Achitecture and Design

ICON and Lake Flato build 3D-printed House Zero in Austin

ICON and Lake Flato build 3D-printed House Zero in Austin

ICON Construction Technology and Lake Flato Architecture have built a 3D-printed modern ranch-style home in Austin to be showcased during the SXSW festival. House Zero was designed by ICON, the first firm in the US to sell ready-to-own 3D houses. ICON collaborated with San Antonio and Austin-based architecture group Lake Flato. The house was built utilizing ICON's Vulcan building method and is located in a single-family residential neighborhood in East Austin, Texas. To create the walls of the 2,000-square-foot (186-square-meter) home, the method employs 3D printing, a technology that mechanically dispenses layers of material based on a computer program. It took 10 days to produce the 3D-printed wall aspects. "House Zero is ground zero for the emergence of entirely new design languages and architectural vernaculars that will use robotic construction to deliver the things we need most from our housing: comfort, beauty, dignity, sustainability, attainability, and hope," said Jason Reinforced by steel, the walls are printed with a proprietary material ICON calls Lavacrete – an airtight cement-like substance while also providing increased insulation. According to ICON, the home was created with biophilic design concepts in mind, with the smooth curves of the 3D-printed support walls creating "naturalistic circulation patterns throughout the home." In addition to being able to build houses faster, the technology may allow for the construction of residences like these at a
10.03.2022
How to use various types of floors in the same environment?

How to use various types of floors in the same environment?

As the floor is one of the largest coverage areas in an environment, its preference is guided by various criteria connected to aesthetic and visual identity concerns and technical resistance and maintenance difficulties. Multiple floors are commonly used for sections with different usage, and this transition is typically not indicated by walls or doors. Following that, we will bring you tips on making this transition as smooth as possible when there is no physical boundary between the floors.

We're used to utilizing various floors to separate sections with distinct functions: kitchen and dining room, living room and balcony, or even living room and hallway, for example. This separation is often followed by walls and doors that mark the boundary of each activity and floor. Therefore, the proper treatment is provided individually to the type of floor placed in each setting.
With the popularity of open plans and interconnected spaces in contemporary design, it is becoming more usual to sectorize areas and manage flows based on smoother transitions such as furniture, tiny gaps, decreased ceilings, or even shifting floors. This change can be a simple change of material and paging, but it can also be the insertion of a decorative element, called "carpet," in a portion of the floor. You should consider blending various materials, textures, and forms for both cases. The most prevalent is to highlight the transition between wet and dry areas, like in kitchens and dining rooms. In this section, we frequently find the mix of a warm floor, which may be wood, vinyl, or laminate, and a cold floor, which can be porcelain, ceramic, or even hydraulic tile or granite, in the kitchen. This transition between floors can also be used to highlight other spaces that are crucial to the project, such as the entry hall or circulation areas. Another option is to use the hard The combination of floors is not restricted indoors; it is also feasible in outdoor spaces, particularly on terraces and covered areas entirely open to the outside. However, to minimize internal flooding in these situations, the best solution is to estimate the water flow and leave a sufficient spacing for the rain flow.
03.03.2022
Eco-friendly interior design: Advantages and disadvantages

Eco-friendly interior design: Advantages and disadvantages

Ecodesign is becoming more and more popular, as the basis is high-quality and safe for human health materials. When organizing a space, it is essential to consider the environmental impact of all its components and apply various methods to reduce waste save energy and natural resources. Characteristics of eco-friendly design 1. Natural and safe for human health materials with a minimum of toxic substances released to the atmosphere. For example wood, wallpaper, natural stone, glass, cotton, linen. Using wicker furniture, bamboo stems, cork makes the design stylish. 2. The color scheme consists of natural tones: beige, brown, sand, sea, green. These shades convey the spirit of earth, ocean and forest. As the eco-style expresses calm and balance in the interior, you should not use bright colors in your design. 3. No single eco-style house is complete without greenery. A panel of living plants or individual representatives of the flora in large vases will look great. 4. Good Advantages of eco-design 1. Natural materials and no toxic substances in the space. 2. Abundance of free space. 3. Natural tones positively affect a person, giving a sense of calm. 4. The ability to add exclusive decorative elements to the interior. Disadvantages of eco-design 1. Natural materials, unlike artificial ones, cost higher. 2. Cleaning takes a long time. Natural materials need proper care, they are not suitable for cleaning products containing chemicals. 3. For eco-style design, you
28.02.2022
Architecture on Mars

