TAKE HAPPINESS SERIOUSLY AZC 1
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FOREWORD
AZC Atelier ZĂźndel Cristea
TAKE HAPPINESS SERIOUSLY
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ustainable development and shared public spaces are the primary concerns in today’s urbanization. It comes together with expanded ideas on the relationship between the built environment, Nature and human beings. According to these concerns, we practice architecture as a discipline that is fed by the notion of diversity. In practicing architecture we are guided and motivated by its universal character, in the sense that evokes a feeling of appropriate use. Our Architectural practice is giving a lot of thoughts to ideas and installations likely to please city-dwellers and to transform the way they experience places and practices within their built environment. With the speed of new discoveries and advances in technology, we feel concerned by considerations of sustainability and timelessness in architecture. Today’s greatest problem is to design architecture which is lasting without being imposing. With the following selection of projects our aim is to invite city-dwellers to take part into unusual and fun events and to play with their urban landscape: an inflatable bridge with giant trampolines, a pavilion inviting meditation, a flower pavilion to reconnect with nature and a museum experienced by a roller coaster... These projects are suggesting new uses and perceptions into the heart of Cities. They call in for fundamental human practices and awareness. We truly believe that playful architectures can become a sensitive trend. Happiness is in the City!
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BOUNCING BRIDGE
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PEACE PAVILION
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FLOWER PAVILIONS
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INDEX
GARDEN WHIRLS
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GRENELLE TOWER
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ARCHITECTURAL RIDE
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ADIDAS CAMPUS
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BOUNCING BRIDGE
BOUNCING BRIDGE Paris
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his project was developed for a competition which topic was to design a contemporary bridge in Paris. As the opportunity presented itself, we chose to design a bridge of a new kind. A bridge that would allow amazing uses and surprising sensations. It would allow sensational amusement and release our deepest emotions. Thus we imagined a Bouncing Bridge! The Bouncing Bridge is a self-supporting structure made of giant trampolines, dedicated to the joyful release from gravity as one bounces above the river. It is made of three modules that act as inflatable rings, each one of thirty meters diameter. The floating rings are fabricated in PVC membrane and attached together with ropes to form a stable crossing. In the central part of each module, a net is tense to hold the trampolines. To test the prototype in real conditions, we brought it to the Lake of Banyoles, near Girona (Spain). Transport was easy, as once the module is fold up, it occupies less than one cubic meter! It is economical, quick to install, and easy to carry. Initially the Bridge was designed to cross the river Seine on a precise location. However, it can occupy various dimensions depending on the site. As it can be built on demand, it is a bespoke project. The experience with the prototype confirmed that people have a true desire for amusement.
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BOUNCING BRIDGE
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BOUNCING BRIDGE
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Features Location Paris, France Competition ArchTriumph 2012 / 3rd prize Client ArchTriumph Architects AZC Constructor TP Arquitectura i Construcciò Tèxtil Surface 2 100 m² Cost 0.5 M€ Mission Competition and prototype Program Temporary bridge
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Photographs ©Sergio Grazia
BOUNCING BRIDGE
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PEACE PAVILION
PEACE PAVILION London
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e propose a Pavilion which is visually and aesthetically engaging. It is capable of providing an ideal contemporary space and offer a sense of tranquility, beauty and an exceptional aesthetic value at the very heart of the Museum Gardens in London. Peace is one of the highest human ideals. It is a state of equilibrium; it means no war, but also harmony, silence, happiness, reconciliation and tranquility… To express all these ideas, we created a perfectly symmetrical sculpture, obtained by a precise geometrical manipulation. The beauty of the shape lies in its perfect balance and fluidity; the pavilion speaks to everyone. The geometry of the pavilion blurs our notions of inside and outside, the simple act of moving through the exterior and interior spaces offers a changing perception to the visitor. The Pavilion is 4 meters in height and 20 Square meters in area. Designed entirely with lightweight materials – 77.96m² of PVC membrane and 20m3 of air - our project is a self-supporting structure; it is easily scalable to inhabit larger dimensions of other sites. To achieve such an apparently complex shape, we combined advanced tools of parametric design: tensile membranes and geometric conception of double curved surfaces; and digital fabrication: in the accurate manufacturing of the pavilion using CNC cutting machines.
