Architecture
All Congnac is Brandy, but all Brandy is not Cognac. When learning to drink with an old friend this was the first lesson that I learned. The term architect is regulated, you have to pass a series of tests to earn a piece of paper which certifies that you are indeed an architect. Simply being an architect does not make one capable of producing architecture. There is a difference between creating a building and architecture, unfortunately buildings are far more prevalent in the United States. Architecture is a fine Cognac and only the most sensitive of palettes can taste the difference.
no Ya-Ya, people want architecture at a Great Value
A few months ago I began to contemplate the effect of the Great Recession on our profession and to define for myself the current, past and future status of architecture in the United States. There have been many movements and styles to evolve in architecture since the implosion of Pruitt-Igoe. It seems that since the death of Modernism that stylistic periods in architecture have increasingly become shorter and shorter, approaching a period of brevity in which we have to question whether or not we should even call these movements architectural styles. … continue reading no Ya-Ya, people want architecture at a Great Value
de Young Museum by Herzog & de Meuron: The Copper Killer
The de Young Museum designed by Jacques Herzog & Pierre de Meuron is both underwhelming and overwhelming. The structure’s interiors are underwhelming at best, and there are few spaces on the interior that capture the same spirit that is embodied by the structure’s unique exterior appearance. The exterior form and treatment of the structure’s skin is overwhelming. The materiality, texture and the building’s seductive physique are used to create a building that one cannot help but to stare at. The de Young Museum is simply beautiful, its copper skin is unmatched in scale and execution, but the local and regional ecosystem must pay a great cost for its unique beauty. … continue reading de Young Museum by Herzog & de Meuron: The Copper Killer
Miami School of Architecture by Bernard Tschumi
The Miami School of Architecture Building (also known as the Paul L. Cejas School of Architecture Building) was designed by Bernard Tschumi. It is a visually exciting building, and was one of the many highlights on a recent architectural pilgrimage that I made to Miami. This project is one of three must see buildings on the Florida International University campus, the other two structures are designed by Robert Stern and KPF, and if you can believe it the Robert Stern designed structure is the best of the three architectural gems hidden on the campus. … continue reading Miami School of Architecture by Bernard Tschumi
Architecture:
Bloomingdale’s Meet Kevin Kennon Architects
Images of contemporary architecture do not necessarily come to mind when thinking about the architecture of Orlando. While Orlando is not the architectural capital of the United States, there are actually a great number of buildings in the Orlando area that have been designed by architects of varying styles, different . . .continue reading: Bloomingdale’s Meet Kevin Kennon Architects
Architects:
Bloomingdale’s Meet Kevin Kennon Architects
Images of contemporary architecture do not necessarily come to mind when thinking about the architecture of Orlando. While Orlando is not the architectural capital of the United States, there are actually a great number of buildings in the Orlando area that have been designed by architects of varying styles, different . . .continue reading: Bloomingdale’s Meet Kevin Kennon Architects
Design
Beach House Designed by Richard Meier R.I.P.
When going to Miami this weekend I was excited at the prospect of seeing my first Richard Meier building. Meier was one of the first architects that I was introduced to in my architectural education, and have always had an appreciation for his ability to take a consistent formal language . . .continue reading: Beach House Designed by Richard Meier R.I.P.
The Gallery:
Swan & Dolphin Gallery
These images are the result of a walking tour at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin resort hotel designed by Michael Graves. Construction of this massive complex was completed in 1990 and is sited between two of Walt Disney World’s parks: Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Hollywood Studios . . .continue reading: Swan & Dolphin Gallery
Link Of The Week:
LOTW: Europaconcorsi
Europa Concorsi is an Italian site dedicated to the profession of architecture. Using a free translator on the internet Europaconcorsi roughly translates from Italian to English: Europe Competitons. Although the entire site is in Italian, it is by far one of the premiere resources on the internet for discovering new . . .continue reading: LOTW: Europaconcorsi
Random Architectural Webness:
- McBride Charles Ryan Architecture + Interior Design
An architecture and interior design firm which doesn’t appear to be anything special at first glance, then we saw the Monaco House. Office located in Prahran VIC. 
Hernon Diaz Alonso is principal and founder of Xefirotarch and is widely known for his free formed designs. His work rarely gets built, but its influence on Columbia and other academic institutions can be felt. Office located in Los Angeles California.- Sunlay Design
Sunlay Design has a significant amount of built work that ranges in scale and style, yet many of their unbuilt projects appear overly simple. They also sport one of the best flash architecture websites. Office located in Beijing. - Pei Cobb Freed And Partners
I.M. Pei is one of the few modern architects to be credited with creating a modern masterpiece after the apparent death of modernism. Poor website, but great work. Office located in New York City. - Antoine Predock Architect
Apparently Antoine Predock is the only architect that works in his office. Great architect, bad website. Office located in Albuquerque, Taipei and Los Angeles.
Critique This! Tweets by James- Check out Squire and Partners, fun original architecture flash site, plus their work is actually good! http://su.pr/1FWuFY
- I love code, especially when it is beautifully simple.a:focus {outline-style: none;}
- Working on a new site, and new design for Critique This. Look for an update this weekend.
- NCARB pass rates are dangerously low under the 4.0 exam. What was supposed to make things easier just got tougher. http://su.pr/1dxdem
- 10,000 unique visitors in less than six months! Thank you to everyone who has supported Critique This!
Newest Links:
- Squire and Partners
Squire and Partners is a gem of a firm, and so is their website. A beautifully original flash site allows you to easily navigate the firm’s impressive portfolio, and play a few video games while your at it. Although their site is cool, so is their architecture, particularly the Reiss HQ. Office located in London.
Hernon Diaz Alonso is principal and founder of Xefirotarch and is widely known for his free formed designs. His work rarely gets built, but its influence on Columbia and other academic institutions can be felt. Office located in Los Angeles California.- Marble Fairbanks Architects
Marble Fairbanks was established in 1990 and is lead by Scot Marble and Karen Fairbanks. Their projects have a distinct focus on patterning and texture. Office located in New York City. - Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Diller Scofidio + Renfro have been setting the architectural world on fire with a series of iconic commisions like the ICA in Boston, the Blur Building, and now the High Line in New York City. Office located in New York City. - Lyn Rice Architects
Lyn Rice formerly of Open Office and Diller & Scoffidio is principal of one of the most promising young firms in New York City. Their work is explicityl graphic design, sometimes their diagrams and drawings are better than the built architecture. Office located in New York City. 
dxb.Lab is lead by Khalid Alnajjar. Their portfolio of built work is limited to a collection of modern residences in Dubai and a series of interesting conceptual projects. Office located in Dubai UAE.
Matthew Trzebiatowski established Blank Studio in 2001 and has received much acclaim for his Social Condenser house. Office located in Phoenix Arizona.- Ayers Saint Gross
Ayers Saint Gross is a leader in the field of college master planning. Their site contains an amazing database of college institution information, including figure-ground diagrams, student population, and demographic data all free in their Research and Resources section of their site. Offices located in Tempe, Baltimore and Washington D.C. - Alfonso Architects
Relatively unknown, Albert Alfonso has produced an impressive portfolio of modern edifices composed of clean lines and white forms. Offices located in Milan Italy and Tampa Florida. - Archi-Ninja
[journal] Linda Bennet is the author of Archi-Ninja. Linda offers up to date Architectural news, blogs and project information and most importantly is entertaining.
Critiquing this & that since August 3rd, 2009.
