icaspace

icaspace closes!

2009-09-10T12:26:00.000+02:00

hi there! sorry, but i moved!

after three years, i am closing this blog!

but i will keep blogging on my own office's blog:

come read me at: RARE office's blog

feeling like...

2009-06-14T20:18:00.000+02:00

bright up!

2009-06-14T10:36:00.003+02:00

Reulf from Charlesque on Vimeo.

visions

2009-06-13T11:05:00.005+02:00

pics via Beyond Media - Script

Getting ready for beyond media!! The 9th edition of the International Festival for Architecture and Media takes place from the 9th to the 17th of July in Florence. As usual @ the Stazione Leopolda!
i can't wait to be there!

dealing with [complexity]

2009-06-12T19:39:00.008+02:00

John Maeda's sixth law of simplicity

graypants at ICFF in NY!

2009-05-13T11:41:00.000+02:00

check them out at booth 847! jacob k. javits convention center, may 16-19.

scrap lights [pic via graypants]

endlich, porsche museum!

2009-05-12T14:32:00.001+02:00

pic by Eoin Byrne (i missed the sunny day trip!)

monica and me..playing with the building

as for the car collection, i will have to get back..the astonishing architecture distracted me!

i had the same problem with the mercedes museum!!

see construction pics here

ITFS

2009-05-08T10:02:00.006+02:00

Impressions from the International TrickFilm Festival 2009

Mathieu Labaye's Orgesticulanismus>>in love with movement

Life's a zoo.tv>>hilarious big brother

This way up>>always amazing Smith and Foulkes

Shooting "Coraline" in 3D, lecture by Brian Van´t Hul, Coraline VFX Supervisor

Coraline's face collection

domani

2009-05-07T13:22:00.006+02:00

56 italian singers perform 'domani'
the song was on air for the first time through the italian radios at 3:30 AM of May 6th and will be available in stores from the 8th.
Sale profits will be devolved to L'Aquila for the reconstruction of the theater and the music school.

hilarious 'the boat that rocked'

2009-05-02T13:38:00.005+02:00

a must see movie.. i loved it!

YAY..finally :]

2009-04-27T22:52:00.005+02:00

'i dont know what silence means, it could mean anything'

john parish and pj harvey in concert

theaterhaus, stuttgart

may 6, 2009

out there>spacing>seriously

2009-04-26T14:38:00.000+02:00

spring energy>unexpected events>feed for my brain>nurture for my soul
brief summary of what i am up to:

personal work

readings [not necessarily in the order]
finally reading 'life between buildings'

making the acquaintance of wired.it and basically now reading 3 wired editions: US, UK, IT

between the sofa and the bed
[& loving steph 4 leaving me the book before returning to US]

inspiration and study
typography truly is a beautiful science/art

getting ready to rock
[i know natalie is smiling over this very famous statement of mine]

personal
getting psychologically and fashion-wise ready to the imminent weddings of very good friends!

borrowed this pic from Joanna's 'a cup of jo'

all into my [our] 5km in 30 min training

still giggling over my new haircut!

mies van der rohe award 2009

2009-02-22T11:21:00.007+01:00

the shortlist for the mies van der rohe award 2009 [european union prize for contemporary architecture] was announced in the second week of february!
i was sinking in the final rush for a competition deadline and didn't have time to update the blog!
Here are the finalists:
the Norwegian Opera & Ballet by Snøhetta

the Multimodal Centre – Nice Tramway by Atelier Marc Barani

the Library, Senior Citizens’ Centre and City Block Core Zone in Barcelona by RCR Aranda Pigem Vilalta Arquitectes

the University Luigi Bocconi by Grafton Architects

the Zenith Music Hall in Strasbourg by Massimiliano Fuksas Architecture

i am very undecided between fukas and snøhetta...which one do you like?

pics via dezeen

heads up people!

2009-02-08T16:49:00.011+01:00

ART1:ITALY IS A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC [...]

for the right of refusing life-prolonging procedures
in defence of the Italian Constitution and our freedom
against any Vatican's interference in the Italian civil life

in memory of Eluana Englaro
09.02.2009

i can read movies

2009-02-06T21:16:00.000+01:00

Spacesick's fake 1960s-style book covers: really cool!

via Good

ubiquity

2009-02-05T23:48:00.002+01:00

try this out!

Ubiquity for Firefox on Vimeo.

views + light

2009-02-05T23:13:00.003+01:00

Architect David Hertz' s beautiful renovation work in Marina del Rey, California. The original residence (right) was built in 1923, with a second floor and an unsightly wood-shingled mansard roof that were added in the ’70s.

Even if “It would have been more economical to start over”, the house wasn't torn down in order to preserve "stunning ocean views that would have been lost because of the larger setbacks required by the building code for new constructions".
The new appearance is the result of a design exercise based on those views and the enhancement of light for the interiors.

all pics by Stephanie Diani via the NYTimes

her morning elegance

2009-02-01T13:30:00.005+01:00

absolutely sweet stop motion video!

via swissmiss

finger dip

2009-01-24T16:36:00.004+01:00

eleonora barbareschi+alessandra mantovani's 'finger dip'
special mention for designboom's 'dining in 2015' competition..
i love it!

"The act of eating and its nature are one of man’s a prime needs. Our hands, sensually evoking a wild return to our origins, are the best instruments for feeding ourselves leading to the satisfaction of our animal impulses. Therefore, no more cutleries, no more tablecloths! No more formality or cultural distinctions in the approach to food. In a society where everything is frenetic and sometimes hypocrite, it can be luxurious to allow our souls to listen once again to our most distant instincts, it is a privilege that only few of us can allow. Finger-Dip is a provocation, an invitation for users to stop and reflect, a way to use technology and man’s intelligence in the objective of giving value to a gesture which has now a days become symbol of sophistication and style other than a necessity. Eating is a pleasure, and it becomes even more satisfying when doing it with our hands! Finger-Dip is hygienic, for single-use and fun! It is ideal when traveling, when the lunch is quick and simple, and when there is no chance of washing our hands and there are no utensils around".

happy bday MAC!

2009-01-24T16:28:00.003+01:00

apple turns 25

map via Wired

Wilderness

2009-01-13T21:07:00.003+01:00

"only 10% of the land area is remote – more than 48 hours from a large city".

beautiful global map of accessibility by the JRC at the EU

Objectified

2009-01-11T20:16:00.003+01:00

the trailer of Objectified - Gary Haustwit's new documentary - was released the first week of january!
"Objectified is a feature-length independent documentary about industrial design. It’s a look at the creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets. It’s about the people who re-examine, re-evaluate and re-invent our manufactured environment on a daily basis. It’s about personal expression, identity, consumerism, and sustainability. It’s about our relationship to mass-produced objects and, by extension, the people who design them."
World premiere is scheduled for March

starting fresh!

