GOLDBERGER by TERVHIVATAL

Hungarian architects Zsanett Benedek and Dániel Lakos of Tervhivatal have completed Goldberger, as a result of converting the loft of a former textile factory by juxtaposing numerous pods to create an exciting and innovative office space. Each pod forms a smaller meeting or office space that are slightly elevated or fixed to ground to denote corridors between them. The pods are made up of plasterboard supported by steel structures; the floors are a combination of highly polished concrete and linoleum. The space is used as a venue during the evenings too. I love the simplistic sense the space has; even the fixtures are minimal. The overall highly polished quality is owed to the attention to detail and materials used.

Info and images from:

http://tervhivatal.hu

http://www.dezeen.com

FIRST SITE GALLERY

PROJECT: FIRST SITE GALLERY:

LOCATION: COLCHESTER, UK

ARCHITECT: RAFAEL VINOLY 

I think my excitement for the new first site gallery opening in Colchester has been over shadowed by the long anticipated wait and constant disappointment of missed deadlines to get the project finished. The last time I checked it was due to open early this year, but it is still not completed. Nevertheless, the crescent shaped building designed by acclaimed architect Rafael Vinoly presents a creative space and a landmark destination.

‘Inspired by Colchester’s Roman heritage, Viñoly’s bold design is more than a traditional art gallery; its unusual curved form hugs the parkland landscape whilst its unique engineering preserves the Roman treasures which may lie beneath.’

The iconic contemporary art building is being constructed in the heart of historic Colchester. When it is finally completed the idea is that it will attract visitors from all over the UK, to experience a venue where they can enjoy an artistic, cultural, retail, eating and social space like no other. At 3,200 square metres, firstsite’s new home will rank among the largest contemporary art venues in the UK.

The building will house firstsite’s vibrant programme of changing exhibitions, workshops, lectures and community events.

info and images from: 

http://www.rvapc.com/

http://www.firstsite.uk.net/

SQUARE ONE

STUDIO: SQUARE ONE

PROJECT: ENTRANCE

LOCATION: BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Adding to my collection of favourite retail design concepts, this eye- catcher is well up there in my opinion. Romanian studio Square One have completed a clothing store in Bucharest with pointy stark display stands juxtaposed with a network of black electrical cables. Called Entrance, the monochrome interior features light bulbs weighted at the ends of electrical wires that create angular planes fanning across the ceiling. One side of each emanates light to illuminate the merchandise, bringing the focus back to the products by highlighting them.  

info and images from:

http://www.dezeen.com/2010/04/11/entrance

UK PAVILION: SHANGHAI EXPO ’10

ARCHITECT: THOMAS HEATHERWICK

The pavilion is covered in 60,000 7.5m transparent rods, each containing seeds at the tip from the Millennium Seed Bank in the UK. During the day they act as optic fibres and draw daylight in to illuminate the interior, in the evening light sources within the rods allow the whole structure to glow. As wind passes the structure its optic ‘hairs’ move subtly creating a dynamic effect. The pavilion has apparently conjured up massive interest and has been used as the defining image all over the world for Shanghai expo.  Seventy- million people are expected to visit Shanghai expo, which opens to the public on May 1^st, and the UK pavilion is expecting many millions alone. The theme for the expo is ‘better city, better life’, which is what inspired the British designer. He created a unique yet open space encased by a park in which people can relax, by using the UK’s expertise in urban planning. We are left with a stunning structure that stands out from the other 230+ pavilions that have been erected, that ‘reflects the UK’s regional and national excellence and diversity in arts, business, culture, sports, science and education.’

Info and images from:

http://www.ukshanghaiexpo.com

http://www.dezeen.com

info on the architect:

http://www.heatherwick.com

LIVARIA DA VILA

Architect: Isay Weinfeld

Collaborator: Domingos Pascali
Project

This caught my eye on the dezeen website today… ‘Livaria da Vila’ is a book- shop in São Paulo that was completed in 2007. The store- front is made of revolving bookcases, it seems to be very effective in fulfilling various functions and happens to be aesthetically stunning… in my opinion!

Livaria da Vila

 

Livaria da Vila

 

images and info from:

http://www.dezeen.com

DILLER AND SCOFIDIO

Re- discovered these drawings the other day by Diller and Scofidio (now Diller Scofidio + Renfro) and thought I would post them, as the detail is stunning and the quality of the hand drawings is beautiful. The project, entitled Case #00-17163, from the 1992 publication ‘Zone 6: Incorporations’ has always stuck in my mind, it catalogues a variety of photographic and forensic evidence in a non-linear fashion over the course of a several page spread. The reader is drawn into the work in an attempt to determine exactly what has occurred. It’s almost like mapping a forensic investigation. 

Case No. 00-17163 (Fragment), Diller & Scofidio

DS+R

DS+R: 1989

 

More information on Diller Scofidio + Renfro:

http://www.dillerscofidio.com/

ELM & WILLOW HOUSE

Elm & Willow House

Architects: EAT

Location: Canterbury, Australia

Melbourne based Architects EAT have completed the restoration and alteration of an existing Edwardian structure, they have called ‘Elm and Willow House’, in Australia. The projects ‘inside is outside is inside’ quality resembles influence from various projects such as the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe, and for me the exhibition wing in the Kroller- Muller museum, Amsterdam. The structure is suspended on steel columns to avoid damaging the roots of mature elm and willow trees on the site. I particularly like the fact that the non- load bearing sliding glass doors juxtaposed with the meticulously detailed skeletal structure supplies a light and airy environment that allows occupants to have an interchangeable relationship with the exterior surroundings. 

ELM & WILLOW

 

ELM & WILLOW

 

ELM & WILLOW

 

FARNSWORTH HOUSE

 

Information and images (Elm & Willow house):

http://www.dezeen.com

More infomation and projects from EAT:

http://www.eatas.com

RON ARAD: RESTLESS

RON ARAD: RESTLESS

Location: Barbican, LDN.

Dates: 18 Feb- 16 May ’10

I am rather excited about seeing this exhibition at the Barbican, it just seems to be everywhere I look at the moment, however it is the first major show dedicated to Ron Arad here in the UK even though he is a London- based designer. Arad is an internationally acclaimed designer, architect and artist whose designs are experimental and inventive. The show apparently gives us an insight into the development of certain objects from an initial conceptual stance to a finished design, highlighting the significance of the process. It explores how his work has developed over the past three decades, from his early raw, post- punk approach to his later more exclusive, sculptural pieces. Exciting stuff I say… 

 

More information can be found on the Barbican website: 

http://www.barbican.org.uk/ronarad/exhibition