latest additionshttp://www.mimoa.eu/latest_additionsmimoaFri, 19 Mar 2010 20:25:16 +0100http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Tubre/Torre%20ReichenbergTubre, Italy
Designer: Werner Tscholl
Contributed by: Patchwork_StudiArchitettura

A solitary tower, the only remains of Reichenberg Castle dating from 1150, was restored in 1998-2000 as a holiday house. After the restoration of the 2-metre thick wall, the designer inserted a 7-floor metallic cylinder next to the tower. The round system of stairs carries to the entrance at the third floor.

Address
Località Tella 1
39020 Tubre
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/United%20Kingdom/London/QubeLondon, United Kingdom
Designer: EPR Architects
Contributed by: Joao_Sousa

Qube, 90 Whitfield Street, is a brand new addition to the West End offering 100.000 sq ft (9.290 sq m) of Grade A offices. Designed by EPR Architects for leading developer Derwent London, it occupies a prominent position on the corners of Whitfield Street, Maple Street and Tottenham Court Road. Qube is situated in Fitzrovia, a thriving business district with immediate links to neighbouring Soho, Bloomsbury and Mayfair. The understated glazed cladding is punctuated with vertical glass fins, which pick up the sunlight to dramatic effect on the north and east façades, creating a warm glow within the north-lit office space (text from project's website).

Address
Whitfield Street 90
W1 London
United Kingdom]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Greece/Athens/Hair%20Salon%20at%20the%20Golden%20HallAthens, Greece
Designer: gfra architecture
Contributed by: jfrijda

This hair salon is located in the Golden Hall Shopping Centre in Athens, Greece. The deep and high space has a relatively small elevation, therefore the usual relationship of a shopfront between the inside and the outside space was rejected over completely opening the façade to welcome customers. The side walls are used to exhibit the products normally expected in the shopfront. The overall space is designed combining two elements: the existing shell, with an industrial character and refering to the construction phase, and the new shell, with its free forms and more refined materials, addressing the function of the shop.

Address
Leoforos Kifisias 37a
15123 Athens
Greece]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/United%20States/Anchorage/RedrumAnchorage, United States
Designer: Casagrande Laboratory
Contributed by: Casagrande

Redrum is an architectonic installation in Anchorage, Alaska, by Finnish architects Casagrande & Rintala. The work was commissioned by Alaska Design Forum. Three Alaska Railroad oil tanks were cut into a total of 12 pieces and turned into a temple for oil. The structure is located opposite the Federal Building of Anchorage, at the crossing of C-Street and 7th Avenue. The interior is painted bright red in contrast to the rusty and brutal exterior. The floor is made of 3500 kg of oyster shells, the origin of all Alaskan oil. It has a fireplace as well. 'Redrum' is 'murder' backwards. The designers intended to comment on the connection of oil, war and the environment. Local media described the piece as "a slap in the face to Alaskans".

Address
C Street 625
99501 Anchorage
United States]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Palermo/Palermo%20Airport%20RetailPalermo, Italy
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

This project is part of a masterplan to increase Palermo Airport's retail areas in separate phases. It includes an analysis of the activities based on the type of goods offered, so as to promote a sense of belonging to the territory. A key element, therefore, is the façade system applied to the shops: a composition of shapes and materials that can generate physical and emotional experiences and at the same time evoke Sicilian regional features. The walls were built using terracotta elements in three different sizes. These are pierced by a stationary, center metal pole. The material was produced by skilled artisans and stimulates a strong tactile experience. The idea was not only to encourage physically touching the rough texture of the terracotta tiles but also to create continuously changing walls. The borders of the tiles are glazed, using tones that chromatically bring to mind the sea, salt mines and citrus plantations.

Address
Aeroporto Falcone e Borsellino
90045 Palermo
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Vicenza/Spidi%20Sport%20ShowroomVicenza, Italy
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

This showroom was devised as a protective 'case' for Spidi samples: a light and long structure, made of steel and glass. It is characterized by perfectly uniform lighting through a combination of natural and artificial light, designed for the company's photographic services. The colours and materials used (iron, stainless steel, glass and fabric) are intentionally homogenous and monochromatic to highlight the product on exhibit. The showroom's prefabricated structure is made up of a series of doorways whose transversal section was created to optimize the uniformity of natural light in the internal spaces. In between the glass and diffusing canvas, along the structure's steel section, a series of double fluorescent lamps with various colour tones are mounted. The combination of the two lamps and the natural light is controlled by a system of sensors and unique software that allows for a quantitative and qualitative integration of natural light.

Address
Via dell' Agricoltura
36040 Sarego Vicenza
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Arezzo/Illuminazione%20affreschi%20Cappella%20BacciArezzo, Italy
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

The Chapel Maggiore of the Basilica of S.Francesco, frescoed by Piero Della Francesca, was reopened to the public after its restoration in April 2000. The project needed to succeed in guaranteeing optimal lighting conditions whether from the point of view of uniformity in lighting or from that of conservation. The project finally foresaw the advent of a removable element placed on the ground at the center of the frescoed space. This idea was examined from a technical lighting standpoint by selecting the light sources most suitable to the correct perception of colours and verifying the geometries of the light at each frescoed area whether through experiments on site or simulations with scale models. The central lighting element, was a synthesis of lighting outlets, orientation and cooling technology, and the expected formal aesthetics for its insertion into the interior of the Chapel. The platform housed all the universal joints for the various orientations of the light source.

