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Showing posts from October, 2011

The Eternal Project - La Sagrada Familia

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Building a masterpiece In the heart of Barcelona, a testament to unwavering dedication and artistic brilliance continues to reach towards the sky, defying the constraints of time itself. The Sagrada Familia, an architectural marvel conceived by the ingenious mind of Antoni Gaudi, stands as an enduring symbol of human creativity and perseverance. The saga of Sagrada Familia began in 1882, under the guidance of a different architect. However, it was in 1883, at the tender age of 31, that Gaudi assumed the role of lead architect, marking a turning point in the church's history. With a stroke of artistic genius, he dramatically altered the original plans, transforming the construction into a lifelong endeavor, a labor of love that would far outlive its creator. Passion Facade Entrance to Sagrada Familia still under construction photo by William Hall. Gaudi's passion for his masterpiece was unparalleled. Every stone, every archway, and every facade bore the imprint of his visi

Apple Shanghai Store

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Recently complete Apple Store in Shanghai uses signature Apple Hardware . View from below the stair treads shows embedded titanium hardware in the glass . Apple has taken the 5th Avenue cube glass store in turned into a glass cylinder in China. Spectacular view inside the Glass Cylinder of the sky above. Glass Beam Thesis by Lei Fu. references: http://yellowtrace.com.au/blog/2011/07/08/stairway-to-heaven/ http://www.eckersleyocallaghan.com/projects/project/apple-shanghai.html http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/item/etd-Fu-3957.pdf;jsessionid=2DEC5F8BA26805A025C558539D11B2CB

Stressing the Post Tensioned Cables in a Monolithic Slab

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Operating the Stressing Jack on the Post Tensioned Cables. Inserting the Stressing Jack onto a cable. Stressing Jack extended to proper stressing pressure. Inspecting the stressed length of the post tensioned cables. Hydraulic Pump with gage for setting proper pressure to post tensioned cables. Photographs from Nicholson Architects of the Goldstein Project . For more information on Post Tensioned Slabs watch these videos: Tool used to cut and remove excess cable at ends of pot tensioned cable.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West Student Shelters

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John Lautner's Desert Shelter at Taliesin West looking out of Lautners Shelter w/ drafting table in foreground As part of the students learning with Frank Lloyd Wright in the Taliesin fellowship the senior students were allowed to build thier own shelters. This went hand in hand with the "learn by doing" motto and the physical work that was accomplished to build the schools. Today the Taliesin West school is still in operation and allows students to continue to build the desert shelters on the property.  Some of the new structures are built on top of the old dilapidated sites of previous students. Some of the new desert structures vary from nicely constructed well designed bungalows to interesting sculptural forms. With the scenic desert backdrop the shelters provide creative living situations to inspire young Architects. Glass House designed originally by Alan Olin, Photograph by Aris Georges Desert Perch Shelter by Victor Sidy 1999, Phot

Construction Time Lapse

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Time Lapse video s are always interesting when they involve a construction sequence. Recently I've become aware of the new GOPRO HD Hero cameras that allow you to take time lapse images as a standard  feature as well as high quality video. I plan on setting up additional time lapse sequences for the Goldstein Project from Nicholson Architects . Here is also a time lapse test from a day in the office of Nicholson Architects.

Atmospheric Phenomenon in Joshua Tree

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Earth's Shadow and Belt of Venus at sunset looking east from Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park Recently I went on an enjoyable Fall camping trip to Joshua Tree Natural Park . While enjoying a hike around sunset I witnessed an interesting lighting effect that was occurring in the sky in the opposite direction of the sunset. This atmospheric phenomenon called " Earth's Shadow " is a dark blue band near the the horizon caused by the shadow of the earth cast on the atmosphere. The pink band above the earth's shadow (blue band) is called the " Belt of Venus " and is caused by backscattering of the red setting sun. This atmospheric phenomenon often goes unnoticed and only occurs under the right weather conditions and proper viewing point with clear sight to the horizon. I never look long to find beauty in nature .

Dutch Architects Praise Lautner

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Dutch Architects Jan-Richard Kikkert and Tycho Saariste gave a recent lecture at the Northern Michigan University in conjunction with the Devos Art Museum and ongoing John Lautner exhibition. The speakers are Hard-Core Architecture fans learning of Lautner's work in his book they traveled to the US to see every Lautner building that still existed and are now working on their own book on the Architect. The most significant issue that the speakers address is that Lautner is portrayed very insignificantly in Architectural History, if at all. This is a very valid and disturbing point that I believe will change as his work will continue to become more prominent and be addressed rightfully for its greatness. Jan-Richard Kikkert Photo Gallery includes tour images of Lautner Buildings. John Lautner's daughter: Judith Lautner Picasa Photo Gallery of Lautner Buildings Judith Lautner Photo of Midgaard ceiling painted by John Lautner's Mother The above image is of the cabin

ARE Architectural History

While reading Kaplan History I came across these terms that I then referenced with wikipedia for additional information. Ancient Architecture Primitive Architecture Megalithic Structures Stone Henge Egyptian Architecture Nile River Hieroglyphics - Rosetta Stone Mastabas Pyramid of King Zoser The Great Pyramids Great temple of Amon Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Abu Simbel Temple of Horus Sphinx Middle Eastern Architecture Mesopotamia Ziggurat The Palace of Sargon Persepolis Hammurabi's Code for Architecture