2009-01-11T19:46:00.006+01:00

happy new year everyone!
after the christmas party with the office i switched to holiday mode...
waited for my boy to arrive from canada, enjoyed three full weeks with him, around germany and italy, took a break from all the architecturing!
i am glad 2008 is over!
wishing you all a 'colorful' 2009!

the crew is heading north

2008-12-10T23:30:00.002+01:00

the Behnisch crew is leaving for 2 days parties up north
Hamburg for visiting Haus im Haus and the construction site of MP Tower and Unilever
then Stralsund for our Christmas party at the Ozeaneum
weekend in Berlin...
4 days, 4 cities, 1850 km! bis montag!

Make me curious>>make me happy [2]

2008-12-08T22:44:00.007+01:00

Objective
Pac-Man attempts to clear the game board of dots before getting caught by ghosts.

Setup
4 players are designated as Ghosts, 4 player are designated as Ghost Generals
1 player is designated as Pac-Man, 1 player is designated as Pac-Man's General.
Ghost Generals and Pac-Man's General fire up the control panel and select the corresponding character names from the list. The Ghosts and Pac-Man proceed to their starting locations. When all players are at their starting stations the Ghost and Pac-Man Generals move their icons to the starting point on the game board.

The Playing Area
The Pac-Manhattan grid covers a 6 x 4 block area surrounding Washington Square Park. Intersections are designated by a letter and number starting in the top left corner and continuing left to right
Power pellets are located at the intersections A1; E1; A6; E7 (i.e. the corners of the board) If they are active their intersection is colored yellow, when consumed their intersection turns white. Washington Square Park is off limits to all players.

Game Play
Pac-Man and Ghosts
At the start of the game, Pac-Man runs along the streets, staying outdoors, within the designated playing area at all times. The ghosts may begin to chase Pac-Man. Pac-Man continues to run the board until all of the dots are "eaten" or one of the ghosts eats Pac-Man.

Upon arriving at a street corner, Pac-Man and the Ghosts must report their new location to their respective Generals.
When Pac-Man arrives at an intersection with an available Power pellet he automatically consumes it. If being chased, Pac-Man must touch the pole at the corner to activate the power pellet. Upon consuming a power pellet Pac-Man is "invincible" for two minutes and may eat the ghosts. If a Ghost is eaten, the ghost must return to the starting point before being able to chase Pac-Man again.

Communication
Pac-Man's General can pass any information regarding the state of the board to Pac-Man.
Ghost Generals can inform the Ghosts of other ghosts' locations and Pac-Man's power up state (powered or not) but may not reveal Pac-Man's Location

Scoring
Pac-Man receives 30 points per block traveled in entirety and 200 points for the first ghost captured during a particular power pellet's duration. Points gained for catching a Ghost are doubled for each subsequent Ghost (i.e.200, 400, 800, 1600).

ICA WANTS TO PLAY!

via Doug's presentation 'Child and the City' today at lunchbreak

all images via pacManhattan.com

Make me curious>>make me happy [1]

2008-12-08T22:02:00.007+01:00

Share-it square and City Repair are based in Portland and they are awesome!
Share-it Square, at the intersection of Southeast Ninth and Sherett Avenue in Portland, was started in 1996 by the Sellwood neighborhood.
more info can be found here and here

I found this video of the City Repair's 7th Annual Village Building Convergence [held last May]

via Doug's presentation 'Child and the City' today at lunchbreak

Gwanggyo

2008-12-08T21:37:00.002+01:00

"Rotterdam-based architects MVRDV recently won the Gwanggyo City Centre Competition with their design of this incredible new city just south of Seoul, South Korea. Envisioned as a verdant acropolis of organic ‘hill’ structures, the proposed complex is a fully self-sufficient city for up to 77,000 inhabitants. Similar nodes, common in South Korea, concentrate residences, work and play all in one interactive center, reducing dependency on auto or train travel and building a strong sense of community".

via Inhabitat

people are strange

2008-12-02T21:00:00.000+01:00

sketchbooks....

People are strange on Vimeo.

Kiltro House

2008-11-30T15:05:00.007+01:00

"This project is almost a statement of how to accomplish architecture in Latin-america.
The process was so unsteady, that all possible architectural design resources available where exercised to cope with the challenge of this house in the Chilean Central Valley.
Everything was in constant change: the program, the surface, building permits, the contractors, even the view!
The modus operandi is rather based on mistakes than certainties.
The result: a mix, a bastardized design, a fusion, like a crossbreed dog, in Chilean:
A Kiltro."

Kiltro House is a beautiful project by Supersudaka [Gabriel Vergara, Cristian Axl Valdés,Pablo Abdala, Natalia Gajardo, Jaime Pavez, Ingrid Sepúlveda]

all images via Supersudaka

Back to the Future, people! :|

2008-11-30T14:29:00.007+01:00

i was hoping this competition was at the stake because of the non-sense proposal it was launched for. apparently it was not.

Directly from our history of architecture book, in colors,... a project dated 2008

from the NYTimes:
A German jury has selected the Italian architect Francesco Stella to rebuild the Berlin City Palace, Agence France-Presse reported. The original Baroque Stadtschloss, once home to the kings of Prussia and later to the German kaisers, was damaged by Allied bombing during World War II and was demolished by the East German Communist authorities in 1950. It its place the Communists erected the Palast der Republik, a parliament building whose stark design was widely criticized; the structure was later found to contain asbestos, and demolition was completed this month. The project is estimated to cost about $700 million and will take until 2013 to complete.

- new stadtschloss

- palast der republik

shhhht! don't say around it was an Italian and that he was a student of Aldo Rossi!!

Processing 1.0 [Enjoy!]

2008-11-25T22:52:00.005+01:00

Robert Hodgin - Solar Demo

Robert Hodgin - Magnetic Ink

Among the daily emails:

Subject: [Processing] It only took 162 attempts, but Processing 1.0 is here!

From: announce@processing.org
Date: November 25, 2008 6:23:45 AM GMT+01:00
To: announce@processing.org
Reply-To: announce@processing.org

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and LOS ANGELES, Calif. - November 24, 2008 - The Processing project today announced the immediate availability of the Processing 1.0 product family, the highly anticipated release of industry-leading design and development software for virtually every creative workflow. Delivering radical breakthroughs in workflow efficiency - and packed with hundreds of innovative, time-saving features - the new Processing 1.0 product line advances the creative process across print, Web, interactive, film, video and mobile.

Whups! That's not the right one. Here we go:

Today, on November 24, 2008, we launch the 1.0 version of the Processing software. Processing is a programming language, development environment, and online community that since 2001 has promoted software literacy within the visual arts. Initially created to serve as a software sketchbook and to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context, Processing quickly developed into a tool for creating finished professional work as well.

Processing is a free, open source alternative to proprietary software tools with expensive licenses, making it accessible to schools and individual students. Its open source status encourages the community participation and collaboration that is vital to Processing's growth. Contributors share programs, contribute code, answer questions in the discussion forum, and build libraries to extend the possibilities of the software. The Processing community has written over seventy libraries to facilitate computer vision, data visualization, music, networking, and electronics.

Students at hundreds of schools around the world use Processing for classes ranging from middle school math education to undergraduate programming courses to graduate fine arts studios.

