The Arch Movement

CAD or hand drawings?

2012-09-30T23:27:00.001-05:00

First project is over! Pictures and drawings will be up shortly. Second project was quickly issued before we even finished pinning-up our first project.

One issue I noticed during the last two weeks of the project is that a lot of the students were, and still are, struggling to decide between hand drawings or doing work on a CAD software. As students progress through the program, I've noticed a lot less hand drawings and a lot more computer work. I love, love hand drawings and I often do a hybrid of computer work and hand drawings in projects. After asking around, most students tend to fall back on what they know, especially during crunch time and the deadline quickly approaching. I can't really blame them. It comes down to turning-in work you know you can produce or risk turning in something you may not complete. I do admire my classmates ambition when they attempt to produce work with a foreign tool. I'll stay behind after studio to show my classmates how to model certain issues in their projects or even teach them bits and pieces of a program they don't know. I can gladly say they are quick learners.

I'm not here to say you should use this rather than that. I do feel hand drawing isn't utilized as much these days and is a very important communication tool to learn and use. But, I also feel the evolution of architecture is dependent on technology and the software is nothing more than just another tool in the bag to use as a conduit to best express an idea. I know a lot of older professors curse the use of computers in architecture, but I'm sure the majority of us wouldn't want to visit a doctor if the doctor was taught and practices the same medical practice used in the 1950's.

Changing things up

2012-09-09T19:33:00.001-05:00

Maybe, I am approaching this blog the wrong way. I started out wanting to share my love of architecture with everyone. I consider myself fortunate for always knowing the career I wanted to get into and always saw my peers struggling to pick a major and that was one of the reasons why I wanted to give a little insight for those thinking about getting into architecture. However, at the end of the day I was only giving the readers the same projects the more well known blogs or websites are providing. At the end of the day I knew other sites were able to give better information than what I could provide and I wasn't having much fun just looking through projects and posting a little insite for the sake of having a new post. So, lets try something different. Let me give you guys something a little more personal. One of the best things I have learned as a designer is that everyone loves a good story. So, Ill switch things up a little while still staying on the topic why I starting this blog in the first place. I'll bring you guys with me on my journey as an architecture student at the University of Houston.

What has happend since the last post?
Let me bring you guys up to date. During this past summer I earned my first architecture related job as an intern at an urban planning and real estate development company here in Houston. The internship was a wonderful learning experience about urban planning and development (and city parking codes). At the end of the summer I was able to provide the developer with a list of properties in Houston that I felt would be great developments for the community and the company.

Whats going on now?
Now, studio has officially started. We received the first project: Reference to Human Scale. We are given a 23' x 20 'x 12' room with a small 3' x 12' x 9' mass. Within the mass we have to design four major spaces that unfold and rotate from the mass to create an eating area, grooming area, sleeping and working area. the project is along the same lines of Gary Chang's apartment or an even better example, Christian Schallert's apartment. As of now, the project is due in 8 days with 95% of my design complete. As a last week notice, the professor is allowing me to design outside of the room which I intend to design a nice indoor/outdoor transition space.

Changes?

Most of what ill post will probably be best categorized as 'brain droppings of an architecture student.' At the end of the day, I hope I get people to think about design and about their environments more often. As for the site? I am not sure I like the name much anymore and Ill definitely change the layout. When I make changes, I will let you guys know in advance and if I do change the name.

- The Arch Movement

John Hardy: My green school dream

2010-12-11T22:00:00.002-06:00

I saw this and just thought it was amazing. I think its pretty awesome that this guy was moved enough to do something about changing his surrounds for a better. Also, the structures are gorgeous!

Birds of a feather...

2010-08-07T22:52:00.004-05:00

I thought this was a cool little installation to share with you guys. The artist is Kate Mccwire, and she does a lot of her work with different kinds of bird feathers.

Find out more from the artist here

Three firms, three futuristic visions for Los Angeles

2010-07-22T05:43:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, i posted a little futuristic video for the ID guys out there. Today, we're going back to architecture and urban planning. Newsweek just released this interesting article with the question "What will our cities look like in 2030?" The question was directed to three architecture firms- cityLAB-UCLA, Gensler, and Michael Malzan Architecture.

Here's the link to Newsweek.

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 Finalists

2010-07-21T06:43:00.000-05:00

Here is a sleek presentation of the finalists of the Electrolux Design Lab.

Herzog & de Meuron’s Parrish Art Museum Breaks Ground Today!

