I walked across the same old streets and marveled at all the towers, 12 in total.

First we had some lunch, then a walk around the town and lots of photos, and some famous gelato.  This particular gelatoria is famous for inventing a flavor called  “Santa Fina,” which is a cream base with roasted pine nuts and saffron.  It was unlike anything I’ve ever had, and very delicious, certo.

Then there were some great views, a group photo, and window-shopping.  There was one shop in particular that I remembered from my last visit, it was still there and looked the same, filled with gorgeous kitchen gadgets carved from olive wood.

Orazio led us through the town and up to a yet another wonderful spot for photos.   On the way out of San Gimagnano we stopped to pet a local dog in the square and do our best to chat with some of the locals.  In every town in Tuscany there is a group of two or more people, usually elderly, who have a spot they sit and chat.  The verb in Italian is one of my favorites: 'Chiacchierare' (to gossip, to chat).  This is also one of my favorite pictures yet:

Next we drove to a little town nearby called Monteriggioni, which was also on a hill with a tall old city wall surrounding it.  It was tiny, a few charming restaurants, a shoe/leather factory, and a giant water chestnut tree.  Taka saw me starring at it and was kind enough to grab me one, although I had no idea what to do with it.

Then it was back home to SGV to finish homework and rest up.  That night I had one of those fabulous dinners; when you have all the right ingredients for what your craving and the time and patience to make something great.  I made steak with asparagus tips with big chunks of roasted garlic and enjoyed a glass of chianti and an episode of the Tudors along with it.

While what had transpired with much of the area's architecture was an interesting study in ways of 'making do' most of the architecture was singularly unremarkable. While some of the restored 'pattern' homes had a quaint quality and were clearly well taken care of (due to the influx of money into the area: this is likely to be another area of gentrification in Vancouver's eastward urban push) they weren't particularly inspired. The area was also riddled with squalid houses that likely should be condemned: they didn't seem livable. We were of course only viewing from the street: we didn't have access to any interior spaces at all. Our intrepid guide didn't mention or comment on those houses at all.

The neighbourhood evolved as an unplanned one, meaning that it grew somewhat organically. People moved in and built structures as they felt they were needed. Because of this it is a 'mixed use' area with commercial and residential properties all together. Our guide waxed evangelical on this issue for some reason. To me this is one of the major reasons that I wouldn't want to live there. He even told a little anecdote about someone moving in to the area only to find that there was a somewhat concealed, mostly underground, warehousing facility that had trucks and forklifts running every day. Apparently he complained about this, and when nothing changed, simply moved out of the area. Our guide closed the story with the pithy little statement: 'you don't change the neighbourhood, it changes you.' Right. Now, I do understand historical priority: the business had been there for 80 or so years. Anyone moving into the area should be aware of such issues before doing so. Somehow I suspect that the realtor didn't likely point that out to our hapless newcomer. I certainly would not move into an area that has industry in the neighbourhood. I find that brutal and antithetical to home as a haven or retreat for rejuvenation.

There were a couple of architectural highlights for me though. A building locally referred to as the 'garlic factory' due to its origin as a wholesale produce warehousing operation was 'repurposed' ingeniously and with a true sense of style. The architect and developers apparently worked closely with the city and the local zoning committee to set the parameters for the redesign into residential units. They interestingly, and I think correctly, kept the industrial look of the building, insisting that it was such a landmark that that look and feel were important to preserve. The large industrial garage doors and heavy wooden beaming were all retained, while small patio/garden areas and entrance cutouts were added. A landmark was kept and an interesting and livable space was created. Very nice. There was a similar project converting a former automobile repair facility into residential units that was similarly successful in my opinion. I very much wanted to tour the interiors of these two buildings in particular. 

The tour did bring to mind that 'home' is wherever one lives and whatever one makes of it with the resources available. That can range from restored pattern homes and repurposed industrial buildings, to squalid structures about to fall apart or a park bench or bus stop. Strathcona is proof that people 'do what they gotta do.'

]]> http://architectureservices.wordpress.com/?p=4 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:49:23 +0000 architecturalsol http://architectureservices.id.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/architectural-drafting-comes-calling/ Outsourcing, the very word, might be obnoxiously offensive to some people. In fact, they would like to make it sound synonymous to mediocre quality. But, as we increasingly pride ourselves with being global in our reach and outlook, one just cannot escape the placid truth that outsourcing works very much on a free-market mechanism, albeit on a global level. It balances the demand-supply forces on the pricing factor. Political connotations apart, it makes pure economic sense.

