U.S. Whole Building Design Guide

"The WBDG is the only web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners with one-stop access to up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a 'whole buildings' perspective. Currently organized into three major categories—Design Guidance, Project Management and Operations & Maintenance—at the heart of the WBDG are Resource Pages, reductive summaries on particular topics.
Development of the WBDG is a collaborative effort among federal agencies, private sector companies, non-profit organizations and educational institutions. Its success depends on industry and government experts contributing their knowledge and experience to better serve the building community." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.wbdg.org/about.php

Ecotect with Sketchup model importing tutorial

"ECOTECT allows you to run analyses on models imported from Sketch-Up. If you use the right format (explained below), ECOTECT will maintain all your Sketch-Up material assignments, allowing you to auto-convert them to elements in its own library.You will need about 5 minutes to complete this tutorial." to find out more...
There are more training packages available. to find out more...
And to familiarize fast, got a post in pushpullbar forum that introduce Ecotect. to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://squ1.org/wiki/Importing_From_SketchUp_Tutorial

ECOTECT

Amazing yet free tools for architectural building design can be found in Ecotect~!
"ECOTECT is a complete building design and environmental analysis tool that covers the full range of simulation and analysis functions required to truly understand how a building design will operate and perform. It finally allows designers to work easily in 3D and apply all the tools necessary for an energy efficient and sustainable future. Check out it's features to learn more." to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://www.squ1.com/products/ecotect

Energy efficiency and Renewable Energy

U.S. Department of Energy had a website of 'Energy efficiency and renewable Energy' as topic, providing tools, programs, systems, components and studies in related of building an energy saving environment. A very useful website to understands more of Eco-friendly buildings and environments. There are tools for analysis for energy simulation, inclusive of free sketchup energy design plugin.
"The Energy Design Plugin is a free plugin for the Google SketchUp 3D drawing program. The plugin makes it easy to create and edit the building geometry in your EnergyPlus input files. The plugin also allows you to launch EnergyPlus simulations and view the results without leaving SketchUp"[1] to find out more...
"In partnership with the private sector, state and local government, national laboratories, and universities, the Building Technologies Program works to improve the efficiency of buildings and the equipment, components, and systems within them. The program supports R&D activities and provides tools, guidelines, training, and access to technical and financial resources. Read our program fact sheet for more information (PDF 363 KB)." [2] to find out more...
"The Building Technologies Program advances the research and development of the next generation of energy-efficient components, materials, and equipment. The Buildings R&D portfolio focuses on the following emerging technologies:

• Appliances
• Heating, Cooling, and Commercial Refrigeration
• Lighting
• Walls, Roofs, and Foundations
• Windows and Doors

To help near-term emerging technologies overcome market introduction barriers, the program uses a combination of strategies including demonstration/evaluation and technology procurement. These strategies are designed to increase buyer confidence and build demand for new energy-efficient technologies. Learn more about near-term emerging technologies and market introduction strategies." [3] to find out more...

Passage [1] from http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/energy_design_plugin.html
Passage [2] from http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/about/index.html
Passage [3] & Image from http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tech/emerging.html

URA Singapore

" 'Singapore 1:1 Island' is a follow-up exhibition to “Singapore 1:1 City” launched by President S R Nathan in 2005. It is curated along 3 themes: the Provision / Production (1965 – 1975); Communication / Connection (1976 – 1985) and Innovation / Distinction (1986 – 2007). The architectural productions weave a story on the distinct character in the history of Singapore architecture. The variety of works exhibited, ranging from residential and commercial buildings to public institutions, demonstrates the diversity and creative energy of architectural talents in Singapore.
The exhibition is part of URA's ongoing effort to promote architecture and urban design (A&UD) excellence in Singapore. It is organised in collaboration with the Board of Architects (BOA), National University of Singapore (NUS), Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (REDAS) and the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA).
The exhibition is curated by Dr Wong Yunn Chii, Head of the Department of Architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS)." to find out more...
Visiting URA Singapore is a must to get to know more of this fasinating international business hub.
Passage and Image from http://www.ura.gov.sg/spore1_1/island/introduction.htm

