Subtle (but important) differences

Testing grouts between hollow concrete blocks in Kyoto Doshisha site.

There are: 

- different textures: smooth or rough

- different depth of indentation: 0mm, 3mm, 5mm

- different shades of grey (aarrgghh...)

Any preference?

 

 

 

 

Day 18 - let there be light

The site in Sydney is now 1/3 way through construction program.
Lots of unpredictable happened (which is predictable for a building of this age) but we managed to keep on track with the very tight program.
So this is where we are at....

from the front door - there is so much light after enlarging the openings 

the wall on the right of corridor is the original finish; the wall on the left has been stripped of the ornaments during construction but all timber architraves will be reinstated to maintain the heritage intactness of the corridor

connecting the 2 central room is the main operation ...to allow light and breeze to circulate within the apartment

this opening was blocked off for more than 30 years... we have now reinstated it

running electrical cables under the floor has been a difficult task because the floor joists are at different directions and are laid in individual rooms (so the space under the floor is interrupted at the walls by masonry plinths)

new central room by connecting 2 rooms.  Original plan was lacking hierarchy in space, almost like an assemblage of scattered rooms.  We try to introduce a "heart" into the planning where the rooms / spaces can "come off" from

the top of this window was covered for over 30 years.  It is nice to see how it is reinstated and is bringing so much light into the space 

at the sunroom, slanting window sills have been replaced by straight sills.  Aluminium windows will be replaced with sashless windows to provide uninterrupted view to the Bay....

Poured!!

Concrete is poured, we have moved up one storey with Doshisha Chapel!

 This is half of the site...

Quick one

I meant to say: a quick update on a quick-moving project....

Here are the quick lines from site before weekend:

Student lounge side:
They are working on form work of roof structure over student lounge
Chapel side:
They are almost finished working on steel reinforcing bars for 2nd floor over wc, storage, entrance lobby and 2nd floor of chapel. 
They are pouring concrete on to chapel building up to 2nd floor level on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silent craft

We have created a specific series of hand-made ceramic tiles for the facade of Doshisha Chapel Complex.

(prototyping process can be seen HERE and HERE).

It is nice to see that there are things irreplaceable by machinery.

Day 3... What happened?!

So this is what greeted me this morning on site...

 demolition can look scary...

salvaging the heritage timber architraves for later installation

carrying down the rubbles bit by bit

...make sure not to damage the lobby...

slowly....this is the largest vehicle that can fit on site to take away rubble...

着々と... Surely and Steadily

Lately I have been liking the Japanese expression "着々と".
It means "surely and steadily"; it gives a sense of certainty that the goal, will be reached.

No matter how small each step is, as long as we keep moving, we will get there.

...Well, Doshisha is moving fast!

 

  

  

 

Good day to start demolition!

Finally Sydney is warming up!

We have started on a residential renovation project overlooking the fabulous Rushcutter's Bay - how so glorious.  Can't wait to see the transformation!

beautiful Sydney

stripped wallpapers are somehow romantic...

 

sense of nostalgia...

Facet Studio x Anomaly at the Strand

The poster says it all...

Facet Studio collaborated with Anomaly to create a series of furniture for the inaugural collection.
SEP 15 - 28, be sure to drop us a visit!

More on Facet Studio x Anomaly... click HERE

Today on Doshisha site

After typhoon in Japan, construction has resumed as normal.

Some walls are up, some are going up.... 

The Doshisha project can be largely divided into 2 areas: 1. Chapel and 2. Student Lounge.

Chapel side includes chapel hall, meeting rooms, function spaces, whilst the Student Lounge side includes student lounge, exhibition hall, administration office, choir room.   

Construction completion is 2015 March in order to meet University semester opening (APR 01 in Japan), but the staff members need to be operational by then! 

It means the area for offices need to be prioritised in the construction, so it will be finished first - which is why the Student Lounge side is more advanced.

Here are photos from the weekend.

compare with August, we have gone up one storey..

 

footings no longer visible from the Student Lounge side

walls are up at the Student Lounge side

reinforcement and formwork are coming together for the Chapel side

...checking...more checking...

formwork for windows

this is the future administration office!

To find out more about Doshisha Chapel project click HERE