Transparency is a concept that has played a significant role in contemporary architecture. It refers to the ability of a building or structure to visually transmit light, allowing for a clear view of the interior or exterior spaces. Transparency can be achieved through the use of materials such as glass or other transparent or translucent materials, and it is often associated with an open, spacious, and light-filled aesthetic.

Glazing can be used in a variety of ways in contemporary architecture, including in windows, doors, walls, and other elements. It allows for the transmission of light and visual connectivity between the interior and exterior spaces of a building, creating a sense of openness and spatial continuity.

Transparency has been a key concept in the development of modern and contemporary architecture. It has been associated with a range of architectural movements, including modernism and postmodernism, and it has been used to represent a range of ideas, including openness, transparency, and privacy control. Transparency has also been used to challenge traditional notions of enclosure and separation, and to create a sense of visual and spatial continuity within a building or structure.




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.

fragmented house
the dining room

The dining room is strategically placed between the living room and the kitchen, protected from view from the entrance by a free-standing wall. The dining room enjoys views of the garden through a glass door that leads out onto the porch.

connecting riads
the physical model

The physical model of the project shows the majestic massing of the residential complex, the permeability of the faƧade and the generosity of the urban courtyards.

performing arts complex
the promenade towards the marina

The undulating concrete roofs and meandering walls of wooden slats characterise the pavilions that make up the building. The pedestrian walkways leading to the marina are landscaped with lush bamboo shrubs.

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.

elemental complex
the view from the courtyard

The hexagonal configuration of the residential complex gives rise to pedestrianised public squares with commercial premises on the ground floor.

Burke house
the courtyard

The inner courtyard articulates the space planning of the house while infusing perfectly with the countryside surrounding the property. It provides intimacy to the bedroom, abundant natural light to the living room and depth to the staircase.

K house
the rear garden

The living room has views towards the west, to capture the sunset light. A large window with curved glass opens to the rear garden, which has a comfortable space to gather around the fire.

wrap manifesto
the facade detail

The faƧade system proposed for the building functions as a double skin that provides a homogeneous appearance, it regulates ventilation and the incidence of sunlight on the curtain wall behind and introduces greenery on each level creating a vertical garden.

market eight
the facade detail

Flows of people, personnel and goods are very important in shopping centres. The Market Eight consists of a striking semi-transparent faƧade and a series of interlocking slabs that make it easy to find your way around the building.

wavescape pavilion
the view from the seaside

From the seashore, the circular modules of the pavilion are enveloped in a translucent skin formed by the horizontal slats floating in the sea.

wrap manifesto
the elevation and the cross section

The refurbishment of the existing building consists of the optimisation of the interior spaces, an extension and the installation of a new envelope that unifies the image of the complex, providing an institutional and contemporary appearance.

market eight
the view from the courtyard

The main entrance to the shopping centre is located in one of the larger courtyards. This public space serves as a plaza for events and visually articulates the different levels of the building.

wrap manifesto
the main elevation

From the main avenue, the green faƧade of the building can be seen, blending in with the vegetation of the urban landscape. The walkway linking the top of the hill becomes the roof of the ground floor, which extends to form an entrance canopy.

Zain tower
the top floor

The rotation of the tower finishes on a top floor fully aligned with the urban grid. The square shape of each floorplate becomes a straight and slender figure, crowned by the sign of the telecommunications company.

wavescape pavilion
the interior view

The interior of the pavilion has a large central column supporting the fungiform roof. Around the circular hall, there is a raised walkway that connects the different pavilions and allows a view of the sea through the faƧade.

Zain tower
the twisted figure

The central core of the tower and the ring of columns around it allow the rotation of the floor slabs. This suggestive movement, gradually decreasing towards the top, is well appreciated from the street level, where the building leaves space for a public plaza.

market eight
the construction detail

This three-dimensional construction detail shows the building’s construction system and the functioning of the faƧade. The waffle slabs allow for large overhangs, while the tempered glass louvres adapt to the curves around the 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.

fragmented house
the main entrance

From the main entrance, you can see the symbolic shape of the volume of the house, which resembles a series of overlapping boxes. A generous corridor leads to the main entrance hall, which is enclosed by a natural stone wall at the front.

folded auditorium
the staircase

From the entrance hall to the auditorium, the upper floor can be accessed via an elegant staircase suspended by steel cables. The foyer is a large and luminous space with a view of the vertical garden that covers the party wall of the nearby building.

market eight
the main entrance

The image of the mall at night is dynamic, colourful and vibrant. The pink glass louvres are oriented in opposite directions on each floor, creating an interesting glare and reflection effect.