2010-07-19T06:43:00.003-05:00

Today is the day! The Parrish Museum will next open its doors the summer of 2012 in Southampton, NY with a brand-new 34,500-square-foot modern structure designed by Herzog & de Meuron's. The museum will consist of two parallel single-story wings settled on a 14-acre site.

Official site of The Parrish Art Museum

My sentiments exactly.

2010-07-17T11:32:00.002-05:00

Maybe its just me, but i actually love this little creature. This structure is the L41 home designed by Michael Katz. The aim of the 220 sq-ft structure is to give the essentials for living to allow people to become homeowners in a struggling economy. This would be a nightmare for families, but as a college bachelor, I think this is awesome!

The aim of the designers is to eventually have this residence listed for 50 thousand a piece. Although i love the concept and i really enjoy the structure, I still think 50 thousand is way too much. I havent found if the price is just for the structure or for the structure and a patch of land, but I would love to see this available for half that.

The L41 is designed to allow for the construction in many configurations, from the basic single-unit to high-rises.

L41

How food can shape our cities?!

2009-10-06T00:05:00.002-05:00

Another TED post! i know, i know... We all know i love these TED videos...

Every day, in a city the size of London, 30 million meals are served. But where does all the food come from? Architect Carolyn Steel discusses the daily miracle of feeding a city, and shows how ancient food routes shaped the modern world.

Carolyn is pretty monotone throughout her presentation, but if you can watch the video in its entirety there is some pretty interesting bits in there.

Weekend Links!

2009-09-19T02:28:00.005-05:00

*Photo sketch by Norman Foster

The West Loop in Chicago is due for a Green Update.
Achitonic presents a collection of 65 approved Bauhaus designs.
A lovely pavilion that represents a Termite Mound
A lightweight, attractive, and sleek e-bike dubbed Mosquito.
Rainbow Stairs that give Color to the town of Wuppertal in Germany.
Photos from Habitare 2009 in Helsinki, Finland.

Bjarke Ingels: 3 warp-speed architecture tales

2009-09-19T02:23:00.000-05:00

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels rockets through photo/video-mingled stories of his eco-flashy designs. His buildings not only look like nature -- they act like nature: blocking the wind, collecting solar energy -- and creating stunning views.

Houston's Dome

2009-08-26T13:10:00.007-05:00

The science of mega engineering says we can save Houston with a Dome. Imagine building a huge Dome that covers the entire city, that is higher than Houston's skyscrapers.
One solution to counter the almost overwhelming environmental challenges facing Houston is to cover it with a giant geodesic dome.

The country's fourth most populous city faces heat, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Houston has always been vulnerable to hurricanes and severe weather.
Houston city center shut down for nearly a week from last year's hurricane. It caused the city a 10 billion dollar damage. It's not only the hurricanes, but also heat and humidity that keep oppressing this great city. On nearly 100 days each year the temperature climbs above 90 degrees. Air conditioning helps, but it comes at a very high cost. Houston is using more electricity than Los Angeles. This is why some scientists think the only way to save the city is to move it indoors, in other words to build a huge dome for Houston. Houston dome area will stretch over 21 Million square feet, making it the biggest structure with the largest roof in the world.
Houston Dome's broadest panels will be 15 feet across. It will take 147,000 panels to cover the city of Houston. Glass will not work for Houston Dome. It will be so heavy that it can't hold. Houston Dome will require a much lighter material. It may come from the German city of Bremen, from a factory of Vector Foil Company.

Vector Foiltec invented the use of Texlon® ETFE, the climatic envelope, over twenty five years ago and has successfully developed and promoted the use of this innovative technology worldwide. This is light polymer and is the future of glass.
This material, called ETFE is the only material that will make a fuller city-size dome possible, even for a city like Houston. At just one percent of glass, ETFE is described as 99 percent nothing. Without ETF the Houston dome can never become reality. It is so light that 99 percent lighter than glass is tremendous change.

Since it's not possible to stop the life in Houston to build the Dome and army of dirigibles will be used to complete the construction.
Houston Dome will take years of construction and billions of dollars. The Dome is designed to protect a city from a category-5 hurricane. The ETFE panels and the space-frame steel structure that supports them are the key. ETFE can withstand winds of 180 miles per hour. This is higher velocity than the strongest category 5 hurricane.
Houston Dome idea is very intriguing. But I am just left with one idea. Will Houston ever see rain? If no, is it possible to sustain an ecosystem of such a size without rain?

