Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Oxford University architecture
I've realized that the majority of my visually aesthetic posts have been about Austin and while that is interesting, I would like to expand and show images from around the world. Because the content on this blog needs to be taken and produced by me mostly, I am going to show you pictures from my experiences abroad last summer.
This past summer, I spent six weeks studying abroad at Oxford University. For those of you who have read or seen Harry Potter, I am here to tell you that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry does exist. There are stone dormitories, little shops and amazing architecture everywhere.
Wadham College
This is the interior quad of the college I stayed at. This main quad was the first example of “Jacobean architecture”, which was later adopted by most of Oxford University’s buildings. Symmetrical with the square construction is an interior grassy lawn, which students are not permitted to walk on — it is entirely aesthetic.
Hertford Bridge commonly called the Bride of Sighs
The Hertford Bridge is often called the Bridge of Sighs because of its resemblance to the famous bridge in Venice, Italy. The bridge links together the old and new quadrangles of Hertford College. The covered bridge was completed in 1914 and has been putting visitors at awe ever since.
Christ Church College
Christ Church college is typically viewed as the most prestigious and aristocratic of all the colleges at Oxford. The design for Hogwarts, which J.K. Rowling imagined, was based on Christ Church. Notable alumni of Christ Church include John Locke, Albert Einstein, King Edward VII, William Penn and Bryan Guinness (for all you lager lovers out there). Ceiling moldings at Christ Church
Upon entering Christ Church it is nearly impossible to focus your attention on any one detail. However, if you look up for a moment you will notice intricate designed concrete moldings on the ceilings. It is this beautiful attention to detail that separates Christ Church from many of the other Oxford colleges.
Courtyard at Christ Church
When imagining a Harry Potter quidditch field, J.K. Rowling looked no further than the Christ Church courtyard. There are no barriers between your view across its immense expanse to the other side of the building. Christ Church is one of the few colleges in Oxford you have to pay an admission fee to enter, but it is well worth it.
Dormitory at Christ Church
Hope this post was interesting. I’m off to watch Harry Potter now :)
This is the interior quad of the college I stayed at. This main quad was the first example of “Jacobean architecture”, which was later adopted by most of Oxford University’s buildings. Symmetrical with the square construction is an interior grassy lawn, which students are not permitted to walk on — it is entirely aesthetic.
Hertford Bridge commonly called the Bride of Sighs
The Hertford Bridge is often called the Bridge of Sighs because of its resemblance to the famous bridge in Venice, Italy. The bridge links together the old and new quadrangles of Hertford College. The covered bridge was completed in 1914 and has been putting visitors at awe ever since.
Christ Church College
Christ Church college is typically viewed as the most prestigious and aristocratic of all the colleges at Oxford. The design for Hogwarts, which J.K. Rowling imagined, was based on Christ Church. Notable alumni of Christ Church include John Locke, Albert Einstein, King Edward VII, William Penn and Bryan Guinness (for all you lager lovers out there). Ceiling moldings at Christ Church
Upon entering Christ Church it is nearly impossible to focus your attention on any one detail. However, if you look up for a moment you will notice intricate designed concrete moldings on the ceilings. It is this beautiful attention to detail that separates Christ Church from many of the other Oxford colleges.
Courtyard at Christ Church
When imagining a Harry Potter quidditch field, J.K. Rowling looked no further than the Christ Church courtyard. There are no barriers between your view across its immense expanse to the other side of the building. Christ Church is one of the few colleges in Oxford you have to pay an admission fee to enter, but it is well worth it.
Dormitory at Christ Church
Hope this post was interesting. I’m off to watch Harry Potter now :)
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
HMS Titanic Centennial
100 year ago today, the RMS Titanic, which was deemed unsinkable and was the largest ship of its time, set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City, NY. On April 14, 1912 at 11:40 pm, the British passenger liner struck an iceberg and sank almost three hours later killing 1,514 people. Only 710 people survived to recall the disaster.
The RMS Titanic has become a fascination with modern day historians, filmmakers, curators and artists, who attempt to piece together the events of that fateful night and illustrate its importance in history. After leaving Southampton on April 10, 1912, the Titanic stopped at Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland before departing toward New York.
Despite receiving warnings from other ships in the area of drifting ice, there were no reported incidents on the ship during its first three days at sea, so the Titanic continued to sail full speed ahead. By the time the iceberg was spotted on the night of the 14th, the ship was too close to completely go around it or put the ship into reverse. The starboard side scraped the iceberg causing the watertight compartments on the ship’s lower floors to be flooded. Captain Edward John Smith began ordering emergency evacuations of the Titanic.
