Instagram and architecture go together like milk and cookies—an irresistible combination in which one brings out the best of the other. As Instagram continues to add features to its globally appealing platform, we take a look back on the year’s most-liked photos posted to our ArchDaily account.
We posted 235 ‘grams that racked up over 2 million likes. Thank you for following. 🙂
Space Needle / John Graham & Company. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia user Rattlhed (Public Domain)
Buildings, perhaps unlike any other art form or edifice, have a capacity to influence or become part of a place’s cultural identity and history. Defining an architectural monument is, however, an ambiguous exercise – most of their ilk only reach this status years after completion. AD Classics are ArchDaily’s continually updated collection of longer-form building studies of the world’s most significant architectural projects. Here we’ve assembled five structures and buildings which, often aside from original intentions, embody that most ephemeral feeling: a sense of progress.
The world had never seen anything like the graceful iron form that rose from Paris’ Champ de Mars in the late 1880s. The “Eiffel Tower,” built as a temporary installation for the Exposition Universelle de 1889, became an immediate sensation for its unprecedented appearance and extraordinary height. It has long outlasted its intended lifespan and become not only one of Paris’ most popular landmarks, but one of the most recognizable structures in human history.
The opening of the Century 21 Exposition on April 21, 1962 transformed the image of Seattle and the American Northwest in the eyes of the world. The region, which had been known until that point more for its natural resources than as a cultural capital, established a new reputation as a center of emergent technologies and aerospace design. This new identity was embodied by the centerpiece of the exposition: the Space Needle, a slender assemblage of steel and reinforced concrete which became—and remains—Seattle’s most iconic landmark.
Locked within Rome’s labyrinthine maze of narrow streets stands one of the most renowned buildings in the history of architecture. Built at the height of the Roman Empire’s power and wealth, the Roman Pantheon has been both lauded and studied for both the immensity of its dome and its celestial geometry for over two millennia. During this time it has been the subject of countless imitations and references as the enduring architectural legacy of one of the world’s most influential epochs
Even in Manhattan—a sea of skyscrapers—the Empire State Building towers over its neighbours. Since its completion in 1931 it has been one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in the United States, standing as the tallest structure in the world until the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were constructed in Downtown Manhattan four decades later.
The concept of a purpose-built capital city in the interior of the country dates back to Brazil’s independence from Portugal following the Napoleonic Wars, and was even enshrined in Brazil’s first Republican Constitution in 1891.[1] It was not until Niemeyer’s friend and patron Juscelino Kubitschek was elected president in 1956 that progress truly began in earnest.
From the architect. With the conversion of the former railway head office, Cologne‘s cityscape has received a new landmark. The new roof design has led to the recreation of the historic mansard roof as well as the generation of terraces with views of the Rhine River that are set between the metal bands surrounding the roof storeys and the set-back office facades.
The former railway head office is on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer immediately opposite the Rhine River and in immediate vicinity of Cologne’s main railway station, the cathedral and the city centre. The design takes into consideration the listed building, including the historic facade layout, and develops a contemporary solution for the mansard roof that was destroyed during the Second World War. Horizontal metal bands surround the four uppermost storeys and, owing to the angle of their fixture, trace the slope of the original roof, which characterised the silhouette of the cathedral city for many years before its destruction. The glass facades behind the horizontal bands do not follow the slope of the original roof but are perpendicular to the floor plates. This feature creates deep roof terraces in the surrounding space offering panoramic views across the city. The listed facade of the lower storeys is upgraded; the impressive historical entrance hall is rebuilt and incorporated into the new build. Three ground-level entrances on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer provide the opportunity to divide the building into three rental areas. They all fulfil the requirements of modern flexible office space and offer different office layout concepts ranging from single cell units to business lounges.
The design takes the existing listed structure, including the historic facades, into consideration and develops a contemporary, modern solution for the pre-war mansard roof structure, which now forms a distinct contrast to the historic features below. Clearly separated from the listed structure by a shadow joint, the new facade of the roof extension appears as an independent, homogenous structure with a horizontal arrangement, lending the add-on a dynamic, elegant and transparent look.
Diagram
Metal bands envelop the four roof storeys and trace the slope of the historic roof contours that characterised the Rhine River silhouette of the cathedral city for many years. The glass facades beyond the bands do not follow the original sloped roofline but are set perpendicular to the floor plates. This feature generates deep, much-appreciated terraces in the surrounding space offering panoramic views across the city. The symbiosis of old and new, together with the streamlined roof, leads to the creation of a new landmark in the cityscape, which has a visible impact on Cologne’s Rhine River panorama from afar.
