jarmund/vigsnaes architecture: oslo international school

the oslo international school is a private school in norway by jarmund/vigsnaes architecture with 500 students from over 50 different countries. the school has a mixture of regular classrooms and special facilities for advanced studies. the new design was planned to replace the existing facilities and built in three phases so the school could remain open during construction. the new structure was based on the previous one, combining a simple one level plan with good natural lighting. the organically shaped walls are covered in wooden panels that are treated on the outside and whitewashed inside. the phase 2 façade features fiber cement board combined in 10 different colours. the new school is based around three central atriums that are used for play and recreation spaces, while the existing atrium is now a garden for quiet contemplation.

from Designboom - Weblog

University College Ostfold Halden / RRA

The key notion of the architectural strategy is the location’s natural features and the use of a limited material palette. The project is situated in an old “culturscape” and special attention is paid to integrate it into its surroundings. The design is based on simple geometrical prisms, lines and slabs composed into a complex lay-out of rooms and functions. Critical functions and lines of communication are emphasised and the building expresses a balance of functional efficiency and open perspectives.

from Arch Daily by Nico Saieh

daniel libeskind shares 17 words of wisdom

renowned architect daniel libeskind has appeared in one of TED's latest conferences. the invitation-only conferences are dedicated to 'ideas worth spreading' and have seen talks by former US presidents and nobel laureates.

in his talk libeskind builds on very big ideas and shares 17 words that underlie his vision for architecture; raw, risky, emotional, radical and that offer inspiration for any bold creative pursuit. his most recent work includes yonsang business district, seoul, south korea and ko bogen retail district for downtown dusseldorf.

image © screen ID
from Designboom - Weblog

Rhino Grasshopper - Parametric Truss

Software: Grasshopper in Rhino 4

Description: In this Grasshopper video, we will create a parametric truss system by generating and manipulating components and instantiating them onto a lofted geometry. We will start by creating our components from a surface using such features as List Items and Offset. From there, we will continue by subdividing a lofted geometry and then instantiate our parametric components across that surface, creating a marameterized truss system.

from Design Reform by David Fano

Savannehuis by LAM Architects

Dutch architects LAM have completed a sustainable giraffe enclosure for Rotterdam Zoo, which opens next week. (more…)

from Dezeen by Brad Turner

Herzog & de Meuron’s “Bird’s Nest” Wins RIBA Lubetkin Prize

The National Stadium in Beijing - nicknamed ‘the bird’s nest’ - by Herzog & de Meuron, with the China Architectural Design and research Group, Arup Sport and Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong, and artist Ai Wei Wei, has scooped the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) prestigious Lubetkin Prize for the most outstanding work of architecture outside the European Union by an RIBA member.

from Bustler.net News by Vanilla Hustler

East Wing for Cleveland Musuem of Art / RVA

Critically acclaimed international practice Rafael Vinoly Architects recently announced their addition to the Cleveland Musuem of Art (CMA) in Ohio. The museum is currently undergoing a multi-phase renovation and expansion project. RVA’s 139,200 sq foot East Wing addition, which unites the historic 1916 Beaux-Arts building and the 1971 Marcel Breuer addition, is the first of three planned wings.

from Arch Daily by Karen Cilento

Dezeen’s top ten: schools

Dezeen’s top ten: this month’s top ten features Dezeen's most-viewed Dezeen stories about projects for education, from kindergartens to universities and classrooms to sports halls. (more…)

from Dezeen by Rose Etherington

Nestlé Chocolate Museum / Rojkind Arquitectos

While Nestlé’s chocolate Factory in Mexico City (located in Paseo Tollocan near Toluca) was in need of an inner pathway for visitors to witness the production of their favorite chocolates, a group of experts put together by rojkind arquitectos and Traqs suggested bigger plans for the company.

from Arch Daily by Nico Saieh

Schloss Grafenegg Concert Hall / Architekten Schröder Schulte-Ladbeck

German firm Architekten Schröder Schulte-Ladbeck have completed the Schloss Grafengg concert hall located on the grounds of Grafenegg Castle near Vienna, Austria. After an EU-wide competition, the jury awarded first prize to Architekten Schroder Schulte-Ladbeck’s proposal because of its “visionary and historically sensitive design.” The 1200 person concert hall illustrates the designers’ ”extremely sensitive commitment to the existing buildings and the surrounding grounds.” The new building fits perfectly into the park grounds and is connected to the castle’s existing, heritage-protected, former riding-school buildings by a series of glazed lobbies.

from Arch Daily by Karen Cilento

Five Projects Shortlisted for European Copper Awards

With almost 50 entries from 16 countries, the 2009 Copper in Architecture Awards revealed an exceptional diversity of projects – many not yet published – representing some of the very best in contemporary European architecture. Image above: Clip House, Madrid, Spain

from Bustler.net News by Vanilla Hustle

zaha hadid architects: JS bach chamber music hall

zaha hadid architects recently completed their chamber music hall at the manchester art gallery. the installation is home to performances of the music of johann sebastian bach, currently taking place as part of the manchester international festival. a fabric covered steel structure swirls within the room, carving out a spatial and visual response to the intricate relationships of bach’s harmonies.