Solid deck, transparent building

I had been relocated to Singapore with new working environment and pampered with new work and a giant project. Experienced lots of new things within these few days. The leaders have great openness, analytical power and passion towards architectural design. However, "Objective and purposes of the projects are more important then final results." Patrick stated.
We need to build up a system towards an entire city, an urban design. Generate an idea towards architectural design. Creating transparent building but solid landscape deck allowing green features linking the entire city is just great ideas to be shared here. A solution towards global warming is to create more green.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang should be another place of interest for visitors in Malaysia.
"Through the lavish doors to the venerable Blue Mansion were first thrown open in as early as the 19th Century, the tradition of architecture and craftsmanship applied to the building's construction dates much further back - a precipitious 3000 years to the Su Chow dynasty, to be exact. Built in the Hakka-Teochew style on sturdy foundations of Southern Chinese building typologies and materials, the Blue Mansion - commissioned by Cheong Fatt Tze in the face of a trend in the construction of modern Anglo-Indian abodes- stands today as a model of the traditional prardigm Chinese courtyard house." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/
Image by Young

Sekeping Serendah

I visited Sekeping Serendah last week and found it's architectural and landscape design very inspiring and interesting. In tropical sites, there are more opportunities and flexibility to explore the building form without the constrain of cold weather. Sekeping serendah consist three major form of materials glass, timber and mud forming it's building charactor. I like glass shed the most.
"Sekeping Serendah is a private retreat attempting to tread lightly on the land. The very transparent and open sheds celebrate the beauty of the natural environment surrounding them. The sheds are intentionally kept basic and free from lavishness. They are seen more as ‘glorified tents’ to provide basic shelter for its inhabitants as they commune with the land." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.serendah.com/home.html
Image taken by Young

Concrete Roof by Serero

Imagination, Observation & Creativity supported with free concrete form created the proposal beside that wins the architecture competition for the new auditorium of Saint Cyprien - France. What do you see when you are looking above? to find out more...

Image from http://www.serero.com/index_en.htm

Gamma Correction 2.2 setup in 3dsmax

Image beside showing Gamma corrected version at 2.2

Image beside showing default 1.0 Linear Workflow rendered image.

Gamma correction is code or decoding luminance ( strength of light ) in video or still image system. Got this fantastic Gamma correction tutorial and explanation from Aversis that explains the importance of Gamma correction while rendering a image. There are more intensive and important tutorial you can find in Aversis explaining Vray Rendering engine. A must to go through for 3dsmax renderer using Vray Rendering Engine. to find out more...

Images from http://www.aversis.be/tutorials/vray/essential_gamma_01.htm

Scanline rendering vs Vray rendering

How to light up a scene for a rendering is important. The basic knowledge of pencil sketching, the relationship of lights and the material's reflection behaviour matters a lot to render a good image.
For basic rendering knowledge to be shared here:-
1. Global illumination acts as a skylight to lighten the entire scene.
2. Sun light as a key light casting shadow towards a building to emphasize the form while determining the sun direction.
3. Ambient lights as general lights to cast shadow caused by skylight. It's role to be fill light as well.
4. Internal lights to lit up the internal spaces. Where it can be added through touched up in Photoshop brush effect too.
In scanline rendering, lights are articulated through the knowledge of lighting relationships.
In Vray rendering engine, it is much simpler to generate Global illumination through HDRI, where the lightest and the darkest point of light to be simulated through HDRI for external scene. It is much more expansive to render an internal scene as it depends more on light bouncing that requires more calculations and considerations on light settings.
3 point lighting is basic to be implemented throughout lighting an exterior scene. The proportion of Key light, Fill light and back light to stimulate the gesture of the rendered scene is important. Normal key to fill proportion would be 1:4.
To render a scene, you need to observe the actual environment, how the light reacts with different material, creating different highlight parameters and the planning of your scene, the shading, the light sources, the material used, the things to be emphasized is important before starting the rendering.
Some important techniques in Vray rendering engine to share here:-
1. Get Gamma correction right at 2.2/2.5 depending on the monitor you are working on and enable overriding of Gamma on material imported to avoid twice Gamma correction on materials to save time and better effect on light feature.
2 Lowering down the secondary bounces while rendering an internal scene and raise the contrast level in Irradiance Map in the GI column would create the same effect of adjusting the curvature of color level in Photoshop.
3. Test render with Light cache as primary and secondary bounces of light to save time when determining key light position would help saving time.
However, lighting a building or internal spaces is a profession and it would be very helpful to share your knowledge for users and readers. PLASA is one of international association for lighting and sound. to find out more...
Do leave comments for any techniques you intend to share.

