Private Heaven on Water Next to Busy Cycling Route: ParkArk in Utrecht

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Posted: 09 Jun 2014 05:22 AM PDT

The Netherlands has always been an inspiration for living on water. This time, Utrecht’s Kanaalweg joined in the architectural effort of inspire people to live where they most feel comfortable. In the case of Hieke and Sietze, their home is a floating houseboat designed by BYTR architecten. Named The ParkArk, this steel ship acting as a cozy residence displays a seductive blend of modern solutions and functional design. In order to mix the indoor and the outdoor, architects designed the external staircase leading up to the roof terrace with white stucco on the interior, thus “creating the atmosphere of an outdoor room”. From photographs taken by StijnStijl, we can see the sedum roof cladding blending the floating houseboat into its context – next to a busy cycling route through one of the city’s parks.

Hidden drainpipes at every corner make the home stand its ground under rainwater, while the “do it yourself mentality” of the owners helped keep a balance between functionality and aesthetics. With a facade that reveals the home in its dance with the park’s natural vibe, the floating houseboat boasts copper sheets that “kiss” the water, making it reflect their simple geometry.

According to the architects, the clients “wanted to have the full experience of living and floating on the water” but on a private level – “a boat where no one can look in” but they could enjoy a full view of the park. So, the floor-plan was developed: “As a visitor, one first approaches the boat over a footbridge, to find a door that barely gives away anything of the interior. Inside, however, a large skylight offers you a view of the treetops, and directly in front of you the park is visible. Opposite the front door is an access to the roof terrace and the mooring for the fishing punt. On either sides are the living and dining room, accessible from the open hall, which is raised one step to give extra ceiling height in the shower.”

The owners’ words should pretty much describe their elation: “Every day we enjoy our new houseboat: the invading sun, overlooking the water and the monumental bridge, the ornamental grasses from the windows. What a nice home, we are so happy with the result!”

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University’s Jesuit Community Center Overhauls Ecological Architecture

Posted: 09 Jun 2014 12:29 AM PDT

The Jesuit faith is based on a passionate commitment to simplicity, spirituality and intellectualism. With those principles in mind, the architects at Gray Organschi Architecture took extra care when constructing the Jesuit Community Center at Fairfield University. Nestled on a quaint hillside, and captured in photographs Robert Benson Photography, the space offers staff and students a relaxing retreat from the unyielding pace of campus life. In an effort to share their values with the community as a whole, the Jesuit’s ensured that the space makes an impressive commitment to minimizing energy consumption.

Prominently positioned in the center of campus, the building is comprised of administrative offices, a community dining room, great room, and library. There are also gendered sleeping quarters for the resident priests and their lay guests. In an effort to incorporate the natural surroundings, there are also two gardens: one of which is used as a relaxing courtyard space and the larger rooftop garden that aids in filtering rainwater. Most importantly, the chapel stands at the heart of space, providing literal and spiritual respite for those who seek it.

For all the activity going on inside, the community center's construction appears minimalist. Once you discover the effort put into keeping the community center green, it becomes ever more complex. To start, the 20,000 square foot building utilizes an insulation system that structurally reduces heat loss and controls moisture. As an added bonus, the exterior is lined with renewable or reused building materials.

Continuing this effort in the interior, the architects chose large glazed panels and dark-polished concrete floors throughout. They wanted to ensure natural light would flood the space and, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the solar heat would be absorbed in winter. Since the windows are operable, they allow for significant cross ventilation in the warmer months. Finally, an impressive closed-loop geothermal heating and cooling system, fed wells beneath the parking area, provides energy to the building without fossil fuels.

What do you think about the ecological architecture used in the construction of Fairfield University's Jewish Community Center? Are there any features that you would like to bring into your own home?

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