Central island

Located in downtown Oakland, the project reflects the second generation of Bay Area brand, Mr. Espresso, serving as an example of how a diverse cultural landscape can heavily nourish a community’s heritage identity.

 

Functional Design

The design is inspired by Italian culture, using minimalism and contrast to create an experience similar to that of a traditional Italian caffe ritual. The espresso bar becomes the central feature of the space to accommodate the large number of people. It is designed as a central island, featuring a custom, elegant pastry display, reminiscent of a jewelry shop.

 

Material Palette

The material selection is inspired by the Italian tradition, which is masterful at creating spaces with great complexity using minimal elements, thus leading to carefully choosing materials such as natural wood, stone and marble. The term “chiaroscuro” -the Italian notion of contrast- provides further inspiration. More specifically, hand polished copper contrasts with the organic nature of wood and stone and acts as a reflective backdrop for the espresso bar.

Architectural Sculpture

Above the bar, a lightweight, wooden sculptural form highlights the verticality of the space and defines the heavy, wooden island. The sculpture also serves as a gestural move, acting both as an object -a nod to the domes and arcades of the Renaissance and Baroque periods- as well as a spatial boundary that constructs an interplay between solid and void surfaces.

The sculpture is composed of 272 slats formed from a total of 528 pieces, all made of birch plywood, designed and laid out to minimize waste. An array of prototypes are made and tested, focusing primarily on the staining process, which is eventually achieved with Ethiopian Shantawene coffee.

Cultural regeneration

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Tacuba became one of the wealthiest areas of Mexico City and was home to large country houses that over time were gradually abandoned. One of these “ruins” was Mar Mediterraneo 34.

 

Building Restoration

Built in 1910 in an eclectic French style belonging to the Porfiriato era, the building currently holds great historical value. Consequently, the project aim was to renovate it, preserving its distinct architectural character. The house was initially split in two volumes, where the first incorporates the main facade while the second is oriented towards the main patio. The spaces were meticulously restored, using primarily contemporary materials. The façade’s carved balconies, iron railings and large windows were preserved and rebuilt, rehabilitating the house’s urban image.

 

Interior Design & Layout

The interior design bridges historical elements and contemporary architecture. In the existing patio, a large volume is constructed, framing the sky, and restoring the old entrances leading to the ground floor. The new openings are double in height, controlling the light and privacy of the space. The house extends in three floors and includes seven apartments in different typologies: a loft, a studio, a family apartment, and a penthouse. The different spaces extend around the three interior courtyards, visually interacting with the historic façades and becoming imbued with ample natural light.

 

Sustainable Design

The project addresses sustainability through the reappropriation and recycling of existing materials. In parallel, it pays close attention to the building’s sociocultural history and impact of the site, aiming to contribute to Tacuba’s urban regeneration.

Hyperbolic structures

The building is part of a large campus -managed by the Eugene Eisenman Avifauna Foundation- immersed in the Panamanian tropical rainforest. It offers a series of ecotourism facilities such as an observation tower and a visitor’s center that showcases the area’s natural heritage. The shelter functions primarily as a tour guide training center.

 

Design Morphology

The project consists of two primary elements: an elevated, open-plan wooden platform, which acts as a place of gathering, teaching, and food preparation, as well as a large gable roof that is the design’s main morphological feature. The roof is supported by two main columns and a central beam, forming two hyperbolic polaroids, thus achieving a free and flexible effect. Being a highly durable material, rigid thermopanel sheets are used as roof cladding.

 

Landscape Integration

The shelter maintains both a visual as well as an emotional relationship with the forest. Its architectural design is minimal yet accounts for all the essential functions needed to inhabit the space. During the day, it provides shading through its intricate roof design, while at night, a series of indirect lights illuminate the wooden platform.

 

Social & Cultural Impact

The project’s construction greatly impacted the social and cultural heritage of the area. Using the local workforce and expertise to materialize the design has resulted in making this site an educational destination. It has become a learning center for ecotourism and environmental sustainability within the scenery of Panama’s tropical rainforest.

Revitalizing Cultural Heritage with Modern Architecture

A Landmark in Architectural History

The Goethe-Institut Athens is the oldest cultural institution of Germany abroad and serves as the administrative center for all Goethe Institutes in Southeast Europe. In 1982, it relocated to Omirou Street, occupying an 8-story office and classroom building with a total area of 4,629m², including two basements, a courtyard on the first floor, and a large event hall that can accommodate 350 people.

Seismic Reinforcement and Radical Renovation

Due to the necessary seismic reinforcement of the building, a comprehensive study was conducted for its radical renovation. This involved not only the deliberate structural strengthening with innovative mixed construction methods but also the complete modernization of the electromechanical installations, fire safety upgrades, full accessibility for people with disabilities, and the reorganization of functional spaces. An important aspect of the renovation was the “opening up” of the building to the city. To achieve this, the entire ground floor facade was transformed with large glass panels and vertical wooden louvers, inviting the public to explore its spaces day and night.

Functional Spaces and Accessibility

A central ramp axis connects the two levels of the ground floor, leading visitors to traverse the entire depth of the building from the main entrance and reception area, which extends to the library on the second level. The discreet presence of the cafeteria contributes to the space’s function as a public multipurpose area for casual and studious activities, emphasizing the cultural exchange character of the Institute. The libraries accompany visitors to the lower foyer, which is designed as another small multipurpose space, leading them to the renovated large event hall.

In the entrance reception area, a new wooden staircase, visible from the building’s facade, leads to the first floor, where a new multipurpose hall and the courtyard are located. The courtyard, with controlled shading and the possibility of focus, serves as an additional outdoor space for events, offering a peaceful green oasis in the bustling city center.

The office floors were completely transformed with transparent partitions, creating contemporary and well-lit workspaces that meet the new functional requirements.

Aesthetics and Integration

The atmosphere of the Institute is defined by the combination of the building’s evident technical infrastructure with the aesthetics of wood, colors, and carefully selected lighting. The discreet color scheme follows Goethe’s “Theory of Colors” and is reflected in the impressive lighting fixtures on the ground floor as well as the movable shading louvers on the facades.

Inviting Ambiance: Controlled Lighting for a Studious Environment

The differentiated and controlled lighting accentuates the inviting and studious ambiance throughout the spaces, especially in the expanded public areas on the ground floor, the first-floor multipurpose hall, and the courtyard, marking the Institute’s position within the urban fabric.