Some random musings on CA Boom 4 so far... (readers of my ramblings will be rewarded with links to home tour galleries, as yet un-posted content)...
I really like the new metal CA Boom sign hung in the entry area this year. Nice touch, and impressive to those of us who are easily distracted by shiny objects.
Speaking of easily distracted, did anyone else notice the use of cleavage employed by a few vendors to lure people into their booths... or was is just me? You vendors who weren't packing them in, take note.
Bottled water. This is what I was handed as I checked in yesterday morning. A simple and thoughtful gesture. It always seems to be a perfect sun-shiny California weekend when CA Boom rolls around, and it is nice to stay hydrated out there on the home tours. Stocked coolers were on hand at every stop on the tour. Nicely done, CA Boom. Corona in those coolers would work too... I'm just sayin'...
I got a free t-shirt from the Eames Office... I'm wearing it right now. Thanks Eames Office!
It is always interesting to see who is attending CA Boom... what architects are lingering about, any faces in the crowd.... not that I'm not very good at spotting people, but the name tags always help. Yesterday was pretty much a bust compared to years past, though the people watching was interesting. I spyed some architects below rising-starchitect caliber touring the homes... it is fascinating to watch architects looking at someone else's work.
Day two at the 2007 edition of the CA Boom show in Santa Monica
So I get to CA Boom today, and low and behold I am face to face with the consequences of my smart-alecky post from last week. There it is, printed out, and pinned to the bulletin board in the Media Lounge.
Yeah right! As if we would really miss CA Boom... we've been ardent supporters of this show since the beginning... and we love it. CA Boom... we love you! That's why we had that sky writer above the hangar today... of course they put up someone else's message, but whatever.
CA Boom was packed today. A long line to get in, a record number of exhibitors on hand, and an all but sold out home tour. And did I mention that new venue is awesome? The Hangar just suits the show so well.
We have pics for you... lots of them... but for now just a teaser posted after the jump, and more to come... we'll whip up some nice photo galleries for your hungry eyes soon.
We just got back from the CA Boom 4 kick off party... and first things first... we got some drink in us.
But actually more importantly, this year's opening night party was well attended and had an energy not felt since the first year. The change of venue seems (at least at this point) to have been an excellent idea. The Barker Hangar is a wonderful space and the it lends a great feel to the show. The interior exhibition area feels full and happening, and the whole set up has an awesome vibe. It really seems like the CA Boom team is striving to take this event to the next level. A few pics after the jump.
No major starchitect or celebrity sightings tonight... though I did see the pre-fabulous Jennifer Siegal who has a booth this year. And after a few vodkas, my wife swore she saw Ashley Jensen (I have no idea who that is), but now she isn't so sure. Can anyone corroborate this? Does anyone care?
Anyway, we'll let you know how it all shapes up. Check back later for more CA Boom 4...
Every once in a while a new material really captures my imagination , and this OLED (Organic Light Emiting Diodes) technology being developed by GE is one for sure. Surface applications where back lighting is not possible... lit undulating, flowing surfaces... vehicle applications... not to mention the effeciency: up to four times better than an incandescent bulb.
GE announced this week that they are going to accelerate the development and commercialization of OLED devices for lighting applications. The goal is to bring OLED lighting to market within the next 3 years.
OLEDs are thin, organic materials sandwiched between two electrodes, which illuminate when an electrical charge is applied. They represent the next evolution in lighting products. Their widespread design capabilities will provide an entirely different way for people to light their homes or businesses. Moreover, OLEDs have the potential to deliver dramatically improved levels of efficiency and environmental performance, while achieving at least the same quality of illumination found in traditional products in the marketplace today.
Two interesting videos demonstrate the product as it exists in development. The first (above) describes the product and how it is made (newspaper printing processes to create electronic devices!!). And the second after the jump demonstrates the physical properties and flexibility of the technology.
