Archinect - News

In Kyiv, a virtual tour guide shows the world what's left to uphold

2022-08-30T12:24:00-04:00

Soloviov’s virtual tours, which he announces on his Instagram page, have also become a way of coping with present circumstances. He says that during the pandemic and now the war, he has missed meeting visiting foreigners, some of whom were his most inquisitive tour participants. Now, he’s meeting them in their living rooms.

Dmytro Soloviov is unlike the many Ukrainian citizen journalists using social media to inform the non-traditional, non-television-connected audience about their war-torn home. Evacuated at the outset to the western Carpathian Mountains region, he began offering in-person and then (upon his return to the capital) virtual tours to audiences who described them alternatively as either “very intimate” or as places of refuge.

He says he won’t offer reviews of bomb-damaged buildings as a rule and is working to preserve the country's stock of Soviet-era architecture so as not to see it fall victim to war's terrible cycle of destruction — even after the shelling stops. “What will our descendants know of the 20th century in Ukraine if we demolished it all?” he said. “What will they think? That we did nothing?”

Take a virtual look at the Tenement Museum thanks to this new photogrammetric tour from The Washington Post

2021-12-09T17:14:00-05:00

Step into its cramped spaces to follow this brick structure along the y-axis of time, as landlords and residents grappled with such diseases as tuberculosis, cholera and influenza, — and as the fear of fire and bad air, even immigrants themselves, left indelible marks on its design and structure.

New York City's Tenement Museum itself has undergone severe financial strain dating back before the pandemic and was rumored to be closing its doors permanently after 33 years in operation before reopening to tourists again in mid-June.

Located at the edge of the Bowery along Orchard Street, the two buildings were home to at least 15,000 mostly immigrant inhabitants before 1935. The fascinating tour is the vision of the Washington Post’s new Lede Lab and their own Pulitizer-winning art and architecture critic Philip Kennicott.

“At The Post we are constantly experimenting with the latest innovative technology to help enrich The Post’s storytelling,” Jenna Pirog, deputy editor of strategic initiatives, said in an update. “How 3D immersive spaces can be presented on the web continues to evolve, and this project was a great way to use this tool to let readers see and explore the Tenement Museum space from their homes.”

Why not give Drake’s Toronto mansion a virtual tour this Holiday weekend?

2021-11-27T14:02:00-05:00

If you’re reading this it’s not too late: Die-hard Drake fans looking for a little architectural distraction during the American holiday, which was a byproduct of the Civil War, can now find respite in the form of a new virtual tour of the Grammy winner’s massive 19th-century limestone private residence in Canada.

A screenshot of the house courtesy Drake Related

The Birdle Path, Toronto manse first made its rounds on the internet after starring in Drake’s 2020 music video for Toosie Slide.

A screenshot of the house's lounge area courtesy Drake Related

Coming in at exactly 50,000-square-feet, Ferris Rafauli’s vision features a full-size NBA court and aesthetic enhancements like Nero Marquina marble floor inserts, a marble kitchen island and bath tub, and a custom marble chandelier (there’s marble everywhere). One thing that I find is a bit unsettling: he’s got a closet full of Birkin bags for his “future wife.”

You can buy all kinds of shit while you're on the tour there as well. Nike...

First photos and a virtual tour of Steven Holl's new Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

2020-11-19T17:28:00-05:00

Nearly eight years after selecting Steven Holl's ambitious expansion concept, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is preparing to officially open the completed structure to the public on Saturday, November 21.

Dedicated to the collection of modern and contemporary art, the new 237,000-sf Nancy and Rich Kinder Building houses galleries, seven garden courtyards, a 215-seat theater, two pedestrian tunnels, a parking arrival hall, conference rooms, a restaurant overlooking the Isamu Noguchi sculpture garden, a cafe, and a triple-story forum.

North facade. © Richard Barnes.

"The Texas sky opens 180°overhead above a luminous canopy covering the new building," explains the architects' project description. "Concave curves, imagined from cloud circles, push down on the roof geometry, allowing natural light to slip in with precise measure and quality, perfect for top-lit galleries. Organized horizontally on two levels, all galleries have natural light and are flexible with open flow."

East facad...

Archinect's Must-Do Picks for Archtober 2020, Week 3 (Oct. 17–24)

2020-10-14T14:02:00-04:00

We're already approaching the half-way mark of October, and there is still so much to discover during Archtober 2020, New York City's month-long celebration of architecture and design.

For the tenth year in a row, Archinect & Bustler are proud to partner with Archtober and present you our weekly highlights from a packed calendar of events. Below are our recommendations for Archtober 2020 Week 3, October 17–24.

To scroll through this year's Building of the Day list, click here.

Photo: Michael Lee

Scavenger Hunt: Now What, New York? | Saturday, Oct. 17

Open House New York and Archtober invite you to explore how adversity has shaped New York into the city it is today through a 36-hour, five-borough outdoor scavenger hunt taking place during this year's Open House New York Weekend (October 17–18). Think: urban trivia meets New York City Marathon meets socially distant adventure. Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 15.