A large many services are now being outsourced and the domain has transitioned beyond business process to encompass specialized sectors like legal, medical, architecture, etc. These research intensive and domain-specific services are helping companies around the world in more ways than one. Collectively clubbed into knowledge process outsourcing, they not only provide the obvious benefit of costs, but also give you the edge of high-quality and domain expertise because your fringe activity forms the core competency of the service provider.

In keeping with this spirit, architectural drafting support has gained great momentum in the outsourcing sphere. Architecture firms of all sizes, predominantly from the West and other developed countries, are shipping off the drafting phase of their construction projects to support providers in India, Philippines and China. This helps them task the internal human resource on strategic business activities like design development, marketing and scope expansion.

Architectural drafting support providers, or for that matter any outsourcing service provider, do not function like a sweat-shop. They are full-fledged companies offering specialized services that match the highest professional standards, anywhere in the world. Years of experience in a specific platform makes the company a specialist in its trade. The icing on the cake is the extremely competent pricing of such high-grade services. Besides, the latent benefits that piggy-ride it is beyond any measure.

The company which receives the services at throw-away prices from half way across the globe cannot imagine getting the same from the region it is located in. Besides, it is also freed from concerns of office infrastructure, staff recruiting and training, quality control checks and other recurring (like in software) up gradations.

Architectural drafting support companies, of a reputable measure, work on the latest in softwares ranging from AutoCAD to high-end 3D BIM software platforms like Revit and Chief Architect. They are also capable of 3D rendering and architectural walkthroughs, while complying with international building codes. You don’t have to worry about your work-load peaks and leans because the outsourcing company provided you adequate human resource under all circumstances. Why have under-utilized or over-burdened internal staffs when you have the privilege of services ‘on demand’?

What’s more, outsourcing service providers have the knowledge of best practices followed around the world. You just never know that your work-share partners may turn out to be a treasure house of trade knowledge.

m.i.m.olab, in collaborazione con svoltastudenti e con il contributo del Politecnico di Milano, presenta un ciclo di conferenze dal titolo 'fresh drops_gocce di giovane architettura italiana' per portare direttamente dentro l'università le esperienze di architetti italiani giovani non solo per generazione ma anche per l'approccio fresco e sperimentale all'architettura.

le conferenze si terranno con cadenza settimanale durante i mesi di novembre e dicembre 2008 presso la facoltà di architettura del Politecnico di Milano.

gli studi invitati a partecipare sono interactiondesign-lab, ian+, 2a+p e salottobuono.

nei prossimi giorni sarà on line il calendario degli eventi.

The European Association for Urban History (EAUH) was established in 1989 with the support of the European Union. These biennial conferences provide a multidisciplinary forum for historians, sociologists, geographers, anthropologists, art and architectural historians, economists, ecologists, planners and all others working on different aspects of urban history. This invitation is extended to all scholars who make urban history a distinctive and innovative subject.

Deadlines:
Call for sessions: between 1 December 2008 and 1 March 2009.
Call for papers: 1 October 2009
Acceptance of papers: 1 February 2010
Last date for registration without surcharge: 1st June 2010
Conference registration: from 1 March 2010 to 1 June 2010

Further information: www.eauh2010.ugent.be

prof. dr. Marc Boone
Universiteit Gent
vakgroep middeleeuwse geschiedenis
Blandijnberg 2
B 9000 Gent (België)
Phone ++ 32 9 264 40 19
Fax ++ 32 9 264 41 82
Email: marc.boone@ugent.be
Visit the website at http://www.eauh2010.ugent.be/

The details:

Cloud computing looks like the biggest change to hit our industry in many years. The advent of cheap, scalable computing power available over the Internet will affect almost everybody who works in IT. But taking advantage of this shift requires understanding this new approach and how to exploit it.
In this half-day seminar, David Chappell looks at the big picture of cloud computing, then focuses in on Microsoft’s new cloud platform technologies. The topics he’ll cover include:

    A realistic look at cloud computing: Benefits and risks
    The cloud context: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Salesforce.com, and more
    Microsoft’s cloud platform technologies: “Red Dog”, “Zurich”, LiveMesh, and others
    Using the Microsoft cloud platform: Which technologies make sense for your applications?

The goal is to provide a framework for thinking about cloud platforms, make clear what Microsoft’s cloud platform technologies can do, then offer guidance on how to make good decisions for using them.

Leave me a comment if this is cool or not.

