Archinect - News

One of Helmut Jahn's final designs distinguishes itself on the Chicago skyline

2024-11-05T12:05:00-05:00

Critics are coming out in favor of a distinctive new residential apartment tower from Jahn after the building opened at the south end of Michigan Avenue in Chicago in June. The 1000M project is a new high-rise accommodation meant to anchor the historic thoroughfare with 73 total stories and 738 units.

Image credit: Tom Rossiter

Helmut Jahn is credited with leading its revised design from 2015 until his death in 2021, joined by a team that included Philip Castillo, Lynda Dossey, Peter Hayes, and Lucie Rigaldies.

Image credit: Tom Rossiter

Residents enjoy access to its ground-floor lobbies from both the street level and a stately porte-cochere located on the western axis. The manipulation of air rights for this project allowed the design's floor plates to gradually expand at the northeast or southeast corners from a rectangular base into a more softened parallelogram form.

Image credit: Tom Rossiter

A seven-level parking structure with 325 spaces services the building, which is draped...

Estudio Atemporal completes tranquil home in Mexico forest to capture ‘grandeur of a woodland setting’

2024-10-31T10:15:00-04:00

Mexico City-based Estudio Atemporal has completed a tranquil home in San Simón el Alto, Mexico. Named Casa Cono, the home was designed for a young couple seeking refuge from city life, merging living, working, and leisure within the forest environment.

Image credit: LGM Studio

The design of the scheme was driven by a desire to integrate the home seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Each tree on the site was preserved, “elevating these natural elements as central figures within the architectural narrative,” according to the team.

Image credit: LGM Studio

As users approach the site from the access path, the home is designed to appear as resting lightly on the land. Visitors walk through a scenic path before arriving at the house’s entrance at the rear, which reveals sweeping views described by the team as “akin to an expansive observation deck.”

Image credit: LGM Studio

The home consists of two rectangular volum...

10 modern home designs that stood out this week

2024-09-14T08:00:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Houses.

Tip: Use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Canyon5 in Los Angeles, CA by Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects

↑ Meteorite in Kontiolahti, Finland by Sotamaa

↑ ASHER PROJECT in San Jose, CA by STYLARC

↑ Z-Haus in Portland, OR by Waechter Architecture

↑ 6 x18 Slender House in Delhi, India by Spaces Architects@ka; Photo: Bharat Aggarwal

↑ Stony Hill in Amagansett, NY by Bates Masi + Architects; Photo: Bates Masi + Architects

↑ Black Diamond House in Buffalo, NY by asap/ adam sokol architecture practice

↑ SC Residence in Manhattan Beach, CA by Laney LA; Photo: Roger Davies

↑ FUTAGO HOUSE in Kyiv, Ukraine by MAKHNO Studio

To see more highlights from Archinect's Pinterest boards, c...

10 living room designs we liked this week

2024-05-04T08:00:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Living Spaces.

Tip: use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Villa Messenia in Messeni, Greece; Interior architecture, design and styling: block722; Photo: Gaelle Le Boulicaut

↑ The Glass Cabin in Polubný, Czech Republic, by Mjölk architekti; Photo: BoysPlayNice

↑ Walters Cassar Residence in Palm Springs, CA, by Studio AR&D Architects; Photo: Lance Gerber

↑ Rustic Canyon in Los Angeles, CA, by Walker Workshop; Photo: Joe Fletcher

↑ Reclaimed Barn in Center Harbor, NH, by Murdough Design; Photo: Chuck Choi

↑ Blodgett-Calvin Residential Compound in San Marino, CA, by Fung + Blatt Architects; Original Architect: Calvin Straub; Photo: Mark Mahaney

↑ Low Energy House in London, UK,...

