The Full Story Behind the Dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi

Arch2O.com
Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine

When you walk into the recently-inaugurated Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, you’ll be immediately welcomed by a million bundles of light which are shed by the museum’s meticulously-engineered dome. Inspired by Arabic culture and architecture, the dome was no easy job to make or construct! Here is the complete story.

Conceiving the dome’s design

The dome’s design took Ateliers Jean Nouvel more than a year to prepare. The firm has worked closely with BuroHappold Engineering to create the magnificent structure.

The designers wished the dome to be anything but ordinary. ”Initial studies related to geodesic approaches, based on triangles, and orthogonal approaches, an approximately square grid,” stated the Associate Director at BuroHappold, Andy Pottinger. “But all of the designs studied clashed with the architectural base pattern of four triangles surrounding a single square.”

Photography: Luc Boegly & Sergio Grazia

The designers’ trials to design the dome were unsatisfactory. Therefore, they decided to go back to square one and give triangular and square patterns a try. “Instead of adding long straight lines we added further squares and triangles and the result is what you can see above the Museum today,” Pottinger explained.

Cladding

The cladding of the dome comprises eight layers, all of which have star-resembling patterns. Each layer of cladding is shifted from the layer beneath to give the dome its rich, complex appearance.

Courtesy of BuroHappold Engineering

“Ateliers Jean Nouvel produced maps showing where higher and lower levels of light were desired, and these were used to create maps of luminance at plaza level. This allowed us to ascertain a percentage transparency through the cladding required and to develop a tool for automatically varying the widths of the cladding elements to gain the required transparency. We did this alongside Ateliers Jean Nouvel for all 8 cladding layers, covering approximately 200,000 square meters.”

The geometric dome encompasses a total of 10,968 elements, 8 layers of cladding, and 7,850 stars. The giant structure, which weighs 7,000 tons, is braced by 2 steelwork layers. “We consider the dome to have 10 layers,” Pottinger commented.

Reinforcement

For reinforcement, 4 bracing towers were added to the design and they were concealed within the interior of the museum.

Courtesy of BuroHappold Engineering

“Initially, the dome had 5 irregularly spaced supports. The structural demands created by this support arrangement were pushing us towards a form that would have clear lines of strength; but avoiding clear lines of strength was a key part of our brief because it would create the appearance of a space frame supporting a cladding system. A truly integrated piece of art was desired, so we suggested a reduction of supports to four, so long as we could position them at the corners of a perfect square”

The dome’s symmetry along a single axis ensured that the four towers carried equal loads.

“At certain times in the design the layers of the cladding were not separated as they are now, but we feel the separation was an inspired decision by the architects—rewarding the visitor who looks long enough at the dome and can begin to understand the logic.”

The construction process itself was a whole different story!

“Waagner Biro, based in Vienna, did an extraordinary job,” Andy Pottinger added. The enormous dome was carried on top of nearly 120 short-term towers. After connecting all the parts of the dome together, the structure was carried by hydraulic jacks to finally rest at its current location.

Courtesy of BuroHappold Engineering

Maintenance

The designers have paid attention to the tiniest details in their design, including the dome’s maintenance. For the easy maintenance of the structure, they have created a web of steel pathways at the base of the dome that reached all the way up. In addition, a pathway, which was designed to surround the dome, leads to more pathways inside for the laborers to use.

Courtesy of BuroHappold Engineering

“The full bottom and top surface of the dome can be accessed and cleaned in this way. We feel that the precise and considered detailing of these accesses and services give the architecture of the dome another layer of depth.”

(Visited 22 times, 1 visits today)

The post The Full Story Behind the Dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi appeared first on Arch2O.com.

https://www.arch2o.com/story-dome-louvre-abu-dhabi/ December 31, 2017 at 09:40AM https://www.arch2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Arch2O-Louvre-AbuDhabi-dome-01-750x400.jpg

5 Compelling Reasons to ALWAYS Include Communal Spaces in Architecture

Arch2O.com
Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine

Communal spaces are basically a more regulated and organized version of public spaces. They provide all the benefits of public spaces while subtracting the side-effects like crime, garbage piles, etc.

Every building should include communal spaces regardless of the building type. Be it a residence, a factory, a hospital, a prison, you name it, a communal space is always needed. We, as architects, should feel compelled to include appropriate communal spaces in our architecture for the following 5 reasons:

1. Awesome Functionality

Remember that we are not designing for robots. No matter how technically perfect your building is, the true functionality of your building is measured by how much it facilitates user comfort. Communal spaces provide additional facilities for users to enjoy, socialize, and relax which, accordingly, increases the functional value of your structure.

