Massachusetts, USA : Colin Flavin

Colin Flavin, Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2018

Lantern Studio, Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA

Completed 2019

[ private house, suburban, steel structure, wood screen, roof garden, veranda, workshop ]

Set in the garden behind a Dutch Colonial Revival home in Wellesley, MA, Flavin conceived a modern retreat, built of steel, wood and concrete. While still being visible from the street, the setback respects the context of suburban houses and accessory garages being located behind the primary dwelling. This free-standing garden building is a creative sanctuary from the busy day-to-day life of the home. Working from the idea that our best and most creative work is done in a calm space with minimal distractions, each level of the building is a retreat for the client’s creative passions. The lowest level, set into the sloping site, contains the garage workshop to repair vintage Vespa scooters. Additional covered parking is provided under an adjacent carport with exposed steel beams under metal corrugated roofing. On the middle floor, a few steps above the backyard, is the writer’s retreat, the only fully enclosed space. The balance of the middle floor is an open-air veranda provided privacy by a 3-story mahogany screen. The top level is a roof deck, a haven for vegetable gardening, away from deer and squirrels. An outdoor dining table and chairs surrounded by planters inspires farm-to-table entertaining.

Architects : Flavin Architects LLC

Project Architects : Colin Flavin + Howard Raly

Builder : Brooks + Hill Custom Builders

Structural Engineer : Webb Structural Services Steel Fabricator : Kelly Welding

Landscape Architect : Wagner Hodgson

Photos : Peter Vanderwarker Photography and Nat Rea Photography

Awards : 2020 Residential Design Award Citation

Web site : www.flavinarchitects.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

2019_12_11 Lantern Studio site plan no fill.jpg

Lindsay Johnston18 May 2020

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