5 interesting ways local architects have used METAL in their design By Shantal Silas

1. Re-Tale Store, Rawalpindi

For this project, Metropolitan studio of Architecture (MSA) collaborated with WARDA, a clothing brand, on designing their new stores, which are planned in various cities of Pakistan. 'Re-tale' is the second flagship store in this series. Rawalpindi, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, was historically part of Great Gandhara civilization. The aesthetic for this store is greatly inspired by the Gandhara civilization and is a genre of art. The material pallet of the flagship itself is adapted from Gandhara art. It includes stone, metal and gold leafing on selected items. The facade of the store is designed in continuing rustic metal on the imagery of a lotus pond, where the corners of the carefully selected laser cut metal geometric pattern are curved upward to give an image of a lotus flower. The overall look of the facade is a depiction of a pond with floating lotuses in it. The continuing rustic metal sheet gives the facade a living character.

2. Shiny Toy Gun, film studio, Karachi

Shiny Toy Gun film studio is a project by Design Options, located in Karachi. The project came with strict time and budgetary constraints. So, the objective was to reuse and up-cycle as much of the existing material and found objects on-site to create a fresh, revitalized workspace. Nontraditional building material was used for construction purposes such as recycling shipping metal containers for living spaces. Three discarded metal shipping containers were upcycled to create two reception areas and skeletal landing for a new of metal spiral stairs. Two old shipping containers were purchased to make space for an office and cafeteria which opens out onto a courtyard creating a communal space. Remaining structural elements were accomplished through concrete slabs and block masonry.

3. Café Aylanto, Islamabad

This particular project by DB Studios is a redesigned restaurant because the building prior to this was in poor shape because of multiple structural renovations. The site had a posh location and an open-air front-faced dining deck surrounded by lush old trees. The design team decided early to retain and build on the strong positive feature- the tropical environment created by the mature trees, thus, creating a fascinating balance of classy ambience with the tropical setting. The theme of wooden branches in the view from the street is complemented by random vertical fins of metal and carbonized wood installed on the building’s face, interspersed randomly with pots/planters containing bushes and creepers. The façade is kept in dark, to highlight the impact of the fins and the view of the interior through the glass.

4. Contemporary Apartment Building, Gulberg Lahore

The site, in heart of Lahore, Gulberg 2 was a rather challenging project for ATELIER D35. The challenge was to accommodate single, double and triple bedroom apartments in a very limited space. A total of 15 bedrooms with attached baths, 6 lounges, 6 kitchens, 5 storage units, parking garage and a communal drawing room is enclosed in the building, which was carefully planned by placing the core towards the centre of the plot. The façade is a combination of wood, concrete and gunmetal with hints of white to balance the composition.

5. Beach Resort & Café, Karachi

This is a proposed project by Apostrophe’ Architecture Studio. The design team has carefully developed a structure for the Resort Project, along with a cafeteria, two side walkways, and a sea-facing deck. The material pallet includes wood, metal, bamboo or precast concrete that can be arranged onto the structure in many ways. The room designed right now is in container metal sheets and glass, their placement capitalizes on wind, sun, water, and views.