KWK Architects has been contracted by global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to provide architectural programming on a project to renovate the U.S. Air Force Academys Sijan Hall north of Colorado Springs, CO.

The renovation will be the first modernization project at Sijan Hall since it was built in 1968, with the renovation/modernization to include the halls residential, academic, courtyard and recreational spaces. At 700,000-square-feet, Sijan Hall is the second-largest residence hall in the United States with 2,200 beds. It is located within the campus Cadet Area -- a National Historic Landmark District.

As part of AECOMs design team, KWK will orchestrate conceptual floor plans for the halls renovation by determining where shared spaces and amenities for studying, socializing and living make sense in a modern layout. The renovation will incorporate energy-efficient materials and systems, smart building technologies, improved daylighting and updated HVAC systems.

We are so honored to have been selected by AECOM for our university housing design expertise to work on this monumental renovation for the Air Force Academy, said KWK Principal Paul Wuennenberg, AIA, LEED AP. Our main goal on the project will be creating a home away from home where the cadets can comfortably collaborate, learn and thrive. We understand the vital role this prestigious institution plays in a cadets higher education.

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KWK Architects to Provide Architectural Programming on Renovation of U.S. Air Force Academy Sijan Hall in Colorado - Suburban Journals

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LaCanTouch FF&E Gallery, Library and Salon in Shanghai, China by Vermilion Zhou Design Group Yunpu Cai

The announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year seems to cause the media to stir every year. While everyone jumps on the hype showcasing how "excited" they are, how do color trends impact architects?

Don't get me wrong; I love seeing the use of color in projects. The study ofcolor theory is valuable and impacts a project tremendously.Verner Panton and Josef Albers are probably two of the most recognizable color aficionados in design, amongst others, but do these yearly trends make their way into built projects?

While the public may "welcome" the 2021 color of the year (PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating), its announcement is more of a reminder that color trends don't have much weight unless they're used and applied.

To see color in action we've gathered eleven projects featured on Archinect that celebrate color and its use.

Elementary School Vesovice/Reconstruction of Baroque RectorybyPublic Atelier

Chetian Cultural Center by West-line Studio

Hall WinesbyNICOLEHOLLIS

Qiora Store & Spa by Architecture Research Office

Innovation Lab in Huizhou by AIM Architects

American School of Kosovo - High Schoolbymaden GROUP

Clinton Hill BrownstonebyMKCA // Michael K Chen Architecture

Great Wall Yunmo Winerybya+a anderloni associates

2 LafayettebyBKSK Architects, LLP

Stanford University, GSB Highland HallbySteinbergand Legorreta

Ziggy by Hou de Sousa

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Pantone has selected 2021's "color(s) of the year" should architects care? - Archinect

florian busch architects has completed house in the forest, an elevated timber residence, that as its name suggests, is immersed in the woodland of hokkaido, japan. located in close proximity to the niseko ski resort, the remote dwelling is sited on three acres of barely touched forest. the client, a large family, tasked the architects with designing a retreat that allowed them to spend time with each other and the natural landscape. the house in the forest is not about a fixed form but an ever-changing dialogue with the forest, explain the architects.

all images courtesy of florian busch architects

the site is almost a perfect square with 160-meter-long edges and filled with tall pine trees. thanks to a mound, the plot remains secluded with a small rural road providing the only access to the site. florian busch architects discovered a clearing in the woods, but, instead of positioning the building in the middle of the clearing, the team decided to place the structure between the trees at the edge to the clearing.

the house itself extends horizontally, with the end of each branch open to the surrounding woodland immersing occupants in nature. while the protection of the inside separates us physically from the experience of the forest, the focus and scale of the windows to the forest intensifies it we are sitting in the forest, says florian busch architects. in the houses central spine, this focus of selection is replaced by a multi-faceted instantaneity. as a multitude of views of the forest around us are filling the space, the original experience inside the forest is always present.

