Architecture Commons^™

Endesa Pavilion, Institute For Advanced Architecture Of Catalonia (Iaac)

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: Timber, solar panels

Properties of material: Wood was chosen as the primary material for the project due its organic qualities as an exhaustible natural resource as well as its easy workability. Ultimately, the pavilion is shielded from solar radiation in the summer months and then consumes solar radiation throughout the winter. Indirect sunlight produces a subtle ambiance in the interior. Designed to be fabricated using CNC machines, mathematical equations determined the precise orientation of the panels for the most beneficial solar penetration.

House Of Stone For Interni Thank Tank In Milan, Italy, John Pawson

Building Case Studies

Material of Interest: Stone

Material Used: Lithoverde

Properties of Material: The material is composed of 99% recycled granite and 1% natural soy resin. This material reuses a material (granite) that is otherwise dif- ficult to dispose of properly. It has a beautiful aesthetic and creates a sense of strength and serenity.

Formosa 1140 For Habitat Group Los Angeles, Llc In West Hollywood, California, Loha Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: metal.

Material used: Corrugated metal.

Properties of material: The careful placement of outer skin panels and inner skin fenestration creates a choreographed effect, both revealing and concealing, while achieving a unique expression of form and materials. The exterior skin also keeps west facing units cooler by acting as a screen and shading device.

Cahill Center For Astronomy And Astrophysics At Caltech, Morphosis

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Cement fiber panels.

Material used: Siwsspearl cement composite panels.

Properties of material: Over 40 year lifespan; Color stability and homogenous aging; 40% bonding agent, 11% additives including high quality pigments, 2% reinforcing fibers, 5% process fibers, 12% water, 30% air

Contemporary Jewish Museum, Studio Daniel Libeskind

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Stainless steel.

Material used: Blue Crossfire ColourTex Stainless Steel.

Properties of material: Stainless steel and metal products that can be manufactured with different finishes, textures, and colors; Typically contains 60% recycled material

Hemeroscopium House By Ensamble Studio, Ensamble Studio, Anton Garcia-Abril

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Prefabricated concrete beams.

Properties of material: Imposes “lightness” despite the heavy structural beams

Guru Bar, Klab Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Rusted steel

Properties of material: The rusting material of the façade is a metaphor for the transformation in a deteriorating phase . The building is also transformational with the kinetic movement of steel plates that open to form window shutters and doors.

Caixa Forum, Herzog & De Meuron

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Cast iron panels, embossed metal mesh.

Material used: Iron panels.

Properties of material: Cast Iron Panels were digitally fabricated with a patterned cut out to let light into the top levels.

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 Da Musica In Porto, Portugal, Rem Koolhaas

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Concrete

Material used: White concrete

Properties of material: White concrete is used to throughout the project on both interior and exterior walls. the surface is smooth and the pattern is regulated, creating a controlled transition from space to space.

Fendi, Peter Marino Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Textured glass, travertine.

Material used: Crystal Cognac glass with rain texture.

Properties of material: Due to the combination of the material’s texture and a backlight, the hallway glows magnificently.

Seattle Central Library, Rem Koolhaas, Office Of Metroplitan Architecture, Lmn Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Glass

Material used: OKATECH with expanded metal mesh.

Properties of material: Insulating glass with metal interlayer

Metropol Parasol In Seville, Spain, J. Mayer H. Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest and material used: Wood.

Properties of material: Wood panels with a polyurethane coating are intersected together to form parasols and canopies on the site.

486 Mina El Hosn, Lan Architects

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Perforated Sheet Metal Panels with Mirror Finish

Properties of material: The exterior skin consists of sliding perforated sheet metal panels with a mirror finish, acting as reflectors and protection against heat but also allowing light to enter. Depending on the play of natural light and viewpoints, the tower can physically reinvent itself in the changing light and points of view.

Louvre Glass Pyramid For The Louvre Museum In Paris, France, I.M. Pei

Building Case Studies

Material of interest: Glass.

Material used: Glass.

Properties of material: Glass panels in a Steel Frame form the modern element to this historic building. The two triangles, one interior and one exterior, reflect off the other to form a unique relationship.