* Residential Architecture: House 3 by at103

Residential Architecture: House 3 by at103: “..The Project consists on a restoration and addition of an existing house in the old part of the city of Acapulco, México..situated in the original Acapulco Town, very near the yatch Club that held the nautical activities of the 1968 Olympics, a house build by functionalist architect Hector Mestre in the year 1953, in a complex of 5 house, this particular house with a special condition, that is placed right on the bay with no construction obstructing the view of the old port, the ancient fort and the Modern bay..Our clients asked for an addition and a renewal, for us the challenge was to conserve the original architecture with the new expectations of living in the 21′st century, more space of storage, new technology and new dynamics and programs in contemporary families..The addition consists, in redistributing the bathrooms, more open, much more space, and a new living-terrace-bar-dinning space with a new pool facing the bay, as the original pool was placed in a back terrace. The materials are place with the criteria of not competing with the old house but not to be lost with them. Showing what is new and what is old, with out making a competition was a clear strategy for us..The new area is the main heart of the house, articulating all of the other areas, including an old Salt-water pond in the lower part of the site..”  Natural light, views, terraces, indoor / outdoor sensibility..

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image: Frida Escobedo, Adolfo Pardo; article: “House 3 / at103” 06 Jan 2009. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/11140&gt;

* Architecture: Het Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam by Dok Architecten

Architecture: Het Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam by Dok Architecten: “..the ‘het scheepvaartmuseum’ designed by amsterdam-based Dok architecten breathes new life into a 17th century maritime warehouse. the new museum is the result of a collaboration with restoration experts at rappange & partners, belgian architects laurent ney who is responsible for the concealed contemporary roof, and the several firms who created the individual exhibition spaces. the most striking feature of the renovation is the respect and care taken into preserving the original masonry. the timber framing that held up the construct are still in position and have been exposed for integration into the visitor experience..the symmetrical layout of the classical language remains intact. in fact, several previously closed openings were re-opened as they were initially designed, also uncovering subterranean vaults which are now accessible to the public. exemplifying one of the first uses of portland cement in the area, the facades were very diligently reconstructed to their initial state and sealed with a clear paint. to accommodate the growing number of visitors, the central courtyard was covered by a thin steel roof. this semi-exterior space functions as a large expanse to circulate mass quantities of people in addition to being an orientation point between displays. low energy LED lights are embedded within the slender joists and an innovative sound-proof floor. 62 tonnes of solar-shielded glass spans the column-less courtyard and leave a small gap around the edge of the roof connection for natural ventilation. the entire metal construction can be dismantled at any time in the future without causing any harm to the historical base. the mechanical systems have been relocated to the roof and replaced with circulation components. demolition timber has been recycled into library tables, and the unusable areas between the girders has been opened to include light-filled workspaces..”  Inspired interior and exterior renovation and additions to an existing 17th century structure; interiors featuring exposed original masonry and timber beams, exterior central courtyard capped by a lovely glass and steel dome with embedded LEDs..

image: courtesy of dok architecten; article: Designboom

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* Residential Architecture: Middle Park House by KPDO + CJA

Residential Architecture: Middle Park House by KPDO + CJA: “..This home has had a series of renovations over the past century; the original Edwardian home was converted into apartments in the 1930s and then a substantial family home in the 1980’s. Our brief was to restore the Art Deco facade, retain the existing footprint and add a third level..The house is located directly opposite the beach in Middle Park and is constantly filled with beautiful light. Morning sun strikes the garden aspect, and at the end of the day the sun sets across the bay..a series of calm spaces which would be articulated with light..The planning has been carefully considered to create a series of distinct rooms, rather than an open plan. Joinery is placed to create spaces, but still allow views to flow from room to room and then to the horizon..Materials have been selected to provide understated tones within a neutral palette. The neutral colour palette supports the play of light at different times of day. The overall feeling is extremely soft and one feels visually and emotionally connected at all times to the expansive sea, sky and garden views. At the same time the house has a feeling of intimacy & warmth, perfect for family living..In all our projects our view is very much to protect as much of the built environment as possible. Trades that existed 100 years ago, don’t exist anymore, or are considered too expensive. We therefore chose to restore the existing building and protect the craftsmanship of the Art Deco period..We believe sustainability is about preserving as much as we can without needlessly wasting existing material. So, the most substantial decision regarding sustainability was to work with the existing fabric of the house..materials and servicing were all designed around principles of sustainability, including a smart managed hydronic heating system, double glazed windows, and positively shaded windows with curtains and screens..We selected natural materials such as stone, and stained (not painted) timber, windows are either steel or timber, and not aluminium. Additional ESD attributes include solar hot water booted system, solar pool heating and rainwater harvesting for drip feed garden irrigation systems..”  Ample glazing, natural light; astounding Art Deco facade; sophisticated, subtle interior decoration..

image: © Derek Swalwell; article: “Middle Park House / KPDO + CJA” 18 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/254814&gt;

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* Residential Architecture: Saracen Trullo House in Ostuni by Luca Zanaroli

Residential Architecture: Saracen Trullo House in Ostuni by Luca Zanaroli: “..Italian architect Luca Zanaroli has designed a contemporary remodel and extension of a saracen trullo, a common rural building found in the Ostuni region of Italy..The client had bought land with olive trees and almond trees, almost at the entrance of the property, a small Saracen trullo (typical rural building in the territory of Ostuni) has been abandoned, with an adjacent structure, a lamia, which remained only part of the perimeter walls..The intention was not only to recover the existing buildings, but also take advantage of the possibility of creating an extension so as to triple the existing surface (originally less than 40 square meters) to establish at least four bedrooms..”  Lovely contemporary refurbishment and extension to an existing structure; ample glazing, natural light, privacy; interesting materiality, vaulted ceilings; indoor / outdoor sensibility..

image + article: Contemporist

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