architechnophilia: August 2008

August 29, 2008

Richard Rogers (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners) has recently completed a winery for Bodegas Protos in Spain.

more

August 28, 2008

preserving modernity

Architecturally, New Orleans is perhaps best known for its Creole cottages, shotgun houses, and the mixed-influences of the French Quarter. But there is a small yet important concentration of Regional Modernism in the Big Easy and local Modernists are doing their damnedest to preserve it. Let’s just hope its not too late.

Jimmy Stamp, Life Without Buildings

Follow the link to learn more or how you can help preserve some of New Orleans' architectural legacy.

August 25, 2008

This stunning collection of buildings, by Studio Mumbai are made of the palmyra grass known for its variety of uses. The project dubbed Palmyra House was built as a refuge amongst a working coconut plantation.

August 19, 2008

Roberto Burle Marx: Landscapes Reflected, Landscape Views 3
Rossana Vaccarino
Princeton Architectural Press (2000)
Rating: 4 stars

Roberto Burle Marx is the questionably the most seminal figure in contemporary landscape design. His use of tropical foliage and vegetation was of such artistry as to redefine the genre.

This amazingly small publication, is actually a fair account of his work. The photographs are mostly b&w and not that impressive, however the collection of sketches enclosed are brilliant. The book is also blessed with some of his lesser known projects outside of the city.

No matter how you look at it this book is a bargain, and an excellent complement to a library on landscape design. Don't however let it be your only insight into the talent of Burle Marx.

Architecture Schools

The Sundance Channel will be hosting a documentary plainly dubbed Architecture Schools a mini-series following the design-build programme at Tulane University. The project, to build a sustainable, design-forward home for a family returning to New Orleans is produced and directed by architects Michael Selditch and Stan Bertheaud and tells the story of twelve idealistic architecture students who are bringing a social mission into the classroom by working with communities and populations that do not traditionally have access to architects.

more via archinect

August 18, 2008

City of Sound has produced a stellar post on the State Library of Queensland, Australia - the collaboration of architects Donovan Hill & Peddle Thorpe. Despite the bias, the criticism is thorough and contextual against other library marquees notably the Bibliothèque National as well as the Seattle Public Library and is an enriching history lesson into the geospatial history of Queensland. The shortfalls of this literary contribution is not in the writing, nor the photographs which so beautifully illustrate the building and its surroundings. Rather, a hunger that emerges for more - perhaps supressed by the inclusion of drawings (plans, section, etc).

August 14, 2008

blog wunderlust: 14 August 2008

August 11, 2008

The Olympic Delivery Authority is aiming to deliver on its statement to make the 2012 Olympic Games in London the first sustainable one with this building. The Energy Centre will be part of a primary electrical substation within the Olympic Park to form the new utilities network that is being built across the British city. The Olympic Energy Centre when constructed will be both sustainable and flexible enough to integrate future technologies as developed in the years to come.

some other mad architects

when construction goes wrong | another mad architect blog by Madalin Szemkovics | Beijing's Mad Architects | Oakland's MAD too (Mirogolio Architecture + Design)