Zain tower
the view from 15th avenue

The tower is the tallest building of this diplomatic district of Khartoum, the slender figure is seen from the main avenue, and the twisted facade is a distinctive feature that symbolised the essence of Zain’s brand.

wrap manifesto
the concept diagram

The diagram shows the different uses of the new building extension modules and the unifying treatment applied to the faƧade. The result is a more compact and symbolic volume with an improved institutional and intuitive access control.

cuƱa house
the view from the garden

The double-height living room space opens onto the outdoor garden through a large sliding glass door that allows you to enjoy the serene view of the landscape.

Zain tower
the section and elevation

Due to the rotation of the typical floor of the building, the elevation shows a significant variation in width. The turning movement of the floors does not affect the central core and the vertical structure.

Pedraza house
the kitchen and the courtyard

The timeless design of the kitchen is based on the warmth of the wood and the simplicity of the white surfaces. The furniture is modular and functional with large oak drawers.

Zain tower
the night view

When night falls the transparent quality of the facade turns the tower into a lantern of the city’s landscape. The vertical slats become translucent and provide privacy to the interior.

market eight
the rear facade

Market Eight is a free-form, undulating building that encloses courtyards between its curves. The faƧade is a permeable envelope formed by coloured glass louvres. The landscape design surrounding the building continues this organic language.

Burke house
the north elevation

The master bedroom of the house opens to the north with a large opening of sliding doors. The vertical rotating wooden slats function as a shutter, controlling the lighting and privacy of the space.

house of arts
the physical model

The model of the building, which is made out of methacrylate, shows the concept of the architectural work: the House of Arts is made up of different capsules between round-shaped planes.

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.

Xu Beihong foundation
the physical model

The methacrylate model allows the interior of the building to be observed as if it were an X-ray. This transparent, laser-cut three-dimensional piece shows the stairs and the inner courtyard of the building.

connecting riads
the balconies detail

The balconies, protected by perforated wooden panels, have a subtle and sophisticated design. These protective screens filter the sunlight and project the whimsical geometric richness of the lattice into the interior.

elemental complex
the birdview

The buildings occupy the plot in a hexagonal pattern. The hotel towers and offices are located in the north, while the urban density descends towards the south.

connecting riads
the external elevations

The exterior elevations show a unique pattern formed by the long balconies and the sliding panels that protect them from the sun.

fragmented house
the living room

The main entrance to the house is hidden behind a natural stone wall which provides privacy to the dining room. The living room overlooks the front garden through a large window that can be opened with sliding doors.

connecting riads
the urban facade

The facade towards the boulevard has a series of balconies protected by sliding panels. These wooden shutters have a Moroccan tracery design that suggests a traditional reference to the contemporary design of the building.

Zain tower
the interior

The interior is a luminous and diaphanous space. The white ceiling and the polished concrete floor give a feeling of spaciousness.

wrap manifesto
the louvered facade

The institutional image of an office building does not have to be cold and intimidating. The headquarters of the Cluj Regional Council brings a welcoming, friendly and domestic design that represents an environmentally friendly building that is close to its community.

Zain tower
the facade detail

The external facade of the tower is defined by a series of horizontal slabs. Prefabricated pieces of GRC cover the edges, carefully positioned to cover the part exposed of the floor below due to the rotation of the storeys. Between them, a series of vertical louvres protect the glazing against the sun.

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.

Burke house
the main facade

The building facade conveys in a simple and elegant gesture the interior layout and the control of natural light, privacy and views. The concrete slabs create a continuous enclosure carefully protected by the glass and the wooden slats.

connecting riads
the unfolded elevation

The iconic silhouette of the building is clearly visible in the unfolding elevation. The continuity of the volumes contrasts with the different character of the exterior and interior facades.

Burke house
the garden

The facade towards the garden is an iconic element of the building. Its unique elevation expresses the function of the interior spaces, and the view of the courtyard adds depth to the structure.

connecting riads
the street view

The ground floor of this residential building includes retail units facing the boulevard, and townhouses on the side facing the urban park. From the welcoming access to the inner block, courtyard, you can see the abundance of this hidden oasis.

spliced towers
the office towers

The four office towers have a faƧade clad in wood, natural stone and glass. The composition forms a pattern of irregular vertical lines in shades of brown and ochre.

