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Thursday, 28 October 2021

Syn Architects tops wedding chapel in China with illuminated "moon"

A half domed volume emerges from a pool of water

An illuminated semicircular window above a pool of water simulates "a moon that never sets" on the roof of a ceremonial hall designed by Syn Architects, in the dramatic landscape surrounding Mount Tai in China.

Hometown Moon is part of a creative strategy commissioned by the Lushang Group in 2019 for a 55-square-kilometre area north of Tai'an City, intended to encourage visitors to explore the natural landscape and to better connect the local villages.

the hometown moon by syn architects — The Hometown Moon by Syn Architects was built opposite a cloud-like viewing terrace

"Lushang Group demanded a holistic approach to connect the string of mountain villages in the area," said Syn Architects.

"We returned to the birthplace of Confucianism, rebuilding the relationship between dualities such as city and the countryside."

A half moon window tops a chapel at The Hometown Moon — The chapel is built on rocky terrain and accessed via a route through the mountains

The hall, which will be used to host weddings, is located at the end of a "purifying road" through the mountains.

This route begins with a cloud-like viewing terrace called Jiunvfeng Study, previously completed by Gad Line+ Studio.

Hometown Moon is designed to sit in dialogue with this structure, influenced by a large, illuminated balloon that was lit during the area's Mid-Autumn festival.

"The buildings complement each other as symbolic counterparts...after crossing a mountain, a river and exploring a few curved pathways, visitors finally arrive at the building," said the practice.

The chapel building is a concrete structure, with a large external canopy supported by columns set in deep cut-outs that are illuminated at night.

Inside, a double-height hall features a mountain-like sculptural form on its floor, alongside a block of toilets and a spiral staircase that leads up to the roof.

a canopy is supported by large columns at The Hometown Moon — A canopy-covered space will be used to host weddings and ceremonies

"Graceful rock slabs, stone objects, smooth grey concrete cover the walls and floors of the structure, almost as if they were a part of the mountain," said the practice.

The "moon" effect is created by a semi-spherical form that cuts through the hall's roof plane, emerging above as an illuminated window and bouncing light down into a dramatic light-scoop in the ceremonial hall below.

Light reflects of the ceiling of an internal hall at The Hometown Moon — An internal hall reveals the other half of the large window, reflected in the mirrored ceiling

Above, a thin pool of water on the roof creates a reflection that turns the "setting moon" into a "full moon" from a distance. Inside, a similar effect is produced by a mirrored ceiling, which also amplifies the natural light.

"The curved wall of the moon forms a natural echo cavity, like a functional symbol that amplifies the promise between lovers, conveying their vows to the world," said the practice.

The staircase leading up to this roof opens onto a crescent-shaped concrete viewing deck, allowing for views across the water out towards the landscape and the villages below.

Many of China's natural landscapes have seen increased investment in designs for tourism, with previous projects including a riverside visitor centre in Huangyu comprising a series of pine pavilions by DnA_Design and Architecture.

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Yinka Ilori builds colourful Lego launderette in east London for kids to play in

Designer Yinka Ilori has worked with Lego to create the Launderette of Dreams, an installation in London that reimagines the everyday community space as a children's play zone.

The Launderette of Dreams features Ilori's signature bold colours and geometric shapes, applied across ten "washing machines" and the walls of a shopfront on Bethnal Green Road in east London.

Exterior of a colourful shopfront on Bethnal Green Road with a sign reading Laundrette of Dreams — Yinka Ilori's Launderette of Dreams is located on Bethnal Green Road in east London

The installation also incorporates more than 200,000 Lego bricks, which are used both as a structural material and as objects for play.

Children are invited to play and socialise in the space, which also includes hopscotch floors, a giant Lego mural and a vending machine that dispenses toys instead of soap.

Laundrette of Dreams decorated in bold colours and geometric patterns — The installation was produced for Lego and includes over 200,000 Lego bricks

Ilori wanted the installation to pay tribute to the multifaceted role that laundromats can play in communities, while harnessing the creative optimism of children to transform an everyday shopfront.

He said the project was rooted in the strong childhood memories he had of playing at his local launderette on Essex Road, north London, while the adults were preoccupied with laundry.

Kids add Lego bricks to a wall mural in the Laundrette of Dreams — The installation includes a mural wall that visitors can build and disassemble

"It was where I could dream about the things I wanted to achieve," said Ilori. "We often forget about the mundane spaces which play an important role in bringing the community and people from different cultures and backgrounds together, as well as providing an opportunity for kids to meet, play and share ideas."

"Community launderettes are essential to the fabric and DNA of many communities," he continued. "I hope the Launderette of Dreams inspires both adults and children to believe they can dream and create anywhere."

