Modern Architecture

7 More London

“7 More London” is a new headquarter of the company PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Southwark, London. This building has achieved very good results in BREEAM which is BRE Enviromental Assessment Method for sustainable technical building. BRE method was presented for the first time in 1990 and provides testing of the sustainability of new office spaces in Great Britain. The building is located near Thames river and Tower Bridge. The existing 10 storey building was extended by more than 60 000 square meters. Architecture studio Foster&Partners created a multi-angle building with a polygonal inner court where the wings of the building meet by concave bridges. The facade of the inner atrium looks very simple and discrete. The building has a number of ecological and energy saving technologies and materials. A solar facade made in Germany for example with an incredible surface of 16 500 square meters. Because of the low sunlight transmittance of the facade covering, the interior has an optimal temperature even in the summer, what reduces air-conditioning costs.

National Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Architecture studio Estudio Vazquez Consuegra has recently finished their newest project of a museum constructed in Cartegena, Spain. The building is formed by two elements. First one, matt and prismatic National Centre building is situated close to the road that goes around the city walls and is parallel to the edge of the quay. The other building is more angular and more transparent. Between them, a large ramp descends, leading visitors into the museum. The entrance should represent a metaphor to the theme of the museum which is the underwater archeology. As one plunges into the ocean, a visitor dives in the museum. The most used materials are concrete, glass and metal. The sign with the name of the museum composed of enormous lettering is very playful, visitors can sit on the letters and admire the complex and the special atmosphere of the place.

Yerger Residence

Yerger residence has been designed by Chen + Suchart Studio. This company has an unusual approach to architecture, their designs are results of a process during which not only architects come with ideas, but they incorporate clients ideas and style as well. The perfect example is this residence. The house is fully integrated into the area – by its location, used materials and overall appearance. All the elements function together in an absolute harmony. Concerning chosen materials, corten and glass were used the most. Large glass panels are situated precisely in order to lighten the interior as much as possible and reveal the interior when looking from the outside. The shape of the house could be considered as unusual. There are two massive shapes connected only by a glass hall. This way a fabulous space has been formed that serves as a terrace.

New H&M store

     Universal Design Studio has taken up a series of successful shopping malls projects for international clothing line H&M. Recently, they have designed an outstanding modular facade for Korean store in Soul. It is the 10th design in the row created for H&M. The modular construction was also used for another H&M store in Los Angeles, USA. The facade in Soul has 3D appearance, natural light enters the interior by small openings what accentuates the contrast of colour tones and visual depth of the pleated covering. The store transforms in the night when the hidden lighting highlights the modular construction of the facade and creates a dramatic look, three storey building becomes a sculptural piece. This unique effect refines the appearance of the building. A beautiful staircase design has been inspired by an idea of a ribbon blowing in the wind, to emphasize the idea a white glass was used. The interior balustrade is made from stacked vertical louvers. Universal Design Studio has proved that their are able to adapt to the needs of their clients and keep characteristic brand design. The initial idea was to create a concept of an iconic facade for the Asian H&M store but the design has been so successful that H&M decided to use it as their new global identity for stores all around the world.