This project tries to recreate the habitation spaces (an element per se container and generator of memories)， preserving the identity of the architectonic object already existent， but with a greater cosmopolitan and contemporaneous touch， searching a symbiosis between two languages chronologically distant， intending to create an “actualized” architectonic object belonging to the sensorial universe of this place from Porto city.
Thoroughly on the rural surroundings and the nearness to the nature the dwelling house， including the roof is wrapped up， totally in fine larch timber profiles. The structure and surface of the wood changes optically， according to weather and season. In the course of the time the facade of beige， brown， silver-grey about itself will change sometime totally to a dark grey whole appearance. To all colour default of the land-use plan are carried therefore calculation.
California-based Forward Design Office shared with us their design for a Monterey Residence in California.
The Monterey Residence reinterprets traditional hacienda architecture to create a contemporary design focused around an inner courtyard. The client’s concern for privacy， desire for an ocean view and performance requirements drive the aesthetic and organization of the residence.
The nursery is located in Nantes， on a woody parcel of 700 sqm， at the corner of two streets， in a residential area. The Architects opted for an original urban building， in harmony with the district. In this way， the nursery is based on a jewellery box: the high volumes seem to come unfolded from an initial central volume. It looks like a big house.
Located in the cultural center of Nanjing and in the immediate proximity of the historical Presidential Palace of today’s provincial capital， the new Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum is one of the most important museums in south-east China. It has space for temporary exhibitions and houses a permanent collection featuring traditional Chinese art， which illustrates the cultural wealth of Nanjing – one of the oldest cities in southern China.
SOM wins 2010 “Good Design is Good Business” China Award
The San Francisco office of Skidmore， Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) has received a 2010 “Good Design is Good Business” China Award for the new U.S. Embassy Complex in Beijing， China.
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing， which opened for the 2008 Beijing Olympics， received its award in the Best Public Project category. Working with the U.S. Department of State， SOM responded to the building’s diplomatic role by creating a space that is welcoming， secure， and respectful of local traditions. As a sovereign U.S. presence on Chinese soil， the Embassy reflects American cultural， social and political values while paying respect to the host country’s ancient and extraordinarily vibrant culture.
The project’s brief requested the conservation and valorization of Castelo Novo’s Castle and surroundings. Moreover， it suggested also the creation of a space where people and visitors could enjoy it as a place of permanence. To answer these demands， the design solution created a “body” without a rigid boundary， organic， working independently of the existing structures but using them as a support. The construction was designed as a continuous abstract object， non-identifiable with a unique and specific purpose.
所 在 地：科特迪瓦 HWKN建筑事务所近日完成了他们设计的一个项目Aging in Africa的示意图，该项目预计明年完成施工。该项目是为退休的天主教职人员而建的社区，将是非洲大陆社会第一个以年龄而界定的社区。用这种简单的方法来建立一个适合老年人居住的安全舒适的社区，并持续保持有意义和健康的生活环境。
HWKN has completed their schematic design phase for their recent project， Aging in Africa， which will move toward construction in the beginning of next year. The project， a retirement community for Catholic priests， (who are excluded from the traditional， family based， model of elder care in Cote D’Ivoire)， will be the first age-valued community on the African continent. This simplistic approach to housing will create an environment which is well-suited for the users-where the elderly will be safe and comfortable， and continue to maintain a meaningful and healthy lifestyle.
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