from Designboom - Weblog
image courtesy of zaha hadid architects © luke hayes

ShowCase: Private Library and Writing Studio

This building was commissioned as a library and writing studio for a critic and historian. It is located on Long Island, about two hours drive east of New York City. The site is adjacent to the client's home, and is approached on foot through a stand of trees. There is no drive or path. The library sits at the threshold of an open field and a wood. A tidal stream is visible through the woods, at the rear of the site. The building was conceived as a simple structure with a mutable presence in the landscape. It maps a path from the open field, through a doorway at the edge of the woods, to a light filled space set in the tree canopy.

from Archinect.com Feed

Tornado Tower Features Energy Generating Facade and Countless Pearls

The Tornado Tower is a spectacular modern and unique design that is characterized by a rotating facade, which generates power from high altitude winds. The exterior of the tower is outfitted with curved fins that harness the wind to generate clean energy to power the arts center and the surrounding city as well. Pairing function and aesthetic, the roof of the tower boasts an undulating sea of pearls that meld into clouds, from which unparalleled views of the city are possible.

from Inhabitat » Architecture by Bridgette Meinhold

Porsche Museum by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects

The Porsche Museum in Stuttgard, Germany, was conceived by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects as a dynamically formed organism, inviting new ideas on the use of gravity and space to establish a new basis in the foundations of architecture.

from CoolBoom by Sylvia

steven holl architects: linked hybrid

linked hybrid is a multi-purpose complex in beijing, chaina designed by steven holl architects. the project is 220,000 square-meters spread over eight interconnected towers. the multiple structures are joined together by a ring of skybridges that each hold different public functions. the unusual design was created to counter current urban development trends in china. instead of a sealed off private tower, the building is a porous urban space that is open to the public on all sides. the complex houses over 750 apartments, recreation facilities, a hotel, school and various public and private facilities. the concept for the structure encapsulates a ‘city within a city’ providing service for over 2500 inhabitants. the building was recently named the ‘best tall building’ in asia and australia by the council on tall buildings and urban habitat (CTBUH).

photograph: © steven holl architects
from Designboom - Weblog

ecdm architects: gymnasium la tourelle sarcelles, france

located 16 kilometers from paris, sarcelles is part of the 'banlieue' that quickly accommodated immigrants who arrived at the end of the 50s. with a current population close to 60,000, sarcelles consist of a small old core and a huge expansion to the south known as le grand ensemble and conceived in 1965 by jacques henri-labourdette, it is currently undergoing an ambitious urban renewal operation. this is the context behind the project by ecdm architects which created cover and access for disabled people in a multi-sport court of the secondary school of la tourelle.

photo © p. ruault
from Designboom - Weblog

Vision 2030 / MVRDV

With the city of Almere’s growth expected to require thousands of new residences, work places and related facilities, MVRDV was commissioned to collaborate with the city to design a concept structure vision to accommodate such drastic expansion. MVRDV’s Vision 2030 will create a framework to satisfy the growth for about 20 years. ”The structure vision for Almere is more than an urban master plan…” said Adri Duivesteijn, city councilor of Almere, “…it describes how the city can develop in economic, cultural and social terms. The expansion is not a quantitative effort. Even though the number of 60,000 new homes is impressive, the main objective is the addition of new qualities. Almere wants to serve the demand of the Randstad and at the same time needs the chance to develop into an ecologic, social and economically sustainable city”.

from Arch Daily by Karen Cilento

massimo iosa ghini: 'south face' installation

'south face', a project by iosa ghini associati, is an architectural installation which consists
of an insulated, modular wall composed of hollow panels made from eco-cement and quarry substrates that can accommodate thick, lush foliage. the south-facing façade of the structure forms a vertical garden which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and uses this to insulate the environment it encloses from humidity.

from Designboom - Weblog

massimiliano fuksas: scenography of medea and edipo for the greek theatre of siracusa, italy

architect massimiliano fuksas has created a greek theatre for the fondazione INDA
(istituto nazionale del dramma antico) in siracusa, italy.

according to fuksas the element of thought and inspiration for this scenography was the horizon. a very simple horizon - he adds- that speaks about the catharsis element and the landscape, the place and the action for the conscience of the ancient spectators. as the landscape and the scenery are changed in the course of time, the contained intention in this scenography is the reconstruction of the lost horizon, staged by a 'concave blade' that mirrors all that happens around, that involves the audience, that reflects and invites to reflect.

from Designboom - Weblog

Ex Arsenal at Maddalena Conversion / Stefano Boeri Architetti

Italian based Stefano Boeri Architetti shared with us their latest project: The requalification and recovery of the ex Military Arsenal on the island of La Maddalena, Italy. This project includes a hotel, a congress centre, a conference building, two large exhibition and commercial spaces and a quay for 700 boats.

from Arch Daily by David Basulto

Mercado Central de la Flor, Mercabarna / Willy Muller Architects

Mercabarna inaugurated the new building for Mercabarna-Flor, a new market for wholesale flowers, plants and accessories. The market aims to become one of the principal in Catalonia and the rest of Spain, and a landmark in terms of facilities at the European level.

from Plataforma Arquitectura by Carlos J Vial

Prestigious Architecture Award for DSDHA’s Møller Centre in Cambridge

RIBA recently selected The Study Centre at The Møller Centre in Cambridge, UKas a regional winner of the prestigious annual RIBA architecture awards. The Study Centre was opened in 2007 and designed by London-based architects DSDHA. Winners of the Regional and European Awards are put forward for the Stirling Prize for Architecture, which is announced in October.

from Bustler.net News by Vanilla Hustler