Cahill Center for Astrophysics, by Morphosis

"The building is the result of a series of forces that collide to produce unique spaces of discovery. Force lines track the movement of form and light through the building’s faceted façade, the central vertical volume, and the stitches. As one moves through the space, formal fragments coalesce to reconstruct the interactions among light, architectural elements, and bodies as physical traces of the institution’s new ideas."

Morphosis
Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California

via +MOOD

303 East 33rd Street by Perkins Eastman

303 East 33rd Street, the first green development in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, is designed by top ranked green architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman. The LEED Certified development is a 12-story, 165,00 sf building defined as a series of single attached buildings facing the street alternating in height.







BUILDING PROGRAM:

The interior of the building comprises 128 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes in a variety of layouts as well as a three-bedroom, four-bathroom triplex penthouse.



Additional amenities include a fully-equipped fitness center, media lounge with pool table, a children’s playroom, and full-service concierge.





A landscaped roof-top, with a total of 1,700 sf of outdoor space, takes advantage of distinctive urban views.



DESIGN CONCEPT:



"A highly energy efficient envelope -exceeding the thermal requirements of New York City code-comprising brick piers, terraces, balconies, and large expanses of glass fracture the architectural repetition, heightening the concept of an ensemble of buildings rather than a single development."



"Using rapidly renewable materials and low-VOC finishes, a contemporary interior space is created that engages the residents to participate in a more sustainable lifestyle. Each unit is equipped with electrical sub-meters allowing the tenants to monitor their electrical use and manage their personal consumption. To discourage automobile use, the development purposely omitted a parking garage from the design and instead chose to offer parking discounts in an adjacent venue for hybrid vehicles."

"The roof-top design limits the use of potable water for landscaping, employing a variety of indigenous, drought tolerant plants to create an outdoor oasis for the residents."

Source: ArchDaily

Taipei Performing Art Center proposal by NL Architects

The design aim of NL architects proposal for the taipei performing arts center is to make the building accessible to everybody. The public character of the center is guaranteed by the elevation of a substantial part of its program, creating a public square underneath it. As such the square becomes part of the building inside of it.


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects

DESIGN CONCEPT:

The design which could be considered to a table with 'four legs' supports a 'tabletop'that accommodates 3 storeys. inside you'll find an elevated fragment of the city, a public browsing space where cultural facilities such as a multimedia library, music stores, galleries, lobbies, bars, restaurants and clubs will be included.


view of TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects

Balconies and terraces with different programs will also be included in the space consisting of swimming pools, a skate area, playground, hotel garden and cafe.


side view drawing of TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects

The performing arts center structure will contain three theaters: a 1500 seat grand theater and two 800 seat theaters for repertory performances. The theaters are positioned on different altitudes. The proscenium playhouse is placed at the base of the southeast 'leg'. The lobby is placed under this theater so that it is flush with the square activating the space around it. the multiform theater is connected to the southwest leg close to the top. The volume of the grand theater is suspended under the horizontal slab. It hovers over the square while being part of it.

Source: Design Bloom


TPAC - taipei performing art center elevator diagram
image courtesy NL architects


side view drawing of TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects



TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects



TPAC - taipei performing art center structure diagram
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center structure diagram
image courtesy NL architects


TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects



TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects



TPAC - taipei performing art center
image courtesy NL architects