swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog Post 12

“Zaha Hadid Architects designing smart city outside Moscow”

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/13/moscow-smart-city-rublyovo-arkhangelskoye-zaha-hadid-architects/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Dezeen&utm_content=Daily%20Dezeen+CID_bf1722e240459c7731ca12ec7c183e71&utm_source=Dezeen%20Mail&utm_term=Zaha%20Hadid%20Architects%20designing%20smart%20city%20outside%20Moscow

Normally I love the contemporary architecture, but this design excessive. It was designed to be “people-centric” and a smart “interconnected city.” I believe it will do the opposite. Although all of the buildings are connected and tightly packed together, this will put barriers between people. Inside of the buildings, there are enclosed rooms separating people. On top of the purpose of this, I also do not particularly like the actual design of the building. It looks cheap, like white plastic surrounding the windows. The article describes how this could be the future of urban cities… I hope this is not the case. It is an interesting concept, as it is very sustainable and environmentally friendly. I love the innovation. It looks great on paper, but realistically it is not practical.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog Post 11

Interior of Wrightwood 659 Exhibition Space Chicago, IL. Architecture/Design by Tadao Ando.

Exterior of Wrightwood 659 Exhibition Space Chicago, IL. Architecture/Design by Tadao Ando.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/05/tadao-ando-wrightwood-659-architecture-exhibition-space-chicago/

   This building used to be an apartment complex many years ago. It was originally built in 1929 giving it historical value. The entire interior was removed and completely renovated into an architecture exhibition. I found the interior truly incredible. I wish I could include all the pictures from this Dezeen post, but this one was my favorite. It blows my mind that something can be made this beautiful by using around three materials. Every part of the design seems like it was very thought through. For example, the placement of the rectangular windows shining in radiates light in perfect places. There are also glass railings that reflect this light. Wooden ceilings were placed to soften the ambiance that could have otherwise made the building feel cold without it. The interior of the building contrasts from the exterior; if you were to walk in this building, you would almost feel as if you were in a completely different place. I assume this is to preserve the historical value of the building.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog Post 10

O’Donnell + Tuomey's V&A East museum, London England.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/02/v-a-east-odonnell-tuomey-diller-scofidio-renfros-olympicopolis-london/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Dezeen&utm_content=Daily%20Dezeen+CID_39bd241a7c661eaa5dd648ca805c9e1c&utm_source=Dezeen%20Mail&utm_term=Designs%20revealed%20for%20VA%20East%20buildings%20by%20ODonnell%20%20Tuomey%20and%20Diller%20Scofidio%20%20Renfro

 Although the buildings around this new museum are much taller and bigger, this building radiates much more power solely from intricate design. The triangular windows and the multi-dimensional structure almost assigns the building a personality. I also love there this building is placed, overlooking the river. If you notice, there is a balcony on the upper quarter of the building where people can enjoy the view. This building was also designed so that people could enter from all angles, unlike most buildings where there is only a front door. One of the designers, John Tuomey said that he imagined it as a “freestanding pavilion.” This is what it looks like. The bottom of the building, where the “triangles” end, looks like they are what is holding the building up. It is almost as if the building were floating.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Dezeen Post 3

“Neue Nationalgalerie” in Berlin, Germany.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/19/herzog-de-meuron-art-museum-20th-century-berlin/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Dezeen&utm_content=Daily%20Dezeen+CID_4cf3c59d09259e9000687627f18f8ae0&utm_source=Dezeen%20Mail&utm_term=Herzog%20%20de%20Meuron%20unveils%20revised%20design%20for%20Museum%20of%20the%2020th%20Century%20in%20Berlin

 This new 20th century museum of Germany is set to open to the public next month. It almost looks like a barn with perforated-brick facades and its shape. The building is enormous and intricately designed, but the landscaping in front of it make it even more beautiful. Instead of grass or concrete, the shining tiles in front of the building creates more power to the structure. It makes it all look clean and organized. Although it looks to be empty, it was described to be a concept of density. It does have a modern and “newer” look to it, but it also shows cultural aspects of it.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog Post 8