From the architect. Assignment and clients’ wish was to create a building that has a “roof”, is contemporary and unique and is not just another modern functionalist box …
Instead of transforming the traditional morphology of the house with traditional roof, which can be seen in different variants on adjacent estates, we deliberately chose an opposite approach, which allowed us to get rid of stereotypes in anticipation of what the house should look like. We decided to design it as an organically shaped object, which contains mass with functional interior layout, while the softly undulating roof plane is a loose copy of the line of hill Hořický located on the other side of the valley.
The simple interior layout is arranged around the transparent entrance area, situated in the approximate center of mass of the object. One of the most important requirements for design of the house was a large aquarium. During the search of final design, it occurred in different parts of the main living space. The last option, in which the aquarium is a part of the office and is directly connected to the living room, has proven the best and was subsequently implemented.
Indoor living space is extended to the exterior by sheltered terrace protected on three sides. This comfortable outdoor space immediately adjacent to the dining room and inserted into a space with unobstructed view of the landscape significantly extends the possibilities of the house and is often used by its inhabitants. The terrace is also ending the covered walkway that allows walking around the house with “dry feet” even in less favorable weather conditions.
While the house is a distinctive solitaire, the winery, which has relation to the professional life of clients, can easily be overlooked in the garden since it is mostly recessing under the ground. Just as in the case of the house, the interior of the wine cellar is extended by an outdoor terrace. This is left uncovered. It is protected from all four sides, thereby achieving maximum privacy while maintaining the necessary contact with the exterior, in this case with the sky.
Since the clients are very busy people, the assignment included minimization of burdening them with issues in the process of realization. Therefore, we did not only design the house, but we also completely realized it.
The vertical structure of the house is made from ceramic walls. Thermal insulation of facades is from thermal insulation composite system. Roof structure above the internal space of the house is made from prefabricated panels. Protruding parts of the roof are from wooden beams covered with Knauf AQUAPANEL® system. Garden winery is made from waterproof concrete, which is left exposed without surface treatment. Openings are solved with aluminum Schüco system and triple-glazed insulating windows. The building has very low energy consumption; it is evaluated as level B – very efficient.
Product Description:AQUAPANEL® Cement Board technology – delivers a complete revolutionized the design and construction of buildings across Europe. It is a building material with an extremely long life, which creates a massive and dry surface that can withstand extreme moisture and climatic influences. Cement sheets are easy to install and offer decisive advantages while minimizing installation costs.
We used AQUAPANEL® Cement Board in this project to create the facade and ceiling in the shaped part of the terrace. In this way, we acquired solid base for application of facade screed. Due to this technology, the final surface of the facade is uniform around the whole perimeter of the house, in spite of combining various structural systems.
Bond Street Loft is a private residence renovated by Elizabeth Roberts Architecture & Design. It is located in New York City, USA. Bond Street Loft by Elizabeth Roberts Architecture & Design: “The Bond Street Loft occupies an entire floor of one of New York City’s original artists’ loft buildings in Manhattan’s Noho historic district. The 1,500 square foot loft was completely gutted to create a spacious two-bedroom home for a..
Lead And Design Partner: Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS sprl, architects & engineers. For the joint venture Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS, architects & engineers, Studio Valle Progettazioni, architects, Buro Happold, engineers.
Design Partner: Dr Ir Ridder Philippe SAMYN, architect & engineer
Directors : Arch. Benedetto CALCAGNO, Åsa DECORTE, Arch. Thierry HENRARD, Arch. IrArch. Denis Mélotte (partners, Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS sprl), Arch. Piera BISIGNANI (director, Studio Valle Projettazioni).
Pictural Integration (Colours): Georges MEURANT
Structural Engineering : Study phase: BURO HAPPOLD (Ir Nick GREENWOOD) with Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS for the concepts (Dr Ir Philippe SAMYN).
Mep Engineering : Study phase: BURO HAPPOLD (Ir Steve Mc CLEAVE) with Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS
Technical Control : SECO scrl/cvba
Courtesy of Georges Meurant
From the architect. The current building used for European Council and Council meetings – the Justus Lipsius – was planned in the late 1980s, when the EU had 12 member states, and is in use since 1994.
It was not conceived to host meetings of heads of state or government (they were organised away from Brussels at the time), nor for 27 or more member states.
Since 2008, the number of meetings of Heads of state or government in the Justus Lipsius has doubled on average (from 4 to 8). In addition, since 2009, the JL hosts summits between the EU and third countries (e.g. EU-China, EU-Russia, etc.)
For each meeting of EU Heads of state or government, all other meetings have to be cancelled during three days (more than 20 meetings of experts, diplomats, etc. of the 27 member states take place each day in the Council premises).
