26 January 2019

Energy efficiency, low construction costs, quicker completion rate, recycled and recyclable materials, long-lasting finishings and furnishings, green areas and public services seem to be the main features of housing models with a strong social dimension. And the Tor Vergata Campus in Rome is an excellent example. Social housing has ‘contaminated’ the university. This summer the last of the 550 residences for students, professors and researchers of the Tor Vergata University in Rome were handed over. The many Italian companies involved in the project include Spagnol Group for the “turnkey” furniture of the residences, Marazzi for the indoor flooring, Mirage for outdoor flooring, iGuzzini for internal and external lighting, Estel for the auditorium’s furnishings. Headed by architect Marco Tamino and realized by Ingenium RE, the project features a total of 1,500 residences distributed over 17 units with services and common areas for dining and leisure organized around a 5-hectare park. Designed as a place for study, dialogue and discussion, the complex is geared toward energy saving, eco sustainability, low construction costs and social awareness. (Fabiana Cambiaso Università La Sapienza)

Edoardo Croci

15 November 2018

Pottery, Corian, Cristalplant or Cristalite: which one is the best one? Barbara del Curto gives an answer in an interview with designrepubblica.it. Choosing between ceramic and new materials is difficult. She explains: "They are both versatile, suitable for kitchen, bathroom and furnishings". And you can find unexpected innovation: "Pottery has a long history, but today with the help of technology it can be worked into an infinite number of textures, colors and thicknesses. It can also be combined with other materials and find application in public works, walls etc.". But what is the difference between them? They are all resistant to heat, scratches, shocks, stains. And they are inert, hygienic, easy to clean and maintain. "But the new materials have some advantages: they are less cold to the touch, they are made with thermoformable moulds, so they are more easily mouldable and they are resettable: if it becomes dirty, using sandpaper is enough. And if the top is broken, it can be repaired invisibly".

Marco Mignatti

5 Ottobre 2018

Molteplici esempi di insediamenti residenziali testimoniano come da qualche anno, in Europa, la sostenibilità in architettura sia sempre più applicata alla dimensione urbana e non solo al singolo edificio. Il modello di sviluppo sotteso a questa tendenza è l’Ecoquartiere una tipologia insediativa in grado di associare alle tecnologie costruttive e ai principi progettuali tipici della bioarchitettura quello dell’aggregazione sociale, contemplando in tal modo i tre principali fattori della sostenibilità: preservazione dell’ambiente, fattibilità economica e benessere sociale.

Il quartiere BedZED, Beddington Zero (fossil) Energy Development, costituisce il primo esempio di comunità Carbon Neutral realizzata.  Progettato dall'architetto Bill Dunster e dal gruppo ZEDfactory, è stato realizzato dal Peabody Trust, associazione operante nel settore dell'edilizia sociale, e nasce con l'obiettivo di esplorare le potenzialità di uno sviluppo urbano sostenibile ad alta densità a zero emissioni inquinanti e consumi energetici. Costruito su di un'area dismessa a sud di Londra, BedZED è un insediamento di 82 alloggi a conduzione mista (abitazione sociale, convenzionata e in vendita) con più di 3000mq di spazi dedicati al lavoro, servizi, commercio e usi ricreativi.

I materiali sono tutti di recupero e prodotti ad una distanza inferiore ai 35 km dal sito, così da ridurre l'impatto ambientale dovuto alle emissioni nocive dei camion. In particolare, il 60% dei mattoni è fabbricato sul posto, il legno proviene da foreste sostenibili ed il ferro da una stazione ferroviaria demolita. Sotto l'asfalto, uno strato di vecchie bottiglie frantumate garantisce il drenaggio dell'acqua piovana. Il risparmio energetico è garantito attraverso l'orientamento dell'edificio e l’involucro edilizio altamente isolato, cinque volte superiore agli standard, grandi finestre a sud caratterizzate da doppi o tripli vetri e serre solari consentono di accumulare il calore in inverno.

