CONTEMPORIST

Seat Slug by Rael San Fratello Architects

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 06:45 AM PDT

Rael San Fratello Architects have designed the “Seat Slug,” which is the world’s first concrete polymer 3D printed bench.

Called the Seat Slug, the bench was designed using modo 3D modelling software, then the nearly 250 unique parts were 3D printed using a cement-based polymer. The design is inspired by flabellina goddardi, the newest species of sea slugs discovered in California in 2010, and by the infinite tessellations of Japanese karakusa patterns. The Seat Slug will be on display for two years at San Francisco’s Fort Mason National Park.

Visit the Rael San Fratello Architects website – here.

River Side House in Horinouchi by Mizuishi Architect Atelier

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 04:41 AM PDT

Mizuishi Architect Atelier have designed the River Side House in Horinouchi.

Description from the architect:

This is a very small house built on the triangle site which the river and the way were crossed and made to the acute angle.For the dead-end road, it became a plan in various regulations for obtaining special permission. Residents are husband and wife and a little girl. Although it was a novel site of a limited area, since a river was faced through a bank and a promenade, I would like to build various relations with the river. The building is the form that cut an acute angle part on a triangle plan derived from the site.Furthermore,it got the maximum volume of hip roof of three planes in restriction of setback-line. Although the level0 floor was a private space,it limits for dividing with the curtain of a race in the door, stairs, storage, etc. except for a bathroom. It enabled it to feel a spread. The level+1 floor is devided into small areas by structural narrow walls,being connected with one by the ridgeline of a roof.So there are different open feelings and the relations with the river each.

1. Dining&kitchen/The west side space up the stairs is the largest planarly, and has high ceiling with a feeling of rise towards the roof top.

2. Living/The central space is low ceilinged,and has full-opening windows on both sides as a balcony and the bay window that spreads outward with a feeling of floating

3. Spare room/The east side space in the deepest is a form which is narrowed down to the direction of flow of the river,and is a space watching the light to insert earlier of the abyss.

4. Loft/The space with two skylights is a space looking down at the river and looking up at the sky.

Location : Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Architect : Kota Mizuishi?Mizuishi Architects Atelier
Structural engineer : Kentaro Nagasaka
Lighting designer : Tatsuoki Nakajima
Contractor : Hirano-kensetu
Site area : 52.14m2
Building area : 29.07 m2
Total floor area : 55.24 m2

Visit the Mizuishi Architect Atelier website – here.

Photography by Hiroshi Tanigawa