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Venice Architecture Biennale 2010

2011-01-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

studio pei zhu: yi garden at venice architecture biennale 2010

'yi garden' by pei zhu at the 12th international architecture biennale in venice, italy
image © designboom

as a part of the chinese pavilion at this year's venice architecture biennale, studio pei zhu has designed
and constructed an outdoor installation which aims to reinterpret, explore and expand on the traditional
chinese garden and notions of space through contemporary and futuristic methods.

located in a courtyard outside of the old arsenale building,
'yi garden' is comprised of more than 1300 acrylic bars of varying heights, arranged in a grid system on
the lawn. when viewed from afar, the sanded, luminous tips of the bars come together to create a cloud-like
form that seems to float above the ground. the pavilion also creates loose spaces or zones which promote
movement for those who physically enter and interact with the bars.

front view
image © designboom

traditional chinese landscape, much like chinese painting and calligraphy, works in softness that is both tangible
and conceptual. it often obscures the horizon by avoiding straight lines in paths and exclusively uses organic
and geological forms. the character 'yi' literally translates to 'meaning, idea or desire' but its associations include
both the concept that precedes actualization, the move from the concrete to the abstract, and invisible over visible structure.
by using the language of modern materials and abstractions, the installation blurs the edges of form and space,
creating tension between the indistinct and distinct, ultimately become a prop in the process of form-engaging
rather than serve it's role as an object in itself.

acrylic bars arranged in a grid system
image © designboom

varying heights and opacities of the pavilion
image © designboom

detail
image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

rendering
image courtesy studio pei zhu

image courtesy studio pei zhu

diagrammatic drawing of the 'cloud' form
image courtesy studio pei zhu

calligraphy
one feature of chinese classical gardens is to ensure a spiritual flow behind the visible structures. there is a 'shi' (trend) behind the
appearing relaxed and dispersed structures. it in general controls the routes, the structure and display of each site, which has some
similarities as chinese calligraphy. there is also certain 'shi' that dominants the flow or stop of each strike when people do chinese calligraphy.

side elevation, lit
image courtesy studio pei zhu

perspective, lit
image courtesy studio pei zhu

vignette of 'cloud' form
image courtesy studio pei zhu

clouds
'corridors, bridges, kiosks and pavilions are the main elements embodied
in traditional chinese landscape gardening. these elements give people a relaxed and transparent feeling.
normally the roof parts are connected to each other, which create diverse and hierarchical spaces.' -studio pei zhu

the acrylic bars lit up at night
image courtesy studio pei zhu

interlaced thought
'our work is predominantly located in china and influenced by the chinese experience. this ancient civilization maintains an intense
and powerful presence in the built environment and collective cultural scheme. our efforts are an attachment and detachment to this
scheme that attempt to engage the chinese viewer in a dialogue about the shifts in their own cultural identity.

vast cultural experiences determine the method of understanding and engaging the language of architecture. new buildings are built
next to old buildings built in ancient spaces built at mythic happenings. in chinese philosophy art is not the final goal; art is a process
to personal refinement and growth. our work reflects this immense cultural presence while using contemporary techniques and
materials to rethink the cultural approach to architecture.

currently there is a conflict between the modernization trend and the traditional course of life. this modernization progression has led
to mass materialization that disconnects the spirit and self. the process of experiencing art through architecture can refine and inspire
the human spirit, alleviating the physical invasion and restoring balance to the self. art is the immaterial content of space that stirs the
heart and sparks humanity's dreams. instead of being too eager to occupy space, we need to return buildings to nature when they are
not in use. the buildings melt into the context and reappear when they are needed. the challenge of foresight is in building projects that
connect to the traditional identity while effectively gesturing towards this future utopia.' -studio pei zhu

sketch
image courtesy studio pei zhu

credits
artist / architect: pei zhu / studio pei zhu
artistic consultants: fan di'an, wang mingxian, zhu xiaodi
lighting artistic consultant: xiao lihe
structure consultant: rory mcgowan
construction consultant: zheng jianwei
design team: he fan, liu wentian, heonju seo, kejun, geoffery hughes

esan rahmani + mukul damle: bamboo pavilion

'bamboo pavillion' by esan rahmani and mukul damle
all images courtesy esan rahmani

australian designer esan rahmani together with mukul damle have designed 'bamboo pavilion'
a synthesis of sustainable ideas for a communal shelter for disadvantaged populations around
the indian ocean rim.

