Edge Land House With Triangular Smart Pool and Living Roof By Bercy Chen Studio.

This Austin, Texas residence by Bercy Chen Studio is not only stunning to look at in terms of architectural design and interior styling, but it's a project that also takes the environment, the landscape and local plant life into consideration.










The Edge Land residence (also called the Edgeland House) is a concrete, steel and glass 1400 sf residence located in Austin, Texas near Town Lake. The project touches on architecture as site-specific installation art and as an extension of the landscape. As with many of Bercy Chen Studio's designs, the influence is often drawn from vernacular precedents of various cultures. While the essence of the project is conversant with a Native American Pit House, the roof form has been largely influenced by the ancient art of origami.







The modern home's design integrates hydronic heating and cooling, geothermal heat exchange, phase-change thermal heat storage, rainwater collection, a smart pool that provides an additional thermal mass that ties into the geothermal system and an integrated living green roof.



The house’s relationship to the landscape both in terms of approach as well as building performance references the oldest housing typology in North America; the pit house. Like a pit house, the house will undergo a 7-foot excavation gaining benefits from the earth’s mass to maintain thermal comfort throughout the year. Such architectural settings create opportunities for maximum energy efficiency using a proposed Integrated Hydronic HVAC system.

The seasonal wildflowers planted on the roof were done in conjunction with The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas.





The planting of the roof:






Images of the construction and structural framework:





The triangular smart pool can be used for swimming and provides an additional thermal mass that ties into the geothermal system.






Text from the architecture firm:
Edgeland Residence is located on a rehabilitated brownfield site and is a modern re‐interpretation of one of the oldest housing typologies in North America, the Native American Pit House. The Pit House, typically sunken, takes advantage of the earth’s mass to maintain thermal comfort throughout the year. Like this timeless dwelling, Edgeland Residence’s relationship to the landscape both in terms of approach as well as building performance involves an insulative green roof and a 7‐foot excavation‐ gaining benefits from the earth’s mass to help it stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Such an architectural setting presents an opportunity for maximum energy efficiency when combined with high performance systems such as the integrated hydronic HVAC system. The mechanical system combines: hydronic heating and a green roof for maximum energy efficiency.

Edgeland Residence is about healing the land and ameliorating the scars of the site’s industrial past. The project raises awareness about a diminishing natural landscape and its finite resources by creating a balance between the surrounding industrial zone and the natural river residing on opposite side of the site.

Both visually and functionally, Edgeland Residence touches on architecture as site‐specific installation art and as an extension of the landscape. The program is broken up into two separate pavilions, for the living and sleeping quarters, and requires direct contact with the outside elements to pass from one to the other. This project sets new standards for sustainability while providing great aesthetic qualities through its small footprint and integrated mechanical features.

all images and info courtesy of Bercy Chen Studio

Bercy Chen Studio LP is an architecture & urban planning firm with design/build capabilities based in Austin, Texas founded in 2001 by partners Thomas Bercy and Calvin Chen

Capturing Summer In Paintings Of Lawn Chairs. Contemporary Realism and Impressionism by Cindy Rizza.

above: Cindy Rizza, 1972-2, Blue Stripe, Nonni, Peter, Pink Stripe, Uncle Bert, Harriet, Life Gives you Lemons, Yellow Chair, 1972, Flamingo, Pink Zig-Zig, Green Zig Zag, Rosa, Happy hour, *all sold

It's been awhile since I posted a new artist's paintings of chairs, one of my personal favorite subjects. That said, these empty lawn chairs by Cindy Rizza are the perfect way to bring some warmth to the blog during this cold winter. Beckoning to be sat upon, her oil paintings of outdoor folding and yard chairs echo the longing for summer afternoons.

The Hypo-Allergenic Baby Bubble Bed Is So Cute, It May Induce Pregnancy.

Snug as a bug in a .... bubble. A crib design ought not to be the impetus for getting pregnant, but this one comes awfully close.

This wonderfully cute modern rocking crib by Lana Agiyan is made of lightweight acrylic plastic coated with a special eco-friendly polymer that repels dirt and scratches, making it easy to clean with a soft cloth and safe for baby. The mattress cover is made of pure wool and is filled with buckwheat hulls providing additional support that is naturally antibacterial, hypo-allergenic, anti-fungal, breathable, insulating, odor resisting, and also stimulates healthy blood flow.



Children's furniture designer Lana Agiyan describes her inspiration behind the Baby Bubble Bed:
"The image of a baby, nestled in a cloud of soap bubbles, inspired me to go beyound the traditional interpretation of a crib. The bed I've created is not only a futuristic toy, it is also a functional and emotion-evoking child care appliance. You can rock your baby to sleep and watch him or her cuddle on the cloud-like pillow through transparent bassinet. The cradle's construction resembles a traditional russian tumbler-toy "Nevalyashka" (shown below).



Like The Tradition Russian Toy, the Bubble Bed slightly rocks at all sides, but returns to the upright position with a plexiglas weight center. To prevent the bed from declining when baby is already asleep, there is a soft stopper. For easier handling, the weight center consists of several layers, that are not heavy separately, but weight 15 kg when assembled. The cradle is designed for children from birth to 5 months, after that age it can be used as a toy storage or a swing."






