Arch-Daily: The fastest news source on architecture

After my visit to Weinstein Friedlein Architects, Ellen shared a great site on Architecture called Arch Daily which highlights some of the most intriguing modern architecture today. Using this wonderful news source, I was able to pull up some very interesting architectural works. Amongst my favorites that I pulled up:

Cinema Pushkinsky, Moscow, Russia proposed renovation

(the last photo is an proposed renovation of the Cinema Pushkinsky out of about 512 entries)

Who says that architecture has to be from the ground up? Even though most architecture are indeed from scratch, this one has brilliantly evolved throughout the times in a stunning transition to a full fledged modernist architectural piece. If we can define brilliance in terms of how well it with no background in architecture, this building looks like any other new modernist builiding. Except that this building has a history dating back to post-Stalinist Soviet Union. No only does the renovation inclosed the front deck in modernist fashion, the architects of this renovation also added video capability to its walls so that it would illuminate in videos. Unlike some of the other proposals, this one retains the basic look of its past rather than merely boxing the entire structure up. Also in consideration is the fact that this structure calls for a minimal budget due to its relative simplicity. However, this design succeeds because it clearly redefines the cinema by giving it an modernist twist without any excessive additions. Also, the glass symbolically represents the timeless nature of the arts; the arts would never grow old. And so, in a sense, by keeping this cinema in much the same shape as its earlier incarnations, the cinema itself has achieved a timeless quality.

Parasite Office, Moscow, Russia

This piece of architecture in Moscow features a very interesting concept. To quote earlier, "who says that architecture has to be from the ground up. Quite literally, not all buildings have to touch the ground, as this building proves. This building is an excellent of one of the tenets of architecture; that architecture is some encompassing space; this one makes great use of that gap between the two buildings to mold into a office space. Also, this architecture takes advantage of the fact that it is sandwiched between two office buildings so that it does not need an foundation; so in a sense this is an inhabitable bridge. That bridge definition is extended further when you notice that the building doesn't obstruct the roadways underneath. Not only does this building offers utilitarian advantages, its architecture, both inside and out distinguish it self in its creativity and usefulness. From an inside perspective, I love how the building takes advantage of the brick wall of its right side neighbor; rather than adding a separate wall for the building itself, the building "borrows" the walls of other buildings around it to save weight and costs. However, from an outside perspective, this building has clearly made a statement of futuristic architecture; its abstract design references the uncertainty of space; the future of the gap between two buildings is an mystery until someone decides to build something concrete there. Much like air, space is unpredictable. And therefore, architecture belongs to the same plane of unpredictability as air. Until, someone decides to build something there.

Tetris Apartments, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Not only does this architectural piece has interesting composition, but the name also seemed to fit well with the design scheme of this apartment complex. While certain modernist architecture tend to truly stand out, this one nicely blends in with the surroundings because of its dark brownish and chestnut colors. Even so, this building still stands out with its odd mix of "cubes" that seem to form letters with their facade. The best thing about this architecture is its complimentary name and style . True to the Tetris namesake, this building does seem to imitate the different blocks that Tetris contrives. Not only does this building do a good job of expressing "Tetris", it also does a great job of providing accommodations with its particular design. porches are an instant amenity to this apartment complex thanks to the cubical design and the Tetris influenced shapes on the facade. Perhaps more than just an design statement, this building makes a homage to the connections between Tetris and architecture. Tetris, as everybody knows is about trying to put together pieces of random shapes so that they form a continuous row of blocks; the player must not build it all the way to the top. This building attributed to the fact that Tetris exemplify what Architecture is for: Buildings. And Tetris is all about building blocks. Even a subtle reference can make a big statement, as architecture is all about buildings; even above the design and engineering aspects of architecture.