Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have created models exploring how nature and cities interact, which they are showing in an exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum. Read more
Bouroullec brothers explore urban development in utopian diorama series
Month: October 2016
New Map Celebrates Washington D.C’s Brutalist Architecture
© Deane Madsen
City Guide publisher Blue Crowe Media and Deane Madsen, Associate Editor of Design at Architect Magazine, have collaborated to produce the Brutalist Washington Map, which features 40 examples of Brutalist architecture in Washington, D.C. This is Blue Crowe’s fourth architectural guide map, following their Brutalist London Map, Art Deco London Map, and Constructivist Moscow Map. One can only expect further releases on the horizon.
© Deane Madsen
As more and more examples of classic Brutalism face demolition by neglect, we hope that putting these examples of D.C.’s Brutalist architecture on the map will foster public appreciation that ensures their longevity, said Madsen.
© Deane Madsen
Of the 40 Brutalist structures highlighted on the map, many like the Hirshorn Museum and Dulles Airport are familiar, while others like the National Presbyterian Church may prompt a visit. With Brutalism’s increasing popularity, the creators of Washington D.C’s Brutalist Map hope to inspire readers to gain more knowledge.
© Deane Madsen
Brutalism hit its stride in the mid 20th century, but it may be having a moment again. The style most notably associated with Le Corbusier’s initiative also worked its way into structures by Paul Rudolph and Louis Kahn. Brutalist architecture’s reinforced concrete and ominous impressions served government buildings particularly well due to the mandates for economic construction methods and unidentifiable appearances.
© Deane Madsen
As the style sees a small revival, the two Brutalist maps in the collection may attract a large number of architects. The Washington, D.C. map is two-sided with an introduction to post-war construction and Brutalism, in addition to architectural details for each photo.
© Deane Madsen
© Deane Madsen
News via: Blue Crowe Media
New York City – New York – USA (by Bernd Thaller)
New York City – New York – USA (by Bernd Thaller)
6a Architects completes concrete photography studio for Juergen Teller
Fashion photographer Juergen Teller has posed naked on a donkey to celebrate the completion of his new west London studio by 6a Architects. Read more
💙 With ground and water! on 500px by Adithetos Μελουργός,…
💙 With ground and water! on 500px by Adithetos Μελουργός, Kos,… http://ift.tt/1YLCe7C
How CODA Used Hundreds of White Plastic Chairs To Build A Recyclable Pavilion
This article is part of our “Material Focus” series, which asks architects to elaborate on the thought process behind their material choices and sheds light on the steps required to get projects actually built.
In this exceptionally imaginative and thought-provoking exercise in perceptual shifts, Ithaca- & Brooklyn-based CODA transformed hundreds of humble plastic lawn chairs into a project in the Arts Quad at Cornell University. Viewed from afar as a spiky singular entity, close inspection reveals the simple, unpretentious repeated module. CODA explains, “the object’s features are no longer understood in terms of their use (legs, arms, seat) but in terms of their form (spikes, curves, voids) as, due to their rotation away from the ground, they lose their relationship with the human body.” We asked Caroline O’Donnell, principle at CODA, to explain the challenges faced in the development and construction of the fully-recyclable URCHIN.
What were the principal materials used in the project?
White plastic chairs (polypropylene).
Courtesy of CODA
In terms of materials, what were your biggest sources of inspiration and influence when selecting what the project would ultimately be made of?
We were interested in using an everyday object to play with the perception of the object. From afar, the aggregation appears as a singular (and furry) designed object. Upon approach, the viewer realizes that the unit of aggregation is a familiar object: a common chair that they have sat in before.
© John Lai
Describe how material decisions factored into concept design.
It was important not to damage the chairs in order for them to be reused after the pavilion is demounted. We needed to make minimal incisions, while allowing the curve of the overall pavilion to be constantly changing. We also needed the unique connections to be as invisible as possible to focus the attention on the chairs. After many tests, we settled on threaded rods of unique lengths that were connected by bolts through small incisions (ear-piercings) in the chair.
What were the advantages that these materials offered in the construction of the project?
There are no real advantages to using chairs in terms of construction, of course. The point is to make people think about everyday objects: where do these chairs come from? Where does the material come from? Can it be recycled? How am I doing with my own recycling practices? The thoughts go in two directions: one is towards recycling and ecological footprint, the other is re-thinking about the chair as a beautiful object..the way that the light comes through it, the curve of the back, the friendly spike in the upturned legs…
Courtesy of CODA
Were there any challenges you faced because of your material selection?
Many! While the chairs are rated structurally, they are rated only for sitting in the usual position, not having the loads in the directions that we had them. This was very difficult to calculate. We modeled it digitally and made mock ups and compared the results. Since they are outdoor furniture, the chairs are not fire rated and a fire rating was required from the City in order to get building permission.
Courtesy of CODA
Did you consider any other possible materials for the project, and if so how would that have changed the design?
We looked at a number of different chair types, but ultimately cost and the ubiquity of this chair won out. Someone asked me after a lecture if it would not be better to build this out of a standard material like plywood. They missed the point. It would of course be easier to build with a known material, but the point of the project is that moment of realization, a snap to reality, when the object becomes apparent, and a chain of other thoughts follow. It’s not necessarily easy, what we do, but it is not meant to be easy. It is meant to make you think.
Courtesy of CODA
How did you research and select providers or contractors for the materials used in your project?
We attempted to buy in bulk from the manufacturers, as well as to have the chairs donated. Eventually the best option was buying chairs at a discount from Home Depot. All of the chairs have unique connections (threaded rod) which were modelled in Grasshopper, and installed by our team. Chairs were built in vertical C-shapes inside over the course of a few weeks, then carried out to the site and installed together (36 C-shaped columns) in two days.
© John Lai
5 Things to Help a Man Enjoy His Midlife Crisis
If you’re a man, your 40s means you might be fighting an ever-expanding waistline or facing multiple hair dramas such as wayward grey hairs or a receding hairline. You might also be stuck in a career rut as you watch the next bunch of twenty-something entrepreneurs sell their two-year-old dot com businesses for X billion to Facebook before you’ve even figured out what the point of the “reactions” button is compared to the “like” button.
Regardless, the main feature of your crisis will be obsessing and over-analysing your lot in life: your achievements, failures, career, lovers, partner, kids, friends and wondering what it all means.
Calm down. It’s only a midlife crisis.
To compensate, you might find yourself splashing out on expensive “boy’s toys” and passive-aggressively justifying your purchase by telling yourself – and everyone else – that you always wanted a Bugatti smart toaster that cooks vegetables and steaks using semi-conductors.
Yeah, right.
If you’re not buying up cutting edge, see-through domestic consumer appliances, you might be spending your cash on light-hearted gadgets and gizmos that are designed to entertain and help you reminisce about the “good old times”.
Who doesn’t want a Yoda Look A Lite?
You can be “down with the kids” and revel in your own coolness because you were there when the “first” and “proper” Star Wars movies came out. Note: you cannot use the phrase “down with the kids”. For that you will be mocked, possibly even tortured, and rightly so.
You might also feel a sudden rush to get out there and do all the exciting things you’d never previously made time for, like going to a music festival. If you can’t stomach the thought of all the mud, rain and using public toilets at such events, at least start calling it “Glasto” instead Glastonbury. Failing that, you might find yourself splashing out on a drum kit or guitar, or doing some adrenalin-fuelled activity like quad racing – it’s ok – it’s got four wheels, not two, so you’ll be safer (probably).
When your mid-life crisis starts, drastic reactions to it will attract extra attention and jokes: some behind your back, others in your face.
But don’t let that deter you.
Your introspection at what it all means and your desire to rediscover your youth is a rite of passage and yours for the taking! Just don’t do the obvious. That means no to buying a Ferrari, getting a spacer earring, chasing after a woman half your age and half the world away, or suddenly jacking in your job in the hope of becoming the next JK Rowling.
