Filed under: On the Radar
BLOGGING
There’s been a number of hot blogs coming our way lately, check em out:
the belly of an architect; good writing, nice big images and it’s full of links.
arch Daily; we suggest starting with the Brione House – rrrroww.
-thanks to Senior Field Correspondent and all around rock-star Josiah
The Art of Where; clean and sleek with plenty of sexy images.
-thanks to Dru
The Architects Newspaper; we suggest diving into the article on Cecil Balmond’s latest exhibit at the Graham Foundation in Chicago.
TWITTERING
BUILD is on twitter, jump on board for the sneak peek at things.
PHOTOGRAPHING
The February 1st Sunday New York Times book review covered Zoe Strauss’ book “America” which includes some great photography of urban American grit. We did a bit of homework on Strauss and stumbled on a portfolio that hits a chord of authenticity.
The work of Sete Dias takes photographs into a uber-interesting hybrid graphic context.
-thanks to Lou
DESIGNING
The St. Antonio Church by jlcg arquitectos in Portugal brings a monastic clarity to form. The website slideshow is really worth a tour.
-thanks to John – who continues to knock the ball out of the park
The French designer Marc Venot has developed one of the most unassuming industrial design aesthetics our eye-balls have ever seen. His “Secret Box” seen below is one of many inconspicuous products.
-thanks to Josiah
LISTENING
There are a couple of new methods to get your dose of lectures without having to find a spot to parallel park. Tune into the Stanford lectures and the pop tech lectures. You Seattleites might check out the Blaine Brownell lecture which could just as easily be titled “Local Boy Does Good”.
-thanks to Craig
Heard of Siftables yet? If not get on board, it’s going to be HUGE.
Also, a phenomenal lecture on the nature of genius given by Elizabeth Gilbert can be found at TED.
-thanks to Jerry
MATERIALIZING
Blaine Brownell has also got a couple of websites that you should really become familiar with: Transmaterial and Transstudio.
DIAGRAMMING
It happens once a year, Nicholas Felton releases his “Feltron Report”, the measure of his year in graphic presentation with clean, inspiring diagrams. Check out the online version here and buy the physical versions here. If you are in any way involved with design, knowing Felton’s work is a requirement. (…and a tip from your friends here at BUILD – the eating and drinking categories are always filled with Manhattan’s new cool spots.)
ARCHITECTING
Anytime an architect is designing the interior of a learjet they have our full attention. Check out some of the hot, sleek work that Shelton, Mindel & Associates are up to. Also take a look at the work of David Hertz Architects Inc. who is doing some crisp work in Santa Monica. For a dose of some gorgeous regional work from the Pacific Northwest check out our friends over at Rex Hohlbein Architects.
-thanks to Josiah
HUMORING
“We live in an amazing, amazing world, and it’s wasted on the crappiest generation of spoiled idiots.” It’s in no way related to architecture or design but we though you might get kick out of this vid.
-thanks to Chris
FLAT PACKING
D’Arcy Jones in Vancouver, BC has developed a line of flat-packed cabins that seems to have potential.
-thanks to John
LODGING
The sharp-shooters over at The Roger Smith Hotel in New York have come up with a new concept to spread the news of their hotel. And while the design isn’t modern – the marketing tactic is brilliantly modern: offer discounts to bloggers. (did we mention we’ve got a trip to NYC coming up in March…)
In the modern design department is the Jumbo Hostel. Leave it to the Scandinavians to re-appropriate a Boeing 747 as a youth hostel. Over the top hot.
-thanks to dezeen
CLOTHING
Guys jackets with modern lines for 50 bones. Check out Artificial Flavor.
RECYCLING
There’s a good, clean, modern way to get rid of that old electronic <fill in the blank> you’re no longer using. Check out E-Stewards.org for a regional list or if you’re in the Seattle area head on over to Total Reclaim.
-thanks to Donald
GABLING
A BUILDblog fan sent in this photo of MUMOK in Wien. It’s the only gable we’ve liked in a while…
-thanks to Jerry
Cheers
Filed under: On the Radar
BLOGGING
Our new favorite architecture blog is arch Daily. Not only do these guys keep you up to date on hot international projects but they provide all that delicious data as well.
-thanks to senior field correspondent Josiah
RENDERING
We’re constantly struggling with our philosophy of digital, architectural rendering. Producing photo-realistic renderings is costly, time consuming and not necessarily needed if you can visualize the finished product in your mind. At the same time there is an important craft to renderings and a good rendering illustrates key aspects of reality. We’re always on the lookout for groups who are finding that balance between efficient renderings and photo-realism; the digital rock-stars at XTEN are doing just that.
