The new Furla HQ in Florence blends industrial architecture into the Italian landscape
The new Furla Headquarters are located in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, in the province of Florence, immersed in the Chianti area. The project highlights a paramount theme: the integration of the industrial architecture into the Italian landscape, providing an opportunity to rethink the quality of the workspace.
Architecture and nature are perfectly blended along all directions to create a unique element where the design and the Chianti landscape (defined by hills, heritage, and agricultural areas) communicate harmoniously.
The Furla factory covers 42,000sqm of soil – 18,300sqm built – and has three main volumes (one for offices, two for labs and logistics) designed to be harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape, without too much contrast. Architecture and nature coexist in a functional balance.
The morphology of the land is truly taken into consideration and is enhanced through three fundamental elements – the driveway, the terraces, and Piazza Furla – which define clear areas around the building volumes. Thanks to a system of patios and green roofs overlooking the wooded area, nature crosses the boundaries between inside and outside. The main entrance recalls the archetype of Tuscan villa access: a linear row of cypresses welcoming visitors and showing the way through. This rhythm is replicated on the facade of the buildings with sunscreen filtering blades.
The entrance to the offices, with the double-height reception and the large open-air hall, becomes the point where the boundaries between architecture and landscape merge. The interiors have been designed in such a way as to have real layout flexibility. The orderly sequence of offices is punctuated by green patios, or relationship spaces.
Nature is a prominent element, not just because of its beauty (Chianti hills), but also because it creates a pleasant environment once blended into the building: patios, green coverings, and natural light contribute to a more sustainable working habitat, where people can also relax and enjoy contact with nature.
Finally, sustainability plays a key role in this project, which has been designed to comply with green energy best practices.
Photo credit: Fernando Guerra
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SSH announces new architecture directors
SSH appoints Shane Lahiff as the new architecture director for design, and also welcome our newly appointed architecture director for delivery, Sami Abou Merhi. Together with their teams, Shane and Sami will be focusing on design quality, design management, as well as improved efficiency, ultimately resulting in greater client satisfaction and business growth.
Shane Lahiff is the architecture director for design. With 15 years of diverse project experience, Shane has led design projects across the GCC, the United Kingdom and Ireland. He joined SSH in 2016, and has had a key role in expanding the company’s design portfolio across the region, specialising in large-scale, mixed-use, master planning and hospitality projects.
Lahiff has collaborated with leading international brands, delivering award-winning hotel projects in Oman, KSA, and Bahrain. He is a graduate of Dublin School of Architecture and holds a professional diploma in architecture from University College Dublin.
New to SSH, Merhi has successfully led the design of many competitions and projects over the past 20+ years. Having worked on every aspect of projects design, from concept to implementation, his experience, passion and creativity have ensured the success of many prominent projects across different countries.
Merhi’s diverse portfolio spans a wide spectrum of sectors, including hospitality and resorts, mixed-use, high-rise, healthcare, cultural and residential. Having worked with international firms at managerial positions, he brings a deep knowledge of the GCC and European markets coupled with a wealth of experience in the architecture field with a hands-on approach.
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KOHLER join forces with Architecture leaders Awards 2022 as the Wellness Sponsor
We are delighted to announce that KOHLER, the worldwide bathroom and kitchen leader, has partnered with the Architecture Leaders Awards 2022, which will be held on March 30 at Sofitel the Obelisk in Dubai.
Since 1873, Kohler Co. has been improving the level of gracious living by providing exceptional products and services for our customers’ homes and their lifestyles. We believe better business and a better world go hand-in-hand. Fuelled by the passion of more than 36,000 associates worldwide, strive to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations through design, craftsmanship and innovation.
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Nominations open for Architecture Leaders Awards 2022
Design Middle East is proud to present the second edition of the Architecture Leaders Awards 2021
This event honours the best of the architecture sector in the region. The awards will recognise the top architects, as well as their projects and the companies they represent. The award event will recognise individual greatness, company strengths, and project accomplishment through numerous categories, and a jury of leading design experts will serve as part of the selection process. The deadline for nominations is February 24, 2022. Please submit your entries as soon as possible.
Visit our website for more information: https://bit.ly/3rDcu3D
The event will be held at Sofitel Dubai The Palm on March 23, 2022.
FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES
JOAQUIM D’COSTA
Email: [email protected]
Direct: +971 50 440 2706
FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
ROMA ARORA
Email: [email protected]
KASUN ILLANKOON
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +971 56 135 4769
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Landscape architecture for the 0/2 Mudon Villa by NGS Architects is impressive and thoughtfully designed!
NGS Architects’ landscape architecture for the 0/2 Mudon Villa is remarkable and well-thought-out!