Child stares into a colourful washing machine drum at the Lego laundrette — There are also interactive "washing machines" filled with kaleidoscopic light installations

Ilori invited children from his former school, St Jude & St Paul's C of E Primary School, into the design process.

During a visit to a local launderette, he had them think about how they would rebuild the space for the better and bring people in the community together, and their ideas shaped what would become the Launderette of Dreams.

A key feature of the space is its washing machines, which contain kaleidoscopic light installations and Lego creations in the drums. Some machines are interactive and can be spun.

Another main play area is the Lego mural wall, which allows visitors to build, disassemble and rebuild the design using Lego bricks.

Interior of Yinka Ilori's colourful Laundrette of Dreams with washing machine installations lining both sides of the room — Hopscotch can be played on the floors

The installation is part of the Lego Group's Rebuild the World advertising campaign, which celebrates children as "the masters of creative problem solving".

The Launderette of Dreams will be open from 28 October to 6 November at 133-135 Bethnal Green Road, London, and entry is free.

Yinka Ilori sits on a washing machine at the Laundrette of Dreams — Ilori made the installation to honour the role that laundromats can play as a community and social space

Ilori is a London-based designer who calls on both his British and Nigerian heritage in his work.

His recent projects have included colourful crosswalk installations for the London Design Festival and a rainbow-hued 3D-printed basketball court.

He was also the creative director of this year's Brit Awards and designed its trophies together with Es Devlin.

The photography is by Mark Cocksedge.

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UCL says it is "aware of unacceptable behaviour" and launches independent investigation into Bartlett allegations

University College London has admitted that "unacceptable behaviour takes place" and appointed external agency Howlett Brown to investigate allegations of discrimination at The Bartlett School of Architecture.

"UCL has been deeply troubled to learn about allegations of unacceptable behaviour at The Bartlett School of Architecture and we have appointed an external agency, Howlett Brown, to carry out an independent investigation into the culture and behaviours in the School," said Sasha Roseneil, pro-provost of equity and inclusion at UCL.

"We are aware that unacceptable behaviour takes place at UCL"

Consultancy Howlett Brown will investigate a series of claims that were first brought to light by former student Eleni Kyriacou and revealed in the Guardian in May.

Initially, Kyriacou compiled a dossier from 21 people who alleged staff sexually harassed female students and made derogatory comments about race.

Since then, further students have come forward, with a group named Bartlett United now representing 70 former students and staff.

"We are aware that unacceptable behaviour takes place at UCL, and we are committed to fully understanding the issues and to addressing them," said Roseneil.

"This is a complex investigation and we ask for patience"

According to UCL, the investigation will be carried out independently, with Howlett Brown set to make recommendations to the university early next year.

"UCL has asked Howlett Brown to report back with recommendations at the beginning of 2022," said Roseneil. "This is a complex investigation and we ask for patience while Howlett Brown conduct their work."

"This independent investigation will provide recommendations for changes at The Bartlett School of Architecture, to ensure that all its students and staff are treated fairly and are able to thrive," she continued.

School is "keen for students and staff to share their experiences"

UCL is asking current and former students of the Bartlett, which is based in Bloomsbury in a Hawkins\Brown-designed building, to share their allegations with Howlett Brown.

"As part of the investigation, we are keen for students and staff (current and former) to share their experiences of studying and working at the School with Howlett Brown," said Roseneil.

"Howlett Brown specialises in independent investigations that concern workplace culture, diversity, and inclusion," she continued.

"Their investigation will be carried out separately from the university, and UCL and The Bartlett School of Architecture will not have access to any identifiable information from current or former students or staff who come forward."

Disappointed with UCL's progress investigating the allegations, Bartlett United recently hired a lawyer to pursue "breaches of a serious nature" at the architecture school.

It also recently launched a campaign to raise £2,500 to fund a further investigation and legal review.

The Bartlett is currently looking for a new director to replace current director Bob Sheil when his second term in the role comes to an end in 2022. Sheil's move predates the recent controversy over alleged discrimination at the school, and he will return to his former position as a professor at the school.

The Bartlett is the latest but not the only architecture and design school to face allegations of discrimination. Rhode Island School of Design recently announced a series of initiatives to tackle "multiple racist issues".

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Hymn lamp by Hiroto Yoshizoe for Ambientec

Dezeen Showroom: Japanese designer Hiroto Yoshizoe has created the Hymn lamp for Ambientec, using magnets to create a flickering light reminiscent of a candle in a chamberstick.

The Hymn lamp is a portable design that combines the charm of an antique with contemporary ingenuity.

The lamp contains a small lens lit with a warm LED light that sits pendulum-like on a sculptural metal loop. When the lamp is turned on, two magnets repel the lens, making it move with tiny, constant oscillations that follow an unpredictable rhythm.

