D&AD entry - spacial design for Holiday inn

 Part of the animated design proposal for a redesign of the holiday inn 

check-in experience. The problem of working on an artificial screen before bed + 

the problem of jet lag could be solved with a 'natural light bar' emitting a dose

of natural light to help reset the body clock and keep people from using laptops

in bed (which aids in solving the problem of erratic Melatonin levels).

Sketchup import to 3dsMAX

 Added walls to help define the angle needed to match up with

the photo of a holiday inn lobby.

Final render with a little photoshop magic and hand drawing to

give an idea of the 'Light Bar' in-situ.

Zira Island

Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner of BIG, Copenhagen :

  What we propose for Zira Zero Island is an architectural landscape based on the natural landscape of Azerbaijan. This new architecture not only recreates the iconic silhouettes of the seven peaks, but more importantly creates an autonomous ecosystem where the flow of air, water, heat and energy are channeled in almost natural ways. A mountain creates biotopes and eco-niches, it channels water and stores heat, it provides viewpoints and valleys, access and shelter. The Seven Peaks of Azerbaijan are not only metaphors, but actual living models of the mountainous ecosystems of Azerbaijan.


  Each of the Seven Peaks house a residential development derived from the geometry of a famous mountain in Azerbaijan. Individually each mountain becomes a principle for mixing private and public functions. Together the mountains form an organic skyline merging with the natural topography of the island. A dense vibrant urban community connected to a series of private resort villages by a central public valley and surrounding beaches. A continuous public trekking path connects the mountains and invites visitors to scale the top of all seven peaks. In addition to the Seven Peaks the Master Plan also includes 300 private villas that take advantage of their setting with panoramic views out over the Caspian Sea.

What is really impressive about this scheme is not the aesthetics, or even the architectural design of these structures, it is the concept behind it all. Without a solid conceptual base for design ideas can go off at a tangent and veer away from the true intended spirit of the project. This project has mountains at its roots, everything from structure and form, to an ecosystem of renewables. A very well presented animation, the renders and flythroughs provide the wow-factor but the graphic simplicity of the informant sections shows complex ideas clearly. Please let this be built!

Allure Nightclub, Abu Dhabi Marina

It takes more than simply being excellent to stand out in oil rich countries such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Rich with both money and architectural brilliance only the most impressive spaces attract the high end target market. An outstanding LED animated exterior is made even more noticeable by the F1 track that runs through it. Allure Nightclub, Abu Dhabi Marina.

Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn The Netherlands

Designed over 40 years ago by Herman Hertzberger, this office space in The Netherlands still feels contemporary, the floor to ceiling openings between the blocks of offices are light and spacious and create the feeling that workers are looking out onto streets outside. this openness also allows people to talk to people who would usually be kept separate by walls or floors, the multi level effect also lets them talk to poeple who would even be on different floors. 40 years on and employees still praise the architect for creating such an enjoyable space.