Taking on a very unique architectural feat, brothers Manuel and Francisco Aires Mateus have designed a house-shaped entrance for the new Catholic University of Louvain building.
The Portuguese duo will start working on this house-shaped entrance and building this year so students can start using it by 2015 -- the brothers won a bid for the rights to design the new school of architecture in Tournai, Belgium.
The 7000-square-metre unique architectural feat is right in the middle of the city's historic quarters, which will have the architects working hard to make sure it harmoniously blends in.
"The design evokes the existing iconography in the architectural heritage of Tournai," say the architects. "Its geometry causes various urban plazas and produces a large interior space which will house all academic activities, as well as establishing a close collaboration with the community."
House-Shaped Entrance Designs
This Unique Architectural Structure Concept is Contemporary
Trend Themes
1. Unique Architectural Feats - Architecture firms can explore novel structures like the house-shaped entrance to make their designs stand out.
2. Geo-specific Architectural Design - Architects can incorporate local iconography and history into their designs to create a sense of place and harmoniously blend with surrounding architecture.
3. Integration of Academic Spaces with Communities - Designers can integrate academic spaces with community spaces to promote collaboration and foster connections between universities and their surrounding communities.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architecture firms and designers can use these trends to innovate and push beyond conventional design choices.
2. Education - Academic institutions can partner with architects to create designs that not only benefit students but also enhance and integrate with the surrounding communities.
3. Urban Planning - Urban planning departments can explore the integration of academic spaces with community spaces to create a more cohesive and harmonious city design.