OFT by Sand & Birch

Nothing is new under the sun. Images shows concept of modular spaces to be assembled to form spaces for families and possibilities of rearrangement.

"The name OFT comes from the word Loft, in which it has been taken out the "L", that has to be meant like the dimension "Large". The OFT is in fact of limited dimensions in its basic composition, but, as well as the loft, it is characterized by spaces adaptable to changeable necessities."

"The OFT, transformable in time and space, it's a highly changeable system, which can easily comply with individual necessities. We have imagined a home that would easily allowed to assemble different pieces and to change them during the time. Adding or subtracting elements, also temporarily."
"The OFT can be a temporary house waiting for other settlement, an holiday house, an home-office to be placed in your garden, a dépendance for your guests, a home for young people who can gradually increase their living space…" to find out more...

Passage & Images from

http://www.sandbirch.com

zeroHouse wins Texas Society of Architects award

I like prefab house alot. Normally, prefab house requires several aspects: -
1. It’s aesthetic requirement.
2. It needs to look nice, cute and preferably small and clients are normally young couples or younger generation that prefers high-tech stuff.
3. Its’ well-thought and neat consideration of the living conveniences that pre-fabricated into the house.
4. Its’ easy to construct and installation cuts down the construction time
5. It can be seen and modified easily at range provided by the designers, and made to save up time.
6. It can even grow and assembled with several prefab modular houses depending on site area.
In short, it has to be user friendly, good looking, cost effective and a huge time saver from all aspect from design decision to site construction. I would love to get myself one of these in the future. Maybe design one for myself and turn it into a product to share or sell. My comment on zeroHouse would be the roof~! It should allow sun to come through. Glass or trellis is better solution then metal deck.

"The zerohouse was the only winner of a 2007 TSA Studio Award. The Studio Award category encompasses all unbuilt and theoretical work. Images of the house will appear in the October 2007 issue of Texas Architect magazine, and the house will be presented at the TSA convention in Austin. http://texasarchitect.org/news_detail.php?news_id=116&sess_id=c717d8987367465ea523cad06eb1f537" [1]
Passage[1] from http://www.spechtharpman.com/Images from http://www.zerohouse.net/

Aqua Tower by Studio Gang

This building is not attractive to me yet the rationality behind is something for your inspiration. I would propose something modular towards the building skin, then the solution now embraced by Aqua tower.

We at the moment are doing sun shading studies from sketchup, just a simple morning to evening sun path study, having shading devices to be implemented on the right side of the building.

The challenge we are facing is to implement a skin system towards the entire building that consists of service apartment, office tower and podium with elevated car parking and retail lots.

Images from http://www.studiogang.net/ site/projects_e1.htm

TNA Ring House

Ring House from TNA. What is implemented on the external facade brings impact to the internal. to find out more...
Images from http://www.tna-arch.com/archi/archi_wa01.html

Guillermo Hevia

Interesting facade treatment by Guillermo Hevia at Santiago Chile, 2005.
to find out more...

