Divisare

"Divisare Books is a high-quality, independent editorial project dedicated to architecture documents, a modular publication of monographic issues each tackling a different topic: drawings collections, photographic surveys, visual essays, short writings, interviews, etc." to find out more...
Passage and Image via https://divisare.com/selected-projects/top

Box Home by Rintala Eggertsson Architects

A decent small project by Finnish architect Sami Rintala to offer a feasible solution to affordable nano house in Oslo, Norway. I am wondering how the dwelling unit is doing now after 7 years. to find out more...
Related links:
http://www.ri-eg.com/projects/2007/boxhome-/
http://www.belowtheclouds.com/2009/01/06/prototyphuset-boxhome/
http://architecture-view.com/2010/10/08/stylish-boxhome-as-norwegian-micro-house/
Image via http://www.belowtheclouds.com/2009/01/06/prototyphuset-boxhome/

SPACESPACE

Space within space created brilliantly for family and kids can indulged for hours in daily life. Huge natural ventilated space and recessed double layered skin for warmth to bedrooms. A cool design worth a mentioned here. To find out more...

Image via http://www.designboom.com/architecture/spacespace-ground-and-above-roof-house/
Related Link: http://spacspac.com/

Unit Fusion by Y Design Office

"Under rapid housing developments in the past years, Hong Kong has benefited much in terms of economy. However, important values such as value in sense of community and individual identity were lost. This thesis hereby critically reviews current and past housing projects in Hong Kong and stating the notion of verticality as the only solution. The ambition is a new alternative high-rise residential typology, in which its inhabitants are given unique units and allocations in accordance to specific zoning strategy within a tower structure, thus creating a phenomenal living experience through bonding and acquiring needs by each and every single individual. It is a re-interpretation of the balance between genericity and specificity aiming at formulating an extraordinary democratic living concept." to find out more...
Passage and Image via http://ynotwhy.com/?p=587

100 brilliant blog posts for small space living

"Making the most out of limited living space paradoxically seems like an undertaking of positively Brobdingnagian proportions at first. But many greatly enjoy the challenge that such homes pose. Whether they want to flex their flair for decorating, keep their green thumb from withering, or any other traditionally large-scale project, these residents enjoy getting creative and finding viable solutions to miniaturizing their passions. And with so many downscaling for financial and/or environmental reasons, plenty need advice on living large within restricted confines." to find out more...
Passage via http://www.onlineengineeringdegree.org/100-brilliant-blog-posts-for-small-space-living

The Interlace

"Designed by Ole Scheeren, partner of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), The Interlace breaks away from Singapore’s standard typology of isolated, vertical apartment towers and instead explores a dramatically different approach to tropical living: an expansive interconnected network of living and communal spaces integrated with the natural environment. Thirty-one apartment blocks, each six-stories tall and identical in length, are stacked in a hexagonal arrangement to form eight large-scale open and permeable courtyards. The interlocking blocks form a vertical village with cascading sky gardens and both private and public roof terraces." to find out more...
Image and Passage via http://www.dezeen.com/2009/09/04/the-interlace-by-oma/

Hong Kong Architect Turns Shoebox Apartment Into 24 Rooms

Related findings:-

http://larryfire.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/hong-kong-architect-turns-

shoebox-apartment-into-24-rooms/

http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/architect-in-hong-kong-

converts-small-apartment-into-24-rooms-20100427/

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/garden/15hongkong.html

http://www.interactivearchitecture.org/gary-chang-reconfigurable-

living-spaces-suitcase-house-hotel.html

Architect's website :-

http://www.edge.hk.com/#

The Dubai Fountain - Baba Yetu

Container City

"Containers are an extremely flexible method of construction, being both modular in shape, extremely strong structurally and readily available. Container Cities offer an alternative solution to traditional space provision. They are ideal for office and workspace, live-work and key-worker housing." to find out more...

