Monday, November 30, 2009

KB center






Waltritsch a+u designed the KBcenter, a new space for cultural and social interaction dedicated to the Slovenian community in Gorizia, Italy.

It is located in the heart of the 19th century development of the city, on the main street of the town. The center gathers 13 organizations, dedicated to different cultural interest and age groups. Among others, a Library, two Educational Institutions, The Slovenian cultural and economical Association and The Music school. The main goal is the promotion of the Slovenian cultural activity in a framework of a respectful multiethnic society.

The project consist of a functional renovation of an existing building, as well as of a new two story building for the Library, located in the interior courtyard. The form of the new building deals with the issue of the dialogue between a historical presence and the contemporary architectural language, within the physical constrictions of the historical city. The choice of the façade materials, synthetic wood and large glass surfaces, was made to favor a delicate insertion.

The whole building was thought as “a large piece of furniture which slides on the courtyard floor”, in order not to break the intimacy of the courtyard self and of the garden. The large windows are acting as program displayed, and are favoring the visual inclusion of the refurbished garden in the daily activities of the Library. The large glass surfaces are fixed so that framework is reduced. The natural ventilation is happening through some large panels hidden in the façade cladding. When they are closed one can notice them only because of the stainless steel line acting as railing. The façade materials are treated as a complete surface without frames, sometimes provoking an ambigos reading. From a certain distance the glass surface appears to be heavier than the wood. From a close up, the large glass surface reflects the garden and the life around, and almost disappears.

On ground floor the building host the Library depot, with a capacity of 25.000 books. The shelves, which are in most projects considered as non aesthetic element, are here generously exposed and underlined with a chromatic choice.

KB center






Waltritsch a+u designed the KBcenter, a new space for cultural and social interaction dedicated to the Slovenian community in Gorizia, Italy.

It is located in the heart of the 19th century development of the city, on the main street of the town. The center gathers 13 organizations, dedicated to different cultural interest and age groups. Among others, a Library, two Educational Institutions, The Slovenian cultural and economical Association and The Music school. The main goal is the promotion of the Slovenian cultural activity in a framework of a respectful multiethnic society.

The project consist of a functional renovation of an existing building, as well as of a new two story building for the Library, located in the interior courtyard. The form of the new building deals with the issue of the dialogue between a historical presence and the contemporary architectural language, within the physical constrictions of the historical city. The choice of the façade materials, synthetic wood and large glass surfaces, was made to favor a delicate insertion.

The whole building was thought as “a large piece of furniture which slides on the courtyard floor”, in order not to break the intimacy of the courtyard self and of the garden. The large windows are acting as program displayed, and are favoring the visual inclusion of the refurbished garden in the daily activities of the Library. The large glass surfaces are fixed so that framework is reduced. The natural ventilation is happening through some large panels hidden in the façade cladding. When they are closed one can notice them only because of the stainless steel line acting as railing. The façade materials are treated as a complete surface without frames, sometimes provoking an ambigos reading. From a certain distance the glass surface appears to be heavier than the wood. From a close up, the large glass surface reflects the garden and the life around, and almost disappears.

On ground floor the building host the Library depot, with a capacity of 25.000 books. The shelves, which are in most projects considered as non aesthetic element, are here generously exposed and underlined with a chromatic choice.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Open Living Design : The Sebastopol Residence By Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects
















Located in Sebastopol California this cozy home was designed for two graphic designers by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects last year. The exterior is constructed from cedar siding with a metal roof and the interior features a Douglas fir ceiling and decking, sheetrock walls and Ipe flooring. The home has an expansive view from the glass facade of the northern wall while the elevation of the south wall gives privacy from the road outside, but still receives light from the clerestory windows. An open floor plan gives the residence a spacious feel although it is a modest size at 1,700 square feet.

Open Living Design : The Sebastopol Residence By Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects
















Located in Sebastopol California this cozy home was designed for two graphic designers by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects last year. The exterior is constructed from cedar siding with a metal roof and the interior features a Douglas fir ceiling and decking, sheetrock walls and Ipe flooring. The home has an expansive view from the glass facade of the northern wall while the elevation of the south wall gives privacy from the road outside, but still receives light from the clerestory windows. An open floor plan gives the residence a spacious feel although it is a modest size at 1,700 square feet.

The Talk of the Town

We're happy to tell you that Modern House Notes is in this week's Talk of the Town column.

We'd be even happier if we could say it was the Talk of the Town column in The New Yorker magazine, but it's not -- it's the Talk of the Town column in the Bedford-Pound Ridge Record Review, our hometown paper.

Our friend Bonni Brodnick writes the column and was nice enough to include us this week. The Record Review is paper-only but Bonni puts the column on her blog, which is here.

Thanks, Bonni! - ta

Saturday, November 28, 2009

World’s First Ever Undersea Restaurant – Ithaa




The world’s first ever undersea restaurant called Ithaa ( which translate as “pearl” in the natives’ language in Maldives, Dhivehi ) brought to you by Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. This undersea restaurant cost less than $5 million and is part of a project to rebuilt the Rangalifinolhu Island into a tourist attraction. The restaurant sits 5 meters below the sea and is surrounded by vibrant coral reef offering a 270 degrees of panoramic underwater views. This 5 x 9 meter restaurant has a capacity of 14 people and was designed and constructed by M.J. Murphy Ltd which is a design consultancy based in New Zealand. The meals of this restaurant range in cost from USD$120 to USD$250.

World’s First Ever Undersea Restaurant – Ithaa




The world’s first ever undersea restaurant called Ithaa ( which translate as “pearl” in the natives’ language in Maldives, Dhivehi ) brought to you by Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. This undersea restaurant cost less than $5 million and is part of a project to rebuilt the Rangalifinolhu Island into a tourist attraction. The restaurant sits 5 meters below the sea and is surrounded by vibrant coral reef offering a 270 degrees of panoramic underwater views. This 5 x 9 meter restaurant has a capacity of 14 people and was designed and constructed by M.J. Murphy Ltd which is a design consultancy based in New Zealand. The meals of this restaurant range in cost from USD$120 to USD$250.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Dolce & Gabana Headquarters in Milano









New D&G showroom. With a surface of 5.000 square meters, the imposing D&G building in Milano, Italy is a combination of classic elements and modern influences. Designed by architectural studio Piuarch, the construction is actually a contemporary building juxtaposed over a ‘900 one. Here are some words from the architects that best describe the project’s features: ” The facades of the building housing the showrooms are entirely glazed and feature a series of vertical, closely spaced louvers of opal glass. This membrane, made of glass, acts as a filter, softly diffusing the daylight through the building and serving at the same time as a sunshade.