Category Archives: Architecture

British Architects to design new Indian Temple to resurrect 700 year old lost architectural tradition

By | Architecture, Religious & Sacred Architecture, Temple Design | No Comments

With our interest in all things to do with temple design, it is interesting to read in Building Design about an architect in Wales who is to design a Hindu temple in Bangalore, in an ancient style that was phased out over 700 years ago.
Adam Hardy, a leading authority on Indian temple architecture and design, is probably the only person in the world who has the knowledge and understanding of this particular Hindu architectural tradition, known as the style of the ‘Hoysala Dynasty’ which was lost over time. The building will not be a replica of existing temples in the region but a new interpretation of this lost tradition.
We will be closely watching the progress on this commission. Plus it will be one more reason to visit India in the future.

With our interest in all things to do with temple design, it was interesting to read in Building Design about an architect in Wales who is to design a Hindu temple in Bangalore, in an “ancient” style that was phased out over 700 years ago.

Adam Hardy, a leading authority on Indian temple architecture and design, is probably the only person in the world who has the knowledge and understanding of this architectural tradition which was lost over time. The building will not be a replica of existing temples in the region but a new interpretation of this tradition.

We will be closely watching the progress on this commission. Plus it will be one more reason to visit India in the future.

Heterarchy to develop Community Media Hub concept

By | Architecture, Small Buildings | No Comments

Following the successful Wood Architecture Workshop 2010, which Heterarchy ran alongside DeMontfort University with Travis Perkins as comerical sponsors, the development of a new design concept for a mobile Community Media Hub has been commissioned.

The project has been instigated by community media guru and journalist John Coster, of citizenseye.org, following his coverage of the Wood Architecture Workshop 2010. During the workshop John awarded a prize to one of the students, Grace Mbau, for her concept for the outdoor meditation space, with a view to progressing the concept for the Community Media Hub.  Heterarchy will be developing the brief with John, looking at both the design produced by Grace and also alternative proposals.

It’s an exciting project for us, fitting in very well with our growing interest in small scale ‘micro’ architecture. It is to be launched in August 2010, so watch this space.

A studio for a photographer

By | Architecture, Garden Rooms, Small Buildings | No Comments

1001_9436Work has just completed on our first ‘garden room‘, to be used as a studio for a portrait photographer. The building, which uses the latest in rapid construction technology, uses entirely sustainable materials and has insulation levels far exceeding the current Building Regulations requirements.  Even during extremely cold weather the building needs very little in the way of heating, utilising controlled solar gain through the large south facing window.

Initial design studies looked at cladding the building in a variety of materials – charred plywood, Scottish Larch in both shiplap and waney edge form.  In the end we decided on the hardwood Garapa – a very durable product, with a lifespan of at least 25 years.  All windows were manufactured locally, with the folding / sliding doors by Jeld Wen.  The large projecting window (cannot really see it in these images) was constructed in our own workshop.  Full project photography coming soon.

Photographers studio garden roomThis building is the first of our new garden room concepts – we will be launching them under the brand Het-Hut this summer, so watch this space.  Click here to see the concept visuals for this project.

Heterarchy run live student workshop for sustainable timber structures

By | Architecture, Garden Rooms, Small Buildings, Sustainable Design | No Comments

Wood Workshop 2010 Winners

Jointly instigated by DeMontfort University Department of Interior Architecture and Design, and the Heterarchy studio, with sponsorship from Travis Perkins for the construction of the winning design. The two week project, for second year students of the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course based at the DMU Leicester Campus, has been declared an outstanding success by all who were invloved.

The brief was to design a free-standing, outdoor structure for use as a ‘chill out’ or meditation space, using sustainable timber and timber derived products as its primary construction material.  The project was run over a two week period, with myself and Rosemarie regularly working with the students, alongside DMU head of Interior Design, Graham Stretton. The creative response from the students was phenomenal, demonstrating strong conceptual thinking with the ability to understand technical and constructional issues.

We were pleased to secure sponsorship for the build by Travis Perkins, showing a real commitment from them to support education and innovation within the sustainable construction sector.  James Hollis, of Travis Perkins, said: ‘I’m amazed by the quality of the work and the amount they’ve done within a very short time.  Every single design has something of merit, choosing just one to build is almost impossible.’

Wood Workshop 2010 - judging 1

The general consensus was the quality of the work was so high, we simply woudn’t be able to choose one winner.  Looking at the criteria of concept, process (the students ability to engage with professional input during the design process), buildability and presentation, we managed to get it down to a final shortlist of six (it could have been 12), with one being declared the outright winner.  All six will attend a two week placement within the Heterarchy studio, when we hope to build two of the chosen designs.

A seventh design was chosen by John Coster, of community media agancy CitizensEye.org, to be developed, with the Heterachy studio, into a mobile outdoor community media hub.

