Future housing will be built to facilitate remote working, say panellists of Aritco talk

Housing blocks with co-working areas and greener interiors will help facilitate remote working in the post-pandemic world, according to panellists in this talk that Dezeen filmed for lift brand Aritco.

Titled Redefining Our Domestic Spaces, the talk took place last month as part of London Design Festival’s Design London trade show.

Moderated by writer Riya Patel, the discussion drew from a trend report called Future of the Home and a white paper titled Redefining Space, which Aritco produced in collaboration with forecasting company Springwise.

"Not everyone has the possibility to have a workspace as well as a living room and bedroom"

The talk saw David Schill, marketing director of lift company Aritco, Renée Searle, director of Threefold Architects, and James Bidwell, founder of Springwise and strategy consultancy Re_Set, discuss the ways in which homes can be adapted to suit new work routines that have been brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Schill said that there is likely going to be an increase in housing developments that include co-working spaces for residents to use to work remotely.

"We will see more and more people living together and finding common areas," he said.

"Not everyone who lives in a one or two-room apartment has the possibility to have a workspace as well as a living room and bedroom."

"There's a real call to introduce more mixed-use buildings"

Searl agreed: "There's a real call to introduce more mixed-use buildings, to not have solely residential blocks which are uninviting at ground level and have no active frontage," she said.

"To incorporate generous spaces that provide additional amenity for people living within urban blocks would be a benefit for all."

Searl added that this will also likely spark a change in the way we perceive and engage with cities.

"Our city centres will have to adapt to be something else other than the place that we go to every day, our suburbs will be where we can work close to our homes… I think that's a really exciting typology that's emerging as part of this."

The talk drew from an Aritco white paper titled Redefining Space

Bidwell commented that interiors will also need to be altered to support remote workers, namely with the introduction of more greenery.

"[During lockdowns] when we've been allowed out in London to go to the parks, they were completely packed because we need nature," he said.

"There's vertical farming going on at large scales but in our individual homes, having that connection with mother nature and with the earth will almost act as a counterpoint to all this tech. Nature is an amazing force in terms of wellbeing and mental health.

"We have seen the importance of having clear borders" between work and home

More structured living spaces will also be required so that residents can easily separate their professional and personal lives, according to Schill.

"What we have seen in some studies is the importance of having clear borders so everything doesn’t just blend into one big mess of working, leisure and spare time."

The panellists all noted that sustainability should continue to be a key consideration for the architects and designers instigating these changes to housing.

Read:

Watch our talk on the line between art and design with Aritco

"I think we've all got a responsibility to look after our planet on an individual level: to consume less, reuse more and recycle," said Searle.

"In terms of procuring our buildings, we have to think about the whole lifecycle of a project from its inception to what will happen to it in the future."

The talk was organised by lift company Aritco. Founded in Stockholm in 1955, Aritco's smart lifts are installed in residential, commercial and hospitality projects across the globe. To find out more about Aritco, click here.

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Partnership content

This talk was filmed by Dezeen for Aritco as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen's partnership content here.

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Short film offers tour of Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names by Studio Libeskind

This video guides viewers around a memorial by Studio Libeskind in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which is dedicated to the Dutch victims of the Holocaust.

The Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names was designed by Studio Libeskind with local office Rijnboutt to honour the 102,000 Jews, Sinti and Roma people who were killed by Nazis during the second world war.

It is characterised by a labyrinth of brick walls inscribed with the names of these victims, giving the monument its title. However, there are also 1,000 blank bricks to honour those who remain unknown.

Crowning the brick walls are a group of angular mirrored volumes, modelled by Studio Libeskind on four Hebrew letters.

In the video, these mirrored elements can be viewed together from above, where they spell out the Hebrew word for "in memory of".

Find out more about the Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names here ›

The video is by Stijn Poelstra.

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Project credits:

Architect: Studio Libeskind
Architect of record: Rijnboutt
Client: Dutch Auschwitz Committee

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Tunnel-like vaults house cafes and workshops along revitalised Prague waterfront

Architect Petr Janda has transformed a series of vaults on the banks of the Vltava River in Prague into versatile public spaces as part of a project aimed at revitalising the embankment.

The project to transform approximately four kilometres of the Czech capital's riverbank was initiated in 2009, by which time the former quayside had been deserted for many years.

Vaulted arches used for car parking were transformed into a waterfront promenade

The embankment area was being used for car parking, with the vaults containing storage units. Janda's studio Brainwork helped develop a proposal to create a waterfront promenade that reactivates three separate sections of the embankment and introduces new public functions.

The project's completed first phase represents Prague's largest investment in public spaces since the end of communist rule in what was then Czechoslovakia in 1989. It has been shortlisted in the rebirth project category of Dezeen Awards 2021.

