Interior Architecture + Design

Going GREEN with rice concrete

2009-07-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Among the standard use for concrete fabrication, designers have a new edge for an industrial aesthetic. This is a new way to add greater novelty to concrete-countertops. Ash used from rice husks as a cement substitute is a new step to going GREEN with two very old building materials.

Michael Reilly reported "Rice husks form small cases around edible kernels of rice and are rich in silicon dioxide, an essential ingredient in concrete. Scientists have recognized the potential value of rice husks as a building material for decades, but past attempts to burn it produced an ash too contaminated with carbon to be useful as a cement substitute." To learn more click on the link below.
Rice concrete can cut greenhouse emissions - Discovery.com- msnbc.com

The Great Exhibition: Definition from Answers.com

2009-07-06T07:07:00.001-07:00

The roots of modern architecture and design evolved from the start of the Technical Revolution in the Industrial Era of mass production for building material of glass and steel. The Crystal Palace
was the first glass and steel structure that was exposed to public masses as a new building type (other than a Green house). The open design, as illustrated below, exposes new ways of thinking and ways dealing with open interior space. Those who embraced this new media would take part in a new art that deliberately broke ties from traditional styles of the past.

Crystal Palace, building designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and erected in Hyde Park, London, for the Great Exhibition in 1851… One of the most significant examples of 19th-century, proto-modern architecture, it was widely imitated in Europe and America.
The Great Exhibition: Definition from Answers.com

Crystal Palace Commentary
"Built out of prefabricated and wrought-iron elements and based on a four-foot module, this 1,848-foot-long ferro-vitreous construction was erected to the designs of Joseph Paxton and Charles Fox, of Fox, Henderson & Co. Its interior volume was organized into galleries which were alternately 24 feet and 48 feet wide. The roof of these galleries stepped up by 20 feet every 72 feet and culminated in a central nave 72 feet wide. The 'ridge and furrow' roof glazing system specially devised for the occasion required 49-inch glass sheets capable of spanning between furrows 8 feet apart, with three ridges occurring every 24 feet."
— Kenneth Frampton and Yukio Futagawa. Modern Architecture 1851-1945 p11.

The Aurora Awards

2009-06-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

The Aurora Awards, showcase a 12-state southeastern region plus the Caribbean who have demonstrated building and design excellence.

Last year’s winners were selected from among 80 categories by a panel of industry experts and were honored at the 29th Annual AURORA Awards Gala/Spectacular on Saturday evening, August 2, 2008, at the Southeast Building Conference in Orlando, Florida. View the winners of the 2008 Aurora Award. (2009 Aurora Award will be announced on August 1st)

Now in its 30th year, the AURORA Awards program is affiliated with the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), one of two regional trade shows recognized by and affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

MIAD - Alumni Success Stories on www.miad.edu

2009-06-19T12:43:00.001-07:00

MIAD - Alumni Success Stories on www.miad.edu

The MIAD web site now features alumni "Success Stories" in each major. To find them, click Programs / Majors on the Main Menu, and peruse the descriptions of "The Results." Or you can go to each "Success Story" directly...

MIAD - Alumnus wins international design awards

2009-06-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

MIAD - Alumnus wins international design awards

Daniel J. LipscombFor Daniel J. Lipscomb '98, Senior Designer at Fiskars Garden and Tool in Salk City, WI, inspiration has come full circle. He and Fiskars recently received four GOOD DESIGN Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum for Architecture and Design, the oldest and most prestigious worldwide awards program recognizing innovation and superior design embodiment.

Daniel credits MIAD faculty for continuing to drive and inspire the quality of his Industrial Design work, especially the late Stephen F. Lacey, to whom he dedicates the awards.

Fiskars Garden Multi-Snip, one of four award-winning designs by Daniel J. Lipscomb '98

But Daniel is also inspiring current MIAD students through collaborative Industrial Design projects with Fiskars. The relationship, he says, helps "students solve for real-world solutions with practicing product development teams, and delivers fresh new ideas to Fiskars that tap into the innovative young mindset of our future customers."

Provost David Martin remembers Daniel as a student who "was interested in addressing the contradiction between his interest in nature and natural, organic form, and the lack of integrity in so much contemporary product design."

Fiskars Rear Pivot Bypass Pruner (Small), designed by Daniel J. Lipscomb '98

Daniel agrees that his long-time love of gardening makes it "a pleasure to solve garden product issues. A good tool is designed by the use and handling of objects, not by idle thought or the use of a computer mouse. One of the GOOD DESIGN Award winning tools started as a thought I had while harvesting vegetables in our home garden."