bamboo is already used in asia and pacific regions as a building material due to its adaptable
qualities to make roofing, flooring, water and drainage pipes and be used as structural members.
using smart joinery and efficient use of bamboo, there is no need for the use of other materials
to construct the shelter. the structural members also act as a system of interconnected pipes
(bamboo) which collect and channel the rain water into a central basin where it is filtered
and stored for use.

the shelter is designed with quality of life in mind. solar access is therefore the central focus of
the communal living area, where it is maximized by a radial funnel shaped opening in the structure
and in sleeping areas operable shades allow light in, provide natural ventilation. the roof is tiled
using quarter cuts of bamboo similar to traditional terracotta tiles. in plan the design allows for
a large communal living space surrounded by bedrooms and amenities.

exploded view of the 'bamboo pavilion'

floor plan

croatia's floating pavilion for venice architecture biennale
croatia's 'floating pavilion' for the 12th international architecture biennale in venice, italy
image courtesy pavilion.hr
photo by zelimir grzancic

for the event of this year's venice architecture biennale, croatia has designed
and built a floating pavilion on an existing barge to be tugged by a tow boat
to the site of the international event. constructed out of 32 tons of steel,
the structure's form is defined by a methodical system consisting of over 40 layers
of welded Q385 wire mesh. each layer contours at varying depths and lengths
to create a carved out space which plays with different transparencies, densities,
and vision lines. despite the solid and heavy materials, the resulting effect is
a blurring of form;at a distance, the pavilion conveys elements of fragility and lightness.
the project is a collaborative effort by 14 croatian architects and members
of the local maritime industry.

however, despite the relatively short journey from croatia to venice,
the pavilion experienced structural problems and never made it to the italian site.

in phase of collapse
image courtesy katarina olujic

image by robert les

image courtesy katarina olujic

image courtesy katarina olujic

completed form, before leaving for venice
image courtesy pavilion.hr

interior view
image courtesy pavilion.hr

night view
image courtesy pavilion.hr

shots of the pavilion at the rijeka port in croatia
images courtesy pavilion.hr

the floating pavilion sailing for venice
image courtesy pavilion.hr
photo by zelimir grzancic

project credit:
commissioner: leo modrčin
architects: saša begović, marko dabrović, igor franić, tanja grozdanić,
petar mišković, silvije novak, veljko oluić, helena paver njirić, lea pelivan,
toma plejić, goran rako, saša randić, idis turato, pero vuković, tonči zarnić
maritime consultant: miljenko gržalja
structural engineer: zvonimir sabljak
naval architecture: nicola ferrari
principal contractor: an.ta.so.mont

Fashion: Camille Cortet

2011-01-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Camille Cortet's transformation line is wicked cool http://camillecortet.com/
See for yourself

This part of the project is about transformations that lead to the creation of adornments.
By observing animals’ transformations we understand animals’ behaviours that we can connect with and that we would like to have from them. These animal’s behaviours are inspirations for our own transformations.
Thus, we start a process of transformation.
My process to create these animal inspired behaviours is led by 3 stages : copying - merging - and translating. The translation stage, is about adapting this behaviours to our culture. It is a way to create new gestures and new body languages within clothing and ornaments.
We can resume this process as designing by connecting with the animal. We translate the animal’s beauty and finally merge with its behaviour, almost to the point of embodying it.
This part is divided in 3 topics: the bird and seduction - the fish and shielding - the snake and molting.

