John Hamilton: O'Neil Ford #6

This building is the Intercontinental Motors Building, located in San Antonio,Texas.  It was built in 1963 and was built with an international style in mind.  The glass walls gives it a country "feel" to me even though it lies deep within the heart of San Antonio.  The bigger windows at the bottom compliment the narrower ones on top and the building just looks professional also, but also that sense of comfortableness too. 

Allison - Blog 9

FALLING WATER

Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright

When I first saw this building hanging over the waterfall, I felt like the structure was somehow disrupting the environment, and that its existence was upsetting the flow of its surroundings. It struck me as a very interesting piece of art. After staring at several pictures for long enough, I realized that it actually complements the natural elements around it. The light ochre and Cherokee red used throughout the structure gives it the unified and organic composition that Frank Lloyd Wright intended, and the stone masonry helps it blend with the bedrock.

The cantilevers look a little bit scary.

I read up on the major structural repairs in 2002 strengthening the cantilevers to prevent collapse and future deflection. This house is exactly where it needs to be, and looks so peaceful.

Allison - Blog 8

WALDSPIRALE

Darmstadt, Germany

Architect:

This complex was built in 1990s. The name translates into English as forest spiral. I couldn’t have thought of a more fitting name, as it portrays the overall design of the structure. From the name, it is evident that the building is helicoidal and has a green roof.

The entirety of the exterior structure is richly decorated with vibrant colors, and when the trees are leaved, the complex looks magnificent. Having a green roof makes the building a lot more environmentally friendly than the surrounding structures. The golden domes make the complex more interesting. I would like to know if they serve any functional purpose.

John Hamilton: O'neil Ford #5

This is a renovated "mid-century dance dance" pavilion that is build along the Gulf Coast is Texas, by Texas native O'Neil Ford. The sticks out beautifully with the inlay design and the connection it has to the porch that serves as a patio that is elevated high above the Texas landscape.  The paneling that separates the room inside from the porch gives it the appeal along with the wood framing that incorporates modernity as well as the colorful blocks inside that form what looks a fire place. The wooden patio is big enough for what looks like a kick-ass place to party and dance also. 

Allison - Blog 5

SALTZMAN HOUSE

Cherry Hill, New Jersey. United States of America.

Architect: Richard Meier

This is the Saltzman house by Richard Meier, which was completed in 1969. From my newly found knowledge of this building I can tell that the architect loved to play with light. He also put into consideration both public and private spaces, when designing this building. Lastly the building has a simple and elegant white façade, leaving it up to the big windows and glass door to give the building character. I really like the view of the setting sun's rays touching that all white surface. It's beautiful.

Allison - Blog 3

BEIJING NATIONAL STADIUM

Beijing, China.

Architect:

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s nest. It was designed as the main stadium of the 2008 Olympic games, its bird nest structure, which we can say is the façade was influenced by the study of Chinese ceramics. In my opinion the lights reflecting of the steel beams, give a very warming and attractive feeling when observing it.

I just like how innovative the design is. This structure is quite spectacular compared to most other stadiums in existence.

Allison - Blog 4

STONE HOUSE

Guimarães, Portugal.

Architect:

The house of stone, which is eco-friendly, was built into its natural surroundings, in 1974. It is also called Casa de Pedra. It reminds me of the cartoon Flintstones because the structure was built out of the natural rock found on the site, including the swimming pool. It defies what we know today as conventional architecture. The house retains its natural rocky façade. The house blends right into nature.

“This building is one for the ages… the stone ages, that is.” – Sarah Felix Burns.