Courtesy of OMA

2. Awesome Aesthetics

Effective communal spaces would have a strong aesthetic appeal to invite the users to spend time in them. If you design open-air communal areas, your building’s outdoor landscape would be awesome. The resulting activity in these spaces would also make your building look livelier, hence enhancing its overall appearance.

Courtesy of 5+Design

3. Social Interaction

Do not undermine the role of your building in society. Buildings can do more than just provide a space for daily activities. They can bring people, who are actually complete strangers, to talk to each other.

The best and most efficient way to promote such social behavior within your building is by adding communal spaces in it. These may include co-working areas (if it is an office building), party spots, walking tracks, playgrounds, coffee shops, community centers, or simply a common courtyard. Such spaces encourage social interaction, thus making your building user-friendly. Once you could accomplish neighborliness by means of these spaces, your structure would not just qualify as one building but as a whole thriving community.

Courtesy of Talking Things & Jean Baptiste Hardoin

4. Sharing of Knowledge & Ideas

It is rare for people to overtly talk to each other. However, with time, they develop connections by sharing work advice over a cup of coffee at the gorgeous common space you provided them with. In this manner, communal spaces become the main host for spontaneous knowledge-sharing in the building. People from diverse backgrounds get to know one another while spreading a wide range of ideas and open-mindedness.

Courtesy of OMA

5. Reduction of Racism & Inequality

When different groups come to an understanding, they start appreciating each other for the same differences they would otherwise consider as inferiority factors. That being said, people are generally not given an opportunity to come out of their circle and intermingle with other races. If your building could accommodate for interaction between different social and ethnic groups, it may inspire equality and tolerance in society. So why don’t you insert in it a communal space or two?

Courtesy of SHL Architects

We can safely conclude that including communal spaces in architecture is highly beneficial for architects and users alike. The resulting building design does not only serve the community but also satisfy the architect’s desire to make his/her building stand out as a well-functioning marvel. If all architects make it a habit to include good communal spaces within every building they design, we could achieve great social reform. Spread the word, dear friends!

 

(Visited 16 times, 1 visits today)

The post 5 Compelling Reasons to ALWAYS Include Communal Spaces in Architecture appeared first on Arch2O.com.

https://www.arch2o.com/communal-spaces-architecture/ December 28, 2017 at 07:30PM https://www.arch2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/5-Compelling-Reasons-to-ALWAYS-Include-Communal-Spaces-in-Architecture-750x400.jpg

Famous Architectural Firms Design Cat Shelters

Arch2O.com
Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine

Who said you can’t pamper your cat or give it a super-nice home of its own? Nowadays, many architectural firms design cat shelters that aim to please your kitties and give them a suitable place to play in, but that is not all. Some of these firms have an additional humanitarian purpose which is to raise money for feline charities. Those charities sell the houses in auctions to raise funds which finance their responsibilities and activities.

Many different designs of cat shelters were built using a variety of materials like wood, metal, concrete, and colored strings. Some cat houses even have a touch of greenery, adding style and a sense of nature to them.

Check out this selection of amazing cat shelters designed by famous architects:

1. Cat in the Fish Bowl

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

Inspired by the yin-yang Chinese symbol, this tiny house, which is built to accommodate cats, takes the form of a fishbowl. Designed by Abramson Teiger Architects, the structure is composed of separate layers to allow the cat to see the world outside.

2. Silhouette

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

This cat shelter is made up of curved wooden slabs conveying the mystery in a cat’s personality. The modern design is the work of global design firm CallisonRTKL.

3. Cat-à-Tête

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

The enclosure was designed by Formation Association and Arktura in collaboration with Buro Happold engineering firm. Although it is made of recycled plastic containers, the structure is not hard and is more similar to felt. The S-shaped house has many openings for the cat to move easily.

4. Kitten Family House

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Grey Crawford

This Kitten Family House comprises four transparent little structures which are playfully encompassed in a larger wooden house frame. Designed by HOK, the feline house has an artificial green area to its front, giving it a nice and refreshing look.

5. Kitty Tunnel

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Grey Crawford

A cat shelter was designed by Perkins and Will to imitate the shape of a tunnel. The tunnel is made of several triangular panels. The structure, in addition, has three openings at different levels.

6. Blue-Strings House

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Grey Crawford

Designed by DSH Architecture, blue strings are woven around several metallic rings to compose several sleeping places.

7. The Concrete House

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Grey Crawford

The main building material for this cat house is concrete. It was designed by Standard Architecture Design. Two wooden shelf-like structures, inside a concrete cube, as well as a canopy-like extension, are available for cats to lie down and rest.

8. Lunar Cat Lander

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

Designed by Knowhow Shop, this cat shelter seems to be sending its inhabitants through an adventurous space voyage.

