January 2009

1/30/09

Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria

^senhormario - flickr/cc license
Peter Zumthor designed the 1997 Bregenz Museum as a lamp on the edge of Lake Constance and as a concrete mass that carves through interior space. The light from the lake and weather conditions combine with the colored lighting of the space to establish a particular sensibility.

It is prominant in the city, by the lake front, by the train station, and by important buildings like the library. Simple concrete slabs have glass shingle work outside and inside to establish ceilings and circulation. Artificial light dims according to daylight conditions. Temperatures are controlled by piping through the thermal mass concrete. Air flows out through the space above the ceiling glass.

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Speyer Cathedral, Speyer Germany

^rjones0856 - flickr/cc license
This is the greatest piece of architecture that I have personally experienced. The Mariendom or Kaiserdom zu Speyer is the largest Romanesque structure in the world and has inspired such impressive works as St. Vitus in Prague. But the true power of this project perhaps comes from its history.

Eight German emperors are buried here. Because Speyer is located near the French and Swiss borders, it has seen many occupations and destroying armies march through. Most tragically its Jewish synagogue, one of the largest in Europe, was destroyed by the Nazis and all the Jews were slaughtered. The Protest movement was officially started in Speyer. The Diet of Speyer was brutally crushed but a new Protestant Church stands near the Speyer dom today, always challenging it.

I could literally feel how this building affected the people. The people's history of hardship, compassionate liberalism, and the optimism is enshrined in the sandstone edifice. Since its conception in the eleventh century, it has stood prominantly on the river at the end axis of the Fussgangerzon mainstreet, with a large plaza in front and comfortable park behind. City-wide celebrations, religious worship, civic events, it all happens here. It isn't well known, but I would say it is one of the most important buildings in Europe.

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1/29/09

World War Two Memorial, Washington D.C.

^Jeff Kubina - flickr/cc license
Maybe it was the 11 years it took to build, maybe it was because the design wasn't edgy like Maya Lin's, but this project hasn't received the recognition it deserves.

Friedrich St. Florian designed a classically arranged monument with framed views of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The World War Two Memorial is located at the end of the long reflecting pool which runs up into the National Mall, and finally to the Capitol.

This $174 million project, finally completed in 2004, has a domed pavilion on either end of the circular fountain, representing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The 4,000 gold stars on the west wall represent the 400,000 Americans killed in the war. Granite monuments laden with wreaths and bronze radiate from the fountain. Marvelous eagle monuments are contained inside the main entrance pavilions.

Exhibits can be shown further outside the granite monuments.

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Graduate School of Business, Chicago

^Zol87 - flickr/cc license
Across the street from Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House in Chicago, Illinois stands the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects. Central to the building, and the entire school, is the Winter Garden quad space which is enclosed by green-house-like glass and steel.

The Gothic aesthetic of the nearby Rockefeller Chapel influences this large public space. Rainwater washes down the curve of the glass into the column and down into a cistern. Natural air circulation through the upper points keeps the air cool in the summer.

Three main levels contain the organized program, with large glazing punching through the exterior material, taking in daylight and offering views. From there, public spaces connect with the Robie House and other important destinations.

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1/28/09

Silodam, Amsterdam

^batintherain - flickr/cc license
The Silodam Housing Silos on the IJ River stand next to the pier's old grain silos. The 20 story building contains 157 apartments, as well as business and public units. Each unit is unique in size and character, with interior walls that can be moved. The varied colors help give "neighborhood" characteristics inside this space.

A shortage of housing in the Netherlands led to many reuse projects, finally leading to this 26,000m2 project in 2002. The bottom opens up to exterior public circulation space and water space where residents can dock boats. Urban planning has been carefully considered throughout the building, giving variety, public interaction, and good views.

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^Karen Eliot - flickr/cc license

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1/27/09

Office Building Tree House, Tallinn Estonia

I can't find the architect or any info on this project in Tallinn, Estonia. But Word has it that this building houses offices for Statoil.

The post-modern building is located on the Parnu Highway, which has some of the city's most historic buildings. The trees along this street perhaps inspired the under-structure which holds up the office space and opens up the bottom to the public. The office building itself is quite unremarkable, and the "tree" structure doesn't make much sense in the context, but it is an interesting project nonetheless.

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KUMU Estonian Art Museum, Tallinn

^AubreyMcFato - flickr/cc license
The Estonian Art Museum (KUMU) received the European Museum of the Year Award 2008. Designed by Pekka Vapaavuori out of Finland, it showcases nonconformist art as well as modern and contemporary.

The project includes exhibition halls, a lecture hall, and an educational centre geared toward young visitors. The large glazed facades reflect modern Estonia and the public spaces' daylighting needs. It engages the ground, and curved spaces accommodate particular exhibition spaces. The colorful tints on traditional residential materials also reflect the communicative purpose of the art.

This project was completed in 2006.

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