Images from http://www.guillermohevia.cl/EN/

The Architecture Profession: A Brief Introduction

For people who is studying in Malaysia or having intension to be an architect in Malaysia, this is useful reading material posted as a thread in lowyat forum.
"I'm writing this guide as universal as possible so that anybody who's interested in pursuing this field can get a definitive idea of what to do, where to go and how. I will update this as frequent as possible. There have been several inquiries on studying architecture, so I wish I could redirect them to this topic. Although I'm attached to UTM, my intention is purely altruistic and to provide information as neutral as possible." to find out more...
Passage from http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/623018

The Garden

HL Design Group had organized a visit to The Garden today. The top level seems to be the ground level, where you can see most tenants throughout the 3 levels. The design director's first reaction is :- we can't see any tenants above when we are at the ground level. My suggestion would be a mirror or signage installed at the ceiling along the walkway would resolve this issue.

IRender nXt

"IRender is a new, fully integrated, rendering solution for SketchUp.
Create Photorealistic renderings from SketchUp models.
Lights, reflections, materials, transparency.
Wizards to create lamps and light fixtures.
Wizard to create mirrors. " to find out more...
Download trial version here.
Image & Passage from http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

CO ARCHITECTS

Image beside shows shading device/element towards a college library designed by CO Architects. This image evokes ideas. Shading element to be with depth and emphasizes the internal spaces' function.
Image from http://www.coarchitects.com/

Som Solani Dining by Lucio Santos

There are more images and similar concept incorporated into different usage. One element to include furniture, wall, opening, partition and roof cover. A great concept to be used at architecture or interior.
A design attempt to create new experience. It's fun and it's easy to sell. With some improvement, it can be mobile and stackable. to find out more...
Image from http://luciosantos.blogspot.com/%202007/12/som-solani-dining.html

Make it Right 9

Today is the First Day of Chinese NewYear. As for your information, Chinese celebrates 15 days for every New Year. As we are celebrating with our family, consider the homeless in elsewhere.
Another great project is running with 14 World known Architects with 13 Designs shown in Make it right 9 to help out thousands of homeless victims of Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, in New Orleans. Make your donation for the homeless if you are afford to do so. Brad Pitt is taking part in this too.
"In keeping with Make It Right (MIR)’s overarching priority to work in cooperation with former residents of the Lower 9th Ward, the approach to new home design began directly with the homeowners themselves. Because local cultural influences gave rise to the pre-Katrina architecture so emblematic of the area, preserving that identity remains vital in reclaiming the spirit of the neighborhood. MIR’s goal is to join the history of this tradition with creative new architectural solutions mindful of environmental and personal safety concerns in order to encourage both the evolution of aesthetic distinctiveness and the conscientious awareness of natural surroundings.
The architects were given a typology study that included traditional New Orleans housing types such as the Shotgun, the Camelback and the Creole Cottage along with current ideas and recommendations for the target area in the Lower 9th Ward. The MIR team produced a set of guidelines for the houses that set metrics for the final design to insure that the specific goals of the MIR organizations were met. The team is also using Cradle to Cradle thinking to guide and inspire design and materials selection for new homes in the Lower 9th Ward.
The four main guiding principles for the designs are:-
Safety, Affordability, Sustainability and High Design Quality " to find out more...

Passage from http://makeitrightnola.org/mir_SUB.php?section=mir&page=designs&mySub=main
Images from http://makeitrightnola.org/mir_SUB.php?section=mir&page=designs&mySub=morphosis

Atelier Tekuto

Project 1000 is an interesting exercise launched in the year 1997 triggered by the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Reconstruction purposes. 10 years later, Atelier Tekuto had produced lots of cost effective temporary housing in Japan. Witness how Atelier Tekuto tackle the housing projects under budget constrain.
To find out more...

Image from http://www.tekuto.com/works/project1000/index1.html&tbb=1 /
Saitama K House

