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The Interactive Museum of the History of Lugo by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos is an underground museum in Spain that has weathered steel towers that emerge above the grass. You enter the building using a spiral staircase that descends in to a submerged courtyard. The three cylinders act as part of the museum underground. I think the cylinders would be a good way to connect the underground structure to the one on ground.
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I particularly liked the structure of the 'Exbury Egg'. The underlying structure is made from a series of curved plywood ribs, there is a secondary series of cross ribs which create a framework over which a skin is stretched. Recyced Red Ceader strips were bent accross the structure and nailed on to the stringers to form a structure. A layer of fiberglass was then added to make the structure waterproof.
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The Wadi Resort by Oppenheim Architecture + Design have proposed this idea of having 47 desert lodges as a resort is Wadi, Jordan. The lodges are carved in to the sandstone and elements will be made from the earth and cement mixed with local red sand. The architect set out to reinterpret the way society deals with surrounding nature by taking full advantage of the valley where desert sand meets desert stone exploiting natural beauty. Uses natural cooling effect of the rocks to minimize energy consumption. If I were to pick a site with an rock face I could include this idea of the window to the underground building.
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The “maison sylvestre” by Matali Crasset is an example of ecological overnight accommodation in the woods. It offers basic services with reduced environmental impact. There is a 45km path for visitors to discover all the works of art hidden in the forest. There are 4 shelters in the woods with 4 different themes. They are lightweight constructions, made out of a combination of acacia wood, Douglas fir and galvanised steel, have no foundations and can be freely moved around in the forest without harming nature. They have a central room, beds for four, a terrace and a swing outside. The utilities are as simple as the spirit of the project might suggest: gas lights, a wood stove, and an ecological toilet. I like the idea of the outdoor seat and feel like this could be a good idea for the structure on the ground for my client to observe the nature.
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The ‘shining star’ by Kielder Belvedere is in Northumberland, England. It over looks a lake and serves as shelter for walkers and as a waiting point for ferry passengers. The exterior is made from steel mirrored walls. There is a coloured sky light inside which created a warm glow contrasting with the exterior. There is a window in the back wall that shapes a panoramic view of the lake. The idea of having a panoramic window could be interesting when trying to capture a specific view that could be beneficial for the ecologists to see.
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The Mirador by Carolina Conteras and Tomas Cortese is a shelter used for dining. It is an elegant modern design inserted in to rugged terrain along the coast of Chile. Nothing is blocking the view of the Estero Canyon and river. It juts out of the hill allowing people to move forward horizontally on a slope. Steps lead down from the kitchen to a viewing platform outdoor. Made from wood, concrete and steel. Held up with pine poles Fell both sheltered and free.
I like how light this space is and feel like it could be a good idea for the building above/on the ground if my chosen site was a hill.
I like how light this space is and feel like it could be a good idea for the building above/on the ground if my chosen site was a hill.
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The Zig Zag Cabin by Drew Heath Architects is for shelter, sleeping, sitting and cooking for clients who want a rural retreat in the Australian Bush. Made from hard wood framing timber cladding. The zig zag window opens up long and short views in the forest. Sleeping area in loft with ladder. Panels are painted using a colours specific to match hues from the landscape. Express many features of the Australian building tradition in use of wood and corrugated metal. Small interior intentionally forces the users out on to the Deck. I like the idea of the decking and the fact that the colours used are specific to the colours of the surrounding environment.
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The Garden Pavilion by Paul Raff Studio is a pavilion set in an urban garden. It sits integrated yet apart from the natural environment. The curved panels in the ceiling sit perpendicular to the suns path. The roof opens wider at the front for musical performances. The latticework allows light to penetrate even in cooler months The client was a teacher with interest in music. The structure looks at ways architecture can enable better access to nature. Because of how the structure can enable better access to nature, I feel like it could be an interesting design to a walkway between two buildings.
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The Protest Shelter by Andrew Maynard Architects is built in a Tasmanian forest (home to the worlds tallest hardwood trees). The shelters protect a number of trees. They are two-level capsule accommodation with storage, a work area and a sleeping area. Solar panels on the roof supply minimal electric power. This could be a good idea to have for the structure above ground.
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The Free Spirit Tree spheres by Tom Chudleigh were designed to preserve a forest in Vancouver. Circular frame laminated with wood. Wide enough for two adults and one child to lounge. There is storage, a bed, a table and electricity. There is a circular window which acts as a peep hole. You access these tree spheres is by wooden steps winding around a tree connected to a suspension bridge. Held up by ropes. Uses vertical lines to distribute stress on the trees. They are available for overnight access. The concept burrows very heavily from sailboat constructon
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The Footbridge by Geninasca Delefortrie is in the Western Alps of Switzerland. The bridge travels over a river. Many hikers use this. It has minimal impact on the site. It is a giant light filled tunnel built by using steel beams and vertical supports. The bridge (box) is larger at one end because of the flatter terrain. It gets smaller toward the steeper bank and slats converge creating a vanishing point. Sunlight and breeze filter through the tunnel. View of the forest beyond.
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The Vines Pavilion by MADE is largely constructed from rope and wood. At a low level, the ropes for a springy bench seating that flows up to a pergola-style shelter. I think this type of design could work as a pathway between two of my buildings.
http://www.dezeen.com/2011/08/08/interactive-museum-of-the-history-of-lugo-by-nieto-sobejano-arquitectos/
http://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/01/wadi-rum-by-oppenheim-architecture-design/
http://www.livegreenblog.com/sustainable-architecture/ecological-overnight-accommodations-in-the-woods-matali-crasset-and-her-andldquomaison-sylvestreandrdquo--7463/
http://io9.com/look-beneath-the-surface-of-these-incredible-undergroun-1269686668
Phyllis Richardson (2001). XS Small Buildings. London: Thames & Hudson. 20-23.
Phyllis Richardson (2007). XS Green Small Buildings. London: Thames & Hudson. 30-35, 50-53, 148-149, 154-7, 158-161, 178-183
http://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/01/wadi-rum-by-oppenheim-architecture-design/
http://www.livegreenblog.com/sustainable-architecture/ecological-overnight-accommodations-in-the-woods-matali-crasset-and-her-andldquomaison-sylvestreandrdquo--7463/
http://io9.com/look-beneath-the-surface-of-these-incredible-undergroun-1269686668
Phyllis Richardson (2001). XS Small Buildings. London: Thames & Hudson. 20-23.
Phyllis Richardson (2007). XS Green Small Buildings. London: Thames & Hudson. 30-35, 50-53, 148-149, 154-7, 158-161, 178-183