Landscape Architecture 01 - ArchitectureWeek Topics Library

BEAUTY AND THE BEST

More than just resource-efficient buildings, projects from Venezuela, Germany, Italy, and Canada recently chosen as recipients of the first global Holcim Awards demonstrate "sustainability" as integration with their larger urban, social, and technological context. They were recently selected from 15 finalists after a series of regional competitions with more than 3,000 submissions from 118 countries. — Published 2006.0607

DOWN UNDER HOUSES

Contemporary residences by Australian and New Zealand architects share several common themes, most notably a sense of environmental stewardship and a desire to blend with the surrounding landscape, whether it's a historic urban street or a protected coastline. These architects favor indoor/outdoor rooms and often zone houses into pavilions. "Green" features abound, including natural ventilation, use of natural materials, photovoltaic panels, and rainwater collection systems. And often, the location itself is spectacular and framed in views from the interior. � Editor — Published 2006.0531

GOOGLE'S GLOBE

In the fall of 2004, Google acquired Keyhole, a global satellite imaging program that offers users anything from an astronaut's view of the earth down to a bird's eye view of a taxi double-parked in a city street. But unlike some computer software that stagnates after being acquired, this product, now dubbed "Google Earth," has only become better. — Published 2006.0524

PATAGONIAN LUXURIES

An exotic location like Chilean Patagonia demands an exotic hotel. Hotel Remota's design draws from the dazzling explosion of islands, glaciers, icebergs, and mountains on this southern tip of South America.

Inspired by Patagonian sheep farm buildings, Hotel Remota offers warm interiors to shield visitors from the wind and cold. A central courtyard introduces visitors to the Patagonian wilderness: except for a few large boulders, the plaza is empty, but full of suggestion. — Published 2006.0405

CHILEAN LAKESIDE

Nestled in the foliage of Lake Colico near Santiago, in Chile's Region IX, Lakeside House looks at first like a diminutive medieval castle with a stone facade. But this appearance is only the prelude to an expansive glass structure that inserts its inhabitants into the heart of nature. — Published 2006.0329

ASMUSSEN'S CULTURE HOUSE

Austrian-born artist and scientist Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) developed the "spiritual science" of anthroposophy � "a path of knowledge aiming to guide the spiritual element in the human being to the spiritual in the universe." He saw all natural phenomena as interconnected spiritually and dependent on the larger whole. To explore the integrative and holistic ideals of anthroposophy, Swedish architect Erik Asmussen built the Rudolf Steiner Seminary, at J�rna, Sweden. Its social and cultural focus is the Culture House (completed in 1992), an expression of art, craft, spirituality, and functionality. � Editor — Published 2006.0301

SAN FRANCISCO'S NEW DE YOUNG

With its all-encompassing copper skin and nine-story twisting ascent to an Olympian view of San Francisco's skyline, the new de Young Museum presides imperially over Golden Gate Park. — Published 2006.0301

AIA AWARDS TO PREDOCK, THORNCROWN, MOORE RUBLE YUDELL

The American Institute of Architects has announced three of its most prestigious annual national awards � to an architect, a firm, and a timeless building. Antoine Predock, FAIA, will receive The 2006 AIA Gold Medal; Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, the Architecture Firm Award; and Thorncrown Chapel is being honored with the AIA's Twenty-five Year Award. — Published 2006.0201

NEW SHAPES FOR WORKSPACE

Flexible and open plans have been standard in corporate offices for several decades. During this time, architects have struggled to design open spaces that still provide private, supportive environments for the workers. — Published 2006.0308

CITYSCAPE 2005 AWARDS

Today, new investment and new attention are focusing on cites such as Dubai, Beijing, and Istanbul, as well as on the established modern metropolises (New York, London, Paris). The recent announcement of the Cityscape 2005 Architectural Review Awards exemplifies this new focus. — Published 2005.1207

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