2022 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Platinum Winner

The Crystal Hall

Entrant Company

Thomas Abraham

Category

Architectural Design - Sustainable Living / Green

Client's Name

Country / Region

India

The Crystal Hall, a big but small home, is an essay on light, nature & history. It integrates sustainability, reuses material, and uses disadvantaged local talent.



It has the world's first residential windmill towers, proprietary use of two layers of high-performance recycled glass with a rainforest of non-invasive vegetation species within, thermal insulation technology & rainwater utilization — thus creating a glocal (global + local) building.



Glass —which can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality or clarity, recreates bioclimatic conditions that help tackle climate change while using modern materials that are culturally, emotionally and ecologically conscious. Despite its use of state-of-the-art technology, the total cost of $22 per square foot makes it one of the least expensive buildings of its genre anywhere.



This is paleomodern (paleo = first) architecture – modern but inspired by history, incorporating the Golden Mean and Square proportions, variety, balance, repetition, emphasis, movement, harmony, pattern and contrast.



The building follows a zero-waste policy and is a perfect example of socially responsible architecture. Everything was handmade - providing employment to the poorest indigenous people of color while preserving the skillsets of neighbouring artisans. Materials chosen were eco-friendly, long-lasting, and in keeping with the architectural theme. The main materials were recycled glass and brick, both of which were sourced within a 10-kilometer radius. It has become an ecological magnet for wildlife like peacock, mongoose, snakes and sometimes even a deer or two.

Credits

Architect
Thomas Abraham
More Platinum Winners
Interior
2022
MUSE Design Awards - INTEGRATED SPATIAL DESIGN OF QINGDAO METRO LINE 8

Entrant Company

NEWSDAYS

Category

Interior Design - Civic / Public

Interior
2022
MUSE Design Awards - Junxi Yuntai

Entrant Company

FU12 Design Firm

Category

Interior Design - Residential

Architectural
2022
MUSE Design Awards - C&D · The Cloud House Demonstration Area, Changsha

Entrant Company

JUNYUN Architecture Design Office Co., Ltd.

Category

Architectural Design - Commercial Building

Lighting
2022
MUSE Design Awards - Cinquantenaire

Entrant Company

ACTLD

Category

Lighting Design - Facade Lighting