Saturday, November 27, 2010

Star House | AGi Architects | Architecture

Star House by AGi Architects
Photographer Nelson Garrido
House designed by
AGi Architects
| Bnaider, Kuwait.
Star House by AGi Architects
Called Star House, the side of the house facing the beach has
floor to ceiling windows, affording panoramic views of the sea.
Star House by AGi Architects
The design was initially for three detached houses, but the
client decided on a single residence with two bungalows and a
boathouse.
Star House by AGi Architects
Photographs are courtesy of
Nelson Garrido.
Star House by AGi Architects
Star House by AGi Architects
The following information is from the architects:

Project Description
Nestled into the landscape, this beach house blends with the
natural topography of the coastline of Kuwait. It slowly unfolds
itself to the visitor, as it is approached from the desert.
Star House by AGi Architects
Upon entry, one gets glimpses of the sea whilst going down to
the public space of the chalet. On this lower level, the house
extends into the landscape and the sea, accentuated by an
infinity pool in the garden.
Star House by AGi Architects
The private side of the house, located at the entry level, is
concealed from the visitors by a bamboo wall. Bedrooms and
private living spaces remain isolated from daily activities.
Star House by AGi Architects
A three-way stair, placed at the center of building,
organizes the different flows of family, friends and guests.
Star House by AGi Architects
The organizational and formal structure of the beach house is
dictated by the ability to maximize views to the sea.
Star House by AGi Architects
The initial design was master planned for three detached
dwellings, each with extensive sea views while simultaneously
achieving privacy from one another.
Star House by AGi Architects
The client, instead, opted for a single house, two bungalows
and a boathouse, with possible plans for expansion in the future.

Star House by AGi Architects

Click for larger image
Project Name: Star House

Type: Housing | 5000 sqm

Location: Bnaider, Kuwait

Date: 2007/2009

Client: Private
Design Team: Dr. Nasser B. Abulhasan, Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea,
Georg Thesing, Bruno Martins, Alfonso Gomes, Daniel Muñoz
Medranda,

Robert A. Varghese, Abdul Hafiz Mohammed, Moyra Montoya Moyano
Star House by AGi Architects
Company Profile
AGi architects is an international design firm providing
comprehensive services in Architecture, Planning, Urban Design,
Interior Design, Design Research and Consulting. An integration
of skills allows the creation of places that provide lasting
value for clients through distinctive and imaginative solutions.
AGi architects was established in 2005 by Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea
and Nasser B. Abulhasan.

Star House by AGi Architects

Click for larger image
AGi architects has introduced exceptional design, management
and technical approaches to its projects in the Europe and the
Middle East from its offices in the cities of Madrid and Kuwait.
With a multidisciplinary staff of over 30 professionals
including architects, planners, landscape architects, interior
designers and other specialists, individual members of the
design team can be carefully selected to reflect the necessary
skills for the scope and scale of the project. Great emphasis is
placed on continuity so that work is client driven rather than
project centered. Clients work with architects they know and
over time, the team is able to develop a thorough understanding
of the clients’ business objectives and priorities and is able
to make more effective contributions to their projects.

Star House by AGi Architects

Click for larger image

From Dezeen

Friday, February 26, 2010

Livraria da Vila | Isay Weinfeld | Architecture

Livraria da Vila (Cidade Jardim) Isay Weinfeld, São Paulo, Brazil
This Livraria da Vila store is located in Cidade Jardim Mall, in São Paulo, Brazil.

We believe that in a commercial venue, a project must always be developed so to enhance the product, its in-store merchandising, and its sales. There are, undoubtedly, innumerable ways to achieve this goal, and it is probably the nature of each approach what distinguishes each project.

We, in particular, strive for solutions that will allow customers to experience the product as comfortably as possible.

The Long Barn Studio | Nicolas Tye | Architecture

Bedfordshire office Nicolas Tye Architects set about building this new studio for themselves when the
company outgrew a space in the director’s home.
Called The Long Barn Studio, the building takes the form of a glass box with larch-clad ends.
The south facade features a series of ‘pods’, also clad in larch, that contain a library, reprographics area, toilets and meeting room.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Frame House | H3AR | Architecture

Hugon Kowalski of H3AR has designed the Frame House located in Lukecin, Poland. The house has been developed from a rectangular box, walls and roof planes are met in angle, it is clean but dynamic.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Enclosed Open House | Wallflower | Architecture


Singapore based architect, Wallflower Architecture has created innovative architectural spaces amidst urban density for a homeowner in Singapore East Coast area.



The owners wanted a spacious, contemporary house that would be as open as possible but without compromising security and privacy at the same time. Surrounded by neighbours on four sides, the solution was a fully fenced compound with a spatial programme that internalised spaces such as pools and gardens, which are normally regarded as external to the envelope of the house.




By zoning spaces such as the bedrooms and servants’ quarters on alternative levels, i.e. 2nd storey and basement levels, the ground plane was freed from walls that would have been required if public and private programmes were interlaced on the same plane. The see-through volumes allow a continuous, uninterrupted 40-metres view, from the entrance foyer and pool, through the formal living area to the internal garden courtyard and formal dining area in the second volume. All these spaces are perceived to be within the built enclosure of the house.

The environmental transparencies at ground level and between courtyards are important in passively cooling the house. All the courtyards have differing material finishes and therefore differing heat gain and latency (water, grass, water, granite).



As long as there are temperature differences between courtyards, the living, dining, and pool house become conduits for breezes that move in between the courtyards, very much like how land and sea breezes are generated. At the second storey, solid hardwood louvers that can be adjusted by hand allow the desired amount of breeze and sunlight to filter through.



Environmentally, the contiguous and interconnected space encourage the slightest breezes, whether they are prevailing and therefore air-movement is horizontal, or convectionally circulated, which the courtyards help generate. For the owner, it is the experiential serenity that unencumbered space, a gentle breeze, dappled sunlight and the hush of water rippling on a pond that is priceless in our dense and busy urbanscape.





Friday, February 12, 2010

House 14 | Dane Richardson | Architecture

Australian architect Dane Richardson designed this house in Eagle Bay, Western Australia.

The large open planning of the main living room form the central core of the building; the space was divided into areas with clear functions. The volume of this space was divided by a large fire place and level changes. This achieved a connection with others in the space but enabled the different activities to seem slightly separate which has proved very beneficial when the house is at capacity.

The north facing terrace with its built in “fire box” is the focus of all outside entertaining. The open “fire box” provides a fantastic place to sit and star gaze in the evening.

The planning divides the building into three wings. Children’s bedrooms, guest room, bathroom and games/tv room to the western side. The master bedroom and study to the eastern side and the main living volume & court yard central to these wings.


Cantilevers and exposed structural elements feature and further add to the strong lines of the building. Upper levels provide shelter for lower levels.The entry is screened with high stone walls and a planted court yard; this rustic relaxed threshold must be crossed prior to entering the sharper aesthetic of the building. Stone work is featured in other areas and on the main terrace. The owners shipped a set of old Indian temple doors to the project which were integrated into the stone walls of the entry court, this rustic touch ties in with the coarseness of the stone.



The combination of timber and stone is used to soften and relax the harder geometry of the building. The 4.5m high glazed walls of the main living room open the space to valley views. Sun penetration and heat loss is controlled via electronic window blinds and low emission glass.


The home engages a range low energy use systems and passive solar design principles. It is equipped with a home automation system, collects all potable water, re-uses grey water, utilises low energy & low water use fittings.