* Architecture: 2012 RIBA Awards Winners Announced

Architecture: 2012 RIBA Awards Winners Announced: “..The Royal Institute of British Architects in London have announced 59 winners of this year’s RIBA Awards, including projects by David Chipperfield, Foster + Partners, OMA [and many others]..The winners include 50 projects in the UK and nine from elsewhere in the EU..The shortlist for this year’s Stirling Prize will be drawn from these winners..”  Article includes photos of 11 of the winning buildings, and a list of all 59 winners, by region..

image: Iwan Baan; article: Dezeen

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* Residential Architecture: Country Victoria Modular House by Carr Design Group

Residential Architecture: Country Victoria Modular House by Carr Design Group: “..the residence comprises two buildings, each arranged along a spine housing all services..The main building contains the living room, dining room, kitchen, study, storage and bedrooms, connected by glazed walkways..Split-level timber decking joins this building to the guest pavillion, which contains a living and dining area, and two bedrooms..The house is constructed using galvanised steel columns and dark plywood panels..Large full-height windows, the over hanging roof and three metre-wide external timber walkways frame views of the landscape..The home is constructed using a modular design called Intermode, launched by Carr Design Group in 2007..”  An award-winning home; modular does not mean lacking creativity and sensibility; lovely interior, material sensibility, extensive glazing, natural light, views and connection with the environment; inspired sense of detail and choice..

image + article: Dezeen

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* Architecture: The Diana Center at Barnard College by Weiss Manfredi

Architecture: The Diana Center at Barnard College by Weiss Manfredi: “..Winner of a national design competition and a Progressive Architecture Award, the Diana Center establishes a new nexus for social, cultural, and intellectual life at Barnard College. From the historic entrance gate at Broadway, the wedge-shaped design frames a clear sightline linking the central campus at Lehman Lawn to the lower level historic core of the campus. The Diana Center extends Lehman Lawn horizontally and vertically: descending planted terraces cascade north to Milbank Hall, previously isolated by a 14-foot-high retaining wall and plaza, and ascending double-height atria bring natural light and views into the seven-story structure..Carving a diagonal void through the building, the ascending double-height glass atria establish continuous sightlines through the gallery, reading room, dining room, and café. Anchoring the lower levels, a 500-seat multipurpose events space and 100-seat black box theatre house lectures, special events, and theatrical productions. On the campus side of the building, an unfolded glazed staircase encourages informal encounters at the heart of a rich intellectual community and provides views to the surrounding campus. Conceived as a vertical campus quad, this cantilevered route interweaves the spaces of the building into those of the campus..Sustainability is integral to the conception of the design and supports the College’s effort to teach and practice environmental principles. The green roof offers a 2,800-square-foot ecological learning center for Barnard’s Biology and Environmental Science students as well as valuable new social space. The building maximizes daylight and views and incorporates operable windows, radiant flooring, and recycled materials. Occupancy sensors, automated shading, and high performance MEP systems increase efficiency..”  Award-winning, sustainability, green roof, extensive glazing, controlled natural light, double height atriums; contextual and social sensibility..LEED Gold Certified..

See our post on another project by Weiss Manfredi: Architecture: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center by Weiss/Manfredi Opens to the Public.

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image: © Albert Vecerka/Esto; article: Minner , Kelly . “The Diana Center at Barnard College / Weiss Manfredi” 19 Dec 2010. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/97256&gt;

* Residential Architecture: HP Tree House by mmp Architects

Residential Architecture: HP Tree House by mmp Architects: “..the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) has awarded this rainforest tree house as the 2012 House of the Year. Suspended above the forest floor on a secluded and private lot on the flanks of  [a mountain]..a low maintenance home that embodies a relaxed ambience, structural honesty, plentiful natural light and airflow, and generous reference to the site and the forest..The building ‘floats’ on a galvanized steel support structure, which carries through from the ground to the roof ensuring minimum site disturbance, low maintenance and structural integrity. Retention of most of the existing forest, combined with subdued colors has resulted in a building which is virtually invisible from the city below. However, views of the city exist through ‘windows’ in the forest..Three pavilions separated by breezeways form the single level of the home suspended above the natural slope. The central living pavilion opens to the forest outlook and through a full glass wall, and also connects seamlessly to the outdoor living breezeway. Outdoor dining overlooks the slightly lower lounge ‘treehouse’ which rests under a large canopy roof and is open on all sides. The main bedroom and ensuite pavilion is accessed across this breezeway and features framed views of the adjoining rock face which becomes a wet season cascade..”  Extensive glazing and interior and exterior use of wood, abundant natural light, nature, indoor/outdoor and contextual sensibility..a lovely, and award-winning, home..

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image: Courtesy of mmp Architects; article: Rosenfield , Karissa . “HP Tree House / mmp Architects” 31 May 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/240006&gt;