August 2005
Designers — August 31, 2005
Posted by Anthony
66.226.14.99
http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/mac/hack-attack-a-guide-for-switching-to-a-mac-224674.php
http://homepage.mac.com/bagelturf/aparticles/aparticles.html
http://www.virtual-cafe.com/~dhh/tools.d/exifprobe.d/exifprobe.html
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
http://www.studiolighting.net/portable-flash-exposure-basics/
http://stellarinfo.com/esupport/users/kb.php?id=10088&category_id=5&sid2=
http://www.activehowto.com.nyud.net:8090/how-to/4/11/414.htm
http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=1010
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/printing/CS2_printing.html
http://www.naturephotographers.net/mh0402-1.html
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/color-management-changes-cs2.html
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnaspp/html/urlrewriting.asp
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/notion2k3/n44.jpg
http://www.sysinternals.com/utilities/rootkitrevealer.html
http://www.80four.co.uk/tutorials/gelbutton.html
http://www.crunked-designs.com/tutorials.php?subaction=showfull&id=1100680516&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
http://www.radialdesigns.co.uk/index.php?pstutorial6
http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/Adobe_Photoshop/All/?ss=button
http://www.kirupa.com/web/xml/index.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/photo-travel.shtml
http://bennolan.com/behaviour/
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=000COg
http://authors.aspalliance.com/paulwilson/articles/?id=12
http://www.developerfusion.co.uk/show/4688/
http://www.t-o-p-a.com/
http://simplythebest.net/fonts/typewriter_fonts.html
http://www.alsostudio.co.uk/
http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~jhalderm/cd3/
http://www.gardenart.net/portfolio.html
http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=14187
http://members.aol.com/fontner/smell.html
http://www.cpjfotografia.com/surf.htm
http://www.editorialphoto.com/find/
"At a site where the blast furnace heat was almost unbearable you can now cool down and relax"
Archinect points us to an article in Stars & Stripes about the Landschaftspark "country park" at Duisburg-Nord in central Germany. We have featured the work of Peter Latz before, as well as a few other post-industrial landscape regeneration projects. The Landschaftspark no doubt inspired projects such as Amsterdam's Westergasfabriek and North Sydney's BP Site Parkland, yet it retains and reuses even more of the industrial infrastructure than either of these more recent projects.
Link: Landschaftspark
Firm: Latz und Partner
Article: Stars & Stripes - Urban decay now a family climbing getaway in Germany
Reference: Latz + Partner (L+L)
Reference: "From Ruin and Artifice, Landscapes Reborn" (L+L)
Reference: Manufactured Sites (L+L)
Transcendent freeway infrastructure - a modern gateway to Melbourne
It is the rare example where infrastructure and design meet to produce an outstanding result, especially when it comes to a freeway. Here the design for noise attenuation blurs the boundaries between what are functional noise walls, sculptural features and gateways.
The project is 5 kilometers in length, passing between two distinct conditions: the Craigieburn grasslands and the expanding urban fringe. The design is a result of expressing the relationship between the freeway and these two distinct conditions.
Link: Architecture Australia - Craigieburn Bypass
Link: VicRoads - Craigieburn Bypass
Firm: Taylor Cullity Lethlean
Firm: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
Artist: Robert Owen
Via: Archinect
Via: Arquitectearte
Green, Misc — August 30, 2005
Posted by Deborah
Bold moves, bold colours, bold design.
The new Pop Series guitars from RKS take guitar lust to a whole new level. These brightly coloured electric beauties carry the names Rockwork Orange, Pink Lipstick and Fine Lime are hand-crafted from maple and alder, and have CNC machine aircraft aluminum alloy ribs with chrome hardware finishes.
Founded by industrial designer Ravi Sawhney and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason this young company takes design, quality and sustainability seriously. In a recent move driven by the concern surrounding the use of non-renewable materials for their guitars, RKS tried to reduce the total amount of tone wood typically used in guitar production, and then sought domestic woods instead of opting for the more traditional rain forest varieties. The result is as good for the environment, as it is music to the ears.