+ At New York University's graduate ITP program, Processing is taught alongside its sister project Arduino and PHP as part of the foundation course for 100 incoming students each year.
+ At UCLA, undergraduates in the Design | Media Arts program use Processing to learn the concepts and skills needed to imagine the next generation of web sites and video games.
+ At Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska and the Phoenix Country Day School in Arizona, middle school teachers are experimenting with Processing to supplement traditional algebra and geometry classes.

Tens of thousands of companies, artists, designers, architects, and researchers use Processing to create an incredibly diverse range of projects.
+ Design firms such as Motion Theory provide motion graphics created with Processing for the TV commercials of companies like Nike, Budweiser, and Hewlett-Packard.
+ Bands such as R.E.M., Radiohead, and Modest Mouse have featured animation created with Processing in their music videos.
+ Publications such as the journal Nature, the New York Times, Seed, and Communications of the ACM have commissioned information graphics created with Processing.
+ The artist group HeHe used Processing to produce their award-winning Nuage Vert installation, a large-scale public visualization of pollution levels in Helsinki.
+ The University of Washington's Applied Physics Lab used Processing to create a visualization of a coastal marine ecosystem as a part of the NSF RISE project.
+ The Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies at Miami University uses Processing to build visualization tools and analyze text for digital humanities research.

The Processing software runs on the Mac, Windows, and GNU/Linux platforms. With the click of a button, it exports applets for the Web or standalone applications for Mac, Windows, and GNU/Linux. Graphics from Processing programs may also be exported as PDF, DXF, or TIFF files and many other file formats. Future Processing releases will focus on faster 3D graphics, better video playback and capture, and enhancing the development environment. Some experimental versions of Processing have been adapted to other languages such as JavaScript, ActionScript, Ruby, Python, and Scala; other adaptations bring Processing to platforms like the OpenMoko, iPhone, and OLPC XO-1.

Processing was founded by Ben Fry and Casey Reas in 2001 while both were John Maeda's students at the MIT Media Lab. Further development has taken place at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea, Carnegie Mellon University, and the UCLA, where Reas is chair of the Department of Design | Media Arts. Miami University, Oblong Industries, and the Rockefeller Foundation have generously contributed funding to the project.

The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (a Smithsonian Institution) included Processing in its National Design Triennial. Works created with Processing were featured prominently in the Design and the Elastic Mind show at the Museum of Modern Art. Numerous design magazines, including Print, Eye, and Creativity, have highlighted the software.

For their work on Processing, Fry and Reas received the 2008 Muriel Cooper Prize from the Design Management Institute. The Processing community was awarded the 2005 Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica award and the 2005 Interactive Design Prize from the Tokyo Type Director's Club.

The Processing website (www.processing.org) includes tutorials, exhibitions, interviews, a complete reference, and hundreds of software examples. The Discourse forum hosts continuous community discussions and dialog with the developers.

[images via Processing.org]

I guess i just don't like 'stones'

2008-11-25T16:54:00.001+01:00

Biblioteca Parque Esapana by Giancarlo Mazzanti. Santo Domingo, Colombia.
Feeling VERY heavy while browsing through the pages of Architectural Record's latest issue.

[images via Plataforma Urbana]

daily dose of inspirational frames

2008-11-14T23:01:00.014+01:00

David Hubert's London lapse

London (harder, better, faster, stronger) on Vimeo.

I heart Squint/opera

A1 Corridor on Vimeo.

works in progress

2008-11-12T21:55:00.005+01:00

Currently lost in Last[.fm]

building a library is a serious issue!

ObamaLand

2008-11-05T08:17:00.000+01:00

thank you US!

image via designforobama.org

Obama[nia]

2008-11-04T08:00:00.005+01:00

happy election day!

VOTE

2008-10-25T22:05:00.008+02:00

Less than 2 weeks to go for the most exciting US election in the past 3 decades

Just added to my 'Must have it' list

2008-10-24T18:52:00.006+02:00

by Orange Beautiful

The World Architecture Festival

2008-10-22T21:26:00.003+02:00

The World Architecture Festival began today in Barcelona. The Festival aims to "celebrate the work, concerns and aspirations of the international architectural community, during a three-day event".
From the international nature of architecture to its regional roots: different approaches to the design of 96 building types in the 16 categories through the exhibition of awards entries.
More to come.

It's the economy, stupid!

2008-10-20T21:40:00.000+02:00

Santiago Calatrava office has stopped working on the Chicago Spire, and filed a lien for missing payments up to $11.34 million against Shelbourne Development Ltd.
The lien against the Ireland based developer came with another for $4.85 million by architecture firm Perkins & Will.

Meanwhile GOOD released one of its supercool sheets... #006 on Economy.
Apparently available at any Starbucks from the 16th to 22nd of october: craving for a printed copy.

Domino city

2008-10-19T16:26:00.016+02:00

I just got to see the new ad for the Sony Bravia (not released in Europe yet) and i did not like it much! Disappointment! :[

Domino City on Vimeo

On our TVs we still get only Play Doh (also known as Bunnies ): I love it..i just cant help it!
I love Rolling Stones' "She is like a rainbow", i love the colorful NY...i love the faces of people like the animation was happening for real around them!
Play Doh is the third Bravia spot (after Balls and Paint) for the European Market. It has been realized in 3 weeks: 40 animators and 2.5 tons of plasticine!
Hopefully it will stay on for another bit!

"Play-Doh" on Vimeo.

Sony Bravia 'Play-doh' Making Of on Vimeo.

Redesign Cities From Scratch

2008-10-03T17:16:00.002+02:00

Mitchell Joachim has been listed by the Wired among the 15 persons the next U.S. president should listen to.
In his piece, Joachim explains how it is important to rethink our cities.
Mitchell Joachim is one of the founders of Terreform ONE [Open Network Ecology], a nonprofit organization and philanthropic design collaborative that integrates ecological principles in the urban realm. Among his projects the Fab Hab Tree and the City car, listed by the Time as the invention of the year in 2007.
City Car

Listen carefully, Mr President!

Terreform[ONE]
Wired Magazine

Simply Renzo Piano

2008-10-03T15:47:00.006+02:00

Open to the public from September 27th in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Renzo Piano Building Workshop's new piece, the California Academy of Science is simply a stunning example of beautiful and environment oriented architecture.

from the Academy's website:
The new Academy is a single structure but contains multiple venues, including the aquarium, the planetarium, the natural history museum and the 4-story rainforest. In addition, there's a new 3D theater, a lecture hall, a Naturalist Center, two restaurants, an adjacent garden and aviary, a roof terrace, and an Academy store.

a series of pics of the living roof

From the basement to the roof of the Academy's new building, the choices behind each element of construction reflect a commitment to energy efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint, and preserving the natural world.
The Academy is believed to be the greenest museum in the world, and is on course to earn the highest rating possible for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Some numbers:
- 90% of all demolition materials were recycled
32,000 tons of sand from foundation excavation applied to dune restoration projects in San Francisco
- 95% of all steel from recycled sources
- 15% fly ash (a recycled coal by-product), 35% slag in concrete
- 50% of lumber harvested from sustainable-yield forests
- 68% of insulation comes from recycled blue jeans
- 90% of office space will have natural light and ventilation
- 60,000 photovoltaic cells; 213,000 kilowatt-hours; 5% to 10% savings of electricity
- 30% less energy consumption than federal code requirement

Well, simply Renzo Piano!
more info on the building and the Academy program here

Bodies in Urban Space

2008-09-30T19:03:00.007+02:00

Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner has realized Bodies in Urban Space also in Stockholm, with the collaboration of and the students from the Swedish Royal Ballet and the College of Dance of Stockholm University.
The students have performed installations in several locations and the public visited the exhibition while taking a walk through the city.

via "La Repubblica"

...it's legend

2008-09-28T10:57:00.006+02:00

Valentino Rossi - 8 times world champion

Soccer city

2008-09-21T19:18:00.003+02:00

It was presented yesterday the new project for the soccer city of Florence.
Sponsored by Della Valle family, which owns the Fiorentina team, the new soccer park is signed by Fuksas' office.

