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Ukraine Masterclass - with Stadslab

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Check out this announcement for a Professional Masterclass in Ukraine:

STADSLAB in Ukraine
European Urban Design Laboratory, Tilburg (NL)
Professionals Master Class in Ukraine (Spring 2010) ** SPECIAL**

Stadslab is offering a special 1-week spring Master Class in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol. The topic will be to develop new ideas for its major city park; the 36ha Gorky Park. Melitopol has the ambition to develop the park from the perspective of intercultural cities. The city has over 100 different nationalities. The park should be attractive to interest business partners and to attract part of the 40,000 tourists per day who now bypass the city on their way to the Crimean coast.

The Master Class will be supervised by Beatriz Ramo, from the Rotterdam based office STAR strategies + architecture (www.s-t-a-r.nl), together with the Swiss landscape architect Anouk Vogel. Both are prize winning designers with a strong international profile. The program includes a visit to Kiev (can be extended) and will be developed together with the Kiev based organization 'Democracy through Culture' and linked to the Intercultural Cities program of the Council of Europe.

Date: April 11 - 17, 2010
Limited positions available. Please mail us a CV and portfolio to indicate your interest.

For Whom:
Graduates holding a degree in landscape architecture, architecture, urban design or similar.

How to Apply:
Send an e-mail to info@stadslab.eu with your cv and portfolio for selection (limited positions available).

Program Costs:
750 euro (including train ticket, meals and accommodation; excluding travel expenses to/from Kiev and optional extension of stay in Kiev).

Stay informed at www.stadslab.eu or through our Stadslab LinkedIn group www.linkedin.com

Preliminary program:
· Day 1:
Travel to Kiev, Introduction, Meeting with Kyiv Institute for Design and Landscape Art, Night train to Melitopol.

· Day 2:
Arrival, Meet with Melitopol delegation, Site visit, Meet with Future City Games Teams, Lecture Intercultural Cities, Lecture Contemporary Park Design (by the Stadslab experts).

· Day 3:
Site visit (Archeological Site + Sea of Azov), Design Studio 1.

· Day 4:
Design Studio 2 (with 2nd site visit), Design Studio 3, Cultural Program - National Cultures, Youth Art.

· Day 5:
Design Studio 4, Design Studio 5, Presentation Preparation.

· Day 6:
Presentation to City Board, Press Conference, Public Presentation, Night Train to Kiev.

· Day 7:
Arrival Kiev, City tour, Departure - extended stay in Kiev is optional.

Allied Works' Brad Cloepfil presents the winning design for a new performing arts building in Calgary

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Allied Works Architecture is a fantastic firm right on the edge of becoming famous. Based in Portland Oregon with a satellite office in NY they have developed a strong body of work, particularly with museums across the states. They recently won the competition to redesign and expand the Performing Arts building in Calgary, Canada. Their design was by far the best entry to the competition, and they rightfully beat out more well know names like Diller, Scofidio and Renfro and Jean Nouvel among others. These video clips shows the presentation of the project Brad Cloepfil gave to the foundation to ultimately win the competition. It discusses the thought process behind the design and how it led to the final building design. I think it is a fantastic design and am excited to see it built.

Part II:

Part III:

Slideshow: Allianz Arena - by Herzog & de Meuron - Munich, Germany

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The Allianz Arena, designed by Pritzer Prize winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, is an elegant stadium design yet not one of their most inspired projects. Groundbreaking for its unique, bubble skin, the facade is it's most riveting feature as colored lighting system morphs to reflect the team playing within. Once you slip past this innovative facade, however, the building becomes just another stadium, with a typical cold concrete structure. Other than the facade I really didn't find that much intrigue in this design. One other aspect of the design is the parking garage, located below a large landscaped plaza leading from the train station to the stadium. I was rather disappointed with the experience as it was a rather far walk through poorly maintained grounds. Of course the experience might be different on game day with the plaza full of fans pre-drinking for a big match, however most of the time it is just a desolate wasteland.

Architecture Book Contest

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

We are happy to announce that Talkitect.com along with Princeton Architectural Press are giving away five free architecture books to our readers.

