SSA Portfolio 2023 by Studio Seilern Architects

SSA

STUDIO SEILERN 2

Studio Seilern Architects

ARCHITECTS

Studio Seilern Architects

DEVELOPING AN ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE

BUILDING WITH A SOUL

We are perpetually in search of an architecture of pluralism, one flexible enough to apply to different cultures, sites, patrons.... and yet not prescriptive enough to embody a pre-established aesthetic that ignores the specifics of a given project. While there may be a recognisable approach through our work, one of bold strokes, the search for the essence of a project, and that of an intelligent idea, is always at the heart of the creative process.

The history of a site, the imprint of the city and the place all form the inherent soul of a project. It is when the architect interprets these that architecture starts to emerge.

We aim to develop a language of simplicity: reaching to the essence of the problem. What does the building want to become? What does our instinct say about the site, the programme, and does our approach fit comfortably? When referring to his writing, DH Lawrence suggested not to always trust the author, but to allow the story to take its own path. Every project becomes a moment of discovery, and a thoughtful process of analysis that hopefully leads to a solution that is intelligent, fresh, and specific to the project itself. The power lies in that a building will live longer than its author or its user, and must therefore be allowed to take a life of its own. It must be given the ability to change over time. A preconceived idea, in our minds, becomes a missed opportunity, and has the danger of being fashionable and quickly out dated. This is especially relevant in this age of images, Instagram, Pinterest (Pinstress as we call it), and fast realistic renderings, clients often crave those, wanting to see the final result from the onset of a project. A strong idea must be allowed to mature through its own parameters and bring us to a solution that we initially had neither planned nor envisioned.

However, it is the craftsmanship, the construction process, the realisation of a project which really allows us to test whether our thought process was a successful one, leading to a good piece of architecture. The construction process, or the realisation of a project, is a time when the real making of architecture happens, and also when the greatest danger of diluting the idea can occur, in the name of efficiency and expediency. The sheer determination to hold on to the strength of an idea, sometimes at the resistance from a project manager or a client, is a challenge that we have faced over and over again. We are more interested in producing good architecture than 'radical architecture' for the sake of being radical. The latter is often in danger of being short-lived in its 'radical-ness'. This is especially true in this age of accelerated communication. We always look not to be distracted by this overload of imagery and information and introspectively look at an individual project like a problem that needs its own unique solution. We aim to produce buildings with a soul that is rooted in the very context that it inhabits. All projects, we hope, reflect the passion, determination, and hard work that we have put into them. We strongly believe that a project is as successful as the time and effort one has invested in it. We hope to continue with the same stamina for years to come.

Christina Seilern Principal Studio Seilern Architects

Please scan the barcode to view a recent episode of the Sky Arts ‘The Art of Architecture’ series, featuring the Andermatt Concert Hall and the wider work of our studio. The series explores renowned works of architecture and the inspiration of the architects behind them. We are thrilled and humbled to having been featured in this series and we thought you might enjoy watching.

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PROJECTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

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PRACTICE HONOURS & AWARDS

Architizer A+Awards 2022 Hall/Theatre

WAF - Future Educational Projects 2016

Andermatt Concert Hall - Winner

KSI Rabat - Finalist

Andermatt Concert Hall - Winner

Architizer A+Awards 2022 Cultural Firm

WAF- Future Educational Projects 2015

Oak Cottage - Winner

Studio Seilern Architects - Finalist

Wellington College PAC - Winner

D&AD Awards 2023

Architizer A+Awards 2022 Cultura/Conference

Blueprint Awards - Best Non-Public Project 2014

Boksto Skrevas - Winner

Centre

Gota Dam Residence - Winner

DNA Paris Awards 2023

El Gouna Cultural and Conference Centre - Finalist AYA - International Breakthrough Architect of the

Civic Trust Awards 2023 Andermatt Concert Hall - Winner

WAN Female Frontier Awards 2021

Year 2013 - Commended

Christina Seilern - Architect of the Year Finalist AYA - One-off House Architect of the Year 2013

Civic Trust Awards 2023

Finalist

Special Award for reuse & adaptation

BCIA Awards 2020 - Smart Building Award

Andermatt Concert Hall - Winner

Andermatt Concert Hoall - Finalist

World of Architecture Awards 2022

Architects’ Journal Architecture Awards - 2019

London 2013

Paros Residence, Greece - Finalist

G.W. Annenberg Performing Arts Centre - Finalist

Winner

World of Architecture Awards 2022

Structural Steel Design Awards 2019

RIBA International Award 2013

El Gouna Conference and Cultural Centre, Egypt -

G.W. Annenberg Performing Arts Centre - Winner

Gota Dam Residence - Winner

Finalist

of Merit Award

Dezeen Awards 2022

RIBA National Awards - South 2019

Studio Seilern Architects - Longlisted

G.W. Annenberg Performing Arts Centre - Finalist

Dezeen Awards 2022

BCO 2019 - British Council for Offices Awards

El Gouna Conference and Cultural Centre, Egypt -

Ansdell Street - Finalist

Future Reception Competition, AJ/Derwent

LEAF Awards 2013 Gota Dam Residence - Finalist WAN House of the Year 2012

Longlisted

Gota Dam Residence - Winner LEAF - Interiors Awards - 2013

WAF-Future Leisure Led Development Projects International Architecture Awards 2022

2018

Andermatt Concert Hall

Restaurant Gütsch - Finalist

Architizer A+ Awards 2022

AJ Architecture Awards 2017 - Workplace of the

Best Cultural Firm - Finalist

Year

Lauenen Residence - Winner WAN Interiors - 2013 Lauenen Residence - Finalist White Horse Street - Finalist

Ansdell Street - Finalist Architizer A+ Awards 2022

WAN Residential - 2012

El Gouna Conference and Cultural Centre, Egypt -

AJ Retrofit Awards 2017

Finalist

Ansdell Street - Finalist

Architizer A+ Awards 2022

New London Architecture Awards 2017

Andermatt Concert Hall, Switzerland - Finalist

Ansdell Street - Finalist

WAN Female Frontier Awards 2022

RIBA London Regional Award 2017

2013

Christina Seilern - Architect of the Year Winner

Ansdell Street - Finalist

Oxford Gardens - Finalist

Jabi Lake - Highly Commended WAN Interiors - 2012 Kensington Residence - Finalist New London Architecture - Don’t Move, Improve

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SELECTED WORKS Studio Seilern Architects

LIGHT & REFLECTION 012 LIGHT & REFLECTION

CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL 018 EL GOUNA CONFERENCE CENTRE AND CONCERT HALL EL GOUNA, EGYPT 032 ANDERMATT CONCERT HALL ANDERMATT, SWITZERLAND 044 G.W. ANNENBERG PAC BERKSHIRE, UK 054 BOKSTO SKVERAS VILNIUS, LITHUANIA 064 ALBION BARN LITTLE MILTON, UK 072 SOMERSET HOUSE LONDON, UK 080 ANSDELL STREET LONDON, UK 090 OXPENS APARTHOTEL OXFORD, UK 098 ALULA SAUDI ARABIA 102 THE ANFUSHI BRIDGE ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

HOSPITALITY & RESIDENTIAL 106 23 SMITH STREET CONNETICUT, USA 116 540 WEST 21ST NEW YORK CITY, USA 122 GOTA DAM EAST AFRICA 132 DCH TOWER DUBAI, UAE 140 GÜTSCH RESTAURANT ANDERMATT, SWITZERLAND 152 LAUENEN RESIDENCE LAUENEN, SWITZERLAND 162 OAK COTTAGE THAME, UK 172 PAROS RESIDENCE PAROS, GREECE 184 KONDOMBL ISLAND SAUDI ARABIA 192 LEKKI BEACH HOUSE LAGOS, NIGERIA

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LIGHT & REFLECTION

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We have been exploring some of the themes of our projects across a variety of scales form larger buildings to the more intimate design pieces. We were interested in exploring how a particular theme could transcend across a variety of media, materials and craftsmanship’s. Our themes of apparent structural lightness, the illusion of hovering structures lightly and delicately creating shelter, were explored in such projects as Wellington College, Gota Dam House or Lekki House. Allowing light to create form, or using light as building form is a subject that we have been developing and exploring over the years. Light is to architecture like pulse is to music, the witness of time, the metaphor of life. The artistic life of the building is expressed through the way it produces and modulates its light. We have been looking at how light can form 3-dimentional volumes, be captured and gently and carefully become object-like. The way an object or a building is viewed can be altered by our motion, and by its environment. Light becomes a building material. Pushing the boundaries of this idea, we explored the notion of reflection as a solid material that does the opposite: it makes an object disappear within its surrounding, and acquires the texture of its immediate environment. Boksto 6 in Lithuania was the first large scale structure that explored this idea, where the highly polished stainless steel façades reflect its baroque environment as well as its landscapes. The clouds move across the façade and the building structure disappears. In fact the only apparent solid elements are the boxed windows, which glow as solid objects at night. The following three objects were designed to be showcased as part of the ‘Living with Art’ exhibition taking place at the Albion Barn. This exhibition, which opened in conjunction with Frieze Art 2016 London, shows a selection of over 100 pieces designed by artists, designers and architects showcasing TOP / FLOATING CANDLES SKETCH (TOP) CENTRE / FLOATING CANDLES DIAGRAM (CENTRE) BOTTOM / BOKSTO 6 (BOTTOM)

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the interface between Art and Design. The purpose of the exhibition is to enjoy the creativity of artistic forays across design boundaries.