OK, OK... I said previously that we "most likely" would not provide coverage, but after being razzed by some own readers not to mention the L+L staff, I need to clarify that we will be there, and we will provide some coverage of CA Boom 4. All I'm saying is that we'll be drunk, so we're not committing to how much and what quality coverage you'll get... ;-)
London based architect Richard Rogers has been announced as the winner of the 2007 Pritzker Prize winner. The 73-year old architect is the fourth Pritzker laureate to be chosen from the United Kingdom.
In announcing the jury’s choice, Thomas J. Pritzker, president of The Hyatt Foundation, said:
Born in Florence, Italy, and trained as an architect in London, at the Architectural Association, and later, in the United States at Yale University, Rogers has an outlook as urbane and expansive as his upbringing. In his writings, through his role as advisor to policy making groups, as well as his large-scale planning work, Rogers is a champion of urban life and believes in the potential of the city to be a catalyst for social change.
The formal ceremony will be held on June 4 in London.
Rogers work demonstrates a unique interpretation of the Modern concept of building as machine. His buildings span numerous types, scales, and continents, and many are the result of creative collaboration. But all of Roger's projects are united by a formal rigor and an understanding of the inhabitants.
It's back and it's bad. CA Boom 4: coming to you this year from the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport beginning this Friday, March 30th and running through April 1st.
I guess the only reason to point all of that out is to make us feel better for the fact that we will most likely skip covering the event this year if we do a less than stellar job this year... I mean, after posting 28 articles about CA Boom in less than four years, we're done like dinner.
So this year we encourage you to attend the event yourself rather than living vicariously through us via the internet. Go on, get off your lazy butt and go. Or maybe some of our fellowbloggers will actually get around to providing some decent coverage... there's a first time for everything... (hey, all in fun guys... and plus, it is our turn to be lazy).
Link: CA Boom
Register: Register (use code "LAND" for a little discount)
Architectural Film Fest at the Silver Lake Film Festival
As part of this year's Silver Lake Film Festival in Los Angeles, BLDGBLOG and Materials & Applications, have teamed up to curate an architectural film fest on Tuesday, May 8th, from 8-10pm at the Art Center College of Design Wind Tunnel in Pasadena.
What is fascinating, and very much an area for further research, is the close relationship between radical architectural design and the cinema. Much of the best of modern architecture, combining digital and three-dimensional design processes, is cinematic in scope and feeling.
The fest will be an evening of talks and presentations about film, science fiction, space, landscape, and architecture featuring feature four of the most innovative concept artists working in film today: Ryan Church, James Clyne, Mark Goerner, and Ben Procter.
Beijing based Thinking Hands has placed a call for architectural ideas for their 500m3 Design Competition. The competition is part of the development of Gao Bei Dian Art District, renovation of the Phase 1 or 'old factory area', on Beijing's east Fifth Ring Road.
The competetiton brief is to design a 50m2 by 10m high (500m3) space. It should provide external open space, guarantee a flexible workspace, and a private living environment.
The competition is open to all creative professionals, and there is no entry fee. Total prize money is ¥250,000.
Over two hundred 500M3 units will combine to form the GBD Art District Phase 1 Architecture Competition project, to be completed before the 2008 Olympic Games.
Design 21 (in partnresip with UNESCO) takes the stand that design has the potential to improve life. That potential first manifests itself as a series of decisions that result in a series of consequences. The practice of social design considers these decisions on a greater scale, understanding that each step in the design process is a choice that ripples out into our communities, our world and our lives. These choices are the result of informed ideas, greater awareness, larger conversations and, most importantly, the desire to do good. Social design is design for everyone's sake.
We believe that change happens when we design better, together. DESIGN 21 is a resource to make that collaborative change happen: a freelance designer shares ideas with a green business, an arts non-profit connects with a governmental outreach program, a researcher in England brainstorms with an industrial designer in India. It all starts here. And it starts now.
