9 Things They Don’t Tell You About Dating An Architect

1

“Architects make a lot of money.”

This is not true. (But people assume it is.)

2

Architects are used to late nights.

In theory, it shouldn’t be a problem to stay up all night for sexytime. But in reality, they probably pulled an all-nighter last night and are ready to crash at 8 tonight.

3

There is no such thing as a fat architect.

For some reason. I have no idea.

4

Things you never even knew existed are now the most important. thing. ever.

“That is the ugliest f*cking radiator ever”, “How did they not align the light switch with the outlet?” “What’s your favorite kind of hinge?” “What’s your favorite CAD command?”

5

They’re probably anal.

They probably have one of three “systems” for organizing their bookshelves: by color, by size (largest to smallest), by publisher. None of these make any sense and ironically provide the very opposite of “order”, but it doesn’t matter, because it looks better. In fact, they will have a “system” for everything, including organizing the fridge and how to put their clothes away. You might think it’s cute at first, an endearing quirk – until you realize how much of their precious little free time is consumed by obsessing over things that a) no one cares about and b) does not enhance their lives in any way.

6

After a while, you will only hang out with architects.

This happens. Hope you don’t just love your architect, but that you love ALL architects.

6

Architects handle relationship/life stress well.

Because anything is less stressful than a deadline.

7

You won’t get studio.

Prepare yourself for constant references to this mysterious place called “studio” that they spent every waking moment of their college lives in, and never being let on on the inside jokes, with explanations like “you had to be there” or “it was a lot funnier at four in the morning.”

8

They will be coffee snobs.

If it’s not organically grown, economically sustainable and socially consciously harvested, and brewed in a vintage French Press OR a Chemex, chances are, they might politely decline your coffee. Until, four minutes later, they realize they’re caffeine deprived and, ethics be damned, this presentation needs to get to Dubai by 1AM…

9

Architects are passionate, dedicated people.

They didn’t get through 5 years of architectural school by being lazy, indifferent and stupid. (Need a first date conversation starter? Ask them about how many people dropped out of their program freshman year – they’ll be all too proud to tell you that “they were one of the few” who made it out unscathed.”) They know just enough about every culturally relevant artist, philosopher, composer etc to make them seem exceptionally worldly and cultured – your parents should love them. Keep in mind that it’s all a facade (no pun intended!) and that if you were to press them on any one of those topics, they’ll find a way to skillfully manipulate the conversation into some abstract “concept” and avoid being called out on not knowing shit.

Hexigloo found on contemporist

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Project description from the designers:

Hexigloo is a fully parametrically designed pavillion resulting out of a 7 day workshop in Bucharest Romania organized by Tudor Cosmatu, Irina Bogdan, Andrei Raducanu, and guest tutuors Andrei Gheorge (Angewandte, Vienna) Alexander Kalachev (DIA, Dessau) and Bence Pap (Zaha Hadid Architects London) . 55 students participated in a week long workshop learning the basic principles of parametric design, and software, with the task to build in the second half of the week a human scale spatial installation. Out of 10 projects 3 got finally built using a laser cutter and longnight workshifts for the assembly of the parts.

HEXigloo represents a pavilion that’s based on a cellular honeycomb structure, applied on an igloo surface typology. From concept to the finite product, the process went through the following steps: mapping a hexagonal grid on a pre-modeled surface (14 rows + 14 columns – having 196 elements as a result), extruding the mapped hexagons on the Z axis in order to create a binding surface between the components. All the binding surfaces together add rigidity to the overall structure.

The main interest was focused on the interior space; therefore, the interior cells were offsetted and moved on the Z axis, perpendicular to the normal of the surface in the center of each mapped hexagon. The value of the offset is directly proportional with the distance between the centers of the hexagons and a predefined curvilinear attractor, while the perpendicular one is using the opposed value.

In order to produce the elements, unrolling each one of them was necessary. In order to unroll them we used a VB.NET script. Since the algorithm uses a general set of rules, the result needed a second check in order to optimize and find the best nesting place on the cardboard sheet. Approximately 2200 linear meters were cut at the laser cutter for this installation and it was made out of 6mm cardboard.