Cosmic set to produce prefabricated ADUs in California with water recycling and solar energy

2024-04-23T13:58:00-04:00

San Francisco-based Cosmic has raised $1.5 million in funding for their micro-home product designs aimed at bringing “self-sustainable homes in California and beyond.” The company’s leading product, Cosmic ONE, is described as a “limited-edition high-quality micro-home” that can serve as an ADU, a primary single-family home, or a component in a wider residential community.

Showroom model. Image courtesy: Cosmic

Cosmic ONE has been designed as an all-electric, prefabricated unit that can use recycled water for non-potable needs, as well as being equipped with a solar and battery system. The first 100 CosmicOne units will be available for sale in California.

Showroom model. Image courtesy: Cosmic

“Building a new home and expanding an existing one today can be very challenging due to the intricate permitting process, labor scarcity, and complexities of site infrastructure works,” the company says about their prop...

Construction starts on MVRDV's new Berlin mixed-use development

2024-03-17T08:00:00-04:00

Construction has begun on the MVRDV-designed LXK Office and Residential Campus in Berlin. The mixed-use complex will add needed office and residential space to a rapidly developing part of the city.

The project is located in the Friedrichshain district. It spans approximately 658,751 square feet and features abundant office, commercial, and residential space. The complex consists of two L-shaped volumes, with the residential component consolidated into a single block. The corners of each volume open up to create an accessible green, public square. This divide allows the project to integrate itself sensitively into the scale of the surroundings.

Image © MVRDV

One of the most distinguishing features of the development is its single continuous luminous band that wraps horizontally around each structure. The band unifies the fragmented structure into a single form. This component is further activated by green, accessible terraces that offer views into the surrounding city. It also hosts ...

Airbnb co-founder's ADU company Samara begins production in Mexico factory

2024-03-07T12:35:00-05:00

California-based Samara has opened a factory in Mexicali, Mexico, to scale up manufacturing of their backyard ADU units. As we reported in late 2022, the startup is led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia alongside former Flex chief executive Mike McNamara.

Image credit: Samara

The 150,000-square-foot factory will host the construction of Samara’s modular units, including interior and exterior finishes. Following production in the factory, each unit will be loaded onto a truck for delivery to the customer’s property.

Image credit: Samara

The company’s first unit, Backyard, is being manufactured in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, with a larger two-bedroom expected to launch soon. Samara notes that the unit can be installed in “as few as seven months,” including permitting, with 30 days of on-site labor. The unit is currently available for purchase in California.

Image credit: Samara

“Our homes are central to our lives,” said McNamara in a statement. “On average, most people in...

White House announces initiatives to boost manufactured housing

2024-03-01T11:03:00-05:00

The White House has announced a series of moves to increase the production of manufactured housing in the United States. The initiatives are intended to both preserve and rehabilitate existing manufactured home communities and ease barriers to the construction of new units.

The moves include a $225 million funding opportunity for existing communities, overseen by HUD. The Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) will support the preservation and revitalization of manufactured housing communities, including the replacement of dilapidated homes, assistance for repairs and upgrades, and improvement of infrastructure such as stormwater systems.

In response to the growing trend of corporate investors buying manufactured housing at the expense of longtime residents, the White House has also announced the ongoing creation of a Mortgagee Letter that, once finalized, will...

SHoP designs first U.S. real estate tower for Mercedes-Benz in Miami

2024-02-29T11:09:00-05:00

SHoP Architects has designed a residential tower for Mercedes-Benz in Miami, the first branded real-estate project for the car company in the United States. Overseen by JDS Development Group, and designed in collaboration with a Mercedes-Benz design team, the scheme is centered on the theme: “Timeless Design, Inspired by Miami.”

Image credit: JDS Development Group by the Boundary

The tower adopts a cube-shaped profile comprised of interconnected geometric bodies. The designers describe the approach as “two contrasting principles that combine to create clear forms and sensuous surfaces,” with “Sensual Purity” characterized by free-flowing elliptical lines and a stacked-box design representing the “technical side of the design language.” To reflect the signature color palettes of Mercedes-Benz cars, the tower will be clad in monotone silvers, blacks, and whites, while creating “opportunities for distinctive highlights and stimulating contrasts.”

