#HTE
I love straight lines. A lot. Perhaps that comes with the territory of being an interior architect. I love their logic, crisp and clean nature, their safety and almost predictability. I sit and draw for hours, rationalise the crap out of every space and surface, align and straighten until I cannot make things any straighter. But then there are times when straight lines just don’t feel right. They are too rigid, formal, stuffy, uncomfortable, inappropriate even. During these times I seek comfort and safety in deliciously sweeping forms. I’ve previously written about my love for deliciously curvalicious projects, as well as geometry, so today’s Story focuses on the combination of the two – the simple curvy geometric shape that is the Circle.
The Circle is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, focus, infinity, unity, timelessness, the Sun, the Moon, the entire Universe. I suspect the reason most of us are drawn to it so much is because the Circle is all about inclusion. Our circle (of friends), the circle of life, or better still – the circle of trust…
But we are, of course, talking about epic circles in architecture today, and the power of this bold and basic geometry. Ancient Greeks have based the design for their entire empires on the proportion of basic shapes and principles of geometry. Since then, architects and designers have been using circles as a way to give projects their own identity, and today we are exploring some of the finest examples across various typologies – from cultural, commercial, hospitality, retail and residential, in projects large and small. So without further ado -it’s time to celebrate the magic of The Circle.
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Photography by XiaZhi.
Hongkun Art Auditorium in Beijing, China by Penda // Beijing- and Vienna-based Penda have just completed the Hongkun Art Auditorium, designed to host lectures, exhibitions and various art-related events. The auditorium is located next door to the Hongkun Museum of Fine Art, completed by the studio in 2013. In keeping with the original concept of the museum, the timber structure features a series of arches and circular patterns reflected to infinity courtesy of mirrored walls and ceilings. Inspired by the work of Escher and Salvador Dali, the space is equally disorienting and thrilling.
Images courtesy of Steven Holl Architects. Photography by Paul Warchol.
“Ex of In” House in New York by Steven Holl Architects // Steven Holl‘s latest project is a bit of a showstopper, no? This artist residence in Upstate New York features multiple three-dimensional circle shapes – a series of spheres intersect with the main trapezoid volumes, achieving an exciting 3D circle effect. The carved-out timber shapes are especially dramatic in the entrance hall, and at the large feature window set on the corner of the upper floor. Interestingly, this house can sleep five guests despite having “zero bedrooms”. So much yes.
Photo by Nuno Cera.
Brion Cemetery by Carlo Scarpa // I’m sure most of you architecture nerds would have expected to see Carlo Scarpa‘s iconic Brion Tomb, which the architect began designing as an addition to the existing municipal cemetery in 1968. Although he continued to consider changes to the project, it was completed before his accidental death in 1978. The enclosure is a private burial ground for the Brion family, commissioned by Onorina Tomasi Brion, widow of the founder of the Brionvega company.
Several discrete elements comprise the Brion family burial site: a sloped concrete enclosing wall, two distinct entrances, a small chapel, two covered burial areas, a dense grove of cypresses, a prato (lawn), and a private meditation/ viewing pavilion, separated from the main prato by a separate locked entrance, and a heavily vegetated reflecting pool. The iconic overlapping circular shapes have become the unofficial poster poster girl for the topic of today’s post – Circles in Architecture. One for the bucket list.
Photography by CreatAR (Ai Qing, Mao Yinchen).
The Third Eye-Micro Renovation in Shanghai, China by Wutopia Lab // Who do you reckon Wutopia Lab were inspired in this project? Hmmm… hard to say. Not! Anyway, this project is a renovation of an existing heritage building housing an office for a video company, completed on a low budget. The architects cut out two circles from the existing facade sitting opposite the front door, with the intersection of the two circles suggesting the third eye. In Chinese culture, the third eye stands for supernatural talent, which allows one to see what others cannot. The third eye represents the video company’s pursuit of discovery of the creative and the unusual, with two blue sections of glass highlighting the intersection. When the sun shines through the blue glass, it leaves mysterious shadow on the floor of the front door and the courtyard. Neat.
Photography by Scott Norsworthy/ Flickr.
Exeter Library in New Hampshire, USA by Louis Kahn // I mean, come on. Did you think we were going to write about circles and not include one of the greatest circle masters – Louis Khan. Of course not! Khan’s iconic Phillips Exeter Academy Library, with 160,000 volumes on nine levels and a shelf capacity of 250,000 volumes, is the largest secondary school library in the world. When it became clear in the 1950s that the library had outgrown its existing building, the school hired an architect who proposed a traditional design for the new building. Deciding instead to construct a contemporary library, the school awarded the commission to Louis Kahn in 1965. In 1997, the library received the Twenty-five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects, recognising this building as a work of architecture of enduring significance – an award given to just one building per year.
Kahn structured the library in three concentric square rings. The outer ring – built of load-bearing brick – includes all four exterior walls and the library reading spaces located within. The middle ring – built of reinforced concrete – holds the heavy book stacks. The inner ring is a dramatic atrium with enormous circular openings cut out of its walls. That’s seriously monumental circle action right there. Huge respect.
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in Ahmedabad by Louis Kahn //Ok, let’s get another Louis Kahn project on the table. While Kahn was designing the National Assembly Building in Bangladesh in 1962 (scroll down for a bit to see it), he was approached by an admiring Indian architect, Balkrishna Doshi, to design the 60 acre campus for the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India. Much like his project in Bangladesh, he was faced with a culture enamoured in tradition, as well as a harsh desert climate.
