STC Arquitectos builds cabin in Argentinian woods with reclaimed materials

A slanted metal roof and deck help to shelter this cabin in Argentina, designed by STC Arquitectos using reclaimed materials like scrap metal and oil pipes.

Called Refugio en La Paisanita, the cabin is in the Argentinian town of La Paisanita on the Anisacate River and is nestled into a sloping, forested site with winding stone walls.

STC Arquitectos said it designed the 60-square-metre project to be mindful of the environment, using recycled materials and elevating it on stilts so it doesn't damage the forest floor.

"In terrain with a steep slope and vast vegetation located in the heart of Cordoba, Argentina, we find this small refuge that respects the characteristics of the natural soil and preserves the existing flora without altering the mountain landscape," the studio said.

Using disused materials also created a structure that was affordable to build and maintain, and weather resistant.

"The project pursues an awareness speech about recycling, proposing a sustainable solution that reuses different materials based on an austere, economic and easy-to-maintain architecture that adapts to the conditions of the site," STC Arquitectos added.

The cabin features a frame of metal pipes sourced from disused oil pipes that are placed vertically and horizontally. A deck laid on top comprises recovered eucalyptus boards.

"Disused materials were recovered, processed in the workshop and transferred to the site for assembly, the choice of materials and finishes combine technological sustainability with a strong adaptation to the local climate and low environmental impact," said STC Arquitectos.

At the rear of the property, a concrete barrier wall nestles into the slope.

A feature of the cabin is a large corrugated metal roof that slants upwards in the opposite direction of the hill below. The metal panels rest on a series of vertical pipes around the perimeter of the deck.

The roof creates a covered patio that wraps around the cabin in a U-shape and also protects the smaller roof of the cabin itself, which is a boxy construction clad in more metal panels. All of the metal sheets were sourced from an old field shed or from demolitions and have a rusty appearance.

Windows and glass doors with black frames puncture the three sides of the cabin and can be covered by sliding doors also of corrugated metal. The design allows for the dwelling to be closed off, depending on the weather or if not being used.

Inside, the unit accommodates a living room and kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom. Wood floors, white walls and recycled barn doors outfit the minimal space, while openings are also made with scraps of pipes.

Outside, the deck is complete with stools, two overhead lights and a reinforced concrete counter built into the barrier wall.

STC Arquitectos is based a 30-minutes-drive north from the cabin in the city of Alta Gracia and is led by Juan Salassa, Ivan Castañeda and Santiago Tissot.

Other cabins in South America are ZeroCabin in Chile, a black unit by Felipe Lago and Minimod Curucaca in Brazil, while the top ten cabins on Dezeen in 2019 included a shelter on the water in Norway and a silvery outpost in the Swiss Alps.

Photography is by Gonzalo Viramonte.

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10,000 Pigeon Feathers Cascade from a Bookcase in Kate MccGwire’s Latest Installation

“Discharge” (2020), mixed media installation with pigeon feathers, approximately 480 x 70 x 370 centimeters. All images © Kate MccGwire, shared with permission

Based in west London, artist Kate MccGwire is known for her serpentine feather sculptures and discomfiting artworks that coil and ooze in every direction. A recent installation follows in that tradition as it pours down like a massive gush of water from a built-in bookcase. Composed of approximately 10,000 pigeon feathers, “Discharge” stands nearly five meters tall and cascades to the floor in feathered ripples. While the plumes lining the main chute are in shades of gray, those at the bottom are lighter, evoking the ways water appears white when it crashes.

The delicate feathers are sourced ethically from pigeon racers who collect the plumes in August and October when the birds molt. MccGwire sorts the materials in her studio, separating the ones that curve left from those that bend to the right, before arranging them in captivating, color-specific patterns. “When visitors see the piece for the first time they are drawn to the phenomenal scale, rhythmic patterning, movement, and perfection of the piece,” she says of the mixed-media installation. “But are often perturbed and revolted when they understand what the material is,” which is exactly her intention. By juxtaposing the raw materials with the finished artwork, she asks viewers to consider the everyday beauty that’s often overlooked.

“Discharge” has been exhibited in an evolution of configurations in South Korea, Berlin, Paris, and now, Harewood House in West Yorkshire until August 14. Take a video tour of the current exhibition—which also includes a massive feather rug and encased sculptures—and find more of MccGwire’s voluptuous projects on Instagram.

 

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"If you have to design something crazy then go for the electric option" says commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are discussing Virgin Galactic's concept for a high-speed passenger aircraft and sharing their views on other top stories.

Aerospace brand Virgin Galactic has unveiled a concept for a high-speed passenger aircraft called Mach 3, which would be able to carry between nine and 19 passengers.

