tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21310728482816558872024-02-19T19:22:06.927+10:00Just call me 'SPACE Doctor'ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN - INSIDE & OUT - CRAFTING SPACE to SUIT - www.architectsaustralia.com.auBROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-28268231818304927002010-01-20T17:52:00.004+10:002020-10-10T14:23:01.311+10:00AVATAR & DESIGNING FROM WITHIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub5QqguLF8-toznfCiQXAhbfJ89RJGbmZ0EmP33zAMVR2NfkbIrLkmcqUptDkro0nv-okr72GHiaqu02JBStYfgTLyPEdmsKEAqLUuNZUtIVBHIGShnxQRGqBvnm7NvDJDsMIPZRTBMU/s1600-h/avatar-movie-poster_353x529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub5QqguLF8-toznfCiQXAhbfJ89RJGbmZ0EmP33zAMVR2NfkbIrLkmcqUptDkro0nv-okr72GHiaqu02JBStYfgTLyPEdmsKEAqLUuNZUtIVBHIGShnxQRGqBvnm7NvDJDsMIPZRTBMU/s320/avatar-movie-poster_353x529.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I am so excited I can barely contain myself...although my mother always taught me to be gracious in both triumph and defeat... but I can't help myself..." I TOLD YOU SO ...I told you so...."<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was just over three years ago now I delivered a lecture to a room of disbelievers and "nah sayers", otherwise known as "too big for their britchers" final year architecture students...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The topic was based around my thesis research and much of the research and reading I had done since graduating in 2001 - My interest lay in how computer technologies were impacting architecture, I had used Gehry, Ito & Lynn as my guinee pigs demonstrating that technology was different things to different people, an inspiration, a liberator and even a generator of design...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Further to this I realized as technology advanced we would need to be skilled with the right understanding and information to both make sense as well as validating our existance as Architects, competing with other designers, ourselves & possibly even Artificial Intelligence to maintain our position in the <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">construction and design industries.<br />
</div><span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried to inspire the students with images from "Minority Report" and augmented reality research happening in South Australia at the time, and how what was at the time impossible was going to be in no time at all the norm...and were they ready for it...? <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Well they became entwined in the gadgetry imagery...and lost all perspective...- Making me inturn frustrated at their short sightedness....- and to be truthful doubting myself - maybe I had my head in the clouds...none of this was real ...not in our life time...- right?......WRONG.!!!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please all stand and sing the praises of MR JAMES CAMERON....for he has just changed the world we live in forever...- It may just seem like smoke mirrors and some very good parlour tricks but the truth is the technology that has been developed to create the AVATAR masterpiece...will in turn, turn our world inside out... (Much more than Lucas - if you ever read this Mr Cameron)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of Cameron's major advancements for AVATAR was the creation of a virtual monitor, which allows the director to see the motion capture results in real-time, as they were filmed, instead of waiting for the computer to render the images. Viewing instead of a blue screen which exists in the real the completely virtual forest backdrop as if it where there on set with the actors...allowing him to move the monitor in any direction to experience and see the 3D modelled virtual environment with the actors & their avatars (pardon the pun) superimposed in real time - no delay(- Imagine standing on site with something similar and holding it up to the sky seeing the ceiling detail in your latest design the lighting layout and maybe the way the sun and breezes were interacting with your completely virtual design....- just the thought gives me goose bumps...)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">What is real will become virtual, what is virtual will become so real the differences will be hard to find...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The virtual will give the real a run for its money and it won't be long.... But as I did back when I gave my lecture...I ask the question - ARE ARCHITECTS READY?...I think not....<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below I have included my lecture....<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please take the time to read - I would love to hear your feedback...<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">DESIGNING FROM WITHIN<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have divided this discussion into 3 segments,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. RESEARCH<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The major segment relates to the research I completed as part of my thesis<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was influenced by Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao which was completed early in my studies, It was so different , striking and in contrast with anything that I had seen before, so I had wondered what had come first the chicken or the egg… Had the idea been dormant until the technology enabled its manufacture, or had architects been released from the confines of rigid thinking to create a new visual styling.<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As part of this research it became evident the delayed impact on architecture, and how not only did it take sometimes years for technology to disseminate down to the realms of lowly poor architecture, but that it also took years sometimes decades for the same technology or approaches/ reactions to technology to migrate across the globe to Australia, even in what is suppose to be a new fast paced society of high speed communication. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. MARKETABILITY,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is as a response to the challenge to the architects act I believe in… 2002?… <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have found it very hard to substantiate the architects position, being known as “the jack of all trades and the master of none” and as the one profession that straddles the line between art and science…our skill base and areas of unique knowledge are very blurry, especially with the diversification of our profession to other job titles.. such as project manager, interior designer, façade designer…<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. The SMART SPACE <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This concept relates to a quality of design, that I believe very hard to put a finger on, almost a gut reaction, about what would be right/wrong, or appropriate in certain setting or for a client… as aspect of design it is no doubt informed better over time, but never the less it is an instinct that each of us needs to cultivate. During all my years of study, particular the later, I was told NEVER to substantiate a design by “because I like it”, I thought this meant removing myself from the process of design and informing a project with factual information, such as solar studies, movement paths, area planning … and all those key words and diagrams… however it wasn’t until I attended the Murcutt master class in 2002 and was mentored by Richard Leplastier, that I realized a space could inform. We were told sitting in a field, or on our site for hours on end, coming to terms with the space, wasn’t wrong, it was the right approach. However we reacted to the environment, whatever we FELT was what we should design with that as our inspiration…it was about our senses and how we reacted, and how that made us feel. <br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It is for these reasons I have titled this discussion/ talk “designing from within”<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">DESIGNING FROM WITHIN THE VIRTUAL REALM, <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">DESIGNING FROM WITHIN THE ARCHITECTURE – being inside the building as it grows around you made possible as a result of continuing advancements in the software, hardware and interface technologies. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">DESIGNING FROM WITHIN OURSELVES, drawing on our psyche to inform spaces, in an attempt to create smart spaces suited to their function.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe that architecture will have the opportunity to justify its existence as a profession through the advancements in computer technologies, but only if we arm ourselves with the right tools in anticipation. <br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">These new technologies are allowing us the paradigm shift, to the virtual, a world of 3dimensions but with none of the other real world qualities….<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">the ability to visualize not only from the god like aspect, as the bird flies, but to walk around our design as we would when they are built …and with new advancements in virtual reality and augmented reality interfaces <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Internet pages will be internet spaces… interfaces will allow for interaction and feedback…sensors will provide a sense of touch…maybe even smell <br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">These internet spaces will be the architecture of a new era, where a new generation will spend a great deal of their work and play … - work place health and safety and where market edge will make or break a retailer, those who not only have the technical ability to create these spaces but the unique knowledge to make them smart spaces / healthy spaces …will be essential…DR SPACE…<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this first segment, the major segment, it is based on extracts from my original thesis; I have tried to update my research for the purposes of this discussion with recent quotes and examples to provide a more current discussion<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I will cover is not so much the technologies nor the resultant architecture but more so the impact it has had on the process of Design and how different architects have responded to the digital era. <br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">1. RESEARCH<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If we are to look at the timeline of modern technology, it is hard not to be astounded by the speed at which we have advanced; <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the past 2 centuries society has seen a barrage of outstanding advancements in the field of technology. These advancements have come about mostly as a result of the research and money funneled into the world’s defense forces, in an aim to give each that winning edge. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Machines were the main advancement in technology and lifestyle in the late part of the nineteenth centaury, with the introduction of the automobile and the aircraft, revolutionizing transportation, communication and people’s interaction with others. