Archinect - News

Invisible Studio creates rammed stone yoga studio in UK countryside

2024-11-14T08:27:00-05:00

UK-based Invisible Studio has completed a rammed stone yoga studio for the Newt Hotel in Somerset, UK. Aside from its innovative use of rammed earth, the scheme is defined by a 36-foot-long rooflight made from a single insulated double-glazed unit.

Image credit: Jim Stephenson

The studio is lined entirely in beech slats to provide a "warm and immersive sanctuary-like space." The external skin uses the same rammed stone as the hotel’s adjacent gym, made from local limestone to give it a distinctive red color. Meanwhile, copper detailing borrows from the palette of materials established by the hotel’s Beezantium.

Image credit: Jim Stephenson

“The rammed stone external skin is something we get asked about a good deal, particularly with no roof overhang,” Invisible Studio founder Piers Taylor explains. “The mix is colored only by using local ‘Hadspen’ limestone, which has a distinctive red hue, which is crushed from 45mm to dust. Th...

Studio Gang completes first French project behind cylindrical stone facade

2024-11-13T12:13:00-05:00

Studio Gang has completed its first project in France: the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris. Located in the city’s 13th arrondissement, the new academic hub aims to energize the local neighborhood while integrating into the “urban and intellectual fabric of the city.”

Image credit: Fabrice Fouillet

Set on a corner site on Paris’s Left Bank, an area known for research and higher education, the center is the focal point of a new mixed-use development that includes residential buildings designed by PARC Architectes. The scheme’s signature brise soleil façade is comprised of 900 cylindrical stone batons, which filter light based on the interior function, offering privacy in study spaces while revealing public areas. Clad in Lutetian limestone, the batons echo Chicago’s main campus while rooting the building in Paris’s architectural heritage.

Image credit: Fabrice Fouillet

Image credit: Corentin Lespagnol

“The Center in Paris is designed as a...

Four masonry cultural buildings by Architecture Research Office: Your Next Employer?

2023-12-04T12:56:00-05:00

Following last week’s visit to Massachussets-based I-Kanda Architects, we are moving our Meet Your Next Employer series to New York this week to explore the work of Architecture Research Office.

From their studio in Brooklyn, the firm has built a portfolio that, in their words, “unites beauty and form with strategy and intelligence.” In September, we reported on the firm’s plans for the Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape in Upstate New York, while in May, the firm was part of a wider team behind the design of a Brooklyn high school campus with a hydroponics greenhouse and outdoor teaching spaces.

Over on Archinect Jobs, the firm is currently hiring for a Junior Designer to join their Brooklyn office. For candidates interested in applying for the position, or anybody interested in learning about the firm’s output, we have rounded up four masonry cultural buildings by Architecture Research Office that exemplify the studio’s ethos.

Dia Chelsea. Image credit: Elizabeth Felicel...

New Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance building is completed behind a playful stone facade

2023-06-01T11:43:00-04:00

Construction has been completed on the new Ari Kushner Building at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Designed by Tel Aviv-based HQ Architects and New York's HWKN Architecture, the scheme is housed in what the team calls an “elegant, playful, stone facade” to bring a “sense of unity and a contemporary, welcoming identity” to the academy’s campus.

Image credit: Dor Kedmi

The 27,000-square-foot cultural building houses new choreography, jazz studios, vocal and opera studios as well as a 115-seat music recital hall, equipping the campus with a central performance venue that it previously lacked. Externally, the development is defined by a “curiosity-generating” facade that extends in front of both the existing building and the new addition, constructed of unfinished Jerusalem stone blocks turned 45 degrees on their side.

Image credit: Dor Kedmi

“It balances the geometric order, natural materiality, and intentional imperfection all in a...

Archaeologists discover well-preserved Mayan city in the Yucatán peninsula

2022-06-02T17:10:00-04:00

Archaeologists of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (Iphan, the Mexican federal bureau that oversees cultural heritage projects) have unearthed a remarkably well-preserved Maya city in the Yucatán peninsula near Merida while examining a construction site for archaeological artefacts.

The site is called Xiol, which is believed to have been occupied by more than 4,000 people between 600 and 900 AD. It consists of nearly 100 structures with features related to the Mayan Puuc style, an architecture characterized by carefully-cut veneer stones set onto a concrete core, with façades decorated with intricate stone mosaics and geometric elements.

According to The Art Newspaper, similar examples of Puuc architecture have not been discovered in this region of the Yucatán. The structures are thought to have served as palaces and ritual sites. The archaeologists also discovered a cenote, freshwater underground pits, carved stone heads, ceramics with religious symbols, burial grounds with various objects, and marine artifacts.

Video via Global News on YouTube.

The discovery of Xiol, along with other archaeological sites in the region, can be attributed to increased development in the Yucatán. A controversial multi-billion dollar train line called the Maya Train is currentl...

