Realtime Designs

Anchoring at the end of the proposed Hongqiao primary retail axial in Shanghai, and with a canal meandering through the northern edge of the site, Linkong Block 10-1 Development is the destination for public within the Linkong Business Park. The programme of Linkong Block 10-1 Development, The Urban Crossing, calls for a boutique urban mixed-use project with office, retail, gallery, conference centre, and water promenade plaza. The concept is to create a brand new landmark, which further establishes a strong civic presence through its iconic form and vibrant program mix. Portrayed as the Gateway of Hongqiao Airport Transportation Hub, the project is deemed to generate synergy from public and commercial activities.In keeping with metaphoric image with functional requirements within a limited site confine, the concept places a series of vertical forums and stages using inter-connecting layers of platforms, while maintaining a strong gateway presence. These platforms allow access and offer distinct views at various levels and locations. The Urban Crossing also signifies a dynamic mix of urban forum, windows, stage, and observatory, providing platforms for different activities throughout the day. The form consists of two office towers linked by two weaved platforms at upper and lower floors. The platforms combine with a north-south directional shift on the towers to complete the portal concept. The elevated linkages complete this iconic form, and the diagonal connections receive circulation movements from three different axes and distribute people flow to various platforms. Simple shifting and connecting paradigm enriches the overall spatial quality, while satisfying the users’ functional requirements and providing a place for drifting. The Urban Crossing is capable of hosting multiple major events, while maintaining daily commercial/retail activities as part of the urban living scene. The project will be the focal point in Linkong Business Park where people gather and exchange. The shifting of architectural form, layering and circulation pattern expressed the Crossing concept in architectural terms. Functional interaction and spatial extension between the interior and exterior, further strengthens and completes the inter-connected vertical living room/showcase concept at The Urban Crossing.

Roccolo’s Swimming Pool / act_romegialli

Roccolo’s Swimming Pool / act_romegialli Architects: act_romegialli Location: Parco Monte Barro - Museo Etnografico Dell'Alta Brianza, 23851 Galbiate LC, Italy Year: 2015 Photographs: Marcello

The proposal aims not only to create a place for peace and reflection for all religion but a place which also symbolizes the cultural unity of Kazakhstan.

The concept is derived from tradition, The Kazakhstani burials, in which the body is placed in a circular pit and then covered by stones and earth, effectively creating mounds that dot the landscape like tiny hills are evoked. The circular shape becomes the crux of the concept where it also represents continuity of life, perfection and divinity.

Astana DSC Group Kazakhstan

An artificial topography is created with domes buried in the landscape. Each dome represents a religion and are arranged around a central prayer space of 40 m diameter. A ramp connects the lower area(water and earth) with upper one(heaven and eternity). The domes made with lightweight, transparent plastic, durable and recyclable materials (ETFE domes) and steel structures and are integrated with the landscape instead of being obstacles.

The circle also represents the Kazakhstani Flag and hence in concept, the complex also represents a common meeting ground for all religions and people, of modernity and tradition

Landscape FLAG OF REPUBLIC KAZAKHSTAN Modernity Traditions

UK’s Metropolitan Office of innovation have aimed for designing a regeneration scheme for a new mixed-use development in the Jiangsu Province of China. The Baoye Sui-Ning City Plaza is designed to celebrate the creative blend between tradition and modern lifestyle in the city of Suining, Jiangsu, China

Interestingly, MOI Architecture the Shanghai, China office have chosen a ‘forgotten’ city to introduce the development to. The new YOHO City within Sui Ning is designed to represent a new architectural landmark for the state of being ‘forgotten’. A main focus in MOI’s approach was to achieve a sense of balance in the ex*****on of the project. The state of being ‘forgotten’ is interpreted as Sui Ning being a city of old Chinese traditions not quite accommodated to the modern-day needs and uses. Therefore, the city’s historical and spatial identity plays a crucial role in deriving the design driver for MOI.

The province of Jiangsu, in close proximity to Shanghai, carries a significant value in its historic contribution. Famous for its silk weaving, that goes on to be the studio’s design rationale. The metaphoric interpretation of the silk weaving is further developed in an aesthetic and both tradition-based and innovative composition: the architects have strived to bring together streets, boulevards, plazas and squares and link them to one another just like stitching. Thus, creating the ultimate and functional city fabric that is currently disjointed and scattered.

The outcome from the improved city infrastructure is to achieve regeneration in the area, as well as to bring out the most vibrant and culturally significant side of the whole province. The metaphor for silk weaving is further developed as an analogy of how city habitat functions and this is the kernel, the essence of MOI’s aims. A central focal element in their design therefore is the intervention, which derives from the metaphor-analogy synchronisation. It [the intervention] is in the form of a single tower with a dynamic slope. It is designed to offer river view spectacles and accommodate a sense of comfort in its interior habitat: hotel, serviced apartments, offices and outdoor terrace access with views towards the exterior landscape – the commercial plaza and courtyard.

Therefore, balance, as considered in Chinese traditional Ying-Yang belief, is ultimately achieved through creating the intervention tower linked to the traditional Chinese courtyard space. As the Ying-Yang, the project offers 241.994 sqm of harmony between innovation and tradition, between built environment and nature.