The 46,000-ton ship, which is now settled at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, has been revisited via submarines a number of times by explorers, scientists, tourists and salvagers recovering pieces of the ship and debris.
In honor of its centennial, a memorial cruise departed from Southampton today with 1,300 passengers aboard – some of whom even dressed in period costumes from the early 1900s. Also on the memorial ship were relatives of those who survived the Titanic in 1912. The cruise is scheduled to last for 12 days and will include meals from the Titanic’s original menus and a five-piece band that will perform pieces from that era.
The Titanic had only enough lifeboats to save 1,178 people despite carrying twice that number of people on her journey to New York City. Technically, the Titanic was within the regulations at the time, which only required British vessels to carry 16 lifeboats with a capacity of 990 passengers.
There were a number of prominent, first-class millionaires aboard the ship, who died in the wreck including: John Jacob Astor IV, the millionaire owner of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City; Benjamin Guggenheim, a wealthy American businessman; and, Ida and Isidor Straus, who was co-owner of the Macy’s department store.
Eyewitness accounts from the night have said that Ida refused to get on the lifeboat without Isidor. She was heard saying, “I will not be separated from my husband. As we have lived, so will we die together.” The two were last seen sitting on top of the deck holding hands when a large wave swept them to sea.
This couple was memorialized in James Cameron’s 1997 movie, Titanic, as the elderly couple comforting each other in their bed as the ship sinks. Cameron’s Oscar-winning movie was rereleased on April 6, 2012 in 3D in honor of the 100-year anniversary.
In memory of those who lost their lives aboard the Titanic a century ago, a crew from the U.S. Coast Guard departed Boston, MA today with 1.5 million red rose petals to cover the water directly above where the ship lies. Kevin Boland, the bishop emeritus of Savannah, GA, blessed the petals with holy water before they were carried out to the ocean.
Some might wonder why the sinking of the Titanic has led to a century of fascination in the ocean liner. It was more than a minor accident in the middle of an ocean 100 years ago. It was the catalyst for a series of changes in maritime safety and improvements in regulations. Only 31 percent of the passengers on the ship survived causing incredible uproar and outrage from the public. This manmade vessel of immense power and promise for the future of progressive mechanics was a symbol of hope, but it only survived five days at sea. Society is enthralled with the Titanic because it is a reminder of mankind’s fragility even when things seem “unsinkable.”
The RMS Titanic has become a fascination with modern day historians, filmmakers, curators and artists, who attempt to piece together the events of that fateful night and illustrate its importance in history. After leaving Southampton on April 10, 1912, the Titanic stopped at Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland before departing toward New York.
Despite receiving warnings from other ships in the area of drifting ice, there were no reported incidents on the ship during its first three days at sea, so the Titanic continued to sail full speed ahead. By the time the iceberg was spotted on the night of the 14th, the ship was too close to completely go around it or put the ship into reverse. The starboard side scraped the iceberg causing the watertight compartments on the ship’s lower floors to be flooded. Captain Edward John Smith began ordering emergency evacuations of the Titanic.
The 46,000-ton ship, which is now settled at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, has been revisited via submarines a number of times by explorers, scientists, tourists and salvagers recovering pieces of the ship and debris.
In honor of its centennial, a memorial cruise departed from Southampton today with 1,300 passengers aboard – some of whom even dressed in period costumes from the early 1900s. Also on the memorial ship were relatives of those who survived the Titanic in 1912. The cruise is scheduled to last for 12 days and will include meals from the Titanic’s original menus and a five-piece band that will perform pieces from that era.
The Titanic had only enough lifeboats to save 1,178 people despite carrying twice that number of people on her journey to New York City. Technically, the Titanic was within the regulations at the time, which only required British vessels to carry 16 lifeboats with a capacity of 990 passengers.
There were a number of prominent, first-class millionaires aboard the ship, who died in the wreck including: John Jacob Astor IV, the millionaire owner of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City; Benjamin Guggenheim, a wealthy American businessman; and, Ida and Isidor Straus, who was co-owner of the Macy’s department store.
Eyewitness accounts from the night have said that Ida refused to get on the lifeboat without Isidor. She was heard saying, “I will not be separated from my husband. As we have lived, so will we die together.” The two were last seen sitting on top of the deck holding hands when a large wave swept them to sea.
