The Indonesian architectural practice designstudio has designed the Green House (Rumah Hijau) which was developed from a concept of a modern house that interact fully with the surrounding environment and derived from 'green concept understanding' to optimize the design approaches with major concern from two aspects which are electricity management with optimum natural light & cross ventilation and water management using bio swale system on the landscape and utilize the rain water for external landscape watering and re-filtered to be used for service purposes.

Green House (Rumah Hijau), drawing courtesy designstudio

Green House (Rumah Hijau), drawing courtesy designstudio

Sited in West part of Jakarta originating the tropical climate with high humidity percentage and heavy rain season that occurs repeatedly, it takes into a consideration of all design aspects. Entering house from East side with few steps lead to double volume guest & living room with an elongated view toward reflective pool and courtyard, on the South block where the staircase to second storey there is an internal courtyard beside the guest bedroom to create a light court in between yet it functioned as an air space to all rooms. All the services area are pushed behind on West block where it has less opening and act as the service yard.

Green House (Rumah Hijau) - Floor plans, drawing courtesy designstudio

On second storey all bedrooms are orientated toward North & South side in the center space there is a small living room on the second storey as a gathering space for family members and all bathrooms at this level are arranged stacked above the bathrooms below.

Green House (Rumah Hijau), drawing courtesy designstudio

The house are expressed in single block massing of two storey house with full glass height in front and expressing the L-section of double volume living room on the first storey and all bedrooms on second storey with full height window opening on the top large overhang pitched roof to adapt the local climate.

Green House (Rumah Hijau) - Elevations, drawing courtesy designstudio

Green House (Rumah Hijau) - Sections, drawing courtesy designstudio

+ Project credits / data

Project: Green House (Rumah Hijau)
Architect: designstudio
Team members: Asa Darmatriaji, Rizki Maulid Supratman, K.M. Kemal Ramadhan
Established: 17 February 2010
Active members: Asa Darmatriaji, Rizki Maulid Supratman, K.M. Kemal Ramadhan, Davi Regines, Heidy Amanda H.M.

+ About designstudio

designstudio is a group of young architects who have collaborated their knowledge and experiences into major concern on design: theories & application. Most of the team members had experienced with several architects & design consultants in Jakarta, Bali, and Singapore. The extent of practice in architecture has made us more sensitive onto the design field that brought context and contents to every design aspect. Ranging from many kinds of project from small scale building up to master plan scale in several countries. An effort to seek an appropriate design solution in every projects.

OOBIQ Architects, an Italian design firm based in Hong Kong has recently completed the retail design for Alla Scala Concept in Shen Zhen, China.

Alla Scala Concept, image courtesy OOBIQ Architects

Alla Scala Concept, image courtesy OOBIQ Architects

+ Project description, text by Samuele Martelli, Giambattista Burdo

Approaching to a concept design for a new brand is generally very challenging for designers. When in our daily work we cooperate with fashion brands which are already exist, we have to deal with their identity built in the market. So we definitely have to create a connection between our new ideas and the previous impression generated to customers without changing too much.

On the opposite, designers do not have to deal with any background for building a completely new image for a brand which is soon to be launched in the market, but this may probably be a more difficult task. Then we have always to remember that the success of a brand will be influenced also from the image we are creating. So it is a more challenging task for designers.

Alla Scala Concept - Level 1 floor plan, drawing courtesy OOBIQ Architects

Alla Scala Concept - Level 2 floor plan, drawing courtesy OOBIQ Architects

+ Project credits / data

Project: Alla Scala Flagship Store (Fashion Retail)
Location: Shenzhen, China
Building area: 175 SQM
Designer: Oobiq Architects
Completion: 2010
Photographer: Douglas Ip – Courtesy of Oobiq Architects

+ About OOBIQ Architects

image courtesy OOBIQ Architects

OOBIQ Architects is an award-winning architectural and design firm based in Hong Kong, with partner offices in Florence, Beijing and Tehran.

Oobiq Architects' founding partners are Italian architects, Giambattista Burdo and Samuele Martelli, graduates of the University of Florence who have also lectured, researched and supervised undergraduates of architecture.

After years of experience in European design firms, Mr Burdo and Mr Martelli have also directed architectural offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, respectively. In August 2008 they formed a partnership to combine their notable architectural skills, and bring Italian quality and style to Hong Kong and China.

Oobiq Architects' design services include architecture, interior design, event and product design, artistic direction and project management. Oobiq Architects are positioned to manage diverse projects with superior creativity and knowledge.

Oobiq Architects' clients are both European and Chinese brands with high visibility who demand a quality product with personalised service. Both Mr Burdo and Mr Martelli are often invited to conferences and seminars to share with guests their experience and design philosophy.