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In comparison the machine of the late twentieth centaury, the computer has been the driving force behind the re-examination of the way we live, it like its counterpart has impacted on communication and people’s interaction, but also increasing the speed at which society functions and the increased value put on up to date current information.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Just consider it was only 130 years ago that the telephone was patented. Since then we have seen the introduction of wireless, the domestic computer, email, mobile phones, internet, CD technology, and in the last 10 years alone, DVD technology, palm personal digital assistants, and over 100,000,000 internet hosts, that’s hosts not users, and for most of us it is impossible to imagine our lives without any of these.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These technologies have been born in the industries like aerospace, medical, automotive, and information technology, where there exists both funding and the quantity of production to support the research. But is only over time that we seen some of these technologies impact architecture, directly, through the implementation of visualization programs to better inform the designer, or indirectly through the impact these technologies have had on the broader society and the resultant cultural adaptation. For example the introduction of the internet into western societies everyday lives, has provided access to information from any part of the world at any time of the day or night, decreasing the perceived distances and merging both space and time paradigms.<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However those who are at the forefront of the utilization of these technologies are the students and the technicians, who lack both the construction knowledge and the design experience. But it is as a result of their reduced construction knowledge and understanding of historical order that the restraints and rules of past architectures have had little weight on the aesthetics of their designs, and the their experimental attitude toward the new technologies that have freed the profession from the previous eras modernistic principles, and minimalist aesthetics. As a result the architecture of the digital era is daring, continually pushing the boundaries, each new technological advancement creating an aesthetic less concerned with the laws of gravity and more interested in the revolutionary forms possible.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But where is the integrity?, If we are to follow this approach to design how does this make and ARCHITECT any more than a designer or an artist, preoccupied with shapes and form. Is this superficial approach of any benefit to the future of architecture or for that matter the future of architects… if there is one??<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">But it is these visualization tools and rendering programs are assisting clients to better comprehend the architectural vision, bridging the gap that had for so long existed, however at the same time stripping architecture of any prestige, exposing it as a profession , aesthetically obsessed…instead of a medium to decipher and interpret advancements and their cultural impact.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What could have been the key to unlocking the next stage in the evolution of architecture was a misnomer. The people with the skills to drive these digital technologies, lack the technical construction knowledge to make the visualizations a reality, making the designs nothing more than complex shapes masquerading as buildings, doomed to stay locked within the boundaries of the virtual realm….<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However there have been 2 responses to the integration of digital technologies that have evolved,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first, the approach involving the technicians and technology geeks, preoccupied with the variety of forms possible through the use of complex visualization and rendering programs.<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second employs the these same technologies to not only communicate the final aesthetics but to model specific site constraints to obtain comprehensive 3d analysis of external impacts while insuring optimal internally programming. Utilizing the digital technologies to make reality what is possible in the virtual.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second approach implemented by those designers who have long since tired of an aesthetic obsession, uses these same technologies but instead experiments with the program capabilities, creating designs evolved from mathematical equations. Some designers have gone as far as to use knowledge obtained from advanced biological fields to inspire the generative process of ordering of spaces as well as aesthetics.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is the ability to comprehend the pragmatic site constraints with a much more detailed understanding in a shorter period of time that has allowed the architects the time to concentrate longer on and delve deeper into the conceptual stage of design.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Exemplifying this second approach are three internationally acclaimed architects well known for their use of digital technologies, TOYO ITO, FRANK GEHRY, and GREG LYNN. However the impact these technologies have had on each of their design processes varies greatly.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">TOYO ITO<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Born 1941, graduated 1965 from TOKYO UNIVERSITY and later establishing his own practice in 1971, has received many awards for his achievements in architecture, his most publicized work to date – Tower of the Winds project in Yokohama.Ito’s philosophical approach to digital technologies aims to hypothesize and respond to the effects digital technologies are already having on the way we live.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He believes the information atmosphere in which we are now submerged, is a vacuum, from which we require shelter, protection and mediation of contact. Ito describes the contemporary architecture as requiring the characteristics of skin, allowing us the means to adjust to the information environment… MEDIA SUITE.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Just as the machine was the dominant metaphor for the modernists of the industrial revolution, the microchip, according to Jennifer Taylor, is seen by Ito as the first compelling contemporary image to replace the machine analogy.Ito uses this theoretical concept to refocus the nature of the physical being versus the virtual, responding with an architecture almost virtual, achieving this through a detail play of opacity of materials, weight of structure and form. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition, Ito also employs these technologies in a more pragmatic sense to help resolve complex structural proposals.<br />
</div>The Sendai Mediatheque exemplifing this. Digital technologies enabling the conversion of the structural concept for reflective tubes, the metaphorical umbilical cord, that penetrated the body of the building providing energy, air and light .<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">FRANK GEHRY<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Born 1929, graduated 1954 from the University of Southern California setting up practice in 1962. Gehry has been awarded nine honorary degrees since 1987, and has been the recipient of the Pritzker Prize in 1989, the gold medal from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada 1998, and a gold medal from the American Institute of Architects 1999.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However in contrast with Ito’s approach, Gehry lacks an ongoing philosophical method, rather he approaches each commission as another sculptural form. He utilizes the digital technologies instead to translate his sketches and cardboard models into computer models, which then allow for faster and more accurate analysis of structure and more cost effective approach to the construction, through the automated preparation of detailed 2d construction drawings.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Gehry most publicized project, Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, demonstrates the use of these technologies to achieve structural resolution, as the technologies assisted in solving both the technical aspects as well as the most cost efficient approach to the use of titanium cladding on the anamorphous building shape.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Digital technologies are also employed in Gehry’s studio, in form and final aesthetic generation, not as the driving force, or tool of creation but rather as the interpreter. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gehry stresses that the process isn’t just about creating shapes, and that his process of design begins in considering the programming of space and scale of the site. That through the use of 3d modeling programs to produce realistic perspectives he is able to test the suitability of the sculpted form to its environment and make the necessary changes.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Although Gehry is a leader in his utilization of digital technologies it is unlikely that these technologies will play anymore than a sideline role in his design process, as it is his belief that to turn to the computer as a shape maker is the moment when these technologies move from servant to master.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">GREG LYNN<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lynn born 1964, graduating 1986 from Miami University, and 1988 with a Masters from Princeton, and appointed by FORBES magazine in November 2005 as one of the top ten architects who are most influencing the future of the American landscape.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lynn’s approach to the integration of these digital technologies unlike that of Ito or Gehry is one of complete immersion. The entire process of design completed within the virtual realm. Best known for his love of the blob, he believes that the computer technologies have allowed architects the flexibility to analyze site constraints with much more accuracy than ever before and he is encouraging architects to respond with a less constrained more flexible architecture. <br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Lynn uses a variety of digital technologies to illustrate complex concept of mathematical equations, unlike Gehry’s models that are built in a controlled modeling environment, Lynn’s models exploit the characteristics of these digital technologies to create a digital model that relies on a relativity of points, where by the manipulation of one area of the form will in turn impact on the form of another area, what he describes a cloud of points. Lynn exploits those characteristics inherent to the new medium, as would any artist working with clay or oils. