Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Looking up!

Whenever Im outside I find myself looking up. Im attracted to the way buildings interact with the streets, with each other and with the sky. I remember wanting to be an architect since I was eight years old. I dont remember the exact moment I made that decision but I always found myself down the street, playing in front of a house own by an architect.
It was the best looking house on the block, and I wanted to live in it. By playing in front of it, I thought somehow I was part of it. Perhaps it was more than that, I think it was the expression of forms and shapes that fascinated me the most.

The picture below is of three buildings I walked by for two years on my way to work. I always thought these buildings were interesting. Not because they are obviously different in style and materials nor because they are not that pretty looking. It is that there is something eye-catching about them. The deep red brick, light beige stone and the reflective monolithic grid glass somehow work together. This picture only depicts a small portion of the relationship and context between these three very different buildings, their connection with one and other, their surrounding architecture, the people of Boston and the sky.

Next time you are outside remember to look up!



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Simple Idea = Great Architecture


One of the greatest things about Design; of “Good Design” it’s the minimal spark that comes from a simple idea that can be converted into great architecture. In the case of Mansilla + Tuñon Architects’ design for the Toletum Visigodo Museum, the idea on a simple fold of a flat plane, it’s suddenly transformed into a three-dimensional space, which evolves into a cluster of inhabitable places forming the galleries for Museum. Enjoy!

 

I first came across this video on a great blog, Architechnophilia.

Friday, March 30, 2012

FUN - Changing our behavior

Stairs are one of those things that a lot of people don’t really care about. They’re just the method of going from one level to the next; most people avoid them at all cost, and escalators have become the better option. The stairs don’t seem to be worth the extra work.

However in the field of architecture, stairs are one of the most difficult things to draw, detail and construct.  But what if we could change the way people feel about stairs and make this activity fun?

Well, this is exactly what the company “The Fun Theory” did! They installed giant piano keys on the subway stairs, surprisingly “66% more people chose stairs over escalators”, how great is that! See video below.  The Fun Theory” does a great job looking for daily use things that by having fun can change our behavior. This awesome stairs installation should be required in all subway stairs.


Every time I have the chance I use the stairs, not only because sometimes is the only workout I can get into my day, and escalators are more hustle since they’re always packed with people. For some strange reason I like to count the steps while going up and down the stair.

My twice a day STAIR


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Shadows of the Night

For most of us nighttime means the end of the day, the time to wind down and prepare for the next day to come. In the mix of slow activity the world around us creates amazing illuminated shadows that hunt the darkness with colorful opacities through energy of reflective objects.

Imperfect imitations of these objects at night guide us to our final destination in anticipation of the rising dawn and the new day to come.

Metal
Tree
Lamp

Curtain
Personal Photography, taken in Cambridge, MA. 2011

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

"I want to make you HAPPY"!!!

The Hooks are an English Indie Rock band founded in 2001. I recently came across a great song from them, while waiting in line at a store. On my way to the office I kept singing the song in my head so I wouldn't forget the lirycs. The first thing I did after turning on my computer was google the song, it took a few tries but I found it! The name of the song is "Junk of the Heart (Happy)" this kind of song I can listen to, over and over again, and never get tired of it. Enjoy!!

http://www.thekooks.com/

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Casa Once Mujeres by Architect Mathias Klots

The first thing that attracted me to this article was the name, Casa Once Mujeres, “House of Eleven Women” it’s a pretty catchy name. The owners of the house are a divorced couple, combined the couple has eleven children, all women.

The house is located on a side hill in Zapallar, Chile built in 2007 by architect Mathias Klots. The house has amazing vistas to the Pacific Ocean as well as open and airy interior spaces.


Original article from Plataforma Arquitectura

Friday, December 16, 2011

"Dream BIG" by Peter Fecteau & some History

The “Dream Big” installation was a yearlong project in which artist Pete Fecteau combined 4,242 Rubik’s Cubes to create the image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   
No question, Rubik’s Cubes are fascinating objects that mix lots of patience and a touch of genius. I haven't been able to go beyond two rows of the same color but did you know that the Rubik’s Cube was invented by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik in 1974? Pretty cool, I’m sure Mr. Rubik would love Pete Fecteau “Dream Big”. Enjoy!

