Here at TCH, we’ve been noticing architects around the world
transforming church buildings into various types of structures
including houses, retail stores, hotels, libraries, and well, cooler
churches.
After successfully converting a water tower into a living space, Marnix
Van Der Meer and Rolf Bruggink’s Utrecht-based architecture studio,
Zecc has done it again – this time perhaps a little more controversial.
Here they transformed an old chapel into a spacious house – carefully
respecting and enhancing the character of the original building.
The design team chose to keep many of the original features – including
the high gothic stained glass windows and the original choir
organ. To allow more light to enter the space, they cut a
Mondrian-inspired glass window into the front of the house facing the
street – perhaps paying homage to Rietveld’s nearby infamous Schroder
House. The entire living area has been whitewashed, whilst the
private spaces above were painted dark.
And only 150km away in Maastricht an 800 year old Dominican church was
transformed into the newest addition to the Selexyz book store chain –
the Selexyz Dominicanen – housing an impressive collection of books not
only in Dutch, but in English as well.
The challenge for the Amsterdam based architects Merkx + Girod was
staying true to the original character and charm of the church, whilst
also achieving a desirable amount of commercial space. A
multi-storey steel structure that houses the majority of the books was
constructed and placed along the central nave of the church under the
vaulted ceiling.
Located in Finland in the Ostrobothnia region, near the campus of
Helsinki University on the eastern side of the city, JKMM Architects
won a national competition to design the Vikkii Urban Centre. The focal
point of the Centre is a church clad in aspen shingles that have turned
gray since construction was completed in 2005. Throughout Europe
new church design is not synonymous with modernity, so when the Parish
of Helsinki approached the architects at JKMM, they welcomed the
opportunity to contribute to a newly developed urban area housing
approximately 13,000 residents.
Many Scandinavian churches serve as civic spaces for the surrounding
community to gather. Of course sacral characteristics are still
present, and the Viikki Church’s central space and adjoining
congregation hall have a light-filled cathedral-like appearance.
The
architects chose timber for practically every surface of the interior
space as well: oaken doors, spruce ceiling and walls, and aspen
furniture allow the congregation to feel as though they are gathering
within a forest. Large windows open the space even further onto
the surrounding landscape of the countryside. The church does not
sit in isolation, however a new market was built to the north and an
urban park sits to the south.
Divisive as it may be to alter houses built for God, these architects
do not need to preach to the choir about their immaculate conceptions
in renovations, we’re sold. By Andrew J Wiener and Brendan McKnight.
To celebrate the 3rd annual PARK(ing) Day, San Francisco based art collective Rebar decided to take things a little further, with their pedal-powered park on wheels; the Parkcycle.
This one-day global event encourages artists, activists and everyday
citizens to temporarily transform parking spots into "PARK(ing)"
spaces: temporary public parks. This time around an astounding 180
parks in 47 cities were created.
"The process of rethinking the ways streets are used is an important
first step in making permanent changes in our cities to improve the
quality of urban human habitat," says John Bela, cofounder of Rebar.
The Parkcycle, which can be cycled by a team of three, but enjoyed by
many more on it's 7m lawn, features a 5m tall tree and solar charged
battery which run's the cycles breaks.
With a top speed of 5mph, it is hardy going to get a yellow jersey in
the Tour de France, but makes for an incredibly scenic picnic. By Brendan McKnight
Unworldly spaces with equally unworldly names, like the topsy-turvy
boutique And A, Beams T or Foot Soldier, shops that feature little
conveyor belts for the display of merchandise, or Nowhere *A Bathing
Ape 'Busy Work Shop', a Tokyo boutique that stocks and displays
garments in an oversized refrigerator that resembles the familiar unit
in everybody's local supermarket - all recent additions to Japan's
shopping streets - are the work of Masamichi Katayama, founder of
Tokyo-based WonderWall. More than just attempts to be futuristic or
extravagant, they are highly sophisticated retail outlets. Not to
mention great fun! Katayama is the consummate consumer. With his shop
designs for *A Bathing Ape, a charismatic apparel brand, Katayama has
ventured beyond the streets of Japan to enrich shopping experience in
London and New York. By Lisa Evans
Annoying as it is to admit but we did not invent this device. This
hangover of a clothes rack, this marvel of a loss-prevention tool, this
clothes line with an attitude, this hallway accessory that we all — at
least in theory — could make at home. A couple of things worry us about
this potential nightmare, though. With the Christmas season still in
fresh memory, we all know how tangled up a string of anything can get.
