La piccola casa triangolare a Horinouchi

Una casa molto piccola, dalla forma singolare quella progettata da MIZUISHI Architect Atelier a Horinouchi (Giappone). L’edificio, che sorge sull’angolo acuto di un lotto triangolare tra la strada e il fiume, ospita una coppia con una bambina. Il progettista ha cercato di ottenere più spazio possibile creando un tetto aggettante al di sotto del quale ha anche ricavato il posto per l’auto.


Il primo piano è diviso in piccole aree tramite sottili pareti strutturali collegate dal tetto. Nonostante le ridotte dimensioni, ogni “zona” della casa ha un diverso rapporto con il fiume sottostante:
- la zona pranzo-cucina è lo spazio più grande sul lato ovest e ha un soffitto alto che conferisce la sensazione di salire verso il tetto;
- il soggiorno è lo spazio centrale con il soffitto più basso e la possibilità di aprire il bow window e le finestre su entrambi i lati con una conseguente sensazione di galleggiamento;
- la stanza degli ospiti è sul lato est, nella parte più profonda della casa, dove l’edificio si restringe in direzione del flusso del fiume;
- la mansarda ha due lucernari che affacciano sul fiume e guardano verso il cielo.

Amazing Ireland: Connemara

Dublin-based practice peter legge associates have completed 'connemara', a reconstruction of two degraded cottages in connemara, ireland into a single family residence. positioned within the rural countryside, the vernacular structures are constructed with stacked stone, similar to the low lying stone walls which run through the bucolic landscape of rolling hills. serving as the main entrance, a void between the staggered footprints are linked with a transparent enclosure allowing views towards both the irish sea and the twelve pins, the inland mountain range in the distance. mimicking the roof pitch of the original houses, the steel and glass framed enclosure contains the vertical circulation, a stair formed with concrete treads which are secured within the adjacent exterior walls.

with views of the coast, the kitchen and dining area area bordered with glass bi-fold doors which may be opened to connect with the outdoors. additional smaller windows within the thick stone walls allow daylight to enter the interior from the east and west while the bedroom and bath of the upper level are illuminated with skylights oriented towards to ocean.

Fabrica: shared glass exhibition

'Shared glass' exhibition is the work of design master students from qatar which was created during a glass workshop with fabrica design studio and italian glass maker massimo lunardon. each piece is a hybrid object which re-examines and juxtaposes distinctive elements from an eclectic array of multicultural forms. the designers worked closely with lunardon throughout the process, from the initial drawings to the free blowing of the pieces in the artisan workshop.

Werner Tscholl. architekt: pass museum, the timmelsjoch experience

Italian architect werner tscholl has designed 'pass museum', a small cantilevering shelter on the highest point of the timmelscjoch, austria. conceived as a part of a collection of architectural sculptures placed along the train, the design references the form of an erratic boulder to jut out beyond the land on which it sits. 

highlighting the pioneers of the high alpine road and their accomplishments, the monolithic museum takes on a faceted form which lends a geometric character to the exterior. the solid impression is further achieved by an earth-tone finish drawn from the palette of the surrounding mountainscape. Open on both ends as a singular space, the architectural sculpture also acts as a look-out, directing views from the inside out towards the non-glaciated indentation in the alpine ridge. The internal volume is informed by the carved shape of the exterior, uniform in palette and atmosphere for a seamless experience of the timmelscjoch.

During summer 2010, the entire Berghotel Muottas Muragl was completely renovated. Particular focus was placed on the aspect of environmental-friendliness, giving rise to the first plus-energy hotel in the Alps.

Besides constructing the building according to the principles and requirements of the Swiss "Minergie" ecological label, this project went one step further. Although the surface area of the building was extended from 1,700 sq. metres to 2,700 sq. metres, despite the 50% increase in size, it was possible to reduce the energy consumption by 64%, from 436,000 kWh/a to 157,400 kWh/a. This was achieved by insulating the building in line with the latest standards and by generating renewable energy from five different sources.

With this ground-breaking energy concept, the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl was awarded the Swiss Solar Award 2011 and the PlusEnergieBau® (PEB) Solar Award 2011.