Mound, hearth, enclosure, roof, and column. The way we see it, Gottfried Semper and scholars already figured out what makes honest tectonic form. We're looking for the element that satisfies our primitive urge to value architecture that's good.

January 24th 2012

13 notes

house in seya
by: suppose design office
in: yokohama, japan
 
We never would have bet that a concrete form in a plywood box could be so delightful. Sure, the bedrooms look more like dungeon dwellings in the basement, and the totally transparent bathroom is all the way up on the third floor (we’d be sure to trip in a sleepy midnight stumble up to use the facilities) but what makes it so damn cool is space between the enclosure and the house.  The pebbled courtyard full of growies serves as an extended threshold between public and private space.  We love the way the basic (uninsulated?) plywood framing supports the concrete living spaces.  Sliding partitions allow the space to become one large room or be divided into separate uses.  Would we call this place home? Absolutely…once some frosted glass was installed in the bathroom.

Posted at 11:57am and tagged with: enclosure, mound, residential, yokahama, japan, plywood, concrete,.

house in seyaby: suppose design officein: yokohama, japan  We never would have bet that a concrete form in a plywood box could be so delightful. Sure, the bedrooms look more like dungeon dwellings in the basement, and the totally transparent bathroom is all the way up on the third floor (we’d be sure to trip in a sleepy midnight stumble up to use the facilities) but what makes it so damn cool is space between the enclosure and the house.  The pebbled courtyard full of growies serves as an extended threshold between public and private space.  We love the way the basic (uninsulated?) plywood framing supports the concrete living spaces.  Sliding partitions allow the space to become one large room or be divided into separate uses.  Would we call this place home? Absolutely…once some frosted glass was installed in the bathroom.

January 24th 2012

21 notes

art stable
by: olson kundig architects
in: seattle, washington, usa

When we asked our friends what we should see during our trip to Seattle next month*, one suggested the art stables by local firm Olson Kundig Architects.  We’re excited already. The building is a mixed used infill project offering flexible live/create units for artists on a site that once housed horse stables.  Sustainable technologies are prevalent, and the steel clad enclosure is designed to last a century.  The kicker, however, are the huge steel doors on each floor that crank open by hand to allow a cross breeze through the units when the large windows on the opposite end are open.  They also allow for access to a roof hoist so you can move art and/or God knows what in and out of your place.  The building is simply a modern take on the adaptable warehouse concept and we hope we can see it in action when we stop by.

*let us know if you have any suggestions, too!

Posted at 9:50am and tagged with: enclosure, mixed use, seattle, washington, olson kundig architects, architecture, art stable, live/work, urban,.

art stableby: olson kundig architectsin: seattle, washington, usaWhen we asked our friends what we should see during our trip to Seattle next month*, one suggested the art stables by local firm Olson Kundig Architects.  We’re excited already. The building is a mixed used infill project offering flexible live/create units for artists on a site that once housed horse stables.  Sustainable technologies are prevalent, and the steel clad enclosure is designed to last a century.  The kicker, however, are the huge steel doors on each floor that crank open by hand to allow a cross breeze through the units when the large windows on the opposite end are open.  They also allow for access to a roof hoist so you can move art and/or God knows what in and out of your place.  The building is simply a modern take on the adaptable warehouse concept and we hope we can see it in action when we stop by. *let us know if you have any suggestions, too!

January 5th 2012

24 notes

Capela Árvore da Vida
by: Cerejeira Fontes Architects - Imago Atelier de Arquitectura e Engenharia
in: Braga, Portugal

This hefty timber chapel located inside the existing Conciliar Seminary of Braga serves as a small space for mediation and worship for residents.  Called the “Tree of Life Chapel”, we love the way the 20 tons of wood appears weightless, while still feeling like it would offer a warm, intimate embrace.  The elevated platform and slatted enclosure pulls people up and inside to the central gathering space.  It’s constructed without fasteners and stacked in a way for both natural light to enter and for a soft glow to radiate outwards.  We sure hope its visitors have counted their blessings for such a stunning space, but given the user group, we’re guessing that’s probably not an issue.

Posted at 2:54pm and tagged with: mound, enclosure, hearth, wood, braga, portugal, Cerejeira Fontes Architects, architecture, chapel, design, worship, meditate, interior, religious,.