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'house in the forest' by florian busch architects in hokkaido - Designboom

steven chilton architects (SCA) has completed a 2,000 seat theater in the huadu district of guangzhou, china ahead of its opening in 2021. guangzhou has been a significant center for the arts and trading since the han dynasty and, inspired by the citys traditional and contemporary artists, the concept for the theater was informed by silk embroidery and the illustrations of artist zhang hongfei. guangzhou has been the home of and inspiration for artists who have helped to define the worlds concept of chinese culture for thousands of years, says steven chilton. through our work on the theater, we have endeavored to channel the history, emotion and creative energy of the city through a building whose purpose is to nurture the next generation of cultural leaders in the performing arts.

all images by chongart photography

silk has been painted and embroidered by fine artists in guangzhou for thousands of years and developed as a creative medium for depicting myths and scenes of nature on tapestries and ornamental robes. SCA explains that the physicality of silk cloth informed the formal expression of the building through a series of ten, gently twisting folds that define the outer envelope. meanwhile, the various entrances into the building are created by tucking the surface in on itself where the valley of each fold would meet the ground plane.

the theaters mission to cultivate talent is expressed through the imagery applied to the surface of the cladding. we were influenced by a beloved local myth, 100 birds paying homage to the phoenix, chilton explains. the phoenix or fenghuang stands for virtue and grace, whilst the allegory signifies notions of recognition, leadership and mentoring. using illustrations created by artist zhang hongfei, SCA digitized and interpreted his hand drawings before mapping each figure onto the surface geometry.

we developed a compositional style inspired by tattoo art aesthetics, the architects continue. each figure was positioned on the body of the theater over a series of studies in response to the topology of the surface geometry. whilst significant figures like the phoenix were positioned where the form afforded prominence, lesser figures such as birds, were organically and less consciously arranged in the spaces between. the cladding is composed of thousands of perforated aluminum panels, each painted with a unique portion of the overall composition. the panels are supported by a complex structure of welded steel tubes that work interdependently with the concrete superstructure supporting the theater floors.

the concept design of the auditorium was led by dragone with theater consultant auerbach pollock friedlander. the space is a performance environment that can be transformed from a 360 degree theater into a variety of different configurations. overhead LED screens provide an immersive experience, while 12 acrobatic hoists and three acrobatic tracks and trolleys are integrated above the stage. meanwhile, above the audience, at the gridiron, there are two storage wagons that allow scenic elements to be lowered on custom built hoists.

while the theater can be used for typical productions, it can also be transformed for productions that require water effects. below the center of the theaters stage floor is a deep pool with an automated stage lift that can be raised a half meter above the stage floor or dropped nine meters into the water. at this lower elevation there are three under water scenery storage garages that are used to store large props and scenic elements before they are moved onto the lift and elevated through the water to stage level. the sunac guangzhou grand theatre is scheduled to open in 2021.

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steven chilton architects completes 'sunac guangzhou grand theatre' - Designboom

VLOT architects has completed the buitenhuis or country house a timber structure interwoven with its immediate surroundings located in heinenoord, netherlands. measuring only 54 square meters in size, this house makes sure you are connected with nature thanks to its almost transparent faade that can be opened completely, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. the awning also contributes to this, creating an intermediate zone.

images courtesy of VLOT architects

even if small, the buitenhuis by VLOT architects expands its total area when theres good weather as the entire deck can be experienced as floor space, increasing the total area to 210 m2. the floor has been slightly raised in relation to the ground level so that the garden extends partly under the country house. the platform partially cantilevers over the existing ditch that forms the boundary between the garden and the polder. from here, guests are able to enjoy great views of the ever-changing arable land.

the architecture practice made sure to keep the CO2 impact of this building as low as possible. to begin with, the house has been designed to be 100% modular, making it possible to prefabricate many of its components and then assemble them on site. the modular construction is laid out on a grid of 1.5 meters in two directions. larch cross columns have been placed on the grid to support the roof. the roof has been covered with moss that on the one hand acts as a water buffer and on the other as an integration of greenery.

the buitenhuis is also all-electric and uses electric underfloor heating, electric boilers and electric cooking. the elevation in the roof allows warm air to rise while the overhangs provide passive sun protection. In addition, the almost fully openable faade ensures that the wind can blow through the house.