This couple was memorialized in James Cameron’s 1997 movie, Titanic, as the elderly couple comforting each other in their bed as the ship sinks. Cameron’s Oscar-winning movie was rereleased on April 6, 2012 in 3D in honor of the 100-year anniversary.
In memory of those who lost their lives aboard the Titanic a century ago, a crew from the U.S. Coast Guard departed Boston, MA today with 1.5 million red rose petals to cover the water directly above where the ship lies. Kevin Boland, the bishop emeritus of Savannah, GA, blessed the petals with holy water before they were carried out to the ocean.
Some might wonder why the sinking of the Titanic has led to a century of fascination in the ocean liner. It was more than a minor accident in the middle of an ocean 100 years ago. It was the catalyst for a series of changes in maritime safety and improvements in regulations. Only 31 percent of the passengers on the ship survived causing incredible uproar and outrage from the public. This manmade vessel of immense power and promise for the future of progressive mechanics was a symbol of hope, but it only survived five days at sea. Society is enthralled with the Titanic because it is a reminder of mankind’s fragility even when things seem “unsinkable.”
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Architecture to see around the world
There is a world of amazing architecture awaiting you. Book a ticket, hop on a plane and go and see one now! Enjoy the map and images
View Architecture around the world in a larger map
View Architecture around the world in a larger map
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Importance of Architecture
Some personal thoughts on architecture's connection to humanity:
Architecture in its truest sense is ultimately for human use and enjoyment. Therefore, humanism and architecture go hand in hand. Humanism is a philosophy centered on human values that asserts dignity, reason and the inherent worth of mankind while architecture is the design and construction of structures for human use and connection. It is so important to find a balance between the two.
There is one building I have always wanted to see when I make my first visit to Amsterdam: The Beurs van Berlage.
I think this is a perfect example of a humanistic and architecturally brilliant building because of its specific purpose and need in society addressed through its design and construction. When designing the Beurs van Berlage, many architects competed to construct the new stock exchange center for Amsterdam. After much discussion, Hendrik Berlage was chosen. It was not Berlage's impressive architecture skills which won the project, but more so the fact that his design fully encompassed the needs of the people and the uses the building would provide to individuals in the Amsterdam community.
The Beurs van Berlage was clearly grounded on human values as shown in the above picture of the main room. The main room, the largest of all the rooms, was used for trading and thus was the most open room to accommodate the needs of all the people. A small, closed space would not have been humanistic because it would have been functional for the community's need. The location of the building situated on the Amstel River in the center of Amsterdam is easily accessible and available to the community. The brick and iron used on the exterior of the building project a feeling of comfort and authority. The building is strong and sturdy with thick materials, but uses the warm colors of red, yellow and blue to create a comfortable and, once again, a humanistic feel.
Beyond the mere function of the main room, it is important for buildings to have a sense of human presence and scale -- anything too imposing or cold results in less activity and the hindering of human relationships within the space. I remember talking about this building in an introductory architecture class I took two years ago. We remarked on how the materials and colors used throughout the building are uniform, which create a continuity and unification of the building as a whole. I have yet to visit Amsterdam, but when I do, the Beurs van Berlage will be my first stop!
Architecture in its truest sense is ultimately for human use and enjoyment. Therefore, humanism and architecture go hand in hand. Humanism is a philosophy centered on human values that asserts dignity, reason and the inherent worth of mankind while architecture is the design and construction of structures for human use and connection. It is so important to find a balance between the two.
There is one building I have always wanted to see when I make my first visit to Amsterdam: The Beurs van Berlage.
I think this is a perfect example of a humanistic and architecturally brilliant building because of its specific purpose and need in society addressed through its design and construction. When designing the Beurs van Berlage, many architects competed to construct the new stock exchange center for Amsterdam. After much discussion, Hendrik Berlage was chosen. It was not Berlage's impressive architecture skills which won the project, but more so the fact that his design fully encompassed the needs of the people and the uses the building would provide to individuals in the Amsterdam community.
The Beurs van Berlage was clearly grounded on human values as shown in the above picture of the main room. The main room, the largest of all the rooms, was used for trading and thus was the most open room to accommodate the needs of all the people. A small, closed space would not have been humanistic because it would have been functional for the community's need. The location of the building situated on the Amstel River in the center of Amsterdam is easily accessible and available to the community. The brick and iron used on the exterior of the building project a feeling of comfort and authority. The building is strong and sturdy with thick materials, but uses the warm colors of red, yellow and blue to create a comfortable and, once again, a humanistic feel.