Capela Árvore da Vidaby: Cerejeira Fontes Architects - Imago Atelier de Arquitectura e Engenhariain: Braga, PortugalThis hefty timber chapel located inside the existing Conciliar Seminary of Braga serves as a small space for mediation and worship for residents.  Called the “Tree of Life Chapel”, we love the way the 20 tons of wood appears weightless, while still feeling like it would offer a warm, intimate embrace.  The elevated platform and slatted enclosure pulls people up and inside to the central gathering space.  It’s constructed without fasteners and stacked in a way for both natural light to enter and for a soft glow to radiate outwards.  We sure hope its visitors have counted their blessings for such a stunning space, but given the user group, we’re guessing that’s probably not an issue.

January 4th 2012

2 notes

Maggie’s Centre Aberdeen
by: Snøhetta
in: Aberdeen, Scotland

Maggie’s Centres, drop-in Cancer support centres in Great Britain founded by and named for cancer victim Maggie Keswick Jencks, are designed to provide help for people facing cancer while contributing to the architecture in the region.  Jencks believed that buildings have the ability to uplift people, and the network of seven facilities all aim to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort.  Snøhetta’s proposed structure, which sits in a grass field, will have a hard exterior concrete shell and soft timber interior finishes. The transition between roof and enclosure is seamless, and nearly touches the site allowing for a secluded courtyard connectivity to the surrounding landscape.  While the proposal is still in review by town council, we can only hope that at the very least, such a centre will inspire others to design thoughtful methods to treat the patient and not just the disease.

Posted at 2:16pm and tagged with: Snøhetta, architecture, design, scotland, maggie's centre, aberdeen, roof, enclosure, landscape, design, cancer,.

Maggie’s Centre Aberdeenby: Snøhettain: Aberdeen, ScotlandMaggie’s Centres, drop-in Cancer support centres in Great Britain founded by and named for cancer victim Maggie Keswick Jencks, are designed to provide help for people facing cancer while contributing to the architecture in the region.  Jencks believed that buildings have the ability to uplift people, and the network of seven facilities all aim to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort.  Snøhetta’s proposed structure, which sits in a grass field, will have a hard exterior concrete shell and soft timber interior finishes. The transition between roof and enclosure is seamless, and nearly touches the site allowing for a secluded courtyard connectivity to the surrounding landscape.  While the proposal is still in review by town council, we can only hope that at the very least, such a centre will inspire others to design thoughtful methods to treat the patient and not just the disease.

January 3rd 2012

11 notes

The Obliteration Room
by: Yayoi Kusama
in: Queensland Gallery of Modern Art

What do you get when you give countless kids sheets of stickers, put them in a white room and say “have at!”?  You get this…this glorious mess of color and energy that only a gaggle of toddlers could create.  Kusama organized the room to resemble a typical dwelling - complete with furniture, houseplants, dishes, knickknacks, and fixtures - and painted it all white allowing it to become a 3D canvas.  The space becomes dynamic, changing over time as more layers of color are added.  While this installation is not architecture per se, we wonder if the concept of user generated/defined finishes could work in buildings. (We’re thinking foot traffic floor patterns or blank canvas corridors.)  Buildings are static, users are not.  Maybe it’s time to figure out how to bridge the gap between the two…. and perhaps art (or a few hundred 4 year olds) is the answer.

Posted at 12:48pm and tagged with: Queensland Australia, color, enclosure, interior, obliteration room, queensland gallery of modern art, stickers, white, yayoi kusama, kids, museum, art,.

The Obliteration Roomby: Yayoi Kusama in: Queensland Gallery of Modern ArtWhat do you get when you give countless kids sheets of stickers, put them in a white room and say “have at!”?  You get this…this glorious mess of color and energy that only a gaggle of toddlers could create.  Kusama organized the room to resemble a typical dwelling - complete with furniture, houseplants, dishes, knickknacks, and fixtures - and painted it all white allowing it to become a 3D canvas.  The space becomes dynamic, changing over time as more layers of color are added.  While this installation is not architecture per se, we wonder if the concept of user generated/defined finishes could work in buildings. (We’re thinking foot traffic floor patterns or blank canvas corridors.)  Buildings are static, users are not.  Maybe it’s time to figure out how to bridge the gap between the two…. and perhaps art (or a few hundred 4 year olds) is the answer.

August 18th 2011

23 notes

pavilion in the woods
by: parque humano
in: valle de bravo, mexico

It’s not often we find a structure that encompasses all of Semper’s elements, and look quite contemporary in its execution.  This small retreat/meditation shelter sited along a path of trees, changes based on the path and intensity of the sun. The architecture comes to life by the presence of time, and users experience the change firsthand.

