Extreme Environment Architecture

Extreme environment architectural structures is the recent trend in architecture. Prefab shelters and hotels for alpinists are already appearing or are in the plans specifically designed to provide the extreme environment such as mountains with some safe and roofed space where the alpinists can rest and find shelter.

One of such refuges has already been installed by LEAPfactory Gervasutti in Mont Blanc. Essentially a prefab pod Gervasutti features solar panels and a system that solves the energy issues as well as providing the chance to remote control and monitor it. The pod fetures the living/dining space, sleeping units, and a window which provides panoramic views of the mountains.

All LEAPfactory products are entirely prefabricated and conceived for “zero impact dwelling” especially in sensitive natural areas that need to be protected, in remote locations with no road access or where traditional permanent foundations should be avoided.

 Another such structure is Refuge du Goûter that is currently under construction process in Mont Blanc, France will be ready in 2013. Designed by Groupe H architects Refuge du Goûter will replace the old building that was constructed back in the 60′s. The changes to the design include the size of the building and the energy-consumption. The summer-only, energy and water efficient refuge for alpinists will be able to house 120 guests on its four floors once it’s completed.

 Margot Krasojević’s design project for Holden Manz Wine Estate Cape Town is an insect-like hanging hotel with a hanging tent.

Architecture: Garden Sheds

Garden sheds are becoming more and more popular and not only for storing gardening tools but for various purposes. Garden home office sheds are the first that come to mind. Prefabricated sheds make for great working space outside the home making for an effective home office. A garden shed can also serve as a family room or a gathering spot for friends and guests.

When designing a garden shed think about how it fits into the landscape. You can choose from the number of styles and shapes to create a truly beautiful and unique garden shed. The architectural details should also be thought through carefully. Windows give a garden shed more inviting look while glazed walls make for amazing gathring spot or lounge area.

 When designing a garden shed make sure it suits the size of your garden but also fulfills its functions. Too big garden shed will look out of place in the small garden while too small shed won’t fulfill functions of a family room.

 Garden shed architecture is getting more diverse. Modern style sheds are also possible especially in office pods. There are various features you can add to your garden shed to satisfy your needs. A creative shed can enhance the look of the garden as well as add other functions to your living space.

Ancient Architecture of India: Temples

Ever wondered what is so unique and picturesque about architecture of ancient India? In this post we will go into an adventurous tour to Indian most sacred and ancient architecture: temples of ancient India.

The architecture of Ancient Hindu templese is famous for its elaborate and exquisite small details.The history of ancient architecture spans on many thousands of years, and starts well before the era of Christ.Indian architecture has been crafted by many centuries by delicate proficiency. The theme of this particular topic is the Hindu temple architecture that appeared in around 1000 BC and continues its developments to present times.
A Hindu temple usually consists of an inner chamber, the Garbha Graha with the hidden shrine, a gathering hall and sometimes a porch. The concept of the Hindu temple carries the meaning of representing the micro and macrocosm. By the end of the first millennium there were two styles of building the temples: the northern Nagara style and Dravida southern style. They are mainly distinguished by the tower crowning, but the construction differs greatly. Let’s explore the differences between these two ancient pre-christian styles of India.

 The Northern style is prominent for its curvilinear shaped. The Nagara styled architecture is commonly seen throughout most India. The most famous elaborate shrine is Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. It was built approximately in 1050 BC, reaching up to more than 30 meters high. The name translates as cave for Kandara and Mahadeva, which is another name for Shiva. The temple looks magnificent, even though it is almost 3000 years of age.

 Dravida style is featuring smaller pavilions for the area that enshrouds the Temple. The Dravida styled architecture is conspicuous for its four main features: Vimanam, or the principal part. It has a square form and ends with a pyramid, the Mantapams – the porches, Gopurams – the gate pyramids that surrounds the principal part, and the ornament part of any temple – Chaultris, the pillared halls. Most temples have water containers for sacred purposes.

 The architecture of Ancient temples in India is very curvy and much elaborated with details, what makes these structures so interesting and attractive to tourists. However, what is more attractive is the rich history of these ancient buildings, which nourishes the ancient history archives and replenishes it with many new discoveries.

Architectural Project: Primorskiy Zoo in Saint Petersburg

Avoiding prison-like concepts the French team of architects has designed an oasis-like zoo, a project for construction of Primorskiy Zoo.. One of the oldest zoos in Russia, Saint Petersburg Zoo was founded in 1865 and inhabits more than 2,000 animals from 410 species. The zoo is located in the historical center of the city, which rises in population very quickly. It was decided that the zoo should be moved out of town.

Bruno Tanant and Jean Christophe Nani of TN PLUS and Aldric Beckmann and Françoise N’Thépé of Beckmann N’Thépé have come up with a great project inspired by Paleolithic Pangea, a continent which divided into five present continents. Each of the continents connected to each other will inhabit species that are found on these continents.
The domes that you can see on the picture above represent the islands or continents for animals. The area of the zoo will take 300 hectares. The location was chosen because of its rich water supply. This team has also designed a zoo in Helsinki in 2008.

10 Stylish Modern Cabins

Cabins have re-emerged in modern designs and now can function as houses in their own right. The architects and designers are creating not only functional but also stylish and beautiful. A cabin can make for a great retreat, a home office, a studio or a guest house.

Mountain Hill Cabin designed by Fantastic Norway is going to be located in the mountains, Ål, Norway in the area that can only be reached in winter on skiis. The building has a slooped rooftop which makes it suitable for skiing. The cabin will be installed late this summer.

