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Saturday 10 December 2011

Rocco design architects: LHT tower


the programmatic functions are sandwiched by two folding skins of opposite natures delineating the two different urban characters beyond the site.
a re-construction of the luk hoi tong building which was well-known as a by-gone cinematic landmark in central hong kong for fifty years,

this new establishment, named the LHT tower is comprised of 29 stores, offering 11,000 square metres of office space
and 3000 square metres of podium, retail and restaurant areas. the re-development of the building was conceived by hong kong-based studio
rocco design architects
 and is situated at a prominent corner of the queen's road central and pedestrian theatre lane in the bustling city.


the angled arrangement of mullions on the street elevation creates a forced perspective that further exaggerates the folding of the curtain wall

the design draws on the surrounding site and its special theatrical history. challenging the standard tower-and-podium
single building development approach, without sacrificing the commercial value of retail floors, the structure features a
dynamic folding façade system on the eastern elongated side of the building that wraps the podium and tower in a formal continuum.
to the west, the ribbed projection, together with the roof component forms the extension of the adjoining wall.
the programme functions are sandwiched by these two folding skins of opposing natures, delineating the two different urban
characters flanking the site.


the curtain wall extends downwards to wrap the podium in a formal continuum

the tower presents itself as an urban landmark that demarcates the start of a series of old attached buildings
with narrow street frontage down the queen's road central to the west, and the freestanding contemporary office buildings to the east.
responding to the busy foot traffic along the theatre lane, the escalator zones at the retail floors are strategically placed
next to the twisting glass skin to form an animated and engaging façade, offsetting the undesirable blank walldrop of the
pedestrianized lane in the past owing to the function of the former cinema building. the non-linear folding of the exterior skin
gives an impression of stage curtain, opening to reveal the office and retail spaces within, creating a subtle reference to the
iconic queen's theatre that previously occupied the site.


vista to the folding skin from the adjacent alley


vista from the pedestrianized theatre lane



a façade that engages the movement of users and the passing foot traffic of the theatre lane


a façade that engages the movement of users and the passing foot traffic of the theatre lane

a link bridge over the foyer bisecting the escalator zone and the main lift lobby on first floor

the strategic planning of podium circulation to form an animated façade

site plan


floor plan / level 0

 
typical floor plan

School 4 burma competition - winning proposals


'school 4 burma' competition, burma
winning professional proposal by amadeo bennetta + daniel larossa

all images courtesy building trust international

amadeo bennetta + daniel larossa of berkeley, california have submitted the winning professional proposal for 'school 4 burma', 
along with student submission by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil of sir j.j. college of architecture, mumbai, india for
an inte
rnational design competition held by building trust international. a prefabricated framework enclosed with heavy-duty
waterproof fabric may be flat-packed and easily shipped on a truck. the components may be assembled on site in a flexible manner 
to accommodate the needs of the school and clad with bamboo panels to enclose the units. the scheme is adaptable to the
varied site conditions and led to the proposals selection. the project will begin construction next year.

the student submission creates separate classroom entities creating an undisturbed learning environment within a humanly 
scaled space. the modular 8 foot spaces are formed with local materials and constructed with conventional building techniques 
to fabricate easily with reduced costs. shaded courts and verandas utilize passive solar strategies to contribute to a climate 
responsive building.


axonometric with construction details
proposal by amadeo bennetta + daniel larossa


section perspective with construction details
proposal by amadeo bennetta + daniel larossa


student submission by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil of sir j.j. college of architecture, mumbai, india


entry facade
student submission by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil of sir j.j. college of architecture, mumbai, india



classrooms
proposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil



elevationproposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil


exploded axonometric
proposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil


floor plan / level 0proposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil


section
proposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil



orientation diagram
proposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil



daylight diagram
proposal by ms. gauri satam and mr. tejesh patil

Productora: thermal park in dolores


'thermal park in dolores' by productora, dolores, buenos aires, argentina
all images courtesy of productora


'thermal park in dolores', an environmental intervention proposal for the town of dolores, within the buenos aires 
province of argentina by mexican practice productora integrates indoor and outdoor activities with a series of 
canals and walkways. a square grid incorporates classical landscape design elements including a symmetrical axis, 
labyrinths and follies within a complex of buildings. the aquatic park attempts to create a new relationship 
between buildings and the surrounding grounds by allowing bicyclists and boaters to traverse the site.

arcades of columns define the perimeters of the simple rectilinear volumes creating shaded open air verandas and porches.
the interior spaces of the structures overlook the vegetated areas which have been sectioned by waterways and 
pedestrian paths. small scale bridges are placed at the intersections of ground and water.


outdoor veranda overlooking canals


shaded porches transition between interior and exterior spaces


aerial view of the complex


aerial view of the complex


floor plan / level 0


floor plan / level 0


floor plan / level 0


floor plan / level 0


section


section


section


elevation


elevation


elevation


elevation


axonometric of a portion of the site
black: water
grey: pedestrian paths
white: interior of buildings



axonometric of a portion of the site
black: water
grey: pedestrian paths
white: interior of buildings



axonometric of a portion of the site
black: water
grey: pedestrian paths
white: interior of buildings


project info:

project name: thermal park in dolores
location: dolores, buenos aires, argentina
program: landscape intervention
year: september 2011 (competition, 2nd prize)
client: college of architects of the province of buenos aires
team: alejandra de la mora, antonio espinoza, diego escamilla, ivan villegas, uriel piña
local partner: miguel alvite

Moederscheimmoonen architects: multi-purpose sports facility


'multi-purpose sports facility building' by moederscheimmoonen architects in houten, the neatherlands
all images courtesy of moederscheimmoonen architects


dutch firm moederscheimmoonen architects has completed the design for a multi-purpose sports facility in houten, the netherlands.
the building will be used by local sports clubs for activities including hockey, baseball and handball.
outside of physical recreation, the property will also be used for educational purposes and as a social meeting point for the community. 
 
the double layered structure is surrounded by various sports fields. the sloping grass banks hide the ground floor while allowing
direct access to the level above. the entrance below the ground leads to the dressing rooms and storage areas. the main floor,
accessible from the surrounding terraces, houses the the canteen and multifunctional areas. the modern,
minimalistic materials chosen contrast with the natural surrounding. the clean lines of the wood and glass allow the sports fields
and vegetation to play an important role in the overall design. 


view of terrace and surrounding area 


wood and glass exterior 


interior view of cafe and bar 


site plan 


floor plan / level 1 


floor plan / level 0 


north elevation 


west elevation 


south elevation 


east elevation 



sketch
project info:
 

architect: moederscheimmoonen architects
location: houten, the netherlands
project architect: erik moederscheim
project team: erik moederscheim, ruud moonen 
structural engineering: CAE nederland BV
installation advisor: DWA
client: municipality of houten
gross floor space: 1,100 sqm