A New Kind of Starchitect

2009-05-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

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

Model by 3rd yr architecture student

2009-03-27T09:16:00.001-07:00

Model
Originally uploaded by Wizum

For those who have affinity for the innvative work of Frank Israel's
architecture
, there is new optimism in exposing his creative genius through the Getty’s new Department of Architecture and Design.

Wim de Wit is now heading the Getty’s new deparment, now focusing on California architecture, and promises to put more of its healthy collection of architectural collections on public display.

Mr. Wit is quoted in Metropolismag.com “We have to work far in advance, so from 2013 to 2014, we are looking at having a very big exhibition about California architecture from 1940 to 1990”.

I look forward to viewing the exhibits at the Getty. I am very excited to see "LA modern" and “Los Angeles Avant-Garde” along with other movements. I have great optimism for Wim De Wit, who will highlight many creative architects including Israel's creative brilliance through a future exhibit at the Getty.

If you would like to learn more about Frank Israel's work by clicking on "Recommend by Aeron under LINK TO BOOKS located on the side of the blog. I recommend reading my favorite book on Israel's work Franklin D. Israel (Architectural Monographs No 34) , the book is full of brilliant colored photos of his dynamic interior architecture. There is even a link to a interview by Charlie Rose with Elliott Abrams, Robert Torricelli & Allan Narin; Jim Nantz; Frank Israel (March 31, 1995).

.13Interior Design Scholarships*

2009-03-19T08:04:00.001-07:00

.13Interior Design Scholarships*

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.eightArchitecture Scholarships* by .designboston*

2009-03-19T07:34:00.001-07:00

.eightArchitecture Scholarships*

This is great scholarship info thanks to .designboston*
AAF Fellowships and Scholarships
AAF Minority/Disadvantaged ScholarshipsAward: between $500 and $2500Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and college freshmen who plan to study architecture at a NAAB-accredited program.The nomination form is due in the first week of December and the application, an essay, statement of disadvantaged circumstances, letters of recommendations, transcripts and a drawing are due on January 15 of each year.
The AAF’s Traveling Fellowship at the Sir John Soane’s MuseumAward: $5,000 grant to travel to England to pursue research on any aspect of the work of Sir John Soane or the Sir John Soane’s Museum and collections.Eligibility: Open to students in graduate degree programs in the history of art, architecture, interior design or related fields.Applications for the fellowship will be accepted until March 1.
The RTKL Traveling FellowshipAward: Each year, one $2,500 fellowship is awarded to a student submitting the winning proposal outlining a foreign itinerary which is directly relevant to his or her educational goals. Students must complete travel prior to graduation. Applications are due February 15.
ACSA Competitions
New Visions of Security: Re-Life of a DFW Airport TerminalDescription: “Major changes to airline operations, passenger expectations, and aviation security over the past 30 years, along with the aging terminal buildings, make it necessary for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to explore designs for a major terminal re-life. This competition will require students to develop design solutions to “re-life” American Airlines’ Terminal A at DFW. The competition is intended to allow for a complete interior and exterior re-design of the current crescent shaped two-story terminal necessary to respond to post 911 security requirements, current airline operational needs, passenger use patterns and expectations, and concession development.” (For full description and dates, click here.)Award: First place: $20,000; Second Place: $10,000; Third Place: $6,000
ASCA/AISC Assembling HousingDescripton: “The eighth annual ACSA/AISC competition will challenge architecture students to design ASSEMBLING HOUSING in an urban context of the students and sponsoring faculty selection. The project will allow the student to explore the many varied functional and aesthetic uses for steel as a building material. Steel is an ideal material for multi-story housing because it offers the greatest strength to weight ratio and can be designed systematically as a kit of parts or prefabricated to allow for quicker construction times and less labor, thus reducing the cost of construction. Housing built with steel is potentially more flexible and adaptable to allow for diversity of family structures and changing family needs over time.” (For full description and dates, click here)Award: First Place: $2,500; Second Place: $1,500; Third Place: $750
ASCA/AISC Open CategoryDescription: “The ACSA/AISC Competition will offer architecture students the opportunity to compete in an open competition with limited restrictions. This category will allow the students, with the approval of the sponsoring faculty member, to select a site and building program. The Open Category program should be of equal complexity and comparable size and program space as the Category I program. This open submission design option will permit a greatest amount of flexibility with the context.” (For full description and dates, click here)Award: same as “Assembling Housing”
ASCA/PCA Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World CompetitionDescription: “Students are challenged to investigate innovative uses of portland cement-based material to achieve sustainable design objectives. The competition offers two separate entry categories, each without site restrictions, for maximum flexibility.
Category I – Recycling Center: Design an environmentally responsible Recycling Center focused on reusing today’s materials to preserve tomorrow’s resources.
Category II – Building Element: Design a single element of a building that provides a sustainable solution to real-world environmental challenges.
(For full description and dates, click here.)Award: A cash prize of $10,000 divided among the top winners in each category, and pcaStructurePoint software (valued at nearly $10,000), which combines PCA’s suite of concrete design software with an array of structural engineering resources, awarded to each winning school.
AIAS Scholarships
AIAS/AIA Trust Scholarship Program for Emerging ProfessionalsEligibility: Open to students in the fifth year of an undergraduate professional degree or the first year of graduate professional degree.Award: Five scholarships of $750 eachThe application deadline for the 2007-2008 school year is Friday, December 14, 2007.
AIA Scholarships
AIA Corporate Architects and Facility Management ScholarshipEligibility: Applicants must be one of the following:• In the third or fourth year of a five-year program that results in a BArch degree;• In the fourth or fifth year of a six-year program that results in a MArch degree;• In the second or third year of a three- to four-year program that results in an MArch degree and with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than architecture.Award: Number of awards varies per year; amounts usually range from $1,000 to $2,500.
Again, I don’t expect this is a complete list of every possible scholarship for a student of architecture, but I hope it helps one (or several!) of you to defray the costs of schooling. There area also a variety of scholarships and grants for young practicing architects; I may compile a list of those as well.
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Student Gallery :: Interior Architecture + Design :: Aeron Knutson

