VARIANT

Statistic Bench

admin — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 22:23:14 +0000

The Statistic Bench is made from thirteen different species of wood grown in Latvia according to their prevalence. A hollow cylinder, the bench resembles at first glance a large log that has been left in the forest. Some 54% of Latvia’s territory is covered with forests, it’s therefore unsurprising that Latvia’s largest export is wood. A closer inspection of the bench section reveals a pie chart-like visual of this natural resource. The Statistic Bench serves as seating and also as a visual tool to educate visitors about Latvia’s rich forests as well as the characteristic differences between indigenous varieties of Baltic wood.

Dimensions:
⌀ 45 cm x 280 cm

Statistics:

Birch - 27.62%
Pine - 26.52%
Spruce - 18.48%
Grey Alder - 10.17%
Aspen - 8.26%
Black alder - 5.94%
Goat Willow - 1.04%
Oak - 0.64%
Ash - 0.52%
Maple - 0.23%
Elm - 0.20%
Willow - 0.20%
Linden - 0.18%

The Statistic Bench will be exhibited during London Design Biennale as part of the Latvian installation Matter to Matter by Arthur Analts.
4-23 September, 2018 , Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom

Honey Coin

admin — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 21:47:17 +0000

The 5 euro collector coin ‘Honey‘ designed by London based Latvian designer Arthur Analts honours Latvia’s sustainability, nature and resources. According to A.Einstein: “If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.’’ Bees and honey is the chosen symbol of Latvia’s ecological indicator.

On the obverse of the coin honeycomb cells form a rough outline of the geographic contour of Latvia and the Gulf of Riga. Various types of frosting are applied to achieve this effect. The inscription LATVIJA is placed in the lower left part of the coin, with the year 2018 below it.

The reverse features honeycomb cells. Five cells are capped, thus symbolising the 5 euro face value of the coin. The number “5” is placed to the left of the centre, slightly lower, with the inscription EURO featuring below it. Each honeycomb is unique with various types of frostings, radii and depths.

Video:
Minting of the Honey Coin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFfJ6dHa7gk&t=1s

Specifications:

Face value: 5 euro
Weight: 16.50 g
Shape: hexagon with wavy edges and split off peaks; the distance between the upper and lower peak of the hexagon – 29.00 mm
Metal: silver of fineness .925, gold plated (.995)
Quality: proof
Max mintage: 3 000
Issued in 2018 by Bank of Latvia (Latvia)
Struck in 2018 by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania)

London NEP Bridge

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:35:07 +0000

The concept for the pedestrian and cycle bridge, spanning the River Thames between Nine Elms and Pimlico, is to create an arch type suspension bridge combining elegance and structural integrity with the highest standards of accessibility and functionality. Moreover, the design takes its wider context into consideration in order to enhance the public realm on both sides of the river. Improvements to the green park areas include additional plants, new seating areas, ramps for easy access and specifically designed multifunctional step-type grass squares.

Seeking a delicate, lightweight solution, the structure is supported by a series of cables extending down from an arch that spans the width of the bridge. This structural solution creates a new multifunctional, more forward-looking infrastructure in which cycling and pedestrian paths will be provided separately, increasing the sense of safety, user confidence, accessibility and comfort. The bridge is designed to be straight with no obstacles in between allowing for cycle and pedestrian traffic to flow unimpeded. The pedestrian path is 2×2 m wide while the cycling path is 4 metres wide, which is separated from the pedestrian lane for extra comfort whilst creating a safer atmosphere for pedestrians and people with impaired vision.

Spacious viewing decks along each side of the bridge complement the paths. These wave-like decks with seating areas offer opportunities for relaxation, leisure and enjoying amazing views across London for everyone. The surfaces are made of durable and slip resistant materials for extra security and comfort. For a more inclusive approach polished timber detailing to tactile surfaces such as seating and railing will be added. Floor lighting will add an aesthetic quality whilst also functioning as traffic and direction guides at night.

Moscow Metro Station 2015

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:43:58 +0000

In the subway tunnels and its premises the underground trains and a constant passenger flow create a lot of noise and a strong echo. The conceptual idea of the architectural design for Novoperedelkino station in Moscow is to cover the walls and ceilings with acoustic and sound absorbing elements, therefore reducing the possibility of the sound waves to bounce off the walls and ceilings and creating echo. The three dimensional pyramid and prism panels would be created from lightweight and porous ceramic, that would be sound absorbing and fire safe. The finishing of the station would not only absorb noise, but it would be also used as an element for passenger navigation. The walls, floor and ceiling would form a pattern that would point the way to the platform, nearest exits and indicate from which side the train is approaching, therefore helping the passengers to navigate easier in the subway station. Walls and ceilings are created in neutral ‘ocher’ tone, but functionally significant elements that require attention are highlighted in more bright blue ‘indigo’.

The station requires low and simple maintenance, however the innovative solution for the platform wall cleaning is developed. The platform walls would be cleaned with a method used in car washing – during the nighttime cleaning the incorporated brushes would move along the wall, therefore cleaning them from the train grease.

The visual language of the entrance pavilions reflects the main purpose of the station – simple movement. The area between the pavilions is provided with multi-level green zones, pedestrian walkways, shrubs, flowerbeds and recreation zones. Just like the station itself, the green zone is designed so it absorbs noise from the nearby highway. The bushes are planted and trimmed, therefore absorbing a noise of 40 decibels from the passing vehicles.

Architectural design will provide the passengers comfort and safety.

The quietest metro station in the world? Possibly!

Pineapple Award

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:39:00 +0000

History of the award:
Pineapple origins from Paraguay and the South region of Brazil, however its story in Latvian architecture began just fifteen years ago. It dates back to the day when the chairman of The Latvian Association of architects asked the curator of the ceremony, to purchase flowers, however she came back with tropical fruit, starting the new story of the award. First years of the ceremony real pineapples were presented, later on they were casted in bronze, however this year Variant Studio created a new Pineapple award.

Concept of the award:
Pineapple award is an object of high quality. Its concept and visual language is created so it represents the field of architecture. Award, just as architecture, is not only visually aesthetic, but also purely functional. Variant Studio wanted to answer the question – why do architects receive the prize? And as we believe – architects receive the prize because they have solved the task – they have taken the concept, the context, the material and the user and assembled it all together, the task is solved and in a way they have assembled the Rubik’s Cube. Therefore the construction of the award is inspired from Rubik’s Cube, which as an enigmatic mathematical game is a reference to the creation process of the architecture – assemble and solve the task from the variable elements.
Traditionally the Rubik’s Cube faces are in six various colours – yellow, green, blue… however we wanted to show this colour in one material, one shade, therefore we transformed these colours in three dimensional textures. These six tactile patterns are milled on the faces of the rotating cube and are inspired by architectural material symbols or hatches, therefore architect who is solving this cube is not joining colours, but dimensional patterns.
The victor of the first prize receives the pineapple award, that is anodised in golden finish, however the nominations receive the award in silver finish.
After the ceremony, the award should not be used as an element of decor – it should be used as a challenge to exercise the logical thinking while working on new projects.

Production of the award:
The award consists of 56 unique and custom made parts, that are assembled together forming a pineapple. Contemporary technologies and materials are used in the creation and production of the aluminium award. The award is created by five-axis CNC milling and finished by anodising to protect the award from oxidation and to add extra strength to awards surfaces.

Video:
Short: https://vimeo.com/129780066
Long+Interview: https://vimeo.com/129780067