Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2024 i AZURE

The city of Rome is as vast and sprawling as it is ancient. And while the centre may feel like a living archaeological museum, once you move outward, the urban fabric shifts into a patchwork of modern housing blocks, Fascist Era monuments and lesser-known deposits of crumbling Roman ruins. Equidistant from the historic centre and the Lazio coastline is the small suburb of Tor de’ Cenci, a green lung on the metropolis’s southern periphery. It’s here, far from the hectic heart of the Italian capital, that a Sicily-born couple who work as a criminal lawyer and a financial consultant chose to set down roots in a 1980s apartment building. After discovering the Rome-based firm StudioTamat — made up of Tommaso Amato, Matteo Soddu and Valentina Paiola — on social media, the…

There’s an emotional connection to the kitchen table that’s quite unlike the one to any other piece of furniture. From intimate family meals to boisterous dinner parties with friends, it’s a setting for connection and comfort, a spot to share thoughts, creativity and celebration. It’s also where Toronto architect Deborah Wang and her long-time friends Andrew Sardone and Philip Sparks began chatting about the latter couple’s kitchen renovation. After living in their 84-square-metre, one-bedroom condo in a converted Victorian-era church in the city’s Junction neighbourhood since 2014, Sardone and Sparks had outgrown their kitchen in function and aesthetic. “It was a standard condo kitchen designed for a future unknown inhabitant,” Wang says of the formerly dated space with heavy granite countertops, dark brown cabinets and prominent appliances. “It was not…

Deforestation. Habitat loss. Flooding. Air pollution. While the consequences of climate change are global in scope, few places are as acutely affected as Thailand. Across the country, poor air quality takes a major toll on quality of life and is responsible for some 50,000 deaths each year; the economic impact of pollution is estimated at as much as six per cent of the nation’s GDP. And in Bangkok, the high concentration of industry, waste and vehicles amplifies many of the risks. In the city’s core, however, a 42.3-hectare public park now introduces a regenerative “green lung” on the site of a former tobacco factory. Designed by Beijing-based Turenscape with local practice Arsomsilp Landscape Studio, the intervention restores the natural swampland that existed here long ago. As the city industrialized, that…

For Teeple Architects and Lateral Office, the vision for the Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre was rooted in collaboration. Every two weeks, the architects convened with an Inuit Design Advisory Council comprising Theresie Tungilik, Goretti Kakuktinniq, Special Kusugak, Rassi Nashalik, Jessica Kotierk, Shirley Tagalik and Attima Hadlari. It started with conversations, which set out the groundwork for a new cultural landmark. The space would be welcoming to all and feel like home while celebrating the traditions and objects of Inuit culture and creating connection between the indoors and the natural realm. After the initial dialogue helped to shape the project’s priorities, the advisory council remained a key part of the design process. Collectively, the group developed a set of playing cards — representing ideas such as “Preserving Traditional Crafts,” “Working with…

Considered the beating heart of Canada’s steel industry for more than 100 years, Hamilton, Ontario, known colloquially as Steeltown, is undergoing a reinvention, and the massive Steelport master plan for the harbourfront is playing a vital — and vitalizing — role. Led by developer Slate Asset Management, Steelport will transform some 324 hectares of shore-line along Hamilton Harbour, a heavy-industry area that had been home to the Stelco steel plant (and its various owners and monikers) since its founding in 1910. The ambition for the development is to set a stage for new commercial activity in the area, one that incorporates an industrial park as well as diverse and resilient landscapes and trails, a revitalized waterfront and other public spaces to foster a vibrant community hub. When PUBLIC WORK became…

“Given the density of Tokyo, I love this additive approach. In terms of social good, it’s tremendous: very forward-thinking and skilled.”—SHIRLEY BLUMBERG In Japan, a staggering number of single mothers — nearly 50 per cent — live in poverty; a significant proportion even take up residence in Internet cafés. This thoroughly researched and comprehensive proposal aims not only to better the situation for these women but also to refashion the urban land-scape in order to overcome the gender inequalities and economic disparities that landed them here in the first place. Focusing on Shinjuku City in Tokyo, University of Cambridge student Xidian Wang undertook three months of fieldwork to develop a concept that positions shared living spaces as an effective means to lift single mothers out of impoverishment by reconstructing the…