2009-02-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN
See Student Gallery:: Interior Architecture + Design :: Aeron Knutson
Student Gallery :: Interior Architecture + Design :: Aeron Knutson

Graduating from MIAD

2007-03-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN
See Student Gallery:: Interior Architecture + Design :: Aeron Knutson
Student Gallery :: Interior Architecture + Design :: Aeron Knutson

Even before graduating from MIAD, Aeron Knutson was a designer on the move. As a junior, Knutson created a fresh and innovative coffee bar design for the remodel of MIAD’s Student Union, a project which opened a number of professional doors on the road to a career in Interior Architecture + Design. And what a successful road it has been. Over the next two years, Knutson would go on to design workstations and display walls, and propose full-scale renovations for a variety of spaces within MIAD’s academic facility. While a student, the recognition of Knutson’s progressive designs for MIAD attracted a number of outside clients, and generated several substantial commission projects, leading him to start his own company upon finishing his degree. His company’s commissions included space and furniture design for the William F. Eisner Museum of Advertising &Design, Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, Massive Records, as well as many Milwaukee area private residences. Knutson has since obtained a lucrative position in a leading Interior Architecture + Design firm in Southern Florida.

Q. What is your first memorable experience with art and design?
A. As far back as I can remember, I have always loved art and the power of creativity. My first memorable experience with architecture and design was when my senior high school art teacher did a presentation on “Architecture Is Art, Too.” I remember how well Mr. Heil presented Frank Lloyd Wright’s concepts in “Falling Water,” and how he made architecture interesting and fun by discussing architecture philosophy, composition, and aesthetics. That was when it hit me, and I remember thinking to myself, “I could really love doing this.”
Q. How did your MIAD education affect where you are today?
A. While at MIAD, I developed a strong portfolio of fabricated work, and gained invaluable real-world work experience. MIAD gave me great confidence in my work, and by my sophomore year I knew I would love designing for the rest of my life. I was given great opportunities to design and build my concepts during my four years in IA+D at MIAD. One of the most valuable things I learned at MIAD was presentation. I saw some great ideas lost because the work was not presented well.
Q. What’s the one thing you would tell a high school student who is considering attending MIAD now that you’ve experienced life after graduation?
A. I was given a great opportunity to discover my passion for design, without knowing a thing about architecture before I attended MIAD. Now, I’m a successful architectural designer with skilled knowledge in my profession.
Q. Please define how you saw your major while you were in school, and how that definition has changed over the years.
A. It’s funny, I saw architecture as something boring and lifeless before I knew anything about it. In fact, it was intimidating because I didn’t think I would like all the math and technical things in involved with it. Now, it’s the most interesting and exciting subject I would want to study, and all the technical material has just become common knowledge.
Q. Are there any specific parts of your résumé that you would like to share? Notable spaces that you’ve created?
A. I am currently working on Custom Showcase Homes (luxury model homes) for new neighborhood communities in South Florida. While a student, I was very privileged to design my personal work station at MIAD, the Student Union Coffee Bar, Interior Architecture + Design display walls, and oversee, along with fellow IA+D major Deborah Baumgart and Professor Bob Lynch, the renovation of MIAD’s fourth floor Illustration Department. That work is a great example of the potential success a determined student can achieve while attending MIAD.

Interior architectural designer

2007-03-08T11:46:00.000-08:00