Articles by Hana Abdel

True to its name Retreat Home by Neogenesis+Studi0261 is a get-away house to escape the frenzied hustle and bustle of city life. A holiday home to a diamond merchant in Surat, this elemental yet contemporary house has been designed to embrace extended families making room for warm interactions as it seamlessly connects the indoor with the outdoor. The idea was to envisage a space where rustic extravagance entwines with comfort, where every detail is meticulously crafted to create lasting memories. In its first appearance, the abode reveals itself as a two-tiered linearly designed structure partly camouflaged in the greens. The house sits there with a picturesque pitched roof, overlooking an abundance of greens waiting to express its narrative.

Home: When does a house become a home? What can a house do more than just provide shelter? Does the feeling of a space rely on tangible elements (furniture, decor, etc)? Or the feeling of a space is defined by the intangible (light, volume, wind, etc)? These fundamental inquiries into the nature of a home; the smallest built component of any society; formed the genesis of this particular project. 

With the heightening of ecological and social crises all around the world, architects have had to re-evaluate their role, impact, and design approach. As the “new needs” of people arise, new architectural processes must be explored to answer them. However, this still comes with much resistance from the standing practices and push for financial gain that often makes it difficult to implement more comprehensive solutions. These notions led the CCA (Canadian Center for Architecture) to launch their new 3-part film and exhibit series called ” Groundwork“, curated by the associate director, Francesco Garutti. Through this project, the CCA selected and followed three renowned contemporary architects/practices as they developed their concepts and field research, which allowed them to engage respectfully with their site and residing communities. It’s an up close and personal look into what motivates the selected architects to examine alternative ways of designing and the challenges they go through as the three parallel stories unfold.

Located in the serene surroundings of Khao Yai, a renowned suburban tourist destination just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, this site spans six hundred square wah. Surrounded by nature and offering stunning views of towering hills, it serves as an ideal location for a vacation villa to escape the chaos of the city and a wedding venue for intimate celebrations, providing privacy amidst an aesthetic ambiance. Due to the lower elevation of the construction site compared to its surroundings, subterranean stones must be removed to avoid the need for pile driving, with the stones repurposed as a retaining wall for the elevated construction site.

The pavilion stands as a tribute to the remarkable Professor A.C. Pandya and his profound legacy. Professor Pandya’s humble lifestyle, exemplified by his years of teaching in a simple hut located in a small Indian village, inspired the architect to transform the concept of a ‘HUT’ into a ‘PAVILLION’. Located on the IIT Kharagpur campus, this innovative structure pays homage to Professor Pandya’s grounded nature and dedication to education.

Suaka Wastana, as its name suggests, holds deep personal significance for its owner, Wastana Haikal, a Bandung-based illustrator and artist. “Suaka,” meaning shelter, aptly describes his unique home filled with surprises and creativity. Nestled in the refreshing hills of Lembang, West Bandung, the house offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, enhancing its natural ambiance. Haikal envisioned a dream home that authentically reflects his spirit and recruited us, Atelier NARK, as Spatial Consultants to create a design that embodies an eclectic Mediterranean style, where each space is thoughtfully crafted to express his individuality.

In this project, the main inspiration came from the need to create a home that is not only comfortable but also environmentally efficient. The core concept revolves around making the core of the house the central integration point for various structural elements, utility systems, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), vertical circulation, and building physics. This core was designed to extend from the first to the third floor, serving as a hub for natural light and air, enabling the stack effect. The stack effect creates a natural airflow where hot air rises, keeping the lower levels cooler.

Eyrie House is a new residence on a very steep slope at the top of Mount Rumney, with a spectacular outlook over Pittwater and southeastern Tasmania. Seeking to contrast and emphasize the rugged landscape of the site, the design consists of a series of horizontal datums and clean, folded forms.