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Sunday 19 December 2021

Carlo Ratti and Italo Rota design Italian home around ten-metre-tall tree

A 10-metre-tall ficus tree grows through the centre of the living space in The Greenery, a farmhouse renovation and extension by studio Carlo Ratti Associati and architect Italo Rota in Italy.

Located in the countryside outside Parma, the home was designed by Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) and Italo Rota for Francesco Mutti, the CEO of tomato company Mutti.

Italian farmhouse renovation — Carlo Ratti Associati and Italo Rota have converted a farmhouse in Italy

Having already won an international competition in 2017 to redesign the Mutti factory, the architects were invited to design the CEO's "forever home" in a nearby farmhouse and granary.

Named The Greenery – a combination of the words green and granary – the house is intended to "blur the boundaries between the natural and artificial". This led to the large ficus tree, named Alma, being installed in the farmhouse's new open-plan living space and kitchen.

"The 2oth-century Italian architect Carlo Scarpa once said, 'between a tree and a house, choose the tree'," explained CRA founder Carlo Ratti.

"While I resonate with his sentiment, I think we can go a step further and put the two together," he continued. "The tree stands in a new weathered steel-topped extension that abuts the original farmhouse, sunk slightly into the ground and featuring a fully-glazed, south-facing wall and skylights."

Living room containing tree — The ficus tree is 10 metres tall

Inside the living space, a weathered steel staircase leads around the tree to a series of landings above, which are enclosed by screens that create a play of light and views.

Windows covered by perforated brick walls on either side of this room create a dappled pattern of light and shadow similar to that of the tree.

The tree inside The Greenery by CRA — A weathered steel staircase wraps around it

"Light enters the interior space through the pierced brick wall, corten steel stairs and tree branches," added CRA partner Andrea Cassi.

"By doing so, it mingles with the architectural details of the house, and leaves subtle shades all around it."

Atrium inside The Greenery — The staircase is lined with screens of weathered steel

The landings above The Greenery's kitchen and living room lead to the bedrooms, which are lined with thinner, elongated openings and windows to provide more privacy.

At the end of the farmhouse building, there is secondary living space, which opens up to the landscape with a fully-glazed south-facing wall, shielded from the sun by large shutters.

Opposite the farmhouse to the north is a workspace housed in the old granary. It features similar weathered steel detailing and has an elasticated net-like floor that functions as a hammock for lounging and reading.

The architects' aim of incorporating nature into the design is also reflected in some of the project's material choices, including the resin flooring that incorporates soil and orange peels.

Net-like floor — The old granary contains a workspace with a net-like floor

A weathered steel canopy on brick pillars runs along the edge of the granary, creating an outdoor gathering and creating a sense of continuity between the two buildings.

The landscaping surrounding the two structures was designed by Paolo Pejrone and Alberto Fusari and celebrates the biodiversity of the area.

Farmhouse in Italy — The two buildings are connected by a canopy outside

CRA also recently collaborated Rota on the design of the Italy Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.

Completed with Matteo Gatto and F&M Ingegneria, the structure was topped by a roof of three upturned boats from which hangs a rope curtain facade.

The photography is by Delfino Sisto Legnani and Alessandro Saletta from DSL Studio.

The post Carlo Ratti and Italo Rota design Italian home around ten-metre-tall tree appeared first on Dezeen.

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Richard Rogers' top 10 architecture projects

Following the news that high-tech architecture pioneer Richard Rogers has passed away aged 88, here are 10 of his most influential projects including the Centre Pompidou and the Millennium Dome.

Reliance Controls, Swindon, UK (1967)

Designed in partnership with Norman Foster, Su Brumwell and Wendy Cheesman while Rogers was part of Team 4, the Reliance Controls factory in Swindon was the first high-tech industrial building.

The building, which contained both the factory and offices for precision electronic instruments company Reliance Controls, has its structure clearly visible – something that would become a hallmark of high-tech architecture.

Wimbledon house, London, UK (1969)

Following Team 4, Rogers and Brumwell established an architecture studio and one of its first projects was a home for Rogers' parents at 22 Parkside in Wimbledon.

According to Rogers, the home was designed to demonstrate how pre-fabrication would enable homes to be built quickly and affordably.

"This was going to be a standardised system to solve the whole of the British housing problem," he told Dezeen in an interview. "It didn't! But it did certainly lead to most of the work which I still do some 50 years later and more."

Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (1977)

Perhaps Rogers' most famous building and a clear expression of his inside-out architecture, Centre Pompidou in Paris drew global attention to both its architects and the high-tech movement.

Designed with Italian architect Renzo Piano, the art gallery has its structure and mechanical services visible on the exterior of the building, creating open, flexible interior spaces.

Inmos Microprocessor Factory, Newport, UK (1982)

At the Inmos Microprocessor Factory in south Wales, Rogers continued the idea of inside-out architecture.

To create the large, column spaces required by the microchip factory, the building's roof is supported by nine blue-painted towers made from tubular steel that are positioned along the centre of its roof.

Rogers designed the highly-flexible single-storey steel structure as a prefabricated kit of parts so that similar structures could be built anywhere.

Lloyd's building, London, UK (1986)

One of the most recognisable pieces of architecture built in the 1980s, the Lloyd's building in London is another of Rogers inside-out buildings that has its structure and services clearly visible on its exterior.

Built as the headquarters of Lloyd's of London – one of the world's largest insurance firms – the 14-storey office block is wrapped around a central atrium. Placing the services on the outside creating open, flexible offices inside.

"[We] kept the floors clear because Lloyd's said they wanted two things," Rogers told Dezeen in an exclusive interview in 2013.

"They wanted a building that would last into the next century – we met that one – and they wanted a building that could meet their changing needs."

Richard Rogers top 10 architecture projects: Dome

Millennium Dome, London, UK (1999)

Built to house an exhibition celebrating the beginning of a new millennium called the Millennium Experience, the dome-shaped structure was designed as a giant tent. The 50-metre high dome in Greenwich, London, is supported from 12 bright yellow towers.

More than six million people visited the attraction in the year 2000, and it was subsequently converted into a concert and entertainment venue.

Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain (2005)

Rogers' terminal 4 building at the Barajas Airport in Madrid, won his architecture studio the Stirling Prize for the first time.

Designed in collaboration with Spanish practice Estudio Lamela, the airport building has a bamboo-clad linear roof that is supported on central columns that are brightly coloured to mark the airport's different sections.

Heathrow Terminal 5, London, UK (2008)

Driven by the desire to have flexible internal space, like many of his earlier projects, Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow airport is a 396-metres-long and 176-metres-wide, column-free space topped with a curved roof.

Internal freestanding structures to house departure and arrivals areas, check-in, shops and offices were all designed so that they can be dismantled and reconfigured if the building's requirements change.

Hammersmith Maggie's Centre, London, UK (2008)

The Hammersmith Maggie's Centre won Rogers' studio it's second Stirling Prize. Designed for cancer-care charity Maggie's, the orange-coloured centre is intended to be a welcoming and uplifting space for cancer patients.

Situated within the Charing Cross Hospital site in Hammersmith, the building was designed to have a domestic scale and feel to contrast the institutional buildings within the hospital.

The Leadenhall Building, London, UK (2014)

Built directly opposite the Lloyd's building, the Leadenhall Building is a wedge-shaped skyscraper in central London. Widely known as the Cheesegrater, due to its shape, the 224-metre office tower has a sloped facade so that it doesn't interfere with protected sight lines to St Paul's Cathedral.

In 2016 Rogers' 200-strong studio moved into a brightly coloured office within the building.

All images courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

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Ten eclectic living rooms with statement rugs

For our latest lookbook, we have selected 10 living rooms from the Dezeen archive that feature statement rugs, from rustic cowhide rugs to expansive carpets decorated with geometric shapes.

Interior designers have traditionally included cosy rugs in living rooms to add warmth to the space and soften its acoustics.

The following examples highlight how creative variations on the classic rug, such as skinny floor-runners and quirkily-patterned textiles, can serve more than their original purpose by livening up the look of a room.

This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbooks series that provide visual inspiration for designers and design enthusiasts. Previous lookbooks include homes with exposed concrete, purple interiors and colourful kindergartens.

Moore House by Woods and Dangaran — Photo is by Joe Fletcher

Moore House, US, by Woods + Dangaran

Local firm Woods + Dangaran updated a Los Angeles house built in 1965 by architect Craig Ellwood with interiors that nod to the home's mid-century origins.

