Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Slovakia Architecture

"Ostmoderne shows buildings from the post-war socialist era still largely unknown in the west and widely regarded as unwanted relics from the past in the east after 1989.
ostmoderne documents this architecture - often threatened by demolition - as long as it still exists. An architecture that put its stamp on a political and cultural era, as well as on the urban fabric it was implanted in." To find out more...

Image taken from pushpull2 by Mark Timms

Journal of Design Research

"The Journal of Design Research is an interdisciplinary journal, emphasizing human aspects as a central issue of design through integrative studies of social sciences and design disciplines. It is an electronic journal aiming to publish articles including multimedia applications and hence allowing visual knowledge transfer." To find out more...

"Contemporary large multifunction urban project involves a whole design team that consists of multiple international architects next to multidisciplinary building specialists and multi-organisational stakeholders. Within the design process of such multi-architect projects, the level of complexity is very high due to the complicated functionality requirements; the jurisdictional, political, social, and economical constraints; the involvement of a large number of participants –including public-private partnerships– with often conflicting values; and the high ambition toward top architectural quality. Respectively, conventional project management is inadequate and hence a coherent and unambiguous design management approach is demanded." To find out more...

Image is index page of jdr.tudelft.nl
Second Article is by Rizal Sebastian from Netherland, Delft Universtiy of Technology

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

ZLG Design

At last~! I found an architectural firm in Malaysia that blogs. I would suggest PAM(Pertubuhan Arkiteck Malaysia) or LAM(Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia) or any architectural institution/ organization to open a catagory for architectural bloggers.
Image taken is Saigon Pearl project by ZLG.

Aamer Taher Design Studio

Found an interesting website. Found some interesting images as well. Nice design studio that worth taking a look~! I like the design of the website. Happy, Light & Easy feel.
The image is from www.aamertaher.com of Kheam Hock Road project in Singapore.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Bangkok Building

The pictures of the buildings, the flyover and LRT Terminal were taken while I was on my way taking LRT from Pratunam Market to Lumpini Night Bazaar. The building has a sense of depth on it's facade. Strong strips of beam/structure creating 'louvres like' shading to the building.
The form of the building in the 1st image has a sense of 'made in Thailand', a Thailand temple-like looking form. It attracted me right on the spot. It's ashame I have to rush to the LRT terminal. It was only a one day trip for 3 markets' visits, including Pratunam, Lumpini Night Bazaar and the most famous chatuchak market.
Took 3oo pictures there...

Bangkok Infrastructure


The first image shows double layer flyover with 3 different supporting columns~! Do observe carefully on the columns.

The second image has a strong statement on it's 'transportation system', looking at the structure/building.

Architect Juan Gomez-Velez

"I'm a dinosaur, a principal of a small practice, with almost twenty three years of experience. I've taught graphics for architects, I draw very well, my collaborators believe that my ability to draw a compelling perspective on the spot is an incredibly effective closing tool. My clients and consultants believe rather that it's my ability of solving problems and defusing conflicts that brings the money in. Essentially I remain an architect, a team coordinator, a registered professional that has to assume professional liabilities and manage a business. As such I ( and everyone else in my situation for that matter ) have very little time to develop ideas, therefore intuitive programs such as SU are invaluable. Through SU I've been able to bring my experience and design skills to bear, and I've painstakingly developed a cybernetic framework within which I can develop and maintain the tools of my practice. " to continue...

I got a piece of advice from pushpull forum which I find very encouraging and consolidating. I have to send my deepest gratitude to Mr Juan from Caguas, Puerto Rico. Thank you.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

semi-outdoor-lighting by Miragestudio7


Miragestudio7 had a semi-outdoor-lighting by Montree T that is very useful for anyone who is interested in 3dmax rendering. Lighting is one of the most important subject in 3d computer rendering~! There are few useful links at my side navigation bar under architectural matters | 3d rendering & perspectives for anyone who is interested on 3d renderings. Please do provide more useful links if possible.
Image taken from Miragestudio7

