An exciting new structural system will be unveiled tomorrow at the Design Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa. QuaDror, invented and patented by Dror Benshetrit, is a space truss geometry system inspired by versatility and structural integrity of interlocking members.
Like a magician revealing the secrets behind his magic, Dror Benshetrit shows that the mechanism behind these structures is surprisingly simple but it is the complex interaction of the interlocking members that makes it so unique. From a simple block model to a bridge support system, the QuaDror system shows its abilities at all scales.
The Estoril Sol Residence is situated near the mouth of the Vale da Ribeira de la Castellana. This unique location required a design that created a relationship between the adjacent sea and valley, and added public green space infront of the water. Designed by architect Gonçalo Byrne Arquitectos, the video is produced by João Morgado.
With concerns rising about the future of Design for London, a lengthy list of high profile architects have assembled themselves submitting an open letter to the Mayor of London. “As architects from many countries, we want to encourage the Mayor to secure the survival of this remarkable team. We hope that he is aware of how widely admired the efforts are of this small group of talented designers. London should consider itself lucky to have a skilled, knowledgeable and creative organisation supporting efforts to make it a better city.”
A projected growth by around one million people over the next twenty years, confirms that Design for London‘s survival is crucial as it is an influential player in steering designs and new developments towards an environmentally responsible city. The protection of London’s existing green spaces, character, heritage, and established unique neighborhoods will be essential as the city builds to accommodate its expected growth, and Design for London‘s collaborative efforts, on behalf of the Mayor of London, verify that projects are focused on these factors.
Full public letter to the Mayor of London following the break.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced 104 members to be elevated to its prestigious College of Fellows (FAIA) at the 2011 National AIA Convention, held in New Orleans this May. The Fellowship program acknowledges those who have made a ‘significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession’ a distinguished group of individuals fewer than 2,700 from over 80,000 members. Here is a complete list of the newly appointed 104 FAIA members.
Michael Pawlyn is not your typical designer. Inspired by nature’s examples as design tools, Pawlyn established Exploration in 2007. In this Ted Talk, he shares the investigation of natural organisms and how their unique structure, for example, is just one way we can radical increase our resource efficiency. Pawlyn also focuses on how through design we can transition from a linear to closed loop system and change our fossil fuel economy to a solar economy.
Invisible Garage is a project that makes a case for experimental form in suburban architecture. !ndie Architecture proposes in this project to tweak the suburbs rather than viewing them as a problem to be fixed or as an amalgam of morally bankrupt development strategies. For !ndie Architecture it is a matter of considering what could be designed instead of what should be.
More drawings and the architects description following the break.
Kent State College of Architecture and Environmental Design recently shared their Spring Lecture series with us. This series includes speakers such as Elena Manferdini of Atelier Manferdini. All lectures are free admission and begin at 7pm, locations vary.
The commission for a Green Tech City in Hanoi, Vietnam was recently awarded to Skidmore Owings & Merrill. SOM’s preliminary master plan focuses on reducing demand for non-renewable resources while integrating local traditions and utilizing the existing green urban character of Hanoi. At the heart of this new green district is a riverfront park. A series of landscaped green spaces, formed from existing agricultural water channels, would connect into this linear riverfront park creating a well connected network of public parks.
Chicago Children’s Museum’s mission is to create a community where play and learning connect. The museum’s primary audiences are children up through fifth grade including their families, along with school and community groups that support and influence children’s growth and development. In its current location at Navy Pier, the Museum lacks meaningful connections to the outdoors and is challenged with the heavyly commercial environment of what has become Illinois’ most popular tourist attraction.
Follow the break for more drawings of this projected Leed Gold project.
The Cornell Journal of Architecture recently released 8: RE, addressing the now, the new and the next in architecture – the understanding of the creative act itself being reiterative. Marking the first publication of the Journal in eight years, 8: RE features some big name contributors, Philip Johnson, Peter Eisenman, and Rem Koolhaas, just to name a few. The Journal was released at a special exhibition in Ithaca, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning at Cornell University, which also included a re-release of the Journal’s official website now featuring archives of the previous seven volumes, along with 8: RE.