Link: Design21
Some archiporn for your hungry eyes... photos from the 4th Floor of the Hotel Puerta America in Madrid, Spain (each floor is designed by a different architect/designer).
To promote and foster the development and circulation of architectural ideas, Pamphlet Architecture is again offering an opportunity for architects, designers, theorists, urbanists, and landscape architects to publish their designs, manifestos, ideas, theories, ruminations, hopes, and insights for the future of the designed and built world. With far-ranging topics including the alphabet, algorithms, machines, and music, each Pamphlet is unique to the individual or group that authors it. This call for ideas seeks projects that possess the rigor and excitement found throughout the rich history of Pamphlet Architecture.
Link: Pamphlet Architecture
Deadline: November 15, 2006January 16, 2007 Originally posted 10/20/2006
An integrated noticeboard that documents activity within a space
A functional wallpaper designed by Duncan Wilson in collaboration with Sirkka HammerSirkka Hammer... and Duncan Wilson? Now we're not sure... anyway. the once collaborative team of Duncan Wilson and Sirkka Hammer, Pixelnotes is comprised of a grid of post-it-note-like sheets with four layers of graduated grey tones mounted over a bright primary backing. The result is a constantly changing grided matrix as notes are written and removed revealing different layers. "Pixelated formations and shapes develop according to our patterns of use."
I must admit that I have been tempted to make benches out of my old snowboards, but these days I'm not overly excited about the frat house aesthetic... OK, so really it's because my wife would kill me.
But Andy and Chris Vernall - the designers behind London based Vitamin - have come up with two very slick designs that elevate the snowboard bench to a concept perhaps even my wife could love... well a man can dream, can't he?
The Powderseat comes in two styles: the one piece Blade and the flat-packable Trident. Both are crafted of polished steel with suction cups to hold the board in place, so you can even display your current ride. It will be mine... oh, yes... it will be mine... you know... if she lets me...
Contemporary Ephemeral Gardens in celebration of Québec City's 400th anniversary
The Ephemeral Gardens will be an artistic event where creators from different horizons are invited to bring an artistic viewpoint on the major themes of Québec City's 400th anniversary. This viewpoint will be expressed through creator gardens : outdoor creations using mediums that combine different elements, including plant materials. The gardens will be on view at Espace 400e , a focal point of the festivities to be created alongside Louise basin in downtown Québec City.
The goal is to create 6 contemporary art gardens.
This call for proposals is aimed at seasoned and budding creators. They may be architects, landscape architects, or visual artists and may be from Québec City, Canada, or countries historically linked to Québec City: France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Three-city design event hosted by Architectural Digest
When I think of Architectural Digest, I don't tend to think of architecture... and I know I'm not alone. However the publishers appear to be taking some steps to remedy this with a series of events in October and November in three U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Events include lectures, tours, receptions in amazing spaces, film screenings etc., which "celebrate the power of architecture and its ever-increasing influence."
While not a ground breaking departure from their focus on interiors and main-stream design, there are some promising events scattered in the mix.
Modern urban redevelopment projects generally have a bad rap, with conclusions batted about of the failure of modernism to produce livable communities. Not all modernist developments met the same fate as Pruitt-Igoe, however. Shining examples of modernist planning are scattered around the world which deliver on the promise that modern visionaries hoped to fulfill.
One such example is the highly successful Lafayette Park (Gratiot Park Development) in Detroit Michigan designed by architect Mies van der Rohe, planner Ludwig Hilberseimer, and landscape architect Alfred Caldwell.
Exhibition exploring the common principles that underlie both fashion and architecture
An exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles running November 19, 2006 through March 5, 2007.
This exhibition explores the common visual and intellectual principles that underlie both fashion and architecture. Both disciplines start with the human body and expand on ideas of space and movement, serving as outward expressions of personal, political, and cultural identity. Architects and fashion designers produce environments defined through spatial awareness—the structures they create are based on volume, function, proportion, and material. Presenting the work of international fashion designers and architects, the exhibition examines themes such as shelter, identity, tectonic strategies, creative process, and parallel stylistic tendencies including deconstruction and minimalism.