Glass-fronted vaults are dedicated to retail or gallery spaces

According to Janda, the conversion of 20 vaults set into the existing embankment aims to optimise the connection with the riverfront area by maximising the scale of the openings in the wall.

"The interventions symbiotically merge with the original architecture of the riverside wall, into which they naturally fuse," the architect pointed out. "By using the acupuncture strategy, they re-create a monumental whole."

The large, circular glass windows in the commercial spaces can pivot and open

There are three main types of vaults which are each used for different functions: large glass-fronted vaults contain shops and galleries, vaults with steel doors house cafes and workshops, and other spaces are used for public toilets.

The application of a consistent design language and material palette creates a sense of cohesion throughout the project. The architects also aimed to combine preservation with the latest sustainable technologies in each of the interventions.

The spaces have a domed and vaulted interior

Six of the vaults on the Rašín Embankment feature elliptical windows with a diameter of 5.5 metres. The windows can be opened mechanically and pivot on an offset axis to provide access to the interior spaces.

The original arched openings were adapted to incorporate the round windows, with new stepped stone details at the base hiding the air-conditioning units and flood-control features.

The 14 vaults on the Hořejší Embankment feature sculptural steel entrances that visually connect the vaults with the riverfront area.

Some of these house public toilets and feature curved walls that extend inwards to direct visitors towards the facilities, forming partitions that seamlessly incorporate the cubicle doors.

The interiors were kept minimal to allow tenants to adapt the space accordingly

A standardised system was developed to handle all of the technical services required inside the vaults. This includes integrated air conditioning and heating, which are concealed within the walls and floors.

A versatile, freestanding furniture element was also created to allow the vaults to adapt to different uses. This flexible unit can be moved around within the spaces, acting as a bar counter in the cafe vaults or as a reception desk for galleries.

The circular window follows the form of the interior space

Brainwork helped to oversee the fit-out of each vault to ensure the overall architectural vision was retained, while allowing each tenant the freedom to tailor the space to their needs.

During the restoration process, internal walls were insulated and refinished, and a uniform palette was applied throughout the spaces to maintain consistency. Each vault features sandblasted concrete walls and ceilings, cast concrete floors and monolithic cast concrete staircases.

A metal curved wall leads visitors to the public toilets

Doors and hatches are finished with blackened steel, while black titanium-coated stainless steel creates reflective surfaces within some of the vaults that evoke the ever-changing surface of the river.

Future phases of the revitalisation project will include the design of street furniture, freestanding toilets, a floating pool and a floating terminal for cruise boats, along with the completion of the remaining vaults.

Reflective metal finishes were used throughout to replicate the nearby water

Other Czech projects shortlisted in the rebirth category for this year's Dezeen Awards include a bus station by Chybik + Kristof and a Corten tourist route around a castle, designed by Atelier-r.

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Klopf Architecture revamps mid-century home at Stanford University

Redwood cladding and large stretches of glass feature in a 1960s house in northern California that has been updated by American firm Klopf Architecture.

The project, called Stanford Mid-Century Modern Remodel/Addition, entailed a full renovation of a 1962 dwelling on the Stanford University campus near Palo Alto. It was originally built for a professor.

The project involved the renovation of a mid-century property on the Stanford University campus

The wood-clad, split-level house – designed by the late Chinese-American architect Roger Lee – was close to its original condition when it was purchased by the current owners.

"The clients were able to see beyond the dated materials and finishes, single-paned glass and uninsulated walls," said San Francisco-based Klopf Architecture.

Work to update the exterior included replacing the redwood siding and enlarging openings

The overall goal was to strengthen the connection between inside and out, and provide more space for a family of four.

"As with many original mid-century modern homes, the house was scaled to the 1960s lifestyle, where rooms were smaller and openings to views were limited and tightly framed," the architects said.

A slated shade covers a deck at the back of the home

"[The clients] approached us to help them expand and update the entire home – one the family could settle into and enjoy for years to come."

The renovation needed to align with Lee's vision, not only because of the clients' appreciation of mid-century modern architecture, but also because the home carries a historical designation. The renovation plans had to go through a strict design review.

A rethink of the internal layout involved opening up the kitchen area

For the H-shaped house, the architects ended up reconfiguring the interior and bumping out walls to add 1,100 square feet (102 square metres) to the floor plan. The project also entailed converting a carport to an enclosed garage so it could be used as storage space.

On the exterior, the team replaced redwood siding and added more glazing. In particular, windows were enlarged on the rear elevation to improve the interior's connection to the landscape.

A black-and-white colour palette was used in the living room

"We were able to broaden those views, continuing and extending on the original architecture to take full advantage of the unobstructed natural views across the rear facade of the house," the team said.

