Tag Archives: Architecture

Visually Unique Tiny Home Adopts The Form Of A Traditional Shepherd’s Hut With A Modern Twist

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Dubbed the S’Mouse City Model, this modern dwelling adopts the aesthetic of a traditional shepherd’s hut. It is equipped with a compact yet comfortable interior, and is also available with optional off-the-grid updates. Shepherd’s huts are often used in the UK and France as resting spaces for farmers after working in the fields.

They are also often used for home offices, tiny homes, and vacations houses. This dwelling is designed by Texas-based S’Mouse Tiny House Co., and it is supported by a double axle trailer, and features a length of 18 feet. The exterior comprises of white asphalt shingles and cedar shakes, topped by a curving roofline. An exterior storage box is also included.

Designer: S’Mouse Tiny House Co.

The interior of the home features a finishing of cork paneling. It is also equipped with a big window that allows natural light to stream in effortlessly. As you enter the home, you are welcomed by the kitchen. The kitchen contains a two-burner electric cooktop, a microwave, fridge/freezer, a coffee machine, sink, and cabinetry. The living room is closely located, and it also functions as the main bedroom. This space includes a sofa bed that can be folded out into a double. It also contains a coffee table, TV, and loads of underfloor storage.

The opposite end of the house includes the bathroom. The bathroom is compact and snug, featuring a shower, sink and bath. Besides the main sleeping area in the living room, this tiny home also accommodates a bedroom above the bathroom. It is a typical tiny house-style loft space with a double bed and low ceiling. This room can be accessed via a removable ladder.

The home is priced at US$84,500, and it is up for rent on Airbnb. An off-the-grid model is also available which is equipped with solar panels, and a composting toilet, and on-board water tanks. The off-the-grid variant is priced at around US$94,500.

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‘Not So Tiny’ Tiny Home Offers A Peak Cottagecore Aesthetic On The Road

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Designed by Alabama’s TimberCraft Tiny Homes, the Big Sky is a rustic not-so-tiny tiny home with a spacious interior that can sleep four people. Timbercraft Tiny Homes are known for their luxurious cottage-like models, and the Big Sky lives up to their reputation. It is based on a quaint-axle trailer and features a length of 41.4 feet.

It is on the larger spectrum. The home is based on the firm’s Denali model, but a few western Montana architecture-inspired changes were made. The exterior of the home features a western cedar finish, and a horizontal metal siding, topped with a metal roof.

Designer: TimberCraft Tiny Homes

The interior occupies 399 sq ft and is equipped with shiplap walls, hardwood floors, and a tongue and groove ceiling. The main entrance leads to an L-shaped kitchen, which includes a breakfast bar for two people, an oven, a propane-powered four-burner stove, a fridge/freezer, a dishwasher, a hammered copper sink, and plenty of cabinetry. The living room is closely located, and is quite spacious owing to a high ceiling and generous glazing. This room contains a sofa, and optional French doors that lead to the outside. A porch area can be installed if needed.

The kitchen in this tiny home leads to a hallway, which in turn connects to a bathroom. The bathroom contains a shower with subway tiles, a vanity sink, a flushing toilet, and a stacked washing machine and dryer. The opposite end of the house includes the master bedroom. Since, it is a downstairs bedroom, it has plenty of headroom to stand upright. It includes a king-size bed with integrated storage space, a spacious closet, and a stained black feature wall.

You can install a second loft bedroom in the home if needed. This can be accessed via a staircase from the hallway that is linked to the master bedroom. The second bedroom is a conventional loft-style room as found in most tiny homes. It features a low ceiling, and can sleep one or two people.

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Zaha Hadid’s Curving Science Center Is Marked With Big Swooping Arches & Expansive Glazing

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Zaha Hadid Architects is building a scientific research center in Uzbekistan. They adopted a low-tech approach to create a comfortable climate. The building is visually appealing, and equipped with a clever passive cooling system that draws inspiration from the traditional local architecture.

The center is named after the 15th-century poet, author, linguist, and statesman Alisher Navoi. Called the Alisher Navoi International Scientific Research Centre, it is marked by big swooping arches and expansive glazing. The form is inspired by the traditional wind-catching towers of  Central Asian and Middle Eastern Architecture, to remove the string from the desert heat.

Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

The building is equipped with curvy supporting arches, which have been constructed from local bricks. The arches are built as hollow structures with openings that collect wind, and channel air into the building. During summer, the system will be offered support by electric fans and water misting to cool the air before it moves around the building. The hollow arched structures form a chimney effect, which enables the warmer air to escape through the openings at the top of each arch. The warm air rises naturally and escapes, building a pressure difference that pulls in the cooler air from lower levels, promoting ventilation throughout the building.

“These cooling principles are enhanced by the day-night cycle, extracting warmer air while trapping cooler air below,” said Zaha Hadid Architects. “Coupled with the high thermal mass of the center’s structure, optimum conditions of comfort can be maintained with minimal energy consumption. Courtyards and skylights bring natural light into the heart of the center while deep roof overhangs provide its facades with effective solar shading in summer yet permit winter sun into the building to warm the interiors.”

The interior will occupy 23,000 sq m, and will also include the Navoi State Museum of Literature. It also contains research areas, a workshop, and a repository housing a collection of 3,500 historical books and manuscripts. 13 permanent exhibition halls will be placed around a central courtyard, promoting collaboration between literary education, research, and performing arts.

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Bjarke Ingels Group’s New HQ In Copenhagen Is An Energy-Efficient Concrete Wonder

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The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) is known for creating extraordinary and unique buildings, they recently designed their own headquarters, and we’re really quite curious to know more about it. The HQ is called Piranesian, and it is situated in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is tucked away in a popular section of the Nordhavn Harbor neighborhood. It isn’t as extravagant as some of BIG’s creations and instead adopts the form of a chunky concrete building with a height of 89 feet. A 460-ft staircase wraps around the exterior of the building, forming an outdoor terrace and fire escape for all seven floors.

Designer: BIG

The building is made from Uni-Green concrete, which was developed in collaboration with Unicon. A section of the cement clinker was replaced with calcined clay and lime filler, leading to a carbon dioxide reduction of around 25% in comparison to a traditional concrete mix. The interior adopts a lot of concrete, and some wood too. It also features another large staircase that seems to zigzag through the multiple floors. The inside is designed to be free-flowing, with an ample amount of floor space left available. Natural light was maximized, and an elevator and a small secondary staircase were placed at the northern edge of the structure.

Quite a bit of greenery was incorporated around the building as well. The outdoor staircase features wind-tolerant species of trees, shrubs, herbs, and perennials. The herbs are utilized by the chefs for cooking in the staff canteen. The rooftop terrace is equipped with wood from a local sawmill and plenty more greenery. The terrace also offers lovely views of the surrounding landscape. A park was also constructed for visitors.

“At the tip of Sundmolen in Nordhavn, we’ve transformed what was once a parking lot into a 1,500-sq-m (roughly 16,000-sq-ft) beach park – a hidden gem in the heart of the city,” said Giulia Frittoli, Partner and Head of BIG Landscape. “Inspired by Denmark’s beautiful coastal landscapes, we envisioned a place where people can relax, play, fish, and connect with nature. The park reflects what would have naturally grown here before the harbor emerged, making it an homage to both the past and future.”

BIG’s HQ is designed to be pretty energy-efficient,  given its size and type. The roof is marked with solar panels to cut down on grid-based power use. A combination of a geothermal energy system and natural ventilation delivers 84% of heating requirements, and 100% of its cooling.

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The World’s Largest Building Is All Set To Be Built In Saudi Arabia By 2030

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Saudi Arabia is currently constructing a spectacular skyscraper called the Mukaab! The impressive build will adopt the form of a tall cube. It will stand tall at a height of 1,312 feet in the capital of Riyadh. It will also be as long and wide as it is tall and could fit around 20 Empire State Buildings inside of it, according to the Saudi Government’s Public Investment Fund. Bloomberg says it will be the world’s largest building! How incredible!

Designer: AtkinsRéalis & New Murabba

The exterior will be decorative and intricate, drawing inspiration from traditional Islamic architecture. The interior will occupy a floor space of 2 million square meters. The center will include a massive twisting tower, imagine a large box with another large twisting structure within it. It will also feature a holographic system that will showcase underwater and otherworldly scenes within the cuboidal structure. Currently, there aren’t too many details about this feature, but it does sound quite exciting.

