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Inspirational Projects
Thematic Design in Action
Pixel by MVRDV & BIG
What it's about
This project challenges the stereotypes behind large urban developments by using small scale elements to create more of a natural "village" feel. Smaller "storefront" additions in-between the living nodes will recreate the feeling of shops on a busy but cozy New York street.
Why it matters
Part of my interest in urban design includes retaining the spirit of place in large urban developments of the future. Christopher Ryan in his book A Timeless Way of Building argues that urban developments of the past better met our cultural and environmental needs through interesting and intimate place-making. How can we build future mega-cities with internal communities respective of the values of sixteenth century European architecture?
Golkar Jakarta Office by Delution Architect
What it's about
This project identifies the need for more transparency between government and its people through an open and regenerative built environment. This complex uses passive ventilation and other sustainability features to demonstrate Indonesia's efforts to reform philosophies for future prosperity.
Why it matters
Architecture that challenges societal perceptions is tremendously motivating. A built form can facilitate thought provoking conversations about its innate qualities. How can architecture in America benefit from counter-cultural expressions in composition?
Eco-Balcony by Farming Architects
What it's about
This startup identified a need for adaptive reuse of vacant balcony spaces in urban Vietnam. This simple yet elegant solution brings beauty and nutrition into homes separated from open plots of land.
Why it matters
Amazing design doesn't have to dazzle with a eight-figure budget. Modern design often entails minimalist forms with lasting brilliance. What small details are overlooked everyday which might be capable of changing the world?
What it's about
Amager Resource Center by BIG
What it's about
This unique power plant design "challenges the public's perception about utility buildings" - Bjarke Ingles. This building will feature rooftop slopes for year round activities. The smoke stack even blows rings of smoke to celebrate the clean power plant's novel approach to a societal necessity.
Why it matters
In my blog post The Architecture in the Post-Work World I describe the challenge of redefining public utility necessities in the future. When machine intelligence is capable of performing all of society's critical functions, how can we meld their functional spaces into the fabric of the new world? For example, could a concealed office of computers analyzing medical records for diagnostic reports support a lively art studio above it? When human beings have the opportunity to pursue their dream careers, how can the mundane tasks of life continue in the shadows of the glowing new Renaissance of human innovation?
SAMi Environmental Learning Center by McGranahan
This high school learning center provides important lessons on environmental stewardship in an airy spacial form that
invites nature inward through daylighting and earthy material palettes.
Why it matters
High schools can often feel like prisons or utilitarian edifices that focus on programmatic necessity and negate the
need for a proper learning atmosphere capable of catalyzing positive growth for the children that it serves. How can
more firms expand a pond the common construction practices in this typology to provide spaces that kids actually want to learn in?
What it's about
What it's about
This record breaking 35 story structure will be entirely framed by heavy timber. This facility provides a natural
environment for students and others living in this multistory complex. This facility evokes a new sense of community through the spirit of place-making.
Why it matters
Wood architecture has tremendous benefits when it comes to lowering carbon emissions and overall environmental
impact from constructing the built environment. If engineered wood products continue to improve, more incentive will follow to motivate construction outfits to work with architects to better understand new building practices reflective of
the growing focus on environmental stewardship. Additionally, the natural feel this material palette evokes is undoubtedly more attractive than the concrete jungles of most apartment complexes.
LinkedIn Middlefield Campus by Sustainable Design for
the Built Environment (SERA)
What it's about
This site plan revitalization project connects three existing buildings with an interesting path scheme flanked with
bountiful landscaping. The surfaces compromising these walking paths use engineered systems to distribute storm
water to the plants around them.
Why it matters
This site plan accomplishes the goal of being both beautiful and practical in its application. The water reclamation methods usage gives real purpose to the pathways who's natural beauty will undoubtedly brighten the moods of patrons to this site.
Columbia Building by Sky Lab
What it's about
This building that acts as a Bureau for Environmental Sciences for the city of Portland lives out its message concerning
the importance of environmentally conscious architecture. The expansive green roof on this structure allows the building
to be a symbolic and functional extension of the natural world while providing advanced engineering systems for storm water management.
Why it matters
Architecture often imposes itself on a site and separates itself from the natural world. How can more architecture act as an extension of the natural earth beneath it while still providing vital and lively programmatic services for the people to which it serves?
Reinventer Paris by MG Architecture
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