I spent a few days in Chicago exploring neighborhoods new to me.  My last stay in Chicago, I had the tourist agenda... the Magnificent Mile, Millenium Park, the Bean, Wrigley Field.  This time, you can sum up my stay  with three words:  Frank Lloyd Wright.

Oak Park is a small suburb, west of Chicago, rich with architectural history.  I spent an afternoon wandering around the town and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Typically, I do not care for suburban communities.  I enjoy uniqueness and suburban-America today with its strip malls, cookie-cutter homes and big box stores just bores me.  Oak Park is how suburbs were once designed.  A downtown "main street" with shops and restaurants, many locally owned, tree-lined streets with houses built from unique plans, and plenty of parks and community areas where people mingled.  Image that, people in the community conversing and not rushing home to watch TV.

Oak Park is also the home of Frank Lloyd Wright's first private studio.  Located on Chicago Ave, this is where Wright received his first commissions and opened his own business.  Located in Oak Park and neighboring River Forest are 35 homes designed by Wright along with Unity Temple, his first public building.  Walking around Oak Park is fascinating to observe how Wright's style and ideas evolved over the years... from Victorian to an English Tutor to Wright's well-known Prairie style design.

Following my wanderings around Oak Park, I met up with Nolan in the city.  Nolan is one of my oldest friends.  High school.  College.  Roommates.  We have been through a lot over the years.  A true friend.  A best friend.

Nolan is back in school and working on his Masters Degree in Digital Cinema.  For an upcoming project, he took me on a location research tour around Chicago.  For the project, he plans on filming at the same exterior locations as a small movie you may have seen, The Dark Knight.  We toured the city comparing screen shots from The Dark Knight with the actual buildings and landmarks before us.  It was pretty cool.  We stood on the same corner as The Joker in the opening shot of the movie.  We saw where the Bat Mobile drove, where the semi truck flipped, the building that houses Wayne Enterprises and much more.  A very fun time.

Afterward, Nolan and I enjoyed Chicago-style pizza at Pequods in Lincoln Park.  I'm not a big fan of deep dish pizza but at Pequods they do it right.  Great ingredients and a caramelized crust... amazing.  Definitely worth another visit.

To continue my Frank Lloyd Wright tour, the next morning I headed to Hyde Park and the University of Chicago.  Adjacent to the university sits the Robie House, one of Wright's most acclaimed designs.  Designed in the Prairie style that Wright made popular, the Robie house sits on a long, narrow plot of land.  By pushing the limits of the Chicago building code, Wright designed a large home with an open floor plan, "art glass" windows and impressive overhangs.

Following the Robie House, I was going to leave Chicago and visit Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House for a sampling of moderism.  Thankfully before I ventured west, I learned the Farnsworth House has become an example of why you do not build in a flood plain.  Despite being built on columns, raising the house five feet above grade, the Fox River could not keep up with the summer's rain fall.  Currently, the Farnsworth House has two feet of standing water through out the space.  Once again, don't mess with Mother Nature.

]]> http://mondomondo.wordpress.com/?p=66 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:32:48 +0000 mondomondo http://mondomondo.id.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/russian-enigma/  

strange russian bulidings

One of my all time travel experiences was the Transsiberian train in September 2005. In the train, you loose the sence of time, and realize that you dont really need to care about that at all. That's what I call ultimate travel - travel even in time!

• Real Ad Men Talk About Mad Men [Wired]
  Every week on AMC TV's Mad Men John Hamm's character, Don Draper, and John Slattery's Roger Sterling lead the men and women at the fictional advertising agency Sterling Cooper. They create and design retro 1960s ad campaigns, while they chain-smoke, drink and womanize.
  (tags: advertising TV madmen)
• Web 2.0 and Democratization of Data - Say What? [louisgray.com]
  If George W. Bush and John Kerry campaigned for the presidency on the Internet four years ago, I wouldn't have seen the point and likely would have laughed in their faces. Who would have heard and listened to them?
  (tags: data community web2.0 politics)
• The BBC can be an open source for all of UK plc [The Guardian]
  The future for the BBC lies in the technology that can open it up to the world, just as technology gave it life last century. In the corporate world, Facebook, Apple and Google have launched platform services that allow external developers and companies to build services using their code - but the BBC is uniquely placed to use those same principles to create a cultural and commercial resource for the nation.
  (tags: technology data web2.0 BBC TV content collaboration opensource)

I'm 22, and even tho I often feel old I am still young. Next year I want to study computer science because it's something that I am interested in and want to excel in. I'm already working with computers and completing tasks that I shouldn't be able to because of my lack of knowledge.

