C. F. Møller Architects has designed the extension of The National Maritime Museum in London, Britain’s seventh largest tourist attraction and part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.

The new wing, called The Sammy Ofer Wing – named after the international shipping magnate and philanthropist Sammy Ofer, who has funded most of £36.5m extension – was inaugurated on the 12th of July with the participation of among others the British Prince Philip. On Thursday 14th of July the extension opens to the public.

Image © National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum houses the world’s largest maritime collection and is Britain’s seventh major tourist attraction with approx. two million visitors every year from around the world. The museum is housed in historic buildings, built in 1807, forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. The park incorporates a number of baroque buildings that are considered among the finest in Europe and is an essential part of Britain’s maritime history, particularly The Royal Observatory from 1676 and The Old Royal Naval College from 1712.

Striking – and though minimal interventions in sensitive historic site

The main idea of the extension – which C. F. Møller Architects won in an international architectural competition in 2006 – has been to ensure minimal interventions in this sensitive historic site and yet give the museum a new, distinctive main entrance and the necessary additional exhibition space, as well as a new café, restaurant, library and archives that meet the particular demands for storage of historical documents.

The design solution by C. F. Møller Architects has created a new main entrance emerging from the terrain. Most of the new building, however, is located underground – in total 5500 m2 out of 7300 m2. The roof of the new wing is a green, public landscaped terrace overlooking the Park, accessed at all levels by gentle ramps, even more so causing the building to blend with the park landscape. The extension has a contemporary aesthetic, but is inspired by the Baroque buildings' rhythmic sequence of windows, and the profile of the new extension has been kept low to allow the Grade I listed Victorian facade of the existing south west wing of the museum to be appreciated as a backdrop to the striking new building.

Image © National Maritime Museum

The goal of the expansion has been to open up the museum and allow the display of more collections than ever before. The museum's collections range from e.g. a toy pig that survived the sinking of RMS Titanic to Lord Nelson's last letter to his daughter. The maritime archive contains some 100,000 books and nearly two miles (3.2 km) of shelved manuscripts.

Notable cultural buildings in London

Head of C. F. Møller Architects Branch in London, Teva Hesse, states about the project:

It was a great honour for C. F. Møller Architects to design the new Sammy Ofer Wing within the sensitive and exceptional setting of Maritime Greenwich. In a limited space the project provides a great range of public amenities, museum facilities and visitor experiences. Most importantly, the architecture and landscape merge into a composition that seamlessly integrates the National Maritime Museum with Greenwich Park.

Drawing © C.F. Møller Architects

C. F. Møller Architects has had the role as design architect, the British firm Purcell Miller Tritton was executive architect. The English firm Churchman Landscape did the landscape design.

Image © National Maritime Museum

C. F. Møller Architects also recently delivered another new, significant cultural building in the heart of London: the Darwin Centre Phase Two, the eight-storey concrete cocoon extension of The Natural History Museum, which is both one of the UK’s top five visitor attractions and a world-leading science research centre. The cocoon has already been honored with several awards, including the Civic Trust Award.

+ Project credits / data

Project: Extension of the National Maritime Museum
Address: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10
Client: Trustees of the National Maritime Museum
Architect: C.F. Møller Architects (concept design)
Collaborators: Adams Kara Taylor, Fulcrum Consulting
Area: 5,200 m2 total, approx. new building approx. 3,200 m2 rebuilding of existing areas approx. 2,000 m2
Competition year: 2006
Construction period: 2009-2011
Program: Culture | Extension

+ All drawings and images courtesy C.F. Møller Architects

3XN Architects have recently completed the Museum of Liverpool.

Traditional facades often deal with interruptions – windows for example.  I wish to create a holistic kind of architecture, and a patterned façade ties the building together into one sculptural entity.  By creating the pattern into a relief, as we did with the Museum of Liverpool, we give the façade an element of variation, as the changing light and shadow affect the relief's expression.  Origami is an inspirational art form for me – and it is one of the ideals that I put emphasis on when I work with the younger architects at 3XN.  This is not just because of the aesthetics that come out of applying patterns, but also because using patterns can also create an efficiency in the amount of materials used in the façade's design.  This is the case in the Museum of Liverpool – here the pattern we used resulted in less wastage of stone material.

Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal and Creative Director, 3XN Architects

Museum of Liverpool, image courtesy 3XN Architects | Photo by Pete Carr

Museum of Liverpool - Sketch, drawing courtesy 3XN Architects

3XN's Museum of Liverpool: More than a Building, More than a Museum

The new Museum of Liverpool, opening on July 19th will not only tell the story of its importance as one of the World's great ports or about its cultural influence, such as with the Beatles phenomenon.  It will also serve as a meeting point for History, the People of Liverpool and visitors from around the globe.  Therefore, according to the Architect, Kim Herforth Nielsen, the structure functions as much more than just a Building or a Museum.