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On first impressions it may be hard to differentiate Lynn’s approach form that of the aesthetically obsessed computer geek, however his approach is not only an accumulation of virtual experiences but incorporates the consideration of several different variables, and external influences. The H2 House project in Vienna demonstrates this, a visitor centre for the display of new solar and low energy technology is located on the highway, Lynn used the paths of automotive movement to determine the form of several of the facades. Or the The Embryological Housing project which also harnesses the speed and accuracy of processing power of these digital technologies to determine form. This project deals with topic of prefabrication, using the technology to test and determine as many alternate configurations as possible from a kit of over 3000 prefabricated panels, while still conforming to certain design restrictions.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">For all these architects, the ability to comprehend the site and the final designs with a more detail understanding, in a much shorter period of time, is allowing them the time to concentrate longer on and delve deeper into all stages of the design process. These digital technologies are facilitating an architecture that is no longer preoccupied by real world conditions, but one that relates to and examines the fluctuating relations of abstract elements conditional of this new era of virtuality. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">No doubt if architects in general had their way, the future would allow for an architecture that through the process of translation and transition from the virtual to the real did not compromise the freedom and freshness that the virtual realm and new digital technologies are allowing. However it is because of those characteristics of the virtual, which are radically different from those of the real, that we are seeing a strong shift in the architecture.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The new architecture is a liquid architecture determined by a fluidity of ever changing forces, an architecture modified by the user, ever changing and dynamic. So as we look toward the future of architecture it is important that as a part of our reaction to this new space time vernacular, that architects of the digital era begin to retheorize the body in space.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Architects will have to face the realization that the future will not be about solely designing and constructing real structures, but also web spaces and simulated environments within the virtual realm, or augmented reality, virtual in it spatialities, but built on the bones of the real.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the development and advancement of digital technologies, and human computer interfaces, the designing of space will not only be revolutionized by new dimensions, or a new space time vernacular, but by a move to comprehend space and form with more than just the sense of sight. The virtual dimension will hold the possibility to totally experience the act of being at any place at any time of day, any time of year, any year.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This poses the question for the future of architecture real and virtual – <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">WILL THE VIRTUAL BECOME MORE REAL THAN THE REAL ITSELF?<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">2. MARKETABILITY<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In what is being heralded as a transition out of the INFORMATION ERA the new commodity, defining the currency of the new era, is KNOWLEDGE…<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">How do architects fit into this? Well known as the jack of all trades and the master of none, there seems to be no knowledge area specific to architects, that we might package and sell as our own. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On reading the SEP/OCT Issue, the latest issue of the Architecture Australia publication, I came across an article called WHY ARCHITECTURE MATTERS by Sandra Kaji-O’Grady. Associate Professor and Head of architecture at the University of Technology, Sydney.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She aims to suggest that are many clues in our modern society that reinforce the importance of Architecture to not only people like us, but others too. Just a few of those she suggests are…<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">- the close regulation and control by governing bodies and councils<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- the symbolic potency, and architecture's ability to be a powerful tool, understood by both politicians and terrorists alike<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- its ability to add value, exploited by real estate agents“ architect designed” “architecturally inspired”<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- and its ability through its position as a marker of status to elicit envy, or pride depending on your view point, as an aspiring occupant or a privileged inhabitant.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But to do all of these, DOES ARCHITECTURE NEED ARCHITECTS ???<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">None of these attributes of Architecture are unattainable without the input of an ARCHITECT..so what do we bring to architecture? What area of knowledge that in this commodity obsessed society not only enriches the value of the architecture we produce, but capitalizes and reinforces our position and profession.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Alain de Botton’s recent publication “THE ARCHITECTURE OF HAPPINESS”, aims to confront why it is we surround ourselves with environments unpleasant if we are the masters of the creation of our own surrounds, and we could choose to surround ourselves with beautiful environments. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He blames architects both past and present for many of the unpleasant and ugly buildings and surrounds, and suggests that it was as apart of architects of the modern era becoming obsessed by the functionality of the architecture, and renouncing a formal interest in beauty, that the architects of today do not know how to design a pleasing/beautiful environment. <br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">However ill informed or somewhat off mark Alain de Botton’s diatribe, it does suggest some interesting points. That the space in which we surround ourselves affects us. Understanding what about a space makes us comfortable or at ease and therefore beautiful is more intuitive or driven from within our psyche, and that we as architects, whether substantiated or not, are seen as the main designers of the urban landscapes, and are blamed for all its short comings.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will leave this topic open ended for the moment… for you to ponder… and will come back to it in conclusion.<br />
</div>3. SMART SPACE<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
According to Forbes magazine, Feb 2006, One of the top 10 things that will change the way we live, within the foreseeable future, are haptics. Haptics refers to technologies that interface with the user via the sense of touch. Currently being used in the fileds of medicine, miltary and virtual modelling, the likes of the CyberForce glove by Immersion Corporation lets users interact physically with virtual object, literally feeling the shape, texture and weight of any onscreen 3-D objects. It is proposed that through the intergration of these technologies, people will be able to shake hands virtually over the internet, or doctors will have the ability to remotely diagnose and operate on patients.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Teaming these emerging technologies with virtual technologies already well adavanced, it is possible to see a future of virtual environments, within which we interact, both in work and play, or augmented realites where both the virtual and the real interact, one informing the other… Not yet as advanced are technolgies interfacing with the other senses like smell, however they are in the pipeline… <br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As architects and designers experiment with the implimentation of these new technolgies will the architecture of the future become one obsessed with the sensory experience….Drowning in an over abundance sensory stimulation, obsessed by the capabilities of the technolgies…<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we repeat the mistakes or learning curves of the past, should we not consider what tools and knowledge would assist us in creating a more valuable and smart response…<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a not so distant future of webspaces, both virtual and augemented, does it not seem like the best approach to start to investigate, learn and teach the new architects more about not only the aethetics of space but the psychological power these spaces of their creation can wield… The knowledge is there.. in the field of environemental psychology, most of it is just substainitated evidence of what most of us already know in our gut… <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Juhani Pallasmaa explains in his text, THE EYES OF THE SKIN, Architecture and the Senses, “that bad architecture is as much a failure of the psychology as of the design”…he goes on to suggest that “ it is evident that ‘life-enhancing’ architecture has to address all the senses simultaneously and fuse our image of self with our experience of the world” he suggests that as a result of the use of computer imaging techologies, the resultant architectures have become flat, obsessed by the visual journey…. <br />
</div><br />
Pallasmaa goes on to elaborate as to how we measure and interact with architecture through our senses, and how it is through the consideration of the impact of these factors on our experience of space, that we may begin to reenergize our current architecture.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I propose that it is only through a much more intimate understanding of all of these aspects of space and human psychology, that architects may begin to substantiate their position and role in this knowledge based era. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
An architect versed with a much more in depth understanding of the impacts of space on the psyche, would have the ability to produce an architecture that could soothe the occupant, making them feel protected, without smothering them, feel part of their surrounds without being exposed, or in a different sitiuation could create a space that invigorates and energizes the occupant, creating an atmosphere or ambience suitable to a particular product/image encouraging them to stay, try or buy.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From Healthy spaces, made to massage the mind to more effective shop interfaces… the possibilites are abundant… Architects could bring to architecture the knowledge to create more than architecture as we currently percieve it, but SMART SPACES not only virtual but real…<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The architecture of the architects of the future will be more than ever about the HUMAN rather than the STRUCTURE….I hope ...this more immersive move into the 3D world both opens our eyes and our minds...willing to learn from the virtual in a hope to give back to the real....<br />