Il ricambio dell’aria e la sua circolazione negli ambienti sono ottenuti con un sistema di ventilazione naturale attraverso camini a vento che contraddistinguono i tetti dell’abitato. Tetti verdi aumentano l'inerzia termica dell'edificio ma anche il valore ecologico del sito e la capacità di assorbimento del carbonio. Le scelte costruttive si declinano in struttura in acciaio riciclato per gli uffici; struttura in calcestruzzo per le residenze; impiego di un numero minimo di elementi prefabbricati e di sistemi ad alta tecnologia uniti a materiali edilizi tradizionali del luogo. L'energia necessaria agli appartamenti è generata da 777 mq di pannelli fotovoltaici posti sulle pareti a sud e da una centrale termica (impianto di cogenerazione alimentato da biomasse)che brucia legno di scarto proveniente da aziende locali, ovvero dalla potatura degli alberi di Boroughs, sutton e Croydon. Un apposito sistema sul tetto, convoglia le acque piovane poi raccolte in apposite vasche e riutilizzate per lo scarico dei bagni e per innaffiare le piante.

BedZED, i cui costi di realizzazione sono davvero poco superiori rispetto a quelli di un insediamento standard, è stato progettato per essere costruito ovunque, considerando che in Inghilterra, entro il 2016, ogni nuova costruzione dovrà essere alimentata con energia rinnovabile prodotta sul posto, questa sua caratteristica diviene fondamentale. Nel quartiere, inoltre, sono molto utilizzati il car sharing ed il car pooling nonché una scooter elettrici. Anche la spesa, attraverso un sistema di distribuzione del cibo a chilometri zero, oltre a ridurre gli impatti legati al trasporti delle merci o delle persone, favorisce lo sviluppo di un sistema economico locale. (Fabiana Cambiaso - Università La Sapienza) www.zedfactory.com/zed www.bioregional.com Immagini: © 2010 Andrew Butterton; © 2010 ZEDfactory Ltd; ©2009One Planet Living; ©2008 The Independent.

Carlo Bardelli

The Institute for Computing Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) at the University of Stuttgart have designed a Pavilion visually and physically reminiscent of an insect, or rather a beetle. The working group is not new to these recent projects: in fact another hall has been recently designed, and it is based on the exoskeleton of a lobster; its structure is designed and built on the model of the skeleton of a sea urchin.   The project is based on robotic development of double modules structures composed of layers of carbon fiber: in this way the entire architecture remains minimal and lightweight, allowing a high degree of freedom. It covers an area of 50 square meters, but weighs only 593 kg. The team of researchers and students have used high resolution 3D models of various beetle shells – known as elytra – to conduct an analysis of the complex internal structures, working closely with biologists and paleontologists of the University of Tuebingen. These structures were converted then into a set of design principles, made with glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymer to give the hall an optimal strength-to-weight ratio.   "The project presents a new approach to composite fiber structures in architecture", explained researcher and member of the ICD team Marshall Prado.

25 November 2018

Renzo Piano has recently presented his new skyscraper project: 224 metres high, it will be built in London. The Italian architect’s project is one of the more-than-260 skyscrapers under construction or designed in the British city, reflecting a strong trend. Such high and impressive buildings are aimed to redevelop modern metropolitan areas.

The Sharp, an other skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2012, has enhanced London Bridge, one of the most fashionable areas. Now Paddington Tower, the new architecture, aims to redevelop the neighborhood from which it takes its name.

The Paddington Tower will be a glass skyscraper, with 65 floors and about 200 apartments as well as offices, shops, bars and restaurants. The goal is to finish the work by 2020, two years after the opening of the new Paddington railway station.

The architecture will be fully glazed to reflect the lights of the city, and it will have an important detail: a garden suspended over the city, so everyone will be able to enjoy it.

Vertical growth of London is in the spotlight now. The British city was known as the 'lower town', with few skyscrapers as a symbol of modernity and innovation. Now the city is different: this upward development, according to many, seems to be the only way to solve the problem of housing crisis and city density. Although the homes in these new skyscrapers will be expensive, the modern architectures are more and more recognizable. New urban landmarks are born, as modern aggregator centres for urban areas, less crowded ones too.

Edoardo Croci

20 February 2019

It's called the Building that Grows, and it could be compared to a dream, a wish that comes true. It's something different, which we are not accustomed to, it is extremely material but at the same time loaded with symbolic meanings. We are in Montpellier, southern France. The Edouard François’ Maison thinks and designs this building for houses that will become part of the collections of the Pompidou Centre. The Maison architecture reflects the trends of contemporary society: sustainable development, the use of local materials as well as the conservation and valorisation of the existing buildings. These are all recurring themes in the work of the French firm that continues to investigate new forms of sustainability, new "green" habitat.