The Prizes:
Princeton Architectural Press has agreed to donate 5 books to give away. The five winners of the contest get to choose one of the following three titles:

Provisional : Emerging Modes of Architectural Practice USA
by Elite Kedan , F. Jonathan Dreyfous , Craig Mutter
http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781568988788

Kuth/Ranieri Architects
by Byron Kuth , Elizabeth Ranieri , and Ila Berman
http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781568988658

Urbanisms: Working with Doubt
by Steven Holl
http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781568986791

How To Win:
You are eligible to win after subscribing to Talkitect.com by email (follow the steps in the left hand column), subscribing to our RSS feed, or following us with "google friend connect" (click the button in the left hand column). You then must leave a comment on this post (please include your name). We will randomly pick five winners and announce them here on talkitect.com. Entertaining or informative comments will get preference.

We will choose and announce the winners on Monday April 5th. Winners names will be posted on www.talkitect.com. The winners then have one week to claim their prize by emailing us with their mailing address and chosen book title. If the prize is not claimed by the Monday following the announcement we will pick a replacement winner.

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A big thank you to Princeton Architectural Press for their generosity, making this contest possible.

An Interview with Glenn Murcutt

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

An interview with the always inspirational architect, Glenn Murcutt on the ABC show Talking Heads. His architecture is a perfect example of a sustainable approach to building. Sensitive to the surrounding environment and in touch with the local culture Mr. Murcutt's buildings are beautiful and responsible. I am particularly interested to see a couple of the projects he is currently working on - a museum and mosque. It seems he is shifting away from the use of steel as his primary building material and exploring submerged buildings and heavier earth materials. In any case, I was lucky enough to study under his tutelage for a few weeks and saw him present some drawings of his work in progress. They look to be stunning contributions to his already legendary body of work. For more information on his sustainable architecture and the Glenn Murcutt International Masters Class that he runs every summer check out these articles:
Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class (Part I)
Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class (Part II)
Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class (Part III)
Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class (Part IV)

Part II:

Part III:

Walter Gropius - The Dessau Bauhaus

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Here is a three part series discussing the architecture of Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus school in Dessau, Germany. One of the most influential architects of the 20th century, Gropius was one of the founders of modernism and the Bauhaus became an institution that reached far beyond it's walls and the borders of Germany. Many architects and schools are still influenced by the approach Gropius and his colleagues distilled in their groundbreaking school. I have yet to make the trip south from Berlin to visit the Bauhaus campus but it is high on my list of places to visit before I leave. I have gone to the Bauhaus Archive museum here and was fascinated by the design process and the focus on fabrication as part of the designer's education - something that is lacking in many schools today. Click Here for part II and Part III...

Part II:

Part III:

Slideshow: BMW World - by Coop Himmelb(l)au - Munich, Germany

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

One of the most disappointing buildings I've recently visited, the BMW World, designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, is a lavish showroom for cars and motorcycles. The architecture was promised to be flashy and groundbreaking yet left me cold and annoyed. The dark glass ruined any idea that the immense roof was floating while the extravagant twists and turns of the form seemed kitschy and extraneous. This building is an ideal symbol of how the excess of the past decade has led architecture astray, taking the art of building and turning it into an amusement park of unwarranted icons.

Andrea Salvini's The Sustainable Neighborhood

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

by David Savage

Italian designer Andrea Salvini, based in New York City, has focused his work on eco-responsible residential architecture since 2008, when he caused a stir in the blogosphere with his Modern Cabin and Trilogy of Fire Island Homes -- both an attempt to re-imagine and reinvigorate the moribund American vacation home tradition for the eco-conscious age. Now he has turned his attention back to his homeland, this time with a mixed-use, green housing project near Caserta, in southern Italy, which he calls The Sustainable Neighborhood.

Consisting of 13, five-floor apartment buildings spread over 12 acres, the development reflects the needs of a tightly knit community where environmental regulations are becoming increasingly strict. These kinds of strictures, Andrea explains, often result in more innovative design practices, where more has to be done with less, yet at the same time the mandate is to somehow improve its inhabitants' comfort and standard of living.

