blog wunderlust: 12th May 2014

By tattooing walls, graffiti writers free them architecture and turn them once again into living, social matter, into the moving body of the city before it has been banned with functions and institutions.

Jean Baudrillard "Kool Killer, or the Insurrection of Signs"

When Architects Build Brands: Is Architecture’s Future in Advertising? | Meet the Dynamic Duo Behind Architecture Firm Fuksas | Why Architects should Blog | The Green Building Reality: Why Two-Thirds of the Profession Are Cowards | One of America's Most Famous Architects Was a Nazi Propagandist | A beautiful mobile home for just $33,000? | A degree in architecture … but all I can get are menial jobs

last word: 2014 - End of Year Exhibition at the Caribbean School of Architecture

Beyond the Building

Beyond The Building from MASS Design Group on Vimeo.

blog wunderlust: 15th July 2013

If we want to live in harmony with the land, we must first engage the land

Juan Calvo

[image source]

Architect Zaha Hadid's Chrome High Heels Arrive From the Future | Moleskine Publishes New Series on Inspiration and Process in Architecture | Interview: WORK Architecture Company | Sketching in the Digital Age: More Relevant than Ever? | The future of construction: Meet BIM (or else) | Changing Skyline: Pop-up parks perk up dull city spots | Can Architects Do For Borders What They've Done For Embassies?

Software: ArchDaily App Guide - Sketchfab

last word: Pictures of old houses in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Call for Papers: AXIS volume 12 - Prototyping

On the Boards: Luxury Apartments

A deluxe private residential development in Barbados by London based architectural practice MAKE. The proposed development was inspired by sea shells, evidenced in the layout that provides privacy and unimpeded views of the sea.

On the Boards: Notre Dame de l’Assomption

images courtesy of Architecture for Humanity

The origami-like form of the proposed cathedral, Notre Dame de l’Assomption was inspired by traditional fishing boats common in Haiti, recalling the former cathedral’s role as a lighthouse. The competition hosted by the archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, invited architects worldwide to "discover the new Notre Dame" the proposal by Architecture for Humanity, led by architect Andrea Panizzo (YCF Group) embraces the spirit of the cathedral and outlines its footprint with a channel to collect water that leads to a Reflection Garden. More of this project via.

A Prefab Vertical Gym For Urban Slums

Working with the community in Caracas, Venezuela, interdisciplinary studio Urban Think Tank designed a 4,000m² prefab vertical recreational centre to address local need for a safe place for sports and activities for limited sites. More via

Museum of Biodiversity

The 4,000m² Museum of Biodiversity situated on the mouth of the Panama Canal in Panama City is Frank Gehry's first project in Latin America. Exhibition coordinator, Darien Montañes, explains the work involved in bringing a project of this scale to life.

On the Boards: Digicel Showroom

A competition entry for a showroom for telecommunications giant Digicel in Port au Prince, Haiti designed by Gianni Botsford Architects. The design was intended to be a physical and digital extension of the public space in front of it. The elevation of the showroom aims to reflect both the cultural, the climatic, technological aspirations of the city.

McLeod House: demolished

The 140 years old McLeod House in Port of Spain, Trinidad was in the blink of an eye bulldozed. The house suffered structural damage a number of years ago and the entry had begun to deteriorate. The owners did not have the financial resources to restore the structure.

sLAB Costa Rica: Recycling Centre in Nosara

NYIT architecture students want to help build a recycling center they designed in Costa Rica, and fund a documentary film about it. More regarding this initiative

Competition ::: Tapestry of Our Culture

Digicel are inviting submissions from artists, designers & architects for original pieces of artwork to be used as tapestries in the main lobby of their new global headquarters in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. The competition entitled Tapestry of Our Culture will be judged by Digicel Chairman, Denis O’Brien, and Group CEO, Mr. Colm Delves, assisted by de Blacam and Meagher Architects.

All entries are to be anonymous. The entries are to be submitted with the completed entry form in a separate sealed envelope marked: “Digicel Tapestry Competition 2012”

On the Boards : Orphanage and Children’s Centre

The US Building Council and international architectural practice HOK have partnered together to design an orphanage and children’s centre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The design uses biomimicry referencing the Kapok tree, native to Haiti, both in the branch-like external structural system and the cooling aspect of the second skin. Post via

Images courtesy of HOK

On the Boards : Embassy Housing, Haiti

Sorg Architects has designed new, sustainable, staff housing for the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The project consists of 107 new townhouse units, a new Mission residence, and support facilities, including a recreation and sports centre. Completion is scheduled for January 2014

Call for Papers: AXIS #11

on the boards: Elliptical City, Dominican Republic

Bernard Tschumi Architects have designed a new master plan proposed for a heavily vegetated site just outside of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Elliptical City project aims to merge nature and finance in a flexible landscape of buildings and gardens that can accommodate up to 30,000 people on the near 8000 acre site.

on the boards: Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre

The site located at North Parade in downtown Kingston, Jamaica is to become the new home of the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre. Designed by the architects at the Urban Development Corporation (UDCJA), the scheme involves the renovation of 4 existing buildings to house an interpretation centre, conference rooms, staff offices and commercial facilities.

credited architects Deon Clarke & Kamou Kambui UDCJA

ACSAC ::: Haiti Response

Association of Commonwealth Societies of Cariibean Architects ( ACSAC )

Linda Moore ACSAC Deputy Chair has made contact with Graham Saunders who is Head, Shelter and Settlements Department for the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). Graham is coordinating the shelter response by the UN, Red Cross and NGO's and is currently coordinating the international community shelter response to the current crisis.

He has outlined to us what ACSAC can effectively do at this time and in reparation for ways in which we may be able to contribute to the relief effort. For the link for the summary

Extra-Muros ::: Architectures of Delight

The French Embassy in Jamaica and the Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology are hosting an exhibition titled Extra-Muros - Architectures of Delight. The exhibition was originally produced and designed from a catalogue of photographs and critics of contemporary architecture, coordinated by the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine / Institut français d’architecture.

Puerto Plata International Design Competition

The State Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic is launching an international competition for the redesign of Puerto Plata as a tourist destination. The project aims to introduce urban solutions that encourage social and cultural activities, and to serve as a catalyst for integrated and sustainable tourism.

To download the pdf for more