Urban Office Architecture

Exhibition Space in Taipei, Taiwan

2011-12-27T19:55:00.000-08:00

The exhibition space negotiates its visual connection into the highly infrastructural surroundings via directed "periscopic" rooms which allow visitors to experience sequential view-frames within the immediate context.

House in Taipei

2011-12-27T19:50:00.000-08:00

Ideas about "stacking" and carved corners are explored in this Taipei house in collaboration with EM architecture.

CT-A-Home

2011-12-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

New House in New Milford, CT. Exploring the idea of intersecting the A-frame with "extrusion-like" volumes.

Spine Desk, Milan, Italy

2010-06-06T11:35:00.001-07:00

The spine desk is a hybrid piece of furniture which serves as a trading platform, a storage area, a bar counter, a conference table and a resting surface. Currently under construction, it represents a critical position for Urban Office Architecture in form/space making, as a utilitarian deployment of sculptural poetics, while it adaptats to a determined contextual intelligence. The piece fully unravels and fits its various programmatic identities via a modulated use of its internal spaces.

Surrounding Flowers, New York City

2009-10-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

The design of the flagship store of the wholesale Surrounding Flowers, inc. meets the request of high flexibility and branding impact for the company.

Through a series of folding shelves, the flowers can be arranged to display a variety of configurations adapting to the various seasons and marketing needs. The entire shelving system can fold back and onto the wall and disappear entirely, offering an image of clean, continuous wall if needed. The sales counter is designed to function as a iconic piece (featuring an inexpensive stained maple plywood counter) as well as an operation station for the flowers arrangements and packaging/design.

Sliding Wall

2009-07-28T12:36:00.001-07:00

This addition to an existing unit located in the landmarked Brooklyn Heights district represents a further development of our research on movable/folding/disappearing dividers. Three oversize white lacquered maple doors compose a "sliding wall" system that enables the space to be fully open or completely divided, thus creating an "invisible" bedroom. The proscenium-like quality of the wall activates the space suggesting a number of theatrical scenarios and a playful organization of the room.

Manhattan Studio - Transcript01

2009-06-26T10:24:00.001-07:00

Following up, we received the first news letter from the Manhattan studio, which includes a revised list of contributors, featuring Obra as the next speaker. The article is a critical analysis of the discussion we had at our office with the students. We are looking forward to seeing the results of the work later this summer.

Manhattan Studio

2009-06-10T08:32:00.001-07:00

Launched in New York City, the Manhattan studio is a forum to discuss work and the urban scenario in which it unfolds. Conceived as a series of short talks-lectures, it invites architects and critics who actively engage with current issues of practice, theory and urbanism. We are honored to be able to open the series: Carlo Frugiuele's lecture will be followed by speakers like Steven Holl, David Shapiro and Andrew Macnair.

Polyphemus

2009-05-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

The design for the house takes inspiration from the myth of Polyphemus, the one-eye giant and his professed by the ocean love for Galatea.

The villa, nicknamed "cyclops" is conceived as a viewing device that is carefully directed towards the commanding vistas in the surroundings. Imagined as a "stacked" 3-layer system, the house is clearly divided vertically from public to private areas. The views-vistas gradually zoom-in or narrow in, rather to follow the vertical zoning progression.

The 3 layers are organized also functionally to enhance the site characteristics and maximize the green-sustainable aspects of the project. The ground floor is ideally presented as a transparent glass box. It contains all public spaces (living, kitchen, pool, garden, deck, etc.) Via operable wall wimdows, the ground floor greatly takes advantage of the cross ventilation as the main green feature. The second level works as a "connector" between the top and bottom floor and it's programmatically intended to be a semi-public space. Mostly carved to allow for soaring double height spaces at grade, it features passing bridges that lead to the family/fun/recreation areas to the east of the house. In addition an overhang and terrace produce additional shade to the lower level thus reducing need for forced and mechanical cooling. Via stairs and elevator, one reaches the third level where all bedrooms are located. Divided into 3 main periscope like wood-clad volumes (the cyclops) the bedrooms are comfortable and luxurious areas which are both private and dynamically connected. The westward "cyclop" contains the master suite, master bath and a private study/den in the south wing. The middle "cyclop" is dedicated to the rest of the family and children with access to private outdoor terraces. Finally to the east a separate access stairs get access to the employees quarters which are equally connected to the rest of the house via the main corridor-spine.

A guest house-cottage completes the site to the west, framing the pool and the garden.

Solar panels are located on both the garage and cottage roofs, granting plenty supply of vital energy. In addition a facade of photo-voltaic cell panels clads the southern wall of the second floor enabling greater use of electrical needed power.

