Ocean

Lagoa de Santo André by Studio 3A is a project born from complexity — a negotiation between nature, memory, and the strict constraints of regulatory oversight. Set on one of Portugal’s most magical beaches, the project replaces two long-abandoned restaurants with a pair of sculptural, earth-built beach restaurants that honour the landscape and its rhythms. Valentin Surdilla From the outset, the project faced an intricate web of building restrictions imposed by multiple public entities, making every step of the process demanding. Yet these constraints only deepened the studio’s commitment to creating architecture rooted in place — modest, enduring, and quietly powerful. Valentin Surdilla The new bui... More

This project was completed under Meyer & Associates' previous iteration - MEYER+VORSTER.   The architects were briefed three years ago by a professional couple to design a small, low maintenance city residence in De Waterkant, which could be used during the week while they were involved with their medical practices. Their life would be shared between this house and a large weekend house at Aurora, a few hours from Cape Town. The clients emphasised that the design of the house had to be bespoke, with every aspect of it, purpose made and purpose designed around their specific needs, requirements and busy lifestyle. This instruction gave rise to a somewhat unorthodox spatial configuration and programme, developed in close consultati... More

The existing Mahon Pool Amenities building was located on the edge of a spectacular rock shelf overlooking the ocean and Mahon pool. The building itself was a delapidated 1960’s brick box, which was had no relationship with its context and was visually intrusive.   Our proposal sought to create a linear building, which receded into the cliffside landscape. The building shape responds to the rock form folding around the contours and its precaste materiality seeks to become an extension of the rock landform.   A concrete skirt extends from the building and creates a terraced shelf  inviting occupation and lounging. The  shelf extends into a stair down to the Pool as well as integrating within the broader parkland... More

This house is built in a privileged location, within Funchal’s amphitheatre, a renovation of a small pre-existing stone house that was kept untouched except for an external thermal insulation. Two new elements were added: an annex and a pitched roof, replacing but keeping the footprint of unruly previously built add-on constructions.   A light steel frame construction system was used in the new bodies which facilitated their assembly. Predominately natural materials were used for their inherent quality and environmental awareness by reducing toxic waste on site and the use of plastics and resins. For a seamless thermal and energy efficiency, thermal insulation was used beneath the wood cladding and double glazed aluminium windo... More

Haeundae, the best tourist spot, is a representative tourist spot in Busan, and despite its diverse culture and festivals, the lack of accommodations was gradually losing the competitiveness of the tourist city. The project, which began with various urban plans for its new appearance as a tourist destination, began with issues such as symbolism representing Haeundae, securing ocean views of all rooms and considering business feasibility. It had to meet the functions of the tourist city's recreation and lodging facilities.   High-rise buildings are emerging in Busan to secure competitiveness as an international maritime city. The project gave synergy to the creation of street scenery by raising the height of possible buildings accordi... More

The villa at Santa Barbara plantation development Seru Boca overlooks the Spanish waters. It is designed by IMD Design architects whom took advantage of the enormous rocks that are part of the landscape on the plot and combined it with tropical modern architecture More

MARIN EDUCATIONAL CENTERRibersborgsstranden, MalmöThe marine educational center stretches out along Ribersborgsstranden shore, where city and landscape meet. A concrete floor is laid out level with the sand. Sand from the shore is mixed into the concrete to give it the same color and reflecting qualities. From the floor a constellation of solid volumes rise up to lift the room underneath the massive, reed-covered roof just above the horizon.The interstitial spaces created between the floor, the roof and the volumes open onto the surrounding nature, transmit light and provide visibility through towards the horizon. The activity of the marine educational center unfold for anyone who dwells on the shore, while at the same time this activity fr... More