Mathematical Street Art - Aakash Nihalani

Contributing to otherwise bland streetscapes, these non-destructive and simple additions by street artist Aakash Nihalani make a great addition.

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Glass Mosaic Garden House

Enclosing a lush garden or trees and foliage the glass mosaic wall creates strange illusion from the outside while also providing privacy from the busy Japanese street. The creation of renowned architect Hiroshi Nakamura the wall is comprised of over 6000 glass blocks held together in a steel lattice. 

via inthralld.com

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Sir Lawrie Barratt (1927 - 2012)

Earlier this week an influential figure in British housing passed away. Sir Lawrie Barratt established Barratt Developments in 1958 as a response to his own problems in becoming a homeowner with his company becoming on of the UK's leading housing developers. 

Barratt is a well known yet controversial name in Bristish housing. On one hand Barratt Developments were pioneers, with many of the methods invented now common practice in housing. Along with (the now industry standard) fitted kitchen, other schemes included the concept of part-exchange and other principles of maximising space, alongside a broader legacy of making home ownership a reality to many who were previously priced out of the housing market.

However the cost cutting methods came at a price and the delivery of cheap housing had its flaws; schemes have been condemned as 'rabbit-hutch' development lacking space, imagination and aesthetics. It will be interesting to see how the legacy and concept of 'affordable housing' will evolved over the next 100 years, and how the Barratt Developments (if still standing) will fit into this landscape.

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Shoffice - Platform 5 Architects

Combining both shed and office space, the aptly named 'Shoffice' is London-based Platform 5 Architects response to the combination of both outdoor storage and workspace separate from living space.

The elegant structure is constructed from timber with a heavy focus on allowing natural light into the ecliptic design.

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Shaping History, Shaping Tomorrow

"For Keio University's Shaping History, Shaping Tomorrow campaign, Tim White put together this video showing the Eastern and Western influences in the city of Tokyo. A bit of old, a bit of new"

via Doobybrain.com

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Newton Vs. Goldberg - Slick Chain Reaction Video

Created by Toronto based 2D House, 'Isacc Newton Vs. Rube Goldberg' is a new chain reaction video filmed with magnets, slick photography and clever visuals. All you have left to do now is guess 'which way is up?'

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House F - Ido, Kenji Architecture Studios

This wooden three story house built on a narrow urban infill site, uses material whose properties reflect the 'aim' of the spaces. For example the heavy reliance on soft woods has been used to create and atmosphere of softness and calm. 

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Oscar Niemeyer (1907 - 2012)

Every planning or architecture student must have one time come across the work of renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer who sadly passed away last week. A key figure in the modern architecture movement Niemeyer's work, as a "sculptor of monuments" may at times have appeared contrary to his political ideologies. 

In the past week many articles have emerged to celebrate both Niemeyer work and his life. However one of the best introductions to the architect and artists remains a short documentary put together in the final years of his life.

"I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. I am attracted to free-flowing, sensual curves. The curves that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuousness of its rivers, in the waves of the ocean, and the body of the beloved woman".

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South West Regional Plan Study Published

The Department of Communities and Local Government commissioned environmental report on the effects of the abolition of the South West Regional Plan has found that the environmental effects will be largely similar in the event the strategy is either retained or abolished. 

More information regarding the study can be found here.

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Chaos Drawing (STYN) - Sam van Doorn

Netherlands based graduate Sam van Doorn latest project builds on the pendulum based drawing machines by Eske Rex to visible render seemingly random lines of chaos. Created through the modified mechanism of an old pinball machine, the drawing device used standard flippers to control an ink-covered sphere which moves across a plane of paper placed on the game surface.

Much more can be found on the artists website here.

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CTHM Wins BD Small Hotel Competition

Hackney based practice CTHM have won BD's Small Hotel Competition. The winning concept sought to "tackle the insignificant of the hotel room" which allowed occupants to "make their own place from a space, through invention and intervention" 

CTHM's response to the brief was a prefabricated box made from structural OSB, which could be subdivided into separate sleep, work, and wash areas through curtains running on various tracks recessed within the ceiling. 

