Jennifer Touchette’s Post

Tiny Queens Passive House designed by CO Adaptive Architecture was recently featured in The New York Times. Among a row of attached homes in Astoria, this two-story brick townhouse, originally built in 1945, is not like the others. Intentional modifications were made to bring the home to Passive House standards. "The hints are in the bright blue louvers shading the windows and the blue checkerboard patterns embedded in the brick," writes Julie Lasky in the NYT. “The shades, as cheerful as geranium beds, move to admit or block sunlight, while the checkerboards mark places where embedded devices regulate the temperature and humidity of air passing through the walls," ⁠ ⁠ CO Adaptive’s renovation maintained much of the original program and existing framing, since the original layout was already efficiently planned. “Describing their process as deconstruction rather than demolition, the architects repurposed what they could, turning a couple of the joists they extracted from under the flooring, for example, into kitchen lights”, writes Lasky. Whatever was removed was either reused or sorted for down or up cycling. Insulation, a solar canopy, and triple-glazed windows are among the other strategies that have nearly eliminated the client’s energy bill. ⁠ The project exemplifies the firm’s mission of retrofitting existing building stock to create energy-efficient and climate-resilient environments. CO Adaptive’s co-founder Ruth Mandl tells Lasky, “It’s an important way of extending the life of existing buildings, to make sure that they’re resilient enough to come into the next century with us. The home also marks the first building project of the firm’s new construction management arm.⁠ Click the link below to read more. https://lnkd.in/ecUkR-Ka Photo by Naho Kubota #design #architecture #retrofit #passivehouse

Searching for some inspiration to spruce up your space in 2024? Look no further! We've got all the insider tips straight from the top renovation experts. Check out what they're buzzing about for this year! 9️⃣ Integrating the garden into a building's architecture Discover an exciting trend for nature lovers: physically connecting the garden with the fabric of the building. Depending on your budget, there are various ways to achieve this. One simple method is integrating planters or raised beds into a building's external cladding or using the same materials. This not only adds greenery but also creates a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors. Another option is to add a green roof system covered in meadow grass to your kitchen extension or to include a reflecting pool near the rear of your property. These ideas not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home but also create a harmonious connection with nature. 🌿🏡 #londonconstruction #homerefurbishment #londonproperty #londonrenovation #londonhome #bespokejoinery

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

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

In Abbey Wood, Greenwich Bexley, London, England, The United Kingdom, a recently completed project by Commonbond Architects is also their new office. Named Gardenhide Studio, the project is built of hempcrete and timber. Hempcrete, is a biocomposite material made of hemp and lime which are combined to form the structural elements of the project, in conjunction with the reclaimed timber beams. Locally sourced and supportive of small growers, hempcrete is on the rise as a sustainable building material internationally. Inside the space, the architects sunk the main level of the building so that they could place windows closer to ground level. This allowed the windows to look out into the gardens and not over them. This connection with the outdoors, blurs the lines of inside and outside, creating a truly unique and calming interior environment. The interior spaces, utilized recycled materials from construction, as well as repurposed materials for the finishes. The end result of this stunning project, is one that serves as an inspiration for sustainable building of any scale, for any purpose, and in any location. We’re all in this together #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #architecturaldesign #designbuild #hempcrete #adaptivereuse #repurposed #recycledmaterials #recycling #regenerativedesign

New Blog Post Alert: Learn about the design of 2 houses in the Greek Island of Lefkada.

