An Open Invitation!

Dear Colleagues and Readers,

I greatly appreciate your time.

However, with every post on http://archreview.blogspot.my/ I became more convinced that a single blog is not the way I want to do that. While some other architecture sites can pull it off in spades, I do not think this site will be able to meet its potential without partners. I see a ton of potential in the multi-collaborator model. There is greater opportunity for peer review, each contributor has unique strengths and interests, and shared decision making leads to a better overall product.

To this end, I am proud to announce that we are now expanding our editorial board. I would like to welcome new authors and editors warmly to contribute to our architecture news portal. No particular experience is necessary, but solid writing skills and enthusiasm for architecture and urbanism are a must. Involvement in some aspect of social networking would be an asset, but we are happy to work with you to build your online presence.

The writing style is not purely academic. We want to make our posts entertaining and enjoyable to read. We encourage you to embedded pictures and references for your articles. In particular, we are looking for writers to contribute to the following sections:

1) Architecture

2) Urban Design and Planning

3) Interior Design

4) Design Technology

5) Training Programs and Workshops

While we are welcoming new writers, we want to ensure our content remains high quality and trustworthy. As such, we will continue to maintain a robust editorial and internal peer review process. Potential contributors should expect that your work will be reviewed by our team and returned for revisions before publication.

There are no absolute prerequisites, and I would encourage anyone that would be willing to write for Archreview to contact us! Hopefully, there are lots of great writers out there that are interested in contributing to our architecture news portal “Archreview”.

Thank you!

Mohammed Amer Younus 

Editor-in-Chief, Archreview

Oct.6.2015

email: archreview.1@gmail.com

Prishtina Central Mosque Proposal by APTUM

The jury for the international competition for Prishtina Central Mosque failed to agree on a clear first prize winner; however it seems that some of the un-awarded entries caught the attention as well. MI’RAJ is the proposal of APTUM, Swiss / American architectural practice, named by one of two parts of the night ascension journey that the Islamic prophet Muhammad took one night. The proposal materializes the journey of ascension to prayer and the spatial experience that follows. Islamic community of Prishtina was searching for a unifying symbol and identity that can bring together many disparate mosques of Kosovo capital, APTUM’s design harnesses that need and brings together a sense of place and provides public space for the greater good of the community.

Stairs are wrapping the south side of the building and the journey begins. At the end of the slow stairs, the round plaza opens, providing the great space for sitting, relaxing of proceeding to the very entry of the mosque. The plaza is suitable for gathering, contemplating or simply enjoying the weather.

The prayer hall is approached through a series of fan-like arches. As one enters the hall, he finds a multi-level space with light shining from far above his head – a shimmering dome is hovering high in the space.

Due to the grandeur of the space of the prayer hall, the one can be suspended as a part of a larger divine whole. After the prayer is finished, people proceed back through the ablution space, down the stairs or ramp, reemerging back to the community plaza, where they can choose how to continue the soul journey with their family and friends.

The Mosque, proposed by APTUM, shows contemporary and innovative investigation in direction of finding new modalities for designing Islamic spatial experience, which follows the physical and spiritual journey.

To commemorate the 2013 Skyscraper Competition, eVolo published a collector’s edition of its highly acclaimed book “eVolo Skyscrapers”. The book is a two-volume, 1300-page set with the best 300 projects received during the last years. Only 150 copies are available worldwide.

Architectural Design by Seve visualized with Lumion3D

Architecture of the Future | Mass Studies

Making architecture more like our dreams

Awarded project in India by M. Anastasakis Architects

Cerejeira fontes arquitectos: cultural center in bergen, norway

'cultural center in gulatinget' by cerejeira fontes arquitectos, bergen, norway
all images courtesy of cerejeira fontes arquitectos

The competition proposal for a new cultural center in norway by portuguese design and engineering firm cerejeira fontes architects interprets a

lineal series of spaces in an overlapping winding concrete form with a cantilevering tail. the elliptical form forms an outdoor green gathering space
at its epicenter, viewed at all times by anywhere in the structure. emerging from a rock formation, the roof plane doubles as seating for events.
long strip windows follow the curve extending views inwardly as well as to the nearby sea, maintaining a constant connection between site and
program. a single cube interferes in the fluidity of the volume providing space for an auditorium that can be opened in good weather spilling out
into the central space. the auditorium support functions such as the wardrobe, make-up, prop and costume storage and kitchenette are located
along the wall behind the amphitheater box. a cafe and exhibition spaces are situated along the stretch of the arc opposite the theater that wraps
around to the public amenities and finally an extruded form framing views of the ocean.

view form the winding rooftop

entrance to the central courtyard

interior corridor

aerial view

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

section

section

elevation

elevation

section axonometric

circulation, sight lines, and programmatic organization

varied uses for the amphitheater box

 project info:

title: formidlingssenter tusenårsstaden gulatinget
function: cultural center
location: gulatinget, norway
net area: 817 m2
gross area: 1300 m2

SAOTA: head 1815, cape town

head 1815' by SAOTA, cape town, south africa
all images courtesy of SAOTA

'head 1815', the elegant residence by south-african firm SAOTA gives a young couple a place to call home, overlooking the atlantic, the nearby town  

of fresnaye and the lion's head mountain. the brief called for a home with separate guest accommodations, which were allocated to the ground floor
in the form of three suites that share the space with the staff flatlet. due to the steep grade and local building restrictions, the home is raised upon
stilts rather than embedded into the hillside.  the first floor contains the entry hall, accessible from the street by gentle steps that lead to a glass-roofed
lobby. a large living room feeds into the dining area attached to a kitchen completely outfitted with imported german appliances. large sliding glass
doors invite the inhabitants out to the pool area with retractable cover, floating above the stunning scenery. the second level contains the private
master bedroom, dressing room and en-suite with the best views over the pool area and the nearby town.

a refined mix of materials define the orthogonal neutral-toned construction; smooth granite floors and wall slabs are seen throughout the project,
balanced by its textured counterpart that play off the white plaster partitions. the solid planes that make up the folding exterior envelope and solid
concrete walls are broken up by sections of slender aluminum louvers that also filter direct light into the open interior.

entrance from head street

swimming pool at the back of the site

infinity pool

living room open to the exterior

entry stairway

kitchen and dining/living

living and dining rooms

granite floors compliment the white washed external concrete partition and full-height glass envelope

top floor bathroom

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

elevation

elevation

project info:

project name: head road 1815
location: fresnaye, cape town
architects: saota - stefan antoni olmesdahl truen architects
project team: philip olmesdahl & stefan antoni
interior decor: client

Low-cost bamboo housing in vietnam by H&P architects

vietnamese low cost housing by H&P architects
six member family

 Developed by vietnamese H&P architects, 

The low-cost housing project is situated in a flood-stricken region that receives extreme temperatures
year-round. meeting the basic residential needs of a residential dwelling, the building will be assembled using minimal components and bamboo
module units. secured using anchors, ties and solid connections, the structure will be strong enough to float in floods. built with local materials
such as bamboo, leaves and recycled oil containers, the concept combines traditional architectural characteristics to distinguish the exterior fabric.
costing just under 2000USD per unit, the plan allows for mass-production, and the ability for villagers to build themselves.

eight member family

perspective

perspective

eight member family diagram

building steps

materials

concept

concept

6 member family

 
existing

architects: h&p architects project details

location: middle of vietnam

architect in charge: doan thanh ha & tran ngoc phuong

team: dang xuan hoa, tran ngoc thach, nguyen xuan tung
completion date (phase 1): mar. 2011

completion date (phase 2): mar. 2013

status: under construction (testing)