Andrea achieves this through a variety of architectural details. Paramount were the importance of balconies for all units. Both front and rear facades of the building are articulated in a grid of large balconies where sunlight is regulated by adjustable, brise-soleil sliding panels, or louvers. As each resident adjusts his own brise-soleil in response to light needs or preference, the result is a continuously changing, random pattern on the facade. Sunlight control is an important feature for residential architecture in southern Italy in particular, where summer temperatures can be sweltering.

Continuous glass surfaces wrap the perimeters of the entire ground (commercial) floors, emphasizing the suspended effect of the buildings, which is supported by pilotis. This suspension design creates recessed porticoes as a sheltered gathering place for the residents and the surrounding community – recalling a traditional feature of Italian architecture. The glass surface is visually interrupted by the stark element of a sculptural, metal folding screen that at night – after business hours – encloses its perimeter for security.

Vertical gardens, conceived as an abstract extension of the surrounding greenspaces, would enliven the sides of each building with an unbroken expanse of a variety of plants, such as ivy, creepers and grasses.

Other key features include:

A natural ventilation chimney by the stairwell, designed to extract outside air and pass it through the building while cooling at ground-floor level
A veranda serra (greenhouse balcony) system to reduce the quantity of heat generated by the heating system during the winter months, supported by solar screens that control any direct irradiation and outside thermal exposure of the rooms during summer months
A rainwater collection system which also recycles grey water
An insulated façade and roof system using the aforementioned vertical garden application for lower energy consumption
Energy efficiency approaches to building orientation and passive solar design
Adjustable ventilation louvers by the building lobby’s entrance and stairwell

One such detail is a system of light panels (attached perpendicularly to the facades) which change pattern in the facades and illuminate at night through solar power, creating a dramatic, rhythmic visual effect in the darkness.

The overall effect of The Sustainable Neighborhood, one of lightness, community, natural harmony and a dignified note of privacy, is notable for its break from traditional, middle-income housing projects for these very qualities. You can read more about The Sustainable Neighborhood, as well as Andrea's other projects, at: http://sites.google.com/site/salviniarchitect/.

24 City - Movie Trailer

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

A movie for anyone interested in China and the consequences of rapid development. A factory is demolished, like so many others, to make way for condos. Workers and their families are overlooked and displaced from their long time homes and facing the challenges of finding new work. This is one story that echos across the country, affecting millions of people. Unfortunately this side of China's economic success and architectural growth is overshadowed by the flashy building designed by the global starchitects. Check out the preview, hunt down the full film. It's well worth it.

MUSANA VOLUNTEERS

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Here is a fantastic opportunity to go live and work in Africa. The first offer is to intern at an architecture and engineering firm in Kampala, Uganda but the Musana Volunteer program also offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities. It is also wonderfully run by my sister who will help out and answer questions every step of the way.

ARCHITECTS and Structural Engineers Needed:
FBW Uganda Group (www.fbwgroup.com) is looking for international architecture interns to spend 1-6 months working and living in Kampala, Uganda. FBW Group is requesting qualified, experienced architects who have a passion for international architecture to work in a cooperative office that is comprised of local and international employees and interns. The cross-cultural exchange of ideas and global expertise adds to their phenomenal design and structural engineering.

If interested, Please email your CV/Resume and Letter of Intent to hannahwillowgray@gmail.com as soon as possible.They are willing to take on 3 interns this year so please act fast and submit your CV and Letter of Intent as soon as possible.

Dear Potential Architecture and Structural Engineer Interns,

My name is Hannah Willow Gray. I am an experienced Volunteer Coordinator, originally from upstate New York, currently living in Uganda, East Africa. Over the past 5 years I have lived on and off in Kampala, Uganda, working for various NGOs and International organizations. I am now committed to starting my own volunteer program called "Musana Volunteers" in order to link up international volunteers with reputable organizations, businesses, and companies in Uganda. I know that many of you are interested in getting work experience in a developing country but aren't sure of the best way to get started. That is where I come in.