ELVER HOUSE https://lnkd.in/gryp7brd The project area, situated on the highest slope of a hill in the Yalıkavak region, is characterized by the abundance of large olive trees and the presence of impressive rock formations. To the north, the land is bounded by a fairly steep rocky slope, while to the south, it overlooks a crowded street from above. The noise from the street reaches up due to the valley effect. Therefore, the structure on the south facade was designed with thick stone walls and minimal openings to create a barrier. On the north, main garden area features a big pool and terrace areas, forming a secluded space enclosed with designed environment and landscape. The building is structured with two levels, set back. At the first entrance level, a linear thick stone masonry wall serves as a boundary object to provide controlled passage and create a visual and auditory barrier. This first level includes garage, guest parking area, workshop, two-room guest accommodation, multipurpose room, staff quarters, laundry-ironing room, storage, and two technical areas. From this level, there is an inner courtyard with a winding ramp that leads to the upper level where the main entrance is located. The second level, which houses the main living areas, consists of three main units: living area, accommodation area, and guest accommodation area. Secondary spaces such as kitchen, stairs, and storage areas are designed as stone elements that will create a border with the landscape and steel elements that define entrances and corridors. The main garden area with pool and main outdoor terrace areas is an isolated garden that forms its own view with the designed built environment and landscape. #architecture #design #architecturedesign #architecturelovers #bodrum

Are you an Architecture? I can't count the number of times I've heard this, and it's always amusing. Welcome to my late afternoon class. Someone who designs buildings is an Architect (not an "Architecture"). And if you ever have to work with an architect on your next project, here are 9 key terms to help you sound like a pro: 1️⃣ International Style Architecture: Want that sleek house type with a hidden roof? This is your term—quite fancy, I know. 2️⃣Brief: This is how you describe what you want your building to look like and include. It's like your 'building wishlist'— number of bedrooms, kitchen , pool etc 3️⃣Facade: Want the front/face of your building to stand out? Don't just call it the front—say you want a stunning facade. 4️⃣Columns, not Pillars: When your architect talks about columns, they mean those vertical supports. 5️⃣Cantilever vs. Recessed: • Want a part of the building to stick out? That's a 'Cantilever'. • Want it pushed in? That's 'Recessed'. 6️⃣ Drains, not Gutters: Gutters are for rain on your roof—rain gutters? Yep! Around the house? Those are drains. 7️⃣ Landscaping: Don't just say "grass and pavement" Use: • Soft Landscaping for lawns, trees, gardens etc • Hard Landscaping for pavements, stones, and driveways. Very cutesy and demure😌 8️⃣ Driveway, not 'Paved area': That road leading to your garage? Call it a driveway. 9️⃣ Carport vs. Garage: A carport is an open parking shelter. A garage is enclosed on all sides. Now you're ready to impress the next architect you meet.Make me proud! Join me next week for another exciting class! ➡️What would you like to learn about next? Lemme know in the comments. Liked this? Hit ♻️ Repost so your network learns too. PS: 💬 Check out the juicier stuff in the comments—I'll be answering questions and sharing pictures of the elements mentioned. And feel free to drop your own favourite architectural features or terms! #architect #projectmanager #delthecurious #ArchFocus

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

ELVER HOUSE https://lnkd.in/gryp7brd The project area, situated on the highest slope of a hill in the Yalıkavak region, is characterized by the abundance of large olive trees and the presence of impressive rock formations. To the north, the land is bounded by a fairly steep rocky slope, while to the south, it overlooks a crowded street from above. The noise from the street reaches up due to the valley effect. Therefore, the structure on the south facade was designed with thick stone walls and minimal openings to create a barrier. On the north, main garden area features a big pool and terrace areas, forming a secluded space enclosed with designed environment and landscape. The building is structured with two levels, set back. At the first entrance level, a linear thick stone masonry wall serves as a boundary object to provide controlled passage and create a visual and auditory barrier. This first level includes garage, guest parking area, workshop, two-room guest accommodation, multipurpose room, staff quarters, laundry-ironing room, storage, and two technical areas. From this level, there is an inner courtyard with a winding ramp that leads to the upper level where the main entrance is located. The second level, which houses the main living areas, consists of three main units: living area, accommodation area, and guest accommodation area. Secondary spaces such as kitchen, stairs, and storage areas are designed as stone elements that will create a border with the landscape and steel elements that define entrances and corridors. The main garden area with pool and main outdoor terrace areas is an isolated garden that forms its own view with the designed built environment and landscape. #architecture #design #architecturedesign #architecturelovers #architecturaldrawings #bodrum