From the architect. This being an ocean facing plot, the client’s top most priority was the sea views, with lot of prominence to entertaining family and guests. He is also a good cook and wanted all extra kitchens (tepanyaki) and dining areas to be planned on the top most level as well to enjoy the views of the waters. The Master suite had to be well-equipped, multi-functional, multi-spatial, area with the best view of the ocean. The architecture and interior spaces had to be modern, technologically advanced and seamless. The Interior spaces should be flexible (as in open spaces to become private and vice versa). Privacy from neighbors and roads was a priority. This home is designed on a linear plot with attached homes on south and north sides and is opening to the sea on the west side and the road on the east side. Because of its location, it comes under high value properties of Amwaj, Bahrain. The plot covers 809.2sqmts and the total built up is977sqmts.The two side boundary walls looked like two imposing retaining walls and the home had to be designed within these walls. Because of the attached home layout covers the built up space could touch the two longer sides (south and north boundary walls) without any windows (so no light and ventilation) and views either.
Taking this as challenge the whole layout was directed towards the views of the ocean (west). Further we envisaged volumes of cubes placed randomly and intersecting with cutouts, water bodies, courtyards and skylights suspended within these two boundary walls. Two Internal courtyards were created with skylights to compensate for the lack of setbacks on south and north. The walls whole layout was planned with unhindered space movement. This way every room is ensured views of the sea, great light and ventilation. There are three floors with couple of bedrooms for family and friends and great lounges, dining and eating spaces as the owner is a passionate cook.
The home is planned on 3 levels with two entrances, entry one facing east and entry two facing south both leading to same level with Landscape and car parking in the front and Formal lounge, kitchen and dining in the main area on the ground floor. An infinity swimming pool with Jacuzzi and wooden deck are planned on the rear of the building facing the ocean. The First floor consist of two bedrooms with a cut out in the center and the passage connecting the two and lavish Master suite with personal plunge pool, bath tub, lounge area with pantry and large opening towards ocean. Master bedroom is more like a (suite) personal apartment where in all needs of family should be met with collapsible shutters (flexibility). It has a lounge opening to a courtyard, pantry (equipped with coffee vending machine, moveable, hot plate, refrigerator etc) , plunge pool , free standing stalls of W.C and shower (not to hinder the views) etc.
Second floor consists of two bedrooms, lounge area along with bar and dining area with partition.The pantry consists of cabinets along with customized moveable chimney tepanyaki projecting from wall and seating at the terrace on the front.All three levels are connected by means of a staircase and a lift.The focal point of this villa is the view of ocean from all the level which is on the rear.Specks of colors are used in customized furniture and artifacts only keeping the basic canvas neutral (in grays and whites). Natural grey stones are used for the flooring, and one side walls are cladded with Silver grey Travertino, whereas the ceiling are in pristine white and wooden in some accented area. Partly wooden steps with LED strips running on risers and threads are designed for the staircase. The cut out in the center connecting all three flows brings in a lot of natural light. Every room has visual and physical access to the outside. Furniture is from Italian brands. Rugs and lamps are all handpicked. A lot of old Bahrain streets images were used as Art on walls. As mentioned earlier the emphasis was more on scale, proportions and integration rather than on decoration.
Product Description.One of the principal materials used in the house is the silver grey travertine which runs along the entire south/north wall covering the total height of two levels. The same materials also shows externally extending out from the open skylight and thereby tightly links the inside with the out.
Viewing from the street,the black box is white! A group of white box with different openness cleverly fit into the corner of an aging urban community. Steel beams & columns, corrugated steel and perforated steel plates indicate its temporary, the fitness figure and basketball slap Sound of the black box clearly describes its function, the blooming light through glass and perforated steel plates in the night proudly announce that it’s the center of vitality in this slightly dull neighborhood.
The interior of black box is indeed dominated by dark colors. under owner’s low cost demanding, steel, wood, concrete slab and other basic materials complete indoor color changeing,also describe the building function alternately: sports and fitness, art exhibitions, sharing of life, PARTY etc.
As the building itself plumply fill the entire site boundary, the heart of the site is considered the center of outdoor activities, while almost all of the traffic stream organizations, space onversion of inside and outside are around the heart to start.the building entities surrounding the center produce an uncertain twist and flow, thus enriching the volumes.
The uncertaintiy of municipal management and the uncertainty of business decide the uncertainty of the building function, thus reveal the space fluxility of a temporary building with an full utilizing of boundary conditions. The architects focus on openness & closure of the building, so they face problems such as community activation and interaction, functional change and convergence, the construction of the relative temporary building and many other complex challenges, and ultimately result in the philosophical meaning of ambiguous and moderate undefined conclusions.
From the architect. BRUMA winery is located in the wine region of Baja California, in the Guadalupe Valley, the winery is part of a complete project which includes a hotel and villas.
Sig Nordal 