FLOATING CANDLES

THE WELLINGTON BENCH

Floating Candles is a 2.6m length slab in mirrored polished steel produced

The mixture of concrete and rubber was an experimental prototype that

by the Japanese company Kikukawa. The thirty candles randomly and

was developed into a furniture piece. We were exploring the idea of

whimsically placed on steel spikes atop the 3mm plate, are reflected and

having a heavy object appear as if gently hovering above ground. The

appear to be floating in the centre. The melting of the wax adds a playful

concrete is a mix of finely ground marble sand which is brilliant white and

element to the dining experience. The wax melting creates a poetic result

reflective and grey cement, which when cured in an acrylic form work, gives

that constantly transforms and evolves the piece into new unexpected and

the appearance of a highly polished marble block. The base is cast in

unpredictable shapes. The large centre piece occupies the length of the

backlit rubber, giving the illusion of insubstantiality. The concrete mass

dining table designed by Max Lamb, and appears through its reflection

floats above, appearing light and weightless. Both the lamp and bench

as a void.

evolved from this original prototype.

As with this mirrored steel candle centre piece which plays with the

The same principle guides the design at Wellington College. The glass wall,

reflection of candles, at SSA’s multifunctional centre in Vilnius (Lithuania),

which unveils the interiors of the Cultural Living Room in the Performance

Boksto 6, the architecture plays with the notion of reflection of historical

Art Centre, gives the timber cladding above a deceptive expression of

structures, rather than mimicry of the historical fabric.

weightlessness.

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CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL Studio Seilern Architects

EL GOUNA CONFERENC CENTRE & CONCERT HA

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CE ALL

l Gouna is located in Egypt and is situated on the west coast

of the Red Sea, approximately 30km North West of the town of Hurghada. The site has a relatively short history, previously untouched coral reefs and sand until it was developed on in 1998 by Orascom HD

to build a unique holiday destination.

Following the immense success of the Gouna Film Festival, Orascom HD has decided to investigate the building of a Concert and Conference Centre in El Gouna. This is not aiming to be the largest conference centre in Egypt, but rather the most spectacular and memorable one. An architecture befitting of the place and the ambition is, therefore, one that is impactful and elegantly monumental.

Location: El Gouna, Egypt Completion date: Phase 01: 2019 Covered Area: 9,700sqm Footprint: 40,000sqm Client: Orascom DH Structural engineer: EOC, ECO Civil engineer: ECMA M&E consultant: ECG Theatre Consultant: Ducks Sceno Acoustic Consultants: Kahle, Nagata Lighting consultant: Atelier TEN Landscape architect: Landdesigners Fire Consultant: OFR

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The scheme’s inspiration is rooted in middle eastern and Egyptian traditional architecture. The scale of ancient Egyptian architecture was a guiding factor in the conceptualisation of the scheme. 2000 seat conference centre will be the second phase of the cultural complex that includes a 620seat concert hall and a plaza surrounded by an artificial lagoon. Arches and barrel vaults have a strong presence both in Islamic and ancient Egyptian architecture. Inheriting earlier arch forms from the Greeks and the Romans, Muslims developed a variety of new shapes including the horseshoe, multi-foil, pointed and the ogee arches. The passion for this motif is due to the regularly

mystical/symbolic

meanings

associated with it, as well as its functional advantages, and used as a major structural and decorative feature. Given the hot Egyptian climate, we have decided to create a shaded perimeter colonnade around the entire building, giving it its distinctive character, but also framing the views of the landscape beyond.

We studied Islamic arches as a

precedent (earliest examples could be found in Syria and region) and imagined how this typology could be re-invented into a contemporary interpretation that would TOP \ MORTUARY TEMPLE OF HATSEPUT BOTTOM \ MOORISH ARCHES OPPOSITE LEFT \ STAGGERED ARCHES OPPOSITE RIGHT \ COLONNADE

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give a unique character to the building.

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2 1

SPACE DEFINITION WITH COLONNADE

PROGRAM ON WATER

CONCERT HALL CONFERENCE

PLAZA EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL

CAFE

SPACE DEFINITION WITH COLONNADE

1 STAND ALONE BUILDINGS ON WATER

2 INDEPENDENT VOLUMES

OASIS COURTYARD

The program is organised as separate islands in a lagoon

Indoors spaces are enclosed. Outdoors cinema remains at open sky

3 DEFINITION OF THE SPACE

4 AN OASIS GROWS INSIDE

The spaces are tied together with colonnades

The spaces are connected. Palm trees populate the courtyard

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Bridge 2

Lagoon

Bridge 1

Bridge 3

Planter Artist entrance/Reception 00-24 44.10 m2 Conference Room 01 48 seats 00-01 55.71 m2

Corridor 03 00-23 25.80 m2

Stair 02 00-25 20.75m2

Conference Foyer 00-04 60.76 m2

IT 300x400

Server Room 00-28 18.81 m2

COMPUTER ROOM AHU

HVAC SHAFT 1000X600

wall cavity- pipe passing

Electric Room 02 00-38 6.77 m2

Piano Storage 00-37 ##### m2

4 05

Artist

West SLL Lobby 00-22 5.50 m2

Cleaner Room 00-36 3.25m2

VIP Room 01 00-42 5.66 m2

STAND-UP PIANO

VIP Room 02 00-43 9.16 m2

SHAFT 600X600

VIP SLL Lobby 00-48 4.27m2

HVAC SHAFT 1220x2000

FCH

Mirror

Conference Room GR1 53 seats Bin store 00-33 13.93m2

HVAC SHAFT 600X1200

450

Changing Room M 00-35 15.95 m2

450

IT RACK 800X800

Tunnel exit 2500 x 2500 min 00-29 9.31 m2

Corridor 02 00-32 37.65 m2

Artist

Changing Room F 00-34 16.78m2

IT RACK 800X800

Electrical Room 01 5500 X 4000 m min 00-30 18.58 m2

ELEC SHAFT 800X800

SHAFT 1100X700

FCH HVAC SHAFT 500x500

Coridoor 05 00-55 19.42m2

Stair 12 00-07 14.91m2

IT RACK 800X800

COMPUTER ROOM AHU

STORAGE 1500

3.92 00-05 WC Dis

Bandmaster Room 00-41

FLOOR MOUNTED VENTILATION GRILLES +1.4m2 2.67m

19.81 m2

Lift Lobby 00-09 16.03m2

Fire Curtain

08 28.01.20

DEMI QUEUE PIANO

FOH Lift 01

00-08

+0.76

8.21 m2

WALL MOUNTED VENTILATION GRILLES 4.4m2

Concert Hall

Height 2.95m HORIZONTAL SLAB (LIGHT GRAY)

FOH

TIMBER RAISED FLOOR

BANDMASTER R. SLL Lobby 00-49 5.66m2

00-20

06 27.11.19 Issue Interim 05 27.09.19 Layou

STEINWAY MODEL D GRAND CONCERT

00-39

BOH Green Room 00-47 203.37 m2

HVAC SHAFT 950x1700

04 04.09.19 Layou

9.16m2 m2

GAS 600X600

Concert Hall Kitchen + Storage

FCH

SAG 006X006

Technical Room Stage Lighting

03 16.08.19 Plan -

00-40 8.56m2

02 28.06.19 Plan u

TIMBER RAISED FLOOR

00-56 118.44 m2

WALL MOUNTED VENTILATION GRILLES 4.4m2

01 19.06.19 Plan u

450

Cleaner Room 00-50 5.00 m2 Artist WC Dis F/M 00-44 3.97 m2

00 07.05.19 First i

Conference Room GR1 35 seats

Cloakroom

Artist WC F 00-45 4.09 m2

450

00-11 23.51 m2

450

Artist WC M 00-46 3.86 m2

FLOOR MOUNTED VENTILATION GRILLES 1.4m2

450

WC Male 00-16 15.23 m2

HVAC SHAFT 900x1900

Bench

WC Female 00-17 22.64 m2 Cleaner Room 00-19 3.50 m2

450

ELECTRICAL CLOSET 1200X1000

Foyer lobby 02

Corridor 01

00-14

00-15

20.05 m2

20.02

WC Dis 00-18 4.03 m2 51

IT CLOSET 1200X1000

450

Admin 00-51 16.62m2

450

East SLL Lobby 00-21 7.10 m2

HVAC SHAFT 800x2180

450

Dish Washing 00-52 21.48m2

Holding Cooler 00-54 6.18m2

450

Cold Kitchen Cooler 00-53 7.85m2

MOVEMENT JOINT

13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

450

FCH

17 16 15 14

+ 2.04m

450

Pass-Window

STAIR 03

ACOUSTIC JOINT INDICATIVE LINE

Bridge 5 Planter

MOVEMENT JOINT

Planter

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 STAIR 01

Bar

+ 2.125m

13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Main Foyer 00-13 638.69 m2

Planter Planter CAFE

Pool

00-06 111.60m2

450

Bridge 9

450

Bar Cooler

1500

KITCHEN 00-05 14.38m2

450

1500

Planter

450

Bridge 6

Lagoon

Lagoon Planter

Bridge 7

For C

07 19.12.19 50%D

Technical Room Audio Visual

00-12 137.28 m2 Stair 04 00-10 16.84m2

Plaza Slab on grade

Pool

PITCHED SLAB (DARK GRAY)

