Italian firm StudioArch has design the Villa Aget.

Realising the problem of these space limitations, I have decided to underline this sad reality through the concept, almost figurative, of a tape that moves inside of these limits. This tape bend and fold for functional and energetic reasons forming, sometimes, a sunscreen and other times catching the right angle for the sun rays and so on.

Arch. Agostino Marinoni, StudioArch

Villa Aget - Conceptual diagram, drawing courtesy StudioArch

+ Project description by StudioArch

General Concept
The building is a private villa built in one of the many area’s subdivisions that characterize the landscape of the Italian suburbs. In these places, through an imaginary developed over the years, anyone can buy a piece of freedom: an isolated house, free from annoying neighbours. Yet in reality, everything is translated into areas where, to maximize profits, housing are “piled up” turning what should be a space in which to be free in a very limited place where all is an illusion.

Villa Aget, image courtesy StudioArch

Realising the problem of these space limitations, I have decided to underline this sad reality through the concept, almost figurative, of a tape that moves inside of these limits. This tape bend and fold for functional and energetic reasons forming, sometimes, a sunscreen and other times catching the right angle for the sun rays and so on.

Functional distribution
The land on which the building is located is a very steep hill where the highest point is the access road to lot. At once, my project as been to avoid large movements of material that would create an unnatural landscape. The villa has been organized on three levels, whose functions are chosen according to the proper relation with the outside. On the top floor, at street level, were placed functions of living and kitchen that interact naturally with the direct access of the building and with privileged views in order this height. At the central level are placed on one side, the garage that goes against the ground to occupy areas otherwise not usable and the other facing the bedroom through with view on plains. At the lowest level, in direct relationship to the private roof garden, is located a second living area used for private parties of the owners.

Villa Aget, image courtesy StudioArch

Contextualization with the place and the local tradition
In addition to considerations on the morphology of the land, there are two ideas that we have followed for the contextualization of Villa AGET: The landscape and local building traditions.

Speaking about local architectural traditions, those that should guide the conservatives but giving questionable results, we can say that are characterized by strong and various of brick. Often this material was also used with different degrees of permeability, obtained by methods of installation that form decoration with solids and voids, to allow aeration for drying hay.

Villa Aget, image courtesy StudioArch

When it was decided to create a sunscreen for repairing the wall of the building most exposed to the sun, I have drawn on this tradition deciding to draw a brick wall without moving parts, that filters the light into a logic of building energy efficiency. Consequently, I have copied to a past methods but assuming to function elements also an aesthetic sense.

Turning to the landscape must be said that the surrounding area is called Oltrepò Pavese, famous as one of the best wine producing areas around the world. Here the landscape is marked by hilly vineyards continue without interruption. Also the Villa land was a vineyard and the contractor who has transformed and urbanized the area, have maintained a small vineyard that he continues to care it. In a place like this, you could not afford to ignore such a reference.

So when it came to designing the internal stair, I immediately thought to making a quotation from the vineyard by going to resubmit it both structurally and conceptually.

Villa Aget, image courtesy StudioArch

Energy efficiency
In addition to normal technology precautions appropriate, the building has been organized both spatially and constructively with a particular focus on efficiency and energy saving.

First, as already mentioned, a shading wall was made, without moving parts, all along the facade most exposed to the sun during the warmer months. Its design, in plan and section, has been studied to have a slim and strong wall although at the same time with the right height and thickness compared to the various angles of the sun in the reference climate.

Villa Aget, image courtesy StudioArch

The result is a filter that blocks the sun in the warm periods and in cold seasons allows it to penetrate.

In combination with the sunscreen has been made a specific material choice. All the cold parties of villa, affected by the sun rays, are made of absorber materials such as stone or concrete that can store heat and then release it, with the result to heat the building.

In a second time, I have considered the natural ventilation for summer cooling. The internal stair, as a piece of landscape, has a vertical permeability to allow a good ventilation in warmer months like a solar chimney with the result of a comfortable microclimate inside, without the use of air conditioning systems.

