Amazing Architecture for May 20, 2009

Tonight I have a wonderful collection of interesting buildings and building projects for your entertainment.

First we have a story via Inhabitat (http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/20/taiwan%E2%80%99s-solar-stadium-100-powered-by-the-sun/) of what is possibly the largest stadium at least if not building to generate 100% of its energy needs from solar power. Pretty amazing!  The stadium is being constructed for the 2009 World Games in Taiwan.

Next we have a building that is interesting as well as educational. The story comes via Oh Gizmo (http://www.ohgizmo.com/2009/05/20/technorama-science-center-facade-educates-about-wind-currents-and-turbulence/) and is about a museum that is an education in and of itself.

Excerpt: “I love me a good science center, but I particularly like it when the actual building manages to educate as much as the exhibits inside do. Case in point, the The Swiss Technorama Science CenterNed Kahn to design a unique facade for the building which consisted of thousands of small aluminum panels that move with the air currents revealing the patterns of turbulence in the winds. Obviously the still shots don’t do it justice, so if you have a few minutes I highly recommend checking out the video below to see it in action, it’s quite hypnotic. in Winterthur, Switzerland. Way back in 2002 they hired “

In Toronto Canada I applaud the next story coming again via Inhabitat (http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/19/torontos-ambitious-tower-renewal-project/) where the city is going to reuse and upgrade existing high rise apartment buildings rather than tear down and build new.  It is not only a far greener option and plan, but it is also far cheaper!  Good Job!

Excerpt: “Much like every big city, Toronto has an aging array of Post WW-II high rise apartment buildings. When they were built in the 1960’s they were considered the height of modernity and dense urban design, but now as they are close to reaching the end of their intended lifespan, they are hugely inefficient and lack the qualities that make a sustainable, viable, urban community. There are no markets or grocery stores, inadequate public transportation, and little retail or local jobs. Rather than tear the towers down to start anew, the Mayor and City of Toronto want to use this vast resource of buildings and revitalize the city to become a more sustainable, walkable, greener community.“

Lastly we have via Dezeen (http://www.dezeen.com/2009/05/21/creative-units-at-aberystwyth-arts-centre-by-thomas-heatherwick/#more-31136) a very innovative solution for creating eight low cost structures for an arts campus in England.  It is amazing to think about the walls of the structure being sheathed in stainless steel cooking foil!

Excerpt: “The
 design
 is
 both
 striking
 and
 considerate
 to
 its
 setting.
 
 The
 simple
 timber‐frame
 buildings
 are
 clad
 with
 a
 bespoke
 crinkled
 stainless
 steel
 system
 that
 creates
 a
 shimmering
 futuristic
 appearance,
 reflecting
 the
 greenery
 of
 their
 site.
 
 Unusually,
 their
 construction
 as
 well
 as
 their
 design
 was
 led
 by
 Heatherwick
 Studio
 whose
 specialist
 team
 worked
 on
 site
 with
 local
 sub‐contractors
 to
 deliver
 the
 project.
 
 The
 special
 cladding
 system
 was
 fabricated
 on
 site
 using
 a
 contraption
 akin
 to
 a
 Victorian
 mangle
 that
 deformed
 the
 steel
 into
 its
 irregular
 form.
 The
 studios
 sit
 within
 woodland,
 and
 over
 time 
will 
blend
 further 
into 
the 
maturing 
landscape
 around 
them.“

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