Within the home, rooms were shifted and enlarged. The kitchen, which was formerly closed off and tucked into a corner, was opened up.

A second staircase was added during the renovation work

"Today the much-larger kitchen is connected to the living area, where a short wall with a cutout offers a visual glimpse into the kitchen and a handy pass-through counter for serving guests," the team said.

"A new breakfast nook was also added to create another spot where the family can gather for casual meals."

The living room was freshened up with a black-and-white colour palette. An original wood-burning Malm fireplace was restored, and a gas burner was installed to comply with California's strict air standards.

Large glass, sliding doors provide access to a covered patio.

Large windows reveal scenic surroundings in the bedroom

"The new deck was re-envisioned as an extension of the main living room," the architects said. "A new slatted pergola above provides the homeowners welcome relief from the hot afternoon sun."

On the home's top level, the team expanded two bedrooms and added a laundry room and a half-bathroom.

The updated design was kept within the vision of original architect Roger Lee

Also on the top level is the main bedroom suite, where small, horizontal openings were replaced with tall windows. A new corner office looks out toward the scenery.

A second staircase was added to the home, helping provide a better connection to the home's lowest level.

Green tiles cover the floor in one of the bathrooms

Originally utilitarian in nature, the lowest floor encompassed a bathroom, laundry facilities, storage space, and an area related to a backyard swimming pool with a drain in the centre of the floor.

The ageing pool was removed, allowing the team to fully rethink the ground-level space.

A laundry room was added on the top level

"Without the need for a pool room, we were able to convert the area into a much more comfortable and functional living space with a new family room and guest suite," the team said.

The project also entailed updates to the landscape, which was done in collaboration with Outer Space Landscape Architecture of San Francisco.

Maintaining a connection to the outdoors was part of the brief

Klopf Architecture has remodeled numerous mid-century modern homes in California, including a plywood-clad, four-bedroom dwelling in Palo Alto that was built by the visionary developer Jospeh Eichler.

The photography is by Mariko Reed.

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Project credits:

Architect: Klopf Architecture
Architect team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, Noel Andrade
Contractor: ORB Construction, Brendan O'Reilly
Structural engineer: Sezen and Moon
Landscape architect: Outer space
Furnishings and decoration: Urbanism Designs

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Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos combines eucalyptus and concrete in Quito home

Board-formed concrete imprinted with eucalyptus planks forms the exterior of this home in Quito, Ecuador, by local firm Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos.

The low-slung house is sited on a corner lot in the Tumbaco neighbourhood, on the outskirts of Quito. Local planning regulations required that the house have a generous front yard, and prohibited the construction of a fence or other obstruction.

Casa 9B is situated in the Tumbaco area of Quito

To try and provide the occupants with more privacy, Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos designed the 350-square-metre home's two street-facing facades with a monolithic concrete exterior and selective punched openings in the bedrooms.

The home's overall composition is an "L"-shaped volume with a rounded corner that is meant to match the outline of the street. Three bedrooms and a home office are laid out along a corridor, forming the long leg of the "L", while the communal spaces are clustered in the perpendicular volume.

Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos designed the house in a curved 'L' shape

In contrast to the opaque exterior facade, the inward-facing sides of the home are light and open.

"The private area is made with a system of concrete load-bearing walls, with discreet openings, making the rooms contained and warm spaces, while the social area is completely opened by large windows that merge with the garden and the sky," the architects explained.

Facades oriented away from the street feature large panels of glazing

In the communal areas, the roof is also slightly raised, allowing light to pour in through clerestory windows on all sides of the home.

"The program is organized between the private and services area, maintaining a height of a single floor," the architects said. "This enhances the contemplative gardens that are yielded to the public space. Inside, the social area enjoys a large roof slightly inclined to a floor and a half high, where a wonderful space is generated."

The bottom face of this roof is clad in wooden boards that run from the interior to the exterior. It provides a deep overhang to protect the glass wall from direct sunlight and shelter a section of the patio.

Eucalyptus grows abundantly in the region, and was also used for interior finishes and doors.

Concrete walls are imprinted with the eucalyptus boards used to form them

The combination of the eucalyptus printed into the concrete boards and the wood itself lends continuity to the finishes between exterior and interior.

"This vertical modulation of the marks of the molds in the concrete is repeated in the metal and wooden doors, generating order in the facades," said Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos.

Local eucalyptus wood was also used for interior finishes and doors

Eucalyptus is also incorporated into a residential project in Ecuador as living trees that provide structural supports for a canopy.

The photography is by Andres V Fotografia Arquitectonica.

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Project credits:

Architects: Bernardo Bustamante, Doménika Baquero
Design team: Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos
Builder: Bernardo Bustamante Arquitectos
Engineering: Iván Delgado

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