A 50,000 seats stadium is the core of this project that requires an area of approx 750,000 sqmt.
The complete package includes also a contemporary art museum, a megamall exclusively devoted to the Made in Italy, hotels and a soccer amusement park.

The Della Valles have not identified any particular area in the city for building their project, but they promise it will be realized in 3 years.

City beats

2008-08-30T11:59:00.010+02:00

Aug 30

S.E.M.F. web (german only)

Stuttgart Electronic Music festival starts @ 2PM at the Freilichtbühne in Killesberg Park. After the spinning, a party will take place into the Congresszentrum B of the old Fair building...

Tickets cost 24 euro.

Timetable:

14:00-14:30: Ralph Burkhardt
14:30-14:45: Dundu
14:40-15:10: Beats Unlimited
15:10-15:30: Modenschau" 2nd Chance"
15:30-16:00: Ralph Burkhardt
16:00-17:00: Pupkulies & Rebecca live
17:00-19:00: DJ Karotte
19:00-20:00: Booka Shade live
20:00-22:00: Turntablerocker

Aftershowparty from 22h:

Body Movin' - Gregor Tresher
Johnny D live - Round Table Knights
Eric Walker - Daniel Schoengeist
kriZe - Steve Nash -
Salvatore Donnarumma
Joe Direct - Ralph Burkhardt

Someone stop Zaha Hadid!!

2008-08-10T12:06:00.003+02:00

The futuristic, plastic shoes that star architect Zaha Hadid designed for Melissa will be presented on the 18th of September, during the fashion week of London.
Now, i am not surprised if a shoes company calls a star architect for the job, plus Melissa counts collaborations with designers like Vivienne Westwood and Karim Rashid.
I can't just stop being surprised with why a star architect can't just say "Sorry i can't do this" but decides to sit down and transport his/her brand (because that's what we're talking about, right?!) into plastic shoes or who knows what else..
Beautiful animation, produced by Neutral (one of my favorites british architectural video makers) for a very nice design and a fashionable outcome..unfortunately only in the animation..the real ones are ugly!

Produced in limited edition, your new plastic shoes will cost approx 200 pounds (for you ONLY 255,95 euros)!
If you're worried about not being enviroment friendly, London Times Online reassures that "all products are created from sustainable sources and that the shoes can be disassembled and recycled too, making them ideal for vegans, environmentalists - and architects". [ha-ha, ok we deserved the subtle joke]
Meanwhile, since we make shoes like we make buildings, a huge mock-up model has being moved across Sao Paulo and placed into Melissa's showroom for an exhibition. As for massive trusses due on construction sites, traffic has being diverted or slowed down because of the building Zaha Hadid has just designed for your feet.
Speaking of which, are those who get their hands dirty Melissa's interns or Zaha's interns?

If this was a happy ending movie, a superhero would show up to save our feet from sweating and suffering into the malefic architect's shoes.

It's bikes time

2008-08-09T19:26:00.008+02:00

Chicago Bicycle Film Festival is currently taking place at the Columbia City College..
The past year i had a lot of fun..and shorts were great! I wish i could attend!

Enjoy your bikes time... today in Chicago, in other 11 cities across the globe within the end of the year

Bicycle Film Festival

macaframa productions

bootleg_sessions

That white, sexy thing

2008-07-29T22:47:00.012+02:00

In 2005, Wien-based Delugan Meissl won the competition for the new Porsche Museum on Porscheplatz in Stuttgart.
Today "that white sexy thing" - as a non architect friend referred to - is taking shape in Zuffenhausen, Porsche's headquarters area.
Here is a quick check!

:) this reflection can't be an just a coincidence, right??

"With our concept we wanted to translate the dynamism of Porsche into architecture. Our objective is to create a place in which sensory experiences can be felt by everybody - those qualities typical of Porsche such as power and passion." Roman Delugan
The opening of the new Porsche Museum is scheduled for the end of 2008.

Architecture Zoo: Weissenhof Siedlung

2008-07-28T19:17:00.005+02:00

Who, What, Where

Oud

Le Corb

Scharoun

Mies

Yes, that's me in the picture!

Kate and disembodiment (exhibit at the Weissenhof museum)

Stuttgart, 1927. The Werkbund presents a huge exhibition curated by Mies.

63 dwellings for 21 buildings. 16 Designers.

11 Germans: Mies van der Rohe, Peter Berhens, Richard Docker, Walter Gropius, Ludwig

Hilberseimer, Hans Poelzig, Adolf Rading, Hans Scharoun, Adolf G. Schneck, Bruno
Taut, Max Taut.

5 Foreigners: Le Corbusier (France-Switzerland), Mart Stam

(Netherlands), Josef Frank (Austria), Jacobus Johannes Oud (Netherlads), Victor Bourgeois
(Belgium).

Die Wohnung opens on July 23. In the first three months it counted more than half a million visitors.

Today, all the building survived to WWII are private residences. Only Le Corb house can be visited twice a year.. (not on this trip unfortunately).. Next spring, another walk!

In case of weekly architectural/other stress: see Maeda's Law #1

2008-07-25T21:43:00.003+02:00

which has nothing to do with Less is More btw!

New local trends

2008-07-23T23:27:00.003+02:00

pics by ilenia

With a recent ordinance, the city of Florence forbids to its residents (and tourists) to dispose their cigarettes on the public ground.
Of course no public ashtray showed up
So directly from Ilenia's bag, the latest trend in town: the portable ashtray. Note the details!
Must be as fashionable, vintage and stilysh as every of your accessories! She assures it doens't smell!

What's up on TV?

2008-07-23T21:42:00.004+02:00

via Ecosistema Urbano TV

Transparency Strength: 2 projects

2008-07-23T20:48:00.006+02:00

2 projects i have been/am following in the past months.

Museion [Bolzano, Italy] - opened in May.
KSV Architects, Berlin
" The building’s cubic shape is charged with strong visual impact, and the architecture itself is a vehicle of dialog: the front and rear facades are largely transparent, and place the city’s historical center in dialog with some of its more recent areas, as well as with the meadows that flank the Talvera River. The new Museion building presents itself as an equally physical and symbolic links between the two parts of the city.
At night these facades become highly suggestive surfaces for the projection of newly commissioned artworks".