HVAC SHAFT 950x1700

505.97 m2 Foyer Lobby 01

Planter

IT SHAFT

SAG 006X006

4.07m2 00-06 WC Dis

MOVEMENT JOINT

Bridge 4 BPS

TELECOM SHAFT 400x200

Corridor 04 00-31 34.66 m2

Mirror

Conference Room 03 44 seats 00-03 53.64 m2

MFACP

Security control room 00-27 14.62 m2 G.C. 500X600

Mirror

Lift 02 00-26 7.50m2

HVAC SHAFT 800x800

4 05

Mirror

Conference Room 02 104 seats 00-02 99.62 m2

CCTV RACK IT RACK 600X600 600X600

STORAGE

Shaft 17m2

G.C. 500X600

Plaza Slab on grade

FIRE BARRIER

IT CLOSET 2000X1000

Planter

Bridge 8

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

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1. 100 piece orchestra stage 15

The stage generates the dimensions of the hall

2. Balcony pockets wrap around Balconies are an extension of the stalls in pockets keeping small groups of people. A large convex reflector occupies the ceiling

3. Acoustic Box A second box for acoustic reverberation covers the building

Overall geometry The top view shows how the circular stage at lower level extends in too pocket at balcony level and becomes circular again in to meet the reflector in the roof

NATURAL ENCLOSURES AS INSPIRATIONAL SPACES

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THE HALL TAKES THE LANGUAGE OF THE INTIMATE SPACES FOUND IN NATURE

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TOP \ EXTERIOR VIEW OF PLAZA AND CONCERT HALL BUILDING OPPOSITE \ ENTRANCE FROM MAIN PLAZA

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OPPOSITE \ OUTDOOR PLAZA RIGHT \ THE COLONNADE Studio Seilern Architects

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LEFT \ PHASE 1 COMPLETION Studio Seilern Architects

ANDERMATT CONCERT 32

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ndermatt Swiss Alps Development and BESIX is transforming the

traditional Swiss Alpine village of Andermatt into one of the world’s finest year-round destinations; boasting some of the best alpine and offpiste skiing facilities in Europe and fast becoming one of Switzerland’s largest resorts. Andermatt is a mountain village and municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. At an altitude of 1437 meters above sea level, Andermatt is located at the centre of the Saint-Gotthard Massif and the historical centre cross of north-south and east-west traverses of Switzerland. In the early 2000s, after a period of decline, Andermatt started growing again as a valid alternative to the famous ski resort destinations such as St Moritz and Gstaad. This new beginning brought in the area the need for new facilities to remark its role of new attraction pole in Swiss tourism. Andermatt’s new village square will host multiple hotels, residential and chalet facilities, and as part of this new development, Studio Seilern Architects was asked to provide a world-class concert facility to be located at its heart.

HALL

Location: Andermatt , Switzerland Area: 2341 m² Budget: 17m CHF Completion Date: June 2019 Client: Andermatt Swiss Alps & BESIX Acoustic Consultant: Kahle Acoustics Theatre Consultant: Ducks Sceno Structural Engineering: Suisseplan MEP: BESIX Landscape Design: Hager Fire Consultant: AFC Lighting Design: Michael Josef Heusi GmbH

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The project transforms an existing underground space that was originally intended to be used for conventions and events for the hotels nearby. Studio Seilern Architects proposed to lift a large section of the existing roof to double the effective acoustic volume up to 5,340 m3, increasing the total capacity to able to host 75-piece full symphony orchestra and a total of 663 audience seats. Raising the roof provided the opportunity to create a sculptural object within the new village and rethink the traditional notion of a concert hall as closed and inwardlooking space.

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LEFT \ BEFORE (7 METERS HEIGHT) RIGHT \ AFTER (13 METERS HEIGHT)

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Due to the planning parameters of the site, only a portion of the roof could be elevated, making the stage configuration awkward and undesirable. Therefore, a centralised stage concept was adopted to create a symmetrical space, to allow the right early reflections to travel through differing ceiling heights and side balconies. The origami configuration of the interior of the hall was devised with Kahle acoustics to create well balanced natural acoustics.

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The hall is required to be used for varied purposes with the flexibility to host different seating or event layouts ranging from an orchestral performance to a rock concert or a congress setting. The flexibility and ease of change between layouts are based on a retractable system that allows up to 9 rows stepped platform to disappear under the main balcony. In a few minutes, an intimate theatre in the round may able to transform into a 12 meters height open space washed by natural light. The current scheme enables the lower part of the room to be used for standing audience, banquets or exhibitions, while still providing seats in the balcony for seated people.

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Early

reflections

reverberation

are

necessary for providing excellent speech intelligibility, musical clarity, presence and a sense of being acoustically enveloped by the music. They will be provided naturally by the optimized interior topography of the hall that reflects the sound from the stage to every part of the audience. Surfaces such as the inclined balcony fronts and the sculptural timber ceiling wrap the space as a wave rising from the ground. This gives the feeling to the audience as if they are inside of a wave of music which is visually and acoustically enhanced by the interior geometry of the hall. In addition, the suspended acoustic reflector guides the sound from the musicians to arrive at the listeners with the necessary intensity, direction and time delay to create an involving and immersive acoustic experience.

LEFT \ HALL INTERIOR OPPOSITE \ SECTION AA 40

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By adding a glass façade, the concert hall is washed with natural light. The romantic idea was that in a winter concert, the audience would be surrounded by a whirlwind of snow, and in the summer surrounded by nature and sunshine. From street level, the acoustic reflectors are seen as floating over an empty space, like a sculpture that has been placed as public art. The passers-by can then see into the concert hall and indeed see an audience and an orchestra from the street, as a spectacle. SSA wanted to make the concert act as an active frontage to the pedestrian street, rather than the usually closed-off box that this building typology offers.

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G.W.ANNENBERG PAC 44

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any institutes of learning now seek to educate through self-

discovery, enabling students to consider what makes them who they are, so they may begin to take responsibility for their own development. The design for Wellington College’s new Cultural Quarter, consists of a new Performance Arts Centre and a 'cultural living room’, with the aim to provide a space where this approach to education can flourish, both through formal and spontaneous performances.

By situating the Cultural Quarter of the college between a dense forest and beautiful historic Victorian buildings, approaching students are met with a construction of charred wood that gives the impression of having emerged from the surrounding woods.

RIBA Regional Awards 2019 Finalist World Architecture Festival - Future educational projects 2015, Winner

Location: Berkshire , UK Area: Ph.1 2,262 m² Ph.2 3,512 m² Budget: Ph.1 £13m Ph. 2 £5m Completion Date: Ph.1 2018 Client: Wellington College Project Manager & QS: Thornton Firkin Theatre Consultant: Charcoalblue Structural engineer: Peter Brett Associates Landscape architect: TLG Landscape Design M&E consultant: Hydrock Acoustic Consultant: Bickerdike Allen Lighting consultant: Hydrock Fire Engineer: Buro Happold

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The site is on the edge of Bracknell forest, and adjacent to some important listed building. The circular shape also helped to integrate the building within this context, acting as a hinge connecting the modern and historic campuses. 46

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Attached to the auditorium SSA placed the new Cultural Living Room, a ‘public square’ between the campus and the forest which connects the Performance Arts Centre with the existing theatre. This space is not limited by its four walls, rather it is a public space that is vibrant, open, filled with natural light and inhabited by students and guest artists.

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN

SECTION

Studio Seilern Architects

MAIN AUDITORIUM

Designed with high-quality acoustics and efficient circulation in mind, this Performance Arts Centre is the venue for students to showcase their creative talents in a formal setting. The circular shape created a collegiate atmosphere, where everyone sees each other and allowed a closer proximity to the performance than a shoebox auditorium typically would. The auditorium balcony fronts have been designed as an evolving surface that reflects and scatters the sound to maximise the theatrical experience.

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effect’ of the existing theatre, caused by level differences in the terrain. This was tackled by providing a longer stepped ramp that softly winds around the circumference of the amphitheatre, not only creating an interactive approach but also a vibrant front to the campus. The main auditorium is clad in stained timber, sitting softly alongside the dark bark vernacular textures of the forest. By situating the Cultural Quarter of the college between a dense forest and beautiful historic Victorian buildings, Putting the circulation at the perimeter allows the building to sit softly and comfortably within the landscape, giving the perception that it gently hovers above the ground. Beyond the project brief, the auditorium of the Performance Arts Centre was to overcome the obstacle of the ‘sunken

approaching students are met with a building emerging from the surrounding woods. Despite its capacity, the scale of the building and its careful setting into the landscape does not overwhelm students and visitors.

CLADDING DIAGRAM Studio Seilern Architects

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BOKSTO SKVERAS 54

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oksto Skveras kšto Skveras encompasses a 13,265sqm mix d use

project located at the heart of Lithuania’s capital city Vilnius. A location designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it overlooks one of the oldest streets in the historic centre. The historical complex, originally the palace of Bishop Goniewski, has undergone transformation and adaptations spanning over 500 years.

With such a rich, varied, and protected history, the conservation and restoration approach became paramount. From the outset, we were captivated by the site’s historical narrative. As we revealed the layers of history, it became evident we wanted to retain as much fabric as possible. Any new build element should be a purposeful and carefully considered insertion into the existing fabric, and when feasible, the historic elements of the site should be revitalised and safeguarded.

