The Seed Cathedral

http://www.heatherwick.com/uk-pavilion/

The Seed Cathedral was designed by Heatherwick Studio. “The Seed Cathedral is a platform to show the work of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and their Millennium Seedbank. In the circulation zone under the landscape that surrounds the Seed Cathedral a series of installations explore in more detail the particularity of nature and UK cities. The Seed Cathedral is a 20-metre high building, constructed from 60,000 transparent 7.5-metre long optical strands, each of which has embedded within its tip a seed. The interior is silent and illuminated only by the daylight that has filtered past each seed through each optical hair. The UK Pavilion has consistently been ranked by visitors as one of the most popular pavilions with 50,000 people visiting each day.”(ABOVE) The simplicity of the structure is what give it its beauty. Standing further away, you question what materials are used to construct the structure. If you look at the center of the structure you will notice a black star. (BELOW 1) The structure appears to be rounded at the corners. In addition, the black center star appears to extend to the other side of the structure. (BELOW 2) A close up shows the actual seeds. Each seed is different and brings a different life to the pavilion. (BELOW 3) The open blacktop allows the structure to stand out. In addition, the open blacktop allows people to sit in front of the pavilion and admire its magnificence. 

http://www.heatherwick.com/uk-pavilion/
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Create This Look In Your Home:

Whether you buy these items or ones at a cheaper cost, the key to recreating the look of UK Pavilion in your home is to bring in white,  and reflective and natural materials. The Poly Scrap Chair by Max Lamb is from Johnson Trading Gallery. The clean lines and light color of the chair represent the structure as a whole. The Crystal Sputnik Chandelier by Venini is from Stripe. The Italian 1970s chandelier represents the clear material that holds the seeds. The Contemporary Side Table by Aurelien Gallet is from Maison Gerard. The legs resembles the clear material that holds the seeds. The Vintage Swedish Rug is from Doris Leslie Blau. The clean lines and natural colors represent both the structure and seeds. You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do.

 Quote: (Heatherwick Studio)

Person Of Influence: Philip Johnson

http://cdn.lightgalleries.net
The Glass House

Architect Phillip Johnson was born in Ohio in 1906, he died in 2005. Johnson was an extremely influential modern architect. He was a huge fan of creating buildings that used lots of glass. Johnson graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. (ABOVE) The Glass House is probably Johnson's most notable work. The house is located in Connecticut and was Johnson's private residence. The views were meant to serve as the structure's 'walls'. I love the simplicity of the landscaping and architecture. It's a great place to clear your mind. (BELOW 1) PPG Palace is a commercial office building located in Pennsylvania. The architecture of the building is influenced by both Neo-Gothic and modern architecture. The focal point of the structure is the roof. Without that amazing roof the structure would just be a glass box. (BELOW 2) Kunsthalle Bielefeld is a modern art museum located in Germany. The building is in the International architectural style. The facade is red sandstone. The museum houses much Expressionist artwork. (BELOW 3) The Crystal Cathedral is located in Orange County, California. It is currently being used as a Roman Catholic cathedral. The Prayer spire is at the far left and the cathedral is the larger building in the center. Again, Johnson uses much glass. What a beauty! What do you think of Phillip Johnson's buildings? 

http://en.wikipedia.org
PPG Place
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http://en.wikipedia.org
Kunsthalle Bielefeld
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http://www.edgoodfellow.com
Crystal Cathedral
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Person Of Influence: Christopher Wren

http://www.travelonion.com/index.php?cID=488

Christopher Wren was born in England in 1632, he is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history. However, before becoming an architect, Wren was a well-known scientist. During his studies, Wren stumbled upon a book entitled “On Architecture” by Vitruvius, that focused on Roman architecture. Wren was particularly inspired by the book and 1663, Wren visited Theatre of Marcellus in Rome. This visit was a turning point for Wren’s career as an architect. After his travels, Wren was asked to design a theatre in Oxford, he based his design on the information he had learned while in Rome. After the Great Fire of 1666, Wren was asked by his childhood friend Charles II, to rebuild 51 churches in London, and so a new a career began. (ABOVE) The Hampton Court Palace was the home of England's King Henry VIII and King William III. The Baroque south front addition was designed by Wren for William III. The beautiful detail and grandeur design is quite impressive. (BELOW) After the Great Fire of 1666, Wren was asked to design a new St. Paul's Cathedral. The cathedral's dome is among the highest in the world. St. Paul's Cathedral is largely considered Wren's greatest work. 

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_Pauls_Cathedral_from_West.jpg

Create This Look In Your Home:

These pieces are classic and in the Baroque style. The 17th century chair is from Eron Johnson Antiques. The chair has remarkable details. The Austrian beaded pendant is from Elizabeth Pash Antiques. The English cocktail cabinet is from Decoratum. What connection do you seen between these pieces and Wren's work? You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do.

Architecture Around The World: NYC

http://cdn.theatlantic.com

With so many people in New York for fashion week I think it's the perfect time to do an "Architecture Around The World" post about the big apple. New York city is the epicenter of art, fashion, design, and much more, but you already knew that! It's a city with over 8,000,000 people, making it the largest in the USA. NYC's architecture is extremely diverse. From classically designed buildings like Saint Patrick's cathedral to modern buildings like the Frank Gehry building in Chelsea. What draws me to this city is that on each street and on every avenue I can experience something different and incredible. Even though the city was settled in the late 1600s, the oldest architecture in the city dates back to the 1830s. This is a result of the Great Fire of 1835, that destroyed most of the buildings on the South East tip. The Great Fire caused architects and designers to rethink using wood framed structure an instead design with stone, and other more durable materials. (ABOVE) This photograph shows the incredible size of both the city and Central Park. The park occupies the center of the city. Isn't this photograph just beautiful?