Link: RKS Guitars
Via: BusinessWeek Online
Coffee roasted for friends
As a biodiesel user and advocate, I try to keep up with the latest advancements in the rapidly growing movement. Something unheard of just jumped on my radar and I'm completely intrigued: a coffee roaster that runs on biodiesel! The Vermont Coffee Company in Bristol, VT, has just invested $100,000 in the development and manufacturing of a smokeless coffee roaster that runs entirely on biodiesel and utilizes its exhaust emissions as additional fuel. Both efficiency and environmental-friendliness have exponentially increased for the company, which already sells exclusively organic, fair-trade beans.
Link: The Addison Independent
"For one's health it is necessary to work in the garden and see the flowers growing."
Last week we Clipped an article in the Washington Post about healing gardens, and a kind reader wrote in to tell us about the Therapeutic Landscapes Resource Center.
This not-for-profit organization is dedicated to providing information to the public about restorative landscapes, healing gardens, wellness gardens, and other research-based healthcare design. Their website features a wealth of reference materials, garden locations, and links regarding landscapes for healing.
Link: Therapeutic Landscapes Resource Center [Thanks, Lara!]
Reference: In gardens, patients find a calm place for healing (L+L)
Historic Register recognizes Ludwig Mies van der Rohe campus plan
Earlier this week we featured a Clipping regarding the reopening of IIT’s Crown Hall set for this weekend. With the most recent news of the campus's historic designation, we'll take a larger look at the IIT campus.
The National Park Service has announced that the academic campus of Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in close association with landscape architect Alfred Caldwell, the design concept of pavilions within a park setting is one of the most important examples of modern planning in the United States.
"The addition of our campus to the National Register is a reflection of the historical, cultural and architectural importance of IIT within Chicago and throughout the world," said IIT President Lew Collens.
In addition to the modernist structures by Mies and other modern architects, the school has launched a recent building campaign with new buildings by Rem Koolhaas and Helmut Jahn. Eextensive landscape restoration and extension of Caldwell's original landscape of native prarie terrain has been undertaken by Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architects.
Many links to articles and photo galleries for you to enjoy along with our own brief image montage.
Link: IIT
Link: Mies van der Rohe Society
Article: Chicago Sun Times - All of IIT named to historic register
Via: Archinect
Update 10/4/05:
Link: Coudal's Crown Hall page - film & photos
Adriean Koleric's website goes live
Adriean Koleric, the Canadian designer who brought us the Sugar Lounger and the Edith Mailbox dropped us a note to let us know that his website has launched.
In addition to the above, he's added a few new items including the Bento, a single drawer storage unit, Framecicles (featured at right), which are popcicle stick shaped picture frames, and the Factory coffee table.
Also, he's included some concept work along with a few hidden buttons on the site that reveal hidden surprises. Be sure to check it out.
Link: item
Furniture — August 25, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Change its form according to your mood
When it comes to comfort, it appears that the Feel Seating System has all the bases pretty much covered. Sleepy? Lay it out flat and take a nap. A little chilly? Fold half of it over and cover yourself with it. Want to relax with a book? Roll it up into a ball and you've got yourself a cozy little nest.
The Feel, from Animi Causa, is created from 120 soft balls that are covered with an elastic fabric and held together with a flexible internal frame. The design is inspired by a molecular structure and can assume various shapes allowing numerous positions.
Link: Animi Causa [Thanks, Amit!]
Also: Pop Gadget
Art, Events — August 25, 2005
Posted by James
Creating Sculptures from the Ornamental Systems of Sullivan
This exhibition at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, Illinois, runs August 28 - October 8, 2005.
A new series of works that manipulate the decorative patterns found in the Chicago area landmarks by the architect Louis Sullivan. An updated version of Sullivan’s mantra "form follows function", Williams insists that "form functions as structure'. Williams injects these sculptures with shapes excavated from our city’s landscape and freed from their facades provoking the viewer to reconsider the decorative features that surround us.