Architecture on Mars

Using 3D printers, automated systems, and cutting-edge building technology, several architects have begun to investigate the many techniques that may make human colonization beyond the planet Earth easier.

Humans have been exploring Mars for a long time. The explorations have grown to a mission with multiple aims, from the first landing on Mars in 1971 to the deployment of the first-ever successful rover in 1997.

In 2021, the US, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sent three probes to the same location at the same time to collect samples and other study materials in order to broaden the studies.

Today, these missions have been upgraded even further in order to pave the way for a manned spaceship to land on Mars by 2022, according to Elon Musk.

Some architects have been studying the many approaches that may permit human colonization beyond the planet Earth using 3D printers, automated systems, and cutting-edge building technologies.

Even NASA has organized competitions like the "3D Printed Habitat Challenge," which have aided in the investigation of new technologies and ways in space exploration.

In this article, we've gathered works of some studios to show the ever-increasing possibilities of human existence on Mars.

Mars Colonization by ZA Architects


In 2013, as part of the Mars Colonization Project, German architecture company ZA Architects built an underground network of caverns for human inhabitation on the planet. The company proposes creating enormous caverns in the planet's basaltic rock surface to house a basalt processing facility as well as an artificial subterranean glacier to provide oxygen and water to the residents utilizing robotic technology. Mars Habitat by Foster & Partners Foster & Partners followed up their idea for living on the Moon with a design for a modular home constructed for life on Mars, which they displayed during a NASA competition. The Mars Habitat plan consists of a settlement constructed by pre-programmed and semi-autonomous robots. 3D printing would be used to create sturdy living quarters out of natural Martian rocks, which might accommodate up to four people. The proposal was one of the competition's 30 finalists. 3D Printed Habitat by Hassell Studio Hassell Studio and Eckersley O'Callaghan collaborated on this project in 2018, and it was pre-selected as one of the top ten concepts in NASA's Centennial Challenge. The design is focused on the human element of space design, which is often more concerned with optimum efficiency and output than with comfort. Its outside is made up of an autonomous robot-built Regolith structure, while the interior is made up of inflatable "pods" that hold all of the needs
25.02.2022
Arne Emil Jacobsen

Arne Emil Jacobsen

Arne Emil Jacobsen was a Danish designer and architect, an icon of the 'Danish Modern' style. Aside from his architectural work, he created many unique chairs and other furniture. He was born and raised in Copenhagen in an upper-middle-class Jewish family. Young Arne was hoping to become a painter, and it was said that he was painting all over the Victorian wallpapers. He didn’t just cover his walls with typical childish drawings. He decided to paint his room entirely white, which was not yet in fashion in the early twentieth century. From the very beginning, Arne Jacobsen was ahead of his time. Arne Jacobsen's ideas molded the landscape of Danish design for more than half of the twentieth century, influencing architects and designers worldwide. Jacobsen's creative technique revolved around his meticulous attention to detail. With meticulously hand-painted watercolors, he brought his thoughts to life for patrons and builders. Jacobsen was able to develop in a single year what others Arne Jacobsen designed the stunning 'Swan™' chair for the lobby and lounge areas of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958. Despite its simplicity and tremendous architectural appeal, the design features no straight lines, appearing organic and gentle. 3D models of both Swan and Egg chairs are presented on Zeel Project. The sleek, contemporary Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, created by the Danish designer, is a premium destination to stay in, while visiting Denmark's capital city.
23.02.2022
Nature and architecture

Nature and architecture

No matter how advanced men are, they are inextricably linked to nature.
They find methods to have vegetation about him even in modern, technology-driven structures. Nonetheless, these structures have established a physical barrier between men and the environment, as well as between men and other living things. But they understood the value of having nature around, as well as the repercussions of not having it. With a man-made environment, architecture is a part of nature.