John Pawson presents simplistic carved, stone miniature for Salvatori's The Village project

2021-07-07T16:49:00-04:00

The work of minimalist architect John Pawson is the latest edition to Italian product and design company Salvatori's, The Village project, a collection of miniature sculptures created by a cohort of international designers.

Pawson, with House of Stone, is the fifth contributor to the project, which includes work by Rodolfo Dordoni, Patricia Urquiola, Yabu Pushelberg, and Kengo Kuma. The Village tasks its participants to create miniatures in natural stone that express their interpretation of the concept of home. The project was inspired during the 2020 lockdown and Salvatori CEO, Gabriele Salvatori’s reflections on the importance of home.

For House of Stone, a single block of Pietra d’Avola limestone is carved and cut to create slits that allow light to permeate its newly formed apertures.

“For my contribution to The Village I wanted to create a volume that is both absolutely simple and deeply evocative,” said Pawson. “House of Stone is an archetypal form in miniature, stripped of...

Architects Patricia Urquiola, Kengo Kuma, and five other designers participate in new miniature home series called 'The Village'

2021-04-02T15:46:00-04:00

Tuscan-based product and design studio Salvatori created a series that "captures the essence of home" through miniatures titled The Village. Joined by Kengo Kuma, Yabu Pushelberg, and Patricia Urquiola, to name a few, the mini-series invited each architect and designer to develop a "series of whimsical imaginary houses, each designed to address important and fundamental themes of contemporary living."

Starting this past March, famed Spanish architect and curator Patricia Urquiola unveiled the collection's first series. Her contribution to The Village series is a set of small stone homes titled Kore. Urquiola shared during Salvatori's collection release, the series was "a reflection on domestic spaces, something that is more important than ever today. Home has become the center of our lives, our town or city, our habitat. We have all become domestic navigators, trying to orient ourselves to these new latitudes, ways of living."

Kore collection developed by Patricia Urquiola for The V...

The New Stone Age: architects rediscover an ancient building material

2020-03-04T18:37:00-05:00

“Stone,” says architect Amin Taha, “is the great forgotten material of our time. In 99% of cases, it’s cheaper and greener to use stone in a structural way, as opposed to concrete or steel, but we mostly just think of using it for cladding.”

Oliver Wainwright's takeaways from The New Stone Age, a current exhibition at the Building Centre in London.

The "great forgotten material of our time" appears to be bracing for somewhat of a comeback with architects like Amin Taha of London-based practice GROUPWORK (also one of the exhibition's cocurators) who are rediscovering many environmental, structural, fireproofing, and ultimately economic advantages of stone over concrete and steel structures.

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One week to go before The New Stone Age! An exhibition curated by Amin Taha @groupwork_arch, Steve Webb @webbyates, Pierre Bidaud @stonemasonry_comp_stonestair and the Building Centre team. Thank you @polycordesign and @stonemasonry_comp_stonestair for supporting. #NewStoneAge Image: 15 Clerkenwell Close by @timothysoarphotographer.

A post shared by Building Centre (@thebuildingcentre) on Feb 20, 2020 at 10:13am PST

"The perverse thing about concrete is that you take limestone, crush it...

Amateur Architecture Studio brings traditional Chinese materials and craftsmanship into modern architecture

2018-08-30T16:15:00-04:00

Wang Shu and his wife, Lu Wenyu, of China’s Amateur Architecture Studio want to protect Chinese culture and history by returning to artisanal building techniques and the use of materials such as natural stone, wood and bamboo. Wang Shu’s rejection of what he calls “professional, soulless architecture” has almost become a war cry. That kind of architecture, he believes, is ruining China.

Amateur Architecture Studio focuses on creating work that transcends the black and white divide of traditional and modern architecture. The duo have made it their mission to bring back handmade work and natural materials into modernization.

China Academy of Art Xiangshan Campus by Amateur Architecture Studio. Image: Tõnis Kimmel/Flickr.

Wang Shu was the first Chinese Pritzker winner, awarded back in 2012, for his commitment to reviving traditional craftsmanship in the profession.

China Academy of Art, Wa Shan Guesthouse, Xiangshan Campus by Amateur Architecture Studio. Image: Iwan Baan.

The studio works with material such as bamboo, stone, and wood rather than only focusing on concrete and steel. The Chinese tradition of handmade construction is essential to Shu, who prefers the title of "artisan" rather than "architect".

Archbishop of Paris launches €100 million campaign to save the chipping gothic arches of Notre Dame

2017-08-30T16:55:00-04:00

Church officials, who have created what they are calling a “stone cemetery” from fallen masonry, say the cathedral remains safe to visit. Entry is free and the French state, which owns the building, devotes €2m (£1.9m) a year to repairs. But that is not enough to embark on major restoration works, the last of which were carried out during the 1800s, officials at the cathedral and charity said.

The archbishop of Paris launched a €100m fundraising campaign for Notre Dame's extensive restoration works. The 12th century cathedral on the Seine river—one of Paris' biggest landmarks, is visited by up to 14 million people visit per year.