Link: Hyde Park Art Center - Bernard Williams
Winning entry in the "Cradle to Cradle" International Design Competition
We've talked about Cradle-to-Cradle quite a bit here at L+L, but have never featured the winning professional entry in the C2C Home Competition. Designed by Matthew Coates and Tim Meldrum with Brendan Connolly, Rich Franko, Kristine Kenney, Julie Petersen and Ron van der Veen, the concpet embraces environmental responsibility, social responsibility and community interdependence as a complete manifestation of the guiding principles and design issues laid out in the competition brief.
The design is thoroughly modern in appearance and function while embracing the neighborhood and natural context of Roanoke, Virginia. The large "front lawn" of native vegetation wraps up to become a vegetated roof system which collects and filters storm water for use in the house. The horizontal plan is pierced by the vertical "core" which acts as a stack ventilation tower as well as the energy collection armature. The core is clad with a spinach-protein based photosynthetic plasma cell skin that is able to generate enough power to share with the neighborhood.
Link: Cradle To Cradle Home
Via: Future Feeder
More: Archidose
Reference: C2C Home Competition Winners (L+L)
Reference:
Designing the Future (L+L)
Furniture — August 25, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Young French Designer, Gilles Roudot
We received a note from French Designer Gilles Roudot alerting us to his creations. Unfortunately, I do not speak French and running the text through Babelfish seemed sketchy at best so I'll just leave you with some eye candy from Gilles. The objects on his site appear to be mostly renderings so I'm not sure if any of his designs have come to fruition but there are several pieces that stand out. Of particular note is the Diner (below), which takes a futuristic approach to a 50's style diner counter, complete with barstools and swingout trays.
Link: Kidino [Thanks, Gilles]
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Events — August 23, 2005
Posted by Nico
Jean Prouvé's "Three Nomadic Structures" @ MOCA PDC in Los Angeles
Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Nicholas Grimshaw and, especially, Santiago Calatrava are famous for their high-tech, glass and steel design approach that celebrates the structural elements and exposes the beauty of physics. Jean Prouvé is widely considered to be the famous godfather of the bunch, the "Don Corleone" of the "archingineer," so to say.MOCA is presently housing a small exhibit that originated at Columbia's graduate school of architecture. It focuses on Mr. Prouvé's efforts to create modular structures, furniture and structural systems through three of his principal areas of interest at the time: "schools, the tropics, and the use of aluminum." The main element of the exhibit is one of the so-called "Tropical Houses." This particular specimen was fabricated in Maxéville, France, assembled in Brazzaville, Congo, in 1951, then disassembled in the midst of civil war and shipped back to Paris in 2001. The simple structure is a beautiful example of how modular systems and pre-fab construction can be turned into a beautiful artifact at the hands of a great and thoughtful designer. Unfortunately the actual Tropical House did not make it to Los Angeles, but the exhibit is well worth a visit nonetheless (and it's free too...). Don't forget to watch the video about the re-assembly of the structure.
Finally follow through on the French-speaking theme by maybe sampling some of the baked goods at "Le Pain Quotidien" next door while out on Melrose... YUMM!
Link: MOCA
Link: Design Within Reach
Source: LA Weekly
Publish your work in Pamphlet Architecture 28!
Founded in 1977 as an alternative to mainstream architectural publishing, Pamphlet Architecture encourages architects and writers to put forth their ideas, theories, and designs in modest, affordable booklets. Its success is legendary: Pamphlet Architecture has helped launch the careers of architects from Steven Holl and Lebbeus Woods to Zaha Hadid, and has had influence far exceeding the ad-hoc nature of these humble books.
Could your work spark the next generation of architectural discourse?
Pamplet Architecture is seeking practicing or aspiring architects, urbanists, and landscape architects with visually provocative and intellectually compelling ideas for the future of the designed and built world.
Link: Pamphlet Architecture
Deadline: October 10, 2005
Midcentury St. Louis architect
St. Louis, Missouri based architect Andrew Raimist's blog features many images and anecdotes about modern architect Harris Armstrong as part of his research for a book he is writing about Armstrong.
Raimist's Flickr galleries are chock full of great images of Armstrong's works including photos from the Magic Chef Headquarters which features a ceiling designed by Isamu Noguchi (shown right).
