This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a nature-inspired property in Quintana Roo, Mexico which claimed the SBID Award for Overall Winner 2019. Centric to this award-winning design was the drive to redefine life in the jungle, promoting a non-invasive dialogue between architecture and its natural surroundings. Roth Architecture crafted this unique residence to harmoniously blend in with the environment, respecting and honouring the natural habitat that hosts it.
The use of ferro-cement was specifically chosen to avoid the introduction of heavy machinery into the jungle, thus preventing the felling of 250 trees. The finish, carefully crafted with local materials, makes this a unique space of purely organic forms.
SBID Awards: Overall Winner
Sector: Residential Design
Company: Roth Architecture
Project: Uh May Residence
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
What was the client’s brief?
The client’s request was to achieve a harmonious way of cohabiting with the idiosyncratic ecosystem. The main instruction was to have the least possible interference with nature by not cutting any trees and leaving the surface of the soil intact. The fundamental precept to preserve the curvature of the earth and not to cut any trees in the 10 hectares guided every step of the project. Our intention is to show that we can build by learning from nature and integrating and building on its teachings.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The project was inspired by the shape of the Fibonacci spiral. The house unfolds akin to the shell of a snail, respecting the golden cut while effortlessly meandering through the network of trees.
The purpose that guided the construction of the project was the integration of the intelligence of nature’s networking, specifically the information contained in the shape of the surface of the earth and conveyed through the network of trees. The intelligence of Earth’s ecosystem has evolved over millions of years, gradually becoming more accurate. Connected through mycelium, a complex fungus network that is still being researched, trees communicate, help and protect each other.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The toughest hurdle was, precisely, to not sacrifice any trees. We had to develop new construction techniques to preserve the natural fabric of the surroundings. Everything had to be done manually and in an artisanal manner, which resulted in fostering the collaborative spirit and consolidating our tribe akin to the experience Mayans would have had at the time the pyramids were built.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
For this project I worked for the first time with trained architects which was a new experience, especially since I never followed a formal curriculum myself. When I would trace the outline of the construction in the air with my hand, and the architects would first transpose it into drawings on paper.
Whereas the Mayan members of the team would immediately process the outline, almost like through a photographic process, and start building without previously translating the vision into a concept.
In the course of the project we could observe a cross pollination between the two approaches which was a highly rewarding experience.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
We are at a point in human evolution where it is necessary to redefine man’s place in the world through projects activating three fundamental pillars: art, nature and ancestral wisdom.
These three pillars inform not only each and every of our projects but also our organisational structure and the way we connect as a tribe.
Our architecture shows how human creation can harmoniously coexist with the natural world, a concept which was well understood by the original cultures who lived under these precepts and expressed them in a plastic way, with art and architecture operating as a bridge to the source.
Questions answered by Roth, Founder of Roth Architecture
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring the first photography exhibit for famed Toronto photographer, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s Residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
SBID Awards 2019 | Overall Winner
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the bold architectural statement that is Discovery’s new head office which now stands as a prominent landmark located on the highest point of Sandton in Sandhurst, South Africa. Internally, the building is divided into three carefully designed spaces, namely a central atrium, and one each on the left and right side. Each area is designed to foster an environment of creativity, innovation and collaboration. The main entrance is open and welcoming, to reflect the mores of discovery. The central atrium allowed Paragon Interface to explore the concept of a concourse, driven by Discovery’s requirement for the building to be active. This was not only translated effectively into a dynamic design aesthetic, but also into an active public street populated with seating areas, cafés, streetlights and tree canopies. It served not only as the main thoroughfare of the building, but also constituted a welcoming space for visitors and clients. The development has also scored a 5-Star Green Rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). According to the GBCSA’s report, Discovery’s new home is a clear reflection of the company’s core values, ambition and purpose with emphasis on its rigorous environmental and waste management processes during construction, the building’s “green roof” (partially covered in vegetation), CO2 based demand control of fresh air, and the harvesting of grey and rain water for irrigation and flushing of water closets and urinals.
Sector: Office Design
Company: Paragon Interface
Project: Discovery Place
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
The decision to consolidate all of Discovery’s different premises into 1 Discovery Place was based on their commitment to bringing their people together, within a dynamic and collaborative lifestyle driven facility that reflects Discovery’s core values. The swooping, curving patterns and shapes that define the architectural identity of the building not only influenced the interior design, but has resulted in it becoming one of the most progressive workspaces in South Africa.