 Another creation from Fatastic Norway is a Cabin Verdehaugen also located in the Norway. The cabin’s architecture responds to the environment and has complex shape and form.

 Log cabin by Thomas Mayer is a prefab music studio cabin designed by Piet Hein Eek. This log cabin is a fresh modern take on traditional wooden log cabins. It has retractable windows designed to closed the cabin entirely.

 Dalene Cabin by Tommie Wilhelmsen in Norway is made of wood and has an interesting architecture. Read and see more of Dalene Cabin

.Urban Cabin designed by Fábio Galeazzo located Brazil used to be an abandoned house remodeled into a colorful cabin with timber and granite. The cabin is located at a great site surrounded by greenery.

 Sunset Cbin by Taylor Smyth Architectsa is a stylish retreat that stands on a lake shore in Canada. The glass structure is covered by cedar slats through which the natural light, sunsets and sunrises can be seen. The interior is made in birch veneer plywood and includes a bed, storage and a stove.

Vashon Cabin by Vandeventer + Carlander Architects was constructed on a limited site but it turned out very stylish. The glazed walls provide the cabin with plenty of natural light while the wooden wall provides with privacy.

 This beautiful cabin by John Maniscalco Architecture in cedar and glass looks simply grand and stunning. It is a bit elevated thanks to a platform on which it stands. The cabin has two levels the first one covered with wood while the second in glass opening the views on snow landscape.

is a great personal retreat designed by Olson Kundig Architects. The glass-box square structure opens up to the surroundings while featuring retractable wooden panels that enclose the cabin when it’s not in use.

 Vermont Cabin by Resolution: 4 Architecture is a stylish prefab dwelling with no electricity or cell phone service which makes it an ultimate family getaway. The cabin is shaped as L dividing the public and private areas and features an outdoor terrace and big windows to let the natural light in.

10 Most Bizarre Buildings in the World

We already featured the top 10 list of most amazing buildings in the world, now it’s time for most bizarre architectural endeavors. Brace yourselves for most bizarre architectural creations in the world. But make no mistake by taking ‘bizarre’ in a negative way. Unusual and creative is always great

Royal Ontario Museum, Canada

Founded in 1912 the museum has grown into a large institution with rich galleries and collections. The original building was designed in Neo-Romanesque style while the wings and other buildings were designed and constructed later. The building that interests us a crystal-shaped building that was opened in 2007 and has a main entrance to the museum, seven galleries and gift shop along with cafe and restaurant. The structure made of 25 per cent glass and 75 per cent aluminum looks very modern with its more traditional counterparts. And although it looks like it’s going to devour the building next to it the Crystal doesn’t touch the other buildings.

House in Highgate Cemetery, England

Now the house itself doesn’t look bizarre, on the contrary it’s very modern and all except it’s overlooking a Highgate cemetery. This is an example of how a location of your house wraps it with an atmosphere. The house was designed by Eldridge Smerin firm of two architects Nick Eldridge and Piers Smerin.

Hole House in Texas, USA

“Hole house” or “Tunnel” house was a creation by Houston-based artists Dan Havel and Dean Ruck who decided to transform a soon-to-be-demolished house into a work of art. Creating a wormhole that goes through the house and ends at the backyard the artists achieved the effect of the house being sucked in by it. Unfortunately the installation was demolished in 2005.

Friendly Alien, Austria

Graz Art Museum or “Friendly Alien” was built in 2003 to honor European Capital of Culture celebrations. The creators Peter Cook and Colin Fournier have called the building “Friendly Alien” for an obvious reason. It’s form and materials are very different from it’s baroque-looking surroundings as well as it’s much different from “traditional” modern architecture, which often work in the concept of the so-called “White Cube”.

Gangster House, Russia

The tallest wooden house in Russia was built in 1995 by a millionaire Nikolai Sutiagin. This 12-story building was 38 meters high and had a separate 3-story bathhouse. There was a billiard room, dance room, and a number of lounges. When Sutiagin was asked why he has to build this “castle” he said he wanted to see the sea. One could really see the line of the White Sea that locates 40 km from Archangelsk, where the house was built. In 2008 the house was demolished by decision of the local court. The building was constructed without any engineering calculations since Sutiagin was he’s own designer and constructor.

Hang Nga Guest House (Crazy House), Vietnam

Hang Nga Guest House was designed by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga inspired by legendary architect Antoni Gaudí whose unconventional approach to architecture has given the world many beautiful strange buildings. The Hang Nga Guesthouse design incorporates curves, unconventional shapes and forms and angles. The building was also inspired by the organic surroundings so it also reminds a tree.

Wonderworks, USA

Wonderworks is an attraction of science exhibits that cover math, physics, space and other. The educational programs and exhibitions are presented in a recreational way. The Wonderworks sites are located in several different places and each feature various courses and entertaining things like laser tag.

Stone House, Portugal

This amazing building Stone House was built in Fafe mountains in Portugal. Two stones connected together have made a strange but beautiful-looking house.

Errante Guest House, Chile

There’s not much info about this bizarre Errante Guest House built in Chile but it looks absolutely amazing and unusual.

Torre Galatea, Spain

Torre Galatea is the Dali Theater and Museum named in honor of his wife and muse Gala. The original building housed a theater in hometown of Salvatore Dalí and it was one of the first places where Dali’s art was exhibited. The theater was ruined during Spanish Civil War and stayed in ruins until it was rebuilt into museum.

House Beautiful