Structure

I visited Thailand in May for the purpose of chatuchak visit and several other market observations. I found an astonishing structure hanging in th middle of the air that I would like to share. It is simply amazing. The infrastructure in Bangkok are much more facinating than what I witnessed in Shanghai.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Contemporary Architects

"The phrases 'contemporary architects' and 'contemporary architecture' have obvious meanings but like 'modern architects' and 'modern architecture' the terminology is open to interpretation - shades of meaning." more to read...
Another architectural firm of Sierra, Cardona & Ferrer introduced.
What attracted me is the building skin layered in two texture in a rigid format created a sense of simplicity with detailings. The refined treatment at first floor slab made the building looks lighter. However, I would prefer a lighter 'head' with louvres or fins then a solid parapet wall.

Image located from pushpull forum, project done by SCF architecture from Puerto Rico.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Pool residential / Sagan Piechota / Steven Ehrlich

Found 2 interesting firms - Sagan Piechota & Steven Ehrlic and great architectural work of residential pool architecture. Sagan Piechota's rendering is great and wondering what rendering software they are using. The pool project beside is by Rem Koolhaas and rendering by Sagan Piechota Architects.
Images from pushpull forum and Sagan Piechota...

International Bauhaus Award 2006

Regarding 'The Architect's Newspaper', The Bauhaus Dessau Foundation is accepting entries for for the 4th International Bauhaus Award! The competition is open to professionals under the age of 40. First prize is 6,000 Euro, second prize is 4,000Euro, and the third prize is 2,000 Euro. It is end of November now, still few more months to go. If you can afford the time. Everyone should give it a try. Click here for more details.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Holl wins the Herning Center of Arts competition

Another great architectural work from Steven Holl. Reminds me of a project of Zvi Hecker. The planning of Zvi Hecker's kindergarten project is so great that whatever, shapes that grew similar to it, makes me felt that it is some how, some way related, the star shape, the centralized wave, the momentum.
Images located from pushpullbar2, buecher

The Next Dimension

CAD has developed 'Building information Modeling (BIM) and parametric modeling (PM) that allows designing through 3d modeling with facts and figures' backup, schedules and labelings are made to be user friendly. No more line pullings for elevations, no more sectional draftings, it is only a selection of sections on the model to resolve elevations and sectional analysis. BIM & PM is to enable sophisticated mesh building to made simple. It is a matter of time how fast it is going to take over the market like how CAD does replacing hand drafting services. Computer drafting services shall be reduce or even eleminated and designers and architects shall not only design yet to take on more responsibilities and workload with such a software. I located a past issue in 'The Architects' Newspaper' online in regards of this issue.

"CAD enters another dimension, with two new modeling approaches—building information modeling (BIM) and parametric modeling (PM)—that offer better design, analysis, and management capabilities. Are architects ready to make the leap?"
more to read...

"Another feature of modern CAD systems is the ability to create parametric models. In a parametric model, each entity, such as a boolean primitive, a line or arc in a wireframe, or a filleting operation, has parameters associated with it."more to read...

Information found in wikipedia, stated as solid modeling.

Articles found in cadalyst:-
Not all Bim is Parametric,
Revit: Parametric Building Modeling, Part 2

Image located from archpaper.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

John Travolta's House

Wondering what should I do to afford such a house...


Friday, November 18, 2005

Suppliers of wood and plastic composite

Another environmental friendly product by Genting Sanyen~ Rite Wood. The product is splendid with its' wood textured look enhanced with material quality in resistancy to various problems real wood material would encounter. The pricing is competitive to bangau. Nowadays, people uses young timber rather than waiting the tree to grow 15~20years. Young timber material would not last as long as the 20years material.

