All Things Architecture

Tetris-inspired

2013-03-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

This past summer, I happened to catch a glimpse of a building I am convinced was inspired by the oh-so-addictive Tetris.

I love these moments of discovery, especially when it comes to architectural gems like this. This discovery, the would-be homage to the video game, is the Jewish Community Centre in downtown Windsor, Ontario.

Featured: Nader Khalili

2013-03-03T15:33:00.002-05:00

Featured is a new series exhibiting individuals and organizations who

respond to issues in the field of architecture in an innovative and exemplary manner.

*****

While researching for an upcoming assignment, I came across an individual who is one of the most inspirational architects I've come across: Nader Khalili.

Nader Khalili

Part architect, part humanitarian - Khalili made it his mission to provide sustainable housing for the impoverished of war-torn countries and victims of natural disaster.

Once a competitive architect, Khalili completely shifted his interests toward social and environment design solutions. No longer did he design skyscrapers, but "earth architecture". For instance, his Superadobe construction system is a patented design, however, he offers it free to those who need it most.

Constructing a Superadobe dwelling

Superadobe dwellings are constructed using readily available materials, but more importantly, are re-purposed materials of conflict. Using sandbags and barbed wire acquired from sites of conflict, Khalili's methods enable the transformation of materials of conflict into materials of sustainability and peace.

"Not that I am sure of knowing everything, but I am sure of my quest:

finding ways to put technology into the service of humanity,

and at the same time satisfying my heart and my inner fire to create.

To create something meaningful."

- Nader Khalili

With so much emphasis on sustainability in the field of architecture, I think it's important to remember that social housing is also a prominent issue. The fact that Khalili managed to create harmony between these two pertinent issues is what makes him so inspirational and continues his legacy.

*****

Pictures courtesy of pinterest
Reference: Beller, Ken, and Heather Chase. Great Peacemakers: True Stories from Around the World. Sedona, Arizona: LTS Press, 2008.

"Translate" Exhibition

2013-02-15T17:34:00.000-05:00

Classes are over and Reading Week has begun! As part of a sculpture class, this past week, an exhibition was held in the University's art gallery, the Artery. The exhibition focused on translating an everyday object, in my case, an umbrella.

"Translate" Exhibition, 2013

Umbrellas are, by nature, not static objects - they move and change shape. I wanted to explore these different shapes, each being represented by a different medium, in this case: stripping the cardboard to reveal cardboard's inherent corrugated property and using wire to focus on the object's defining lines.

"Translate" Exhibition, 2013

Smart Growth

2013-01-18T15:15:00.002-05:00

Take a look at this video of Dr. Robert "Call me Bob" Freilich lecturing, at the University of Southern California, about planning for sustainable urban growth.

**He starts his presentation at 4:38**

He is incredibly straight-forward in his promotion of "smart growth". In his analysis of long-term planning using sustainable ideals, he makes the connection of sustainability to the economy. As he reiterates throughout the lecture, that's pretty much the biggest way to capture public attention in terms of the current environmental crisis.

Fusing Technology, Business & Fine Arts: UW Stratford Campus

2013-01-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last year, the University of Waterloo broke ground in Stratford, Ontario for their new campus grounds, the Digital Media Lab.

The building houses faculty, staff, and students completing degrees in Bachelor of Global Business and Digital Arts, as well as the Masters in Digital Experience Innovation. The building in turn, has been designed to reflect the subtle blend of the arts, business, and technology.

The most prominent architectural feature on the buildings exterior, the tiled "step-out", resembles the geometric pattern of the smartphone QR code, most evident at night. The building's façade is mainly comprised of glass and faces the city street. In this way, the building has been "opened" to include the public by creating greater visibility to the community.

Leanne, the Office Manager at the Stratford Campus, was kind enough to offer me a tour of the building Friday afternoon. Above is the amazing digital media wall, which dominates the entrance of the building, rising 3-strories high. It is comprised of 150 Christie® MicroTiles®, which can be individually customized for the overall visual display. This specialized piece of technology, studied on campus, has been integrated fully into the building system. For instance, a specialized cooling system has been implemented throughout each floor with the sole purpose of counteracting the heat generated from the media wall.