Museum of Liverpool, image courtesy 3XN Architects | Photo by Philip Handforth

Museum of Liverpool, image courtesy 3XN Architects | Photo by Philip Handforth

The Result of a Rigorous Process

As the largest National Museum to be built in the UK in over 100 years, and situated on a UNESCO World Heritage Site next to Liverpool's famous 'Three Graces,' Principal Architect and Creative Director at 3XN Kim Herforth Nielsen was fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge, when it came to designing the new Museum of Liverpool.

This is one of the largest and most prestigious projects in 3XN's 25 year history.  The Museum's design is a result of a very rigorous process, where it was of utmost priority to listen to the city inhabitants, learn the city's history and understand the potential of the historical site that the Museum now sits upon.

Museum of Liverpool, image courtesy 3XN Architects | Photo by Pete Carr

The result is a dynamic low-rise structure which enters into a respectful dialogue with the harbour promenade's taller historical buildings.  This interaction facilitates a modern and lively urban space.  The design is reminiscent of the trading ships which at one time dominated the harbour, while the façade's relief pattern puts forward a new interpretation of the historical architectural detail in the 'Three Graces.'  The enormous gabled windows open up towards the City and the Harbour, and therefore symbolically draw history into the Museum, while at the same time allow the curious to look in.

Museum of Liverpool, image courtesy 3XN Architects | Photo by Pete Carr

A Nexus

The Museum lies along the Mersey River in the center of Liverpool, and will function as a nexus, in that it physically connects the Harbour promenade with the Albert Dock, which today contains restaurants, museums and boutiques.  The outdoor areas around the Museum offer seating with views to the water adding to the dynamic urban environment and serving as a meeting point for locals and visitors alike.  The theme is carried through into the Museum of Liverpool's central atrium, with its sculptural sweeping staircase leading up to the galleries further encouraging social interaction.  All of these functions result in Kim Herforth Nielsen choosing to describe the Museum as a structure that unites Liverpool.

This Museum connects the city together on many levels – physically, socially and architecturally.  The idea of creating a Museum as a nexus in both physical and symbolic expression has been central from the start.  I am very satisfied to see that this ideal is carried out to the full in the completed structure.

A striking new addition to Liverpool

Dr David Fleming OBE, Director of National Museums Liverpool, is thrilled with 3XN's design and looks forward  to welcoming visitors to the museum:

To design the building we appointed Danish architects 3XN, who responded to our requirement (…) The resulting structure is a striking addition to the Liverpool cityscape.  I can’t wait to open the doors to visitors to show off our new museum and encourage others to discover more about this extraordinary city.

Museum of Liverpool - Level 1 floor plan, drawing courtesy 3XN Architects

Museum of Liverpool - Level 2 floor plan, drawing courtesy 3XN Architects

Museum of Liverpool - Level 4 floor plan, drawing courtesy 3XN Architects

+ Project credits / data

Architect: 3XN
Location: Mann Island, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Client: National Museums Liverpool
Size: 13.000 m2
Engineer: Buro Happold
Award: 1st prize in Invited competition 2004
Completion: 2005-2011
Size: 12.500 m2
Engineer: Buro Happold
Landscape Architect: Schønherr
Awards: Miami Bienal 2006 Silver Medal
Program: Culture | Museum
Photographers: Philip Handforth, Richard White & Pete Carr

+ All images and drawings courtesy 3XN

High Park is located on the outskirts of the northern city of Monterrey, Mexico. Surrounded by the Majestic Sierra Madre Oriental Range. The project is designed to take full advantage of its geographic location and to help mitigate the extreme climatic conditions.

High Park, render courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

High Park, render courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

As a recurring design concern for rojkind arquitectos and as a way of integrating the building into the pedestrian realm (giving back to the community), the building steps back to create an outdoor shaded space that can be enjoyed by the residents and visitors alike.

Normally these types of building don't allow for the creation of any public space, the entire site is developed with the intention of maximizing the most square footage for it's commercial interest. This project takes a different approach by allowing its site not to be built in its entirely and provide public space that can be utilized by anyone.

Gerardo Salinas, Partner, rojkind arquitectos

High Park, render courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

To counterbalance the strong sun, the floor plates shift in relation to one another, creating a play of light and shadow, and the use of local stone, done by local craftsmen on the facade allows the building to stay cooler and makes its  appearance change as the sun moves across the horizon.

High Park, render courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

The project offers outdoor terraces for each apartment due to the strict setback restrictions of the site, capitalizing on the views of the adjacent mountains.

