CONTEMPORIST

Casa Angosta by Cunningham Architects
Phinney Modern by Pb Elemental
Liturgical Elements by Lotte van Laatum

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 11:40 AM PDT

Cunningham Architects designed the Casa Angosta in Dallas, Texas.

Description:

The house is located on a narrow wooded site flanked by a creek and a railroad track, a unique condition for an otherwise typical Texas suburban neighborhood. Accessed by a 250 foot long drive from the street, the 4,300 square foot house and pool stretch the remaining length of the property. An elongated plan allows for multi-directional views from each room and appropriate climatic orientation of the house.

The first level includes a masonry garage and a glazed living area, separated by a decomposed granite motor court breezeway. These elements support the long and narrow Cor-ten steel clad second level which includes bedrooms, gallery, office, family room and utilities. The materials used are in direct response to the adjacent railroad, economics and a desire for the house to blend in with its site.

Visit the Cunningham Architects website – here.

Photos by James F. Wilson and Cunningham Architects

Phinney Modern by Pb Elemental

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 05:12 AM PDT

Pb Elemental Architecture have completed the Phinney Modern house in Seattle, Washington.

Description from the architect:

2510 sqft single family home located in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood. This home was designed for a young family on a small in-fill lot. The lot was very challenging just over 2000 sft with a access easement covering a portion of the southwest corner. This created a situation where the building footprint covered the majority of the yard, so it was essential to capture outdoor space on the structure. This led to the reverse floorplan (living on the third level), allowing the main spaces to easily access outdoor space, light and view. The homeowners created a welcoming contrast by their choices in furniture and wall coverings. To maintain a visual connection to the street we designed the stair to the main living level to be transparent so you can see and feel the activity. The upper level opens to a West facing deck and exterior stair leading to a view roofdeck which overlooks Ballard and the Puget Sound.

Visit the Pb Elemental Architecture website – here.

Liturgical Elements by Lotte van Laatum

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:42 AM PDT

Dutch designer Lotte van Laatum has created the Liturgical Elements for the Maasstad Hospital in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Description from the designer:

The concept of 'light' was the starting point for the designs of the liturgical elements. The oecumenical services are taking place at the auditorium. This is an internal space lacking natural daylight. Patients of the hospital are the visitors of the services and the concept of 'light' can positively contribute to their personal issues.

Light has an important biblical meaning. The separation of light is God's first act in the creation and it represents the divine harmony. Light is the secret of the Creator and it symbolises the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The auditorium is a neutral space without ecclesiastical architectural elements. The main concept behind the design is formed by light passing through church windows lighting the liturgical elements. The projection which remembers this light is executed in an inlay pattern of Jerusalem stone and Lebanon cedar. Jerusalem stone is literally stone form Jerusalem and is a representation of the Holy Jerusalem. Lebanon cedar is described in the Old Testament as the interior of the Temple of Salomon.

The design of the church windows is based on the circle and the sphere, both symbols of the divine and perfection. It also symbolizes the sun as a heavenly body.The basic shape of the sphere is also used for the designs of the textile and the tableware. This way the different layers in the design come together. The textile is made from linen and lamb's wool, also materials with a biblical meaning. The textile is produced by the Textile Museum Tilburg. The tableware is made of mouth blown Bohemian crystal.

Visit Lotte van Laatum’s website – here.

Photography by Benders & Stevens Photography