These are 7 methods to blend architecture with nature.

1. Biomimetic Architecture


Biomimetic architecture is mimicking nature's processes, as well as those of plants, animals, and other living forms. Nature finds a way to adapt to changes in the environment, including those caused by climate change. It also includes answers for surviving in the harshest of environments. The mechanism that every plant, animal, and other living form has inside them to adapt to their circumstances has been a major source of inspiration for architects and designers. The use of technology to mimic their mechanisms and use them in the construction of structures is a means to merge architecture and nature in order for the building to adapt to its surroundings. 2. Biomorphic Architecture Biomorphic architecture is the practice of drawing architectural inspiration from natural forms. The shapes are inspired by trees, leaves, animals, birds, and other natural forms, as well as abstract forms. Architecture with nature-inspired shapes brings consumers closer to the natural environment. Many architects nowadays employ the notion of biomorphism in their work. 3. Open Spaces And Landscape Design Users may live in continual contact with nature by combining open spaces and landscape regions with built spaces. People are more positive and in a better mood when architecture and nature coexist, and environmental harm is reduced on a bigger scale.
18.02.2022
About Wabi Sabi

About Wabi Sabi

The Japanese are noted for their attention to detail and how they appreciate what they have or accomplish. And from here comes the notion of Wabi-Sabi, which became a huge part of Japanese culture. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese idea that defies many traditional decorating standards. The concept ignores exact symmetry and the necessity for perfection in all aspects of life. Wabi-Sabi is more than a decorating style; it's a way of life, a way of living and viewing the world with the goal of quietly embracing life's natural cycle of development and decay. "Wabi" comes from the root "wa," which means ‘balance, harmony and peace. It clearly connotes flaws and simplicity. According to the zen spirit, a Wabi person is someone who can find joy in the little things, is free of wrath and greed, and understands nature's wisdom. On the other hand, "Sabi" signifies the natural passage of time, decay, and degeneration. The influence of time on an object is how it is conveyed. Tadao Ando, a Japanese Designers always link Wabi-Sabi with modern minimalism in design and architecture. But it's more than that. It extends beyond a large, nearly empty space. It just keeps the things that are necessary for a peaceful and joyful attitude. Having only objects that offer nostalgia, beauty, and purpose into a house to keep belongings to a minimum. Wabi-Sabi is also about asymmetry, irregularity, and transience. Because this notion is so closely linked to the earth and its energy, natural materials and
16.02.2022
Psychology in interior design

Psychology in interior design

Interior design and psychology are two inseparable spheres. In the last decade, this topic has been receiving more attention. These professionals work hard to guarantee that a space is set up just right so that you can get the most out of it, that it is as efficient as possible, and that it looks great. Colors, light, personalities, space, dimensions, energy, emotions, and other factors all play a huge role in interior design.
When designers start to create the right environment and feel, they consider a number of factors. Because psychology has such an influence on the room's look, feel, and value, it is one of the most significant factors to consider when designers pick furniture and colors for spaces.
Here are a few fascinating facts regarding design psychology that you may not be aware of.