The aircraft is designed to fly at an altitude above 60,000 feet and would be capable of travelling at Mach3, or 3704 kilometres per hour, which is three times the speed of sound.

"There goes Concorde again"

But readers aren't impressed. "Oh look, there goes Concorde again," said Alec Brown.

"If you have to design something crazy then go for the electric option," added Jacopo. "Maybe a hybrid like the Prius?"

Christian was also unconvinced: "Virgin Atlantic can't even make it to America anymore – how is Richard going to get us to space?"

Le Canal Hertzien agreed: "Virgin should think about ways of crossing the Atlantic in 40 days so quarantine is over by the time his passengers reach Uncle Sam's shores."

Are readers being harsh? Join the discussion ›

Renzo Piano unveils replacement for collapsed motorway bridge in Genoa

"Renzo Piano just gets it" say readers

Readers have given thumbs up to Renzo Piano's Genoa San Giorgio Bridge in Italy, which has been built to replace the Morandi Bridge after it collapsed in a storm nearly two years ago.

"Renzo Piano just gets it," praised John McWaters. "I hope they power-wash the rust stains from the pillars though and keep it well maintained over time."

Rodrigo Galvan-Duque agreed: "Italians should feel proud of themselves for having built this beautiful solution in such a short time."

"Please take note on how to properly design, build, and execute a public infrastructure project," added Michael Wigle. "Seattle is in the midst of replacing a viaduct that will cost over $2 billion euros and began 12 years ago... "

What do you think of the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge? Join the discussion ›

Zaha Hadid Architects shares proposal for Shanghai's "greenest building"

Commenters give "kudos for highly sustainable concept and fluid design"

Commenters are pleased by the green credentials of Zaha Hadid Architects' design for the CECEP Shanghai Campus in China, which will utilise renewable energy technologies and recycled materials. Some are less keen on its aesthetics though. 

"Glad to hear it's a green building," said Raffi. "But Zaha Hadid would not have designed something like this. I did not know 80s glitzy styling was back in fashion."

"Someone left their elbow on the extrude button in CAD," replied Benny.

Sacrecoeur was positive all round: "Kudos for a highly sustainable concept and fluid design."

Is the CECEP Shanghai Campus to your taste? Join the discussion ›

Black spiral staircase twists through Joseph store in Miami Design District

Reader thinks fashion boutique "looks like a huge drill screwed the store"

A black metal corkscrew staircase is just one of the divisive details London studio Sybarite added to fashion label Joseph's store in the Miami Design District. It was designed to reference the city's seaside architecture dating back to the 1940s and 50s.

"References to the cool, funky art of the design district and 80s art deco Miami architecture?" said Mary Gaughan. "Perfect."

Sim disagreed: "It looks like a huge drill screwed the store. Awful."

"It looks like a huge drill screwed the store. Fantastic," replied Kevin McGrath.

Do you think Sybarite stepped up to the challenge? Join the discussion ›

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Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.

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Carlo Ratti unveils innovation district extension to Brasília masterplan

Italian architect Carlo Ratti has designed a masterplan for a high-tech innovation district in Brasília that will be an extension to the Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer-designed city.

The one-million-square-metre district called BIOTIC will be located at the northern tip of the Brasília UNESCO World Heritage site on a triangular plot of land near to the city's National Park.

Designed as a high-tech innovation hub, Ratti's development is intended to solve some of the issues caused by the fragmentation of activities in Brasília, which was arranged by urban planner Costa and architect Niemeyer in 1955.

"The first time I visited Brasília, a friend and long-time city resident told me a long-standing joke: 'You know what the problem of Brasília is? The district of cafes is far away from the district of sugar'," Ratti explained.

"In short, a key issue lies with the lack of mixed-use and with the strictly functional subdivision of the city according to modernist principles – which we are aiming to overcome with our plan."

BIOTIC will be an extension of Brasília

BIOTIC will include the four urban scales that Costa defined in the plan of Plano Piloto, or Pilot Project, as residential, monumental, gregarious and bucolic.

Unlike the original design, it will integrate them with each other rather than keeping them separate.

"Brasília is a fascinating metropolis: a monumental axis and two wings that captivate you when you look at it from the plane," Ratti added.

"However as French intellectual Simone de Beauvoir once said, 'Brasília is an expanse of elegant monotony [...] The street, that meeting ground of […] passers-by, of stores and houses, of vehicles and pedestrians [...] does not exist in Brasília and never will," he continued.

"Our project aims to counter this proposition and bring a new vibrancy to Brasília."

Carlo Ratti intends to create outdoor offices for occupants to work

BIOTIC's design also subverts Brasília's Superquadra, or Superblock, which refers to the way the city's residential areas are arranged in blocks composed of apartment buildings within green spaces.