Image credit: JDS Development Group by t...

Residential construction activity declined in 2023, according to new census data

2024-01-19T11:42:00-05:00

Building permits and construction starts for residential projects in the United States declined by approximately 10% in 2023 versus 2022, according to new data by the U.S. Census Bureau. An estimated 1,469,800 housing units were authorized by building permits in 2023, which is 11.7% lower than in 2022. An estimated 1,413,100 housing units were started in 2023, which is 9% lower than the 2022 figure.

In December 2023, the U.S. saw 1,495,000 building permits issued for privately owned housing units, which is 1.9% above the previous month, and 6.1% above December 2022. Specifically, single-family home permit grants were 1.7% above the previous month, while authorization of units in buildings with five units or more was up 1.3% on the previous month.

Image credit: U.S. Census Bureau

With regards to housing starts, December 2023 saw commencement on 1,460,000 units, which is 4.3% below November 2023 but 7.6% above December 2022. Single-family housing starts numbered 1,027,000 units, which ...

10 modern home designs we enjoyed this week

2024-01-13T08:00:00-05:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Houses.

Tip: Use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Real de Los Reyes in Mexico City, Mexico, by Miguel de la Torre Arquitectos; Photo: Rafael Gamo

↑ Liminal House in West Vancouver, Canada, by Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses; Photo: Hufton + Crow

↑ Villa A. in Aerdenhout, Netherlands, by Paul de Ruiter Architects; Photo: Tim van de Velde

↑ Wetland Cabin on Jianyang Lake in Taizhou, China, by 城理设计UrbanFabric

↑ Blodgett-Calvin Residential Compound in San Marino, CA, by Fung + Blatt Architects; Original Architect: Calvin Straub; Photo: Mark Mahaney

↑ House in Watermill, NY, by Desai Chia Architecture; Photo: Paul Warchol

↑ Patio House in Brooklyn, NY, by Palette Architecture

↑ C...

A proposed residential project by Laney LA makes use of dark Shou Sugi Ban cladding nestled in Lake Tahoe's landscape

2023-07-19T19:48:00-04:00

Lake Tahoe is the project site of Laney LA's unbuilt residential design project titled the SQ Residence. The Hermosa Beach-based architecture and design firm share model images and drawings of a residential project proposal aimed to resemble a mountain cave that "acts as a fortress within a demanding environment."

The firm is no stranger to showcasing new projects alongside meticulously designed architecture models, which help add to the design proposal's narrative.

Model image courtesy of Laney LA.

The 4,488 sqft home utilizes Shou Sugi Ban cladding, a dark, striking exterior material that applies a traditional charred timber cladding technique found in Japanese building and design methods.

Image courtesy of Laney LA. Visualization: Negar Zahiri

The firm shares, "The dark shell of the home enhances its ability to withstand the harsh climate while blending with the forest in order to increase the visibility of wildlife and other natural wonders."

Image courtesy of Laney LA. Visuali...

New 3D printing housing factory aims to cut construction time by 50 percent

2023-03-28T12:51:00-04:00

3D printing construction technology startup Mighty Buildings has offered a first look inside their new factory in Monterrey, Mexico. As part of the company’s mission to develop and construct “climate-resilient, carbon-neutral homes near points of need,” the factory is reportedly capable of producing the components for an entire home during each day of operation.

Image credit: Mighty Buildings

The factory will produce homes using a blend of material science, robotics, and automation. Components for the homes will be 3D printed using Mighty Buildings’ concrete-free composite stone material, which is 30% lighter and 15% less expensive, and five times stronger than concrete. The company also claims their homes will be climate-resilient, carbon-neutral, and resistant to severe weather conditions, including hurricanes and earthquakes.