Material
Acrylic plastic is widely used in medical appliances for children. It's lightweight, hygienic, easy to wash and strong. To prevent plastic from scratches, that could damage the crib's appearance and moreover would make it more difficult to wash and disinfect, there is a special innovative coating.

Coating
Together with an Estonian factory Nanoformula we've made a special nano tech coating for the cradle. Treated surface of the crib obtain improved optical transparency, repel dirt and can be cleaned with just a dry cloth, without use of chemical detergents. Due to photocatalytic effect of nano particles of titanium dioxide, contained in the liquid polymer base, the coating degrades dirt and air pollution on sunshine. This happens when exposed to sun surfaces start ionizing the air around, purifying it from pollution and smells. Moreover, the liquid polymer fills scratches, making them invisible and protects the surface against future damage. This coating is absolutely safe for children, eco -friendly and certified for EU.

Mattress
The mat cover is made of pure wool, soft and warm, for the comfort of little-ones. Inside there is a layer of buckwheat hulls. This feature gives additional support to the mattress, that should be firm enough for the safety on newborns laying facedown. Buckwheat hulls filling is ideal surface for babies. It's naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic, anti fungal, breathable, insulating and odor resisting. It also simulates healthy blood flow.

Manufacturing
All the parts of the cradle were designed for industrial low - cost manufacturing (blow moulding, vacuum thermoforming and cpu milling).

The Baby Bubble Bed is soon to be manufactured under the brand Bounce but will only be available in the Russian Federation.



Lana Agiyan has two other whimsical and sweet designs for children, you can check them out at her site here.

Water Discus Is Another Proposed Underwater Hotel. Will Someone Please Build One Of These? 27 Awesome Images.

Water Discus is yet another proposed underwater hotel which, like the previous ones I've posted, would amaze me if it ever comes to fruition*.

*(note that previous underwater and floating architectural companies I have blogged about, Aquadomi and Oceanic Creations have since disappeared or declared bankruptcy)



DOT (Deep Ocean Technology) explains the rationale behind the concept: “Top-rated resorts offering luxurious conditions and amenities have become the new standard for active leisure. A wide selection of luxury hotels can be found in virtually every part of the world. But we bring you a deluxe hotel combined with a real marine adventure and breath-taking views found only in the heart of the ocean.”




The view from your room:


The Water Discus has been designed by Deep Ocean Technology in Gdynia, Poland, which has patented the modular design comprised of two discs - an underwater and above-water one.




This combination will allow guests to admire the depths of the ocean while making the most of the warm climate. The two parts of the structure are connected by five solid legs and a vertical shaft containing a lift and stairway. The size of each disc has been adjusted to local conditions.

The Surroundings:


The complex is surrounded by a beautifully vibrant coral reef. This unique location will allow you to enjoy the tropical weather and the colourful underwater world, which is just within your reach and will engage all your senses.

Accommodations:
The disc, located up to 10 metres beneath the surface of the sea, is composed of 21 hotel rooms adjacent to the underwater dive centre and a bar. Each room is integrated with the underwater world as closely as possible, offering a surprisingly direct, yet safe contact with the local flora and fauna.








Special lighting system of the area around the room and the miniature underwater vehicles which can be operated from inside will allow you to take a closer look at even the most microscopic underwater creatures using macro photography. We also ensure that our guests can protect their privacy whenever necessary. All rooms are sound-proof and have curtains of different levels of transparency.

Entertainment:


The disc and its adjacent satellites located 5 - 7 metres above the water surface comprise a restaurant, a spa and a special recreation area.



A multifunctional lobby built inside an enormous swimming pool shows the centre of the disc. The area around the underwater part of the complex and diving activities may be watched as they happen on the screens hanging on the lobby walls.





This part of the complex is connected to the satellites with awe-inspiring glass-walled tunnels cutting through a training pool for divers. Its rooftop includes seawater swimming pools (integrated with the training pool). Finally, there is also an exotic garden offering a moment's rest before going back to extreme experiences.





Cuisine
Our elegant and spacious restaurant is a perfect place to regenerate body and soul after a day filled with exciting diving excursions or energetic water sports. The restaurant is located in one of the satellites of the upper discs. Like all rooms in the complex, it offers a magnificent panoramic view.



Module structure
Due to its unique design, Water Discus can be expanded into a bigger resort complex. One of its most notable advantages is that it can be customised to suit the surroundings and the clients.



A single Water Discus is an independent structure with a usable area of approximately 1000 m2 fully equipped to ensure a high level of safety and comfort. It can serve as an individual module - a component of a bigger complex.





Space
A number of such individual modules may be used to build a hotel complex of minimum 2000 m2, which can be further extended with additional modules (1000 - 1500 m2 each).

Location
The aforementioned complex may be constructed anywhere in the world. Each design will be tailor-made to suit its future users and local conditions, such as the shape of the coastal line and depth of water around the coral reef.

Mobility
If any changes in environmental or economic conditions occur, the Water Discus modules can be transferred to a different place. This offers a unique opportunity to live underwater on a permanent basis with unlimited options to change locations. The mobility makes changes in interior design of a hotel much easier, as any disc can be detached and replaced with a new one.

images courtesy of DOT and Trojmiasto

Promotional animated video: