ABX 2014

Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the ABX 2014 Expo at the Boston Convention Center.  Architecture Boston Expo (ABX) is one of the largest events for the design and construction industry in the country, and the largest regional conference and trade-show. It reminded me of the camping trade shows I used to go to with my parents as a kid. The RWU SAAHP provided transportation for myself and 20+ other students to attend the Exhibition and then an RWU SAAHP Alumni event after. 

It was very interesting to see all the different products and technologies that exist today and how/where they have been implemented. I FILLED my bah with pamphlets and brochures that i hope will give me some inspiration on my studio project. 

Take a look at some pictures from the Expo below!  

ADD Inc Instillation

3D Color Printing

ABX Exhibition Hall 

ABX Exhibition Hall 

ABX Exhibition Hall 

Frank Gehry Claims That Architecture Today is "Pure Shit"

Photo Courtesy of El Mundo 

“Let me tell you one thing. In this world we are living in, 98 percent of everything that is built and designed today is pure shit. There’s no sense of design, no respect for humanity or for anything else. They are damn buildings and that’s it. Once in a while, however, there’s a small group of people who does something special. Very few. But good god, leave us alone! We are dedicated to our work. I don’t ask for work. I don’t have a publicist. I’m not waiting for anyone to call me. I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don’t ask questions as stupid as that one.”

This was the response from 85 year old Frank Gehry when asked by a reporter at the a press conference in Oviedo Spain (where he received the Prince of Asturias Awards for the Arts) how he responds to claims that he creates "showy/flashy architecture". . 

Gehry is one of the few remaining "superstar architects" like Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Steven Holl. His claim to fame being that his designs are parametric, created from crazy forms. Just take a look at his sketches. 

I've actually had the pleasure of seeing one of Gehry's buildings first hand. Last winter my boyfriend and I explored the Lewis Science Library on Princeton's campus in NJ. And let me say it definitely stands out from the other buildings on Princeton's campus. Below are my photos from our trip. 

Lewis Library Entrance - Photo by Amanda Rapson

I mean look at that roof!

Photo by Amanda Rapson

Photo by Amanda Rapson

Photo by Amanda Rapson

I think there's a lot of truth in Gehry's response above. Most architecture today is shit. Buildings have become empty shells that we occupy, with no character, design, response to humanity or anything. I would like to applaud Gehry for calling this out. His architecture is not flashy, it means something. So yes, most architecture today is pure shit. It's up to us to make sure the 2% that isn't shit, continues.

#TBT Final Presentation Sophomore Year

#TBT to my final presentation of sophomore year at RWU. This picture was taken by my studio professor at the time, David Corbin. At the end of the semester all the professors do superlatives for the students, and he gave me a copy of this picture and an "award" for Best Coordination of Dress and Presentation because the dress I was wearing matched all the colors in my renders. 

This was the first project I did completely on the computer using Revit, My renders were "eh" looking back at them now because I had no idea how to use Photoshop. But I felt that my presentation of this project really showed how much I had learned and accomplished sophomore year. 

Crazy to think that in May I'll be graduating and starting my Masters degree. Time flies. 

-A

Shifting Minds: The New England Recovery Center [update: midcrit 2]

Above is my updated site plan for my studio project. After the first mid review last Friday, I changed the layout of the building approach, services entry and parking. Tomorrow I'll be presenting the project again. I would love to post my presentation but its over 60 slides long sooo..... I don't think that would fit on here.

Again the site plan is part of my Revit model and I added the color, text, arrows and trees in Photoshop. 

Hopefully tomorrow goes well! After this I'll get into more detail on the building, I'm excited!

Modern Concrete Home in Brissago

I haven't posted about any works that I like recently, but I stumbled upon this beauty this morning and had to share it. 

Built in 2013, this home in Brissago Switzerland designed by architects Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects, defines what I imagine my future home to look like. The monolithic concrete form sits atop a hillside, and its form punctured with various size openings for windows. 

The driveway is the roof, and from this level you travel down a small stair to the main entrance courtyard. 

Upon entering you can see that the concrete form has stayed true throughout the building, comprising the floors, walls and ceilings. The home feels anything but heavy, as the many large windows are placed for views allow the house to open up to the landscape. 

The home contains a kitchen, two living areas, a library and an outdoor terrace and courtyard. The lower levels contain the three bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a gym and sauna. 

The home acts like a historic village with its relationships between ionterior and exterior. 

This home is one of the best examples I've seen of a modern concrete home, if I ever get to Switzerland, I might have to stop by. 

The original posting of this home can be found on archdaily.com by following the below link...
House in Brissago / Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects" 17 Oct 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed 17 Oct 2014. <http://www.archdaily.com/?p=557270

Shifting Minds: The New England Recovery Center Site Plan

Tomorrow is a preliminary mid-crit for my studio group (The Area 51 project). Above is my current site plan for my project. What you're seeing is the roof plan of my building and the shadows it would cast on the fall equinox. The dark(er) green area is our site within the property lines and various setbacks that surround it. It also shows a rough idea of where I might place some parking on the site by the front entrance, tying into the existing unused road that passes by the site. 

The site plan is a part of my Revit model, and I used Photoshop to add the color. 

I'll post more work as I complete it!

-A

Grattan Gill: Student of Frank Lloyd Wright

I though I would share this short video interview originally done and posted by Design New England on Grattan Gill. 

Grattan Gill is an architect and one time student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The space featured in the video is the home he designed for his parents retirement, and he now lives there himself. 

"We contribute to the future, by designing in the present, what is infulenced by the past"

                - Grattan Gill

Sources
http://digital.designnewengland.com/designnewengland/september_october_2014#pg35
http://vimeo.com/104655432

Where's my desk?

Can you tell Mid Crit is in a week and a half? 

I'm about to take my rought 1/16"=1' floor plans and start transfering them onto Revit. 

It's going to be a long week! 

-A