The new Revolution Concept Store for BR features a unique shopping experience. The entire store is divided into several “walk in closets” and is driven with a modern contemporary look and style.

No need to adjust your monitor — this newly completed tower in Seoul, South Korea is the wavy vision of Dutch architecture firm ArchitectenConsort. The incredible skyscraper was inspired by the delicate forms of Korean pottery, whose undulating shapes are now writ large on the Seoul skyline. A high-performance glass skin, solar-electric panels, and natural ventilation round out the tower’s green profile, and the building was also designed to scale to its occupants with an adaptive floor plan and offset entrances that don’t overwhelm the street it resides on.

The undulating facade of the 54,000 square foot meter tower is certainly a show stopper. Measuring 48 meters each, the waves are further emphasized by the building’s glass curtain wall and vertical window frames. The width of the floors tapers at the very edge to connect and further emphasize the verticality of the glass columns. The organic effect is most evident from the street, where it works to soften the quality of the skyscraper’s mass.

Read more: Seoul’s New Solar-Powered GT Tower Boasts a Mind-Bending Wavy Facade GT Tower East Seoul – Inhabitat – Green Design Will Save the World

Architects: SAOTA (Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects) – Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Tamaryn Hammond
Location: Camps Bay, South Africa
Interior design: Antoni Associates – Mark Rielly, Ashleigh Gilmour
Project area: 676 sqm
Project year: 2007
Photographs: Wieland Gleich & Karl Beath

The owners brief was to design a dramatic, memorable house. The house needed to suit his specific aesthetic considerations and have the flexibility that it could be either partially or completely rented out. The client has a discerning eye for striking contemporary design and that, along with the fantastic position of the site lent, to creating an elegant response.

A double storey house was positioned centrally on the site i.e. where it starts to widen towards the north which basically cut the property in half resulting in a very large south facing front garden. As the existing house did not maximize the sites’ potential, it was entirely demolished except for the small basement area which was converted into a guest suite with special views of its own. The challenge with the site was its shape; it is 50m long and only 20m wide (at its widest). Our response was quite striking due to its strong lines, yet created difficulties in how to accommodate all the rooms without creating a dull layout. The property not only had an existing building which needed to be demolished but it also had extensive fill above the natural ground level.

The property, and subsequently the plan of the house, focused on Camps Bay beach, and the views of Lion’s Head in a Northerly direction. There are also great views back to The Twelve Apostles and the Cable Station. To capitalize on the views, meant that the design also needed to respond to issues of privacy with the neighbour’s property. Clerestory frameless glazing (skylights) replaced structure and framed views which might otherwise have been missed. Sandblasting of the full height glazing at the eastern boundary enabled us to maximize light to the linear passage and maintain views of the mountain peaks whilst adhering to councils requirements and ensuring privacy of the neighbouring property.

The bedrooms were simply arranged to look west towards the great sea views – off the linear circulation space which forms the rear ‘spine’ of the house. There is a dramatic staircase in this circulation space; with good views back to the Cable Station.

The living spaces are at the Northern side of the house, and feel like they propel themselves towards the view. All living spaces have a great connection to the covered or uncovered terraces and the interior / exterior space continuation is dramatic. The living spaces are highly transparent to take full advantage of views.

The Upstairs & Downstairs are very similar in that each level is fully equipped and independently habitable. The ground floor differs in that it has a self-contained staff suite, only two bedrooms and a water feature which runs the full length of the passage emphasizing the linearity of the house. At this level the views from the terrace are mostly restricted to the North. However, at the First Floor one is elevated above the neighbouring houses and can appreciate the 360 degree view.

The roof over the deck has a steel structure which cantilevers out of the reinforced concrete of the roof slab. A steel ‘ring’ beam was used to create the cut-out and the remaining external extent of the roof was then clad with aluminium panels. Steel sections remain visible creating the illusion of a very thin roof. Reinforced concrete upstand beams are however set back from the edge of the roof edge and are not visible from below.

VIA:

Los Angeles-based EMERGENT was awarded first prize in a competition to design China’s 2013 National Games Arena. The complex measures over 400,00 sq ft (37,000 sq m) and includes a civic recreation center, swimming arena, soccer fields, basketball, tennis, badminton, and volleyball courts.

The National Games Arena is reachable via several bridges, and half of the 4,000 seats are removable — which means it can be flexible to house anything from conferences to concerts. The master plan aims to emulate a community center through the addition of galleries, restaurants, and shops that appeal to the general public — not just sports players and fans.

The complex will make extensive use of solar power through the installation of photovoltaic panels on its roof. In addition, EMERGENT has designed a gorgeous transparent window system based on the formation of crystal patterns in nature. The windows bend and refract light like real crystals, creating a magnificent glow from the outside.

EMERGENT website

VIA: Freshome