Archinect - News

Bjarke Ingels and Robert de Niro preview Wildflower Studios project in Queens

2024-09-26T11:11:00-04:00

“Cinema is probably the art form most similar to architecture,” [Ingels] says, in that both require “armies of people” to bring singular visions to life.

BIG’s 765,000-square-foot design is equipped with 11 sound stages is one of a pair the firm has designed in the New York area. De Niro is one of several celebrity clients to have worked with the mainstream media darling, including fellow Dane Lars von Trier.

Adam Gordon is the developer behind the Wildflower Studios project. He says: "Some of the most talented creative artists have been spending large parts of their career working in completely dehumanizing spaces. And I thought, 'van Gogh painted in Arles, right? Picasso lived in the South of France.' And that’s the spirit of the creative process [...] It’s having beautiful circumstances that make you feel like making art."

The New Yorker goes inside the architectural cadaver Kanye West made in Malibu

2024-06-11T17:45:00-04:00

Saxon had been hired to carve an oceanside Turrell out of an angular fifty-seven-million-dollar Ando. Ye revealed to Saxon—although not all at once—that he wanted no kitchen, bathrooms, A.C., windows, light fixtures, or heating. He was intent on cutting off the water and the power (and removing the house’s cable and wiring, which ran through the concrete in plastic tubes). He talked of clarity, simplicity, and a kind of self-reliance.

Former contractor Tony Saxson opens up to The New Yorker about his time working with Kanye West and Bianca Censori on the stripped-bare interiors of their Tadao Ando-designed home in Malibu. Some of the better quotes include Ando saying “my decision to accept [clients] projects depends mainly on their personality and aura” and Ye telling Saxson triumphantly “This is going to be my bomb shelter. This is going to be my Batcave.”

Saxson would later file a lawsuit against West for the alleged illegal termination of his services on the demolition project. The house (which appears in a state of decay and cinematic disrepair via a drone video) was re-listed for $39 million – $14 million less than the $57.3 million West purchased it for in September 2021 – in early April.

Flea's Michael Maltzan-designed hillside LA compound drops price from $10M to $7M

2024-04-23T12:41:00-04:00

[...] property in the unincorporated community near Glendale has once again resurfaced for sale, per TMZ, this time asking a speck under $7 million. That’s still a lot more than the $4.3 million Balzary paid contemporary artists Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell for the place in 2018, but it does include an 875-square-foot addition that was installed on the land in 2021, as well as a pool and cabin that were tacked on in 2020.

As we wrote in 2022, the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist listed the property asking $9.8 million, having purchased the property four years previous for $4.3 million. The Michael Maltzan-designed complex contains an outdoor movie pavilion, a redwood cabin, and a smaller two-bedroom house designed by Richard Neutra.

Engel Studios, Cameron Carothers; Associated Press

Artists Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell originally commissioned Maltzan for the single-bedroom addition in 2009, and it has since been featured in several design magazines, in addition to receiving an AIA Award in 2012.

Kanye West relists Tadao Ando-designed Malibu home for $14 million less

2024-04-12T12:04:00-04:00

Kanye 'Ye' West has reportedly reduced the price of his previously listed Tadao Ando-designed home in Malibu, California, to $39 million, according to Realtor.com. The new price is substantially lower than both the original $53 million listing and the $75 million price tag it carried in 2020 before he paid $57.3 million to purchase the home in September of 2021.

The 4,000-square-foot design from 2013 had been previously owned by Richard Sachs. The deprecation might stem from its reported current state, which was affected by a hasty “gut renovation” performed last year and leaving its interior without finishes and (possibly) electricity, light fixtures, or appliances — resulting in a recent lawsuit.

Marmol Radziner served as the executive architect and general contractor for its original construction. Ando is currently working on the design of a vacation home for West's ex-wife Kim Kardashian in the Palm Springs area after seeing his MPavilion10 commission extended by another full y...

Taylor Swift to give keynote at 2024 AIA Conference

2024-04-01T08:00:00-04:00

Emerging music artist Taylor Swift has been announced as the keynote speaker for the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2024. In advance of the event, Archinect has gained exclusive access to a leaked version of Swift’s speech, which is titled ‘A New Architecture Era.’

Swift is expected to begin her speech by taking an adversarial tone with the AIA, questioning if her invitation to deliver the keynote speech was made as a joke. “I don’t like your little games,” she will say. “Don’t like your tilted stage; the role you made me play of the fool.”

In addition to taking aim at the AIA, Swift is also expected to use the speech to offer an atonement for her involvement as an advisor for Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project. “I knew you were trouble when you walked in,” she will say, directly addressing the project organizers. “So, shame on me now. You flew me to places I’d never been, now I’m lyin’ on the cold hard ground.”