Image credit: Mighty Buildings

The components printed in the factory will form part of the company’s existing Mighty Kit System for prefabricated housing and ...

MVRDV and GRAS complete phase one of Project Gomila, a mixed-use district in Mallorca

2022-12-22T14:16:00-05:00

The first phase of a collaborative residential design between MVRDV and GRAS Reynes Arquitectos called Project Gomila has opened in Mallorca, Spain.

Located in the city’s El Terreno district, the project will eventually bequeath 60 new dwellings in plots surrounding the Plaza Gamila that were purchased by the Fluxa Family, owners of the popular Mallorca-based shoe brand Camper, in order to initiate an urban renewal strategy in line with their business philosophy.

Image © Jannes Linders/Courtesy of MVRDV.

“In terms of urbanism, the concept revolves around the diversity of the buildings,” MVRDV's Winy Maas explains the design. “Where some of the designs are more suited to family homes, others are more suited for apartments for singles or couples; where some buildings are fully residential, others bring commercial functions into the mix. This diversity of people and spaces will help bring back El Terreno’s lost vibrancy.”

Image © Daria Scagliola/Courtesy of MVRDV.

Image ©

Phase One’s bu...

Airbnb co-founder's startup Samara unveils 'Backyard,' its first ADU model for California

2022-11-16T11:29:00-05:00

California-based housing startup Samara has unveiled further details of their factory-produced studio and one-bedroom units. The company, led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and former Flex chief executive Mike McNamara, will now roll out a selection of customizable ADU units, collectively known as the Backyard range, across Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Image credit: Samara

Backyard studio units start at $289,000 and one-bedroom units start at $329,000, including installation costs. While the pricing of the units remains the same throughout California, the cost of installation differs based on regional factors. Customers can also choose between five colors, two roof designs, and customizable windows, doors, and decks.

Image credit: Samara

“Built out of durable, cutting-edge materials, precision engineered and assembled in a factory, Backyard is designed to last a lifetime,” Samara said. “It harvests enough solar energy to power itself, and we’ve made it incredib...

10 modern home designs we liked this week

2022-10-22T08:00:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Houses.

Tip: Use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Taslimi Residence in Santa Monica, CA by Fleetwood Fernandez Architects

↑ Harbour House in Chichester, UK by McLEAN QUINLAN; Photo: Peter Cook/Jim Stephenson

↑ LR2 Residence in Pasadena, CA by Montalba Architects, Inc.; Photo: Kevin Scott

↑ Weathering St(ee)L House in Saint Louis, MO by [dhd] derek hoeferlin design; Photo: Samuel Fentress

↑ The New Barn in Santa Monica, CA by RIOS

↑ Hillside House in San Francisco, CA by RO | ROCKETT DESIGN; Landscape: Jori Hook Landscape Architecture

↑ Residence in Stanford, CA by JENSEN Architects in collaboration with Johanna Grawunder

↑ Amagansett Modular in Amagansett, NY by MB Archi...

MVRDV completes ‘geological’ residential complex in Rennes, France

2022-10-21T13:35:00-04:00

MVRDV has completed work on Ascension Paysagère, a residential complex in Rennes, France which takes inspiration from “geological formations.” Designed in collaboration with co-architects ALL, the project delivers 138 homes within the 12-story, 113,000-square-foot scheme, including 37 social housing units and 42 affordable housing units.

Image © Ossip van Duivenbode

Located at the meeting point of two rivers, the development comprises two curving buildings with gradually receding slopes. A mixture of matte and glossy ceramic panels clad the complex in five “stratified” tones of gray, with dark matte tiles concentrated near the ground and lighter, glossier tiles to the upper levels. This stratified arrangement continues at night, with lighting integrated in the ceramic panels becoming more prevalent as the buildings rise.

Image © Ossip van Duivenbode

The two buildings step up towards the center of the site to form three peaks. Th...

Meet LA architecture and furniture designers LAUN: Your Next Employer?

