World Architecture
COMMUNITY

The Hydroelectric Waterfall Prison by Margot Krasojevic A.A.Dipl, Ph.D The prison is located in the Pacific Ocean close to the Canadian coastline. The main program is a sustainable prison which acts as a hydroelectric power station. Constructed of reinforced concrete, its vertical structure consists of a floating tension-leg platform tethered to the seabed eliminating most vertical movement, with depths up to 2,000m. The concrete support is connected to 4-column semi-submersibles further stabilised by a structural ring of floating Tyson turbines. The prison consists of a series of cantilevered loops creating an even weight distributed throughout the rig. The contained prison surface is made from a web of reinforced steel elements embedded within holographic filtered glass panels, superimposing views of life inside and views out of the prison, this depth of field creates a surreal environments which gives the illusion of boundary-less architecture, a kaleidoscopic panopticon. The current design uses principles behind a pumped storage hydro electric power station. Pumped storage facilities use excess electrical system capacity, generally available at night, to pump water from one reservoir, in this case the ocean to another reservoir at a higher elevation which is the prison hold, the height of the prison hold is approximately 50 meters. During peak electrical demand, water from the prison hold is released onto the floating turbines in the ocean, and electricity is produced. At times of low electrical demand, excess generation capacity is used to pump water into the prisons hold. A secondary ring of wave energy convertors (similar to The Pelamis ) float around the main structure which are used to pump and store water into the main section of the design, the prisons hold. The buoyancy hydro force within the funnel of the main concrete vessel structure contributes to the pressure pumping water up into the prison volume hold before it is let out through it’s surface onto the Tyson turbines below, this alters the height of the prison deck and the pressure hydro release. The sored ocean water is distributed through the nozzles within the carbon fibre clad cantilevered outer prison surface. The surface choreographs the amount of pressure and water to fall onto the floating Tyson turbines below, controlling the amount of electricity generated. Floating Tyson turbines turn a shaft when water falls onto them, powering an electrical generator housed housed within the primary concrete structure located in the artificial cliff-side. Underwater cables run the electrical power to the mainland. In light of recent advances pumped-storage hydro is the predominant renewable energy source available to balance intermittent resources, such as wind and solar. Pumped-storage facilities can enable a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and build a cleaner renewable energy capacity. 12,000 cubic meters of water are stored in the prisons hold, available as necessary, the head is 50 meters and with a contributing hydro pressure the electical energy produced is approximately 3.2MW providing on average 2,045 homes with electricity. Prisoner cells are lined with semi transparent optical mirror which provides superimposed views into and through the cells, giving the illusion of an open plan space. The continuous loop of cells distribute weight evenly across the cantilevered ramp. Ocean water that is pumped through the cladding screens views and camouflages the prison when the turbines are operated. The central circulation spiral staircase connects the heli-pad to the artificial cliff-side generator, it acts as a base from which to observe the inmates. Helicopters are only allowed to land when the Hydroelectric generators are shut down. The second stage of the design will implement the ideas behind low level and high level hydroelectric power stations, the important factor is the volume of water stored within the prioson and the vertical drop. The design will be adapted for these necessary changes.

Location of the house is Yonago-city Sanin area at the foot of Mt. Daisen which has national park. This area has much rain throughout the year. In winter it blows a chill northwest wind and it snows a lot. The site is on a hill. So the scenery is wonderful but it gets the strong afternoon sunlight. We planned the house there where client family (married couple, their two children and wife’s mother who newly live together) lives. We planned the house as divided/parted one. That architecture makes some benefits for the client such as keeping adequate privacy among the family. And client can sleep without any concern for disturbing noise of the other family members after his/her night shift work. We designed the gabled folded-plate big roof which reaches ground at its one side on each “divided house.” The roof keeps off rain throughout the year, chill northwest wind and snow in winter and strong afternoon sunlight in summer. And the roof can keep the client’s privacy from neighbor houses. In addition, natural sunlight comes in through the gap between the roof and “divided houses.” So that inside the house is bright enough in daytime without lightings. The big roof bulges for south side and west side. So that it blocks out direct daylight in summer and get a ventilation and comfortable housing space. In the living room maximum height of the roof is 7.5 meters. The roof has an opening and a fan which has thermal sensor. They work for heat rejection and gives comfortable housing environment. In winter the roof can bring in direct daylight due to low solar altitude and accumulate the heat into mortar floor. Floor heating system is only used at night time as an auxiliary use. In sort, we provide the comfortable housing space with less and less electrical facilities. We designed that the roof wrap around the “divided houses.” It gives that the client family feels their own bond. And the people come and go between each “divided house” which is private space and the living room like outside which is opened share space for the family. We hope that the house helps client family’s warm and fulfill life to live together under the big roof.


y+M design office Co.

