Showing posts with label Netherlands. Show all posts
Museum of Middle East Modern Art
29 June 2008
Dutch firm UN Studio has recently designed a building set to house the first Museum of Middle Eastern Modern Art, as well as a host of other activities including housing, commercial, and retails zones. I have to admit, that I'm glad the this building is more than just a museum... when I first saw it, I was having trouble comprehending why a museum with such a narrow focus we need such a huge structure. .
To be honest, I'm not exactly in love with this building. Sure, its got some nice horizontal banding, consistent with a lot of UN's other work, but the symmetry and scale seem overly formal, which no really connection to the building's surroundings. I realize that much of the Dubai is under construction so there isn't necessarily a great deal of context, but this building seem to ignore the possibility of any interaction. And considering that this new building is being located in Dubai's historic district of Jadaf... I've just got to believe that the architects could have paid more attention to a sense of place. And to top it all off... whenever I look at the images, I just think 'Moby Dick'.
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Via Yatzer
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Multi-tasking
24 June 2008
I'm a total sucker for design that can multi-task... whether its architecture, interiors, furniture or some combination of the lot... This OPtafel table by [in Tussen] is really fantastic. The simple form and clean lines are really appealing... and I love the way it can be treated as a desk, table, or both!
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Sad News
28 May 2008
This actually happened a few weeks ago, but I just found out via ecAr... The architecture building at TU Delft has burned... pretty much to the ground. I was lucky enough to study abroad at Delft for about 6 months and spent a lot of time in that building. During the summer, our program (a globalization workshop) had the building to ourselves, but I stayed for another 2 modules and was also able to experience it full of students. The building was significantly larger (7 stories if I remember?) and much different than Crown Hall where I studied at home... My memories of the building are mostly sentimental... of the cafeteria, computers, and classrooms. I hope that the students are able to get back to work, and hopefully the school will be able to build a new even better building, deserving of TU Delft's high standards of architecture..
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DvG Architecten
21 May 2008
This project, the Nederlands Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Dick van Gameren, was one of the most recent winners of the Aga Khan award... its a pretty interesting project. While the red concrete structure clearly has roots in the African dirt, its design and form is Dutch in every way.
This apartment complex is some serious adaptive reuse... the complex spreads across an Amsterdam site previously occupied by a sewage treatment plant, to the extent that it even pierces an old concrete sediment drum. I'm not sure if I could get over the idea of living in a sediment drum... but if someone can, more power to them!
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Is Moooi Trying to Tell Us Something?
30 April 2008
This cabinet hardware and shelving unit detail by Moooi (as shown at the Milan Furniture Fair) are really cracking me up... Nothing subtle here....
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Via Core 77
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A Collection
03 March 2008
I noticed this Lisbon subway by Broadway Malyan on Dezeen, and it made me think about a few other great subway stations...
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Wilhelminaplein station by Zwarts and Jansma, Rotterdam
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Prague Metro Station
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Bilbao Metro Station by Foster and Partners
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Gare do Oreinte Station by Santiago Calatrava, Lisbon
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Lohring Metro Station by Rabsamen + Partner, Bochum
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If Seattle had a metro, then I might be able to talk about the stations... but perhaps (hopefully, but not likely) I'll be writing about the light rail stations in the near future.
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Floating Homes
04 February 2008
My dad sent me the link to this article on NPR... leave it to the Dutch to figure out a way to provide homes with modern plumbing, utilities, and foundations to float as required by the rising water levels. The foundations of these are actually basements with the utilities connected with flexible pipes, creating a kind of boat whose bottom sits on the floor of the river (or other waterway). As the water level rises, the buildings rise too, with poles embedded into the sea floor keeping the buildings in place. These will be especially useful in the Netherlands, which is already almost entirely below sea level (before global warming!), but I could certainly imagine the same sort of application in places like New Orleans."Suddenly, climate change is no longer a dire threat, but an opportunity for
innovation."
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Extreme Delft Blue
02 January 2008
After my semester in Delft, I brought home a traditional Delftware Christmas ornament as a souvenir. But, it would have been much cooler if I could have gotten one of Hugo Kaagman's Delft Blue ceramics instead. How sweet are these tiles?!?! I love the way he has used a traditional artform in a very new and modern way... Check out his site for even more examples.
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Embracing the Diagram
06 November 2007
One of the things that I always associate with Dutch architecture, is the clear use (and often direct extrusion) of the diagram. This project, Velserduinweg Ijmuiden by Ronald Janssen Architecten is no different... The diagram is developed early in the conceptual stages and clearly relates to the resulting organization of space and circulation. While sometimes I think that diagrams can be too simplistically translated into plans, this type of solution definitely helps you understand the thought process and intent behind the design!3 Remodels by Emma
01 October 2007
I quite like all three of these remodels by Dutch firm Emma. Each project uses the existing construction of a historic structure to enhance a modern remodel. I particularly appreciate the middle project, which is a new balcony on an existing apartment. Using traditional materials (and even traditional construction techniques such as corbelling), the architects provided a very modern solution to a traditional problem. Not bad at all...
Clever, Huh?
27 September 2007
I quite like this side table and lamp by the Dutch studio HUH.
So clever, and so dutch!
For my bedside reading
16 September 2007
I quite like this bedside table, and I even think its small enough to fit in our tiny bedroom!
Via The Style Files
Via The Style Files
If you Love Droog
18 August 2007
If like me, you love all things Droog... then hurry and get to this Brussels shop before is closes in September. The shop, opened specifically to sell their wares will close forever after being open a mere 240 hours! Hurry!Via Bloesem
Places I've Lived
08 August 2007
I was going to write something about how all the places we've lived and experienced affect our design sensibilities... But everyone already knows that. And besides, I really just wanted to play with the interactive google maps!If you'd like to see mine... check it out here.
Modern Garden Design
17 June 2007
C & I once again spent this weekend moving into our new house. Because we are downsizing, everything is taking longer than expected. Every box that we move first needs to be weeded through and sorted; then as we empty the boxes we need to properly locate everything to make sure that we have enough room. Its been an exhausting procedure, but well worth it... so far, we've thrown out over 5 boxes of unnecessary junk.While we are unpacking, my mind is constantly wandering to the different ways I can fix up the house. I've already sketched a few plans for the remodel, but I have yet settled on a master plan. The house has a decent sized back yard, and because the house itself is so small I think its important that the yard can become another usable and enjoyable space. Unfortunately, while I've got some ideas regarding the design, I don't actually know anything about plants. I will likely need to ask someone for help.
This design by X and L is just the kind of imagery I've been gravitating towards, and the sort of design I'd love to implement. XandL is usually known for spectacular modern interior designs, but in this case they have used their understanding of intimate space to create a lovely garden atmosphere. I love the combination of organic planting with architectural pavers and built structures. I only hope that we can create something so satisfying.
Via Bloesem
Bureau Sla
06 June 2007
Bureau Sla has designed a lovely bathroom remodel for an Amsterdam home. Rather than use expensive materials, the architects opted to use light as the main design feature. Whether its from the tub lit by the sun or moon above or the from backlit stairs, light provides all of the drama in this project. Its great to see a well designed space using easily accessible materials.Those Clever Dutch
21 February 2007
I'm really digging the designs by the Dutch partnership Bureaudebank from Utrecht. I really enjoy following Dutch design and architecture, but especially the product design. The shelves above are what first caught my eye.... I'm a big proponent of using interesting materials in a new way (check out the rubber that keeps the books from falling off!). BUT, its the lamp that has really stolen my heart. I just love products that combine two or more uses. And who couldn't love a table lamp that doubles as a bookcase!