Showing posts with label Retro. Show all posts
Pretty Organic for Brick
17 March 2008
The organic forms of both these projects (Canadian Museum of Civilization, top and St. Mary's Church, bottom) by Douglas Cardinal Architect both make wonderful use of a modular building material like brick. While many people don't expect such sensual curves to be created with bricks, DCA proves adept at pushing the usual material expectations while designing monumental structures. In practice since the 60s, this Canadian firm has got a bit of a mod look to it... and I really like it!.
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Recycled Tennis Skirts
05 January 2008
These pendant lights created by Christiane Hoegner from vintage tennis skirts are pretty hip and modern, even if they are a bit kitsch. The lacoste alligator is a great affect!.
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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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Modern Mod
31 December 2007
I really love this pendant by Luca Nichetto. Its retro and mod, but still maintains a current aesthetic...
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Handmade Umbrellas
27 December 2007
When C & I visited Tokyo a few years ago, we brought home two of those clear plastic umbrellas as souvenirs. Because it rained the whole time we were in Japan, we really needed the umbrellas, and the clear ones seemed like the ubiquitous Japanese umbrella at the time... Now, I wish we had come across these lovely handmade umbrellas, built by Mr. Kitazawa. The delicate craftsmanship is really beautiful and the fabrics remind me of Japanese papers..
Via Ping Mag Made
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Lo Stadio dei Marmi
15 November 2007
Each of 60 nudes encircling the Foro Italico racetrack have been designed to represent a different province of Italy and separate sport. I find the statues pretty interesting as a contrast to what we think of as typical roman and renaissance sculpture. Rather than celebrating the gods (or god), these statues were the brainchild of Mussolini and were intended to help motivate a virile and strong youth population. Perhaps more of these statues around the country would help Italy's declining population!Italy on the Brain
13 November 2007
C & I have recently begun to plan a trip to Italy, and now that's all I can think about! Some of the things that I've been getting into are (in no particular order):
Fashion
History
A return to my catholic roots
Museums
Art
Architecture
And Food!
All images via Eternally Cool.
Vintage Flos
01 November 2007
If I had a place to put this fixture, then I would seriously consider this vintage Flos light fixture...Retro Italian
20 October 2007
I'm really loving these retro Italian graphics from Futurismo in Italia that I found via wrong distance.
Simple, Sublime Steel
17 October 2007
Matador's website is entirely in French, so I can't really read it, but I've got to believe that this project is an infill renovation for the Maison Folie Centre des Chantiers Culturels Participatifs in the Ville de Mons, Belgium. Its a lovely project incorporating modern design into an existing, much older project. The steel trusses look like they could have always been there, and yet there is something distinctly modern about their lightweight forms. The rhythm of the forms exterior forms is quite beautiful. This perfect rhythm is the one thing that makes me wonder if the project is entirely new construction, but I'd like to believe that the architects were just lucky enough to have a great starting point in the existing buildings.
The steel forms of this project, Rénovation des anciens abattoirs de Mons Equipement culturel are also very beautiful in contrast with the stark white interior. I'm not exactly sure where the renovation begins and the existing structure ends, but this project as a whole is quite lovely. The simple steel forms impress me the most (whether original or new), but the interior infill and lighting are also simple and spectacular. I'd love to learn more about these projects or other works by Matador, so if anyone knows of any information in English, I'd be glad to see it.
Tradition in Kärsämäki
16 October 2007
I have seen this project a few times on various websites and blogs, but until today I had really never read up on the project. I knew that this wooden church located in Kärsämäki, Finland was the result of a student competition (won by Anssi Lassila of the University of Oulu) in conjunction with the parish of Kärsämäki (and additional funding from the EU). However, until I noticed the admittedly older post on 2 or 3 things, I had never checked out the webpage for this church.Apparently, this wooden church replaces one that was built in the 1700s, and subsequently lost in the 1800s, using traditional 18th century building processes. The church was intended not just as a place for worship, but as a place for learning, too. Using these historic building techniques, older craftsmen were able to pass on their trades to a younger generation through volunteer participation in the construction process.
This is truly a special project... incorporating a very simple, modern, and beautiful design with volunteerism, learning, and community traditions.
Art in the Morning, Architecture in the Afternoon
02 October 2007
The Mori Art Museum recently held an exhibit titled 'Remember Le Corbusier'. The installation, which included interactive learning stations, celebrated Le Corbusier's contributions to both art and architecture. Throughout his life, Le Corbusier refused to practice architecture all day, devoting the mornings to art and the afternoons to architecture. Not a bad gig.