A proud history. A bright future. The start of a new journey, not the culmination of a dream Simple beauty. Iconic, yet simple and beautifully elegant Tangible energy. A hive of activity created by people moving through spaces that encourage unplanned interactions. Instilling a culture of collaboration. Activity-based workspaces that nurture optimum conditions for innovation, balance and personal rejuvenation. Embodying wellbeing and movement. Encourage and enable a people-led culture of wellbeing and engagement. A global player, proudly South African. Our vision is global, while we stay true to our South African roots. Environmentally responsible.
A 5-Star Green building that is energy-efficient, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible.
This doesn’t make for good media coverage, but the building was so big, with so many variations that the entire team worked tirelessly to complete the project on time, on budget. Taking a base building and evolving it from just a base building that was tailored in a bespoke manner, that became so much more than was originally expected.
I think one of the most memorable highlights from completing this project was winning the SBID Award 2018 for Best Office Design! It really underpinned all the hard work our team had put into this project and showcased our work to a global audience.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We were very proud of the project and with the support of the client, we thought that it offered a world class solution to a South African scenario in office design.
Questions answered by Claire D’Adorante, Project Leader at Paragon Interface
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a historic high-rise which was transformed into office space with striking elegance, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s office design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Paragon Interface | SBID International Design Awards
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a contemporary and sustainable design for a family home in Mexico City. The project employed the concept of re-architecture; a concept that defines the re-use of buildings, through a contemporary and often environmentally-friendly design, to rescue architectural objects that otherwise would be obsolete. The ALD2 House project consisted of stripping an existing house, respecting a large part of the exterior due to rules of the complex where it is located, and from that skeleton rethinking the use of the materials and finishes in the design of the new version of this house.
The client, a lover of cars, art and literature, wanted a contemporary style but cosy, that would showcase his taste and those of his three children. A house where he and his children can enjoy themselves and grow. The project was planned with a variety of “monotone” materials and colours with a masculine emphasis in the use of colour and exploiting the use of iconic pieces of furniture like Barcelona chairs or Eames lounge chair.
Company: SpAce Arquitectura
Project: ALD2 House
Project Location: Mexico City, Mexico
It was important to the client that the house would strike a balance between modern architecture and a cosy home. With 3 small children, the owner wanted to achieve ‘transparency’ throughout the design so they would be able to see the kids all the times. The client also wanted a sustainable house, with emphasis on water and energy consumption. The design of the house therefore needed to be carbon neutral, with solar panels and work off the grid. It’s one of the first off the grid houses in the country that follow LEED standards. Part of the brief was also to factor in enough car garage space for the owner to store the classic cars they collect.
The inspiration came from the intersection of two volumes; one made of glass and the other one made of wood. Cuernavaca, the city where the house is located, benefits from amazing weather so we wanted to give the house the ability to be opened up, blending the interior and the exterior. As the owner has a love for cars and art, these two elements needed to be integrated into the interior design scheme. All design aspects, from the main elements to the smallest detail use the golden ratio as a guide, almost like there is an invisible grid connecting everything that is important in the house. In the same lines we decided to incorporate a mixture of finishes and materials. With all of this considered, the overarching concept of the house was to implement self-sufficient and sustainable initiatives. All architectural inspirations therefore had to merge with its concept of sustainability, from figuring out the correct angle to position the solar panels to designing a system to concentrate the rain water to be treated and used within the property.
The toughest hurdles we faced stemmed from the balancing of two differing ideals; designing very modern house without creating an environment which feels too cold as well as achieving transparency, whilst also maintaining a level privacy – all of which needed to be realised with a relatively tight budget. To design and build an off the grid house in a country where sustainability is not integrated as a standard on residential projects was also a real challenge. To combat this, a group of interdisciplinary experts were part of the team, to analyse the land, the sustainable solutions and the design. Fortunately, a positive aspect of this challenge became the client’s understanding in giving us enough time to the design which enabled us to spend time conceptualising and researching to ensure the right design and sustainable solutions could be achieved.
There are a few. One of them has to be achieving the successful integration of sustainable solutions which is a factor that much of the time, people don’t even see or notice. Another highlight to this, is that the house doesn’t necessarily scream that is ‘green’ meaning we were able to incorporate these solutions subtly and seamlessly.