Linear Suspensions 1 Lithe 2-Sided Pendant Casting light upward and downward simultaneously, the Lithe pendant has an industrial elegance that references an engineering and architectural building staple: the steel H-beam. Materials Aluminum in natural anodized, textured black or textured white Dimensions 91.4, 121.9, 182.8 or 243.8 L Manufacturer Sonneman, sonnemanlight.com 2 Fris With Fris, by Barcelona designer Joan Gaspar, a slender transparent glass tube contains the light source and a parabola that projects it with crisp intensity. Each cylinder is suspended from a strap, and several can be lined up, stacked horizontally or intersected to form multi-purpose systems. Materials Aluminum in black or bronze; glass Dimensions 80, 155 or 215 L Manufacturer Marset, marset.com 3 OG 18 ga Designed by Omar Gandhi Architects in collaboration with Aaline, the OG 18…

Departure Gate Even before the fog machines kicked in and filled the air with a gentle mist, Lasvit’s showcase in the courtyard of Palazzo Isimbardi was an exercise in ethereal magic. Demonstrating the full extent of the Czech glass-maker’s powers, a line-up of supersize, door-way-shaped panels (some encased in Corten steel and almost five metres high, others freestanding) stood like portals in a cosmic warp room, as if ready and waiting to transport visitors to distant corners of the world. In a way, the fused glass frames, fabricated in Europe’s largest kiln, were indeed a teaser of other, far-off attractions. Lasvit art director Maxim Velčovský designed the installation (dubbed Porta) to market the company’s architectural fabrication capabilities, encouraging potential collaborators to dream up their own similarly ambitious projects. Closer inspection…

NAMI Recalling the impressive force of a wave, Nami, by Yabu Pushelberg for Eggersmann, expertly blends Japanese styling with German engineering. Stepping away from convention, the dramatically cantilevered island reimagines the function of a space without dictating composition. Made from natural stone, the sculptural object was designed in conjunction with the Murphy-style depot pocket door (not shown), a “theatrical” system that can conceal or reveal the working side of the kitchen while letting the island take centre stage. MDI Made from select fine minerals (and 40 to 50 per cent recycled materials) that have been fused at high temperatures, Inalco’s MDi (for “minerals, design, innovation”) is a sustainable alternative to natural stone. Now offered for a range of Valcucine kitchen models, the material has an extraordinary texture and achieves visual…

Urban areas often exhibit elevated temperatures compared to their rural surroundings, a phenomenon known as Heat Island Effect. This arises from anthropogenic activities and heat-retentive materials like asphalt and concrete. In Canada, this presents unique challenges, particularly with climate change and urbanization. At Architek, we deliver innovative solutions to ameliorate Heat Island Effect, enhancing the habitability of Canadian cities. How Can Living Architecture and a Biophilic Approach Cool Our Hottest Cities? Living architecture, including green roofs, walls, facades, and other vegetated elements, along with a biophilic urban design, plays a significant role in mitigating Heat Island Effect. Biophilic design integrates natural elements into urban spaces, fostering a connection between people and nature, reducing stress, improving mental well-being, and enhancing overall quality of life. Understanding Heat Island Effect. This is a…

“I used to be a rower, so I love being inside training and looking out at the water. I think that’s what’s really beautiful about this project. Isn’t that great?”—WANDA DALLA COSTA At its best, the built environment can amplify a landscape’s natural beauty. On the southern shores of Lake Ontario, tucked between the open water of the Great Lakes and the tranquility of Martindale Pond, the waterfront community of Port Dalhousie has always been a picturesque setting. Home to the two-kilometre Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course since 1903, it recently saw the introduction of the Neil Campbell Rowing Centre — which makes it feel more majestic than ever. A graceful, transparent pavilion topped by a minimalist cantilevered roof, the 530-square-metre centre — which houses a well-equipped sports facility as…

