Archinect - Features

10 Controversial Buildings That Became Iconic Landmarks

2024-10-07T06:48:00-04:00

Architectural landmarks often become beloved symbols of their cities, but many were not always welcomed with open arms. Throughout history, some of our most acclaimed structures have in fact provoked heated debates, divided public opinion, sparked fierce controversy, and in one case, caused the late great architect Richard Rogers to be attacked by an elderly Parisian with an umbrella.

To mark World Architecture Day 2024, we take a look back through the history of some of the architectural structures most beloved by the public today, and demonstrate how their status as landmarks was hard-won.

To see how a building initially deemed a monstrosity, an eyesore, or an insult to tradition can evolve into the defining element of a city’s character is an interesting exercise in itself. Beyond the novelty, however, these stories raise apt questions for architects today. To what extent do, or should, we design in response to present tastes? Do we too quickly abandon ideas today in response t...

Miami's Alexis Cogul Lleonart of Doo Architecture on Picking Up Where Tropical Modernism Left Off

2020-02-19T14:17:00-05:00

Ask anyone who has ever visited Miami and you'll hear that the city has a certain energy and vibrancy that's reflected in the built environment there. When one thinks of this region, for example, it's likely that visions of Tropical Modernism and luxe design come to mind. It's at this delightful intersection that Barcelona-born Alexis Cogul Lleonart is able to apply his dual degree background in urban planning and architecture to help shape Miami's architectural landscape.

After collaborating with various practices, including Miami's Oppenheim Architecture, Lleonart sought out to use his expertise and start Doo Architecture. According to Lleonart, "We believe in the process. We're engaged from inception to execution, and we believe our European roots taught us to develop a dialog with our clients and projects further than 'what is required.'"

For this week's Studio Snapshot, Archinect connected with Lleonart to discuss his intellectually curious practice and what it means to work p...

New Book Looks at the Last 60 Years of Work by Ricardo Bofill Taller De Arquitectura

2019-06-03T12:17:00-04:00

In light of the ‘rediscovery’ of Ricardo Bofill’s work in the era of social media, it was a brilliant move by Gestalten - a publishing house firmly committed to the coffee table book genre, with titles including Northern Comfort: the Nordic Art of Creative Living and Bohemian Residence: Metropolitan Apartments and Interior Design - to make the last 60 years of work by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura their most recent focus. With gorgeously reproduced photographs of gorgeously produced architecture, Ricardo Bofill: Visions of Architecture, will be as desirable a coffee table book as any other today.

#ArchinectMeets @stoptheroc

2018-10-19T11:00:00-04:00

#ArchinectMeets is a series of interviews with members of the architecture community that use Instagram as a creative medium. With the series, we ask some of Instagram’s architectural photographers, producers and curators about their relationship to the social media platform and how it has affected their practice.

Social media has undeniably affected the way we perceive, interpret and share opinions about architecture today. Using our own account, @Archinect, as a site for image curation and news content, we wanted to ask fellow Instagram users how they navigated the platform.

We spoke to Roc Isern, the photographer behind @stoptheroc and @barcelonafacades. With unmistakable pride for his Spanish hometown, Isern uniquely captures the spirit of Barcelonan architecture for a wide audience. Though perhaps no other architect's work has been photographed as much as Antonio Gaudi's, for instance, Isern deftly communicates elements of his work never before captured on camera.

Studio Visits: Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

2018-02-06T12:28:00-05:00

Last autumn, while in Barcelona, I was lucky enough to visit Miralles Tagliabue EMBT's studio—known most notably for Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona and The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the latter of which won the Stirling Prize in 2005. Tucked down a cobbled street a stones throw for Las Rambles, the studio was a homage to the old and new, filled to the brim with drawings, models and ideas.

We spoke to Benedetta Tagliabue, whom answered the Proust Questionaire a while back, to find out more.

Iconic Buildings: I am an Architect at the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

2018-01-24T12:29:00-05:00

For our new series Iconic Buildings, we speak to people who live or work in buildings of architectural significance. Is their exposure to an architectural wonder on a daily basis a source of inspiration or simply part of the backdrop?

This time, we got the opportunity to visit the Sagrada Família, one of the most iconic buildings in the world, still being built despite construction starting over 135 years ago. At the time of Gaudí's death, less than a quarter of the project was complete, finally the project is scheduled to be finished in 2026 marking the centenary of his death.

We spoke to David Puig, an architect at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

Studio Animal, a Practice Specializing in Ephemeral Architecture, Talks About the Elasticity of a Small Studio

2017-12-18T10:00:00-05:00

Studio Animal, the Spanish practice directed by Javier Jiménez Iniesta, describes itself as an elastic platform that specializes in interior design and ephemeral architecture. They share a space in the neighborhood of Gracia, Barcelona where the fluctuating team sits at a 12.5 meter long table alongside friends that work in specific areas related with architecture: acoustic, landscape, technical developments, graphic design and so on.

For this week's Small Studio Snapshot, we talk with Iniesta about the practice: their structure, their ethos, and the way they deal with their projects.

The Proust Questionnaire: Benedetta Tagliabue

2017-08-01T09:00:00-04:00

Today, we are getting up close and personal with Benedetta Tagliabue, the director of Barcelona-based practice Miralles Tagliabue EMBT. The Italian architect, known for her attention to context and the poeticism in her work, also happens to be a member of the Pritzker jury, a RIBA Stirling Prize winner, and the proud owner of an Argentinian parrot!

In Focus: David Cardelus

2017-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

In Focus is Archinect's series of features dedicated to profiling the photographers who help make the work of architects look that much better. What has attracted them to architecture? How do they work? What type of equipment do they use? What do they think about seeing their work in blogs?

In this feature, we talk to Barcelona-based photographer David Cardelus.

Deans List: Kate Schwennsen's balancing act at Clemson University

2016-12-27T10:02:00-05:00

Kate Schwennsen, Dean of Clemson University's School of Architecture, is hoping to strike that ideal balance between theory and practice that will prepare students to not only tackle the day-to-day challenges of working in architecture, but give them the inspiration to explore new conceptual territory.

In Focus: Simón García

2016-11-06T13:02:00-05:00

In this feature, we talk to Barcelona-based photographer Simón García.

ShowCase: Villa CP by ZEST Architecture

2014-05-15T14:11:00-04:00

Restored from a stone Catalan farmhouse, Villa CP by ZEST Architecture stands as a memento to historical craftsmanship and future sustainability. The sturdy stone structure has been opened up into two distinct layers on the villa’s property, and incorporates strong elements of wood, clay, metal, glass and locally-sourced cork.