Color psychology


Color has a significant psychological influence on us and our daily lives. When it comes to creating the perfect environment, designers don't just select good-looking and popular hues out of the blue. They let color psychology lead them and work within these guidelines to produce the ideal environment. Huge mirrors for enhancing room size When you build or set a huge mirror against the wall, even the smallest space might appear much larger. The reflection of persons, furniture, and even windows may fool your mind into thinking a place is much larger than it actually is. A lot of natural light It's not simply particular colors that can help you feel better and have more energy. A lot of natural light in space may also boost your mood and help you fight depression. Because your body is naturally designed to work harder during the day when the sun is up than at night when you don't see or feel the sun, natural lighting can boost your productivity. Modern homes are built with substantially larger windows and pivot doors because of this psychological influence.
15.02.2022
High-tech style in interiors

High-tech style in interiors

Today we want to talk about high-tech style and discover some creative ways to use it in interiors. Let’s take a closer look. History of high-tech style The high-tech style (English hi-tech - high technologies) is the newest of all styles. It is a style that emphasizes the structure of a building. This unique style in design and architecture came into being in the 1970s in the depths of postmodernism and gained widespread application in the 1980s. It took its origin from the design of industrial premises. In the sphere of interior design, this style came from architecture, where it was born in the times of late modernism, mixing pragmatism, pop art, and 1960s science fiction themes. The popularity of science fiction cinema and literature and the introduction of ultra-modern materials are the bases of the high-tech style. High-tech is often regarded as the conclusion of age - a moment of transition, modernism, and the peak of "modernity" in architecture and design. Main features of Hi-tech is associated with ultra-modern aesthetics, and it employs structures typical of industrial buildings. In architecture, for instance, the basic premise has become the dwelling's social orientation, its practical compliance with the required demands of the occupants. The basic concept of high-tech is that everything should be practical. For example, "self-adjusting" vise clamps activate when a large glass panel, such as a curtain, stick, or table, is placed beneath them. Likewise, mobile
11.02.2022
Craftsmanship in the Digital Age

Craftsmanship in the Digital Age

For all fields, the digitization of manufacturing constituted a revolution. Manufacturers have employed digital methods from the initial design stage to the final dispatch of things. Each strategy has been developed and modified to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and stay current with market developments. For the client, more efficiency means simpler access and lower prices. We can understand and celebrate the value of professional building and design abilities, even though we frequently forego true craftsmanship in favor of ease and cost.
Nonetheless, we look to be nearing the end of a time of exceptional craftsmanship. From furniture design to the fashion industry to the food and drink we eat, products honor their handcrafted, artisan beginnings. Handcraft has had a slow but steady revival as a result of a rejection of mass manufacture and infirmity. Traditional craftsmanship has recently received a lot of attention, but its influence on design has always been present, although in the background. In the design field, Eames, Ercol, Hansen, and Knoll are all well-known names. Many of their pieces are considered to be one-of-a-kind in terms of design and utility. While digital methods help them generate many of the things they do now, they are all companies associated with excellent craftsmanship, with traditional craftsmen's talents often playing a part. It takes a lot of effort to become a competent artisan. It takes a lot of time, patience, and effort to do it right. To become a true artisan, you must be committed to continuing to improve your trade. Apprenticeships with masters of the profession who came before them have traditionally been how craftspeople acquired their trade. The reduction in demand for individualized, handcrafted items that preceded it, on the other hand, resulted in a considerable loss of peer-to-peer From Scotland to Papua New Guinea, each continent, nation, city, town, and hamlet has its own distinct legacy that has been passed down via stories and abilities. This is how cultures and their history are kept and understood. When a skill, such as a language, is lost, so is its history. People are no longer perplexed as to why we make carpets the way we do. What is the significance of the form of our teapots? Why are our dwellings' roofs so steeply pitched? With time, the rationale, as well as
07.02.2022
The most costly mistakes of architectural design

The most costly mistakes of architectural design

We all make mistakes, it is an inevitable part of being a human being, and architects are no exception. Even a tiny little error concerning the construction project can lead to a considerable loss. Today, let's get back in time and remember some costly errors in the architectural sphere.

