External Brain

Due to the very complex urban planning, technical and economical requirements we designed [Atelier Thomas Pucher & Bramberger] a building, that is calm and reduced, but at the same time a dominating aesthetic solitaire. This building becomes a sculpture through its simplicity. Based on the clear steel framed structure with light weight wall panels, a multifaceted playful facade with clear vertical alignments appears. The closed elements on the façade have a gold glimmering appearance and can accommodate shelves or archives on the interior. The height of the building adapts with the surrounding buildings and mediates between a high -density area and an open space — via ArchDaily

Vigil’s passion is XDL Sportbike Freestyle, which is the national stunt riding competition in the US. XDL stands for Extreme Drifting League and the bikes are modified to increase maneuverability and control. In 2010, Ernie got himself a new mount—nicknamed Carbon Lifeform—and it seemed better than his previous rides — via Bike EXIF

This simple and understated project, designed by Tridente Architects, sits comfortably within this transitional streetscape and provides a glimpse of what is possible in the changing Australian cities. North Adelaide, as for most inner precincts of Australian cities, continues to transform from established older residential building stock to larger and more contemporary commercial buildings. In the case of Melbourne Street the predominant character of single storey buildings has long been under pressure due to the limited commercial accommodation available in close proximity to the adjacent Central Business Precinct. As a direct result the established patterns of narrow sites with stand alone residential buildings providing a mix of both residential and commercial activity is now less desirable; especially given an increasing awareness that consolidation within such existing frameworks offers a more appropriate approach to sustainability and environments more suited to present day usage — via ArchDaily

Terry & Terry Architecture transformed this 1960’s house into an open plan modern dwelling. The design for this renovation involved subtracting specific existing walls and parts of the existing roof to let in natural light and improve circulation. This included hollowing out the space at the rear of the house to accommodate an exterior deck and capture views to the north. The transformation of the existing typical San Francisco box house into the new opened wood tube form that shelters/adds protection from wind and weather to the rear deck at main floor and to the openings at the middle floor — via ArchDaily

In 2009, the Canadian city of Vancouver made an effort to increase density in its single-family neighbourhoods by allowing home owners to replace their garages with laneway houses. The Mendoza Lane House by Lanefab was the first laneway house completed — via CONTEMPORIST