Anyone who lives in a big city may have dreamed of moving elsewhere and living isolated, in a house among the trees or on a deserted beach. During the pandemic and the endless months of quarantine, many more may have had this same idea. As romantic and seductive as this may seem, however, living deep in nature comes with some important practical challenges. Rarely would anyone give up the little comforts they are used to, like turning on a faucet or charging their cell phone. If the location is, in fact, remote, it may not have electricity, drinking water, gas, sewage, or solid waste collection. But there remain several possibilities for a life with comfort and without neighbors. What are the main solutions to enable this and how can an architectural project provide an off-the-grid life?
Featured Copas House / PPAA
Intermunicipal Library Alberto De Eccher dall'Eco / DAP Studio
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Architects: DAP Studio
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: Magis, Medit, Promal, Quinti, Targetti
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Professionals: SM Ingegneria srl, Planex srl
AIA East Gateway / Shma Company Limited
8 Projects Featuring Sustainable, Contemporary Natural Slate Rainscreen Facades
Slate is a metamorphic natural rock composed of clay minerals such as mica and chlorite, which give it a laminated texture and predominant shades of gray, black, and green. Widely used in the construction industry, it is known for its durability and distinct elegance, offering a timeless and sober finish for roofs and exterior walls. With its unique texture, it can transform the look of any structure using rectangular—or other shaped—pieces. Additionally, it is a highly resistant material to weather, fire, and environmental pollutants, ensuring long-term performance with minimal maintenance. Its eco-friendly production process, involving only raw material extraction and minimal processing, reduces CO₂ emissions, making it an ideal choice for sustainable contemporary architecture.
The Veil City Lounge / Groundwork Architects & Associates
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Architects: Groundwork Architects & Associates
- Year: 2023
The Rest Space at the Top of Mt.Rokko / ofa
Alma 24 House / Maria José Benech + Stéphane Asselin
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Architects: Maria José Benech + Stéphane Asselin
- Area: 184 m²
- Year: 2022
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Manufacturers: Alumico, Alumicor, Ardobec, Bois expansions, Ceragrès Montreal les bains, +7
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Professionals: Latéral Conseil, Réflex Paysage, Solutions Résidentielles
Riverside Condominium / MJARC Arquitects
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Architects: MJARC Arquitectos
- Area: 4000 m²
- Year: 2024
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Manufacturers: Technal, Porcelanosa Grupo, VMZINK , moso-bamboo
Negrelli Bridge / ARGE Negrelli
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Architects: ARGE Negrelli
- Area: 100 m²
- Year: 2021
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Manufacturers: Vogtpartner Lichtgestaltende Ingenieure
Third Space Cultural and Learning Center / Studio Saar
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Architects: Studio Saar
- Area: 20100 m²
- Year: 2023
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Professionals: Studio Saar, Webb Yates Engineers, AMI Engineers, Secure Meters Ltd., Anjaria Associates, +1
Meet the Winners of The Enscape 4 All - Architectural Real-Time Visualization Award
The Enscape 4 All - Architectural Real-Time Visualization Award, a collaboration between ArchDaily and Enscape, has spotlighted the most outstanding and innovative real-time renders produced using the Enscape 4 Real-Time Engine. This award recognizes excellence in four distinct categories: Interior, Exterior, Landscape, and Conceptual. The jury, composed of ArchDaily Editors and Enscape specialists, assessed submissions based on creativity, technique, and the innovative use of real-time rendering. Submissions poured in from all over the world, highlighting the global reach and appeal of this competition.
Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo Studio Undertake Major Renovation of Centre Pompidou in Paris
In 2020, the French Minister of Culture approved an extensive renovation program for the Centre Pompidou with the purpose of resolving the building’s technical issues and ensuring the long-term viability of the iconic structure. Designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in 1971, the museum was conceived as a “living cultural machine,” sparking controversy due to its unusual architecture. To ensure an efficient renovation process, the building will be fully closed for a period of 5 years, from September 2025 until 2030. French architecture studio Moreau Kusunoki has been commissioned to lead the renovation project, collaborating with Frida Escobedo Studio and AIA Life Designers, who are entrusted with the technical component of the project. The architects have been selected following an international competition, with Renzo Piano as one of the jury members.
Trosten Floating Sauna / Estudio Herreros
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Architects: Estudio Herreros
- Year: 2024
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Manufacturers: CH Prosjekt, Huguet, Moelven
1 Month to go: Paris Renovates Iconic Training Venues for 2024 Olympics
With just one month to go until the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris, the city is in a final push to ensure that the landscape and infrastructure are ready for the world’s largest sporting event. Set to start on July 26 and continue until August 11, 2024, the Paris City Council has approved numerous initiatives to transform the city. Aiming for a greener, healthier, and more mobile Paris, the city has undergone massive changes to showcase its modern advancements and rethink the structure of the Olympic Games.
“Abandoned Buildings Provide the Potential for a Regenerative Future”: In Conversation With Limbo Accra
There is an increasing character of abandoned buildings in many African cities and Limbo Accra; a spatial design practice, roots itself in the experimentation of their repair, reuse, and transformation. The practice views these buildings as a unique architectural typology that includes key city landmarks, from the abandoned Independence house in Lagos to the incomplete airport tower in Accra, amongst others. They see them as major opportunities for modern public space and as symbolic sites for spatial justice. Through techniques such as photogrammetry, Limbo Accra has been creating a digital archive of these buildings and collaborating with artists and designers to propose new prospects for them. ArchDaily had the opportunity to speak with Dominique Petit-Frère, the co-founder of Limbo Accra, about the collective character of these buildings, Limbo Accra’s approach to their transformation, and navigating challenges in the adaptive reuse of these structures.
Roverella House / Vergati Creative Studio
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Architects: Vergati Creative Studio
- Area: 115 m²
- Year: 2024