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.

March 28th 2011

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braga stadium
by: eduardo souto moura
in: braga, portugal

Congrats to 2011 Pritzker Prize recipient Eduardo Souto Moura, who managed to snag architecture’s top honor from countless big names with an almost unanimous “Wait Eduardo who?….. oh damn, that’s cool!”

Posted at 3:48pm and tagged with: roof, cantilever, braga, portugal, eduardo souto moura, architecture, design, pritzker, soccer, football, stadium,.

braga stadiumby: eduardo souto mourain: braga, portugalCongrats to 2011 Pritzker Prize recipient Eduardo Souto Moura, who managed to snag architecture’s top honor from countless big names with an almost unanimous “Wait Eduardo who?….. oh damn, that’s cool!”

June 28th 2010

 

Moses Mabhida Stadium
by: gmp-Architekten
in: Durban, South Africa 

With less than 12 hours before much of the world sinks their souls into one month of football, there’s an opportunity to take a moment and check out the South African stadiums that will soon house international competition.

Moses Mabhida Stadium, capacity 70,000, catches eyes with its signature arch and tensile roof membrane. While most contemporary arenas are built to maximize efficiency sight-lines inside, and to be iconic monuments outside, the designers of MMS also addressed green building practices.  Daylighting, water and energy conservation, and natural ventilation techniques are all employed.  With an average temperature range of 46-64°F during the cup, and also during the peak of their rainy season, the stadium’s new mechanical system rainwater collection process will be put through a rigorous test.

As an added (and awesome) programmatic element, visitors can ride to the top of the arch in a cable-car which offers vertigo inducing views of the surrounding landscape as well as the match below.  We wonder how many people can ride to the top at a time, and what the wait would be for such a trip.  Regardless, it’s bound to be a popular attraction, even if football isn’t your thing.

Posted at 12:00am and tagged with: roof, enclosure, football, africa, world cup,.

  Moses Mabhida Stadiumby: gmp-Architektenin: Durban, South Africa  With less than 12 hours before much of the world sinks their souls into one month of football, there’s an opportunity to take a moment and check out the South African stadiums that will soon house international competition. Moses Mabhida Stadium, capacity 70,000, catches eyes with its signature arch and tensile roof membrane. While most contemporary arenas are built to maximize efficiency sight-lines inside, and to be iconic monuments outside, the designers of MMS also addressed green building practices.  Daylighting, water and energy conservation, and natural ventilation techniques are all employed.  With an average temperature range of 46-64°F during the cup, and also during the peak of their rainy season, the stadium’s new mechanical system rainwater collection process will be put through a rigorous test. As an added (and awesome) programmatic element, visitors can ride to the top of the arch in a cable-car which offers vertigo inducing views of the surrounding landscape as well as the match below.  We wonder how many people can ride to the top at a time, and what the wait would be for such a trip.  Regardless, it’s bound to be a popular attraction, even if football isn’t your thing.