Real examples from sketchup into working drawings

Got 2 forums here if you are working in sketchup, pretty useful as a real example for your reference. I used sketchup 2 years ago when I was working in a small firm proposing an environmental user friendly dustbin recollector for my bos' elther brother. Didn't really use it on architectural building. I am a max user though. Sketchup is very handy and use-friendly for a beginner in 3d or architects who doesn't know 3d programs and would like to learn. The pricing is very feasible as well. Take a look for real example of people using sketchup in construction drawings. Example 01 (a house), Example 02 (a steel structure building). Must take a look even for presentation's sake in construction drawings for example 02~!
Uploaded picture is from example02 pushpull.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Pushpull japan forum

A must go forum~! Click now~!Starting to admire takeshh, click to browse forum raised by takeshh. Uploaded image from pushpull japan forum by takashh

Sendai Mediatheque by Toyo Ito

Browsing through pushpull, located a forum raised by takeshh regarding the Sendai Mediatheque by Toyo Ito.
Anyone who is interested of the building should take a look at the forum. Plenty of pictures, links and topics on the building which you don't want to miss.
Links of related articles found in pushpull:-
galinsky
review by Andrew Barrie
the structure of sendai mediatheque
image of architecture in electronic age by TOYO ITO

Like what Sydney Concert Hall became, Sendai Mediatheque became an icon, a symbolic building in architectural theory and history, which money doesn't matters anymore. How many people can afford and got such a luck to build such a building? People who involved in the building might as well be proud of it. Thanks to Toyo Ito, his great talent and dedication to architecture. So....do you want to become such an architect?

Uploaded image from pushpull japan forum by takeshh

Water Tap

After the seeing various decorative features in male toilets, the 'water tap' exposed under the sun to me is a protest, a form of art with a sense of humour.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Pushpullbar

There is a pushpull forum , I accidentally got myself involved with some posting for submitting this blogsite. Raised a poll regarding sketch modeling and some posts at Architectural Website. Forum is great, worth taking a look. Shall add into my links soon, must pull myself together tonight for my work. I guess I am blog addicted.

Friday, November 11, 2005

March or MBA

Will higher education ensure better payment? I would think so, and therefore would like to further my studies in near future. As a B.Arch, working for several years down, I learn to understand that architecture is not a job that earns as much as your the efford you dose in. However hard you work, you still get the same pay or just 150~200 raise in a year. I would believe if I am a sales person that worked as hard as I was in past several years, I would be living a better life of what I am having now. Anyway, I still love architecture, but I understand the everyday living realities now. Furthering studies would be another way to ensure better living in the future.I found something interesting again. As a B.Arch degree holder would you take M.arch or MBA for your selection? Please vote for your selection in my mini poll. Thank you.

Classicism, Symbolism, and Mannerism

Classicism,
Symbolism,
Mannerism.
Click for further readings in wikipedia.

Uploaded picture from daily dose 2005/11/blb-messy-architect

Market

Beside the movie theatre, another project I am involving is the market. Click to understand Market.
Click here to download details of market, for anyone who is interested of market research. Please support by clicking the ads. Thanks.

Image taken from chatuchak market in Thailand

Movie Theatre

The previous rendering I did is actually a movie theater including retail outlets and food and beverage outlets. It is an entertainment building. Click here to have further readings of cinema design.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Electronic Frontier Foundation


HandBook for bloggers and cyber-Dissidents.
"The difference between you and the reporter at your local newspaper is that in many cases, you may not have the benefit of training or resources to help you determine whether what you're doing is legal. And on top of that, sometimes knowing the law doesn't help - in many cases it was written for traditional journalists, and the courts haven't yet decided how it applies to bloggers. "

"But here's the important part: None of this should stop you from blogging. Freedom of speech is the foundation of a functioning democracy, and Internet bullies shouldn't use the law to stifle legitimate free expression. That's why EFF created this guide, compiling a number of FAQs designed to help you understand your rights and, if necessary, defend your freedom. "
more to read

Questions About Copyright

"Every day, millions of online diarists, or “bloggers,” share their opinions with a global audience. Drawing upon the content of the international media and the World Wide Web, they weave together an elaborate network with agenda-setting power on issues ranging from human rights in China to the U.S. occupation of Iraq. What began as a hobby is evolving into a new medium that is changing the landscape for journalists and policymakers alike." more to read.

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about Copyright, click here.