We think that the project has exceed the client’s expectations in creating a cosy environment with a clear contemporary feeling; the house could act as a good example of how design can accomplish aesthetics and sustainable design with a relatively tight budget and in a country with an emerging sustainable design culture. Hopefully this project will be a source of inspiration for other designers wanting to achieve a similar outcome.
Questions answered by Juan Carlos Baumgartner, Founder and CEO at SpAce Arquitectura
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring the BBQ-themed restaurant design for a new dining destination in Dubai, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
SpAce Arquitectura | SBID International Design Awards
Creating spaces and buildings that are as eco-conscious as they are design-forward is becoming a pressing requirement for the interiors industry. Russell Owens from Zip Water UK explains why the future lies in making sustainable design beautiful. ‘Sustainable design’ aims to reduce or eliminate negative environmental impact through thoughtful design. This means working to create buildings and products that are more energy-efficient, reduce waste and use limited resources throughout their life-cycle. Further to this, specifiers and designers can give preference to materials that will contribute to people’s health and wellbeing – another important element of sustainability that is often overlooked. . .
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We’ve been working with some of the most skilled and innovative British designers since our beginnings in the 1960s, and sustainable design is definitely one of the major emerging trends over the last few seasons.
Corian achieved zero landfill status back in 2012 by reusing and recycling waste during the manufacturing process. By using scraps and sanding from making solid surface sheets, as well as responsibly reusing packaging and manufacturing materials, makers DuPont have managed to futureproof their own business as well as the installations that are created from Corian.
But sustainable design runs deeper than the manufacturing process, and each week it seems we’re inundated with astounding examples of design for the home that prove that sustainable design is accessible to everyone and really worth investing in. Here are just some of our favourite examples.
Cena Collection by Jamie Mansfield As part of his studies at Nottingham Trent University, Jamie has carried out research into thelack of utensils in modern kitchens and discovered that customers often find them ugly and out of place in a stylish kitchen setting. Jamie decided that using the waste from new Corian kitchens would be the ideal way to create something bespoke and stylish for homeowners that will complement their new design as well as save scrap material from landfill. The result was the Cena collection a classic utensil set for the modern home.
This innovative reuse of scrap materials is a sustainable solution due to the longevity and durable nature of Corian too. Its nonporous qualities prevent stains from penetrating the material, making them easy to clean and completely hygienic.
Pixel Credenza by Jay Watson
Oxfordshire based designer Jay Watson asked local fabricators and kitchen studios for out-of-date Corian samples to create this abstract pixellated unit. Using sustainably sourced birch plywood for the frame, the unit comprises three drawers with a cupboard either side. Touch opening mechanisms complete the sleek look and feel. Watson says he chose Corian due to its durability and easytocare for properties. As well as a unique and artistic addition to the home, the credenza is practical too as users can place items on the tabletop without marking or water damaging the surface. Any scratches can be easily sanded or buffed out, making this piece of furniture easy to repair and able to stand the test of time.
ORIGIN light pendant by Gregg Parsell Another graduate of Nottingham Trent, Gregg Parsell has used the translucent properties of partially recycled Corian to create these beautiful spiral light pendants. By combining American Black walnut with Glacier White Corian, Parsell achieves a dramatic contrast. Routed lines within the spiral, reveal an illuminated pattern with the overall piece inspired by seed pods.
The wood and Corian parts are removable and at the end of the pendant’s life can be recycled separately to further minimise its impact on the environment, meaning consumers with a conscience can still get their fix of style. With designs such as these breaking into the British market, homeowners are provided with sustainable solutions to everyday home design issues.
Cutting down on resources, reusing and recycling helps keep costs down but also safeguards the future of design for the home, making it much more than a passing trend.
Written by Gary Baker. Gary is the MD of CD (UK) Ltd, the exclusive distributors of Corian in the UK. For more solid surface design ideas and inspiration, you can read Gary’s blog on cdukltd.co.uk.
The use of reclaimed and recycled materials is starting to become relatively standard, with many designers embracing the challenges that using a non virgin material brings.
There are myriad advantages to using any type of reclaimed material, but despite ecological and sustainable design becoming part of any discerning design studio’s working practices there can still be the misconception that ‘eco’ design does not necessarily mean ‘refined’ design.
Even though there can be distinct limitations to the reuse of an object or material, these can, and should inform the design process, with the clearest and strongest qualities being developed for the new object.
