Vanke Early Learning Center / dot Architects

[caption id="attachment_947" align="aligncenter" width="1499"] © Wu Qingshan[/caption]

From the architect. dot Architects has designed a new early learning centre for Chinese developer Vanke. The project locates in Qingdao, China. The early learning centre is on the third floor of a former sales gallery.

[caption id="attachment_948" align="aligncenter" width="1499"] © Wu Qingshan[/caption]

Although it is still a hypothesis, that social interaction and unstructured play are vital for children’s development.  An open space is required for such activities to happen. A stage is defined as the reading zone instead of a library room. It can be used for free play during classes or as a theatre stage for special events.

We designed a scaled down children friendly house on top of the stage. The house is enclosed of wooden boxes which can be used to display books, plants or other exhibits. Children can sit and read anywhere, beside the table or on the stairs.

[caption id="attachment_949" align="aligncenter" width="1499"] © Wu Qingshan[/caption]

In order to create continuity in the space and to prevent a potential collision, the plan layout is defined with smooth curves. Two oval shaped skylights are introduced into the space to bring in the natural light, as the south facing windows are occupied by classrooms.

[caption id="attachment_950" align="aligncenter" width="1436"] Plan[/caption]

Classrooms are categorized under different climate regions. Each region is represented with a theme colour and its signature animals. It is a more efficient way for preschoolers to identify the classrooms than usual numbering system.

[caption id="attachment_951" align="aligncenter" width="1499"] © Wu Qingshan[/caption]

The interior of the classrooms use the same colour with a lighter shade. The furniture also has some coloured panels to make it more vivid.

As the budget for facade renovation is limited, the original curtain wall is remained with some panels replaced by the coloured ones. The entrance to the learning centre is defined by an illuminated logo.

In designing spaces for children, we prefer abstract geometry and simple visual language. We believe that children’s imaginations are more complex than any designed forms. It is better to design less to create a more imaginative space.

[caption id="attachment_952" align="aligncenter" width="1499"] © Wu Qingshan[/caption]

 

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  Architects

  
  
  dot Architects


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  Location

  
  
  Qingdao, Shandong, China


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  Lead Architect

  
  
  Duo Ning


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  Design Team

  
  
  Hu Xingzhu, Sun Qingfeng, Deng Tingfang, Liao Zhaocong Client: Vanke


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  Client

  
  
  Vanke


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  Area

  
  
  600.0 m2


• 
  

  Project Year

  
  
  2017


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  Photographs

  
  
  Wu Qingshan


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  Manufacturers

  
  
  Armstrong Flooring, Dulux

[Google_Maps_WD id=30 map=16]

 

HKS Unveils New $975 Million Minneapolis Stadium / HKS

[caption id="attachment_886" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Courtesy of HKS[/caption]

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group together unveiled the design of the state’s new $975 million multi-purpose stadium in Minneapolis.

The Architect’s Description:

Described as an authentic structure influenced by its Minnesota location, the new stadium exhibits a bold, progressive design that combines efficient functionality with stunning architecture. With a soaring prow, the largest transparent roof in the world, and operable doors that open to the downtown skyline, the facility’s openness and sleek geometric exterior will make it unlike any other stadium in the country.

[caption id="attachment_887" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Courtesy of HKS[/caption]

“The design reflects the true story of the Minnesota community with its international style driven by climatic response and energy conservation,” said Bryan Trubey, design principal, HKS Sports & Entertainment Group. “The interior volume makes it the most versatile, multi‐use building in the country with the most advanced digital age technology.”

[caption id="attachment_888" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Courtesy of HKS[/caption]

Groundbreaking for the new 65,000‐seat stadium will take place in October 2013, and demolition of the Metrodome will begin early in 2014. The new stadium is scheduled to be open in time for the Vikings 2016 season.

The project is currently under review by the Minneapolis Stadium Implementation Committee and the City of Minneapolis.