Instead, here are five (slightly less reckless) things you can do to enjoy your crisis years:
1 Drown it out
One way of enjoying your crisis is to ignore it. The boss demanding yet another report by the end of the day, the office gossip-queen’s non-stop verbal diarrhoea, the tinny-sounding beats and tweets from your fellow commuters’ earphones and mobiles, not to mention your three-year old screaming “just one more daddy!” and the nags about all the DIY you promised to do but knew you never would – frankly, you can live without all the fuss and bother. And now you can with noise-cancelling headphones!
See Also: How To Be The Hero Of Your Own Story
2 Get a fake tattoo
Just because you had the good sense not to get your first lover’s name tattooed on your arm when you were sixteen won’t stop the sudden urge to get a tattoo when you’re 40-something. So, before you head off to the tattoo parlour and make a terrible mistake, try a fake one that you can scrub off when your mates turn round and say “Rodney, you plonker.”
3 Fulfil your need for speed
The Porsche is probably the most iconic midlife crisis purchase of all time. Sure, it’s a beautiful car, but is it really worth blowing your hard-earned cash on? Do you know the running costs or want the constant worry of scuffing the alloys on the curb?
If you want a petrol-head adrenalin kick, book yourself in for a supercar driving experience. That way, you get to drive your dream car, on a real racetrack, with expert instruction from some of the country’s top drivers and you won’t look like a man who everyone knows can’t really afford a Porsche, but bought one anyway just to show ‘em who’s boss.
See Also: 5 Important Questions And Tips For Buying A New Car
4 See the “virtual” world
If you can afford to take a year out, then sure, pack your bags and head off to see the places you’ve always wanted to visit. But if not, treat yourself to a virtual reality (VR) headset. There are loads of travel apps out there to help you satisfy your resurgent wanderlust.
Maybe there’s a spectacular place you want to visit in a unique way – hovering 500 feet above the Grand Canyon for instance – a rare animal you want to see up close, or a favourite destination from your younger days that you’d like to re-visit.
No, it won’t be the real thing, but you’re of an age that will appreciate the technology all the more because it didn’t exist when you were young. And of course, you’ll make it home in time for tea.
5 Get in shape: without blood, sweat or tears
If Kevin Spacey’s 42-year-old character in American Beauty has taught us anything, it’s that midlife crises and expensive exercise equipment go hand in hand. But turning your garage into a fully-fledged gym isn’t realistic – because where are you going to put the Porsche?
So instead of getting fit, get lazy instead! A “tone tee” t-shirt is the perfect way to get the “fit” look without the blood, sweat and tears. Now you can get back to doing some real exercise – shouting at the ref, beer in hand, from the sofa!
After all is said and done…
If you’re still left wondering what it all means, it might be time to look at things from a different perspective. Instead of asking yourself “what is the meaning of life?” ask yourself “what would be a meaningful life for me?”
It worked for Alan Watts. It might work for you.
The post 5 Things to Help a Man Enjoy His Midlife Crisis appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
Shamsudin Kerimov Architects Design a Stylish Penthouse in Moscow
Penthouse in Moscow is a residential project visualized by Shamsudin Kerimov Architects. It is located in Moscow, Russia. Renderings courtesy of Shamsudin Kerimov Architects
TARI-Architect’s Entry Proposal for Lithuania’s Science Island
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
In a competition to design Lithuania’s new National Science and Innovation Center, known as “Science Island,” TARI-Architect‘s proposal aims to exemplify sustainable design and construction practices. Although three architecture firms were already selected on September 30th, TARI-Architects were one of 144 firms to submit a proposal, making the competition the largest design contest in Lithuania. The Rome-based firm, which recently won second place for a design competition in Seoul, formed its design around the idea of science and its progressive nature.
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
Linking the pedestrian bridge to the Congress Center to the Island “symbolizes the aim of moving forward, of the human evolution, and the scientific discoveries,” writes TARI-Architects.
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
Spaces within the museum are visually connected, allowing the visitor to journey through its fluid composition. An external exhibition area (complete with green roof) provides gorgeous views of the river, while its terrace steps gently kaleidoscope to the water’s edge. Internally, a spiral staircase centers itself as the main circulation (with an incredibly vast view of the museum on each landing).
