If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): building design

Showing posts with label building design. Show all posts

Water-Cooled House in Singapore by Wallflower Architects

Located in Bukit Timah, Singapore amongst the verdant landscape lies a two-story modern home of wood, concrete stucco, flagstone, limestone, granite, marble and lots of shallow ponds.

Two stunning entrance gates serve as portals to nature in the historical Amstel Area. Frank Tjepkema (aka Tjep), along with Leonie Janssen, crafted two colored galvanized steel gates coated with epoxy and on a concrete foundation for the Aemstel Schooltuin (school garden).

The new working-garden, where over 500 school children aged 9 to 11 will learn about nature and grow their own plants, is situated on Kalfjeslaan, Amstel – a picturesque place steeped in rich cultural history.

Tjep. had the honour of being asked to create two new sets of entrance gates to the garden, a project commissioned by Stadsdeel Zuid, the Amsterdam South City Council.

Two sets of monumental gates will guard both approaches to Aemstel Schooltuin and add a contemporary element to this historic area. Settled next to the Riekermolen, built in 1636, the area has a long history of natural beauty appreciated by none other than Rembrandt himself. His statue sits next to the new school garden, frozen in the act of painting the famous windmill. One set of gates will mark the entrance from Kalfjeslaan, and the other will sit on the route from Amsteldijk.

“This amazing area deserved a design that paid homage to the unique context, but also brought a new influence to the place.” Says Tjep. founder and lead designer, Frank Tjepkema. The design integrates references to the lush flora and fauna of the surrounding environment, classical era elements with a contemporary urban graffiti construction.

Frank Tjepkema states that “a strict functional requirement was that the gates would stop those notorious plant criminals, rabbits – which we do through tightly woven patterns at the bottom. When constructed, these gates will stand at eight meters wide and four meters tall and become a portal, ushering people from the urban Amstel to the historic landscape beyond. I hope children and others will feel some anticipation, some excitement, as they pass through the gates to discover the verdant wonders of nature.”

Tjep
Production of the gates by Smederij van Rijn

all photos and information courtesy of Frank Tjepkema

The San Lorenzo North Showcase Villa with Marble Tiled Pool at Quinta do Lago by de Blacam and Meagher.

Sleek, modern architecture marks the design of this stunning Showcase House by de Blacam and Meagher Architects that sits on a golf course in Portugal's Quinta do Lago, one of Europe's finest luxury resorts.

Here in Los Angeles, we are experiencing an Indian Summer. Hotter this week than it's been most of the summer, nothing is as desirous as an inviting swimming pool. Thinking of adding one? Lewis Aquatech of Virginia specializes in designing and delivering outstanding and elegant pool and spa designs in many shapes sizes and styles.

Infinity pools, organic pools, traditional pools, modern pools, indoor pools, hardscaping, landscaping, nightlighting and decor. I just wanted to make your mouth water by sharing with you over forty fabulous photos of their incredible projects. Grab a towel and jump in.

all images courtesy and ©Lewis Aquatech (some images have been cropped and enlarged for this post)

Lewis Aquatech
14100 Willard Road
Chantilly, VA 20151-2933
Email: info@lewis-aquatech.com