Freedom Room _ A Low Cost Micro Apartment by Cibic Workshop & Comodo

Project: Prison Cell

Location: Spoleto, Italy

Architects: Cibic Workshop & Comodo

The Freedom Room is a low-cost micro housing module that was designed with the help of inmates from an Italian prison. It measures 4x2.7m and features kitchen, licing rom, closet, bathroom, storage room, workspace and gym. The high security prison in Spoleto, Italy, features a large carpentry shop where inmates build furniture for other facilities. Cibic Workshop and Comodo approached the prisons carpenters for their advice and ideas on how to make the most of a 10.8m2 living space.

Aluminum Double-Skin _ Louis Vuitton Store by Jun Aoki & Associates

Project: Louis Vuitton Facade

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Architects: Jun Aoki & Associates

The LV flagship store has been enlarged from two to three levels. The new facade was part of the renovation work. It was required to integrate the previous building's steel structural system to the envelope, which limited the skin's thickness to 240mm and its weight to 40kg/m2. The answer to these requirements was an aluminum double skin facade composed of 5mm thick panels consisting of funnel and star shaped elemens of 5 different sizes. The panel joints run diagonally, hidden behind the star panels.

A. / B. Preliminary studies of facade panels to determine the optimal distribution of the backlighting.

C. Portion of facade: view of panels with diagonal expansion joints.

Sources:

"Shop Facade in Tokyo." Detail, May 2015, 449.

http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/lighting/2014/1411-louis-vuitton-matsuya-ginza-facade-tokyo-jun-aoki-associates.asp

Low-Cost Timber Structure _ Archery Hall & Boxing Club by FT Architects

Project: Archery Hall & Boxin Club

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Architects: FT Architects

The project consists of two buildings, an archery hall and a boxing club, standing on the grounds of Kogakuin University in Tokyo. The University’s brief was for two low-cost structures made of locally sourced timber. Both facilities called for a column-free space of 7.2m by 10.8m. In order to achieve this span (without columns and using low-cost methods of timber construction) it was necessary to come up with an innovative timber solution.

The two structures have been constructed employing a simple, low-tech method of bolt-and-nut assembly. However, due to the scale of the space and simplicity of construction, the execution had to be meticulous.

Sources:

http://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/26/archery-hall-and-boxing-club-by-ft-architects/

http://www.archdaily.com/444857/timber-structure-archery-hall-and-boxing-club-ft-architects/

Timber Framework _ Cafeteria by Niji Architects

Project: Cafeteria

Location: Okayama, Japan

Architects: Niji Architects

Niji Architects developed a cross-braced timber frame made from Douglas fir columns with a section of 120 by 120 mm, and beams of 180 by 120 mm, which support a corrugated metal roof. One side of the building is covered in full-height glazing, which is fixed directly to the timber frame using plywood battens. Translucent glass on the opposite facade provides privacy while allowing more light to reach the interior. The detailing and materials used are intentionally designed to appear unrefined.

Sources:

http://www.dezeen.com/2013/12/01/cafeteria-with-exposed-timber-structure-by-niji-architects/

http://www.archdaily.com/454408/cafeteria-in-ushimado-niji-architects/

Cast Iron Facade _ Paul Smith Store by 6A Architects

Project: Paul Smith Store

Location: London, UK

Architects: 6A Architects

The cast iron facade of the Paul Smith store in Albemarle Street explores the relationship between the fabric used in Paul Smith’s items and London’s industrial past. The architects found inspiration in the curves of the historic storefronts in the vicinity.

The glass was bent to shape in Spain and transported to England where it was glued to the stainless-steel profiles before being mounted on the galvanized steel construction.

The cast iron panels were developed using a combination of contemporary ad traditional manufacturing methods:

- Geometry: digital design;

- Polyurethane moulds: CNC mill;

- Conventional sand moulds: CNC mill;

The final product (panels with raised pattern and integrated hooks) were then oxidated and treated with a rust converter.

Sources:

http://www.6a.co.uk/projects#

http://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/08/paul-smith-albemarle-street-store-facade-by-6a-architects/

http://divisare.com/projects/253627-6a-architects-Paul-Smith-Albemarle-Street

Schittich, Christian, ed. "Shop Facade in London." Detail, September 2014, 33.

Stainless Steel Envelope _ FRIEM HeadQuarters by Onsitestudio

Project: FRIEM Headquarters

Location: Milan, Italy

Architects: Onsitestudio

The envelope of this project consists in a series of shaped sheets of opaque stainless steel. The texture of the steel was developed in several phases, starting with standard industrial parts like elongated, drilled and bent plates. The self-supporting elements, with a mechanical attachment at the end, have different widths and heights varying from 4 to 4.5 meters. The selected sheet of metal is AISI 304 stainless steel with a thickess of 2mm, press-formed with custom laser-cut openings where required, and a fine brushed finish. The laser-cut plates filter light at different opening degrees depending on sun exposure and the degree of intimacy desired.

The choice of the steel envelope, as well as the use of prefabricated elements assembled mainly using dry construction systems (such as the steel profiles used for the structure and the plasterboard employed for the walls), was driven by the desire to speed up and simplify the construction work, reducing the storage space of materials during the construction phase and improving the quality and preciseness of construction of the finished product.

Sources:
http://www.onsitestudio.it/projects/21
http://www.dezeen.com/2010/07/16/friem-headquarters-by-onsitestudio/
http://www.arketipomagazine.it/it/friem-headquarters-onsitestudio-srl/
http://www.theplan.it/J/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1898%3Asede-friem-&Itemid=240&lang=en