........ Belgium ....... Wim Goes .....

Wim Goes, Gent, Belgium

Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2006 : New Zealand Master Class 2008

[ addition : pavilion : timber : craftsmanship : shingles : adaptable ]

Refuge over a Pond, Flanders, Belgium : 2008

Wim Goes Architectuur – Wim Goes, Anja Houbaert

In the Flemish farmlands, on a parcel fringed with Pollard Willows and surrounded by swamps, a pond and shrubbery, a

typical north – south oriented farmhouse is situated. Its character is strikingly honest and straightforward. Its surroundings evoke tranquility, simplicity and memory.

The refuge is a link between this landscape and architecture, but at the same time does not try to be one more than the other or anything new. It is made in wood with the metier of Master Carpenter Florent De Spiegeleir. Mastership is very important, it is the knowledge to bring together material in joints.

A wooden floor is cantilevered over the pond. Wooden vertical timber 'beams' are supporting the roof. On the roof red wood shingles leads the rain to red copper spouts giving back the water to the pond surrounding the pavilion. Like wood red copper forms a patina, maturing with time to find its beauty.

An inner space can be protected from winds, temperature and sound by sliding doors. The freedom to change the refuge with the change of nature, architecture becomes a kind of tool in between the landscape and the human presence. Its a learning process to interact with the elements.

The ever changing meteorological conditions will change the inhabitants and so the

architecture. Living with nature is not an aesthetical question nor a formal behaviour. It is a state of mind.

Photography : Laura Bown

Wim Goes Architectuur -

http://www.belgium-architects.com/en/wim-goes

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston6 July 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org