* Architecture: Centre for Virtual Engineering by UNStudio

Architecture: Centre for Virtual Engineering by UNStudio: “..The windows of this scientific research centre in Stuttgart by Dutch architects UNStudio are lined up like rows of dominoes set to topple..a series of combined offices and laboratories that look out through the saw-toothed windows..The envelope of the building is a mixture of curved and rectilinear walls and ceilings, which create organically shaped rooms on each of the four floors..An atrium is located at the heart of the building and is crossed diagonally by staircases with treads that are colour-coded to signify the floors that they lead to..”  Interesting form and interior volumes, distinctive fenestration, lightwells..

See our posts on other work by UNStudio:

• Architecture: VI Palazzo ENI by UNStudio
• Architecture: Los Angeles Union Station Master Plan by UNStudio + EE&K

image: Christian Richters; article: Dezeen

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* Architecture: Video: Building the Golden Gate Bridge

Architecture: Video: Building the Golden Gate Bridge: “..Courtesy of the Prelinger Archives, this archival 1930s footage by Bethlehem Steel captures every phase of construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic, San Francisco structure celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, as it opened May 27th, 1937. Including the approaches, the Golden Gate Bridge spans a remarkable length of 1.7 miles (8981ft or 2737m), making it the longest span in the world from its completion in 1937 until the Verrazano Narrows Bridge was built in New York in 1964. A unique aspect to the construction of the suspension bridge was the emphasis placed on safety..”  Astounding..

Video: Prelinger Archive and The Atlantic, ArchDaily; article: ArchDaily

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* Design: Reflections on a Soup Spoon, by Alice Rawsthorn

Design: Reflections on a Soup Spoon, by Alice Rawsthorn: “..it was designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in the late 1950s for use in one of his architectural projects, the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Then in his late 50s, Jacobsen was the most famous architect in Denmark and was renowned internationally for the sensitivity with which he softened the ascetic Modernist style with gentle curves and sensual finishes..”  Excellent, sharp, smart article in The New York Times, by the astute design observer Alice Rawsthorn..

See posts on other equally sharp articles by Alice Rawsthorn:

•  Residential Architecture: Villa Tugendhat – Reopening a Mies Modernist Landmark
• Protest Branding – Elements of Style as Occupy Movement Evolves, by Alice Rawsthorn
• ‘Keyed to Detail, No Matter How Crazy’, by Alice Rawsthorn – The Sensual Intelligence of Designer Aldo Bakker
• Graphic Design: With a Big Boost From Technology, by Alice Rawsthorn
• Can Anybody Be a Designer? by Alice Rawsthorn
• ‘Postmodern, but Not Especially Proud of It’ by Alice Rawsthorn
• Looking at China as a Creator, Not Manufacturer by Alice Rawsthorn
• Visually Stunning, Technologically Ingenious, Poetic, Subversive – The Lighting of Ron Gilad for FLOS by Alice Rawsthorn
• Quietly Excellent Design – The Annual Post-Salone Sigh from Alice Rawsthorn
• Skull and Crossbones as Branding Tool
• A Taxonomy of Office Chairs – You’ll Never Look at Them the Same Way Again

image: Georg Jensen; The New York Times; article: Alice Rawsthorn, The New York Times

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* Architecture + Design: Magic Plan App: Making Floor Plans on Your Phone

Architecture + Design: Magic Plan App: Making Floor Plans on Your Phone: “..Architects and designers everywhere know the amount of time it takes to get accurate floor plan measurements with a measuring tape, a pencil, and some graph paper,  but now there’s an app that gives you the convenience of measuring right in the palm of your hand in a matter of minutes.  The Magic Plan app, conveniently named, simply asks for certain areas of a specific room and is able to assemble a floor plan for you. The app also includes tutorials on how to use it effectively and get fully adjusted to it…”  Looks great!  Have you tried it yet?  Let us know what you think in the comments section..the article also contains a video showing the app in use..

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image: © 2011 DIYdiva; article: Furuto , Alison . “Magic Plan App: Making Floor Plans on Your Phone” 08 May 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/232110&gt;