New Ars Electronica Center [Linz, Austria] - works in progress
Treusch Architects, Wien
"A new, multilevel wing is being erected immediately adjacent to the existing building. The two structures will be wrapped in a backlit glass shell that creates a unitary architectural ensemble. This cityscape highlight will function as a transparent light sculpture in its own right and the architectural counterpart of the Lentos across the Danube. The eastern end curves upward and features steps/tiered seating; the space directly below this will house the Ars Electronica Futurelab. Generously dimensioned exhibition spaces will be located beneath the plaza. The expanded Ars Electronica Center will feature approximately 6,500 m2 of space, almost 4,000 m2 more than the current facility. Completion is set for the end of 2008, just in time for the kickoff of the Capital of Culture year".

Ozeaneum: the sea in Germany

2008-07-20T12:40:00.004+02:00

I cannot avoid to restart my blog with one of Behnisch's projects!
The Ozeaneum in Stralsund (Northern Germany) has opened on July 11.
Celebrations have been great in the office for the largest European marine museum.

"The new Marine Museum in Stralsund is an open structure flooded from all sides by people and light, similar to the way stones in the sea near the water‘s edge are flooded by the surrounding water.
From every approach the changing alignment of the different parts of the building create a dynamism and varied form of the museum".

How long is a century?

2007-12-15T08:52:00.000+01:00

Born on Dec 15, 1907, Oscar Niemeyer turns today 100 years old: a legendary life through images.

Palácio Gustavo Capanema (1936)

Church of São Francisco de Assis in Pampulha Complex (1940)

United Nations headquaters (1947)

São Paulo's Ibirapuera Park (1951)

Copan apartment building (1953-66)

Casas das Canoas (1952-53)

MAM Caracas (1954-55)

Brasilia Cathedral

Brasilia, National Congress of Brazil

Brasilia, Palacio de Alvorada (1958)

Brasilia, Brazil's National Museum

French Communist Party (1966)

Sede Mondadori (1966)

Casino Funchal, Madeira

Memorial Juscelino Kubitschek (1980)

Liberty Pantheon (1985)

Latin America Memorial (1987)

Memorial for the Indigenous People (1989)

Catedral Militar, Igreja de N.S. da Paz (late '80)

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum (1996)

Oscar Niemeyer Museum (2002)

Auditorium of the Ibirapuera Park (2005)

Teatro popular de Niteroi (2007)

Estacao, Cienca, Cultura y Arte

In 2005, his projects "ESTAÇÃO CIÊNCIA, CULTURA e ARTES" was approved to be built at Joao Pessoa, the easternmost point of the Americas, at 34º 47' 38" west longitude and 7º 9' 28" south latitude.

Quick news for the evening!

2007-12-07T14:02:00.000+01:00

Dekumo opens today and Pecha Kucha will take place this evening in the same location!

Kein Stuttgart 21?

2007-11-11T17:31:00.000+01:00

Do you remember the new layout for the high speed railway station of Stuttgart?
Ingenhoven Overdiek project, which won an international design competition in 1997 and that i personally consider a very nice project, is actually part of a much large set of interventions that the city of Stuttgart will undertake starting from the next year.

Stuttgart 21, this is the name of the entire project, will begin in January 2008. The project, as a portion of the European high speed route corridor between Paris and Budapest, intends to change the main train station in Stuttgart from a head station to a transit station and sustains an improvement of the train traffic in the surrounding region. In order to do that, at the Main Station worksite, the tracks will be turned of 90 degree and moved underground to allow the transit of trains. The Hauptbahnhof (current station building) will be converted in museum.

On this wave, and thinking about the huge amount of people that this transformation will obviously bring, Stuttgart 21 also includes new residential areas, the renovation of part of Rosenstein park, a new building for the fare and a new railway station for the airport.

How it works:
Area A :
28 ha (334 sq yard) , which is at a central point , will be used for individual trade , culture and special use for over regional meaning. The immediate boundary next to the Schloßgarten will be partly devoted to residences

Area B :
43 ha (514sq yard) is distinguish by its neighbourhood, the Schloßgarten , as well as by Rosensteinpark and will be used as a high quality residential area and offices.

Area C :
roughly 29 ha (346 sq yard), will be redeveloped with residences and offices

The construction was supposed to begin in 2000 and end in 2007: that didn't happen especially because residents' criticism due to
- the high costs of almost 3 billion Euro.
- the long and heavy impact of works on Stuttgarters lives.

Every day in the streets, the activists of Stuttgart21-Nein, danke! ask people to subscribe their petitions against the project and undertake demonstrations.
On the other hand the city fills our mail boxes with brochures explaining how sustainable, and worthwhile the project is and what a huge payback will give to the city.

Kein Stuttgart 21?
For the moment, Stuttgart 21 is a daily conversation on newspaper and among people.
Country you go, debate you find!

Mercedes Benz Museum

2007-11-11T15:59:00.000+01:00

Absolutely amazing design: UN Studio's Mercedes Benz Museum.
Besides the unbelievable luck of choosing the Cars and Stars day [exhibition day complete with a race of F1, F3 and GT cars, plus the participation of Raikkonen and Hamilton :), which we didn't know about], it was a cloudy day: that might be taken as a bad condition for picturing the MBM, even if i have to say i like the similar colors that the museum and the sky have!
The building is a total cool experience in terms of spaces..and if someone likes cars as well, the package is complete!
I will probably get back for more pictures and a less crowdy visit!

*pics by Nadia Mastacchi

Silence and boxes

2007-08-08T21:41:00.001+02:00

Currently moving to Stuttgart, Germany.
Stay tuned!

From NIB to MIMOA: user generated ARCHives get European

2007-06-29T17:10:00.001+02:00

"NIB starts an international survey in order to promote the best emerging architects around the world.
newitalianblood.com is the first interactive architecture, landscape and design network that since 2000 allows real-time self-publication of prizes, competitions, projects, ideas and texts. Unlike traditional media, participation, debate and freedom of expression are strongly encouraged and potentially unlimited. Self-publication, without any editorial interference, requires only a few seconds and it is available to all users for free".

"For European cities the Architectural Energy has become the foremost monitor for cultural and economic prosperity. Therefore MIMOA.eu bring this Modern Architecture closer. Your Modern Architecture, assembled, compiled and completed, synoptic, swift and always up-to-date. Architecture to be added, searched, visited and re-viewed, MY Modern Architecture: MIMOA".
Recently launched MIMOA [still in Beta Version] is for now a sort of little Phaidon Architecture Atlas for Europe: the big difference is that user decides which projects get in and which stay out. And eventually it will get much bigger than a Phaidon Atlas! It also might include projects by less famous architects in the near future.
It's worth a shot!

