CONTEMPORIST

VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre by Perkins+Will
Vanke Triple V Gallery by Ministry of Design
Within Seating/Side-Table by Studio Vision

VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre by Perkins+Will

Posted: 07 Feb 2012 11:34 AM PST

Perkins+Will have completed the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre in Vancouver, Canada.

Description from the architects:

The VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre creates a harmonious balance between architecture and landscape—from a visual and ecological perspective. Inspired by the organic forms and natural systems of a native orchid, the1,765-square-metre building is organized into undulating green roof 'petals' that float above rammed earth and concrete walls. Designed to exceed LEED Platinum status, the Visitor Centre is pursuing the Living Building Challenge—the most stringent measurement of sustainability in the built environment. The facility uses on-site, renewable sources to achieve net-zero energy on an annual basis; sequesters enough carbon to achieve carbon neutrality; uses filtered rainwater for the building's greywater requirements; and treats 100% of blackwater in an on-site bioreactor.

Visit the Perkins+Will website – here.

Photography by Nic Lehoux

Vanke Triple V Gallery by Ministry of Design

Posted: 07 Feb 2012 12:37 AM PST

Ministry of Design have completed the Vanke Triple V Gallery in Tianjin, China.

Description from Ministry of Design:

Designed as a permanent show gallery and tourist information center for China's largest developer Vanke, MOD's dramatic design for the TRIPLE V GALLERY has become an icon along the Dong Jiang Bay coastline.

Despite its obvious sculptural qualities, the building's DNA evolved rationally from a careful analysis of key contextual & programmatic perimeters – resulting in the TRIPLE V GALLERY'S triangulated floor plan as well as the 3 soaring edges that have come to define its form.

The client's program called for 3 main spaces: a tourist information center, a show gallery & a lounge for discussion.

Requiring their own entrances, the tourist center and the show gallery are orientated to separate existing pedestrian pathways and can be operated independently.

An extension of the show gallery, the lounge area is where discussions are conducted. This space takes advantage of the panoramic views of the coastline and comprises a sculptural bar counter.

Tectonically, the building responds to the coastal setting and is finished in weather-sensitive corten steel panels on its exterior and timber strips on the interior walls and ceiling for a more natural feel.