It is better to link than to copy paste.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Environmental design

It is difficult to dig out topics regarding tropical architecture. Therefore, environmental design is more or less in regards to tropical architecture in general. Environmental design is an interesting subject to be raised in any architectural design involved. Is another basic design issue to be mastered.
This is what I can find in wikipedia:-
"Environmental design refers to taking environmental concerns into consideration in the design process.
"Environmental design" in the more established (and, perhaps, more old-fashioned) sense has to do with developing physical, spatial environments, whether interior or exterior, to meet one or more esthetic or day-to-day functional needs, or to create a specific sort of experience - the focus being the human-designed environment." more to read...
Some interesting link here regarding Japanese garden.
Uploaded picture located from www.asianinfo.org

Blogging

"Blog is website that contains written material, links or photos being posted all the time, usually by one individual, on a personal basis. The term is a shortened form of weblog, although the latter term has since fallen into disuse." Another must read issue. 365days' readings is a lot! I believe one or two years later. I shall have my own hosting website with sound traffics. Nike's motto ~ just do it.

Architectural designer

"An architectural designer is a registered architect or non-registered designer that is more involved in the design of a building as opposed to the construction documentations required to construct it. Few architects are truly designers as that status refers to individuals who often have good artistic skills, imagination and talent. Although most students of architecture are trained as designers very few actually become designers in the real world. Design in architecture, however, exists at every level, from the exterior, all the way to the toilet stalls. That means that that an architect generally is involved in the design of a building at a smaller level and in more detail than a true architectural designer, who often determines the look and feel of the building as whole in the schematic design phase."
more to read...

- Links to architectural design consultants on the directory in U.K.
- Architects malaysia can be found in
PAM directory.

As a designer myself, I intend to seach of my own identity, not registered, yet still doing architectural design. I am not a Chinese from China, but catagorized as Chinese in Malaysia. I am a Malaysian Chinese. I am Malaysian in China. A very difficult issue for overseas born chinese. We ought to just state ourselves as Malaysian, just malaysian. It takes time.

Architectural History

A must read of architectural history.
Image taken from wikipedia

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Chinese architecture


A general view of chinese architecture located from wikipedia:-
"Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in Asia over the years. Over the centuries, the structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being on the decorative details. Since the Tang Dynasty, Chinese architecture has had a major influence on the architectural styles of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam."

"The following article gives a cursory explanation of traditional Chinese architecture, before the introduction of Western building methods during the early 20th Century. Throughout the 20th Century, however, Western-trained Chinese architects have attempted to combine traditional Chinese designs into modern (usually government) buildings, with only limited success. Moreover, the pressure for Western-style urban development throughout contemporary China means that traditional Chinese buildings are fast disappearing."

more to read...


As a graduate from Shanghai Tong Ji University, I do took subjects in Chinese Architecture. I was taught that Chinese Architects in olden days were like technicians. Chinese are so much in politics, they change everything in module when a dynasty dies. It is to symbol, to show a new kingdom is formed. Architecture is part of the formation. Everything to be renewed. Simple way is through module, different module.
In the east, architecture is more into timber ~ for humanity and politics.
In the west, architecture is more into stone ~ for eternity and godess.

Architectural Theories & Style by Archpedia

Another interesting site of architecture.
"Plato :: The Republic "
"And isn't it necessary for the young to be influenced by these qualities everywhere, if they are to do what is truly theirs to do? And these qualities may be seen in everything, in painting, and in ornament, in the making of everything, cloths, buildings, pots ... And in the forms of living things. In all of these, order or good form and its opposite have their place. Things without order, rhythm and harmony go with ill words and ill feelings, but good order goes with courage and self-control. "
More to read regarding of
"Aristotle :: The Poetics " "Vitruvius :: On Architecture "
"Robert Venturi :: Learning from Las Vegas " "Louis Kahn :: The Message of Louis Kahn " "Bernard Tschumi :: Architecture and Disjunction " "Michael Graves :: A case of figurative architecture "
Architectural Style in Archpedia :-
"Neolithic, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Gothic, Islamic, Japanese, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Prairie Style, Chicago School, Neo-Classical,Modern, New Brutalism, International, Post Modern, Expressionist, High-Tech, Deconstructivism. "

Shouldn't chinese/india/asia architecture be included too?
Designs are evolved through studies, analysis, theories and historical context. It is very important to understand and to master each of every style if possible. Working in a normal architectural design office Malaysia doesn't always provide us the opportunity to various form of style and theories. Some offices just treat architecture a business. When you pay more, I will add more features into the building. A very realistic world. No words of style can be mentioned if you don't have the cash.

