Urban Elements: Train Stop

Source: Domyjinak archdaily.com

Train Stop Varnsdorf – Pivovar Kocour, Liberec, Czech Republic, 2013 designed by Domyjinak

The first private train stop in the public space and private administration in the Czech Republic.... The concept of the simple volume, two intersected open cubes, found the inspiration in wooden brewery boxes – beer basses. From the interior of these boxes a massive wooden bench with names of train stops on, protrudes into the space. The bench is carried by the logo of the brewery – steel „statue“ of the tomcat (“kocour” in Czech). -- ArchDaily

Buildings for boat

Source: construction.com

Community Rowing Boathouse, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 2008 designed by Anmahian Winton Architects

For inspiration for the wood Community Rowing Boathouse, the architects looked to regional vernacular linear buildings, such as covered bridges and tobacco sheds. Tobacco sheds provided a particularly compelling model because sculls and shells, like tobacco leaves, need proper ventilation. This observation led the architects to the idea of a kinetic building. -- Architectural Record

Source: Jorge Allende archdaily.com

Sports Technification Centre For Rowing And Canoeing, Orio, Basque Country, Spain, 2012 designed by U.T.E. Atristain Begiristain

The new steel columns hold the light plane corresponding to the cover. Thanks to these supports the cover can be a thin sheet giving a light character to the cover. The ceiling lights created from different glass folds on the cover sheet, add natural lighting to the building. -- ArchDaily

Source: Steve Hall Hedrich Blessing archdaily.com

WMS Boathouse at Clark Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 2013 designed by Studio Gang Architects

The boathouse’s design translates the time-lapse motion of rowing into an architectural roof form, providing visual interest while also offering spatial and environmental advantages that allow the boathouse to adapt to Chicago’s distinctive seasonal changes. With structural truss shapes alternating between an inverted “V” and an “M,” the roof achieves a rhythmic modulation that lets in southern light through the building’s upper clerestory. -- ArchDaily

Source: James Ewing archdaily.com

Hudson River Education Center And Pavilion, Beacon, New York, USA designed by Architecture Research Office

While the Education Center is an iconic destination, the boat pavilion is conceived as a threshold in deference to the expansive Hudson River. The roof is a horizontal plane of corrugated steel that parallels a large wood deck from which boats launch. The painted steel structure is economical and sturdy. Secure storage for up to sixty-four kayaks or canoes, a changing room and storage area are enclosed by aluminum bar grating panels. The textures, patterns, orientation and details of the corrugated steel, wood deck and bar grating bring these ordinary elements into an elegant composition.  -- ArchDaily

Source: Montse Zamorano archdaily.com

Sotogrande’s Sailing School, Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain, 2013 designed by Héctor Fernández Elorza/HFE Arch + Carlos García Fernández

The pergola, constructed in front of the school, unifies all the project elements while also creating a shaded threshold, covering the exterior from direct sun exposure, stretching towards the southern end of the building. Seen from a distance, the school becomes a landmark near the port entrance. -- ArchDaily

Source: Nigel Young | Foster + Partners, archdaily.com

Yacht Club de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2014 designed by Foster + Partners

The yacht club is the symbolic centrepiece of the Monaco’s remodelled harbour front. It celebrates the principality’s spectacular coastline and its nautical heritage, creating a series of deck-like terraces that step up along the harbour to offer unrivalled views out to races at sea or inland over the course of the renowned Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit. --  ArchDaily

Source: Arnaud Marthouret archdaily.com

A Modern Boathouse in a Canadian Landscape, Parry Sound District, ON, Canada, 2014 designed by Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited

Through careful form-making and the use of rustic materials, the project responds gently both to the natural and cultural context of the area, where historically built-form yields to the power of the landscape with its exposed and glacially carved granite and wind swept jack pines. -- ArchDaily

Source: Nigel Rigden archdaily.com

Portsoy Boatshed, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, UK, 2015 designed by Brown + Brown Architects

