June 2009

6/28/09

Vitra Design Museum, Weil Am Rhein Switzerland

Frank Gehry's design for a showcase museum for the Vitra furniture museum was constructed in 1989. Gehry's sculptural shapes abstract the Switzerland building tectonic, but the inside is very muted so that the exhibits can dominate.

This was one of Gehry's early breakthroughs of expressionist buildings.

More by Gehry: Serpentine Pavilion, Disney Concert Hall, Peter Lewis Building, Stata Center, Bard Performing Arts Center

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6/25/09

Sacred Heart Mission, Coeur d’Alene Idaho

Built in 1853, the Mission of the Sacred Heart claims to be the oldest standing building in Idaho. Jesuit missionaries directed natives in the Coeur d’Alene tribe to build this rather large church on a commanding hilltop next to an outlet of the lake. It became a significant thoroughfare for commerce. It also has a magnificent view.

A classical appearance is attempted with columns in the front facade, and a billboard front atop that which reminds one of saloons in an old western town. Compacted earth surrounds a heavy timber structure, with cheap exterior sheathing and wood tile roofing. The sod material in the walls and roof create a well insulated space.

The interior space seems taller because of double story windows. Several other structures still stand from the Jesuit complex that helped introduce Europe to the west.

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images: Architecture Revived

6/22/09

Aargauer Museum, Aarau Switzerland

This extension to Aargauer Kunsthaus by Herzog & de Meuron and Rémy Zaugg opened in 2003. Swirling staircases can be seen through green glazing at the entrance. The stairs lifts the visitor up to the vast green roof. This roof of grass tilts down with pre-grown panels and meets the street at an angle.

The pure white background of the exhibits often opens up to green-tinted glass, reminding the visitor that human creation mimics nature, indeed that our built environment is no more than intervention and arrangement of nature.

The building seeks to fit quietly into its urban surrounding, shaping visual cues and light to introduce art and unity with plantlife.

6/19/09

Performing Arts Center Bard College, Red Hook New York

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This performance center designed by Frank Gehry for Bard College opened in 2003. Gehry's typical flowing roof of stainless steel panels reflect the green surroundings, establishing an exciting space in the New York environment.

The theater itself takes on a motif of concave columns. Operable windows and large windows allows natural air and sunlight into rehearsal and lobby space. The surroundings seem to take materialistic form in this building, contorting creatively, and finally revealing the source of this change: the stage.

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6/16/09

Azadi "Freedom Tower", Tehran Iran

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On June 15th 2009, about 2 million Iranians marched at Azadi Square with the Freedom Tower in the background, protesting the recent sham elections. One man climbed the base of the structure, echoing an incident from 2007 when a man celebrating the country's revolution feel to his death. At least 9 people were shot dead by police.

The Shahyad Tower was built in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, and became a symbol of freedom after the 1979 revolution. Architect Hossein Amanat uses Sassanid and Islamic styles with symbolism from his Bahá'í religion.

The only lighting in the museum inside come from display cases. Artifacts were selected from different parts of the nation's history. At forefront is a copy of the Koran and a Declaration of Human Rights.

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6/14/09

Thoughts And Prayers With Iran's Freedom Marchers

As the Iranian people fight for freedom, we should all take a moment to let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them and all the oppressed.

[image by misterbenthompson]

6/13/09

Comme des Garçons, Tokyo

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Rei Kawakubo, founder of this fashion designer store, was deeply involved in the interior design of her 1999 flagship store in Aoyama, Tokyo. Collaboration with architect Takao Kawasaki allowed the space to effect actual products' designs. The movement, festivity, and energy of the architecture and furniture unite with the clothing accessories.

Future Systems made the construction of the scheme a reality. The connections of the glass to the ceiling and floor occur seamlessly, and the front glass door is so subtle that one could easily run into it without even noticing it is there.

Future Systems took out the exterior walls of this drab office building and pulled back structural columns. Flowing waves of dotted glass separate the dirty street and store interior as if with fabric. White interior partitions and glass walls further divide up the interior space.

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6/12/09

De Brug Unilever Office, Rotterdam

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JHK Architects came up with the idea of elevating above the historic factory complex on the river bank. Getting the four story building up there was quite a feat.

Completed in 2007, the € 28 million structure stretches 130 meters. It was based on bridge design, hence the name "De Brug," with just three supports holding it up.

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6/9/09

Towada Art Center, Aomori Japan

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Ryue Nishizawa designed Arts Towada as the centerpiece for the Towada Arts Project, which converted the old main street into a dynamic art center for this city on Honshu island. The layers of construct give visual connections and circulatory permeability.

As a "study on density," this project has no master planning. The white boxes act similarly to Tschumi's "pavilions in the park" as a grand arrangement, only that it is random and more urban. It also seems to take a cue from the Kanazawa contemporary art museum with layered envelopes of glazing and solid materials.

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6/8/09

Roppongi National Art Center, Tokyo

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The Roppongi National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) packs art exhibits tightly into 14,000m² of space.

The curvy glazed wall with louvers encloses a green atrium. Translucent panels allow greater connection between spaces and with natural elements. A solid concrete cone mirrors a glass cone at the front entrance.

Skylights reach deep into the galleries, with interior partitions dividing up the space. The landscape is just as carefully spaced, with gridded rooftop gardens contrasting the organic steel and glass building front. I wish I could show more images to do this project by Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates justice. It is truly under-appreciated.

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