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(1) The Frank Gehry building in Chelsea is one of the most beautiful modern buildings in the city. The design sort of resembles a cloud. The unique waves, and shapes are extremely Gehry. Vanity Fair named it one of the most attractive office buildings. 

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(2) The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a classic building. It's located on 5th Ave, adjacent Central Park. The building was designed in 1874 in the Beaux Arts architectural style. The museum houses classic European artists as well as Islamic and Classic Antiquity, Egyptian and more. Just to let you know: admission is pay as you wish, so stop by!

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(3) This is the pavilion at the Met. Here you can enjoy lunch, as well as snacks. The facade of the classic building directly in front is part of the original museum from what I understand. The building houses the American wing. I love the classic design of the facade contrasted with the modern design of the all glass pavilion.  

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(4) The Woolworth building is in the Gothic Revival architectural style. It was completed in 1913 and designed by architect Cass Gilbert. I simply love the design of the building. The details here are incredible. How beautiful is the top of this building? 

http://www.empregopelomundo.com
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(5) The Apple building is one of the most impressive modern structures in the city. It's located on 5th Ave, close to Central Park. The actual store is located underground, the glass structure is sculptural if anything. It was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. FYI: The store is open 24/7, 365 days.  

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(6) Saint Patrick's Cathedral is also located on 5th Ave (I guess most of my favorite buildings are located on 5th). The cathedral was designed by architect James Renwick Jr. and completed in 1878. I love the details of the structure, Gothic architecture is one of my favorites! 

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(7) The Hearst building located on 8th is NYC's architecture in a nutshell. The base of the building was completed in 1928, however, the main structure was completed in 2006 by architect Norman Foster. This marriage of classic and modern architecture is exactly what the city is about. 

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Arch In Pictures: Top 10 Exotic Churches

10. The Cadet Chapel, USA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USAFA_Cadet_Chapel.jpg

9. The Chapel In The Rock, USA

http://www.greatamericanthings.net/tag/all-american-road/

8. The Felsenkirche, Germany

http://rowdyingermany.blogspot.com/2010/11/idar-oberstein.html

7. The Grundtvigs Church, Denmark

http://eng.archinform.net/projekte/2512.htm

6. The Borgund Stave Church, Norway

http://www.terminartors.com/museumprofile/Borgund_Stave_Church-Borgund-Norway

5. The Paraportiani Church, Greece

http://www.gtp.gr

4. The Sagrada Familia, Spain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia

3. St. Basil's Cathedral, Russia

http://famouswonders.com/st-basils-cathedral-in-moscow/

2. Las Lajas Cathedral, Columbia

http://www.toptravelist.com/las_lajas_cathedral_(colombia

1. Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland

http://www.feelmoved.com/hallgrimskirkja-reykjavik-iceland/

The Pen Carpets

http://www.joeandnathan.com

I'm literally in shock! This phenomenal series drawn by design based studio Joe and Nathan is incredible. The drawings are obviously meant to look like realistic carpets. The detail in each piece is beyond amazing, and to think that this whole series was drawn using ballpoint Bic pens is unbelievable. (ABOVE) This photograph shows both the beauty and detail of one of Joe and Nathan's pen drawings as well as the time and precision needed to complete one of these pieces.   

http://www.joeandnathan.com
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(1) This is a completed piece. Even after staring at this photograph for a period of time I still can't tell the difference between the drawing and an actual carpet. I could see this carpet as something I'd place in my home.

http://www.joeandnathan.com
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(2) A view of the carpet up close. Joe and Nathan did an incredible job portraying different textures in the way in which they drew these carpets. They don't feel one-dimensional. 

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(3) A view of the different drawing lines. I love this photograph. It's sort of like a before and after.

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(4) There are so many components that go into these pieces. I'm curious as to what the process is to create one of these pieces. 

http://www.joeandnathan.com
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(5) In addition to the black carpets, Joe and Nathan have also designed this blue carpet. The carpet looks like the ceiling of a cathedral. The center flower is fantastic.

http://www.joeandnathan.com
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(6) A closer look of the center flower. I like the blue carpets, they have a nice variation in blues.

http://www.joeandnathan.com
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(7) Isn't it incredible to think that those pens drew this carpet? What do you think of Joe and Nathan's work? Do you you like the blue or black carpets better? Share in the comments! 

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Architecture Around The World: London

http://www.dphotographer.co.uk

With the 2012 Olympics being hosted in London this year, the city is full of hustle and bustle. While many are in London to watch the Olympics, many are also in London to soak in the city's iconic architecture. Like most cities, London has many different architectural styles. Most of London's structures do not date before the Great Fire of 1666. (ABOVE) Much of London's iconic buildings are in the Gothic style. Westminster bridge is a breathtaking structure, it's simple, yet not plain. Big Ben is the perfect example of the Gothic Revival style, having been completed in 1858. (BELOW 1) The Olympic rings look great hanging from the Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge is in the Victorian Gothic style completed in 1894. The two towers that hold the bridge together are so beautiful architecturally. (BELOW 2) The British Museum is in the Greek Revival style it was completed in 1759. The museum houses approximately eight million objects. The museum's center dome is considered a great architectural achievement. The dome was designed by Sydney Smirk and completed in 1857. (BELOW 3) Originally built in 1889 as a Gentleman's club, the Hyde Park Court, burnt down in 1899 and then reopened to the public in 1902 as the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel. The five-star hotel is in the Edwardian architectural style and has accommodated many of England's iconic stars. (BELOW 4) The modern Millennium Bridge was completed in 2000. The bridge is the perfect example of modern London architecture. From the bridge, you have a perfect view of Saint Paul's Cathedral. The current structure was designed by noted British architect, Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style. What do you think of London's architecture? 

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