The creative arts is a major focus in the programs. Again, this is made evident in the artwork gracing the walls throughout campus. The artwork has been supplied by students from the Fine Arts program at the University's Main Campus, though sound and video recording is studied right on campus. As Leanne explained, the programs are mainly "project-based".

Brand New Year

2013-01-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

2013

Happy New Year!

2012 was quite a year, the biggest change definitely being able to

return to school after my car accident.

It's good to be back.

This year I will:

1. Last year, I vowed to read 19 books on my list of "101 Books to Read Before I Die". I managed to check of 10 off my list when it was all said and done, out of the 30 books I did read this year.

2. My blog was shamefully neglected this past year, but no more! I have a ton of new ideas and thoughts to share with you this year.

3. I am so excited about the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which I just registered for this past week. The award is based on a number of factors, and the time you put in to it. It consists of time spent volunteering, learning a new skill, having adventures, and participating in physical activities.

Overall, 2013 looks to be a promising year!

November Slam, December Exams

2012-12-26T13:49:00.000-05:00

I hope, dear readers, that you and yours had a lovely Christmas!

After a busy couple of months, I'm back to blogging. That was just a crazy semester, and it's such a relief to finally have a break! Next semester looks to be just as nuts, however, I am vowing, as a New Years resolution, to stop neglecting my dear blog.

I've been taking a course on art fundamentals this semester, and I like to think I'm getting loads better. My favourite piece this semester turned out to be a still life assignment:

My other favourite is a perspective drawing of the Perimeter Institute in Uptown Waterloo.It's actually hanging in the hallway of East Campus Hall, at the moment. I'll post it soon, along with some photos from my excursion AND tell you why I was nervous photographing the building.

Seriously, I half-expected security to come out and bust me... I just live so dangerously.

History on the rocks

2012-10-20T21:09:00.000-04:00

Seagram Distillery, Waterloo

Having transferred to University of Waterloo just last semester, I'm still pretty new to the town. Waterloo was first settled in the early 19th century, and many of the buildings from that century have survived.

The Seagram Distillery produced whiskey up until 1990. Since then, it has been converted into lofts.

I've driven by this old distillery plenty of times, and finally remembered to bring my camera today. I'm so glad I did, because guess who was passing through Uptown Waterloo?

I ♥ zombie walks.

Interactive Memorials

2012-10-09T19:14:00.001-04:00

This morning, in my History of Peace Movements class, while discussing Danish resistance to Nazi occupation, the documentary Paper Clips was brought up.

The film follows the project of a middle school in Tennessee who, in 1998, aimed to collect six million paper clips, representing the number of victims of the Holocaust, and consequently, gaining a better understanding of just how large of a number six million is. The school exceeded their goal and by last count are up to eleven million paper clips. The paperclips are currently housed in a German transport car and are available for public viewing at the Children's Holocaust Museum in Whitwell, Tennessee.

Public sculptures and memorials help create a sense of place in a community. I believe the most provoking memorials are those which are interactive. A prime example is the Berlin Holocaust Memorial, designed by architect Peter Eisenman, which opened to the public in 2005.

Berlin Holocaust Memorial

The concrete blocks vary in height, sometimes taller than the visitor, and the ground undulates.

Overall, the visitor is disorientated and uneasy, recreating what the victims of the Holocaust must have felt on their way to concentration camps.

Eisenman's design is very unusual for a memorial, and really, unusual for just a public space. It is effective at drawing people in, and it heightens the senses of the visitor. Because of it's effectiveness, it should be interesting to see if the idea of an "interactive memorial" becomes more popular in cities the world over.

Pictures courtesy of tumblr.

Beachy Ponderings

2012-08-17T15:15:00.000-04:00

Weekends this summer, I was just a ten minute walk to Ipperwash beach on beautiful Lake Huron. Weekdays, I was back to school.
Exams just finished last week and it feels as if summer is wrapping up.

