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OMA. Conceptual drawing of the façade of the Very Big Library. 1989 © Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)

On view now until September 9, the ‘Très Grande Bibliothèque (Very Big Library)’ Exhibition at the Canadian Center for Architecture (CCA) presents materials produced by OMA, in response to an international competition launched by France’s then president, Francois Mitterrand, in 1989 to design the new bibliotheque nationale de France. Curated by Rem Koolhaas and Clement Blanchet of OMA, the concept of their proposal resided in the notion of the library spaces being excavated as voids from a ‘solid cube’ containing the archives. The concept offered great architectural freedom, with the public spaces (or voids) being liberated from the constraints of a predeterminded structure or form. More information on the exhibition after the break.

A super-library combining five national collections in one building, Paris’s National Library of France was the final Grands travaux of President François Mitterrand. Initially commissioned to house all French production of words, images, and sounds since 1945, its architectural competition captured the confusion and variety of architectural thinking in 1989.

OMA’s proposal was for a 100m tall cube aggressively placed on the banks of the Seine; a building that marks the beginning of the ‘big’ period and the shift from urbanism to conceptual formalism that Rem Koolhaas would retroactively name in his infamous remark on context.

For more information on the exhibition, please visit here.

Courtesy of José Neves

José Neves recenlty won the first prize in the competition for the project of the Centro de Artes do Carnaval in the city of Torres Vedras, Portugal. The jury noted that the design organizes the spaces for public use in an optimal way, allowing for a visitor’s path which is logical, organized and consequential. The proposal suggests the building as a unifying idea for the site starting from a balance between the contest specifications and the site characteristics, an innovative approach to the Slaughter House building, a relevant interpretation of the existing urban language and the consequent formulation of an architectural language which reinvents the site. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Courtesy of José Neves

Situated close to one of the accesses to the city of Torres Vedras, within walking distance from its historical centre, the proposed site for the Centro de Artes do Carnaval is marked by two singular elements: on the one hand, the old Slaughter House which, before being closed down, was a focus of urban life in the small fragmented neighbourhood which surrounded it and still keeps its icon status; on the other hand, the crater of an old abandoned quarry. This crater consists of a large platform, currently inaccessible, and a cliff, whose dimension and material – stone – lend the whole space a dreamlike touch.

Courtesy of José Neves

The main building of the old Slaughter House, where the Arts Centre spaces more directly linked to the outside are structured – the atrium, auditorium, documentation centre and the temporary exhibition room -, is rehabilitated. A new body, hanging over this building and vertically connected to it from its original ambulatory, hosts the permanent exhibition which, having a series of views to the outside world and to the city, extends itself to the outside space defined by the quarry.

The body containing the remaining Museum collection is prolonged until it reaches the cliffs by means of a stone-like surface which seems to come out of the rock. This surface, whose genesis of the shape – an ellipse – results from the geometry suggested by the crater, makes up together with the cliffs the limits of a square over the existing platform. The covered terrace of the museum bar and the continuous façade formed by the arts’ workshops are central to liven up this new public square which, under the pretext of the Centro de Artes do Carnaval, is being offered to the small neighbourhood and the town.

Architect: José Neves
Location: Torres Vedras, Portugal
Collaborators: Rui Sousa Pinto, André Matos, Fernando Freire, Sara Brandão, Vitor Quaresma
Landscape Architect: Victor Beiramar Diniz (JLCG) Engineering: BETAR; SM&LM; Natural Works
Promotor: Câmara Municipal de Torres Vedras
Date: 2011

Architects of Healing © ArchDaily

After three days of inspirational keynote sessions, informative seminars, exclusive tours, invaluable networking opportunities and an impressive expo, the American Institute of Architects concluded the 2012 National Convention with a special tribute to the architects responsible for the post-9/11 memorials and rebuilding efforts. These “Architects of Healing” tirelessly worked together to transform the darkness of grief brought on by the 9/11 attacks into the triumph of hope in the wounded areas of Shanksville, Pennsylvania; the Pentagon; and the World Trade Center site. 

Robert I. Davidson, FAIA © ArchDaily

Robert I. Davidson, FAIA, is a senior vice president at STV in New York, and is responsible for the planning and design of the World Trade Center PATH Intermodal Station.

Daniel Libeskind, AIA © ArchDaily

The musician, artist and internationally recognized architect Daniel Libeskind, AIA, is responsible for the Ground Zero Master Plan in New York.