Posted at 4:25pm and tagged with: mound, hearth, roof, enclosure, pavilion, woods, parque humano, mexico,.

pavilion in the woodsby: parque humanoin: valle de bravo, mexicoIt’s not often we find a structure that encompasses all of Semper’s elements, and look quite contemporary in its execution.  This small retreat/meditation shelter sited along a path of trees, changes based on the path and intensity of the sun. The architecture comes to life by the presence of time, and users experience the change firsthand.

July 12th 2011

15 notes

PAS House
by: gil le bon delapointe / francois perrin
in: malibu, california

What if a house had a skatepark built into it?  Almost every surface would be skateable, appliances would be built into ramps, and the entire structure would be integrated into the site to create a fluid riding experience.  This prototype is part of a larger residential design that envisions how skateboarding as a means of transportation as well as entertainment can alter the way in which a structure is conceived.  It’s a rad idea that we’d like to check out for ourselves, but we’d probably be more likely to crash into the model than pull off any trick in there on a skateboard.

Posted at 1:08pm and tagged with: enclosure, skate, house, residential, etnies,.

July 6th 2011

9 notes

Factoría Joven
by: Selgas Cano
in: Mérida, Spain

You’ve got to check out this huge playground that includes a skatepark, climbing walls, graffiti, performance space, and youth center, tucked under a undulating metal roof structure.  The space is open to the city, and welcomes in users that may not have other places to hang out or call their own.  We’ve got to admit, for a program that would typically earn a temporary or even second rate structure, the permanent bad-ass-ness of this project has us smiling.  It’s nice to see alternative ideas and hobbies embraced.

Posted at 3:44pm and tagged with: mound, roof, enclosure, spain, merida, selgas, cano,.

Factoría Jovenby: Selgas Canoin: Mérida, SpainYou’ve got to check out this huge playground that includes a skatepark, climbing walls, graffiti, performance space, and youth center, tucked under a undulating metal roof structure.  The space is open to the city, and welcomes in users that may not have other places to hang out or call their own.  We’ve got to admit, for a program that would typically earn a temporary or even second rate structure, the permanent bad-ass-ness of this project has us smiling.  It’s nice to see alternative ideas and hobbies embraced.

April 6th 2011

3 notes

undercover lab
by: klein dytham architecture
in: tokyo, japan

Underground lairs are so last century, the new hotness is stealthy lab space that quietly soars right over your head.  The second floor enclosure, a 65+ foot black tube, is intended to look anonymous outside, while displaying an apparel line the length of the space inside.  The whole structure has an air of intimidation…could you imagine stumbling down a dark alley and running into this?  We’d back away slowly for fear of seeing something at shouldn’t be seen. 

Posted at 8:27pm and tagged with: enclosure, tokyo, japan, klein dytham, architecture, design, lab, work, display,.

undercover labby: klein dytham architecturein: tokyo, japanUnderground lairs are so last century, the new hotness is stealthy lab space that quietly soars right over your head.  The second floor enclosure, a 65+ foot black tube, is intended to look anonymous outside, while displaying an apparel line the length of the space inside.  The whole structure has an air of intimidation…could you imagine stumbling down a dark alley and running into this?  We’d back away slowly for fear of seeing something at shouldn’t be seen. 

April 5th 2011

serpentine gallery pavilion 2011
by: peter zumthor
in: london, united kingdom

The design has just been unveiled for this summer’s temporary pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery, one that has been previously been designed by Nouvel, SANNA, Koolhaas, and other well known architects.  Peter Zumthor’s proposal suggests that the gallery will be getting what we all know and love from Zumthor; a plain exterior shell with surprise warm, gooey center.  In the case of this project, the dark scrim enclosure creates a series of passages that leads to a central garden bathed in natural light.  The aim is to emphasize the way that emotions and senses influence our take on architecture, rather than the physical surroundings.  It’s a cool idea, suggesting that gathering spaces don’t need to be complex or even permanent, but rather just a receptacle and/or simulator for our memories and feelings. 