The job essentially comprises a modern timber building, which has been slipped inside a reconstructed stone skin. Due to the setting of an historic harbour, no new openings were permitted in the stone walls, resulting in most of the natural light coming via a ridge rooflight, which runs the length of the building. -- ArchDaily

Cylindrical 13

Source: Akitema archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

Culture Center, Akureyri, Iceland, 2010 designed by Arkitema Architects

Its significance as a social linchpin is reflected partly in the building’s circular form, and partly in the public pedestrian street which cuts through the building. The arts centre is anchored in Icelandic nature: externally, the building is clad with rods and bars of a special variety of Icelandic granite called Studlaberg. The robust facade presents an organic rhythm, with high narrow windows positioned according to the daylight needs of the various functions. -- ArchDaily

Source: Margarita Yawein archdaily.com

Palace of Schoolchildren, Bauyrzhan Momyshuly Avenue, Astana, Kazakhstan, 2011 designed by Studio 44 Architects

The Shangyrak is a wooden crown doming a Kasakh yurt with a central opening over the fireplace. In our project, this sacral element of a Kazakh traditional dwelling is reinterpreted as a cylinder 8 m in height and 156 m in diameter. The giant disc has openings and skylights providing natural light inside the building, into a central atrium space. It covers stepped compositions of rectangular “boxes” each containing a functional element – skating rink, museum, shooting gallery, theater, etc. -- ArchDaily

Source: Adam Mørk archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

Ecco’s Hotel, Ecco Alleen 4, Tonder, Denmark, 2013 designed by Studio DISSING+WEITLING Architecture

The design of the building is optimised in every way, not only through the use of geothermal heating/cooling and solar energy but also the circular shape of the floor plan itself which makes for the best utilisation of the available space, short distances within the building and minimum heat loss on account of the reduced surface area. -- ArchDaily

Source: Raymond Chow archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

Borden Park Pavilion, Edmonton, AB, Canada, 2014 designed by gh3

The building recalls the iconic geometry of classical parks and pavilions, given the surrounding curving paths and loose axial relationships, typical of traditional English school of landscaping. -- ArchDaily

Climbing Up 7

Source: wikipedia.org

Hysan Place, Hong Kong designed by KPF

Shoppers can also take skip-stop elevators, or express, skip-stop escalators superimposed on the front façade of the building, à la the Pompidou Center in Paris. -- ARCHITECT Magazine

Source: Klaas Verdru archdaily.com

ARhus Knowledge Center, Roeselare, Belgium, 2014 designed by BURO II & ARCHI+I

The site will become a new multifunctional inner-city area with private and public functions including everything from housing, homes for senior citizens, shops, offices and exhibition areas to a knowledge centre with a library. The knowledge centre is going to be an open house, a public information forum and meeting place for people of all ages. -- ArchDaily

Mathieu Gafsou archdaily.com

Rovereaz Housing, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2014 designed by LOCALARCHITECTURE

On the street side, facing north, the building reveals a relatively closed facade, with a verticality enhanced by the undulations of the facade material. A slight fold interrupts the facade’s rhythm and underlines the bending towards Rovereaz Road. The glazed staircase leading to the apartments partitions freely the volume of the building. -- ArchDaily

Source: James Ewing archdaily.com

The New School University Center, 65 5th Avenue, New York City, New York, USA, 2014 designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Connections between classrooms, studios, library, cafés, auditorium, and student residences take the form of stacked staircases and “sky quads” that facilitate the chance encounters vital to the cultivation of discussion and debate at The New School. -- ArchDaily

Source: Julien Lanoo archdaily.com

INTECS SPA Headquarters, Rome, Italy, 2014 designed by Modostudio + Studio Cattinari

The building is composed of a series of floors, linked through connections clearly readable on the exterior facade. These connections create stairs, terraces or slopes, hosting conference rooms or outdoor auditorium, providing a functional layout extremely varied and flexible. -- ArchDaily

Source: Simon Kennedy archdaily.com

Believe in Better Building, Osterley, Isleworth, Isleworth, Greater London TW7, UK, 2014 designed by Arup Associates

The first multi-storey timber commercial office in the UK, it demonstrates the use of offsite prefabrication and timber construction to achieve a unique workplace in half the normal time-frame. 