2022-10-17T11:00:00-04:00

Following last week’s visit to Fearon Hay, we are keeping our Meet Your Next Employer series in Los Angeles this week to meet architecture, interiors, and furniture designers LAUN.

Founded in 2018 by friends Rachel Bullock and Molly Purnell, the studio has grown from its bespoke furniture roots to operate a team of four people delivering architecture and interior projects through a design process grounded in “curiosity and exploration.”

From their new office and showroom in Downtown LA, the firm is currently hiring over on Archinect Jobs. For candidates interested in applying for a position, or anybody interested in learning more about life at an architecture studio, we spoke with LAUN founding partner Molly Purnell for a behind-the-scenes look at the firm.

LAUN's showroom and office in Los Angeles. Photo by Ye Rin Mok

How did LAUN get started?

Rachel and I both grew up in colder climates (Michigan and Colorado) and we love the indoor-outdoor lifestyle of Los Angeles. We noticed ther...

Spiegel Aihara Workshop's Wraparound House creates fluid connectivity without sacrificing Bay Area views

2022-08-05T15:28:00-04:00

San Francisco-based transdisciplinary studio Spiegel Aihara Workshop (SAW) shared new images of an extensive home renovation project of a 1930s Spanish Revival home in the Bay Area's Marina neighborhood.

Aptly named the "Wraparound House," the project was commissioned by a couple looking for their home to include increased indoor and outdoor space for their family without sacrificing surrounding views of the Bay. While the project includes horizontal and vertical expansion to engross six bedrooms and additional interior space totaling 4,738 square feet, the house also needed land stabilizing beneath the home.

Home's front facade. Image © Mikiko Kikuyama/Courtesy of SAW.

Rear view of the home and spiral staircase starting at the base of the newly landscaped backyard. Image © Paul Dyer/Courtesy of SAW.

SAW noted that the Marina neighborhood site is historically known for being built on a former landfill and impacted by soil contamination due to a gas plant spill decades prior. Due to ...

Pulling influence from Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian firm designs residential building with distinct v-shaped pillar and aluminum facade

2022-08-01T18:38:00-04:00

A unique hexagonal residential building equipped with a distinctive aluminum “second skin” by Gisele Borges Arquitetura has risen in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Influenced by Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, the architects created a V-shaped pillar in order to place the geometric structure atop a single point on the ground.

Completed in 2021, the Caramirador Savassi residential building features 14 lofts and 24 studios across nine floors atop a narrow lot roughly 42 feet wide. As stated by the firm: “The challenge of its volumetric mathematics, to respect distances, was one of the factors that influenced non-obvious decisions resulting in architecture created with its own identity.”

Photo by Juliana Berzoini

The building’s most identifiable feature is its aluminum façade, painted in an "earthly reddish" sepia tone that references the abundance of raw ore in Minas Giras. In order to obtain lightness and transparency, the aluminum sheets received perforations in varying ...

BIG and Barcode complete cantilevering residential building on Amsterdam waterfront

2022-07-15T11:39:00-04:00

Work has been completed on Sluishuis, a residential project in Amsterdam by Bjarke Ingels Group and Barcode Architects. The scheme, which comprises 442 homes, a public green roof garden, and maritime jetties, is defined by a cantilevered form meeting at a high corner.

Photograph © Ossip van Duivenbode

The architects describe the project as a “remarkable building with a unique volume that seems to float on the water thanks to the double cantilever.” Towards the water, the building’s untreated aluminum facade rises to meet at the cantilever, creating a gateway to the inner harbor at the building’s core. On the opposite side, the stepped form contains a stairway to the rooftop garden and private residential terraces.

The 442 energy-neutral homes, which vary between owner-occupied and rental units, are designed for a variety of income levels and age categories. Typologies include compact studios, water sports apartments, and duplex penthouses. The steppe...

10 new living room designs we enjoyed this week

2022-02-19T08:00:00-05:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Living Spaces.

