ARCFLY

The rippled timber core of this reindeer observation pavilion by Snøhetta architects mirrors the curves of the surrounding Dovre Mountains in Norway.

Named the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion, the building is used as an education centre by charity the Wild Reindeer Foundation.

A rectangular steel frame contains the pavilion and a glazed wall lines the observation area.

Norwegian ship-builders constructed the curved timber centre from pine beams, which were milled using digital models and then pegged together.

Visitors to the pavilion can sit on the wooden form, where they are warmed by a suspended furnace.

Earlier this year Snøhetta also revealed their proposals for an extension to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - see more stories about the firm here.

Here's a bit more text from Snøhetta:

Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion

The Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion is located at Hjerkinn on the outskirts of Dovrefjell National Park, overlooking the Snøhetta mountain massif.

The 90m2 building is open to the public and serves as an observation pavilion for the Wild Reindeer Foundation educational programmes. A 1,5km nature path brings visitors to this spectacular site, 1200 meters above sea level.

Background

Dovrefjell is a mountain range that forms a barrier between the northern and southern parts of Norway. It is home to Europe’s last wild reindeer herds and is the natural habitat for many rare plants and animals. A long history filled with travellers, hunting traditions, mining, and military activities has left its mark on this land. In addition to the natural and cultural landscape, the Dovre mountains also holds significant importance in the Norwegian consciousness. National legends, myths, poetry (Ibsen) and music (Grieg) celebrate the mystic and eternal qualities of this powerful place. The founding fathers of the Norwegian constitution are ”agreed and faithful, until the fall of Dovre!”

Architectural idea

This unique natural, cultural and mythical landscape has formed the basis of the architectural idea. The building design is based on a rigid outer shell and an organic inner core. The south facing exterior wall and the interior create a protected and warm gathering place, while still preserving the visitor’s view of the spectacular panorama.

Considerable emphasis is put on the quality and durability of the materials to withstand the harsh climate. The rectangular frame is made in raw steel resembling the iron found in the local bedrock. The simple form and use of natural materials reference local building traditions. However, advanced technologies have been utilized both in the design and the fabrication process. Using digital 3D-models to drive the milling machines, Norwegian shipbuilders in Hardangerfjord created the organic shape from 10 inch square pine timber beams. The wood was then assembled in a traditional way using only wood pegs as fasteners. The exterior wall has been treated with pine tar while the interior wood has been oiled.

The pavilion is a robust yet nuanced building that gives visitors an opportunity to reflect and contemplate this vast and rich landscape.

Project name: Tverrfjellhytta
Adress: Hjerkinn, Dovre Municipality, Norway
Building compleeted: June 2011
Client: Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre

Architect: Snøhetta Oslo AS
Landscape Architect: Snøhetta Oslo AS
Interior Architect: Snøhetta Oslo AS

Design Team leader: Knut Bjørgum landscape architect
Snøhetta Team: Kjetil T. Thorsen (Partner in charge, Principal architect), Erik Brett Jacobsen, Margit Tidemand Ruud, Rune Grasdal, Martin Brunner (Architects) Heidi Pettersvold.(Interior Architect)
Structural engineer: Dr.Techn. Kristoffer Apeland AS, Trond Gundersen
Floor area: 90m2/900sf
Cost: 4,0 mill. NOK (Total construction cost pavillion)
Main contractor: Prebygg AS
Subcontractor, steel: Lonbakken AS
Subcontractor, glass: Skandinaviska Glassystem AB
Contractor, wood: Djupevaag Ship Builders A

Another project by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Capital Hill Residence in Moscow, Russia, is a building that emerges from the landscape while remaining partially embedded in the hillside. With an area of 2,650 square meters, the villa is strategically placed to merge with the sloped landscape. To take advantage of the breathtaking views of the Barvikha forest, a separate volume floats 22 meters above the ground. Over all the general design concept was to extend the exterior topography to the interior of the building, while geometrical definition was derived from the surrounding environment, in order to create a continuous integration between interior and exterior spaces.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

According to the architect, the program is organized vertically on four levels. The lower level is envisioned as a leisure space and includes a living room, massage and fitness areas, as well as a sauna and hammam baths. One level up on the ground floor is the main living room, dining space, kitchen, entertainment and indoor swimming room and parking spaces. The first floor contains the main entrance lobby, study/library, guest room and children’s room. The master bedrooms and a lounge with an exterior terrace occupy the upper level.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

The two main component of the house are articulated by three concrete columns, or legs, which establish a strong dialogue between both levels and also function as structural elements. Within the legs, all of the mechanical elements and services for the upper level are contained within vertical shafts, including a transparent glass elevator and staircase.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

The three concrete columns intersect the main roof proposing skylights and a double-height space that is taken advantage of for the main entrance. Finally the view from the living room is framed by two-curved in-situ cast concrete structures which also serve to create divisions between the main living room, dining room, and indoor swimming pool.

Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

The Crown House deserves its name both due to the form of its exterior but also due to being a crowning architectural achievement of the polish architectural practice of 81.waw.pl.

It is just one more example of home and building designs which take us a step into the future combining nature’s surroundings, hard geometric lines, and bold artistic vision.

Shaped like a crown, the home is characterized by the sharp lines that make up its exterior walls, their white color in stark contrast with the dark depths of the lake upon which it sits.

The exterior geometry uses sharp lines and white walls to provide a strong contrast with the surroundings, namely the depths of the lake in the middle of which it is sitting.

The area is absolutely gorgeous, and the secluded lakeside house offers splendid views all around it.

The modern design extends through a terrace towards the lake that ensures peace and quiet, and on the other side the house can be reached through an elegant and beautifully illuminated platform either by car or by foot.

There is a garage ready for an automobile and the light spots focus on two sculptural tree trunks that give the place a unique grasp of nature and art.

The rendering for the house was done by the graphic designer Michal Nowak and the result is quite stunning.

Location: EU

Architect: 81.waw.pl

Area: 160 m2

Usable area: 250 m2

Year: 2013

Visualization: OMI Media Production & Michael Nowak

Phase of the project: concept

Ubicata nella campagna Toscana tra Firenze ed Arezzo, questa casa bifamiliare presenta un carattere architettonico con una matrice neo-organica che si ispira alla poetica wrightiana.

L’articolazione volumetrica, la compenetrazione e la fluidità degli spazi interni ed esterni e la dinamicità della composizione, costituiscono dei chiari riferimenti e costituiscono la cifra estetica di questo progetto.

Una chiave interpretativa capace di conciliare efficacemente la decisa volontà della proprietà di realizzare un edificio fortemente legato alla tradizione e che fosse in grado di manifestare la sua natura domestica, con desiderio di tradurre tutto ciò in un’architettura contemporanea.

L’edificio è composto da due unità abitative caratterizzate da una composizione planimetrica che riunisce al centro vano scala, servizi e ambienti accessori distribuendo la zona giorno in corrispondenza delle ali più esterne.

La disposizione delle zone giorno e notte su due livelli distinti tende a conferire all’architettura un andamento piramidale con uno sviluppo maggiore a livello del terreno.

Al contempo questa composizione favorisce una maggiore distanza tra le aree giorno delle due abitazioni che beneficiano di ampie vetrate con un maggior rapporto con l’esterno garantendo la privacy e l’indipendenza reciproca.

Esternamente presenta volumi rivestiti di travertino, una pietra calcarea tipica nell’architettura romana ma presente anche in Toscana, con setti che dividono spazi con funzioni differenti intervallati da strutture lignee e vetrate.

I forti aggetti di gronda separati dalle strutture murarie da finestrature conferiscono all’edificio una volumetria dinamica che tende a prediligere l’orizzontalità e creano un filtro tra esterno ed interno con un gioco di luce e penombra.

Location: Montevarchi, Italy

Architects: Architettura Matassoni

Area: 1000 m2

Year: 2005-2011

This project conveys the spirit of the Zhangjiang developing neighborhood whose motto is: “an innovative district, a charming district”.

The shape of the building is a dynamic illustration of the different entities of the Wison company.

The façades and the roof are designed in compliance with the climatic features of the region where the buildings are located, taking into account fundamental parameters such as light, orientation as well as energy consumption.

The cover, which is a large roof, corresponds to open-air meeting areas. The central volume connects the five buildings, all of which have different uses.

The transparent ground floors, with open spaces, enable the visitors to better understand the position of entrances and exits while clearing views.

This project represents a continuous and complementary addition to the “Zhangjiang Engineering Park” center, which is already a built area.

With its bold shape, Wison new headquarters offers a spatial layout reflecting the society itself.

On the southern part, it opens on the Zhongke street with a “piazza” at the entrance. On the western side, the buildings open their doors towards the river bank and the surrounding landscape.