Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 9/11/2007 11:48:00 AM
An Tur Solais - The Spire of Dublin
 A day on which one can't help but think of monuments and symbols seems like an appropriate time to take a look at a successful modern monument... at least Witold Rybczynski thought so, and it got me to thinking about it as well.
The Spire of Dublin, also known as An Tur Solais (the Monument of Light) and The Spike... it also has some unsavory nicknames in the Dubliner tradition: The Stiletto in the Ghetto, The Nail in the Pale, The Binge Syringe, and (perhaps my favorite) The Erection in the Intersection.
The monument was conceived in the early 1990's to provide a replacement for Nelson's Pillar which was blown up by former IRA members in 1966. An architectural competition was held with the intention of building the monument in time for the millennium. Alas construction was delayed by a pair of lawsuits filed by failed competitors - one designed a resurrection of Nelsons Pillar but topped by a bronze sun, the other a column topped by a revolving restaurant...
Of course monuments are contentious by their very nature - e.g. Ground Zero, Alex Eiffel, World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., etc. And the sore losers of the competition weren't the only detractors of the winning entry - public opinion and politicians decried the monument citing its inappropriateness to the context, the exorbitant cost and everything in between. Not to mention the planning process and environmental regulations (EIS). It is a wonder it was ever built at all... and so it is perhaps a fitting symbol of the new Ireland where such things are possible. And yet that uncovers an ironic twist: this monument of the new Ireland, built to replace a symbol of British imperialism, was an entry by a British architect, Ian Ritchie.
Link: The Spire of Dublin
Slideshow: Slate - The Spire of Dublin
Designer: Ian Ritchie Architects
Related: Seeing Éire [I] - Ailtireacht na Baile Átha Cliath (L+L)
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Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 5/11/2007 10:43:00 AM
The Documentary
 "Architorture" -- this term has been the lament of countless aspiring architects for years... who knows, perhaps for generations. It is a simple slang word which embodies a range of emotions, experiences and tribulations faced in the course of an architectural education... and career.
And now "Architorture" is a documentary being created by architects David Krantz and Ian Harris (et. al.) that follows five students through the process of developing their thesis projects.
Content is currently evolving with occasional uploads. Current features are "The Confessionals" where different people explain what Architecture is about in their experience.
Link: Architorture
Via: Archinect
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Category: Commentary
Posted by Adriean on 7/19/2006 10:31:00 PM
review of issue 13
For those of you who follow entertainment magazine GIANT on a consistent basis, recently released issue #13 was quite a shot to the gut.
What once catered to the average Joe now seems geared towards those featured on MTV's 'Cribs'. I think the bit about the new Editor-in-Chief co-hosting a tasting of "the oldest and most exquisite cognacs of Hennesy's cellar" drove home the message to the old readers that they're no longer needed. This was now a VIP party that even Puffy would be envious of.
Now for those not familiar with GIANT, it was originally launched as 'The Ultimate Entertainment Magazine' which at times really was not that far off from the truth. It's coverage of everything from video games to cult movies to attainable fashion made you hold onto it like a collectable. The photos were big, bold and eye catching like one would expect from a mag called GIANT. It was just something you looked forward to every other month that helped take your mind off the daily grind and just chill. Though it could be dismissed as 'fluff', it was still ours and we loved it.
Current issue #13 still maintains some of the same content, but the feeling is just not there anymore. I mean do we really need 14 pages dedicated to Beyonce? Even seeing the revamped cover for the first time was enough to make you say 'uh-oh'. Gone was the big, bold title font only to be replaced by a dumbed down, VIBE knock-off. Plus the fact they shrunk the size of the magazine made it somewhat amusing. I mean really, it's called GIANT not 'Little Person'. Overall the entire mag feels like sifting through 160 pages of Calvin Klein ads circa 1992 as opposed to a modern day explosion of information and entertainment.
This review will no doubt remind L+L readers of the question raised about DWELL where we asked if they should continue with their path at that time or maintain their image to appease the original readers. The response was and still is overwhelming, which just shows how passionate readers really can be about their beloved mainstays.
Link: GIANT
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Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 4/14/2006 10:11:00 AM
I love malls... really...
 There is nothing more glamorous for an architect than designing America's malls... except perhaps designing 13,000 square foot faux-Tuscan additions to 9,000 square foot even-more-faux-Tuscan houses... ahem.
