Showing posts with label The Telegraph. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Telegraph. Show all posts

Friday, September 5, 2014

Top 10 innovative constructions


Daily “The Telegraph” compiled a top of the most innovative buildings in the world, selected upon architecture and materials used for construction. 

#10-Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum (Ontario, Canada)

The Believe it or Not franchise showcases curiosities in a number of locations, however, the design of the museum at Niagara Falls Ontario deserves to make the exhibition itself. The building represents an upended skyscraper on its side that has taken some of the road with it, as a taxi floats inexplicably and pedestrians and construction workers cling on.
#9-Piano House (Huainan, China)

 Music-lovers of Huainan, China, can revel in this building, designed by architecture students from the Hefei University of Technology. The focal transparent violin contains the escalators and the staircase for the main piano-shaped building which is currently used to by city planners to display plans and proposed developments.                           

#8-CyberTecture Egg Building (Mumbai, India)

 Designed by James Law, Cybertecture International and engineer Ove Arup, the “egg” houses 33,000 sqm of office space in 13 storeys, achieving this using around 15 percent less area than a conventional building of this size. The structure supports floor plates without the need for obstructive columns.
The building achieves sustainability and energy efficiency through its passive solar design, the inclusion of an elevated garden which aids in cooling the interior through thermolysis, use of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines on the roof, and the facility to recycle sullage.
#7-The Basket Building (Ohio, United States)


The headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company serve as a striking advertisement for its wares, albeit 160 times larger at 192 feet long by 126 feet wide. Completed in 1997, the seven-storey ‘basket’ features handles that can be heated during cold weather to avoid ice damage.
#6-Kansas City Public Library (Missouri, United States)


The ‘Community Bookshelf’ of Kansas Library’s Central Parking garage features 22 popular and varied titles reaching a height of some 26 feet, which were chosen by literature fans of the city. They serve both as a reminder of the public’s favourite books and an attractive disguise for the car park behind that was built to satisfy demand in 2006.                
#5-The Shard (London, England)


Modelled on a shard of glass, Europe’s current tallest building at 306 metres was constructed in three years. It consists of 72 floors, the uppermost of which houses an open-air observation deck. It dominates the London skyline and is a popular tourist attraction.           
#4-HARPA Concert Hall and Conference Center (Reykjavik, Iceland)


The award-winning design by artist Olafur Eliasson with Henning Larsen architects was influenced by Iceland’s renowned natural scenery and the Northern Lights, and in its waterfront location, dramatically reflects both the sky and harbour in its glass façade. LED’s illuminate at night to produce a truly stunning landmark.
#3-Linked Hybrid (Beijing, China)


Constructed by Steven Holl Architects between 2003 and 2009, the 220,000 sqm mixed-use complex consists of eight connected towers. The architect says the design was intended “to counter the current privatised urban developments in China by creating a new twenty-first century porous urban space, inviting and open to the public from every side.”
#2-Shenzhen Baoan International Airport - Terminal 3 (Huangtian, China)


The recently completed 1.5km, 500,000 sqm terminal is a striking visual from above and was designed by architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas to resemble a manta ray. Honeycomb shaped panels punctuate the roof, allowing natural light to filter through.
The distinctive white conical columns rise to touch the roof at heights of up to 80 metres. Air conditioning vents are enclosed within stylised ‘white trees’. Shenzhen Airport Group was so pleased with the design that it is attempting to copyright it.
#1-Metropol Parasol (Seville, Spain)


Designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer-Hermann, who won a competition for ideas to redevelop the site, the Parasol overcame construction difficulties that saw it more than double in cost to €100m after six years of work and a redesign.
The Metropol Parasol has revitalised the Plaza de la Encarnación, which was for years reduced to being used as a parking lot and gained a reputation as a dead zone between the city’s popular tourist attractions.
The structure consists of six large mushroom-shaped parasols which provide shade from the city’s often hot climate and stands some 90 feet high and nearly 500 feet long. To avoid disturbing the Roman Ruins in the area, supporting columns could only be placed in certain locations, requiring an unusual design.
                  Ten Gorgeous Chateaux for Sale in France  
 
OCTAGON CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING
For more information click HERE
Phone: (+4)021.232.39.20
See on map

Friday, August 29, 2014

Ten Gorgeous Chateaux for Sale in France



    British daily The Telegraph has compiled a list of ten chateaux for sale, located in various areas of France. The buildings look spectacular and prices match the description.