“Turanga” in New Zealand by Schmidt Hammer Lassen.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/18/schmidt-hammer-lassen-architectus-christchurch-central-library-architecture/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Dezeen&utm_content=Daily%20Dezeen+CID_45cc38c4b7284f6ecdc1c482520dc823&utm_source=Dezeen%20Mail&utm_term=Schmidt%20Hammer%20Lassen%20wraps%20earthquake-resistant%20Christchurch%20library%20in%20golden%20screen

 This is a newly constructed library in New Zealand. It was built to be earthquake resistant, in succeeding the 2011 earthquake in New Zealand. It was described to be a symbol of “hope, unity, and rebirth.” The name Turanga translates to “foundation” or “site” in Maori. Similar to the Pentagon memorial, this was built after a tragedy of a city and has multiple purposes. Its intricate design demonstrates power and rationality. The golden façade reflects the sun and reflects power within the city. Morten Schmidt, who was a partner in this design, stated that it was built in hopes of restoring the city and their losses. I love these types of creations; architecture with purpose and meaning. This building is a great representation of that and goes further by exhibiting sophisticated and obscure design.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog 7

Strait Culture and Art Centre in Fuzhou, China.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/11/pes-architects-strait-culture-art-centre-fuzhou-china-architecture/

 These petal shaped buildings in China made out of ceramic titles demonstrate an immense power in the city. It almost seems out of place with it being so different from its surroundings. The landscaping around it (sidewalks, grass, trees, etc.) give the buildings fluidity. Not only are the buildings enormous, but they are also intricate in their designs. The vibrant white and the monstrosity of the buildings proves power and forces to capture your attention.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Pentagon Memorial Lecture Review

Julia Beckman spoke about her work on the Pentagon Memorial. She began her presentation saying, “We communicate through drawings.” This led into what she felt she needed to communicate through her drawing. She expressed grief through her work and passion for the city. Throughout the project, she worked with the families of those who passed in this tragedy. This brought emotion into the project included in her planning. This project affected not only Ms. Beckman, but the workers who built her designs. The benches were hand polished and included the names of those who passed.

Every position of the architecture had a purpose. The entire park was organized on a timeline. The benches were separated by age and represented the people who died in the pentagon. The lines were oriented as the same path of the plane. Even the direction of the benches had a purpose. If you read a name and the pentagon is in the background, they were in the pentagon when the plane crashed. If you read a name and the sky is in the background, that person was in the plane.

She also placed gravel around the park. She stated that it makes you realize that you are here, but the victims are not. This is powerful.

Although she communicated what she wanted through her work, she wanted people to interpret it in their own ways. People who visit this site make their own personal connections with it. After opening, she noticed that there was laughter, crying, children playing, stories being told, and it was a place of reunion and gathering. A place that can give this broad of different interpretations is incredibly powerful.

She planned most everything in this park, but there were aspects she discussed that fell into place without her plan. For example, the benches had water underneath them. This captured the reflection of the sun. At night, she was unaware of how beautiful everything lit up. Everything fell into place.

The whole point of the memorial was for open interpretation—this allows you to think what you want. It is infinitely interpretable. In class, we talk about power and emotion behind architecture. This is the greatest and most creative take on power and emotion.

The most compelling part of this is the amount of thought put into it. The creativity behind the benches and where they are placed is beyond different from anything else.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Reindeer Short Stories

9/4/2018 First Cycle

Mountains

Land

Buffalo

Grass

Rocks

Building

Wood

Glass

Seating

Fireplace

Doors reflection

 Second Cycle

Large mountains

Fluffy clouds

Vibrant red

Colorful grass

Numerous rocks

Clean floors

Perfect rectangle

Roundish chairs

Cool firepit

Crackling fire

Angled ceiling

Shadowed ground

White mountain

  Third Cycle

Green mountain

Red train

Yellow sign

Brown buffalo

Brown building

White clouds

Black floors

Gray rocks

Gray gravel

Dark atmosphere

Orange fire

Brown seats

Dark shadows

Bright reflection

 Fourth Cycle

Green

Shadows

Vibrant

Windy path

Animal

Out of place building

Curves

Seats

Darkness

Fire

Floating fire

Reflection glass

Enormous view

Fifth Cycle: View from Inside

Fireplace

Time-lapse

Stillness from inside

Busy outside world

Wooden curvy seating with intricate design

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog 5

“Designing is inventing.”