Emerging from its dilapidated state, Bokšto Skveras is a restoration and urban regeneration project poised to usher in the next chapter of its illustrious and cherished legacy; it pays homage to its roots whilst envisioning a dynamic and forward looking future. We augmented its historical essence, transforming the site into a vibrant community complex, complete with office workspaces, residential accommodation, a health club, spa, as well as a restaurant and bar.

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania Scope: Mixed use: Spa, Offices, Residential, Chapel and Restaurant Budget: €25m Area: 13,265 m² Completion Date: 2022 Client: UAB OGVY Architect: Studio Seilern Architects Local Architect: UAB Archinova LT Local Services Engineer: NIT projektai Local Structural Engineer: Elvora LT Contractor: PST

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ORIGINAL FACADE

MAIN ENTRANCE

THE MASTERPLAN Originating in the 15th century, the location remained unoccupied and in disrepair since 1999. Encompassed by six structures, the assortment of asymmetrical courtyards played a pivotal role in the restoration efforts. The redesigned landscape and sunken restaurant now establish a new focal point in the city, encouraging a harmonious interplay between nature and architecture, thereby enhancing the vitality of the area and its inhabitants. RESTORED FACADE

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8 2 8 1 9

4 5 5

Restaurant Restaurant Terrace 3 Spa Entrance 4 Spa Lounge & Courtyard 5 Residential Units 1 2

Chapel 1D Lift 8 Offices 9 Public Courtyard 10 Private Courtyard 6

SITE PLAN - GROUND FLOOR Studio Seilern Architects

THE INSERTIONS Drawing

inspiration

from

the

seamless

integration of architecture and nature seen at the Alhambra, we proposed in our new build strategy that the façades of the new structures mirror the historical essence rather than mimic it. Wrapped in gleaming stainless steel, the modern electrical and plumbing systems

ALHAMBRA: REFLECTION

employed a ‘box-in-box’ method, delicately interfacing with the original building fabric without altering the core structure. Similarly, a

CLASSICAL PERIOD

newly constructed sunken restaurant boasts a roof adorned with reflective polished steel. Maintaining the visible signs of the building’s aging is just as crucial to the restoration process as restoring the Baroque essence to its

GOTHIC PERIOD

authentic form. These careful and considered additions act as a mediator and visually fuse the preserved, the restored and the inserted, seamlessly disappearing into a collective whole.

CONTEMPORARY ADDITIONS

SITE - EXCAVATION

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OPPOSITE \ MAIN ENTRANCE LEFT \ ELEVATOR CORE REFLECTION RIGHT \ COURTYARD Studio Seilern Architects

ROOF DETAIL

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THE ROOF STRATEGY One of the more radical architectural interventions across the site is the complete re-invention of the roofs. The

resulting

roof

design

innovative assembly of vertical steel slats that subtly reveal areas of glazing beneath. The slats are covered with a painted, oxidized copper roofing and punctuated with laser cut openings strategically positioned to admit light into the interior space. The tinted glass of the windows remains subtly recessed behind the textured copper, artfully emulating the undulating patterns of clay tiles.

TOP LEFT \ ROOF MOCK UP FOR PLANNING APPROVAL TOP CENTRE \ ANODISED ALUMINIUM TOP RIGHT \ ALUMINIUM LOUVRE PROFILE BOTTOM RIGHT \ INNOVATIVE ROOF STRATEGY

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ALBION BARN 64

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ld Belcher's Farm, a 17th Century farmhouse, is a collection of

barns and stables on a large farming estate at the heart of Little Milton, a picturesque Cotswold village in Oxfordshire.

It is in this residential setting that the owner of the property, an art dealer, wished to establish a contemporary art center. Displaying his own collection and installing shows within a more domestic and intimate setting than the typical industrial lofts of the urban commercial gallery. The grounds became a place of exhibition, allowing the art collection to spill into nature. The old farmhouse buildings were to be converted into art galleries, where the architecture would react to the intimacy of its domestic setting. A place where art is displayed, while simultaneously the owner could informally entertain amongst his extensive art collection.

Location: Oxford, UK Scope: Gallery, Office Area: 300 m² Budget: £700k Completion Date: 2013 Structural Engineer: TALL Engineers Services Engineer: Atelier TEN Lighting Consultant: Sutton Vane Associates Quantity Surveyor: BAQUS

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The main barn is converted into the central exhibition space. The building is compartmentalised into the public galleries with their dedicated entrance, and a more intimate library, dining room and kitchen, for the smaller informal gatherings. SITE PLAN

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The library is conceived as the focus of the building, a transitional and pivotal space between the private and public spaces. The idea was that once inside the library, one should feel fully surrounded by books, rather than walls. The space is galleried and the ceiling mirrored, giving the sense that the library extends vertically into infinity. The illusion is then broken by an oversized pink skylight, puncturing the ceiling into a deep void, giving a soft and warm natural glow to the books.

LIBRARY SECTION

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The four walls are covered in full height bookshelves, within which four secret doors have been integrated. When closed, the space seems to have no exit, and one is fully immersed in this extensive and wondrous art book collection. The secret doors slide and pivot to create passageways to the galleries or the dining room, or hide a guest restroom or a stair to the mezzanine balcony. The back of the pivoting doors are mirrored, so that when opened, they reflect the opposite bookshelves, and continue the impression of being a fully surrounded bibliography. The structure and all details are developed to emphasise lightness.

The library galleries consist of cantilevered

L-shaped plates with little apparent structure.

The

transparency of the structure emphasizes the drama of the full height bookshelves, and gives a lightness, as if the balconies somehow are hovering at high level. One of the great challenges of the project was its fast pace. We were appointed for the project in January, with the required completion date the following October, to coincide with the London Frieze Art Fair. In this time the design had to be executed, a planning permission secured, contractors tendered and appointed and construction completed. By overlapping all of these simultaneously, the tight deadline was met.

LEFT \ THE LIBRARY AS A MORPHING SPACE

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SHELVES CLOSED CREATING AN INTIMATE SPACE

SHELVES OPENED MAKING IT A PASSAGEWAY

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SOMERSET HOUSE LOND 72

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DON

tudio Seilern Architects were shortlisted in 2019 to take part in the

international competition to design a new auditorium at Somerset House on the Strand in London. The brief asked for a new venue in the void between the West Wing and the New Wing of the Grade 1-listed 18th century building in Central London. Our design included a performance space flooded with natural light washing in from perimeter skylights, allowing a continuous view of West and East Wing’s façades. Simultaneously, visitors on the public plaza above will be able to peer in, getting a glimpse of the work going on below. Lightwells are created by enclosing the lower-level accommodation in a glass box, reflecting the historical façades above, and allowing in natural light.

Programme: Shortlisted Competition Design Date: January 2020 Area: 2,135 sqm (new build) 312 sqm (refurbishment) 1,460 sqm (external works) Client: Somerset House Trust Studio Seilern Architects

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The bridge negotiates different levels at the North and South Terraces, and twists and folds to become a guardrail, a stair up to a set of doors connecting the South and New Wings. Its presence is subtle and quiet, like an oversize stone sculpture that has been meticulously carved to neatly fit the site, creating a roof over the spaces below, and lightly touching its historical context at key connecting points. The sculptural structure folds up to form a subtle yet dramatic entrance into the foyer below. The auditorium is conceived as a box, a blank canvas, in which mechanically retractable balconies and seats can produce all configurations. The seating bleachers can be arranged to allow shoe-box, proscenium, traverse, thrust, arena, studio theatre, flat floor, or conference modes.

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INTERLINKING THE STREET

FOLDING OF STREET SURFACE

ARRANGEMENT OF PROGRAMMES

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ANSDELL STREET 80

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commercial development that breathes life into a 1970’s office

block. The scheme comprises of the refurbishment of the interior spaces while retaining the existing structure and adding a new stair and lift core. The existing street façade is re-clad, while an origami roof structure gives this quiet Kensington Street a contemporary edge.

Location: London, UK Scope: Office Area: 1,360 m² Budget: £7.5m Completion Date: 2016 Client: BB Energy Architect: Studio Seilern Architects Structural Engineer: Elliot Wood Services Engineer: Atelier TEN Quantity Surveyor: Jackson Coles Lighting: Atelier TEN Landscape: HDE

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NEW FACADE: MAXIMISING LIGHT INTO THE BUILDING

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The main challenges of the existing building included the limited floor to ceiling heights, residential-type windows and an elevation treatment of little or no merit. The new façade incorporates more commercial large scale windows, which mitigate the lack of natural light and re-introduces the principles established by the late 19th Century buildings that once occupied the site. At ground level, large warehouse type window openings with floor to ceiling height windows are introduced, giving the building a distinctive character which is more reflective of its use.

EAST ELEVATION

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LEFT \ BEFORE OPPOSITE \ AFTER

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MANSARD ROOF PRINCIPLES The existing building and its location presented a series of challenges, primarily at roof level where Daylight and Sunlight legislation

imposed

limitations

any

increase to bulk or mass. The revised massing employs a contemporary interpretation of a mansard roof. Using an origami geometry, the mansard roof pitches back from the street front to achieve the desired ceiling height, while avoiding an imposing bulk when seen from the street. Due to the pitched nature of the origami structure, the massing appears more sympathetic, and integrated in the overall building mass and within the Daylight, Sunlight and Rights of Light site constraints. A mansard is defined as 'a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterised by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope, punctured by dormer windows, at a steeper angle than the upper’. The section of a mansard roof resembles that of the section of an origami structure. By adopting an origami geometry it proved possible to create spans to achieve the required ceiling height at the top floor and at the same time creating a pitched frontage more in line with the mansard typology.