</div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-77877817333707782009-12-18T14:46:00.002+10:002020-01-10T18:11:55.083+10:00ARCHITECTS IN FASHION<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As an avid fashion follower...or should I say STALKER....I can often be found with my nose deep within the latest VOGUE or any other fabulously glossy fashion magazine I have found calling me from the shelves of the newsagency....But it was while entertaining my other magazine addiction - architecture and design mags, that I recently found an article about 'ARCHITECTURAL FASHION' - that is fashion inspired by avant guard shapes and form, less concerned with the shape of the body and more interested in creating bold patterns or forms through careful selction and consideration of material combined with detailed pattern making - creating walking pieces of every day wearable art.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This got the fingers typing and the curiosity bubbling ....I knew of Zaha's fabulous 'Melissa' rubber shoes....which sadly I am told don't look all that good on...but I still think they are a work of art....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I wondered had there been any other Architects to throw their....SHOE into the ring???<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Below are my findings.... ENJOY....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbltPKG1KR7fyovrPribx2u3i0XJ7huj4_8oXTXihEW1hSg4j-U1e8SgpKEiAyk-QrXKXXa2x_gEjtjOlWAo511f2hBIrdfq4sGDsZcrCIOwjrhaS3k7EouxTlDZaNceglz0staUfYdo/s1600-h/zahashoes234red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbltPKG1KR7fyovrPribx2u3i0XJ7huj4_8oXTXihEW1hSg4j-U1e8SgpKEiAyk-QrXKXXa2x_gEjtjOlWAo511f2hBIrdfq4sGDsZcrCIOwjrhaS3k7EouxTlDZaNceglz0staUfYdo/s320/zahashoes234red.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ZAHA ' MELISSA' DESIGN</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F_H_euKkbbRHH64Aay9fZ8O9JRuhXXnK0YMULBIeasLK-Ols9Jbq9JDIX2YjO6D6EZ9iIN-eEiCzOhbgXKax4J0QUyRJ5gtklJW8NclkBAnjNgsczyly9l_RBfjmKRj1pyfkiITW9Y8/s1600-h/Zaha-Hadid-For-Lacoste-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F_H_euKkbbRHH64Aay9fZ8O9JRuhXXnK0YMULBIeasLK-Ols9Jbq9JDIX2YjO6D6EZ9iIN-eEiCzOhbgXKax4J0QUyRJ5gtklJW8NclkBAnjNgsczyly9l_RBfjmKRj1pyfkiITW9Y8/s320/Zaha-Hadid-For-Lacoste-2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ZAHA - LACOSTE DESIGN</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVA-epE4VybLvLoIbaz4_yLY0kigCJp9YFpiD6a1bhwVNZ6VcUnPYSZIvKuigr5VxM8npv9pnmCw_igVmcp8E84hNLHUcXilT_Pi3qId89M2cy0038p6viWAlE_h3ju6eAY2i5NVl6f8/s1600-h/united_nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVA-epE4VybLvLoIbaz4_yLY0kigCJp9YFpiD6a1bhwVNZ6VcUnPYSZIvKuigr5VxM8npv9pnmCw_igVmcp8E84hNLHUcXilT_Pi3qId89M2cy0038p6viWAlE_h3ju6eAY2i5NVl6f8/s320/united_nude.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MOBIUS - REM KOOLHAAS</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_4-1gLDVb46pFh_9ZJWTzYXjQYlBWfcinwPJ3jI6vZ_lU3u0BtdMqv8ThZzcOKDaA4udD-UxSCwCYl-Fonk0Q5Bwd3ZcoPeD39HI2Mk1TaoXh-K6mj-43F6F2ywdBKMQjsSn3MCwS6A/s1600-h/stealth-rem-koolhaas-united-nude-shoes-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_4-1gLDVb46pFh_9ZJWTzYXjQYlBWfcinwPJ3jI6vZ_lU3u0BtdMqv8ThZzcOKDaA4udD-UxSCwCYl-Fonk0Q5Bwd3ZcoPeD39HI2Mk1TaoXh-K6mj-43F6F2ywdBKMQjsSn3MCwS6A/s320/stealth-rem-koolhaas-united-nude-shoes-21.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">UNITED NUDE - ARCHITECTS & FASHION DESIGNERS UNITED</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6aB-aOcMtWZThWDHeLVAYfghfjw1BArdq__IJh_71iOdoKt0Y28MtzoZRQ4I9PHUtk21NOsEQH6dq4Fd7StB3agpQgSJvr-ETZ5f3LyT700HqEJWKfWaFY6LzvjpcFfBdhDGS6UNK1Q/s1600-h/shoe-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6aB-aOcMtWZThWDHeLVAYfghfjw1BArdq__IJh_71iOdoKt0Y28MtzoZRQ4I9PHUtk21NOsEQH6dq4Fd7StB3agpQgSJvr-ETZ5f3LyT700HqEJWKfWaFY6LzvjpcFfBdhDGS6UNK1Q/s320/shoe-5.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdQ5uA81UB1CTy75bUXMRDIU53ImmFprHvff1D6WV3nHK365e_RYsJ0UUzGHZ54xE-wH0810CCKhbc3Ob5guRo_bQpXbSaqm7fv_ztQEN5NhAb63wjIfD23EfmoHqxDXhtGXjN3N0Pak/s1600-h/MTB_worksredmacheshoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdQ5uA81UB1CTy75bUXMRDIU53ImmFprHvff1D6WV3nHK365e_RYsJ0UUzGHZ54xE-wH0810CCKhbc3Ob5guRo_bQpXbSaqm7fv_ztQEN5NhAb63wjIfD23EfmoHqxDXhtGXjN3N0Pak/s320/MTB_worksredmacheshoe.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">EAMZ 'CHARLES & RAY EAMES' INSPIRED SHOES</span> <br />
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</div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-41335791720444253892009-10-08T13:03:00.004+10:002020-01-10T17:05:25.922+10:00Just call me the "Dr of SPACE"...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jQrsFwC8vmEiebhOvxCtGpE_rbva3IzIjksxnqdym-b7YaxgA0iZeD2Fm-fH4z4R85mnhMx8ueqJ11bBO-NZ398BPsqNnpeuoqYljbfY-RNsNAV9GI2uYq9u60yVuoZ2JnKaaAXbbtI/s1600-h/ARCHITECT_+DR+OF+SPACE.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390064846362452418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jQrsFwC8vmEiebhOvxCtGpE_rbva3IzIjksxnqdym-b7YaxgA0iZeD2Fm-fH4z4R85mnhMx8ueqJ11bBO-NZ398BPsqNnpeuoqYljbfY-RNsNAV9GI2uYq9u60yVuoZ2JnKaaAXbbtI/s320/ARCHITECT_+DR+OF+SPACE.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">So, as many of you may not know, there is legislation that protects the use of the word “<strong><em>Architect</em></strong>”, ensuring that those who use the word are professionals, with the necessary education, skills and experience to qualify. It is called “<strong><em>The Architects Act</em></strong>”. As you can imagine accumulating those requirements isn’t a short or easy process, and takes at least, and I mean at the very least, an arduous and grueling eight years. So at the end of that process and after successfully completing the necessary registration exams and interviews and being admitted to the <strong><em>Board of Architects</em></strong>, I get more than a little miffed when some Tom, Dick or Joe Bloggs comes along and uses “the word” I worked so hard to be 'allowed' to use… </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />It seems of late "the word" has gained popularity, being used much more liberally, there are now ads in the employment section advertising for “Enterprise Architects” as well as degrees offered by local universities in "Enterprise Architecture", there is a salon on the west side of Brisbane called “the Hair Architect”, and recently many of the morning talk shows have taken to speaking of someone as "being the architect of his/her situation…"</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Although I have issues with some of these examples more than others… the one I have the biggest concern with was one I saw by chance the other day – "<strong><em>Business Architect"</em></strong> the brochures and flyers offered by this particular business used building blueprints as the graphic background, a woman wearing a hard hat in one image and in another, she was perusing plans with collegues on a construction site, there were also additional references to Project Managers as a comparison …but admittedly no where do they say they offer “<strong><em>Architectural services</em></strong>”…</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />When I contacted the <strong><em>Board of Architects</em></strong>, I was told if they didn’t hold out to being an <strong><em>Architect</em></strong> or suggest they offered <strong><em>Architectural Services</em></strong> then it was okay… </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Well it is at this point, that my blood boils, with so many blatant uses of architectural symbolism...aren't they at least playing on the word...and surely there would be another word of the millions in the English language that could be used to better explain the particular service they offer… after all what is a business architect ???...</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />But using this theory… I from this day forward am not only going to call myself an <strong><em>Architect</em></strong>, but I am going to call myself “<strong><em>Doctor of Space</em></strong>” (not to be confused with DR WHO) and anyone who reads this…I would like you to address me as such, e.g “ <strong><em>Good Morning Dr of Space. How are you today?”</em></strong> … If I am not offering any of the services of a Doctor, and not holding out that I am a medical Doctor… then I can see no problem… </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But what’s the bet that the Doctors and Doctors Act, if there is such a thing…might have something to say about that… </div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-52305621673856704392009-07-27T15:51:00.007+10:002020-01-10T18:11:54.960+10:00FURNITURE MAKES THE HOME<div align="center"><em>"Clothes make the Man. Naked people have little or no influence over people".</em> - Mark Twain</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center">And if alive today I am sure he would agree...</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Furniture makes the <strong>Home</strong>. An empty house is of little or no use to anyone.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So bearing that in mind....</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I thought I would provide you with a few images of some beautiful "HOME" making furniture, </div><div align="center">I have found in my internet travels.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Some of these images come from great second hand dealers (<em><span style="font-size:78%;"> links below)</span></em>, some are from new designers, some from eBAY, some I own, and some I wish I did....</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center">Remember - Architects are trained to <strong>design space</strong>,<strong> INSIDE and OUT</strong>, from urbanscapes to interiors.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">By employing an <strong>Architect</strong> you are not only getting a well trained aesthetic eye, but a bredth of knowledge relating to many aspects of the built environment...which inturn provides a better more thorough reponse and in the end, a better quality design and product for you.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Enjoy the eye candy...</div><div align="center"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXgurgPpEvlRDCAw_U9zxwfNwzNeYOaXLth71AsvNoF5MGNA6T8u5yFcfRgZZBLTW4IBMwLKLMP6aE3HxqQjPVsBpIrIp3JI2VGxHiQA-p_MFNaSExfYFGduutmvVWWTpKrEL_W9r29s/s1600-h/svend-skipper-th.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014331052429954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXgurgPpEvlRDCAw_U9zxwfNwzNeYOaXLth71AsvNoF5MGNA6T8u5yFcfRgZZBLTW4IBMwLKLMP6aE3HxqQjPVsBpIrIp3JI2VGxHiQA-p_MFNaSExfYFGduutmvVWWTpKrEL_W9r29s/s320/svend-skipper-th.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N_vXbdEiqK4k_6Yw8IvNYtf8GC6AOoX9MOkc51OJJbVfEBUHCO_oVLTERRcF1FaTVJvbmETnYFDbB_gfDM7PE3bPAwfz2yyOC92RZjF8X-D_gpVRuGyfMr5jln5bPkcXI_qEqt6pl9M/s1600-h/Smith_Street_Bizarre_Jan09_53.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014325350877858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N_vXbdEiqK4k_6Yw8IvNYtf8GC6AOoX9MOkc51OJJbVfEBUHCO_oVLTERRcF1FaTVJvbmETnYFDbB_gfDM7PE3bPAwfz2yyOC92RZjF8X-D_gpVRuGyfMr5jln5bPkcXI_qEqt6pl9M/s320/Smith_Street_Bizarre_Jan09_53.