The RIP Off! \:D/

1. The Louvre

 Archtect: I M Pei

The Louvre

The Louvre a pyramid shaped structure who was made by Architect I.M. Pei is outstanding because not only of its shape but also its elements that were put in to this structure. The Louvre may seem empty from the outside but it is actually a museum that houses famous works of art from around the world. The Louvre has had many controversy due to the fact it is surrounded by many old structures so what Architect I.M. Pei has done was to make the Louvre glass so that it would perceive honesty and respect so it would still remain balanced to its surroundings and somehow making the modern structure stay in context to its surroundings.

At night

Morning view of the Louvre

Inside view

Philosophy: Architecture may not always be in front of you but lies in a deeper place

Design Concept: Respect

Concept: Transparency

Working Concept: Honesty

2. The Planetarium (L’Hemisfèric) by Santiago Calatrava

The Planetarium (L’Hemisfèric)

The Planetarium (L’Hemisfèric) is a large scale urban recreation center for culture and science. The concept here is to make it look like an eye as it shows the "Eye of Knowledge". What Calatrava made was really genius because it really does look like an eye not only that but since it is a planetarium there it was called the eye of knowledge since it houses a telescope and the users who are scientists seek knowledge thus getting the name Eye of knowledge.
The best thing about this structure is that at night the planetarium would reflect making a perfect eye shaped structure scene by the picture below. I truly believe this structure is beautiful because it shows that architecture has no limits because of the human mind.

The concept of Santiago Calatrava

The Planetarium at night (side view)

The Planetarium at night (top view)

Philosophy: Alive and always a constant movement

Design Concept: Eye Lid

Concept: Movement

Working Concept: Reflection

3. National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) by the PTW Architects

National Aquatic Center (Water Cube)

The National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) is created by a team from China and a team from Sydney. They say that it's formed like a square or a cube because it's more symbolic in the Chinese culture. They also covered the cube with bubbles symbolizing water. I think this structure is very soft and smooth even though the main structure is a cube but the use of the bubble shaped addition makes it pleasing to the eyes but also gives you the big idea of the structure which is a big aquatic stadium. I believe the use of the space was good since every part of the structure was used sufficiently.

National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) at night

interior

the scale model

Philosophy: Architecture is for the love of nature

Design Concept: Water Bubble cube

Concept:Unity

Working Concept: Brainstorming; open-mindedness

GIVE ME AN INSPIRATION.

At first, I didn’t know how to start because I don’t know any architects. I admire a lot of structures, but I don’t really know who made them. As I do my research, I realized that there are more structures that are much better than what I’ve seen before. I also found out who made those structures and I also spot out some of their other works.

I got in to Architect Bernard Tschumi’s online portfolio, the very moment I got a glimpse at his works; I said to myself that I too, someday will be like him. He combined the curves, the lines and the bright colors, just like what I wanted. His work that inspired me the most was the La Roche-sur-Yon Bridge(image on the right side) he made. It was so stunning, and that very moment, I wanted to find that place and see it with my very own eyes.  

 This architect inspired me to do better and to expand my knowledge about architecture. His name is Frank Owen Gehry, I found out about him through my friend. When I did my research about him, I was all like “WOW!!”. 

The first work I saw from him was his Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic(image on the left). He was very random with his designs and I am a very random person too. I think of my designs randomly also. I never thought that such structure exists. It was also stated there that he got his ideas from a crumpled piece of paper when he created some of his greatest works; like Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.  His design that impressed me the most was the Spiral staircase in the Art Gallery of Ontario(image on the left), in Toronto that he designed. It was so unique and one of a kind. I guess he is now one of my inspirations in my designs because we both kind of have the same ideas in designing.

“It is not the right angle that attracts me, nor the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. What attracts me is the free and sensual curve — the curve that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuous course of its rivers, in the body of the beloved woman.” – Arch. Oscar Niemeyer

He was the first architect I found whom got my interest. It was said there that he was the one of the architects that started the curves in their designs. I saw his works and I somewhat saw what I wanted; it was spacious and exposed. I want the curves together with the straight lines. He made me realize that in architecture, nothing is impossible. 

Manifesto - Numero Uno \:D/

Architecture for me is probably a compilation of all fields and professions. In architecture, everything applies. As my professor said, it tackles science, arts and commerce. I realized that it cannot be complete without one of the mentioned, the laws of physics applies to the creation of the house to make it durable and safe. The math applies in the calculations and statistics for the measurement of the house. Arts applies is the design and lastly, commerce applies to the financial concerns. Also, my friend said that architecture is the mother of all arts, I kind of agree to it, because architecture can be designed with any kind of art. I don’t know much about it, but I’m pretty sure it’s something worth putting a lot of effort on.

Honestly, I never imagined myself being an architect; it wasn’t really on my list. Most of my friends are taking up civil engineering and architecture in different schools, when I got to see them do their work; models, all the math and science and cad; I suddenly enjoyed doing it also. My father was the one who told me that architecture is better than my previous course, that’s the main reason why I shifted. Right now, I’m starting to like it and I want to pursue it until it becomes my passion. Everybody is unique; I want to get that title when I become an architect; I want to be unique. Of course, I have my own perspectives, I like kichi architecture and I want to customize it and add some of my own style. I like modern yet cute styles of architecture. I say modern, improvised kichi, multi-colored and environmentalist architecture. I want to achieve success 10 years from now; I want to have my own name, my own title, my own company. I want to be a famous architect in a good way. I want to be remembered. I guess, that’s what I want to achieve. I will be famous, rich yet a humble architect; that’s how I see my future.

I don’t know much about the history of architecture. I haven’t even travelled out of the Luzon or even the country. Whenever I see houses, whenever I see the difference between every house, I always say to myself that, someday, I will possess one of those houses. Today, I never thought that one day, I will be the owner and the designer of the houses I see fascinating. I find the modern designed houses captivating; I see it so organized and clean, it makes me stare at it for so long. Also, I notice the colorful yet simple designs attractive. The designs that make me feel uncomfortable are the designs that appear like a haunted house. Anything that is exaggeratedly oversized and dark makes me feel scared and it makes me feel like I don’t want to go in nor design such house. Other designs that make me feel discomforts are the designs that use color too much and those colors do not match. I haven’t seen anything like that lately, and I hope that I will not see any of that in the future.