An open staircase rises through the triple height atrium to the rooftop terrace and restaurant. At first and second floors the stair width is increased to incorporate breakout spaces, providing not only circulation, and visual communication across the floors and out to the plaza, but creates a social and interactive focus to the building. -- ArchDaily

Urban Design in City Governments

Urban Design Department, Boston Redevelopment Authority, City of Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Urban design is the art and science of shaping a city's public realm. That realm is collectively comprised of public spaces, the activities that occur within them, and the buildings that frame them.  The role of the BRA's Urban Design (UD) Department is to ensure that the urban design principles that define Boston’s unique character are widely promoted and embedded in the planning and redevelopment projects in the city. Every day, UD's multidisciplined staff faces the challenge of honoring the City's historic character while promoting contemporary development. -- City of Boston , Massachusetts

Urban Design, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

What is urban design? This term means different things to different people. To some, it is a decorative art, concerned with making a city more attractive with landscaping, special street lights, banners, dramatic artwork, and the like. To others, it is nothing short of every aspect of how a city is put together, including the design of streets, parks and open space, and how buildings look and feel. In Cambridge, the urban design effort has built on the latter proposition, that urban design is part city and transportation planning, part architecture, and part landscape design. -- City of Cambridge, Massachusetts 

Urban Design Studio, City of Portland, Oregon, USA

The Urban Design Studio works with the community and agency partners to address citywide spatial design issues and opportunities. UDS develops concepts using illustrations, maps and diagrams; facilitates design workshops; and implements objectives through design policy and regulatory framework changes. -- The City of Portland, Oregon

City Design Group, City and County of San Francisco, California, USA

Combining the disciplines of city planning, architecture, and landscape architecture, the department’s team of urban designers works to improve San Francisco’s livability through concern for the physical qualities of the city. In 2005 this important role within the department’s long-range Citywide Planning Division was formalized via the establishment of the City Design Group (CDG).

The City Design Group’s goal is to recognize the positive qualities of San Francisco’s built environment and its relationship with the natural setting, and to create and foster initiatives that build upon these qualities in ways that strengthen the city’s sense of place. -- City and County of San Francisco, California

Urban Design Studio, City of Los Angeles, California, USA

Founded in 2006, the Studio practices an integrated approach that brings together principles of good urban design with innovative policy. The Studio aims to make it easier to build spaces that provide functionality, variety, delight, and a sense of belonging: a better Los Angeles. The Studio is a part of the City of Los Angeles Planning Department. It is supported by student interns from across a range of disciplines. -- The City of Los Angeles, California

CityDesign Studio, City of Dallas, Texas, USA

The Dallas CityDesign Studio was formed in October of 2009 through a grant to the City from the Trinity Trust Foundation, funded by a generous gift from Deedie and Rusty Rose, to focus on neighborhoods and development along the Trinity. Housed within City Hall, the CityDesign Studio blends together the broader design community and the City of Dallas. The purpose of the Dallas CityDesign Studio is to elevate the design consciousness and culture of Dallas, while working to balance social, economic, environmental, and design sustainability towards enhancing livability for all Dallas residents. -- City of Dallas, Texas

Urban Design Department, City of St. Louis, Missouri, USA

The Urban Design Department is part of the City of St. Louis’ Planning and Urban Design Agency. Staff designers work with Aldermen, development professionals, neighborhood residents, and other City departments to guide and support livable, appropriate development based on each project’s needs and goals. -- City of St. Louis, Missouri

Urban Design, City of Toronto, Canada

High-quality urban design is an essential ingredient for building a great city. From the largest-scale plans down to the smallest site and building details, urban designers strive at every level to create beautiful, vibrant, safe and inclusive places. -- City of Toronto, Canada