What is encouraging to see is that there are more and more products being developed along these lines, with a recycled foundation but a refined end result.
An example of this developing strand of design is beautifully illustrated by Canadian designer Tat Chao with the BIPOLAR range of pendant lights.
At first glance, these pendants appear to be lit glass lozenges which have been pinched around the middle with a metal ‘belt’, possibly during the glass blowing process.
But their appearance is rather deceptive. These are not hand blown glass shapes. They are recycled wine glasses.
Forming part of Chao’s IN VITRO range, the BIPOLAR light uses two reclaimed wine glasses to form each of the pendants. Their bases are removed and used in another project and the stems are shaped to a point before they are joined about the rim with a thin anodised aluminium band, housing a strip of LED lights.
The result is a simple, glowing pendant light which ticks not only the sustainability boxes but excels at being a piece of elegant design.
Whilst this is not a ‘bespoke’ piece as such, the fact that reclaimed materials are used in the process of construction ensure that each BIPOLAR is different from the next, with each light varying in glass design, shape and size.
Plus, this is a project where the concept can be carried across a range of found materials with ease, ensuring that the design is adaptable – an essential element of any true ‘sustainable’ product that uses recycled pieces. There is no point designing a product which becomes so popular that virgin materials have to be used. Design a process which can adapt.
The BIPOLAR light succeeds on all of these main points – it is simple yet elegant – in conception, construction and when finally suspended and lit. A great example of a truly beautiful, sustainable lighting design.
Visit www.tatchao.com for further information on the range.
Written by eco interior architect & designer guest blogger Claire Potter
The energy saving bulb has been with us for a number of years, but even though many of us elected to purchase them when our old bulbs blew, the phasing out of the incandescent bulb has meant that it is one of the cheapest and most readily available replacement choices for consumers.
Not that this is at all a bad thing – changing just one fitting to use an energy saving bulb could save around £3 a year in electricity. Multiply this across the fittings throughout the home and the savings soon begin to add up.
New lighting technologies are being developed and released very regularly, with highly efficient LED technology being packaged into a bigger and bigger range of fittings available to the industry and directly to the public. Price does still pay a big factor in the design and bulb chosen, but the increase in purchasing inevitably creates lower prices over time.
But the one bugbear of many a designer and client has been the overall design of the energy saving bulb – namely the ‘standard’ range available at the lowest prices.
The ‘column’ type bulbs can look rather stark and the ‘ice cream’ style bulbs also have a particular look which any not contribute to your scheme. This is, of course, a very personal decision between the designer and the client and we have used both of these low cost fittings to great effect – making no apologies for their shapes.
There is however, another choice for the energy saving bulb which addresses this design issue – the Plumen 001 bulb by Samuel Wilkinson for Hulger.
Working on the logic that the glass tubes that make up all of the standard energy saving bulbs can actually be bent in a whole variety of shapes, the Plumen 001 (and newly launched, smaller sized ‘Baby Plumen’) has rethought what an energy saving bulb can be.
Using ‘plumes’ of feathers as inspiration, the bulbs two twisting tubes create a sculptural form which changes shape as you move around the fitting.
The simplicity of the design actually creates a very complex and aesthetically pleasing form, which has been designed to sit, completely unclothed in a space, making it perfect for a statement ‘bare bulbs’ scheme.
It can however, be used to great effect when paired carefully with pendants – especially simple pieces which really let the bulb’s shapes shine, or enclosed glass fittings which ‘frame’ the bulbs like little pieces of art.
And this is exactly what Plumen’s new shade sets to achieve. The ‘Pharaoh’ shade has been designed for Danish firm Lightyears, specifically for the Plumen 001 and was launched at the recent Stockholm furniture fair. The simply shaped shade is mirror finished and appears a solid piece when the bulb is off, but as soon as the piece is illuminated the shade becomes transparent – enhancing the silhouetted shape of the bulb as the focus of the piece.
Alternatively, if you want to go super simple, the Plumen 001 can be paired with one of their newly developed pendant / drop sets, which are available in a series of colours and have been designed to completely contain the black section of the bulb, meaning that the form of the bulb sits directly beneath the fitting.
The beautiful thing about the Plumen 001 is just that – its beauty of sculptural form which brings energy saving bubs out of the ‘required’ box and into our ‘desired’ box when designing and specifying.
Visit www.plumen.com for details on their bulbs and pendant sets.
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