Tip: use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Mariposa House in Malibu, CA by Brininstool + Lynch; Photo: Christopher Barrett

↑ Dogtrot Residence in Jackson, WY by CLB Architects; Photo: Audrey Hall

↑ Park Avenue Apartment in New York, NY by ARCHITECTUREFIRM with David Davis

↑ Wonderland Park Residence in Los Angeles, CA by Assembledge+; Interior Design: Alexander Design; Photo: Laure Joliet

↑ Historic Renovation in San Francisco, CA by Walker Warner Architects (the firm was also featured in Archinect's Studio Snapshots series); Interiors: Redmond Aldrich Design; Photo: Matthew Millman

↑ Oxford Street in Berkeley, CA by Koch Architects; Photo: Bruce Damonte

↑...

Designer and developer Abigail Coover reinterprets 'the formula for the typical Brooklyn condo' with House Offset

2021-12-07T13:02:00-05:00

Located in South Slope, Brooklyn, House Offset is a residential remodel that underwent a recent renovation with a focus on enhancing both interior and exterior architectural details as well as "preserving much of the exterior as a nod to adjacent residences and the traditional New York City townhouse typology." Beyond this, what makes the project stand out, however, is the designer responsible for the renovation is also its developer.

Abigail Coover, founder and principal of Overlay Office, started her practice in 2019. With over 18 years of experience as an architectural designer and project manager, she has helped lead projects in major cities such as New York and San Francisco. We connected with Coover to learn more about the project and her experience as both designer and developer.

House Offset model. Image courtesy of Overlay Office

Being both developer and designer allowed us to reinterpret the formula for the typical Brooklyn condo conversion project through the creative u...

11 featured job opportunities for architects and design technologists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Brooklyn

2021-12-03T09:37:00-05:00

Do you have a passion for technology, construction innovation, and research-based architecture projects? For this week's curated job round-up, we've selected 11 job opportunities for Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Brooklyn-based firms featured on Archinect Jobs.

If you're looking for a firm that focuses on innovative design-build practices for residential projects, an entry-level position to kickstart your career, or a position to lead a design technology department, check out these featured job opportunities below.

Oasys ADU. Image courtesy of Oasys

Oasys Building Technology seeks an Architect/Designer I
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Details: "Oasys Homes is actively seeking a creative, highly talented Architect/ Designer I for immediate employment. As an Architect, you will help us deliver architectural projects focused on single-family homes and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) that use a new construction technology. Your ability to grasp and master new concepts quickly as well as to l...

10 new home designs we enjoyed this week

2021-11-13T09:00:00-05:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Houses.

Tip: Use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Vista Residence in Montecito, CA by ANACAPA; Photo: Erin Feinblatt

↑ Lakeside Residence in Seattle, WA by Graham Baba Architects (the firm was also featured in Archinect's Studio Snapshots series); Landscape: Rich Haag and Associates / Anne James Landscape Architect

↑ Mariposa House in Malibu, CA by Brininstool + Lynch; Photo: Christopher Barrett

↑ Residence in New Canaan, CT by Windigo Architecture & Design

↑ Fox Residence in Cleveland, OH by Horton Harper Architects

↑ Elevated Camp in New England by Murdough Design; Photo: Chuck Choi

↑ Bronze House in Los Angeles, CA by SPF:architects

↑ Stoneview Barn in Maine by Knick...

10 fresh home designs we liked this week

2021-06-18T18:23:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Houses.

Tip: Use the handy FOLLOW feature to easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.

↑ Bézier Curve House in Toronto, ON by BORTOLOTTO Architecture and Interior Design; Photo: Tom Arban Photography

↑ Branch House in Montecito, CA by TOLO Architecture; Photo: David Hartwell

↑ High Park Residence in Toronto, ON by Batay-Csorba Architects (the firm was also featured in Archinect's Studio Snapshots series); Photo: Doublespace Photography

↑ Wonderland Park Residence in Los Angeles, CA by Assembledge+ (the firm was also featured in Archinect's Studio Visits series); Photo: Laure Joliet

↑ Viewfinder House in Truckee, CA by Faulkner Architects (the firm was also featured in Archinect's Studio Snapshots series); Pho...