Address
Piazza San Francesco
52100 Arezzo
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Japan/Osaka/Salvagnini%20Technical%20CenterOsaka, Japan
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

The building is located in Izumi, strategically close to the Kansai airport, and functions as the local Salvagnini headquarters. The office is a modern hi-tech base for client sales and technical assistance services. The structure can be seen as a blend between Japanese and Italian cultures combining to give life to a small technologically-refined building. The long hallway that spans across the various functional areas of the entire building recalls the business philosophy of the Italian headquarters. The building's internal courtyard recalls the role of light in Japanese culture and has been conceived as a "lantern of diffused light". The interior spaces join an absolute visual transparency with a flawless acoustical soundproofing. Likewise, inspired by Japanese culture is the choice to make the hallways and the walkways converge towards the central courtyard so that the eye always encounters, the green harmony of the trees.

Address
Technostage Izumi city, Osaka, 594 1-3-13
2004 Osaka
Japan]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Vicenza/Pendoleria%20SopranaVicenza, Italy
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

The demolition of the part of the floor that divides the shop of the first floor from the stores of the mezzanine has in fact allowed the grand vault, made with a type of brick of medieval origin, to be placed in light and, thanks to the insertion of the new stairs, to expand the commercial surfaces also to the second level. The new stairs are a principal element, but in spite of its dimensions, it does not interfere with the reading of the antique wall that makes the background with the armoured wooden door recovered during the work of restoration. The stairs are a lightweight steel structure, physically independent from the pre-existing structure. The framework is constructed of slender squared tubing on which to rest numerous steps of thin folded sheet metal. Also, an analogous relationship to the materials of the exhibition was maintained and made recognizable and in dependent through the deliberate use of limited materials and colours.

Address
Piazzetta Palladio 2
36100 Vicenza
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Vicenza/House%20VendemmiaVicenza, Italy
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

The building is set on a hillside, immersed in vineyards. Its internal functions are tied on the one hand to grape processing, and on the other to the social life that characterizes the grape harvest and wine production. The structure both protects the delicate wine-making process and opens itself up in harmony towards its surrounding landscape. The technique of construction used expresses an elaboration of those traditions: wood and clay wall coverings, vertical partitions in lime rendered masonry, and curtain walls made of laminated cedar. All the external headwalls use black basalt, typical of the area, gathered from excavations off the lot.

Address
Cà Disconsi via Selva
36054, Montebello Vicenza
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Vicenza/Designer%27s%20studioVicenza, Italy
Designer: traverso-vighy
Contributed by: traverso-vighy

The building program is a studio for an eyeglass designer resting upon an existing structure and containing a completely transparent west facade which provides a view over the park. Hovering overthe building and containing large sliding glass doors, the work space of the designer can open up to the environment. During summer, aluminium louvers screen the incoming sunlight and the space is cooled by an air conditioning and ventilation system. During winter, the louvers retract and allow the sunlight to warm the space. Heating is also installed within the flooring. The building consists of a lightweight structure in laminated fir beams and stainless steel columns with architectural details and a inventive methodology, allowing the building to be resolved entirely during the design phase of the project. It was prefabricated off site and easily assembled in a short period of time.

Address
Via Adige 63
2005 Vicenza
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Italy/Colle%20val%20d%27Elsa/Banca%20del%20Monte%20dei%20Paschi%20di%20SienaColle val d'Elsa, Italy
Designer: Giovanni Michelucci
Contributed by: zenoso

The building is located in the urban center of Colle Val d'Elsa, near the historical center. The site was previously occupied by a factory. The building is characterized by a dichotomy between traditional stonewall and light metal structure. The aim of this architecture is to form public void space by means of penetrable structure. Furthermore it's a powerful landmark in urban landscape.

Address
Via di Spugna 2
53034 Colle val d'Elsa
Italy]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Taiwan/Taipei/Treasure%20HillTaipei, Taiwan
Designer: Casagrande Laboratory
Contributed by: Casagrande

A formally illegal settlement of urban farmers in Taipei, Taiwan. After a participatory planning action between Casagrande Laboratory, local NGOs, Treasure Hill community and Taipei City Government the area has been restored into a model community of environmentally sustainable urban living in Taiwan. A "must-see location" by New York Times. The legitimation and restoration process started in 2003 and was finished 2010.