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
In addition to promoting scientific discovery, the firm also focuses on the building’s sustainability, allowing the structure to adapt to its surrounding conditions — specifically the water level of the adjacent Nemunas River. A sun-shading system helps cool the building as well.
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
TARI-Architect’s main ambition was to promote Science Island as a place capable of cultivating a lasting relationship with science and understanding through hands-on activities through its extroverted character.
Courtesy of TARI-Architects
News Via: TARI-Architects.
L’ODE / Babin+Renaud
© Cécile Septet
- Architects: Babin+Renaud
- Location: 21 Rue Solférino, 92170 Vanves, France
- Area: 3198.0 sqm
- Project Year: 2016
- Photographs: Cécile Septet
- Consultancy: Grontmij Etco
- Acoustician: Acv
- Scenographer: Xns
- General Contractor: Legendre
- Client: Gpso – Ville De Vanves
© Cécile Septet
From the architect. Founded in 1921, the Concervatoire de Vanves today has 40 teachers for over 700 students. The new building, named Ode, replaces the cramped, dilapidated offices scattered around various places in the town, representing both a qualitative and quantitative leap. Acting as a music school and a performance theater, the facility is as much a teaching center as a disseminator of the musical and dramatic arts. The project is both a building and a public space with a piazza able to host open-air shows, located on a small square that provides a centrality that is mostly lacking in the area.
© Cécile Septet
Located in a mixed urban fabric composed of constructions that each play their own partition, from houses to tall buildings, the new facility seeks appeasement and subtlety in the same way a musical composition organizes dissonant harmonies. The color white establishes calm and neutrality on volumes that nonetheless remain impressive, although some of it lies beneath the piazza. The visible part of this iceberg is a platonic cube that rises as an integral whole to its roof-terrace, a fifth wall covered with a metallic web that hides the technical equipment and evacuation air vents.
© Cécile Septet
The coating is intended to be as smooth as possible with lacquered aluminum panels running from slab to slab, giving an inkling of the life inside. All exterior floors are faced with stone which extend to the building’s ground floor following a guiding line from the street towards a bay window opening onto the auditorium.
© Cécile Septet
An orthogonal pattern controls the spaces with their highly varied dimensions and functions, from the dedicated rooms for percussion instruments, amplified music, piano, wind or vintage instruments to the dance and theatrical rooms, passing through the auditorium, a theater that is open to the public outside of teaching hours. As part of this orthogonal grid, the distribution scheme is repeated on all levels except for the ground floor. A generous hallway with stairs at either end provides access to the different rooms, each equipped according to its sound-proofing needs with airlocks or double doors. Teaching includes a vast sound spectrum from music played with vintage instruments to amplified music or gospel with either individual rooms or rehearsal rooms for a 70-musician symphonic orchestra. Besides the classrooms, the center also has a recording studio and a radio broadcast studio.
© Cécile Septet
Plan
© Cécile Septet
The auditorium has a proscenium stage and a seating capacity of 221; it can be configured for different kinds of shows (dance, plays, choirs, opera, concerts and contemporary music). There is a sound and light control room, an equipped grid above the stage, technical walkways over the hall and a retractable orchestra pit made of mobile panels in the shape of a concave shell to concentrate the sound for symphonies.
© Cécile Septet
Acoustic constraints imposed several solutions, i.e. sound-proofing with the box in a box method and separation from the concrete structure. Sound-proofing applied to the ceilings and walls or smooth absorbent surfaces alternate with raised surfaces for rendering optimal sound. Double windows with a double-glazed frame combined with a single-glazed frame eliminate the risk of causing noise pollution to the vicinity. With the front windows permanently shut, double-stream ventilation ensures that the air remains fresh. All air vents are hidden, the lighting system built-in and the ventilation grids flush with the walls. The concept of spatial neutrality evacuates visual stimuli so as to place the emphasis on sound and instrumental lines with the plant-life of the patios as the only tangible reminder of the world outside of this microcosm’s walls. Removed from city noise, music takes pride of place.
Sig Nordal 