New Bauhaus Museum, image courtesy +imgs

The transparency makes the continuity between inside and outside, the outside comes inside and vice-versa. An eclectic conquest of the space makes the building not a barrier but a dynamic urban link, crossed by a linear flexible path across Bauhaus history. The idea of creating a new unity by the marriage of many arts and movements.

The Classic Siftung Weimar announced the results of the international architectural competition for the New Museum In Weimar. 536 projects were submitted to the jury, here the awarded proposition by MenoMenoPiu Architects.

New Bauhaus Museum, image courtesy +imgs

The building is conceived as an open square at the crossing point of the three main city forces, old and new city and the park, a flexible “object” that allows different activities inside and around it.

New Bauhaus Museum - Ground floor plan, drawing courtesy +imgs

New Bauhaus Museum - First floor plan, drawing courtesy +imgs

A covered square as a multifunctional space that may or may not interact with the upper exhibition floor, depending on opening hours, a multitask space opened to the city in a natural relation with the park.

New Bauhaus Museum - Conceptual diagram, drawing courtesy +imgs

The “clever cover”, as a key element designed to be flexible to accommodate contemporary technologies to full filled the future needs of the building. The game of light and shadows made by the pattern of the cover evokes the drawings of Josef Albers.

The 5O% of the roof (1250m²) is covered by photovoltaic panels which provide up to 250kw/day, satisfying the 60% of the museum energy consumption.

New Bauhaus Museum - Sections, drawing courtesy +imgs

Sliding shaders manage the seasonal solar interior contributions, satisfying programmatic needs of the different boxes .

The system “box in the box”, in synergy with the technological roof , guarantees the best climatic control through the different seasons.

I’m interested in the idea of overlapping images over several layers of transparent surfaces.

Moholy-Nagy’s “Light Space Modulator”

+ Project credits

New Bauhaus Museum
city, country – Weimar, Germany

project description – The transparency makes the continuity between inside and outside, the outside comes inside and vice-versa. An eclectic conquest of the space makes the building not a barrier but a dynamic urban link, crossed by a linear flexible path across Bauhaus history. The idea of creating a new unity by the marriage of many arts and movements.

use – Museum
site area – 10618 m²
building area – 3200 m²
structure – Steel Structure
designer /architect – MenoMenoPiu Architects /- – + AA/
collaborators – Francois Zab-Marco Lavit Nicora-Marco Conti Sikic-David Yahn-Drahi-Luca Stortoni
landscape – Bassinet Turquin Paysage
engineering – Marc Hammon- Giulia Fatarella
status of project / expected completion if applicable – Honorable Mention
client – The Klassik Stiftung Weimar
firm website – www.mmpaa.eu
photo credit – Courtesy of +imgs

+ About Menomenopiu

Menomenopiu is an international architecture firm based in Paris and Rome.

Four associates, all Italians who met in Paris, before friends then collegues.

Our aim is to explore all the potentials of contemporary architecture, different approach for different projects and environments.

Less for less equal more, retrieve the best from every context.

+ All images and drawings courtesy Menomenopiu

MedaTeca
library| information| spare time
The new cultural hub of Meda designed by Alterstudio Partners

MedaTeca, image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

On 10th April 2012 MedaTeca opens to the public; the new library of Meda's township designed by Alterstudio Partners, a modern cultural hub of more than 1.900 sq. m. entirely devoted to culture, information and spare time, connected with others 30 libraries of BrianzaBiblioteche's System: 40000 volumes available, dvd, free wi-fi, internet point, automate loan system, newspapers library with refreshment corner, an entirely floor dedicated to kids and a cosy area for teenagers, a study hall, flat roof for open-air reading, but also Desk Job, Cultural Office and other polyvalent spaces for exhibitions, events and classes.

MedaTeca, image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

This is MedaTeca: a contemporary architecture whose design, materials, façades colours and the large full-length windows that give onto the road, convey the public vocation of the building. The spaces are bright and comfortable, with double-height rooms and views between a floor and the other, furnished with pieces of the best Italian and International design and others especially designed by Alterstudio Partners.

