Victoria, Australia : Peter Woolard

Peter Woolard, Geelong, Victoria, Australia : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2002

[ private house : rural : timber structure : passive solar : water reuse systems ]

Virgo Residence @ Ceres, Victoria, Australia

Peter Woolard, Studio101 Architects

“

the project was designed to capture the western rural views, tread lightly within the landscape and to incorporate low maintenance and cost effective materials.

The key was to use these materials in a refined, sculptured manner to create an exciting fusion of textures, forms and spaces.”

The Virgo Residence @ CERES was inspired by the iconic built forms of the surrounding rural context and stands like a welcoming township gateway through a rising procession of captured views.

It regenerates these influences through a textured and considered craft of materials and form – connecting function with the processes of living.

A continuous timber walkway links the linear pavilion forms through a system of pivoting, sliding and louvered screens.

The expressed timber structure has been bolted together and wrapped in a skin of ‘zincalume’ metal cladding, plywood panels, punctuated by a wall of natural sandstone.

This project utilises an array of sustainable energy systems including insightful materials selection, passive solar design principals, double glazing, cross flow air ventilation, collection and re-use of rain water, environmental waste treatment, grey water re-use and a solar hot water system. These systems were an integral design element and strike an ideal balance with the architectural form, space and materials.

The result produced a sensitive haven away from the city – a moment of respite.

Photography : Trevor Mein and Peter Hyatt

Award

2004 Australian Timber Design Awards

Environmental Commitment Award

Peter Woolard, Studio101 Architects -

http://www.studio101.com.au

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston29 July 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org