Zain tower
the vertical glass shades

The architectural solar glass is protected with sun glades for an optimised daylight and energy control. The glazed shades are made of laminated glass with a metal frit.

Burke house
the office space

The work area on the upper floor has the best views of the house. Linked to the patio and the rear garden, the office is a quiet space with a sober and unique design.

house of arts
the exhibition hall

The exhibition hall of the House of Arts is a double-height space enclosed by the same coloured glass louvres that surround the building.

wavescape pavilion
the birdview

The pavilion occupies a central position in the bay in front of the thematic exhibition site. From the pavilion’s terrace, you can see the marina, the quay and the breakwater.

Ivy foundation
the workshop area

In the central part of the premises is the workshop area, which has a low unit of pink lacquered wood and a shelving unit built into the wall.

market eight
the view from the river

The different levels of the shopping centre stand out as horizontal lines on the colourful faƧade of the building. The escalators connecting the different floors on the outside contribute to the organic and dynamic image of the building.

performing arts complex
the cafeteria

The cafeteria of the performing arts centre is enclosed by an undulating faƧade made of twisted wooden slats that form a dynamic and protective envelope.

hospital in the forest
the typical room

The hospital rooms are designed to ensure the well-being and health of patients. The rooms are separated by a courtyard with greenery that provides privacy and natural lighting.

house of arts
the floor plan layouts

Plans of the House of Arts, showing the central hall of the auditorium, the theatre, the film library, the reading rooms and the library. The skin of the building forms waves and envelops the floor slabs with louvres.

spliced towers
the facade detail

The office towers are wrapped in a curtain wall of modular parts. The faƧade cladding combines strips of wood, stone and glass of different widths.

connecting riads
the boulevard view

From the broad boulevard, the building presents a resounding and iconic image. The silhouette is reminiscent of the archetype of the gabled-roofed house, providing an exciting play of scales.

wrap manifesto
the physical model

The building is situated close to a steep slope, so the new extension also serves as a pedestrian bridge connecting the upper street with the main avenue. This secondary public access is linked to the access to the multi-purpose hall.

Burke house
the physical model

The top view of the architectural model reveals the relationship between the different buildings comprising the project: the existing house, the extension, the landscape design and the spa pavilion.

Shoreditch hotel
the hotel room

The hotel is designed for young people looking for an urban experience. The industrial-style interior design combines concrete, metal and wood to create a minimalist and functional atmosphere.

spliced towers
the physical model

The project model shows the relationship of the buildings to the landscape. The office towers have a free orientation while the residential blocks seek southern light and are oriented on a north-south axis.

Zain tower
the laminated glass wire mesh

From inside the offices, the arabesque motifs of the louvres can be seen. The brass metal mesh is compressed into the glass when this is in a semi-molten state. It becomes a decorative and strengthening component of the glass fins.

Burke house
the physical model

The cardboard model represents the extension of the house and the new jacuzzi pavilion in relation to the structure of the existing house.

wavescape pavilion
the view from the marina

The themed pavilion for the World Expo floats on the sea and is connected to the quay via a gangway. The floating faƧade of horizontal slats creates a moirƩ effect as it moves with the waves.

Zain tower
the brise-soleil

The building envelope is made of sun-shading structures. On one side the protruding slab edges, cladded with prefabricated GRC pieces, cast shadows against the glazing. The glass louvres offer an additional layer of protection.

house of arts
the site model

The building completes an urban block in an area bordering the historic centre and a busy ring road.

house of arts
the facade detail

The faƧade of this public building is made of coloured glass louvres. The floor slabs on each floor are free-form and form balconies and overhangs.

elemental complex
the concept model

The concept of the residential complex follows a hexagonal pattern that branches out to occupy the plot, freeing up a generous proportion of public space.

fragmented house
the front yard

The main faƧade of this contemporary style detached house has large windows and a cantilevered body overlooking the garden where the swimming pool and a gazebo are located. The ground floor has a porch in front of the dining room and kitchen.

Ivy foundation
the entrance

The entrance has a waiting room that connects to the workshop area. The interior design is bright and combines translucent glass partitions with simple coloured furniture.

Zain tower
the retail store

The tower base leaves a public space on the corner of the plot to mark the entrance of the flagship store. This gesture defines the rotation of the tower and provides a welcoming access point protected by the cantilever of the floors above.