Behind the scenes prefab production tour in Los Angeles
LA based architecture firm Marmol Radziner has launched full scale production of their award-winning, green, modern prefab homes... and they are offering tours of their new modular factory. Of course they intend for this to be a preview for petential prefab homeowners, but I am sure a few of you prefab geeks will slip your way in just to chek it out.
The "Utah House 1" design is currently in production. Marmol Radziner Prefab's 65,000 square foot factory accommodates the fabrication of 20 prefab modules at once, including a cabinet shop, metal shop, and door and window shop.
Two tour dates are currently offered:
Sunday, September 24, 2006, noon to 5pm
Sunday, December 3, 2006, noon to 5pm
Mandatory RSVP to rsvp@marmolradzinerprefab.com or (310) 689-0089. Free to the public. Children must be over 12 years of age.
American Society of Landscape Architects honors its student members
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced the recipients of its 2006 Student Awards. Awards were given in seven categories to 24 projects representing 15 schools.
The ASLA website features full descriptions and slide shows for each project. Just a few excerpted images shown after the jump to whet your appetite.
And props to Brett Milliga from the University of New Mexico who made all of his classmates look bad by scoring two awards...
This just may be America's most wanted cooler. Ice down those libations and Express Yourself by adding some chill atmosphere to your par-tay...
Designed by Danny Venlet for Belgian outdoor furniture company Extremis, Ice Cube is made from white polyethylene with fluorescent bulbs inside. But priced around $1650 (without lightbulbs, by the way)... it's All About the Benjamins, baby.
Drink It Up, yo.
Designer: Danny Venlet
Manufacturer: Extremis - Ice Cube
CA Boom has expanded from a one weekend per year design show, to offer a design and architecture tour series four Saturdays this fall in Los Angeles.
The tours will be organized in the same fashion as the tours offered during the CA Boom design exhibitions with architects and designers personally guiding attendees through the project offering insights into the design process. Confirmed architects and designers as of this posting include: Bestor Architecture, Unruh Boyer Architects + Design, Techentin Buckingham Architecture, Fing & Blatt, Space Internationall, Xten Architecture, etc. See more details after the jump.
Jeremy Goldkorn of Danwei provides a tour of construction in Beiging including the CCTV building by OMA, the National Theater by Paul Andreu, the National Swimming Center (Water Cube) by PTW and the Olympic Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron.
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has named the winners of the 2006 awards.
Awards are granted by region, including overseas, and in specific categories. 17 awards in all were granted this year, with 2 going to Kennedy Fitzgerald & Associates for their Falls Leisure Centre in Belfast. We've included a few images after the jump. Details and images for all 17 projects are provided at the RIAI website.
Vertical Garden Competition Winning entry by David Fletcher + Juan Azulay
The MAK Center and SCI-Arc invited thirteen emerging architecture firms and architects to design a 'vertical garden' at the Schindler House. To contend with the vertical growth of the city, a vertical garden will be designed to occupy the edges of the Schindler House property, adding a new dimension to the landscape of the low-rise Schindler House and creating a green buffer between the house and its neighbors. The Schindler House is as inseparable from its garden as it is from its condominium neighbors; the vertical garden will address this condition and posit new ideas relating to landscape, public art, urban growth, and architecture.
The proposal by David Fletcher + Juan Azulay proposes a light weight structural system enveloping the site to provide support for the growth of an organic sturctural system - strangler fig (f. petiolaris). Over time, the organic structure fuses with the non organic structure and becomes dominant.
I really wanted to like the Urban chair from IKEA, I really did. Plans were made to purchase 6 of these for our kitchen table....until I sat in one and experienced instant back pains.
It really is a good looking chair and of course at a reasonable price, but just doesn't go that extra step to be truely inviting.