(The nodes reading from left to right: Construction, Dome Geometry, Dome Entrance, Apexvents, Panel Saftey, Space Frame, Dirigible)

Does anyone remember that episode on The Simpsons, where there was a dome around Springfield? How much of an impact would daily life for Houstonians change. The downtown area would never have to worry about poor weather because the dome would have a proposed "perfect" environment. That does seem quite lovely considering i hate how my clothes stick to my skin 2 minutes after being outside. However, would we take for granted being able to enjoy nature in nature around downtown Houston? Would living in a bubble, especially those living AND working downtown, become too repetative? How would this change the future design of structures? Would It be possible to loose a facade and have "open" buildings?

For more info visit the Discovery Channel.

The design genius of Charles & Ray Eames

2009-07-30T08:59:00.001-05:00

The legendary design team Charles and Ray Eames made films, houses, books and classic midcentury modern furniture. Eames Demetrios, their grandson, shows rarely seen films and archival footage in a lively, loving tribute to their creative process. Enjoy!

Weekend Links!

2009-07-27T00:17:00.002-05:00

Amazing Ceilings!
Cool Zipper Pond in the Juming Museum in Taiwan
32 meter-high sculpture for Audi @ the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex.
First Photos of Spence Dock Bridge in Dublin.
30 Emerging architecture practices create their Ideal Model Home
Julius Shulman, Celebrated photographer of modernist architecture has died.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion

2009-07-22T23:24:00.003-05:00

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Olafur Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen
Location: London

This timber clad structure resembles a spinning top and brings a dramatic vertical dimension to the traditional single-level pavilion. A wide spiralling ramp makes two complete turns, allowing visitors to ascend from the Gallery lawn to the highest point for views across Kensington Gardens as well as a bird’s eye view of the chamber below.

*Photo's curiosity of Iwan Baan Photography

Palais Ideal

2009-07-08T01:09:00.001-05:00

A degree in architecture takes years of study. Even then, there's only a one in a million chance you'll design a work of art that will be declared a national monument. But Ferdinand Cheval aka Facteur Cheval (1836-1924) built the Palais Ideal in Hauterives, France, out of stones he collected on his route as a postman, with no architectural or engineering training. It took 33 years to construct this amateur fairy tale palace by hand. Cheval, who wished to be buried inside, was forced to go even further and build his own ornate mausoleum at 78-years-old, since local officials wouldn't grant him the permissions to be buried within without one.
(Regis Duvignau/Reuters)

Bartlett School of Architecture features one year in 10 minutes

2009-07-07T11:45:00.002-05:00

The students at the Bartlett School of Architecure, London, have made a film about their first year studying architecture. A great opportunity to see what you will be doing if you choose to become an architect.

Hadid will continue construction despite a court ruling

2009-06-29T06:10:00.006-05:00

Zaha Hadid will continue construction of the controversial Seville library despite public opposition and a court ruling against the firm.

The 5.6 million dollar library at the city’s university, described by Hadid as ‘a sculpted bar of stone with a great contrast between solidity and transparency’, has fallen foul of local residents, who claim the library will occupy 8% of the Prado de San Sebastian, a green area that provides welcome sanctuary in the summer months for residents.

However, following the court ruling in the residents favour, AJ has been informed by Hadid the practice will continue construction during the appeal process - in direct contravention of the resident association’s demands.

The statement said: ‘The Government of Andalucía, the Seville City Council and the University of Seville will be appealing the ruling. All construction works continue as normal throughout the appeal process.’

The three-storey building will cover 8,000 m2 and house reading rooms, cafes, auditoriums, computer rooms and parking.

In a statement to the court, the residents said: ‘The specifications regarding the new library clearly violate the protection measures derived from the fact that the Prado de San Sebastian is part of Seville’s historic city centre.’

London Olympic Stadium faces drastic redesign

2009-06-26T07:08:00.006-05:00

Despite being nearly a third built, Populous’ ‘temporary’ stadium for the London 2012 Olympics may be redesigned as a permanent, 80,000-capacity venue in latest legacy u-turn

Legacy chief Baroness Ford said she was looking to retain the Olympic stadium as a permanent large-scale venue and a possible host ground for a 2018 World Cup.

The move signals a drastic u-turn on the original legacy plan for the Olympics, which envisaged the stadium as a semi-temporary venue which would be converted into a smaller, 25,000-capacity sports school and athletic ground in ‘legacy mode’.

