Sea Organ - Musical Instrument Played by The Sea

The musical Sea Organ (morske orgulje) is located on the shores of Zadar, Croatia, and is the world’s first musical pipe organs that is played by the sea. Simple and elegant steps, carved in white stone, were built on the quayside. Underneath, there are 35 musically tuned tubes with whistle openings on the sidewalk. The movement of the sea pushes air through, and – depending on the size and velocity of the wave – musical chords are played. The waves create random harmonic sounds.

This masterpiece of acoustics and architecture was created by expert Dalmatian stone carvers and architect Nikola Basic in 2005, who recently received the European Prize for Urban Public Space for this project. Many tourists come to listen to this unique aerophone, and enjoy unforgettable sunsets with a view of nearby islands. Famed director Alfred Hitchcock said that the most beautiful sunset in the world can be seen from precisely this spot on the Zadar quay. That was how he described it after his visit to Zadar, a visit he remembered throughout his life by the meeting of the sinking sun and the sea.

Thanks to the Sea Organ music project, the inhabitants of Zadar have been restored once more to their relation with the sea. Chaotic reconstruction work undertaken in an attempt to repair the devastation Zadar suffered in the World War II turned much of the sea front into an unbroken, monotonous concrete wall. Now, the inviting white marble steps lead down to the water. Concealed under these steps, which both protect and invite, is a system of polyethylene tubes and a resonating cavity that turns the site into a huge musical instrument, played by the wind and the sea.

SOURCE Oodmusic

Grey House / SUB. Studio for Visionary Design

Architects: SUB. Studio for visionary design
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Project Directors: Wiyoga Nurdiansyah
Design team: Muhammad Sagitha, Dickie Padmawijaya, Sudibyo
Constructed Area: 70 sqm
Construction year: 2008
Photographs: Muhammad Sagitha

In our perspective, we see ourselves as a partner for client. And the moderate client for this house allows us to explore all about new material with modest budget of US$15,000. We explore the material to get effective budget and reduce unnecessary thing.

This occurs on a small site of 108 square meters horizontally. Defining space by creating privacy areas which defined by single slope roof direction. This roof form with single direction creating another space as an attic, higher ceiling on one side and exposed as a source of lights while the courtyard positions on the same side which useful for living, dining and master bathroom.

Horizontal space which divide by partitions to give a different functions of room. Master Bedroom – Living Room – Bedroom with 3 meter-modules to get effective structure. As a space-economizing strategy, we defined a zoning scheme by the circulation hierarchy. As such, the maid and pantry areas are next to the side entrance. This allows for a larger space for the living room and dining areas without interrupted by service zone which stand alone on building set back area built by non permanent material.

The house has a flexible space, whilst the living can combine with bedroom to get bigger space in a fingertips. And the movable windows allow the space to extend with the outdoor terrace. The furniture has a folding dining table to get flexibility of space and also a hidden stairs on master bedroom to access the attic.

Raw materials stand out as honest expression of the house. Grey brick with 200×200mm module replaced the local brick to get more precision results and effective way to get smooth finishes wall surface for interior sides and its reduce costs. Exterior fence become a medium for living walls, vegetation replace a chemical finishes. Recycled wood is use for window frames. Metal roofing was chosen to cut the cost, with single roof direction to avoiding metal joint which is costly.

At last, a boundary transformed a witty, affordable, potential and visionary design.

SOURCE Archdaily

JongArsitek 2.3 Out Now!

SOURCE jongArsitek

Plans for 9/11 Museum by Craig Dykers and Snohetta Firm

seven years after the 9/11 twin towers terrorist attacks plans have been released for a museum building for the world trade centre site. architect craig dykers and his snohetta firm have combined the old with new using parts from the original towers. two trident shaped columns that survived the attacks will be located in the atrium of the museum pavillion. standing at approximately six storey’s high the building will contain areas devoted to public programs and museum functions, as well as an area for mechanical and ventilation equipment that will service both the underground museum and nearby world trade centre transportation hub. the ground floor will contain staircases, escalators and elevators leading visitors 70 feet below street level to the memorial plaza. the museum’s exterior will be clad with metal panels. it is expected to cost 80 million USD and will open in 2012.

SOURCE Designboom

Paraty House - Brazil

Elegant, calm, minimalist, clean and beautiful are among the adjectives that can be used to describe almost all of Marcio Kogan’s much-publicized and much-awarded residential masterpieces.

The magnificent, streamlined residences must serve as an antidote of some sort to the Brazilian architect who has been quoted as saying that he loves his home town of São Paulo and New York because they are similar in their chaotic ugliness, and because he likes “energy, chaos and a multi-cultural population in a city.”

Out of this chaos-, humor- and cinema-loving creative mind, an astonishingly lovely, peaceful balance is projected onto residential projects.

Reviewers of Kogan’s work often mention Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright or their contemporaries, but Kogan has said that he is more inspired by Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini and Andy Warhol.

However, the 57-year-old Brazilian-born and educated Kogan does have a modernist approach, and he has described the work of fellow Brazilians of modernist ilk — Lucio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer, Lina Bo Bardi and Vilanova Artigas – as incredible.

The Paraty House, pictured here, is located on one of the hundreds of islands near the colonial town of Paraty, close to Rio de Janeiro. Before it was completed, Kogan predicted that it was to be his favourite house. Its simple premise is two large drawers pushed into the hill and connected by an internal staircase.

