Shortlisted for AutoDesk's Young Architect of the Year Award, British architecture firm AOC is gaining international exposure. Their projects sometimes have a messy look that differs from the clean lines of contemporary architecture, but beneath this rough exterior lies an in-depth exploration of why we live the way we do and how we can improve our lives by redesigning our immediate environment. One of our favorite AOC projects involves a list of 10 things that every home needs...
Guided by 10 things no home should go without, each of AOC's housing designs incorporate: "its own front door and entryway, some potential for change, as much storage as possible, the potential of a naked view, the opportunity to enclose your kitchen, room for outdoor dining, room to do home-work, somewhere to grow things, somewhere to sit out and relax in peace, and somewhere to air-dry your clothes." Sounds good (and green) to us.
In addition to designing housing, AOC also works on civic and educational projects. No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive is a large-scale model constructed for the London Green Homes project. The installation instructs people on ways to incorporate green systems into their homes.
Another intriguing project on the AOC site is the Janet Summers Early Years Centre. Constructed from varying levels and materials, this early education center is full of child-sized nooks and crannies.
For more information on AOC's built and unbuilt projects, click here.
Photos: Folly for a Filmmaker: Photographed by Mike Betts, Janet Summers Early Years Centre: Photographed by Dominik Gigler. Found via Bustler.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
