#ecology

Orchard House is a 171sqm three-bedroom family home located on a historically contentious Green Belt site in Warrington, characterised by its woodland setting and deep generational ties to the client’s family. The timber-framed new build home has successfully resolved a 65-year history of failed planning applications by delivering an exceptionally low-impact, high-performance design. Jim Stephenson Jim Stephenson Designed by Studio Bark, with structural input from Structure Workshop and ecology guidance from SolumEnvironmental, the scheme was approved for its exceptional architectural and environmental merit. The homefollows a fabric-first approach, achieving a low operational energy use of 40.5KWh/m2, and an embodied carbo... More

Located within an area of fishponds in San Tin at Hong Kong’s boundary edge with Mainland China, we have designed and constructed three devices that enhance aquacultural operations within this synthetic landscape. These devices offer support structures for the aging operators to make their work less labour intensive and harness solar energy to power these ecological machines. The project pilots how we can evolve the meaningful cultural heritage of Hong Kong’s fish farming practices, maintain ecological value, and engage the public to experience this unique landscape. Joshua Bolchover The network of fishponds located within the Deep Bay Wetland but outside of the Ramsar site contains a diversity of human activities; with bu... More

Urban development and the preservation of natural ecology do not have to be at odds with each other. The Shenzhen Universiade World project showcases a new possibility, reshaping our traditional perceptions of urban development. Leveraging the existing infrastructure of the Universiade Sports Centre built for the 2011 26th Summer Universiade, this project spans 520,000 sqm in Shenzhen’s Longgang District. Its goal is to create a highly permeable organic urban network. The Oval Partnership spearheaded the overall planning, using “Universiade Scroll” design concept to connect the “one venue, two halls” layout with neighbouring communities. The project features multifunctional zones—shopping streets, fitnes... More

Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the Roger Williams Park Gateway Center opened in October, 2022 and provides a new urban park, visitor center, and northern entry point into the historic Roger Williams Park. The site marks the midpoint of a cultural corridor that began to form over 60 years ago, transitioning into a diverse and proud Latino community. The design response aims to preserve identity and inclusivity, developing a welcoming gateway for residents and visitors and serving as an economic catalyst along Broad Street. Designed on a formerly vacant site on Broad Street, the park provides ample flexibility for both small and large gatherings, recreational events, nature walks, vendor & food truck parking. Steve Kroodsma... More

In Palma de Mallorca’s historic center, a three-story building renovation in Carrer de Sant Magi balances recovery of the existing with a need for updating.  Two luxury flats are located on the upper floors, while the ground floor houses a coworking space. José Masterton José Masterton In order to enhance the traditional morphology of the local heritage, each domestic space occupies an entire floor. Although they share similar characteristics, the apartments display a different programmatic approach toward the building’s intimacy. First-floor common areas are organized towards the back of the plot, facing the patio for peace and quiet. In contrast, the second-floor apartment common spaces face the m... More

Nature-inclusive Amstelstroom Bridge functions as a new link in Amsterdam’s infrastructural and ecological network. Providing ample space in, on and under this bridge for a wide range of living beings to co-exist as part of urban nature, we made the integral design in a dedicated team with ecologists and constructors. Luuk Kramer Robust and richly detailedSpanning Duivendrechtsevaart, Amstelstroom Bridge functions as the entrance of the rapidly developing Amstelkwartier-area. It caters to all traffic with extra generosity for cyclists and pedestrians since these are eco-friendly modes of transportation that stimulate social interaction and a lively streetscape. From afar, the bridge shows its slim silhouette; coming closer, the... More

Project name:  Anti-smog bridge in Warsaw  Typology: Bridge Localization: Warsaw, Poland  Year: 2017 Team: Jakub Figel, Filip Kurasz, Karolina Jankowska   The concept for the pedestrian-cyclist bridge over Vistula River was created for the international architecture competition. It is based on the anti-smog solution that aims to provide better air conditions in the city.    GUIDELINES  The main guideline for the design of the Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge across the Vistula River in Warsaw became the relationship between the existing bridges and the new form. The proposed bridge due to its lower rank can not dominate or compete with the exisitng Świętokrzyski Bridge. For this reason, architects decided to design a horizontal structure blending... More