The MedaTeca building's cost has been of 1.980.000 euro (equal to about 1.040 euro/ sq. m. Vat included), against the initial estimate of 2.300.000 euro.

MedaTeca, image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

After two years of planning stage and as many of works, the MedaTeca, the new civic library of Meda township designed by Alterstudio Partners, opens to the public: a modern cultural hub of more than 1.900 sq. m. dedicated to culture, information and spare time, with an architectural image of strong communicativeness.

Much more than a library, the MedaTeca would be a "Knowledge's square" for the city and the district, a "social catalyst" for the local community to attend not only to borrow a book or a dvd, but also to meet up, go deep into ones' interests and hobbies and discover new ones, drink a cup of coffee listening to the music, keep up with what happened in the district and the world, surfing the internet, watch a movie, research or study, attend cultural events, or spend enjoyable hours with friends and children, even the youngest, or take a class during your spare time.

The MedaTeca is part of BrianzaBiblioteche, a network of more than 30 libraries with a catalogue of more than one million volumes. Currently at MedaTeca there are more than 40 thousands books available, that can be borrowed and returned by users also from a self service station located just outside the library.

At MedaTeca everyone finds something interesting. It is possible to surf the web on ones' own pc or smart phone thanks to the free wi-fi connection, use the internet point, or consult the Online Media Library, a rich database of multimedia contents (newspapers, e-books, music and audio books). There is a magazines and newspapers' area and a refreshment corner. An entire floor is devoted to kids, with a lot of surprises for the youngest (0-5 years) and several supplies and commodities for parents (bottle warmer, changing table and newborn baby's chair in every bathroom, etc.). There are silent and fully equipped study halls, meeting and class rooms; a space for teenagers and cinema, hobby and free time sections; a polyvalent area for exhibitions, events and conferences, the Desk job and the Cultural Office. In the whole library there are lamps, chairs and armchairs of all kinds, that create several cosy-corners suitable for reading, resting or having a break.

MedaTeca, image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

The internal organization of the library is so flexible that it is possible to keep parts of it independently open, including terrace and study-hall, hence allowing access to particular areas even when the rest of the building is closed. The spaces are bright and comfortable: double-height rooms and views between one floor and the other arouse curiosity in the visitor and spur him to visit the entire building.

The realization of the MedaTeca has also been the occasion to recover, transform and expand the two-floors-high pre-existent building, remained unfinished and abandoned for twenty years, a township's property with a favorable central position. The project has rethought the receptacle with respect to its content, redoubling its volumes and modifying its façades, realizing a contemporary architecture in which the design as well as the materials, the façades colours and the full-length windows, communicate the building's public vocation. The façades, ad-hoc designed, are made with burgundy aluminum sheet especially designed for this project, with high performance insulating board backwards.

MedaTeca, image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

The large double-height full-length window, that gives onto the road, permit to observe the library from the outside, marked by upright sunscreens and curtains that, if needed, colour the full-length windows and confer the library peculiar chromatic effects.

Great attention has been paid to energy saving, with regard to the technological solutions (heat pump system and low energy lighting) as well as to the technical specifics of the façades and doors and windows.

The furniture, also designed by Alterstudio Partners, provides extremely comfortable and high quality solutions, combining ad-hoc designed furniture with pieces from the best Italian an International design, among them some donated by Artemide and B&B Italia, two important brands of Made in Italy, that have believed in this project and desired to be sponsors of the new cultural hub.

MedaTeca, image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

All this is completed by a system of visual communication (logo, graphic, inner signposting) that contributes to characterize the MedaTeca strengthening its identity.

The cost of the building construction for MedaTeca has been of 1.980.000 euro (Vat included), against the initial estimate of 2.300.000 euro, equal to the unit cost of about 1.040 euro/sq. m. Vat included.