Giambattista Burdo possesses a Degree in Architecture, specialising in Maintenance and Renewal of Ancient and Historic Architecture. Mr Burdo has also received a specialist diploma in Restoration of Architectural Artefacts in a State of Ruin. In addition, Mr Burdo has taken a Master of Science in Bio-ecological Architecture and Environmentally Innovative Technologies at the University of Florence.

Mr Burdo's employment credits include teaching assistant in Architectural Design in the Faculty of Architecture, University of Florence; architect in the eminent architectural office in Italy specializing in the restoration of historic buildings; and architect in the pre-eminent engineering and sustainability consultancy in London.

He is a member of the Register of Architects of Matera and authorized architect in all of the European Union.

Samuele Martelli possesses a Degree in Architecture and a Master of Science in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Florence. He is also a member of the Register of Architects of Florence.

For a number of years Mr Martelli has been involved in research and architectural projects for the University of Florence in Eastern Europe and China. Mr Martelli has also lectured for the Nanjing Forestry University.

Mr Martelli is a free-lance journalist and consultant. In China, he has been a consultant for Interior Design + Construction, Interior Design China and Area China. In Italy, he is part of the team of the magazine AND of Florence. His articles have appeared in several other magazines, including Hinge from Hong Kong, and a handbook for architecture professionals.

+ All images and drawings courtesy OOBIQ Architects

Sticklight by Michael Young, image courtesy Satelight Design

Designed back in 1997, by the renowned designer, Michael Young, the Sticklight has been a stayer. This cool form is so simple that it does not date and fits effortlessly in all different kinds of spaces.

As the design has developed, it is now able to be used in both exterior and interior environments and also comes with different types of bases so it can be stable outside.

Manufactured from Low Density Polyethylene (LDP), it can be recycled if ever required and also comes complete with T8 fluorescent lamp. The fittings can also be adapted to be used as pendant lights and clustered in a space.

+ The lamp is now available on Satelight Design.

+ All images courtesy Satelight Design

The Beads light design by Winnie Lui for Innermost UK, captures light and space. These hovering molecules of light are spectacular as they seem to adhere together with the no real visible fixings. The designer, Winnie Lui, graduated from London's Central Saint Martins College in Fashion, Communication and Promotion and then acquired silver smithing skills from a jewellery designer. This fusion of skills enabled her to be able to tie the different elements together to create a beautiful resolve.

The challenge of this lighting fitting was to create a design, which appeared to just sit together, almost through pure magnetism and could also be arranged into different styles such as the PENTA or the OCTO. The lights are constructed from spun steel and polycarbonate and can be finished in chrome, copper or black gloss reflective surfaces. The design team at Innermost were able to find a neat solution using a tri based polycarbonate connector to unite the form.

Satelight is fortunate to be able to represent these for the commercial market in Australia.

+ For more information of the product, please visit Satelight Design at http://www.satelight.com.au.

Beads Lighting Collection by Winnie Lui, image courtesy Satelight Design

Beads Lighting Collection by Winnie Lui, image courtesy Satelight Design

Constellation 2913, image courtesy Fire Farm Lighting

Constellation 2913 is the latest pendant light series by Fire Farm Lighting. Designed by Adam Jackson Pollock and the Fire Farm Staff, with special thanks to Jim Walch.

The dramatic Constellation fixtures are available in four different sizes with multiple finishing options. Composed of metal points made from perforated sheet metal with internal light diffusing panels, the pieces shimmer in moiré effects as you move around them.

In addition to the moiré effects, the dichroic diffuser option is especially striking, creating colors that dynamically transition in an opalescent effect as you change your viewpoint.

The Constellation Series can be suspended as individual stars or clustered together to fill larger spaces. Thanks to its inherent scalability, this design works in almost any environment, from private residences to large commercial spaces and ballrooms.

+ Technical data

Metal Finish Color Options: Black, White, Stainless
Diffuser Panel Options: Dichroic (color-changing click to watch the video) or Frosted White
Designed by: Adam Jackson Pollock and the Fire Farm Staff, with special thanks to Jim Walch
Manufactured & Distributed in the USA by: Fire Farm, Inc.
Lamping Options: Fluorescent (Dimming available) or Incandescent
Dimensions: (approx. diameter x approx. height)
36 in x 14 in
72 in x 27 in
108 in x 41 in
144 in x 54 in

+ About Fire Farm Lighting

Fire Farm Lighting is a custom lighting design and manufacturing company. In addition to a pre-designed product line, we provide complete creative and fabrication services to conceptualize and execute original designs. Using an ever-expanding variety of materials and processes, we make lights to define space and create exciting environments.