Architectural Cases

The Omer Arbel Office has brought to fruition a distinctive residential project, the 91.0 cedar house, positioned on a demanding waterfront parcel in British Columbia. This expansive 3,200-square-foot dwelling distinguishes itself by bridging a natural gully, demonstrating a profound integration with its immediate environment. The architectural concept not only harmonizes with the landscape but also proactively addresses potential future climate impacts, particularly rising water levels. Utilizing sandblasted cedar planks, the design cleverly evokes the appearance of stacked timber, lending the structure a striking aesthetic that is both robust and inherently linked to its sylvan context. This innovative approach culminates in a home that offers a deeply immersive experience of the varied ecological nuances of its location.

Situated on a steep, three-acre expanse of Galiano Island, British Columbia, the 91.0 house, also recognized as Bridge House, is enveloped by dense woodland. Its strategic design allows it to connect two elevated rocky formations while gracefully extending over a sunken gully lush with ferns. A critical consideration during the planning phase was the foresight of future environmental shifts, specifically the anticipated increase in water levels due to climate change, which poses a risk of flooding to the gully. In response, the design philosophy adopted a "phenomenological" perspective, shifting the focus from an apocalyptic view of climate to one that embraces adaptability and a responsive engagement with the site's evolving character.

The creative team articulated that the property encompasses four distinct ecological zones, each possessing its own unique microenvironment and sensory identity. The architectural intent was to meticulously arrange the living spaces to traverse these diverse conditions, thereby enabling residents to experience the site's multifaceted nature intimately. Conceived as a singular, level plane, the house acts as a reference point against which the subtle and dramatic changes in the landscape can be observed and appreciated. This seemingly straightforward design choice, when fully realized, transformed the structure into an actual bridge spanning the fern-filled gully. It is envisioned that, over time, as climate change progresses, this gully could transition into a tidal pool basin, profoundly altering the home's interaction with its setting and offering a new layer of sensory engagement.

Entry to the residence is gained via a wooded path leading to a subtly integrated front entrance. Upon stepping inside, visitors are greeted by an eighty-two-foot-long corridor, featuring a window seat that provides an expansive view of the fern gully below. At the corridor's far end, the main living area unfolds, presenting panoramic ocean vistas from an open-plan kitchen and living room. For the owners' convenience, the primary bedroom is thoughtfully positioned adjacent to these communal spaces and is uniquely cantilevered, creating the visual impression of a room suspended in air. The corridor effectively segments the home, leading to a secondary wing that accommodates supplementary sleeping quarters. These additional bedrooms and a bunkroom are designed with versatility in mind, allowing them to be opened or closed off as needed when guests are present.

The selection of materials plays a pivotal role in directing attention back to the surrounding forest and reflecting the natural environment's geological essence. The studio innovatively developed a cedar cladding where the end grain was sandblasted, ingeniously replicating the visual texture of stacked timber. This sandblasting technique on the cedar end grain yielded a high-contrast surface that dynamically reacts to natural sunlight, offering an initially subtle but ultimately rich and evolving visual experience. The architects emphasize that the project functions as a "focusing device" for the encompassing woodland, particularly highlighting the delicate interface where the forest converges with the ocean. Consequently, cedar was chosen as a profoundly suitable material, employed extensively both inside and out, to reinforce this intrinsic connection to nature.

The interior design further extends this commitment to natural textures with layers of painted wooden battens, Douglas fir strips, and walnut shelving adorning the walls and cabinetry. The ceiling is crafted from stained, sandblasted cedar, contributing to a cohesive aesthetic. These wooden elements are thoughtfully juxtaposed with polished concrete floors, presenting Omer Arbel's contemporary reinterpretation of the classic North American cabin in the woods. This harmonious blend of materials creates an atmosphere that is both rustic and refined, deeply rooted in its natural context. Omer Arbel's Vancouver-based studio previously constructed another notable residence in British Columbia, featuring distinctive lily-pad-shaped columns formed by pouring concrete into fabric molds. Additionally, Omer Arbel is a co-founder of Bocci, a renowned design studio specializing in lighting and furniture.

The architectural endeavor aimed to establish a living space that is deeply intertwined with its environmental context, manifesting as a physical and experiential bridge between varying natural elements. Through careful material selection and a design philosophy sensitive to both present and future ecological dynamics, the house offers a unique and adaptive habitat. This project serves as a testament to integrating architectural innovation with a profound respect for the natural world, fostering a contemplative engagement with its pristine British Columbia setting.

TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, a collaborative effort between the Japanese art collective TeamLab and MZ Architects, has reached completion on Saadiyat Island. This innovative cultural venue is poised to become a prominent fixture in Abu Dhabi's artistic landscape, offering a permanent home for TeamLab's distinctive immersive artworks. Its construction marks a significant addition to the island's growing array of cultural institutions, creating a unique space where art and architecture converge to deliver an unparalleled visitor experience.

Nestled amidst the esteemed cultural landmarks of Saadiyat Island, TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi stands as a testament to cutting-edge design and artistic innovation. Located adjacent to Mecanoo's recently finished Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and in proximity to Foster+Partners' Zayed National Museum and Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi, this new building solidifies Saadiyat Island's reputation as a global cultural destination. The facility's design is striking: an almost windowless exterior, enveloped in a continuous white facade crafted from glass fibre-reinforced concrete, a product of collaboration with MZ Architects, based in Abu Dhabi.

The architectural marvel spans 17,000 square meters, concealing within its reinforced-concrete shell numerous drum-shaped gallery spaces. These unique galleries are specifically designed to showcase TeamLab's signature digital art installations, with their interior forms directly influencing the building's distinctive external contours. A grand arched opening interrupts the otherwise unbroken facade, serving as the main entrance, inviting visitors into a world of artistic wonder. Outside, a ceremonial staircase ascends to a raised plaza and viewing platform on the roof, while a small waterfront plaza features an integrated waterfall, further enhancing the building's captivating aesthetic.

Operated by Miral, TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi hosts a dynamic collection of immersive artworks, each meticulously crafted by the renowned TeamLab collective. Known globally for their innovative digital art displays, including a prominent gallery in Tokyo, TeamLab has designed these installations to interact seamlessly with the dedicated galleries within the Abu Dhabi venue. The artworks are envisioned to be regularly updated, ensuring a continuously fresh and engaging experience for all who visit. TeamLab founder Toshiyuki Inoko articulated the vision for the space, stating that visitors would be immersed in a world that dynamically changes and evolves through their participation, thereby expanding their understanding of value. He emphasized that the collective creations of individuals form the foundation of the future.

The realization of Saadiyat Island's cultural district has been a long-term vision, initially unveiled in 2007. While some early architectural plans, such as those by Tadao Ando and Zaha Hadid, did not materialize, the island has nevertheless blossomed into a vibrant cultural hub. Alongside the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is joined by Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is also nearing completion. This concentration of world-class museums and art venues firmly establishes Saadiyat Island as a beacon of art, culture, and architectural excellence.