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We are facing a revolution. Even surpassing the Industrial and the Digital Revolution, this paradigm shift will affect everything and everyone on this planet. It will influence the way investment works, industries function, governments act, and businesses operate. It will bring about a time of intense instability as much as it produces unparalleled opportunities.
As pioneers in sustainability, biophilic design and know it is critical to human health to include natural systems and processes in our buildings and constructed landscapes. We are here to start a green revolution.
Here, ranged along the side of a volcano, are seven extra-ordinary dwellings, inspired by the terrestrial energy beneath.
LIVING
Despite this, the shards have a clear form all of their own – they might have been thrust up through the earth’s crust as the volcanoes, but they are undeniably concrete. Smooth surfaces, sharp geometric edges – all in contrast to the malpais (“bad lands”) around them.
In another nod to the island’s volcanic origins, each apartment is approached from above, down a staircase descending within a lava tube to a cool and refreshingly damp semi-subterranean antechamber, dramatically lit by shafts of sunlight during the day, and subtle lighting at night. From there, a large pivot-hung door allows access to the hidden inside and the stunning view beyond.
The differences between them come down to the use of a single preposition – Manrique’s structures are “on” the island, AR’s are “of” the island. Other than that, they have the same heart, the same soul.
“When we were creating the lexicon of this design” says Pierre Wilter, ARs lead designer, “we realised we did not want to compete with Manrique, nor did we want to emulate his genius. What we wanted was to have a dialog, a conversation, maybe even a debate – but definitely not an argument!”
BIOPHILIC SOUL
But this does not mean compromising quality or luxury. The floor to ceiling glass expanses slide seamlessly into channels in the concrete, opening up to an amazing infinity pool with the gorgeous views beyond.
The pool uses rain-harvested and recycled water, and is heated by using the concrete shards as huge solar collectors. In fact, the pool is used as a heat store and releases heat to the apartment during cooler evenings, only to be recharged by the sun the following day.
Furnishings have been curated specifically for this project by Tatyana von Boettinger, AR’s Interior Furnishings Specialist: “I’ve chosen a purposefully eclectic approach both in form and colour, and have sourced most furnishings from local artisans on the islands.
The very minimalist interior surfaces have provided the perfect foil for such an approach.”
Each vine is protected from the wind by a semi-circular wind break, and despite there being little rainfall on the island, the morning mists from the Atlantic ocean provide moisture which is absorbed by the picon. The effect is extra-ordinary. Despite the adversity, the inhospitable terrain, and the lack of rainfall, the vines thrive.
In a similar way, so do these apartments appear to thrive. Despite seemingly thrust from the ground and pushed into a moonscape of lava and malpais, they look rooted in the landscape, part of it, energised by it – and every bit as exciting as the wines produced by those vines!
LIVING
Numerous studies have proven that ornamental plants and flowers in the house help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression whilst increasing energy levels and positivity. At work, the calming influence of natural environments is conducive to increased productivity. The presence of plants in hospital recovery rooms, and views of aesthetically pleasing gardens help patients to heal faster.
Access to beautifully curated green spaces nearby our homes is associated with tighter community bonds, safer neighbourhoods and happier residents who are more physically active.
Green buildings are less energy demanding and more self-sufficient, reducing our carbon footprint. Surrounding a building with trees and landscaping is an effective way to protect it from the elements and reduce heating and cooling costs as well as maintenance costs.
JUST LOOKS
The concept can be summarised as “Urban dwelling in conversation with nature” and there are three elements central to the design process: People, nature and environment. AR have designed modern buildings with sensitivity towards the architectural character of the area, of a scale which is intimately human and accessible. Green wraps around, above, and impinges within, blurring boundaries between the built and the natural. Sustainable, innovative and highly ecological construction methods and technologies of light environmental footprint are employed throughout.
