* Architecture + Art: ArcelorMittal Orbit by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond

Architecture: ArcelorMittal Orbit by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond: “..Construction of the controversial 115 metre-high sculpture that artist Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond designed for the London 2012 Olympic park is now complete..Visitors will enter a central elevator to ascend the steel tower, named the ArcelorMittal Orbit, arriving at an observation deck with a panoramic view of the city. To exit, they will be encouraged to climb down a staircase of 455 steps that spirals around the tower’s exterior..Around 560 metres of red tubular steel form the structure and 250 coloured spotlights illuminate it at night. Internal fit-out will begin later this month and the attraction will open to the public before the games begin in July..”  Twisted?

See our previous post on the ArcelorMittal Orbit: Anish Kapoor Designs Orbit Tower for London Olympics.

image: ArcelorMittal; article: Dezeen

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* Residential Architecture: Balancing Barn by MVRDV for Living Architecture

Residential Architecture: Balancing Barn by MVRDV for Living Architecture: “..a cantilevered holiday home near the village of thorington in suffolk, england.. living architecture, an organization devoted to the experience of modern architecture, commissioned MVRDV..mole architects from cambridge were executive architects and studio makkink bey designed the interior..on a beautiful site by a small lake in the english countryside..the barn responds through its architecture and engineering to the site condition and natural setting. the traditional barn shape and reflective metal sheeting take their references from the local building vernacular. in this sense the balancing barn aims to live up to its educational goal in re-evaluating the countryside and making modern architecture accessible. additionally, it is both a restful and exciting holiday home. furnished to a high standard of comfort and elegance, set in a quintessentially english landscape, it engages its temporary inhabitants in an experience..”  Magnificent..lovely site, dramatic, contemporary realisation, energy efficiency, and for vacation rental through Living Architecture..

See posts on other work by MVRDV: Architecture: In Korea: MVRDV: The Cloud and Architecture: Alphabet Building by MVRDV.

See another post on a daringly cantilevered home: Residential Architecture: House at Tanglewood by Schwartz/Silver Architects.

image: edmund sumner; article: Designboom

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* Architecture: The Photographers’ Gallery by O’Donnell + Tuomey

Architecture: The Photographers’ Gallery by O’Donnell + Tuomey: “..[the architects have] extended a red brick warehouse in central London..Black-rendered walls overhang the original Victorian brickwork to cover the new fourth and fifth floors, which both contain galleries and are lit by a two-storey-high, north-facing window in one corner..Part of the facade is cut away and glazed to reveal the cafe and bar at ground level, and a digital wall in the reception area will present a changing selection of projects from both professional photographers and the public..”  Interesting contemporary addition, form, light, richly thoughtful interior detailing..

image: Kate Elliot; article: Dezeen

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* Architecture: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2012 by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei

Architecture: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2012 by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei: “..The Serpentine Gallery in London has unveiled plans by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei for this summer’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion: they’ll conduct an archaeological dig to find traces of past pavilions on the site then line the resulting trenches with cork..The plan involves excavating down to groundwater level, revealing buried traces of the past eleven annual pavilions and creating a well at the bottom that will also collect rainwater..A pool of water will also cover the surface of the circular roof, supported just 1.4 metres above the ground by twelve columns that represent pavilions past and present. It will be possible to drain this water down into the well to create an elevated viewing platform or dance floor..”  Another marvelous Serpentine Pavilion..

See our other posts on Serpentine Gallery Pavilions: Pritzker Prize Architect Peter Zumthor’s Design for Serpentine Pavilion Secret Garden, Jean Nouvel to Design 2010 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion and Architecture + Design: Herzog & de Meuron + Ai Weiwei to Design Serpentine Pavilion 2012.

image + article: Dezeen

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* Architecture: Hooke Park Big Shed by AA Design & Make

Architecture: Hooke Park Big Shed by AA Design & Make: “..Students from London’s Architectural Association have designed and built a faceted wooden workshop in the woods in Dorset, England..owned by the school and will be used as an assembly and prototyping workshop..The larch used to construct the building was sourced both from within the park and from local woodlands..A system of columns and trusses made from unmilled tree trunks comprise the building’s structural framework..”  Distinctive form, locally sourced materials, inspiring work, put to good use..

image: Valerie Bennett; article: Dezeen

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