German-based architecture and design studio Beta Realities has developed the “Collective Parts” initiative, a design and technology platform for enabling the construction of affordable 3D printed housing. The project has been recognized as one of the winners of Inititative99 by ICON, a global architecture competition aimed at reimagining affordable housing that can be built for under $99,000. The other winners of the open category are MTspace Studio from New Zealand and For Everyday Life from the United Kingdom. The competition also highlights contributions from students as a separate category, featuring Casa Fami by IAAC from Spain, Juan Felipe Molano from Colombia, and Victoria Roznowski from Germany.
Beta Realities Creates 3D Printed Social Housing System for ICON Technologies' Initiative99
COBE Wins Competition to Design Danish Parliament in Copenhagen
Cobe Architects has just unveiled its winning design for the future Danish Parliament in Copenhagen. Aiming to revitalize Denmark’s historic administrative center, the studio envisioned an inviting, accessible space, “where everyone can experience democracy up close.” The design features an underground visitor center, leading to facilities within the Parliament Courtyard, and an interconnected pathway uniting historic buildings formerly used by the Danish National Archive.
Reimagining The Mashrabiya: Functionality and Symbolism in Contemporary Architecture
For centuries, arid environments have solved the problem of light, privacy, and heat through a statement architectural feature of Islamic and Arab architecture, the mashrabiya. Crafted from geometric patterns traditionally made from short lengths of turned wood, the mashrabiya features lattice-like patterns that form large areas. Traditionally, it was used to catch wind and offer passive cooling in the dry Middle Eastern desert heat. Frequently used on the side street of a built structure, water jars, and basins were placed inside it to activate evaporative cooling. The cool air from the street would pass through the wooden screen, providing air movement for the occupants.
Similar to the Indian jali, the vernacular language also offers a playful experience with daylight while still maintaining a certain degree of privacy. Traced back to Ottoman origins, the perforated screens protected occupants’ from the sun while simultaneously letting daylight through in calculated doses. Although the mashrabiya was a statement in arab and Islamic architecture languages, it wasn’t until 1987 that the archetypal element began appearing with a revised contemporary application.
The Moravian Square Park Revitalization / Consequence forma architects
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Architects: Consequence forma architects
- Area: 22365 m²
- Year: 2022
Xin'an Haibei Kindergarten Renovation / Atelier Diagonal
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Architects: Atelier Diagonal
- Area: 1260 m²
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: Guangdong Boer Si New Building Materials Co., Ltd., Songxia Brand , Yile Brand Coatings
Lasting Elegance: Zinc as a Sustainable Choice in Architecture
In nature, zinc is mainly found as zinc sulphide ore or zinc carbonate, which is mined to obtain the metal. Once refined, it is used in a variety of applications, including metal alloys, battery manufacturing, medicines and supplements, as well as in the fabrication of pigments, chemical compounds and coatings. In the latter, which is used in architectural applications, zinc is well known for its weather resistance and self-healing properties and is highly durable, with a lifespan of up to 100 years, requiring minimal maintenance. In addition, because it is 100% recyclable and has a low environmental impact during its production, zinc is a sustainable choice for construction projects.
The Bull Cooking School / Chiangmai Life Architects
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Architects: Chiangmai Life Architects
- Area: 160 m²
- Year: 2023
Lavalle / proyecto triangular
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Architects: proyecto triangular
- Area: 32 m²
- Year: 2022
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Manufacturers: Deca, JOHNSON, Peirano
Tree House / Casalvolone Arquitectura
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Architects: Casalvolone Arquitectura
- Area: 280 m²
- Year: 2023
Restaurant MIG / Studio Fluid
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Architects: Studio Fluid
- Area: 72 m²
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: ETHNICRAFT, Buster + Punch, Caesar, Davide Groppi, Mutina
Shelter / Grau Architects
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Architects: Grau Architects
- Area: 30 m²
- Year: 2022
DOJO Office Headquarter Berlin / UNDPLUS
One’s Clinic / 100A associates
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Architects: 100A associates
- Area: 423 m²
- Year: 2023