Best Modern Architecture posts of 2011

Here are some of our favorite architectural imagery posts from the past year:

Major worldwide architects creating 21st Century buildings, A-L


Top global Architects influencing 21st Century design, M-Z


Architectural imagery from Shanghai, China: then and now


Europe's UNstudio at leading edge of 21st Century Architectural innovation


Frank Gehry assembles Top Team for architecture excellence


Sustainable Building Architecture in Ancient times


Trey Ratcliff's inspired Fine Art Architectural Photography


Futuristic residential architecture - New and future homes pushing architectural boundaries

Utopic biomorphia a flowing, permaculture joy

Valencia Museum, by architect Santiago Calatrava




Designing green is not just about saving energy and reducing carbon footprints, it involves inspiring natural designs, comfortable, functional workspaces, healthy communities, and ultimately, creating a synthesis of beauty in both form and function, erecting buildings that live and breathe as contributors to society.


Earth's largest solar-powered building, in Dezhou, Shangdong, China


It is true that some architects feel constrained by LEED and other green building codes, yet I encourage forward thinkers to utilize government and association guidelines as absolute minimums. Use geothermal systems, strategic windows placement (smaller, eye-level on north side, medium size on east and west, with largest windows on south side), appropriate flora (deciduous on south side, coniferous on north side) etc and then you're building from the ground up, with solid foundations.

The point being, be conscious, but stay creative!



Here are glimpses, beginning with a sculpture (part of 8-part series by Irish artist Eilis O'Connell) from an exhibition entitled Biomorphia:





Jet House by Jerome Olivet



Centre Pompidou-Metz, by Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines



Biomorphic skyscraper and greening of Toronto waterfront, by Butterworth / Zeng


ACROS Fukuoka, green building project in Japan, above and below




World Trade Center Transportation Hub, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava


Ecological Children Activity and Education Center / 24H - Thailand

Extreme Architecture to be key element of Sustainable Design

Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods spark a rethinking of building designs

In full light of events in Indonesia, New Orleans, Haiti and Japan, it is time for architects the world over to begin defining and developing a crucial new discipline, Extreme Architecture. To differentiate from the "extreme architecture" that signifies out-of-the-ordinary, sometimes into-the-woods building technologies at the fringes of humanity's habitats (a positive contribution, however in this context we are dealing equally with larger urban projects), I shall use a capital E as in Extreme to signify the architectural techniques that allow buildings to withstand extreme weather and catastrophic events. It is likely that Extreme Architecture will soon become a core component of Sustainable Design, and in time may ascend to the dominant new architectural form of the 21st Century. Skyscrapers may become relics, and earthscrapers innovative and intriguing.


The book Extreme Architecture explores building in the most challenging environments

In her book Extreme Architecture, author Ruth Slavid equates it to designing buildings for "extreme environments" with architecture that responds to its environment, and that's a great start. Her survey of close to fifty projects is divided into five sections (Hot, Cold, High, Wet, Space) that delineate the extremes architects must respond to.

According to an online review of Slavid's book Extreme Architecture, John at A Daily Dose of Architecture, the book is a worthy look / see / read:

The selection ranges from variations on the vernacular to far-fetched proposals that seem to exist only to push the envelope by pushing the limits of human existence. What is constant is Slavid's exemplary writing, descriptive and informative to be sure, but also able to hold the reader's interest project after project. Be it a school for a poor community, a ski jump, a floating house, or even a dirigible, Slavid's perspective on how the architecture responds to its conditions is consistent, not seduced by the fastastical nature of the most extreme of the extreme.






Svalbard global seed vault


Sustainable design means more than just greenness

If you really think about it, how sustainable is a building if it only stands for fifteen or even thirty five years? Extreme Architecture will spring to life and become the bridge between traditional sustainable design, and the more extreme architectural discipline of arcology, which comprises self-contained ecospheres generally designed to survive in space or on water. Extreme architecture will be almost entirely ground-based, and will have deep foundations and flowing structures.

The lessons learned from building in challenging environments all over the world need to be combined in a new sub-discipline of Sustainable Design. Crucial infrastructure buildings must respond to their environments, be able to handle extreme weather, and in certain areas be built with the understanding that catastrophic events like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes may occur.


Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

While the buildings of Santiago Calatrava may be among the most inspirational of all time, some works of architects like Mario Botta and Steven Holl at least appear to have more substance, a deeper physical permanence. Where Frank Lloyd Wright and Calatrava point the way, others will come along and add weight and durability. My point being, even in a world where an architect must design a liveable, energy-efficient, green building that can withstand weather perhaps not yet seen by man, she must still retain and exhibit a core and spark of creative genius.

In the nineteenth century we looked to the skyline and saw steeples, and thought of God. In the twentieth century, we saw bank towers and thought of money and the good life.

In the twenty-first century, we will look to new city skylines for ingenuity and artistry, for composition and balance, for innovation and brilliance. Extreme Architects, bring it on!!!

Joseph Edward Trainor
July 15th, 2011
Toronto, Canada



Toronto Portlands competition - Architect David Butterworth, Visualization and Design Samuel Zeng







Izmir Opera House in Turkey, by Nuvist Architecture and Design

Frank Lloyd Wright: Ahead by a century?

Frank Lloyd Wright's studio in Oak Park, IL, viewed from Chicago Avenue


20th Century architectural visionary's buildings belong in 21st

Frank Lloyd Wright (1893-1959) was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 projects, which resulted in more than 500 completed works. Wright promoted organic architecture (exemplified by Fallingwater), was a leader of the Prairie School movement of architecture (exemplified by the Robie House, the Westcott House, and the Darwin D. Martin House), and developed the concept of the Usonian home (exemplified by the Rosenbaum House). His work includes original and innovative examples of many different building types, including offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers, hotels, and museums. Wright also often designed many of the interior elements of his buildings, such as the furniture and stained glass.



Massaro House - 1955 sketch by Frank Lloyd Wright


Massaro House - Constructed in 2005


Wright authored 20 books and many articles, and was a popular lecturer in the United States and in Europe. His colorful personal life often made headlines, most notably for the 1914 fire and murders at his Taliesin studio. Already well-known during his lifetime, Wright was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as "the greatest American architect of all time".



Guggenheim Museum by architect Frank Lloyd Wright





Organic Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright - Falling Water house

Doha, Qatar: Architectural innovation, creative brilliance

Architectural imagery of Doha, Qatar

If you are creating a bucket list of architecturally profound cities to visit, Doha is one municipality you may want to add, especially if you love 21st century architecture.


Doha, Qatar; Brilliant architecture for all to see!



- Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar







- Qatar Science and Technology Park, 2 photos above, and at night, below







Doha Museum of Islamic Art











Doha, Qatar Modern Architecture















Related architectural blog posts:

Shanghai Then and Now; Architectural Transformation

Global Top 20: Architectural Studio websites

Modern Architecture of the Mideast, New and Proposed

Pelli Clarke Pelli create inspiring, imaginatively bright new buildings

Biomorphic buildings embrace our future

David Butterworth, Associate Partner, Kirkor Architects


According to Dictionary.com:

Biomorph (noun):

a painted, drawn, or sculptured free form or design suggestive in shape of a living organism, esp. an ameba or protozoan: The paintings of Joan Miró are often notable for their playful, bright-colored biomorphs.

Related forms:

bi·o·mor·phic, adjective
bi·o·mor·phism, noun

Origin:

1890–95; bio- + -morph



The Senior Conceptual Designer at Kirkor Architects, David Butterworth, has created (together with Samuel Zeng of DO HERE Architectural Renderings) a vision of biomorphic buildings on the Toronto waterfront for the 2009 Portlands Competition (descriptive text by David):




We only see fragments of the past and brave gestures of the future in the densification of urban cores. Each gesticulation becomes an expression – a murmur on the reality of what could be achieved.





True freedom of expression allows complete indulgence concerning the interplay of form and structure. Allowing buildings to set their footprint in avenues of un-built mass provides for urban renewal in areas of cities previously left as urban wasteland from decaying manufacturing.





The iconic landmark transforms itself over time and becomes an emblem of a generation. The sense of ownership of this emblem comes not only from its footprint in the city but the iconic nature of its ability to be recognized.





David promises more gorgeous, flowing buildings in 2011, so stay tuned!!!