This project in Anaheim, California, has been in the proposal stage for years, and it appears that it is finally going to move forward. Situated right across the street from Disneyland, the architects absolutely had to out do themselves... and indeed they have turned architecture on its head. Don't believe me? Let's take a closer look just for shits and giggles...
Link: GardenWalk
Via: Curbed (LA style) - Anaheim Approves New Tourist Trap
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Category: Commentary
Posted by Nico on 2/21/2006 10:38:00 AM
Don't judge a book by its cover...
 Gregory Colbert’s photography and motion picture exhibit “Ashes and Snow” opened about a month ago along the Santa Monica Pier. It is housed in a rather extravagant temporary structure designed by Shigeru Ban, in which it will be traveling the world. The stacked shipping containers, the 30’ high cardboard columns, and the exquisite lighting of the space and the art all come together to create a cathedral-like space and striking experience. The visitor is lead over a wooden deck in the center of the structure, while the walls and ceiling are dipped into darkness due to the careful lighting design. The prints appear to hover between the evenly spaced columns, which makes for a beautiful procession.
Ban’s work with recyclable and reusable materials has fascinated me for many years, and this project does not fall short by any means. As for the photography and the films that are displayed inside… that is a different story.
Link: Ashes_and_Snow
Link: Shigeru_Ban
Ashes and Snow Images ©Gregory Colbert *
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Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 12/13/2005 11:15:00 PM
Architecture of Dublin
 Getting back to Ireland as promised, let's take a look at some modern Irish architecture in Dublin. Although Adriean did not tag along with my wife and I on our trip... at least not that I know of... he was feeling the Irish architecture vibe as well with his post highlighting some of this year's RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) award winners.
Following is more of what I have seen in Dublin... I will sprinkle some comments in with the photos. For those who want to dig deeper, check out The Reflecting City. This site is part of a current mixed media exhibition detailing the urban transformation in Dublin over the past decade. The site allows you to delve into the history, present and future of city via an interactive zoned map. The site focuses on nine districts and provides related images, interviews, virtual tours and abundant information related to the community, planning and projects.
Link: The Reflecting City: The Reconstruction of Dublin
Reference: Seeing Éire [prologue] (L+L)
Reference: Seeing Éire [II] - Temple Bar (L+L)
Reference: RIAI Awards 2005 (L+L)
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Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 12/7/2005 10:02:00 PM
An Ireland travelogue teaser
Five days after returning from nearly two-weeks in Ireland, I am finally shaking the lingering jetlag and feeling motivated enough to begin to sort through some of my photos and recollections.
This trip was an anniversary trip with my wife who is not quite the design fanatic that I am, therefore seeking out examples of modern Irish design was not on the itinerary. But we came across enough in passing... but not too much so as to upset the missus.
A bit of light content follows... a brief description of our journey and some random images with more detailed content in the next few days.
Éireann go Brách!
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Category: Commentary
Posted by Lorenza on 10/31/2005 6:27:00 AM
An Austrian supermarket spree
 My September (2005) journey, through Tyrol - Austria, allowed me to explore about 15 MPreis supermarket stores; driving through towns along a 100 km route, west and east of Innsbruck.
The following images and text describe some of the MPreis locations I visited and my overall impression of the chain and it's unconventionally designed stores.
Link: MPreis
Reference: MPreis: Seriously sexy supermarkets (L+L)
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Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 7/8/2005 12:49:00 PM
Making a case for native and climate-appropriate plants
 We occasionally show our southern California bias... but I am not sure why the New York Times shows theirs so often.
The New York Times published an article yesterday profiling proponents of "native" plants in California, focusing on Rene Russo's crusade to promote native species... an interest we share and which we subtly display with our side bar Dudlea image. In my experience, newspapers are infamously inept in their coverage of nature and landscape, and while this article is interesting and worth reading, I find the poor reporting to be annoying. For example:
Native plants like senecio and aloe, which fill the yard in front of Andree Matton's house in Monrovia, Calif., thrive on less water than grass.
Senecio and aloe are not native even to this continent, let alone to Monrovia, California.
Article: NY Times - Flora With a Star in Its Corner
Reference: Garden/garden (L+L)
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