All of the work will be published on the Heterarchy website.  We are aiming to build two of the chosen designs during April 2010.

Wood Workshop 2010 - work 1

Hello and welcome to Heterarchy TV

By | Architectural / Interior Design, Architecture | No Comments
Rosemarie doing her 'PTC' within the heterarchy studio

Rosemarie doing her 'PTC' within the heterarchy studio

In preparation for our upcoming interior design trade mission to Bulgaria, we have been busy making a promotional film about the heterarchy approach and vision. A busy days filming, both within our studio and across a couple of project sites, interviewing clients, culminating in the final ‘PTC’s’ (pieces to camera – these TV guys love their acronyms) with both Rosemarie and myself. What struck us is just how much work goes into making what will be about five minutes of film.

For anyone who has never had to go in front of a camera before, you don’t realise until you do just how hard it is.  A combination of some general chit chat (which is easy until you have to repeat it almost word for word another twenty times for all of the different camera positions – it starts to get a bit surreal).  Then there is the ‘PTC’s’ – memorizing perhaps three or four sentences sounds really easy, until you actually do it and suddenly it is not so.

You will see the results soon as we will upload it onto the site, including the Bulgarian version.  We’re a bit worried that we might look like Mr and Mrs Wooden, but I’m sure the guys at Freeway IP Video will make the whole things look slick and polished.

Samuel Beckett Bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava

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Envisionad as a harp which is a prodominent symbol of Ireland and its culture.

Envisioned as a harp which is a predominant symbol of Ireland and its culture.

The Samuel Beckett Bridge officially opened on the morning of 10th December in Dublin, Ireland. Designed by internationally recognised Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, to reduce traffic within Dublins city centre. This is the second signature bridge Calatrava has designed for Dublin city centre, the first being the  James Joyce Bridge which was finished in 2003.

Calatrava comments on the pair ‘I was honoured when the Dublin City Council asked me to create two signature bridges over the River Liffey. Although both bridges would span the same river, I wanted each structure to have its own distinct identity.’

The Samuel Beckett bridge acts as a monument within itself, as its harp form is a predominant symbol of Ireland.

Calatrava has cleverly designed the bridge to have the ability to rotate ninety degrees horizontally to avoid maritime traffic and allow ships to pass. The bridge hosts four lanes for motor transport and two for pedestrians and cycle ways, with additional space for future tram lines.

Calatrava added ‘By the time I completed the bridge in 2003, I had already begun to develop a deep affinity with the people of Dublin and I wanted my second bridge to celebrate that connection. It was my intention to give the Samuel Beckett Bridge the same characteristics as its citizens; warm, welcoming and gracious.’

Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin, Ireland.

Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin, Ireland.

Designed by Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava.

Designed by Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava.

The Iron Mosque

By | Architecture, Religious & Sacred Architecture, Temple Design | No Comments
Malasias new landmark - Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

Malasias new landmark - Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

Putrajayas new landmark Mosque was built using six thousand tonnes of steel, which accounts for a staggering 70% of all construction materials used. The recently completed Tuanku Mizan Zainal Adidin Mosque opened its door to muslims and non-muslims throughout the world on 4th September 2009. Known as ‘The Iron Mosque’, it will be the second principle mosque in Putrajaya, sitting a neighbourly two kilometers away from the Putra Mosque. Designated as a tourist attraction, the management have been urged not to restrict access to Muslims alone.

The mosque has been designed around three concepts of wind, simplicity and transparency. It caters for 20,000 worshipers. The main prayer hall houses the Mihrab wall that directs the worshipers towards the “kiblat” (direction of Mecca). The Khat is inscribed into the back of the anti-reflective glass, giving a sense of verses floating down from the sky. The Mihrab is inscribed with the Quaranic versus in the Alasakh calligraphic-style. The ‘Sahn’ is the overflow prayer area outside the main prayer hall and the entrance to this is via a gateway called the ‘Internal Iwan’.

The architecture of the mosque features stainless steel grilles, based on Islamic motifs, mirroring traditional Islamic architecture in a contemporary style. The whole building is open and  cool even without any air-con because the space allows the wind and air to pass through the wall-less corridors.

Muslims working and living in Putrajaya can now perform their prayers at another awe-inspiring landmark.

Inside the 'Iron Mosque' - designed around three conepts of wind, simplicity and transparency.

Inside the 'Iron Mosque' - designed around three concepts of wind, simplicity and transparency.

Student adventures. Jenni heads North

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DSCF1258

The imposing presence of the Imperial War Museum

After my usual weekly meeting with my tutor regarding my dissertation on memorial spaces we decided that The Imperial War Museum in Manchester might be a possible building for some primary research.  As I had never visited the building before (there was a trip in my first year of university but being the lazy fresher I was I decided to give it a miss) I thought a quick trip might be of use to see if the building would be appropriate to use in my dissertation.  So on Friday morning I hopped on the train to Manchester.

