AIA Names 10 Housing Award Winners for 2016

AIA Names 10 Housing Award Winners for 2016

20.04.16| Aine O'Keeffe

The American Institute of Architects announced the winners of its 2016 AIA Housing Awards. Now in its 16th year, the program recognizes the best in housing design in four categories: One and Two Family Custom Housing, One and Two Family Production Housing (no winners in this category this year), Multifamily Housing, and Specialized Housing. Here's a list for you to check them out!

One and Two Family Custom Housing

Project: Hog Pen Creek Retreat

Location: Austin

Firm: Lake|Flato Architects

Project: Independence Pass Residence

Location: Aspen, Colorado

Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Project: Island Residence

Location: Honolulu

Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Project: Newberg Residence

Location: Newberg, Oregon

Firm: Cutler Anderson Architects

Project: Oak Ridge House

Location: Jackson, Mississippi

Firm: Duvall Decker Architects, P.A.

Multifamily Housing

Project: 1180 Fourth St.

Location: San Francisco

Firm: Mithun (initiated as WRT/Solomon E.T.C.)

Project: Cloverdale749

Location: Los Angeles

Firm: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects

Specialized Housing

Project: Commonwealth Honors College

Location: Amherst, Massachusetts

Firm: William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.

Project: Homeless Veterans Transitional Housing, VA Campus

Location: Los Angeles

Firm: LEO A DALY

Project: Whitetail Woods Regional Park Camper Cabins

Location: Farmington, Minnesota

Firm: HGA

Glass Staircase- Hong Kong

Printed Glass Staircase- Carpenter Lowings

20/01/16|Aine O'Keeffe

Hey guys, I am currently doing a project for college and I was looking through some laminated glass interior designs, I came across this amazing staircase which was designed by a British architect Luke Lowings of Carpenter Lowings and an American sculpter James Carpenter on the design for the stand-alone staircase, which forms the heart of the newly refubished apartment in Hong Kong.

At 5.5 metres tall, the staircase rises the full height of the two-storey space.

Above it, the four metres wide skylight in the roof helps to bring natural light into the interior, but also folds open to provide access to the roof.

The staircase is partially covered by two glass panels. These glass screens are printed with a linear pattern that is intended to be like falling rain. 

The staircase is made from heat-strengthened laminated glass, and its parts are joined together by minimal titanium fittings.

Each stair tread is made from three layers of glass and supported by just three fittings.

Looks pretty cool right? But could be scary if your afraid of heights!

Tile Trends 2016

Tile Trends 2016

Tile styles transform and evolve every year, and at some point we all get sick of looking at our old tiles. You’ll be glad to know that there are some hot new designs, styles, colours and shapes entering homes in 2016. 

Chevron- Patterned Tiles

 

Chevron is having yet another comeback and this time it’s in homes. The design consists of inverted “v” shapes that mold together to form a unique and attractive pattern often used for floors, walls and as an eye-catching backsplash.

Brick Tile

Brick Tile, also called thin brick or brick veneers, looks great and ages well. It’s a popular building material and can be used anywhere from building walls, pathways and floors to fireplaces and steps. Brick tiles are aesthetically appealing, slip resistant and easy to clean. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re fire and fade resistant too.

Grey & Metallic

How amazing is the metallic kitchen backsplash featured in the image above? I just love it! Nothing screams luxury and sophistication more than a glistening metallic. Your kitchen backsplash can cover as much or as little of your wall as you choose. The reflective properties of metallic dance in the light and make a room come alive. The style pairs nicely with everything from neutrals to bright, bold colour.

Shape & Dimension

 

The rectangle is being challenged by the emergence of various shapes and geometric patterns in home design. Geometric tile patterns include styles such as black and white, hexagons, triangles, stars and diamonds.

Supersize

 

Tile sizes continue to grow each year. The bigger the better in this case. The improvements in tile manufacturing technology are producing larger square and rectangular formats that are quickly becoming popular with designers and owners. Homeowners are installing larger tiles to achieve a contemporary style and reduce the amount of grout lines they have clean.



Office Design

OFFICE DESIGN

Here some photos of the new Palo Alto offices of internet services company AOL, designed by San Francisco designers Studio O+A.

http://www.dezeen.com/2011/06/09/aol-offices-by-studio-oa/

 

 

Wallpaper Decorating Tips

Wallpaper Decorating Tips

by Aine O'Keeffe

Wallpaper is a great way to add style to your decor. Unfortunately, wallpapering every wall can be expensive and sometimes a tad bit too much.

So how do you get pretty pattern in your home without covering your walls? Try these some of my ideas. From lining a bookshelf to framing large panels, these wallpaper projects will add oomph to your décor.

1. Back your bookshelf

What an easy way to add a bit of color to your life, this simple DIY trick will make your boring bookshelf look great!

2.  Refresh a tired Staircase

Brighten your hallway by facing the fronts of your stairs with wallpaper in complementary patterns.

Free Hand Sketches

Free Hand Sketches

Throughout my college course free hand sketches are also used to get our visions across to our classmates and lecturers. Here are some examples of good, clear free hand sketches that we should try to aspire too.


Another one...

Adobe InDesign

Hello again guys,

I just wanted to let everyone know about a computer programme that I find great for projects. It's really simple to use once you get the hang of it! Give it a try 😊