From: Design Spotter

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Abundance, by Camille Utterback -- San Jose City Hall, 2007

Two of my favorite things in the world; Architecture & Art Installations! I first came across this video and a great class I took in college called "The Moving Image". Abundance is a temporary public installation by Camile Utterback, commissioned for the City of San Jose, California by ZER01 – the Art and Technology Network. The installation it's meant to be viewed at night, when it transforms the cylindrical facade of the City Hall designed by Richard Meier and the plaza into an interactive social space. Check it out!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Com-Oda by Mr. Simon amazing folding chairs

Com-Oda is a set of six folding chairs that when they are not in use, they form another piece of furniture utilizing the space when they are in use and when they are not! I like the folding chairs and its also a great way to store them. Pretty smart! Com-Oda was designed by Mr. Simon a Spain-based graphic and product design studio.
Com-Oda
Com-Oda
Com-Oda

Thank you Core77 for posting this awesome project!

Crater Lake by 24° Studio

Crater Lake is one of the winners for Shitsurai Art International Competition organized by the city of Kobe, Japan. This installation was design by 24° Studio as a multi-use environment, the entire installation serves as seating and/or meeting place by evoking social interaction within and around its environment. The Crater Lake will be exhibited at the Kobe Biennale 2011.

I really like this installation; I like the form, structure and materials. Its structures like this that activate spaces in big open public areas. I really appreciate the flexibility of it; it can be move, built and dismantle to different places and environments. Love it!

Crater Lake
Crater Lake

Thank you Contemporist for sharing!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Cycle-In Cinema -London

Cycle-In Cinema, pop-up movie theaters relying solely on pedal power to screen movies, hosted by Magnificen Revolution. Simply awesome!

Rainbow Village -Taichung, Taiwan

I came across this awesome place and I thougt it was worth sharing. In a small town of Taichung, Taiwan, Haung Yung-Fu has covered almost every surface of Rainbow Village with his paintings. Check it out!


 Thanks for sharing; Matador Nights and Honestly...wtf

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Enjoy the outdoors with Ergonomic Stainless Steel!

Another of my favorite design websites is design-milk, now featuring an awesome stainless steel outdoor furniture by Kirv. The line of outdoor furniture it's ergonomically designed and can be made fully site specific plus the colors and shapes are amazing!
Kirv Hi-Rise
More info http://design-milk.com/get-out-kirv/

Steve Jobs, thank you for your forward thinking!

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs



 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Change the Record by Paul Cocksedge -London

One of my favorite websites Dezeen is screening London based Designer Paul Cocksedge, who transporms vinyl records into amplifiers for smartphones. One word, Amazing! Enjoy!

http://player.vimeo.com/video/29797065?title=0&byline=0&color=57597f

Monday, October 3, 2011

Colorful & Silent Architecture -Luis Barragan

In Fall of 2009 I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico with an amazing group of people to study Architecture, here are some of my favorite photos of Luis Barragan's Architecture. 
Casa Gonzalez Luna, 1928

Casa Galvez, 1954

Torres Satelite, 1957

Casa Egerstrom, 1968

Casa Gilardi, 1977

Casa Gilardi, 1977

All Stairs should be Piano Stairs

I absolutely love this idea! All public stairs should be piano stairs!  Thank you http://thefuntheory.com/ for this amazing and creative idea! Enjoy!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Rolled up magazines = Happier Boots!

This weekend I thought my magazine pile was getting a little too big, so I went through it to recycle a few. But before I finish that, I moved on to the next task, cleaning my closet. I noticed my knee-high boots were getting damage, they were bended and in a messy closet. I tried several times to straighten them up but nothing was working. Then suddenly it hit me! I went back to the kitchen and rolled up some magazines to put inside my boots, and it worked!
For the ankle-high boots I cut paper towel rolls in half. Try it! All you need is paper towel rolls, magazines, rubber bands and boots!