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3m
6.00m
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4m
3m
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PEACE PAVILION
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Features Location Competition
London, United Kingdom ArchTriumph 2013 / 1st prize
Client ArchTriumph Architects AZC Constructor TP Arquitectura i Construcciò Tèxtil Surface 62 m² Cost 0.26 M€ Mission Competition and implementation Program Temporary inflatable pavilion
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Photographs ©Sergio Grazia
PEACE PAVILION
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FLOWER PAVILIONS
FLOWER PAVILIONS Berlin
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he IGA Berlin 2017 exhibition will celebrate the Garden and explore its various forms in the art of living with Nature. The aim of our project is to illustrate the theme of the Garden by addressing public interest in terms of image and communication. The original idea is to give the pavilions a clear shape that would be simple and universal. We chose a flower because its shape is easily recognizable. The form of the pavilions is designed to meet the characteristics of flexibility and combination, as required by the program. The device is inspired by the composition of a flower. Thus the basic module is a petal which can be combined to other petals and form a whole Flower Pavilion. To allow a proliferating system, the assembling device of the pavilion is modular. A single module is essentially made of an inflatable roof, filled with air, the cheapest and most renewable element you can find on earth. The inflatable is precisely adapted to the needs of a temporary exhibition. It is easily transportable, fast to assemble and sustainable in time. Full of transparency and reflection, the Pavilions are penetrated by the environment and sheltered by the floral lightness of the inflatable. Since the programs can operate independently or combined, the Pavilions can be placed in all the park where is taking place the IGA exhibition. They allow to showcase the surrounding Nature and appear as architectural punctuations along the visitors’ path.
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Features Location Berlin, Germany Competition IGA Berlin 2017 / Project Mentioned Client Berlin Baut Architects AZC Constructor TP Arquitectura i Construcciò Tèxtil Cost 0.5 M€ Mission Competition and prototype Program Temporary event pavilion
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FLOWER PAVILIONS
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GARDEN WHIRLS
GARDEN WHIRLS Chicago
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s architects, our interest is in Chicago’s abandoned neighborhoods rather than in its established historic core. The projects’ biotopes occupy residual spaces having remained free within the urban grid. The biotopes are created from the recycled mineral waste of the city itself: demolitions, conversions, garbage of household and industrial consumption... The transformation and permanent recycling of mineral and organic elements produced by human activity are disposed in Whirls! The infill of these structures – layers of fertile soil planted with vegetable gardens – can modify the microclimate, transform immediate urban biophysical conditions and influence the tenor of human relations within the public spaces created. These urban gardens can function for agricultural production. Crowned with city wind turbines and physically close to end-users, the Whirls! form a new city landscape in opposition to certain degrading effects of industrialization and the standardizations of fast-food culture. It is probably a delusion to imagine that environmentally harmful economic activity will be transformed by consensual «mass abstinence». The current «green consciousness» and «environmental guilt» have yet to produce significant change in «life as usual» attitudes. If the answer to destructive consumerism will not be found in moralizing abstinence, maybe it can be teased out in forms of green hedonism.
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Features Location Competition
Chicago, United States of America One Prize 2010
Client Terreform Architects AZC Consultant Batiserf Mission Competition Program Public Gardens, Car-park, Mixed-use
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GRENELLE TOWER
GRENELLE TOWER Paris
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aris is currently reviewing its ambitions of “greatness”. However, within a country where speed is not necessarily a condition of efficiency, and where “quality of life” is elevated to “the art of living”, a purely geographic and territorial expansion based upon the American model is unfeasible. Strolling around, getting lost, dreaming, living and taking advantage of beautiful weather and beautiful spaces is essential to the inhabitants of Paris. How would a tower correspond to the “art of living” of Parisians? It would itself compose a “tower city” within which we retain the choices in the way we move, at what speed, and by which path; a tower which can be experienced on foot if you wish; a tower of shifting density and complete diversity, within which all activities are possible; a beautiful, attractive tower; a nonemitting and energy independent tower. At this stage, the purpose of the work would be to configure spaces capable of welcoming tangible architectural projects. This manipulation becomes the tower’s project. More precisely, we are able to liken the tower to the diversity of the city: the uniform fabric of Parisian homes, the rapid transportation network, the squares, the parks and the avenues, the public meeting places of Parisians known and renowned. All the richness of the city is transposed vertically into a tower of shifting density!