People enjoy the convenience of a house for its connection to a garden, or exterior spaces, which normally  apartments lack. By having a project which integrates, not only terraces but real gardens even at the upper levels, we have achieved an experience unique to Monterrey.

Michel Rojkind, Founding Partner

High Park consists of a total of ten levels above grade and three and a half levels of underground parking. The first two levels are for commercial retail, the remaining 8 levels for luxury apartments. Within these 8 residential levels, recreational and entertainment spaces will be provided for the residents including a pool, gym, spa, etc. These 32 apartments will range in size from 250 square meters to 650 square meters.

High Park, render courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

The Building as a Platform for Additional Creative Input

Six local designers have been invited to make each apartment unique and appealing to different styles and different market segments. Each apartment has a different layout and configuration, offering a wide range of internal distributions from a one level apartment to a two-story apartment.

Construction will begin summer 2011.

High Park - Landscape plan, drawing courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

High Park - Ground floor plan, drawing courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

High Park - Level 1 floor plan, drawing courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

+ Project credits / data

Project: High Park
Program: Mixed Use Building
Construction Area: 13,000 m2
Design Date: 2010
Location: Monterrey, Mexico

Architect: Rojkind Arquitectos
Michel Rojkind [Founding Partner]
Gerardo Salinas [Partner]
Project Team: Alonso de la Fuente, Michelle López, Carlos Alberto Ríos, Yasser Salomón, Carlo María Ciampoli [3D Consultant], Rafael Cedillo, Jennifer Thies, Felip Navarro, Alejandro Argumedo, Hazael Ortiz, Andrea León.
Structural Engineer: Studio NYL
M.E.P: Quantum Dseño
Landscape: Entorno Taller de Paisaje
Renders: © rojkind arquitectos & © Glessner Group

+ All images and drawings courtesy Rojkind Arquitectos

Japanese architectural firm Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates have completed a residence in Kishigawa. The owner of the house is a Sushi chef from Wakayama. Dressed in coveralls most of his spare time, he is a big car lover and a mature man who enjoys both his work and hobby. With masculine clarity, his wishes for a new house were to view from the interior his parked car in a covered garage and to have his evening drink with fish char-grilled over an Irori (traditional Japanese open hearth), but to accommodate only two rooms.

Residence in Kishigawa, image courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

Residence in Kishigawa, image courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

The extended landscape of the surrounding area was the decisive factor in determining the house location. In the midst of rice fields, the house site provides a high level of privacy to its resident. The house design evolved into a U-shape with a courtyard through which the resident feels nature close at hand with a vision of opening his own Sushi restaurant on the premises.

Residence in Kishigawa, image courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

There is no traditional entrance hall; visitors enter the house from the courtyard and through a ground-level connecting space called Doma. The owner's close connection to the community made it possible to have this open approach to enjoy frequent visits of neighbors and friends, which shows the nature of the locals. His dearest wish came true with the Irori placed in the best location of the house: the center of the living room with a panoramic view over rice fields.

Residence in Kishigawa, image courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

Choosing single-story construction instead of double helped to avoid the hustle of meeting complicated fire code requirements which would have resulted in high cost and special equipment for the Irori setup. The requested number of rooms was easily achieved in a single story as well. The U-shape of the building surrounding its courtyard brings openness into the 533.7 ft2 (49.58m2) space, uniting all adjacent space through the Doma.

The 320.2 ft2 (29.75m2) covered garage accommodates two cars. The load bearing walls supporting the garage roof are constructed with reinforced concrete on one side and wood on the other, lowering the construction cost as well.

Residence in Kishigawa, image courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

Through cost assessment and good design effort to meet a budget, a client's wishes can come true and their goals can be achieved. Residence in Kishigawa accomplishes this in a house with high flexibility and freedom suiting the owner's open spirit.

Residence in Kishigawa - Section, drawing courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

+ Project credits / data

Architect: Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates
Project: Residence in Kishigawa
Site area: 161.66 m2
GFA: 52.61 m2
Type: House
Completion: 2011

+ All images and drawings courtesy Mitsutomo Matsunami Architect & Associates

+ Recommended Japanese projects on +MOOD

YNH | yHa architects

GR230 Highway Service Center | code ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Moving Design 2011: An Intervention on Bicycle Safety has begun!

The new program is aimed at advancing powerful ideas in response to the need for bicycle safety and awareness in the City of Chicago.

