Loren Holyoke

Also there I've found Loren Holyoke, artist from San Francisco.
Here is one of his illustrations Siddhartha, called after Hesse's book, one of my favourite by the way.
More of his work on his web site.
I'm going to Vienna tomorrow so hopefully I'll post some photos from my short trip in New Year.
Have a great fun at your parties and all the best in New Year!

Sarah Palmer

Sarah Palmer is a photographer from California, living in NY.
Beautiful stuff found on lena's blog.

Star Belly Monster

What do you think about this picture of the future?
Doesn't sound too bad to me ;)
Very Christmassy I thought, especially after spending all afternoon with my four-year-old niece.
Pictures by Lisa Evans, words by Graham Smith.

Christmas Tree

While my sister and my mum were in the kitchen, I was decorating our Christmas tree with my dad.
Among a lot of decorations I have found some really old ones that brought some nice memories :)

Merry Christmas!

I'm off to Poland tomorrow but will be posting stuff from there :)
Meantime Happy Christmas everyone and all the best in New Year!
I hope you'll all spend this Christmas with your dearest ones in beautiful, wintery atmosphere.
Also I'd like to wish you a lot of happiness, many inspirations, beauty and excitement in 2009.
Keep warm and try not to eat too much :)
Here, for all of you, is a little bit different Christmas card by AKQA.
(via swissmiss)

Leicester – Christmas Do

Bob, John, Catherine, big thank you for organizing a great trip to Leicester.

We had a great time seeing the city's most interesting architecture, having a nice meal and... clubbing :)

Oh, Secret Santa was a big success!

Here are few photos from our trip.

Iwan Baan in AA

This exhibition in AA in London shows recent architectural photography by Dutch photographer Iwan Baan. He has pioneered a 3D interactive photographic technique featuring finished buildings and scale models as well as commissions by leading international architects (OMA, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Toyo Ito, Steven Holl and many more) to photograph the world’s most exciting contemporary architecture.
So all Londoners you should definitely go and see this!
If time allows, I might take a trip and go myself.

Alex MacLean's Aerial Photographs

Here are few winter aerial photographs by Alex MacLean that got me in the Christmas mood, more than anything around.

Alejandro Aravena on Arch Daily

Here is an intersting interview with Alejandro Aravena, chilean architect that we’ve heard a lot about recently. This year awarded with the Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale (Promising Young Architect) and selected as a one of the 20 most promising young architects by Icon Magazine, magazine which also features him on the cover of the january issue.
Aravena is founder of Aravena Architects, teacher - Harvard University and Universidad Católica de Chile but most of all the Executive Director of Elemental Chile. Elemental is a “do-tank” that focuses on improving the quality of life in Chilean cities by making a big impact in public policies and improving quality of social housing in Chile and Mexico.
Very down to earth but interesting statements are coming out of this interview. Made me think again about the fundamental issues shaping our profession. I had a chance to listen to him on one of the panels in Swiss pavilion in September on Biennale in Venice. Aravena is definitely an interesting persona, becoming more and more known as another architect after Tschumi “betting on political change”.

(via arch daily ofcourse)

1930' Party

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you that came to the party.
Thank you for dressing up, dancing Charleston, trying unknown spirits and cigars and simply having a good time :)
More photos here.

Iggy Peck, Architect

Another treat for all architectural passionates, big and small!
“Iggy Peck, Architect” is a book about a boy and his passion: building (sometimes with weard materials). This book by Andrea Beaty's with David Roberts's illustrations is on my Christmas presents list. I will probably have to get two, one for my niece and one for myself ;)

"Lost and Found" by Studio Aka

All of you in Britain must know the Lloyd’s advert by Studio Aka. You should also know Oliver Jeffer's Lost and Found book.
Well imagine this beautiful story animated by Aka! Yes, they completed a 25-minute film adaptation of Jeffer's book. The film, directed by Philip Hunt, will debut on the UK’s Channel Four on Christmas Eve.
Can’t wait!

