Dazzling Circa Art Gallery in South Africa is Wrapped in an Ellipse of Bark-Hued Fins

Posted By Tafline Laylin On October 21, 2011 @ 6:02 pm In Architecture,carousel showcase,gallery | No Comments

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Sometimes architects try to shut nature out of their building projects, but StudioMAS ^[6] from South Africa has taken a different approach with this dazzling Circa on Jellicoe art gallery ^[7] in an upscale suburb of Johannesburg. Not only does nature play a lead role in the design concept, but she is even encouraged to eventually take over. This philosophy is evident throughout the multimedia art gallery - from the bark-colored aluminum fin facade, which also allows the building to breathe, to the planted ivy scrims.

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StudioMAS has taken huge strides to reduce the building’s carbon and energy footprint ^[9] by relying mostly on passive design to keep the building cool and warm. In certain rooms, where passive design was insufficient, they incorporated evaporative coolers and natural gas-powered heating. The water geysers are also heated in this way, and LEDs ^[10] have been used to ensure energy-efficient lighting ^[11]. Otherwise, thanks to the extraordinary facade, the building is naturally lit and ventilated.

Outside, the landscaping reflects and caters to the need for an urban gathering space ^[12], and rainwater is able to permeate the soil to reduce unnecessary runoff. StudioMAS also created a manmade aquifer that collects water the way that nature intended it, and the pond has been planted with wetland species ^[13] that naturally purify the water. Although we have featured other StudioMAS projects ^[14] in the past, this is the first built project we’ve shared, and we absolutely can’t wait to see what else they will pull out of their creative hats in the future!

+ StudioMAS Architects and Urban Designers ^[6]

+ Circa on Jellicoe ^[7]

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/dazzling-circa-art-gallery-in-south-africa-is-wrapped-in-an-ellipse-of-bark-hued-fins/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/dazzling-circa-art-gallery-in-south-africa-is-wrapped-in-an-ellipse-of-bark-hued-fins/circa-on-jellicoe-2/?extend=1

[6] StudioMAS: http://www.studiomas.co.za/

[7] Circa on Jellicoe art gallery: http://www.circaonjellicoe.co.za/?m=1

[8] Image: http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/10/Circa-on-Jellicoe-studioMAS-NO.2.jpg

[9] carbon and energy footprint: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint

[10] LEDs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED

[11] energy-efficient lighting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficient_energy_use

[12] urban gathering space: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_design

[13] wetland species: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetland

[14] other StudioMAS projects: http://inhabitat.com/studiomas-sustainable-village/

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