The initial brief exercise comprised of space planning whereby we could optimise efficiency for each space. We then looked at the efficiency of how the spaces were going to be used and the interconnectivity of those spaces to each other. Safety was a very important aspect for the client as they have three young children under the age of ten. Glass barriers with barrier doors were placed to prevent access to pool areas unsupervised. The final stage was to create a precedent study and a design concept that met the clients brief. “The design and structure of this project is inspired from the clients/family lifestyle as well as the current economic situation. A lot of projects during this period have been modified to cater towards the effects of the pandemic situation,” says Nail Sherif , founder and principal designer at NGS Architects.
The unique lifestyle of this family allowed for a larger scope of creativity. A family consisting of three young children, husband and wife, and a close net family of brothers, sisters, and Parents/Grandparents, the client’s work-life had changed. The pandemic resulted in them spending more time at home, halted all business travels, and the need to create a harmonious environment whereby everyone’s needs could be met. The set out would function as a workplace/ to cater for family members to get together as well as a place to relax and act as holiday destination at the same time.
The clients brief was very concise, to create zones for greeting guests, work, play area for the kids, swim/spa, an outdoor dining, and BBQ area overlooking the Pool. The project is fully automated (sound/light/Wi-Fi) and controlled from the palm of of the hands.
The landscape architecture was mindfully created to allow for a dreamy experience whereby one would feel to be in a different world to that of the villa structure. The contrast somehow works to serve the property as a unique whole. The arabesque modern touch to the villa with the contemporary minimal touch of the garden brings two worlds together in harmony during the daytime as well as the nighttime. There are several practical and useful features throughout.
The extended terrace to the back allows the family to seat all together to appreciate the swimming pool and not worry about space constraints. The existing wooden pergola legs were taken out and the pergola was strung back by high tension s/s wire rods to free up space for movement. The walking path in front of the man Cave allows the children to play with their bikes in a circular/triangular motion. Glass barrier gates protect all from injury whether it be for children accessing the pool unattended by adults or people falling due to level differences.
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Architecture that delivers real experiences
Stéphanie Ledoux and Reda Amalou, partner architects at Paris-based firm AW2 Architecture Workshop, discuss their first built project in Saudi Arabia— Ashar Tented Resort and why the ‘back to basics’ trend in architecture is important
BY ROMA ARORA
Could you tell us more about Ashar?
Ashar Tented Resort will provide an extraordinary place to stay in the heart of the AlUla region, which is a unique location incorporating the history, culture and heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a beautiful natural, desert landscape. At Ashar we are creating the first international standard resort for AlUla, offering stunning accommodation in suites inspired by the traditional Bedouin tents. This design is an expression of the region’s past for all to discover and enjoy and provides an opportunity for the country to showcase its incredible culture and natural and historic assets. The goal is to create a communication bridge with the rest of the world, attract visitors, and allow the world to behold the beauty of this exceptional place.
Is this your first project in the region?
We already worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but we are excited that this will be our first built project in the country. We have also designed projects in the wider region including in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Oman. We recently completed the interior design for the Shirvan Métisse restaurant for Michelin-starred chef Akrame on the prestigious Pearl Marina in Doha, Qatar.
How was it working in Saudi Arabia and how did it differ from your previous ventures around the world?
Each project is about creating new experiences, we never compare ventures as each one is unique, entirely dependent on the qualities and history of the site and its context. Here in Ashar, we are in one of the world’s most beautiful deserts with a rich heritage and ancestral archaeological treasures. Our architecture celebrates and complements this very special place.
Where do you find design inspiration outside of architecture?
We find inspiration through our travels and getting to know each site around the world in all its complexities. This means understanding the essence of a place by discovering the local knowhow and traditions as well as by simply talking to locals. We also work closely with the client to understand the ambitions for the future project to make sure we are aligned.
What was your impression of attending and leading a round table discussion at Expo 2020’s French Pavilion?
We found that Expo 2020 presents an impressive array of architecture, design and thought-leadership. We particularly enjoyed taking part in ‘The French Approach to the Sustainable and Desirable City’ symposium through ‘The Challenges of Tourism’ roundtable, where we set out our vision for the future of the hospitality industry. Today, all developers are placing the question of balance at the top of their agendas and we feel that a sustainable approach to design, such as ours, will increasingly be adopted to achieve projects in harmony with the world around them. Stéphanie was also invited to participate in the ‘Women Designing for AlUla’ talk hosted within the AlUla exhibition at Dubai Design Week, led by Samantha Cotterell, Executive Director of Design at the Royal Commission for AlUla. This was a great opportunity for (female) designers to discuss the communal goal of showcasing the beauty of AlUla to the world.