Open House New York Weekend | Saturday, Oct. 17

OHNY Weekend sho...

Archinect's Must-Do Picks for Archtober 2020, Week 2 (Oct. 9–16)

2020-10-07T14:22:00-04:00

Archtober 2020, New York City's month-long celebration of architecture and design, commenced last week with a hybrid mix of virtual and in-person events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

If you are looking for this year's Building of the Day list, click here.

High Line. Photo: Studio Dubuisson.

Building of the Day: High Line | Friday, Oct. 9

Since its opening in 2009, the High Line has been lauded as an icon for innovative design, a defining feature in Manhattan’s West Side, and an inspiration to cities worldwide. The design is characterized by an intimate choreography of movement, with alternating vistas and experiences. Distinctive paving, planting, furnishing, lighting, and social spaces create an authentic and memorable New York...

Archtober 2020: find all Buildings of the Day in one handy list

2020-09-30T13:28:00-04:00

As September is wrapping up, we look forward to Archtober 2020 kicking off tomorrow. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the month-long celebration of architecture and design is presented as a hybrid virtual and in-person festival this year — allowing visitors to join events and activities online from a safe distance, or even from outside of New York City.

Returning once again is Archtober's popular Building of the Day series, pandemic-adjusted for 2020 and held in an accessible, virtual format. Tours or presentations will be held Mondays through Fridays at midday and, for the first time, also include architecturally significant sites outside of the New York area as part of Archtober's new Travel To series.

Take a look at the full Building of the Day list below.

Monday, Oct. 5: Greenpoint, Van Cortlandt, and East Elmhurst Libraries
East Elmhurst Branch Library: Garrison Architects
Van Cortlandt Branch Library: Andrew Berman Architect
Greenpoint Library: Marble Fairbanks

Tuesday, Oct....

This 3D virtual tour lets you explore the ancient tombs of Pharaoh Ramses VI

2020-07-16T13:33:00-04:00

A stunning 3D virtual tour from the Egyptian Tourism Authority takes viewers deep into the heavily detailed tomb of Pharaoh Ramesses VI. Named Tomb KV9, the underground structure has a long corridor leading down to the now-broken sarcophagus, and both walls and the ceiling are inscribed with writings from ancient Egyptian texts and astronomical renderings.

If you're ready for some archaeological adventure but find yourself pandemic-trapped at home and unable to make it to Egypt's ancient Valley of the Kings right now, try the virtual tomb tour of Pharaoh Ramses VI who reigned in the 12th century BC.

Take a look at some screenshots of the ruler's spectacular eternal digs below.

Come on in! Welcome to my crib.

This must be the master bedroom. Literally.

Whoops, the mummy's out.

Exit through the gift shop.

Looking for more virtual tours on Archinect? Click here.

Virtual events to join today and over the weekend include an open house for UC Berkeley and a mid-century modernism tour of Chicago

2020-05-15T08:00:00-04:00

Today's featured virtual event happenings, from Archinect's Virtual Event Guide, are hosted by UC Berkeley and the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Are you hosting a virtual lecture? Presentation? Tour? Interview? Happy Hour? Submit it for consideration by clicking here.

Are you an expert in an arena that's especially important right now? Let us know if you would like to work with Archinect to host an online event.

College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley presents a Virtual Gallery Open House
Friday, May 15, 2020 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT
As we move to remote learning this summer, we will utilize immersive technology including virtual and augmented reality to explore the latent potential of digital platforms for creativity and collaboration. A Disc*2020 Virtual Reality Gallery Open House to experience first hand what design pedagogy in a post-studio landscape can look like.
Click here to attend and/or register

CAC Live: Mid-Century Modernism Tour
Sunday, May 17, 2020 | 1:00 PM – 2...

"Virtual Accessibility Experience" created for FLW's Hollyhock House in Los Angeles

2020-05-12T13:28:00-04:00

Los-Angeles based architecture visualization firm AVA Inclusivity has created a new Virtual Accessibility Experience (VAE) for Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. According to Docomomo, AVA Inclusivity worked with members of the City of Los Angeles' Department of Cultural Affairs and Department on Disability to meet the City's standards and needs.

The VAE is intended to address the limitations the historical site presents to visitors with disabilities, such as stairs and narrow doorways that limit the freedom to physically experience the space for some guests. "AVA Inclusivity’s virtual tours are designed to be used on site with the inclusive interaction of a docent or educator but they can also be used off site with a WiFi or LTE connection," writes Docomomo.

The Hollyhock House Virtual Accessibility Experience can be viewed here.

Michael Kimmelman explores New York City's iconic skyscrapers on virtual walks with Guy Nordenson and Annabelle Selldorf

2020-04-29T15:06:00-04:00

Over the years, architects have not been the only ones to inscribe New York’s skyline — the signature image of the last American century — across the urban ether. Among others, structural engineers, practical poets of often towering imagination and import, have also figured out how to scale those heights. Skyscrapers are team efforts, after all.