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buitenhuis by VLOT architects is a low-carbon, modular timber structure in the netherlands - Designboom

Yet five years on from that cold evening in Paris when I saw nearly 200 nations step up -- including the US with a delegation led by John Kerry -- this is no time for complacency. The period from 2010 to 2020 was the hottest period on record. Covid-19 has exposed our vulnerability to nature: the more we heat the planet and disrupt ecosystems, which causes disease-carrying animals and insects to relocate, the more vector diseases we will unleash. As 2020 draws to a close and Covid-19 vaccines mercifully come close, we can all reflect that no country is an island. Walls have limited utility against Mother Nature.

But reflecting back to five years ago, I see there has been a fundamental shift in people's understanding and expectations -- across all societies and sectors of action. There is widespread understanding that the climate crisis means net zero is the future we all have to go to. And citizens are demanding -- and voting for --this change.

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Paris Agreement architect: 2021 will dawn with hope - CNN

Branch Technology, a Chattanooga-based 3D printing and construction technology startup, announced this week that it has raised a new $11 million funding round.

The round, led by EquipmentShare, brings the companys overall funding to $22 million to date. Additional support came from Brick & Mortar Ventures, Chattanooga Renaissance Fund, and other previous investors.

When Hypepotamus connected with Branch Technologys CEO Platt Boyd back in spring 2019, he said the company draws inspiration from the way that nature creates form and structure and stands to revolutionize the construction industry through unprecedented design freedom and resource stewardship.

Branch Technologys 3D printing process, Cellular Fabrication (C-Fab), allows for material to solidify in open space. This polymer matrix helps move beyond dimensional restrictions or support structures of standard design while using 20% less material than traditional construction methods.

Projects that have used Branch Technology have included the University of West Florida Art Pavilion, the Durham Public Library, and several other unique structures listed here.

John McCabe, Director of Brand and Communications at Branch Technology, told Hypepotamus that while COVID did put a few projects on hold for the company, it overall helped drive unique trends in the construction space.

We have seen a lot of interest in retrofitting existing buildings as a way to quickly compete in the changing WFH real estate market, McCabe told Hypepotamus. Additionally, based on our daily conversations with the industry, the global construction market is extremely hungry for additive manufacturing solutions that solve real-world problems.

Branch Technology is set to use the new funds to continue to grow its product line and ultimately scale its robotic production fleet.

Branch Technology team

Click here to sign up for the Hypepotamus newsletter, and youll get two weekly emails covering the tech startup community in the Southeast, with all the latest jobs, news, events, and announcements.

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Chattanooga's Branch Technology Raises $11 Million To Help Designers and Architects "Freeform" - hypepotamus.com

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation / Mei architects and planners

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Text description provided by the architects. With almost 45000m2 of mixed-use space and a unique steel structure built through the existing monumental warehouse, Rotterdam gained a bold and iconic building: Fenix I.

History. The former so-called San Francisco warehouse, built in 1922 for the Holland America Line, was heavily damaged between 1940 and 1950 and restored into two buildings: Fenix I and Fenix II. In the 1980s port activities moved westward and the warehouses fell into disuse. In 2007, the city of Rotterdam committed to the restructuring of the Katendrecht district. Over time Katendrecht transformed from a disadvantaged area into a trendy and most popular district, with numerous culinary, creative, and cultural enterprises, where Fenix I forms a great example.

Design. The design of Fenix I consists of three main parts. First, it comprises the existing warehouse 140m long and 40m deep, with 2 floors with 6 meters free height - that has largely been redeveloped and renovated for mixed-use.