David M. Childs, FAIA © ArchDaily

David M. Childs, FAIA, is Chairman Emeritus of SOM. He designed Seven World Trade Center and One World Trade Center (formally the Freedom Tower) in New York, which recently became the tallest tower in New York City.

Michael Arad, AIA © ArchDaily

Michael Arad, AIA, was a key architect for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center in New York, whose “Reflecting Absence” memorial was selected by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation from more than 5,000 entries submitted in an international competition held in 2003.

Craig Edward Dykers, AIA © ArchDaily

Craig Edward Dykers, AIA, is the co-founder of Snohetta. He served as a key architect for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center in New York.

Steven M. Davis, FAIA © ArchDaily

Steven M. Davis, FAIA, is a partner in the New York firm David Brody Bond. He is a key architect for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center in New York.

Santiago Calatrava, FAIA © ArchDaily

Santiago Calatrava, FAIA, is an engineer, artist and internationally recognized architect who recently completed the Trinity River Bridge in Dallas. Calatrava designed the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which is currently under construction and planned for completion in late 2014 or early 2015.

Each highlighted architect shared their story, describing their deep connection to the tragic events of 9/11. They were then joined by the rest of the honored “Architects of Healing”, including Paul Murdock, AIA; Julie Beckman; Keith Kaseman; Ridgely Dixon, AIA; Craig A. Morgan, AIA; Christopher Fromboluti, AIA; Ronald E. Fidler, FAIA; and Mary Oehrlein, FAIA.

After a grand round of applause, each architect’s team members flooded the stage as they too deserved to be honored for their hard work and talent. The 9/11 memorials and rebuilding efforts were made possible through the dedication and collaboration efforts by all the participating architects.

Architects of Healing © ArchDaily

© Mike Sinclair

Architect: Hufft Projects
Location: Missouri, USA
Principal in charge: Matthew Hufft
Design Team: Adam Crowley, Dan Brown
Lighting: Lightworks
Consultant: Herman & Associates
Area: 500 sq.ft.
Completion: 2010
Photographs: Mike Sinclair 

© Mike Sinclair

Serving as a counterpoint to the Curved House, the Shed is located on a repurposed Cul-de-sac adjacent to the residence. The construction method is an exercise in celebrating the logic and clarity of prefabrication. Conceived as a kit of parts, the elegant building’s steel frame combines modular wall components, roof trusses, and battens, all of which were assembled on site and clad with a rain-screen of White Oak taken from the property. This rain-screen wraps the walls, roof, and soffit and is expressed as a singular element. A galvanized metal fascia speaks to the structure beneath the skin. Polygal end walls with large operable doors complete the tripartite material composition.

Courtesy of Broadway Malyan

Broadway Malyan recently secured a brief to provide a full range of design services for the delivery of a global headquarter, research and development, hospitality and visitor centrer in China. They will provide masterplanning, architectural and landscape design services for the project, from concept to detailed design and onsite delivery, with the center set to become a global center for hybrid rice research, a showcase for sustainable development and an international leisure destination in the Qixianling area of Hainan, China’s southernmost province. More images and architects’ description after the break. 

Courtesy of Broadway Malyan

Located in Baoting County, north of Sanya on Hainan Island, the ‘Shennong Valley Resort’ will sit in a stunning 35 acre site between the famous ‘Qixianling Seven Angels’ mountain ridge and the valley’s terraced rice fields. The design will maximise views of the ridge and the valleys below for visitors staying in new luxury private villas, large format club house villas and a luxurious five star resort hotel, operated by the Intercontinental Hotel Group and including conference and spa facilities. The scheme will also include a new museum of hybrid rice, showcasing new production technologies, global solutions and the story of rice cultivation in Asia, which in itself is the story of civilisation.

Courtesy of Broadway Malyan

The practice’s client,Grand Agriseeds Technology, is a market leader in the super high-yielding hybrid rice seed production methods pioneered by Professor Yuan Longping, the ‘fatherof hybrid rice’. The center is the brainchild of Grand Agriseeds Technology’s chairman Mr. Huang Peijin. His vision is that the facility will play a strategic role in realizing the company’s ambition to be the world’s leading innovator in the field of high-yield hybrid rice and a leader in the crusade to alleviate future world food crises. It will also reflect the company’s commitment to sustainable development, local habitat and integration of innovative green technology.

