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mariacook 11 hours ago
The winner of last week's "Ugliest Building" contest is John Kotsopoulos. You'll recall I asked readers to describe the ugliest building seen on their travels. Or, write a defence of one of the buildings on VirtualTourist.com's list of the "World's Top 10 Ugly Buildings." Kotsopoulos wins for making the case for better architecture. He points out that it's unfortunate to criticize the ambitious and memorable ( if not to everybody's taste) projects and ignore the bland and boring — in this case a new office building at 180 Kent Street. (IMAGE LEFT). "In the year 2009 we should expect more than a failed 80s/90s glass and steel (with token public art in the front) re-hash," he writes. "And I don't care if it is LEED compliant. Innovative design and LEED should go hand in hand. They are not mutually exclusive." There are two runners-up. Michael Slavitch for his critique of the U.S. embassy ...mariacook 4 days ago
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, was named World Design Capital 2012 today by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. Forty-six cities from 27 countries applied for the designation. An international jury first shortlisted Helsinki and Eindhoven of the Netherlands. IMAGE; Street lighting in Vuosaari, Helsinki, designed by Heikkinen-Komonen Architects The biennial designation is awarded to cities based on successful use of design as a tool for social, cultural and economic development. 'From urban regeneration and planning policies, to product development and technology...design can be used for the betterment of the human condition, said council president Carlos Hinrichsen. Helsinki design includes global brands, such as Nokia, Kone and Marimekko, and renowned architects Eliel Saarinen and Alvar Aalto. Helsinki's bid for the designation was called Open Helsinki - Embedding Design in Life. The theme will form the basis of Helsinki's ...mariacook 5 days ago
Wallpaper magazine on the stands now features 40 designs, designers or ideas from across Canada. France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Scandinavia. UK, and the USA also provide 40 designs. While there is a certain cool consistency, which betrays the internationalism of design culture, there is also evidence to support a few national stereotypes. Canada is represented by Bixi bikes, things made of wood, charcuterie, a new Douglas Coupland sculpture and Roots boots among other things. You know are in the Brazilian pages because of the strong colour, exuberant pattern and bare skin. Food seems to be attracting a great deal of contemporary inventiveness. Flavour, presentation and restaurant settings have become competitive art forms. Canada is represented by haute cuisine poutine, specialty charcuterie (smoked and cured meats) and Ontario wineries. We are approaching the time of year for lists. These don't claim to be "best of" so much as a cross-country ...
mariacook 8 days ago
I'd like to invite readers to participate in a contest. Show off your wits and win a design book. In 100 words or less, describe the ugliest building you've seen on your travels. Alternatively, in 100 words or less write a defence of one of the buildings on VirtualTourist.com's list below. The tourism website released its second annual list of the "World's Top 10 Ugly Buildings" yesterday. The Royal Ontario Museum's Crystal, (IMAGE LEFT) designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, came in at No. 8. The ROM addition, by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, cost $270 million and opened in 2007. Contest deadline is Friday, November, 27. 1. Morris A. Mechanic Theater; Baltimore, Maryland, USA: "grim, impersonal facade..." 2. Zizkov Television Tower; Prague, Czech Republic: "small, climbing babies by the artist David Cerny transformed this tower from an eyesore to a head-shaker." ...mariacook 10 days ago
Ottawa architect Allan Teramura resigned today from the local architectural conservation advisory committee (LACAC) over city council's nod to Lansdowne Live. "The recent Lansdowne decision has convinced me to resign from LACAC, because
it's become clear to me that architecture and heritage conservation are
issues that city council simply doesn't understand or care about," says Teramura. 'As an
architect working in heritage conservation much of the time, providing advice
to council on these issues just doesn't seem worthwhile," says Teramura, who served for two years in the voluntary post. "I don't see this
action on my part as a dramatic statement by any means, it's really more
about what's a productive use of my time." The mandate of LACAC is to advise city council on matters relating to Ottawa's built heritage and cultural heritage landscapes. LACAC chairman Jay Baltz says he is sorry to lose Teramura. "He was one of the members of LACAC ...
