A Pattern Language explores the living structure in good and bad buildings, human artifacts, and natural systems, discussing the presence of the same living order in all systems. [Christopher] Alexander proposes that the living order depends on features which make a close connection with the human self. The quality of works of art, artifacts, and buildings is defined not merely in terms of living structure, but also in their capacity to affect human growth and human well-being.
posted by Trurl
on Dec 15, 2011 -
38 comments
"As a great architect once said, 'Buildings should look like what they are'." John Jessop became so frustrated with the red tape required for his company to get permission to build a farm shed,
he submitted a sarcastic application . Read his full "Planning Application for Erection of Agricultural Implement Shed"
here [pdf, 3 pages]. No word yet on whether the shed was approved.
Via.
posted by amyms
on Apr 24, 2008 -
27 comments
A growing crop of towers pushing 2,000 feet: though just shy itself, the
much-redesigned Freedom Tower is finally under construction for completion in 2011; but there is also the
stunning Fordham Spire,
approved in Chicago, that will rise to 2,000 feet by 2010. Moscow is planning
the tallest tower in Europe, while there are a number of
sightseeing and
radio towers under construction in Asia. In Dubai, two towers under construction (
despite worker protests) are
racing to be the world's tallest, both are keeping their final heights secret, but will likely be over half a mile in height -- the
Burj Dubai and the
Al Burj. As
previously discussed, there are great illustrations comparing buildings both
built and
under construction. Bring on Frank Lloyd Wright's
The Illinois!
posted by blahblahblah
on May 16, 2006 -
63 comments
Cranespotting (Geocities) ... is the compulsion, upon seeing a long crane boom reaching skyward in the distance, to drive over and see what's holding it up.
The crane capital of the world is Germany, where Demag, Gottwald, Krupp, Liebherr and others make some cranes with eye-opening numbers: more than 60 feet long, with 10 axles, and able to lift 1,000 tons.
Now sometimes cranes
tip over, touch power lines and so on; and there's a website for that too.
posted by kurumi
on Jun 12, 2003 -
7 comments
Why is American architecture so bad? "American architecture is, as a rule, conventional, bland, and dull. This is true almost across the board: from public buildings sponsored by federal or state governments to commercial buildings; from privately sponsored civic institutions, such as museums and concert halls, to local community centers and religious sanctuaries; from public-housing projects to private housing."
posted by rushmc
on Dec 24, 2001 -
37 comments
The Skyscraper Museum is a very educational site about high-rise buildings and offers some great information about the history of the skyscraper. But the most interesting part of this site is the
Manhattan Timeformations, which offers a series of well done Flash animations that are both interesting to watch and educational. I hope this post won't be deemed too touchy of a subject for this time, because this site gives some real insight into a subject that is very American...the skyscraper.
posted by Sal Amander
on Oct 16, 2001 -
4 comments