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYPzwern0bHBCrKepr6BYw2gW4AssxPBfVfGe0F4nqSq_ln9tQ2cDooH2G1ehrXXfkExEU0fRU_h9R775uTu9qlMyOB7GqFyNRWEPzGCP2Mg4RB4cVXp-_vmy9ScnbATST8QItZsAM4/s1600-h/CHIEFTANS%252001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014321397673922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYPzwern0bHBCrKepr6BYw2gW4AssxPBfVfGe0F4nqSq_ln9tQ2cDooH2G1ehrXXfkExEU0fRU_h9R775uTu9qlMyOB7GqFyNRWEPzGCP2Mg4RB4cVXp-_vmy9ScnbATST8QItZsAM4/s320/CHIEFTANS%252001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAgekRCE-Bg8Ngt_zA0vCT4BVtM9b4OxXyEXPxwVQRnpyAU9Bs4BRkST1SE1Px6EpVGK0oDbpLB0zJBpSghSLHvKkM__6KfX6KJ-u5IW0Y8v4y3S9dyizXnJBKfv6yGpOGdMgrGF7leA/s1600-h/untitled3.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014058842090722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAgekRCE-Bg8Ngt_zA0vCT4BVtM9b4OxXyEXPxwVQRnpyAU9Bs4BRkST1SE1Px6EpVGK0oDbpLB0zJBpSghSLHvKkM__6KfX6KJ-u5IW0Y8v4y3S9dyizXnJBKfv6yGpOGdMgrGF7leA/s320/untitled3.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1htucjGf1op9jwj8vlUplYLh4WsfFHQIDbBS8AH_IEj9vAljCOIZC-yjDl-LfsREMPhoDOFCc05weTGxBVSjV993nZGuG8HJv9COjP8-RtyFxkMirjfcI_Wjz4ZqsOCOug0gU6L2rqg/s1600-h/untitled2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014055563469698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1htucjGf1op9jwj8vlUplYLh4WsfFHQIDbBS8AH_IEj9vAljCOIZC-yjDl-LfsREMPhoDOFCc05weTGxBVSjV993nZGuG8HJv9COjP8-RtyFxkMirjfcI_Wjz4ZqsOCOug0gU6L2rqg/s320/untitled2.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8gv1UGoyRo8JY1ugYjxsfd5A_2paOCR14QlU9Vww-BqS8afpY7s2LEcqP1OuwX9S2-EBQ_UBJzh8qZgjz1k-Gt0z5vy9B1hQVUhXH2mJrGHtFBXB_G7QsqFCHJd0LHwcllooGq6PUTU/s1600-h/6a00e54feadc818833011168f916e3970c-500wi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014057631555842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8gv1UGoyRo8JY1ugYjxsfd5A_2paOCR14QlU9Vww-BqS8afpY7s2LEcqP1OuwX9S2-EBQ_UBJzh8qZgjz1k-Gt0z5vy9B1hQVUhXH2mJrGHtFBXB_G7QsqFCHJd0LHwcllooGq6PUTU/s320/6a00e54feadc818833011168f916e3970c-500wi.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSufTOl9sDFi02MlnobNx55zlxCSV7NLbNCL0P1NWjOilc4R91irJ0jR2X5eIN2UEk2OBuaejep7kT_v5Lz4uOwmxYcXmBsgDhksBqaYi7mqjdOxRMHKSOVphMbMkSErMp4nkVrf270g/s1600-h/!BOq6w0wCGk~%24(KGrHgoOKisEjlLmIUKBBJv263UYz!~~_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014045709556098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSufTOl9sDFi02MlnobNx55zlxCSV7NLbNCL0P1NWjOilc4R91irJ0jR2X5eIN2UEk2OBuaejep7kT_v5Lz4uOwmxYcXmBsgDhksBqaYi7mqjdOxRMHKSOVphMbMkSErMp4nkVrf270g/s320/!BOq6w0wCGk~%24(KGrHgoOKisEjlLmIUKBBJv263UYz!~~_1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLarSTCIZZaK_G4uvu3DgHj1PptoHoJTImUX0uT58nsbdskx33ZvSaaO9INH4lcc4uZL1FNSbGKE35-c1EFkhR-zyf70HohyHsz4X8nFFiF7cmdMiqV7N5AkWP5qlrncfq6MQspB-kJww/s1600-h/!BVu-U1!B2k~%24(KGrHgoOKkIEjlLmUkORBKUE76Iy)g~~_12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363014045942745298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLarSTCIZZaK_G4uvu3DgHj1PptoHoJTImUX0uT58nsbdskx33ZvSaaO9INH4lcc4uZL1FNSbGKE35-c1EFkhR-zyf70HohyHsz4X8nFFiF7cmdMiqV7N5AkWP5qlrncfq6MQspB-kJww/s320/!BVu-U1!B2k~%24(KGrHgoOKkIEjlLmUkORBKUE76Iy)g~~_12.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0JK-Qc_IaXQgOUOTGjBIdCbSwdz_rUQi_atKj-lkUFOqhRxDssgmj27o_EH1TNKrJ2xQ1bXpeh47795wZB6DaBCsJAJoXTXqVK7o3p2WI-MGtapTyhGZV-9u64hoD40QD481acHjyvk/s1600-h/86b1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363013786098357602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0JK-Qc_IaXQgOUOTGjBIdCbSwdz_rUQi_atKj-lkUFOqhRxDssgmj27o_EH1TNKrJ2xQ1bXpeh47795wZB6DaBCsJAJoXTXqVK7o3p2WI-MGtapTyhGZV-9u64hoD40QD481acHjyvk/s320/86b1_1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2fYz0RSzKzcn0s_aQ1iOrFy2NmhUaVfXStCfXNcQ_sMKoKkgeOlra3zPEEhmL9LQ8qDtLHGSrKJ9FVDe2AjXGoJ_Bt5xybf1Grd_ml1ZpjsyKiYfoPOsxb6UNsMCyxiLAWdUQHP9Ies/s1600-h/p12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363013780297779634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2fYz0RSzKzcn0s_aQ1iOrFy2NmhUaVfXStCfXNcQ_sMKoKkgeOlra3zPEEhmL9LQ8qDtLHGSrKJ9FVDe2AjXGoJ_Bt5xybf1Grd_ml1ZpjsyKiYfoPOsxb6UNsMCyxiLAWdUQHP9Ies/s320/p12.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u9sg1Mn6r4hP8-fckgbu6ErGlSxUZLXC7-PxtHvAFYAyyheEF0iQ6FWVxwUP1kIcycCTdCZmvACX9yBt_xYYSlh8ZBZA5TcUHW7Y8RmyctGfDky59uBSNbplKqggpD8Ba7QcBOt2DGY/s1600-h/bambi-front.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363013778108276722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u9sg1Mn6r4hP8-fckgbu6ErGlSxUZLXC7-PxtHvAFYAyyheEF0iQ6FWVxwUP1kIcycCTdCZmvACX9yBt_xYYSlh8ZBZA5TcUHW7Y8RmyctGfDky59uBSNbplKqggpD8Ba7QcBOt2DGY/s320/bambi-front.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_PVW2-AEPVHUDrgcMpxmdPoTqQQTz3B7gw9KeOeRMOfKNwzl5YVlbHXCqrK2k6dYqrfBdM-xmLqVN0W78Uo2OmYubcxwEKy0YiTjkA3dyGrrNuqB4WA4cs662OJZF7H-ay1vxrsdOt4/s1600-h/Trimerous%2520Chair%2520new.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363013770443570450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_PVW2-AEPVHUDrgcMpxmdPoTqQQTz3B7gw9KeOeRMOfKNwzl5YVlbHXCqrK2k6dYqrfBdM-xmLqVN0W78Uo2OmYubcxwEKy0YiTjkA3dyGrrNuqB4WA4cs662OJZF7H-ay1vxrsdOt4/s320/Trimerous%2520Chair%2520new.jpg" /></a> <div align="center">WEB LINKS of INTEREST</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.curatedmag.com/">http://www.curatedmag.com/</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.sethrolland.com/">http://www.sethrolland.com/</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.vamptvintagedesign.com/">http://www.vamptvintagedesign.com/</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.bobutik.com.au/">http://www.bobutik.com.au/</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.greatdanefurniture.com/">http://www.greatdanefurniture.com/</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.ebay.com.au/">http://www.ebay.com.au/</a></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-17176537296345643982009-04-20T12:40:00.002+10:002020-01-10T18:11:54.632+10:00PRINCE CHARLES needs IKEA<div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJV9B7r9vakdDZu6KFCw2T-26lGDzOLyqfjUYE1afbJMsddZ_bB_n1B2NwYUhcI4CZyDOxiYFcaTg6rGQBeRTgtR47xSlkhJXnOhiV-RaSLYRunn_gOsEqW3NWPTz-NQ3EE3nILMDjMA/s1600-h/rogers2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326604394396118754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJV9B7r9vakdDZu6KFCw2T-26lGDzOLyqfjUYE1afbJMsddZ_bB_n1B2NwYUhcI4CZyDOxiYFcaTg6rGQBeRTgtR47xSlkhJXnOhiV-RaSLYRunn_gOsEqW3NWPTz-NQ3EE3nILMDjMA/s320/rogers2.bmp" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Image: Richard Rogers proposed scheme for the former army barracks site, Chelsea, London)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div align="justify">Of late it seems HRH Prince Charles; Prince of Wales has been adding his two cents worth on Architecture again. He has recently criticized a scheme proposed by Richard Rogers, Baron Rogers of Riverside, <a title="Order of the Companions of Honour" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Companions_of_Honour">CH</a>, <a title="Royal Institute of British Architects" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Institute_of_British_Architects">FRIBA</a>, <a title="Chartered Society of Designers" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartered_Society_of_Designers">FCSD</a>, for the former army barracks in London’s Chelsea district, which neighbours the Royal Chelsea Hospital, a historic building designed by Christopher Wren, 17th century architect of St. Paul's Cathedral. </div><div align="justify"><br />The Prince has been outspoken on his views of modern architecture for many years, expressing his disgust for what he calls ego obsessed architecture, which he believes has brutalised the UK’s built and natural environment over the past century. HRH has gone so far as to commission an alternate scheme for the site that mirrors the architecture of the neighbouring hospital, and offering his services and opinions to the development arm of the Qatar Royal family who are majority shareholders in the development.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpoEKbCksuOvXxyDo8G1MRTDB2xD1h3OFAXWBI-my-FGXLm2dUDso4HaiOjMRGTN4vzfMd_THBaeWrPsKtVSvgrrUf6KLow3SKz5qh1qr5uJVHijoRSwrDCA_6ZngXDaAlLsIBHO6c4g/s1600-h/rogers1.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326604390489813506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpoEKbCksuOvXxyDo8G1MRTDB2xD1h3OFAXWBI-my-FGXLm2dUDso4HaiOjMRGTN4vzfMd_THBaeWrPsKtVSvgrrUf6KLow3SKz5qh1qr5uJVHijoRSwrDCA_6ZngXDaAlLsIBHO6c4g/s320/rogers1.bmp" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> (Image: Richard Rogers proposed scheme for the former army barracks site, Chelsea, London)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div align="justify">However it seems he has woken the giants of the Architecture world, Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Sir Norman Foster, all Pritzker prize winners, adding their names to a letter criticizing the Prince for speaking out of turn. Their objections relate to the Prince’s abuse of his privileged position to influence what they believe should be an open and democratic planning process.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherVMr_L0u0ZL-s1YJGbxlPsQjKq-yP5UQyRuwdUvHsNodjcxkSbSVwh9EvYsDnKIz6t2ISnQdc0QdJTSswSiefzv6nThKSvaJW3WwUqi7ichnlQv6qZnOg9qWV5tMM5YNDSRsgAGYh3w/s1600-h/castle-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326604391301957378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherVMr_L0u0ZL-s1YJGbxlPsQjKq-yP5UQyRuwdUvHsNodjcxkSbSVwh9EvYsDnKIz6t2ISnQdc0QdJTSswSiefzv6nThKSvaJW3WwUqi7ichnlQv6qZnOg9qWV5tMM5YNDSRsgAGYh3w/s320/castle-5.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Image : Windsor Castle)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div align="justify">It reminds me of the thoughts I had while wondering the halls of both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. The opulence, the grandeur, the beauty in the quality of workmanship that money, influence and power delivers is overwhelming. To live surrounded by such beautiful and precious things is a privilege, that very few are afforded in life, but in turn does it breed an expectation of the same level and standard in everything? If the royal family had lived ensconced in these surroundings, had they missed out??? </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Missed out on the great feeling of self satisfaction, that ‘pat on the back’ you give yourself, when you have no matter the lack of detail provided in the instruction manual, managed to successfully assemble your flat pack furniture from IKEA ??? Had they ever lived with IKEA??? Possibly Not!! It was this realization that made me pity them... </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Although the mass production of flat pack furniture is not an environmentally friendly approach, I must say I have been guilty of purchase too many times to count. It is the modern way! Mass production, Modular systems, standardized materials, simple colour palate, all a product of the industrial revolution... Many of us cannot afford the luxury of bespoke furniture, and have become accustomed to purchasing the mass produced items which we style and tweak to create our own sense of individuality. These products in turn use materials that are easiest to manufacture, plywood, plastic, aluminium, glass...a modern palate of materials...