360 DEGREES Weblog

The new project by GDS Architects can easily be dubbed as the 8th wonder of the world for its architectural excellence. It is a myth of an old magic trick made real with the aid of superlative technology. The world’s first invisible tower that is currently in its planning stage is somewhat a phallic crystalline tower emanating an angelic glow that uses optical technology to make the structures see-through as a curtain of mesh. The Eco Prism hosts an extensive program of cultural, sports, and ecological activities in invisibility. Unlike other entities that showcase themselves as the “Tallest or Most expensive towers”, the tower subtly demonstrates Korea’s rising position in the world by establishing its most powerful presence through diminishing its presence. Standing at 450 meters tall and spanning over 145,500 square meters, this magnificent structure is going to go far from unnoticed with a completion date set for 2014.

Danish based Big Architects has revealed plans to develop the Levi Resort in Lapland. Named the Koutalaki Ski Village, the futuristic development will sit on the mountain ridge of the Levi Ski center overlooking the surrounding landscape and Sirkka village in the municipality of Kittila. The design seeks to create a new hybrid resort which integrates the village with roof top skiing.

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The current resort denies alpine skiers direct access to the slopes on skis or snowboards, whilst the flat landscape means they need to use lots off effort to move from one point to the next. Big Architects have addressed this issue by proposing to create a man-made “peak” where skiers can access the slopes easily and choose which direction they wish to go. Creating this peak and raising the landscape also opens up several possibilities for developing the space underneath it. By extending the existing cluster of buildings located on the summit, the architects will also create a new central square at the heart of the village.

The architectural plans include a futuristic circular structure that will offer guests stunning 360 degree views of the slopes and roof top skiing with elevator access. The structure is defined by four individual peaks which offer skiers the option to travel downhill, whilst the buildings extend parallel to each other to create a sequence of intertwining streets. The two northwest structures are lower, allowing views in the direction of Sirkka village, with all four buildings offering uninterrupted views of the vast mountainous landscape.

Portugal’s OODA architectural firm has conceptualized a Disaster Education Centre that also doubles as an emergency shelter in the event of a real-life disaster. The center has been designed for the city of Istanbul and would be fully equipped with adequate technology and facilities to respond to a natural emergency. The center focuses on educating the public about disasters, with a special focus on earthquakes and floods. The design of the building reflects this theme, resembling an emergency cross symbol that has fallen onto its side, as if affected by an earthquake.

Creative Valley is located in Utrecht the Netherlands and has just been awarded the Rietveld Award 2011. Designed by GENT&MONK architects it gives it tenants a creative place to work and live.

Visit CreativeValley for a closer look

Why tear down an abandoned church, when you can transform it into a beautiful modern home? The incredibly talented team over at Zecc Architecten “repurposed and converted two abandoned churches located in Utrecht, Netherlands into stylish family residences.” Click here to see more. In related news

Korean architect Eun Young Yi’s proposal was selected in 1999 from 235 competition entries as the plan for the new central library of the City of Stuttgart.

The building of the 80-million Euro (about $108 mil. US) Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz  began three years ago and the opening ceremonies took place last month. Yi has created a monolithic cube with two floors underground and nine above. Essentially all of the building, both inside and out is white. The main library floors circle an open-plan with the levels connected by open staircases. Books line the outer walls of each floor. As a cool nod to the fact that the building is a storehouse of words, the word “library” is installed in four languages on the outside walls. On the North wall in German (the local language), West in English (lingua franca), South in Arabic (the language of ancient knowledge and of Stuttgart’s sister city, Cairo) and East in Korean (Yi’s native language). Yi’s company, Yi Architects is based in Cologne and Seoul. Its work includes public projects ranging from museums and universities to offices and city plans.

Thanks Coolhunter

This stunning house, perched on the hillside above Lake Lugano in Switzerland, certainly takes advantage of the views of the lake and the idyllic, historic village of Brusino Arsizio with its population just under 500.

The residence and office, designed by Milan-based architect Jacopo Mascheroni of JM Architecture for a financial consultant and her family, consists of two sections: a rounded glass pavilion and a reinforced concrete structure that is partially inserted into the mountain.

A 3,700 square-foot glass house forms the most visible part of the residence and resembles a viewing pavilion of a major sightseeing attraction. It is an open-concept living space, with a white-walled central section that contains the kitchen, bathroom, stairway, storage and mechanical room.

The underground level houses the entry hall, three bedrooms, two baths, an office, laundry, staircase, and playroom. The bedrooms open to an inner courtyard garden.

Radiant heating, use of natural light, geothermal heat pumps and a rainwater collection system are the main environmentally friendly features of the structure.

Jacopo Mascheroni was born in 1974 in Milan and worked for Stanley Saitowitz/Natoma Architects in San Francisco and Richard Meier & Partners in New York City before founding JM Architecture in 2005.

Thanks Coolhunter

There’s something about gigantic indoor ski resorts that bring out the best in architects. Then again, a structure large enough to house a mountain steep enough for skiing is never going to be inconspicuous. So I guess you need to make them presentable. Or at the least, striking. Which Denmark-based firm C. F. Møller Architects has certainly done with Sweden’s new Skipark 360. When completed in a few years (construction starts in late 2013) the $220+ million structure will be the largest indoor ski resort on the planet. And with an almost 2,300 foot run that drops over 500 feet, it will actually be large enough to stage World Cup caliber ski events.

But you don’t build a structure this massive for just one purpose. In addition to the downhill course, the SkiPark 360 will also feature 2.2 miles of cross-country skiing tunnels, dedicated slopes for those no-goodnik snowboarders, ice rinks, spas, and conference facilities. And because it’s being built in Bålsta, a small town located about 40 minutes outside of Stockholm, it’s also got a few hotel rooms because I’m suspecting most of the clientele won’t be local.

Besides tourism, the Skipark 360 is being built as a response to climate change which has been detrimental to the area’s ski industry. So not only will it provide the perfect ski conditions to visitors and professional athletes all year round, but it will do so in a manner that’s environmentally friendly. Ideally the resort will be completely self sufficient using renewable energy sources like solar, wind & hydro power, as well as geothermal for heating.

French architect Odile Decq (born 1955) and her late partner, architect and doctor Benoit Cornette (1953-1998) have never feared bold, big, challenging projects.

This year, Decq who continues to lead Odile DECQ Benoit CORNETTE:Architectes Urbanistes in Paris, completed a task that has apparently eluded designers and architects since 1875.

She designed the spectacular L’Opéra Restaurant, located in one of the most famous buildings in opera, the 1,600-seat L’Opéra Garnier, on Place de l’Opéra in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris.

The 6 million Euro (about $8.2 million US), three-year-long project was completed this summer. The most significant features of the restaurant are the magnificent glass curtain walls that protect the original stone; the curved structures that define the new space and also create the seating areas and even some of the seating; and the simple use of white and red. The result is both minimal and grandiose, contemporary and historic. From some angles, the curvy structures create a cave-like view, perhaps a reference to the Phantom’s subterranean world.

Thank you Coolhunter

Created by architect Didier Faustino this billboard swing is really a spectacular!