Coney Island

Ever since reading through Rem Koolhaas’ “Delirious New York” I’ve always wanted to visit Coney Island. Being the middle of February, the place was relatively subdued, but the latent weirdness was nevertheless present. I’m thinking of you oh crazy one feeding the seagulls, or you the looney urinating on the beach. It did not disappoint…     ...

Dior

If you’re drawn to over-priced luxury you’ll love the Dior flagship store designed by Pritzker prize winners SANAA. If you’re interested in architecture that delivers a spatial experience in a beautifully designed package, you’ll probably be somewhat disappointed. As far as beautiful packages go, the building certainly delivers. Unfortunately, a quick wander inside reveals yet ...

Encapsulate

Kisho Kurokawa‘s Capsule Tower, located in the Ginza District in Tokyo defies gravity on many levels. In terms of physical gravity, it’s attached rather precariously to a support core that frankly appears to the untrained eye somewhat under-engineered. Another ode to the building’s persistance is its ability to push back redevelopment efforts in what is ...

Big In Japan

After many years of dreaming to visit Japan I had the good fortune of visiting for the first time this past October. In addition to constantly experimenting with the fine food on offer I took every chance I could get to visit renowned buildings that have been an inspiration over the years. I have many ...

St Ignatius

Bottles of light, craftsmanship and distinctive auxiliary spaces define the mood and feel of a small building in Seattle that is one of Steven Holl‘s seminal projects. Built in 1997, one is struck by how contemporary it still feels – there is a real sense that this retake on a quiet spiritual gathering place will not age ...

Seattle

It’s been over 5 years since I last went to Seattle – the Seattle Central Library by OMA/Rem Koolhaas continues to feel very contemporary. It was also literally swarming with patrons, and appeared to be a very popular place for the general public to congregate. Truly an icon of a building…

Portugal And Back

I was recently back in Portugal to visit my family, and had the chance to visit some projects that have been on my radar for a while now. The range and diversity of architectural practice coming out of this small country continues to be a valuable resource for me, and seeing these buildings in person ...

Parsed

I recently had the good fortune of taking to the skies again with the great company of Aaron and Zack for a 90 minute flight around the San Francisco Bay Area, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Conditions were a little choppy despite the good weather and clear visibility, and the constant dodging of ...

Poise

Taking Stock

Magic Trick

Exit A

Busy

It’s been a very busy and productive few weeks. San Francisco continues to charm the heart, more now than ever. I recently started a new job that has completely taken over my time (hence my sporadic posting of late). One of the benefits of the new job is the 10 minute (walking) commute, which includes ...

OMA

Whites

Huddled Masses

Packing District

So Close

Clouds With Chance

Keep On Trucking

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Thunder Thighs

As a crucial arterial road running through the heart of San Francisco, an earthquake prone city, Highway 280 tends to be on the heavier side when it comes to structural considerations. Like a voluptuous centipede, it snakes through various neighbourhoods, displaying a consistent rhythmic cadence that manifests a desire to counter a future tremblor. It’s a thing of ...

Mural

Field Of Dreams

Fly Away With Me

Animal City

One of the unexpected treats of moving to California is witnessing first hand the amazing abundance of interactions that occurs between urban environments and wildlife. From the sea lions at San Francisco’s fisherman’s wharf, to the occasional sighting of coyotes on hiking trails located right near the Golden Gate Bridge, the usual urban animal encounters ...

Sutro

Aquarius

Car Park

Parking Structures are the ugly ducklings of architecture; often done in haste as an afterthought to the grand project, the ambitious masterplan, or unceremoniously dumped into the middle of a city. One of the unexpected results of this approach is the typically spare and minimal design, where the “form-follows-function” creed is most often executed in its purest ...

Imperial Sand Dunes

Babylon