“New Murabba will also construct a temporary bridge that will serve as a critical enabler, connecting the construction site by crossing King Khalid Road,” said developer New Murabba’s press release. “This connection will facilitate ongoing development and pave the way for the initiation of Mukaab piling in the coming months. The bridge is expected to reduce approximately 800,000 truck movements on public roads for earthworks alone, showcasing a positive impact on the surrounding infrastructure. With around 900 workers on-site daily, work is advancing rapidly, bringing the destination closer.”

The excavation work for the Mukaab is almost over, and nearly 350 million cubic feet of earth have been removed. This work needed the usage of 250 excavators every day, and around 400 pieces of equipment to handle all the soil. The construction workers devoted nearly 3 million hours of labor. A bridge is also being built to ensure smooth operation and processes. The Mukaab will complete construction in 2030.

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This Little Timber Home Showcases The Traditional Japanese Charring Technique Beautifully

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Madeiguincho is a Portuguese woodworking specialist, and they recently created a new model called the Morena. The model is equipped with a stunning timber exterior made utilizing a traditional Japanese charring technique. The tiny home is a fine specimen of the firm’s expertise in woodwork, and it also features an open interior that can accommodate two people with ease.

It is based on a double-axle trailer and features a length of 24 feet and a width of 8.2 feet. The wooden exterior showcases a black aesthetic, on account of being burnt using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method of charring wood. This method provides protection from insects and rotting.

Designer: Madeiguincho

The tiny house is equipped with two doors. The main entrance is made up of double glass doors, and they are protected by outer wooden doors. These doors connect the interior to the outside. The decor is made up of different types of wood. Plywood is applied on the walls, and CLT on the ceiling. Italian cherry wood is utilized for the countertops and other elements. The main entrance leads you to the living room, which contains a day bed with integrated storage, some shelving, and a huge porthole-style circular window to allow natural light into the home.

The home also includes a compact desk that functions as a home office. A wood-burning stove provides sufficient heat to warm up the entire home. The kitchen is located closely, and it features an electric cooktop, a sink, shelving, and some cabinetry. There must be a fridge/freezer stored away somewhere, although it isn’t visible in the pics. The kitchen is connected to the bathroom, and it is finished in wood. Like other homes by Madeiguincho, this tiny house also includes a second door to enter and exit.

The Morena only includes one bedroom. This bedroom can be accessed via a large storage-integrated staircase that occupies much of the floor space available on the ground floor. The bedroom is like most loft bedrooms found in typical tiny homes. It includes a low ceiling and space for a double bed.

The post This Little Timber Home Showcases The Traditional Japanese Charring Technique Beautifully first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Little Timber Home Showcases The Traditional Japanese Charring Technique Beautifully

Posted on by

Madeiguincho is a Portuguese woodworking specialist, and they recently created a new model called the Morena. The model is equipped with a stunning timber exterior made utilizing a traditional Japanese charring technique. The tiny home is a fine specimen of the firm’s expertise in woodwork, and it also features an open interior that can accommodate two people with ease.

It is based on a double-axle trailer and features a length of 24 feet and a width of 8.2 feet. The wooden exterior showcases a black aesthetic, on account of being burnt using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method of charring wood. This method provides protection from insects and rotting.

Designer: Madeiguincho

The tiny house is equipped with two doors. The main entrance is made up of double glass doors, and they are protected by outer wooden doors. These doors connect the interior to the outside. The decor is made up of different types of wood. Plywood is applied on the walls, and CLT on the ceiling. Italian cherry wood is utilized for the countertops and other elements. The main entrance leads you to the living room, which contains a day bed with integrated storage, some shelving, and a huge porthole-style circular window to allow natural light into the home.

The home also includes a compact desk that functions as a home office. A wood-burning stove provides sufficient heat to warm up the entire home. The kitchen is located closely, and it features an electric cooktop, a sink, shelving, and some cabinetry. There must be a fridge/freezer stored away somewhere, although it isn’t visible in the pics. The kitchen is connected to the bathroom, and it is finished in wood. Like other homes by Madeiguincho, this tiny house also includes a second door to enter and exit.