For his latest feature in a series of virtual strolls exploring iconic Manhattan skyscrapers with noteworthy building experts, NYT architecture critic Michael Kimmelman invited engineer Guy Nordenson to join him for a closer look at the midcentury, Eero Saarinen-designed Black Rock/CBS Building, the Postmodernist classic 550 Madison Avenue, formerly known as AT&T Building, and 432 Park Avenue by Rafael Viñoly.

If you missed last week's virtual walk around town, catch up with Kimmelman and architect Annabelle Selldorf inspecting Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson's Seagram Building, the MetLife Building (formerly Pan Am Building), 270 Park Avenue (originally known as Union Carbide building and currently being demolished by JPMorgan Chase), the Lever House, and 601 Lexington Avenue (once known as Citicorp Center) designed by Hugh Stubbins.

Looking for a curated selection of the best virt...

Architect creates detailed floor plans of Buckingham Palace

2020-04-29T12:57:00-04:00

In a pursuit to create the most accurate floor plan of Buckingham Palace available on the internet, HomeAdvisor embarked on a research project to scour every available photo and video of the palace interiors to uncover the layout of every room. Researchers then collected additional information from the Royal Collection Trust and the official website of the British royal family, before passing all of their findings to architect Jelena Popovic, who created the drawings shown below.

With 775 total rooms, the palace includes 19 staterooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. However, many of the spaces within the palace still remain a mystery with many areas off-limits to everyone except palace staff.

The State Dining Room is located in the Central Block of the palace.

The research team tackled the challenge by dividing the palace into three sections: The Central Block, the Queen's Apartments, and the East Front. Upon entry of the Central Block,...

You can take a virtual tour of the Winchester Mystery House while stuck at home

2020-04-20T11:40:00-04:00

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, is one of the nation’s most curious landmarks. Built by a millionaire widow over the course of 36 years, the sprawling mansion features more than 200 rooms, 10,000 windows, trap doors, spy holes and a host of other architectural oddities. ...the house...has closed to help curb the spread of coronavirus. But...you can now explore the Winchester House from afar via a detailed video tour posted on the mansion’s website.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, the narrated video tour is more than 40 minutes and provides insights into the property and Sarah Winchester, the "mysterious woman" who built it. The 24,000 square foot home was under continuous construction for 38 years and is said to have about 160 rooms, though no one knows for sure. With architectural oddities such as staircases that end at ceilings, indoor balconies, skylights built into floors, and doors that open into walls, the home is truly one of mystery.

Experience Frank Lloyd Wright works online through virtual tours

2018-06-21T15:31:00-04:00

Virtual tours of Frank Lloyd Wright's properties will be available online through Leica Geosystems partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. With technology services from Multivista and Matterport, detailed experiences of the architect's iconic works can be explored from exterior grounds to the interior home, including minute detailing, 3D views, and floor plans.

Taliesin West will be the first property available online here. The endeavor is part of a larger scheme by Leica Geosystems to use digital innovation to capture, document, and preserve architectural history.

Hong Kong issues AR stamps to promote historic building revitalization

2018-03-23T20:38:00-04:00

The Hongkong Post issued a set of six augmented reality stamps called “Revitalization of Historic Buildings in Hong Kong II” showcasing six historic building revitalization projects. These special stamps are part of an effort to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the built heritage in Hong Kong.

Hover over these stamps with a smartphone using the HKPostStamps app and a virtual model of the historic building will pop up for you to explore. Each rendering includes interactive hotspots that bring up information including opening hours and links to visit the building in person.

Check out how they work:

The six historic buildings featured in these stamps are:

Viva Blue House, located in Wanchai, is composed of the Blue House, Yellow House, Orange House and adjacent vacant land
Oi!, the former clubhouse of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
Green Hub, located in Tai Po, is the Old Tai Po Police Station
Stone Houses Family Garden, which was originally part of the Hau Wong Temp...

Take a VR tour of the new L.A. Federal Courthouse, an “unusually polished work of civic architecture”

2016-10-25T20:01:00-04:00

The $350-million, 633,000-square-foot courthouse, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, is an unusually polished work of civic architecture — especially by the standards of Los Angeles...This is a building that wants to look respectable and rational but not staid, one that is fairly conventional on the horizontal plane and takes a significant if measured chance on the vertical one. Still, it’s a chance that pays off.

Christopher Hawthorne gives a thumbs up in his review of SOM's design for the now-completed Los Angeles U.S. Courthouse, which appears to “float” in mid-air. Don't forget to check out a virtual tour of the building in the video below.

Previously on Archinect:

LA Federal Courthouse under construction

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to Design Federal Courthouse

Take a Tour of Ancient Rome, 320 CE

2015-03-20T12:58:00-04:00

[The] extended tour [is] guided by renowned “virtual archaeologist” and overseer of the Rome Reborn project Dr. Bernard Frischer...in dialogue with Dr. Steven Zucker, whose...questions ensure that, while we take in the spectacle of Rome’s impressive architecture (to say nothing of its equally impressive aqueducts) as it looked back in 320, we also think about what the real flesh-and-blood people who once lived there actually did there...