One of the most impressive pavilions at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 was the UK Pavilion, designed by Thomas Heatherwick. In this book, we can see not only the impressive pavilion, but also a comprehensive overview covering the studio’s entire history. Over 150 projects are represented, each fully illustrated with images selected from Heatherwick’s personal and studio archives.

More information after the break.

The first retrospective publication on the work of award-winning designer Thomas Heatherwick (the subject of a 2012 exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum) offers an in-depth look at all aspects of the innovator’s creative, design, and manufacturing processes.

Heatherwick is known as one of the greatest innovators of our era, and for the first time, this publication provides an inside look at the creation and development of his projects. It answers the one question always asked of Heatherwick’s work: How did he do that?

The book covers the studio’s complete output over more than fifteen years—some 170 projects—including designs large and small: zippered bags that can be expanded to five times their size, a bridge that rolls open and closed, the in-progress one-million-square-foot mall in Hong Kong and glass bridge in London.

- The Monacelli Press

Author: Thomas Heatherwick
Publisher: The Monacelli Press
Language: English
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 600
ISBN: 978-1-58093-334-6

Index

From I to We
Acknowledgements
Projects
Throne
Chain Experiments
Slipcast Tile
Test Pieces
Cabinet
Vessels
Clay Study for a Water Sculpture
Clay Test Pieces
Pair of Seats
Pavilion
Transformable Seat
Sculpture Park Gates
Upholstered Furniture
Three-Dimensional Picture Frame
City Gateway
Pocket Knife
Interlocking Book
Arts & Business Award
Plank
Twisted Cabinet
Bench

Gazebo
Business Card
Windsor Great Hall
Log
Montblanc Diary
Sleeping Policeman
Christmas Cards
Film Festival Ticket Office
London Underground Station
Kielder Boathouse
Conran Shop Window Display
Shelving for a Jade Collection
Office Interior
Laing Square
Complete Christmas Tree
Hate Seat
Millenium Bridge
Autumn Intrusion
Garden Railings for a London House
Christmas Card 1997
Image Bank Award
Materials House
Installation
Christmas Card 1998
Blackburn Emergency Platform
Millenium Dome: National Identity Zone
Identity Crisis
Twin Roundabouts
Hairy Building
Electric Cinema Facade

Belsay Sitooterie
Street Chandelier
Barking Square
Shopping Centre
Barnards Farm Sitooterie
Double Clothing
Zip Bag
Guastavino’s
Shop Design
Brand.new Exhibition
Paternoster Vents
Masts
Boots Christmas Decoration
Yorkshire Sound Barrier
Hereford Community Building
Turning Trees
Temple
HSBC History Wall
Conran Foundation Collection
Christmas Card 2001
B of the Bang
Paper House
Eden Project Exhibition Buildings
Bleigiessen
Rolling Bridge
BMW Pavilion
Christmas Card 2002
Milton Keynes Information Centre
Glass Bridge
Piano Factory Apartments
Kagoshima Carpet
Grange-over-Sands Café and Bridge
Christmas Card 2003
Colindale Tower
Piggyback

Ballpoint
Salviati Glass Furniture
Milton Keynes Public Art Strategy
Southorn Playground
Motorway Bridge
Longchamp Store
Expanding Furniture
Guy’s Hospital
Christmas Card 2004
East Beach Café
Aberystwyth Artists’ Studios
Aberystwyth Meeting House
Konstam
Nottingham Eastside
Ribbon Bridge
Pacific Place
Christmas Card 2005
V&A Temporary Structure
Watch
Baku Monument
Christmas Card 2006
Worth Abbey Church
Southwark Town Hall
Notting Hill Residential Tower

Olympic Velodrome
Spun
Harewood Quarter
UK Pavilion
Cloud Bridge
Group of Towers
Gradated Tower
Doha Grand Hotel
Chelsea Barracks Landscape
Sheung Wan Hotel
Christmas Card 2008
Masdar Mosque
Stratford Olympic Structure
Centrifugal Chandelier
Worthing Swimming Pool
Extrusions
Large Span Rolling Bridge
Teesside Power Station
Baku Tea House
Sheikh Zayed Memorial
Christmas Card 2009
London Bus
Capitol Theatre
London Cable Car
Old Airport Road Park
Khalidiyah Park
Distillery
Towers of Silence
Jiading Bridge
Christmas Card 2010
Electricity Pylon
Boat
Project-Makers
Image Credits
Heatherwick Studio 1994-2012

