Graal Architecture's Orly Festival Hall references residential and industrial buildings

This multipurpose events hall designed by French studio Graal Architecture evokes typical gabled houses as well as the industrial sheds found near to its location beside Paris-Orly airport.

Orly Festival Hall is located on the edge of the airport complex to the south of Paris, and forms part of a suburban neighbourhood made up of residential and logistical buildings.

Graal Architecture has created a festival hall in France

Graal Architecture designed the festival hall as a pavilion consisting of four interconnected gabled volumes that resemble typical houses. Its flexible and modular design allows the building to be used for various events.

Corrugated and perforated metal cladding forms a rectilinear envelope around the pitched-roof volumes, lending it a more industrial appearance that recalls the nearby sheds and warehouses.

The building comprises four interconnected gabled volumes

"Halfway between a low-cost prefabricated industrial structure and an ordinary house, the building unfolds in two cubic volumes of the same dimensions, which attempt to move away from the typology of the shed to approach the domestic scale of the house," the architects explained.

The metal cladding extends beyond the height of the pitched roofs, creating a more visible volume within the suburban streetscape that changes in appearance when viewed from different distances and angles.

The volumes are wrapped by corrugated and perforated metal cladding

"Through its champagne colour, its undulations and perforations, the thermo-lacquered, corrugated iron cladding offers a changing and renewed image of the facility through the play of reflections and transparency," Graal Architecture added.

"Depending on the light, the distance and the viewpoint, which is multiple on this angled plot, the building creates a real kinetic effect."

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The building is separated into two conjoined blocks that are shifted slightly in plan to fit the irregularly shaped plot. The space in the offset area forms an entrance plaza sheltered from the noisy airport.

A block of service areas including the entrances, toilets, offices and technical spaces are arranged along the northern edge of the building so they are direct contact with the car park and a small concrete plaza.

It has a champagne-hued colour

Three entrances along the building's length provide access to different parts of the hall, allowing each space to function independently and enhancing the facility's flexibility.

The building was constructed using a timber frame that is visible inside the hall and is complemented by the exposed timber walls and structural roof panels.

The prefabricated framework is visible inside the hall

The prefabricated framework supports a series of deep beams that span the hall from front to back. Tracks incorporated into the beams allow movable walls to be used to partition the interior into two or three rooms.

The four roof ridges help to visually separate the open, flexible space into smaller bays while also aiding its acoustic properties. Each bay features large windows on its southern facade that look out towards the airport.

Skylights slot into the roof's ridge

Lighting and acoustic baffles that follow the folds of the roof help to break up the overall scale of the internal space. Skylights slotted into the roof's ridge cast natural light onto the timber beams and the concrete floor below.

Graal Architecture was founded by Carlo Grispello and Nadine Lebeau. The firm has previously designed an energy-efficient and economical facility for small children that was longlisted in the civic building category of Dezeen Awards 2021, and a sports hall for a nursery in western Paris comprising three corrugated zinc and galvanised steel cabins.

The photography is byClément Guillaume.

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HHF Architekten uses modular steel and timber structure for mixed-use block in Switzerland

A modular grid of exposed steel creates balconies, terraces and external staircases at this mixed-use development in Weggis, Switzerland, designed by HHF Architekten.

Located close to Lake Lucerne, the Weggishof scheme combines ground-floor commercial spaces with 39 apartments in a variety of sizes.

Weggishof is a mixed-used residential block that was designed by HHF Architects

The project was won by the Basel-based studio following a two-phase study for a mixed residential area that began in 2014, with the project completing in 2020.

Described as a "sustainable hybrid project", Weggishof comprises a concrete base topped with a timber structure built using a system of prefabricated, standardised elements in order to minimise waste and make future recycling more efficient.

It comprises a modular grid of exposed steel which forms a number of balconies, terraces and staircases

Arranged in a U-shape, the apartments range from studios to five-bedroom dwellings. All are dual-aspect, overlooking both a central courtyard at the building's centre and a communal green space to the rear.

"The building nestles into an existing natural U-shaped slope, which allows for structural diversity," said the practice.

The structure is staggered to prevent disrupting mountain views. Photo is by Maris Mezulis

"Storey heights are staggered to let the new building blend in with the surroundings without blocking the view of the lake from existing structures," it continued.

"A digital workflow was crafted to allow for dimensional steering of the prefabrication of the standardised, wood elements, whose surfaces are left raw for visual impact."

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While the rear facade presents a plain, wood-clad surface so as not to disrupt the views from neighbouring buildings, the inner facades are animated by a steel grid of balconies that overlook the courtyard.

In this courtyard, a variety of surface finishes, play equipment and concrete benches create a lively public space that also acts as a buffer between the nearby road and the apartments.

Interior spaces are lined in wood. Photo is by Maris Mezulis

"The modular metal facade works as what [we] refer to as soft spaces – the often neglected space where private meets public," said the practice.

"In this case this ambivalent room that receives signals from both directions adds a vivid identity to the public space white adding a layer of privacy," it continued.

Apartments have double-height spaces and large windows

The commercial spaces, which total 1,200 square metres, sit within Weggishof's concrete base, which extends outwards to create ground floor terrace areas and upwards to create stair cores.