Unauthorized Access

2007-06-29T04:40:00.001+02:00

There's a world below. Exactly below the Green Mill, historic jazz club of Chicago, reign of Al Capone during the 20's Prohibition Era. Exactly below the Uptown Teather and the Shake, Rattle & Read bookstore on the other side of the block.
A system of tunnels used to haul coal in the beginning of the century and then become the underworld for gangsters' affairs. A complex of hallways that many times served as mean of escape, to host illegal gambling but also as services space for the Green Mill and the clients of its beer garden back in the 20's.
A place none of us would be probably able to visit. Watch the tour taken by Chicago Tribune's reporters here

via Gapers Block

Chipperfield's Turner Contemporary

2007-06-21T18:04:00.001+02:00

David Chipperfield Architects has revealed its design for the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate, UK. The scheme replaces Snøhetta Spence’s project (below) for a site at the end of Margate Pier, which was abandoned last year for costs issues.
The new scheme has been designed for a site on the edge of Margate Old Town. It will be built onto a high terrace to protect it from flooding. The terrace will also provide outdoor space adjacent to the café, offering views of Margate’s famed sunsets.
Approx 20m high over three storeys, the building will be a landmark visible from all the main entry points to the town. Inside, public circulation is via a staircase and lift in the centre of the building. The top floor will be dedicated to gallery space, with views in all directions.
It is set to be submitted for planning permission before the end of the year, with construction beginning at the end of summer 2008. The gallery is scheduled to open in 2010.

Batpod: motorcycles design frontiers!

2007-06-19T21:43:00.001+02:00

The batpod is Batman's new bike! Will be ridden by the superhero in "The Dark Knight", sequel of the saga, to be released in 2008.
Actual creator of the piece is Nathan Crowley, also designer of the Batmobile for "Batman Begins."
French Jean-Pierre Goy, is the lucky stunt rider who's spent the last months testing it at some top-secret location in England.

"Goy is the only person who's ridden the new Batpod — a bike so outrageous it's hard to believe it was even built. It's not just because it's tricked out with grappling hooks, cannons and machine guns. The front and rear tires are both a monstrously huge 508 millimeters [it seems the belonged to an aircraft] , and the engines are in the hubs of each wheel. Steering isn't by hand but by shoulder, since there aren't handlebars. Instead, there are shields that fit each arm like sleeves and have the ability to rotate around the bike's frame. The two foot pegs are set 3 1/2 feet apart on either side of the tank, which the rider lies on, belly down. That tank also moves up and down — you know, in case Batman needs to dodge bullets or slide under semis." L.A. Times

Wish for a ride?

Rome Reborn 1.0

2007-06-18T23:10:00.000+02:00

Circo Massimo

Colosseo

Foro Romano

It was unveiled on Monday, in Rome, the digital model Rome Reborn 1.0, that has been developed by the UCLA, the Poltecnico of Milan and the Virginia University since 1997.
The date in which Rome is represented is June 21, AD 320, supposely the period of highest splendor for the city.
"The model is the representation of our knowledge (and implicitly, of our ignorance) about the urban topography of ancient Rome at various period of time".
More info and the first released clips from the digital Rome, are available here

Gianfranco Ferre': 1944-2007. Goodbye to the architect of Fashion

2007-06-18T20:26:00.000+02:00

Gianfranco Ferre' died yesterday evening in Milan. He was 62.
Architect and fashion designer, he founded one of the biggest and most famous maisons of the BelPaese.

Boundaries

2007-06-08T22:30:00.000+02:00

Northside Chicago

zoom on my neighborhood [gulp!]

some folks

Southside Chicago

some folks here too

So here it is: an interactive map of the gangs boundaries in Chicago. Created by Juan Galvan for the Southside and by chicagogangs.org for the Northside and updated @ the 18th of December 2006. No warranty on the accuracy of the maps.
map's website

Unexpected high numbers of Streets domains.

The future of Istanbul

2007-06-05T02:23:00.000+02:00

2010 is the date: European capital of culture.
Instabul reappears on the global scene with three main projects (at the date) in three strategic areas of the city.

Küçükçekmece-Avcılar, Galata Port, Kartal-Pendik.
For the first and the second, two international restricted competitions were launched in 2006: new residencial, commercial and recreational spaces to renovate disused industrial areas.

Lagoon of Küçükçekmece-Avcılar, west of the city, crossed by E5 (one of the major european arteries).
Llewelyn Davies Yeang International Office prevails upon Kengo Kuma and MVRDV with their 2km eco-corridor of uninterrupted green which covers aquatic park, natural reserves, cultural center, hotels, residences, leisure areas, beaches and service spaces.

Kartal-Pendik, east side of the city, close to airport.
Zaha Hadid prevails upon Massimiliano Fuksas and Kisho Kurokawa with her sculptural touch.
A "soft and deformable" grid lays and adapts itself to the existing context and infrastructures, generating a different typologies and buildings and allowing a gradual transition from low density to high density areas.

Galata Port, core of the city, 1200m of coast, between the old neighborhood of Beyoğlu and in front of the Topkapı palace.
One of the biggest Project Financing procedures ever concluded: the International Consortium Royal Caribbean Cruises-Global Group acquires the area - 100000 mq of old docks - for 3.5 billions Euros. It will be converted in a modern luxury terminal for cruises + hotels, commerce, culture and recreation. It seems though that some irregularities in the process may leave space for a new competition.

via Abitare

Restyling Milan..towards the sky

2007-06-05T01:44:00.000+02:00

5+1AA

Archea Associati

Boeri Studio

Just some shots from the exhibition "Nuove verticali a Milano", ongoing at the FMG center of the city.
Three projects under construction by 5+1AA, Archea Associati and Boeri Studio.
Changing the face of Milan, looking forward skyscrapers!

iPhone::coming soon!!

2007-06-05T00:52:00.000+02:00

I totally want this marvelous object!
It will be available in stores on June 29 for the not bad (at all) price of 499$ [4GB] and 599$ [8GB]
Why not so bad:
- because in Italy they ask you to pay a last generation cellphone up to 500 Euros (and sometimes more, depending on optionals) and here they dare to ask 249$ for a locked (pleaseee), Gsm Motorola Razr (do we still sell this model in Italy?!?!)
- because after all, you're buying the newest iPod, an internet device and a cellphone
- because it's Apple, which mean a lot of cool stuff, that can be seen here

Take a look @ the commercial ads here

Holland VS Italy

2007-05-22T16:27:00.001+02:00

Spring-Summer are very exciting and eventful periods of the year! :)

Just opened at the MAXXI (Museum for the XXI century arts-Rome), Holland and Italy, curated by Gabriele Mastrigli.
10 works of architecture, 5 Dutch firms VS (not really VS) 5 Italian firms made up of people who worked in Holland
An exhibition about Dutch architecture where the Italian component "works as a reactor, as the critic counterpart".
The participants are coupled on the base of 5 different topics:
Home: Power House Company (NL) VS Beniamino Servino (IT)
Pavilion: Atelier Kempe Thill (NL) VS GruppoA12 (IT)
Context: Baukuh (NL) VS Onix (IT)
Infrastructure: NL Architects (NL) VS Ian+ (IT)
City: Crimson (NL) VS Dogma (IT)

more info @ Holland and Italy

via Arch'it

Rotterdam Biennale

2007-05-18T22:49:00.000+02:00

May 24: opening for the 3rd Rotterdam Architecture Biennale.
I know i promised not to talk or read of architecture until my holidays will finish in August, but it seems i am unable to do so...
I am actually thinking to book my flight back to Italy with a little detour to the Dutch reign...
:) Architectural syndrome [gulp!]