According to the Evening Standard, Ford said she was convinced the ‘beautiful’ stadium could pay its way as an all-year ‘visitor attraction’ and become part of London’s ‘iconic offer’.

As a result, stadium designers Populous - formerly HOK Sport - could be asked to rework the scheme which is already well under construction.

A spokesman for the London Development Agency, which is currently handling the legacy plans until a special post-Games vehicle is officially set up, said: ‘These issues have to be looked at. [A redesign is a] possibility at this stage.’

Another source close to the project said: ‘The implications of keeping the stadium would be considerable, but…not impossible. There was already an idea being floated to keep the roof structure.. to provide a big visitor focus.’

It is understood the main area requiring a rethink would be the stadium’s outer skin which would have to be made to last much longer - a move which would undoubtedly mean further costs.

The £525 million stadium, which features a demountable upper tier, was hailed as a ‘cheap’ alternative to the grandiose stadiums built for other Games such as Herzog & de Meuron’s Bird's Nest in Beijing, China.

House G

2009-06-25T04:28:00.003-05:00

Today's post features House G by Saunders Architecture!

House G located in Hjellestad, Norway, blends into its surrounding with its soft edges and all white Color as if the edges were suppose to resemble or blend into the surrounding snow.

Black House isnt so...black!

2009-06-19T05:42:00.003-05:00

Black House by FORM / Koichi Kimura Architects

Black House was designed with a completely black exterior with a white courtyard.
Despite the name, Black House is full of light with its white courtyard and entry.

ok... maybe it is a little too black

Featured movie is Eco-Friendly Drywall

2009-06-17T21:26:00.008-05:00

Alright, so one of my favorite channels on Youtube is TED. TED ranges from architecture, science, even what it feels like to have a stroke (which was very beautifully spoken and is actually a personal favorite!) One goal i would like to accomplish with this blog is to bring more attention to "Green" building/design. Im happy to see more and more Architects, designers, engineers moving more towards "green" products.

So, today's short video features eco-friendly drywall by EcoRock!

Enjoy!

Tama Art University Library by Toyo Ito

2009-06-16T04:05:00.008-05:00

Tama Art University Library
Hachioji City, Japan

Ito sure made an impression by designing a Romanesque building in Japan. The library seems minimal with its use of concrete as to not make too much of an impression on studying students occupying the library. I couldn't help but think that Ito took the Palace of Italian Civilization by Padula and put his own modern twist for the exterior.

With the hard surfaces, i've always wondered how noticeable faint sounds could be heard throughout the library. Ito seems to take his inspiration from Bibliotheque Nationale by Labrouste for the interior. The light sources within the bays even hint the resemblance of the oculi that are present in the Bibliotheque Nationale.

Nonetheless, this is a case where less is more. i find the library to be a beautiful and elegant structure. There are hints of drama where need be and yet the interior architecture takes its role blending into the background as not to be a major focus to students.

Photos taken by Iwan Baan.

3.1 Phillip Lim Flagship Boutique

2009-06-15T15:31:00.011-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We'll start off the week with the new 3.1 Philip Lam Flagship Boutique in LA!

The new 3.1 Phillip Lim Flagship Boutique, designed by Giancarlo Valle and PARA Project, is located near the Melrose shopping neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. The 3.1 Phillip Lim transforms the former 450 square meter auto shop into a flowing interior.

The boutique incorporates the thick, heavy-appearing walls into the existing building as the large space opens itself into four small niches. Above is a single, continuous light-diffusing membrane appearing to float above making for a soft, intimate feeling with its use of light.

The pyramidal texture on the curving wall has the appearance of being a hard rigid surface but is actually soft to the touch, creating a sensation of being both hard and soft. The smaller niches are each lined with different materials which include; wallpaper, Spanish cork, leather herringbone and bamboo. These materials create a variety of tactile elements for the clothing to be displayed.

Photos by Iwan Baan.

The Arch Movement launches with The Aqua Tower

2009-06-12T19:03:00.013-05:00

The Aqua Tower by Studio Gang Architects.
Chicago, Illinois.

Architect: STUDIO GANG ARCHITECTS
Architect of Record: Loewenberg & Associates
Owner: Magellan Development
Program: Hotel and Residential High-rise with retail and commercial spaces
Size: 1.9 m SF including parking, 823 feet high
Completion: Summer 2009, currently under construction
*information provided by Studio Gang Architects.