The Morena only includes one bedroom. This bedroom can be accessed via a large storage-integrated staircase that occupies much of the floor space available on the ground floor. The bedroom is like most loft bedrooms found in typical tiny homes. It includes a low ceiling and space for a double bed.

The post This Little Timber Home Showcases The Traditional Japanese Charring Technique Beautifully first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Unusual Observation Tower Works Just Like A Gigantic Sundial

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Designed by OPEN Architecture, the Sun Tower reaches a height of 50m and is located in Yantai, Eastern China. It forms an interesting and remarkable structure on the shoreline. It stands tall as a curving observation tower and functions much like a humongous sundial, marking the changes of the seasons.

The tower’s intriguing design draws inspiration from the area’s ancient history of Sun worshipping, and the watchtowers of ages galore that were utilized to warn the Chinese Emperors of possible seaborne attacks. The structure was built in collaboration with Arup, and its unique curving form is built from two layers of slanted concrete shells that allow the sound of the waves to echo.

Designer: OPEN Architecture 

“Informed by meticulous studies of the Sun, the northern edge of the building is parallel to the noon sunlight of the equinoxes, while the entrance tunnel aligns with the sunset during the Winter Solstice,” said OPEN Architecture. “Sitting at the center of the Sun Tower is a semi-outdoor theater, which has been orientated with its central axis pointing towards the sunrise over Zhifu Island on Summer Solstice.

The concave inner shell of the tower is perched towards the ocean. It absorbs the soothing sounds of the ocean, amplifying back through the entire structure, and even down to the amphitheater at the base. The center of the Plaza features a series of elliptical rings that look like planetary orbits. “A water channel is carved into the stone pavement. The intersections between the rings and the water channel mark the building shadow at specific hours during the equinoxes, and one outer ring features a series of fountains that celebrate the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar,” continued OPEN Architecture.

The top of the tower includes a library and a viewing point. It also contains a “Phenomena Space” – a semi-outdoor observation deck. This deck is equipped with an oculus opening that lets the rainwater enter. The rainwater is collected in a little pool installation. The tower also houses exhibition spaces including digital screens and projections that have been built around winding pedestrian ramps. These ramps rise throughout the structure. A theater is placed on the ground floor, and it includes stunning views of the sea.

Passive strategies were adopted to better manage the Sun Tower’s interior temperature. Cross-ventilation is encouraged by installing operable openings on both shells, and hot air is removed from the building via the chimney effect. The Sun Tower is truly a unique and one-of-kind observation tower, and is another addition to Open Architecture’s collection of unusual and awe-spiring buildings.

The post This Unusual Observation Tower Works Just Like A Gigantic Sundial first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Cute & Compact Tiny Home Is Perfect For Solo Travellers Who Love A Life On The Go

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Dubbed the Mo.5 450, this little home features a usable length of 4.5 m, making it great for regular travel! It is equipped with a well-designed space-saving interior, that can happily house four people. It has a compact form which doesn’t make it great for large families, but ideal for smaller ones or solo residents who love spending time on the road. It is based on a double-axle trailer.

Designed by Mooble House UK, the home features a wooden and metal finish, topped with a sloping metal roof. It also includes a storage box outside. The home is pretty compact, especially in comparison to larger North American models, but it is definitely not the smallest tiny house we’ve seen out there.

Designer: Mooble House UK

The interior of the home is pretty snug and compact. It doesn’t include much glazing like typical tiny homes, but it does feature a skylight. The skylight allows natural light to stream in. As you enter the home, you are welcomed by a living room. The living room contains an L-shaped sofa bed that can sleep two people and a small table. The kitchen is close, and it includes a two-burner propane-powered stove, a sink, cabinetry, and space for a fridge. The bathroom is on the opposite side of the home, and it includes a shower, sink, and camper-van-style cassette toilet – so it isn’t a full-time residence.

