Wednesday, July 27, 2011

tube train - vintage

thanks to:

Handpicked London

London 2012: a virtual tour of the Olympic Park

VIRTUAL TOUR OLYMPIC GAMES CLICK HERE

From the showpiece of the Olympic stadium to the cutting-edge sustainable design of the Velodrome, our 3D map of the Olympic Park takes you on a tour of the architectural stars of London 2012. Click on the blue buttons across the top to begin, and other arrows for more detailed information

thanks to: The Guardian

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Quotes 02

An architect's most useful tools are an eraser at the drafting board, and a wrecking bar at the site.


Frank Lloyd Wright

Quotes 01

Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Dutch practice completes a modern cluster of city houses in a historic urban fabric

















In the historic Delfshaven district of Rotterdam (The Netherlands), an exciting new housing project is recently completed named Achterhaven. The project, designed by Sputnik Architecture Urbanism Research from Rotterdam, is the result of a competition held in 2004 by Woonbron Housing Corporation.

Delfshaven was originally the Port City of Delft, and Woonbron requested a design that would fit into the historic context of the district. Rather than applying a standard architectural approach of replicating the historic décor of the surrounding area into the new development, Sputnik took an urban approach which blended old with new.

According to Sputnik, the reproduction of old facades does not lead to strong integration between existing and new developments, and is not necessarily cost-efficient. Considering the time, energy and craftsmanship required to properly recreate historic facades, the studio argues that these historic replication projects rarely effectively re-create the beautiful canal house facades of the Dutch golden era.

Rather than focusing on Delft’s building facades, the urban structure of Delft stood as the model for the plan. The urban fabric of squares and alleys that is so characteristic of Delft and Delfshaven integrates Achterhaven seamlessly into the surrounding context.



Thanks to: World Architecture news

urban design - detail



NYC '11

Monday, July 18, 2011

We should love these Eighties architectural stars


Lunchtime in the City of London and office workers relax within the atrium of Broadgate Circus. A big screen relays live action from Wimbledon, as Andy Murray takes on Richard Gasquet.

There's an animated hum amidst the glazed towers and greenery which, flowing over the upper balconies of the central arena, faintly recalls the affection of Londoners for traditional garden squares.

The Broadgate complex, however, is not yet 30 years old. Despite being a rare and successful 1980s example of corporate development which also allocated generous amounts of public space, the recent decision by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to reject a listing recommendation from English Heritage clears the way for its demolition and replacement by a new £850m office development. The action has dismayed conservationists, many expressing shock at the suddenness of the announcement, pre-empting any chance of a public enquiry. While English Heritage has acknowledged the pressure from commercial interests in a difficult economic climate, it refutes suggestions that such listing would have stunted investment and has attacked the "two- faced" attitude of the City in hailing its new buildings, only to later claim them to be worthless.


thanks to: The Indipendent

Latest marine development of underwater sculptures and statues by Jason ...



Jason Taylor

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

original?



Europaconcorsi's Photos - House in Ropponmatsu by Kazunori Fujimoto Architect & Associates