architecture

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built by builten

Another project by the same architects, housing in Blaricum, also in the Netherlands, takes this blurring of roof and wall via thatching even further. Here the thatch covers all but the ground floor, like a cap of dried vegetation is placed atop the building and openings are cut for windows. Here the technique and material are used for sculptural effect, a bit strange but appealing.


[Blaricummermeent by Drost + van Veen architecten | image source]

A built example of a hairy facade is the Laren House in the Dutch town of the same name, by Monk Architecten. Actually compared to a hare in the recent book Inspired by Nature: Animals, the design utilizes thatch on the walls and standing seam metal for the roof, though the two surfaces are seamlessly integrated in an asymmetrical vaulting from one side to another.Here's a few buildings in London photographed by Manuel.A.69.

design of an architect

3,500 Bacteria Per Square Inch

Holy crap that’s how much there is on the average elevator button according to designer Skeet Wang. Skeet Wang, yes, Skeet Wang, has taken the idea of the touchless button and applied it to elevators. Which is a good idea if the other fact Skeet Wang says is true: that the 3,500 is 17 times greater than the average toilet seat.

>" height="9" width="9"> Designer: Skeet Wang

04.16.09
Long Tran

Categories:
News
Technology

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SpacePilot Pro 3D Mouse BREAKING!

A few weeks back 3Dconnexion gave me a sneak peak at the SpacePilot Pro 3D mouse. It addresses a number of issues I had with SpaceExplorer and ups the ante by adding a barrage of new technologies. It seems they really wanted to hear from users. Professionals spanning multiple mediums all gave their 2 cents and today the SpacePilot Pro makes its debut. Hit the jump for the official press release. We can’t wait to get our hands on one!

>" height="9" width="9"> Company: 3Dconnexion

04.16.09
Long Tran

Categories:
Automotive
Technology

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The HARVESTER

Truth be told if I saw this thing barreling thru a forest, I’d probably wet my pants but wait! The Harvester is Forests’ best friend. The Designers wanted to create a machine that could sustainably deal with the forest and its natural resources without damaging our very limited supply. It optimizes the entire process and analyzes the work flow so future improvements can be made to guarantee the proper usage and protection of our forest grounds. I adore the little wheel plates that spread its surface area while lifting a heavy tree.

>" height="9" width="9"> Designers: Niko Kugler & Georg Heitzmann

04.15.09
Long Tran

Categories:
Cameras
Product Design
Technology

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Photog Hounds Like The Leica S5

The Leica S5 concept is a technical and stylish evolution to its predecessor the S2. A reduced form factor accentuates the optical connection between body and lens. The objective was to design a body which emits harmony - underlining the technological advances of the S- System.

>" height="9" width="9"> Designer: Stefan Radev

Future Warships & Auxiliaries

A guide to some of the warships under construction, on order or planned for the future.

This section is currently being updated.

Wave Class Auxiliary Oilers (AO)	Future Attack Submarine (FASM)
Albion Class Landing Platform Docks (LPD)	Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF)
Echo Multi-Role Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Vessels (SVHO)	Future Surface Combatant (FSC)
River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)	Hospital Ships
Point Class Strategic Lift Transports
Bay Class Alternative Landing Ships Logistic (ALSL).
Astute Class Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSN)
D Class Type 45 Area Air Defence Destroyers
.

Above: A computer generated impression of some of the warships and auxiliaries envisaged, planned, ordered or under construction for the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Left to right are: a patrol ship, a Type 45 destroyer, an Albion Class LPD, an aircraft carrier, H.M.S Ocean, a Wave Class tanker, corvette and an Astute Class submarine.

Sci-Fi-Inspired Concept Ships Show Future of Travel

By Jenna Wortham

09.17.08

Future worlds described by science fiction visionaries like Philip K. Dick, William Gibson and Robert Heinlein often included wildly inventive methods of transportation to other planets, galaxies and dimensions.

These brief glimpses into the possible future of travel were left largely to the readers' imaginations, but a flourishing group of dreamers, designers and illustrators are bringing those creations to life -- at least online.

The conceptships.org website run by Igor Tkac showcases these artists' renditions of spaceships and other fantastical creations. From retro-futuristic aerial attack machines to automated deep-sea treasure hunters, here are some of the coolest.

Left:

Nicolas Bouvier has always been fascinated with space travel. Growing up in Cape Canaveral, Florida, he vividly remembers watching shuttles and rockets launch. Now a game designer with credits including Prince of Persia: Warrior Within and Assassin's Creed, Bouvier also designs book covers. He fashioned this illustration for a French edition of a collection of Philip K. Dick short stories.

Future Attack Submarine FASM

The seven Trafalgar Class submarines entered service between 1983 and 1991 and are due to start decommissioning from 2010. Under existing plans laid out by the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), two older Trafalgar class submarines will be replaced by two Astute Class submarines expected to be ordered within the next few years. The remainder of the class will be replaced by the Future Attack Submarine (FASM).