Link: Architectural Ruminations
Photos: Flickr - Harris Armstrong
Kitchen — August 22, 2005
Posted by Deborah
Engineering simplicity in faucet design
When designing a kitchen every decision can be agonizing and time consuming, so why complicate things? Sometimes simplicity rules, and in this regard Newform faucets stand out. Newform pares down the faucet to its most basic form, and then exploits the angles with details that are conspicuously constructivist. Handles that operate left to right instead of back to front, and spouts that jut out at 90 degrees are just some of the differences between Newform and the competition.
Keep in mind that this is not your hardware store variety faucet, but then again the price-point isn't either and may be a little difficult to track down in some areas. Newform is a manufacturer that does not rely on embellishment to sell their products, but rather focuses on the engineering, a process that produces simple and elegant designs.
Link: Newform
Moshe Safdie showcases Bentonville Arkansas ravine
Moshe Safdie is an architect whose designs exude harmony. This is especially true of the new Crystal Bridges museum and cultural centre designed for Bentonville Arkansas.
The location chosen for the centre is a ravine fed by Crystal Springs, a sylvan setting with mature trees and steep slopes. The sides of the centre will be carved into these slopes, and galleries, libraries and cultural activity spaces will straddle the ravine itself. Two of the galleries will act as bridges that not only allow visitors to easily access the perimeter of the ravine, but have a more utilitarian function as dams that will make a set of ponds out of the interior.
Link: Crystal Bridges
Firm: Moshe Safdie and Associates
Rooftop Architectural Parasites
We've run across a couple of "rooftop parasite" items this week; at Archinect regarding an article regarding rooftop additions in Manhattan, and at Life Without Buildings where they posted a book called The Green House which features a project called P.A.R.A.S.I.T.E. (shown right) designed by Dutch architects Korteknie Stuhlmacher.
The idea of parasitic additions and rooftop interventions holds a certain appeal; from habitable appendages to planted roofs to watertanks, etc. And it got us thinking about some projects we have seen before, a few of which we have listed. Tell us about others.
Link: Archinect
Link: Life Without Buildings
Article: Newsday
New eco-chic apparel for urban surfer girls
In an era of values-based consumerism, companies are going for integrated marketing, where aesthetics and integrity go hand-in-hand. High-end fashion companies are going green and green clothing companies are targeting hipsters. On par with this blurring of boundaries, Ailin surfwear company has just launched out of the fashion-mecca of Manhattan, hoping to present a line that brings urban sophistication to an outdoorsy industry.
Link: Ailin
Celebrating London and the UK's creativity
The third London Design Festival is taking place all over London, September 15 – 30, 2005.
The festival of exhibitions, events, seminars, lectures and parties will highlight a broad range of design disciplines including: Applied Arts, Architecture and buildings, Creative business, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics and branding, Interiors, Product, and Photography.
Link: London Design Festival
Furniture — August 18, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Minimalist form with superior function
You've spent considerable time and money crafting your perfect minimalist interior space. Now that you've got the little rugrat running around, you wouldn't dare taint your interior with just any old high chair now would you? No! Fret not, oh minimalist one, as we have the perfect compliment to your Tulip Chairs, the Nest from Mozzee.
The Nest is availble in black or white and features a powder coated tulip base and an easy to clean polyethlyene seat.
Link: Mozzee
A bed that goes out to catch some sun
I've always thought of a day bed as a piece of furniture that is a lounge seat by day and a bed by night. José Gandia takes the term a little more literally. This is a bed for high noon on the beach or in the backyard. The 80" cubic canopy is a picture of luxurious simplicity, surrounded on all sides but completely open to light and air. The frame is made of anodized aluminum, with removable panel upholstery and a polyuretane foam mattress. (We hope pieces like these will soon meet their "eco" alter ego.) This is the item you were imagining all those times you tried to make a tent with tapestries and giant umbrellas. Now if only it came with the Spanish coastal backdrop.
Link: Gandia Blasco
Via: LifestyleNavigator
The new Halley VI Research Station puts design on ice
Buildings that walk and wear "puffa-jackets"? If you thought the Halley V Research Station from 1956 was getting a little drab and dated, then the proposals for the new Halley VI Research Station will delight your intellectual and aesthetic sensibilities.
