Just completed: apartments 'Dolomitenblick' in Sesto, Italy
Critical Territories: Groundlab and Plasma Studio
AA Gallery- London
Critical Territories presents the work of two practices, Groundlab and Plasma Studio, which share a transdisciplinary approach and operate at multiple scales, from product and building design to landscape and masterplanning. The installation – a site-specific grid arrangement of light boxes covered with technical drawings – has been conceived to immerse visitors in the systemic approach of the practices and their preoccupation with grids, ground and context. A range of conceptual and presentation models floating loosely within this grid communicate recurring aims, ideas and spatial and phenomenological effects. The competitions and built projects include Xian International Horticultural Expo and the Longgang masterplan, among others.
ArtLyst review: Downstairs, in Critical Territories, the walls of the gallery have been transformed into giant lightboxes covered with technical drawings, diagrams, renders, photos and text about selected projects, which focus on the practices’ landscaping and masterplanning work, particularly in China. Various immaculately produced presentation models, as well as less finished conceptual models, are displayed suspended from the ceiling in a grid that divides up the space. These help to explain the technical drawings on the wall but are beautiful in themselves. Of particular interest, is the Longgang project, which attempts to develop an ‘expanded urbanism’ that could cope with the challenges of the contemporary Chinese conditions of city development. This is one of the real theoretical and practical challenges facing architecture today, and it is exciting to see it being tackled by these two practices. In the case of Longgang they attempt to deal with various issues through trying to rethink the possible relationship between the old settlements, the new city development and nature.
http://www.artlyst.com/articles/hortus-and-critical-territories-at-the-architectural-association
Xi'an Expo time lapse video by Cristobal Palma now online at http://vimeo.com/35182462
Closing of Xi'an Expo
With 16 Million visitors the International Horticultural Expo in Xi'an exceeded all expectations. A breathtaking closing ceremony was staged and work will begin soon on the particularities of the legacy plan. It has been decided that the park will remain for the benefit of the locals and visitors forming a new contemporary addition to the world-renown sights of the Xi'an region.
'Flowing Gardens', the 37 ha central part of Xi'an Expo was won in 2009 in an international competition by Plasma Studio and GroundLab with LAUR Studio (Beijing) and implemented alongside Bejing Forestry University, BIAD (Beijing), John Martin Associates (Los Angeles) and Arup (London) during a total timeframe of only two years.
The proposal distinguished itself as a choreography of flows and experiences within a dynamic and sustainable landscape and three iconic yet fully integrated buildings.
By leaving behind any shorthand typological and historical references, this project is seeking a contemporary authentic expression of China's current and future ambitions, adding an entirely new layer to the Millenial tapestry of Xi'an. By the same token, Flowing Gardens explores a new syncretic balance between urbanism and landscape with universal relevance. The traditional subordination of ground and landscape to buildings has been reversed to offer a unique symbiotic experience.
International Competition: 1. Prize, 2009
Project: 2009-2011
Opening: April 28th 2011
Completion: March 2011
Client: Chan-Ba Ecological District
Architecture: Plasma Studio, BIAD
Landscape Design: GroundLab, LAUR Studio, Beijing Forestry University
Engineers: John Martin and Associates, Arup
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