Daniel Libeskind has created another iconic building, a museum nonetheless. Situated in San Francisco, this new Contemporary Jewish Museum is a conservation work for a Jessie Street Power Substation which had helped restore energy to the city after the great earthquake of 1906.

Inspired by a Hebrew phrase meaning ‘to life’, Libeskind contemporary design visualize the relation between old and new by incorporating the substation’s features.

One thing to note that in regards to his previous museum design in which he applied a non-straight approaches in designing the interior walls, the committee for this museum had specifically asked Libeskind to have at least one area where the walls are straight upwards in order to hang pictures correctly. He did just that. He provided only one room with clean straight walls. All other walls inside this building is perched in an angle, using various symbolism in response to the nature of hope and life. In the multipurpose room, for examples, slashes of lines etched on the surface of the walls and ceiling, drawn from 16h century map charting routes to Jerusalem.

Take a look at the pictures to understand Libeskind’s genius.

Architects are sexiest

What’s wrong with being sexy?

Architects have been voted the sexiest male professionals in a survey of women’s ideal partners.

The survey, conducted by the introduction agency Drawing Down the Moon, found that women favoured architects “due to the esteem associated with the profession”.

Architects are seen as being “balanced and rounded individuals who combine a creative approach with a caring, thoughtful disposition”, the survey found. It concluded: “Their ability to cope with pressure of work in a relaxed manner was also deemed to be a significant plus.”

Male architects beat stockbrokers, doctors, film directors and teachers on the top spot.

However female members of the profession fared less well and did not feature in the top 10 out of male preferences.

RIBA president David Rock commented that architects were probably unaware of their animal magnetism: “Architects were probably the only group on the list whose self-image is lower than their public image”, he said, but added: “Mind you, you have to question the veracity of any list that includes drama teachers”.

RIBA Architecture Gallery director Alicia Pivaro, who is married to architect Paul Monaghan, said she thaugt male architects were highly attractive: “Being married to the architecture’s Mr Sexy, I would have to agree.”

But she was surprised at the failiure of women architects to appear on the list. “All the ones I know are very sexy”, she said.

Men instead voted PR executives the sexiest profession for females, followed by actresses and journalists.

In case you’re wondering. It’s true! We truly are the sexiest!

Well, I really do agree with it. All those hype that enticed me to study architecture in the first place is a no show.

When screenwriters give a hero a career, it’s often architecture: from Walter Pidgeon in Mrs. Miniver to Adam Sandler in Click. In There’s Something About Mary, when Matt Dillon attempts to impress Cameron Diaz, he pretends to be an architect. That’s not surprising. The public perceives architecture as a career for creative, free spirits who nonetheless earn good money while designing cool new buildings. Alas, as usual, there’s a Grand Canyon of difference between the screen and reality.

Can you tell me any other profession that require long hours, high responsibilities, potentials to be sued, and moderate compensation ? Sure, architects are cool. But those few of us that made it to the front page of design publication usually require at least 25 years of experience to gain the acknowledgement that they deserve.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE architecture. This is my passion, my life, my future. I just wish the road would not be this steep

Trust me, if you have kids, don’t encourage them to be an architect. I know I won’t.

Another design by the award-winning designer Susan Bradley: outdoor wallpaper.

Susan Bradley is a fresh British design talent who directs her artistic ability in 3-dimensional designs. Her design studio have won international acclaim in London, Milan, Tokyo and has been featured in leading design media worldwide.

I know many of you out there are now environmentally conscious, so I thought you’d like this cool little magnet. 

Designed by Richard Hutten, this leaf magnet will decorate your post board with forrest-like ambience and will surely emphasize your tree-hugging personality.

Since 2003 Electrolux holds a design competition open to undergrad and postgrad students with innovative design for home appliances.

This year entry is now open with a deadline in 30th May 2008, so you guys better hurry.

Finalists will be announced at the end of June this year. And we should be able to see the winner by early October.

Go to the website for more information.

Well, well.. This is something you’d wish you think of: DIY stool.

Arik Levy uses his brain and come up with this simple solution of utilizing all your magazines into a stool. This is so effective you could organize your magazine collections and create a useful stool in the process.

Now why didn’t I think of that?

Source: Dwell

Sustainable architecture is the rave today.

It’s not just about energy saving building, but also about the environment and how we should adapt to it. Architects know that a dogma exists that says 30% of CO2 emission is caused by buildings, from the erection till demolition.

Furthermore, architects and urban planner should also think about ways to change the behaviour of people. Can we manage without earth-polluting transportation? Is there any ways to arrange our urbanscape to minimize the needs of such transportation?

Something to ponder on.

Source: anArchitecture

For you geeks out there, me included, this one is for you.

A Dutch Designer, Nienke Sybrandy, has created a curtain with ASCII pattern on it. Looked from a distance, you can only see a tree. But up close, you can see all the characters that make up an ASCII file in similar way NFOs are made.

Nerdy!

An appropriate way to start this blog: Audi R8.

32 Valve V8, 420 bhp @ 7800 rpm with 317 lb-ft of torque @ 4500 rpm, 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 sec, top speed 185 mph. And even for those who aren’t a motorhead, just a glimpse of this R8 would make them agree that this car really is beautiful.

Many journalists have said that the R8 will replace Porsche 911 as the ‘perfect car’.