  http://work.ac/interchange/

"Shenzhen Interchange." WORKac. WORK Architecture Company, 2011. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT: Laboratory for Visionary Architecture (LAVA) | MASDAR CITY CENTRE

LAVA was founded by Chris Bosse, Tobias Wallisser and Alexander Rieck in 2007.  It is a network of creative minds with a research and design focus.  LAVA is a GLOBAL company, having offices in Sydney, Shanghai, Stuttgart and Abu Dhabi.

"LAVA’s winning design for the city centre of Masdar, the world’s first eco city, includes a plaza, five-star hotel, a convention centre, entertainment complex and retail facilities. The entire area is designed as one continuous, spatial, interactive environment - a ‘loop’. The “Oasis of the Future”, a mediated outdoor space, is an open spatial experience, with solar-powered sunflower umbrellas."

LAVA believes "the future wellbeing of cities around the globe depends on mankind’s ability to develop and integrate sustainable technology."

LAVA is one of the brilliant design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

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http://www.l-a-v-a.net/about-lava/ || http://www.l-a-v-a.net/projects/masdar-city-centre/

"LAVA." Masdar City Centre. LAVA, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.

Urban Design Plans For The Future

The urban fabric needs a new and improved pattern—one that is efficient, green, and sustainable. Here are five design strategies that can make this improvement a reality: 

1. Design A City For The People, Not For The Cars

http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/10/brooklyn-cb1-approves-bike-path-in-place-of-parking/

 

2. Bring Ecological And Net-Zero Architecture Strategies Into The City

http://www.spechtharpman.com/residential/zerohouse.php

3. Build Natural Green Spaces: Green Roofs, Parks, and Gardens

http://inhabitat.com/big-unveils-a-green-roofed-ice-hockey-rink-that-is-downright-cool/

 

4. Start Adapting Coastal Areas

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-12/oysters-could-save-new-york-from-more-sandys-commentary.html

5. Integrate Renewable Energy Resources Into Our Skyscrapers

 

http://work.ac/wp-content/media/water_circulation2.jpg

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

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