Why does everyone hate Modern Architecture?

A TEDx talk by David Chipperfield.
Do you agree or disagree with his statement,
"Architects are ignored and distrusted" in the real world.

Maison L Residential Home

It doesn't fight nature, it stands proud along side of it.  This house designed by Christian Pottgiesser, is brilliant in design and gentle in execution.  As Architects, we strive to place our mark upon the earth.  To be able to alter the landscape is a reason why many fall into the profession in the first place.   How I see it is that there are two types of architects: 1) those who try to forward the profession through formal and structural expression while saving little regard for the buildings setting and 2) those who try to balance context and nature with materiality and atmosphere. Neither approach is wrong in my eyes. Both are crucial to the field.  But for me, personally, I feel a certain joy and calmness around projects and buildings that use earthly materials, play with light and tease with color, as this project does.

More Images after the break

A Cow Based Economics Lesson

Now I do apologize because I cannot remember the source of this brilliant list (if any of you know it, please let me know so that I can give credit where credit is due), but I really felt like I should share this information with you all.  If any of you have trouble understanding our worlds economies, such as the differences between Socialism, Communism and Fascism, have no fear because this list you are about to witness breaks it all down in a simple yet, informative manner.  In my opinion, how they describe the "American Corporation" is dead on.

I enjoyed this list, hope you do as well.

In Progress: Broad Art Museum / Zaha Hadid

Conventional construction methods and materials are used to create this unique architecture by Zaha Hadid.

END: 2011 / BEGIN:2012

Holzer Truisms

Jenny Holzer is an American Conceptual Artist. I happened to come across her documentary entitled, About Jenny Holzer. Protect Me From What I Want and found it to be quite inspiring.  Who knew that such few words can have such an immense impact. These short phrases or one liners she would go on to call, Truisms. Below are some of her most famous lines.

‘men are not monogamous by nature’,

‘money creates taste’,

‘a lot of professionals are crackpots’,

‘enjoy yourself because you can't change anything anyway’,

‘freedom is a luxury not a necessity’,

‘don't place too much trust in experts’.

Although she initially wanted to become an abstract painter, the medium she would become famous for is writing- whether it be on walls, t-shirts or LEDS. Some call her a futuristic Artist because of her use of LEDS, and to a certain extent I would agree. Her work relates more than ever now given how our world currently revolves around such technologies as touch screens and smart phones. But what I like most about Jenny Holzer is that she lets her art do the talking.

Is this something you would call art? Does it have an impact on you or do you simply think this is nothing more than writing on a wall.

Gifts for Architects

Happy Holidays to all!!!

It's Christmas time! A time to spend with loved ones discussing the wonders life has to offer. It's also a great time to look back at the year and note areas in your life that have improved or still need improvement. One should also reminisce and be thankful for all no matter what you may or may not believe in.

And yes, it's also a time for giving. For those who love gift giving, this time can become quite stressful especially when it's time to find a gift for an architect friend or lover. Architects are complicated individuals who are very particular when it comes to their possessions. Over at Matters of Taste  the author, who is a former architect himself, provides a very useful list of 10 things to five, or not give, an Architect.  You should all make your way over to the blog. A very comical response is given to each suggestion.  

The list goes as follows:

DO GIVE: 

Garments 

Things for recording inspiration  

Building fragments 

Books on Architecture you've never heard of

Interesting looking cookware

Toys

DO NOT GIVE: 

Electronics

Books on Architecture you've heard of 

Coffee- or tea making devices 

Sports-related gifts

Do you guys agree with this list? Are there other things you can think of that an Architect might enjoy?

Bob Borson from Life of An Architect also came up with a pretty interesting list for What to get an Architect for Christmas. Check it out for your amusment. 

Classified : That ain't classy

Bringing you the very talented, yet grotesquely underrated, Canadian rapper and producer, Classified (Luke Boyd) with 'That ain't Classy'.  This track here is a simple remainder for us all that we should always remain truthful to ourselves; that we should always stand behind what we belief in;  and most importantly, that we should never change who we are as individuals for the sake of someone else's joy.
Let's stay classy.

These lyrics sum it up nicely.
I'm adamant I won't become extravagant cause you're my managementAnd the guys i travel with they havin' itI'm just an average man who happen to have a plan

ad·a·mant/ˈadəmənt/ 

adj

1. unshakable in purpose, determination, or opinion; unyielding

Flying Squirrel vs Human Dolphin

I love adventure! I love the outdoors! I can be extreme at times, yet I wonder why in the world I decided on becoming an Architect where almost every waking second is spent behind a computer screen. Yes, it's a noble profession, one that is admired by many, but it lacks the adrenaline inducing excitement that these two gentlemen below get to experience on a regular basis. 

In the first video, you the worlds craziest man! He certainly is crazy. Who in their right mind flies through trees at such speeds?? Granted he does have a pretty sweet carbon fiber helmet but I'm sure it would do absolutely nothing if he were to hit a tree going +100mph.  I am envious just watching it though. One day I would love to do something like that... (check out how close he gets at 1:46)

The guy in the second video is not as crazy but definitely still has an amazing job.  For only about 6k you can fly through the water like a dolphin! I'm sure that's every water lovers dream. It certainly is a very interesting contraption but is it me or does it not smoke a lot? Not sure how healthy that is for the wearer of the apparatus or for the marine life in general. 

Which one would you guys/gals rather be or try - A Flying squirrel or a Human Dolphin that zips through the water?

Tomorrow

I've hit a wall, taller than I’ve ever hit before. It happens every so often, a moment where I realize I’ve reached the end of my current plateau. This plateau is a metaphor, representing a composite platform of my current skills, abilities, methods, approaches, beliefs, philosophies, ideals, and accomplishments. Engaging this wall is always disorienting. It seems like there’s virtually no way to begin scaling this surface. It is void of articulation, seemingly infinite in width & height, and white with a sheen just glossy enough to recognize my own blurred reflection...

Fall

Sit back, relax, and let the season change...

On

Released in 1993, almost 20 years ago, Aphex Twin's "On" exemplifies a tectonic ambient styling which has become very popular in recent techno genres including house, rave, drum & bass, jungle, and more...

From Wikipedia // Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music".^[1] He founded the record label Rephlex Records in 1991 with Grant Wilson-Claridge.

ba ba ba back at it!!

whats up yall!! its been a while, the whole summer actually! i usually dropped in on friday with some tunes, well i didnt have studio on friday this summer and i usually wasnt around a cpu to hook it up. well im back! sitting in studio across from ya boy Abe Mora jammin out! i have been saving this one the whole summer. its a remix but you need to check this guy out he has some pretty dope jams. Jam of the week!

Dreamality

Dreamality

This song always makes me think of the season’s turning. The vibe is very conclusive yet forth-looking; a consistently reoccurring theme in our lives, which reminds us to stop and smell the flowers, but to always keep pushing forward. The further you push, the more pleasurable those flowers become. No good has ever come without hard work and determination. I suggest taking a moment to stop what you are doing, to take a deep breath, and think for a moment about where you are, how you’ve gotten here, where you want to be, and what it will take to get there.

SC 

Foster The People : Pumped Up Kicks

Happy Friday

TV On The Radio -- Will Do (XXXChange Dancehall Mix)