SHINE Architcture recently has created “Habitat ITESM Leon”, this is an  art/design studio workshop for students within Tec de Monterrey's, Campus in Leon, Mexico.

Courtesy SHINE Architcture

Courtesy SHINE Architcture

Courtesy SHINE Architcture

Courtesy SHINE Architcture

+ Project statement

This retrofit project intends to revitalize a underutilized space, into a 1180m2 art/design studio workshop for students within Tec de Monterrey's, Campus in Leon, Mexico.

The intervetion in the old building aimed to be an inovative proposal in use, aesthetics [although in acordance to the existing buildings in campus] and life test for bioclimatic strategies.

In terms of use, the intention was to make a spacefor the students, a blank page for them to interveen, with just the basics to start getting space appropiation by the students, the proposal was to make a 24/7 student studio, with no clases in it, thus a creative laboratory.

The first floor comprises public spaces such as; studios, exhibit areas and services. Second floor contains semi-public areas for modelling, Photography and specific working areas. Morphologically its inner industrial look like tectonic embracing 3 main parts; a large glazed box in conjunction with a smaller solid volume and external circulation appendix.

As a first approach all non-structural elements within the envelope and interiors: exterior walls, stairs, partitions, windows, among others, where removed in order to achieve a wide-open-integrated space for multi functional design activities. In addition, the structural analysis oriented all "clean-up" decisions for a stand-alone main structure with new programmatic requirements. Moreover an appendicular transitional space was proposed along northwest façade, by unfolding external circulations and generating an aesthetical anomaly upon the main body access.

An important bioclimatic design concern was Leon's hot dry climatic conditions, where in summer temperatures easily reach 38°C [100°F], with low relative humidity (almost 10%) and very high solar radiation impinges. Thus thermal, visual and acoustic comfort targets were established to define passive design systems for all educational spaces and reduce energy consumption. Software based tests were executed to prove the hypotesis.

All main facades comprise glass 'flakes' which allow diffuse daylight penetration, and natural ventilation in-between gaps. Flake's glazing properties varied as a function of its solar orientation from translucent to transparent. Additionally the project comprises an atrium that achieves the same effects with roof lights for diffuse zenith daylight and upper vents for any given adiabatic air effect. Qualitative speaking a uniform daylight performance was achieved regardless external sky conditions for visual comfort.

As complement artificial lamps were costume designed for both: optimum visual performance and uncomfortable noise absorption. Furthermore, daylight quality was not merely a statutory requirement but spatial perception. Hence architectural intentions embarked on sketching and physical modelling of the intended effect, and within principles revision. Materials, proportions and sources of light where evaluated and translated into the overall concept.

In terms of general aesthetic, the purpose was to look as part of a context, respecting existing materials, but be different and recognizable as an experimental-design building. also thinking in a reproduzable module for other facades.

Thermal comfort targets were assessed upon maximum occupation and average daily hot conditions, for calculating minimum air exchanges per hour. The latter informed the façade's apertures ratios for any given fresh air provision required and heat gain dissipation. Also the appendicular external space offers a spatial transition indoors-outdoors.

Form and materiality atheistically intentions: glass facades…wood, parametric and gradients Predesign studies with simulations and parametric models helped to understand the building performance, which was finally validated on site. The building outcome brought environmental solutions to achieve a desirable performance upon comfort targets and building requirements.

Conceptually the morphological synthesis of the project starts taking shape into an informed model with aesthetical, physical and analytical design methods.

Parametric studies made in Grasshopper (with a formely Rhino Base) were made to understand how to reduce material consumptions.

