10 Buildings

Tom Chudleigh Errington, British Columbia (Dwell)

To own a tree house tucked away in the woods is every child's fantasy. Now, Tom Chudleigh has made it a reality for children and adults alike. The house essentially is a functional living space. There is running water, sleeping accommodations, television, microwave, refrigerator, etc. It has all of the needs of a conventional house, but it happens to be suspended off of the ground.
I enjoy the idea of a tree house. It would be less invasive, take up much less space, and it would be more environmentally friendly. I think people are so caught up on the size of their home, but this tree house shows that you don't need all of the space to have all that you need.

Vladimir G. Schuchov Chersson, Ukraine (architectureweek.com)

The Adziogol Lighthouse was designed by Vladimir G. Schuchov and it is made from iron framework. It sits out in the middle of the ocean and it is 68 meters high. I chose to write about this structure because of it's appearance. It is a graceful design, but it also looks very precarious. It looks as if a wave or a heavy storm could knock it over at any second. On a positive note, I like how it funnels upwards; it sort of gives the allusion of wave movement as the iron frame grows closer together as the structure grows in height.


Steven Ehrlich Architects Dubai (Architectural Digest Oct 2007)
This massive residence is an oasis in the hot desert, complemented with vegetation and basins of water. Reflected in the pools is the giant roof line, an imitation of the crescent moon in the desert night. The flow of the space is open and very much connected to the outside with the use of over sized doors and windows. The style takes a minimalist approach as to connect the residents to the weather and landscape beyond.

Peter L. Gluck Texas (Architectural Digest Oct 2007)
Peter L. Gluck explains that his design works with the surrounding land acting," not passive," rather ,"on the design." At first glance, the building appears to be a dual-level house. On further inspection, it is obvious that the first floor is built into the ground. The shape of the structure is deceiving; every side has a different viewpoint that could not be detected from the side before. The first floor of the space is entirely glass; it alludes to a tank, with seldom privacy and views in every direction.
Dover Castle Dover, England

Pictures of Dover Castle don't do it justice; it is even more impacting in real life. The size alone is impressive. It is not what people think of when they think of buildings but, at it's time, this Castle was a top notch building. Clearly they built it well, or else it would not be standing as well as it is today. The earlier structures are what later designers base their buildings off of, evolving the concepts into what we see today.

Carlos Páez Vilaró Uruguay (Architectural Digest Oct 2007)

When I look at this home, I immediately am reminded of making castles out of wet sand at the beach. It looks so handmade and sculptural with the odd shapes and curvature. It is a different approach to building, something that would doubtfully be seen in the United States.The white of the walls contrast with the surrounding water and make the white look even more pronounced and stark. the soft curves of the building makes the viewer wonder if the inside would have the same natural look to it.
California Academy of Sciences Metropolis Nov. 2007

What better place to have a green building than a building dedicated to sciences? Eco-friendly buildings are ones of the future and a smart move if earth salvation is the goal. I enjoy seeing a corporation take action in the preservation of the atmosphere; it leads others to follow from example. With green structures, there is also a great deal of interaction. People can sit on the grassy hills/ rooftops and stroll around the solar panels. I think the designers did a great job on this building. The Millennium Dome Sir Richard Rogers

I am so intrigued by this building. It reminds me both of multiple bridges puncturing a tarp or cranes protruding out of the structure. I find it appealing to look at, yet confusing at the same time. I feel like it would be out of place in a big city. How could something of this caliber ever fit in with the other buildings? Especially ones that are much older with a traditional style. It is no doubt an interesting idea, but it's placement should be questioned.
High Tech Modern Norman Foster
Some people refer to this building as the "gherkin" due to it's resemblance of the food item. The metal frame and stripes of glass rotate up the structure, thus giving it the appearance of a rotating object. The building may be impressive to look at, but it's place in the city is something to think about. It stands above the rest and it has no resemblance to the surrounding buildings, making it look as if it was inserted with no thought.


CCTV Headquarters Rem Koolhaas

Koolhaas' CCTV Headquarters begs for attention; there is no way it could go unnoticed. The building stands above and outshines it's surroundings. The actual shape of the building is, by far the most unique. It is so dynamic and provides great views from every side due to the layout. With the combination of the glass reflecting the city and the gap in the middle of the structure, this building seems rather transparent, which is positive because it allow the structure to have an open environment.