“Gargoyles are what people want to see when they come to Paris. If there are no more gargoyles, what will they see?” said Andre Finot, Notre Dame’s communications chief.

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

2017-03-10T17:55:00-05:00

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.

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

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

↑ Horsted Park in London, UK by Proctor & Matthews Architects

↑ MIT Collier Memorial in Cambridge, MA by Höweler + Yoon; Photo: John Horner

↑ Pages Lane in London, UK by Kirkwood McCarthy

↑ Harvey Road House in London, UK by Erbar Mattes; Photo: Ståle Eriksen

↑ Slot House in London, UK by Au Architects; Photo: David Butler Photography

↑ Harbor Houses in Aarhus, Denmark by ADEPT

↑ Real del Valle in Mexico City by Sobrado + Ugalde Arquitectos

↑ West London House in Hammersmith, UK by Neil Dusheiko Architects; Photo: Charles Hosea and Agnese Sanvito

↑ Canyon House in Los Angeles, CA by Aaron Neubert Architects; Photo: Brian Thom...

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

2016-08-26T16:40:00-04:00

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.

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

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

↑ Design Republic Design Commune in Shanghai, China by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office; Photo: Pedro Pegenaute

↑ Travelodge Excel in London, UK by Aros Architects

↑ Tribunal in Montmorency, France by Dominique Coulon & associés; Photo: David Romero-Uzeda

↑ Hotel Zenden in Maastricht, the Netherlands by Wiel Arets Architects

↑ Branksome Hall Athletics & Wellness Centre in Toronto, Canada by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA)

↑ Blooming House with Wild Flowers in Seoul, South Korea by studio_GAON; Photo: Youngchae Park

↑ Noyes Transformation in New Canaan, CT by Joeb Moore & Partners Architects, LLC; Photo: David...

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

2015-09-04T16:03:00-04:00

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.

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

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

↑ Manhattan Townhouse in New York, NY by Susan Wisniewski Landscape, LLC in collaboration with BWArchitects

↑ Jeju Bayhill Pool & Villa _ Egoistic Cropping in Jeju, South Korea by L'EAU Design; Photo: Sun Namgoong

↑ Casa López / Lujano in Tijuana, Mexico by Oficina 3 estudio de arquitectura

↑ Alma Street in Montreal, Canada by T B A

↑ CIVICA - Dynamic voids in Trento, Italy by Atelierzero Architects; Photo: Fernando Guerra

↑ BELL Architects Office in Washington D.C. by Bell Architects

↑ Student housing DUWO in Delft, the Netherlands by Mecanoo; Photo: Christian Richters

↑ El Tallercito in Babahoyo, Ecuador by Natura Futura A...

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

2015-01-02T15:01:00-05:00

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.

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

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

↑ Operable Boundary in New York, NY by Dean/Wolf Architects

↑ Torre Espacio in Madrid, Spain by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

↑ The Old Vicarage in Rendham, Suffolk, UK by Studio RHE

↑ Contino Winery in La Serna, Spain by NINOM; Photo: Jesús Granada

↑ Newcastle Museum in Newcastle, Australia by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp-FJMT

↑ UNISON HQ in London, UK by Squire and Partners

↑ Públia Hortênsia de Castro High School in Vila Viçosa, Portugal by Cândido Chuva Gomes, Arquitectos Lda.; team member: Bruno Trindade Bernardo

↑ Burrell Sexual Health Centre in London, UK by Urban Salon

↑ Cabbagetown Garden in Toronto, Canada by PLANT Archi...

Abandoned stable becomes off-grid, luxurious family dream home

2012-02-24T18:02:00-05:00

Without access to the grid, the Alonsos added photovoltaics and hydro power and worked to ensure the home wouldn't use much energy. The original position of the stable worked to their favor. The southern exposure allows for the sun to be the main source of heat during the winter. The Alonsos also added large wooden shutters that slide closed like a second skin, covering the large windows at night to trap in most of the home's daily solar heat gain.

Archinect - News

Invisible Studio creates rammed stone yoga studio in UK countryside

Studio Gang completes first French project behind cylindrical stone facade

Four masonry cultural buildings by Architecture Research Office: Your Next Employer?

New Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance building is completed behind a playful stone facade

Archaeologists discover well-preserved Mayan city in the Yucatán peninsula

John Pawson presents simplistic carved, stone miniature for Salvatori's The Village project

Architects Patricia Urquiola, Kengo Kuma, and five other designers participate in new miniature home series called 'The Village'

The New Stone Age: architects rediscover an ancient building material

Amateur Architecture Studio brings traditional Chinese materials and craftsmanship into modern architecture

A​rchbishop of Paris launche​s €100 million campaign to save the chipping gothic arches of Notre Dame

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Bricks & Stones" Pinterest Board

Abandoned stable becomes off-grid, luxurious family dream home

Archbishop of Paris launches €100 million campaign to save the chipping gothic arches of Notre Dame