Turning to her vision for the future of the built environment, Swift...

Kim Kardashian sued by Donald Judd Foundation over false ownership claims

2024-03-28T12:28:00-04:00

Kim Kardashian's name is in the design news cycle once again after the Donald Judd Foundation filed suit recently against her company SKKN BY KIM in which it claims she falsely stated furnishings made by a company called Clements Design were the original works of the artist, who died in 1994.

The New York Times and TMZ are reporting on the lawsuit this week, which stems from a YouTube video tour of the makeup company's California offices that was uploaded in 2022.

The suit claims Kardashian unwittingly made damaging comments that could mislead consumers into believing the celebrity skincare mogul was endorsing the Judd Foundation (she and her ex-husband are, after all, both outspoken proponents of Judd and other minimalist icons like James Turrell).

The Foundation said they expressly forbid the use of their designs for marketing purposes. Kim’s team took down the two-year-old video and claims they contacted them contritely before negotiations broke down and the suit was filed. Cleme...

Kanye West lists gutted Tadao Ando home for $53 million in Malibu

2023-12-20T12:37:00-05:00

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Tadao Ando, the house features a concrete exterior in keeping with the acclaimed architect’s streamlined brutalist ethos. In the couple of dozen months that Ye has owned the property, the music performer and designer removed the home’s interiors, leaving it essentially gutted. Now, instead of renovating the four-bedroom beachfront house on Malibu Road, Ye has decided to sell it, with a price tag of $53 million (he’s listing it at a loss).

Post-divorce Ye apparently contracted a gut renovation that left Ando’s original 2013 design looking more like “a bomb shelter from the 1910s” in the year leading up to its new listing. That endeavor ended in a $1 million lawsuit brought forth by its project manager over dangerous working conditions that remains unsettled.

The four-bed, 4.5-bathroom home had been purchased for $57.3 million in September of 2021. Jason Oppenheim, the agent in charge of its sale, said the new price “reflect[s] the need for the interior finishes to be replaced” and that he was confident in its ability to be “brought up to 2024 standards.”

Ando is meanwhile working on a brand new Palm Springs abode for its former co-inhabitant Kim.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé buy $200 million Tadao Ando-designed seaside mansion in Malibu

2023-05-24T15:12:00-04:00

In a colossal real estate move, Jay-Z and Beyoncé have purchased an extravagant vacation home in Malibu for a record-breaking $200 million, as reported by Dirt.

The sale price ranks as the most ever paid for a California home and the second-most paid for a U.S. residence, behind the Ken Griffin-owned penthouse at 220 Central Park South in Manhattan.

Image courtesy Google Maps

The 8-acre Brutalist-style estate, designed by celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando in collaboration with L.A-based WHY Architects, flaunts unobstructed ocean and coastline views, direct access to a scenic beach, two outdoor pools, and a 40,000-square-foot mansion.

The Carter family's latest acquisition, initially commissioned by soap opera scions Bill and Maria Bell, was completed in 2014, taking 15 years to plan and build.

Courtesy of WHY; Photo by Florian Holzherr

The original listing had the residence at $295 million, representing an insane 1934.48% increase of the original $14.5 million its previous o...

Kim Kardashian and Tadao Ando meet on Palm Springs dream home design

2023-04-07T16:38:00-04:00

Apparent Japanese architecture aficionado Kim Kardashian recently traveled to the country to meet with Pritzker winner Tadao Ando, according to an Instagram post made by the celebrity mogul Thursday.

Ando is designing a private residence for Kardashian in the Palm Springs area, the details of which were first uncovered by Vogue magazine last year. In her post, Kardashian implied its construction was set to break ground soon, though she was sparse on other design details aside from sharing what appears to be a rendering of a grey cast concrete structure that more closely resembles a contemporary art museum than a home.

Ando has designed several celebrity residences over the years, including a $75 million compound for fashion designer Tom Ford and the Malibu home currently owned by Kardashian’s troubled ex-husband following a $57.3 million post-divorce splurge. Kardashian is also reportedly in talks with Kengo Kuma for another vacation residence at an undisclosed American lakeside loc...

Flea lists his Michael Maltzan-designed hillside LA compound (added bonus: Neutra-designed guest house)

2022-02-14T18:00:00-05:00

Michael “Flea” Balzary no longer has any need for his funky architectural digs tucked away in the La Crescenta foothills. The Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist has now officially listed the pedigreed property in the unincorporated community near Glendale, asking a hefty $9.8 million for the one-of-a-kind refuge he picked up for $4.3 million almost four years ago.

Flea purchased the Michael Maltzan-designed complex, which includes an outdoor movie pavilion, redwood cabin, and smaller two-bedroom house Richard Neutra designed for his secretary Dorothy Serulnic, from artists Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell in June of 2018.