Beyond the mere function of the main room, it is important for buildings to have a sense of human presence and scale -- anything too imposing or cold results in less activity and the hindering of human relationships within the space. I remember talking about this building in an introductory architecture class I took two years ago. We remarked on how the materials and colors used throughout the building are uniform, which create a continuity and unification of the building as a whole. I have yet to visit Amsterdam, but when I do, the Beurs van Berlage will be my first stop!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A Brief History of Austin Geography & Architecture
Today, downtown Austin is home to dozens of high rise buildings, Interstate-35, nearly 100 nightclubs and bars and almost 6,000 residents, according to a City of Austin survey.
It is hard to image that only 140 years ago, the entire city of Austin consisted of today's downtown, a 14 x 14 block grid. The city's first perimeters stretched from 1st to 15th street and I-35 to West Avenue.
In 1838, as the Republic of Texas looked for a new capital, Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar decided to move the government from Houston to the new settlement of Austin. By 1840, the town's population had grown to 850 people.
I could never do justice to detail for you the history of Austin's architecture and geography as much as pictures can. The following pictures are courtesy of the Austin Public Library and Austin Postcard.
1888 Austin:
1913 Austin:
1930 Austin:
1950s East Avenue location before I-35 was constructed:
1972 Austin:
As you can see, Austin has been rapidly growing and changing to accommodate a higher influx of residents since 1888. According to an Austin-American Statesman article, Austin is the nation's second fastest growing metro area between April 2010 and July 2011. Austin's metro population is now 1.78 million. If you think traffic is bad now, just wait until more people start arriving!
It is hard to image that only 140 years ago, the entire city of Austin consisted of today's downtown, a 14 x 14 block grid. The city's first perimeters stretched from 1st to 15th street and I-35 to West Avenue.
I could never do justice to detail for you the history of Austin's architecture and geography as much as pictures can. The following pictures are courtesy of the Austin Public Library and Austin Postcard.
1888 Austin:
1913 Austin:
1930 Austin:
1950s East Avenue location before I-35 was constructed:
1972 Austin:
As you can see, Austin has been rapidly growing and changing to accommodate a higher influx of residents since 1888. According to an Austin-American Statesman article, Austin is the nation's second fastest growing metro area between April 2010 and July 2011. Austin's metro population is now 1.78 million. If you think traffic is bad now, just wait until more people start arriving!
Art around campus
Design is not simply architecture; It is art and structures. UT Landmarks Public Art program has installed public art structures and galleries around campus. Take a look at this map and go and visit a couple of them. It's free!
View Art at UT in a larger map
View Art at UT in a larger map
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Places of worship around UT
Have you ever noticed how many religious places of worship sit on the borders of the University of Texas - Austin campus? I spent the afternoon walking around campus locating and photographing the architecture of each church or synagogue, which students frequent regularly. The designs of each of them are surprisingly unique, and you might be surprised at just how many religious establishments there are next to the expansive public university.
University Catholic Center
The University Catholic Center is located at 2010 University Ave, Austin, TX. The center includes a large chapel, a small Blessed Sacrament chapel, a conference room, kitchen, a library and several offices and classrooms. The outside is significantly more modern looking than many of the other places of worship near campus. The rectangular shaped building has symmetrical windows on all sides of the building to provide ample natural light, and the exterior is divided into a half-stucco and half-stone material.
University Christian Church
The University Christian Church is located at 2007 University Avenue, Austin, TX. According to the UCC website, the exterior stone of the building was quarried from Cedar Park and the bases' trim is a Cordova cream cut limestone. The Sanctuary, the tower-like central structure with Gothic architecture, rises 62 feet above University Avenue.
University United Methodist Church
The University United Methodist Church is located at 2409 Guadalupe, Austin, TX. The church was opened in 1887 and stood as only a small chapel. Today, it has been renovated a number of times, most recently in 2008, and contains a sanctuary, a chapel and an Early Childhood center. The sanctuary has the capacity to fit 850 people, the chapel can fit 85 people and the Childhood center cares for children aged 2 months to five years old. The outside has a blend of Gothic architecture and Southwestern tones.