1. Location: Raulhac, Cantal
Guide Price: €1.45m (£1.15m)

    The big headache here is going to be choosing which of the 13 impressive bedrooms you want as your own. The other hazard is that with 9,149 sq ft of space and 25 main rooms, you may get lost. Dating from the 16th and 19th centuries, this fairytale chateau offers a unique display of heraldic arms and a herbarium as well as the ubiquitous wine cellar, sauna, chapel.

2. Location: Chateau Forge du Roy, Dordogne
Guide Price: €3.9m (£3.11m)

    There are plenty of outdoor pursuits on offer at this former 17th century hunting lodge. As well as a swimming pool and gym there is a trout lake, a park, beautiful woods and nearby opportunities for canoeing and cycling. Afterwards, flop in one of the six bedroom suites, while your guests head for a well-earned rest in the guest house or gite.

3. Location: Chateau de Bussiere, Loches, Loire Valley
Guide Price: €2.7m (£2.15m)

    Rest assured the soaring slate spires of this graceful 13th century building have been regularly repaired and restored, so the elements will stay firmly outside. It has seven bedrooms, each with bathrooms and dressing room, while quirky features include a handmade antique stove in the kitchen and a Chinese sitting room.

4. Location: St Laurent de Chamousset, Lyon
Guide Price: €1.99m (£1.59m)

    Serious jet-setters need only apply. Set in 8.65 acres of glorious parkland, this early seventeenth century chateau has its own helipad so you are only a few blade-swirls away from the next party. However, with nine en suite bedrooms, a ground floor dedicated to reception rooms and a swimming pool, there is plenty of space to entertain at home.

5. Location: Essonne, Ile de France
Guide Price: €25m (£20m)

    A mini Versaille? Well, nearly. It was built in the architectural style of Louis XIII in the early 17th century, so the court of Marie Antoinette may well have flounced through a century later. Today, the 16-bedroom chateau set in 98 acres is a haven of peace - despite the odd hunting party or film crew. Fully renovated, it is for sale with an additional 50 acres of agricultural land and will be handy for the new metro linking Paris and Orly airport in 2020.

6. Location: Houdan, nr Paris
Guide Price: €1.49m (£1.21m)

    This family-sized five-bedroom chateau is set in just under 10 acres of manicured land and has a number of surprising features, including a large, two-way fireplace and some eye-catching paintwork. Besides an embarrassment of reception rooms, there is a Jacuzzi, a swimming pool and a guest house.

7. Location: Brantome, Dordogne
Guide Price: €1.06m (£847,000)

    Bob about in the salt-water swimming pool, amble through the orchard or saunter in the French-style landscaped gardens. There is certainly plenty to keep you occupied should you tire of wandering through this dreamy eight-bedroom chateau. And if you want to extend your empire, there's an option to buy surrounding properties and land.

8. Location: St Benoit du Sault, Indre
Guide Price: €795,000 (£635,000)

    The lucky new owners of this three-towered chateau will be able to give thanks in their very own chapel. Renovated to a high standard, the six-bedroom property also boasts its own 31 acre estate with river frontage, a barn and a smaller house.

9. Location: Chateau des Saules, Ansacq
Guide Price: €3.78m (£3.02m)

    Three Musketeers buffs will love the fact that the rogueish Cardinal Richelieu lived here in the early 1600s. Destroyed and rebuilt several times over the past 600 years, the chateau's most recent facelift gives it 1,968 sq ft of living space. And if you're security conscious, there's a well-kept 12th century moat to keep out marauders.

10. Location: Nr Cazals, Lot
Guide Price: €1.26m (£1m)

    A mere skip from the village shops, this charming chateau also benefits from nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms, three reception rooms, a chapel, beautiful Italianate gardens and a swimming pool. Best of all, there are still some unrestored rooms and cellars to divert you.



OCTAGON CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING
For more information click HERE
Phone: (+4)021.232.39.20
See on map