So I get to CA Boom today, and low and behold I am face to face with the consequences of my smart-alecky 
Every once in a while a new material really captures my imagination , and this OLED (Organic Light Emiting Diodes) technology being developed by GE is one for sure. Surface applications where back lighting is not possible... lit undulating, flowing surfaces... vehicle applications... not to mention the effeciency: up to four times better than an incandescent bulb.
London based architect Richard Rogers has been announced as the winner of the 2007 Pritzker Prize winner. The 73-year old architect is the fourth Pritzker laureate to be chosen from the United Kingdom.
It's back and it's bad. CA Boom 4: coming to you this year from the 
As part of this year's Silver Lake Film Festival in Los Angeles, 
Beijing based Thinking Hands has placed a call for architectural ideas for their 500m3 Design Competition. The competition is part of the development of Gao Bei Dian Art District, renovation of the Phase 1 or 'old factory area', on Beijing's east Fifth Ring Road.
Design 21 (in partnresip with UNESCO) takes the stand that design has the potential to improve life. That potential first manifests itself as a series of decisions that result in a series of consequences. The practice of social design considers these decisions on a greater scale, understanding that each step in the design process is a choice that ripples out into our communities, our world and our lives. These choices are the result of informed ideas, greater awareness, larger conversations and, most importantly, the desire to do good. Social design is design for everyone's sake.
We believe that change happens when we design better, together. DESIGN 21 is a resource to make that collaborative change happen: a freelance designer shares ideas with a green business, an arts non-profit connects with a governmental outreach program, a researcher in England brainstorms with an industrial designer in India. It all starts here. And it starts now.
Link: 
Today marks the launch of the Open Architecture Network -- an online, collaborative, open source community which aims to be a catalyst for change.
To promote and foster the development and circulation of architectural ideas, Pamphlet Architecture is again offering an opportunity for architects, designers, theorists, urbanists, and landscape architects to publish their designs, manifestos, ideas, theories, ruminations, hopes, and insights for the future of the designed and built world. With far-ranging topics including the alphabet, algorithms, machines, and music, each Pamphlet is unique to the individual or group that authors it. This call for ideas seeks projects that possess the rigor and excitement found throughout the rich history of Pamphlet Architecture.
A functional wallpaper designed by 
I must admit that I have been tempted to make benches out of my old snowboards, but these days I'm not overly excited about the frat house aesthetic... OK, so really it's because my wife would kill me.
The Ephemeral Gardens will be an artistic event where creators from different horizons are invited to bring an artistic viewpoint on the major themes of Québec City's 400th anniversary. This viewpoint will be expressed through creator gardens : outdoor creations using mediums that combine different elements, including plant materials. The gardens will be on view at Espace 400e , a focal point of the festivities to be created alongside Louise basin in downtown Québec City.
When I think of Architectural Digest, I don't tend to think of architecture... and I know I'm not alone. However the publishers appear to be taking some steps to remedy this with a series of events in October and November in three U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Modern urban redevelopment projects generally have a bad rap, with conclusions batted about of the failure of modernism to produce livable communities. Not all modernist developments met the same fate as Pruitt-Igoe, however. Shining examples of modernist planning are scattered around the world which deliver on the promise that modern visionaries hoped to fulfill.
An exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles running November 19, 2006 through March 5, 2007.
LA based architecture firm Marmol Radziner has launched full scale production of their award-winning, green, modern prefab homes... and they are offering tours of their new modular factory. Of course they intend for this to be a preview for petential prefab homeowners, but I am sure a few of you prefab geeks will slip your way in just to chek it out.
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced the recipients of its 2006 Student Awards. Awards were given in seven categories to 24 projects representing 15 schools.
This just may be America's most wanted cooler. Ice down those libations and Express Yourself by adding some chill atmosphere to your par-tay...
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has named the winners of the 2006 awards.
The MAK Center and SCI-Arc invited thirteen emerging architecture firms and architects to design a 'vertical garden' at the 