(via swissmiss)

Granada Science Park

Granada Science Park by Carlos Ferrater & Jimenez Brasa Arquitectos is a poetic example of architecture inspired by surrounding landscape.
Construction of the mountain-like roof covers programmatically complex centre, constructing a new topography. That amazing structure as it folds, organizes between folds the skylights that provide natural light to the circulations and connecting spaces.
Even though the building is quite complex with it’s form, it seams simple, natural and embedded in the context.
I don’t want to be too critical but it’s much more successful then some other egsadurated forms we see by a couple of my recently least liked architects (with big names) ;)
(via archdaily)

Architectural Cinematography

A couple of new architectural documentaries are on the way.
One of them is Koolhass Houselife, a film about the Maison à Bordeaux designed by Rem Koolhaas ofcourse.
Unlike most movies about architecture, this documentary focuses less on explaining the architectural qualities of the building than on letting the viewer experience the space by showing this high-tech home from the perspective of Guadalupe Acedo. Guadalupe is the housekeeper and the person who actually has to take care of keeping all this amazing design alive.
I really look forward to seeing the whole film as trailers look and sound really good. The sophisticated technology in the building with soundtrack music by Strauss reminds me of Kubrick’s Space Odyssey but then the main character of Guadalupe on one hand turns it to an architectural comedy on the other makes the building more habitable, more human.
This film has already been shown on many festivals. Now to see the whole film we will have to order the DVD that comes with a book about the film and the building. I will certainly do that!
For now here is one of the trailers…

Another film is by Danish film maker Kaspar Astrup Schröder who is currently finishing My Playground, a documentary on freerunning and parkour, and its relation with the urban spaces. This documentary will features scenes with parkour masters and interviews with urban planners, local politicians, architects and philosophers.
The trailer uses the Mountain Dwellings by BIG as “playground” for the traceurs. The film is expected to be released in the summer of 2009.

Marc Yankus

Marc Yankus' training as a painter is apparent in his atmospheric photographs. He incorporates textures that he scans from different materials into his photography to produce foggy, sometimes mysterious landscapes.
Some of them remind me Richter’s work, I’m sure that was one of the inspirations.
On his web site you can see his photographs and other artwork.

Italia

"To me, music that breaks your heart is the music that stays with you forever" says Chris Botti.
Certainly this music won’t leave you impassive!
I finally got it! “Italia” is Chris Botti’s last album (2007) with songs and music inspired by Italy.
We are used to typical for the musician slow moving orchestral pieces and this time as well he doesn’t disappoint with quality and beauty of his music.
Phenomenal version of Caruso (composed by Lucio Dalla) but also the first piece “Italia” with Andrea Bocelli just blew me away!
This music is a real treat and perfect for cold evenings...

Josef Koudelka

This photograph is a master’s observation of everyday Slovakian life (1960’) but charged with so much emotion and obviously brilliant technique.
Koudelka is an icon of the XXth century photography; especially well known for his picture of the Prague Spring and gypsies observed during the years of exile.
It’s really worth getting familiar with his work as it’s really moving. I guess that especially for us, people that can relate to this part of the world.

Hotel Aire de Bardenas

This amazing hotel, designed by Emiliano López and Mónica Rivera Arquitectos is located in the southernmost part of Navarre (Spain). The site for the four-star hotel is a wheat field, near a spectacular natural park with semi-desert landscape.
Given the site's great views but also sometimes inhospitable conditions (wind, dust, high temperatures), the idea was to design a hotel as a succession of protected and comfortable interior spaces from which to contemplate the exterior.
The hotel rooms have also an outside space with hot tubs and most of all each room has “inhabitable window” from which gests can admire the beauty of the ‘burning’ landscape.
Worth looking at other López and Rivera’s work.

Polaroid Love :)

My beast has arrived :)
Yes, my long-awaited polaroid camera! I only got it for £9,50 from ebay so I’m not sure if it’s any good…
Anyway I really look forwart to testing it.
I hope that my photos will be at least half as good as these ones by Jen Gotch. I wish!
I love her pictures, she’s a bit like polaroid Eva Rubinstein.
Have a look at her blog too.

Poetic Bath Time

“I’m not writing to you because you’re gone.
Your leaving doesn’t surprise me now. It almost
seems like the natural thing to have done, and
it’s because I find it natural that I’m writing
now to ask you to come back. (…)

It was exactly two weeks ago today. Sophia opened the little concrete door onto the terrace of her flat.”

During my visit in NAI’s bookshop, among serious architectural books, I foud this beauty. I opened it, not knowing what to expect, read the first page and just had to have it.
“Reality without Restraint bathtime in the Villa dall’Ava” by Christophe Ven Gerrewey is an example of (as I found out) architectural fiction.
Christophe is architect as well as awarded writer, also teacher at the Department of Architecture and Urban Development at the University Ghent and the Karel de Grote College in Antwerp.
This little book is a beautiful story about people and their sad stories entangled in architectural reality.