Archinect's pick of architecture firms to follow, Instagram edition

2021-04-21T09:06:00-04:00

With social media ruling media consumption, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the various platforms, profiles, and messages being shared. Platforms like Instagram are quick to keep the public informed whether we wanted it or not. However, with the increased abundance of screen time and endless scrolling through images and text, the dreaded content fatigue soon emerged. Social media platforms transformed into blackholes of continuous media overload.

The amount of time spent on these apps has sparked controversy and criticism regarding architecture's relationship to Instagram. However, the platform has also facilitated and expanded the understanding of media discourse revolving around firm work, digital portfolios, PR, and design activism. While architecture "viewership" has changed thanks to digital sharing platforms like Instagram, Archinect reflects on firms that use the platform as a way to communicate visually curated content for more than the infamous "like."

Whether it's photo...

Exciting residential projects from ten firms currently hiring on Archinect Jobs

2021-04-08T12:30:00-04:00

With remote work set-ups and Zoom interviews, searching for a job is a bit different in 2021. With Covid-19 health and safety regulations transitioning as vaccine rollouts occur, firms seek talented architects and designers to join their team. However, if you're on the hunt for a new job Archinect has you covered.

In their hopes to hire the top talent, we've curated a list of ten firms and 30 job openings currently featured on our Architect Job board. While choosing each firm, our office features an exciting residential project from their portfolio.

Casa Torre by 64north

Mandeville Canyon Residence. Image courtesy of Roger Davies

Marmol Radziner is seeking an Architectural Materials Librarian, Project Manager & Job Captain in Los Angeles; Interior Designer in New York; and Entry Level Designer & Job Captain in San Francisco
Location: Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco

About the firm: By adopting the role of the traditional “master builder,” Marmol Radziner integrates design serv...

This new California housing development aims to become the first 3D-printed zero net energy neighborhood

2021-03-25T18:46:00-04:00

Developers in Southern California are building what they say will be the first 3D-printed zero net energy neighborhood in the United States. Palari Group said it plans to build 15 eco-friendly 3D-printed homes on a five-acre parcel of land in Rancho Mirage, an upscale community in the Coachella Valley, near Palm Springs. The 1,450 square foot, single-story homes will be made from a stone composite material that is strong, fire resistant, water resistant and termite proof [...]

Mighty Buildings, the Oakland-based construction company in this joint venture, claims that it can 3D print structures twice as quickly with 95% less labor hours and 10 times less waste than conventional construction.

Meanwhile in Texas, construction technology company ICON has partnered with Kansas City developer 3Strands and Austin-based Logan Architecture to build a partially 3D-printed multi-home ensemble of four buildings in an East Austin neighborhood.

ICON enters 3D-printed multi-home housing market in Texas

2021-03-09T14:32:00-05:00

After completing two dozen 3D-printed structures across central Texas, printing a small community for impoverished residents in Mexico, and teaming up up with BIG and SEArch+ to create an off-world building system for the Moon, construction technology company ICON is now breaking into the mainstream housing development market: in collaboration with Kansas City developer 3Strands and Austin-based Logan Architecture, a multi-home ensemble of four buildings (according to the company, the first of its kind in the U.S.) has been steadily growing in an East Austin neighborhood.

Dubbed East 17th Street Residences, the two to four bedroom, 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft homes all have a 3D-printed first floor using ICON's proprietary technology and material, a cementitious material called Lavacrete. The printing portion took about 5 to 7 days per home.

Site plan with all 4 residences

Floor plans of the 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom, 1,928-sf Treehouse Residence.

With printing completed and finish-out underwa...