M O B I U S
THE BRIDGE RESIDENTIAL PROJECT IN ACCRA, GHANA Designers: Mobius Architecture, Accra. Materials: Concrete, Stone, Wood.
Design233 chats withs Augustus Richardson, Architect and Co-Principal of Accra-based firm, Mobius Architecture, on their latest project and practicing philosophy.
Images & Drawings Provided by Mobius Architecture. Interview by Kwame E. Otu & Korantemaa Larbi; Magazine Layout Design by Korantemaa Larbi
“The Bridge - defying gravity, cantilever designs.� There is a rigid discipline exercised in the design of the bridge, in its clean lines and well-proportioned volumes, yet its openness to its surrounding landscape makes it a very organic structure. 1
‘Our responsibility as “fat free architects” is to try to answer questions that incite radical designs and motivate critical questions and inquiries. This is the philosophy of Mobius.’ -Augustus Richardson Principal, Mobius Architecture.
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“The core energy of the building is to fashion a point where you can stand and see it all. Philosophically it is the merger of geometries, light, and volumes. It has a service wall to create to voids to create two spaces. I think a building must be intelligent, and one must not show its workings. The balcony around the building brings in the light.� The three bedroom single family dwelling on the eastern end of Accra is designed to embrace the landscape it is set in. The supporting structure, offset from the faces of the building, allows a full uninterrupted glass enclosure on two sides, opening up the interior to the exterior. This is where the living spaces are located. From here, one is linked to a wrap around terrace leading to an infinity pool and pool house. The wide cantilevers defy gravity, framing the internal spaces and essentially shading the large glass surfaces of the living areas. The building volume and the pool house define an outdoor living space between them.
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Materials Under Consideration: Gray; White - Exterior; Wood - Cladding/ Stone Finish CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES 4
Solid-Void conditions of the building volume differentiate the living spaces and the master bedroom from the other spaces in the house. The car port is a simple voided box complimenting the main structure.
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Conceptual Sketch Building Volumetric Studies 6
The Bridge by Night
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Interior Rendering
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FROM THE DRAWING BOARD TO REALITY...
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Local Sedimentary Stones from the Akwapim Mountains of Ghana
Wood Slats
Reinforced Concrete
Cement Bricks
MATERIALS 10
The design strategy of The “Bridge” is “Light lines and space, the underlying philosophy of Mobius.” Wide overhangs shade the interiors from direct sunlight.
DESIGN ELEMENTS 11
“That whole link to nature is something that I play with. I don’t believe that one should be hemmed in on the inside.” Cut-outs in ceilings bring natural light into the interiors.
DESIGN ELEMENTS 12
“I find flat roofs to be very provocative...� Solid-Void conditions of the building volume differentiate the living spaces and the master bedroom from the other spaces in the house.
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Strong, clean lines define the form of the house.
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The openness of the living spaces mimics the outdoor living are, creating a strong connection between the inside and outside. The pool house is a single slab defining space.
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The Pool House
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Infinity Pool
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Stone Clad Wall of Outdoor Living Space.
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A structure that embraces its landscape, blurring the lines between the outside and inside, The Bridge is effortlessly beautiful. Its simplicity camouflages the high level of details required to achieve such a clean design, making such a feat seem painless. This is part of its beauty. Imagery is one thing, but transforming a picture into reality requires careful thought and rigorous planning and the success of the construction process of The Bridge to date speaks of the meticulous approach of its designers.
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