#contextual-design

#contextual-design

Residence AV is a courtyard house located in a dense residential neighborhood in Bruges, Belgium. Designed by YAMA architects, the project responds to a paradoxical brief: a strong desire for connection to the surrounding context combined with an equally strong need for privacy. The client, living alone, was attracted to the social presence and perceived safety of the neighborhood, yet sought a dwelling that could withdraw from direct views and support a more introspective way of living.

Through an Instagram post called "Project Review", the curators describe what they consider to be the work's main attribute(s). Delving into the project's stories and the elements that make them truly inspiring, they underline what might otherwise be overlooked initiatives and study them closely, with attention to locality and context. The result is an array of diverse works, often from rural or suburban areas that have a public function or historic significance.

Clarksville is one of Austin's few truly walkable neighborhoods, with a main commercial street, school, and public park all within a roughly square-mile radius, satisfying the needs of daily life. It was here that romance blossomed for architect Michael Hsu and his now wife, Sarah, a contemporary art adviser. Soon after the couple met in 2020, she moved into a bungalow just down the street from the plot that he had recently purchased, envisioning settling down in the area.

With expertise spanning architecture, interior design, master planning and construction management, Spectrum is setting new standards for modern development by reconciling the demands of contemporary architecture with the responsibilities of environmental and social stewardship. The internationally recognized firm operates with a core philosophy rooted in nature, drawing inspiration from elements like the textures of stone, shifting light, and the cadence of the surrounding landscape.

Today, September 2, the seven winners of the 16th Cycle (2023-2025) of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture were announced, following on-site reviews of the 19 shortlisted projects revealed in June. Established in 1977, the Award seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that respond to the physical, social, and economic needs of communities with a significant Muslim presence, while also addressing their cultural aspirations.