The project is commissioned by the British Antarctic Survey or BAS a collective of scientists that have been in the business of researching Antarctic conditions for 60 years. The truth is if you are going to be sent to a land as unforgiving as the Antarctic, it no doubt helps to be deposited in something as smart and stylish as Halley VI.
Link: Halley VI
Via: Metacool
Chicago Athenaeum architecture exhibition and awards program
The Chicago Athenaeum, an International Museum of Architecture and Design, is exhibiting their 2005 American Architecture Award winners.
Thirty-three projects are featured including a few we've shown here at Land+Living: the Sun Valley Residence by Allied Works Architecture, the U. C. San Diego Price Center Expansion by Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design, the Caltrans District 7 Headquarters by Morphosis, the Art Center South Campus by Daly Genik and Modern Modular (a.k.a. the Dwell Home) by Resolution: 4 Architecture.
Link: 2005 American Architecture Awards
Reference: "Sun Valley Surprise: Chalet So Spare" (L+L)
Reference: "There's something going on in San Diego that's right" re. Price Center Expansion (L+L)
Reference: A Building as a Beacon for a City's Plans" re. Caltrans District 7 Headquarters (L+L)
Reference: The Wind Tunnel Re. Art Center (L+L)
Reference:
The Dwell Home - (L+L)
Furniture — August 17, 2005
Posted by Deborah
Mathias Bengtsson takes laser cutting to the next logical level
If laser cutting is the new handcrafted, then Mathias Bengtsson is a master craftsman. Generated by machine, his designs look like they have been carved from centuries of exposure to the elements, but in reality it is the flexibility of laser cutting that allows Bengtsson to create organic forms out of materials that don't normally lend themselves to manipulation.
Bengtsson uses materials that are both natural and manufactured, and some of his pieces are fashioned out of the unexpected like fire retardant foam that has to be water-cut and joined by tension rods for stability. Each material seems to be carefully chosen to highlight the sinuousness of the final design. Born in Copenhagen, Bengtsson studied furniture design at the Danish Design School then went on to study at The Art Centre College-Europe, and the Royal College of Art in London.
Link:Bengtsson Design
Montréal Cité Souterraine / Montreal's Underground City - SYN- Urban Exploration Workshop
Need a reason to visit Montreal this winter? Montreal's underground city is a good enough one in my books. With its inception in 1966 the plan for the underground coincided with the opening of Montreal's Metro, and has since grown to include 1,500 offices and 1,600 boutiques. It also has numerous art installations, a skating rink, and leads you through historic and newly constructed buildings. For instance, you can go from IM Pei's Place Ville Marie to Claude Cormier's Lipstick Forest in the redesigned Palais des Congress in Old Montreal without ever surfacing.
SYN-, a collective that includes Luc Lévesque, Jean-Maxime Dufresne, Louis-Charles Lasnier and Jean-Francois Prost, have put together a unique study of the underground as part of an Urban Exploration Workshop. It highlights the underground as a viable and exciting intermodal experience. Their Web site includes maps and images.
Link: amarrages prospectus
Materials — August 16, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Contemporary printed designs for the home
Kragh·Rosenberg is a design team based in Copenhagen that produces contemporary printed designs for the home. Their current collection consists of two patterns - Figus and Ming - which are available in an assortment of colors. Inspiration for their patterns comes from Asian and Danish design and folklore (Ming) as well as "life in the garden" (Figus). Fabrics are 100% cotton.
If you happen to be in Frankfurt August 26 - 30, Kragh·Rosenberg will be displaying their designs at the Tendence Lifestyle Fair.
Link: Kragh·Rosenberg [Thanks, Anne!]
Link: Tendence Lifestyle, Frankfurt
More Skateboards with a Modernist touch...
Due to the large number of inquiries regarding the "super fantastik" skateboard designs by Tony Larson from Agents of the Area, we decided to investigate a bit.The findings might shock you, so if you have a "mobilia eamesis heart condition", or any kind of bladder weakness when it comes to issues of design excellence, please, STOP READING NOW!
For the rest of us, we are sorry... The designs we featured are a couple of years old, and apparently they have already reached cult status. Your best bet would be to try Ebay or something similar, but good luck with that one.