The Philips Livable Cities Award has announced a shortlist of eight initiatives, narrowed down from 450 ideas received from 29 countries around the world. The eight simple solutions all share a common thread, a reasonable approach to improving the health and well-being of people living in cities. Shortlisted designs include a smart grid athletic light for city recreation in NY, design your own park competition, a shade stand in Kampala, and a moveable street park in Buenos Aires. Cast your vote for your favorite Philips Livable City by March 24th. Design Your Own Park Competition in Binghamton, USAIn many cities, neglected urban spaces are seen as unsightly and unusable areas of land. David Sloan Wilson’s shortlisted ‘Design Your Own Park Competition’ idea would turn these areas into a space Binghamton residents can use and be proud of.Shade Stand in Kampala, Uganda James Kityo’s idea involves creating 45 ‘Shade Stands’ across Uganda’s capital, Kampala, providing shelter against both the hot sun and torrential rain, and displaying posters about health education topics. Plaza Movil Street Park in Buenos AiresManuel Rapoport’s ‘Plaza Movil Street Park’ idea would see Buenos Aires’ streets temporarily closed to traffic during weekends and public holidays, and portable playground equipment and benches used to convert them into recreational spaces.Smart Grid Athletic Light in New York City, USA Andrew Burdick’s ‘Smart Grid Athletic Light’ shortlisted idea involves modular solar or wind-powered streetlights connected to a ‘smart grid’, allowing children and sports teams to play later in the day in a well-lit and safer environment. Neighborhood Network Scheme in Abeokuta, NigeriaMichael Iyanro’s idea proposes the development of a ‘Neighborhood Network Scheme’ in Abeokuta, Nigeria, by providing access to a network of welfare services, designed to help elderly citizens live independently and more securely within their city.Rainwater Aggregation in Sana, Yemen In Sana’a, Yemen, water can quickly become scarce, posing a risk to vulnerable city residents. Sabrina Faber’s shortlisted idea of ‘Rainwater Aggregation’ addresses this problem by using existing flat rooftops to capture, filter and store water during rainy periods. iQare in Edinburgh, UKEve Hatton’s shortlisted idea, ‘iQare’, works by simplifying how elderly people in Edinburgh, UK, access the latest digital tools. Thus making it easier to remain independent, stay in touch with friends and family, and access service providers and retailers.Health Education Initiative for the Deaf in Embu, KenyaJacob Ireri has submitted an idea to address the significant challenges faced by deaf children in Embu, Kenya. His ‘Health Education Initiative for the Deaf’ aims to promote health-related information through the teaching of Kenyan Sign Language.
Wojtek Gurak recently shared these photographs of The Hepworth Wakefield Gallery designed by David Chipperfield. Still under construction the new art gallery will open May 21, 2011. Situated next to the River Calder, the state-of the-art facility has ten gallery spaces displaying historic and modern art as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary art making it one of the largest purpose-built galleries outside of London. The program also includes an auditorium, learning studios, garden, cafe and shop.
Students from the 20 collegiate Solar Decathlon teams are continuing to raise public awareness in an attempt to keep the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington DC. They have been building momentum and applying pressure to Secretary Salazar throughout the past month trying to overturn the abrupt decision by the National Park Service who revoked the permit for the Solar Decathlon on January 11.
Our Architecture City Guide series heads to the northwest this week featuring Seattle. The futuristic Seattle Space Needle, designed for the 1962 World’s Fair – Century 21 Exposition, is just one of the many can’t miss buildings on our list. What others do you think should be added? Visit our comment section to share your favorites.
The Architecture City Guide: Seattle list and corresponding map after the break!
Kate Orff shares her vision of ‘oyster-tecture’ utilizing oysters as an agent for urban change. Focusing on the New York Harbor, Orff, architect and founding principal of Manhattan based studio SCAPE, demonstrates how we can rethink our landscapes, both the green and blue spaces, linking nature and humanity for mutual benefit.
