Architecture & Web Art

Dalian Preschool – China

China Dalian

Architects: Debbas Architecture
Location: Dalian, China
Client: YIDA Group
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Debbas Architecture

Dalian Preschool

Ok, I admit it, this is definitely interesting, but I don’t know… a kindergarten? Does this shape get to you to think about a preschool? Although this unique project benefits from the collaborative expertise and design criteria from two early childcare professionals: the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI) based in the United States and Kinderland based in Singapore, the final result is somewhat disputable. “Combining the highest standards in the world with the complex local requirements of China, the program and resulting architecture offers children one of the most unique and comprehensive environments for learning and subsequently flourishing as individuals.”

Dalian Preschool street

Vertical Garden - Portland

Concept for a unusual facade.

If this looks like a vineyard to you, you’re probably overreacting. It’s actually a new energy efficient concept materialized in a vertical garden on the facade. It has been proposed for the western facade of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in Portland, Oregon. The plan of the garden aims reducing energy consumption by 60%-65% as compared to other similar buildings. The flora will be such that they would bloom in spring and summer providing shade, while in winter they would wither to let the sun light in. The garden will make use of rain water and gray water recycled from the interior plumbing. Addition of solar panels will also be a part of the renovation for this building built in 1975.

Beijing District

Today in the Utopia section of Archtopia, we’re going to talk a bit about a concept presented by SOM in Beijing. I’m sure you will find this appealing since the planet really need our care in the current situation, and this proposal shows consideration and pays attention to the nature needs, creating inhabiting green spaces.

Not so long ago SOM revealed the future plans for a new urban center in Beijing’s Dawangjing District that will feature an integrated heating and cooling solution designed to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. The new development will include a central park that utilizes a geothermal heat-exchange system to help passively heat and cool all of the district’s buildings, something like the roman heating system, I’d say.

Beijing District

The district will be positioned at about 11 kilometers from the Beijing Capital International Airport, and will include multiple public parks, cultural attractions and high-rise buildings that will welcome visitors to the capital city.

Black and White Wallpapers with Crazy Patterns

You can cover your walls in a infinite number of ways nowadays, but wallpapers stay one of the most popular and easy to apply solutions, cool too. Thanks to the use of high quality technologies wallpapers become real works of art and can be used in any room. Iris Maschek offers very extraordinary and very stylish wallpapers for a trendy black and white interior design. The main goal of them is to bring the beauty and individuality to the room.

Black and White Wallpapers with Crazy Patterns -

If you’re looking for a change, and don’t know how to start, this should be of help. Abstract patterns create an awesome 3-d effect and look not only very interesting but also kind of dramatic.

Black and White Wallpapers with Crazy Patterns - -

Charred Cedar House © Noriyuki Yano

Architects: Tetsuya Nakazono / naf architect & design
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
Engineer: Kenji Nawa / NAWAKENJI-M
Site area: 172.55 sqm
Building area: 61.38 sqm
Total floor area: 114.50 sqm
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Noriyuki Yano / Nacasa & Partners

Charred Cedar House Front © Noriyuki Yano / Nacasa & Partners

CONCEPT

The construction site is located in a district where many traditional sake breweries preserve good old Japanese street with plaster and charred cedar walls. In winter, during sake brewing season, a cloud of steam comes out from red brick chimneys of the breweries and the scent of sake wafts in the air. “Charred Cedar House” stands in such neighborhood.

Charred Cedar House inside © Noriyuki Yano / Nacasa & Partners

STRUCTURE