Yoshizoe exhibited an early prototype of Hymn at the 2019 Salone Satellite in Milan, where it got the attention of Ambientec founder and CEO Yoshinori Kuno and was subsequently developed with the brand for two years.

"Hymn avoids being a slavish imitation of a flame," said Kuno. "Beginning with Hirot Yoshizoe's inspired idea and respecting its originality, we chose not to fall into the trap of a realistic, didactic effect."

"Rather, we aimed to create a new concept of intimate, moving light by combining LED technology, magnets and lens in an unexpected way."

Hymn's base and handle is made of anodised aluminium with either a gold or black finish, and the lamp is both waterproof and durable, making it suitable for the outdoors as well as indoors.

Product: Hymn
Designer: Hiroto Yoshizoe
Brand: Ambientec

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Consumption-based carbon emissions "have not been taken into consideration" by architects

Creating developments that encourage inhabitants to reduce their consumption is the next frontier for low-carbon design, according to Hélène Chartier of sustainable urbanism network C40 Cities.

Chartier said that "a change of mindset" is required to ensure that architects look beyond the carbon footprint of their buildings and also consider emissions generated by the lifestyles of building users.

"As a designer, they don't just build a box," Chartier said during a Dezeen talk about carbon held at Dutch Design Week last week. "They build a place where people live. The design can really empower people to live a more sustainable life and make lower-carbon choices in their daily lives".

Consumption-based emissions "a catastrophe"

Consumption-based emissions are those produced by the consumption of goods and services by building users and include emissions from transport, food, clothing and other goods.

These are "a catastrophe," said Chartier, who is head of zero-carbon development at C40 Cities, a network that helps the world's biggest cities with their decarbonisation goals.

"If we take the city of Copenhagen, which is one of the most ambitious cities in terms of carbon-neutrality objectives and everything, and add the consumption-based emissions today, they are just getting worse and worse," she said.

Consumption-based emissions come on top of the lifecycle emissions of a building itself.

Hélène Chartier made the comments during a Dezeen talk at Dutch Design Week (above and top image)

While operational carbon (emissions caused by a building's use) is widely understood and embodied carbon (emissions caused by the construction supply chain) is becoming better known, consumption-based emissions remain a blind spot, Chartier said.

"Consumption-based emissions are something that has been not taken into consideration enough when they do the carbon calculations," she said.

"When a city or nation says it will be carbon neutral, they totally avoid thinking about all of the consumption of the people, which is a very large problem."

Consumption-based emissions can be reduced by encouraging people to walk, cycle or use public transport and by reducing parking provision to discourage car use.

Other moves include encouraging local food networks and local sourcing of goods and materials, sharing facilities including laundries and tools, and prioritising low-carbon businesses such as restaurants and shops.

Two-thirds of consumption-based emissions come from outside cities

A 2018 report by C40 Cities found that two-thirds of consumption-based emissions come from outside the city's boundaries.

"Cities rely heavily on the supply of goods and services from outside their physical boundaries," said the report, which was based on a study of 79 cities within the C40 Cities network.

"The results of this study show that the GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions associated with these supply chains are significant, particularly for C40 cities in Europe, North America and Oceania."

"Over 70 per cent of consumption-based GHG emissions come from utilities and housing, capital, transportation, food supply and government services," it said.

"I think today when a city or nation says they are they are going to be carbon-neutral by 2030 or 2050, they basically consider the emission in their producing in their territory," and therefore overlooking consumption-based emissions, Chartier said.

Chartier was one of three panellists at the Dutch Design Week talk, speaking alongside Cambridge University biomaterials researcher Darshil Shah and designer Teresa van Dongen.

The talk, called Good Design for a Bad World: Carbon, explored ways that architects and designers can help remove carbon from the atmosphere.

The session was the latest in the ongoing series of Good Design for a Bad World talks organised by Dezeen and Dutch Design Week.

It built on knowledge gained during Dezeen's Carbon Revolution editorial series, which explored how atmospheric carbon can be captured and put to use on earth.

Cities are "major contributors" of emission

While the built environment is responsible for around 40 per cent of global emissions, cities account for between 50 and 60 per cent of all emissions when additional factors including consumption-based emissions are taken into account, Chartier said.

"Cites are really the major contributors of emissions," she said. "A new city the size of New York is built every month in the world."

"We know that today that 55 per cent of the world's population is living in cities and it will grow to 70 per cent by 2050. So the way we design and build our cities is going to make a huge difference," Chartier added.

Chartier oversees C40 Cities' Reinventing Cities competition, which will see 49 experimental low-carbon developments built in 19 different cities.

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