This project, however, will divide similar blocks into quadrants to create open plazas and internal streets that are accessible only to self-driving or shared vehicles.

Ratti's studio, Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA), said it will also use digital technologies to make sure occupants are able to have access to as much nature as possible. As part of this, the plan proposes making restaurants and cafes spots for smart working, with curtain-like walls that can open up to outdoor work areas called the Outdoor Office.

"The office buildings, hovering above the ground level, are designed for sun and wind to come in," CRA project manager James Schrader explained.

"Thanks to a system of openable wooden facades that can slide along the building like a curtain, the interior spaces will open to the exterior, allowing users to enjoy Brasilia’s weather. This project merges the interior and exterior into one space."

The proposal subverts Brasília's Superblock to create accessible internal streets and plazas

CRA has been working on the proposal for real estate company TerraCap with consultancy firm EY since 2018. BIOTIC, is also expected to feature an ecological park, vegetable gardens, laboratories and retail facilities.

Brasília was founded as the new capital city of Brazil on 21 April 1960, featuring an urban plan by Costa and designed by Niemeyer, the country's most famous architect.

It is a celebrated example of modernist urbanism and was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Brazil's Institutional Security Office (GSI) is planning to place antenna on top of series of Niemeyer-designed palaces to protect the area from drones.

Italian architect Ratti is the founder of international design and architecture studio Carlo Ratti Associati and a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he directs the SENSEable City Lab.

His other forward-thinking urban projects include a covered garden in Milan that would use climate-control technology to allow visitors to experience spring, summer, autumn and winter at any time of year. The studio also worked with Alphabet company Sidewalk Labs on a modular paving system that can change the use of a street throughout the day.

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Project credits:

CRA team: Carlo Ratti, James Schrader (Project manager), Rui Guan, Federico Riches, Chenyu Xu, Stephanie Lee, Pietro Franceschini, Ben Johnson
CRA graphic team: Gary di Silvio, Pasquale Milieri, Gianluca Zimbardi
Mobility consultancy: MIC - Mobility in Chain
Sustainability strategy: LAND
Engineering consultancy: Ai Engineering

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Simon Allford elected president of the RIBA

Architect and co-founder of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Simon Allford, has been elected to become the next president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Allford, who won 58 per cent of the vote, will serve as RIBA president from 1 September 2021 and hold the position for two years – replacing current president Alan Jones.

Speaking today, Allford revealed he wants to create "a leaner, more open, productive, engaged and reinvigorated Royal Institute of British Architects" and will prioritise addressing "global climate change and architecture's pivotal role in a post-pandemic world".

Allford is co-founder of AHMM, one of the architects behind Facebook's London headquarters

Alongside heading up Stirling Prize-winning studio Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), Allford is a trustee of the London School of Architecture and visiting professor at Harvard.

Voter turnout was only 13.2 per cent

He was elected ahead of architects Sumita Singha, Valeria Passetti, Nick Moss and Jude Barber, and will be known as president elect from 1 September of this year until he becomes president.

This year marked the first time that all RIBA members had the opportunity to vote for the RIBA president, including students. However, the overall turnout was only 13.2 per cent.

As president, Allford will the chair the RIBA Council and be responsible for the development and finances of the institute.

AHMM won the Stirling Prize for Burntwood School in 2015

"It is a privilege to have been elected, and I look forward to working with members, Council, Board and staff to create a leaner, more open, productive, engaged and reinvigorated RIBA," said Allford.

"We need an institute of ideas with architecture front and centre, hosting debates, lectures and exhibitions reflecting changing cultural and practice contexts," he added.

"We need an institute that celebrates and promotes members' work at home and worldwide. We need an institute that is a practice friend, enabling members to share ideas about best ways of working, using today's technology to help advance architecture for the benefit of society – our charter obligation."

He continued: "I am committed to the house of architecture at RIBA, an online and physical entity capable of forming alliances with clients, consultants and contractors to influence government over procurement and education, while also helping us to address global climate change and architecture's pivotal role in a post-pandemic world."

The role of RIBA president was established in 1835 and is the highest elected position in UK architecture. Allford will be the 79th elected representative.

"Next few years will be crucial for our planet"

On Twitter, current RIBA president Jones offered Allford his congratulations, highlighting that: "The next few years will be crucial for our planet and profession, navigating through global health, environmental and economic crises. I look forward to your support over next year before handing over to you in 2021."

Jones, who became president in September 2019, temporarily stepped down from his role earlier this year. In an email to staff seen by UK magazine Architects' Journal, Jones said that it was because a "matter had arisen" in his personal life.

During his presidency, RIBA launched a sustainability guide for its members after declaring a climate emergency last year.

Portrait is by Tom Mesquitta.

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