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

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 11th 2011

2 notes

ballard library
in: seattle, washington
by: bohlin cywinski jackson

a green roof covered in 18,000 low water plants reduces rainwater runoff and heat gains, while its sweeping form lets northern light into the open library plan.  the deep overhang creates a porch location for people to gather, regardless of the weather.

Posted at 3:05pm and tagged with: roof, seattle, washington, library, environmental, xeriscaping,.

ballard libraryin: seattle, washingtonby: bohlin cywinski jacksona green roof covered in 18,000 low water plants reduces rainwater runoff and heat gains, while its sweeping form lets northern light into the open library plan.  the deep overhang creates a porch location for people to gather, regardless of the weather.

October 11th 2010

1 note

SeaSk8
by: Gridline
in: Seattle, Washington

While the idea of riding a skatepark is even more daunting than attempting to gracefully balance on a bike or board, the typology of these urban parks and the culture that sustains them is a fascinating one.  The most recent design to garner some attention is located in one of the most iconic areas of Seattle,  right by the Space Needle.

Located on top of an auxiliary roof of Key Arena, the 10,000 square foot park is a replacement for the demolished skate park just outside the Seattle Center. It was designed with skateable streetscape features and skateable public art (the glass wall and panels by local artist Perri Lynch are gorgeous) and has a pretty fascinating construction technique.  The primary material is foam, and while it’s a far cry from the concrete pools of Dogtown, the traditional earthen mounds of contemporary parks, or the piles of God-knows-what under the famed Burnside Park in Portland, it’s a method that makes sense for the location.  Shaped by hand with a +/- 1/8” tolerance, its lightweight and modular form allows for its initial fabrication and overall permanence . Unlike compacted dirt that shifts and settles over time, rigid foam underneath concrete will keep its form without adding additional weight to the building below.

With this building technology in place it’s apparent that the future of skatepark locations could be virtually anywhere.  While there still much to be done in order for these spaces to be socially accepted in many cities, Seattle included, the community spirit and dedication of riders and neighbors is what makes them truly successful and welcomed.  

Posted at 12:00am and tagged with: mound, skatepark, washington,.

SeaSk8by: Gridlinein: Seattle, Washington While the idea of riding a skatepark is even more daunting than attempting to gracefully balance on a bike or board, the typology of these urban parks and the culture that sustains them is a fascinating one.  The most recent design to garner some attention is located in one of the most iconic areas of Seattle,  right by the Space Needle. Located on top of an auxiliary roof of Key Arena, the 10,000 square foot park is a replacement for the demolished skate park just outside the Seattle Center. It was designed with skateable streetscape features and skateable public art (the glass wall and panels by local artist Perri Lynch are gorgeous) and has a pretty fascinating construction technique.  The primary material is foam, and while it’s a far cry from the concrete pools of Dogtown, the traditional earthen mounds of contemporary parks, or the piles of God-knows-what under the famed Burnside Park in Portland, it’s a method that makes sense for the location.  Shaped by hand with a +/- 1/8” tolerance, its lightweight and modular form allows for its initial fabrication and overall permanence . Unlike compacted dirt that shifts and settles over time, rigid foam underneath concrete will keep its form without adding additional weight to the building below. With this building technology in place it’s apparent that the future of skatepark locations could be virtually anywhere.  While there still much to be done in order for these spaces to be socially accepted in many cities, Seattle included, the community spirit and dedication of riders and neighbors is what makes them truly successful and welcomed.