HOWEVER, fear not, since Tony has provided us with a sneak peek at what promises to easily be as hot a collection of mid-century modernist design artifacts on decks as his first version. He tells us they are to be released sometime this fall. So, I dunno about the rest of you, but I am gettin' in line! And I might buy a couple of the Eames stickers that they feature on Crailtap, just to make the wait bearable.
Last, but not least: PEOPLE! "GIRL" Skateboards are not "skateboards for girls..." It's a cool and hip name of a brand, kinda like "Blind"(not exclusively for visually impaired children),"Bones" (no, not an indication of the materials used), "Birdhouse"(sounds oh so tame and civilized...but guess what)... And then there is "Uncle Touchy" and "Sick Stick." 'Nuff said.
Link: Agents of the Area
Link: Crailtap
Reference: Skate like a girl! (L+L)
Land+Living was invited to post for Design Public's "children and design" blogging event
When Design Public, an online purveyor of contemporary home products, invited us to participate in their current blogging event, we were happy to oblige. The guys over at Design Public are super cool, the offer great products, and they have their own blog as part of the site.
Their current blogging event entitled "Baby Blog-a-polooza" is themed around children and design, and they have invited parenting bloggers and design bloggers to provide their outlook on the topic. To go along with the theme I wrote a bit about the childhood experiences that shaped my views about design and the environment. Take a look around...
Link: Design Public Blog
Lighting — August 15, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Link: Black+Blum
Related: Clip Lamp (L+L)
Furniture — August 15, 2005
Posted by Anthony
3-in-1 table from Grecian design team cor3
The Raindrops coffee table from cor3 creative works is a sleek table comprised of two rings and a solid center that can be exploded into three separate tables. The table is available in several finishes including steel and plexiglass (detail at right) and a dark wood. A red version is also featured from earlier product displays.
Link: cor3
Quick links from around the web
In the spirit of Slinks, Meta Moco, and blogosphere wanderlust, we bring you Clippings, the L+L way of sharing random articles, discussions, and product posts in a quick format sort of way. When a news article warrants a mention but not necessarily a full blog post, look for it here. If there's an interesting discussion going on at one of the many design/architecture related forums, we'll clip it in here. And if one of our fellow bloggers gets the scoop on some great furniture porn, we'll throw it in here as well.
Early modernist house in Prague designed by Adolf Loos
Designed in the late 1920's and completed in 1930 by architect Adolf Loos, famous for his essay entitled Ornament and Crime which contributed to Modernist ideology. Located in Prague, the Villa Müller is one of the Twentieth Century's most significant modern villas.
I remember this building from architectural history classes, but must admit that it had slipped into the deep recesses of my memory until I saw an article in the Prague Post published this week.
The house was purchased by the City of Prague in 1995 and is administered by the City of Prague Museum. The structure underwent extensive restoration and opened to the public in 2000. The design displays Loos' ideas of the "Raumplan" with its severe external facade and interior comprised of interconnected multilevel rooms, with the space and height of each room suited to its function.
| Visit: | Nad Hradním vodojemem 14 |
| | CZ 162 00 Prague 6 - Strešovice |
| | Czech Republic |
Link: Villa Müller
Article: Prague Post Online - Visionary villa
Modular furnishings
Casamania has a system of modular furnishings designed to fit into modern residential or office settings. The Web system, featured at right, is geared toward the office space and features a wide range of accessories including a reception area,coat racks, wastepaper baskets, and the like. In contrast, the Matrix system (below) features various elements with squared sections and colored translucent panels.
"The radical architecture of the 1960s developed avant-garde solutions that have only recently become part and parcel of European or American cities thanks to Frank O. Ghery and the Futur System group. Casamania has been part of this process for the last twenty years, offering solutions for the home and workplace. Our designs are essentially light, flexible and able to adapt to the different needs of a varied but aware user group, which views the home without preconceptions when it comes to using objects."