TOP \ ORIGAMI ROOF BOTTOM \ PROPOSED ROOF 3D DIAGRAM OPPOSITE \ NEW ROOF AND WINDOWS 86

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The regularity of the structure adds to the compelling rhythm of the facade, while not being overbearing, or excessively apparent in height and bulk. Inwardly facing triangular full-height glazed openings create a light and open environment from the interior of the building, while remaining discreet when viewed from the street.

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OXPENS APARTHOTEL Studio Seilern Architects

he Oxpens masterplan is designed to become a new urban

heartbeat in the city of Oxford. Located to the South-West, in close proximity to the train station and Saïd business school, the development will be framed by the railway tracks to the West, the river to the South and Oxpens Road to the East.

LOCATION: OXFORD, UK SCOPE: COMMERCIAL AREA: 12,051 M² Studio Seilern Architects

OXFORD SKYLINE

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The concept uses cues from the Oxford skyline to form a modern building

incorporating green and sustainable

design. The approach of the project has considered the sensitive and historic setting of the immediate area as well as the age of the surrounding buildings.

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Situated close to the heart of the city and in close proximity to the railway station, the design embraces the traditional and symbolic ‘academic’ architecture of Oxford.

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FACADE OF OUTER BUILDING

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The newly designed aparthotel will be the fulcrum of the masterplan. It is designed to act as an anchor for the new neighbourhood and provide space to contemplate, restore, relax and rest. The ground floor is proposed to be an open and flowing space, providing a hub to work and think during the day and a space to relax with a drink in the evenings.

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ALULA MUSIC HUB 98

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The AlUl Music Hub this is not just about making a building for recording studios, but creating a new symbol for the Saudi music industry. Our approach is one of a contexturalist, enhancing the site rather than imposing oneself onto it. We were drawn to the virgin valley adjacent to the Habitas villas as the new site, due to its sheer natural beauty, its monumentality, and its shape: we have here a natural concert hall, with its rocks formation allowing natural acoustics of high quality. The site is connected to Habitas, and creates the opportunity for a building that is more than a recording studio: it will cement AlUla as a beacon for art, luxury and talent, building on the success of the Maraya Concert Hall, the Tantoora festival, and other cultural events hosted there. Our vision is rooted in creating a building that will not only be the first Music Hub, but will become a venue for other cultural events, such as art installations, outdoor concerts, or indeed weddings and private festivities. A gentle path cuts through the desert at the centre of the valley, revealing a building that is organised along a roof that follows the existing terrain of the valley, under which project rooms and recording studios are positioned for optimum acoustic performances. The building is not visible at a distance and is discovered as one journeys through the magic of the valley.

LOCATION: SAUDI ARABIA SCOPE: CULTURAL AREA: 3,500 M² Studio Seilern Architects

20 21 19

16 17 14

4 3

6 7

9 10 11

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1. PROMENADE 2. OPEN AIR AUDITORIUM 3. LOUNGE 4. SHALLOW REFLECTING POOL 5. BATHROOM 6. KITCHEN 7. PROJECT ROOM C 8. PROJECT ROOM D 9. VOCAL BOOTH A 10. VOCAL BOOTH B 11. PROJECT ROOM A 12. PROJECT ROOM B 13. STORAGE 14. BATHROOM 15. MACHINE ROOM 16. SOUND LOCKS A 17. CONTROL ROOM 18. SOUND LOCKS B 19. LIVE ROO 20. ISOLATION BOOTH 1 21. ISOLATION BOOTH 2 22. MUTLI MEDIA EXPERIENCE

AERIAL VIEW OF CUT THROUGH VALLEY CREATING A NEW PROMENADE OF DISCOVERY

AT DUSK, THE BUILDING TRANSFORMS INTO A VIBRANT VENUE, HOSTING MUSIC AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES Studio Seilern Architects

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THE ANFUSHI BRIDGE 102

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The bridge is about 340m span between an elliptical steel ring support and a concrete pier at the other end. The ring extends about 100m in height and the deck consists of 12m wide, 3.5m long post tensioned concrete segments. Due to the curvature of the bridge in plan the prefabricated segments have a slightly wedged shape obtained by adjusting the stop-ends of a reusable steel mould, allowing an easy and economic prefabrication of all the segments from the same formwork. The segments are assembled on site using a balanced cantilever construction sequence from the pier and the ring support, minimising the need for temporary works and thus expediting construction, while reducing cost and time on site. The steel ring is an induction-bent tube supported on an in-situ concrete piled foundation. The ring supports the deck along its centre reservation with steel cable stays and is tied back to the ground with cables to a second piled foundation.

LOCATION: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

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HOSPITALITY & RESIDENTIAL Studio Seilern Architects

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23 SMITH STREET

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his residential project sits on an a 4.6 acres waterfront site in

Greenwich, Connecticut. The project takes inspiration from New England style that is specific to the area, especially from the vernacular Salt Box houses. A minimalistic approach reinterprets the main elements of the style: pitched roof, shingles roof, wall cladding with horizontal banding , entrance as a decorated porch.

The overriding concept is of a sculpted roof, that shelters a series of courtyards and rooms. The form of the roof transitions from south to north, creating optimal height for the first floor spaces.

The house, the home of an art collector and an art dealer, adapts to the lifestyles of its owners, with the typical domestic spaces enriched with an art gallery, art collections archive and art studio. This amalgam of living spaces and art is unfolding under an expansive and sculptural timber roof hovering over the landscape. The building doesn’t just frame the landscape, it amplifies it and makes it part of its architecture.

Location: Connecticut, USA Scope: Private Residence Area: 4,180 m2 Budget: Confidential Client: Confidential Architect: Studio Seilern Architects

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN

The project will preserve and showcase the matured landscape of the site. The proposed design blurs the boundaries in between the interior and exterior spaces and looks at creating a landscape within the building, a series of `in between` spaces that are protected by the slick timber roof. These covered spaces form a relationship with the exterior, having their own character whilst adapting to different uses throughout the four seasons in Connecticut. The house aims to be off-grid, utilising a geothermal system and renewables on site .

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ROOF FORM

ROOF DIAGRAM

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TOP \ SPORTS CENTRE LOUNGE OPPOSITE \ DINING ROOM INTERIOR

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ART GALLERY 115

540 WEST 21ST

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his site is located at the river front of the Hudson River and offers

two strong views; to the South West towards the river and Hoboken with spectacular sunsets and to the East towards the Empire State Building and the exciting Manhattan rooftops. This is a mixed use scheme with residential units located at the upper levels in the tower and commercial units at the lower levels in the plinth. The commercial units are occupied by a gallery. The multiple corner formation and the emphasis on the two great views, informed the flexible floor plans, which can easily be adapted in response to fluctuating market conditions. The most valuable units are the apartments located at the top of the tower, while the least valuable are the commercial units at the ground floor level and therefore maximising the residential element became a key driver for the design. Inspired by the sculpture court at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the plinth is reduced to form a sculpture garden for both the gallery and the residential reception. Glass is employed as a material in a variety of qualities and textures in consideration of the need for light, the desire to take advantage of the exceptional views, the need for acoustic protection and security. The boundary between inside and outside is blurred and the differing levels of transparency and translucency create light and shadow, sculpting space.

Location: New York Scope: Residential Area: 16.107 m2 Budget: Confidential Client: Casco Real Estate Architect: Studio Seilern Architects Building Codes Consultants: Jack Callahan Zoning Analysis: Michael Parley

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By maximising the massing on the tower to A tower coverage of 7430 sf, the plinth is reduced to form a sculpture garden for the gallery and the residential reception.

Due to the multiple corner formation and the emphasis on the two great views, the plans are very flexible and can easily be adapted to fluctuating market conditions. The typological plans can accommodate 2-3 bedroom units of 6,561 sf as well as larger penthouse unites of 4,895 sf.

THE TOWER ARRANGED WITHIN THE GRID WITH INCREASING VALUES AT HIGHER LEVELS.

ROTATE EAST-WEST FAÇADES TO CAPTURE PRIME VIEWS AND ALIGN WITH 11TH AVE.

MAXIMISE TOWER COVERAGE, BY MOVING SOME MASSING FROM THE PLINTH TO THE TOWER.

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TOP \ LOBBY AND RECEPTION BOTTOM \ PERMITTED BUILDING HEIGHTS OPPOSITE \ STREET VIEW OF 540 WEST Studio Seilern Architects

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GOTA DAM 122

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his is where it all started : SSA's first project, a house in a spectacular

landscape in East Africa.

The 1500 sqm building is situated atop a granite rock overlooking a large man-made reservoir used for the extensive surrounding farmland. The area is breathtaking and awe-inspiring, and deserved a piece of architecture that is equally impressive. The views and the drama of the granite cliff plunging into the dam were the inspiration for the concept, which consisted of three basic elements: the cantilevered roofs and timber platform, the granite enclosed bedrooms and support space and the glass winter living areas.

