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 …

Brittlebush, Simon De Aguero

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Rammed earth

Material used: Steel, rammed earth, wood.

Properties of material: Approximately 90% of the steel in the project was salvaged from the school scrap yard; 100% of the rammed earth for the walls was from the school property; 100% of the wood used for the formwork was salvaged from onsite renovation waste.

Lace And Fashion International City, Moatti & Riviere

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Glass silk screen.

Material used: The screen-printed glass wall was developed specifically to embellish the city’s history in lace making

Properties of material: Reinforced glass

Open Air Library, Karo

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Recycled beer crates.

Originally developed from an installation of beer crates, the Open Air Library reused the façade of an old warehouse in the same neighborhood.

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.

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.

Spry House, Durbach Block Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest:Cedar slats / vertical bands of glass.

Properties of material: Local material

American Folk Art Museum, Tod Williams, Billie Tsien

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Tombasil.

Material used: Commercially produced white bronze alloy (57% copper content) used for boat propellers, fire hose nozzles, and grave markers Manufactured and fabricated at the Tallix foundry in Beacon, NY with Peter Sylvester, Vinnie Nardone, and Peter Holmstead Initially tried pouring directly onto concrete and steel plates, however, heat caused water entrapped in the concrete to explode and the steel plates to warp and buckle Developed sand molds taken from concrete and steel.

Properties of material: Warm and silvery

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.

Vals Thermal Baths, Peter Zumthor

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Valser Quartzrite.

Properties of material: This stone unique to the area has an unique blend of quartz and feldspar crystals giving it a green hue.