The M-Velope is one in a series of functional art structures designed to function as retreats in which to escape from the norm. Varying in size & shape, they’re made mostly of sustainable grown wood colored with environmentally friendly stains or paints. In every case, the design of the M-Velopes are generated from simpler forms that are subdivided, hinged together, & folded in or out of the original form in order to create unexpected transformations. As cool as they are on the outside, they’re even cozier inside! Take a peak —>
The one shown here is approximately twelve feet tall, twelve feet wide, & twenty feet long. The basic structure can be made larger, and/or the space inside can be increased by joining units together. The slotted panels, support frame, floor, and ramps all break down for shipping and can be reassembled almost anywhere with little or no foundation, depending on the site specific requirements.
Designer: Michael Jantzen
Modern Trade by the River
The Yongjia World Trade Centre aims to create a new image for the WTC brand as well as a unique symbol for the new riverside city of Wenzhou. Set in the dense economic zone along the coast of Southeast China, next to the Yangtze River Delta region, the riverfront landscape is the unifying element in the overall design. The 5 towers that make up the center include top-floor residences, hotel suites, shopping/commercial areas, and of course, high-end offices for trade and businesses.
The notion of precious objects on a tray drives the main design concept, where the continuous podium landscape occupies the entire site and serves as a tray-like, green plain for the towers. The harmonious composition of the towers affords a unique image of the development from all different views. The composition will interweave with its surroundings, yet will remain recognizable as family of objects. On the tower scale, “frames” underline the concept of neighbourhoods in the sky which create unique locations with distinct identities. So-called “eyes” are located where the frames overlap. These are commonly used spaces such as sky gardens and lounges for use by residents, or social gathering places for office areas that afford the best views towards the river and Wenzhou city center. Both the frames and the “eyes” enhance the character of this future city symbol.
Designer: UNStudio
Carlo Ratti’s latest architectural feat is 8 tennis courts stacked in a 300ft tower!
Carlo Ratti has done it again with the Playscaper – a 300 ft tall tower that stacks eight tennis courts! In collaboration with Italo the ambitious concept makes tennis courts more accessible in urban areas where space is often an issue. What makes this more interesting is its flexible nature, Playscraper can be quickly assembled and disassembled which makes it easier to host competitions around the world while reducing construction costs and not requiring a large area.
Playscaper will provide 60,000 ft2 (5,500 m2) of total playing space with its vertically layered courts. The tower’s structure will be made using lightweight stainless-steel which is inspired by the outer shell of a spacecraft and developed by Broad Sustainable Building. “This project would not just create a new icon for sports lovers. It also experiments with a new type of public space, extending vertically instead of horizontally. The tower is easy to install and dismantle and can be easily moved. This flexible approach fits the circular nature of today’s sports competitions, which move from location to location throughout the year,” says architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, founder of CRA and director of the MIT Senseable City Lab.
Designed not just for the players on the court, the long sides of each ‘box’ incorporate an electronic façade that can stream sports matches and other digital content. While on the short sides, transparent walls offer panoramic views of the outdoors. The project has been developed for RCS Sport, the sport and media branch of the leading European multimedia publishing group RCS. Carlo Ratti Associati worked on the design as part of a larger team of engineers and technical consultants.
Designer: Carlo Ratti Associati
