Text and illustrations: Steven Holl ArchitectsFilmic urban space; around, over and through multifaceted spatial layers, is one of the central aims of this Hybrid Building complex with over 700 apartments sited adjacent to the old city wall of Beijing. The aspiration of the developer Modern Group is for an ultra-modern expression of 21st Century ecological urban living, in this 220,000 sq. m. project. Current development in Beijing is almost entirely “object buildings” and free standing towers. This “city within a city” envisions urban space as the central aim—as well as all the activities and programs that can support the daily life of over 2500 inhabitants: cafe’s, delis, laundry, dry cleaners, florists etc, line the main public passages. The eight towers are linked at the twentieth floor by a ring of cafes and services.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: Keller Ferenc, Solyom Benedek
In 2002, the 2nd district local government of Budapest announced a limited design competition for the reconstruction of a building that was deemed obsolete as regards spatial distribution, functionality, and structures. In our winning design, we went beyond reconstruction and opted for new construction, believing that new is an organic continuation of old. In order to ensure the link between old and new, we kept the street-front wing of the building as being the most important section from both architectural and emotional points of view.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: Constantin Goagea
I am lazy in the sun of Bulgarian Sozopol holding an enormous book in my hands. A big book one can display on any beach or which could serve to support an umbrella just as well. In this book, “Cities, Architecture and Society”, Dejan Sudjic speaks about the accents of a town, as if we talking about the accents in a language. Accent is an essential part of someone’s identity, something deeply anchored in awell localized collective mind and hints to a personal history of the individual.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about it
The actual Piazza del Sole (Sun Square) was established in the XVIIIth century. Previously, this area (which used to be called the German Gate or the Ticinese Gate) was generally scattered by moors and was constantly subject to overflows of the Ticino River and the Daro torrent, which was feeding the digging next to the protection ring of Borgo di Bellinzona.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: Mihai Dutescu
Photo: Andrei Margulescu, Mihai Dutescu
The title already says quite a lot about this house. Without considering any pictures or plans, let’s try to make an imagination exercise: how would any of us design, if we were to do it, a house next to the Metropolitan Palace (the siege of the Romanian Patriarchy)? It would be an architecture discreet enough not to aggress such a vicinity, humble, we would refrain from free gestures, maybe someone up in the skies would draw our attention, or – on the contrary – we would actually search for a contemporary expression, up to something deliberately contrasting and contradictory. Or maybe it would be a little bit of all, for the wisest ones.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: VBM Architects
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Although the intact building seemed almost ready to use, at second glance the programme revealed a large number of competing requirements. The existing building was an introverted space for meditation and service to society, housed in a pure neo-gothic architecture with a strong religious character.
How to transform this building into a visible, open and modern university office that is present in the city? How to change a very specific function into a flexible one?- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: Stefan Ghenciulescu
When talking about Romania, Black Sea, and villages, everyone recalls 2 Mai and Vama Veche: alternative tourism under communism, chaotic development and the self-destructive force during transition. You think about the semi-legal tents and backyard tourism beforeand stadium-like densities, ugly blocks and swelling land rovers.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: Constantin Goagea
Photo: Dragos Lumpan
I am an addict of the city and contemporary architecture, yet I never say no to quality traditional architecture. I have no doubt that the originality of vernacular architecture and the ethics of architecture could defy academic dryness if we didn’t chance to meet them on the hilltop. And since profound theoretical subjects are rare in today’s villages, I do not want to miss the opportunity of telling you something about a house from Balaban village, near Bran, a boarding house, in fact.
What is ethical in architecture? The answer is as simple as that: to build a handsome house. Moreover, authenticity is part of the ethical contract, when you realize that a house means the foundation of a world. If you follow the spirit of the place, then you take into account the trees and stones, the grass, sun and sky, and the beings that will dwell it. As Heidegger might say, you pay attention to gods and earth.- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: 3LHD
Photo: Damir Fabijanic
Bale (Valle in Italian) is a small place in Istria peninsula, Croatia with mostly agricultural population of 1000 people. The project for the new sports hall has been faced with the rich historical, cultural and social Mediterranean context. Therefore any new architectural interpolation had to have a respectful approach to the environment.
- Recommend on FacebookTweet about itPost de: Cosmina Goagea
There is a Vasarely museum in Budapest. Not really known, rather modest in terms of display, not easily accessible in terms of location. (I was there one month ago and would have appreciated if someone could have explained that: you first need to go by Hev underground from Margareta bridge to the third stop, at Arpad bridge. The building is at no. 6, Szentelek street.) However, it has some of the most valuable works produced by Victor Vasarely, and a full op-art experience that should not be missed when visiting Budapest.
- Recommend on FacebookThis website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read MorePrivacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.