Its elegance comes from the seamless link between indoors and out, from the use of native wood, stone and vegetation, and from the minimalist, sweeping vistas that make so many of Kogan’s houses appear as if they were either taking off or recently landed. And although the stacked-boxes style is starting to wear thin as style-du-jour, this is surely one of its best examples. - Tuija Seipell

SOURCE Thecoolhunter

Stylish Panama House by Marcio Kogan

An architectural masterpiece, Marcio Kogan’s Panama House is more than just a place to live. Located in Sao Paolo, Brazil, it’s the uninterrupted connection between the interior and the exterior that makes this stylish building look like an unlimited living space with no walls. Clad in concrete and covered with a sliding vertical wood lathes, the house is beautifully lit at night when the modern furniture with stylish pillows and sofas becomes the main focal point. An amazing house perfect for a long weekend party with the buds, isn’t it?

SOURCE Freshome

Private House in Chihuahua, Mexico

What do you do if you live in a place where temperatures go down to -10C during winters and over 40C in the summer? How about a private house like this one in Chihuahua? Developed by Mexican-based architects from Productora, the house is part of a golf club community in the desert, northern part of the country. Hence why it’s partially buried into the mountain slope to take advantage of the soil’s thermal mass. When looked from the outside it’s perceived as a single height volume, but when you get inside things change. Organized around a series of patios and roof openings that provide light and ventilation, the interior is minimalist styled with contemporary furniture and large open spaces. An amazing concept, isn’t it?

SOURCE Freshome

London: Designmania

design makes its mark on london and you can’t afford to miss out! we’re talking the london design festival held sep 19-27 and boasting a string of excellent exhibitions and events all over town. high on our to-do-list is the magnificent serpentine gallery pavilion by sanaa architects‘ kazuyo sejima and ryue nishizawa. click [here] to view the festival guide. see you there!

SOURCE Superfuture

Trafacon Environmental Office

Project Name : Trafacon Environmental Office
Location : Jl. Durian no.11, Jagakarsa, Jakarta Selatan
Client/Owner : PT. Bumi Trafacon Indonesia
Architecture Firm : 12akitek
Project Team : M. Hikmat Subarkah, ST; Ginanjar Ramdhani, ST, IAI; Anggie Radik Priyanto

Melbourne’s Theatrical Masterpiece

Cities grow organically, and while some areas thrive and prosper, others parts undoubtedly deteriorate over time as industry evolves, social dynamics shift and economies fluctuate. Many accomplished urban designers look at the multi-dimensionality of any city within which they work regardless of where a project is sited.

Ashton Raggatt McDougal (ARM) architects completed the design of the Melbourne Recital Center and the neighbouring Melbourne Theater Company helping to transform the formerly derelict Southbank area of the city to the dynamic district it has now become. The firm has been so successful in their designs of the two buildings that they have been honored with the 2009 Victorian Architecture Medal winning highest accolades in three categories for public architecture, interior design as well as urban design.

In a country where the two largest cities compete for just about everything, is Melbourne set to de-thrown Sydney for a higher quality performance space? Granted we’re not here to critique Utzon’s Opera House, but we are prepared to say that ARM, in collaboration with Arup Acoustics, designed a dynamic and original 1000-seat performance space and 150-seat Salon. “The fusion of architectural and acoustic design throughout the development of Elisabeth Murdoch Hall has produced a visually and aurally exciting hall,” a designer from Arup explains. “Based on the proportions of the classic shoe-box shaped European concert hall, the geometry has been enhanced to provide greater acoustic intimacy and improved sightlines for the entire audience.”

The design for the Melbourne Theater Company begins with the dramatic façade: 3D iridescent steel tubing folds and bends against black aluminum cladding – just as an actor brings performance to life against a dark backdrop. The interior is comprised of the Sumner Theater, a 500-seat hall noticeably without a balcony or mezzanine space, but still allowing exceptional site lines to the stage regardless of where your season tickets land you. The most striking element inside the main theater is the Word Wall – 70 quotes from different plays are illuminated when the stage is dark. The building also houses a full rehearsal hall that can be used as an event space or a smaller performance space, as well as a café and bar at the front of the house. - Andrew j Wiener

SOURCE thecoolhunter

Carapicuiba House in Brazil

What do you do when you have a site that “weird” that restricts the building of your dreams? How about drawing inspiration from the Carapicuiba House? Built on a ground surface that falls abruptly down to 6m below, architects Angelo Bucci and Alvaro Puntoni have suspended a two level steel structure on pilots and covered it with glass for amazing views. Pure poetry surrounded by a beautiful scenery, it’s an amazing piece of architecture. A modern day “treehouse”? Looks lovely …

SOURCE freshome

LOT-EK Puma City Illustrates Flexible Container Retail

Realizing this site might be a little overweight in the container architecture department, I’m going to blog this and try to abstain in the next few weeks. But Puma City, like the Freitag Flagship Store in Zurich (only less banged up looking), is another illustration of industrial design and adaptive reuse combined. The 11,000 sf retail installation was designed by LOT-EK and uses three levels of forty-foot containers stacked four units wide to create an incredibly dynamic design.

It’s the kind of space that’s just ripe for nightlife, what with the second and third level deck areas. I imagine customers can slip on a choice pair of sneaks and go out on the veranda to see if they make them jump higher or run faster.

If you look at the interior image, you’ll see that the space is pretty unconstrained — some IBU floors are cut out to create more air and open space. The whole design is capturing, but what I like most is that Puma City is completely and fully mobile. So let’s just say the location isn’t working out. You take it down and put it up somewhere else with a little extra work and shipping. This is the exact kind of future envisioned by a recent book called Portable Architecture.

SOURCE Jetson Green