9. String Theory

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

Cats are known to have a deep affection for “Strings”, and this cat shelter, designed by RNL, seems to have plenty. The red strings appear to be sewn into the wooden structure and stretched on the front and back sides of the little house.

10. Teatro de Gato

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

Pfeiffer Partners Architects built a cat theatre with a red curtain for cats with “artistic” talents.

11. CatSCAPE

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

A maze-like structure for naughty kittens was designed by HOK. It is composed of crossing wooden rods with several entrances to fit the cats.

12. The “Catleidoscope”

Courtesy 0f Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

Designed by Perkins and Will, the house features four windows on its two sides. Each window is covered with a different colored-lens to give cats multiple unique views of their surroundings.

13. California Catcube

COurtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan bob

This is another cat shelter designed by Standard Architecture Design. Concrete was used to build the shelter’s exterior frame and to provide warmth for the little residents, while the inner frame and the vertical shading screens are made from recycled wood.

14. Kitty Kurves

Courtesy of Architects for Animals – Photography: Meghan Bob

Lehrer Architects designed this feline shelter with undulating features for the cats to play around.

 

(Visited 40 times, 1 visits today)

The post Famous Architectural Firms Design Cat Shelters appeared first on Arch2O.com.

https://www.arch2o.com/famous-architectural-firms-design-cat-shelters/ December 27, 2017 at 07:00PM https://www.arch2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/arch2o-cat-shelter-750x400.jpg

Zaha Hadid Architects Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Hungerburgbahn

Arch2O.com
Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine

This month Zaha Hadid Architects celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the four railway stations – the Hungerburgbahn- which the firm has designed in Innsbruck, Austria. During the course of these 10 years, the volume of people who have visited these stations has exceeded 4.5 M passengers. The railway stations play an important role in linking Innsbruck’s city center to Nordkette Mountain, and to Hungerburg.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

The stations’ design carries the distinct fingerprint of ZHA, which is the undulating, space-age form. However, each of the four stations has been designed according to its own passenger volume, terrain, and altitude. The roof design in all of the stations is a state-of-the-art which matches the icy climate of the city. Thanks to their remarkable features, the stations have become a major tourist attraction in Innsbruck.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

“The Hungerburgbahn connects the vibrant city of Innsbruck with nature, and its stations have become an integral part of Innsbruck’s cityscape.”, said the Mayor of Innsbruck, Christine Oppitz Plorer.

In 2005, ZHA and Strabag, the contractor of the project, won the contest to create the Hungerburgbahn. At the time of its completion, the project was the biggest structure in the world to use double-curved glass. Moreover, in 2008, the project was considered by the Royal Institute of British Architects for the prestigious Stirling Prize.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

The Austrian city will be hosting several events on the margin of the 10th-anniversary celebrations of the stations’ construction. The events, which will take place during the course of the winter, include organizing design tours to the stations. The tours will be available till April the 6th 2018.

(Visited 16 times, 1 visits today)

The post Zaha Hadid Architects Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Hungerburgbahn appeared first on Arch2O.com.

https://www.arch2o.com/zaha-hadid-architects-anniversary-hungerburgbahn/ December 26, 2017 at 08:38AM https://www.arch2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Arch2O-ZHA-Hungerburhbahn-01-750x400.jpg

5 Architectural Gems Built by Romantic Designer Couples

Arch2O.com
Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine

After getting married, some designer couples multiplied their design power and have set to build a lot more than relationships. These romantic love birds are totally on a roll with their groundbreaking projects.

If you’re a single designer, you might want to consider a designer life partner after checking out our 5 Architectural Gems Built by Romantic Designer Couples.

1. Olympic Sculpture Park by Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi

Courtesy of MW/MF

Married architects, Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi are both left-handed. Their drawings are so similar that even they get confused about who drew what. Together, this couple built the Olympic Sculpture Park with the aim of reinventing the contaminated industrial site and establishing a connection between Seattle and its abandoned shoreline. They achieved this by transforming 8.5 acres of brownfields into an uninterrupted Z-shaped landscape. Moreover, this landscape slopes down from a height of 40 feet to meet the waterfront.

Courtesy of Weiss/Manfredi

Their design turned art-observation into an adventure in the tilting open-air environment. Plus, the site offers marvelous mountainous views, making users’ experience all the more fascinating. The couple did not just revitalize the site but also formed a lively public space where the harmonious coexistence of art, nature, and infrastructure is celebrated.

Courtesy of Weiss/Manfredi

Ms. Weiss and Mr. Manfredi rejoiced at their success as they received the winner’s award in the International Design Competition.