This vessel is still in the very early stages of research and development and a range of designs are being considered. Most are nuclear powered although a few of the options under consideration are conventionally powered. One such option is Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). This combines what is seen as the main advantage of nuclear power- endurance- with the cost effectiveness of a diesel electric submarine. Nevertheless, at this stage nuclear power seams the most likely alternative as the navy has both the experience and infrastructure to operate this kind of vessel. Nuclear power will probably result in a submarine between 5,000 and 8,000 tonnes in displacement.

A number of other design innovations are being considered for the Future Attack Submarine: one of these focuses on the use of fibre optics which could eliminate the need for a traditional periscope and conning tower. Other possibilities include the ability to operate unmanned underwater vehicles and machines in a mine warfare role.

It is likely that the Future Attack Submarine (FASM) will be armed with cruise missiles. However, unlike the Swiftsure, Trafalgar and Astute Classes, which launch these through torpedo tubes, the Future Attack Submarine will probably launch them vertically. It is also likely that the high level of automation onboard will mean the submarine could have a complement as small as 50.

Above: An artists' impression of the Future Attack Submarine (FASM), seen here launching a torpedo.

Above: Another artists' impression of the Future Attack Submarine. It is likely that it will be nuclear powered and armed with land attack missiles.

MOdern Wonders

Urban skyscraper farms are still purely conceptual for now but are amazing theoretical propositions. They would provide locally grown food in densely packed urban centers. Some such designs incorporate elaborate rainwater reuse systems and other sustainable strategies intended to minimize their environmental impact and maximize their productivity. However, they are massive in scale and would cost a great deal to build. This huge initial outlay is part of what is keeping them out of production.

The Dongtan Eco-City is designed to be the world’s first not only an environmentally but also a “socially, economically and culturally” sustainable city. The site is over 50 square miles in size and will be split between agricultural and urban areas. The city relies on its own wind and solar energy as well as organic farming strategies. Public transportation will be entirely emissions free. In many ways this is a prototype for large-scale city planning within a fully eco-friendly mindset.

Ecological Designs

The so-called Lighthouse skyscraper is a 1000-foot-tall office skyscraper that is designed to use about half the water and energy of a typical high-rise building. The tower design employs solar energy collection and wind farming techniques coupled with strategies to reduce the use of and improve recovery of energy and water within the building. If/when built, this building will be a kind of working prototype for future green design in massive urban construction.

While these projects are extremely impressive in terms of their scope, scale and innovation many of them are expensive and difficult to replicate. They are, in short, large-scale solutions to a pervasive problem that exists on all scales with respect to sustainability in design. So what is the answer? Well, some designers have come up with alternatives that are meant to work at varying scales and within more limited budgets. Agustin Otegui’s Nano Vent-Skin is a perfect example.

What is it? In short it is a structure that acts like a skin. It is composed of mini wind turbines made out of micro organisms which generate energy from wind and sunlight. NVS was born as a small scale alternative after seeing all the gigantic projects (like those mentioned above) being built around the world. Where it seems that in order to be green you have to think big and build something impressively huge. This concept tries to make Architects and Designers think on a smaller scale and apply it to existing buildings, houses and structures or even tunnels and barriers to generate energy.

Green Art Design And Technology

[This article created with generous assistance from Agustin Otegui]

Green architecture comes in many forms though lately it seems like these forms are stranger than ever. Urban skyscraper farms? Floating eco-cities? Glowing solar towers? Turbine-driven skyscrapers? Magnetically levitated wind collectors? Where does it end?! With all of these emerging green technologies it seemed an appropriate time to take a look at seven of the most amazing real and conceptual designs currently at the forefront of ecological innovation. These examples push the limits of ecological architecture and contemporary urban design discourse.

The so-called Lilypad Project is perhaps the most fantastical of these green wonders and certainly the farthest from being built but is too amazing a concept not to mention. The idea is to create a series of floating self-sufficient ocean-going eco-city islands. Each one would be able to house 50,000 residents and would support a great deal of biodiversity. Collecting pools located in their centers would gather and filter water for use on board. These would be places for adventurers and refugees alike as water levels rise around the world and threaten many, particularly island, habitats.

The most impressive feature of the new Bahrain World Trade Center is, no doubt, the three massive wind turbines situated between the two towers comprising the main building. Each of these 80-foot turbines projects from a bridge between towers. The shape of the towers themselves channels and accelerates air moving between them which will help the building generate even more power. It is by far the largest wind-powered design incorporated into a massive building project to date.

The MagLev Wind Turbine is a big step forward in the world of wind power. By using magnetism to levitate the blades friction is eliminated and more power can be produced without any additional power expense (since the magnetics require no energy to run). The MagLev has a low threshold velocity for producing energy, could theoretically survive for centuries and can power up to 750,000 homes. Though the initial investment involved hundreds of millions of dollars the payoff is potentially huge.