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BD Small Hotel Competition: Room For Change

Next Friday BD will announce the winners of their competition to design a budget hotel. Launching the competition as a means to give potential to a sector of architecture and design which is felt "lacks inspiration and new ideas", BD set the challenge to see how "an innovative layout could make a 14sq m room feel generous and luxurious".

Our pick of the entries is Ninian McQueen's project based on a standard room layout, but seeking to utilise space through the use of vertical elements in the design such as a floor to ceiling storage wall and fold out bed. 

The shortlist of finalists is available on the BD website, with the winner of the competition to be announced Friday 23rd November.

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The Planning Consultancy Survey 2012

“This year's survey carried out in September, obtained responses from 210 firms ranging from major multidisciplinary practices to sole traders in every part of the UK. The results offer a unique and detailed insight into companies' current capacity and recent performance, as well as highlighting the types of planning activity where experts see particular prospects for growth in the year ahead”.

Accompanying various articles discussing the state of the sector are a range of accessible infographics which help paint a clear picture of the current and future prospects of the planning industry.

The full report is available to download from 'Planning'. 

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Japan In 180 Seconds - from The Perennial Plate

While admittedly not related to architecture or planning, this short edit crams two weeks of eating and travelling in Japan into three minutes. Watch this and be ready to book a plane ticket!

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Bristol Civic Society - 'Keeping Bristol's High Streets Alive' - 19/11/12

Bristol Civic Society are hosting a talk later in the month which I would encourage anyone with an interest in Bristol's planned and potential responses to Mary Portas' damning report on the "erosion, neglect and mismanagement" of Britain's high streets published last December. BCS hope that this event will both encourage innovative thought and act as a catalyst for action.

Speakers include:

- Cathy Parker: Professor of Retail and Marketing Enterprise, Manchester Metropolitan University, will give the keynote address, introduce the issues and give examples from other cities of how the problems might be addressed

- Councillor Anthony Negus: Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration will respond with the action the City Council is/has taken

- Tony Miles: Chair of the Clifton Village Traders Association will speak about the proposal for a Clifton Business Improvement District

- Ben Barker: Secretary for Greater Bedminster Community Partnership will speak about Bedminster's successful bid for funding to become a 'Portas Pilot' area

- George Grace: consultant from 'Towncentred' will talk about regenerating Gloucester Road and the Town Teams Initiative

The event will be held at Bristol's Colston Hall No.2 on Monday the 19th of November. Doors open at 6.30 and following discussions the speakers will form a panel for an hour of questions/debate from the floor. The event is free and open to all.

More information can be found on the event section of Bristol Civic Society's website. 

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Can You Tell What It Is??

New York native Richard Silver gives a unique perspective to the symmetry and structure of a selection of NY's churches in his recent project.  

More images and info here.

via designyoutrust.com

Juvet Hotel - Jensen & Skodvin Architecture Practice

Constructed on a steep river bank by Norwegian architecture practice Jensen & Skodvin, the Juvet is Europe's first landscape hotel. Constructed in part with large, reflective glass panels, the seven unique guest rooms give both a spectacularly beautiful and private view over the river Valldola and surrounding forest. "The topography allows a layout where no room looks at another. In this way every room gets its own surprising view of a dramatic piece of landscape, always changing with the weather and the time of the day and the season".

Jensen & Skodvin's portfolio can be viewed on the website, along with more details (inc. floorplans) of the Juvet.

More details of the hotel can be found on the official website.

Carli Davidson - Shake

'Shake' is a recent project from Carli Davidson. The pictures above are just a sample from a intricate and engaging portfolio which can be viewed in full on the artists website. 

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Bristol's Old City - Have Your Say

Bristol City Council have recently announced plans to support the development of one of the city's oldest and most beautiful city centre neighbourhoods, defining the area around Corn Street and Claire Street as a bustling market and leisure destination. 

The City Design Group has developed an initial scoping strategy, including a proffered approach to provide a "high quality pedestrian connection between the shopping quarter, Harbourside and the West End and to realise the potential of the historic core". Councillor Anthony Negus, Executive Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration, said: "A rethink for our Old City neighbourhood is long overdue. It is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful old buildings and is steeped in history. Many unique shops, cafes and stalls have sprung up in the neighbourhood and we want complement the creative and original thinking by radically improving the street scene and pedestrian access."