Computer Science is 3 years which means I'll be 25 when I finish. After that, there are so many options I can hardly contain myself. Architecture is one possibility. Film and Media is another.

For Architecture I would probably want to move to Auckland to study in the School of Architecture and Planning. Actually, Film and Media I probably would go to Auckland University with their Department of Film, Television and Media Studies.

I'm a visual person and love all aspects of design. The future is unknown, which makes it exciting. I could do or be anything I want. I've made some stupid choices in my life but I'm so grateful that it has not limited the rest of my life.

Le Corbusier, Saint-Pierre de Firminy church (1960)

{Source: The Independent (UK) }

For Part 1 - Click Here.

Last time I stated that my architectural thesis in college was, (for churches,) “Architecture doesn’t matter inasmuch as it helps or hinders the ministry from taking place.” 

There's a whole lot behind that statement.  This post will hit a few high-points, but if you want more:

• Here's my Thesis Project
• and Here's a follow-up paper from seminary.

Reality is, Christ-followers can worship God anywhere.  In fact, a majority of the world's Christians gather together to worship either in homes, public spaces, or in the simplest of facilities.  However, this reality doesn't completely negate the value of architecture for churches and ministries, particularly in Western culture.

On one hand, some architects get this arrogant idea that they can somehow design an awe-inspiring space that by its very nature will draw people closer to God.  Often, these spaces are carefully planned with immense symbolism or iconogaphy. Sometimes I think these kinds of spaces become more about the space or designer than the ministry taking place or the God they are trying to point people toward. I'm all for certain levels of symbolism.  We've recently designed abstracted crosses creating a trail of Christ's blood to the baptistry, symbolizing the washing in Christ's blood and rebirth.  But to think that the thought we put into the symbolism will accomplish something in an attendee that the Holy Spirit hasn't already begun and the ministries of the church itself won't already accomplish would be presumptuous. 

More importantly, the space was designed with the ministries and goals of the church in mind.  We could have designed stuff into the building that interfered with what the church was trying to accomplish.  Instead, we designed a building that will do everything the church needs it to do, enhance what they are already doing, and then we "iced the cake" with symbolism and other elements of beauty that are meant to help direct people to rather than distract them from the ministry taking place (and God, the focus of the minstry).

On the opposite extreme, some churches will throw up the cheapest possible structure to fit their activities.   

SOAPBOX ALERT: Sometimes they manage to get into facilities without the help of an architect. FOLKS, generally, THIS IS ILLEGAL!  You are putting your church people at risk if you don't hire professionals to at least oversee the process.  Building codes and laws exist to keep us safe.  Don't try to skirt around them to save a few bucks now.  It's a bad witness and it's just stupid and could result in a HUGE hindrance to your ministry and could cost you a lot of money down the road for several different reasons!  If you want more on this little soap box, I'd be glad to talk to you about it.

Even those that are smart enough to hire an architect (or are forced to by local officials) may pay a price for a facility that hinders their ministry . . . or at the least doesn't help it.  Maybe it was too small . . . or too big . . . or was right in worship space but failed in support spaces . . . or people couldn't find their way around . . . or the lighting just doesn't work . . . or acoustics make it so people can't hear intelligibly . . . or any one of a billion other hindrances that a bad space can put on a church.  Architecture CAN hinder ministry.  We'll visit this more in future posts.

Finally, what about rented facilities?  Quite frankly, Gary Lamb of Revolution Church is THE MAN on this one: "Portability is NOT an excuse."  If you find a rented space that creates the basic bones for your ministry, there is NOTHING you can't do to create "architecture" that will not hinder your ministry, and will in fact help it.  Revolutions's crew has been known to set up a catwalk in a movie theater and break it down before the movies begin! The environments Revolution Church create in a portable setting are unbelievable.  Creating these environments is a HUGE help to their ministry.  They are a church that targets disconnected men.  Men love to show up early and build stuff.  Men also like to destroy stuff (tear it down.)  The portability also gives the church the added layer of being able to "tailor" the architecture from series-to-series to maximize impact on an ongoing basis, rather than deal with a generic permanent canvas to suit their needs.

