Category: links

I was not able to post anything yesterday, because I had a job interview. Now I present you my weekly links of interest.

I have a new article on DC Metrocentric This one is a further exploration on my opinions of the Solar Decathlon.

In case you missed it last week, I wrote an article for Greater Greater Washington about using the Washington & Old Dominion Trail for a new VRE/Dulles Express line. This article kicked off a big discussion about metro and the silver line. You can see the rest of the articles here.

Archipreneur has a link to a presentation by Mickey Jacob, FAIA to House Committee on Small Business. This video highlights the goals of the AIA’s Rebuild & Renew Plan, which primarily calls on congress to make available low or no interest loans which would be useable for design fees as well as construction. This is the kind of boost that the A/E industry really needs to stay alive.

Treehugger has an article on a Prefab Portable Green Roof Installed In Toronto. I love the idea that companies could install removable green roofs on buildings that they are leasing without having to make permanent physical changes. In addition, I think this technology poses great possibility for low impact temporary installations.

The Floating House, by Morphosis Architect Thom Mayne, has received more traction within the news. If this design type becomes more common in New Orleans my personal proposal for the city would definitely be doable.

clips … Media/Reality … A folding plywood seat … A Modern sofa (I could swear I’ve seen a similar IKEA piece) …

I’ve always been a fan of transformer furniture, Treehugger has a post about an auditorium chair that transforms into a solid sloped plane when not in use. I could image using furniture like this to make a studio apartment have multiple uses.

Archipreneur highlights an apartment in NYC which is centered around a ribbon of concrete. I have long been interested in concrete in residential applications, and i feel that this project does a really good job of integrating the material into the space. I especially like the interplay of concrete, wood and brick.

clips …Build Blog has a post highlighting how to integrate both modern and traditional architecture into the same project … I love this Slope Sink on Materialicious … SEPTA has some very cool benches coming … Icebergs are stripped, who knew?

Tree hugger has a list of 7 ways that the building industry can help reduce climate change. While many of the things on this list, like planning for people not cars and providing natural ventilation, are standard ideas for anyone who has been to architecture school since the 1970’s, this list is a great summary of changes that can and should be made in our building culture.

I am in love with this office in a steam trunk design. This reminds me of the new hotels for global nomads exhibit I saw at the Cooper Hewitt a few years back, and some of the steamer trunk designs that were a part of that show. What makes me really like this concept though, is that it would be great for the urban apartment dweller. When its time to change apartments, all you do is closet the trunk and wheel it away. Plus if you have a studio you can have an instant office when you need it.

Morphosis created a houser for the make it right foundation that can float on piers up to 12′ off its foundation. This is one of the best proposals I’ve seen so far. Architecture aside, this kind of reactivity to the natural condition is what is needed if New Orleans wants to survive future hurricanes. This design could be integrated into the proposal I wrote for a new New Orleans a year ago.

Clips … photovoltaic barrel tiles … wood veneer furniture … playgrounds from the 1970’s

Mirage Studio 7 has an entry on their blog about Sketchpad, the great grand-daddy of all CAD applications. Its crazy to think that computer aided drafting has been available for over 40 years, but only came into heavy use in the last 20.

Build Blog has a great entry highlighting women designers who have had a major impact on design culture. The thing about this post that strikes me most is more of who they didn’t include – Zaha Hadid and Denise Scott Brown, as opposed to those who they did.

Materialicious has a post about a spiral stair fit into a 1 square meter (9 square foot) footprint. While I applaud the genius use of a tilted axis to fit more in a smaller space I regret to think that this will never make it to this side of the atlantic. Not only would current zoning codes reject it because of lack of a handrail and child safety features, but the tilted axis would most certainly make the treads not identical which also violates current building codes.

Inhabitat has a post about Brad Pitt being honored by the USGBC for his Make it Right Foundation and their work in New Orleans. While I am happy to see the profile of architecture raised and see my old home being brought back from the brink, I’m getting kind of tired of Mr. Pitt “playing architect.” I’ve worked hard for 5 years of school, 4 years of internships, and 7 exams and while I wait for the final results I still can’t call myself an architect or even act as if I am one. But, bring enough money to the table and put it behind a worthy cause and suddenly no one cares what you call yourself.

clips … New Modern Home in Montauk, NY … Exhibition: Philadelphia’s Creative Architectural Boom … BeaMalevich … Santiago Calatrava Unveils High Speed Rail Station in Belgium

Inhabitat has a great post about recycling plastic as a concrete aggregate. I’ve always wondered about the use of non standard aggregates. I wonder if we could do some sort of non standard aerated concrete which could be use as a carbon banking system? Just a thought.

ArchDaily has a few image of the new Pakistan Pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo. Does this remind anyone else of an eastern version of Burnham and Root’s world’s columbian exposition buildings?

Shigeru Ban has made another paper towel structure, this time in London. The comments on Dezeen’s post about this show that people are just not that impressed this time. Maybe, if the tower was a giant Ferris wheel or something.

Architect Magazine has an article on the legal punishment of people for using the term architect without a license. This article is heartening to see that some starts are actually doing something about this. On the other hand, in the statistics that are quoted at the bottom, Virginia has not filed a single case in the last 5 years for this, which kind of makes sense considering their draconian laws which make it technically illegal to call my degree a Master of Architecture or to refer to myself as an intern-architect because I am not yet licensed. In fact, Virginia has no wording that is allowed for those who have an education in architecture but are in the process of completing their license, besides employee. Yet, IT companies can call any of their staff architects without impunity, HA!

clips … PREFAB PARASITE … A look at Hardware purchasing strategies of architecture firms in a soft market … A topographic table and base that has been making the blog rounds