Archinect - News

What’s in a word? Nicholas de Monchaux considers the need to redefine how we think of ‘design’

2023-02-23T14:54:00-05:00

Though there was indeed a key shift in the meaning of “design” between 1300 and 1500, it had less to do with language and more with a fundamental shift in the making of things themselves. The relationship between drawing and design did not give rise to a word—or even expand its meaning. Rather, it diminished the word as it had previously been used, and in a way that may now be important to reverse.

What’s the difference between modern and historic conceptions of the industry’s most misused word? MIT Head of Architecture Nicholas de Monchaux says it was the “literal mechanization of production that firmly separated the work of designing from making — with profound consequences for the definition of design, as a word and as a structure of our society.”

Indeed, the advent of consumer economies has seen the word taken on a less-creative meaning “inextricable from a corollary diminishing of the planet’s finite resources,” according to his thinking. The ability to delineate in the now highly-technicized design process is the inevitable victim, remedied only, he says, by a further broadening to include “the resources and decisions on which a designed world depends.”

“We must reshape not just objects but also the culture and institutions that create them,” he concludes, jumping back two millennia. “Not incidentally, such work recaptures dē-signo in its original sense: Not just the sea...

Interior color schemes from iconic TV show set designs

2018-08-23T13:42:00-04:00

From the mid century modern world of Mad Men to the traditional English aristocratic look of Downton Abbey, the designs behind our favorite productions play a vital role in creating authentic backdrops viewers can delve into. Compare the Market and Neomam Studios have brought these set designs to the forefront by highlighting color schemes from some of the most iconic TV shows to air.

Take a look below at these familiar scenes with their accompanying color palettes:

Jerry's living room from Seinfeld

Don and Megan’s living room from Mad Men

The drawing room from Downton Abbey

Penny’s living room from Big Bang Theory

Ted, Marshall, Lily and Robin’s living room from How I Met Your Mother

Jess Day and roommates' living room from New Girl

Walt’s living room from Breaking Bad

144 finalists advance in 2017 Knight Cities Challenge

2017-01-19T12:53:00-05:00

Now in its third edition, the Knight Cities Challenge asks one question: “What’s your best idea to make cities more successful?”. Every year the Challenge's national call for ideas attracts a staggering number of applicants, who submit their strongest written ideas that they believe can improve everyday living in cities across the U.S. — particularly the 26 Knight communities. Out of more than 4,500 hopeful ideas, the jury narrowed down the competition pool to 144 finalist ideas.

Check out the full list of finalists on Bustler.

A glimpse of the winning New York State Pavilion revival ideas

2016-08-08T17:06:00-04:00

Architects and non-architects alike sent their boldest ideas on how they would revive the Philip Johnson-designed [New York State Pavilion] into a contemporary public space. From a burger museum to a Metro station to variations of botanical gardens, after reviewing over 250 submissions the jury awarded the coveted first prize to “Hanging Meadows” by Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan of Seattle.

The results are out for the New York State Pavilion Ideas Competition! As expected, the open ideas competition attracted an interesting mix of submissions envisioning how the New York World's Fair icon should be repurposed. Here's a glimpse of the top three prize winners.

1ST PLACE: Hanging Meadows by Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan, Seattle, WA

2ND PLACE: Civic Hub by Javier Salinas, New York, NY

3RD PLACE: Pavilion for the Community by Rishi Kejrewal and Shaurya Sharma, Bhopal, India

Find out more on Bustler.

Previously: Another chance at re-envisioning Philip Johnson's “Tent of Tomorrow”

Another chance at re-envisioning Philip Johnson's “Tent of Tomorrow”

2016-07-06T14:59:00-04:00

The question still holds: What does the future entail for Philip Johnson's New York State Pavilion? Following the 1964-65 World's Fair, the elliptical “Tent of Tomorrow” lived shortly as a concert venue and a roller-skating rink before it eventually slipped into abandonment. But, the aging landmark has another chance at finding a shiny new purpose in the New York State Pavilion Ideas Competition.

Among recent efforts to preserve the landmark, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the People for the Pavilion co-launched the competition asking architects (and non-architects) how the pavilion can be revived into a contemporary public space. Before the winning ideas are revealed in August, the public can vote now for the Fan Favorite until July 15.

As these open idea competitions tend to show all too exhaustingly often, the possibilities are seemingly endless. The 250 submissions include a brewery, a Metro station, a Glass House reference, drone arenas, botanical gardens, and...

When innovation runs shallow: What's the commotion with eVolo winner New York Horizon?

2016-04-08T20:46:00-04:00

“New York Horizon” would be virtually impossible to implement in the real world, given the actual urban landscape of the proposed site, which includes some of NYC's subway lines for starters. That being said, the criticism “New York Horizon” has sparked in recent weeks raises bigger questions — particularly involving the rise of “meme-tecture”, the cultural value of landscape architecture, and re-evaluating the setup of open ideas competitions.

Previously on Archinect:

2016 eVolo Skyscraper Competition winners revealed

2015 eVolo Skyscraper Competition winners imagine the potential of vertical architecture

2014 eVolo Skyscraper Competition Winners

Get your tickets to the 2015 Core77 Conference before they're gone!