Link: Casamania by Frezza (Warning: mildly annoying flash site)
Landscape — August 10, 2005
Posted by Sarah Rich
Forest of Dean
The Royal Forest of Dean sounds like it might have been Robinhood's secret hideout, tucked between two rivers in Western Gloucestershire near Wales. While the forest is one of few remaining ancient woodlands in the area, it has seen its fair share of industrial invasion; between timbering and iron mining for England's shipbuilding industry, the forest has been left with "scowles" - deep cavities in the land where resources have been dug up and removed.
A local landscape design and architecture firm called Reckless Orchard has been commissioned to design a strategy for public access into the scowles, called the Cinderbury Iron Age Settlement. The design will allow visitors to wander through the iron-red rock outcroppings and "Tolkienesque" trees, creating an ambient sense of the forest's ancient history while preserving its ecological integrity for the future.
Link: Reckless Orchard
Link: Forest of Dean
Books — August 8, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Architecture for the Environment
Available in September, Compact Houses by Marta Serrats and Universe Publishing:
"In an age of "McMansions," this international survey of the latest in residential architecture proves that small is beautiful-and responsible. The houses profiled are designed to make maximum use of the smallest possible footprint in order to protect the environment. The houses profiled here prove that efficiency as well as beautiful, thoughtful design can be had in a tiny setting. Each project includes a case history describing its design challenges and how the architect overcame them, a detailed blueprint for each house, full-color photos of the interior and the exterior, and plans of the layout."
Author: Marta Serrats
Link: Universe Publishing
Events — August 8, 2005
Posted by James
CA Boom II wrap-up
It has now been just over a week since CA Boom II closed, and after bombarding you with coverage from the event all last week, we are finally ready to put CA Boom II to rest.
To conclude our coverage, we offer a compilation of links (below) as well as some final thoughts on the second year effort to provide a top-rate modern design show on the West Coast.
DAILY REPORTS:
CA Boom II Opening Night
CA Boom II Day One
CA Boom II Day Two
CA Boom II Day Three
HOME TOURS:
Church/Loft - Aleks Istanbullu Architects
Ehrlich Residence - John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects
Entenza Residence - Harwell Harris
511 House - Kanner Architects
Irani House - Glen Irani Architect
Kozely/Farmer Residence - Sant Architects with Griffith & Cletta
Kumagai Residence - Glen Irani Architect
McKinley Residence - Syndesis / David Hertz AIA
Troxell Residence v.2 - Richard Neutra
SPEAKERS CONFERENCE:
"Breaking Ground" Panel Discussion
Outdoor — August 8, 2005
Posted by Anthony
I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your (bird)house down.
Don't be swayed into thinking your feathered friends, living large in their Modern Birdhouse, will be safe. Modern Birdhouses, in case you hadn't noticed, are constructed of wood. And just like the second little pig found out, houses "built of sticks" are sure to fall down (or get chewed up by rabid squirrels).
The Museum Birdhouse is constructed of stainless steel and was inspired by Gehry's Guggenheim Museum. It's available in round or teardrop shapes and the opening can be sized according to the needs of the birds. And best of all, it's squirrel proof.
Link: Tom Dukich
Hey buddy, can ya give me a hand?
A fun little accessory for your tub or sink. The Help! drain stopper is available in orange and green.
"A rubbery hand extends up from the plug mimicking a reach for help out of the watery depths. while essentially providing a non-slip surface for an easy and firm grip in the sink or tub. green."
Link: Modern Poverty
Misc — August 7, 2005
Posted by Anthony
"For the Closest Approach of the Original Sound"
I'll be honest, I don't know jack about speakers or what qualities to look for when purchasing a new set - other than if they sound good - so I won't try to wow you with all sorts of techno-gibberish about ohms and impedance except to say that these are some of the most attractive looking speakers I've ever seen. The QUAD ESL 57 (featured at right), with its ribbed fabric grill, has a 50's retro feel and looks more like a finely crafted piece of furniture than an audiophile's dream. Considering that they were first produced in 1955, I guess that sort of makes sense.
Link: QUAD Musik [Thanks, Goodo!]
Skateboards AND Modernist Furniture combined... woah!