<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VS281e40g6pT7hVqQz8wQ8bjZn0P9I5iMOnbfoda3Jb4iAIpm7A48C0uXVNQERHKcDRdjAoeM-l2Xp2FQoSH8r_DSttTl2nVM6TY9fn2i8t4c9OghySJqSJK7rLjQLrfPHUZc70GDoE/s1600-h/24489_PE095965_S3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326604384600739458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VS281e40g6pT7hVqQz8wQ8bjZn0P9I5iMOnbfoda3Jb4iAIpm7A48C0uXVNQERHKcDRdjAoeM-l2Xp2FQoSH8r_DSttTl2nVM6TY9fn2i8t4c9OghySJqSJK7rLjQLrfPHUZc70GDoE/s320/24489_PE095965_S3.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Image: Benjamin Stool - IKEA)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div align="justify">Which makes me wonder, had the Prince not had such a privileged upbringing ....and had he had a few IKEA pieces to furnish the Castle or Palace, would he be less opposed to the modern movement, with its modern materials and modern architecture in particular...?<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs1prhk5vNjqfCMI5ksUe3EELzj3JF0mud5whcopY7QY9pRxO43joFjK9AnAjPeOv5ZBlna0BU7hEbkEX9kQ65x8SH2ni8NpamL4ucoHpVwQIN1yyJFpktwGWZQpR0Xwkb8OaQfFtF08/s1600-h/ikea.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326604381273324642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs1prhk5vNjqfCMI5ksUe3EELzj3JF0mud5whcopY7QY9pRxO43joFjK9AnAjPeOv5ZBlna0BU7hEbkEX9kQ65x8SH2ni8NpamL4ucoHpVwQIN1yyJFpktwGWZQpR0Xwkb8OaQfFtF08/s320/ikea.jpg" /></a> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23672222-details/Rogers+is+not+perfect+but+Prince">http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23672222-details/Rogers+is+not+perfect+but+Prince's+scheme+is+Wren+on+steroids/article.do</a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_rogers">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_rogers</a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.pritzkerprize.com/">http://www.pritzkerprize.com/</a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i1ETgD7YWq2z0-8g-zZF3l_NK6KAD97LQOD80">http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i1ETgD7YWq2z0-8g-zZF3l_NK6KAD97LQOD80</a></div><div align="left"> </div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-9823605153505383022009-04-06T11:52:00.004+10:002020-01-10T17:05:39.007+10:00PARADISE or PARASITE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9tKETyuvYRNtznkyz8tfXjY1aUlbTY5whRX8cvGDKGCrw8R5NyLGHjbUxyZ_6Rz8BxZvrLRbdKLknJn9SRjh0vMrAUrYidWdWKG2squfEKPP1G5OghS4hYuwdfG30etUSwoGsZfmi8c/s1600-h/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e55408cd868834-800wi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321392911253957154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9tKETyuvYRNtznkyz8tfXjY1aUlbTY5whRX8cvGDKGCrw8R5NyLGHjbUxyZ_6Rz8BxZvrLRbdKLknJn9SRjh0vMrAUrYidWdWKG2squfEKPP1G5OghS4hYuwdfG30etUSwoGsZfmi8c/s320/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e55408cd868834-800wi.jpg" /> <p align="justify"></a></p><br />I am still on the search for my own little bit of paradise, or rather to be more precise the CBD in Brisvegas, and as yet I am still coming up empty handed…as I have admitted before this is probably due to the long list of requirements and how I might be just a little bit picky, or as my real estate agent has said.. “I am able to pick the eye out of any property!” – Lovely fellow he is… …so that made me think…I could design what I wanted, quality, area, and determine the perfect location... (Preferably 5mins from work – so rolling out of bed at the last minute was an option…) and just tack it on somewhere…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVJ0G41TGCQ42FZTkom_QZKtfmInEUNGOJFrmAyKqTeyiqAICs5sT4ztOdK82iiSINIR3YOqt2O0-xwllH9Rs0qCrRxXg2CZAZDxbWv_40ooYBJg8X3qy4iDZa49JR9lVP8oKX7RUaiU/s1600-h/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e55408ce3c8834-800wi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321393297699854290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVJ0G41TGCQ42FZTkom_QZKtfmInEUNGOJFrmAyKqTeyiqAICs5sT4ztOdK82iiSINIR3YOqt2O0-xwllH9Rs0qCrRxXg2CZAZDxbWv_40ooYBJg8X3qy4iDZa49JR9lVP8oKX7RUaiU/s320/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e55408ce3c8834-800wi.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBFApTiyef-zQBHdUs51hi1RbMMLhcbq0inL3ofaZyYLBwm09dfMUPzRuQvzHWkGBogHNx07MtHGRz60H_IpgTntrZubDvsJTXZfb9DJKlPLwaidv02WOeb1Qeb0-PrbEKiI0VKQLmUE/s1600-h/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e553ed28158833-800wi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321393599359523554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBFApTiyef-zQBHdUs51hi1RbMMLhcbq0inL3ofaZyYLBwm09dfMUPzRuQvzHWkGBogHNx07MtHGRz60H_IpgTntrZubDvsJTXZfb9DJKlPLwaidv02WOeb1Qeb0-PrbEKiI0VKQLmUE/s320/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e553ed28158833-800wi.jpg" /></a><br />In New York they utilize roof tops of heritage listed buildings, the original buildings over engineered at the time of their construction provide the perfect foundation for light weight constructions, that can house 1,2 or sometimes 3 rooftop abodes, taking advantage of the sunlight, views and location.<br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAG0YlhzfTuEXriSS4g5vNJVKH0KERNWGoZ5H_QPD2uPtCztru4oWLlqe4VnL85Ar1JwV7CnJTHqSLDcIWofedThX53nIpquNH8K8osCtt2w2ncZ4-AvtKng_IOyMQcZ3rzUX_zuNEbI/s1600-h/2005_7_cube.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321393604244691330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAG0YlhzfTuEXriSS4g5vNJVKH0KERNWGoZ5H_QPD2uPtCztru4oWLlqe4VnL85Ar1JwV7CnJTHqSLDcIWofedThX53nIpquNH8K8osCtt2w2ncZ4-AvtKng_IOyMQcZ3rzUX_zuNEbI/s320/2005_7_cube.jpg" /></a><br /><br />With few substantial heritage buildings in Brisbane that have not already had their rooftops overtaken by air-conditioning plant, that option isn’t so viable. But as the ever optimistic profession (or unrealistic, as our project manager foes sometimes like to describe us), Architects around the world... some of us not letting a little gravity get in our way... have proposed other solutions…<br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VQhodjreTu-2B05UsXNfE3mEmgbBX6Mr0dceIlqpTc2HUJ0wq5ZEOPxr1znUMBsdRkI66a4x7XTpAda8DsrhuB8ohtBPMLwViIaLGaSDnCVJE1HVanfQTm5qQSQ0ORyo8QWjoQifadA/s1600-h/daekwonpark1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321393605320172530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VQhodjreTu-2B05UsXNfE3mEmgbBX6Mr0dceIlqpTc2HUJ0wq5ZEOPxr1znUMBsdRkI66a4x7XTpAda8DsrhuB8ohtBPMLwViIaLGaSDnCVJE1HVanfQTm5qQSQ0ORyo8QWjoQifadA/s320/daekwonpark1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-peiSgNemdeGKNHCVyD2fvGGV_diNMlycKgeAX2B_UVdI0BUnULcQ531weO7SgyB6TfU0_i7czcrue3Ld4KhUcNsffSMlG7u2H25qWIsNNkG_QmvhbUg9NS4011AFET0J3H9K9mc4UIA/s1600-h/icosaroof.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321393612196836242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-peiSgNemdeGKNHCVyD2fvGGV_diNMlycKgeAX2B_UVdI0BUnULcQ531weO7SgyB6TfU0_i7czcrue3Ld4KhUcNsffSMlG7u2H25qWIsNNkG_QmvhbUg9NS4011AFET0J3H9K9mc4UIA/s320/icosaroof.jpg" /></a><br />Maybe the affordable inner city dwelling is a realistic goal for more of us..with just a little more creativity from our city planners … After all increased density is suppose to reduce urban sprawl, infrastructure spending and in turn makes us all that little more green ????<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JEBOSgFFY1u0DH5ffEqXM2fmoMB4iuHCJ00xdzF1gisH2jFwg3LxMcJO3sEYhxsjQqocqSIhoq4afFT5gWspS04kARGCwldV7a72SBdoQv7G8C0VvAR6cqnbL-TyfFlrcZhHBQ8AZ1Q/s1600-h/parasite_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321394427176260242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JEBOSgFFY1u0DH5ffEqXM2fmoMB4iuHCJ00xdzF1gisH2jFwg3LxMcJO3sEYhxsjQqocqSIhoq4afFT5gWspS04kARGCwldV7a72SBdoQv7G8C0VvAR6cqnbL-TyfFlrcZhHBQ8AZ1Q/s320/parasite_1.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIWJeWXEEIQIJjYSt3NN0QjQiASpwOeNP3SLcx6vOb_kTh0WRnzx0nuSHhQz3YVmq3-f6t01yG3zUX9WTI684RdK5sHGJwhMM_vClCXsu0skhEF5tF-MBr_zaB4oMubS2fmikuOIuBxg/s1600-h/parasite_01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321394430903634178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIWJeWXEEIQIJjYSt3NN0QjQiASpwOeNP3SLcx6vOb_kTh0WRnzx0nuSHhQz3YVmq3-f6t01yG3zUX9WTI684RdK5sHGJwhMM_vClCXsu0skhEF5tF-MBr_zaB4oMubS2fmikuOIuBxg/s320/parasite_01.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFXH2wgc3I_-n4NEI6_LIrah_77jGV81jivsk-BjTQv_r5g1bcmt3qsy0SiNPjcil_8AYe2brH23zsKAQfrIbGfpYNWIV8Sg62_id18X-GQj1BokxblpWqKin0tcBvL6nvZB13D5toXU/s1600-h/R_Haus11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321394432266413234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFXH2wgc3I_-n4NEI6_LIrah_77jGV81jivsk-BjTQv_r5g1bcmt3qsy0SiNPjcil_8AYe2brH23zsKAQfrIbGfpYNWIV8Sg62_id18X-GQj1BokxblpWqKin0tcBvL6nvZB13D5toXU/s320/R_Haus11.jpg" /></a><br />What do you say Town Planners? – Can you stomach the concept???… </div><div align="center">Can you think outside of the boxy building…??? </div></div></div></div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-33543945799762081632009-03-27T13:10:00.011+10:002020-01-10T18:11:54.734+10:00THE PURPLE PERIL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4dA8QXXKXhcZ2QlMpSgQoIX2C7FxLx_OI4NYcHPbyDYYt1q9R18FaACTD5ISxc-dv_s90QVGm0cMNwDHXA2VcTAwvEnqNsIdapun74Cku-5qPrhPrpDRArzBxoqcMWTdXPV9_-5ZV9k/s1600-h/9ec6a9180d4fe477a8674939bc1026fc_resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 172px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707924572318994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4dA8QXXKXhcZ2QlMpSgQoIX2C7FxLx_OI4NYcHPbyDYYt1q9R18FaACTD5ISxc-dv_s90QVGm0cMNwDHXA2VcTAwvEnqNsIdapun74Cku-5qPrhPrpDRArzBxoqcMWTdXPV9_-5ZV9k/s320/9ec6a9180d4fe477a8674939bc1026fc_resized.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3Xo-SZpi_jB34wXEKd0Ldzf9kLsSchZeqk6Td0XU6m_6Cq3NReUBD0Vw2hLVzaUYp_wF8RpxUWpSkfg8fJYuQBJ_RuD_0l0-qV8XirVLjmeCfnt4SJC4hZwbU3_O1K6LR2KmaRvAgD0/s1600-h/0,,6528015,00.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707783217440978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3Xo-SZpi_jB34wXEKd0Ldzf9kLsSchZeqk6Td0XU6m_6Cq3NReUBD0Vw2hLVzaUYp_wF8RpxUWpSkfg8fJYuQBJ_RuD_0l0-qV8XirVLjmeCfnt4SJC4hZwbU3_O1K6LR2KmaRvAgD0/s320/0,,6528015,00.jpg" /></a> You may have seen this creation taking form if you are a resident of the southern suburbs of Brisbane, or if like me you are a northsider, you may have seen its sister structure very similar only orangey-red in colour. If you haven't realized both are the ventilation shafts required for the inner city tunnels project. Now you may have an opinion about the cladding, the colour selection, the pattern or the form...</div><div align="center"><br />I have a problem with the whole concept...<br /><br />Here we are supposedly going green, the Brisbane City Council is busy promoting earth hour with competitions to win scooters if you show your support...but where is their support? </div><div align="center">Here was the opportunity to lead the way, even if it only acted as a billboard for green initiatives and didn't maximize possible opportunities at least this concrete monstrosity could have been covered in an environmentally friendly, ecologically responsible...green velvet coat of vegetation...- possibly even flowering every now and then...real flowers...not the supposed graphic representations of Jacaranda and Poinciana...<br /><br />Or why not clad in a lightweight scaffold structure providing planting for an inner city farm...???With just a little creativity and forward thinking the possibilities would amaze you...but instead aren't you proud....we have these structures to admire and applaud for years and years to come...<br /><br />Have a look below at what the rest of the world is up to....come on Brisbane...Keep up!