Archinect - News

Barnes' bad move in Philadelphia

2013-10-11T15:11:00-04:00

Now, as just one more downtown tourist site lined up on the Ben Franklin Parkway, the Barnes "presents itself more as a historical artifact in an artificial, and not especially resonant, environment."

Now that the Barnes Foundation has been in its conventional, museum-like new building in downtown Philadelphia for more than a year, one local critic is having second thoughts about the place.

Editor's Picks #264

2012-05-14T11:59:00-04:00

The latest Showcase feature profiles the Summer House in Austria by Judith Benzer Architektur, the design of which is oriented by the cubature of the Kellerstöckel (wine house), typical of the Southern Burgenland region. stroke123 liked it but wondered "how does the roof shed water? Waterproof membrane and concealed gutters and downspouts?".

The latest Showcase feature profiles the Summer House in Austria by Judith Benzer Architektur, the design of which is oriented by the cubature of the Kellerstöckel (wine house), typical of the Southern Burgenland region. I particularly loved the detailing for sharp edges of the cubature which are formed by copper corner plates. stroke123 liked it but wondered "how does the roof shed water? Waterproof membrane and concealed gutters and downspouts?". While Andrew Chaveas complemented the "great compilation/composition of materials" yet still thought H&dM has a better commentary on the "house", here referring to that firm’s House in Leymen.

For the latest In Focus interview Archinect spoke with American architectural photographer Brad Feinknopf, who has shot over 100 AIA Award winning projects.

News
London's Serpentine Gallery released plans for the 2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei. Although the original design announcement "descr...

By itself, the gallery structure is ravishing

2012-05-12T12:09:00-04:00

while there are many moments of breathtaking refinement, and the galleries themselves are a revelation, the result is sadly - no, tragically - a long way from being a successful addition to the city.

Inga Saffron reviews the new building, and the relocated Albert Barnes Foundation, by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.

The New Barnes Foundation Building: Soulful, Self-assured, and Soaked with Light

2012-05-07T14:18:00-04:00

Beginning on May 19th, people will see the Barnes collection not where Barnes intended it to be seen, but in a new building designed by the New York architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. This building won’t please the absolutists, the people we should probably call Barnes fundamentalists, because nothing would please them short of a return to the way things were. But it really ought to please everybody else, because—to cut to the chase—the new Barnes is absolutely wonderful.