Posted at 6:47pm and tagged with: enclosure, zumthor, serpentine gallery pavilion, london, england, uk, architecture, design, temporary, public, hortus conclusus, flowers, light, garden,.

serpentine gallery pavilion 2011by: peter zumthorin: london, united kingdom The design has just been unveiled for this summer’s temporary pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery, one that has been previously been designed by Nouvel, SANNA, Koolhaas, and other well known architects.  Peter Zumthor’s proposal suggests that the gallery will be getting what we all know and love from Zumthor; a plain exterior shell with surprise warm, gooey center.  In the case of this project, the dark scrim enclosure creates a series of passages that leads to a central garden bathed in natural light.  The aim is to emphasize the way that emotions and senses influence our take on architecture, rather than the physical surroundings.  It’s a cool idea, suggesting that gathering spaces don’t need to be complex or even permanent, but rather just a receptacle and/or simulator for our memories and feelings. 

March 29th 2011

Reblogged from ummhello|141 notes

melbourne street
by: tridente architects
in: north adelaide, australia

It seems to be an unfortunate norm that when a designer/developer/owner builds a new multi-story commercial building in 100+ year old one-story residential neighborhood, someone is bound to get pissed.  We wonder if Tridente Architects saw that coming, as their response to the problem seems both thoughtful and elegant.  The three story building (1st floor parking, 2nd/3rd floor commercial) has a glazed public facade wrapped by a large wood screen.  The light colors and translucency create a porous structure that otherwise might have read as a bulky mass.  Remarkably, to us, the yellow door sticks out more than the screen. We just hope the neighbors welcomed the project with the same admiration.

Posted at 3:27pm and tagged with: enclosure, commercial, architecture, design, tridente architects, australia, wood, screen, yellow door,.

melbourne streetby: tridente architectsin: north adelaide, australia It seems to be an unfortunate norm that when a designer/developer/owner builds a new multi-story commercial building in 100+ year old one-story residential neighborhood, someone is bound to get pissed.  We wonder if Tridente Architects saw that coming, as their response to the problem seems both thoughtful and elegant.  The three story building (1st floor parking, 2nd/3rd floor commercial) has a glazed public facade wrapped by a large wood screen.  The light colors and translucency create a porous structure that otherwise might have read as a bulky mass.  Remarkably, to us, the yellow door sticks out more than the screen. We just hope the neighbors welcomed the project with the same admiration.

March 29th 2011

open concept architecture transforms city
by: christopher hume
in: the star


(Source: thestar.com)

Posted at 10:24am and tagged with: enclosure, urban, glass, architecture, design, christopher hume, toronto, cananda, open, connectivity,.

“
every building, like every person, is part of something bigger — a neighbourhood and its city.
”

March 17th 2011

5 notes

alibaba headquarters
by:hassell architects
in: hangzhour, china

Inspired by Chinese window screens, a web-like enclosure turns into a latticed roof which cools both indoor and outdoor spaces passively.  It’s a bit too porous for year round application at our rainy Pacific Northwest campuses, but we’d almost suggest using an umbrella if something similar was implemented here. Almost.

Posted at 1:23pm and tagged with: enclosure, roof, alibaba, hangzhou, china, campus, commercial, architecture, design, sustainable, web, solar shading,.

alibaba headquartersby:hassell architectsin: hangzhour, china Inspired by Chinese window screens, a web-like enclosure turns into a latticed roof which cools both indoor and outdoor spaces passively.  It’s a bit too porous for year round application at our rainy Pacific Northwest campuses, but we’d almost suggest using an umbrella if something similar was implemented here. Almost.

March 8th 2011

1 note

Flat Tower
by: Yoann Mescam, Paul-Eric Schirr
Bonnans, and Xavier Schirr-Bonnans
in: Rennes, France

To channel a cult favorite breakfast cereal jingle, this honeycomb tower’s big… yeah yeah yeah!  it’s not small… no no no!

It’s so big, in fact, that if the proposed structure were built, it’s diameter would be equal to length of Burj Khalifa laid on its side.  Designed in an attempt to keep the skyline of the city open, the mixed-use mound doubles as roof to protect inhabitants, while using the square footage for rain collection and solar panels. 

Posted at 12:43pm and tagged with: enclosure, roof, urban design, architecture, proposal, rennes, france, sustainable, green space, development,.

Flat Towerby: Yoann Mescam, Paul-Eric SchirrBonnans, and Xavier Schirr-Bonnansin: Rennes, France To channel a cult favorite breakfast cereal jingle, this honeycomb tower’s big… yeah yeah yeah!  it’s not small… no no no!It’s so big, in fact, that if the proposed structure were built, it’s diameter would be equal to length of Burj Khalifa laid on its side.  Designed in an attempt to keep the skyline of the city open, the mixed-use mound doubles as roof to protect inhabitants, while using the square footage for rain collection and solar panels.