Architectural Products and Manufacturers
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
Terracotta Rainscreen Cladding by NBK Ceramic
I am currently working on the design for an assisted living development, which is a great program, and the type of project I have been waiting for. The site is beautiful, located on a large lake surrounded by old oak trees with a stream running through it. I told you it was a great site. While working on the conceptual design, I began to think about the materials that I would use in my design, and since the project is located in Orlando that means that wood is out due to the risk of wood destroying organisms, and metal is generally not great due to the corrosive nature of metals in tropical climates. … continue reading Terracotta Rainscreen Cladding by NBK Ceramic
Soprema Soprasolar Rocks
If you live in the U.S. and have not heard of the company Soprema, don’t worry because you probably are not alone. Soprema is a European based company that was founded in 1908 and they have recently entered the U.S. market. Soprema is responsible for the production and manufacture of many great roofing products which offer great performance benefits available at competitive rates, compared to traditional roofing products used in the U.S. The most innovative product that Soprema has developed is Soprasolar. Soprasolar offers an alternative ‘green’ roofing option for designers and architects seeking to integrate sustainable building strategies into the design of buildings with flat roofs. … continue reading Soprema Soprasolar Rocks
Books I Love:
Louis I. Kahn: Beyond Time and Style: A Life in Architecture
Louis I. Kahn: Beyond Time and Style: A Life in Architecture is not a monograph containing photos of Kahn’s masterpieces. Although it is technically a biography, Carter Wiseman offers readers something more. Wiseman manages to bring Kahn to life through his words. It is a book that is about more . . . continue reading book review: Louis I. Kahn: Beyond Time and Style: A Life in Architecture
Cheap Piano: Renzo Piano Building Workshop 1966-2008
Everybody loves the work of Renzo Piano, even his bad buildings. Until now, monographs and texts depicting the work of Piano were both expensive and outdated, highlighting popular older works of the RPBW. Piano: Renzo Piano Building Workshop 1966-2008 is 528 pages of Renzo Piano eye candy, complete with high . . . continue reading book review: Cheap Piano: Renzo Piano Building Workshop 1966-2008
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be
For those of you who have never heard of Paul Arden, he was an executive creative director for Saatchi & Satchi a powerhouse advertisement agency which handled many large accounts such as British Airways and Toyota. The image he developed for these companies is still a part of our popular . . . continue reading book review: It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To BeCritiquing this & that since August 3rd, 2009.