❙ Slow-Water ❙

Water flows, escapes, leaks and disappears.We use water everyday, the amount of used water varies with the use and the awareness of each user. Slow water is an exploration into the experience of water use in daily life.
The sink is made out of concrete. The surface is nearly flat and waxed, the water flows down in the tiny hole in the center.
With a slow flow the water falls down quietly. Drops appear on the waxed surface, they fall slowly and disappear. If the flow is too intense, water overflows and is absorbed by the concrete on the sides. The tracks of water are appearing and marking the sink. Slow water tends to change the user habits by showing the beauty of water drops and slowness.

Abandoned Places: Detroit, NYC, China

2011-01-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Detroit’s Michigan Theater: The World’s Most Beautiful Parking Lot

It was built upon the birthplace of the Ford automobile, so perhaps it’s fitting that Detroit’s Michigan Theater is now a parking lot – except that such a use seems to be such a terrible waste for such a stunning historic structure. Built in 1926 alongside the connected 13-story Michigan Building office tower, the 4,000-seat Michigan Theater has been left to decay, another casualty in Detroit’s long decline since its heyday as a car-manufacturing mecca.

(above image via: bourbonbaby)

(images via: wikipedia)

“It is not merely a theatre for Detroit,” John H. Kunsky, the theater’s owner, told The Detroiter in August 1926. “It is a theatre for the whole world. It is designed to be the great showplace of the middle west.” It was described in the press as “a jewel”, and “the world’s finest”. The auditorium featured 10-foot crystal chandeliers that hung eight floors above the seats, and the mezzanine was open to black-tie guests only. But by the mid-1960s, the Michigan Theater was among dozens in the city to close due to dwindling profits, and though it was saved from the wrecking ball in 1967, its glory days were over.

(image via: decojim)

Ironically, one of the factors that forced the closure of the opulent theater was a lack of parking. The theater faced stiff competition from modern nearby theaters that offered plenty of parking space. After a brief interlude as a music venue, during which it drew some of the industry’s biggest names, the Michigan Theater was gutted. While the shell of the building remained intact, it was filled with a three-level, 160-space parking deck.

(image via: detroitderek)

One perk to the theater’s latest incarnation is that one need not be an intrepid urban explorer (which often includes law-breaking and physical danger) to get a good look at these modern ruins. A paltry parking fee will get you up-close-and-personal with peeling gilded walls, a crumbling ticket booth, the remains of an upper balcony and a shredded bit of red curtain. See more photos of the decaying interior at DetroitFunk.com

.Subterranean History: Beautiful Abandoned NYC Subway Station

As all urban exploration enthusiasts know, there are hidden wonders all around us – particularly in rich metropolitan landscapes like New York City. The City Hall subway stop is well-known to NYC history buffs, but until now it hasn’t been easy to catch a glimpse of this unique bit of New York. Recently, a change in Transit Authority rules have made it possible for anyone to see the long-abandoned station – as long as you don’t mind seeing it from a moving train.

The City Hall station was meant to be the crown jewel in the city’s new subway system. It was opened in 1904 as the southern terminal of the Manhattan Main Line (which is now part of the IRT Lexington Avenue Line). Located beneath the public area in front of City Hall, the station has always been considered the most beautiful in the city.

Using an unusually luxurious style of architecture along with colored glass tilework, beautiful skylights and dignified brass chandeliers, the station was undoubtedly unique. Although it was the focus of the subway system groundbreaking ceremony in 1904, City Hall station eventually fell into disuse.

By 1945, only around 600 people per day were being served by the elegantly appointed station. As the trains grew longer and added doors in the middle of the cars, the City Hall platforms were no longer suitable. There were now unsafe gaps between the train cars and the platform; in other stations, the platforms were rebuilt or extended, but this wasn’t an option in the tightly-curved City Hall station.

Rather than undertaking a very costly renovation of the station which was hardly used by the public, the city decided to close it down. The station’s last day of service was December 31, 1945. In the following decades, the station was still used as a loop station for the number 6 train, although passengers were forced to get off at the Brooklyn Bridge station just before the train passed through City Hall.

