These sketches tell you everything you need to know about the recently completed Stairway House by Nendo Studio. The house is setback from its south property line as a result of the surrounding context. A south-facing green space is then introduced, preserving one of the… Read More
All posts tagged “Modernism”
Parco de Principi, Sorrento
Italian architect Gio Ponti is one of the most important architects and designers of the 20 century. An early adopter of modernism, he is credited with helping to renew Italian design after the Second World War through his design work, his writing, and his teaching.… Read More
Making federal buildings beautiful again
Here is an interesting topic for debate. This week the NY Times reported that a non-profit group called the National Civic Art Society has drafted an executive order that would make classical architecture the default style for all federal buildings in the United States. The… Read More
Architectural ambition
Alex Bozikovic’s review of the book Canadian Modern Architecture: 1967 to the Present raises something potentially troubling. Here’s what I’m talking about: It is by turns an exhilarating and depressing narrative: Canada, in this book, appears as a country that announced itself on the world… Read More
A video tour of the Niemeyer apartment building
In the 1940’s, Juscelino Kubitschek invited Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer to design a new planned suburb north of Belo Horizonte called Pampulha. Kubitschek was mayor at the time and Niemeyer was a young modernist architect in his 30’s. This was the start of an important… Read More
Architect I.M. Pei dies at 102
Architect I.M. Pei died this week in New York City. He was 102. Being a centenarian is noteworthy enough. He was born in Hong Kong in 1917. I would love to join that club. Imagine how much change he experienced throughout his life. But, of… Read More
Gustavo Capanema Palace
Brazil has been on my travel bucket list for many years, if not decades. Whenever I tell someone that they often ask me why that is the case. In addition to its breathtaking natural beauty, sunny beaches, beautiful people, and lively culture, Brazil is also… Read More
Building a better São Paulo
São Paulo, and Brazil more broadly, are near the top of my list of places that I want to visit. Starting in the 1930s, Brazil became an early adopter of modern architecture with projects like the Ministry of Education and Health Building. It was one… Read More
Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948–1980
A new exhibition on postwar architecture in (the former) Yugoslavia opens up today (July 15) at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It’s called, Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948–1980, and it runs until January 13, 2019. Here is a bit more about… Read More
The birth of the open floor plan
Today most condos and apartments are designed with open concept (or open plan) floor plans. This generally means that the kitchen and main living areas are combined into one continuous and fluid space. Part of this has to do with creating a sense of openness… Read More