I will organize your Volunteer/Internship Placement in Uganda, find Housing, organize Transportation, set-up Safaris and other weekend trips, and provide you with all the necessary information you need to live in Kampala, Uganda for any length of time. I will send you a detailed budget of the total cost of your stay here. Since I have lived here for a few years, I have a good understanding of the cost of living and how to find the best bargains. I have noticed that many volunteer organizations found on the internet tend to have large administrative fees and I felt my local expertise could help cut down on those costs. I will organize your entire trip, except the flight, and help you adjust quickly to your temporary home in Uganda, for only a small administrative cost. I guarantee you will fall in love with East Africa, as I have.

Please email hannahwillowgray@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments!

Best,
Hannah Willow Gray

Slideshow: Olympiastadion - Munich, Germany

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Unfortunately the lighting in these photos isn't great and the overcast sky washed out the backgrounds, but they still offer an up close view of a stunning piece of architecture. Still impressive after 30 years, the Munich Olympic Stadium steals the thunder from the newer flashier design of the BMW World by Coop Himmelb(l)au, across the street. These flowing tent like structures decked out with glass roofs are magnificent to behold, an expression of structure that captivates the imagination and boggles the mind. It's amazing the calculations and design challenges overcame in this project long before digital design tools were the norm for architectural practices.

Bjarke Ingles: Interveiwed by Brijuni Arquitectos - Part V

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Bjarke Ingels People´s Tower from brijuni arquitectos on Vimeo.

Part V of the interview with Bjarke Ingles illuminates the development of the idea for their People's Tower project in Shanghai. Its a bit scary to me, that the same design (although scaled up) is relevant for Sweden and China. I think designing for the specific context is incredibly important for successful architecture. I am sure they manipulated the design and adapted it to respond to local climate, culture, surroundings, etc. It does seem to fit within the flamboyant skyline of shanghai more than the subdued landscape of Sweden.

Bjarke Ingles: Interveiwed by Brijuni Arquitectos - Part IV

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Part IV of the Bjarke Ingels Interview shows their housing projects in Copenhagen, the VM Houses and The Mountain villas.

Bjarke Ingles: Interveiwed by Brijuni Arquitectos - Part III

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Part III of the interview continues the conversation of the Lego Towers.

Steven Holl Architects Selected to Design New Arts Building for University of Iowa Arts Campus

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Press Release:
New York, NY: February 16, 2010 – Steven Holl Architects in collaboration with BNIM Architects, has won the commission for the new art studio facility for the University of Iowa (UI) Arts campus. The new building is to replace an original arts building from 1936, which was heavily damaged during a flood of the University of Iowa campus in June 2008. The proposed site is directly adjacent to and northwest of the Art Building West, designed by Steven Holl Architects, which since its opening in 2006 has received numerous awards, including the AIA 2007 Institute Honor Award for Architecture.

The selection process, which was to find an architect-led team and not to select a specific design, was organized by The University of Iowa. The Selection Committee, chaired by UI Facilities Management project manager Beverly Robalino, chose Steven Holl Architects with BNIM Architects, for their “creativity and attention to complex issues on an exciting but difficult site. The Steven Holl Architects/BNIM team displayed awareness and sensitivity to an adjacent residential neighborhood, a solid understanding of challenges related to FEMA supported projects, and a unique connection to the site’s most direct contextual neighbor; Holl’s celebrated Art Building West.”

UI Facilities Management director of Planning, Design & Construction, Rod Lehnertz said, “the University unanimously chose the team of Steven Holl and BNIM, based on our confidence in what the team brings to the table, and in the positive results of our past partnerships. We feel fortunate to, once again, have the opportunity to work with Steven Holl Architects, as together we advance a new building fitting the top-level program that will reside there. As was the case the last time Steven Holl came to our campus, this will be a project that will create success for both the School of Art & Art History and The University of Iowa.”

Steven Holl said, “We are very pleased to be able to work again with The University of Iowa towards the creation of campus space as well as a new an inspiring facility for the arts.”

