Jason DeLorenzo’s Post

In the village of Wigginton, within the North Yorkshire County of England, United Kingdom, Architecture firm Kirkland Fraser Moor, has designed a low profile residence that creates a strong bond between the built and natural environment. Utilizing masonry waste from a nearby site, the home replaces a former stable overlooking rural hertfordshire. Designed around a central courtyard, the home utilizes a zigzag pattern, to benefit from passive heating from southern sunlight while maximizing views to the north. The residence was built with a cross-laminated timber frame, which is adorned with locally sourced masonry, recycled from old projects. The use of recycled materials, allows for nooks and crannies on the facade of the home, which provide shelter for birds and insects to rest and nest, while increasing the biodiversity of the region. A green roof, provides a natural insulative barrier for the home, helping to regulate interior temperatures, while also putting an emphasis on biophilic design practices. A small detached garage with solar panels, and an on-site solar array, provide most of the homes energy needs. This residence is a phenomenal example of how to utilize multiple sustainable building and design practices, that work together to create a unique and significant low impact home. We’re All In This Together #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainable #sustainablearchitecture #architecture #architecturaldesign #recycledmaterials #recycle #adaptivereuse #locallysourced #sustainablysourced

In Pointe Au Baril Village, The Archipelago Township, Parry Sound District, Ontario Province, Canada, Akb Architects has designed a cedar shingle outcropping of buildings on an acre of land in an ever changing landscape. Designed to blend within its surroundings, the project utilized natural materials and earth tone colors for its interior and exterior to minimize the visual impact of the buildings within the natural environment. Strategically placed doors and triple glazed windows allow for natural sunlight to stream freely into the interior spaces, while overhangs protect the interior spaces from solar heat gain during the summer. With the existing natural environment in mind, the two larger structures were build on the footprints of preexisting structures on the site. Wood-Burning Fireplaces are the main source of heat for the buildings, with a tankless hot water heater utilized for laundry and dishwasher. Bathing is done in the bay itself or using the outdoor shower. The home is seasonal, as part of the year the site is unreachable due to ice. In the winter, the house is closed up and docks removed for the property to wait out the winter. Homes being built within the natural environment is inevitable, there will always be a draw for people to be amongst the natural environment. What’s important is that we build responsibly and with as minimal impact as possible, as this project has shown is possible. We’re all in this together #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #architecturaldesign #design #builtenvironment #adaptivereuse #lowimpact #lowimpactliving #architecture #renewablematerials #locallysourced #lowenergy

In the town of Võru, Võru County, Estonia, used locally sourced wood to building a single family residence in the heart of a forest. Utilizing an existing stone basement, the adaptive reuse project is situated overlooking lakes and trees, blending into its surroundings. The wood used to construct the home, was sourced from within an 18 mile radius of the site, to reduce its overall carbon footprint. None of the wood used to construct the home was store bought, and the builders harvested it from nearby forests, using local artisans and experts to appropriately source the right wood and right time of year to harvest it. This method, ensured that there would be minimal construction waste, and minimal destruction to the forest. The design of the home was centered around the footprint of the original stone foundation on the site, this came with its own constraints, but allowed for minimal disturbances to the site during construction. An open floor plan, with expansive glass windows, allows for an abundance of natural sunlight to stream across the interior spaces. These windows also provide views of the surrounding environment, creating a connection with nature for inhabitants. Projects like this, show the capabilities of adaptive reuse and creativity within architecture. Utilizing and sourcing natural native materials from the region, goes a long way in reducing a buildings carbon footprint. This home will hopefully act as an inspiration for other builders to adopt similar sustainability methods within their works. We’re all in this together #sustainability #sustainablearchitecture #sustainabledesign #design #architecture #sustainableconstruction #locallysourced #adaptivereuse #recycle #residentialarchitecture #estonia #renewablematerials

👏 👏 Residential building in Poznań looks like a hill KWK Promes Studio is designing new architecture in the Polish city that incorporates into its composition a facade entirely covered with 140,000 plants. After a nomination for the renowned Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024, studio KWK Promes is working on a new residential project in Poznań, Poland, defined by its main façade almost entirely covered in greenery and enveloped by nearly 140,000 plants. Volumetrically, the building emerges from the existing ground in an organic way, mimicking the extent of the surrounding green hill. The facade’s vegetation will blend seamlessly with the surrounding greenery, with plants also present on the roof. “By providing expansive and accessible greenery, as in the case of Aura, we have the potential to reshape our cities,” says Robert Konieczny, at the direction of the Polish firm. “Instead of urban heat islands, we can create buildings that regulate humidity and temperature, both internally and in the surrounding environment. This type of architecture not only improves the aesthetics of a neighborhood, but also significantly improves living conditions through a favorable microclimate.” The vegetation designed for Aura will grow along a specially designed structure by KWK Promes, which will essentially form a vertical garden on the facade. Between the structure and the building wall will be an air gap that will act as a natural insulator, protecting the building from excessive heat during the hot season. An automated irrigation system using 90 percent rainwater collected on-site will ensure the health of the plants, minimizing the need for manual maintenance. For the interior design of the building, investor Piotr Voelkel, a well-known art collector and patron, enlisted the talents of young artist Alicja Biała. Biała’s artistic touch enriches the lobby with a unique sculptural lamp and a nature-inspired relief. https://lnkd.in/gEZzpmPa