Tearing down what?!

2007-05-18T22:41:00.000+02:00

It must be because i am aging....but i had a sort of shock in reading that they are actually thinking to tear the Capsule Tower down!!
I have studied this building for my history of modern architecture back in 2002: i mean, if a building is on a history of architecture book, it must mean something!!
Plus i like it!
They are thinking to tear it down because it contains asbestos. Now i completely understand the environmental and health issues, but....Can we do something about it!?
Any other solutions?
Btw, this would be already the second building by Kurokawa to be torn down.

Spin faster!

2007-05-17T19:53:00.000+02:00

David Fisher's dynamic skyscraper is the last news coming from the far Dubai, source of surprises almost every day.
The skyscraper works around a central concrete core and each floor can revolve (with the wind's help) independently from the others. Fully rotations of 360 degrees for always different shapes of the tower.
Teh central core would be the only component built on site, while the floors' units would come as prefab elements, to install on site.
The motion combination and energy can power the entire building: it could actually power 10 buildings of the same size.
Any air sickness?

For now, full debate on weather the project is doable or not.

Triangle - must be because of the suitable name!

2007-05-09T22:08:00.000+02:00

Traingle park's aerial view

Incriminated billboard

Attorney Corri Fetman

The Triangle park is a small piece of green at the intersection of Rush and State, downtown Chicago.
Yesterday i found out funny stuff about this tiny sidewalk, located in a very touristic area of the city. First of all it is also known as the Viagra Triangle, because it seems to be the fave spot for old men to 'approach' young women.
But the most popular 'rumor' about the Triangle right now is divorce attorney Corri Fetman's billboard: LIFE IS SHORT. GET A DIVORCE.
Perfect place for such an advertisement! I thought it was pretty funny! :)
Not so the Goldcoast neighborhood, which pushed the city to remove the billboard, because it is racy and not so politically correct!
The job was done today.. "Life, it appears, isn't the only thing that's short" titles the Chicago Tribune.

Almost there...

2007-05-08T18:12:00.000+02:00

I have to apologize for the long disappearance. School is almost over. I will be back in a week, so stay tuned!

drawing by Kate Dougherty

Chicago 2016

2007-04-15T04:01:00.000+02:00

Chicago wins the U.S. bid for 2016 Olympics.

NAMA. Steven Holl's way

2007-04-07T07:17:00.000+02:00

pictures taken from Steven Holl website

It is scheduled for June 07 the opening of the Bloch Building for the Nelson Atkins Art Museum of Kansas City.
Steven Holl designed the expansion: five interconnected light pavilions made up of twin layers of glass walls that create a dynamic interaction between architecture and landscape.
Five distinct levels of galleries in which visitors find several alternatives to customize their walk through the exhibition.
Intense experience during night when lights glow through the mix of translucent and transparent glass panels.
Are we there yet? :)

Sketches of Frank Gehry

2007-04-06T17:38:00.000+02:00

Begun in 2000 and completed after 5 years, Pollack's documentary about architect Frank Gehry is now in Italian cinemas. The film participated in Cannes Festival and was presented by Abitare at the Triennale of Milan.
Besides what you might think of Gehry i would give it a shot!

Watch the trailer @ movie's official website

Crystal Architecture

2007-04-03T07:21:00.000+02:00

Brothers Juan e Pedro Sanchez were looking for crystal and found en entire cave of it with their drill! Crystal columns and spikes, up to 5 mt long
Mexican government wants to open the cave to the public: issue #1 temperature up to 65C and 100% humidity.

Built on Pit: an all Italian speculation

2007-04-01T17:55:00.000+02:00

Just 3 or 4 weeks ago, impressive pictures of the Guatemala City Abyss (above) were published on several newspapers.
At the time, I chose not to publish those and took if for what they really represented. Unfortunately, Guatemala is a not yet a country where, before building common houses, you make geological surveys!
Plus, given the dimensions of the abyss, it really seems a major system went down.

Two days ago i found instead other pics. Of Gallipoli's 'abyss', 10 km northern of my home town, 70 km northern from the very end of the country, south eastern heel of Italy.
Oops!
Italy is a country where you make geological checks before building, isn't it?! but sometimes, like in this particular case, choices (read corruption) make you voluntarily ignore the evidence.
The entire area interested by the phenomenon is built right at the edge of old pits now covered (we did not even need any technical survey, common sense would tell you it's not really safe to build at the perimeter of a big hole!). This is not an abyss: we know it can reach the max depth of 20mt (how deep the pits were) and is growing, dragging the condos above. The hole that opened with a 12 mt diameter by 6mt depth, was already at 20mt diameter yesterday, after 24h.
All another portrait of the BelPaese!

[pause]

2007-03-30T03:22:00.000+02:00

Ica's thesis is due in 4 weeks.
These are shots taken @ IIT.
Spatial stories, [tired]people i spend my time with, high rises @ high altitudes, augmented bodies, experiments, sleepless nights and a lot of junk food.
Welcome to our architectural world.

WeekEnd Event

2007-03-29T20:40:00.000+02:00

The arch.city.art gallery will be holding a party to not only celebrate the end of its run but also to house a party for Juan Herreros and his students from Madrid this Friday, March 30. The festivities begin at 6 pm.

FYI: full coverage of arch.city.art exhibition i posted about can be found on Bee-Zee (among my links)

Aesthetic Contradictions: Basalt Garden

2007-03-29T08:35:00.000+02:00

“If we want to enjoy nature, we will take our car and drive to a forest”.

Backyard not as a tiny portion of green but as a place o enjoy sun and rain. A single bush of bamboo, only to prevent the view from outside.

The black granite floor tile of the interior living space is prolonged through rough basalt stones, variable in lenght. The white walls inside are recalled by the translucent polycarbonate fences. To stress the fact that the bamboo is merely a means to get higher than the allowed 2 mt of a fence, it was fenced in by polycarbonate.

Secret gardens, undefined edges.

Krill.nl

Unveiled Twist - Chicago's Spire

2007-03-29T08:04:00.000+02:00

Last Monday, Santiago Calatrava presented the latest design for the Chicago Spire.
The new twisting high rise for the city's lake front will be 2000ft tall, the tallest building of US.
Still raising issues on security after 9/11.

The story
Blair Kamin for the Chicago Tribune

Impressive shots from the older design, which i preferred.

Elastic Habitat

2007-03-21T05:17:00.000+01:00

Avatar Architettura+Peter Lang
FIRST RESPONSE PLASTIC TUBE HOUSE: THE COMPLETE FLEXIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN: "FROM THE BIODEGRADABLE SPOON TO THE CITY-ELASTICITY!"

"First Response Plastic Tube House functions as basic unit in the 'Elastic Habitat family': It serves as the primary short term module residence in ElastiCity, that in extreme cases of emergencies can be used to house refugees on a temporary basis." (Peter Lang).