The living room at Moore House features an eclectic dark-coloured rug with shaggy tassels, which contrasts with the sleek surrounding furniture including an Arflex leather sofa by Umberto Asnago and bulbous Foscarini lamps placed on stone side tables.

Find out more about The Moore House ›

The living room of Caserío Azkarraga — Photo is by Biderbost Photo

Caserío Azkarraga, Spain, by BABELstudio and Bonadona Arquitectura

Caserío Azkarraga in northern Spain is a restaurant with an adjoining house for its chef, where hints of colour inside offset the building's blackened-timber cladding.

A tall orange lamp in the living space connects to accents of the colour found in a geometric-patterned rug, which resembles a quirky playing card and makes a statement in the otherwise minimalist room.

Find out more about Caserío Azkarraga ›

Atherton by Pacific Peninsula and Leverone DesignAtherton by Leverone Design — Photo is by Joe Fletcher

Atherton Contemporary, USA, by Pacific Peninsula Architecture and Leverone Design

Silicon Valley studio Leverone Design created the interiors for Atherton Contemporary, a light-hued limestone house with similarly neutrally-toned furniture.

Despite their closeness in colour, the soft materiality of a plush floor rug contrasts with the roughness of nearby exposed brick walls, highlighting how living room interiors can play with texture to create an eclectic feel.

Find out more about Atherton Contemporary ›

Living room in Kew Residence by John Wardle Architects in Melbourne, Australia — Photo is by Trevor Mein and Sharyn Cairns

Kew Residence, Australia, by John Wardle Architects

Three vividly-patterned runner-style rugs were placed under a wooden coffee table at Kew Residence, a Melbourne house with Victorian ash walls, floors and ceilings.

Home to its architect, John Wardle, the property features brightly-coloured artworks that nod to the splashes of colour and elegant shapes found on the rugs.

Find out more about Kew Residence ›

Levine by Hendricks Churchill — Photo is by Tim Lenz

Connecticut house, USA, by Hendricks Churchill

American office Hendricks Churchill designed this Connecticut residence as a "modern farmhouse," with patterned and textured area rugs draped over hardwood floors.

"The goal was to design a somewhat traditional house with a few key contemporary elements," explained Hendricks Churchill creative director Rafe Churchill.

Find out more about this Connecticut house ›

The Historic Schoolhouse apartment, USA, by White Arrow

Retro geometric carpets take centre stage in the Historic Schoolhouse, a New York City apartment with statement interior elements such as a towering indoor palm tree.

Brooklyn design studio White Arrow added an expansive rug to the living space, which serves as the focal point of the room thanks to its playful shapes woven in shades of lilac, green and dark blue.

Find out more about The Historic Schoolhouse apartment ›

The Wyoming Residence, US, by Abramson Teiger

Panel-formed concrete walls that were poured in-situ line the inside of the Wyoming Residence, a steel-clad house designed by American office Abramson Teiger.

The smooth texture of the walls contrasts directly with a luxurious fluffy rug placed in the living room, although both design elements are tinged in unusual shades of green.

Find out more about The Wyoming Residence ›

Antonio Zaninovic Architecture Studio Cape Town house — Photo is by Elsa Young

Icaria House, South Africa, by Antonio Zaninovic Architecture Studio and Tara Bean

Located on a clifftop in Cape Town, this mid-century house was overhauled by Antonio Zaninovic Architecture Studio and designer Tara Bean to connect indoor and outdoor spaces.

Interior walls were painted white to bring light into the home, contrasting against more dramatic visual elements such as a deep red floor rug that offsets the light-blue ocean horizon seen from large windows.

Find out more about Icaria House ›

Turner Architects Cloistered House — Photo is by Adam Scott

A Cloistered House, UK, by Turner Architects

A cosy feel was incorporated at London residence A Cloistered House by adding a classic cowhide rug to the living room, which features original elements such as dark wooden floors.

Local practice Turner Architects renovated the house to include "cloister-like" rooms arranged around a central courtyard, with pops of interior colours and patterns that were chosen to bring the changing colours of the seasons inside.

Find out more about A Cloistered House ›

Nick Deaver LeanToo Austin — Photo is by Casey Dunn

LeanToo, USA, by Nick Deaver Architects

Austin studio Nick Deaver Architects enlarged a traditional white gabled house in the Texan capital with a corrugated metal extension.

This mixture of old and new elements is also reflected in the project's interior spaces, which feature furniture such as a richly-decorated Persian rug that contrasts with a minimal white armchair and statement bookcase.

