Made from upcycled shipping containers, the Urban Rigger is a 680 square meters- floating, C02 neutral and mobile property in the centrally positioned harbor of Copenhagen. 

Delivered in the summer 2016 in Denmark, as the first in a potential fleet of mobile, sustainable dwellings, the shipping containers are upcycled to save on materials, energy, and cost. World renowned architect Bjarke Ingels ( (BIG) used copenhagen’s underutilized harbor and converted shipping containers into homes with modern amenities. »They are highly durable, as containers are made entirely of Corten steel, and their assembly creates a stronger and more durable structure than typical construction methods.« says Urban Rigger Founder & CEO Kim Loudrup, at the origin of this visionary project.

With 12 studio residences articulated around a a 160 m2 – shared winter garden, used as a common meeting place for students, the project offers comfortable living space close to the city center. Including a kayak landing, a bathing platform, a barbecue area, solar panels, and a 65 m2-roof terrace,  »the idea was to develop a revolutionary and innovative floating dwelling system that will have a positive impact on the housing situation for students in Europe, as well as completing an attractive untapped and geographically independent niche in the market, “the water ways” – thousands of kilometers of unused quay’s across the harbor, canal and river intensive cities across the world.« says the design team. 

Providing affordable and sustainable homes for students in Copenhagen, the Urban Rigger seeks to offer an unconventional architectural solution to the unprecedented and urgent need for student housing. As a response to the unacceptable student housing situation, the Urban Rigger employs a wealth of environmentally sustainable solutions — including hydro source heating, solar power, and low energy pumps. The concept could easily be assembled in floating apartment blocks of varying size as needed and desired. »We offer the patented Urban Rigger concept in all ports, river and canal intensive cities worldwide.« Ingels says. »In terms of sea level rise, this is the most resilient form of housing because it moves with the water.« With Urban Rigger, Ingels and Loudrup try to turn ports into residential areas, always keeping in mind the complex issue of climate change.

Find more infos about the Urban Rigger project.

Photo: Laurent De Carniere

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Through a minimalist design, the chapel of The Holy Cross on the island of Serifos in Greece symbolizes a timeless religious building. Facing the Aegean Sea, positioning the view to the sea, the single cliff facade built in a contemporary style both celebrates the simplicity and harmony of contemporary architecture, and acts as an interconnecting bridge between the past, the present and the future. 

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is an unbuilt vision that seeks for an investor or ambitious contributors to finance its construction. As a unique platform for the communication between tradition and innovation, the project of the underground chapel of Holy Cross offers a challenging vision of innovative architecture. « At nighttime, the illuminated chapel is visible from a distance, functioning as a lighthouse for believers and travelers alike.« explains OPA, the Greece based open architecture agency. « Eastern light penetrates the chapel through the front glazed façade and the tinted “vitreaux” glass that runs along the spine of the bulding, culminating to the western façade with the rotating wooden door. »

Constructed with simple materials such as wood, glass and concrete, the chapel’s form allows for the magnificent view and the game of light and shadow to take center stage. Organized in three levels, the chapel is defined by an extruded cross that creates the space. « The dynamic light patterns embrace the bare concrete with colorful refractions, a reverent homage to Le Corbusier’s “Ronchamp” church and Tadao Ando’s “Church of Light”. » says the design team unveiling their recent project. The idea of using the cruciform vertically, rather than horizontally, is one of the reasons that makes this project behind the specialty of this Chapel. According to some experts, a cross shaped vertical section has not been attempted before the Byzantine era.

Discover more architectural projects from OPA on their website.

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The “Infinite Bridge” was built by Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter  in Aarhus, Denmark, as part of the “Sculpture by the Sea” festival. The festival, is Denmark’s biggest and most unique outdoor sculpture exhibition. This year »The Infinite Bridge« was added along the scenic coast line of Aarhus. According to the architects»the sculpture references the city’s history as a steamship port”.  It has been built in the exact site where a historical jetty was demolished. Measuring about 60 metres in diameter, it stands mostly over the azure waters of the bay. “Visitors get the opportunity to take time to immerse themselves in nature and contemplate it from new, usually inaccessible spots.” said the team at Gjøde & Povlsgaard Architects.

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Upon arrival we discover the residence in its simplest form: Two distinct volumes covered with cedar shingles. At first glance it is both mysterious and unsettling. As we move toward the two blind volumes an exceptional view is discovered.

Located in Cap-à-L’ Aigle, in the splendid region of Charlevoix, the residence Marée Basse (Low Tide) designed by MU Architecture is part of the residential development Les Terrasses Cap-à-L’ Aigle.

The concept of the residence revolves around two off-centered volumes. They are positioned in such a way to take in as much sunlight as possible, making the most out of the different viewpoints. These two volumes seem to emerge from the forest, projecting themselves towards the water and La Malbaie. 

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