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Thryptis, on the island of Crete, in the country of Greece, a vacation home draws its inspiration from the natural environment. Architecture Studio block722 designed the home, looking to build a strong relationship between the built and natural environment. To achieve this, the firm created separate volumes that are at different levels down the hillside. Green roofs adorn the volumes, intertwining the natural environment into the home. The green roofs add an insulative layer that also increases biodiversity in the area. The exterior volumes of the house are adorned in locally sourced stone, that further gives the appearance of the home as being a part of the mountain itself. Strategically placed doors and windows, allow for natural sunlight to illuminate the interior spaces, while also allowing for the movement of natural air through the residence. An important aspect of sustainability, is the incorporation of the natural environment into the built environment, which is something this project does well. We’re all in this together #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #architecture #architecturaldesign #greendesign #rooftopgarden #rooftopgardens #realestate

"With the rise of eco-friendly living and passive home construction, looking to #nature in #InteriorDesign and #architecture has become automatic. "Nature-inspired design actually has a name: #BiophilicDesign. It can take many shapes, from landscaping ideas that use local #plants and flowers to oversized windows that let in the most natural light possible. It includes #GreenRoofs and live #PlantWalls. There’s a lot to love about biophilic design, and odds are you’re already incorporating some elements of it in your own home... "Biophilic design, when compared with Art Deco or Brutalism, is a relatively new concept. While other architectural styles were born out of industrial evolution and creativity, #biophilic design has largely emerged out of necessity. It’s a movement by architects and designers to encourage a reconnection with nature in an increasingly digital age." Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gtcFqDBr #PlantsAtWork #Greenery #GreeneryWorks #PlantLove #GreeneryLove #GoGreen #ThinkGreen #GreenUp #GreenThumb #GreenDesign #InteriorDesign #BringOutdoorsInside #GreeneryCalgary #CalgaryDesign #GreeneryOfficeInteriors #Calgary #YYCBuzz #YYC

I think, architecture has evolved significantly from basic shelters to intricate designs that profoundly shape our daily lives. It's not just about buildings; it's about creating spaces that blend functionality with emotional resonance, influencing how we interact with our environment. Thanks Rethinking The Future for publishing my article. #architecture #rtf #spaces #functionality #home #design #historyofarchitecture

In Paris, France, a warehouse conversion project by BRENAC & GONZALEZ & ASSOCIES created two stunning adaptable mixed use residential buildings. Located alongside a tree lined promenade, the buildings have a combination of public and private patios, courtyards, gardens and hanging gardens. The placement and orientation of the buildings on the urban site was strategically planned to allow for maximum natural sunlight to be able to filter into the interior space, reducing the overall energy needs of the project. The designers also realized that they would need a way to combat the sunlight in the summer months to reduce solar gain. To confront this challenge, the facade of the buildings were wrapped in perforated metal, which allows for protection from the direct sun, but also allows for air flow movement and light to filter into the spaces. The light through facades of the buildings allows for a playful use of light, and the adaptability of the panels allows for an exterior that is ever changing much like its environment. The panels provide noise insulation from the city as well when closed, adding another protective barrier for its inhabitants. On the site, vast beautiful gardens are prevalent. These gardens allow for the residents and neighborhood to be able to connect with nature and have access to fresh grown food. Successful urban design is increasingly shown to be projects that can incorporate multiple aspects of sustainability within them while also being cognizant of creating a sense of community. Hopefully more projects such as this one, will be incorporated into more urban environments. We’re all in this together #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #architecture #greendesign #urbandesign #urbanplanning #cityplanning #development #realestatedevelopment #renewabledesign #urbangardens

B. Alex Miller, co-founder of Taylor and Miller Architecture and Design, and wife, architect Cecilia Ramos, transformed a former bed and breakfast into a materially-expressive, budget-friendly weekend home in Cold Spring, NY. The home’s renovation, recently featured in Upstate House, was inspired by the couple's love for birds. Mary Armstrong writes in Upstate House, "What makes their avian inclinations truly evident is the nest the two have built from the bones of their 19th-century building, weaving together the bits and pieces of their lives with historic Hudson Valley materials." Ramos explains, "A house ultimately becomes a home when it becomes a vessel for memories, thoughts, and ideas. This is a very heartfelt place." ⁠ Miller was initially attracted by the building’s charming brick exterior and “For Sale” sign in the window while grabbing lunch in town one day. He and his wife quickly saw the potential in the building’s 10-foot-high ceilings, exposed masonry and timber framing, and wood-burning stove. In the first floor apartment, the intention was to create a loft-like space, retaining and exposing existing beams and columns and removing existing partitions. To accommodate a sleeping area, a custom steel shelving system was developed which screens the space for privacy and acts as a display area for books, family heirlooms, and other art objects -- a “cabinet of curiosities,” describes Miller. Strategically-placed clusters of pinhole downlights keep ceilings clean and minimalist, while custom light fixtures including a bedside lamp in the bedroom add atmosphere and personality. As Miller tells Armstrong, “In our practice we talk a lot about the White Stripes. The band had just one drummer and one guitarist, but that’s where we like to operate. The more we can conjure from less, the better. I love being creative with a limited palette.” Armstrong concludes, “The red brick townhouse Miller and Ramos share is a study in just how far his design philosophy of limitations can fly.” Click the link in below to read the full story. Photo by Sara Murphy and Stefaan Dupont (MILES & MILES) https://lnkd.in/gexUVzga

This small yet powerful article reinstates my belief in good architecture. It's such a good read. #architecture #design #autocad #revit #greatwork