According to Earthwatch Europe, tiny forests are truly amazing: Tens of trees and indigenous plants are planted per square metre, maximising potential of small plots of land. Due to the planting methods and selection of seeds, the forest development is accelerated without the use of chemicals. The forests have low maintenance and management requirements after their first two years. In turn, they are richly biodiverse and capable of attracting 500 animal and plant species within the first three years of the forest being set up, a great boost to the decreasing wildlife populations of urban centres.
The vertical green core of each home connects with a horizontal and planted roof top amenity space which offers canopy views over the urban forest. Green views are afforded from every room as the relation of the individual to nature becomes key.
A staircase forms counterpart to this atrium and facilitates transition through the three storeys, which have been vertically divided into sleeping, living and working/amenity areas.
A development like no other; a regenerated micro-forest and residences responding to the human scale and to contemporary living needs. This project challenges standard practice and poses, as well as attempts to answer, questions with regards to urban living: what does the future hold?
The mild climate and exceptional soil quality make for excellent grape varieties, some of which date thousands of years back. Main activities for locals in the past included mining, animal breeding, farming and fishing, but today, mass tourism has taken over as the main source of income for coastal town residents.
Things are different in the hinterland, which is often neglected by tourists, but has a unique offering for visitors: unspoilt, original places waiting to be explored.
HINTERLAND
THE NIVOLA MUSEUM
In the 1940s Nivola shared a studio with Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect who became a mentor to him, guiding Nivola toward forming his unique sand-casting technique of sculpting, which involved pouring plaster or concrete into molds of wet sand.
Nivola’s major sculptural works are abstract, large-scale architectural reliefs in concrete. His art was characterised by a natural, fluid rhythm, often incorporating natural elements such as shells or a handprint and a diversity of symbols and humanoid figures.
While being very creative outside his home country, Nivola also remained active in Italy. The Nivola Museum in Orani, Sardinia is dedicated to his life and sculpture, and hosts the largest collection of his smaller scale work.
The Museum is set within an old, reconstructed wash-house, on a panoramic hill that was loved by Nivola. Aside from the existing formal gardens, the complex includes over 20 hectares of land covered by olive trees and wild Mediterranean vegetation.
In an attempt to attract tourists and keep them engaged into exploring the surrounding region, Nivola Museum in collaboration with Terraviva Competitions called for creative proposals for a few small accommodation pavilions immersed in the local landscape: a sustainable, small-scale boutique facility.
The ceiling features a circular glass strip which brings in sunlight, shadows and allows visitors to closely experience natural elements, such as rain drops falling on the glass, or the starry sky on a clear night. The roof contains a rainwater harvesting system and is covered in solar panels providing most of the electrical power needed to run the unit.
INSPIRATION
The nuraghi have become a landmark for the island and a must-visit monument for the first-time visitor.
CONNECTIVENESS
The ‘broken’ hexagon elevates towards the sky in various heights, each monolith also made of recycled concrete, then clad in a mesh of recycled scrap metal sourced locally and composed into upcycled pieces of art by local artists.
This mesh allows for creepers to establish themselves and seasonally cover the structures, further integrating the units into the landscape.
Storage and bathroom are located in the interior-exterior interspace.
Two large glass panels keep the hexagon together and in materiality terms, become a link between the old and new. They form the main entrance and the exit towards the private terrace, allowing natural airflow and framed external views.
The proposal aspires to not only entice museum visitors into spending ‘a night at the museum’, but also to host creative teams and artists in residence who might get invited to participate in the museum’s curriculum. Each new accommodation unit attempts to become a living art installation, with interior walls having purposely been left a blank canvas for visiting artists to dress changeably with art.
This is a place which reaches deep down to the soul, bringing 4,000 years of history into a new context, and helping us shape a future which is better for us, better for nature and better for the world.
This is The Living Nuraghe!
COFFEE
We're lifelong learners and open‑minded collaborators who are ready to move mountains on our clients' behalf.
42 The Grove
LONDON
United Kingdom
creating...