Passage via http://www.containercity.com/

Green Living - Cargo Containers Recycling by DeMaria Design Associates

"This project is a Recycled Steel Shipping Container based building that also employs a combination of conventional stick frame construction and prefabricated assemblies. These materials result in an end product that is affordable and nearly indestructable. The modified containers are mold proof, fire proof, termite proof, structurally superior to wood framing and along with various other “components” come together to create a system/kit of parts that is predicated on cost savings, construction timesavings, and energy/environmentally conscious priorities. Seventy percent of the building is efficiently created/assembled in a controlled shop environment where quality construction and fabrication are the highest priority." to find out more...

Passage and Image via http://demariadesign.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27

The Circle at Zurich Airport by Riken Yamamoto

"One year after the kickoff of the international architectural competition for «The Circle», Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop, a Japanese architectural firm, was selected by a jury from over 90 high-calibre entries from twelve countries. The project involves an upscale complex for innovative services within walking distance of the terminals. As the next step, the draft will be further refined within the scope of a preliminary study to address the specific requirements of the owner. Subject to compliance with the specifications regarding cost-effectiveness, gestalt, and functionality, construction is scheduled to begin in 2012." to find out more...

To find out more from the official website http://www.thecircle.ch/en/home.html
Passage and Image from http://akichiatlas.com/CircleAtZurichAirport/

STADSKANTOOR, NETHERLANDS, ROTTERDAM, 2009

Statement by Rem Koolhaas:-
"What does Rotterdam really need?

After an impressive sequence of abrupt architectural transitions – from the stark modernity of the reconstruction, via the “new humanism” of the cubes, the repressed postmodern of the 90s to the current apotheosis of Dutch modernity – launched by the fireworks of the 1940 bombardment, all these ideologies coexist and interact in harsh juxtaposition, each successive layer oblivious and in contradiction to the previous ones.

What is now needed may be subtlety and ambiguity in the midst of an overdose of form. We propose a “formless” heap, consisting of smaller elements that are shaped to perform a number of major and minor responsibilities.

Where necessary the shape can be formal and impressive, almost symmetrical – for instance, from the Coolsingel, glimpsed between the two survivors – and where desired, it can be delicate and accommodating – for instance in its relationship with the existing monument, Stadstimmerhuis.

Our structural system – a three dimensional Vierendeel structure in steel – enables us to improvise and to liberate the ground almost in its entirety, to interpret the "Stadswinkel" as an unencumbered public space, in which we arrange the interaction between citizen and city in a dignified, spacious urban landscape, with an almost “Roman” scale and materiality."

to find out more...

Passage & Image from http://www.oma.eu/index.php?option=com_projects&view=
\project&id=1205&Itemid=10

Commentary from Kevin Mark Low

Apart from the interesting work, what stands behind is more appealing.

"All architects seek frame of reference in design.

Some seek it in style and others in theory, it comes down to personal choice and our instinctive need for reference and context. Mostly, we are moved by and drawn to originality, the expression of singular thought.

Originality is quite commonly found in published work. Due primarily to the speed and proliferation of published architectural material, architects have begun to gauge and be gauged themselves with reference to the publishing eye; we to ooften aspire to an international fraternity of the avant garde, to design staples of a western paradigm. Being drawn to what has been deemed good by virtue of inclusion, we often relive the strength of that originality in our work; we subtly duplicate the aesthetics of design already realized, believing it to be our own.

Unintentionality is no absolution.

Plagiarism is the act of engaging in the context of duplicating originality.

There is a deeper frame of reference for style and theory called place specificity: it is the context of our own originality. When one chooses to draw from place or site specificity, the search for meaning in what we do comes to resolution since nothing inspires greater meaning than the uniqueness of context.

In design one constantly finds oneself treading the fine line between repeating oneself (or another) and being spontaneous in creativity. The originality of an outcome depends almost entirely on its response to its specific context." to find out more...

Passage featuring plagiarism from http://www.small-projects.com/short/commentary.html

Image featuring steel on steal and board form house from http://www.small-projects.com/short/w08.html and http://www.small-projects.com/short/w24.html

DRL Pavillion

"We are happy to announce the winning entry for the DRL Pavilion competition. There have been several very interesting submissions which will all be documented and published on this site in the coming week. We would like to thank you all for the excellent work and active participation." to find out more...

Passage & Image from http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/aadrl/drlpavilion/#Winner