Courtesy SHINE Architcture

Courtesy SHINE Architcture

+ Project facts

Project: "Habitat ITESM Leon"
Typology: Education
Year: 2012
Area: 1180 m2 [12,701 sq. ft.]
Location: Leon, Mexico

Developed by: SHINE Architecture + TAarquitectura [www.shinearchitecture.com, www.ta-arquitectura.com]
Project Credits [Alphabetical Ordered]: Salvador Ferreiro, Minche Mena, Michael Smith, Ruben Vazquez, Jose Zermeno, “SHINE Architecture”
Renders, Scale Models, Drawing Credits: SHINE Architecture
Photo Credits: SHINE Architcture

General Contractors:
Sustainable Environmental Design Advise: Michael Smith// SAAi México
Structural Engineering: Jorge Gallardo // SANSON Estructuras
Civil Works: Jorge Gonzalez// emplekton
Facade Works: Josué Rincón // ALUDOMO
Wood Decks: Edgar Angulo// Pisos Vieri
Lamp Designer: Sebastián Beltrán // Natural Urbano
Electric engeneering: Jesus López
Acoustics Advise: Daniel Ruvalcaba // Quorum Acoustics

+ All images and drawings courtesy SHINE Architcture

Guido Costantino Design Office recently has completed the Oakville Residence.

Oakville Residence, image courtesy Guido Costantino Design Office

Oakville Residence, image courtesy Guido Costantino Design Office

Oakville Residence, image courtesy Guido Costantino Design Office

+ Project statement

A 2-storey modern residence on a wooded lot in Oakville, Ontario, 44 Belvedere is comprised of a monochromatic palate of stucco, concrete, brick, anodized siding and a mix of opaque and transparent glass. The street face of Belvedere limits views into the residence, providing privacy through the use of frosted glass and an interior large two and a half storey concrete wall. In contrast, the back exterior unpeels to the outside, providing expansive views onto the bucolic lot and allowing light to flood the space.

Designed for a young family, who wanted a contemporary home where everyday life is not compartmentalized to specific spaces, and where space is flexible, the house plan flows freely, allowing areas to bleed into each other harmoniously. Rather than being defined by walls, the spaces are nuanced through small level and/or material changes, such as a step-down into the living area or a shift from concrete to wood floor. The L-shaped floor plan allows all spaces to receive maximum light, unobstructed views onto the wooded lot and into other areas of the house, while still providing the semi-private functional spaces the family desired.

At the front of the house, large shifted concrete pads welcome you into the residence, transitioning internally into a polished concrete floor, which then slips back out to the exterior to form a long narrow concrete pool and adjacent concrete "lily pads" sitting in rock beds.

Internally, the concrete floor steps down into the living space, where the steps wrap and fold to create a ledge for the hearth, which is anchored to a large 2 1/2 storey unpolished concrete wall. The concrete wall slices vertically through all floors, as well as providing an anchor for the white metal skeletal stair.

Concrete is fundamental to the architecture, acting as a "spine" for main floor circulation, leading you into the house and back out, but also internally acting as a threshold between the kitchen / dining room and the sunken living space. The concrete is the anchor around which the space plan flows, as well as bridging interior and exterior spaces.

Oakville Residence, image courtesy Guido Costantino Design Office

Oakville Residence, image courtesy Guido Costantino Design Office

+ All images courtesy Guido Costantino Design Office

Tatiana Bortkevica has recently designed the “Chair & Chair”. “Chair & Chair” – sophisticated and at the same time distinctive line launch sofa inspired by one of the alphabet signs. This modern design handcrafted sofa can be presented in two versions: upholstered with black or mustard color soft suede. Special combination of smoothly flowing form lines, colors and materials creates a truly artistic and dynamic piece of furniture.

+ About Tatiana Bortkevica

Tatiana Bortkevica is young professional interior and product designer based in Paris. Tatiana was born in Riga, where she first started her career as product designer. She studied and worked in Germany and France. This experience has helped her to develop competences in art and design fields. Tatiana has always been passionate by art of decoration and original furniture design creation.

Project Designer: © Tatiana Bortkevica

© Tatiana Bortkevica

© Tatiana Bortkevica

© Tatiana Bortkevica

© Tatiana Bortkevica