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ROK Navy Museum / G.Lab*

G.Lab*, a department of Gansam Partners in Seoul, was awarded first prize for their design of a Navy Museum in Korea. The design reflects "the turbulent history of the Korean Navy and the unwavering spirit of the men and women who serve this branch." Inspired by the unpredictability of the ocean, G.Lab*'s form for the museum is an undulating mass that folds. On the interior, the volume creates a circulation path which weaves and intersects in multiple spaces.

More images and more about the museum after the break.

The museum leads visitors through several exhibition halls before they are revealed to an observation deck, overlooking the ROK Patrol Boat Chamsuri 357, (the boat that a North Korean patrol boat surprise attacked on June 29, 2002). Since the incident happened in the midst of the 2002 World Cup, the deaths of the 6 seamen aboard the Chamsuri 357 and the 18 wounded did not garner much media coverage. G.Lab* decided to memorialize this event and to externalize it.

"The design immortalizes the brave crew members by taking on the image of the ocean waves- the only witness to the battle. The Patrol Boat is oriented facing the North and inland, the memorial placed behind it, followed by the Sea. The memorial is an eternal wave propelling the patrol boat onward to the North, allowing the Chamsuri 357 to continue the fight which had come to her. The Memorial and supporting landscape design act to simulate an environment in which the Patrol Boat is still Sea-worthy and engaged in battle," explained the architects.

ROK Navy Memorial Museum

Architect: G.Lab* by Gansam Partners
Location: Pyongtaek, South Korea
Client: Republic of Korea Navy
Project Architect: Chuloh Jung

FFAT House | Arquitectos Anónimos

FFAT House, image courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

Portugal-based Arquitectos Anónimos has designed the FFAT House located in Vila Nova Gaia, Portugal.

two criteria led to the final solution: on the one hand, by using the urban plan statutory regulations restricting the perimeter and the possible location of the building; and on the other hand by manipulation of the interior space in relation with the neighboring buildings.

Arquitectos Anónimos

+ Architectural concept courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

The project came about after consideration given to the concept of a small house, and we have tried since the beginning to involve 'reality' as one of the decisive factors in this work. It indeed helped to reveal the project. In that sense, two criteria led to the final solution: on the one hand, by using the urban plan statutory regulations restricting the perimeter and the possible location of the building; and on the other hand by manipulation of the interior space in relation with the neighboring buildings.

FFAT House, image courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

The starting point in developing the building was the maximum volume allowed, which in the course of the design process has been manipulated in order to create the roof terrace that allows a view of the sea. The excessive proximity of the adjacent houses led to an architecture closed off to its neighbours. The dark waterproof plywood of the facade served as 'spacesuit' that protects against the 'radiation' of the reality, its context and its territory.

FFAT House, image courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

The interior is completely white, with distinct temperatures of colour. The two skylights bring permanent day-light to the house, even when the exterior 'skin' is entirely closed. The insertion of the skylights makes an improvement to the sunlight and ventilation while providing privacy to the interior life. At the same is a contrast to the accuracy of the 'black box' dimensions.

It is a way to face the challenge of building in such small allotments.

+ Project credits / data

Name of the project: FFAT House
City: Vila Nova Gaia – Portugal
Architects: Arquitectos Anónimos®
Client: Fernando Afonso and Fátima Cardoso.
Structural consultant: Paulo Lima and Manuel Branco Leite
Photos: © Abel Andrade

glesia del Santísimo Redentor. Tenerife, España

Church of the Santísimo Redentor

The Church of the Santísimo Redentor (Holy Redeemer) is dedicated to the Resurrection, one of the most important moments in the history of the Christianity. So, when the followers begin to lose the faith, the Resurrection demonstrates that Jesus' Word was true.
The design consists of two elements. Big volumes of concrete shape together with the light the totality of the project. The church as the first episode of the Vía Lucis represents the cave where Jesus lied. An austere building absent of superfluous elements, ties, as the life that went and the place where he revived.

When we enter, looking to the background, there appears the clear and illuminated cross. Jesus has revived. Behind, a waterfall of light symbolizes the hollow of the entry to the cave. The light! The life, the purification, the resurrection, the happiness and cleanliness! Each of the sacraments are illuminated.

It gives life to the baptism, the confirmation, the Eucharist, the penitence, to the marriage and the sacred order. Thus, the first light of the day, across the cross, illuminates the baptismal sink, the first light of the Christian. At noon, across the ceiling window, the altar, the confirmation and the Eucharist are illuminated. At 12:00, the Word. A bundle of light falls into the confessionary and on the sacrament of the penitence. It’s the way from the darkness to the light, from the death to the life. The strategic position of the ceiling windows achieves the same effect on the marriage and the priestly order.

The strength of the volumes and the rational game of the light give to the church the shape of deep theological root, where the resurrection increases its significance and across the light it illuminates the believer.

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House OR | Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

House OR, image courtesy of H3AR

House OR, sketch courtesy of H3AR

House OR, designed by Polish architect Hugon Kowalski of H3AR for an older marriage couple.

+ Project description courtesy of H3AR

House has been designed for an older marriage couple. Therefore, the aim of all major functions should be concentrated on the ground floor. There were bedroom, kitchen, dining room, laundry room, pantry and living room. On the first floor would be only two rooms: an office (with sofa bed) and guest bedroom.

Diagram below shows shaping the form of the building. We started from a simple cube, which was then divided into four parts (living room with dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, office with guest bedroom). To gain more space on the living room I decided to widen and lift at 3 meters office and guest bedroom. it created twisted staircase.

House OR, diagram courtesy of H3AR

House OR, diagram courtesy of H3AR

House OR, floor plans courtesy of H3AR

House OR, sections courtesy of H3AR

+ Project credits / data

Design: H3AR - Hugon Kowalski
Year: 2009
Location: Kobylniki
Program: Single house

+ About H3AR

H3AR is an architectural group founded (2008) by four young desiners from Poland : Alba Labuda, Agnieszka Nowak, Ryszard Rychlicki and Hugon Kowalski devoted to architecture, urbanism and design. Members of group's creates their own individual projects and cooperates in the biggest national and internationals competions.