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...
Expo 70
27 September 2007
These fountains designed by Isamu Noguchi for the Osaka World Expo 70 are quite beautiful...Via Deputy Dog
17th Century Green Design
18 September 2007
Imagine if we'd all been going green since the 1600s...These timber framed farmhomes and barns built in the local Norwegian vernacular have some spectacular sod roofs. Indigenous building is all the rage again, but its a shame that we lost some of this knowledge for so long...
Via Arkifoto
Precursor to Gyp Board?
05 September 2007
Does anyone know what type of material was commonly used for wall finishes in the United States during the early 50s? Our house was built in 1951 and gyp board was re-introduced to the general market in 1952. Its not plaster and lathe and its not gyp board... so what is it?
Better Late Than Never
27 August 2007
During my first year at IIT, we all had to take an introduction to architecture class. This class took us to different architectural sites throughout the city, expanding our horizons and developing our sketching skills. The only problem was that the class was scheduled for Friday mornings, which we all know is a terrible time for a class. I managed to attend most of the classes, but there were a few key days that I missed. One of these days was the scheduled visit to the Robie house. [The sketch I turned in was copied from a book, which unfortunately showed an angle no longer able to be seen and was quickly caught by my professor!] Even thought I lived only a few miles from the Robie house for 5 years, I never managed to get myself down to Hyde Park to check it out. Missing the Robie house and the Farnsworth house were two of my big regrets when I left Chicago. But this trip, while visiting a friend who works in Hyde Park, I literally stumbled across the Robie house and decided to take a tour.
The tour itself was a bit of a disappointment, but I'm still glad that I went. I'd visited several of FLW's homes before, so I wasn't as amazed as I might have been otherwise. Plus, having already studied FLW, and the Robie house in particular, I didn't really learn anything new from the tour. And most disappointing, the house is undergoing a complete restoration, so much of the house was in shambles and there was very little furniture on site. Still... if you haven't been, I'd absolutely recommend a visit to this icon of Prairie Architecture.
Andy Warhol at the National Gallery of Scotland
14 August 2007
I love these images of the Andy Warhol exhibit at the National Gallery of Scotland (via the Guardian)... The arrangement of the artwork is very clever. I especially like the gun paintings hung over some wallpaper made from Warhol's prints. But really, I think the most clever and witty installations are the exterior columns wrapped to resemble Warhol's famous soup cans. A New Pavilion for Barcelona
23 July 2007
Clearly influenced by Mies' Barcelona Pavilion, FondaRUIS Architecture has redesigned Barcelona's Miramar building ,including the transformation of the building an integration into the city's greenspace, into a new pavilion for the city. Even though the details and forms are reminiscent of Mies' structure, the architects have managed to put a new spin on a classic design. I particularly like the landscaping and paving patterns.
Via Arkinetia
Via Arkinetia
Ageing Gracefully
20 July 2007
I've always felt very strongly that architecture should not just be studied and admired, but it should be used and loved. This belief is part of what draws me to residential design - it is very rewarding to create architecture for people who truly want to use, occupy, and love every aspect of the space. However, in wanting people to use a space, we must understand that spaces will in fact be used and abused.As architects and designers, its our responsibility to create designs that will lend themselves to ageing gracefully. Architecture is not and should not, in my opinion, be a disposable art form. While I certainly appreciate new materials and technologies, I have a real problem with architecture that can not withstand the use it for which it is created. For example, Rem Koolhaas' Seattle Public Library which was only completed in 2004, has already required restoration due the deterioration of materials in the main spaces. While I think that this is probably due to both budget constraints and that architect's disregard for reality in favor of the latest design craze... its really not acceptable to me that the building is already in need of repair.
The house shown above is mid-century architect and designer Finn Juhl's personal home. I'm not sure exactly when it was built, and I'm sure that some restoration work has occurred... However, its still really impressive how well the house has held up over time, particularly since its clear that it was well used and well loved. Its especially impressive when you think about buildings like the SPL that are already looking more forlorn and abused than this 50+ year old house. I can already hear the comments reminding me that its not fair to compare a public library to a private home, which is probably true. But, mostly I wanted to reiterate my admiration for a building that has managed to retain its elegance over time despite showing some obvious wear. We should all aspire to create such substantial architecture.
Of course, beyond appreciating the longevity of the structure, the building and all of the furniture inside is a spectacular example of mid-century modern Danish design. And I love it.