“It shows how a simple tool can add visual delight into this peak winter setting — creating a public space where people can come out and engage in winter. It’s a simple idea, but very exciting.”— SIDHARTHA TALWAR Looping and lyrical, Divergence dramatically stood out like an abstract signature on the crisp icy surface at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Completed as part of the 2021 edition of the city’s annual Warming Huts competition, the temporary landscape installation encouraged visitors to engage in the simple winter pastime of ice-skating in a more dynamic, unexpected and truly convivial way. Located at what is known as the Forks, an Aboriginal meeting place dating back thousands of years at the junction of the two major rivers that…

“For a bar setting, the way it uses colour and light — in the main space and in all its transitional spaces — is quite exciting.”—EVAN JERRY Nightlife, by nature, only springs into action once the sun goes down — making lighting a crucial part of any clubbing experience. But for a dance floor to achieve the right atmosphere, it must strike a balance between illumination and intrigue. The solution: Capture lightning in a bottle, recreating that moment when the evening sky is cracked open by a brilliant flash. In their concept for a new hot spot in Saint Petersburg, design studio DA Bureau and lighting specialists Yarko worked together to emulate a variety of bright natural phenomena. Bringing shadowy mystique and radiant spark together under the same roof, the…

“For me, the Liminal House achieves an original expression.”—HÉCTOR ESRAWE On a site located between the suburban streets of West Vancouver and the rocky shores of the Pacific Ocean, Liminal House can be said to straddle land and sea — which is perfectly apt: Local architecture firm McLeod Bovell designed the home for a soon-to-be-empty-nester couple, clients in the middle of a major shift in living circumstances. The liminal nature of the design itself, therefore, has both symbolic and material significance. It reflects the family’s evolving needs by embodying the state of transition at a conceptual and experiential level. The firm has created a striking project, inside and out, via the “orchestration of movement through space,” as they say, “and in the moments between from and to.” Inspired by a…

“This intervention solves a gap in the urban fabric — and does so with an elegant solution that recognizes the pedestrian as priority while also adding a new green landscape to the concrete jungle of Manhattan.”—JENNIFER KEESMAAT One of New York City’s most beloved public amenities, the High Line, was until recently missing a vital connection: To reach it from Moynihan Train Hall, the city’s busiest rail hub, commuters had to brave a series of high-traffic roads, including the Lincoln Tunnel entrance. Now, they can easily access the pedestrian amenity, thanks to the Moynihan Connector — a pair of footbridges designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Field Operations. Tacked onto the High Line Spur, the project integrates 183 metres of infrastructure and green space into the urban fabric.…

RISE UP borrows its name from the Rockaways Initiative for Sustainability and Equity. The not-forprofit is the heart of this project, which goes beyond architecture to encompass a design process for bolstering deep engagement with the environment. Hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and subsequent extreme weather events, the Rockaways, in Queens, New York, have re-emerged thanks to the work of community organizations like RISE. The New York firm WXY architecture+ urban design initially engaged with these groups when it designed the nine-kilometre Rockaway Boardwalk, a first step in providing new climate-resilient infrastructure for the area. Taking shape more recently, the RISE UP project encompasses the two interconnected designs of the Arverne Nature Center and the Greater Rockaway Coastal Resilience Plan, the latter an environmental stewardship program co-developed with ecologists at…

Tosin Oshinowo Renowned for her insights into socially responsive approaches to architecture, design and urbanism, Tosin Oshinowo is a Lagos-based Nigerian architect and designer. The founder and principal of Oshinowo Studio, which she formed in 2013, she has worked on a number of civic, commercial and residential projects throughout her country. One of her most impactful projects is her design for an entirely new community in northern Nigeria. Re-establishing a village displaced by Boko Haram, it was created in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. Julie Bargmann Julie Bargmann is a leader in the design and building of regenerative landscapes, as well as a rigorous, adventuresome educator. She founded the globally renowned D.I.R.T. studio in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1992 to execute projects with the vision and unflinching honesty that…