Engel Studios, Cameron Carothers; Associated Press

The pair originally commissioned Maltzan for the single bedroom addition in 2009, and it has since been featured in several design magazines in addition to receiving an AIA Award in 2012. Its sale should clear up some overhead for the 59-year-old bassist, who recently spent $14 million on a home overlooking the Hollywood Hills – a long way away from the youthful underworld of squats and drugs dens he described in his 2019 memoir Acid for the Children.

Can celebrities become successful designers? Terry Crews shows the public it's possible with his third furniture collection with Bernhardt Design

2019-05-25T11:28:00-04:00

The former NFL player is standing on the show floor of ICFF, where his third line of furniture for Bernhardt Design is making its debut [...] Crews says that he’s finding his voice as a designer and finding new opportunities to express himself. The line—dubbed Becca, after Crew’s wife Rebecca King-Crews—consists of a sofa and armchairs, which can be upholstered with any Bernhardt Design leather or fabric. (The collection can also be custom upholstered at the buyer’s request.)

Celebrities entering the field of architecture and design is nothing new. From Brad Pitt pitching his thoughts on the new LACMA design to Kanye West designing homes and visiting a famed Los Angeles architecture school, celebrities find ways to become a part of the profession. However, before the glitz and glam of Hollywood, many celebrities had other passions and pursuits before entering show business. With the news of Terry Crews actively pursuing his career in furniture design he may be the one celebrity we wouldn't want to dismiss.

Sofa from Crews' newest collection "Becca" Image courtesy of Bernhardt Design.

In Crews' case, the former NFL player and actor is not new to the art scene. Before his rise to fame in athletics and acting Crews was an avid illustrator and had a passion for fine arts as a child. He pursued art in college when he received an art scholarship at Western Michigan University. He has frequently shared his experience with art, "I had an art scholarship before I ...

Is Kanye West really starting a Yeezy architecture venture? (He tweets he is.)

2018-05-07T14:07:00-04:00

Kanye West's flirt with the architecture profession appears to take on a more 'It's complicated' kind of status—if you're willing to lend enough credibility to his tweet from yesterday, announcing "we’re starting a Yeezy architecture arm called Yeezy home. We’re looking for architects and industrial designers who want to make the world better".

It's unclear whether West was already looking for prospective would-be employees for this newly announced venture when he made a surprise appearance at SCI-Arc's Spring Show recently, but he's certainly expressed his admiration for the profession for some time now—receiving mixed reactions from practitioners for statements like, "I hang around architects mostly, people that wanna make things as dope as possible … This is the reason why I’m working with five architects at a time," among others.

Kanye being Kanye, we're accepting his 146-character venture announcement with enough caution and see if Yeezy home actually turns into a stable 'In ...

Kanye West visits SCI-Arc while hanging out with controversial conservatives Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk

2018-04-30T19:07:00-04:00

Kanye West has made a confusing return to Twitter this month. During his recent spree, the rapper has doubled down on his support of Donald Trump, praised the right-wing commentator Candace Owens, and—in a move that would seem to be at odds with the first two—referred to Parkland shooting survivor Emma González as his hero.

Amidst his Twitter-ing, West took a quick break yesterday to visit the Southern California Institute of Architecture, where he met with Owens and fellow right-winger and Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk. There, the three walked through the school's Spring Show (which is open to the public), looked at some student work, and learned about desalination. West even took second to tweet about his visit and shout out the work of M.Arch I student Ashley Hastings.

Donald Trump Jr. also got involved, tweeting out his delight at West hanging out with his pals.

Though the reason for their visit is currently unknown, West has long been a champion of architecture. I...

You can buy Leonardo DiCaprio's beachfront home for $10M — but will it alleviate the crushing weight of existence?

2016-09-21T14:18:00-04:00

Movie star Leonardo DiCaprio's Malibu dream house hit the market on Friday, listing for $10.95 million. Leo purchased the midcentury California bungalow... back in 1998, and the three bed, two bath home is a beaut. It's on star-studded Carbon Beach, the views are killer, and the interiors are gorgeous. But the truth is, life is probably meaningless and there is a strong chance that we all die alone. Could buying this house change any of that?

LAist: Hi! Love the house!! Just a few questions. Albert Camus once said "At the heart of all beauty lies something inhuman." This house is obviously super beautiful—do you think there is anything inhuman about that beauty?

Redfin: Um, wow, that wasn't the question I was expecting. I think with this house in particular, with where it sits especially, it's an absolutely breathtaking home. I do not think there is anything inhuman about this house. I think it's a representation of the oceanfront property that it sits on.