For more information on the work of Steven Holl Architects, please visit www.stevenholl.com
For more information on BNIM Architects, please visit www.bnim.com
For more information on the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, please visit www.art.uiowa.edu

The Architecture of Shigeru Ban

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

This video, from the Wall Street Journal, is a short interview with Shigeru Ban. He discusses his architecture, his use of interesting materials such as paper tubes as structural elements, and talks about his believe that architects need to work for all sorts of clients, not just the rich elite. I am a huge admirer or Shigeru ban's work and even applied to his Tokyo office a couple of years ago. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he was awarded the next Pritzer Prize although he will have some competition from Steven Holl and Sanaa.

Slideshow: Kolumba by Peter Zumthor - Cologne, Germany

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The Kolumba museum in Cologne, Germany was high on my list of places to visit and it turned out to be a spectacular experience. Although not all of the images are fantastic do to some low lighting conditions and no tripod, you should get an overall sense of the elegant design by Peter Zumthor. This was definitely one of the best pieces of architecture I have visited on my travels. Truly stunning both in the design of the building, the materiality and tectonics as well as the art shown within - an interesting juxtaposition of historic and contemporary art.

Check out the Kolumba website for more information: www.Kolumba.de

Bjarke Ingles: Interveiwed by Brijuni Arquitectos - Part II

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Part II of the Bjarke Ingels interview introduces is to BIG's Lego Towers project. Unfortunately the giant, 2 m tall model build out of Legos is out of the office and only shown on a poster. But it is an interesting design, none the less.

Architecture: a film by Maya Design

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Architecture from MAYAnMAYA on Vimeo.

This is a fun little video by Maya Design, getting to the essence of what is architecture.

Architecture in Times of Need: Make It Right Rebuilding New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

originally published in the last edition of Design Exchange Magazine

In the wake of the most recent tsunami to wreak havoc on a coastal region, focus is returned to the once hot topic of disaster relief. What is the best way to implement immediate assistance and perhaps more importantly how do we rebuild for the long term? If the horrors of Catrina have had any positive, its that it taught us what not to do and hopefully has better prepared us for similar events going forward.

There have been many stories about the rebuilding efforts there yet they seem like they are lost in the past. The media has turned its back, looking for the next big story. We are quickly forgetting the struggle people rebuilding those communities are still dealing with on a daily basis. However, a new book highlighting the work of a trendy architecture firm, a Hollywood star, and a devastated community, has brought the spotlight back to the area and shown one attempt to "Make It Right."

The Make It Right is an organization developed by Brad Pitt focused on the redevelopment of the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. This district was completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina almost four years ago and has struggled to recover. Mr. Pitt assembled a team including architecture firms GRAFT, who he has collaborated with in the past, and William McDonough + Partners along with the Cherokee Gives Back Foundation. The aim was to develop a neighborhood of homes following the Cradle to Cradle philosophy while engaging the local community and providing high quality sustainable homes.

The initiative engaged a group of international designers, each to design and build affordable housing for the low income residents, while creating a new sustainable housing typology. Such international stars as David Adjaye, GRAFT, Frank Gehry, MVRDV, Morphosis and Shigeru Ban along with others have taken part in the project donating their time and design expertise. Many of the houses broke ground this past summer and 13 have already been completed, with families moving in. Each house meets LEED Platinum standards helping to reduce the energy costs for the inhabitants while being environmentally responsible. The goal is to rebuild 150 homes to jump start the redevelopment of this district and hopefully act as a catalyst for similar development projects.

Along with the housing design, GRAFT and Mr. Pitt collaborated on a Land Art project in order to generate interest through the international media. The "Pink Project" consisted of hundreds of large pink tents, each taking a simple geometric form and being dispersed through the landscape of the destroyed area. These objects recall the density and vibrancy of the residential neighborhood that was reduced to a scraggly field by the storm. This project along with the Make It Right Initiative and the corresponding design process was recently published as a book: Architecture in Times of Need: Make It Right Rebuilding New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.

