Monday, October 21, 2013
Espace St-Denis by Anne Sophie Goneau
Anne Sophie Goneau has designed Espace St-Denis, a condo located on the ground floor of a triplex in Montreal, Canada.
Description
The project is the design of a 1,280 sq.ft. condo, located on the ground floor of a triplex in Montreal. The mandate was to divide each living area in order to maximize while maintaining the architectural integrity of the existing location, each room with natural light. The concept was to highlight the raw materials, discovered during the demolition (brick wall, wall hemlock and steel structure), in order to communicate their material, their relief and color environment.
Upon entering the hall is semi-closed hall, so that it has an overview of the condo. The open kitchen is the focal point of the space; it unfolds on the dining room and living room, where the master bedroom fits. It is bounded by a glass wall which preserves the view of the bare brick; an archaeological reminder wanting to highlight the existing raw materials as an exhibitor showcase. A green velvet sofa, two vintage chairs and a bookshelf that leans against the bedroom wall bound the living room.
On the ground, a radiant hot water heating system was installed under a concrete slab which was covered by a light gray epoxy and polyurethane matt finish to replicate the natural color of concrete. The primary and secondary bedrooms, as well as the bathroom, are glossy white epoxy to distinguish the private area of the common space. The steel beam, flameproof, delimits the passage area. In the corridor leading to the bathroom, a light-emitting diode was installed in the recessed ceiling for a more intimate setting, which features the original hemlock wall.
Tone on tone, glossy black kitchen cabinets and electrical appliances are blended. The cooktop with integrated sub-hood, allows maximum exposure of brick wall, the backsplash, lit by a light-emitting diode recessed in counter. The dining table becomes the visual continuity of the kitchen island. In the bathroom, custom-made stainless steel countertop and bath rectilinear shapes are stacked on each other, forming a sculptural composition. On the floor, a white epoxy and in the shower a dark grey epoxy were applied. The contrast between these two colors form a psychological boundary of two areas: one is clear and bright, the other, darker, creating a private area for the shower and toilet. The window allows natural light in the room while preserving the intimacy of the space, with a frosted film.
Design : Anne Sophie Goneau
Photography: Adrien Williams
Marius Markowski - Arte
Gippsland Water Factory Vortex Centre by DesignInc
DesignInc designed the Gippsland Water Factory Vortex Centre in Victoria, Australia.
Description
The Gippsland Water Factory’s Vortex Centre houses office and laboratory functions and an interpretive experience for a major new water recycling plant which was recently completed near Morwell in Gippsland. The vortex form of the building strongly expresses the dynamic movement of fluids down a pipe, at the same time providing a unique internal environment.
Combining cost performance, aesthetics, water education and ecological intelligence, the 650m2 facility is a beacon of exemplary sustainable design. Inherent in the design and interpretive message is the celebration and conservation of water – the essence of the Gippsland Water Factory. The centre was designed as a building that teaches.
The inspiration for the Vortex Centre is the notion of a giant oculus shaped structure that hangs off the side of the massive membrane bioreactor tank that forms part of the Water Factory. The Vortex’s shell is made up of seven barrels that fit into one another as they decrease in size, thereby resembling a vortex.
The structure is built over an artificial lake that delivers cooling to the building together with other passive environmental measures, including natural ventilation and thermal convection. Due to the stable temperature of the lake, the building delivers a very low energy summer outcome. Cool water from the bottom of the lake is passed through heat exchangers, delivering cool air into the interior. At night, the lake water is pumped over the roof to be cooled for use during the day. In winter, waste heat from a biogas powered cogeneration system will be used to heat the interior. The combination of these design principles ensures the Vortex is a low user of natural gas and power from the electricity grid.
At the entry to the Vortex, transparent pneumatic ETFE cushions incorporate variable skins allowing the façade to be ‘tuned’, admitting or excluding sunlight for different seasons and daily conditions.
The Vortex will impress first time visitors and looks to provide regular return visitation by school groups and the public alike – one of the best measure’s of the facility’s success.
Design: DesignInc
Photography: ReflectionsPhotography