Priorities for work include:

- A decluttering programme, aimed at reducing the impact of trade waste and signage

- Build on the established success of St Nicholas markets

- Reinforce and redesign the main pedestrian route

- Use road closures to develop regular programmes of markets and events to animate and raise the profile of the area

- Review options to remove parking from Corn Street and Clare Street to enable outdoor uses for frontage businesses

To view the report or for further information please see:

http://www.citizenspace.com/bristol

An in-depth analysis of the report and surrounding issues from 'Architecture, Planning and Design' is to follow

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Hiroshima Concrete House - Suppose Design Office

Built to complex client demands (the desire for bright and private garden space amongst a busy shopping district) Japanese firm 'Suppose Design Office' focused in the use of 'garden elements' included light and materials to evoke an outdoor experience. "By setting up garden rooms that at first sight make you feel as if you are in a real outdoor garden – despite being indoors – we have created a distinction between the indoors and outdoor". 

Suppose Design Office was established by Hiroshima native Makoto Tanijiri, with a focus on new ideas, the potential of spaces, and the realisation of of fresh ideas not just around architecture but the "relationships of all interactive elements". In doing so the practice prides itself on approaching all projects to whatever scale or cost with the "mind of equivalency". In their approach Suppose Design Office seeks to enhance the human environment and contribute to 'new architecture'.

For more information visit: http://www.suppose.jp/index_e.html

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Walker Evans

Walker Evans (3/11/03 – 10/04/75) was an American photographer who rose to prominence largely through his body of work documenting the effects of the Great Depression on rural America.

From an affluent family, Evans used both his experience on Wall Street as well as his position within the New York 'in' crowd to cement a position for himself as an important documenter of the issues of crime, poverty, and economic decline for his generation.

In the summer of 1936 Evans and writer James Agee were sent by Fortune magazine on assignment. While the subsequent story was not run, the pair published the groundbreaking 'Let Us Now Praise Famous Men' in 1941, documenting rural farming from a person and deep perspective of three families.

Evan's most interesting works are perhaps the result of his technique to photograph his subjects surreptitiously through the use of low angles or hidden cameras. The following examples of his work are taken from his journeys on the New York subway:

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... Return from hiatus

Following from a short break following a busy period of work the 'Architecture Planning & Design' blog returns with regular updates. 

To kick us off here is a small article on photo-realist Walker Evans.

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Kiev Timelapse

A short film documenting the city of Kiev exploring a variety of perspectives and looking at a bredth of activity in the city. This timelapse was filmed over five days and two nights, and was created by Efin Graboy and Duria Turetski:

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A Vision of Washington International Airport

A short animation made in 1958 written, produced and directed by Charles and Ray Eames, outlining the potential development of the Washington International Airport. For students of planning and urban design theory, the structural of the proposals and well as the graphic illustrations will be reminiscence of the Physical Design approach to urban planning (e.g. Keeble), and this short film perhaps is a true example of the enthusiasm and optimism with which designers approached problems in the built environment, yet unfortunately failed to fully appreciate how these spaces were used and the system which they were designing.

Via theworldsbestever.com

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The City as a Biological System - Dan Hill

An interesting lecture by Dan Hill of Smart Urbanism:

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Building the Brand: the Nike Swoosh

As one of the world's most recognisable logos the Nike swoosh has not only grown on its owners, but has grown to permeate a whole culture.

In his article examining one of the world's most eminent graphic designs, Rob Walker asks if the success of this symbol (and potentially the whole Nike brand) can be attributed to: a stroke of design masterpiece? incessant repetition? or exquisite product placement?

While Walker appears to come to the conclusion that our bond with the logo is purely the result of a psychological attachment to the familiar, this seems a bit hollow. For example think how many times a day you see the Queen's head without becoming a raving monarchist. At the same time the article seems to avoid the discussion of the allure of the Nike which is created through its association with professional sports and urban culture. 

The full article is available here:

http://observersroom.designobserver.com/robwalker/post/swoosh-repeat/31938/

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