Poetic elements added Inside the building, in the top level, there is a window which at certain times of the year allow a view of the moon. In the moments when its orbit not allows it to appear, however,you can see it. This is thanks to having placed a spherical light on the opposite wall. When the light is on and you are sitting on the sofa to contemplate the landscape outside the opening, you will notice that the light is reflected by going to recreate the moon. Sometimes, if you are really lucky, you can see two moons that overlap and you remain in disbelief.

Villa Aget, image courtesy StudioArch

+ Project credits / data

Project: Villa Aget
Site: Casteggio (Pv), Italy
Date: 2008
Architect: StudioArch | http://www.studio-arch.eu
Project: Arch. Agostino Marinoni
Collaborator: Arch. Linda PIzzocaro
Typology: House

+ About Agostino Marinoni Architect

image courtesy StudioArch

He was born in Voghera (PV) on 09/19/1976. He attended the Technical School where Franco Gorrini Architect, his future partner, taught. Soon he begun to collaborate in the forniture store of his family where he got specialized in interior design and object design. Before graduating, he worked for a period in the study of Engel Architect in Milan, and, for some years, he collaborated with Natalino N. Palavezzati Architect. He graduated in Politecnico of Milano in 2002 with the highest score in thesis examination, gaining entry in the list of the best thesis ever done in the decade. In 2009 he opened, with Franco Gorrini, studioarch, free collaboration of architects, to share international contest experiences and works. He participates actively in the work ‘of Pavia architects council within the Commission which organizes events for dissemination and understanding of architecture. He takes part in several design competitions in Italy and abroad dealing with private and public residences. A number of achievements in housing, Planning and Landscape design, projects of commercial buildings and development of furniture and interiors. Design, architecture and communication become the main themes of work.

The activity developed is oriented mainly towards feasibility studies and projects, urban design and architectural planning from preliminary phases through final implementation. We have gained expertise and professional know-how through experiences and projects on urban design and the planning of parks, museums, religious buildings and public health and educational projects, commercial and multipurpose centres, hotels, residential buildings and many competitions.The methodology furthermore, utilizes the ultimate and most innovative technologies in order to promote the highest standards of expertise from the environmental and technological points of view.

+ All images and drawing courtesy StudioArch

Hinton Cook Architects has designed the Biomass Power Station. The approach was taken to create an attractive building, which will sit comfortably within its surroundings, is sensitive to its Green Belt location and will act as an exemplar of architectural and environmental design.

Biomass Power Station, render courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

+ Project description by Hinton Cook Architects

THE SITE

Situated in a rural location, the site resides in a greenbelt area. The brief was for the design of a permanent continuous structure to house a biomass power generation plant.

Contextually, the site is within close proximity of a hamlet approximately 0.5miles to the south and nestled between two busy UK motorways. The site gradually slopes from North West to south east with well established belts of woodland along the southern boundary.

Taking advantage of levels, the site provided ample opportunities for a variation in massing/height and an opportunity to deliver a statement structure.

Biomass Power Station - Site plan, drawing courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

THE BUILDING

Concept
The scheme has been designed to minimise the visual impact upon its surroundings by employing a complex façade system, deliberately designed to break up the visual mass of the power plant, and primarily takes inspiration from the surrounding woodland.

Due to the required scale of certain elements and the functional requirements of the power plant, it was imperative to keep the processes together, and focus on employing a continuous façade system. This aims to encase the varying processes collectively within the plant whilst successfully addressing the landscape.

The key components employed in breaking the visual mass of the building are the cladding system and the structural frame, both of which are designed to be prefabricated off-site, reducing on site demand.

Biomass Power Station - Elevation 1, drawing courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

Biomass Power Station - Elevation 2, drawing courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

Structure
An exposed timber lattice frame is designed to sit on the outer skin of the building and express an intricate play of formwork.

This primary structural frame is used to support the cladding system. In order to express the 'flora and fauna' of the woodland, the structure is left exposed in the form of an 8 meter intersecting diamond lattice representational of the woodland itself. By exposing the structure externally, the lines of the building are disrupted and hence the mass of the building is visually reduced.