2015-10-12T19:15:00-04:00

Time is running out to get your ticket to the 2015 Core77 Conference, DESIGNING HERE/NOW, taking place this October 22nd - 24th in Downtown Los Angeles. It's a full day of exploring the spaces between design disciplines where today's most impactful work is taking place. You don't want to miss this group of luminaries share thought provoking ideas that are years ahead of schedule. Their presentations will demonstrate new ways of thinking that changed what we make, the way we collaborate, how we conduct business and what the future will bring.

The DESIGNING HERE/NOW experience is rounded out with two parties, three field trips (including one that explores the architecture of downtown L.A.) and a Farewell Picnic, all exclusively for conference attendees. Tickets are running out so don't delay. Register now! http://bit.ly/1KtygvH

Look forward to the future in the Core77 Conference 2015: "DESIGNING HERE/NOW" this October

2015-09-21T12:00:00-04:00

The 2015 Core77 Conference looks into the future of contemporary design in DESIGNING HERE/NOW. Happening at the Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles from October 22-24, the three-day event explores the ideas, relationships, and technologies that are pushing forward the boundaries of contemporary design.

During the three-day event, attendees can listen to and get inspired by a multitude of visionary speakers, connect with fellow members of the architecture and design community, and of course, enjoy great food and drinks with the insiders of L.A.'s design community.

DESIGNING HERE/NOW gathers a diverse group of speakers from leading companies to share their own thought-provoking ideas and projects that are well ahead of their time. Their presentations demonstrate new ways of thinking that changed what we make, the way we collaborate, how we conduct business, and what the future has in store.

Confirmed Speakers & Moderators include:

Tanya Aguiniga - Artist and Designer
Gadi Amit - Founder and Pr...

Chicago Architecture Foundation launches first ChiDesign CADE competition

2015-07-21T14:01:00-04:00

The Chicago Architecture Foundation's inaugural ChiDesign competition is accepting idea submissions for a different type of educational facility entitled the Center for Architecture, Design and Education (CADE).

Participants must incorporate the following into their designs:

a new headquarters, visitor center and exhibition spaces for the CAF
a new headquarters for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
a design and allied arts high school
flexible learning spaces for out-of-school-time youth programs

Are you up for the challenge? Be sure to register by August 7, 2015 and submit your entries by September 9, 2015.

Starting this October, CAF will host a major exhibition featuring a selection of submissions during the first Chicago Architecture Biennial. The exhibition will run from October 1, 2015 to January 3, 2016. The exhibition aims to spark dialogue on the design of a Center for Architecture, Design and Education in Chicago, as well as highlight the city’s legacy of arc...

What Separates Actual Innovators From Those Who Just Talk About It?

2015-06-01T11:21:00-04:00

"...we’re losing focus on the how and why of innovation. We throw the word around so casually that it’s starting to become synonymous with the idea itself. But let’s be clear: An idea is not innovation. Innovation is about matching need with execution. It’s about changing the conversation and following through."

Chief Innovator at PUP, Michael Bricker, pens a brief article on the need for stamina in the design field.

I and others have often argued here that "design" doesn't end after the initial concept sketch, that in fact this is where design begins: in the wrestling of the idea into reality and the multiple thousands of decisions that have to be made along the way.

Would you cross these bridges? Check out a few Nine Elms to Pimlico Bridge entries for London's River Thames

2015-02-24T20:44:00-05:00

As part of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area Planning Framework, London's Borough of Wandsworth has its sights on constructing a new pedestrian bridge across the River Thames, between the two very distinct districts of Nine Elms and Pimlico. Quite evidently, the teams currently in the Nine Elm to Pilmico Bridge competition aren't holding back their imaginations.

Launched this past December, the competition invited multidisciplinary teams worldwide to conjure up a design concept that would serve as a basis for the final design of the bridge for construction -- if the project even gets to that point. The competition organizers state on their website that they're not looking for a specific design, but rather the best team that shows the strongest capability of designing the landmark bridge.

Out of the 74 schemes from Stage One, we picked out a few that caught our attention:

↑ Scheme 70

↑ Scheme 60

↑ Scheme 62

↑ Scheme 04

↑ Scheme 43

↑ Scheme 08

↑ Scheme 80

↑ Scheme 10

↑ Scheme 29

↑...

Get Lectured: UCLA IDEAS Series 2015

2015-01-12T17:38:00-05:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Winter-Spring 2015

Archinect's Get Lectured is back in session! Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

The next featured poster comes from UCLA Architecture & Urban Design with their 2015 IDEAS Lecture Series. IDEAS invites speakers working in a wide range of disciplines and explores topics from unexpected areas such as entertainment, aerospace, tech, and the automotive industries. The series also examines the role of Los Angeles in the evolution of architecture.

Unless noted, lectures will take place at 7:30 pm at the Hercules Campus: 5865 S. Campus Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90094. Pre-lecture receptions: 6:45 pm

Jan 20
WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING: THE FUTURE OF THEME PARKS
David Durham / Creative Designers Studio Lead / Blue Sky Program Lead

Feb 3
CITY OF LOS ANGELES: A C...