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GRENELLE TOWER
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Features Location Paris, France Competition EVOLO 2010 / Honorable Mention Architects AZC Cost 300 M€ Surface 168 000 m² SHON Mission Competition Program Multi-purpose skyscraper
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ARCHITECTURAL RIDE
ARCHITECTURAL RIDE London
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n creating a popular spot dedicated to architecture, our project envisions the regeneration of the famous Battersea Power Station in London. The site has the strength of evoking the dimension and scale of man in the contemporary era, putting into question our relationship to the structure. It is not only a matter of showing, but also of suggesting post-industrial poetry. We believe that museums have potential and have to make learning “fun”, therefore museums can be “fun”. We conceived of a double-facetted project : on one hand, a calm and contemplative interior, dedicated to the collection’s display; on the other hand, an exterior opening upon the surrounding landscape, providing breath-taking views. Our project puts the power station on centre stage, the structure itself enhances the site through its impressive scale, its architecture, and its unique brick material. We introduced the unusual element of a Roller Coaster into the space of the power station. It will function above all in animating the huge space. It will offer visitors entering the structure a primary pathway, allowing them to take in the essential layout of the building with a minimum of effort. With the pathways determined by the presence of the rail, the simple fact of moving through the exterior and interior spaces of the building makes sense. In its spatial ambition, our project encourages play and fun, categories largely devalued in the traditional world of art.
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Features Location Competition
London, United Kingdom ArchTriumph 2013 / 1st Prize
Architects AZC Client ArchTriumph Surface Site 155 000 m² / Building 43 000 m² Mission Competition Program Museum and public park
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ADIDAS CAMPUS
ADIDAS CAMPUS Herzogenaurach
The debate on the redevelopment of former industrial sites in Europe comes along with an emerging promotion of new sustainable architecture. The creation of new work-methods embodies a unique opportunity to reassert the value of a site and to initiate a local self-sufficiency. In this sense the ADIDAS competition aims to develop an innovative office building, away from urban centers, which would attract the most talented and creative minds from all over the world. ADIDAS has revolutionized the Sports industry. By combining spatially industry and leisure we intend to follow with architecture its influence onto lifestyles. The project consists of two buildings placed alongside and linked together with a sculptural ramp in a great atrium of sports. It is composed of 12 clusters gathering up different functions of the program. They are all accessible independently using the ramp from the atrium. The ramp allows walking, observation and physical exercising. Functioning as a true urban space, the great atrium of sports unites the whole program together. Working spaces are characterized by an industrial atmosphere. Organized on two levels they benefit from various types of spaces: studios can accommodate collective works and large installations whereas office areas allow a more reflexive and individual work. The industrial aspect corresponds to ADIDAS’s aim to create a work environment that is « hyper flexible » and that can evolve according to future changes.
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Individual room
Chat box
Projet room
Core
Projet room
Meeting room
Game room Individual room Core
Library box Meeting room
Hall
Focus Focusbox box
Quiet area
Core
Communication hub
Home base AUSSENFASSADE
Team area
AUSSENFASSADE
External’s room Terrasse
Core
Creativity area
INNENFASSADE Team area
Hall
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Team area
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Features Location Herzogeneraurach, Germany Competition Competition 2014 / Project Mentioned Architects AZC Client ADIDAS Group Surface 57 500 m² Cost 98 M€ Mission Competition Program Offices
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AZC Atelier Z端ndel Cristea 18 avenue Parmentier 75011 Paris T33 1 55 25 24 94 F33 1 43 73 02 82 agence@zundelcristea.com www.zundelcristea.com
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AZC Atelier Zündel Cristea
TAKE HAPPINESS SERIOUSLY AZC was set up in 2001 with the idea that exploring architecture and its techniques could help us to improve the built environment. Our interest does not lie in concept alone, our passion is in designing real buildings that are built for real life. Through competitions and direct commissions, our practice has worked on over a hundred projects of various scale and program. The list of our built projects ranges from public buildings for childcare, social housing and carehomes, sports complexes, auditoriums, office buildings and private houses, right up to eight new metro stations in Rennes and Paris. In collaboration with engineers and other specialist consultants, AZC participates in the management of every phases of the project, from design to completion, always looking to promote ingenuity and innovation. Most of our projects have been published, exhibited and rewarded internationally, giving us frequent opportunities to present our thoughts on sustainable development, social mixity or innovative technical ideas, illustrating our preoccupations and beliefs. Awards from international competitions, in the United States, the United Kingdom and in France the MIPIM ‘Best Residental Award’, have brought the practice international recognition. The final product of our profession is concrete and tangible. Architecture is a collaborative process and it is important to remember that what we achieve is the result of an organised team work. AZC today is a team of 30 people, qualified architects from all over the world. The cultural mix which defines our practice feeds our desire to cross frontiers.
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