Integration and segregation in architecture

Architecture Integration, Building Design from around the World, Property Projects

Integration and Segregation in Architecture: Property

Architectural Article by Dimple Soni, India

8 Jan 2013

Mute or Loud

Architecture Integration and Segregation

The opposites links the projects featured this week – integration and segregation. Somewhere the buildings are fabricated to blend with its surrounding, preserving and capitalizing on the site conditions, while somewhere the buildings are designed to have there own identities and boldly stands out from the rest.

Also, somewhere there is an attempt to offer flexible and uninterrupted spaces, dimming the split between inside and outside.

Interpolation – Social Housing Development at the Edge of the City, Rijeka, Croatia
Design: Zoka Zola Architecture + Urban Design
Social Housing Croatia - Integration and Segregation in Architecture
image from architects

The Rijeka Social Housing, is a competition project for affordable housing in Croatia, designed by Zoka Zola Architecture + Urban, termed as Interpolation. This urban expansion on an undulated terrain of dense forest, at the edge of coastal city of Rijeka, includes four separate buildings that houses 80 condominiums.

The spaces are configured to allow for multiple views of the encompassing landscape. Inspired by the complex topology of the site, the development endeavors to weave the design with its natural surrounding. The buildings are lifted to provide free flowing spaces and are placed to take full advantage of the site by offering the view of the city, the green forest and the Adriatic Sea, to its inhabitants.

R-House, Indonesia
Design: Budi Pradono Architects
Jawa Barat House
photo : FX bambang SN

Large trees–inside as well as outside– along with several small circles and big ovals, adorns the R-House in Depok, designed by Budi Pradono Architects. The house morphs traditional and modern architecture to form identical and inseparable space.

Local stones and perforated metal sheets define the volumes. The façade has semblance to the architecture of its neighborhood while the rear end is organically transformed to become more fluid. The design strives to connect the quiet interior with the still exterior.

Central Library Helsinki Building, Finland – Finnish Architecture Contest entry
Design: dINKOFF Architects & Engineers, Los Angeles
Pinewood Library Helsinki
image from architects

The proposal for Helsinki Central Library by dINKOFF, is a weird cacophony of various architectural elements, combining distinct curves, angles, irregular planes and trapezoids to create much philosophized spaces, supposed to be inspired by a book as a physical metaphor. If realized, the chaotic and fragmented scheme of cultural and intellectual hub of the City is sure to infuse a permanent headache to its visitors. Helsinki be vigilant!

New Trade Fair Building in Mendoza, Argentina
Design: architects Mario Corea and Eugenio Tioni
New Trade Fair Building in Mendoza
image from architects

The winning competition entry for Trade Fair Building in Mendoza by architects Mario Corea and Eugenio Tioni has five identical modules of large exhibition spaces, staggered along a central axis. The fair building, though quite monotonous, provides huge uncluttered spaces.

Kuo Yang Tien Mu Taipei City, Taiwan
Design: Chin Architects
Kuo Yang Tien Mu Building - Integration and Segregation in Architecture
photograph : Jeffrey Cheng

In the diverse urban setup of Taipei, at Kuo Yang Tien Mu, the dull and repetitive envelope of the building is transformed to reflect the vigor of urban living in the City. The graphic composition of numerous protruding white frames, of various proportions, on the façade of the building, generates a renewed identity and helps to distinguish it from its neighborhood.

Los Nogales School Buildings, Colombia – added
Design: Daniel Bonilla Arquitectos
Los Nogales School Classroom Building - Integration and Segregation in Architecture
photo : Alberto Fonseca

The volume inside the Los Nogales School’s Chapel in Bogotá, dramatically fuses with the outside public space when the two gigantic wooden doors are thrown open. Thus, increasing its capacity multifold to accommodate large public gatherings.

Dimple Soni – regular Guest Editor at e-architect
Dimple Soni
image from Dimple Soni

Comments for the Integration and Segregation in Architecture page welcome

Location: Ahmedabad, India

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A recent article by Dimple Soni for e-architect, 11 Sep 2012:

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Another article by Dimple Soni for e-architect, 14 Aug 2012:

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Comments / photos for the Integration and Segregation in Architecture article page welcome