Don't forget to register for YAC's Rome Community Ring competition

2014-12-22T18:14:00-05:00

Late registration began today for Young Architects Competitions' Rome Community Ring. If you want a chance to win, make sure to register by January 19, 2015 and submit your entries by January 26, 2015.

Students and professionals are encouraged to share their ideas on how to revive one of Rome's historical treasures, the 19th-century Forte Portuense, into a new cultural space for public recreation. Proposed designs must also include room for potential urban development. Built between 1877 to late 1881, Forte Portuense is one of several military fortresses and has remained preserved since military authorities abandoned the site in 1967.

Winners and cash prizes totaling €15,000 will be awarded when the competition ends in March 2015. An awards ceremony and exhibition will follow.

For more important competition details, click here.

Previous YAC competitions:

Wine Culture Centre

Post-Quake Visions

“Hortus Conclusus Andersen” - 1st-prize for H C Andersen House of Fairytales, Denmark

2014-04-21T18:35:00-04:00

The fairytale wouldn't be complete without the "Hortus Conclusus Andersen" from the Hans Christian Andersen Museum's House of Fairytales competition. Designed by Transborder Studio of Oslo, the proposal was the lucky first-prize winner of the international ideas competition that drew in nearly 500 entrants. These results are only the beginning, as the H C Museum plans for a more restricted design competition for the House of Fairytales.

Get more details on Bustler.

M.ART 2013 winners update the traditional arts+crafts marketplace

2014-01-29T19:57:00-05:00

The Opengap M.ART 2013 Ideas Competition had participants mix traditional elements of the commercial arts-and-crafts market with a contemporary twist. Proposals also had to emphasize the value of handcrafted work and the craftsman-client relationship. The competition jury met in Guadalajara, Mexico on Jan. 23, 2014 to evaluate all the entries until eventually selecting the top three winners and two special mentions.

First place winners: Zuhal Kol (Turkey); Carlos Zarco Sanz (Spain)

Second place winners: Victor Bouman Casas, Pol Mercadé Armengol (Spain)

Third place winners: Inés Antón Losada, Marta Antón de Zafra (Spain)

Get more details on Bustler.

On the Ground: UCLA's new IDEAS campus

2013-12-03T19:12:00-05:00

Archinect recently took a field trip to Playa Vista, a quiet community minutes from the ocean in west Los Angeles, to check out UCLA’s new satellite architecture campus, IDEAS. Entirely housed within a 13,000sqft airplane hangar, the campus is used by architecture students in the university’s SUPRASTUDIO program, a one-year MArch II that pairs students with industry and non-profit leaders to focus on an advanced research project. Since its first run in 2008, SUPRASTUDIO has tripled in size and offerings, now composed of 41 students working in studios led by Gehry Partners/Gehry Technologies, Greg Lynn, and Thom Mayne/The Now Institute.

A far cry from the hilly green labyrinth of UCLA’s Westwood campus, the IDEAS hangar formerly belonged to famed aviation magnate Howard Hughes, and now plays neighbor to Los Angeles’ YouTube Space (and nearby Google in Venice). The Playa Vista community is still very new, first developed in the early aughts as part of President Bill Clinton’s init...

Municipal Art Society Challenges Architects for New Penn Station Vision

2013-04-03T20:38:00-04:00

The four firms — Santiago Calatrava, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, SHoP Architects and SOM — will have until May 29 to propose new designs that will be unveiled to the public that day at the TimesCenter on West 41st Street. “We’re really trying to unlock people’s imaginations about the very real potential of a new arena and of a new Penn Station,” said Vin Cipolla, the society’s president, in an interview.

EXPO 1: NEW YORK Rockaway Call for Ideas

2013-02-28T14:27:00-05:00

In an effort to foster the creative debate on urban recovery after Hurricane Sandy, MoMA PS1 and MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design are calling out for ideas to create a sustainable waterfront. Artists, architects, designers, and others are welcome to present ideas for alternative housing models, creation of social spaces, urban interventions, new uses of public space, the rebuilding of the boardwalk, protection of the shoreline, and actions to engage local communities.

Casey Caplowe: Smart Cities

2012-01-30T11:33:00-05:00

“GOOD Ideas for Cities is a project that emerged from events where we have paired designers with urban leaders to see what new kinds of thinking and solutions may emerge,” says Caplowe. “Even if ideas are far-fetched, they always lead to provocative conversations about the places we live and how we might improve them, rather than just accepting the status quo.”

By the City/For the City - Urban Design Week 2011

2011-04-26T12:48:10-04:00

From April 11-30, we're gathering up your ideas: from improving local parks and streets all the way up to rethinking whole systems, like transit and trash disposal. You can explore, discuss, and debate everyone's ideas right here.

Brendan Crain of the Institute for Urban Design says: "We're going to use the public's suggestions as the basis for an international design competition this May, and would love to gather ideas from some of the folks who may participate in that next phase.... Final push for site nominations this week!"