So this could really drive you mad. And when the cab’s waiting outside,
how do you quickly grab your coat and run? By Tuija Seipell
Opened just a few days ago by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the new
VIP centre at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport could potentially resurrect
your impressions of airline travel as something to look forward to.
However, the centre - also called the Royal Centre - is only open to
Royalty, Ministers and state secretaries, diplomats, trade delegations
and top directors in international business. So, unless you qualify,
you'll need to just suffer the regular airport torture.
The new space has already become the pride and joy of Dutch design.
Overall design of the space is by Amsterdam-based concrete architectural associates bv, known for a huge number cool retail,
hospitality, entertainment and exhibition environments around the world.
Schiphol's new VIP-centre replaces an old, much smaller VIP area. The
new centre contains a separate Royal Lounge for members of the Royal
Family, a press centre, a Company Lounge, plus various reception and
meeting rooms. The Royal Lounge is an enormous living room with lounge
sofas, and Royal Family pictures on the bookshelves. The wall paper in
the room is created from 5,500 mini reproductions of the national coat
of arms. By Tuija Seipell
Rijeka, Croatia-based architect, Petar Mišković, is known for his
unconditional faith in black and white. He is also known for his
cooperation with Zagreb-based conceptual artist, Ivana Franke, who has
studied and worked in Croatia, Japan and Finland. The two drew
attention in 2004 for their work for the Croatian Pavilion of La
Biennale di Venezia – Metamorph, 9th International Architecture
Exhibition in Venice.
Now those with a sweet tooth and a ticket to Zagreb can enjoy another
example of the incredible pair’s work in the Importance Galleria
Shopping Centre at the corner of Vlaska and Smiciklasova Ulici
(Streets). There, you will find Piece of Cake, a tiny bake shop where
less is more and things are not always as they seem. The space is
shaped like a truncated pyramid and everything in the shop — the neon
tubes, the orange sign and the counter — adheres to the principle of
foreshortening perspective. It feels like an empty funnel, looks cool,
and apparently, the pastries are yummy, too. By Tuija Seipell
Opened in late fall 2007, Electric Birdcage at Haymarket in the
heart of London’s West End, has been receiving mixed reviews. One thing
is certain, though, it IS getting a reaction from everyone who visits.
Electric Birdcage is a magnificently weird combination of Alice in
Wonderland and Russian Aristocrat, dim sum parlor and late-night
cocktail bar, sophisticated party venue and silly funhouse.
The owners, brothers Richard and Anthony Traviss, knew where to go for
eccentric and totally extravagant interiors: to London’s beloved venue
designer Shaun Clarkson. His handiwork can be seen, for example, at La
Pigalle, Covent Garden's Denim, Play Room, Profile, Power's Acoustic
Room, The Bloomsbury Ballroom, Atlantic Bar & Grill and Jerusalem.
Electric Birdcage’s surrealistic interior includes a Fibonacci-style
patterned floor, tables made of tree roots, gigantic pink hands for
chairs, lavish Vegas-style mirrors, imposing black stallions, two
snarling black polymer panthers, a carousel bar and iron birdcage
chandeliers dangling from a pink ceiling. Even the DJ operates from a
birdcage.
Capacity crowd of 300, served by cute staff in retro airline get-up,
can order Pan-Asian fare by head chef Somporn Khamsaenphan all day, and
stay until 4 am enjoying cocktails by mixologist Chad Shields. You and
seven friends can share the signature Electric Birdcage bowl filled
with a mix of champagne, Absolut Raspberri peach schnapps, Cointreau,
Absolut Citron, strawberry puree, gomme syrup, orange juice, fresh
raspberries and blueberries. That should elicit a reaction, if nothing
else will. By Tuija Seipell
China’s first carbon-neutral hotel, the hip 26-room URBN Hotel Shanghai,
will officially open this spring. Conceived by owners Scott Barrack and
Jules Kwan, URBN promises to be the start of a new boutique hotel
empire.
No strangers to luxury developments or to China where they have lived
for 10 years, the two plan to open another 20 URBN hotels in China in
the next three years, starting with Beijing, Hangzhou, Dalian and
Suzhou. The hoteliers will go as green as possible by rehabilitating
existing structures, using recycled materials, maximizing green space
and introducing eco-friendly solutions.