[caption id="attachment_889" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Courtesy of HKS[/caption]

Bank of Shanghai Data Processing Center / Silvio d´Ascia

[caption id="attachment_872" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] © Yves Chan You[/caption]

The new project, conceived in partnership with AREP and Shanghai-based ECADI, is located in the Zhangjiang Innovation Park, situated about 21 km from Pudong. Imagined as a sort of « digital fortress », the complex includes roughly 12,500 m2 of data server rooms, with these spaces forming the foundation upon which rest other programmatic zones, such as offices, customer service centers, restaurants, and conference centers.

[caption id="attachment_873" align="aligncenter" width="1926"] © Yves Chan You[/caption]

 

Explains d’Ascia : « The idea was to give a certain solidity to the image of the bank ; we wanted the center to reflect the strength of the financial institution housed within its walls. »

[caption id="attachment_874" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] © Yves Chan You[/caption]

 

The project’s conclusion comes on the heels of the studio’s recent data processing center for the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Both projects came about as the result of winning competition bids and continue the studio’s forary into highly-technical buildings for the digital age. « I truly believe this sort of building, the data center, is the future. Every company will need one, » notes d’Ascia.

[caption id="attachment_875" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] © Yves Chan You[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_876" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Sketch[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_877" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Section[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_878" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Section 2[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_879" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Section 3[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_880" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Render[/caption]

 

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  Architects

  
  
  Silvio d´Ascia


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  Location

  
  
  Shanghai, China


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  Design Team

  
  
  Silvio d’Ascia Architecture with AREP


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  Area

  
  
  76000.0 sqm


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  Project Year

  
  
  2014


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  Photographs

  
  
  Yves Chan You

[Google_Maps_WD id=26 map=14]

 

 

Swiss House XXII Preonzo / Davide Macullo Architects

[caption id="attachment_771" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Panoramic View[/caption]

From the architect. This building is a small construction that takes on a universal meaning; creating a relationship between the DNA of a place and its future and represents a contemporary interpretation of the historical values of a place.

[caption id="attachment_772" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Exterior[/caption]

The project site lies in the area of urban expansion at the limit of the countryside, north of the historical centre of the village of Preonzo in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. This rich Alpine context is dotted by traditional stone volumes, where animals were once housed on the ground floor and families lived above and are testament to the history of this once farming community. Our original building was one of these vernacular volumes. Recognising the significance of preserving the historical memory, the design retains this original modest volume (now the full height living room) and respects its scale. The client's need for a larger habitable space resulted in the addition of two new volumes that work in dialogue with the existing in terms of their character and scale, creating a new equilibrium generated from the historical context but interpreted with a contemporary language.

[caption id="attachment_773" align="aligncenter" width="807"] Interior Hhouse, Living Room With Sofa[/caption]

The roofline game of inclined planes that appear as a series of three traditional roofs, becomes a surrealist landscape. The inclined areas suddenly disappear from view and one does not have a clear perception of the space until one enters inside. The importance of the roof is underlined through the simple pleasure of an unexpected perception.

[caption id="attachment_774" align="aligncenter" width="667"] White house view from the meadow, summer day[/caption]

The materials used in the construction emphasise this relationship. The old buildings were built completely in stone and appear as compact volumes. The new buildings mirror this compactness by an homogenous finish on the exterior and interior surfaces.

[caption id="attachment_775" align="aligncenter" width="820"] Interior modern house, living room with sofa[/caption]

The openings on the East of the house are the reflection of the flower beds laid out on the ground below. The spaces made by the three volumes create a positive-negative effect on the facade; one projected, one carved out, with the sky as roof.

[caption id="attachment_777" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Site Plan[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_776" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Ground Floor[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_778" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Level +2.74[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_779" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Roof Plan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_780" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Section[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_781" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] North Elevation[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_782" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] South Elevation[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_783" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] West Elevation[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_784" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] East Elevation[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_785" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Detail 1[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_786" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Detail 2[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_787" align="aligncenter" width="1414"] Detail 3[/caption]

 

 

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  Architects

  
  
  Davide Macullo Architects


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  Location

  
  
  6523 Preonzo, Switzerland


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  Area

  
  
  206.0 m2


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  Project Year

  
  
  2013


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  Photographs

  
  
  Alexandre Zveiger


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  Manufacturers

  
  
  Schüco, Sika

[Google_Maps_WD id=16 map=9]