Construction
Architecture is impossible to produce without a strong knowledge and understanding of the construction process. Many designers believe that architecture is about the big image and nothing else matters. A design has to be successful at the scale of its formal composition and in its details. This is where you insert your favorite cliche quote from a famous architect about why details are important. The fact is that construction is the physical process of translating a design on paper into a built work of architecture. If you want to be an architect you should be primarily concerned with making beautiful buildings and not sleek renderings and shapes in the latest and greatest software.
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
1111 Lincoln Road by Herzog & de Meuron: Context, What Context?
During a recent trip to Miami, I made a quick visit to 1111 Lincoln Road, a development in South Beach’s Lincoln Mall, which I have been following for some time now. At first glance the renderings display a project that is at the very least, an exciting structural display that mimics the symbols of wealth displayed by the celebutantes of South Beach. Upon visiting South Beach and the 1111 Lincoln Road development, it became clear that the design and development are clearly foreign to the surrounding collection of 800 Art Deco structures located in South Beach’s Art Deco Historic District. … continue reading 1111 Lincoln Road by Herzog & de Meuron: Context, What Context?
Details:
ADA Ramps Gone Wild: Disney Treehouse Villas
Remember every year in undergraduate school how it seemed that there was always one kid who gets the bright idea to create a ramping system, which serves as the major vertical circulation system in his design? And do you remember when that one kid is told during a critique . . .continue reading: ADA Ramps Gone Wild: Disney Treehouse Villas
Materials:
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 . . .continue reading: Soprema Soprasolar Rocks
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.
