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.