In Arkitectrue, I have shared some information about Steven Holl’s design for Bloch Building. Recently, Time magazine published an article, Light at the Museum, by Richard Lacayo about Holl’s design. “… Beauty is an argument that doesn’t take no for an answer…” says in Time which I totally agree. …

Every building has an architect, either good or, let’s say, not-so-good… There are some architects you cannot separate them from their designs, and their designs from them. I have seen these caricatures in a Turkish web site which explain exactly this point. If you want to see Mario Botta, Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, Mies Van der Rohe, Oscar Niemeyer, Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid (as seen here), Behruz Cinici, and Cengiz Bektas, check out these remarkable caricatures. …

1 state
5 days
1,500 miles

I had a great time in New Mexico last week. It has such a rich history and culture. I will not bother you with every detail of my trip. Below is the general architectural highlight. You can also find photographs with more information in ArkitecTrue Photo Gallery. …

Design is a process, it changes, and evolves by time. At a certain point we need to stop making changes, and doing little adjustments in order to deliver the project. If you just come up with a great idea, use it in the next project… …

This installation, called Tsunagu - Japanese for “connect”- by architect Kengo Kuma, of a concept home based on traditional Japanese interiors was one of the talking points at the Salone del Mobile, Milan this year. It was commissioned by one of Japan’s largest developers of home real estate property company Mitsui Fudosan Residential, which plans to incorporate some of the ideas into future residential developments. …

Couple months ago, I saw this book while browsing in the bookstore, and the name got my attention rightaway - “The Architecture of Happiness” by Alain De Botto. I had a chance to read it last week, once you start you keep flipping the pages! I think it is one of the finest books of architectural theory and criticism by a non-architect. The photos compliment the text nicely. Here is some excerpt from the book that I liked and would like to share it with you. …

Do you want customized glass with your own design? Artwork in Architecture Glass (AAG) has the solution for you. They can customize glass to match the design in a piece of fabric, wallpaper, artwork, or even a rough sketch. This offers architects and designers an endless selection of possibilities. …

Dining below sea level is not a dream any more. Dine 16 feet below sea level at the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa’s unique undersea restaurant. Marvel at 360° views of reef and marine life, sip champagne cocktails and sample Maldivian - Western fusion cuisine at this spectacular Maldives restaurant - the world’s only all-glass undersea restaurant. …

I found these quite entertaining. We all have been going thru these things over the years. For example; anyone with no back pain? I don’t think so! Don’t you hate having sprinklers in the middle of your wonderful ceiling design! Here is another one; I am sure you have seen mini figures come alive after 2:00 am in the morning without 3 days sleep in a row! …

Currently under construction in Dubai, Hydropolis is the world’s first luxury underwater hotel. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares. It will open at the end of 2007. …

“Everything began in 1955 in Tuscany. On a family trip in the hills of Tuscany a car with Swiss licence plates moves forward only slowly. Hermann Seitz, the driver of the car, shoots pictures here and there for the family album. Back home he is not quite happy with his images. …