This video shows an interview with architect David Chipperfield, the director of the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale. He has offices in London, Berlin and Milan, and a representative office in Shanghai. Uncompromisingly modernist in outlook, his practice is driven by a consistent philosophical approach, rather than a ‘house style’. Chipperfield studied Architecture at Kingston Polytechnic, graduating in 1976 along with the Architectural Association in London. He worked at the practices of Douglas Stephen, Richard Rogers and Norman Foster, and in 1984 established his own practice, David Chipperfield Architects. The architect got the recognition thanks to the award-winning River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames designed from green oak cladding, concrete and glass. He has been awarded with many architectural awards including RIBA’s Royal Gold Medal and Stirling Prize, Andrea Palladio Prize and Tessenow Gold Medal. During the interview, Chipperfield speaks about Common Ground, his theme for the biennale, and gives his views on the contemporary architecture scene, comparing architects to “perfume brands at Duty Free, on a pedestal, singular and isolated”.
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Perched between natural vegetation overlooking the exquisite beaches of the Indian Ocean, the Banyan Tree Seychelles resort lays lush tropical mountain greenery at your feel just below the carefully designed villas. Located on the south-western coastline of Mahé Island, this collection of 60 beautifully welcoming Creole-style villas await guests with their elegant and bright interiors and swimming pools guarded by imposing palm trees. Two of the villas, the Intendance Pool Villa and Presidential Villa are uniquely remarkable. The first one has a spacious terrace, private jet pool and swimming pool and draws you with its embedded hill structure, in between imposing granite rocks. Inspired by charming local colonial architecture, the villa’s indoor sunken tub with deluxe shower will prove a paradise for those in love with water. The second villa’s striking tropical outdoor shower and private free-form infinity swimming pool across the granite boulders will leave you breathless, but slowly become part of your favorite places. A spa and botanical and spice garden guide your mind towards relaxation and beauty, trying to keep up with the offerings of surrounding nature.
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Architects Shaun Fernandes and Markus Nonn of Jump Studios collaborated on developing the interior design of Google Campus in London. The seven-story working and event space has a total area of 2,300 square meters and displays quite a few playful details, suited for an environment encouraging creativity: “Much of the architectural focus has been on opening up and connecting the ground and lower ground floors programmatically to play host to a series of socialized spaces, from reception and informal meeting areas to theatre, cafe and workshop spaces. Furthermore the overall look and feel of the building was designed to reflect the nature of the future occupants of the building: young start-ups who are just about to kick off their careers rather than well established corporate companies.” How would you comment on the design of the Google Campus in London? Do you believe it manages to add value to the brand image?
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M.C. Escher is one of most renowned artists for the visual and mental stimulation his renowned work evokes. His challenging pieces are sensational and cause a weird butterfly rupturing response in the pit of ones stomach as you try to figure out where his pieces are coming from and where they are going. Full of corners, edges and boxes he has made a name for him that for most of us is out of our budget but we can reinvent his work on our walls and make it pop in 3D by using box shelving.
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This seems a bit like stumbling and falling into the hole that led Alice to the Wonderland. And unlike the old classical version, this is more akin to the world as viewed in the Johnny Depp starrer but sans all the dark spookiness that came along. The Secret Garden designed by Zaha Hadid and Paola Navone is a beautiful setup that uses installations of woven hazelnut branches, glittering lights, bright structures along with elements of nature to create an interactive and alluring experience that seems to transcend you into a different world.
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The collapse of the Twin Towers served as a stark and stunning reminder to architects and engineers of the value of using a concrete to protect skyscrapers from the ravages of fire. Miles O’Brien reports on how the design of skyscrapers has changed since 9/11.
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Malibu, California, is home to an interesting residential project – the PAS House/ Skateboard House. As you might guess from the name and photos, this unique space was designed to be both a modern home and a collection of skateboard-ready surfaces both indoor and outdoor. Built for Pierre Andre Senizergues (PAS), a former World champion, Pro Skater and owner of a well-known skateboard footwear and apparel company, the Skateboard House encompasses all the owner’s interests. Created by skateboarder and designer Gil Lebon Delapointe and Los Angeles-based architect Francois Perrin, this customized home will be placed at the top of the Malibu hills, so it’s a mixture of views over the Pacific and innovative interior design. Separated into three programs- one containing the living, dining and kitchen areas, another one sheltering the bedroom and bathroom and the third one dedicated entirely to skating, the house will feature skate-able areas throughout. Integrated in a curved wall, the kitchen on one side and the sitting area on the other shape a hybrid between living, working and having fun. This dynamic home complements the owner’s lifestyle in stead of changing it. How would your house look like depending on your hobbies?
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Surrounded by an 18 hectare property, the Storrs Road Residence in the small town of Peachester, Australia, displays a single story architectural body emerged from the original building mixed with modern design to shape the evolution story behind this now contemporary farmhouse. Rising from an orchard-defined surrounding, the residence “aims to reflect in miniature the site as a whole and its history.” The old existing dam – once the center of entertainment for kids – was integrated into the structure by connecting it to a pond in front of the house. Wrapping around a central courtyard, the living spaces were designed to be somehow part of the garden, creating a surprising connection with the help of modern technologies. This is how sustainability became part of the project, as Tim Stewart Architects describe it: “The home itself is far more environmentally conscious than its predecessor, with low energy lighting predominant, solar water heating, over 60 000 liters of water storage, and built with timber taken from the site and from fire breaks cut through the bushland. The timber was milled and finished on site and makes up all of the exposed timber as well as the flooring and much of the sub structure. The house is a reflection in miniature of the workings, life, and history of the farm and the family that continue to take enjoy its offerings.”
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