The residential volume on top, an enclosed building block executed as flexible concrete construction, supports an immense steel table structure, that is built right through the warehouse. It comprises 214 lofts, rental and privately owned, with a high degree of flexibility in size and layout and 2.5 meters deep outdoor spaces all around. An interlayer consisting of a gigantic spaceframe structure separates the existing warehouse and new volume above. This layer has a clear height of 4m to 6m and accommodates loft apartments adjacent to a large courtyard garden, which is characterized by light, greenery, and transparency, and forms a strong contrast with the industrial dockyard structures. It was a conscious decision to use a gallery to encourage social interaction and stimulate an inclusive community.

Fenix passage. The gallery on the inside of the building block connects to a public passageway on street level, that runs through the heart of the original warehouse, connecting the city side with the quay. The different time-layers and dynamics of Fenix become visible and tangible through the many sightlines that bring the various functions together. Unique construction The technical challenge of Fenix I is most evident in its construction. By placing an immense one-kiloton steel table construction through the existing warehouse and giving it a separate foundation, the monumental warehouse could be largely preserved. The new building on top is technically kept separate from the warehouse.

Sustainability. Sustainability is an integral part of Fenix I, starting with maximum reuse of the existing building. Fenix I has been optimized in terms of circularity and biodiversity by means of a future-proof adaptable building structure, roof gardens, vertical green courtyard facades, rainwater harvesting, high-performance solar control glazing, and high-efficient heat recovery and heat and cold storage.

Community. The distinctive architecture, as well as the exceptional residential product offered by Fenix I, attracts residents and users with a similar mindset. Shortly after completion, Fenix I shows to contribute to social interaction and solidarity of the neighbourhood and to be the home to an inclusive and caring community.

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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation / Mei architects and planners - ArchDaily

If you're ready to take the next step forward in your job search, check out our latest highlight of featured employers with current openings in New York City, Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, California, and Jackson, Wyoming. For even more opportunities, visit Archinect Jobs and browse our active community of architecture students and professionals, firms, and schools.

With offices in Tokyo, Paris, and New York, Shigeru Ban Architects is a global design firm led by acclaimed Japanese architect, and 2014 Pritzker Prize laureate, Shigeru Ban. Current opportunities at the NYC studio include an Architect/Designer position for candidates with 2-4 years of work experience and this Designer/Marketing Coordinator job for graduates or early-career professionals.

Northworks is a full-service architecture and planning firm with offices in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Jackson, Wyoming. Qualified applicants for this Project Associate/Project Manager opening with 3-8 years of professional experience are invited to join the Jackson team.

Founded in 2014, Cover is a technology company with a mission to apply computational design and precision manufacturing to residential design. They are currently accepting applications for this Designer/Project Delivery position in Los Angeles.

Kingdom Industry is a Southern California architecture and interior design firm with a growing portfolio of commercial, residential, and furniture design projects. This Lead Architect position at their Thousand Oaks studio is available for candidates with significant experience in modular design and construction.

Based in Downtown Los Angeles, Cohesion is a small architecture and design studio with a focus on exquisite residential projects. They're currently hiring a Part-time Assistant/Drafter with knowledge in AutoCAD, 3D SketchUp, InDesign, Excel, Microsoft Office, and rendering software.

If you don't already, follow Archinect's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, or the dedicated Archinect Jobs Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds.

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Hot architecture job opportunities at Shigeru Ban Architects, Northworks, Cover, Kingdom Industry, and Cohesion - Archinect

Steven Chilton Architectshas designed a theatre in Guangzhou, China, which has a shape informed by the city's historical connection to silk and is imprinted with patterns that represent its current tattoo culture.

Named the Sunac Guangzhou Grand Theatre, the building will host performances from visiting production companies as part of a group of entertainment venuesbeing built in the city's Huadu District.

The building's distinctive cladding was informed by Guangzhou's history as a key trading port.

"Guangzhou is the birthplace of the Silk Road on the Sea, it has been the home of and inspiration for artists who have helped to define the world's concept of Chinese culture for thousands of years," said Steven Chilton Architects founder Steven Chilton.