Kahn incorporated local materials – brick and concrete – and large geometrical façade extractions as homage to Indian vernacular architecture, in an effort to blend modern architecture and Indian tradition.
Photography by Peter Bennetts.
Jimmy Grants in Richmond, Melbourne by March Studio // Closer to home, March Studio re-envisioned Melbourne’s post-war brick house into a spectacular greek eatery, complete with statement archways, brass finishes and retro wallpaper. Located in the heart of Richmond, this store oozes confidence and fun. Vintage lampshades, yellow PVC-strip curtains, warm tinted mirrors and neighbourhood street names add to the suburban nostalgia. Absolute ripper.
Photography by Renzo Chiesa.
Photography by Mauro Davoli.
Paolo Zermani’s House in Northern Italy // Italian architect Paolo Zermani built his self-portrait in the Po Valley in northern Italy. The brick house is an ode to the foundations of architecture and home life. On the main facade, a huge circular opening looks out towards the landscape and illuminates the library that’s located in the heart of the house. Brick run from outside all the way inside, and throughout the rest of this striking home.
Photography by Arcspace.
Nakagin Capsule Tower by Kisho Kurokawa Shimbashi in Tokyo, Japan // This mixed-use residential and office tower designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa was completed in 1972. The building is a rare remaining example of Japanese Metabolism, an architectural movement synonymous with Japan’s postwar cultural resurgence. The tower is the world’s first example of capsule architecture built for permanent use, now largely fallen into disrepair.
The building is composed of two interconnected concrete towers, respectively eleven and thirteen floors, which house 140 self-contained prefabricated capsules. The pre-assembled interior features a circular window, built-in bed and bathroom, and is furnished with a TV, radio and alarm clock. Hoisted by a crane, the capsules were inserted in the shipping containers by a crane, then fastened to the concrete core shaft.
Photography by Flickr abrinsky (CC BY-NC-SA), Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
National Assembly Building in Dhaka Bangladesh by Louis Kahn // We’re back with our mate, Louis Kahn, whose National Assembly Building of Bangladesh in Dhaka is an extraordinary example of modern architecture interpreting Bangali vernacular architecture. The building, completed in 1982, stands as one of Kahn’s most prominent works. The design called for simplistic local materials that were readily available and would protect against the harsh desert climate. The entire complex is fabricated out of in situ concrete with inlaid white marble – a testament to the local materials and values. Simply magnificent in every way.
Photography by seier+seier/ Flickr.
Aarhus Town Hall by Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller // Built between 1937-1942, the influence mathematical concept of Asplund on PP was never more obvious than in Aarhus Town Hall, the first of his many town halls to follow. A competition win from 1937, the building is a riot of modernist details, a collage of highly individual elements brought together under a great skylight, under which sits this stunning stair. The floors are lined in bog oak (oak from thousand year-old tress dug out of swamps and dried very slowly). This wood is nearly fossilised and extremely strong and heavy, featuring a deep chocolate colour that gives this interior it’s seductive, enduring quality.
Photo by E. Cano, courtesy Mario Botta.
Chiesa di Mogno (Church of San Giovanni Battista) by Mario Botta // This extraordinary building made from alternating layers of native Peccia marble and Vallemaggia granite was extremely controversial, but eventually became a landmark known far beyond the borders of Switzerland. The church has no windows, and the interior – which seats about 15 people – is only illuminated by natural light streaming in through the circular glass roof.
Read the full article about this project & see more images here.
Photography by Dominique Marc Wehrli.
O House by Philippe Stuebi Architekten in Lucerne, Switzerland // This sculptural villa showcases an expressive, ornamental facade on both the front and the lake side. White concrete elements are dotted with circular openings that allow glimpses of the spaces inside which are veiled with a full height glass facade. A hardcore beauty.
Photography by Juan Solano and Nicolas Villaume.
Tesla Windshield Factory in Peru by V.oid Architecture // Completed in 2015 by V.oid Architecture, this new facility supplies the largest windscreen ever produced for a passenger car in the history of the automobile. Located in Lima’s industrial area, the project negotiates a neutral façade with a pristine interior space. The lobby features a vertical, triple height cylindrical space wrapped in LED back-lit translucent U-glass. The reception desk is made of raw glass built like a flat brick wall.
Photo by Frederik Vercruysse for WSJ Magazine.
Château La Coste Art Centre by Tadao Ando // The building, conceived by Tadao Ando for Château La Coste, adopts many of the Japanese master’s signature elements to create an extraordinary experience of light and space in nature. Ando’s uniquely smooth concrete walls are marked by a series of conical points and are organised into tatami proportions. His sculptural use of this medium creates strong geometric lines, framed points of view and a variety of reflections throughout the day.
Photography by Iwan Baan.
Teshima Art Museum by Ryue Nishizawa & Rei Naito // The Teshima Art Museum by Tokyo-based architect Ryue Nishizawa and Japanese artist Rei Naito opened in 2010 for the Setouchi International Art Festival held in the Takamatsu Port area of Japan. The gallery space features 250mm-thick concrete shell with two elliptical openings that expose the space to the elements. Architectural poetry at it’s finest.
The post Stories On Design // Circles in Architecture. appeared first on Yellowtrace.
http://www.yellowtrace.com.au/circles-in-architecture/