The museum was established in 1920 but the current building was designed by Daniel Leibskind and construction was completed in July 2002.  Its purpose is to tell the story of war in modern times on a worldwide scale down to personal memories .  The concept for the design comes from this idea with the building representing a broken world comprising of three pieces, each with its own distinct shape.

The amount of information and personal items is incredible, from weapons to individual accounts.  The building is divided into three main spaces: the main exhibiton space, a space for temporary exhibitions and a twenty nine metre high viewing tower.  There is also a learning area, shop and cafe overlooking the river.  The main exhibition space takes you through the years of war from WW1 to the current day with shard like pods intersecting the space to house exhibitions about different aspects of the war.  The layout of the space works brilliantly with the ‘Big Picture’ shows that are projected onto the outside walls of the pods every hour.  These picture shows use photographs, films and soundbites to completely surround the visitor in war and its effects on individuals and the entire human race, creating a powerful impact on the visitor.  The use of the timeline through different wars, the picture show and personal artifacts is surprisingly striking and at one point I actually found myself in tears whilst reading a letter from a father to a daughter.

Whilst I was visiting there was a temporary exhibition about prisoners of war which was interesting (but very sad) to learn about as I knew little about this previously.

The raw industrial style of the building is extremely fitting and as you walk through the main space there are subtle changes in heights and openness, almost reflecting the rise and fall of society.  This works brilliantly against the exhibition, with changing words from freedom to dictatorship running along the walls, creating a sensationally interesting and poignant experience.  A definite case study for the dissertation as the space works beautifully in the sense of architecture and memory.

Turning it around. BT revolving restaurant will open its doors again after 30 years.

By | Architecture, Restaurant Design | No Comments

Back on top. The BT tower is recognised throughout the UK, a truly iconic building gracing the London skyline. Built in 1964, it cost 2 million pounds to build 13,000 tonnes of concrete, steel and glass, remaining the tallest building in London until 1981.

But they’re turning it around. The tower has been revamped and interest is growing. The BIG BT bosses are to re-open the revolving restaurant on the 34th floor to the public, previously used for BT corporate events. Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver and Gary Rhodes are among the names being touted to oversee the eatery.

The rotating floor takes 20 minutes for the diners to see a full 360 degree view of London, roughly ten minutes less than the London Eye. The restaurant is likely to seat between 60-70 people. Alongside the celebrity chef hunt, the BT Tower is now the host of the new 500ft-high Olympics countdown screen – Saturday marked the celebration of the 1000-day countdown until the London Olympic Games, with a fantastic explosion of fireworks. (Pictured below)

BT Tower celebrates the 1000-day countdown to the London Olypic games with a bang.

BT Tower celebrates the 1000-day countdown to the London Olympic games with a bang.

Once revived and revitalised for the 21st Century, the Top of the Tower restaurant is set to open its doors in Christmas 2011, so it can be fully functioning and ready for the London Olympic Games the following year.

The 620ft skyscraper, formerly known as the Post Office Tower, closed to the public in 1980 after an IRA bomb exploded in the lavatories amid security fears. Although one of the most recognised buildings in Britain, until recently was classed by law as an ‘official secret’, taking photos or being in possession of images of the BT/Post Office Tower was an offense under the ‘Official Secrets Act’. It was even omitted from all Ordnance Survey Maps until the mid 1990’s, but can now been found on all modern maps and Google. The London landmark is a grade two listed building, representing the strides in the telecommunications industry in the 1950s and 1960’s.

The question now is do you go to the London Eye and and pay to stand up for 30 minutes or choose to to have a meal in a restaurant, with a similar if not better view rotating every 20 minutes? Will the Top of the Tower restaurant return the BT Towers crown and glory once again?

New Store Design from Apple.

By | Architectural / Interior Design, Architecture | No Comments

From their products and packaging to their customer service and retail stores, Apple have a strong grasp of their market, their brand and their customer. Set to open its door Friday night in Scottsdale, Arizona, Apple will reveal their new approach. (Pictured Below)

New Apple store in Arizona set to open soon.

New Apple store in Arizona set to open soon.

The thing we like is it has been designed around the customer. The open layout, easy navigation and 50 foot ‘Genius Bar’ bar welcomes passers-by to walk in – everyone is invited. The store has two shopfronts of frame-less glass, enabling you to see right the way through the building. This is both spectacular and practical. This gives the building a sense of openness and trust – what you see is what you get.

Apple have done it again – they have created something which is simple, beautifully lit with natural light from 75 foot skylight and aesthetically pleasing. Most importantly is it focused around the products and customer engagement. Another thing to cross off the to-do list!

A brand is a promise, an experience and a memory – Check out our guide full of tips and advice on extending your brand experience through your interior environment. Visit our guidebooks or feel free to contact us to discuss your project.