Find out more about LeanToo ›

The main image is of Kew Residence by Trevor Mein and Sharyn Cairns.

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen's image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing texture-heavy restaurant interiors, Shaker-style rooms and retro green bathrooms.

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Adidas to enter the metaverse with first NFT products

Into the Metaverse collection by Adidas Originals with Bored Ape Yacht Club

Adidas has announced its next collection will be a mix of digital and physical items, and will be sold as NFTs produced with collaborators such as Bored Ape Yacht Club.

Titled Into the Metaverse, the collection will comprise virtual wearables that buyers can use in online platforms, but also the physical clothing to match.

It is Adidas' first collection of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens – essentially, digital collectibles with proven authenticity. The brand created the collection in partnership with some of the most well-known personalities in NFTs: Bored Ape Yacht Club, gmoney and the Punks Comic creators.

Visualisation of a bored ape wearing pink heart-shaped glasses and a green Adidas sweatshirt — Adidas' collaborators on Into the Metaverse include Bored Ape Yacht Club, which makes ape avatars

Adidas is positioning the launch as a way to engage with fans and join "the forefront of creativity".

"As part of our ambition to celebrate ideas that are defining a new age of originality, we've landed at the forefront of creativity, which is the open metaverse," said vice president of Adidas Originals marketing and communications Erika Wykes-Sneyd.

Adidas chief digital officer Scott Zalaznik said that blockchain technology, which records the unique signature and ownership of NFTs, presented a great opportunity for brands.

Visualisation of a character in silhouette wearing a bright orange beanie with a white string of numbers on a black sweatshirt — Another collaborator is gmoney, a leading NFT collector

"Blockchain is one of the most innovative technologies of this generation," said Adidas chief digital officer Scott Zalaznik. "We see it unlocking boundless potential to connect with our members."

"The foundation we are building with Web3 [a blockchain-based vision of the internet] will lead to new creative opportunities for partnerships, engagement through digital goods and a path towards a more inclusive future," he added.

Adidas is launching Into the Metaverse through its lifestyle label, Adidas Originals.

The NFTs went on sale on 17 December for the cost of 0.2 Ethereum, and the digital and physical wearables for NFT owners will be made available in 2022.

Visualisation of a bald androgynous figure in silhouette wearing an Adidas t-shirt — The artists behind Punks Comic, an NFT comic with a physical component, are also involved in Adidas' collection

The digital items will be usable in the blockchain-based gaming world of The Sandbox as well as other platforms, while the physical products will include a hoodie, tracksuit and gmoney's signature orange beanie.

As part of the launch, Adidas has also purchased its first NFT – ape #8774 of Bored Ape Yacht Club's 10,000-strong collection of ape avatars. The club comes with some perks for owners, which Adidas will now have access to.

Adidas has also acquired a plot of virtual land inside The Sandbox, which it plans to fill with "exclusive content and experiences".

Black Adidas hoodie close-up to print on the chest showing a long string of white numbers and the logos for gmoney, Bored Ape Yacht Club, Punks Comic and Adidas — Buyers of the Into the Metaverse NFTs will receive physical clothing to match their digital wearables

NFTs have been a hot topic since early 2021, when a Beeple NFT sold at auction at Christie's for a record-breaking $69 million.

Around the same time, designers sold NFTs of "impossible furniture" and a whole house.

While Adidas has embraced NFTs, the technology is controversial because the computing power it requires takes a colossal amount of energy.

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Saturday 18 December 2021

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Rogers dies aged 88

Breaking news: high-tech architecture pioneer Richard Rogers, who designed the Centre Pompidou in Paris and London's Lloyd's building, has passed away aged 88.

British-Italian architect Rogers, one of the world's best-known architects, died at his home in London on Saturday evening. His death was confirmed to the New York Times by his son Roo Rogers.

Over his career he was awarded all of architecture's top honours. He was awarded the Pritzker Prize – architecture's highest accolade – in 2007, the Royal Gold Medal in 1985, the American Institute of Architect's Gold Medal in 2019 and the Praemium Imperiale for Architecture in 2000.

His studio won the Stirling Prize – the UK's top honour for a building – twice, first for Madrid's Barajas Airport in 2006 and for the Maggie's Centre in London in 2009.

More to follow...

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