BOOKS| OTHER | PORTFOLIO | CONTACT

9/30/11

La Maison des Arts, Domaine Universitaire Bordeaux France


Massimiliano Fuksas designed the Domaine University's Museum of Art in Pessac outside of Bordeaux, France. Fuksas was controversial as always with this design, but very versatile in his approach and final product.

Graffiti is evidence of the rough neighborhood that the site is in, and the building's dirty texture and oppressive massiveness reflects that. Each part of the program occupies a box, which is arranged into a six-part grid. Ribbons of windows separate these boxes of program vertically and horizontally the entire 88ft length, also providing circulation space in-between. The "radio campus" broadcasting center sits atop and cantilevers over the side, a statement of the provocative power for media to break away from established art.

Much like Dirty House in London, the general public criticizes the building's shoddy appearance. Oxodized copper green helps diffuse the brutal appearance, but the interior has cavernous exposed structural concrete. Critics say lighting is depressing, the layout is difficult to navigate, acoustics are rough and leering heights are dangerous.

More Info and Images







Posted by Ben 0 comments Links to this post

9/29/11

Schulich School of Business, York University Toronto Canada


Hariri Pontarini Architects and Robbie/Young + Wright Architects designed the Schulich College of Business and Executive Learning Centre on the edge of York University in Toronto Ontario Canada. Completed in 2005, it offers 260,000ft2 as a gateway into the campus.

The exterior facade has curving curtain walls of glass and limestone. Concrete and copper flashing give it a sleek and modern aesthetic. Some wood is introduced as this pattern continues in the interior. Natural circulation routes lead the building's smooth footprint into four wings with a central atrium. Total construction cost was $110 Million.

More Info and Images , More Info , More Info








Posted by Ben 0 comments Links to this post

9/28/11

Palace of Arts, Budapest Hungary


Zoboki - Demeter and Associates Architects designed the Művészetek Palotája in Ferencváros Budapest, Hungary, completed in 2005. ARTEC designed the world-class acoustics for the Concert Hall. The Bartók National Concert Hall seats 1,700 people and features one of the largest pipe organs in Europe. The building also holds the Ludwig Museum, the Festival Theater, and permanent art exhibitions.

The orchestra pit has three lifts the change the acoustics of the hall and capacity of the ensemble performing. Curtains, banners, a control chamber, and an acoustic canopy are also motorized to adjust the sound.

More Info and Images










Posted by Ben 0 comments Links to this post

9/27/11

9/11 Memorial Pools, World Trade Center WTC New York


Michael Arad and Peter Walker designed the Reflecting Absence memorial for the victims of the 911 terrorist attack on Ground Zero, New York. Two sunken reflecting pools mark the footprint of the World Trade Towers that collapsed on September 11, 2001. Water cascades over black marble into these large rectangular fountains, which have sunken rectangular pits in the middle that descend farther into darkness. Names of the victims are etched in brass panels around the edges of the pits fountains.

The marble was cut to match grains so that it looks like one continuous sheen. Careful edge treatments allow the water to pour gracefully in one continuous wave. Underground passageways from the museum give views from behind the waves. These and other considerations ballooned the overall 9/11 memorial project over $500 million and caused cutbacks in other areas. A relatively frantic construction schedule also allowed it to open on September 12, 21010 for the event's tenth anniversary.

Planted trees by Peter Walker and Partners continue the grid throughout the enormous site, transforming it into an urban park. The memorial museum breaks up this rigidity with flying fragments of buildings with a fierce wedge that cuts between the two pools. Freedom Tower stands closely at one end. A much anticipated project that has been plagued by budget gaps, scandal, and ridiculous delays is finally beginning to blossom.

More Info , More Info , More Info and Images , Documentary Video , Video






Posted by Ben 0 comments Links to this post

9/26/11

Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik Iceland


Henning Larsen Architects designed the Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall & Conference Centre as a revitalizing element for the east harbor. The color of the black Icelandic sand forms great masses in this building and shimmer like earthy jewel in the sun. Artist Olafur Eliasson contributed to the unique glass facades that distort and diffuse the northern sun.

Geometric steel structure is fitted between crystalline glass and gestures sculpturally to the city and to the ocean harbor. Colored LED lights in the facades illuminate a kaleidoscopic effect at night, enhancing the contrast between human technology and natural inspiration. It gradiates between natural inspiration, dark thick mass, and jeweled glazing. The 1,800 seat auditorium explodes in horizontal strips of cardinal red.

More Info and Images , More Info and Images , Video










Posted by Ben 0 comments Links to this post

9/24/11

Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama Bahrain


Atkins, led by Shaun Killa, designed the Bahrain World Trade Centre in Manama Bahrain, completed in 2008. Three skybridges connect the twin towers and each have 29m wind turbines. Wind tunnels into this space to produce 11-15% of the towers' power consumption.

At 50 floors, the towers rise 240m, and twist into a sail-shape much like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Located in the heart of the downtown central business district, the buildings rejuvenate local businesses and interact with local landmarks, including the NBB, BFH, Abraj Al Lulu buildings. It offers dining and shopping in a mall, and a hotel.

More Info , More Info and Images , Video










Posted by Ben 0 comments Links to this post
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)