Articles by Valeria Silva

When starting the design process of a new building, we always think about creating something that will lead to a rediscovery of the town or areas unique charms. Not far from the city, this hotel is located in a neighborhood with a diverse and pleasant atmosphere. An area favored by many artists and others, whom are attracted by the somewhat rustic and free ambience.

This project is a call to reflect on the frenetic activity of our society through which we invite visitors to Casa Decor 2020 to live a Wabi-Sabi experience. A spiritual, internal and subjective way of life and a philosophical construction that through events in space allude to pure materials, art and a aesthetic ideal.

When designing a house on a site with limited space, we have recently been exploring the possibilities of a continuous floor arrangement that extends gradually over a series of stepped floors. Rather than using walls and different floor levels to clearly divide the space into various functions, everything loosely connects and disconnects from each other through stepped floors. The idea is to create a sense of expansion inside a small house, so that you would find yourself on top of a rooftop in one moment, and tucked beneath a floor in another. 

The Skate Park in Carballo (A Coruña, Spain) appears as an extension of the public space that surrounds the Media Library in that village, offering the possibility of practicing some alternative sport that emerges strongly in the cities. From the point of view of urban insertion, the main intention was to dilute the border between the skating surface and the rest of the public space, so that the entire space could be read as unique, avoiding some ghetto or bubble sensation that usually present this type of parks. That is why we should call it skate-plaza.Thus, the integration of the tricks, access of the fire brigade to Media Library, stands, vertical connections, shade, water and benches are considered as an integrated artificial topography, in the same way that the pedestrian is protected from an eventual impact with the skateboards, sinking park´s height around 16 cm.

Completed fall 2019 in Sharon, CT, the home was commissioned by a family who first employed the firm to design two ancillary structures on the property, which ultimately inspired the final home and focal point of the property. Led by principal and cofounder Rafe Churchill, the architectural design maintains an accurate respect for an adherence to Greek Revival tradition. While presented formally, the home ultimately remains understated in its detailing and composition with three predominant tenets: to take full advantage of the unique and pastoral setting of the site, embrace the historical location and architectural context of the main house, and create a home for a young family conducive to contemporary living. As Asher Benjamin was a major proponent of the Greek Revival style in early America, the order and proportions of the home were derived from his 1830 treatise, The Practical House Carpenter. Inspiration was also found in local precedents, as well as the work of Benjamin Henry Latrobe and William Strickland.

Brazil launches business incubator for young architects and urban planners. Founded in 2019, Atelier 1901 is a space dedicated to promoting capacitation and career-building advice for newly-graduated professionals.

The house is the result of its development from the inside out. The program’s needs were generating volumes that were initially not programmed. It was an option to let the project take its course and assume this aesthetically. The backyard guarantees a colorful background for all rooms of the house.