Address
Ding Zhong Road sec 3 230
100 Taipei
Taiwan]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Netherlands/Apeldoorn/House%20and%20office%20CourageApeldoorn, Netherlands
Designer: Courage Architecten
Contributed by: colorcoat

What is a better way to show who you are and what you do as an Architectural Office than realizing your own Office? 
With this intention Lars and Christa Courage realized their our own dream. A house and office build out of steel and glass, with much domestic comfort. Sustainability, industrial and flexible building process have resulted in a remarkable project, showing that ‘design’ can be affordable. The choice of black for the building envelope blends in well and is adapted by its more classical surrounding. This has been achieved by the use of simple and logical forms, a high level of detailing and the avoidance of excessiveness in appearance. About the choice of steel cladding, in particular Colorcoat®, for this project, Courages’ focus was two fold. Firstly, as the desired colour was black, superior UV resistance was paramount and it is provided with a comprehensive guarantee. All in all a remarkable project which is very pleasant to live and work in.

Address
Veenhuizerweg 207
7325 AL Apeldoorn
Netherlands]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Germany/Berlin/Philology%20LibraryBerlin, Germany
Designer: Foster & Partners
Contributed by: christian_02

The Philological Library is the newest component of the campus of the Free University of Berlin. This library by Foster and Partners, built in 2005, is known as the Berlin Brain. Norman Foster sheltered the stacks of the university library with a double-layered canopy that opens for natural ventilation. The library has become the centerpiece of the university's Dahlem campus and a Berlin architectural landmark. It holds 700,000 volumes. The structure can be seen silhouetted on the canopy. The canopy's glowing, flowing panels inspire movement-driven floorplan. The overall blob shape results from an overall sense of place and movement. This movement culminates a yellow epicenter, a passageway to the next building. This building is about collective movement and transitions.

Address
Habelschwerdter Allee 45
14195 Berlin
Germany]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Brazil/S%E3o%20Sebasti%E3o%20do%20Para%EDso/COPASA%20head%20officeSão Sebastião do Paraíso, Brazil
Designer: Ulisses Morato
Contributed by: Morato

This project, located in São Sebastião do Paraíso - Minas Gerais, accommodates one of the administrative head-offices of COPASA - Companhia de Saneamento, the state owned company responsible for the water treatment and distribution to the majority of the cities. The architectonic concept articulates the two orders on which the activities of the company are based: the Natural Order referring to the hydric resources, raw-material used to supply the municipal districts: expressed by the sinuous wall that conducts the public to the main access and simultaneously creates an internal yard. The Technological Order which leads to the complex technical apparatus used on sanitation of water coming from rivers and streams: shown mainly by the choice of materials and presence of rationalist lines. The program was structured in two organizing elements: the “articulating” (white) and the “operational” (ocher). Using local resources was an indispensable strategy to reduce the construction costs.

Address
Adolfo Tondinéle 95
37950-000 São Sebastião do Paraíso
Brazil]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/United%20Arab%20Emirates/Dubai/Burj%20KhalifaDubai, United Arab Emirates
Designer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Contributed by: blotpad

The architecture features a triple-lobed footprint, an abstraction of the Hymenocallis flower. The tower is composed of three elements arranged around a central core. The modular, Y-shaped structure, with setbacks along each of its three wings provides an inherently stable configuration for the structure and provides good floor plates for residential. Twenty-six helical levels decrease the cross section of the tower incrementally as it spirals skyward. The central core emerges at the top and culminates in a sculpted spire. A Y-shaped floor plan maximizes views of the Arabian Gulf. Viewed from the base or the air, Burj Khalifa is evocative of the onion domes prevalent in Islamic architecture. (Extract from www.burjkhalifa.ae)

Address
Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai 1
Dubai
United Arab Emirates]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Spain/Ran%F3n/Steel%20and%20Wood%20House%20in%20Ran%F3nRanón, Spain
Designer: Ecosistema Urbano Arquitectos
Contributed by: gonzalezdioslydia

This house gives a contemporary review of models of vernacular architecture, specifically a granary with a glass gallery, as well as the use of wood in the structure and the cladding. It is a combination and reinterpretation of formal and constructive types of traditional architecture of Asturias. Minimizing its impact on the terrain and the landscape, the building is lifted off the ground and is only supported on four points. It lets the original slope and the green surroundings pass under the house, without interfering. The structure consists of a combination of steel and wood, while all elements can be recycled and removed. This way, the house fits into the theme of 'Reversibility of Architecture'.

Address
Off Carretera de La Espina
33787 Ranón
Spain]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Colombia/Bogota/Medtronic%20OfficeBogota, Colombia
Designer: Felipe Ramos
Contributed by: luisfeliperamos

This is an interior design for Medtronics offices in Colombia.

Address
Cll 116 nº 7-15 6201805
5 Bogota
Colombia]]>mimoa.euhttp://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Russia/Nikola-Lenivets/RotundaNikola-Lenivets, Russia
Designer: Alexander Brodsky
Contributed by: tygger

The Rotunda was constructed in the middle of a buck-weed field in Nikolo-Lenivets, Kaluga region as a part of Arch-Stoyaniye 2009, an annual contemporary architecture fest. The old doors were found in deserted houses of nearby villages.

Address
Main road Kol'tsovo Zvizzhi
249866 Nikola-Lenivets
Russia]]>mimoa.eu