© Jim Steinkamp of Steinkamp Photography

Architects: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
General Contractor: Pepper Construction
Consultants: Halvorson & Partners, Elara Engineering
Client: Loyola University
Size: 69,000 sf
Completion: 2007
Photographs: Jim Steinkamp of Steinkamp Photography

© Jim Steinkamp of Steinkamp Photography

On the shores of Lake Michigan, Loyola University Chicago’s Information Commons collects the student body, less through the amenity of internet access than through its open, daylight setting with breathtaking views, inaugurating the library of the digital age. Through the realization of a collective space for internet-based research, the essential ingredient of collaboration is folded in to digital education. This LEED Silver building combines computer technology and innovative building systems with an inspirational open and flexible design to celebrate a new era of campus architecture focused on student collaboration and resource conservation.

© Jim Steinkamp of Steinkamp Photography

Working with Loyola, SCB envisioned the concept of a transparent, open computer space using the clearest glass available and a visually delicate structure to maintain views from the campus through the building to the lake. The biggest influence on design came from a commitment by the University and SCB to incorporate cutting edge sustainable technologies. SCB worked in conjunction with German based Transsolar KlimaEngineering to establish new sustainable technologies. Transsolar KlimaEngineering performed a detailed climate analysis to understand the external environment in order to use the natural environment to heat and cool the building. Transsolar’s investigation was used to create optimal design parameters for the building. Their analysis included wind speed and solar radiation impact. The results indicated that an integrated façade and mechanical design were needed to mitigate heat gains from the rising and setting sun. Each facade was analyzed and different enclosures were designed to meet the unique orientation to the sun.

© Jim Steinkamp of Steinkamp Photography

The most energy efficient operational mode occurs when the exterior environment can be utilized to achieve interior thermal comfort. When these ideal conditions occur, a sophisticated building automation system, with input from an exterior weather station, is programmed to open automated windows in the east and west façades. Opening the windows in these façades allows fresh air from the lake to naturally ventilate and cool the interior space. An active double-skin façade on the west elevation is used to stimulate this non-mechanical natural flow across the building from east to west.

In addition, wind pressure flowing across the top of this double-skin cavity helps exhaust warm air from the building by pulling the air through automated windows at the cavity’s top. Located in this cavity is the primary shading device for the western facade. Four-inch horizontal blinds that track the sun’s movement throughout the day reflect radiant energy and protect the interior of the building from excess heat gain while allowing natural daylight to light the space. The result of these innovative techniques is a building that achieves a 52% energy reduction below ASHRAE-90.1-1999 minimum requirements.

© Jim Steinkamp of Steinkamp Photography

SCB’s design integrates a modern architectural vision with existing Art Deco buildings to create a space maximizing comfort. The concept of a transparent, open link between the university’s past and its future is described by glass walls enclosed between limestone “bookends” using materials, scale, and details similar to those of the existing historic buildings. Matching the Information Commons’ inventive library program is an equally innovative approach to mechanical and structural systems, utilizing passive computer-controlled technologies to attain energy efficiency.

Courtesy of DCPP Arquitectos

Located in a privileged area in the city of Lima with views towards the golf course, DCPP Arquitectos sought to create an icon for the future in their design for a new luxury housing concept in Latin America. They do so by combining the idea of incorporating the exterior space to the interior life of the apartments and creating a new relation between public and private areas. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Courtesy of DCPP Arquitectos

We wanted to get away from the traditional tower; instead of piling up a series of identical apartments, we created three types that adjust to different necessities; each one with a clear individuality using the privative exterior spaces as our main core. We believe that an apartment shouldn’t lack exterior spaces; this is why our main space in each apartment is the exterior public area which contains the pool and a series of terraces that bring dynamism to the whole tower. These terraces fill the apartment with natural light and create a game of lights and shadows.

Courtesy of DCPP Arquitectos

The 20 floor tower has a facade that is mainly transparent allowing the integration of the building to the exterior; generating crossed ventilation and natural lighting in all the spaces without sacrificing the privacy inside the apartments. The floor plan is open looking for a transparency all along the plot and generating the sensation that the apartments are suspended.