Amazing Design

We are surrounded by the built environment day in and day out, but how many buildings still turn your head, make you scratch it or even turn it upside down (your head, not the building … well, not most buildings anyway). Over time we have collected some of the most crazy architectural designs and creative engineering marvels from around the world and grouped them by type, theme and (as always) adjective - from the remotest and most unattainable luxury private island architecture to hidden rooms and doors that may be lurking in your own house.

Contemporary Architecture and Cutting-Edge Design

Though there are some unbelievable homes and amazing house designs around the world, many of the most incredible buildings designed today do not fit readily into our standard vision of architectural types. Tree houses bring us back to our childhood while house boats bring out the adventurer in us. The institutional places where the public come together, however, are where you can find the work of many of the world’s most talented architectural designers.

Amazing Treehouses and Treehouse Designs: We all dreamed of having them as a child - or, if we had them, we dreamed of bigger, better and more awesome ones. Here are some dreams come true - unbelievable real-life tree houses that may make you wish to never return to the ground again. Bonus: here are 15 more.

Brilliant Houseboats and Houseboat Designs: Some are conceptual, some are real. Some are eye-poppingly ingenious and incredibly innovative while others are hilariously ill-conceived and quaintly impracticle. Whatever your budget, you can find a house boat to buy or at least one to ogle at. Bonus: here are 15 more.

Airport, Train and Bus Station Architecture: Planes, trains and automobiles make the world go ’round but too often overlooked are the designs of these buildings which harbor our indispensable vehicles. These architectural innovations push the limits of contemporary design to new heights, levels and speeds.

Ultramodern Museum Architecture and Interior Design: Museums are historically the places we house our most precious artefacts. Lately they have become themselves the subject of artistic endeavors - and critique. Here are some of the most offbeat, avante garde and thought-provoking modern and postmodern museum designs.

Green Art

Green Architecture Past, Present and Future

‘Green design’ has become a perhaps-overused buzz-phrase in the world of contemporary architecture. What does it mean, after all, to go green? Some of the best examples that truly break the mold include works that take advantage of technological advances in prefabrication or utilize buildings that would otherwise be wasted. Here is a look at current creative and crazy green designs as well as ones soon to come in the ever-approaching future of green design and technology.

Prefab Architecture and Flat-Pack Furniture Designs: There are many advantages to building a structure off-site and transporting it to its destination - but also many unique design challenges and opportunities that help prefab designs transend any potential limitations to become an art form and design innovation all their own.

Current Green Architecture, Art and Design: Green can mean so many things - some serious, some humorous and some somewhere in between. This collection spans the spectrum and includes a little bit of everything from the world of current green art, architecture and other forms of design.

Recycled Architecture and Adaptively Reused Buildings: Some of the greatest architectural creations in the world were born out of existing buildings, believe it or not. There is something about the obstacle of an old structure that can become the perfect opportunity in the hands of the right designer.

Future and Futuristic Green Architecture and Design: We are developing green technologies at a rate like never before, both to meet climate challenges but also to save our local environments (and save on our energy bills). Whatever the reason, there are innumerable incredible eco-friendly architectural designs that will boggle your mind.

Art, Castle, Jail and Theme Hotel Architecture

When we want to get away from our daily grind it does not have to just be about the destination or the means of getting there. The strange theme hotels in which you stay and unbelievable theme restaurants in which you eat can themselves be a once-in-a-lifetime aesthetic experience, whether you seek a kitsch theme hotel or luxurious castle lodgings, artistic immersion or faux incarceration. - there is sure to be an incredible offbeat interior design for you.

Sweet, Sexy and Surreal Art Hotel Rooms: Art hotels have become increasingly popular as people pick their place to stay not only based on the surrounding attractions but also on the experience of their temporary abodes. These range from quirky and comical to serious and sensual. Bonus: here are 20 more. Double-bonus: here are 18 more.

Distinguished Palace, Castle and Fort Hotels: Here you can sleep like a duke, king or even emperor for a night. Some can be reserved by the room or are rustic and affordable entire buildings. Others can only be rented in their resplendent entirety and would cost the crown jewels just to reserve for a single weekend.

Luxurious to Painful Prison and Jail Hotels: Some jails have been converted into plush resort-like settings, completely redone to the point where their former lives are more of abstract note than real interest. Others have been maintained in the frightening condition they were left in and give visitors a disturbingly real prison experience.

Smallest Hotels and Hotel Rooms in the World: Some people shoot for the biggest and most impressive accommodations they can find. Meanwhile, some strange hotels are vying for the position of ’smallest in the world’ - from hollow pipes to pod hotel room slots or even a whole hotel room packed into a suitcase.