Slow Start

It was a very busy weekend, and I am having a bit of a slow start.  I really would like to spend a good part of the day here.

But in reality, it is time to start marching to the beat of my drum.  Happy Monday.

The River House by MCK Architects, UNStudio Tower by UNStudio

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Sunday Stroll

Paul Klee Zentrum in Berne by Renzo Piano, photograph by Michel Denance

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Concrete Walls

Love the holes in the walls of the Espacio de las Artes at Santa Cruz, the Photography Centre of the Tenerife Island.  I love the color of the concrete, also.  It reminds me of an expensive suit.  Created by the architects Herzog & de Meuron.

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Metropol Parasol

I was excited to find these images of the striking Metropol Parasol in Seville by German architect J Mayer H.  The Metropol Parasol is described as an ‘icon’ but it actually is a multiuse piece of architecture that has a number of functions designed to make the plaza it is located in more attractive to the local community.  It is the largest mostly wooden structure in the world to be held together by glue.  Isn’t the Metropol Parasol amazing?

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Time Out

We are on our way to Sun Slice House by Steven Holl Architects.  This weekend house on Lake Garda for an Italian lighting company owner and his family is organized to frame slices of sunlight.  The steel frame and concrete structure is skinned with an alloy of copper, steel, chromium, and nickel, which weathers to a leathery red color. I love how the earthy red plays against the green of nature and the blue water and sky.  The interior is white and concrete.  I think we’ll enjoy our stay at Sun Slice House.

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Sexy Floor…

…and so much more.

soho loft by 1100 architect

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Checking-In

st. regis hotel, san francisco/yabu pushelberg

habita monterrey/joseph dirand

hotel duomo/ron arad

the parker hotel/johnathan adler

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HELLO…

I was over at The Diversion Project this morning and I had to do a double take.  Hello…a new project from Joseph Dirand to make my day.  Introducing Quai Anatole France, Paris.  Thanks, Jules!

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This Is Mine…OK, I’ll Share

I claim this peaceful work space.  Located in the Trump Hollywood and designed by none other than Yabu Pushelberg.  Sigh.

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Hilltop Gem

High on a cliff in Coliumo, Chile, sits Casa Poli by Pezo Von Ellrichshausen Architects.  The windows take advantage of the spectacular views and ocean breezes.  Yes, I could do this…

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Guest Post: subtilitas

I am honored to have my tumblr friend, subtilitas, guest post today.  Subtilitas makes exquisite selections and possesses extensive knowledge that will take your breath away.  Many have suggested that his tumblr  be published.  It would be the perfect book of architecture that we are all searching for.  If you have time, please do stop by and visit subtilitas.

Shortly after becoming “professionally challenged” during the recession a couple years back, I took to reading, researching, exploring, and writing as much as I could to remain architecturally inspired. Slowly amassing a small library of the images, designs, and ideas, I decided to take to tumblr and start subtilitas as a vessel to store it and share it with others. It was shortly thereafter that I first came into contact with the wonderful cabbagerose (who is one of the nicest people you’ll ever speak with), so when she asked me to contribute to her site, the answer was easy.

I considered a lot of options when deciding on a topic for this post. Should the focus be on a single project, carefully analyzing every detail and conceptual intention? Or look at a certain building type, location, or material to see how various architects have handled similar challenges? Maybe examine a single architect/designer; discussing the various projects of their portfolio to shed light on the unique challenges they faced with each project and client?

Rather than taking any of these routes, I’ve decided to look more closely at how a variety of architects have handled the challenges presented by the most difficult client they will ever face. The one  client that will want to revisit the design hundreds of times, will keep them up for nights on end, will never be completely satisfied, and will constantly revisit any and every detail, imperfection, and design decision: themselves.

I’ve always found the homes architects design for themselves to be fascinating; if not for dealing with the self-inflicted challenges described above, but also in seeing how the spaces they inhabit themselves informs the conceptual, formal, and aesthetic framework of their practices.

Alvar Aalto:

Jan Benthem:

Gunther Domenig:

Adam Caruso:

Geir Grung:

Le Corbusier:

John Pawson:

Stefan Marte:

Paulo Mendes da Rocha:

Luis Barragán:

Jørn Utzon:

Vincent Van Duysen:

Werner Sobek:

Peter Zumthor:

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I Wood…

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Earth, Wind, and Fire

Lemperle by Jonathan Segal

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Shoes

galerie melissa, sao paulo/muti randolph

stuart weitzman flagship store, rome/fabrio novembre

camper store, london/tokujin yoshioka inc

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Time Out

I will meet you tonight at The Curve Theater.  Curve is a theater turned “inside out”, where production, construction, craft, and technical components are exposed to public view and integrated into the experience fo the street. By dissolving the distinction between production and performance, the building extends the theatrical arts into the public realm and makes them more accessible.  Located in Leicester, United Kingdom by Rafael Vinoly Architects.  See you at 8:00 sharp.

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