How can fresh graduates adapt this great change from school architectural utopians into realistic business minded person?

I guess time is the answer to all.
However, passion is another powerful word to allow you to survive in this hardcore working environment of architectural.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction by wikipedia ~
"For contemporary philosophers as well as literary and social critics, deconstruction (sometimes called "deconstructionism" by its opponents) is a kind of interpretation that argues for what its practitioners regard as the impossibility of a complete or even coherent understanding of "texts."" more to read...
Deconstruction by archipedia :-
"Deconstruction or deconstructivism is "part of a research into the dissolving limits of architecture," according to Bernard Tschumi words at the 1988 Frist international symposium on deconstruction in London. It is looking for "the between" According to Peter Eisenman at the same symposium, architects who fracture are merly illustrative; they are not challenging an preconceptions. While the theory the "new way of seeing" for architects and academics may be viewed as a decadence it more importantly offered an alternative incluence to the increasing banality of postmodern formality. "
more to read...


In the school time, I was shown dozens of pictures of architectural works, and one of the interesting theories is deconstruction. What I understood is deconstruction is not a style. Deconstruction is a method to change the existing meaning of architectural elements into other metaphorable form to allow the users to image and divert the real meaning of an architectural element into others. For example, when you see a building which is sculptured into binocular form, you shall think that it is a sculpture or a "binocular" instead of a normal building.
That is my simple understanding of deconstruction.

Picture taken from rockwool.

Postmodern architecture

It is difficult to differenciate postmodern and modern. Is time only the essense to it? From wikipedia :-

"Postmodernity or postmodern architecture is a period whose first examples are generally cited as being from the 1950's, which runs through the present. "

"Postmodernity in architecture is generally thought to be heralded by the return of "wit, ornament and reference" to architecture in response to the formalism of the International Style of modernism. " more to read ...

Modern architecture

Modern architecture is the most fundament theory among the rest, the below passages is redirected from wikipedia, a general view in modern architecture defination and understanding.
This is found in wikipedia :-

"Modern architecture is a broad term given to a number of building styles with similar characteristics, primarily the simplification of form and the elimination of ornament, that first arose around 1900. By the 1940s these styles had been consolidated and identified as the International Style and became the dominant way of building for several decades in the twentieth century." more to read...

Monday, November 07, 2005

Hex Tower


Rojkind Arquitectos "180 residential units with hotel on 28th level and retail/public area below
Located in Santa Fe in the northeast of México City, this project is part of a development consisting of 10 residential towers designed by 10 different firms. The program of our tower consists of 180 units that vary from 60 to 200 square meters. The first 4 levels are dedicated to commercial and public spaces that connect the 10 towers. Above the 28th floor is a 27 room boutique Hotel, spa sky garden and lounge with independent access from the ground floor through an express elevator. The exterior structure is composed of multiple hexagons that unfold at the bottom, taking on a new formal logic to enhance the experience of the public space."
by worldarchitecturenews
One glimpse will capture your attention. It will be another iconic building. When something is turned into an icon, the cost is not into consideration anymore, like what happened to the Sydney Concert Hall. Do you have the guts to do this kind of design? Yes, it needs 'guts' besides talent to create, to show, to demonstrate, to explain, to persuade, to process before anything iconic happens... People need to stand up, to face failure dozens of time before succeeding. Congratulations to Rojkind Arquitectos~!
Lets' pray for Rojkind Arquitectos it wouldn't turn into another paper architecture...

