architecture

Apr 23 2014

Worlds largest Airport Terminal : Istanbul

23/04/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Design, Interiors

Following on from my post about Grimshaw’s work on the airport in St Petersburg, here are some concept images of their new six-runway airport in Istanbul capable of accommodating up to 150 million passengers a year.

The Grimshaw-led team, which also includes Norwegian firm Nordic Office of Architecture, and London studio Haptic, says the Istanbul New Airport Terminal One will become the “world’s largest airport terminal under one roof”, covering a site of nearly 100 hectares. Is it possible that this airport will become a destination unto itself? Like in 1961 when Architect Paul Williams designed the Encounter restaurant at LAX solely as a unique dining experience? I’m probably over-thinking it.

Read more →
Apr 22 2014

Design: St Petersburg Airport

22/04/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Art, Design, Interiors

Having spent the past 24 hours in flight transit back to New York, I thought it fitting to do a post on airport design. What better company to focus on than London Studio Grimshaw, who recently completed an Airport in St Petersburg, and whom have just unveiled their plans for the worlds largest airport terminal under one roof in Istanbul.

Grimshaw collaborated with engineering firm Ramboll and delivery architect Pascall+Watson to complete the first terminal of Pulkovo International Airport, which is expected to bring 12 millions passengers in and out of the Russian city each year. “This building represents a point of departure for Grimshaw,” said Grimshaw partner Mark Middeton. “We are known for our expressive structures and attention to detail. We wanted to keep all of those elements – the practicality and the buildability, and our interest in sustainability – but also try to make this building more about form and space.”

Read more →
Apr 14 2014

Buster + Punch London Restoration

14/04/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Design, Interiors

An Edwardian-style Mews house in South West London has been emptied and rebuilt with incredible results.  Brought to life by Design Studio Buster + Punch, the 4-bed, multi-storey dwelling built vertically around a central wooden staircase has had many of it’s unique historical features lovingly restored.

Read more →
Apr 09 2014

The Jane : Belgium

09/04/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Design

Dutch Designer Piet Boon has transformed the interior of a former military hospital chapel, into a bright, airy and contemporary restaurant.

Antwerp’s newest addition The Jane is a cohesive blend of old and new. The ‘piece de resistance’ of the latter category is an oversized starburst-like chandelier, hung from the preserved original ceiling. The sculptural chandelier weighing in at a considerable 800 kilograms, was created for the space by lighting designers .PSLAB. It is made entirely from steel and hand blown crystal glass.

Piet Boon’s Amsterdam studio also collaborated with Studio Job artists on The Janes impressive interior. Paying tribute to it’s chapel origins, 500 colourful glass window panels were created to replace the former stained-glass. Inspired by “stories of good and evil, rich and poor, life and death” the replacement panels feature imagery of flowers, devils and skulls. Combining bold decor elements with the chapel’s high ceiling and restored patterned tiled floor, the restaurant is described by it’s creators as “fine dining meets rock ‘n roll”. Brilliant.

Read more →
Apr 07 2014

Ammo : Bar & Restaurant Hong Kong

07/04/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Art, Design

Ammo, which won the Bars and Restaurants category at last month’s Inside Festival, is part of a new museum and headquarters for the Asia Society in Hong Kong.

This informed much of the aesthetic as designer Joyce Wang wanted the restaurant “to be dramatic.. many people would use the space to enter the museum as well as eat there. The arrival experience was very important to us,” she says. “Instead of conceiving of it as a museum café it became this lobby of arrival for the museum.” and with a waiting list of over 2 months to dine, lucky museum goers get to enjoy the space, albeit briefly, for the price at admission.

Interior designer Joyce Wang goes on to explain the history of the space, the process of the conversion from conception to completion, and the choices behind the furniture and fittings throughout, the majority of which are entirely custom made. “Practically everything apart from the lightbulbs [was custom designed],” Wang claims. “We didn’t want people to identify any of the furnishings, accessories or bits of furniture.”

Read more →
Apr 06 2014

The Monarch Room : NYC

06/04/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Art, Design, Gastronomy

West Chelsea NYC is home to a brand new luxury dining experience. New York hospitality innovators Eric Marx and Lisle Richards of The Metric Group recently unveiled their first restaurant endeavour called The Monarch Room. In collaboration with interior design firm Roman and Williams, a 1930’s industrial era warehouse in West 15th Street has been transformed into a sophisticated Fresh Market American restaurant with Chef Michael Citarella at the helm.

Read more →

Tadao Ando’s Art & Design School

30/03/2014 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Kate | In: architecture, Design

The Centro Roberto Garza Sada, also known as the Gate of Creation, reads almost operatic. The school’s scale, defined lines, perspective and angular shard like windows are cohesive in their starkness and imposition.

Despite it’s lengthy scale, the Art & Design School for University of Monterrey settles onto it’s surrounding Mexican landscape beautifully. The repetition of concrete, line work and angles create a resounding aesthetic symphony and is a fitting habitat for the next generation of architects, designers and artists.

For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to frequent it, Tadao Ando’s creation has been documented by Mexican film agency Nation for our appreciation.

Read more →