Sapphire Gallery / XTEN Architecture

XTEN Architecture just sent in one of their latest projects. The Sapphire Gallery is a residential gallery addition to a private residente in Los Angeles, California. It is designed to display a private collection of contemporary art while also providing for a home office with views to the surrounding hills.

from Arch Daily by Sebastian J

Civivox / AH Asociados

In the surroundings of the central park in Mendillorri, a building has been proposed which keeps a relationship with the surrounding area, its views, and its functions. A type of monument which distances itself from people hasn’t been sought out, but rather a constructed place which plays second fiddle to the park and the palace, to the lake and the inner landscape.

from Arch Daily by Nico Saieh

World Wildlife Fund Builds Carbon Neutral Headquarters

The World Wildlife Fund has been making huge waves in the environmental movement since it was established five decades ago, and is now taking its mission yet another step further by applying it to architecture. RAU Architecture’s organically shaped design was selected from a variety of candidates as the new look for the WWF Netherlands headquarters based on the fact that the RAU proposed using the existing building as the crux of the new one instead of demolishing it. Completed in 2006, the building has remarkable sustainable innovations that allow it to be entirely self-sufficient, carbon neutral, and a wonderful work environment for employees. What we love even more is that RAU’s design does not sacrifice architectural style in order to achieve its environmental goals.

from Inhabitat » Architecture by Lea Bogdan

Ravelo Medical Clinic | gpy arquitectos

This is a small, humble yet communicate its purpose well with community and embedded smoothly in Tenerife urban fabric. Designed by gpy arquitectos, here is from the architects: This small outpatient clinic is located in the town of Ravelo, a small community in a distinctively rural environment that occupies an outstanding hillside position, on the island of Tenerife. The building has been designed on two levels, both with street-level pedestrian access. The main floor is occupied by the medical surgeries, while the lower floor houses administrative areas and multipurpose spaces for community activities.

Photographs: Efraín Pintos (© gpy arquitectos)

from architecture buzz!! by canopy

thomas jacobsen: the beresford hotel

australian architectural firm thomas jacobsen recently completed the design of the beresford hotel in sydney. the project involved refurbishing a heritage building adding a contemporary public bar, restaurant and large outside garden. during construction they employed many techniques including 12 custom moulds that were designed for the curved bricks, with black raked out mortar. all components were custom designed down to the ashtrays.

from Designboom - Weblog

Cano soledad by soledad Can Architecture Office Architects

Spanish architecture firm based in Madrid, Selgas Cano has created their own office space that offers an unobstructed view of its forest surroundings through one continuous wall of windows. The shutters over the clear roof are retractable and allow for natural light to pour into the space. Ceilings are both low and high, depending on the retraction of the roof and on which part of the room you’re in.

from CubeMe by Chantal

caliper studio: 'genetic stair'

caliper studio designed a three thousand square foot duplex apartment renovation
in a building on new york's upper west side. their solution removed all existing
vertical circulation and connected the two floors with a new feature stair, located
centrally in the apartment, free from all walls and supported only at the top
and bottom.

photo © ty cole
from Designboom - Weblog

Carema Healthcare Centre by TAF

Swedish designers TAF have completed the interior of the Carema Healthcare Centre in Stockholm, Sweden. (more…)

from Dezeen by Brad Turner