20+10+X = the World

A press release announcing the 20+10+X World Architecture Community Awards, a unique process of culling through what is no small feat - the best projects in the world architecture community. Aside from being a comprehensive online portal: "... WA is an “online community” initiated by Suha Özkan and 200+ invited Honorary Members, and a growing number of registered members (3500 in October)." ... the awards take a unique, democratic approach by using ratings and member voting for final decisions."


:: image via WA Community

A quick perusal of the recently posted 1st Cycle Winners gives a VERY broad cross-section of global architecture. There are a few projects I've seen before, others were new. Here's a snapshot of some of the entries - but definitely be sure to check them all out, as well as the balance of the site.

Of course, I wanted to start with a favorite of mine, the incredibly photogenic LEGO by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) - with a terraced panelling of greenery. "During the Marshall years when post war Denmark was being rebuilt, the state chose to favour prefabricated concrete over all other forms of construction. As a result the in-situ cast concrete industry has almost vanished, leaving the entire building industry based on prefabricated modules and concrete elements. Contemporary Denmark has become a country entirely made from LEGO bricks."






:: images via WA Community

Next is the Meghna Residence from Bangladesh, 2003-2005 by Architect Rafiq Azam: "The courtyard for privacy & connectivity, the water layering the Deltaic ambience. In the photographs you can see the swimming pool, ghat and garden for big trees at level five. The foral green and sound of water away from the ground - the library & garden at level 3. the entry atrium & the family lounge."




:: images via WA Community

A green example from Poland, Origami House by Przemek Olczyk offers some ground to sky faceting - similar to, yep, you guessed it, origami. Check out some graphics.

:: images via WA Community

The hoverfront d in Ireland, by Georg Driendl. This literally and figuratively vegetated form offers a metaphor of growth, a: "...monumental structure in dublin mirrors the rapid economical growth of the republic of ireland. It's neccessary to analyze growth and expansion of a city and to advance it with architectural methods, considering a stringent, logical affiliation to existing space > hoverfront d creates perspectives, feelings not many buildings are able to create – to look down at the water from 200m, to watch incoming ships. the impression of a flying city, hovering + grounded at the same time."

:: images via WA Community

The Pilot project for a modern trial detention center in Italy by Stefano Dosi... with some curvy veg.itecture.

:: image via WA Community

And the New Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennial by Daekwon Park.

:: images via WA Community

And finally, a quick snapshot ofthe Carapace House, by LAB ZERO - which is a stunning graphic representation...

:: image via WA Community

As I mentioned, there more on the site, so check out not just the awards, but the remainder of the site is worth checking out - or in the words of Charles Jencks, "World Architecture Community is the gallop archipop google." Um, okay....

Kaputt!

The firm Kaputt! has come up a couple of times recently, and aside from being one of those cool firm names that stick in your head. Recently they've gained some more exposure and notoriety. From the site: "They have earned some notoriety as they were acknowledged with an honorable mention in the international competition organized by the Carlsberg Group, for the large-scale urban development of the company’s property in the outskirts of Copenhagen." A quick link to Belly of an Architect showed some graphics for a single family house that I love for their simple and artistic uniqueness. Beautiful.




:: images via Belly of an Architect

Shifting gears a bit to more traditional graphic forms, the project offers some interesting narrative: "The functional setting is simple. The social volume is more organic, designed for the communitarian family life, in sharp contrast with the private wing. The garden offers an intimate external space and a generous entrance of natural light... The garden wall is also assumed as part of the architecture of the house, as it suggests a filtered visual connection with the external territory, its trees and hedges becoming a part of its enveloping atmosphere."




:: images via Belly of an Architect

Archidose mentioned Kaputt! in their regular Firm Faces segment, showing their creative method for describing firm personnel via pen on skin - although that same project keeps cropping up...


:: image via Archidose

Veg.itecture #42

It has been a while since we've had an opportunity to showcase some Vegetated Architecture. You missed it, didn't you? Well, I did lose all of my accumulated links on my old computer - but it didn't take long to accumulate some more gems. And well, it's not all eye candy, as there has been some new ink about the state of rooftop greening. One tidbit was the significant cost escalation at the Vancouver Convention Center, which is dire news as the expansive 2.5 hectare roof is becoming more expensive as well. At least the payback should be immense with that much coverage. Here's some other more positive thoughts.

Arch Daily starts off with a lovely addition - Sky Village in Rødovre by MVRDV.


:: images via Arch Daily

The terraced form fits nicely with the modular green roofs - although they seem a bit flat and perhaps surreal due to the oversized trees and lack of visible root zone. A cool effect, and interesting to see how the distributed spaces could be linked from roof to roof via gravity.




:: images via Arch Daily

A bit more restrained (and perhaps astroturfed?), this example via Coolboom is the Garden House by Takeshi Hosaka Architects. A brief synopsis: "Although the indoor and outdoor are different environments, they are made from similar dimensions, structures, finishes and furniture. The whole house feels like a garden, where the living scenes expand to both indoor and outdoor." Cool... boom.




:: images via Coolboom

And picked up in multiple locations, this green roof topped houseboat gives veg.itecture some aquatic mobility and credence to amphibious architecture with style (via Inhabitat)


:: image via Inhabitat

Veering from the water to the air, what looks like a giant fan, the (where else) Dubai Anara Tower, with "...sky gardens every 27 floors..." opening up to a large propeller turbine. The design is based on a minaret, but somehow lacks the elegance of this simple form. Also, check out JG's Preston and his commentary footnote about Dubai-chitecture... the bubble may be ready to burst.




:: Big Ass Fan - images via Jetson Green

Lastly, this post stretches the idea a bit, but was a necessary antidote to the Dubai-n excess. Via Archidose, these Tree Huts by Tadashi Kawamata are on view at NYCs Madison Square Park for the rest of the year. Simple rustic boxes reflect the somewhat ephemeral habitat located in the urban park - and allow the eye to catch these contrasting structures - perhaps missing the forest for the tree huts.






:: images via Archidose