In this case, the choice was towards the use of stones as wall claddings and to design balconies or small wooden terraces that sprout from the sides of the building by discontinuing the linearity. The study of the balconies was a key part of the project: we are the "balcony-gardens" to dine outdoors and to accommodate many friends; the "balconies-cabins" that remain perched in the trees for more intimate gatherings, then the "balconies-towers" that, as little medieval towers, allow you to explore your surroundings, the foliage of the tree tops, in which the building is well integrated. Finally, there are the "balcony-terraces" entirely dedicated to reflection and contemplation to live in perfect harmony with nature while staying in town. The name of the building, however, is tied to the outside walls. As a living skin, a real intervention of manipulation was built by François Maison. With the idea that it would grow and sprout, that the building would slowly change its appearance according to the laws of nature, sacks of potting soil, stones and small plants were combined with iron cables as support. Some climbers have watered with compost and planted along the surface, until the installation of an automatic sprinkler system on the façade. Just like a small eco-system, the Building that Grows continues to change and to change depending on the form you create, mosses and plants that grow and then die, creating a constantly evolving composition. www.edouardfrancois.com 

Carlo Bardelli

10/10/2018

The Paper Cathedral has been inaugurated, the church made of cardboard and designed in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The designer is Shigeru Ban, Japanese, known worldwide and called "the paper architect". He is famous for his innovative projects, made with cardboard tubes that become pillars, beams, wall. Houses, museums, lightweight and sustainable buildings, strong and durable collection. When he plans design, he works with natural glues, recycled paper around aluminum tubes; once dried, the paper slips off pipe and columns are treated with wax to be waterproofed. Ecofriendly design style, and fast too.

A new way of designing, increasingly sought emergency areas. Ban has made economic and rapid housing for earthquake victims in Kobe. Almost twenty years later, the Japanese architect has designed in New Zealand, a cardboard temporary church, replacing the damaged safe.

 

www.shigerubanarchitects.com  

Marco Mignatti

11 February 2019

Palazzos Centenary Square, the largest public square in the heart of Birmingham, currently lacks cohesion or a clear identity or atmosphere. Mecanoo's design transforms the square into one with three distinct realms: monumental, cultural and entertainment. These palazzos form an urban narrative of important periods in the history of the city; The Repertory Theatre (REP), a 1960s concrete building, the Library of Birmingham, designed in 2009 and Baskerville House, a listed sandstone building designed in 1936. The busiest pedestrian route in the city, what Mecanoo calls the red line, leads pedestrians into Centenary Square. The cantilever of the library is not only a large canopy that provides shelter at the common entrance of the Library of Birmingham and the REP, but additionally forms a grand city balcony with views of the events and happenings on the square. The Library of Birmingham is a transparent glass building. Its delicate filigree skin is inspired by the artisan tradition of this once industrial city. Elevators and escalators dynamically placed in the heart of the library forms connections between the eight circular spaces within the building. These rotundas play an important role not only in the routing through the library but also provide natural light and ventilation. The rooftop rotunda houses the Shakespeare Memorial Room, designed in 1882. This Victorian reading room is lined with wood from the first Birmingham Central Library. Its prominent position as a rooftop aerie makes this delicate room visible from the square. The REP with its unique and beautiful auditorium will be renovated. New workshops, staff accommodations and a shared theatre and foyer space will be created for both the REP and the library. Sustainability The Library of Birmingham is a BREEAM excellent rated building and incorporates grey water systems and ground source heat pumps. Although the Library is a transparent building, it maintains energy efficiency through the buffering capacity of the building mass and the atria. Sun shading and reflective materials within the facades block the harsh rays of the sun during the height of afternoon while allowing natural daylight into the interiors. The ground floor benefits from the mass of the soil which provides buffering and insulation. The circular patio cut out of the square creates a protected outdoor space and invites daylight deep into the building. The building will incorporate a mixed mode and natural ventilation strategy. The façade will respond to external conditions and openings will allow fresh air intake and outflow. The addition of soft landscaped roof spaces will further enhance the immediate surrounding conditions. (Fabiana Cambiaso, Università La Sapienza Roma) Credits: www.mecanoo.nl   Library of Birmingham -  Mecanoo Architects Site: 309 Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK Completed: 2013 Materials: Glass, Metal Cladding Applications: Envelope, Photos: © Christian Richters.

Carlo Bardelli