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkyeG02W7TWAeOUacNMl0A1hA7C2cqBNYR5MKPuSUWbgmc-QvlNjyUDPAEcHR-dpYyjayIOlyenmUhSxCSrRFZ0BF4G_ues4E2GQTDYrA8YF6WlMwXWMNjBVCOmeq14x_g_WMMMFBcJo/s1600-h/GREEN+WALL.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707782189865826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkyeG02W7TWAeOUacNMl0A1hA7C2cqBNYR5MKPuSUWbgmc-QvlNjyUDPAEcHR-dpYyjayIOlyenmUhSxCSrRFZ0BF4G_ues4E2GQTDYrA8YF6WlMwXWMNjBVCOmeq14x_g_WMMMFBcJo/s320/GREEN+WALL.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXpkBIPK_JYM5a96fkeMk6geEMg4vMRoM9aANyezHv1yk2ArQS7picGns8Oc6-xgXJq3_omyYPiAB9sL0fqKDF5H_hpG95u-_3LDO21gW7ikwB984vgsGhr5CJ2-FZke0NF_WGHX0rAE/s1600-h/green-building.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707775842760866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXpkBIPK_JYM5a96fkeMk6geEMg4vMRoM9aANyezHv1yk2ArQS7picGns8Oc6-xgXJq3_omyYPiAB9sL0fqKDF5H_hpG95u-_3LDO21gW7ikwB984vgsGhr5CJ2-FZke0NF_WGHX0rAE/s320/green-building.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mG4QXK770OinBQz8M4niuzKKU2duCVrlg0lygesuNgI7zruU75YFqusyaPoP5uL5z9cgIbluPqEe2n7UJ__HFaQ3dCf_UfMrvmyXcTg_1vPqLFb-8FI0HTGo2fUIJXBCyC3TngwI1VU/s1600-h/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e54fc9b05d8834-800wi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707774510910930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mG4QXK770OinBQz8M4niuzKKU2duCVrlg0lygesuNgI7zruU75YFqusyaPoP5uL5z9cgIbluPqEe2n7UJ__HFaQ3dCf_UfMrvmyXcTg_1vPqLFb-8FI0HTGo2fUIJXBCyC3TngwI1VU/s320/6a00d8341f5c9853ef00e54fc9b05d8834-800wi.jpg" /></a><br /><div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1GSVBYrnDt3Fp4F4jyofwIixdFmQgwbxFKyP9HTJ5xE3dModVPx9aWPtGhZikfpgk2Nx-_8FLfZaYuq8Fq70SuCTvIqJKAV5dIZ0MNUFsrHN4E98rhhPCqG_gwbrlhkwkcQn1Jj4t00/s1600-h/green-wall_45.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 294px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707392997639858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1GSVBYrnDt3Fp4F4jyofwIixdFmQgwbxFKyP9HTJ5xE3dModVPx9aWPtGhZikfpgk2Nx-_8FLfZaYuq8Fq70SuCTvIqJKAV5dIZ0MNUFsrHN4E98rhhPCqG_gwbrlhkwkcQn1Jj4t00/s320/green-wall_45.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM3bvPK0bdlyz_uqLUwu25uP-YIYXJe8E52F4raL-40X2PmKmr19gYoYmX72Wvhpv4lPCsxm1OSCbfzht2qqoVkcH55rhv-e_IoIOyKUKQtKQe-mV3l3Za3RbUIfX6LUgtPBXll2LwCg/s1600-h/misc_006.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707390299438818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM3bvPK0bdlyz_uqLUwu25uP-YIYXJe8E52F4raL-40X2PmKmr19gYoYmX72Wvhpv4lPCsxm1OSCbfzht2qqoVkcH55rhv-e_IoIOyKUKQtKQe-mV3l3Za3RbUIfX6LUgtPBXll2LwCg/s320/misc_006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuZs0NGPpzVwy_bWo7NH0I1j2-yBvU-8vXIgYlJLjPKN4YU8ne3z7hOdXDEhSMyUrI65eGuwxkku6o5zAyjXaFj2rszgrbMNNKiU90slLMaT5Y11c6e5C9XNwyL5M40TILOy5Jevfd7Q/s1600-h/parabienta%2520green%2520wall-thumb.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707383007337330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuZs0NGPpzVwy_bWo7NH0I1j2-yBvU-8vXIgYlJLjPKN4YU8ne3z7hOdXDEhSMyUrI65eGuwxkku6o5zAyjXaFj2rszgrbMNNKiU90slLMaT5Y11c6e5C9XNwyL5M40TILOy5Jevfd7Q/s320/parabienta%2520green%2520wall-thumb.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7jEdEVtzp791twMJqe_GGGtzD5ZW8EjuuLHpRfdaRHhAl2VTaRjf4K8xBOx6QozoSBP-AdMnKg017i-F2xjMUBpGYBs4t-A5PbARdHg9VU1BTmaRzy9Q0M6X1RCCBveT_XwLbzdl5LM/s1600-h/van_aquarium_wall.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707382268703938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7jEdEVtzp791twMJqe_GGGtzD5ZW8EjuuLHpRfdaRHhAl2VTaRjf4K8xBOx6QozoSBP-AdMnKg017i-F2xjMUBpGYBs4t-A5PbARdHg9VU1BTmaRzy9Q0M6X1RCCBveT_XwLbzdl5LM/s320/van_aquarium_wall.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYD3haBYY71fLTowlEyiYgYZSpMJRuDIaGGROEBwzFf_VYHM5oifIs44BnibRMMP4ubj5HO7vX8Guyd8bhu6f0dWGjwgvjee7Qeoa0XDbzi26s0FdjhVFUjXvXSSbWOY4yzT9g2qZjo8/s1600-h/VanAquarium_PeopleTouchWall.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 282px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317707376449525234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYD3haBYY71fLTowlEyiYgYZSpMJRuDIaGGROEBwzFf_VYHM5oifIs44BnibRMMP4ubj5HO7vX8Guyd8bhu6f0dWGjwgvjee7Qeoa0XDbzi26s0FdjhVFUjXvXSSbWOY4yzT9g2qZjo8/s320/VanAquarium_PeopleTouchWall.jpg" /></a></p></div></div></div></div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-21666586817486589482009-03-13T17:05:00.009+10:002020-01-10T17:05:50.830+10:00SKIN OBSESSION - BILLBOARD ARCHITECTURE - SUPER...MODELS<div align="center">When did we become sooo obsessed with skin...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I'm not naive...I realize there is something erotic about skin...human skin that is...but it seems of late our buildings have grown a skin of there own...One wonders is it in an aim to cover and disguise something a little more sinister... Are these pretty patterns and three dimensional craftings of sometimes nothing more than layered cladding, just a smoke screen...enticing the eye but bamboozling the client..some Architects have gone as far as to entwine a complex pattern into an external structural systems...some how trying to warrant the obscure patterns as a requirement and development of design...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">...maybe a little cliche but where are our mothers' voices....</div><br /><div align="center">..."don't judge a book by its cover !"...</div><div align="center">..."its what's inside that counts!"...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I do hope we have not reduced ourselves to mere advertising agents...assisting our clients to market their floor space or property...producing "billboard architecture"</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Lets hope we still remember ...that good design stands the test of time...and a building that works well for its owner and its user..is more than a pretty facade....</div><div align="center">...and is likely to be the best investment for any client...</div><div align="center">...and the best advertisment for any Architect...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">meanwhile....even I buy a magazine or two to look at the pretty pics...</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhFyz1ezXwVYk41BuESN7NhhWOQ2XOn4tjJWS0E7o2eeLjf3RxGov21_p0CCTCGPqsyKxkxi0Cl9pu5dKjgav3FPrciMoZyTJ66bdOEAO3pm8ewFOEKTP7Jyl0YSjN5nscfNUMQ9BDq8/s1600-h/1443014473_28c70ec61c_o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312569073164592690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhFyz1ezXwVYk41BuESN7NhhWOQ2XOn4tjJWS0E7o2eeLjf3RxGov21_p0CCTCGPqsyKxkxi0Cl9pu5dKjgav3FPrciMoZyTJ66bdOEAO3pm8ewFOEKTP7Jyl0YSjN5nscfNUMQ9BDq8/s320/1443014473_28c70ec61c_o.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiQ5xElJG33fJSb72UknF2mPQdw6pTnAfx6wiVUIWQ-nBW9rHXCr2RrOPQO6l9lyF4UwI9zjcRrlQSaMrZ2R1WZkl_VL3DCK5P7H9zy2DtZeeFFseIe97A6PNikEvmfPSngR2PrMWafc/s1600-h/Future_Syst_Selfridges_ready.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312569062557305346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiQ5xElJG33fJSb72UknF2mPQdw6pTnAfx6wiVUIWQ-nBW9rHXCr2RrOPQO6l9lyF4UwI9zjcRrlQSaMrZ2R1WZkl_VL3DCK5P7H9zy2DtZeeFFseIe97A6PNikEvmfPSngR2PrMWafc/s320/Future_Syst_Selfridges_ready.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312569057958867650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_UEhCwjzbK_yyjtqeJBq-qiVwuQwJ2TyWxCTjPUPgAQiTgQoSWRTe8lWQJglGKFNa7FkJquKJrpkuGkuli3z5dYoYglWmCBGsJCGG0cgLUXaTrZ3RfeXpxUjf2YyTahDZ_jiTMlhEeE/s320/3_nationalswimmingcenter.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312569063256213314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MkCR_Md8My1pvpC-1PdPyO0inzYZjBQFZnAFnlGoU0mbPTVjtDJfyd9hxg5zlpmLURfNmiNIpjsLUmHnDvIQHPIlTUEQ2snAXSFklmGyAyE2hZvC-P0adw6va1-3Z4eVUDgXll7PNI4/s320/dma_nouvel_12.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312569064215006290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNLVNTGPqk1jDXUi_5JOzsKBZc8o13WhIAfi-prbvdWToywHx8zMJhMCooGEfP5iepFcPnu6xe_IX0oktWs4P8rCWQ8JUx9LsuzmKse37siVG_sqXx0Hw8ulIGu6XfXGjHX8lFLc99N4/s320/2723095010_49d7e1a5b1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxNoHLSCXASf2N5J_ObnChDFEdFGmh4JD2gqSqTauLHbUZ0pkpEKZwm4yeeBcdplifJKWhHlxekkFfup_bB6XXatev0HeZ0Xh5-UPX7p2CvdrXBaYsYJLaKkkuQxpEigl7Dk0L0X41JU/s1600-h/10429_0-14%25201main.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312568635066613586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxNoHLSCXASf2N5J_ObnChDFEdFGmh4JD2gqSqTauLHbUZ0pkpEKZwm4yeeBcdplifJKWhHlxekkFfup_bB6XXatev0HeZ0Xh5-UPX7p2CvdrXBaYsYJLaKkkuQxpEigl7Dk0L0X41JU/s320/10429_0-14%25201main.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKcMz8rsPAWDVfDjS7Y1w_v9OyOkW8ThXdyKUFJ-L6OyuPj8zUc36MN5fqKekxshyn2uxXjpB_J7hJo8eAKc9vk0IvaS67l_JSMSIGlMDU_Q4YQASRQQivYColDTEiILxL2-Hn59EWks/s1600-h/Mikimoto-Tokyo-9019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312568623800177858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKcMz8rsPAWDVfDjS7Y1w_v9OyOkW8ThXdyKUFJ-L6OyuPj8zUc36MN5fqKekxshyn2uxXjpB_J7hJo8eAKc9vk0IvaS67l_JSMSIGlMDU_Q4YQASRQQivYColDTEiILxL2-Hn59EWks/s320/Mikimoto-Tokyo-9019.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">Let us just hope that in their case beauty is more than skin deep... </div></div></div></div></div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-50662021126485470072009-03-09T14:31:00.013+10:002020-01-10T18:11:54.878+10:00THE GREEN ELECTION<span style="color:#333333;">.</span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311041226661880962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9zbd2YvNE4lDlpALY0o-xH_5aJW8x12MnWJHWqYA0JjKRLaPOrX-FdfEi6mxlyZ9bmQabqRkTeixY1MT10bM_Jj759eBboscv_8IbZxfHcbex9meOQDpDQSEmpXZALK1gUTRgv7f4G8/s320/0,,6385996,00.jpg" /> <div><span style="color:#333333;">.</span></div><div align="justify">So another state election is upon us… campaigning has well and truly begun, the Polies are out about town, and the promises are rolling off their tongues, left, right, and centre, but how many of them are realistic … do they hold water at all??? (Pardon the green pun)</div><div align="justify"><br />Not that I have ever been one to be easily persuaded by Politian’s posturing … I do think no matter how you vote, at the end of the day, someone will be elected…and I believe it is important to understand how each parties policies might impact and ultimately be of benefit … </div><div align="justify"><br />The construction industry and the environment are big draw cards this election with the “current economic situation” imposing great pressures on all of us linked to these industries, so it is with great interest I watch how these campaigners propose to ease the strain. </div><div align="justify"><br />Anna Bligh is promising if elected… all new houses and major renovations will be required to be of “6 star energy efficiency standards” by 2010… (but new units will only be required to be 5 stars)…and has on the eve of calling elections, introduced the climate smart home service. <a href="http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/">Http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/</a></div><div align="justify"><br />Lawrence Springborg is proposing spending on bike trails and the development of clean fuel ethanol programs, as well as his own eco house scheme to encourage home owners to install rain water tanks and innovative water saving initiatives. <a href="http://www.climateproof.com.au/">Http://www.climateproof.com.au/</a><br /></div><div align="justify">But Anna – whose star rating are you using??? – is this only an energy thing...do we install a few electricity meters and a few green bulbs and wham bam thank you mam…global environmental crisis solved??? – And why are you being so kind on the big developer…surely with larger developments it would be easier to implement more effective not only energy, but water and waste initiatives… isn’t it always the larger industries with the larger budgets that can afford to the start the ball rolling???