Feeling like showing love to a couple of second loves of mine: Minneapolis and architecture. I got a degree in the latter at the University of Minnesota so when the Vikings revealed the designs for the new stadium taking the place of the Metrodome (a stadium I've been to many a time), I was eager to see what they did. Impressed is an understatement.
The $975 million dollar stadium, designed by HKS Architects, features the "largest transparent roof in the world" that opens to the downtown Minneapolis skyline. Think of it as a retractable window, as you can see above. I can already imagine the breathtaking blimp views looking outside, in to see a faint Adrian Peterson touchdown in the distance.
HKS not only made some bold decisions with the "transparent roof" but also with the stadium's many pointed forms. My only critique is with the jagged top point, but only from certain angles, namely the north and south. It doesn't bother me to a point that I think it should be removed. It otherwise looks pretty amazing, and is one of the stadium's many distinct features.
The fan experience will be taken into account as "Vikings fans will be closer to the field than any other stadium in the country." You can tell from some of the interior renderings that the top couple of decks hover a little closer in than normally. I've always had that in mind if I were to one day help design a stadium. Glad to see it well thought out, and seemingly well-excuted here.
Finally, to drive it all home, watch the official "Fly Through" of the stadium to really experience the retractable roof, the stadium inside and out, and its relation to Minneapolis (designing "Fly Throughs" in high school was the best.) I can't state enough how much I love the relationship between the playing field, the transparency, and the skyline. Vikings, and Gophers fans, (the peeks at the baseball configuration look equally nice) are going to be elated come 2016.
All photos and video courtesy of Vikings.com (more photos there)
"With the spire being lowered into place this morning, New York City's One World Trade is now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere at 1,776 feet."
- NBC News
I caught wind of this milestone on Facebook today (via our friend at the Huffington Post, Craig Kannalley), with both the words and photo catching my eye. How majestic does One World Trade look with the sun behind it like that? This is amazing to see with 9/11 in the memories of all of us. Some comments I saw that I couldn't help nod my head in agreement with: "Absolutely dramatic shot. Great job Anne. The city has risen again like a Phoenix...." and "Very ethereal photo. I think of Atlantis rising through the mist."
And finally, here's video of the placement of the spire. Freedom Tower! Happy to see!
The next SXSW may be 11 months away, but I just found the next #TeamGowhere dream pad: the Edgeland House.
My newest Architecture spotlight takes us to Austin, Texas, where the Bercy Chen Studio recently completed this... well, it's too obvious but still... edgy design in 2012. The clear aesthetic distinctions are the jagged, acute angles and the floor to ceiling windows — both are typical characteristics of a *Tibs Fav.. I also love the divide between the two buildings, which reminds me of one of the innovative moves I saw early in my discovery of architecture. The open space between two structures within one is well-executed, perhaps best seen in the lead photo.
A couple fun facts: "The Edgeland residence is commissioned by a science fiction writer enthralled with 21st century human habitation in the urban frontiers of abandoned industrial zones," and "is inspired by the vernacular of the “pit house”, one of the oldest housing typology in North America used by Native Americans through the ages." This only adds to the house's story and technical inspirations, further described here.
This weekend at Cubs Convention, the team announced a $300 million dollar renovation plan for the Friendly Confines at Wrigley Field. The five-year plan will bring the amenities for fans and players to 21st-century standards.
This is great news for any Cubs fan and anyone who appreciates the iconic landmark of Wrigley Field. After rumors for years that they would build another Wrigley Field, it looks like that won't be an option anymore after the Ricketts family funds the five-year renovation (that will also not be under construction during the seasons, so that won't be an issue either).
I've been privileged to work at Wrigley as... fun fact!... a seat vendor back in my high school days. Going to the ballpark everyday never got old - it truly is a magical feeling in Wrigley and I couldn't be happier that they're putting in the investment to renovate a stadium that means just as much to others so that future generations can enjoy the Friendly Confines as well. Take a look at all 20 of the concept illustrations in the slideshow above (creating illustrations like these was one of my favorite things in architecture school), and, as with most any Cubs news I may post from time to time here on Gowhere, shoutout to Papa Tibs for passing this along (via Bleed Cubbie Blue).
Chicago. Our hometown. And it's simply beautiful. I love everything about this city.
That's really all I have to say. I'm at a loss for words after watching this timelapse. Those are the thoughts runnin' through my head.
Major shouts to Eric Hines. Here's some more info on how he made the video... and a beautiful Chicago GIF to boot...
