Tag Archives: Architecture

Island View: ‘Villa Mandra – Mykonos Island, Greece’

Sitting on the ridge of the hill of Aleomandra in Mykonos yet almost entirely hidden from view, Villa Mandra looks straight out to sea and the sunset over the neighbouring island of Delos. A 6-bedroom holiday house built for a young, dynamic couple to enjoy with their family and friends, it celebrates its spectacular view from a grounded viewpoint blended into a sensitively landscaped, stone-walled garden that screens it from the road behind.

The house is built upon the idea of slow, laid-back summer living, and encourages mindful connection with family, friends and the freedom to exist peacefully in nature. Form follows emotion rather than function, as every space becomes another opportunity for rest, reflection and exploration.

Architectural Views: ‘The Seagram Building’ By Mies Van Der Rohe (NYC, 1956)

The Seagram Building is a skyscraper at 375 Park Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Streets, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building, completed in 1958, stands 515 feet tall with 38 stories and a large plaza. 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German-American architect. He was commonly referred to as Mies, his surname. Along with Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Frank Lloyd Wright, he is regarded as one of the pioneers of modernist architecture.

Views: ‘Waldorf Astoria – Rebirth Of Art Deco’

“The history of the Waldorf Astoria is the history of New York City,” says Andrew Miller, CEO of Dajia U.S., the owner and developer of the building. “We have embraced a profound responsibility as the stewards of the Waldorf Astoria’s heritage, taking great care to restore the building to its 1931 opulence. The Waldorf has a special place in the hearts of people across the globe.”

March 29, 2021

The legendary Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel opened its Art Deco doors to Park Avenue in 1931 and has played host to every U.S. president from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama, world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II and Emperor Hirohito, famous celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Angelina Jolie, and foreign dignitaries including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor as well as Winston Churchill.

At the ripe old age of 90, like many an aging beauty, it was decided that it was time for some cosmetic surgery. In fact, it was probably the most expensive facelift in New York history. But before reconstructive surgery took place, the grand dame had some preliminary work done.

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Walks: ‘The Forbidden City – Beijing, China’ (4K Video)

The Forbidden City is the palatial heart of China. Constructed in 1420, during the early Ming Dynasty, it is China’s best-preserved imperial palace, and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.

As one of the five most important palaces in the world, the grand halls and walls proudly display the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architecture, fitting for the capital city of the world’s largest nation.

Architecture & Culture: Harvard Design Magazine ‘American Paradigm’ (2021)

The latest issue of Harvard Design Magazine reveals full redesign and new editorial model as it assesses the establishment, and reconsideration, of the paradigm of “America”.

Harvard Design Magazine 48: America marks a turning point for the magazine as the first issue under new editorial director Julie Cirelli, featuring Mark Lee and Florencia Rodriguez as guest editors. This issue also debuts a full redesign by Alexis Mark, the Copenhagen-based graphic design firm. Publishing this month, the issue gathers contributions from leading figures across the fields of architecture, design, urban planning, fashion, art, and governance, including Maurice Cox, Shaun Donovan, Michèle Lamy, Sylvia Lavin, and Marc Norman. Join Lee, Rodriguez, and Norman, alongside contributors Paul Andersen, Neeraj Bhatia, and Maite Borjabad Lòpez-Pastor, for a virtual launch event next Tuesday, March 23, 7:30pm ET.

Harvard Design Magazine 48: America reflects on the theme and definition of “America” through lenses of cultural production, racial justice, and architectural and design practice. In the 20th century, a paradigm of America characterized by progress, openness, and democracy was perpetuated—but with an ominous underbelly of exclusion, racism, and inequity left unexamined. While viewpoints on America’s story and history differ, if not reject one other, what is widely shared is a sense of 2020 as a breaking point—or, “a consciousness of an imminent existential threshold,” as write Lee and Rodriguez.

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Architecture: ‘M+ Museum Hong Kong’ By Herzog & De Meuron (2021-Video)

M+ has completed the construction of its museum building, which is set to open to the public at the end of 2021. designed by herzog & de meuron in partnership with TFP farrells and arup, the landmark building is seeking to become a new addition to the global arts and cultural landscape. located in hong kong’s west kowloon cultural district on the victoria harbour waterfront, it provides a permanent space for M+ — the first global museum of contemporary visual culture in asia dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting visual art, design and architecture, moving image, and hong kong visual culture of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Read more at DesignBoom

Architectural History: ‘Frank Lloyd Wright – The Imperial Hotel’ (Video)

Frank Lloyd Wright: The Lost Works explores some of Wright’s most important demolished and unrealized structures. The project brings these lost buildings to life through immersive digital animations reconstructed from Wright’s original plans and drawings, along with archival photographs.

Two years in the making and based on a Japanese publication of original plans and historical photos, Frank Lloyd Wright: The Lost Works – The Imperial Hotel is a comprehensive digitally-animated recreation of the exterior (Part I) and interior (Part II) of this masterpiece.

Learn more about the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust: https://flwright.org

Views From A Penthouse: An ‘Urban Lighthouse’ In Seattle, Washington

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a long term lease in the only private residence atop Seattle’s iconic Smith Tower, owned and managed by Unico Properties. This extraordinary “Urban Lighthouse’ space, cleverly renovated by Graham Baba Architects and Valor Builds, incorporates elegant modern touches, while retaining its original architectural character.

One bedroom, a guest space, and two baths on the 37thfloor and an open living room, kitchen and dining fills the 38th floor. The iconic glass globe at the tower’s peak is accessible via a spiral staircase.24 teardrop windows offer rare 360º views of Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, the Cascades, Mt. Rainier & the city below. The Penthouse at Smith Tower celebrates Seattle’s heritage with singular style and sophistication.

Green Buildings: ‘Science & Energy Complex’ At Harvard (Video Tour)

Harvard’s much-anticipated Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) in Allston is complete. The SEC is home to a portion of Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Labs are setting up (some are already operational), furniture has been moved in, and offices are being transitioned. Assuming continued progress in controlling the virus, it will be open to students in the Fall of 2021. Join us for a look inside the new SEC – one of the most innovative, healthiest and energy-efficient buildings in the world!

Design & Home Tour Video: ‘Wanaka – New Zealand’

This is undoubtedly one of the best homes to become available in Wanaka, located in the prestigious Mt. Gold area offering mountain and lake views. A property with rare presence, scale and distinction, the exterior design presents clean lines and sophisticated detailing.

Exquisite internal finishes including engineered French Oak flooring, European timber joinery with aluminum facing, and granite bench tops. Enveloped in shou sugi ban timber (larch) and bluestone highlights, vaulted ceilings, quality finishes, extensive indoor-outdoor flow, this property offers the best of Wanaka living. Set on 3,003 square meters this newly completed property has a 552 square meters floor plan encompassing seven bedrooms, master with en-suite and walk-in wardrobe, two bathrooms, separate toilet, laundry room, generous open plan kitchen/dining/living space, and separate lounge or media room.

The living spaces continue to the outdoor area with expansive decking offering an entertainers delight with large BBQ area, outdoor fire and kitchen. The azure waters of the outdoor heated swimming pool entice and delight. In addition to the internal double garaging offered within the house, there is also extensive 135 square meters garaging/shed area for toys and more. Plenty of guest parking is also available on-site.