Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts
Chamber Orchestra of Cascais
01 May 2008
I posted about a previous project by ARX... so I'm not surprised that I really like this recent project by the Lisbon based firm. The design is the result of Cascais competition and has recently opened to the public. If you've been to this site before, then you know that I've got a real appreciation for modern additions to older structures. This project is quite sensitive to the original building, just barely engaging it physically while keeping a similar palette of colors and textures. By doing this, instead of flagrantly disregarding the original intent, ARX manages to celebrate both the new and the old.
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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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Quite the Remodel
15 January 2008
When I first read about this project, I must have skimmed a bit too quickly because I thought it was a factory, and I couldn't figure out where all of the equipment was located! Upon more careful reading, I realize that this was a significant remodel/refurbishment project for an existing factory, with a new realization as a public arts space in Tomar Portugal. While this makes it much clearer why there is no evidence of industrial equipment, I still wonder where all of the program is located... There are supposed to be lecture halls, an apartment for an artist in residence, administrative spaces, and more linked together on the upper level (check out the image above). The spaces themselves are quite beautiful and the light is very dramatic, but I still wonder where the activity goes? Its hard to imagine actually using this lovely piece of architecture; the pristine and minimal detailing almost seems more reminiscent of an art installation or a piece of furniture, rather than the center of a vibrant art community. I'd love to see some more images once the building is fully occupied..
Still, all criticism aside, the New Build in Tomar (also possibly named the Tomar Environmental Monitoring Offices) by Embaixada Arquitectura is still a spectacular reuse of an existing shell and wonderful interior design.
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Would you donate blood here?
22 December 2007
Can you imagine signing up to donate blood, and finding yourself in a place like this?!? .
The project, The O'Porto Blood Bank by ARX is a very interesting building... not only aesthetically, but conceptually. Unlike many building types, a blood bank is a very new kind of building, with a wide variety of programmatic restrictions. Firstly, the various research stations need to be located separately in order to maintain the necessary scientific protocol. Furthermore, because this is new building typology, and the technology is advancing so fast, this highly technical interior also needs to be highly flexible in order to adapt to changes in the medical research field. To be honest, I'm impressed that ARX managed to provide such an aesthetically pleasing project for such a complex program.
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This is certainly not something I would expect to see in the US. In fact, this project reminds me of something the speakers at the Seattle AIA awards had to say while discussing jewel box architecture... so often we are all struggling to create the next Bilbao, a spectacular museum or other high budget structure that redefines a city.. the ideal project. But, wouldn't it be wonderful if we all put that same energy into creating a school or hospital or civic structure as the next Bilbao?... why couldn't the next city defining project be a commercial or institutional building that supports the local citizens?
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I'd argue that ARX has tried to do just that. They have worked within the significant constraints of a seemingly dull building type, and still they have provided a spectacular projects. The architecture, daily inhabitants, and local community are all affected and improved upon by each other. I'd love to see something similar in my neighborhood.
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Visual Complexity
29 September 2007
Visualization of Blogspace
Email Map
Segoland
Hierarchical Structure of the Internet
Holtzbrinck Web Map
Internet MapVisual Complexity is the brainchild of Manual Lima, an interaction designer (among other talents). These diagrams of complex relationships are just as beautiful graphically as they are for the information they communicate.
Via Its Nice That
Via Its Nice That
Lisbon Row Houses
19 July 2007
This is a lovely row house project by Portuguese design firm Promontorio Architecture. I especially like the clean lines, rythmic forms, and simple colors... 