Complete text here
more on Elasticity here

[via arch'it]

Density

2007-03-20T04:45:00.000+01:00

"Hak Nam, City of Darkness, the old Walled City of Kowloon was demolished ten years ago, in 1993, and to the end it retained its seedy magnificence. Rearing up abruptly in the heart of urban Hong Kong, 10, 12 and in some places as many as 14 storeys high, there was no mistaking it: an area 200 metres by 100 metres of solid building, home to some 35,000 people, not the largest, perhaps, but certainly one of the densest urban slums in the world. It was also, arguably, the closest thing to a truly self-regulating, self-sufficient, self-determining modern city that has ever been built."

more info+pics taken from here

*thanks to Arturo for the forwarding

Melbourne is Ferrari-Red

2007-03-18T05:40:00.000+01:00

Nembro's lessons

2007-03-18T04:30:00.000+01:00

Nembro is a small municipality in the province of Bergamo, Italy. It counts roughly 11.300 residents.
Recently Studio Archea realized there a public library: the exterior walls of the new building are covered with a brise-soleil system realized with rectangular pieces of earthenware that resemble books. Light+shadow+color for an original outcome.

Nembro is not new to strong architectural practice. Last year the municipality launched a competition for a bike path along Gavarnia creek, won by DAP Studio and Paola Giaconia with a valuable project.

Small realities-big ideas are growing.

Icon works: Battersea Power Station

2007-03-17T01:38:00.000+01:00

Do you remember this cover? Pink Floyd's Animals, 1977.
The Battersea Power Station, a huge brick complex, is one of London's icons.
It was closed for almost 20 years until the past October and November, when it opened again in occasion of China Power Station, an exhibit promoted by the Serpentine Gallery and hosted into Toyo Ito pavilion - located there for the Serpentine since 2002.

Toyo Ito Pavilion

After that exhibition, BPS definetely closed its doors to the public in order to undergo a huge renovation project, which will convert the site into a multifunctional area. The design for the new BPS is signed by several offices among which Grimshaw, Ron Arad, Arup, UN Studio and West8. End of works: 2011.

Stardust, 1958-2007.

2007-03-14T04:45:00.000+01:00

It was a real show, early this morning, the demolition of the Stardust, one of the historic hotels on Las Vegas Strip. Fireworks and a lot of people for one of the city's symbols.
Goodbye.

Water Cube

2007-03-14T04:13:00.000+01:00

It's quite amazing the Water Cube that will host the aquatic portion of Beijing Olympics. It was designed by PTW in collaboration with Arup for the structures and is completely enclosed by Etfe, a particular type of Teflon that reacts to light modifying its color.
Moreover, Water Cube shows some green aspects, being heated by solar panels and recycling 80% of the rain water.
Next to Water Cube there is the main stadium, designed by Herzog & De Meuron and much more published.

Some of you might have already seen great pictures of it on bee-zee, otherwise go take a look!

beijing stadium by bee-zee

I must detour: Moto GP is back!

2007-03-10T00:20:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow The MotoGP season starts again. Qatar, first circuit.
Valentino just got the Pole position! The doctor is back!

GO VALE!

Feeling for a Skywalk

2007-03-09T23:45:00.000+01:00

It is scheduled for the end of this month the opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
The glass and steel pathway weighs 450 tons and will cantilever for 82ft (25m) at the height of 4000 ft ca (1200 m) above the Colorado river. The tallest height that man can reach using a built structure.
Skywalk has been positioned through a complex system of pulleys and 4 huge tractors. For safety requirements, its structure has been designed to bear up to 8 Richter degrees earthquakes and 160 ml/hr (80km/h) wind.
The structure has been commissioned by the Hualapai tribe: 2200 Native Americans who own a great portion of the southern side of Grand Canyon. Understandable economic interests, not so agreeable actions.

Vertigo is not allowed!

Arch.City.Art

2007-03-09T04:07:00.000+01:00

FYI:

Tomorrow we're all going to meet at the 1915 S Halsted gallery (in Pilsen) for the opening of Arch.City.Art.
The exhibition features the works of 7 very talented students of IIT:
Bridget Dodd (Florida)
Kate Dougherty (Pennsylvania)
Jeremy Ehly (Washington)
Jaq Lin (Taiwan)
Kazuya Katagiri (Japan)
Jason Mackin (California)
Jan Rehders (Germany)

plus the work of the young architect, and author of bee-zee blog
Zenovia Toloudi (Greece)

Don't miss it!

Super Dutch - Super Blue Rotterdam

2007-03-08T05:14:00.000+01:00

It may seem that i am making a series on Dutch 'happenings' but i am not. Also we can not avoid to underline how The Netherlands leads the top ten of the most active European countries with regard to architecture.
So i keep running into projects, design, art based there or made by Dutch.

Finally MVRDV completed their first project in their own city. Yeah, because The Netherlands is active but still there's people like Winka Dubbeldam (Archi- tectonics) who lives in the States and have never built anything in her home country and people like MVRDV - who are super acclaimed wherever they build and realized (because they were more lucky than Winka) many projects at home - but what they got to do in Rotterdam was a small private residence extension in Didden Village. I though it's pretty funny and so "we're architects, this is how it goes".

Just a little extension? On the roof top? We will make it noticeable! And here it is: I LOVE IT!!
Sottsass must be happy!

When Louvre gets 'away' from France

2007-03-08T04:40:00.000+01:00

The project for the new Abu Dhabi' s branch of the Louvre is signed by Jean Nouvel, who presented his project yesterday during a signing meeting for the cultural exchange between the two countries. The agreement deal provides for the setting up of the museum in a man-made island off the coast of the Gulf Arab emirate.

With a series of other well known projects, like the amazing Performing Art Center by Zaha Hadid

and the unmistakable design of Tadao Ando for the Maritime Museum

it seems that the art/history sector of the Emirates is almost all set!
Marvelous designs for a the most eccentric project of the century: with Dubai and Abu Dhabi an incredible (sometimes unbelievable?) architectural scenography is growing at high speed rates. Oscar nominations might be welcome!

RX Cities: Chicago VS L.A. [again]

2007-03-08T04:13:00.001+01:00

Renderings for Chicago Olympics

Competition again: U.S. Olympics Committee began its tour of the city this morning.
Task: the final decision about the location for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Options: Chicago, Los Angeles.
What does it mean for a city to be under exam?
This morning Chicago woke up with an undefined feeling, swinging between the heavy load and the self pride
Radios and TVs were broadcasting of this committee 'strolling' around, participating in a pre-organized super fancy tour, but also looking at the city as it was on a RX.
Are you ready Chicago? [... more coming soon!]

Face to Face

2007-03-04T21:06:00.000+01:00

pics by Reuters

Face to Face is an artistic ongoing project for the perimeter of the West Bank Barrier in Bethlehem. It features pics of both Isrealis and Palestinians with the aim to promote a pacific living together.
After Banksy, more art on a sad wall.

Banksy graffiti - West Bank Barrier - Palestine