The beach houses on the lake are great. One in particular, I’m curious about.

Is that a levee, in case the water rises? Or is the house old enough that it the wall was built where the water once was? That is, has the water receded?

School starts again on September 10, leaving me with just a few weeks of sun, sand and trips across the border. Michigan is about thirty minutes away and has the most beautiful drive along Route 25 (the “thumb” of Michigan). Also, you can’t beat the border shopping. Index cards (a university student’s best friend when studying) comes in packs of 60 for $1.25 in Canada. Across the border, 100 for $1.

... I go through a lot of index cards.

Must go – got to get some beach volleyball in while I still can.

almost there!

2012-06-19T11:07:00.001-04:00

Summer officially kicks off tomorrow (coinciding with my very last midterm no less),

which can only mean one thing...

beach time!

Just 29 hours until I'm a free woman (at least until next week).

♥

Have a great summer!

Tolkien's Biggest Fan

2012-05-27T21:43:00.000-04:00

Spotted: strange variation of the hobbit door just outside of Elora, Ontario.

I want to go inside...

Weekend break

2012-05-25T14:43:00.001-04:00

"Oh no, it's Friday," - said no one, ever.

Port Santilac, MI

Now that I'm back at school, I'm buried in homework and readings, surfacing only for coffee. So when last weekend hit, I took a much-needed break to venture outdoors and hit the States.

Driving along the thumb of Michigan, I turned down one of the side streets of Port Santilac, heading towards the water of Lake Huron, and what should I discover but this beautiful lighthouse property.

This property is currently up for sale for a cool $1.6 million. It was built in 1886 and the lighthouse is still active, guiding vessels into the nearby harbour.

The Most Colourful Wall I've Ever Seen

2012-04-24T09:50:00.000-04:00

Lego: quick(ish) fix.

Lego brings aging concrete back to life... who knew?

Source: I waste so much time

Fairytale Town: Carmel-by-the-Sea

2012-04-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

In the sea-side town of Carmel-by-the-Sea on California's Monterey Peninsula,
you will find storybook cottages on every corner.

Actress Betty White calls Carmel home, where Clint Eastwood was once Mayor.

Notable Homes

Walker Residence

Walking through the town, you are able to get a glimpse of the Walker Residence,

Hawk Tower

Hawk Tower was built in 1940 (over the course of 4 years) by poet Robinson Jeffers, behind his home, Tor House. He and his family entertained many guests, including Charles Lindbergh, Sinclair Lewis and Charlie Chaplin.

Clint Eastwood approves.

Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.

Coincidence?

2012-04-22T18:01:00.000-04:00

Relativity by M.C. Escher

Escher created the most wonderful architectural paradoxes, like Relativity.

Come to think of it, the more you look at it, the more it looks like it belongs

in the popular Portal video game...

...

Light Through the Thicket

2012-04-14T11:00:00.001-04:00

During the summer months, the sunlight shines through the chestnut trees in the backyard and into my bedroom.

Consequently, my bedroom in the afternoon is one of my favourite places to curl up with a book. The light shines at such a perfect angle and creates amazing shadows because of the thicket of branches outside my window.

Inspired...

Books for Tall People

2012-03-31T13:58:00.001-04:00

I love the Popadich residence in Auckland, New Zealand, which was featured in Dwell this month.

I do have some misgivings about the bookcase cubbies. It's a really unusual feature and I like how it doubles as a half-wall, but how exactly are they supposed to reach those books?

But how do you... what?

♥♥♥

World's Most Creative Hotels

2012-03-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Summer is fast approaching, a good time to travel and discover.

Keep in mind these unusual places to rest your head at night.

♥♥♥

V-Houses (Jungle Hotel), Mexico

Built in 2007 in Yelapa, Mexico and designed by Heinz Legler. There are no windows and the roof is corrugated iron. I'd love to stay here on a rainy night.

Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel), Canada

Note: I have lingering doubts.

The Ice Hotel opened in 2001 in Montmorency Park, Québec. Suites at this chilly hotel never go below -5°C, even with outside tempatures of -30°C. Want to give it a try? You'll have to wait until next January, the hotel just closed for the year this week.