Recently, the MTA changed the rules to allow passengers to ride through the gorgeous City Hall station. Although the station is still closed to passengers, you can get a glimpse of the former glory of this interesting piece of New York history by sitting back and relaxing while the number 6 makes it loo p.

The Empty City of Ordos, China: A Modern Ghost Town

It’s been called the Dubai of northern China, showered with wealth, packed with public infrastructure and located near to precious natural resources in a region plagued by water-supply troubles. But the urban center of Ordos City, known as ‘Kangbashi New Area’, has been mostly deserted for five years. Kangbashi isn’t a ghost town due to economic issues, contamination or any other common cause of such abandonment – the government simply can’t convince people to move there.

Built for 1 million people and currently inhabited by just a few thousand (despite a government claim of 28,000 residents, who are more likely just commuting workers), Kangbashi is filled with brand new buildings. One apartment building after another perches on the edge of streets that rarely see traffic, skyscrapers stand empty and over $5 billion worth of public buildings are unused and unstaffed.

(images via: archdaily)

One notable architectural project, the Ordos Art Museum, was the first structure to go up in the new civic center. Its ethereal location on a stretch of sand dunes along a lake makes it all the more visually striking. But this 29,000-square-foot exhibition and research space is just accumulating dust until the city’s hoped-for residents move in.

(image via: time)

Even now, construction on Kangbashi homes, businesses and public buildings still continues. City officials are confident that it’s just a matter of time before many of the 1.5 million residents of Ordos proper, who live 15 miles away in the old section of town, see the light. The Ordos city government has already moved its offices there, but that’s the extent of life in the new town.

(image via: google maps)

“It’s pretty lonely here,” Li Li, the marketing manager of an elegant restaurant in Kangbashi’s mostly vacant Lido Hotel, told The New York Times. “Most of the people who come to our restaurant are government officials and their guests. There aren’t any common residents around here.”

(image via: time)

Kangbashi’s local economy should be flourishing, given its close proximity to abundant natural resources like natural gas and coal. As in much of the rest of China, real estate in Ordos is booming, and the apartments in Kangbashi aren’t empty for lack of buyers.

(image via: time)

Investors have snapped up nearly every available residence, confident that they’ll eventually see a big return. But it’s exactly this activity that has analysts worried about a speculative real estate bubble that will inevitably see a painful pop.

(images via: google maps)

On Google Maps, you can explore the vacant city’s complex layout, intricate landscaping and wealth of public spaces like parks, swimming pools and a massive town square. The land is still raw in many areas as construction marches on, and what few cars can be seen are clustered around government buildings. New highways cut into sparsely populated countryside.

(image via: time)

So why don’t people want to live here, in a sparkling state-of-the-art city filled with modern architecture? Mostly, for now, moving to Kangbashi is an inconvenience. The new district is a thirty-minute drive from the old district where the bulk of Ordos residents still live, and the slow pace of relocation has stalled important supporting services like restaurants and markets.

(image via: time)

It may seem like a bizarre folly on behalf of the Chinese government, borne of severely misplaced optimism. But Ordos is indeed expanding at a rapid pace, home to a growing number of coal millionaires and producing China’s highest gross domestic product per capita. And pouring money into such new urban areas is part of a plan by China’s government to increase its middle class, benefiting the nation’s economy as a whole. Despite the current eerie silence of its streets, it’s probably safe to say that Kangbashi won’t be empty for long.

Rules of Thumb: Ingenious Hand-Held Digital Tape Measure

2011-01-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

Rules of Thumb: Ingenious Hand-Held Digital Tape Measure

Posted: 16 Sep 2010 03:19 PM PDT

The history of measurement has come full circle, from body-based units to abstracted quantifiers … and now back again to the basics. From lengths and widths to volumes, this set of finger-mounted devices is designed to let the user measure anything, store that data, calculate results and more.

Wooden sticks gave way to wood-and-metal rulers and measuring tapes, which in turn were replaced over time by higher-technology digital tools for fine-tuned measurements. Still, how often do you find yourself needing precision down to the very last millimeter or hundredth of an inch in daily life, as a designer or otherwise?