-Peter Zumthor

Macau Grand Hotel, China. Source: http://www.luxxu.net/blog/most-beautiful-buildings-in-the-world-according-lonely-planet/

This section of his book describes his thought process in initializing architecture. When he comes to moments of emptiness, he then decides to shake off his academic knowledge, and instead create his own forms of architecture. I loved this quote and his opinion on this matter. Academic knowledge can only take you so far, especially in the world of architecture. Academic knowledge is important, but inventing your own personal creative ideas stretch beyond academic knowledge… this is what creates the power behind architecture. This photo of the Grand Hotel in China is an example of this. There are so many hotels around the world that anyone could have just build a hotel simply from their background academic knowledge of the architecture. It is because of someone’s personal invention and creativity that this building is known as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Dom St. Peter, The Cathedral of Regensburg in Germany. Source: https://www.123rf.com/photo_84902066_dom-st-peter-the-cathedral-of-regensburg-in-germany.html

 My own memory:

I visited Germany when I was around 12 years old. The most vivid memory stems from the view of a massive cathedral in Regensburg. I had never seen anything more beautiful in my life. We have mentioned the “power” behind buildings in class, and I relate that to this memory. This building was truly powerful. It was a gothic style, and it was huge. It is placed perfectly in the middle of the city, where it can be viewed from afar.  There were so many details in every square inch. Just when I thought it couldn’t be more beautiful, I stepped inside. We had decided to go to the church service there that morning. When we stepped inside, there was a choir of young boys singing. Along with the beauty of the inside of the cathedral, the boys’ voices were the most amazing sounds I have ever heard. I will never forget this chilling experience.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Zora: The Order of Venice

“Entangled Canals of Venice” from Traveler’s Corner

This is what came to mind when I read about the city of Zora. Unlike the city I wrote about before, this city is very organized and orderly. It is said to be compared to a “musical score where not a note can be altered or displaced.” Each and every building is a “pattern following one another.” To be, this gives me a sense of comfort. The organization of the city is easy on the eye. Although there is no beauty that completely strikes my attention, the order of the buildings is where the beauty lies.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

The City of Esmeralda

“The Heart of Venice” Venice, Italy by Airpano

The 6th Entry is the city of Esmeralda. This city is described as “spared from boredom” and “without repetition.” No matter how many times you go through the city, it will be almost as if it were a completely different route each time. There are ups and downs, twists and turns making it discontinuous. In the photo I chose, you can see the different sizes of the buildings that surround the winding water. This entry spoke to me because of the unorderly beauty that can take you by surprise each time you go through. The phrase “spared from boredom” intrigues me.

[swebster-arch111-f2018-swal-blog]

Blog 2

frank gehry: the guggenheim museum, bilbao, spain, 1997

Although it is not shown in the photo, the placement of this building is on the outskirt of the orderly city. The buildings within close proximity all look similar, and it all seems to flow. Then, there is this building. It sticks out and grasps your full attention from everything else in the city. It is powerful, as it is so large, distinct, and vibrant. Even the building itself has no flow with every structure differing from the other. There is a part of me that loves how modern and incredible it is. Another part of me enjoys more order. The building seems out of place and takes away any attention from everything else in the city.

A Beautiful Path, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain

(Piktiva.com, 2012)

 Although both pictures were taken in Spain, these both signal different meanings. On the contrary to the previous image, the objects in this photo seem to flow better, and are much more orderly. To me, this is much more appealing to the eye. Nature has a way of order that no man could ever recreate. The way the trees are planted and the narrow path all seem to flow together. Every detail from the leaves on the tree to the bark, to the green grass and the bushes that surround the area all bring me a sense of completion. They are all unified to each other with the trees being planted in the grass and the dirt under the grass, etc. Everything supports another thing. This is different from the previous picture, as the building seems to break the unity with the rest of the environment.