-thanks to Josiah
[Rendering by XTEN]
PHOTOGRAPHING
Thank God for long exposure photography – any dull scene can become something brilliant and dynamic – check out some of these super-slick shots.
-thanks to Jason
[Photo by BUR?BLUE]
PHOTOGRAPHING – iPHONE STYLE
Our new favorite application for the iPHONE is “Camera Bag” available for $2.99. It’s full of cool filter tools like “1962″, “1974″ and “Instant” as seen in the shots below.
-thanks to Chase Jarvis Photography
[Photos by BUILD LLC]
LOGOING
For some clean, simple logos, get your eyeballs on Logofavs; a logo design inspiration gallery that represents a variety of designers
-thanks to Josiah
[Design by Muamer Adilovic]
READING
At the moment we’re reading “Rise of the Creative Class” by Richard Florida.
“Florida’s theory asserts that metropolitan regions with high concentrations of high-tech workers, artists, musicians, lesbians and gay men, and a group he describes as “high bohemians”, correlate with a higher level of economic development. Florida posits the theory that the creative class fosters an open, dynamic, personal and professional environment. This environment, in turn, attracts more creative people, as well as businesses and capital. He suggests that attracting and retaining high-quality talent, versus a singular focus on infrastructure projects such as sports stadiums, iconic buildings, and shopping centers, would be a better primary use of a city’s regeneration resources for long-term prosperity.” -Wikipedia
The December issue of the Atlantic Monthly has a great article by P.J. O’Rourke titled “Future Schlock” based on Disneylands newest “House of the Future” exhibit – intended to evoke the enthusiasm of the project from the 1950′s. The result?.. Dumb, beige and mediocre.
FLYING
Clothing design isn’t usually part of our gig here at the BUILDblog but when a uniform is so well engineered that every stitch counts – we take notice. You’ve most likely already come across the clip “wingsuit base jumping” of the flying Norwegians… absolutely incredible. As if pushing a mouse around all day didn’t seem boring enough before flying suits.
-thanks to John
PIMPIN
We admit it, okay. We’re the last ones to the party on this one – everyone but us has covered it. But nonetheless, it’s news and it’s an indication of the tough times ahead. John Morefield’s Ballard Sunday market booth which sells architectural advice for 5¢ symbolizes the spirit of our time – architects just try’n to do architecture.
[Photo courtesy of the Seattle P.I.]
ENGINEERING
Orginally started in Germany, “Passive House” design is quickly making “Green Design” seem like dumping toxic rocket fuel in your backyard. The technology and mindset of Passive Design are making their way to the states; educate yourself here or attend the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild presentation on February 8th.
-thanks to Donald
[Photo courtesy of Wikipedia]
LISTENING
The University of Washington is hosting a lecture by Lise Anne Couture on Wednesday, January 28th at 6pm in Architecture Hall 147. Couture is principal of uber-super-future design shop Asymptote with Hani Rashid. This event was canceled. Instead of noting this on their website, the UW department of architecture simply removed it from their lecture series as if it never existed – leaving us potential attendees entirely out in the dark. Thanks for the clear communication UW!
[Photo by Alex Cao]
STARCHITECTING
Is it terrifying or absolutely hilarious that even the starchitects are fighting over insignificant projects out there? You be the judge.
DESIGNING
We’ve come across some really handsome, modern residential design lately. Check out the work of Garduno Architects out of Mexico…
[Photo courtesy Garduno Architects]
…and Steven Kent of southern California.
-thanks to Josiah and Mike
[Photo courtesy Steven Kent]
BUILDING
We’ve been keeping the wraps on our little cabinet shop until we’re ready for the full press release -so if you say anything about this we’ll deny everything and blame it on alcohol. The cabinet shop will include a line of custom designed furniture and we thought we’d give you insiders a sneak peak at some of the sleek, modern connection details that are coming together. Stay tuned…
DIAGRAMMING
We love diagrams. And when a diagram can convey a bulk of complicated information as well as a bit of humor, all the better. The Folks at Goldstar Beer covered both bases -then continued on to tackle the male/female dynamics of modern day society. Larger versions of these BRILLIANT diagrams can be found here.
-thanks to Chris
[Flowcharts by Goldstar Beer and McCann Erickson]
Cheers!
Thanks to those of you supplying our addiction to modern design and culture, there’s been no lack of great links finding their way to the BUILDblog. Today’s On the Radar, BUILD’s every-couple-of-weeks synopsis of what we’re up to, should keep you busy over the holidays.