Can we assume to all agree on the premise that skateboards are cool, and that the act of skateboarding is even cooler? And Eames furniture, veeery cool indeed, right? So, if everyone at any design school knows about these icons of coolness, then how come nobody has come up with combining the two until now?! Shame on all of you!We salute Tony Larson from Agents of the Area, who has managed to design some decks within his Girl Skateboards line that will thrash your hearts out. He even managed to throw on some Roadside Architecture, or Venturi's duck, if you may. Design geeks in the black and grey uniforms now can get a skateboard that does not clash!
Link: Agents of the Area
Some more Skate Art: Skate or Die!
Eco-friendly home by David Hertz as seen at CA Boom II day two
I have been a fan of this house since the first portion was built some years ago, and was able to tour the expanded home last year at CA Boom. When I saw that the home would be featured again this year, I was not disappointed... actually I was excited to have the chance see it again. I hyped this tour above all others to Anthony as CA Boom approached, and upon our visit, his enthusiasm matched mine as is evident in the wealth of images in our extended photo gallery.
Photo Gallery: McKinley Residence
Link: Syndesis / David Hertz AIA
Article: Outside
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Three (L+L)
Residence by Glen Irani as seen at CA Boom II day two
Also on the second day of the home tours was the home of architect Glen Irani, which I had the opportunity to see last year at CA Boom. If the Kanner House is a riot of color, then the Irani house is an orgy.
Located on one of the Venice canals on a 30' x 95' lot, the house is a modernist grid of steel, glass and brightly colored planes. The house is painted mainly in shades of bright blue offset by lime green, orange, red, blackened steel, natural maple, and polished concrete floors.
Photo Gallery: Irani House
Link: Glen Irani
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Three (L+L)
Residence and garden designed by Sant Architects and Jay Griffith as seen at CA Boom II day two
The second day of home tours started off on a good note. The Kozely/Farmer Residence by Sant Architects is designed to make great use of indoor/outdoor space. The landscape by Jay Griffith forms a lush frame for the house, and extends garden rooms from every room of the house.
The building is designed as three simple volumes that are shifted in relationship to each other to define exterior spaces as well as to modulate volume and light within the house.
Photo Gallery: Kozely/Farmer Residence
Link: Sant Architects
Link: Griffith & Cletta
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Threee (L+L)
Misc — August 2, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Submit your ideas/renderings to Prophecy Magazine
Prophecy magazine is looking for submissions to include in a section of their mag titled "The Lab". The Lab usually features anywhere from 3-5 projects of theoretical architectural ideas and renderings. If you're itching to get your undiscovered brillance out to the world, look them up. Prophecy Magazine is an internationally distributed bi-annual magazine of architecture, art, fashion, music + culture.
Link: Submission Specs
Link: Prophecy Magazine [Thanks, CW!]
A design by Richard Neutra restored and updated by SH_Arc as seen at CA Boom II
Originally built in 1956, the Troxell House in Pacific Palisades, California has been rigourously renovated by architecture firm SH_Arc. The house had been occupied by the original owner until recently, and few changes had been made over the years.
A prime example of Neutra's California Modernism, the stucture is a simple post and beam grid with a broad flat roof. The house is approached from one end where a carport and storage area tuck beneath the roof with an entry path located between the house and the hill sloping up to the street. A long hallway inside bisects the east end of the house with four small bedrooms along the street side and the bathroom, laundry and kitchen along the other. The living room, entry and dining room are arranged in an "L" at the heart of the house with floor to ceiling windows and doors opening to a broad terrace perched on the hillside. The far west end of the house contains the master bedroom.
Photo Gallery: Troxell Residence
Link: SH_Arc
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Threee (L+L)
Harwell Harris design recently restored by Michael Folonis
Visiting the Entenza Residence on day one of the CA Boom II home tour came as a surprise. It was not listed on the tour handouts so it was an exciting stop on the tour. The house was originally designed for John Entenza by architect Harwell Harris. According to Michael Folonis, the architect who handled the restoration project of this home in 1998, it is quite possible that Entenza's Case Study program was conceived at this home.
Photo Gallery: Entenza Residence
Link: Michael Folonis
Link: Case Study Houses
Reference: Harwell Harris (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Threee (L+L)