All Saints' Episcopal Church
All Saints' Episcopal Church has some of the most contradictory architecture in one building. Located at 209 W. 22nd St, Austin, TX, the chapel is built entirely of gray stones with intermittent stained glass windows and spires on the roof, while the back of the church is similar to Mies van der Rohe - simple, gray and modern design. The reason for the discrepancy is the chapel was constructed in 1899 and the back, modern portion was built in 1952 to function as a day school for children. Personally, I think the building would have been nicer if it was more uniform in style with the architecture of the chapel, but perhaps they saved the money on design to help others in need.
Austin Presbyterian
Located at 100 E. 27th St, Austin, TX, the Austin Presbyterian chapel was founded in 1902 along with the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The Shelton Chapel is the pictured building and stands prominently down Wichita St. This tall tower is very similar to the one seen at University Christian Church. The steeples have been cut short and instead, the prominence is in the actual height of the burnt-orange bricked tower. It is definitely worth taking a look at if you are near campus!
University Baptist Church
The University Baptist Church is located at 2130 Guadalupe, Austin, TX. The sanctuary was completed in 1921 and contains the Fellowship hall, Bible study rooms, pastoral offices and the Sanctuary. Much like the All Saints' Episcopal church, the back of this church has been allocated to an Education Building and a children's Sunday school.
St. Austin Catholic Church
The St. Austin Catholic Church is located at 2026 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX and the church was founded in 1908. The church features a simple layout on the inside with mostly natural light and stained glass windows. Attached to its right is a Pre-K through 8th grade school. The facade of the church is simple, much like the University Catholic Center. There are no intricate stone details on the outside.
Texas Hillel
Built in 2006, the Texas Hillel located at 2105 San Antonio St, Austin, TX, spans 18,000 feet. Inside lies multi-purpose rooms for dining, classes, meetings, studying and holding worship services. The newest and most modern of all worship facilities around campus, the aesthetically pleasing structure does not look like a traditional place of worship on the outside. Behind the Hillel is Austin's only Orthodox-supervised commercial kosher kitchen called Lucy's European Cuisine.
University Lutheran Church
The University Lutheran Church is located at 2100 San Antonio St, Austin, TX. If the exterior cross and the name of the church were removed, this building could easily be passed as anything but a place of worship. Much like many of the other churches around campus, there is a focus on natural light and, thus this building provides rows of windows to allow for this.
University Presbyterian Church
The University Presbyterian Church is located at 2203 San Antonio St, Austin, TX. The building was constructed in the 1950s and the inside was renovated to be covered with finished sheetrock. There is an impressive pipe organ in the Chancel in the sanctuary. The red tiled roof and burnt orange brick matches the buildings on campus making it cohesive and balanced. There are also stain glass windows like many of the Christian-based churches around campus.
(Side Note: The following places of worship located within two blocks of campus were not photographed:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Nueces Mosque
University Avenue Church of Christ)
University Catholic Center
The University Catholic Center is located at 2010 University Ave, Austin, TX. The center includes a large chapel, a small Blessed Sacrament chapel, a conference room, kitchen, a library and several offices and classrooms. The outside is significantly more modern looking than many of the other places of worship near campus. The rectangular shaped building has symmetrical windows on all sides of the building to provide ample natural light, and the exterior is divided into a half-stucco and half-stone material.
University Christian Church
The University Christian Church is located at 2007 University Avenue, Austin, TX. According to the UCC website, the exterior stone of the building was quarried from Cedar Park and the bases' trim is a Cordova cream cut limestone. The Sanctuary, the tower-like central structure with Gothic architecture, rises 62 feet above University Avenue.
University United Methodist Church
The University United Methodist Church is located at 2409 Guadalupe, Austin, TX. The church was opened in 1887 and stood as only a small chapel. Today, it has been renovated a number of times, most recently in 2008, and contains a sanctuary, a chapel and an Early Childhood center. The sanctuary has the capacity to fit 850 people, the chapel can fit 85 people and the Childhood center cares for children aged 2 months to five years old. The outside has a blend of Gothic architecture and Southwestern tones.
All Saints' Episcopal Church
All Saints' Episcopal Church has some of the most contradictory architecture in one building. Located at 209 W. 22nd St, Austin, TX, the chapel is built entirely of gray stones with intermittent stained glass windows and spires on the roof, while the back of the church is similar to Mies van der Rohe - simple, gray and modern design. The reason for the discrepancy is the chapel was constructed in 1899 and the back, modern portion was built in 1952 to function as a day school for children. Personally, I think the building would have been nicer if it was more uniform in style with the architecture of the chapel, but perhaps they saved the money on design to help others in need.
