Architecture Commons^™

Wood Masonry, Michael Halls

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Cordwood masonry.

Material used: Cordwood Masonry is a traditional construction method where cordwood logs are laid sideways in a bed of mortar. The process is said to be low in carbon and highly insulating, due to the thickness of the walls

Properties of material: One of cordwood masonry’s biggest advantage for local builders is the easy accessibility of the materials. Wood does not need to be highly processed, and simple firewood is usually sufficient. Mortar mixes are also easily accessible to the general public, which is why cordwood masonry is popular in rural, self-built homes. It is …

Arcus Center For Social Justice Leadership, Studio Gang Architects

Building Case Studies

Properties of material: The gently curving walls connecting these façades are constructed with wood masonry – a regional, traditional building method that incorporates local, sustainably harvested white cedar. This is the first instance that this building technique, which is both low-carbon and highly insulating,

Blue Planet Aquarium, 3xn

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: Aluminum plates

Properties of material: Durable, and after renovation the Blue Planet will be one of Denmark’s five most prominent tourist attractions.

Para Eco House, Tongji University Team

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Green walls. Material used: Wood plates, vegetation

Propertiesof material: Perforated walls, the concept of creating a multi-layer skin emerges from a combination of Dao theory in eastern philosophy and the theories of Michel Foucault in western thought, especially the ideas of autonomy in architecture.

Cooper Union Building, Morphosis

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: Perforated stainless steel

Properties of material: The steel skin is separated from an inner wall of glass and aluminum to permit light and views for people inside the space. The steel panels act to reduce heat gains in summer and insulate the interior in winter. The panels are also operable, allowing people to open them for additional ventilation and lighting.

The School Of Visual Arts Of Oaxaca, Mauricio Rocha

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Compacted earth

Material used: Stone & compacted earth.

Properties of material: This organic material not only gives the buildings its character, with its irregularities and textures, but also provides a construction system that contributes to creating a microclimate that is perfect for the extreme climatic conditions of Oaxaca city, as well as acoustically isolating the classrooms.

Beijing National Aquatics Center, Ptw Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: ETFE-Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

Material used: Steel space frame, Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

Properties of material: High corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range. Translucent

Residence In Garrison, Ny, Toshiko Mori Architect

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Aluminum panel siding. Material used: Alucobond compost panel; The house is made up of two distinct volumes clad in concrete, masonry, and glass to differentiate public space from private space in this steel-framed residence. The material of interest is ‘Aluminum Composite Material’ (ACM) containing two sheets of .02” aluminum thermo bonded to a polyethylene core in a continuous process

Properties of material: Durable, water resistant, structural

Carabanchel Housing, Foreign Office Architects, Elejandro Zaera-Polo, Farshid Moussavi

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Bamboo louver

Properties of material: It's eco-friendly and it's comfortingly cozy. Operating within a severely limited budget.The primary architectural effect of the building is not dependent on the architects vision, but as an effect of the inhabitants choice, as if the facade was a register at any given moment of a cumulative effect of individuals choices.

Casa Kiké, Gianni Botsford

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: Corrugated steel, hard wood

Properties of material: Corrugated steel is a weather resistant steel siding manufactured in a wave pattern for strength and rigidity. It looks great when combined with natural or engineered wood products.

Ave Fenix Fire Station, At 103, Bgp Arqitectura

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Chrome plates.

Chokkura Plaza, Kengo Kuma And Associates

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Ooya stone.

Material used: Ooya stone, steel, glass.

Properties of material: Unlike other stones, the Ooya stone is soft to touch with its softest portion- the ‘miso’- formed of soil trapped within it. It also has holes similar to a sponge with the ‘miso’ being the largest of these. Owing to these openings, the stone surface is rather broken up in its texture.

Keenan Tower House, Marlon Blackwell

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: White oak

Properties of material: The Tower House was proposed as “a house among the trees”. The structure and exterior facade is clearly defined against the sky and surrounding landscape.

Jean Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center, Rpbw Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Iroko wood

Material used: Laminated wood and natural wood, concrete, coral, aluminum castings, glass panels, tree bark and stainless steel

Properties of material: The iroko (Clorophora excelsa) timber used extensively was imported from Africa (native to tropical Africa, from Sierra Leone to Tanzania); it was decided to use iroko because it was durable, and mostly resistant to attack by insects, fungi and mould.

Institut Du Monde Arabe, Jean Nouvel

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Metal panel.

Properties of material: A shifting geometric pattern is formed and showcased as both light and void. Squares, circles, and octagonal shapes are produced in a fluid motion as light is modulated

Us Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (Som)

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Custom clear aluminum panels, colored glass in aluminum frame.

Material used: The tetrahedrons are each 75 feet long and weigh five tons. They are enclosed with aluminum panels and spaced a foot apart. The gaps in between these tetrahedrons are filled with colored glass, reflecting the light of the chapel.

Properties of material: Durable

Horyuji Temple For Prince Shotoku In Kansai, Japan, Prince Shotoku

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: Wood

Properties of material: This is the oldest wooden structure. It was constructed with natural materials using traditional methods of construction.