During 12 evening sessions over six weeks, 30-40 moving designers/artists will convert design into tangible and real social currency. Participants will be encouraged to work within specific realms of impact such as streets,  storefronts, facades, etc. through the mediums of print, projection, sound, video, the web, subversion, and performance under the direction of this year’s spirited facilitators: Nick Adam, Cody Hudson, John Pobojewski, Gregory Pilon, Scott Reinhard, and Bud Rodecker. The group will focus on Logan Square and transform it into Chicago’s first hub for safe, active mobility, where pedestrians and bikers rule.

The community will serve as a model for other neighborhoods intent on improving quality of life, public safety and health across the city.

+ About

Moving Design (www.movingdesign.com) is a coalition of designers and artists who work with community partners, leading initiatives that inspire change through the power of design. The group uses creativity as a catalyst for change, moving the community to action. Founded by Rick Valicenti of Thirst (www.3st.com) and John Pobojewski, this innovative program brings together the brightest designers to shed light on issues that remain unseen and unheard.

Rick Valicenti has recently been recognized as the recipient of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum 2011 National Design Award for Communication Design. He is a leader in the field of graphic and multimedia design, and for over three decades, has been a definitive presence in the industry as practitioner, educator and mentor.

Rick Valicenti, founder and principal of Chicago design firm, Thirst, has been recognized for excellence in Communication Design for the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum's 2011 National Design Awards program. This year is the twelfth anniversary of the Awards, which will be bestowed at a gala award ceremony in New York City on October 20, 2011.

Rick Valicenti

As a recipient of the award, Rick Valicenti is acknowledged as a leader in the field of graphic and multimedia design. In 1988, he founded Thirst, a Chicago-based design collaborative devoted to creating art with function. The work of Thirst has constantly led the public discourse, pushing the boundaries of graphic and multimedia design, and earning recognition in Cooper-Hewitt's 2006 "National Design Triennial: Design Life Now."

For over three decades, Valicenti has been a leading presence in design as a practitioner, an educator, and mentor. In 2006, he was honored with the AIGA Medal and has edited a monograph on the work of Thirst called, Emotion as Promotion, published in 2005 by Monacelli Press.

Rick Valicenti shares his feelings upon receiving the National Design Award:

This recognition validates the circuitous path I took, reminding me once again that making design is all about a fearless generosity of time, ideas, and real presence. While this award honors excellence and innovation over my career, the submitted portfolio reflects Thirst's present and future… I share the honor with the current members of our studio.

The National Design Awards first began when the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum created an award in 2000 to honor the best in American design. The annual Awards program celebrates various disciplines of design that are used as a tool to shape the world and also seek to increase national awareness of design through public education and the promotion of excellence, innovation, and lasting achievement. The Awards recognize the public impact of the daily work of the nominees and demonstrates the far-reaching effect of design innovation in every sector.

+ About the National Design Awards (NDA)

The National Design Awards were conceived in 1997 by the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum to honor the best in American design. First launched at the White House in 2000 as an official project of the White House Millennium Council, the annual Awards program celebrates design in various disciplines as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world, and seeks to increase national awareness of design by educating the public and promoting excellence, innovation, and lasting achievement. The Awards are truly national in scope-nominations for the Awards are solicited from a committee of more than 2,500 leading designers, educators, journalists, cultural figures, and corporate leaders from every state in the nation. The National Design Awards are judged on the following criteria: excellence, innovation, and enhancement of the quality of life.

The National Design Awards is one of the few programs of its kind structured to continue to benefit the nation long after the Awards ceremony and gala. A suite of educational programs is offered every year in conjunction with the Awards by Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum's award-winning Education Department, including a series of public programs, lectures, roundtables, and workshops based on the vision and work of the National Design Award winners.

+ About Thirst

Thirst is a firm devoted to art with function and serves a collection of clients whose refined and enlightened design sensibilities yield rewards in the experience of creation. Their passion for design and embrace of new technologies make for a dynamic union of imagery and inspiration. Thirst's strategic and creative versatility continues to lead the discourse and pursue the elusive ideals of intelligence, fashion and real human presence within today's world of communication.

+ For more information, visit http://3st.com/

Regulator 1, image courtesy Christian Harrup Design

Christian Harrup Design has designed the new tapware design called Regulator 1. Regulator 1 is mixer tap that embodies the principles of a conventional mixer tap yet redefines it functionality. The designs key aims are to create elegant tap ware that is equally engaging when in use. The hot and cold taps are integral to the overall form. When the hot and cold water levers are pulled for the required temperature the design takes on a far more kinetic profile. The slide feature allows the form to seamlessly move while following the profile of the core water spout. I envisage the mixer tap to be available in black chrome and white enamel.

+ Designer: Christian Harrup Design | http://www.christianharrup.com/

Regulator 1, image courtesy Christian Harrup Design

Regulator 1, image courtesy Christian Harrup Design

+ All images courtesy Christian Harrup Design