I Could Not Love This More

This home, a comment on the archetype is absolutely fantastic. Designed by Portuguese architecture firm Aires Mateus, the home modernizes a classical house form. Rather than directing the residents' views outwards beyond the home, the light in this home is provided from the 3 story courtyard allowing for inward reflection and communication.

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While I realize that this house isn't for everyone... I absolutely love it. It is a daring person who is willing to plunk this house down in a traditional location, but living in it would be like living inside your favorite sculpture (which to me, sounds fantastic).

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I've been looking at this project for over a week, and I just can't stop going back over and over again.

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Via ArchDaily

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Thinking about going to Lisbon?

I've been wanting to make a trip to Portugal for wuite a while, and this seems like just the reason to go! The 2nd architectural triennale will be held this winter in Lisbon... The overarching concept is "Let's Talk About Houses". Seems right up my alley!!

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I probably won't be able to make it... but I'm going try. If anyone does go, I'd love to hear a report!

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Love Tree

A friend of mine from school is living in Chicago and maintaining his long distance relationship with his girlfriend in Coimbra, Portugal. They are both totally stylish and talented, so I'm not surprised that they decided to take advantage of their environment to proclaim their love. Painted on the stone by a tree below her apartment, I'm sure this Love Tree brings a smile to her face every day.

How Embarrassing

So, the World Expo 2010 is taking place in Shanghai, and many of the world's best architects have contributed designs. Many countries have hired the best architects found in their own country, while others have ventured out beyond their borders... but most designs have something in common... trying to articulate the priorities and passions of their home country, exuding confidence and creativity. Of course, I say most because the US is one glaring exception. What does our pavilion say about us? We could be locate along any highway in any suburb. We value conformity and corporate culture (which we can directly link to many of the problems plaguing our nation). We don't really have any place for innovation or creativity and we certainly don't value our architects, which is why we hired a Canadian to design a metal panelled representation of an eagle (there is that lack of creativity and ingenuity again).

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Very Frustrating. An expo is not an office park.

US
UK

Spain

South Korea

Portugal

Denmark

Switzerland

Russia

Japan

Poland

Finland

Canada

Chamber Orchestra of Cascais

I posted about a previous project by ARX... so I'm not surprised that I really like this recent project by the Lisbon based firm. The design is the result of Cascais competition and has recently opened to the public. If you've been to this site before, then you know that I've got a real appreciation for modern additions to older structures. This project is quite sensitive to the original building, just barely engaging it physically while keeping a similar palette of colors and textures. By doing this, instead of flagrantly disregarding the original intent, ARX manages to celebrate both the new and the old.
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A Collection

I noticed this Lisbon subway by Broadway Malyan on Dezeen, and it made me think about a few other great subway stations...

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Wilhelminaplein station by Zwarts and Jansma, Rotterdam

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Prague Metro Station

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Bilbao Metro Station by Foster and Partners

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Gare do Oreinte Station by Santiago Calatrava, Lisbon

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Lohring Metro Station by Rabsamen + Partner, Bochum
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If Seattle had a metro, then I might be able to talk about the stations... but perhaps (hopefully, but not likely) I'll be writing about the light rail stations in the near future.

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Quite the Remodel

When I first read about this project, I must have skimmed a bit too quickly because I thought it was a factory, and I couldn't figure out where all of the equipment was located! Upon more careful reading, I realize that this was a significant remodel/refurbishment project for an existing factory, with a new realization as a public arts space in Tomar Portugal. While this makes it much clearer why there is no evidence of industrial equipment, I still wonder where all of the program is located... There are supposed to be lecture halls, an apartment for an artist in residence, administrative spaces, and more linked together on the upper level (check out the image above). The spaces themselves are quite beautiful and the light is very dramatic, but I still wonder where the activity goes? Its hard to imagine actually using this lovely piece of architecture; the pristine and minimal detailing almost seems more reminiscent of an art installation or a piece of furniture, rather than the center of a vibrant art community. I'd love to see some more images once the building is fully occupied.

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Still, all criticism aside, the New Build in Tomar (also possibly named the Tomar Environmental Monitoring Offices) by Embaixada Arquitectura is still a spectacular reuse of an existing shell and wonderful interior design.

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Acuario Rio Mora

Acuario Rio Mora by Promontorio Architects

For more info check out plataforma arquitectura

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Would you donate blood here?

Can you imagine signing up to donate blood, and finding yourself in a place like this?!?

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The project, The O'Porto Blood Bank by ARX is a very interesting building... not only aesthetically, but conceptually. Unlike many building types, a blood bank is a very new kind of building, with a wide variety of programmatic restrictions. Firstly, the various research stations need to be located separately in order to maintain the necessary scientific protocol. Furthermore, because this is new building typology, and the technology is advancing so fast, this highly technical interior also needs to be highly flexible in order to adapt to changes in the medical research field. To be honest, I'm impressed that ARX managed to provide such an aesthetically pleasing project for such a complex program.

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This is certainly not something I would expect to see in the US. In fact, this project reminds me of something the speakers at the Seattle AIA awards had to say while discussing jewel box architecture... so often we are all struggling to create the next Bilbao, a spectacular museum or other high budget structure that redefines a city.. the ideal project. But, wouldn't it be wonderful if we all put that same energy into creating a school or hospital or civic structure as the next Bilbao?... why couldn't the next city defining project be a commercial or institutional building that supports the local citizens?

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I'd argue that ARX has tried to do just that. They have worked within the significant constraints of a seemingly dull building type, and still they have provided a spectacular projects. The architecture, daily inhabitants, and local community are all affected and improved upon by each other. I'd love to see something similar in my neighborhood.

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