CONTEMPORIST

Hatert Housing by 24H Architecture
Fort de Roovere Trench Bridge by Ro&Ad Architects
BAN Stools by Héctor Esrawe

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 02:22 PM PST

24H Architecture have designed a housing and heathcare building in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Description from the architects:

In the area Hatert, at the edge of the city of Nijmegen, the housing corporations Portaal and Talis organize a great renewal operation. For this operation the developers and the city of Nijmegen worked towards a masterplan in which most of the present houses are renovated or renewed. Besides this upgrading, the open areas in the neighborhood will be filled with several new housing projects.

A twelve storey apartment tower has been built in the very center of Hatert. The building is meant to become the new 'crown' of Hatert.

24H>architecture designed a sturdy tower with free formed balconies around, which make a recognizable sculpture from all directions. The parking for the apartments is organized underneath a raised deck that will function as a new public space for the citizens of Hatert. Underneath the housing program the ground floor will be used as a community health center.

Visit the 24H Architecture website – here.

Fort de Roovere Trench Bridge by Ro&Ad Architects

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 05:30 AM PST

Ro&Ad Architects designed the Trench Bridge at Fort de Roovere in Halsteren, The Netherlands.

A bridge was needed to be built to allow visitors to cross over the moat of this historical attraction, but the architects found it strange to create a bridge over the canal of a defensive fortification, especially because the bridge needed to be built on the side where traditionally the enemy was expected. Therefore, the architects created a bridge that from a distance is invisible, and has less impact on the historical nature of the fortress than a typical bridge would.

Visit the Ro&Ad Architects website – here.

BAN Stools by Héctor Esrawe

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 01:54 AM PST

Mexican designer Héctor Esrawe has created the BAN stools collection.

Description from the designer:

These stools evoke those used by the African cultures, as well as in America during pre-Hispanic times. They were symbols for status, tradition, religion and identity.

They are developed from select, certified, solid walnut, tzalam, and beech wood, produced through a complex process of cutting, assembling and lathing by craftsmen, finished with natural oils.

The transversal cut lends it sculpture-like character, allowing the possibility of mixing groups of stools, in different sizes and wood types, creating differents configurations and
expressions.

Visit Héctor Esrawe’s website – here.

Photography by Jaime Navarro