Beyond co-founding boutique real estate investment and development company Space Development with Kwan, the California native Barrack has established several property companies in China, including Space International specializing in luxury French Concession district properties, and Inn Shangha,
the city’s first serviced boutique apartment complex. Sydney,
Australia-born and raised Kwan is an alternative media and property
development expert.
The partners have a unique, personal perspective on what works and what
doesn’t for a luxury traveler in China. To give visitors a true
Shanghainese urban experience — something they felt was missing — they
invited international Shanghai-based collaborators with similar
sensibilities to convert a 1970s post office building to the stylish
URBN Hotel Shanghai. The result is an impressive fusion of contemporary
and Chinese design.
URBN’s spatial concept, interior and facade design are by A00 Architecture,
a partnership of three Canadian architects, best known for conversions
of Shanghai’s historic houses into unique residences. The hotel’s
interior designer is Brazil native architect, Tais Cabral, known for
her commercial, cultural, residential and retail work in Paris, as well
as her furniture design. By Tuija Seipell
Many of us are drawn to the ocean in one way or another, and sometimes
a soft, sandy beach is not nearby. Wouldn’t it be great if local
council members of popular coastal areas could find an innovative means
of providing access to our rocky foreshores? One community has
done just that – timber platforms constructed over rugged terrain allow
enhanced enjoyment of the seaside. By Andrew J Wiener
They’re everywhere you turn in nearly every corner across six
continents – McDonald’s iconic golden arches have led us to familiar
and welcoming surrounds for over half a century. But even at the most
recognisable burger chain on Earth, change is inevitable.
As we’ve become more health conscious McDonald’s responded with a
selection of salads and fruits. As we’ve become more international,
McDonald’s responded: Norway serves the grilled salmon McLak, Japan
serves green tea-flavoured milkshakes, Israel serves McShawarma, a pita
filled sandwich. And now, as we’re becoming more design-conscious,
McDonald’s is responding once again.
Across the globe, McDonald’s is recreating its brand in practically
every way possible. Here at the Cool Hunter we’re obviously most
interested in the design. So now it’s your turn. Have you
come across a cool, fresh recreated McDonald’s out there in the
world? If so, let us know – send us your images to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. By Andrew J Wiener
Escaping the big city used to mean keeping warm
beside a fireplace in aquaint little wood cabin tucked away in the
wilderness. But now we allknow impressive design can be found virtually
anywhere, even in themost remote areas. At just over 200 square metres,
the Steel House in New York’s Hudson Valley provides an ideal
weekend retreat.
From a distance the length
of the narrow house looks like a metallicscreen rising out of the
surrounding meadow. The house opens to thelandscape on the narrow east
and west facades. One end features adouble-height entry with a stairway
leading up to two bedrooms on thefirst level. The bedrooms above
overlook a small, private lake by wayof an enclosed balcony whilst
below, the living and dining area openout to a screened patio.
Striving
to remain economical, high priority was giving to theselection of
materials and finished both inside and out. Allinterior walls, floors
and ceiling as well as custom furniture andcabinetry were constructed
of durable maple plywood. Specialconsideration was also given to the
use and placement of glazing andskylights that allow for natural
ventilation.
Exterior floating stainless steel
panels run the length of the house.Besides obvious aesthetic
considerations, these perforated exteriorscreens protect the house from
seasonal weather variations. Theyprovide much needed shade from the
summer sun, and buffer the home fromstrong winter winds.
At
just under 150 kilometres from New York City, the Steel House ishardly
at the end of the earth, however, the siting and design of theweekend
retreat allows its guests a welcoming break from the urbanchaos. By Andrew J Wiener
We're willing to bet that most of you have (or wish you had) more shoes
that you can possibly even remember. And more than likely the
floor of your closet resembles an absolute train wreck. Pinel
& Pinel, a luxury goods manufacturer out of Paris, may have the
answer for you. The design team has created a series of trunks
used primarily for stereo and office storage inspired by the golden age
of train and ocean liner travel. The most recent addition to the
collection, a sneaker storage trunk on wheels, is designed especially
for those of you who have been waiting for the perfect means of
organising – and displaying – your favourite shoes. By Andrew J Wiener
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