2. Blur Building by Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio

Courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Another husband-wife team, Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio were both trained as architects. Diller happened to be Scofidio’s student at the Cooper Union but the pair did not date nor marry until she graduated in 1979. After marriage, they became a super architect-couple and won the genius grants award from the MacArthur Foundation. They shared the same ideas; both had the common goal of challenging the way people think about architecture. To this end, they decided to build an abstract building on top of Lake Neuchatel. Despite all the discouragement from other team members, the couple went ahead and produced the “Blur Building”.

Courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Blur Building stands offshore on an elevated steel structure, vigorously breaking convention. It constantly emits steam fog which makes it appear as a 300-feet cloud hovering over the water. Visitors can enter it and wander in freakish vapors.

Courtesy of Diller Scofidio+Renfro

Some considered it outrageous while others (like Rem Koolhaas) admired it. Nevertheless, to the couple, it is a perfect platform for experimenting with new concepts of using space.

3. Recycled Window House by Nick Olson and Lilah Horwitz

Courtesy of M Magazine

Nick and Lilah are not architects, yet they built an architectural marvel together. Nick Olson is a photographer and his life partner Lilah Horwitz is a fashion designer. Both currently work for a landscape company in Milwaukee. In 2012, this romantic couple set off to build their dream house in the woodlands of West Virginia. It is really applaudable that their top priority was to keep the design economic and sustainable.

Courtesy of Nick Olson & Lilah Horwitz

The adventurous duo was very keen to travel together. So, they took this project as an opportunity and went on a road trip to collect recycled material from garage sales and local antique shops.

Courtesy of Nick Olson & Lilah Horwitz

Although the house is small, it is beautifully crafted. They built it on their favorite spot using the same hands-on technique they use in their artworks.

To fulfill their dream of watching the sunset over the mountains, they built the whole front façade with repurposed windows. Thus, their home remains naturally lit throughout the day.

“Each window has a bit of a story to it. As an artist, I’ve learned over time that if you have an idea, you can find a way to make it” – Nick Olson

Courtesy of Nick Olson & Lilah Horwitz

They finished the rest of the house in reused wood and complemented it with vintage furniture. They also got an old stove for heating wood during winters.

Courtesy of Nick Olson & Lilah Horwitz

Hats off to their brilliant design which took only about $500 to build.

4. Blaffer Art Museum by Dan Wood and Amale Andraos

Courtesy of Carly L Dean

Famously known as ‘Danamale’, married founders of WORKac, Dan and Amale, met while working at OMA. At first, Amale was kind of intimidated by Dan as he was 6 years her senior but soon they were married and started working as partners. They have two children, both with Arabic names due to Amale’s deep interest in Islamic architecture. Other than the children, the couple gave birth to several stunning and dramatic projects one of which is Blaffer Art Museum in Houston.

Courtesy of WORKac

The Blaffer Art Museum is a renovation of 1970’s building located on the university campus of Houston. The original building entrance was through an inner courtyard which failed to attract visitors. To counter this issue, ‘Danamale’ designed a glazed asymmetrical pavilion which relocated all the circulation towards the main façade. This pavilion shades the entrance with a triangular void, creating a glowing foyer for the building.

Courtesy of WORKac

They also added glass panels to the building so any passerby can observe the activities happening inside.

Courtesy of WORKac

This new design increased visitor-traffic tremendously.

5. Compact House by Michael Green and Sahra Samnani

Courtesy of BCBusiness

Michael Green has established his reputation for advocating engineered-wood towers. However, his latest project is much smaller and personal; the Compact House he built with his interior-designer-companion, Sahra Samnani. Together, they solved the greatest challenge: how to comfortably live in a tiny space, in this case, a 140-square-meter house.

Courtesy of MGA

The couple transformed a 1980’s house in Vancouver for themselves and their two teenage kids. They used glass, concrete, steel, and wood for the revamp. The pair remodeled it from the shell by reinventing the existing stick-frame structure. In downsizing from their 325-square-meter suburban house to a duplex less than half the size, they had to devise built-in cabinetry to effectively fit all their stuff.

Courtesy of MGA

Green and Samnani made a few essential changes to the house, like moving the side-entrance to the front, removing the stairways, and turning the interior into 3 vertically stacked zones. A jobbed descending path dramatizes the new entrance, and to add more to the drama, the couple took a gravity-defying step by cantilevering their glass-walled bedroom above the living space.

Courtesy of MGA

All in all, the design is based on simplicity, minimalism, and indoor/outdoor engagement.

(Visited 31 times, 1 visits today)

The post 5 Architectural Gems Built by Romantic Designer Couples appeared first on Arch2O.com.

https://www.arch2o.com/architectural-gems-by-romantic-designer-couples/ December 25, 2017 at 05:00PM https://www.arch2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Arch2o-Designer-Couples-Jasper-James-02-668x400.jpg