Austin Presbyterian
Located at 100 E. 27th St, Austin, TX, the Austin Presbyterian chapel was founded in 1902 along with the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The Shelton Chapel is the pictured building and stands prominently down Wichita St. This tall tower is very similar to the one seen at University Christian Church. The steeples have been cut short and instead, the prominence is in the actual height of the burnt-orange bricked tower. It is definitely worth taking a look at if you are near campus!
University Baptist Church
The University Baptist Church is located at 2130 Guadalupe, Austin, TX. The sanctuary was completed in 1921 and contains the Fellowship hall, Bible study rooms, pastoral offices and the Sanctuary. Much like the All Saints' Episcopal church, the back of this church has been allocated to an Education Building and a children's Sunday school.
St. Austin Catholic Church
The St. Austin Catholic Church is located at 2026 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX and the church was founded in 1908. The church features a simple layout on the inside with mostly natural light and stained glass windows. Attached to its right is a Pre-K through 8th grade school. The facade of the church is simple, much like the University Catholic Center. There are no intricate stone details on the outside.
Texas Hillel
Built in 2006, the Texas Hillel located at 2105 San Antonio St, Austin, TX, spans 18,000 feet. Inside lies multi-purpose rooms for dining, classes, meetings, studying and holding worship services. The newest and most modern of all worship facilities around campus, the aesthetically pleasing structure does not look like a traditional place of worship on the outside. Behind the Hillel is Austin's only Orthodox-supervised commercial kosher kitchen called Lucy's European Cuisine.
University Lutheran Church
The University Lutheran Church is located at 2100 San Antonio St, Austin, TX. If the exterior cross and the name of the church were removed, this building could easily be passed as anything but a place of worship. Much like many of the other churches around campus, there is a focus on natural light and, thus this building provides rows of windows to allow for this.
University Presbyterian Church
The University Presbyterian Church is located at 2203 San Antonio St, Austin, TX. The building was constructed in the 1950s and the inside was renovated to be covered with finished sheetrock. There is an impressive pipe organ in the Chancel in the sanctuary. The red tiled roof and burnt orange brick matches the buildings on campus making it cohesive and balanced. There are also stain glass windows like many of the Christian-based churches around campus.
(Side Note: The following places of worship located within two blocks of campus were not photographed:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Nueces Mosque
University Avenue Church of Christ)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe
Have you noticed the Google heading on today's homepage? Google is celebrating the 126th anniversary of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's birth. Mies died in 1969, but not before creating some beautiful neoclassical and modern architecture. It has been said that Mies strived to depict the progressive changes in technology and production through his architecture. The Germany-born architect answered this calling by designing a number of "less is more" styled buildings including
Farnsworth Housein Plano, Illinois
Barcelona Pavilion in Barcelona, Spain.
and
Seagram Building in New York City, New York.
As you can see, his buildings, which were completed between 1920 and 1960, were minimal and built with industrial steel and plate glass. He was often quoted as saying that his architecture could be simplistic because "God is in the details." The building used as the Google icon is
S.R. Crown Hall
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Landscape Architecture
In my opinion, there is as much beauty in landscape architecture as there is in construction and building architecture. As landscape architecture continues to develop, so does the style in which it is designed and created. I have always had an attraction to gardens and the individual beauty in each landscape and park. There are many different styles of landscape architecture and each style -- modern, picturesque, french baroque -- suits unique settings.
Take for example, Sea Ranch. Sea Ranch is a planned community located in Sonoma, California near Mendocino. It was constructed between 1966 and 1970 and was designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and Charles Moore. Sea Ranch is not merely a park or garden, but rather a community and neighborhood built directly on the coastal cliffs of California for full-time and visiting residents. The development is ten miles long and spans 5,200 acres.
This landscape fascinates me because the buildings and homes are built directly into the landscape and follow the topography of their surroundings. It goes so far as to include the materials of the houses and construction of the buildings so the community is uniform and one with nature.
Lawrence Halprin understood the toll the weather would take on the architecture specifically wind from the ocean, repeated clashing of waves and the steep cliffs. Halprin embraced this topographic reality and designed the site completely around these natural settings.
Halprin designed this neighborhood to be more like a community rather than a specific park. My favorite park is Regent's Park in London, England.
Regent's Park was originally planned for private villas, but eventually opened as a park and garden to the public and now contains a number of entertainment sites. The Regent's Park was clearly designed for this space within London. The design is bold, unique and extravagant unlike Sea Ranch.