Matilda chosen for the Interni Design Guide New York

2009-05-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Matilda restaurant was chosen to be featured as one of the top 10 featured design-restaurants by the Interni Design Guide New York. The other 9 choices also included Morimoto by Tadao Ando and Kittichai by the Rockwell group.

Spazio d'Ombre

2009-05-13T19:03:00.001-07:00

As a wrap up to Carlo's class at Parsons, students worked on an installation to present their works. Two projects (Scatola d'Ombre and Spazio d'Ombre) were featured in an installation/exhibition, a book-catalogue and a short film containing animations and interviews. Invited guests were: Andrew Macnair, Peter Pelsinski, Frida Escobedo, Yutaka Takiura, Carlo Maria Ciampoli, James Coleman, Laura Briggs and Alfred Zollinger.

UOA-Interview series01- What was the original concept behind the office?

2009-03-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

As a response to a series of questions on the nature of our practice, we decided to post some of our conference-dialogues in the form of "short answers" as an opportunity to express our point of view on a new platform. This clip describes Carlo's take on how the office was started and the idea of "cultural territories" which demands a local response in an architectural sense. We plan on extending this dialogue on our facebook group and post more short answers in the near future.

Brooklyn Loft: sliding operations

2009-01-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

The space is almost complete. We looked at the bare volume of the interior as an opportunity to explore a visual silence of sort, one animated only by the composed yet dynamic presence of the large sliding doors.

Almost Blossomed

2008-11-21T14:27:00.001-08:00

We are almost done, and the space promises to meet the anticipated expectations. The crew has performed superbly and the owner has demonstrated a rare insight and true trust in our ability as designers. We will certainly post images of the polished and completed space, but wanted to share these unique moments of unraveling transitions, as the "drawing" turns into built matter and exposes the fabrication skills of the workers. The best tricks, however, are still kept unveiled...

Carlo flies out to Milan: will Ijaz make the miracle?

2008-11-02T20:09:00.001-08:00

So here is the low-down: Carlo needs to fly out to Milan tomorrow (Mon, Nov.3rd, 2008) in the evening. In the morning, a critical meeting is scheduled to organize the work remaining at the Broadway store. Ijaz, GC for the job (potentially, IF the client will bite into his proposal) is appointed as the lead figure to carry the millwork forth... Please, you all readers, say one for us! Nevertheless, we feel utterly confident that our brave man will pull this one off - he's got no choice-, and imagined that it would only help if we posted yet another set of images here on the blog. In many ways we see this as the ultimate universe-bound pledge to secure a successful completion of the project. Call it a miracle? Call it what you think... Carlo needs to go!

Ciao, baby!

These guys are good

2008-10-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

I have been working with the crew directly on this new concept store to open on Broadway in the 70's within the next month. They are good. Maybe it is due to the overall incompetence of available labor found in the city that this crew really showed some skills. The asymmetric logic of the ceiling is driven by the necessary cooling system that will maintain an ideal temperature for the displayed vegetation. We are working on drawings and renderings as we speak and will certainly share the most significant material in the next few days/weeks.

Budget: can we talk about it?

2008-10-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

When o2kl approached us with the idea of designing their offices we saw an opportunity to design a space that fostered an atmosphere of interconnectedness. The original concept stemmed from a conversation with the partners and aimed at hinging the entire floor around a semi-transparent conference space. Then came the budget... The nomadic consistency of reducing and achieving is an art I have learned to refrain from rather quickly.

Exhuberance India

2008-09-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Our studies for a sustainable and eco-conscious center in India continue, as we witness a documented interest in our initial moves.

The image here shows our first ideas for a satellite-villa, featured as a compact retreat for emerging heirs. A mixture of thermo-dynamic, wind-operated funnel and a high performance solid core are at the basis of our initial research. A sensitive use of the ground and a resourceful occupation of the soil as agricultural terrain complete the preliminary concept design.

Milano Expo-sed

2008-09-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

Starting with a new series of studies, we will keep you up-to-date on our participation into the 2015 Milan Expo. While-a-while away, the long awaited event has the potential to unite a curriculum of urban interventions the city has been lingering on for the past four decades.

The composed eligibility of substantial operations has widen the options open to designers. We are looking at these opportunities as the renewed chance to offer a solid perspective on future habitation, human invention and the broader theme of sustainability.

Urban Office Architecture wishes to endure in the process of obtaining engaged designs and meaningful additions to the urban conglomerate. We promise to post as much as we are able and allowed to and welcome any and all points of commentaries.

Spatial Drawings (Fade onto the Green.)

2008-09-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Following the large success our previous post gathered (it does appear as if a man hitting a golf ball has a greater appeal than architectural dissertations) we decided to share the progress on Carlo's swing. This particular video shows a second shot 210yards onto a par-4 at Mosholu Golf Course in NYC. The shot, hit with a 5-wood, landed on the very edge of the green. A 4-hybrid chip and a putt converted the hole into a par.

