Vancouver and Chicago Interior Designers - Kalu Interiors Blog - All About Interior Design » architecture

The Olympic Oval

phyllis — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:00:39 +0000

Image from http://www.vancouver2010.com

Since many of you have already either been to or seen the new Richmond Olympic Oval, I thought I’d share some highlights of its architecture with you. Designed by Cannon Design, the Richmond Oval is located on 32 acres of city owned land and it was awarded a LEED certification rating of Silver (Green Building Designation) which is unusual for a building of this size.

During the Olympics it is the venue for speed skating and after the Olympics, it will become a centre for sports & wellness as well as the centrepiece of a new waterfront development featuring both residential and commercial areas.

The design of the Oval was inspired by the elegant Heron, which is also the official symbol for the City of Richmond and a common sight on the banks of the Fraser River in front of the Oval. The roof’s shape mimics that of the wing of a heron and is made of pine-beetle-kill-wood. The size of the roof, which is about 100 metres by 200 metres, is one of the largest clear spans in North America.

Here are some pictures of the amazing building! You gotta see it for yourself though!

Image from http://www.vancouver2010.com

[via: Arch Daily]

Meeting the GANG.

aleem — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:20:40 +0000

image from www.studiogang.net

Working in the design industry, and especially in the Architectural Capital of Chicago, you tend to rub shoulders with the who’s-who’s of the industry. It is always nice to mingle with architects, interior designers, industrial designers, artists etc… as it always helps to broaden your perspective of the design industry, and usually after a glass of wine or two tends to open up some unique perspectives.

image from www.metropolismag.com

To my luck, and without having to use my charm, I was fortunate to carry a decent-length conversation with my Architect-Idol= Jeanne Gang, Principal and Founder of Studio Gang Architects. *BLUSH* And If you don’t know her already, you should… Why? Because the Aqua Tower is the world’s largest skyscraper designed by a woman- Jeanne.

image form www.studiogang.net

Here’s a little about Jeanne… “Ms. Gang is principal and founder of Studio Gang. Ms. Gang leads design work of the office and fosters collaboration with team members, weaving both constraints and opportunities into the process. Ms. Gang has staked out new creative territory in materials, technology, and sustainability, and her work with Studio Gang has received national and international awards and recognition.”

image from en.wikipedia.org

Weigel Residence

phyllis — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:19 +0000

I’m loving this Weigel Residence by Substance Architecture! It is a 4000 square foot vacation home designed for a family of a couple with four young children. Located in Copper Mountain, Colorado, this home is a single storey building that allows the homeowners to “be in the woods” and to “see the mountains.”

Here are some pictures of the amazing home:

[via: Contemporist]

LA Fall House Tour

phyllis — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:05:15 +0000

Any architecture/ design buffs in LA on Sunday October 4? If so, I would recommend that you sign up for the AIA’s (American Institute of Architects) Los Angeles Fall Home Tour! You get to visit 4 amazing contemporary homes in the LA Manhattan Beach area. The architects will even be around to answer questions about the designs.

Of the 4 homes my personal favorite was the Rogers-Sturz Residence by Michael Lee Architects. Here is some information about the house :

The primary living spaces of this 2,300 square foot, two-story house are oriented toward a central courtyard that separates the garage—with a guest suite on top—from the main house. Large sliding-glass “walls” will open to make the living room and courtyard one contiguous space. An office looks to a front-yard garden and above it the second-story master suite has its own south-facing deck. Projecting, somewhat exaggerated eaves protect the entry and master suite from the south sun and provide dynamic sculptural composition as one enters the home. An intimate entry space leads to a dramatic double-height living room with exposed structural steel and floor-to-ceiling glass. Twin stairs lined with bookcases lead to the bedrooms and become a striking wall of built-in furniture.

Here are some pics of the house!

Image from http://www.mleearchitects.com

Barcelona?

phyllis — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:00:48 +0000

Sagrada Familia - Barcelona

My husband and I went to Barcelona back in 2006 as part of our honeymoon. Barcelona is a great city with so many great sites and friendly people. One of the strangest things we encountered there was the Gaudi architecture. Antoni Gaudi was an architect in Barcelona in the late 1800′s and his works are throughout Barcelona. His works are stunning in person….his Sagrada Familia made our jaws drop. What do you think of his work? Masterpiece? or Atrocious?

Casa Batllo - Barcelona

Casa Mila - Barcelona