Two teams of participants were created in order to assemble the laser cut components: one that assembled the pieces in their three dimensional shape and one that stitched the components together in order to create the final overall structure. We subdivided the whole volume into subassemblies in order to make the job easier. The whole process lasted approximately 80 hours.


via : http://www.3d-dreaming.com/2011/06/hexigloo-found-on-contemporistcom.html

Emblematic Monument by Enrique Norten and TEN Arquitectos

A cafe, playroom and gallery are tucked beneath the artificial topography of this undulating public square in Mexico by architect Enrique Norten of TEN Arquitectos.

Top: photograph is by Patrick Lopez

Located in the city of Puebla, the square was constructed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, when the invading French army were defeated by the Mexicans despite being larger and better-equipped.

Above photograph is by Patrick Lopez

Lamp posts dotted around the square denote the number of battalions that fought, while the 150 trees planted signify each year that has passed since the event.

Above photograph is by Patrick Lopez

Timber benches sprout out from the timber-decked hills, which also slope up at the edges to create viewpoints overlooking the city centre.

Above photograph is by Patrick Lopez

Last year Enrique Norten and TEN Arquitectos completed a boomerang-shaped museum on stilts – see it here.

Above photograph is by Patrick Lopez

See more stories about landscape architecture »

Photography is by Pablo Crespo, apart from where otherwise stated.

Here’s a little more information from TEN Arquitectos:

Within the celebrations of may 5th, Enrique Norten/TEN Arquitectos is pleased to present the “Emblematic Monument celebrating the 150th anniversary of Puebla’s Battle.” TEN Arquitectos proposed to reinterpret the traditional concept of the monument as a public space to be used by the city and its people, thus winning the competition to design the iconic monument of the Battle of Puebla – 5 de mayo.

Located in the area of Los Fuertes, almost on top of the hill with an exquisite view of the city of Puebla, the project aims to create a dialogue between the city and its inhabitants.

Although the competition did not mention a specific program to develop, TEN Arquitectos proposes 3 covered places to revive the use of public space in the area, also, the design takes advantage of the existing topography as well as the stunning views; the square opens to the city, arising from the deliberate elevation of the existing level, open spaces and winding wrapped areas are created through the unfolding of the undulated sheet of wood.

The areas covered by the artificial topography and the plaza create the proposed program which is translated into spaces that encourage gathering. The first interstice becomes a multi-use gallery; its top creates an open amphitheater for events of different kinds.

On another part of the plaza, lies a playroom designed for the recreation of children and older adults allowing them to enjoy interior and outdoor space.

The third gap formed by the undulated wooden plaza turns into a café, as it reaches the highest point of the place, its top emerges as a mirador.

Click above for larger image

Artificial resemblance of the original topography, the overlapping wooden layer offers a park of undulating movements. Doing homage, the plaza symbolizes one of the most important historical moments in Mexican history.

Click above for larger image

150 trees were located throughout the square, representing the years that mark the anniversary of the Battle of 5 de Mayo; the need of shade for the users comfort determined the location of the vegetation.

Click above for larger image

The light poles reflect the number of battalions that fought, while its location points to the sites where the most important battles occurred. Thus, the monument becomes an unexpected public space, a viewpoint that looks over the city and promotes a social and cultural exchange.

via : http://www.dezeen.com/2012/06/16/emblematic-monument-by-enrique-norten-and-ten-arquitectos/

Inviting Suburban House Displaying Inspiring Architecture

Inviting Suburban House Displaying Inspiring Architecture



Keeping an adapted version of the neighborhood’s “no fences” display, the Wentworth Rd House is elegantly exposed to passers-by, who can admire the architect’s creativity and draw inspiration for their own projects. Designed by Edward Szewczyk Architects, this modern residence is located in the Vaucluse suburb of Sydney, Australia. Three floors culminating with a rooftop terrace beautify the suburban plot showcasing what appears to be a bold volumetric architecture. Behind the glazed front facade, the suburban home shelters social and private space, starting from the partially suspended ground floor. Here, a set of terraced stairs leading to the garden create a feeling of suspension in mid air and sparkle at night to guide owner’s steps to the almost transparent back of the house. Separated from the pool with glass railings, the backside garden space is a social zone where family and friends spend time under the hot Australian sun. With the pool nearby, lazy afternoons and entertaining evenings will surely be included in the weekly routine.