The apartment interiors celebrate the building's hybrid materiality, with wooden walls, concrete floors and curved steel sections on the balconies providing sun-shading.

Concrete flooring and wood ceilings create a minimal aesthetic

Both small and large versions of each flat type have been created to provide different spatial characters, with some incorporating double-height areas.

Other recent residential projects in Switzerland include a concrete block near Lake Lugano by DF_DC, with an "exoskeleton" of balconies and terraces, and a house in Villarlod by Index Architectes that features asymmetric gables and a skin of angular clay tiles.

The photography is byIwan Baan unless stated otherwise.

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Commenter says tearing down the Nakagin Capsule Tower "is a tragedy"

In this week's comments update, readers are debating the disassembly of Tokyo's Nakagin Capsule Tower.

The Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo, a 20th-century metabolist landmark by architect Kisho Kurokawa, is set to be disassembled and the capsules either donated to museums or turned into rental units.

Built over the course of just 30 days in 1972, the housing block is considered a rare example of Japanese metabolism.

"A really wonderful and important building"

Readers are divided. "This is very, very sad," said Andrew.

Catcassidy agreed: "This is a really wonderful and important building. While it may have outlived its function and is no longer viable as residences, tearing it down is a tragedy. This is short-sightedness. Once it's gone, you can't get it back."

"Interesting story, yet the architectural vision is short-sighted, utilitarian, and quite depressing," replied Valeria Lie Alonso. "No surprise that the architects were influenced by Marxism. No life, no beauty, no imagination. A dystopia envisioned for the rational worst-case scenario rather than aspiring for better ways of life."

"It will be dismantled but not forgotten," concluded Jacopo. "Please don't be too sad. Think of it as a transformation. Few buildings go from architecture to art and live forever in spirit rather than in concrete."

Is tearing the building down a tragedy? Join the discussion ›

Heatherwick Studio unveils Airo prototype at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Reader says Thomas Heatherwick's electric car is "ribbed like a condom"

Commenters are discussing Thomas Heatherwick's prototype of an electric car that the studio claims will clean the air as it drives. Airo was designed for Chinese car brand IM Motors.

"Amazing," said Yoram Maron. "Wrinkled like an old lady but for sure exceptional. Why not?"

"Very Clockwork Orangey," continued Hilton Purvis. "Ribbed like a condom, white to boot (would definitely be a pain to clean). I love concept cars though. Keep 'em comin'… so we can critique 'em."

"Of all the ways to do an interior and they chose to use my parent's corduroy lounge chairs from the 70s," added Christopher Kelley.

What do you think of Airo? Join the discussion ›

Foster + Partners gets green light for One Beverly Hills development

Commenter "loves subtle fence" keeping people out of development

Readers aren't sold on Foster + Partners' plans to redevelop a triangular site in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, with a botanical garden and a pair of plant-covered high-rises.

"So is this a new towered-gated-community with communal ownership scheme to build a very expensive part of a branded city?" asked 竜皐. "The Commerce city had come so far. No 'ordinary' citizens are allowed in."

Troels Steenholdt Heiredal agreed: "I love the subtle fence in the foreground of the first rendering – what a delicate way of telling the onlookers 'this will not be for you, please stay out'."

"Come on, people!" replied Apsco Radiales. "Better than seeing acres and acres of parking lots and condos like the one Gensler just designed for Vancouver. You have to admit!"

Are commenters being harsh? Join the discussion ›

Images of Herzog & de Meuron's wedge-shaped art institute in Seoul revealed

Reader says Dezeen founder was "having a bad day" in debate over article

Commenters debated with Dezeen's founder and editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs on whether we should have published a preview of the ST/SongEun Building in Seoul, South Korea. The Herzog & de Meuron designed building is due to open in September.

"So little information here," said Alfred Hitchcock. "A few abstract photos and no drawings. What's the point of the press release?"

"I am assuming that at this point, everyone understands that there are certain types of articles – project features, interviews, promos, and yes, little incomplete teasers sometimes," replied OM. "Is this your first day on Dezeen/the internet?"

"I don't know why this bothers you so much," said Fairs. "We got sent a few images by the PR company ahead of the building's opening and thought it would make a good, quick news story. We'll do another, more in-depth story later when we get the full image set and (hopefully) plans. We're a news site and this is how we roll!"

"To sum up, key points thus far," concluded JZ. "1) Dezeen readers still find the editorial decisions to release stories with a paucity of information to be a huge weakness of the journal. 2) Lack of information has allowed confirmation bias to be triggered and readers find the building cold and disrespectful of the context. 3) Marcus was having a bad day."

Should Dezeen have published the article? Join the discussion ›

Read more Dezeen comments

Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.

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Nakagin Capsule Tower to be dismantled and turned into rental accommodation and exhibits

Tokyo's Nakagin Capsule Tower, the 20th-century metabolist landmark by architect Kisho Kurokawa, is set to be disassembled and donated to museums or turned into rental units.

Located in the Ginza neighbourhood and built over the course of just 30 days in 1972, the housing block is considered a rare example of Japanese metabolism.

