Cantilevers are rigid structural elements, anchored at one end and protruding to create the illusion of a floating volume, changing the perception of buildings and space.
Atienza music hall
the building and the landscape
The intervention on the ruin is shown as a sculptural element with a protective character. Its form, with a definite contemporary language, responds to the distant landscape while intends to become a landmark.
what is organic architecture?
Horizontal volumes of cantilever combined with an inside steady stream of a waterfall – there is no better example of the harmony between nature and architecture than Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater House.
the value of unconventional thought
The word innovation has been tossed around back and forth for decades, and the real essence of it has been muddled. Times change, and so do we. Survival is a basic human necessity. We need to adapt to survive. What works perfectly in the past may not work in the present, and even in the […]
fragmented house
the view from the porch
From the front porch of this modern home, covered by a cantilevered roof, the silhouette of the nearby village can be seen. The simple tempered glass balustrade protects the deck without obscuring the landscape, while the natural stone wall contrasts with the smooth finishes of the exterior.
wavescape pavilion
the concept diagram
The building has a garden terrace which is accessed via a spiral ramp. Beneath the secondary pavilions is a floating garden around which the faƧade floats.
wavescape pavilion
the cross sections
The sections show the changing position of the pavilion faƧade depending on the tide. The skin enveloping this building on stilts floats on the surface of the sea.
ramp up the 'mun
the concept diagram
This conceptual diagram is an exploded axonometric view showing the flats, the showroom and the roof of the old boiler.
Atienza music hall
the nave and the apse
The nave of the church is represented with a new steel structure. In this way, the space becomes an open-air auditorium where you can enjoy the music and the view of the landscape while appreciating the ruin as per the original layout.
Atienza music hall
the elevations
The silhouette of the new building contrasts with the steep slope. The steel roof has a protective character, and with a simple gesture brings a new function to the old temple.
folded auditorium
the concept diagram
This three-dimensional diagram explains in simplified form the uses, the circulation and the connection between the parts of the building, which are the generative foundations of the external form.
Xu Beihong foundation
the cross section
This section of the museum shows the central atrium on the first floor, covered by the skylight, and the various exhibition rooms.
ramp up the 'mun
the view from the plaza
The structure of the old boiler house is extended by an apartment building to enclose a public square with a ramp leading up around the chimney to the roof.
ramp up the 'mun
the ground floor plan
The ground floor of this renovated cultural building shows the public square from which the exhibition hall is accessed. The square is enclosed at both ends, while the front is framed by the bridge containing the residential module.
structural systems
Structural systems are the bearing components that, working together, can transmit the building’s loads to the foundation, guaranteeing balance and stability without suffering incompatible distortions.
folded auditorium
the physical model
The shape of the auditorium hall together with the circulation of the audience determine the symbolic form of the building. The external image reveals the use of the space and its public character, this being an intuitive building where form follows function.
the illusion of weightless architecture
High-tech advancements in structural engineering give birth to the reality of intricate architectural designs. Building typologies now exceed what was once compromised because of traditional methods. The advent of Information Age will continuously break ground for the optimisation of structural systems. As innovations surge, the potential for growth in the industry provides more opportunities.
fragmented house
the section and elevation
The house is distributed over two floors that do not correspond to each other in their entire perimeter. This generates cantilevered bodies in some areas and terraces in others, as shown in the section and elevation of the building.
Atienza music hall
the cross section
The section of the building shows the relationship between the ruin and the new building. Formal language and materials further differentiate these two styles, combined to provide a new use of the space.
ramp up the 'mun
the physical model
The model of the building shows the relationship of the new flats to the old structure. The central square becomes a multifunctional public space for art.
wavescape pavilion
the cross and longitudinal section
The sections show the fungiform roof structure, the floating faƧade and the interior walkways and ramps connecting the interior of the pavilions and the roof.
special mention for atienza hall
AQSO has been awarded an honorable mention for the restoration of Santa Maria de Atienza in Huete, Spain. A simply folded steel piece covers the remains of the church and creates a space from which to contemplate the landscape.
K house
the cross section
The plot has a slight slope. The platform where the house is located is levelled by means of staggered terraces. The infinity pool defines the edge of the landscape.
folded auditorium
the view from the plaza
The auditorium has an undulating shape, the white concrete faƧade forms a balcony over the main entrance facing the square. It is an organic, futuristic design that blends into the vegetation of the urban park.
Zain tower
the floor plans
As the tower increases in height, each of its floors revolves around a central core. The result is a tower that is twisted at its base and becomes slender at the top.
connecting riads
the south courtyard
The lower part of the building encloses the most intimate and secluded garden. Around this space, there are homes on the ground floor, so they have private gardens protected by a fence along its perimeter.
connecting riads
the south courtyard
The large block courtyards are pedestrian areas with abundant vegetation. The gardens have fountains and tropical trees, giving the perception of a fresh oasis in the heart of the residential compound.
folded auditorium
the sections and the unfolded elevation
The auditorium section shows the appearance of the concert hall, the acoustic ceiling, the fly loft, the stage, the stalls and the orchestra pit. All this is wrapped in a corrugated skin of white concrete.
ramp up the 'mun
the floor plan layouts
The floor plans of this cultural building include the car park, the cafeteria, the shops, the offices, the flats, the artists’ studios and the exhibition hall.
folded auditorium
the bird view
A bird’s eye view shows the sinuous shape of the auditorium roof. This white concrete building has a folded shape that contrasts with the vegetation of the urban park.