Polymorphic is a fascinating kinetic installation designed and produced by ten architecture students from Columbia University GSAPP in New York City. The installation was created within Fast Pace/Slow Space, a course taught by Brigette Borders and Mark Bearak. [...] The design is comprised of a double-sided bench which transforms through a series of 119 unique and interconnected sections into a chaise lounge and finally an interactive balance board. — bustler.net
See also the videos of Polymorphic in action and Slow Space Slinky Seats (The Making). View full entry
In 1972, Massimo Vignelli designed a diagrammatic map for the New York City subway. It was a radical departure. He replaced the serpentine maze of geographically accurate train routes with simple, bold bands of color that turned at 45- and 90-degree angles. [...] Its abstract representation of the routes was elegant but flawed. To make the map function effectively, a few geographic liberties were taken, something that didn’t sit well with New Yorkers. — tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com
The showpiece is a staircase smack dab in the middle of the first-floor work room that leads to a second floor with a gaping white void painted red inside. Taranta says it's “reminiscent of a large droplet of water ready to fall from the ceiling.” Uh, yeah. If a “large droplet of water” looks exactly like a vagina. — fastcodesign.com
Today the California Academy of Sciences achieved a groundbreaking feat of sustainable design as the U.S. Green Building Council presented it with its second LEED Platinum certification, making it America’s first double platinum museum, and the world’s largest double platinum building. — Inhabitat
In a recent Washington Post article architect Roger K Lewis wrote about a recent article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology which examined how commercial architecture’s similarity across nation provides mobile Americans with a sense of stability. Donna Sink, thinks it has less to do with with concepts like "familiarity-seeking" and more to do with the profit motives of developers.
In the second part of the CONTOURS: Whither Goest Thou, Green Economy: feature, Sherin Wing looks at the how the R-word index and the drag that the so-called PIIGS is having on the economy, are impacting the greening of the economy. Her essay attempts to put aside overblown... View full entry
This ad for mega-exhibition Pacific Standard Time has been floating around for a few days and the bad news is it's not an actual campaign image. The good news is that Ice Cube's celebration of Ray and Charles Eames is totally real. A rep for PST tells us this ad is "an unapproved rough concept" that was leaked, but she adds that "The ads for the campaign featuring Ice Cube and Eames will be released in the coming weeks." — la.curbed.com
Gotta love LA. View full entry
Is this what Disco looks like? I’m a bit conflicted about how to describe the interior of this installation by Serge Salat, because I’m not sure how to combine the following words into a single sentence (other than just listing them): Sol LeWitt, Fractals, Disco, Kaleidoscope and LED. — thefoxisblack.com
While there is indeed real cause for anxiety, and new crises continue to emerge, the most pertinent stance young (and for that matter, established) designers can take is to translate the wealth of research emerging from design schools into further activist engagement and new research opportunities — and to advocate for that central role for designers in solving the profound dilemmas that define our time. — Places
The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art describes his efforts to expand MoMA's role to support experimentation and advocacy in architecture and design. For several years now, through exhibitions and workshops MoMa has explored how designers can... View full entry
Six designers have had their futuristic visions for visually pleasing electricity pylons shortlisted for a competition that could see their plans spark into life. — channel4.com
In Holland, we have two words for design. One is vormgeving; in German formgeben. And the other word is ontwerpen; in German entwurf. In the Anglo-Saxon language there’s only one word for design, which is design. That is something you should work out. Vormgeving is more to make things look nice... While ontwerpe means, and the Anglo-saxon word, but its stronger, means engineering. — thatnewdesignsmell.net
David Adjaye, Principal Architect of Adjaye Associates, is this year's recipient of the Design Miami/ Designer of the Year Award. David will be commissioned to design and install a site-specific pavilion, entitled Genesis, along the Miami Beachfront in line with the show scheduled for November 29 - December 4, 2011. — huffingtonpost.com
CLOG slows things down. Each issue explores, from multiple viewpoints and through a variety of means, a single subject particularly relevant to architecture now. Succinctly, on paper, away from the distractions and imperatives of the screen. — CLOG
CLOG is a new publication that tries to address the problem of speed and deluge of content we experience in today's new media landscape. To continue the dialogue initiated in this issue, on October 7, 2011 Storefront for Art and Architecture will host CLOG and Bjarke Ingels as part of their... View full entry
I stuck to master plan — NYT
The architect Daniel Libeskind reflects on his Op-Ed from June 23, 2005, about his embattled master plan for rebuilding ground zero. He kind of alludes most important design decisions for the outcome was his. From the ashes of 9/11 rises Daniel Libeskind... What do you think? View full entry
Noted international architect Santiago Calatrava has informed Denver International Airport officials that he and his firm are halting their work on DIA's South Terminal Redevelopment Program and are withdrawing from the venture.
DIA officials said they intend to proceed with the project using designs already produced by the Spanish architect and his firm, Festina Lente.
— Denver Post
Calatrava is apparently quitting over the speculation that the city & county of Denver does not have enough cash to complete the project to the level of quality that is befitting his name and the reputation of his firm. View full entry
Warsaw, Poland-based studios Super Super (Hanna Kokczyńska, Jacek Majewski) and Inside/Outside (Agnieszka Kuczyńska) have shared with us their latest collaboration project, a temporary Pop-up shop for an independent clothing brand Zuo corp. The project was planned initially for the... View full entry