Concorso Internazionale di progettazione Velodromo Maspes Vigorelli International Competition Maspes Vigorelli “re – cover Vigorelli” English text > Concept The Velodromo Vigorelli represents an historical building in Milan, important for the city and recognize by the citizens as a cultural landmark. For this reason is necessary in our opinion to preserve, after renovation, the old structure, adding new volumes and functions and creating a new “roof” covering the all structure. We are inspired by the idea of Memory and Contemporary in a dialogue in order to establish an actual approach and an actual architectural language. We are inspired by the Memory thinking to preserve the old structure, a part for the roof, and the beautiful old original wood speed cycling track and thinking to reuse them. We are inspired by the Memory and by the Contemporary at the same time when we interpret the idea of speed suggested by the cycling races and the existing race cycling track and transferring this idea to the particular structure of the roof, a fluid surface designed as an alternate sequence of linear elements such as anodized aluminium light profiles and parabolic linear collectors of solar energy and sustained by a light steel structure. We are inspired by the Contemporary when we introduce the clean energy solutions and the linear solar energy collectors and when we propose spaces and shapes related to the language of the contemporary architecture. Project The new “roof” (an alternate sequence of linear elements such as anodized aluminium light profiles, open space and parabolic linear collectors of solar energy) is an important point of our project and covers a surface of 17.000 s.m. circa, sustained by a light steel structures; at this structure are hung 2 new linear glass volumes with a floor surface of 4.000 s.m. circa, suspended over the existing tribunes, hosting different and flexible functions such as, meeting points, bars, restaurants, new tribunes and so on.


gianluca milesi architecture Gianluca Milesi Michiko Yamada

BASIS This is a reconstruction and connection of two existing houses, which are located in the vicinity of the Ljubnica stream in the town of Ljubno ob Savinji. CONCEPT The task is to connect two houses that are separated by function and ambient in accordance of the original spirit of the construction in the region of Savinjska dolina. The first house has a night and service function: kitchen, wardrobe, hot tub, bedrooms and bathroom facilities. It is enclosed, introverted and monolithic. It hints to a traditional house of the Savinjska dolina region, which is achieved by introducing the traditional balcony – “gank”. In the second house there are living areas: main hall, living and dining room. It is opened, extroverted and floating over the terrain. The houses are unified and connected with a conservatory in the shape of a spatial basin, which is an extension of the second house and is attached to the first with its narrowest part. The interior is inseparably connected to the architecture. These are incorporated spatial shells, which all have a function of their own: a sitting pool, fireplace, stairway and the dining room. The spatial shells are a generic element, which give, with repetition of functionally different units, a rich sensual experience.


Marjan Poboljsaj Anton Zizek

Program starting point: The client intends to expand the program of the Tajfun factory with new facilities: business premises, a development plant, a production facility, a parking house, a congress centre, the Tajga commercial centre, and a mechanical processing and welding plant. The new program is made up of functionally independent units, which need to be linked into a new entity. Company identity: Tajfun is a company with a long-standing tradition, persistently creating its own identity through quality products and its social role. APPROACH 1. The proposed solution is derived from the premise that architecture is not merely a functional facility, but rather part and parcel of the company’s identity. 2. The visionary quality of the company is expressed in the new spatial concept.


Spatial point of departure: The factory is located in the rural environment of Planina in the Kozjanski Regional Park. The current facility and the planned extension exceed the criterion of the built structures of individual constructions in Planina. The spatial development plan no longer allows for large constructions that would reshape the scale of the town. Our design therefore creates an artificial landscape that follows the natural landscape, upgrades it and gives it function. The aim of the proposed solution is to establish a new identity of place that follows the existing spatial characteristics.

Marjan Poboljsaj Anton Zizek Peter Licen Spela Jancar

ARBOREAL PLATFORM A symbiotic structure for a tropical landscape... The new office building for the FUNDECOR (Foundation for the development of the tropic rangelands) is positioned subtly uprooting in the highest part, like a crowning, within the area designated for its intervention. Its presence acts like a high platform that looks towards the surroundings in a filtered way, in where its materialization tries to build another landscape. This arboreal structure forms and takes control of a patio that conserves and contemplates simultaneously. Its organization allows the maximum flexibility in the distribution of the required program. Each side is different from the other by activity It is a percolator of air, light and typological space. It is a diaphanous corral, an enclosure of landscape, a yard of encounters, a ring of administrative functions… an arboreal platform floating on its hill with the minimum occupation of the landscape and, at the same time, with a maximum rendition of it.


The design proposal is presently under development stage as a result of being winner of the international competition for the new FUNDECOR headquarters in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Design: PLUG Román Cordero + Izbeth Mendoza Colaborators: Daniel Rodriguez, Israel Dorantes