Articles by Collin Abdallah

The Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) has announced the winners of the 2018 VEX: Agitated Vernacular Competition. This year’s ASA International Design Competition aimed to “upend the typical associations of vernacular architecture and design,” what vernacular should or should not be. The goal was to re-think vernacular as something that can “assume performative roles and possess generative potentials.” 

In this video from the Louisiana Channel, Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa expounds on his view of the importance of art and architecture. In order to begin to understand this relationship, Pallasmaa stresses the importance of literature and self-construction, along with understanding the history and culture of a place.

In this video from the Louisiana Channel, Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa expounds on his view of the importance of art and architecture. In order to begin to understand this relationship, Pallasmaa stresses the importance of literature and self-construction, along with understanding the history and culture of a place.

One year after the launch of Resilient by Design‘s Bay Area Challenge, the final nine design concepts have been selected. The Bay Area Challenge launched with a call to action to “bring together local residents, community organizations, public officials and local, national, and international experts to develop innovative solutions that will strengthen our region’s resilience to sea level rise, severe storms, flooding, and earthquakes.” The idea formulated as a “blueprint for resilience” that can be replicated and utilized locally and globally. Other urban challenges will also be addressed, including housing, transport, health and economic disparity as a means of not just protecting the current regions, but strengthening them.

Architecture’s reliance on digital tools is rapidly advancing. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and augmented and virtual reality are quickly becoming the industry standard, along with more and more design businesses putting more effort and money into creating a stronger online presence. Because of this recent shift in focus, many firms have also begun experimenting with digital marketing strategies.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has recently released a new research study titled “Tallest Demolished Buildings” that examines 100 of the tallest buildings ever to have been dismantled by their owners. The report confirms that, if JPMorgan Chase continues with their plans, SOM’s 270 Park Avenue in New York City would become the tallest building ever conventionally demolished, as well as the first over 200 meters in height.

The way we consume long-form content has transformed drastically in recent years. More and more parts of our everyday lives are now transitioning to new digital mediums to save us time.

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has a knack for combatting a variety of complex issues via its step-by-step approach, yielding a design that seems almost inevitable. Ingels has labeled his design strategy as a form of “architectural alchemy.” This combines multiple programs or “ingredients” that on their own, would simply be seen as “normal.” But in aggregate, you get more out of the mix than you would keeping them separate. The result of this looks something like a waste-to-energy plant topped by a ski-slope, or a parabolic skyscraper with a Copenhagen-style courtyard.

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has a knack for combatting a variety of complex issues via its step-by-step approach, yielding a design that seems almost inevitable. Ingels has labeled his design strategy as a form of “architectural alchemy.” This combines multiple programs or “ingredients” that on their own, would simply be seen as “normal.” But in aggregate, you get more out of the mix than you would keeping them separate. The result of this looks something like a waste-to-energy plant topped by a ski-slope, or a parabolic skyscraper with a Copenhagen-style courtyard.

Recently shortlisted for the 2018 Design Challenge “Design the Next-Generation Facade” by Metals in Construction Magazine, this “Pixel Facade” system is an adaptive, scalable and repeatable building system that can be applied to various building typologies. The system draws inspiration from our innate desire for nature, also known as “biophilia.” The “Pixel Facade” system merges a contemporary office environment with biophilic environments to create the next generation of office design.