Now let's take a look at the swing, as it portrays a further evolution from its indoor predecessor.

Same Old (White House) Redux- The apotheosis of Conformism

2008-09-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

" I giochi sono fatti!" The much anticipated prize release event was viewed (at least in our immediate vicinity) as an inspiring and motivated confluence of brilliant minds, a group of talented leaders that would guide architects and the public to new interpretations of what is "great" or "super" in spatial and political environs. ... So here it is:

WHITE HOUSE REDUX - YOUTUBE - JURY VIDEO

Dream-like

2008-09-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

Work just started on a new venture-project we are proud to be part of.
In collaboration with Omei partners, inc. UOA is designing/branding a new Hotel experience to be soon presented in NYC and other locations worldwide. The project, still in its infancy is directly targeting a new generation of hoteliers and hotel-connoisseurs, a blend of urban hip and classical comfort. We will have more updates and posts on this. For now, we'll just say: " keep on dreaming..."

Continuous Sliding

2008-09-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

More progress is evident at the Brooklyn site. We are hopeful that the space might near completion within weeks.

The images here show the spatial and transformative quality of the door-wall as it extends into the consolidated space and as it retracts back into its receiving pocket wall. The presence of the supporting columns act as a time gauge and I expect this factor to be further enhanced by the striation of the floor once exposed. I wonder if this repetitive theme is alluring of a greater investigation or perhaps a simple mandate of the urban environments we are a part of... Sliding as a "linear" extensional dimension is utterly fascinating, but its inner essence grazes a more delicate realm, one that explore the unknown, the magical, the element of "surprise."

Visual Noise

2008-08-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Here is an image of the conference spaces sound absorbing system we designed for Rave Wireless. In a panorama of work-remote the idea of a custom-designed distinctive feature resonates as a tribute to architectural problem-solving. Identity-driven, yet not necessarily identifiable with the company stationary, we felt that the spatial qualities of the panels added more meaning to their working environment, rather than quietly "absorbing" undesirable noise (visual and acoustic.)

SoHa Style

2008-08-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

When we were approached by Donovan and Gwen Wallace to design their store we felt a distinctive attraction to their sense of style and ultimate vision. Their idea was to pioneer contemporary design furniture in Harlem and educate people that cheap ornate simply is not in-style. SoHa style (South of Harlem style) was defined as the "ultimate" urban frontier, the prophetic advocate of a new modern, as solid sense of well-being and a messenger for a fresh-new start.

We absolutely felt that they had a point. They looked at us for ideas and told us that the budget was not exactly regal. We proposed that the space be organized to act as a “loft” for residential use, in order to display how the furniture will shape interior spaces for buying customers. In order to frame the shopping experience and offer a “recognizable” background, we designed a fluctuating and folding 3dimensional red shelf (the so-called "tongue".) This piece, in addition to its high functionality, keeps the eye focused to the sales counter while adding a distinguished character to the whole room.

Red came out of a discussion with Gwen, and it was an absolute fit. It just made sense. It indicated a transgressive and bold attempt to solidify their pilot idea, a piercing bullet inside a motivated community.

http://www.sohastyleny.com/index.html

Doors and Hands #2

2008-08-14T15:45:00.001-07:00

Work on the "oversize" Brooklyn doors continues... Today they test-installed the panels in their hoisting tracks and verified them for smooth functionality. So far so good. We are particularly fond of the random-handles and truly looking forward to the final spatial results as the patterns are moved and displaced.

I wonder if this obsession with unconventional doors rests on our belief that you can always trust a necessity to occur, and turn what is necessary into aesthetic. Possibly the "motion" doors are invested with, in a revealing and taboo-ish way is manifested as an opportunity to create a dualistic rapport between use and visual mesmerizing.

Door and Hands #1

2008-08-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here is our reference to the door-wall we designed for Claire Servini, for what we call the I-L-U residence.

The space literally hinges around the door movement as it extends, bends, folds and locks in multiple positions around the small space.

Over the past couple of years we developed a special obsession with doors and managed to obtain our client's support with some of these unconventional solutions. Some of the door surface, in this case is removed to leave room and clearance for a desk and lamp, while simultaneously removing the critical issue of locating a door-handle. Intentionally, the wall responds to its calling as lock-space as it houses the locking receptacle and pin-points to a geometric reason for its location. Giacomo's hands show how engaging the panel itself is and suggests new opportunities, perhaps challenging the necessity of a "door" and virtually organizing space as an undetermined and changing spectacle.

