The American mid-century magazine lives again on the web
The archives of this iconic publication which created the Case Study House Program have been exhumed and have found new life on the web.
Pages straight from the original publication featuring the Case Study houses complete with text, images and drawings are presented in PDF format. All of the greats are there including Edward Killingsworth, Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, Richard Neutra, Craig Ellwood, Pierre Koenig, William Wurster, etc. etc. etc.
David Travers, the second and last editor following John Entenza, is involved with the project and has written an interesting remembrance of the magazine and era. He also offers an admonishment to the contemporary architecture profession:
Architecture, which used to be serious but fun, is now serious but silly. Innovative straight line, geometrical, rational, less-is-more architecture has been replaced by novelty, by glib, zigzag, crumpled, broken, exploded and discontinuous designs, by "constructive alienation," by Bernard Tschumi. Gott in Himmelb(l)au. The avant garde in architecture has lost its way.
Yeowsa!
Link: Arts & Architecture
Related: TASCHEN Books - Case Study Houses
Modular, "low impact" temporary walls
Perfect for renters, loft-dwellers and the restless, the Nomad System (not to be confused with the Nomad Desk) is a modular system that can be assembled like a giant children's toy into free-standing sculptural screens, temporary partitions, rooms or displays without hardware, tools or alterations to existing structures. Designed by Jaime Salm & Roger Allen, the system is made from recycled, double-wall cardboard, and comes in six colors.
Nomadic lifestyles and the desire for flexible space inspired the creation of Nomad. Designed to grow and adapt to any environment and a range of applications, Nomad Architectural System translates the tools of architecture into simple modules that anyone can use.
One 24 Module Set sells for $56 and creates a 3 ft x 4.5 ft wall section.... not outrageous, but definitely an investment to create a wall of any significant size.
Link: Mio - Nomad System
Designers: Jaime Salm and Roger Allen
Via: AT
Events — July 20, 2007
Posted by James
Memorial for George Yu at SCI-Arc - July 29, 2007
Link: SCI-Arc
Previously: George Yu - A letter from Thom Mayne (L+L)
Ghosts in The Communist Machine
One of my favorite movie dialogues came from 2005's Everything is Illuminated.
The story revolves around a young Jewish American (played by Elijah Wood) who ventures off to the Ukraine in search of family history. While out there he enlists the services of a tour guide (played by Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hutz). During the tour they come across an abandoned apartment complex in the middle of nowhere. Woods turns to Hutz and asks "What happened", Hutz replies after a pause "Independence". Brilliant scene.
Ironically enough a day after watching the flick for the 100th time (addicted to the soundtrack), a friend lead me to this particular site entitled Abandoned.
Compiled by a Russian photographer named Uryevich, Abandoned is an eerie collection of Russian complexes such as hospitals and apartments that had been left to rot soon after the fall of the Communist regime way back when.
Like a scene out of 28 Days, you just have to ask yourself "Where is everyone"?
Link: Abandoned
Punching the Renaissance in the Face!
Great posting over at eternallycool of current group exhibit Cracking Art that's taking place at the Cloister of Bramante in Italy until the 29th of July.
The Pink Crocs and red poodle nestled in an old world courtyard is absolute money.
Via: eternallycool
Link: Cracking Art
Inaugural launch of Orange County's Great Park
Roll on down to El Toro on Saturday, July 14, 2007, where you can get a glimpse of the future according to Ken Smith.
The City of Irvine and the Orange County Great Park Corporation are hosting the inaugural launch of the Great Park, and you are invited.
The design team for the Great Park is lead by New York City landscape architect Ken Smith. His band of merry-makers include Enrique Norten (Ten Arquitectos), Mia Lehrer, (Mia Lehrer + Associates), Buro Happold Engineers and Ecologist Stevel Handel.
Link: The Great Park Takes Flight
Link: www.greatparkballoon.org
Link: Orange County Great Park
Previously: Ken Smith in the O.C. (L+L)
Previously: Orange County Great Park (L+L)
Do it: L+L Maps - Orange County Great Park Balloon & Visitors Center