The Dancing Bridge


To some extent, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington is the most typical failure in bridge engineering history. It was the world's third-longest suspension bridge when it opened on July 1, 1940, at a cost of $8 million, after the George Washington Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.
When it was windy, the 200-meter-long bridge oscillated and twisted violently. Unsurprisingly, just four months after it was placed into operation, it collapsed in the center of the bridge. It had occurred during construction, causing employees to become dizzy. One of the causes is that the bridge deck's width was lowered from 7.6 meters to 2.4 meters. Another reason is the low-cost girder that was used. The world's third-largest suspension bridge was a tangled tangle of steel and fractured concrete, the latest and most modern in its streamlined design. A Skyscraper with Deadly Ray Located at 20 Fenchurch Street, London, the skyscraper with 37 floors is one of the three major landmarks in Square Mile. It costs £200 million and covers an area of over 100 thousand m². Most importantly, its shape is similar to a walkie-talkie and hence gets this name. Such a well-designed shape made it stand out amid the concrete jungle and even earned the mayor’s favor at that time. However, despite enormous achievements in architectural modeling, there remains a critical challenge that must be overlooked. The skyscraper's radian and glass façade are the two factors that cause the entire structure to become a big concave mirror that concentrates and reflects sunlight. Due to the fluctuating position of the sun, the plaza in front of the building was subjected to a lethal beam that lasted for about 2 hours every day. When it was sunny, the highest temperature reached 70°C. Worse, in numerous establishments, the reflected sunshine resulted in melted The High-Rise Building without Elevators In Spain, a bizarre tale occurred in a high-rise apartment complex called Intempo, which is part of a twin tower. The skyscraper claimed to be Europe's largest apartment building, with a height of 200 meters and 47 floors, however, there was no available elevator for inhabitants above the 27th level, therefore occupants had no choice but to walk upwards. The Bank of Galicia first sponsored the structure in order to demonstrate that they had effectively
01.02.2022
A Brief History of Prefabricated Architecture

A Brief History of Prefabricated Architecture

Prefabrication is not a new concept in the twenty-first century. Nonetheless, while the phrase was coined during the Industrial Revolution, the technology has only recently matured as a comprehensive design, manufacturing, and construction process. We now use phrases like efficiency, low cost, and sustainability to describe prefabrication, but it took a long time to get here. The First Phase of Prefab Architecture Despite being relatively recent technologies, steel and concrete are today two of the most widely used construction materials on the globe. During the technical books of the First and Second Industrial Revolutions, both began to be mass-produced and used for structural reasons. Because both materials rely on casting, prefabrication is an unavoidable part of the construction process for both concrete and steel buildings. With standardized and prefabricated structural components, building manufacture took its first step toward automation. The Crystal Palace is an early example Contemporary Prefab Architecture Marching into the digital and information age, the refinement and generalization of digital design and manufacturing elevated the concept of prefabrication beyond its previous status as a building realization technique. Instead, it started to become a stand-alone methodology for design. Compounded with the development of systems like BIM, which support better data and information synchronization between each phase of a building’s life cycle, the time and cost
31.01.2022
The importance and possibilities of dining rooms in plans

The importance and possibilities of dining rooms in plans

The act of dining together, or sharing a meal, is referred to as commensality. Sitting at the table is a practice of connection and exchange that is far more than a simple function of basic human need. An article by Cody C. Delistraty compiles some studies on the importance of eating together: students who don't eat regularly with their parents miss school more; children who do not have daily dinner with their family tend to be more obese, and young people in families without this tradition can have more problems with drugs and alcohol, in addition to poorer academic performance. Clearly, all of the concerns addressed are complicated and should not be boiled down to a single element. Having a proper spot to eat that is free of distractions, on the other hand, is a good beginning point for at least one minute a day that is focused on conversation and eating. Dinner tables come into play here. In this article, we will look at several projects and categorize the most popular methods to In contemporary homes, the dining table is frequently placed near the area where food is prepared as feasible for convenience. We can categorize them based on how they are grouped in relation to the layout, which varies in size, materials, and the number of seats. Placing the table parallel to the countertop and the sink is a common approach for projects with limited space. This is the situation with Stilt House in Japan, where the table takes up a tiny area between the kitchen and the house's
27.01.2022