Behnisch Architekten Wins Back-to-Back Competitions: Lab, Hospitality, Corporate, Residential Projects Across Europe
 
Behnisch Architekten obtained new commissions in three European countries.  The range of projects — from research building to leisure complex to corporate headquarters and apartment tower—confirms the firm’s diversity, along with its singularity of commitment to creating places that benefit society and minimize the impact on the planet. 

“Our vision is decidedly optimistic, combining the positive aspects of various developments in different situations at different densities, offering much improved living and working conditions,” says Stefan Behnisch, BDA, RIBA, CIMA, principal/partner of the Stuttgart-based firm, which has U.S. offices in Venice, CA, and Boston, MA.
 

In the Post World-War II era and through the fifties, North Carolina Architect George Matsumoto used the language of Modern Architecture to find new creative solutions for his projects.

This Google Video profiles the Architect, his philosophies and his heritage. It is part of a documentary entitled "From Preservation North Carolina's "Farfetched and Dear Bought: Four Architects Who Changed North Carolina", produced by Mark Spano Communications. Narrated by PBS's Charlie Rose. Also appearing: David Jackson, Charlotte Brown, Frank Harmon.

Architects Rios Clementi Hale Studios transform Mini-Mall into a design laboratory.

The multi-disciplinary design firm has been stretching the definition of “architecture firm” for more than 20 years.  Already excelling at urban planning, architecture, landscape, interiors, product design, graphics, and branding, the Los Angeles firm—with its new move to larger space—is building on its talent as retailer/wholesaler by becoming landlord and developer of a 17,000-square-foot mixed-use center on the city’s active Larchmont Boulevard.

 “The move to Larchmont means larger space for our design operations, and an opportunity to contribute to a diverse, lively part of Los Angeles,” says Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA, partner and founder of Rios Clementi Hale Studios.  The firm, which has more than doubled its staff in the past three years, is working on several of LA’s “mega-projects”: Grand Avenue Civic Park, NBC Universal Studios, Century City Greening Plan, and Nokia Plaza at LA Live!  Other recent projects: The California Endowment, Westfield Century City Dining Terrace, Mark Taper Forum renovation, Austin City Limits, Woodbury University Studio Building, and many private residences.

Earthship Biotecture  has been developing a sustainable housing method called  the  Earthship Concept  for over thirty years in New Mexico.  

This housing  is independant of municipal utilities and presents ...

1.)  Solar /thermal heating and cooling
2.)  Solar/wind electricity
3.)  Water harvesting
4.)  Contained, zero discharge, individual on site sewage treatment
5.)  Building with recycled materials
6.)  Food production in the home

Earthships directly address the global issues of our time. These issues have become more serious in the recent months due to a heightened awareness of global warming. The Earthship concept is directed at curbing global warming and at the very least offering a direction that will sustain human life on earth longer as planetary conditions worsen.

One of my favourite Architects sits down with Charlie Rose and discusses his philosophies. This Google Video is a must-see.

The Virtual Model or BIM has definitely its advantages against the typical CAD as practiced today. Why Architects should be looking at adopting these new technologies and how Contractors could benefit from their use.

Building Information Model or BIM is a 3D approach to CAD that uses, as building blocks, virtual objects that emulate the real life construction components. Rather than using vector elements such as lines and shapes to draft the drawings of the project, the designer builds his project on the computer using virtual objects such as walls, floors beams, columns, doors, windows, fixtures etc. More and more people in the construction industry are looking at adopting the BIM. A recent survey showed the majority of the Architects in North America think that BIM will eventually overtake traditional CAD as the as the standard computer tool. Some developers and real-estate owners are pushing for the adoption of the BIM, when they understood how efficient the integration of building Management Systems into the Virtual Model could be in helping them manage their properties.