A New Kind of Starchitect

The Star Actor Brad Pitt is making it right in New Orleans by commissioning 13 architects to design 150 homes in the Lower Ninth Ward. Each home and duplex unit is estimated to cost $200,000 for the project, started in 2007 by Mr. Pitt. Among the 13 architects is rising Japanese, architecture star Shigeru Ban known for his use of organic details. One of the focuses is to use sustainable materials for the new green home design to fit the surrounding vernacular. Additional star power includes the starchitect firm Morphosis. Since the start of the project six homes where completed in 2008 and two more have been completed to date while 13 homes are under construction now.

Shigeru Ban’s design concept below:


Morphosis’ design concept below:

To see more of the artist's renderings for the project, go to the Make It Right website.

Completed House by Billies Architecture

See Architectureal Record post 12-10-07

Learn more about one of my favorite homes designed by Thom Mayne Morphosis: Crawford House

The Art of Architecture

If you missed the Corbusier exhibition and want a window into the life of the architect read Le Corbusier Le Grand.

London’s Barbican exhibition on the pioneering architect Le Corbusier is coming to an end, May 24th. Exhibition: The Art of Architecture: 19 Feb - 24 May 2009 showcases:

The exhibit displays a "...wealth of original models, interior settings, drawings, furniture, photographs, films, tapestries, paintings, sculpture and books by designed and written by the architect himself" and tickets are £8 for Adults or £6 for online bookings. This is a great opportunity to see one of the major influence in modern architecture. Don’t miss it!

Mr. Ouroussoff Is Way OFF

Nicolai Ouroussoff of the New York Times, denounces Santiago Calatrava’s design for the transportation hub at ground zero, Manhattan. The major reason Mr. Ouroussoff condemns Calatrava’s design is because of the City’s downsizing of the transit hub with fewer connections. The initial design involved major connections which at that time slated the hub as the new 21st-century version of Grand Central Terminal.


Just like many projects the criteria and site have changed, forcing Calatrava to make new changes to lower the budget by fixing the mobile wings in the open position. One of the major criteria changes by the City officials terminated the link to Kennedy and La Guardia airports.

However, I still believe the impressive design is justified do to the simple fact that this is the hub for ground zero and truth behind the saying “If You Build It, They Will Come”. Even with the smaller connections to ground zero, the hub is still the gateway to the new Trade Center and trust me Mr. Ouroussoff , they will come.

This post in response to Post-9/11 Realities Warp a Soaring Design
By NICOLAI OUROUSSOFF
Published: May 10, 2009

I recommend reading Santiago Calatrava: Complete Works, Expanded Edition