The lattice form-work runs continually across all facades generating a 'theme' but varies in height to address the internal processes of the plant. The external frame ensures there are no spatial obstructions internally hence maximising internal area.

Certain elements of the structure contain no cladding which in turn creates the gap allowing landscape to emerge and change the viewer's perception of the building. In the evenings the intersecting structural joints are illuminated to reflect passing traffic movements on the motorways.

The external cladding system is made up of solid, opaque and translucent diamond panels, which have been offset behind the structural lattice frame to maximise internal area allowing for clear internal spans, whilst also allowing shadows to be cast on the façade. Both solid and opaque panels are haphazardly arranged in varying shades of green, which create an interesting façade.

To further enhance this, elements of the façade have been exaggerated and extended to enhance the building's juxtaposition with the landscape when viewed from afar. The varying shades of green and the levels of translucency, are inspired by the dappled play of light and dark in the woodland – where breaks in the leaves allow light to penetrate and areas beyond the tree line to be seen – and creates a subtle pattern.

The panel cladding system also offers the opportunity for panels in certain locations to be replaced by living panels, which further blend the building with the surrounding woodland.

To further reduce the impact of the building on the Green Belt, sedum roofs are used to blend the building in within the landscape. A flat sedum base is proposed over the structural roof. A structural timber grid over a space frame allowing clear internal spans for plant equipment is proposed. This would also be integrated to the external structural wall members to ensure a consistent theme runs across the building.

CONCLUSION

The approach taken is intended to create a landmark building, sensitive to its Green Belt location and form an exemplar of architectural and environmental design for future power plants.

+ Project credits / data

Project: Biomass Power Station
Architect: Hinton Cook Architects | http://www.hintoncook.co.uk/
Location: UK
Typology: Industry | Power station

+ All images and drawings courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

UK-based architectural firm Hinton Cook Architects have worked with the Milton Keynes Parks Trust to transform a grade II listed barn into something special. Incorporating modern elements to further highlight the original traditional beauty of this once derelict barn.

Manor Farm, image courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

+ Project description by Hinton Cook Architects

Located in the historic railway town of Wolverton, this project owned by the Parks Trust, creates 13,677ft2 office space within existing grade II listed structures.

Designed by the award winning Hinton Cook Architects, the brief was to renovate and convert the old farm buildings, contrasting the old with the new and exposing the historic structure creating new stylish and contemporary offices within.   Set within generous mature landscape, attention to landscaping and respect for context was critical to help the design continue to blend harmoniously within its rural surroundings.

Manor Farm, image courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

Key to the success of the project was the juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements. The sensitive approach to this historic building ensured the contrast between old and new forms delivered in a sophisticated way highlighting the contrast between the two.

Manor Farm, image courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

Sleek frameless structural glass panels fill the open sides of the barn allowing the structure to appear unchanged whilst forming a comfortable office environment for the occupants. This expanse of glass allows for the interior spaces to exhibit good levels of light minimizing the need for artificial lighting whilst enabling panoramic views of the surrounding countryside promoting a healthy and sustainable working environment. Heating and cooling of the building is maintained via a comfort cooling system.

English heritage were involved during the planning process and highly commended the design in that the structural glazing maintained the spatial openness of the barns.  The majority of the traditional structure was retained with new oak supports inserted when this was not possible. The beams, rotting at the base were trimmed and connected to concrete feet to improve the structure. Original trusses are left exposed to reveal the historic character of the original barns.

Manor Farm, image courtesy Hinton Cook Architects

+ Project credits / data

Project : Manor Farm
Location: UK
Project team: Architect/Project managers: Hinton Cook Architects | http://www.hintoncook.co.uk/
Budget: £1,500,00
Construction time: 12months
Suppliers:

Mitsubishi air Handling/comfort cooling
Birchdale glass – structural glazing
Natural slates
Adcocks Environmental
Portsmoth Electrical
Heckmondwyke floor finishes
Allgoods Ironmongery

Typology: Industrial | Refurbishment / Extension

+ All images and drawings courtesy Hinton Cook Architects