For more on the intersections between architecture and celebrities, check out these links:

Accusing architects of prioritizing looks over feel—Moby edition

2016-09-12T17:13:00-04:00

“I have an issue with architects and designers who think about how is the space going to look when it's on an architecture website, rather than how it’s going to feel for the people who either live there, work there or patronise it,” [...] “I had a couple of nights in Madrid staying in a hotel room that Zaha Hadid Architects had designed. It looked amazing, but was the least comfortable space I’ve ever inhabited... Literally sleeping in a dumpster would have been more comfortable.”

More design forays by the rich and famous:

Table-flipping 'Real Housewife' Teresa Giudice and the world of architectural billing

2016-01-05T18:45:00-05:00

An architect who is owed $13,000 by Teresa and Joe Giudice has spoken of his anger at the lavish display of wealth that welcomed the criminal Real Housewife of New Jersey home on the day she got out of prison [...] 'I did plans for modifications to that house and to an addition. I didn't do the final drawings that make it look like a miniature castle. I wouldn't want to put my name to that [...] 'I think our billing was about $13,000 and we've never received a penny of it.'

The public life of the world's celebritrees

2015-06-30T18:46:00-04:00

To be recognized as a Great Tree, in New York City, is not just a matter of having the correct heritage or coming from the right family. [...] For a person, achieving fame or prominence comes with both perks and pitfalls. But what are the advantages of being a celebrated tree? And what are the dangers? While humans have long venerated old and large trees, we've also cut them down and razed whole forests of their less superlative brethren.

Need to see how your backyard elm compares to America's greatest trees? Click here to search the 2015 American Forests Champion Trees national register or sign up to become a big-tree hunter in your area.

Jason F. McLennan selected to design Leonardo DiCaprio's restorative eco-resort

2015-04-15T12:16:00-04:00

When it opens to guests in 2018, 'Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island' will feature the trappings of many luxury resorts, with sprawling villas, infinity pools and stunning sunset views. But the 'Restorative' in the title refers not just to the impact the island might have on visitors, but to the island itself. Blackadore Caye has suffered from overfishing, an eroding coastline and the deforestation of its mangrove trees, and the partners mean to put it back to rights.

After co-purchasing the unpopulated Blackadore Caye off the coast of Belize for reportedly $1.75 million in 2005, actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently revealed plans with Delos chief executive Paul Scialla and lead architect Jason F. McLennan to build an eco-conscious resort dubbed "Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island”, slated to open in 2018. The resort's design will follow Living Building Challenge standards and include Delos' signature health-conscious amenities for guests. It'll also feature artificial reefs, fish shelters, and plant nurseries to what the partners say will eventually restore the island.

While the millionaire-friendly resort could propel Belize's economy, it brings up the debatable topic of ecotourism and its legitimacy. As it seems, giving money to an environmental conversation program isn't vogue enough for the rich and famous.

Pharrell Williams Will Give the AIA 2014 National Convention Keynote Address

2014-03-24T13:39:00-04:00

Williams joins artist and urban planner Theaster Gates and MacArthur Genius and architect Jeanne Gang, FAIA, as speakers who will deliver keynote addresses. ARCHITECT Live host Stephen Chung, AIA, and 2014 AIA President Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, will also give talks. And Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may put in an appearance as well, but who ever knows with that guy.

A Famous Person’s 5-Step Guide to Becoming an Architect

2013-10-04T13:13:00-04:00

For our soon-to-be new pals Kayne, Brad and any other super-famous, ridiculously wealthy, mega-stars looking to become architects out there, here is BUILD’s Famous Person’s 5-Step Guide to Becoming an Architect: 1. Your new wardrobe budget is $175. 2. Your personability is too personal. 3. Dumb-down your life experiences. 4. You’re still too young. 5. Less bling, more books

Becoming an architect is the new luxury product, but are celebrities ready to downgrade their lives?

Pharrell Williams hints at pre-fab collaboration with Zaha Hadid

2013-01-04T17:32:00-05:00

There’s a collaboration I’m working with Zaha Hadid, we’re touring around with the idea of a prefab for a house.

I miss that cohesiveness...

2011-10-24T11:50:19-04:00

“The word celebrity and the word architect are basically incompatible. I know it’s come to pass that some of us have become famous, but it’s a temporary condition, a strange pact: We get a lot of attention, but we’re taken less seriously. Journalists seem mostly interested in what brand of shoes I wear.”

Justin Davidson talks with Rem Koolhaas about the recently released Project Japan: Metabolism Talks, a book of interviews conducted by Koolhaas and the curator Hans Ulrich Obrist.. They also discuss the current state of the profession and the fact that OMA has never completed a building in New York.

Paris Hilton "designs" a beach club in the Philippines

2011-09-15T13:53:44-04:00

“Just finished putting together all the designs for my meeting with Century Property for my new Paris Beach Club at Azure,” Paris Hilton excitedly share the great news to her million fans on Twitter.

Via the forum