The Mo.5 450 features one bedroom, and it is placed above the bathroom. You can access the bedroom via a ladder, and it includes a raised mezzanine space that can accommodate a double bed. Like typical tiny home bedrooms, this room has limited headroom and isn’t very spacious. It isn’t equipped with solar panels, but it is suitable for an off-the-grid lifestyle. You can give it an upgrade, and add some solar panels yourself. The home is equipped with fresh water and waste water tanks. The tiny home is priced at around US$43,000, which is economical, and on the lower side.

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Nelumbo Restaurant Caters To Your Moods Throughout The Day With Lasting Serene Experiences

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Floating serenely on the water like a lotus in full bloom, Nelumbo is not just an architectural marvel, it’s a poetic fusion of nature and design, inviting guests into a dining experience like no other. This innovative floating restaurant takes inspiration from the grace of the lotus flower, seamlessly blending into its aquatic surroundings while offering a multi-level journey of culinary delights. As you step inside, you’re not merely entering a restaurant; you’re embarking on a serene, immersive experience that unites cutting-edge sustainability with nature’s quiet beauty.

Designer: Thilina Liyanage

The core of Nelumbo’s architectural brilliance lies in its commitment to sustainability. The primary structure is crafted from bamboo, a renewable material that reflects the restaurant’s dedication to environmentally conscious design. Bamboo’s natural strength and flexibility make it a perfect choice for this floating marvel, allowing for both durability and elegance.

A canvas roof crowns the building, mimicking the petals of a lotus in full bloom. The roof’s lightweight, weather-resistant properties ensure that the structure remains resilient against the elements, while its organic shape enhances the restaurant’s naturalistic aesthetic. At the heart of this unique structure, a glass dome serves as a skylight for the top-level coffee shop, evoking the sensation of dining in an open-air rooftop café. This thoughtful detail not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also ensures ample natural light during the day, creating a serene and open atmosphere.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Nelumbo’s design is how it appears to float effortlessly on water. Its reflection creates a stunning visual effect, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. This architectural illusion makes Nelumbo feel like a part of the aquatic environment, a gentle lotus flower resting on the water’s surface, enhancing the feeling of tranquility and connection with nature.

Nelumbo offers a multi-dimensional culinary experience across three distinct levels, each designed to cater to different moods and times of the day.

Level 1: The Main Restaurant (3000 sqft)
The first level is where the full-service dining experience takes place. With a spacious area of 3000 square feet (279 sqm), it comfortably accommodates up to 85 guests. The ambiance here is refined yet relaxed, perfect for everything from family dinners to special occasions. Large openings offer uninterrupted views of the water, allowing guests to dine in an atmosphere of calm and serenity.

Level 2: The Bar (2500 sqft)
As the sun sets, Nelumbo’s second level comes to life. The 2500-square-foot bar area is the perfect spot for evening cocktails, with a lively yet intimate atmosphere. It can host up to 70 people, making it an ideal place for socializing and unwinding. Whether it’s enjoying a classic drink or sampling creative, handcrafted cocktails, the bar is designed to be a hub for nightlife while still maintaining the restaurant’s tranquil ambiance.

Level 3: The Coffee Shop (1450 sqft)
The top level offers a more laid-back experience, ideal for daytime visitors seeking a calm, reflective space. The 1450-square-foot coffee shop, with seating for up to 40 people, provides a serene spot for enjoying freshly brewed coffee while taking in the surrounding beauty. The glass dome skylight overhead adds to the charm, creating the illusion of an open-air rooftop café, with natural light flooding the space.

As day turns to night, Nelumbo undergoes a mesmerizing transformation. The interior lighting illuminates the structure from within, casting a warm, inviting glow that reflects off the water’s surface. This glow enhances the lotus-like appearance of the restaurant, making it a luminous beacon in its waterfront setting. It’s particularly breathtaking at dusk, when the soft light contrasts with the deepening colors of the evening sky, creating a magical atmosphere that beckons diners from afar.

The design’s interplay with light and water is perhaps one of its most striking features. It creates a visual harmony that ties together the architecture, the natural surroundings, and the overall dining experience, making Nelumbo not only a place to eat but a destination that invites contemplation and admiration. Ultimately, Nelumbo offers more than just food and drink—it offers an unforgettable journey through nature, architecture, and gastronomy, all within the serene setting of a floating lotus on water.

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