Blueprint Award, Best non-public project, 2014 Winner RIBA International Award 2013 Winner LEAF Awards 2013 Finalist WAN House of the year 2012 Winner

Location: East Africa Area: 1,500 m² Completion Date: 2012 Architect: Studio Seilern Architects with Muzia Sforza Local Architect: Bruce Rowland, Architexture Structural Engineer: Eckersley O’Callaghan Local Local Engineer: Marcussen and Cocksedge Services Engineer: DSA Engineers Ltd Local Services Engineer: Lage Consultants Lighting Consultant : BDP Lighting Quantity Surveyor: Matrix Quantity Surveyors

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The project was influenced as much by its breathtaking environment as it was by economic challenges: the issues of hyperinflation and lack of available material. Due to this, apart from specialist items such as the glass and the roof waterproofing, all materials had to be sourced locally. This lead to the granite being used to clad the two anchor blocks to be the ‘crusts’, the cut-offs that came from the granite excavation. Using granite from the site not only overcame the economic obstacles and ensured that the building blended harmoniously with its spectacular surroundings.

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BREAKING INTO THE GRANITE ON SITE

Using granite from the site not only overcame the economic obstacles but ensured

that

the

building

harmoniously

with

its

blended

spectacular

surroundings, with dynamite drill holes from the area of excavation still being apparent, tying the building to its roots.

GRANITE CLADDING

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There are transparent enclosures that emphasise the views and the feeling of living within the surrounding landscape. A small infinity pool at the lower level visually integrates the dam reservoir with the lower levels of the house. Continuing to take inspiration from the natural granite cliff, a studio was placed within a granite cube set amidst the dense green jungle at the base of the cliff. This cube strategically placed, offers dramatic views of the cliff and the jungle below. 126

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The two granite blocks, enclosing bedrooms and support spaces, anchor the building into the rock allowing it to become part of the surrounding topography. Meanwhile, the winter living areas at the upper level and the master bedroom suite at the lower level consist of two glass boxes that span on the two levels.

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

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DCH TOWER

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SSA

has won a competition to design a 300 metre tall,

200,800 sqm tower for a hotel operator in Dubai. The podium of the tower acts as an open stepped auditorium which connects visually to the surrounding area. The podium is an urban plaza, which steps up from the street to level 24m, where the lobby and restaurant of the hotel and residences are located. This level is dedicated to the hotel and residential functions, harmonious and tranquil, with a large garden surrounding the lobbies, a restaurant with outdoor dining, and elevated views towards the Observation Tower and park.

The stepped auditorium occurs at Level 18m (street level), with an active retail frontage to the South, adjacent to the large retail site. The conference centre fronts the linear park to the North, with direct access from the side street. The site is split by an inner pedestrian street, separating the hotel functions and a future development site to the West. This pedestrian street creates an open viewing corridor from the retail drop off zone to the linear park beyond, making the retail arrival more open and attractive.

Location: Dubai, UAE Scope: Hotel & Serviced Apartments Area: 200,800 m2 / 300m tall Budget: Confidential Client: Confidential Architect: Studio Seilern Architects Hotel Consultant: ReardonSmith Architects MEP Consultant: ARUP Structural Engineer: AKT II

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THE SITE AND PODIUM The podium of the tower acts as an open-stepped auditorium which connects both visually and physically to the Dubai Creek Tower and E-W linear park. When the Dubai Creek Tower offers a light show, the stepped plaza becomes a large urban space, akin to the Spanish Steps in Rome, where people gather and view the tower in its full glory. It is a space for audiences to gather and performances to take place, with the Dubai Creek Tower as a magnificent backdrop. A water feature cascading down the steps cools the area and invites people to use the space as a recreational destination. The podium forms a raised urban plaza, which steps up from the street to level 24, where the lobby and restaurant of the Jumeirah Hotel and Residences are located. This level is dedicated to the hotel and residential functions, harmonious and tranquil, with a large garden surrounding the lobbies, a restaurant with outdoor dining, and elevated views towards the Observation Tower and park.

+24.0m

+18.0m

GATHERING OF PEOPLE ENJOYING THE LIGHT SHOW OR EVENTS

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URBAN ENGAGEMENT DIAGRAM

OUTDOOR CAFE

RESIDENTIAL PARK F&B RETAIL

WATER FEATURE

PEDESTRIAN STREET

SPANISH STEPS

EAST EAST

DUBAI CREEK TOWER PARK

RETAIL DROP OFF

LOADING PARKING

F+B RETAIL

CONGRESS ENTRANCE HOTEL + RESI STREET ENTRANCE

LINEAR PARK

WEST WEST URBAN ENGAGEMENT DIAGRAM

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+18.0m FFL

+17.0m FFL

+16.0m FFL

+15.0m FFL

+14.0m FFL

+14.0m FFL +24.0m FFL +24.0m FFL

HOTEL FRONT DESK

LUGGAGE

ATM

HOTEL BAR / KITCHEN

SERVICES

RESI

STORAGE ATM

PoBOX

+24.0m FFL

RESI FRONT DESK

+14.0m FFL

+24.0m FFL

RESIDENCE PARK

+24.0m FFL

+24.0m

+25.0m FFL

+26.0m FFL

PODIUM TOP PLAN

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The tower tapers inwards and outwards from its site. From street level it seems to be a continuation of the stepped plaza, as it emerges as a solid mass which gradually de-materialises. A colour transitions from gold at the base to a milky translucent glass at the top reinforces the effect of a de-materialising structure. While the floor plates of the residential and hotel units are organised on a regular modular grid of 7.5m, the balconies create the tapering shape of the building by varying depths of 8m to 2m. This play with the variable balcony widths creates a moiré pattern. As a result, the building’s appearance will alter depending on the angle and height at which it is viewed creating a visual break-down of the solidity of the overall massing.

MOIRÉ EFFECT STUDIES

Vehicular access to the hotel and residences is via a ramp to level 24m, bringing the visitors to a tranquil landscaped area, with breath-taking views of the water. Visitors enter the respective TOWER 01 lobbies and are drawn to the front of the building where a1:1250 @A3 ELEVATION signature restaurant fronts the plaza and the urban auditorium.

+269.7m

ROOF

PLANT ROOM

Pedestrians can access level 24m through a set of lifts at the core

CLUB LOUNGE

64/F 63/F 62/F 61/F 60/F 59/F

of the site, or the stepped plaza to the East.

58/F 57/F 56/F 55/F 54/F 53/F 52/F

APARTMENTS

51/F 50/F 49/F 48/F 47/F 46/F 45/F 44/F 43/F 42/F 41/F 40/F

PLANT ROOM

39/F 38/F 37/F 36/F 35/F 34/F 33/F

+251.7m

32/F 31/F 30/F 29/F 28/F 27/F

APARTMENTS

26/F 25/F 24/F 23/F 22/F 21/F 20/F 19/F 18/F 17/F 16/F 15/F

PLANT ROOM

14/F 13/F 12/F 11/F

HOTEL

10/F 9/F 8/F 7/F

PLANT ROOM RESTURANT OFFICES SPA BOH LOBBY & RETAIL (RESTURANT)

PODIUM SOUTH ELEVATION

6/F 5/F 4/F 3/F 2/F 1/F

+24.0m +18.0m

BUILDING ELEVATION

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ENTRANCE VIEW

INTERIOR POOL VIEW

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EXTERIOR LOBBY VIEW

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GÜTSCH RESTAURANT

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he Gütsch Restaurant is the heart of the new ski region Andermatt

in the Swiss Alps, placed on top of the mountain at the arrival point of three cable car lines. Completed in December 2019 by SSA, the restaurant is a first-class gourmet restaurant, attracting both daytime skiers and dinner guests from the valley based Grand Hotels. The challenge of this project was, therefore, to create a design that caters for both client groups, developing two separate restaurants under the same roof. The two restaurants are as exquisite as the location. The Japanese by The Chedi Andermatt has 44 seats indoors and 45 on the terrace. The gourmet restaurant Gütsch by Markus Neff has 66 seats indoors and another 145 on two additional terraces.

The project offered the opportunity to work on a dramatic site at 2,300m altitude, on top of the Alps. Our concept plans to created a landmark that is as robust as the dramatic setting of the landscape. The new restaurant is designed as a contemporary “hameau”, a Swiss hamlet. This new beginning brought in the area the need for new facilities to remark its role of new attraction pole in Swiss tourism.

Location: Andermatt, Switzerland Area: GEA 860m2 Scope: Restaurant Budget: 7m CHF Completion Date: 2019 Client: Orascom Development / Andermatt Swiss Alps Architect: Studio Seilern Architects Local Architect: Siebzehn13 Architekten Structural Engineer: Holzprojekt / IUB Engineering Services Engineer: EWA / Q&Q

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The project took inspiration from the carved stone by Horta de Ebro by Manolo Valdez. Made out of local stone and reflecting the silhouette of vernacular Swiss villages, Restaurant Gütsch will cater both for the aesthetic and the climatic challenges of a unique site. The wide opening will offer panoramic views over the valley of Andermatt. The short construction phases and the different access to the site forced us to develop prefabricated system of modules, which will be mounted on site.

ARRANGEMENT OF VOLUMES

THREE SEPARATE SPACES CONNECT

INTERNAL ARRANGEMENT HORTA DE EBRO BY MANOLO VALDEZ (HOMAGE TO CHILLIDA)

GOURMET RESTAURANT FAMILY RESTAURANT ESSEN & BEDIENUNG

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GÜTSCH RESTAURANT MODEL

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The windows guarantee a constant view from the restaurant to the mountainous horizon. The viewpoint of the guest is always veered towards the outdoors and the size of the windows enable a blurring of the internal dining space and the external landscape. The large terraces enable the capacity of the restaurant to increase on sunny days, with the potential for Après Ski. Late-night dinner guests will have the opportunity to come from their hotels via the cable car following the closure

of the ski slopes to enjoy the isolated setting.

