After being abandoned in favour of concrete and steel in the 20th century, bamboo gets back into the game. Being as strong as steel in tension and having the compressive strength of concrete, it can be used as a sustainable substitute for traditional rebars and a viable, cheaper alternative to a large array of other building components. At the same time, this amazing material’s curvature and beautiful colour endow the structures made from it with a special character and bespoke aesthetics. With this post, we continue our exploration of magnificent bamboo buildings in Asia and beyond.
Category: Architecture
Multifunctional bridges of the past that used to serve as an extension of city life with their residences and shops are long lost, with just a few amazing examples like Ponte Vecchio in Florence acting as a reminder. However, contemporary architects are sure that the concept can be applicable today, as they design multifunctional bridges that are both beautiful and practical – not only in terms of connecting two riverbanks but addressing numerous cultural, infrastructural and economic issues.
Angular boxes of buildings are long forgotten. Thanks to new building technologies and materials, architects continue formal exploration of sculptural shapes in order to develop structures whose undulating shapes are closer to organic softness rather than austere geometry. The result is bespoke buildings that bow, twist and curve like a ribbon.
The subject of office design is inexhaustible, hundreds of projects of convenient and attractive workplaces appearing every day. We have selected several offices, both private and commercial, that cannot boast impressive floor space but instead offer unique experience of interaction with the environment or of integrating multiple functions to maximize the utilization of space.
A classic labyrinth is a primal architectural typology. On the one hand, it puts the creator in the position of power letting them direct the movements of the visitor to an absurd extent. On the other hand, being composed of just walls, it appears to be an essential form of architecture. Contemporary designers and architects get inspired by the form interpreting it in symbolical installations that make one contemplate on art, environment, or even truth.
We are used to thinking of a brick wall as of something solid and impenetrable, but also humble and dull. But this prosaic and rough material that is historically used in places hidden from the view can become a prominent design element, soft, fluid and transparent, letting the light and air in. The very idea of a brick façade has acquired a new life in architecture of today.
Traditional markets in farthest nooks of the world are something more than a way of shopping fresh food. It is often a place for communication and a main focus of rural daily life, an integral part of community life and the centre of tradition, offering the kind of atmospheric experience that big malls often lack. No wonder, they require from architects thorough investigation of market-goers and sellers’ needs before designing a market building.