Please watch in Fullscreen & HD with sound for best quality.
Cityscape Chicago is a personal timelapse piece consisting of over 30,000 still photographs shot on the Canon 5D Mark III incrementally between July and October 2012 around downtown Chicago, Illinois.
The inspiration of this piece was my fascination with the city of Chicago, particularly at night. For me, there has always been a mysterious sort of feeling to Chicago at night, so I decided to explore and capture it.
In a bonus spotlight on architecture this week comes the newly revealed plans for Marina Lofts by architects, BIG. This innovative design will take construction by December of this year along Fort Lauderdale's downtown riverfront.
The glaring, iconic aspect of the design is clearly the exterior's split. I love the illusion that this building looks like a Transformer fought through it, and as you can see with the photos above, the space underneath the "crack" is part of the pedestrian-friendly activity of the complex.
"The project fills the gap in the waterfront of Downtown Fort Lauderdale stitching the existing fragments of promenade together into a new and revitalized river park adding density and life to the scenic setting. The two buildings are torn open to form a cave and a canyon –opening up for the neighborhood to reach the river . A design made through subtraction rather than addition."
- Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG.
The mixed-use complex will house apartments, restaurants, and retail. My only knock is that on the close-ups of the balconies, my first thought was our white Ikea bookshelf at the office. From far away though, it doesn't have that feel.
And no doubt that next time I go to Miami, I'll be flying into Fort Lauderdale first. What do you guys think of the design? Rate it below!
I love courtyards. So the aptly named "Courtyard House", located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India is an instant *Tibs Fav. and the subject of my weekly architecture spotlight. Hiren Patel Architects is responsible for this masterful design, that combines a variety of materials and open space to provide what instantly looks like a comfortable and homy feel.
The water, with the sand and porches immediately around it, should stand out to you immediately and define the home's courtyard spaces. While on the exterior and interior, you'll see a horizontal theme, driven home by the roof and blinds in front of some of the floor-to-ceiling windows. All of these characteristics are ones I love to see in homes so in my eyes, this one has it all.
Get a glimpse of the home for yourself in the slideshow (photos by Sebastian Zachariah) and follow the 'PREVIOUSLY' link for my last architecture spotlight.
Check out my weekly architecture spotlight as House M in Meran, Italy caught my eye at the top of the month via ArchDaily. I love the floor-to-ceiling windows, the white exterior and interior, the defining horizontals, and of course - you gotta love that swimming pool. Looks like quite the tranquil place for relaxation!
The project M, a residential building in the centre of Meran, is embedded in the quit area of Obermais. The concept of the design was it to play with transparent and solid surfaces what fallows fascinating insights and outlooks. The interior melts together with the outside space. The terrain flows through the building and finds his renewal in the pool- and meadow area. Because of a refined external design and the arrangement of the pool, lawn, garden and house the whole concept seems like a unity with seamless transition.
Here is another amazing home that I want to spotlight from one of my favorite architecture firms, SAOTA. Named "Plett 6541+2" (I'd like to volunteer my services for naming these amazing homes), SAOTA once again utilizes the beach-front site to work with large and wide views from the structure. Large glass surfaces or openings, combined with some more horizontally-focused cantilevers, are evident to experience the site and are aesthetically pleasing facades as well. I love the firm's overall style as "Plett", finished in 2010, is another pin-drop across the globe that I'd love to see in person one day.
Over the weekend, the Chicago Bulls announced plans for a new practice facility, to replace Lot J next to the United Center, and transition away from the team's facility in Deerfield since 1992, the Berto Center. The practice facility will help the continued revitalization of the West Loop neighborhood surrounding the UC and from the initial architecture rendering released above, it looks like it will be quite the beautiful addition (and look at the El in the background. Chi-City!). Plus, the way the Bulls have played the last couple games, this new practice facility couldn't come soon enough (hey!). That expected date will be for the 2014-2015 season. More details below, via Bulls.com.
The facility is anticipated to be approximately 55,000-square-feet in size. The firm, 360 Architects, has been selected as the lead project architect, and McHugh Construction has been named the General Contractor. The Bulls are committed to providing opportunities for Chicago-based companies, including women/minorities owned businesses, to be selected as part of the construction project.
“Today’s announcement is the latest example of our longstanding commitment to the City of Chicago and to our fans,” said Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “Investing in a modern facility for our players and coaches will help us to achieve our team’s number one goal – winning championships – while also playing an important role in the city’s ongoing redevelopment efforts in our West Side neighborhood.”