Unlike other precursors, this set of miniature measurers works at essentially any scale – put them both on one hand for small distances, two hands for medium ones or trade them between two different people for longer requirements.

The evolution of measuring technologies started with what we all had in common – feet, legs, arms, hands and whole bodies, from which various cultures derived standardized systems for long-term use. Both in theory and practice, this simple invention takes the entire history of such methods and tools into account.

The best of all worlds, this ‘smart finger’ concept by Choi Hyong-Suk, Jung Ji-hye & Yoo-Jin Park (via YankoDesign) blends the precision of cutting-edge distance and weight calculators and exceeds the convenience of rulers and tape measures in terms of portability and usability.

Architecture : Cave Houses

2011-01-16T16:31:00.002-07:00

Stone houses invoke thoughts of dark, cold, and damp places full of creepy creatures. Some cultures have battled these prejudices for centuries, building dwellings deep into rock, and now modern architects are giving it a shot. With all of the warmth and convenience of a suburban home, a cave house is beginning to look a lot more tempting.

(Images via vncegroup, cabinzoom, cavesspain, inhabitat, channel4)

Underground homes are most well known in films like Lord of the Rings, but there’s actually a large green movement promoting their expansion into the currently conformist development culture. Underground homes are cheaper to heat and cool, allow for a lot more plant life, and require less materials to build.

(Images via samanthamuse, inhabitat, localpropertyindex, regent-estates-group)

Spain is known for the running of the bulls, and its fine wine and food, but a less well known tourist destination is Spain’s variety of cave homes. Subtly built into existing stone, or built at large cave entrances, these homes are stunning and organic. Tourists will pay a hefty price to spend a night in such unusual settings.

(Images via chinablog, pbase)

Yaodongs are dug out shelters found throughout northern China, sculpted straight out of the hard rock walls. Requiring less material to create these homes, yaodongs are quire popular. Entire villages have been built into the sides of mountains.

(Images via theshady80, hotelclub)

Rocks homes are by nature unique, but some are more interesting than others. A home built into a freestanding stone looks unusual but amazing, whereas an entire monastery built out of the very rock it rests on is wondrous in its own right.

(Images via spasticgoat, dgpublications, 24-timepass)

Missouri is home to a lot of random things, including a sprawling cave home built directly into a cliff face. The owners have designed around the natural rock formations and managed to include all the amenities of the modern home. The house even has its own performance area – a huge underground room large enough to host entire parties or bandstands.

(Images via theshady80, chatdd)

Iran has its own set of incredible homes built in the valleys and cliffs. It would be fantastic to be privy to the interior of one of these edifices, though just viewing the unique design of their entrances is enough to pique any architect’s interest.

(Images via copleys, weirdomatic, thedailygreen, thedailygreen)

Cave interiors aren’t necessarily as cold and damp as one might expect. With a little organic lighting and some careful interior design choices, they can be just as cozy as anything above ground.

(Images via arkansas, tashaschmidt, spasticgoat, hotel-in-cappadocia)

Imagine staying as a guest in someone’s home, or in a hotel room, that involved entering the heart of a mountain. The living room seems a bit more exciting when it’s surrounded by natural rock formations and oddly shaped stone walls.

(Images via welton, seehere, pitt, turkeytravelplanner, lazybeggers, rolfgross)

While the depth of a cave is the measure of its worth, it’s okay to be a little shallow in one’s appreciation. A quick glance across a variety of cave home entrances and one easily notices what works and what doesn’t; windows are a must, and a little greenery doesn’t hurt.

(Images via planetware, spotcoolstuff, spotcoolstuff, kusadasi, geodeluxe)

Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey that is famous for its gorgeous and interesting architectural specialty… entire villages and hotels have been dug deep into the rock. The hotels and resorts in this area are internationally renowned for their unique design and luxurious accommodations.

Architecture : Sauna

2011-01-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

A Sauna for all in Liberec Czech Republic Mjölk Architects