Saturday, November 05, 2005

The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture



"From the Greek word aisthetikos, meaning of sense perception. Also spelled "esthetic." Having to do with beauty in both form and appearance. An esthetic procedure is one in which the principal purpose is to improve the appearance." - spafinder

"# relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics; "aesthetic values""
"# concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste; "the aesthetic faculties"; "an aesthetic person"; "aesthetic feeling"; "the illustrations made the book an aesthetic success""
"# (philosophy) a philosophical theory as to what is beautiful; "he despised the esthetic of minimalism""
"# aesthetically pleasing; "an artistic flower arrangement" "
-
princeton
The above is redirected from wikipedia.

How do you define aesthetic in Architecture? Is there any defination you would like to state?
There are millions and billions of people in this world. Is beauty defined differently in different eyes?
I bought a book 2 days ago ,
The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture, which brought me around the world of contemporary architecture by just flipping the pages. It is not a thorough one that includes each and every masterpieces in the world yet it is enough showing contemporary architecture. It is a great book that anyone who is interested in architecture should acquire. It is very inspiring and facinating.
Different architects sees architecture differently, yet there is always similarity. There is always a system, a language in it. Richard Mier, Frank Gehry , Mies, Cobusier... any great masters. They speaks architecture in their own language. It reflects their identity, character, charm and thoughts. It poses a theory, or analysis behind it. Find it out, observing itself is fun enough. It is like reading an art. It drunks you. I just felt happy looking at the work, so much, so simple sometimes, so elegant, so intelligent. The contrast, the texture, the material, the details, the composition, the organisation f space, the feeling arouse walking along the building, into the building, inside out of the building. The combination and mix between forms and spaces. So much to read, intelligently expressed and formed. Great masterpieces. Buy the book.

The Jerde Partnership, Inc. IN Malaysia


A little late but facinating news that I-CITY Selangor is going to be Sumurwang’s 72-acre freehold site in Section 7, Shah Alam. A 10-year development with a total gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5bil consisting corporate, commercial and retail elements, hotel and serviced apartments, a convention complex, an intelligent school and a technology hub.
The planning and retail centre will be design by
Jerde, intending to be a quality lifestyle centre with many of Jerde’s trademark features.

“The plan is to blend the shopping fair with the retail centre and elements of the ground-breaking Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles will be seen in this component,” I-Bhd chief executive officer Eu Hong Chew stated. more to read.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Theories and Critism - Kenneth Frampton - Blogs

ArtsjournalThe box Tank
Internet Commentator
My Bookshelf in Heaven - ABBS 论坛
dailywireless

Critics should blog all the time! Anyone know any architectural critics who blogs?

Five Architects

Peter Eisenman, founder of both Eisenman Architects and the Institute of Architecture and Urban Studies in New York who received the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1984.
Michael Graves, founder of the Michael Graves architechtural firm in Princeton, New Jersey who won numerous AIA National Honor awards as well as several Progressive Architecture Design awards.
Charles Gwathmey, founder of Gwathmey, Siegel, and Associates, Architects in New York. His recent projects include the design for The Science, Industry, and Business Library branch of the New York Public Library.
John Hejduk is Dean at the School of Architecture at Cooper Union.
Richard Meier, founder of Richard Meier and Partners in New York.
The above five listed are authors of
, published in the 1975. They grew and became the most influential architects among the world.

Paper Architecture


Paper architecture, architectural works that is not built that stays in paper; idealistic manifestoes, utopian in architecture who suggest possibilities towards architecture. More to read.
Paper architecture by
Shigeru Ban, Japanese well known architect who uses paper to form architecture. Paper is recyclable and environmental friendly. A 75 metre long barrel structure made of giant cardboard tubes covered in waterproof paper are simply amazing for the Japanese pavilion at Expo2000.

I once witnessed a japanese artist forming sculpture through using paper as media to study and generate ideas, claiming to be paper sculpture. Can I claim my work - paper architecture?

The uploaded picture is one of the sketchy paper models my previous project involved.