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN

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ELEVATION

SECTION

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The balconies are purposefully made of a lighter timber material, to give it the sense of lightness and detachment from the main structure. The large panoramic windows have large bold frames, as if these were sculpted of the stone mass.

the language of the typical swiss ‘Hameau’ at high altitude. The use of stone at higher altitude is to deal with excessive wind, frost, ice and snow which required a building material of strength and natural aging. We surveyed the local stone masonry walls built by the army over

The base of the building consists of concrete foundations and base, with

the years and wanted to adopt the same language, of a material sourced

a prefabricated CNC timber structure on top allowing the building to be

from the site, as if it was always meant to be there.

constructed in two seasons. The building is then clad in natural stone, in

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On the interior, a combination of steamed and roughened pine wood panelling and plasterboard is used. The ceiling consists of glulam beams, which can take the high live loads of snow accumulation during the winter months. The bar of the Japanese consists of a reconstructed stone sculpture, giving it an appearance of massiveness. In contrast, the white steel chimney hangs lightly from the ceiling. In the Gourmet, the bar is made of a colourful terrazzo, giving it its distinct identity. The exterior façade is clad in stone, resembling the vernacular architecture of the area, with exposed timber beams and timber-panelled walls on the interior. A feature stone fireplace and sushi bar in the Japanese restaurant further tie the project back to the surrounding environment.

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ur work involved a masterplan to locate three residences in

Lauenen, a small Swiss village in the depths of the Bernese Alps. The site and the village are breathtaking and belong to a different century. The site is located on the only sunny face of the valley, overlooking the Late Gothic village church (1520) and cemetery with views of a glacier and its dramatic waterfalls.

Planning guidance dictated the size of the building, the building height and the pitch of the roofs. Navigating through this very prescriptive planning environment the optimum solution was found for the three chalets to achieve relatively unobstructed views and direct access, whilst also connecting to shared underground parking and mechanical plant facilities.

An in-depth study of the chalet as a building type led to an understanding of the roots of the design and its divergence from the original farming typology over time. This resulted in a purposefully sober and bold approach to the façade composition using the typology in its most basic form while remaining conscious of the potential for its contemporary interpretation.

LEAF Interiors Awards 2013 Winner WAN Interiors 2013 Finalist

Location: Lauenen, Switzerland Area: 750 m² Site: 3,800 m² Budget: CHF 5m Completion Date: 2011 Local Architect: Hauswirth Architektur Structural Engineer: Haldi Design AG Electrical Engineer: Elektroplanung + Lichtdesign Ogi HVAC Engineer: Beat Eymann

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LIVING ROOM

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All materials were kept in their rawest, most natural form. The boldness of exposed concrete contrasts against the richness of local roughened wood panelling on both walls and ceilings. The floors are treated with over-sized whitened birch planks, creating variance in texture and bringing softness to the interiors.

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his low-carbon extension to a historic farm cottage building

provides new family living space within a rural setting.

Rycote Farm has been in the same family’s possession since the 1930s. Studio Seilern Architects were approached by a member of the family who wanted to convert Oak Cottage, a house on the edge of the estate, into an enlarged family dwelling. The design approach was entirely rooted in the immediate and future needs of the family, as well as an understanding of the historic and environmental references of the existing cottage, agricultural buildings, and rural landscape.

The cottage extension is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional barn typology, using modern materials and large glazed openings. The windows on the east and west are of a regular pattern. Although the southern and northern elevations have large, glazed elements, and portions of translucent concrete, giving a reflective, smooth, and stone-like appearance that contrasts with the oil larch timber cladding that screen most of the façades and roof. The cladding will age to a consistent grey colour that will relate more closely to the hue of the concrete base. A protruding balcony to the southwest has a dynamic quality to the form when viewed from a distance and provides an extended platform to enjoy views across the landscape for the residents.

Location: Thame, London Area: NIA 9,700m² Scope: Private Residence Completion Date: 2019 Client: Private Area: GEA 30,000m² / NIA 9,700m² Architect: Studio Seilern Architects Structural Engineer: EOC Engineers M&E Engineer: Clarke Services Group, CSG Design Quantity Surveyor: Boaqus

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From the initial brief, the client for the project was keen to push the building regarding energy consumption and carbon use. Early-stage designs were thoroughly analysed by a specialist sustainability consultant, and this indicated that there were risks related to the form factor, as the building is relatively long and thin with a lot of surface area to volume, as well as an unusual contribution from linear thermal bridging.

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100% RECYCLED DURISOL BLOCK

In addition, the first concept designs include significant areas of larger windows, which offered poor U-values. The detailed design challenge was to mitigate these risk factors through

engineering,

rationalisation

and

specification. As a result, the building envelope is entirely constructed from 100% recycled Durisol insulated blocks (Nexcem) which provide rigorous thermal insulation, covered with oil larch timber cladding. Whilst the sustainably sourced larch cladding provides an effective rain screen in a way that contributes to the building’s overall carbon use.

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The cottage extension is treated as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional barn typology, using contemporary materials and large glazed openings.

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SOUTH & WEST ELEVATION

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PAROS RESIDENCE

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ising above an olive grove on the serene west side of Paros, this

private residence is centred on the setting of the August sun. The solar axis is described by a linear path that terminates at a negative-edge pool cantilevering into the Aegean blue. This linearity is mirrored by the adjacent pergola - a gently undulating wave of bamboo punctured by a single oculus that brings light onto a chiselled marble poolside lounge. Around this end of the pool, the built volumes touch gently upon the earth on overlapping terrazzo slabs, which ‘float’ above the soil. The airy sensation culminates around the pool. Clad in rustic mirrors, the inset base reflects the Mediterranean landscape and transforms the pool into yet another floating slab. Just as the built elements are placed gently on the site, the material richness of the building is derived subtly by means of texture. Beyond the traditional white and stone walls, the materiality is augmented by Greek marble and terrazzo. The simplicity of these raw materials is the key to the intricacy of the project. The size of the stone aggregate displays calculated variation between different terrazzo surfaces, creating a subtle but vital gradation. The windows are framed by a densely hammered Aliveri marble, inspired by the decorative stone surround that marks the entrance of Parisian churches, while counters and benches feature sandblasted and chiselled stone. These careful adjustments provide complexity without overloading the site, allowing the magic of the landscape to imbue the house with the unique energy for which we build by the seaside.

Location: Greece, Paros Scope: Private Residence Area: 709.48m2 Budget: $2.8 Completion Date: 2021 Architect: Studio Seilern Architects

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AERIAL VIEW OF THE RESIDENCE

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A LONG PERGOLA PUNCTURED BY A SINGLE CIRCLE

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HAMMERED MARBLE FRAMES THE THRESHOLD INSPIRED BY THE MARBLE SURROUNDING THE ENTRANCE OF THE CYCLADIC CHURCHES.

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BESPOKE BATHROOM SURFACES OFFER VIEWS ONTO THE MEDITERRANEAN LANDSCAPE

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AFTERNOON AROUND THE POOL

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EVENING SUNSET FROM THE POOL

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KONDOMBL ISLAND

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his Island Resort in Saudi Arabia aims to be the best private island

in the world, deeply anchored in Saudi culture and identity, celebrating its rich architecture, poetry and music. The island’s greatest asset is the uniqueness of the volcanic mountain and its adjoining sandy bank. Its composition of opposing landscapes exists in perfect harmony and contradiction. They are interconnected, and interdependent, giving rise to each other as they interrelate to one another.

To give the volcanic formation centre stage, we have moved the marina to the west cove in order to preserve nature’s composition while making the arrival to the island dramatic and mysterious. Our architecture emerges from a language of Saudi architecture characterized by its towers, white framed windows, and horizontal patterns.

We have designed a great house as a desert dune completely merged into the sandy landscape. A large roof shades the spaces below, creating a cooled micro-climate that extends the operational seasons of the island. A large body of water is placed at the centre of the island where programs are organised as a village of interconnecting courtyards and clusters. The great house is an architecture of discovery, slowly revealed as one meanders thought its landscaped courtyards and volumes. The reflection and light filtered through the monumental roof canopy creates a unique and memorable character to the resort. The position of the great house has been designed to frame views of the sea and the mountain, capturing the island’s unique landscape while merging it with architecture.

Location: Saudi Arabia Budget: Confidential Client: Confidential Architect: Studio Seilern Architects

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We have designed the great house as a desert dune, completely merged into the surrounding sandy landscape. A large body of water is placed at the centre of the island to achieve natural evaporative cooling. The pool will circulate sea water that will eventually return to the surrounding sea.

A central distribution spine organises resort

programmes

into

village

of functional clusters and gardens. The great house is an architecture of discovery, slowly revealed as one meanders thought its sandy paths, landscaped courtyards, and exquisite interiors.

A lightweight steel structure spans between the clusters and the edges of the body of water: this creates the form of the large roof that was shaped to emulate a sand dune.

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Lush gardens populates the masterplan creating an oasis on the sand outcrop. The principle behind the landscape intervention is to embrace the perception of the existing natural environment, following a succession of spatial experiences from the sea to the Oasis and the Rocky Mountain. The landscaping will gradually transform from an almost untouched natural outer zones towards a carefully composed Oasis.