BLOGGING
Our new favorite design blog is the oh-so slick Contemporist. Forward thinking and inspiring, we’re not sure how we got by without it.
-thanks to senior field correspondent Josiah
READING
It’s that time of year again. Each December the hard working peeps at the New York Times Magazine send us the “Year in Ideas” issue <cut to visual of team BUILD frothing at the mouth>. You can have the hard copy when we’re done with it – until then, the digital version oughta tide you over.
Currently we’re reading Tribes by Seth Godin, and we highly recommend getting a copy in your hands. As per Wikipedia:
“Godin combines three elements in his writings. First, the end of the ‘TV-Industrial complex’ means that marketers no longer have the power to command the attention of anyone they choose, whenever they choose. Second, in a marketplace in which consumers have more power, marketers must show more respect; this means no spam, no deceit and a bias for keeping promises. Finally, Godin asserts that the only way to spread the word about an idea is for that idea to earn the buzz by being remarkable. “
WATCHING
The short film “My Playground” by Kaspar Astrup Schröder does a phenomenal job of exploring architecture and human interaction. BIG’s recent Mountain Dwelling project provides the backdrop as Team Jiyo bounces around the space like a couple of pin-balls.
-thanks to Kai-Uwe Bergmann
We’re big fans of the TED conference and Sir Ken Robinson’s speech “Do schools kill creativity?” has it all. It’s informative, forward thinking, it challenges the status quo and he’s got that English gentleman sense of humor. Robinson’s theory is that Intelligence is diverse and dynamic and creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value. Cheers to that.
LOOKING
Digital SLR cameras are commonplace, HDR photography is accessible to the masses and cameras are crossing over into the moving image. With visual design blogs becoming the most informative source in our industry (at least for us), photography has never been more important as a tool for communication. With that said, we’re always keeping a pulse on photography blogs and websites. Recently we checked out Vincent Laforet’s uber-slick photography website and his New York Times “Lens” series was just the dose of Manhattan we needed.
-thanks to B.J.
For those of you in the Seattle area, the Henry Art Gallery is currently showing Richard Misrach’s show “On the Beach”, a PHENOMINAL series of large format color photographs. Get your eyeballs over there before January 18th and support one of the better art venues in town.
BRANDING
As part of the new BUILD marketing package (to be released soon) we redesigned our logo and had a ton of fun doing so with Bill Reilly Design.
From Bill’s profile:
“Bill Reilly Design specializes in design solutions that compliment your branding efforts through creative services such as design, art direction, and electronic production. Bill Reilly Design is located in Seattle, Washington and has experience in creating advertising, brochures, logos, packaging, point of purchase displays, booth graphics and other creative ideas.”
If you’re looking at some new, hot branding strategies we recommend you give Bill Reilly a shout. Check out some of his previous work here (600kb PDF).
MATERIALIZING
Parador has released a new material called Laminat TrendTime 2 which emulates the color, texture and weathering of fruit and wine boxes. While the material is marketed as a flooring application it seems like it has wider applications for walls and ceilings.
-thanks to senior field correspondent Josiah
As we’re designing up a cool modern house in Magnolia we’re looking into all the current products that make residential design so much fun. We’ve been specifying Montigo fireplaces lately and have been very happy with the clean unobtrusive look of their steel and glass “fire-boxes”. You can eighty-six the fake wood logs and, instead, install a bed of black shiny stones – hot. If only their website was a clean and well designed as the product.
ARCHITECTING
Here’s your coolio architect fix for the day, straight from the Netherlands (big surprise there I’m sure)
-provided by senior field correspondent Josiah
If you want an empty lot or a new house, building on a steep slope in Seattle is one of the few ways to do so these days. Subsequently architects are getting very good at design applications for steep slopes and northwest hillside architecture is leading to some very handsome projects. Architect Tim Hossner recently completed a residence at 4135 21st Ave SW in West Seattle that got our attention. It’s also on the market and being listed by Bear’s Head LLC.
-thanks to John Nuler at Bear’s Head LLC
For those of you, like us, looking to build cost-effective modern homes the 100k house program will be of interest to you. The blog outlines “an attempt to build a modern and green home in Philly for $100,000 in construction costs”.
-thanks to Chris
…and what would a BUILDblog post be without poking fun at us architects. Recently U.S. News published an article on the most overrated careers, one of which being architecture. “When screenwriters give a hero a career, it’s often architecture”.
SHOPPING
We learned of some good news that one of our favorite shops, Great Stuff, in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood has their website up and running. Check it out here – or better yet, get down there and support a great design business.
Cheers! and we’ll see you in the new year.