Magic and pragmatism: In this two-part home in stunning Valle de Bravo, Mexico, the poetic and the quotidian commingle in wondrous ways. Copas is composed of two main pavilions, one nestled into the terrain of its wooded site, the other seeming to rise above the first. The lower volume houses the bedrooms. Connected to it by a retaining wall, with access from the ground via an open staircase, the upper volume contains the “public” areas. “It’s reminiscent of climbing a mountain,” say the architects, Mexican firm PPAA, in describing the concept. “As you ascend, you discover the breathtaking views.” With generous glazing that provides sightlines to both the canopy in which it is ensconced and the vast landscape beyond, the upper volume appears as though camouflaged in its setting —…

“There are some very beautiful elements in how they thought about the pedestrian in relation to the street, including the detail of the marble seat on the side of the guesthouse.”— TOSIN OSHINOWO Nantou City is a palimpsest of past and present, its many lives coexisting and layered over one another. Filled with remnants of pre-industrial settlements, the chéngzhōngcūn (or “urban village”) in the middle of hectic Shenzhen features numerous time-worn buildings undergoing transformation in what constitutes an adaptive re-use project on a neighbourhood scale. In this milieu, Neri&Hu, masters of putting past in dynamic dialogue with present and future, has breathed new life into a destitute high-rise. Called Incision, the project is inspired by the character of the street. “Scenes of the everyday — people, objects and their settings…

“It takes you into a different universe. I can’t think of another project that looks like it!”—EVAN JERRY Save for its address, you would never know that Artifact Bar is located on this planet, let alone inside a food hall at the base of a Hong Kong office tower. With its moody atmosphere and futuristic forms, courtesy of NC Design & Architecture, the awe-inspiring interior looks like something out of a sci-fi film. The entrance sets the scene: Accessed via a secret passage that leads to the basement, it features walls lined with circular windows that recall industrial pipes; a pendant light resembling a surveillance camera adds a sense of mystery. Inside, the speakeasy leans into its subterranean setting, taking design cues from the rhythm and repetition of underwater cisterns.…

“It’s very thoughtful, clever and compact, and it gives complete choice to its residents.”—SHIRLEY BLUMBERG In response to a competition brief by the United Nations Migration Agency, a team of architecture students, led by Temitope Akinsiku, designed this ingenious housing solution for over three million people displaced by violence in North East Nigeria. Their winning proposal, inspired by the vernacular architecture of the Hausa people (one of the region’s dominant ethnic groups), harnesses local design ideologies including tectonics, spatial organization and sustainability strategies to thoughtfully address the socio-cultural context. Each property hosts an L-shaped module built using low-cost compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) made from soil, sand, water and cement for strength. The unit contains three bedrooms and a living room that opens up to a shaded veranda, which can…

Doors 1 CP130 Lift & Slide 1 2 3 Offered in pocket, corner and two-, three- or four-track configurations with max panel heights of over 3.05 metres, this lift–slide door (shown in a Muskoka cottage designed by BA Collective) descends on its interior profile when closed for excellent water- and wind-tightness. tiltco.com 2 ASE 80.HI The latest generation of Schüco’s European-engineered lift-and-slide system includes optional technology that automatically closes the door when it slides within a certain range. Concealed fittings maintain a clean aesthetic while thermal insulation meets demanding Passive House standards. bigfootdoor.com 3 Retractable Screen Tested for 25,000 cycles, Andersen’s durable, tear-resistant screen cloth is engineered to integrate with any of the manufacturer’s 200 Series, 400 Series and A-Series gliding patio doors. Adding to the screen’s versatility, its hardware…

The making of fufu, a cassava delicacy of West Africa, entails teamwork. Even if you approach it as a duo, one of you will be pounding the starch with a large mortar and pestle while the other regularly folds the resulting dough for an even texture. There is a rhythm to the process, a synchronous energy that is cultivated alongside the hearty meal. For British-Ghanaian designer Giles Tettey Nartey, this humble activity deserves reverence. His Communion project, part of an ongoing series called Artefacts of Ritual, presents a sculptural setting for the making of fufu, with integrated stools, mortars and pestles. Soft, sensual and seemingly moulded in plastic, it is actually crafted in black-stained American maple — a stunning work of furniture–architecture that conveys deep symbolism. Part of Wallpaper’s Class…