A design and formal language of poetic tenor: Swarovski Kristallwelten

Snøhetta has been commissioned to take part in the expansion of the Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds). Swarovski Kristallwelten has put together a team of three architectural firms, including CAO PERROT, s_o_s architekten, and Snøhetta. Snøhetta has contributed with three main elements to the expansion; a play tower and adjacent playground, a shop entrance, and a café and restaurant area.

With the goal of having the expanded Swarovski Kristallwelten appealing to all visitors’ senses, with a particular focus on children, a new building typology has emerged in this project. Situated in the south end of the garden, the 20 meter tall playtower will foster a wide range of playing experiences on four vertically arranged levels, creating an innovative experience of space. The tower’s façade consists of 160 crystal facets, where not two are alike. The panels are printed with an innovative pattern made from millions of tiny motifs that are linked to the history of Swarovski. At night, the structure presents a spectacular body of light that magically enhances the reflections of the surrounding Crystal Cloud and Mirror Pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info and images © Snøhetta

A design and formal language of poetic tenor: Swarovski Kristallwelten

Current and connection define the design of Proti Proudu Bistro

Current and connection are the main themes of the interior design of Proti Proudu Bistro in Prague district Karlín. Inspiration by František Krizik, the Karlín-born electrical engineering innovator, merged with the idea of connecting through good coffee and delicious food. The main bar wall, made of white perforated plywood, creates a grid, which all the components on the wall connect to – from the sliding targets of wires to the paper roll with daily menu.

Network of wires, stretching from the switches behind the counter to the lights above the tables, draws attention to the connection between staff and guests. Each of the lights is operated separately, location of the switches on the wall grid reflects the real position of the lights in the room. The lights turn on and off as guests come and go. Every time the door opens, it lights a new spark in the bistro. Plywood texture softly reflects stone floor pattern, as well as the oak board of the counter and individual tables. Steel elements preserve their unrefined black iron character. The only exception is the rusty counter with the motto that will never rust – IN COFFEE WE TRUST.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info © Mimosa architekti and Modulora

Images © BoysPlayNice

Current and connection define the design of Proti Proudu Bistro

Cabin Norderhov's interior is shaped as a continuous space

Cabin Norderhov by Atelier Oslo is located in Krokskogen forests, outside the town of Hønefoss. Its location on a steep slope gives a fantastic view over the lake Steinsfjorden. The site is often exposed to strong winds, so the cabin is organized around several outdoors spaces that provide shelter from the wind and receives the sun at different times of the day. The interior is shaped as a continuous space. The curved walls and ceilings form continuous surfaces clad with 4mm birch plywood.

The floor follows the terrain and divides the plan into several levels that also defines the different functional zones of the cabin. The transitions between these levels create steps that provide varies places for sitting and lying down. Large glass walls are located in the living and dining areas. The frames of the glass are detailed carefully to avoid seeing it from the inside. This creates a more direct relationship with the nature outside. Outside, the cottage has a more rectangular geometry and the walls and roofs are covered with 20mm basalt stone slabs laid in a pattern similar the ones often used for traditional wooden claddings in Norway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info and images © Atelier Oslo

Cabin Norderhov's interior is shaped as a continuous space

Mass and space combine in a perforated, weathered steel structure

Mass and space combine together in a perforated, weathered steel (Cor-Ten™) structure that creates and sets clear boundaries for the ‘In Praise of Shadows’ house by Pitsou Kedem Architects. The structure regulates the amount of sunlight penetrating the building’s spaces and controls the angle of sight both into and from the building whist creating a controlled, visual dialogue between the inside and the outside. The structure is constructed from layers and areas. The central area which is the central space, the residential area which centers around a double, communal living space and the external area, the weathered steel structure which defines a border and area for the building whilst creating new, intermediary areas that combine the inside and the outside.

The building is constructed of exposed concrete walls, large and inanimate and, without the movement of light and shade, they appear almost monastic. The shade and shadows moving across the building’s surfaces create a dynamic drama that makes the entire mass seem to be alive and full of movement. Sometimes the shadows and shade create repeating geometric shapes that sometimes stretch the entire length of the wall and sometimes creating unique blends of color and depth on the grey walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info and images © Pitsou Kedem Architects

Mass and space combine in a perforated, weathered steel structure

The House of Four Houses creates an interstitial space

This holiday house by prod architecture & design for a family of four is located in the north of Portugal. It’s shape is defined by the same number of individual volumes. They have similar dimensions, but distinct orientations. Three of the volumes are orthogonally organized around a core, whilst a fourth rotates to match the direction of an existing neighbouring building. The proximity between the two constructions led to a desired dialogue. The modest dimensions of the existing building determined the scale of the house, while the vernacular identity influenced its layout. Each volume has a two slope roof. Besides emphasising its individuality it enabled to increase the plasticity of the composition. The combination of local granite for the basement, patinated pine boards on the walls and zinc on the roof grant a rich silver homogeneity combining different tones and textures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info and images courtesy of  João Morgado – Fotografia de arquitectura | Architectural Photography

The House of Four Houses creates an interstitial space