BIM for Construction

"Vico’s Virtual Construction Software suite consists of six integrated solutions that are designed specifically to bring the benefits of BIM to construction companies. At the hub of the suite is Constructor, a dedicated construction modeling application that covers architectural, structural and MEP modeling, allowing contractors to create detailed Virtual Building models of their projects. The main difference between these models and the BIM models you can create with individual disciplinary tools such as Revit Architecture, Tekla Structures, ArchiCAD, and so on is that an object in Constructor includes a detailed “construction recipe” that specifies various quantities and scheduling related attributes relevant to construction. Also, in Constructor, you would typically build the model as it would actually be built in the real world, for which a knowledge of construction is absolutely essential. Once the model is created, quantity-takeoff is automatically available and is quick and accurate. The extracted quantity and location data serves as input to two of the other applications in the Virtual Construction suite, Vico Estimator for generating cost estimates, and Vico Control for create project schedules. What is also impressive is the enormous flexibility in which the project can be broken down for estimating and scheduling—by floor, by zone, by building, by discipline, by material, by element type, by location, and so on (see Figure 2). This allows for extensive “what-if” analysis, and allows the construction team to explore many budgeting, scheduling, and procurement options, including those related to lean construction and fast-track construction. They can also effectively leverage the use of the 5D Presenter tool for this purpose, which is another tool in the Virtual Construction suite. It combines the building model data along with schedules and cost information to provide a unified and interactive 5D simulation of the project’s progress. Rounding off the suite are two additional applications: Cost Manager, which allows visual monitoring of the differences between the project budget and actual cost; and Change Manager, which automates the process of checking for drawing revisions across construction drawing sets." to find out more...

Passage & Image from http://www.aecbytes.com/newsletter/2008/issue_33.html by Lachmi , founder and editor of AECbytes, Ph.D. in Architecture from UC Berkeley, specializing in intelligent building modeling, and consults and writes on AEC technology

NEXT ARCHITECTS

This is a great firm~!! NEXT ARCHITECTS~!to find out more...


Images from http://www.nextarchitects.com/projects refering to Wieden + Kennedy project

Jasperia

My collegue like these stones so much and I think I need to keep a post over these material. The website's images are not attractive but with the lights on, the material glows, that is the interesting part. They even got pearl stone tiles~!
"Ovum Jasper Crystals & Stones offer a unique alternative to tradition finishing solutions such as marble, terazzo, mosaic and tiles. The pictures below show the Manufacturing Process of Ovum Jasper Crystals & Stones. " to find out more...

GlassKote

" There are essentially three ways to colour glass; by coating one surface, through adding minerals and other pigments to molten glass during manufacturing, and by laminating two or more pieces of glass with a coloured material sandwiched in between. The problem with laminated technologies is that their appearance isn't always good (the depth and quality of the color), the edges are not attractive, the material can be difficult to work, the types of glass are limited and may not support tempered glass, and most importantly, it is very expensive. Colouring molten glass is often not suitable since it is translucent, there are only a handful of color options, and it's also very expensive.
When it comes to colour coatings for glass, several have come and gone, but none stand up to GlassKote. There simply has not been a product that demonstrates the durability, appearance, colour range, or overall quality of GlassKote. See for yourself by asking for samples of products, and try to scratch or abrade the coating. You'll quickly discover the GlassKote difference.
So the short answer is that GlassKote provides the most attractive appearance, best durability, and highest value of any glass coloring process on the market. " to find out more...

Passage & Image from http://www.glasskote.com.my/frame.htm

NTU Art, Design & Media Faculty

"If art school was in our future we might opt to study under, or on top of, the amazing green roof at the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. This 5 story facility sweeps a wooded corner of the campus with an organic, vegetated form that blends landscape and structure, nature and high-tech and symbolizes the creativity it houses." to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://www.ntu.edu.sg/OFPM/About+Us/Development+Division/adm.htm

I-MAD

"MAD's designs embrace the advent of a new era. These designs reflect our architectural exploration in contemporary art, the transformed life style, and the multimedia formats in contemporary cities in China. Our Experiment of integrating digital media in designs demonstrates a unique approach in architecture. Dedicated in understanding and exploring the inherent flexibility and possibility from simple and traditional functions, MAD imbues the flexibility and possibility with new organizations and logics by analyzing value, desire, culture, and political strength in contemporary China. With fluid and dynamic presentation of contemporary lives, buildings are no longer isolated objects as defined in traditional concept of architecture; in fact, they are natural and coherent components of urban environment and human lives. MAD partners with engineers, programmers, artists, landscape designers, energy and structural consultants from China, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. MAD is committed to continuing this alliance to address challenges in design and provides artful solutions to our clients." to find out more...

