Analyzing the 'sponge' Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Ever since its opening in 2002, Simmons Hall -- or more affectionately, the "sponge" -- has been one of MIT's most unique buildings. Now it is the focus of a book documenting a student competition on the use of space within the building. MIT hosts first UrbLab conference Oct. 3 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The MIT Urbanization Laboratory is organizing a symposium on the culture and politics of urban change that will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, in 7-431. Designing a landfill of epic proportions Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Many architects dream of being given a blank slate upon which they could let the imagination soar when designing a project. A team led by two MIT architects is working on what could be the largest blank slate in the history of construction.
Archi Libre - Takes a look at vernacular and self-educated strands in architecture. Materials and techniques, fantastic architecture, domes, and zomes. [French, English, Spanish]
Meta Description: [ L'auto-construction de b‰timents, realisations, materiaux, techniques ]
Architects Design in Cyberspace - Illustrated article by Alfredo Andia and Claudia Busch on the designs by New York based architectural firm Asymptote on a virtual New York Stock Exchange.
ArchLab Studio - Experimental architecture and industrial design studio founded by Antonio Pio Saracino and Steve E. Blatz. Biographies, awards and portfolio of innovatory designs including flexible housing, screens and furniture.
Arcosanti - An experimental town in the desert of Arizona, built to embody Paolo Soleri's concept of arcology - the fusion of architecture with ecology. Theory, workshops, events, images, visitor information.
Meta Description: [ The Arcosanti Project ]
404Civil Engineering Magazine: Great Hall - Malcolm Turpin describes the distinctive new City Hall, London, shaped like a great tilted egg, which is also a model of energy-efficient design.
Meta Description: [ Using the design and construction methods of 12th-century China, a team of experts created an arch bridge made of straight logs tied with bamboo. The collaboration was a moving example of the creative process that lies at the heart of all engineering. ]
Container Coliseum - Plans for a prefabricated building designed to be easily moved to disaster areas, inspired by the ancient Coliseum in Rome.
Copenhagen Substitute - An interactive tour of Utopian designs by various architects. Devised by Dellbruegge and de Molls, it formed part of the exhibition models of resistance in Copenhagen May/June 2000.
Corrugated Construction - Architecture students at the Auburn University Rural Studio are designing and building what may be the first house out of bales of waste waxed corrugated board, commonly known as cardboard.
Curvilinear Surfaces - Aleksandra Kasuba explains how to install curved fabric structures (under tension) in environmental and architectural projects. Examples of her installations. Biography, bibliography.
Meta Description: [ Artist suggests a method to build large scale curved surfaces applicable to art & architecture. A new vocabulary of forms applicable to environmental art & architecture. The methods developed are presented in detail ]
Decodeine - Margot Kasojevik presents dynamics, simulation and animation design processes in architecture. Includes animations.
Design Museum: Archigram / Architects (1961-1974) - Formed by a group of young London architects, Archigram magazine dominated the architectural avant garde in the 1960s with its playful, pop-inspired visions of a technocratic future. Exhibition at the Design Museum, London.
Meta Description: [ ARCHIGRAM dominated the architectural avant garde in the 1960s and early 1970s with its playful, pop-inspired visions of a technocratic future after its formation in 1961 by a group of young London architects – Warren Chalk, Peter Cook, Dennis Crompton, David Greene, Ron Herron and Michael Webb. ]
Diaphan Architectural - Sabine von Fischer explores space in material and thought, in the form of drawings and texts – from concept and criticism to construction. Projects focus on sensorial and invisible boundaries such as sonic barriers, and on completely collapsed objects in the event horizon series.
Meta Description: [ Diaphanarch offers architectural services in the form of drawing and text
from concept and criticism to construction. ]
Electronic Democracy Spaces - University diploma project on two parallel networks (physical and digital) that host and encourage political participation. Dimitris Papadopoulos and Iannis Orfanos.
Just-In-Time Infrastructure Prototype - Igor Kebelour presents a concept of domestic, working, public and mobile institutions merged into one. Includes model, analysis and discussion.
Modular Dwellings - Mobile, low cost and functional - a new species of pre-fabricated structures designed by Edgar Blazona.
NeurHome - A utopian idea of a place for living that would be an extension of the owner’s brain. A collective project bringing together theoretical essays and innovatory design concepts. [English and French].
Meta Description: [ The Neurhome is a utopian idea of a place for living that would be an extension of the owner's brain. ]
Po.D - A small international group collaborating in architectural experimentation. Online exhibition of projects including inflatable pods which can be carried as a backpack when deflated. [In English and French].
Meta Description: [ agence architecture internationale association experimentale international studio experimental ]
Pouchulu - The former head of the Munich Experimental Design Unit, Argentinian architect Patricio Pouchulu, displays his portfolio of futuristic designs, including those for major competitions.
Research Institute for Experimental Architecture - A non-profit institution with the purpose of advancing experimentation and research in the field of architecture, based in Bern, Switzerland, and New York City, US. Biographies of Lebbeus Woods and Guy Lafranchi, news and publications.
Meta Description: [ RIEA - Research Institute for Experimental Architecture. The RIEA School of Architecture. RIEAeuropa research projects. ]
Spacepat - Frames are used to delimitate space and to expose visitors to a new three-dimensionality.
Tent Design - Russian architect Anvar Khairoylline enthuses about the possibilities of tent structures. His profile, illustrated summary of his thesis and examples of projects using the principles of tent construction.
The Futuro House - Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed this UFO shaped dwelling in 1968, initially for use as a ski-cabin or holiday home. Description, photographs and QuickTime movie clips.
Meta Description: [ Seventies design. The Futuro house ]
The Loftcube - Mobile living units, which can be placed on flat roofs by helicopters or cranes, designed by Werner Aisslinger. Pictures and information on available features.
The Steel Research House - An experiment in modern house design using light steel framing at the University of Nottingham, UK. Context, project outline and progress. Feedback form for comments.
The Translucent House - A prototype by Alfons Soldevila. Photograph parades show the building process from design to finish, and other buildings using translucence. A detailed description and theoretical background.
Wired News: Need a Building? Just Add Water - Engineers William Crawford and Peter Brewin have devised a building in a bag - a sack of cement-impregnated fabric. To erect the structure, all you have to do is add water to the bag and inflate it with air.
Meta Description: [ Get the latest in science news, including space, physics, planet earth, discoveries, NASA, satellites, and space travel from Wired.com ]
Zomes Concept - Creating homes from a harmonious family of geometric forms. Includes definitions, symbolism, images, and construction.