Hopefully, this project, along with the increased media exposure it and the high profile participants bring, will once again bring our focus back to the challenges of coping with natural disasters. too often our feelings and aid fade over time and stop once the real work needs to be done. Rebuilding is a long and tedious process. We can't abandon those in need once the spotlight has moved on to the most recent gossip or political scandal.

Architecture in Times of Need: Make It Right - Rebuilding the New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward

CITIZEN ARCHITECT: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

This is a trailer for an upcoming PBS documentary on Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio - a program at the University of Auburn Architecture school. Every year a class of students goes to an underprivileged town and offers their services to the local residents. They design houses, community centers, chapels, or anything else they find the local community needs. It is a truly amazing program and one that has influenced similar initiatives in other universities - including one I was involved with, Design Bridge at the University of Oregon.

Slideshow: The Cologne Dom - Cologne, Germany

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

A monumental example of spectacular Gothic Architecture, the Cologne Dom dominates the city's skyline and is a truly spectacularly detailed edifice. Climbing the towers offers stunning views of the city and reveals that every inch of this building, from the foundation stones up to the highest peak of the towers is intricately carved with immaculate details. Definitely worth visiting and one of the best examples of gothic architecture that I have visited.

Bjarke Ingles: Interveiwed by Brijuni Arquitectos - Part I

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:21:00 +0000

The first of five short videos comprising an interview with Bjare Ingles the Danish Architect whose firm, BIG, has been winning many international design competitions recently. Bold forms and clear diagrams are the trademark of their work, while these interviews get a glimpse of his design philosophy and the thinking behind a few of their projects. (I will post the rest of the interview next week)

Design With A Spine by Marcus O’Reilly Architects

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

I'd like to share a recent house design by an architect and friend running the firm, Marcus O'Reilly Architects, in Melbourne Australia. We met a couple of years ago as participants of the Glenn Murcutt International masters Class. It is always fantastic to see what my classmates have been doing since we parted ways. Below is the press release describing the design and some images of the completed project:

This single story house is located on a leafy well established street in Kyneton, Victoria, Australia. While appropriately scaled for the neighborhood it is a variation on the local typology. Whereas the typical suburban model of a distinct front yard and back yard is the norm in the area, this design focuses the house to a generous north facing outdoor room.

Stretching east to west across the site, the dynamic double skillion roofs provide ample northern light into every room in the house. A central spine between the two roofs splits the house into public and private functions and visually connects the entrance of the home to the sculptural forms of the rear garden. A thickened wall with deep niches for the display of art and random artifacts heightens the experience of passing along the central circulation.

Years ago, the client and Marcus O’Reilly shared a furniture workshop and the pair have collaborated extensively in the past. The longstanding working relationship between the two led to a very smooth, efficient and effective construction process, where both client and Architect were consistently on the same page. The clients ease in understanding the design intent, left time to focus on more intimate detailing such as the fine tapering of the roof eaves, the pocketing doors and exterior cladding systems. The home was beautifully put together by the client, who brought his cabinet making sensibility to the intricately coordinated construction of the home.

The residence’s thermal performance is exceptional due to ample thermal mass to the south, double glazed windows to the north, long eaves, and a subfloor airspace to stabilize the diurnal range. A screened water tank in the front of the property, harvesting rainwater from the roofs, provides water for the toilets, laundry and garden.

Slideshow: The Royal Theater Opera - Copenhagen, Denmark

lugray@gmail.com (Lucas Gray) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

An incredibly controversial building in Copenhagen, The Royal Theater Opera sits across the harbor from the historic city center. Unlike the local residents I actually kind of liked the architecture of the building, at least the main facade. However, it is an obvious rip off of Jean Nouvel's Luzern Culture and Congress Center. The building was actually a gift - completely privately funded - by Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller and designed by Henning Larsen. However, the client was apparently very controlling of the project and even pressured the government to let him chose any site he wished within the city. He also exercised control of the design often making additions and changes against the architect's wishes - including a controversial change of the main facade by adding a steel grill over the pristine glass.

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Lucas Gray — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:39:30 PDT

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Lucas Gray — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:39:03 PDT

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Lucas Gray — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:37:43 PDT

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