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As one reaches the Oasis, dense and lush vegetation surrounds the communal space. The expansive water surface helps achieve the desired micro-climatic conditions underneath the Dome and create a welcoming garden for the guests. Leaving the Oasis and walking towards the sea, we encounter an intermediate zone, a transitional landscape that makes the passage from the man-made to the natural seamless.

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ekki Beach House is a private residence located east of Lagos in

Nigeria. The client set a very high sustainable agenda outlining the requirement for off grid utilities and sustainable construction using local materials and sustainable building techniques such as earth walls.

Aiming for a zero-carbon dwelling in the African climate was a key objective for this project. The Studio investigated the use of sea water for cooling, as well as harnessing solar and wind technologies to provide self-sustaining power to the house.

The building rests on a raised platform which offers a new ground plain, elevating you above the green landscape and offering longer views of the sea. From the platform, stairs that provide access to the house during the daytime can be lifted at night like a drawbridges, for security. The house sits on a cloud of green. In plan, the building’s curved form responds to the natural habitat, echoing the swaying palms, wild vegetation and ocean waves.

Transparent volumes further facilitate the feeling of living in nature and are punctuated by floor-to-ceiling louvres that provide additional privacy and shading.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria Area: 1,500 m² Local Architect: James Cubitt Architects Structural Engineer: Eckersley O’Callaghan Local Structural Engineer: Morgan Omonitan & Abe Ltd M&E Engineer: Atelier Ten Local M&E Engineer: PowerField Consulting Lighting Consultant: IBU Lighting Quantity Surveyor: Tillyard Nigeria Ltd

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Rammed-earth structures are thought to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly using locally available materials, they have low embodied energy and generate very little waste contributing to the overall energy-efficiency of buildings.

RAMMED EARTH WALL

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The roof design plays an integral part: arched like a bow, a 65 x 30 metre floating roof composed of timber lamellas provides shading to the house and terrace while allowing visibility of the sky. Cables and timber trusses have been attached to the lamellas to support the structure, achieving a column-free area below.

SECTION

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OUR NATURE

‘We aim to be innovative in everything we do’ We seek to make the complex, simple. Projects with multiple planning constraints, unusual sites and logistics, to multi-faceted stakeholder groups, these all form the backbone of Studio Seilern Architects’ (SSA) work. To pursue new and inventive solutions in response to each client’s needs. We do not adopt a house-style. Our clients come to us because we approach their requirements individually, each with a unique result. We operate to scale, not categorisation. We demonstrate our range both on the larger scale, multihectare sites and on the detailed elements of a boutique scheme; both are just as intrinsic. We do not set boundaries. It is the answer to the problem the brief represents that guides us. Good communication is the basis for the success on any design project and we understand the successful delivery of a project of this nature relies in the effectiveness of working as a team. SSA promotes a culture of learning and innovation. Our ability to share knowledge and ideas with our clients encourages continuous improvement within the design process ensuring our client’s requirements are met.

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OUR OFFICES

Our office was born in London in 2006 as a natural continuation of Christina Seilern’s directorship of Rafael Viñoly Architects London office. The establishment of the office was a response to our first residential project, the Gota Dam Home, designed in collaboration with Muzia Sforza.

With a first space in Notting Hill Gate, and our current home on Scrubs Lane, just north of White City, we have started and continue to practice as a West London architectural office with a global reach.

In the Spring of 2022, following our commission for a major project in Greenwich, Connecticut, we put our global aspirations into action and opened our second office in New York City. We are currently operating from Lower Manhattan, working closely with the local team in Connecticut, and

LONDON OFFICE

expanding our design philosophy in the United States and the Americas.

NEW YORK OFFICE Studio Seilern Architects

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SSA SENIOR TEAM Principal, MARCH, RIBA, ARB, SBA Christina Seilern

Christina Seilern established London-based creative practice Studio Seilern Architects in 2006. Applying her unique style across a range of building typologies, geographies and scales she re-engages in an approach that carefully addresses each project from an in-depth consideration of the detail to the overall massing strategy. She tackles a range of projects from largescale city masterplans, down to the more intricate scale of furniture and light fitting design, both in the emerging and developed markets. Prior to establishing Studio Seilern Architects, Christina Seilern was the founding director of Rafael Viñoly Architects (RVA) and was responsible for key projects such as the Walkie Talkie in London, the Curve Performing Arts Centre in Leicester, Mahler 4 tower in Amsterdam, or Wageningen University Plant Research Centre in the Netherlands. SSA was established with the intent of continuing the strong design ethos developed during Christina’s time at RVA. Her diverse portfolio includes RIBA-award winning projects such as Gota House in Zimbabwe, Ansdell Street in Kensington, a world-class concert hall in the Swiss alpine village of Andermatt, award-winning Wellington College Performing Arts Centre in Berkshire, and Boksto 6 masterplan – a UNESCO heritage site in Vilnius, Lithuania. Christina is a frequent panelist and guest speaker both in the UK and abroad and is also a regular juror for the AR MIPIM Awards, World Architecture Festival, the RIBA EyeLine, LEAF Awards and PAD London. Christina grew up in Switzerland and then moved to the States to study architecture at Columbia University in New York (GSAPP ’96). She is very much influenced in her work by her early years spent in the mountains, connected to nature of awe-inspiring scale. Studying and working in the States in her twenties gave her a new perspective to scale and a bold approach. She was very much touched by the buildings of Louis Kahn and Eero Saarinen who combined poetry, simplicity of details, and clarity of thought throughout the projects, something that she tries to emulate in her own work. In 2022, Christina won the World Architecture News Female Frontier Award for Architect of the Year.

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ALBERTO FAVARO Senior Associate Alberto joined the practice in 2015 and since then he has successfully contributed to and led a series of projects, developing his knowledge and experience across cultural, educational, residential and mixed-use projects. He currently is leading the El Gouna Concert Hall in Egypt though the construction stages. Before joining Studio Seilern Architects, Alberto practiced in Italy and the UK for over 4 years. His work demonstrates a design led approach and critical thinking across different design stages. Alberto was an Assistant Professor at the University of Venice.

JOSE ROQUETTE Associate Jose joined Studio Seilern as an Associate in the summer of 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in architectural design and project management. Originally from Portugal, Jose completed his architectural training in Lisbon and in Barcelona, Spain, where he continued to work as an architect between 2006 and 2008. He then moved to London, where he undertook more senior roles in architecture and business development. Between 2012 and 2016, Jose worked in Singapore as the Country Manager for the Lisbon based studio Saraiva + Associados, facilitating the practice expansion into the Southeast Asian market. Jose is a licensed architect in Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

BRIAN SEYMOUR Associate Brian joined the practice in 2022 and brings over seventeen years of experience in the Hospitality, Commercial, Retail & Residential sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Multi-Disciplinary Design. Throughout his career, Brian has worked with prestigious international clients, catering for different cultures and fulfilling challenging briefs from the initial strategic and conceptual design and direction, through to completion. He is able to deliver each client’s conceptual direction within budget, creating professional and inspiring responses to briefs. With a wealth of experience in all stages of the design process, his approach to every project involves a strong conceptual, creative touch.

ARIS MINARETZIS Associate Aris moved to London and joined Studio Seilern in 2019, after completing his Masters in Architecture at Columbia University in New York City in 2019. Growing up in Greece and possessing a Greek license to practice architecture, Aris became involved in to design and implementation of the studio’s projects in Greece. He has worked extensively on the islands of Paros and Antiparos, most recently delivering a 700 sq m seaside residence. After three years in the practice, Aris began working on some of Studio Seilern’s projects in the US, where he had acquired his secondary degree in architecture. In late spring of 2022, Aris returned to New York to assist in opening Studio Seilern NYC to more closely oversee its projects across the Atlantic and expand the practice in the Americas. Studio Seilern Architects

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CHARLES RICH Strategic Advisor & Contract Management Charles has spent over 50 years in the construction industry - 25 years in contracting with Costain and Wimpey, then 18 years ina design environment with Foster and Partners, where he was a partner and, since 2006, heading his own consultancy for architects and contractors. He has acted as a strategic adviser on contract management on all of our major projects. He facilitates our process with regular design reviews, both internally and with members of the sub-consultant design team, which include reviewing compliance with brief and cost plan, as well as the design. He reviews contracts, with both the Client and the Consultant team to ensure that duediligence is applied throughout all of the contractual elements of the project as it progresses. Charles is a Senior Lecturer in MSc BIM Management and BSc in Architectural Technology at Middlesex University.

CAROLINE LAMOND Finance Manager Caroline started working with the Studio in 2022, and was brought in to run the financial aspects of the business. Her role ranges from practice and project planning and sub-consultant business management, to payroll and invoicing. She has a wealth of experience of managing the finances of creative businesses including financial management – P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, budgets and forecasting, as well as bookkeeping, VAT returns, invoicing and multi-currency banking. Her previous roles have given her exposure to the investment sector, in addition to retail and e-commerce, and she has built and maintained relationships with suppliers and stakeholders alike.

ROBERT PARK New Business and Communications Manager Robert Park has over twenty years experience of working with architects. His first job was as a graphic designer, though later became a Senior Associate and Communications Manager at one of the UK’s top practices, before taking time out to study architecture as a theorist and designer. During his career Robert has acquired an expertise in design, presentation, research and communication for a wide range of projects. He has specialised in graphic design for architecture, architectural public relations, writing, business development and internal communications. He has given lectures, presentations, made site based installations, films and has written about architecture extensively, in an academic, professional and journalistic capacity.

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