Architecture and furniture quality, flexibility, energy saving: these are the key words of the MedaTeca building, which will be shown through its citizens-oriented services.

+ Project facts

MedaTeca – New public library of Meda
Via Gagarin 13, Meda, Monza e Brianza, Italy

Client: Municipality of Meda
Architect: Alterstudio Partners | www.alterstudiopartners.com
Project: 2008-2009 Realization: 2010-2011 Inauguration/ opening 1 aprile 2012 Functional program, architectural and furniture design, work management: Alterstudio Partners (architect M. Muscogiuri), with: engineer M. Bonomi (work supervisor assistant) and engineer O. Pagani (Safety coordination during execution), architect A. Galeano (project engineering of façades) Project and work management Structure/Frame: engineer E. Busnelli
Project and work management systems: Teknema Consulting Srl
Library Program: doctor A. Agustoni
Graphic and visual communication: B. De Bartolomeis
Decorative graphics: Mook Construction company: Steda S.p.A.
Furniture provision: Abaco Forniture Srl
Technical sponsor: Artemide S.p.A., B&B S.p.A.
Gross floor area: 1.910 sq. m. Work amount: 1.980.000,00 € (Vat included)
Furniture amount: 400.000 € (Vat included) Cost per square meter for constructions works and equipment: 1.040 euro/sq. m. Vat included

+ About Alterstudio Partners

Image courtesy Alterstudio Partners

Alterstudio Partners was founded in Milan by Giorgio Faccincani, Marco Muscogiuri and Matteo Schubert in 1996, Micaela Bordin becoming an associate in 2007.

Alterstudio Partners operates in the field of design on various scales, using strategies of participatory planning wherever possible.

Alterstudio Partners has carried out projects for both public and private clients and has taken part in national and international competitions, winning several awards. It focuses primarily on issues relating to cultural buildings, public spaces and housing, and to this end, it collaborates with international architecture practices, universities, foundations and associations. Its most important projects have included: the new European Library of Information and Culture in Milan (in partnership with Bolles+Wilson); the new library and auditorium in Samarate; the new libraries in Meda, Melzo, Tione di Trento and Pergine Valsugana; the refurbishment and the furnishing of dozens of libraries, including the ones in Prato, Sondrio and the Rionale "Parco" in Milan; the restructuration of Palazzo Broggi for Sotheby's italia; the European Museum of Games and Toys in Rome (in partnership with Studio Zordan); the Gipsoteca Mozzanica in Merate; the urban centre and the cycle-pedestrian bridge in Castenaso; Piazza Marconi in San Giorgio Piacentino and the Parco del Martignone in Anzola (both in partnership with tamassociati); a number of residential complexes in Italy and Switzerland.

Alterstudio Partners also works on cultural and research projects, managing their content, marketing and exposure.

Alterstudio Partners is specialized in design of libraries and cultural centres. In this field it has curated feasibility studies, functional projects and guidelines (Comune di Milano, Provincia di Trento, Provincia di Sondrio). Especially, Marco Muscogiuri is the author of various publications on this issue, including Biblioteche. Architettura e progetto (Maggioli) and Architettura della biblioteca (Sylvestre Bonnard), he has published articles in "BibliotecheOggi", "Il Giornale dell'Architettura", "Arketipo" and the "Domenica" of "IlSole24Ore" and he has taught and spoken at numerous conferences and conventions, in Italy and abroad.

+ All images and drawings courtesy Alterstudio Partners

499.SUMMIT is the competition entry designed by 2 architectural students Andreas Tjeldflaat & Gregory Knobloch.

Courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

Courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

Our prison system has failed to see advancements throughout the past century and desperately requires innovation and re-imagination. While recent literature begins to question the sociological status of prisons, there has be little exploration of the physical apparatus in which inmates are housed. We as designers must take a critical look at these static institutions, and question how we can play a significant role in the design and function of future prisons.

Courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

Diagram, courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

499.SUMMIT carefully challenges all preconceived notions of the word "prison", and proposes simple yet powerful ideas that re-imagine the high-rise as an urban penitentiary. The massing consists of three towers in the shape of an arch. The inherent linear and formal qualities of the 'arch' allowed us to establish our key circulatory concept: UP, OVER, DOWN. Each arch has three primary phases, Incarceration (up), Transformation (over), and Integration (down). The arches begin isolated during the incarceration phase and merge together both physically and programmatically during the integration phase. As the inmates graduate through the facility, they are being exposed to an increasing degree of social interaction, in order to make the transition back into society as soft as possible. To catalyst this process, public program and residential housing units are introduced in the integration phase downwards.

Courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

Courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

+ Project credits

Andreas Tjeldflaat / M.Arch student / a.tjeldflaat@gmail.com
2218 B, South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Gregory Knobloch / M.Arch student / gknob@design.upenn.edu
22 Chelsea Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

+ All images and drawings courtesy Andreas Tjeldflaat + Gregory Knobloch

New Church for Valer church parish, courtesy Krill Architecture

An Open Ring in the Woods

In commissioning the competition, the church of Våler chose for a seldomly witnessed step in church history, one that always comes with interesting results. Tapping on a source of collective creativity in modern architecture offers the chance to bring the development of church architecture to a new level. A building combining monumentality to accessibility, openness to spirituality, is awesome, while being friendly. In short: a church fitting in this time.

night: night view of the church, courtesy Krill Architecture

inside: being inside, the experience of what is outside is not cut off, courtesy Krill Architecture, courtesy Krill Architecture

The church building is designed for two important, but seemingly incompatable demands: the open character of the gathering space (Domus Ecclesiae), involving the church in the community, and the closed character of the spiritual, secluded space (Domus Dei), promising peace of mind. It is for that reason that the church will be placed as an open ring in a newly designed park. The ring, enclosing a patio, will be lifted on one side, giving people the opportunity to come in, without crossing a threshold. One is just there.

history: the new scheme completes a historical line in development of church typology, courtesy Krill Architecture

the scheme combines the wish for a public space without tresholds and a place for religious intimacy, courtesy Krill Architecture

Within the surroundings of the ring several spaces are collected unther a partly open roof. Outside, reachable through the ring shaped passageway wordly functions are positioned, such as the toilets, storage and technical spaces, but also the rooms for pastor and eldermen. That way their offices are also reachable from outside. The ruins of the old church will be cladded with granite and solar collectors. The old church warms the new that way.

(open ring is derived from R. Schwarz)

Site plan, courtesy Krill Architecture

+ Project facts

Client: Valer church parish, competition
Architect: Krill Architecture
Design: Harmen van de Wal, with Raimonda Cybaite, Jiri Serek, Christine Sundberg
Program: church
Date: november 2011
Location: Valer, Norway

+ All images and drawings courtesy Krill Architecture

NR-02, image courtesy Kim Jun Pyo

Korean designer Kim Jun Pyo has designed the patrol unit “NR-02” for police department. NR-02 is concept patrol robot unit for police department based on UCAS -Unmanned Combat Air System-.

NR-02, image courtesy Kim Jun Pyo

Autonomous flight through A.I and GPS and navigation equipment, flight by radio controlled in limited range.

To quick realizing of situation and prompt response, realization the 3D map through sonar rader and GPS scan.

NR-02, image courtesy Kim Jun Pyo

It also record every situation and it comes very important on collecting evidence. Loaded with non-lethal weapon. -tear gas shells(CS gas), rubber bullets- for effective suppress the situation. For safety of human being, the A.I system is built for non- preemptive attack before it striked by militants. NR-02 shows futuristic and coercive look with carbon-fiber body that covered with clear glass.

NR-02, image courtesy Kim Jun Pyo

Every detail is finished with convergence of futuristic technology and design. Not too much of complicate combination but proper level of complication makes 'futuristic but coercive look'.