Survival Pod Hotel, Netherlands

Originally used as escape pods on oil rigs in the 70's, these bright orange capsules are available to stay in, and accommodate up to three people.

Floating Hotel, Sweden

Sticking with the floating theme, Sweden's first floating hotel opened in 2008. It is docked adjacent to the famous restaurant, Salt & Sill.

Sand Castle Hotel, England

The world's first sand hotel, in Dorset, England also opened in 2008. Guests pay just £10 per night.

Salt Hotel, Bolivia

The Bolivian Salt Hotel, composed entirely of salt blocks. Be mindful: no licking the salt.

Jumbo Hostel, Sweden

This dormant Boeing 747 was converted in 2006 into the Jumbo Hostel, complete with 25 rooms and conveniently located just 10 minutes from the Arlanda airport check-in counter.

Alcatraz Hotel, Germany

In Kaiserlautern, a city of Western Germany, a former jail has been revamped into a hotel, keeping the original prison bars and jail-cell room layouts. You can also find jail hostels in Ottawa, Canada and Stockholm, Sweden.

Cappadocia Cave Hotel, Turkey

In the village of Urgap, Turkey, there is a hotel carved into the side of the mountain. It dates back to the 5th century and it's guests are free to explore the underground cities of the past.

Drain Pipe Hotel, Austria

Pay what you wish at any number of the drain pipe hotel rooms in Austria. You can find the converted drain pipes in Berne Park and Ottensheim.

♥♥♥

Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.

Zombie Mall

2012-03-24T20:16:00.001-04:00

Are you ready for a zombie apocalypse?

Better safe than sorry.

Wish.co.uk has turned an abandoned shopping mall of 250 000 square feet into a 3-hour survival journey between yourself, 15 other survivors and a mall full of zombies.

I like the way the British company thinks, but England is a bit far for zombie-preparedness education. I think any number of abandoned Wal-Mart's would suffice.

Abandoned Wal-Mart, Kingston, ON

The Mall opened at the beginning of this month in Reading, England and will run all year round on weekends.

Missing Risers

2012-02-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Open riser staircase, Black & White House by Formwerkz Architects

Surely I'm not the only one who gets dizzy going on stairs with no risers?

Watching an episode of Dollhouse the other day, I realized that I'm not the only one who takes care.

Dream Homes ...to start saving for.

2012-02-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

The English Vicarage is the epitome of elegance and grandeur,

which compliments nicely it's surrounding countryside.

♥♥♥

The Old Rectory, Brandsby, North Yorkshire

£3,500,000

Dates back to the 16th century, 41 acres.

The adjoining cottage.

The Old Rectory, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

£1,000,000

Dates back to 14th century, 0.85 acres.

Vaulted ceiling, in one of the four bedrooms.

The Old Church Fenton Rectory, North Yorkshire

£850,000

9 bedrooms, 4.4 acres

A wooden swing in the private gardens.

Georgian Rectory, Biddestone, Wiltshire

£3,900,000

Dates back to the 19th century, 2.5 acres.

A stone wall on the edge of the courtyard.

♥♥♥

Mining Pit Hotel

2012-02-10T17:55:00.001-05:00

Conceptual designs of the Sonjiang Hotel have been released and they are incredible.

At first glance, I thought the Atkins design firm were planning on building the hotel inside an abandoned mining pit, which would afforded interesting views to visitors.

I love the use of green roofing in this project, it integrates with the landscape nicely.

Instead, the hotel is being built to hug the 100ft rock wall surrounding a beautiful quarry, of which brave guests can jump off of, as the hotel offers bungee jumping.

Dress for Success

2012-01-27T18:38:00.000-05:00

Just for fun...have a great weekend!

Image courtesy of shoeboxblog.

Modern Addition

2012-01-26T14:45:00.002-05:00

I was driving home yesterday and spotted this very dwell-esque addition to an older home.

It must be fairly new, as I don't remember it being here a few years ago. I had to make a mental note to come back and bring my camera, as I really like it.