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.adm.ntu.edu.sg/Pages/Home.aspx

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