The Cocoon

2008-08-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

We created this cocoon bed for our clients Valentina and Felipe, in Hoboken, just across the river Hudson.

We last heard that they were on their way to London and expected to sell the house (and the cocoon.)

Here we are launching a "where are thou?" message in a bottle appeal... So give us a call if you see this. After all, the "cocoon" is our child prodigy as well.

Giacomo (here handling the sequential adjustment of the cocoon's inner workings) has been applying a serious degree of care to the position of his hands while we took these pictures. We will post a few more images that portray his ability.

Expecting results

2008-08-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

While the extravagant process of winners' selection in a public contest is tentative at best, and for the most part highly secretive, we feel that recently such automated maneuvering has shifted into the realm of the ludicrous. Recent postings on YouTube for the White House Redux Competition seem to solidify the validity of a pre-selection public presence, perhaps following the competition guidelines, that in fact these postings are allowed.

Let's just see what happens. But in retrospect I begin to sense a certain shift in the procedural nature of contemporary decision making. It all goes back to a larger criticism of who governs the design panorama we are currently part of. I am planning on sharing a few other designs we submitted for public contests that I feel strongly about and that Massimo and I had an opportunity to study for some time. All this cryptic controversy will make more sense as we develop the blog. For now, we are just going to let all thoughts out.

Matilda!

2008-08-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, finally a post with an image of our beloved Matilda: first Tuscan-Mexican Restaurant in NYC. Maristella Innocenti and Esteban Molina, our dearest clients run the place like magicians. We are scheduled to have a very special dinner-party in the next couple of weeks there... Sorry, Mari, I just forgot to mention it!

For all others here is their location:

Matilda Tusc-Mex Restaurant, 647 East 11th (corner of Ave C.)
http://www.matildarestaurant.com/

Prosejitos are a must...

Remote-Control: the China Channel

2008-08-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

An earlier study for an American developer brought us to explore the Great Chinese Buzz (GCB.) The featured images show a modular concept for a green-house-house as a duplex- two-villa unit.

Ideally set in a agriculturally zoned land, the project responds to a ever-growing fascia of self-nurturing tertiary, a blend of archaic and contemporary (think the lawyer-farmer, so to speak.)

Nestled between The mountains and countryside north of Beijing, the 45-acre site also called for a Hotel-greenhouse and a Commercial large greenhouse.

We are setting our hopes high for this endeavor to see realization sometimes in the future.

The Inner Game

2008-08-11T05:22:00.001-07:00

As a new week begins, we first want to congratulate Sergio Garcia for once again LOOSING a major title to fellow European Harrington. While we admire Harrington's tendency to step in when pressure-bound conditions arise, it is remarkable to witness the instability of the human mind as it succumbs facing emotional roller coasters.

http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2008/news/finalroundrecap.html

To that end, we suggest a powerful reading on the dualistic nature of human inner conflict, that is between the ego and the body, the conscious and the subconscious as the author names it. The book, titled "The inner Game of Golf" by Tim Gallwey, was first introduced to me by one of my students at Parsons, after my lengthy discussion on the importance of the game for architects. Over the years I discovered the importance of Gallwey's theories and their ripercussions on everyday life. Oh well... We'll be back with more archi-talk from the field soon, but if you care here is your link.

http://www.theinnergame.com/html/Inner_Golf_home.html

Golf and Architecture #1- Before the fixes

2008-08-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

(a 10MB demonstration of how to make the most of your architecture studio. A true lesson in multi-functionality...)

The spatial configuration and planar alignment still show a remarkable tendency to push the ball. We overall felt that the setup and stance had a secure future. Lately (this video dates to the summer 2007) a new grip, stance and take-away have been introduced. We will post all novelties soon.

For all fanatics, tomorrow the PGA completes its last shot at Glory. You can follow the leaderboard at:

www.pga.com

Don't expect T-boy to hoist the trophy, though. The talented athlete resign for the season due to a compromised knee...

Books and Books

2008-08-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

As we continue to edit and be edited in various journals and alike (of which we will make note in the posts to come,) we were asked to post the direct link to our published books, those which feature our recent talents and experiments at work. And so there it is, for the friends and families that so willingly continue to support our industrious efforts.

www.lulu.com/uoa

For the hungry crowds, we should mention that the most recently added print is FREE to download (provided you are equipped with solid patience, as the blasphemy weighs some 100 MB...) Direct link here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/1997259

Architettura and Architecture

2008-08-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Our permanence in New York City perseveres despite the incongruous epoque. Witnessing the rise of a new super monarchy in the Architecture Kingdom makes us believe that a time for innovative narrations might be at the doorstep.

Let's insist on a preliminary description of constant growth. Parallel to which we look at where we stand.

Let's just do it!

www.uoa-architecture.com