What trends do you see coming through in the architecture / interior design space?
We have noticed a tendency, or a desire even, to return to what is essential, a sort of “back to basics”! For example: in terms of using local materials and reinterpreting traditional patterns and forms. Today, people expect a real experience, a real sense of place, and architecture is the first step to achieving this authenticity. We also feel that people are seeking more meaningful experiences through travel. A fulfilment of the mind as well as the senses.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the past 10 years?
There has been a really exciting change over the past ten years around travel and hospitality, whether high-end or more affordable, becoming environmentally and socially responsible. People want new hotels and resorts to have a positive relationship with local communities and environments, while also offering guests meaningful experiences and interactions with those communities and landscapes. There is growing recognition that new developments shouldn’t be “parachuted” onto a site, they should be in a form of dialogue with it, and belong to it in a sustainable way.
There’s obviously a lot of focus on sustainability now. How has that evolved?
Sustainability is now the main prism through which travellers understand and enjoy a place. In the hospitality sector, it is not only a question of how to build but also how to offer guests the possibility of observing a sustainable approach to tourism. Our bioclimatic approach to design, which we have been developing over the last 25 years, is now a given on every one of our projects. It plays an integral part in our concepts from the scale of the master plan down to the smallest details in the interiors. Examples of this include the use of local materials, sun protection, natural ventilation and limiting the use of energy. These are all essential to our design approach and are no longer considered as compromises but rather guiding principles.
Which building do you wish you had designed in the Middle East?
It is a difficult choice. We were very much impressed by the traditional Bedouin tents, which are amazingly simple but so efficient at providing shelter in the desert climate. But, if we have to choose an actual building, we would probably choose Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh. It is an incredibly smart and beautiful building. One which tells a story unravels spaces that are open to nature and it was, although built around 40 years ago, truly sensitive to its context and environment. Its bioclimatic approach is both poetic and intelligent in a way that serves, still today, as an example.
What is your dream client or dream project?
Our dream client trusts that the design will lead the asset to success. This client understands that the design will create the experience and therefore design should be the main focus. Our dream project is one that immediately feels obvious when it has been built. This means that it creates a feeling as if it has always been there (or should always have been there). This type of dream project creates an emotional relationship with the end-user, and this is what we work towards in every one of our projects
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In Pictures: New Limassol Terminal in Cyprus by irwinkritioti architecture
The new Limassol Terminal is the first purpose-built building for cruise ships on the island of Cyprus. Stretching 350m down the east pier as a series of elliptical shells, it replaces the old industrial shed which had provided basic services for many years. Irwin kritioti architecture was awarded the first prize in the competition set for the new building. The terminal was completed shortly before the global pandemic brought the cruise industry to a faltering halt. It re-opens this summer to welcome new passengers aboard for the 2021 season and take its position in the cruise itinerary of the Mediterranean.
The harbor site for the terminal is located within the principal port of Cyprus- a busy multi-purpose facility. The main point of entry for the shipping containers that serve the island’s trade also provides a stopover for warships en route to the Levant, as well as serving as the docking point for the many cruise ships that tour the eastern Mediterranean. In this oversized industrial context, the new terminal required a strong visual identity, while also providing a place of calm for transient passengers.
Approaching Cyprus by ship, the first view of the new building is the undulating roof of titanium zinc, whose aspect changes according to the time of day and the season. The linear scale and rounded forms of the terminal ensure that it stands distinct amongst the heavy ships and cranes that surround it. Disembarking, the passengers pass through ovoid halls, where walls and ceilings are replaced by a continuous wooden plank surface. These are animated by reflections of the sun and water from the huge portal windows and the polished floors. The white wooden board interiors refer to shipbuilding of the past, and provide a striking contrast with the darker ribbed metal of the exterior forms. Direct views from the dock to the harbour promote the linking of the land with the sea. For those who are not embarking on a voyage, this allows previously unseen views into the workings of the busy port.
The terminal has a projected annual turnover of half a million passengers. Despite being a controlled border with all the necessary custom and security requirements, the building has managed to remain visually open & permeable. In doing so, it avoids the potential labyrinthine layouts and deep spaces that can occur in transit buildings. An early decision by the architects to simplify the brief into distinct operational shells, each connected to the outside view, allowed for a building which is simple to service and easy to navigate.
A further decision by the design team was to allow for alternative uses of the terminal spaces outside of the cruising season. Weddings, conferences, and exhibitions can be hosted for local audiences in the arrival halls, which would otherwise remain dormant in the off-season. A ‘Skybar” located on the roof welcomes non-travelers, as well as those on a cruise. As Limassol continues to expand west towards the port, the multi-use building provides a platform to integrate local city life with the dynamic activities of the harbour.
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