There is a real sense of calm and peace in this park, which are feelings indicative of a successful park. The landscape complements that of London, while also provided an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
What is your favorite piece of landscape architecture?
Take for example, Sea Ranch. Sea Ranch is a planned community located in Sonoma, California near Mendocino. It was constructed between 1966 and 1970 and was designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and Charles Moore. Sea Ranch is not merely a park or garden, but rather a community and neighborhood built directly on the coastal cliffs of California for full-time and visiting residents. The development is ten miles long and spans 5,200 acres.
Lawrence Halprin understood the toll the weather would take on the architecture specifically wind from the ocean, repeated clashing of waves and the steep cliffs. Halprin embraced this topographic reality and designed the site completely around these natural settings.
Halprin designed this neighborhood to be more like a community rather than a specific park. My favorite park is Regent's Park in London, England.
Regent's Park was originally planned for private villas, but eventually opened as a park and garden to the public and now contains a number of entertainment sites. The Regent's Park was clearly designed for this space within London. The design is bold, unique and extravagant unlike Sea Ranch.
There is a real sense of calm and peace in this park, which are feelings indicative of a successful park. The landscape complements that of London, while also provided an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
What is your favorite piece of landscape architecture?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Larry Speck: Changing Buildings and Student's Lives
It is a Saturday afternoon and Professor Lawrence Speck is sitting in his office at Goldsmith Hall meeting with students for extra office hours. The previous day, he was standing on a job site of a home he designed in Santa Fe along with a team of contractors, superintendents and consultants.
A seasoned professor, Speck first started teaching as a teaching assistant and subsequently as an adjunct faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he completed three degrees – a bachelor’s degree in art and design, a bachelor’s degree in management and a master’s degree in architecture. In 1975, he moved to Austin and began teaching at the University of Texas. Less than twenty years later, Speck became the dean of the School of Architecture, a position he held until 2001.
Still, despite his expansive resume of impressive accomplishments, Speck sits in his office on this Saturday afternoon wearing a casual t-shirt and blue jeans and chatting with students in a relaxed and approachable manner. This native Texan has certainly come a long way from his hometown in the Gulf Coast of Texas, where the total population was 900.
Speck has always had both a teaching career and a practicing career and, in his opinion, it is because of this that both professions have excelled and complemented each other. “I’m a way better teacher because I practice it. I do it. I know what it’s like. And, I think I’m a way better practitioner because the University is always pushing the edges, provoking new ideas and stimulating you in a way that practice doesn’t actually do. So it’s been a great combination for me,” he said.
Perhaps the most prevalent aspect of Speck’s demeanor is the pride he exudes in everything he says and does. He beams with pride as he discusses his son’s successful career as a lawyer in Chicago, his affinity for travel, his aspirations for the future, his kindred bond with architecture and his connection to UT.
“I just love what I do everyday. I mean there is no external motivation I have to apply. It’s just, why would you not want to do fun things? I mean honestly, I can’t imagine a better job than interacting with all these college students, who are smart and interesting and ambitious and fun to be with. Who would not want to get up in the morning and go interact with a bunch of college students? I love that.”
Though Speck admits that his schedule is “nuts” and every week he is traveling, teaching, building, and giving public speeches on behalf of professional organizations, he does not feel exhausted. Instead, he feels energized and focused on his goals of writing two more books, in addition to the three he already has published, and his aspirations to continue to build better buildings.
The former dean, who headed the School of Architecture before Speck adopted the position, gave him the best advice in his life thus far. He said to him, “Larry, you’ve got a really promising future, but what you’ve got to do is learn to let other people help you because you’re going to limit yourself if you feel like you have to do it all yourself. So, in whatever you’re doing, you need to enlist other people to help you do what you have to do.” While he still admits to being a little bit of a “control freak,” Speck has resolved that collaborating with talented people stimulates you and makes all your work more productive.
While architecture and teaching energize his spirit, it is traveling the world that feeds his soul. His love of travel spawned from a family trip he took to Mexico City when he was 12. It was the first time Speck had been out of the country, and he rode across the border to Mexico’s capital with his parents, his older brother and his two younger sisters.
“I just loved that trip. I could tell you specific days, what we did, what we had for lunch, everything. I still remember it,” he thought to himself retrospectively. “We went out to Teotihuacan, which is this pre-Columbian site and it had just been an amazing day seeing these pyramids, these great pre-Columbian pyramids. Then, we stayed so long. We stayed way too long and I can remember there were people selling serapes and things like that around.”
