Comments update: a leading heavy concrete house beside a Chilean lagoon proved unexpectedly divisive this week, with readers describing it as each “gorgeous” and a “brick sh*thouse”.
The two-storey Casa Guna by Pezo von Ellrichausen occupies a rural site in central Chile. But some readers located the contrast of concrete against the leafy surroundings unsettling.
“In Australia we have the self-explanatory term “brick sh*thouse”. This is an outstanding instance,” wrote commenter Rank. Frank. “Lovely site destroyed by mass concrete. If you need to have to reside in a nuclear shelter this is it,” he added.
“Over right here we have a term for people like you. Cannot create it here although…” responded Thomas.
Juan pitched in with a far more measured response: “This is by far 1 of the most gorgeous projects by Pezo Von Ellrichshausen. It’s all about his theory about space, knowledge and sensitivity… have you truly studied the plans and pictures?!”
“The weathering’s going to give gorgeous moss,” added spadestick. “The floor program is an superb blend amongst architectural dissertation and a functioning residence.” Study the comments on this story »
Tread very carefully: as 2014 drew to an end, we rounded up some of the best architecture and design attributes of the year – such as our leading ten staircases. The inclusion of bannister-free styles like this one by Warm Architects raised a couple of safety fears.
“To be in the best, a kid must be able to fall off the stair or bust their head on the underside of the treads,” wrote Micahel Korach.
“Creativity like this is detrimental to architecture. Safety ought to be a fundamental priority,” added Shafiya Rizwan.
“Feel of this kind of creativity as a complete bottle of pure whiskey,” responded VTousignant. “You may not drink the complete bottle. You may possibly just put a tiny bit into your private drink recipe. But with out having the full strength from which to dilute down from our own personal requirements we are diminished. These architects show us what is possible. Bravo.” Study the comments on this story »
Glow sticks: as part of our ongoing collaboration with MINI, we interviewed Dutch designer Teresa van Dongen about her lamp powered by bioluminescent bacteria usually discovered on octopuses. But the light’s two-day lifespan and low-level glow prompted some sceptical responses.
“So the major objective is to encapsulate smaller sized living beings in order to supply our needs in the future?” asked André Romitelli. “A hamster on a spinning wheel would conceive a longer answer than two days.”
James stepped in to defend the design. “This lady has cultured and created a prototype, developed a food medium for the bacteria and produced a proof of concept – as a student.
“With the same equipment she had been capable to extend the life cycle of these bacteria tenfold,” he wrote. “It requires multinationals and specialist bioengineering organizations weeks and months with committed teams to create commercially viable monera and you are slagging her off simply because you can’t just plug it in?” Study the comments on this story »
Demolition debate: news that the Portland Developing – the troubled municipal office by architect Michael Graves that has turn out to be an exemplar project of the Postmodern movement – was to be saved from the wrecking ball wasn’t totally well-received.
NB76 was one particular of a number of commenters who felt no-a single would miss the creating: “I do not believe anybody will appear back to that period and feel it was instrumental in the evolution of architecture. Move on!”
“Pruitt-Igoe this monster, and bill its creator,” wrote standard commenter the Liberty Disciple, referencing the ill-fated 1950s American housing project that was demolished after less than 20 years.
Not everyone agreed. “Not appealing, just as Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim constructing in Bilbao is not attractive. But tearing down a developing just because it is not to everyone’s taste is a crime against nature – resource wise,” wrote Push/Daisy.
“Presently some may possibly feel it really is ugly (I also wouldn’t get in touch with it quite), but it’s so extremely exclusive and specific, and was so innovative at its time,” added Daniel. Read the comments on this story »
Green-eyed monster? This children’s hospital in Brisbane, Australia, is covered in enormous green and purple fins that reference native plants while helping shade the occupants of the constructing, which the architects say is based on the structure of a tree.
Joseph Strawbridge described the project as “eclectic Brutalist/Postmodernism with a bright green twist,” adding that “the imposing streetscape is in tune with an avatar scale.” Not everybody was convinced.
“This eye-plucking sight owes anything to our ruling video game aesthetic,” wrote Arjay Cee. “It would not be out of place as the grand achievement of some obsessive dweeb in Minecraft.”
Emma added that users of the constructing had reported lack of storage amongst other issues. “I feel that this is a classic example of where the ‘fluffy’ and ‘idealistic’ nature of architecture has stamped out all elements of functionality and practicality,” she added. Read the comments on this story »