Bobo Choses

Bobo Choses is a new label. Beautiful clothes for children that I wouldn’t mind wearing myself…

Fact and Fiction Sculptures

Look at that! Jennifer Khoshbin’s Book Project.
The series addresses memory and nostalgia through photographic sculptures made up of iconic images and carved text.
Beautiful idea, really inspiring, hope you’ll like it too.
(via ali loves curtis)

Good news!

Last night I found about yet another couple expecting a baby!
V+V, K+I, D+N and now M+M! Wow!
Congratulation guys and here is this charming, little photo I found on one of my favourite blogs :)
Magda, thanks for a lovely Tibetan night!

Netherlands (2/2)

Few more pictures to give you a flavour of how great it was to be in this architecturally and artistically fascinating country.
Thanks guys for your company and a great adventure!
For more, please click here.

Netherlands (1/2)

Here are some of the photographs I took during the study trip to the Netherlands.
We (Me, Mike and Alessandro) went with a big group of students to Amsterdam, Almere and Rotterdam :)
I will post more photos soon.

"The Mother"

After coming back from the Netherlands I couldn’t sleep, while flipping the channels I came across Roger Michell’s film “The Mother” with Anne Reid and Daniel Craig.
A very different, west London-set story from the director of Notting Hill, scripted by Hanif Kureishi, is a beautifly filmed piece of work that addresses the inner life of an unnoticed woman.
It's a very affecting film that makes you think about your own family relationships, the way we live and honesty of our feelings.
Disturbing but at the same time beautiful picture illustrated with great performances, atmospheric scenes of London and exquisite music.

OUTrial House/KWK PROMES

At last we start seeing Robert’s work on international architectural blogs and in many publications! Maybe because he’s finally got his we site?!
Before I go off to Netherlands I thought I’d put this.
OUTrial House is as always an example of simple idea for beautiful architecture.

(via arch daily)

"My Kinda Town"

I was amazed seeing this short film today!
British cities in the late 1970s, tried to make themselves appear more exciting to a cinema audience so they recruited Telly Savalas (Kojak!) to narrate these “propaganda” films.
You can read more here.
Hope you’ll enjoy this picture about my city – Birmingham.
As Telly says “it’s my kinda town” (well, he can say that as he’s never been here ;))

Modernist London card pack

I’ve been walking around town today and it’s hard not to notice the overwhelming amount of Christmas decorations. At first I thought it was as always too early but actually it’s only over a month till Christmas.
It’s a good time to think about Christmas cards, especially the ones that have to go to the other side of the ocean :)
Well, as always there is something special for us ;)
The new Stefi Orazi’s line is a selection of Modernist London Christmas cards.
Winter edition pack features iconic modernist buildings like the BT Tower, the Isokon Building, the Barbican, Golden Lane estate, the K8 telephone box and the Royal Festival Hall.
You can see and order them here.

Kīlauea

This picture by Aya Brackett made me feel good today.

Yuras

Another Japanese 'mountain range', this time in the Chikara Ohno’s interiors.
What a great idea, especially for that kind of 'pod approach'.
You can read more about this project here but it's worth getting more familiar with some of his other projects!

007

I’ve just gone back from the latest Bond film Quantum of Solace.
I must say that was the least “Bond” film I’ve seen from the series and I’m not sure whether it’s good or bad. I know that the previous films were quite shallow, even funny but that’s what we liked them for. This one feels a bit more like a really good action film what doesn’t make it original or any different from most of the blockbusters.
What I really liked about this film though were some architectural aspects that any architect/designer will appreciate. First of all the beautiful ESO hotel by Auer + Weber Architecten situated in amazing Chilean desert. It was blown up by the way but only in the film ;)

Another good building was the Festival and Convention Centre in Bregenz by Austrian practice Dietrich and Untertrifaller. Bond movie was filmed there during a performance of Tosca that was a part of the Bregenz Festival. Both buildings bring a lot of enjoyment for our architectural eyes showing a lot of beautiful detailing and the way that the ESO hotel merges with the burning Chilean landscape is just amazing…

We can also admire the Bene AL executive furniture that plays a supporting role at the MI6 headquarters ;)
So, if not just for Bond and his gadgets go and see the film for the exceptional design and architecture. It’s worth it!