"Aside from its functional purpose, our intention with the design has been to channel the history, emotion, and creative energy of the city through a building whose mission is to nurture the next generation of cultural leaders in the performing arts," he told Dezeen.

The theatre is wrapped in undulating red cladding made from triangular panels, which was designed to recall the folds in flowing silk.

"We have drawn inspiration from traditional and contemporary arts commonly practised in the region. Silk cloth has been made, painted, and embroidered in the city since the Han Dynasty," explained Chilton.

"We drew from the physicality of the material in our approach to the form through a series of gently twisting folds that define the outer envelope."

Across this red cladding, a series of darker patterns informed by tattoo art were drawn. Above this base layer, a series of golden figurative animals that were influenced by a local myth titled 100 Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, were added to the facade.

Phoenix characters were given positions of prominence, while birds were arranged over the facade dependent on the geometry.

"Tattoo culture has recently gained prominence as a respected artistic medium, driven by a younger generation embracing it as an expression of individuality," said Chilton.

Steven Chilton Architects completes "bamboo forest" theatre in Wuxi

"It has inspired a renewed interest in traditional Chinese culture, where symbols and myths often fetishized in popular western culture are being repatriated and worn as a contemporary expression of kinship with the national identity as expressed in the visual arts."

A circular auditorium was placed at the centre of the building with all the supporting facilities, including rehearsal areas and offices, wrapped around it.

As the auditorium was originally designed to host a fully immersive water show, it is surrounded by 360 LED screens, while there are 12 acrobatic hoists and three acrobatic tracks and trolleys above the stage.

The stage itself stands above a nine-metre deep pool and can be raised or lowered into it to allow for water-based performances to take place.

"The auditorium design is based on an immersive concept developed by show creators, Dragone," explained Chilton. "The original brief was to develop the seating and equipment to serve a resident show that would be performed for 10 years or more," he continued.

"Halfway through the project, the client updated the brief to enable the theatre to be used for travelling productions and short-term events," he added.

"Fortunately, the design of the seating and theatre specialist equipment leant themselves to this purpose and the immersive elements were retained, as was the ability to transform the stage for productions that require spectacular water effects."

Sunac Guangzhou Grand Theatre is the latest theatre designed by Steven Chilton Architects in China whose aim is to be attention grabbing.

Puzzle Ball Theatre will be covered in geometric interlocking concrete panels

"The theatre sits at the heart of a large, mixed-use development, conceived to attract visitors and tourists into a previously under-developed region of the city," said Chilton.

"To this end, the client wanted a design that could assert itself into the consciousness of the city's residents and beyond, so yes, part of its job is to project a strong visual identity."

"Whether developers in China value memorable or striking design more than anywhere else is hard to say. Architecture is being commissioned in cities all over the world with the explicit objective of drawing attention to itself," continued Chilton.

"Such is the competition to attract visitors and investment, it is now commonplace to leverage architectures potential to create bombastic experiences and visual spectacle to draw in the crowds."

Other striking theatres by the studio include a theatre designed to look like an intricately carved ivory puzzle ball, which is also set to be built in Guangzhou, and a theatrewrapped in a steel structure designed to look like a bamboo forest, which opened last year near Shanghai.

Photographyby ChongArt Photography.

Project credits:

Client: Sunac China Holdings Ltd.Architect:Steven Chilton ArchitectsProject team: Steven Chilton, Roberto Monesi,Chuck Wang, Paula Isabella Saavedra Rosas,David Rieser, Natalie DillonArchitecture and design management: Sunac China Holdings Ltd. Auditorium Concept Design: DragoneTheatre consultant: Auerbach Pollock FriedlanderLocal design institute: Beijing Institute of Architectural DesignConcept engineer: Buro HappoldArtist: Zhang Hongfei

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Steven Chilton Architects unwraps Sunac Guangzhou Grand Theatre - Dezeen