So, it's a long post, but there you have it: Architecture doesn’t matter inasmuch as it helps or hinders the ministry from taking place.

http://www.elements.nb.ca/theme/building/bill/lishman.htm

I do disagree slightly, however, with the seeming abject rejection of religion portrayed towards the end, myself having a psychedelic appreciation for the mysterious and the shamanic roots of Man's religions, but in the historical context of barriers to love and tools of oppression I totally understand his point.   Besides, the film's creator obviously has a deep spiritual streak, seen in the Krishnamurti, Ram Dass, Alan Watts, Ralph Metzner & Bill Hicks quotes he chooses.

The film is mainly guided by interviews with John Perkins and Jacque Fresco.  John Perkins is the author of "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," which has been regaled by many as a massively important and monumental book.  I never read it, despite it's many recommendations to me, so I was am very grateful for the crucial information he imparts in this film.   Jacque Fresco is delightful and ingenious architect, futurist and social engineer with a keen awareness of monetary systems.

I'm thrilled at the education and food-for-tought Zeitgeist Addendum will provide for the millions who will be watching it this coming year.

Large screen link.

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7065205277695921912&ei=YsHqSLPwCJjUqAOqg-GZCw&q=zeitgeist+addendum]

Boston is buidling a new branch library in Mattapan, designed by William Rawn Associates, doubled the size of the Hyde Park branch, designed by Schwartz/Silver Architects, and Hartford's downtown library renovation was designed by FCHM-S; Fletcher, Harkness, Cohen, Moneyhun-Stopfel.

Years ago, back in school, we attended a lecture by renowned architect Daniel Liebskind.  He showed a series of simple diagrams that categorized built-form into one of three categories relating to the Earth’s geometry.

A. Buildings that have a primary geometrical axis that is a tangent to the Earth’s geometry (thereby touching the Earth’s geometry at 1 point)
B. Buildings that have a primary geometrical axis that is a chord through the Earth’s geometry (thereby touching the Earth’s geometry at 2 points)
C. Buildings which have a primary geometrical axis that aligns with the Earth’s center (thereby touching the Earth’s geometry at 3 points).

Yeah we know... theoretical, heady, academic.  But it’s an interesting way to look at the built environment around us and it offers a different method to compare and contrast built-form.  We’ve rounded up five important examples of each category and an additional category of undecided projects.  To narrow down the possibilities we’ve added a few constraints: the examples had to be built and they had to be architecture (they had to keep the heat in and the rain out), and they had to be recent (realized within the last 15 years).  We’ve put on our black turtlenecks for this one so feel free to throw your theoretical tomatoes at us.  Or better yet – cast your vote for the undecided and post your favorite examples.

A. Tangent

Wilson House in Melbourne Australia by Denton Corker Marshall

[photo courtesy of Denton Corker Marshall]

Markia-Alderton House in Australia’s Northern Territory by Glen Murcutt

[photo courtesy of Glen Murcutt]

House in Bordeaux, France by OMA

[photo courtesy of OMA]

Algarve House in Portugal by Eduardo Souto Moura

[photo from Ten Houses by Rockport Publishing]

Casa Ponce in Buenos Aires by Mathias Klotz

[photo courtesy of Mathias Klotz]

B. Chord

Visiting Artists House by Jim Jennings

[photo courtesy of AIA Architect]

[photo by Joseph Readdy]

Seed bank on the island of Spitsbergen, Norway

Baiao House in Portugal by Eduardo Souto Moura

[photo from Ten Houses by Rockport Publishing]

Royal Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Dick van Gameren

[photo courtesy of Dick van Gameren]

Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park by Weiss Manfredi

[photo by Alan Berner]

C. Axis

Helical symmetry: Twisting Torso building in Malmö, Sweden by Santiago Calatrava

[photo by Ipso]

Radial symmetry: Agbar Tower in Barcelona by Jean Nouvel

[photo by  Mike Pevsner]

Radial symmetry: 30 St Mary Axe in London by Lord Norman Foster

[photo by WallyG]

Bilateral symmetry: Burj Al Arab Hotel Dubai

[photo by  H.Andras_xms]

Bilaterial & Radial symmetry: The Petrona Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by César Pelli

[photo by Thomas Evan]

Undecided These projects threw us off axis (pun intended) - we couldn't quite figure out which category they best fit into, or maybe they fit into multiple categories...

London City Hall by Lord Norman Foster

[photo by Purple Cloud]

Geodesic Dome, original deisign by Buckminster Fuller at Parc Parc La Villette by Bernard Tschumi

Nemo Museum in Amsterdam by Renzo Piano Building Workshop

[photo courtesy of Renzo Piano Building Workshop]

Seattle Public Library by OMA

[photo courtesy of OMA]