Into the Water

Source:  Roland Barthofer

Observation deck, Vöcklabruck, Austria, 2007 designed by Westpol Landscape Architects

An observation deck at a popular pond in Vöcklabruck, Austria puts the visitor at eye level with the pond, giving a water-level vantage point that would otherwise require going for a swim in the pond. -- Inhabitat

Source: RO&AD Architecten archdaily.com

Moses Bridge, Halsteren, The Netherlands, 2011 designed by RO&AD Architecten

Its construction is entirely made of wood, waterproofed with EPDM foil. The bridge lies like a trench in the fortress and the moat, shaped to blend in with the outlines of the landscape.

The bridge can’t be seen from a distance because the ground and the water come all the way up to its edge. When you get closer, the fortress opens up to you through a narrow trench. You can then walk up to its gates like Moses on the water. -- ArchDaily

Open Up 3

Source: Fernando Guerra – FG+SG archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

Casa Madalena, 4400-431 Madalena, Portugal, 2008 designed by Carlos Castanheira

The central volume predominates in relation to the other two, being a two storey volume expressing the living and dining rooms with their double height ceilings. The geometrical dissimilarity between the volumes accentuates their differences. The connections between them are made by volumes with similar geometries. -- ArchDaily

Source: Derek Swalwell archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

McCrae Residence, Collingwood, Australia, 2011 designed by Wolveridge Architects

Walking through the hallway to the living area, the generous courtyard opens up on the right hand side, providing light for the surrounding rooms and a private terrace for the inhabitants. The protected courtyard enables the rear lounge library to remain connected with the view beyond and provide an alternative outdoor location during inclement weather. -- ArchDaily

Source: Brad Feinknopf archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Nature Center, 1415 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, Ohio, USA, 2012 designed by DesignGroup

The building recedes into the landscape, allowing the visitor to focus on the building’s surroundings, rather than the building itself. From the north, only the high roof of the building’s porch and main lobby is visible. -- ArchDaily

Source: AR Design Studio archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

4 Views, Winchester, Hampshire, UK, 2013 designed by AR Design Studio

The form of the replacement house is defined by four interlocking boxes, the negative space at their centre forms a ‘Zen’ garden, with a single olive tree at its heart. -- ArchDaily

Source: Tamara Uribe Photography archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

PL2 House, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, 2013 designed by Seijo Peon Arquitectos y Asociados

The house’s main access is across the terrace, following the diagonal main axis that crosses the site and from this one are unfold the main spaces; this axis also works as division between the service spaces and the served ones. -- ArchDaily

Source: Joana França archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

D&P Residence, Brasília – Distrito Federal, Brasil, 2013 designed by Atelier Paralelo

This oblique tear articulates different functions that require natural lighting and ventilation, which is opposed to the necessary privacy and light control in bedrooms. Thus, it lights the couple’s closet, lights and ventilates the daughter’s suite and the office. -- ArchDaily

Source: Adrià Goula archdaily.com

Plan, Source: atchdaily.com

House in Front of a Stream, 17244 Cassà de la Selva, Girona, Spain designed by 05 AM Arquitectura

The whole house is in developed in the ground floor level, and is defined by two volumes that are adapted to the irregular shape of the plot, one of them is parallel to neighbour limit, and the other one is perpendicular to the street, being a little turned respect the other one, defining between them a protected space, sunny, saved from the vision from the public spaces, and open to the green plants of the stream. -- ArchDaily

Source: Joana França archdaily.com

Plan, Source: archdaily.com

Popsonics House, Altiplano Leste - Paranoá, Brasília - DF, Brazil, 2014 designed by LAB606

The house is set in a privileged location with a bustling topography that allows the overview of its roof from different parts of the surroundings.  From this context the roof was conceived as if it were a fifth façade that contrasts plastically and chromatically with the hills and the landscape in which the home is located. -- ArchDaily