On their drive back to the city, his family was looking for a restaurant to eat dinner, but it was so late that nothing was open. Finally, his dad stopped at a place, which they thought was a restaurant, but in fact was somebody’s house that was lit up. The owner of the home invited Speck and his family in and made them dinner. “And you know, wow, just as a 12-year old kid, I was like ‘Woah! We’re not in Texas anymore!” he recalls.
He later lived in Paris for four weeks in college and has been traveling the globe ever since. India, Asia and Paris are his favorite destinations at the moment, but the Sydney Opera House is his favorite piece of architecture in the world. “That one just, it moves my soul for sure. That’s really special.”
In his mind, traveling is the biggest learning experience you can ever have. There is no routine or boredom, just so many opportunities to learn, especially about architecture. “It’s just new stimulation and your brain is working faster, harder, more vigorously in these new situations. I totally feel that when I travel. I never feel more alive than when I’m traveling. It’s just like everyday is full and rich. It’s just amazing,” he said as he exuded excitement just talking about it.
It is this excitement and attention to the beauty in the world that is translated into his teaching on campus. The lessons, which he learns so well when traveling, he relays in his lectures to better benefit the students and their understanding of the world. He acknowledges that architecture is an interdisciplinary field, with parallels in multiple fields and interests, but this is what he loves most about it. “It’s just…it is the world. What my discipline is, is just looking at the whole world and I love that.”
To view pictures of Larry Speck's work and to learn more about him, please visit his website.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
UT plans Tower's 75th anniversary
UT’s Heritage Society hosted a celebration on Monday in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Tower. In the 1930s, UT hired an architect from the University of Pennsylvania named Paul Cret to design and construct a long-term main building on campus. Cret decided he wanted a library to be the focal point of the campus, but due to the Great Depression he had to build the main building in parts. The main building was formerly established on February 27, 1937. Today’s Life Science library was the original library on campus, housing all the books for students and faculty. In 1963, the Undergraduate Library and Academic Center was created followed by the Perry-Castañeda library in 1977 after the number of books and students increased on campus.
Monday, February 20, 2012
There is something so beautiful about skyscrapers. Dating back to the Great Pyramid of Giza, people have been awed and inspired to build structures roughly 80 times their size. With the power of modern engineering, technology and human invention, skyscrapers continue to grow taller and more architecturally aesthetic.
The tallest building in Austin is the Austonian building downtown, which stands 683 feet tall. This residential building spans 56 floors and asides from skyscrapers in Dallas and Houston, it is the tallest all-residential building in the state of Texas.
However, the Austonian looks like considerably smaller than most other skyscrapers in the world. Take for example, the Empire State Building in New York City. It was built in 1931 and stands 1,454 feet tall, making it the tallest building in the world between 1931 and 1972. In the early 1930s, the cost to construct the building was $40,948,900, which would be the equivalent of about $500 million today). Since the 70s, the competition to build taller buildings has increased steadily. The north tower of the World Trade Center passed the Empire State Building in height standing at 1,494 feet tall.
Today, the tallest man-made skyscraper is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which was completed in 2010 and stands at 2,723 feet tall.
The project cost $1.5 billion to complete and contains the world’s highest mosque, the world’s highest nightclub, the world’s highest restaurant and the world’s highest observation desk. What is our infatuation with building taller and taller? How long until the Burj Khalifa’s height is surpassed?
The tallest building in Austin is the Austonian building downtown, which stands 683 feet tall. This residential building spans 56 floors and asides from skyscrapers in Dallas and Houston, it is the tallest all-residential building in the state of Texas.
However, the Austonian looks like considerably smaller than most other skyscrapers in the world. Take for example, the Empire State Building in New York City. It was built in 1931 and stands 1,454 feet tall, making it the tallest building in the world between 1931 and 1972. In the early 1930s, the cost to construct the building was $40,948,900, which would be the equivalent of about $500 million today). Since the 70s, the competition to build taller buildings has increased steadily. The north tower of the World Trade Center passed the Empire State Building in height standing at 1,494 feet tall.
Today, the tallest man-made skyscraper is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which was completed in 2010 and stands at 2,723 feet tall.
The project cost $1.5 billion to complete and contains the world’s highest mosque, the world’s highest nightclub, the world’s highest restaurant and the world’s highest observation desk. What is our infatuation with building taller and taller? How long until the Burj Khalifa’s height is surpassed?
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