Top: the Nakagin Capsule Tower is made of steel modules. Photo is by Michael. Above: the building is a landmark of Tokyo's Ginza neighbourhood. Photo is by Kakidai

Much of the concrete and steel tower has fallen into disrepair and has been under threat of demolition since 2007.

Now, owners and residents of Nakagin Capsule Tower have decided to sell their homes and divvy up the capsules after attempts to find a buyer prepared to fund the restoration failed.

The tower will now be taken apart and repurposed. Photo is by Kakidai

A module is already on display at Japan's Museum of Modern Art Saitama and the Centre Pompidou in Paris is reportedly keen to acquire one for its collection.

The owners are now crowdfunding to renovate the remaining 139 capsules so that they can be donated to institutions, or be relocated elsewhere in Tokyo and rented out to people who want to experience staying in one.

Kisho Kurokawa, who died in 2007, originally designed the modular housing block to attract single businessmen – the archetypal Japanese salaryman – looking for a compact and conveniently located apartment.

Formed of two interconnected towers made of concrete, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was built of 140 prefabricated steel modules bolted onto the main shafts.

Each module measures 2.5 metres by four metres and has a distinctive round window at one end.

The interiors came with built-in furniture and technology. Photo is by Dick Johnson

The tiny homes were each fitted out with built-in furniture including a bed under the porthole-style window, cabinets, a kitchen stove and fridge, a telephone and Sony reel-to-deck recorder. A small bathroom even contains a tiny tub.

Kurokawa's vision was that each capsule could be rotated out and replaced every 25 years, to keep the building fresh, but problems with ownership and funding meant this never came to be. Instead, many of the capsules fell into disrepair.

The distinctive tower was built as part of Japan's Metabolist architecture movement, which was pioneered by Kurokawa along with Kiyonori Kikutake and Fumihiko Maki.

As students in the 1960s the architects were influenced by Marxism, megastructures and social growth. Metabolism was named for the constant biological process that keeps a body alive.

One module has already been removed and displayed in museums. Photo is by Josugoni

Nakagin Capsule Tower embodies the ideals of Metabolism in the way that the cantilevered modules were designed to be swapped in and out, like the cells of an organism constantly renewing itself.

But this vision was never achieved and several of the capsules were abandoned or turned into storage units.

In 2007 the collective of owners announced they would sell to a developer who planned to demolish the building and build a new apartment block in its place.

However, the developer went bust in the 2008 recession, leaving the future of the tower uncertain.

Architecture fans have been able to rent out capsules to stay in. Photo is by Scarlet Green

In 2018 the owners started renting out the capsules on a monthly basis to architecture enthusiasts while the search for a buyer continued, until the coronavirus pandemic shut down negotiations.

Before Nakagin Capsule Tower is demolished, the residents association plans to undertake a survey of the building to be published in a book to record the architecture.

All around the world mid-century architecture is under threat. In the US, campaigners are lobbying to save Helmut Jahn's James R Thompson Center, while in the UK the 20th Century Society is campaigning to save a number of Brutalist buildings.

Photography is via Wikimedia Commons.

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Ten-storey stainless-steel apartment block built in 28 hours

Chinese company Broad Group has erected a modular 10-storey apartment block, named the Living Building, in just over a day in Changsha, China.

A timelapse released by Broad Group shows the 10-storey building being erected in China by a large team of workers and three cranes in 28 hours and 45 minutes.

According to the company, this is the "world's shortest construction period" for a building of this scale.

Tower built from stainless steel modules

The apartment block was assembled from standard container-sized modular units that were made in a factory by Broad Group and have a stainless steel structure.

Each module is 12.19 metres (40 feet) long, 2.44 metres (eight feet) wide and three metres (10 feet) high.

The container shaped modules stacked with one wall of each unit folding down to become a floor plate and create a column-free space that is 12 metres by 4.8-metres. Windows and balconies fold out from the unit to enclose the spaces.

"10 storeys can be erected in one day"

The modules are transported to the site with all the electric and internal finishes complete meaning that installation can happen rapidly.

"Extremely simple onsite installation: Just tighten bolts and connect [the] water and electricity, as fast as 10 storeys can be erected in one day," said the company.

The video shows the fully completed apartment block simply furnished with white walls and timber window frames and flooring.

Each of the modular units was made with walls and floors built from a stainless steel slab that is formed of two stainless steel plates separated by hundreds of stainless steel tubes.

According to the company, these B-core slabs are 10 times lighter and 100-times stronger than "conventional" floor plates.

Company claims system could be used for 200-storey skyscrapers

According to the company, the construction method could also be used to build public buildings or even skyscrapers.

"It is perfectly suitable for luxury residences, 200-storey skyscrapers, and also idea for public and residential buildings," said Broad Group.

Broad Group is a Chinese manufacturer of air conditioning units that has expanded into modular construction. In 2012 Broad Group unveiled plans to build a 220-storey skyscraper, which would be the tallest building in the world, from modular components in seven months.

However, the construction of the building stalled shortly after it began amid safety fears and a lack of government approval. It was later reported that the building's foundations had been repurposed as a fish farm.

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