</div><div align="justify"><br />Lawrence – same thing applies, you are starting at the wrong end!…water tanks and solar panels for mums and dads …isn’t going to have us the renewable energy capital of Australia by 2015…it might remove our title as the state with the slowest uptake of solar power… but as we have been told for years solar power is of all the renewable energy alternatives the least effective and requires a lot more research and development …</div><div align="justify"><br />And not to be out done …the greens, Ronan Lee, recently threw punches Anna Bligh’s direction in relation to the Queensland governments environmentally hypocritical support of the Gold Coast Indy and Virgin Airlines, but failure to assist a Canberra based solar cell company’s desire to relocate, a move which would have created job opportunities for the construction industry and state at a time when they are need most…</div><div align="justify"><br />Meanwhile Australian conservative council’s sustainable program manager, Monica Richter supported Anna Bligh but said she wanted standards increased to seven stars (there are no seven stars Monica…)</div><div align="justify"><br />Have these Polies been “green washed” too? It wouldn’t surprise me… as someone who is very interested in green approaches to living and designing…I also have at times found it difficult to make sense of the jargon … star ratings vary depending on who you are dealing with ;<br />energy <a href="http://www.energystar.gov.au/about/index.html">http://www.energystar.gov.au/about/index.html</a> ,<br />water <a href="http://www.waterrating.gov.au/about/index.html">http://www.waterrating.gov.au/about/index.html</a> ,<br />…or a holistic approach <a href="http://www.gbca.org.au/">http://www.gbca.org.au/</a>... Life cycle costs might only refer to a building from construction onwards and not necessarily take into consideration the energy requirements to produce materials off site prior or during construction…</div><div align="justify"><br />And closer to home…are green bulbs really green??? They may reduce energy consumption when in use…but they contain mercury…they cost some times up to 3 times as much as the conventional bulb and reports have it if you are one who since an early age has been taught to turn the light off when leaving the room …they tend not to fair as well as promised…</div><div align="justify"><br />Obviously, from this it is evident, there needs to be a collaborative effort to standardize and integrate the variety of rating systems out there into one rating program. Standardization would improve consumer understanding by demystifying green lingo and might even be a step toward reducing marketing green washing. Providing a rating tool that could deliver across the board, across all industries and would act as a green counter…a measure which we could all refer to for clarification and best practise, a proactive and dynamic rating system that evolved to encourage continual innovation...But rewarded all that invested in green products/technologies or services (green building consultants) through a levy …just like the Medicare levy…your tally or investment % would see a tax reduction... </div><div align="justify"><br />Just as another politician lord mayor of Brisbane, Campbell Newman, summed up at the recent Green Building Council of Australia’s green cities 09 conference “it is about changing behaviours”<br /></div><div align="justify">Maybe it is about all of us changing our behaviour….politicians as well…really getting serious about green measures…and let us hope whoever it is that is elected … they actually deliver on their promises… so it isn’t the voting public “green washed” in the end…</div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131072848281655887.post-48636348110736257842009-03-06T11:24:00.024+10:002020-01-10T18:11:54.837+10:00THEY DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THEY USED TO...<div align="left"><span style="color:#666666;">.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309905538666044082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWA9i1upq6CJka52k8Vqti4Vo_olAcmG-GmUckKaLZrLKb7lXm6MorH7AEIhCrLHEMLbNLmqwAblpvgcj4KAQrQ8MZyZqUGJlziIBPlzmGKqp4hIhJbKKfTGsUdqN-s1YyTE7Nr7QDMs/s320/hou_2_th2.jpg" /> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;">John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, P 728.31 rei</span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:78%;"></span><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPCL34FIAT5C2Ir79xxXAHgOWn-dFJwo-F6QWQd5sOQG-gccGNBA6Q2CnivFDxr8KPio4N0yPLIdddS-5TBdMgP3OQ5zmR1TQegFTbMpzoHvyQSOVT6aUyeu7u5CPASM-yzqitEVHbJo/s1600-h/x4_1211255870.jpg"></a><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I am in the process of looking for a place to call my own... With the increase in the incentives being offered by the government..Who isn’t ...and I mean who isn’t...it seems the property market is currently being supported by the renewed activity from first home buyers keen to grab their grant entitlements.</div><div align="justify"><br />However I am not sure if I am going to be able to make use of mine... You see I have now seen 18 properties and counting...some are too small, barely room to swing a cat...some are overpriced – sellers trying to take advantage of inexperienced buying market urgent to invest ... The list goes on...(literally I have an excel spreadsheet with each property's details and shortcomings) and well, I am willing to concede..Maybe I am just a little picky...</div><div align="justify"><br />But there was one that took my fancy...Torbreck... Now I am sure there are very few of you that can understand my fascination with the Brisbane landmark...but if you could see what I see, its potential..you would understand...the building is a heritage listed structure – according to the Queensland heritage register “the complex is a good example of the 1950’s architectural and landscape design in its form, attention to climate control and use of materials” <a href="http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/chims/placedetail.html?siteid=16019">http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/chims/placedetail.html?siteid=16019</a></div><div align="justify"><br />I arrived at the complex, Dornoch terrace side, through the beautifully maintained landscaped entrance. The modern influence immediately apparent in the glazing details and the proportions of the entry space. The two interconnecting sitting rooms that precede the lift lobby, both with their immaculate timber panelling still intact, I could imagine myself in an episode of ‘mad men’... All that was needed was the right furniture, a dropped pendant and some attention to detail, but as it sat with a token chair it looked bare, tired, and just old, not a good example of anything. </div><div align="justify"><br />We took the refurbished lifts to the appropriate floor exiting onto if not the original, an accurate representation of the lino floor that would have been initially chosen. Again the corridor was generous, not making you feel it was there only through necessity, squeezed of any perceived unnecessary space like some of the newer developments I had viewed. Mail boxes were positioned and apparently still delivered to on every floor, and the no longer used hatches for individual apartment milk delivery punctuated the corridor.<br /></div><div align="justify">The apartment itself had never been renovated, other than a lick of paint and new carpets, it still remained much as it was the day it was completed, original kitchen and bathroom joinery, timber veneer built-in cupboards to both bedrooms and the original Kleenmaid drying cupboard in the laundry... The large balcony to the living room with spectacular views back to the ranges and the space the apartment offered was nothing like anything I had seen in the CBD. The large sliding doors to the balconies opened to allow a magnificent breeze, that even on the 34 degree day would mean no air con was required...if I could I would have pitched tent then and there...<br /></div><div align="justify">Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t perfect... Nothing ever is...with 150 units in the combined blocks, the recreation spaces were surprisingly small in comparison with what I had seen in other more modern developments, the pool was a token effort, but still well maintained, no gym was available, and in the common areas, there was no furniture, or encouragement to use. The car park which is offered with this apartment is I am told not a common feature and a bonus, incredible, not in a good way. A parallel park between two structural elements, it was no more than two and a half meters wide, and if careful consideration did not go into your approach...I am sure you could end up sleeping in you your vehicle unable to escape...so maybe a replan of the car park so as to maximize the ease of use would be in order.<br /></div><div align="justify">Now to me, here is an opportunity. If these heritage listers truly cared for the preservation of our architectural heritage, owners in buildings the like of Torbreck should be incentivized, encouraged to maintain the original condition of not only the main building but possibly even apartments. Although I know heritage grants exist, the process to apply is not a simple one...it therefore raises the question, why do properties listed not receive regular entitlements, audits and assistance in maintaining their premier heritage status? Instead, it seems the onus has been transferred to the owner, to toe the line... Why? ... Where the body corporate contributions for this building double that of several of the newer, much better serviced buildings in the CBD, it is only going to become harder and harder to convince the future generations that investments into buildings of the like are of any merit... </div><div align="justify"><br />What I am suggesting is a more stringent heritage listing criteria, that encourages owners to register their building entitling them to not only prestige of owning a quality representation of our architectural heritage, but easy regular access to funds, knowledge and assistance... </div><div align="justify"><br />In London...they have an architecture week...with open houses...allowing people to access buildings normally not open to the public... Where proud owners showcase their buildings, be it new, old, renovated...buildings like the gherkin, the helmet and many others, providing guided tours, allowing people the rare opportunity to experience the benefits and joy of good architecture both new and old... Maybe we should look at doing the same...educating the future and current generations ...so maybe their future investments are our architectural assets... </div>BROOKE DUNLOP B.B.E(Arch) B.Arch(Hons)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14472958836059788171noreply@blogger.com