Passage & Image from http://www.i-mad.com/index2.htm

Kochi Architect's Studio

Click the Image to enlarge. A Big Box by Kochi Architect's Studio. No roof, sleek plan organized with slanting wall slashed opened to view.
Image from http://www.kkas.net/

The Architectural League of New York & Lectures

"The Architectural League of New York is an independent forum for creative and intellectual work in architecture, urbanism, and related disciplines. The League promotes excellence and innovation in architecture and urbanism by furthering the education of architects and designers, and by communicating to a broad audience the importance of architecture in public life. Through its lectures, exhibitions, and other programs, the League creates a stimulating venue for contemporary practice and ideas, supports the work of talented young architects, explores new approaches to problems in the built environment, and fosters community for dialogue and debate. All of the League’s work is shaped by its commitment to interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and international exchange, and by its concern for the quality of architecture and landscape as critical components of a vibrant and sustainable culture. "[1] to find out more...


"The Franzen Lecture is the Architectural League's annual invited lecture by an international figure whose work has significant implications for understanding and reconceiving the relationship between architecture and the environment. The upcoming Franzen Lecture on Architecture and the Environment given by Shigeru Ban. Ban's lecture will take place on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7pm at the Great Hall of Cooper Union."[2] to find out more...


Passage [1] from http://www.archleague.org/index-dynamic.php?section=information

Passage [2] from http://www.archleague.org/index-dynamic.php?show=680
Image from http://www.archleague.org/tinymce/jscripts/imagemanager/images/ban_nomadicmuseumny.jpg

OMA BNA

More youtube videos from http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=lucasvanwoerkum

Troika by Norman Foster with GDP architects

I recalled my ex-colleague (from GDP) showing me the plans of this project while I was working with something similar 2years ago. Architecture is not always as fun as it seems to be at times. We need to fulfill the plot ratio requirement and make up something special as selling point. Troika is a luxury with a free plan; random composition of vertical elements and horizontal concrete slabs; the contrast of materials between transparent glazing and solid concrete and the symphony of lights at night just makes it fun and lovely to see.
There is an interesting video clip in http://www.troika.com.my/
"The residential Troika Development is located at the north-eastern corner of Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, with comprehensive views of the Park and Petronas Towers. The Foster design responds to the unique location with a scheme of three residential towers - of 38, 44, and 50 storeys respectively - that will be the tallest residential development in Malaysia. " to find out more...

Passage & Image from http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1307/Default.aspx

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City

" American Institute of Architects (AIA) has bestowed one of its most prestigious awards, the AIA 2008 Institute Honor Award for Architecture, upon the addition to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City designed by Steven Holl Architects. Annually, the Institute Honor Awards program recognizes a select number of buildings with this important prize in order to elevate the general quality of architecture practice, establish a standard of excellence against which all architects can measure performance, and inform the public of the breadth and value of the architecture practice. Regarding The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art the jury commented, 'This ingenious design solution encompassing a new building and landscape as the addition preserves the integrity of the original structure while charting a fresh new direction for museums. With light as the consummate inspiration for the orientation and forms of the building, the solution transforms galleries and lobby, day or night, and endows the asymmetry of the plan with a sense of logic. The museum's details have been meticulously crafted and casework blended into the wall surfaces so subtly as to be invisible.' " to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://www.stevenholl.com/news-detail.php?id=45&page=0

29th Olympic Games year 2008, Beijing, China

The biggest event in the coming year of 2008 is the 29th Olympic Games, which will be held in Beijing, China. China had an official website introducing the stadium, the concept, the design, the structure and the events.
"Located at the southern part of the Olympic Green in Beijing, the National Stadium is the main stadium of the 29th Olympiad in 2008. Occupying an area of 21 hectares, it has a floor space of 258,000 square meters. Its seating capacity amounts to 91,000, including 11,000 temporary seats." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.n-s.cn/en/generalinfo/introduction/
Image from http://www.n-s.cn/en/multi-media/photogallery/n214220637.shtml