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Architect Stories: Hugh Newell Jacobsen

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:00:39 -0700

Hugh Newell Jacobsen is a prominent American architect best known for his modern pavilion-based residences, which are mostly simple, gabled structures, rectangular in plan. His projects have been built and published worldwide, and he's won 114 awards for excellence in design, six of which are National Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects and 20 from the professional journal Architectural Record. Jacobsen graduated from Yale’s School of Architecture in 1955, held an apprenticeship with Philip Johnson, and then opened a practice under his own name in 1958. In the 50 years since then, he has designed several large buildings, including the libraries for the American Colleges of Greece (Athens), Gettysburg College (Penn.), two museums for the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, the Renwick Gallery, the Arts and Industries Building, and an addition to the US Capitol, but his forté is residential architecture.
To hear about his design philosophy and see some of his projects, read more

Jacobsen's design philosophy parallels something Mies van der Rohe once said: "God is in the details." He says, "Architecture is order, and this order carries throughout the building down to the smallest corner. There is no back side to architecture any more than there is a detail that is unimportant." But a glance at his portfolio will instantly prove to you that he does practice what he preaches (and he lectures extensively throughout the US and abroad). His detailing is deliberately sparse and linear, and he pays a great deal of focus to the site of each design, so that each building belongs specifically to its location, unlike the ubiquitous McMansions of today. "People look good in my buildings," he says. Well, who can argue with that?

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Architect Stories: Selldorf Architects

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:30:40 -0700

Selldorf Architects is an internationally-recognized firm with a portfolio of institutional, commercial, high-end retail, and residential work, as well as art spaces, that is quintessentially modern. They also offer full-service interior design, and own a company called Vica, which sells modern and traditional handcrafted furnishings, including case goods, tables, seating, lighting, and hardware. Principal Architect Annabelle Selldorf was born and raised in Germany, received degrees from Pratt Institute in NYC and Syracuse University in Florence, and established the firm in 1988. Associate Partner Randall Goya joined the firm in 1994, followed by Partner Sara Lopergolo and Associate Partner Julie Hanselmann Davies in 2004. Based in New York, Selldorf's portfolio lists mostly properties in Manhattan, although they've also renovated and modernized properties in Majorca, Spain and London. Check out the gallery below to see some of their work.

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In the News: Ralph Rapson Dies at 93

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:00:59 -0700

Ralph Rapson, one of the most prolific and oldest practicing architects, died of a heart attack on Saturday at 93. Modernist in style, he was best known for his design of the former Guthrie Theater, which included "a thrusting stage and asymmetrical seating that made the audience seem like part of the dramatic action." In the 1940s, he designed his own line of furniture for Knoll, including a popular rocking chair, the Rapson Rapid Rocker. From 1954 to 1984, Rapson led the architecture
school at the University of Minnesota as dean. Other visible projects of his include US embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen, as well as several buildings throughout Minnesota. Rapson also took part in the legendary experimental program, the Case Study Houses, which ran from 1945 until 1966, with his Greenbelt House design. The design was never built, but he recently developed a line of prefab modern houses called the Rapson Greenbelt based on the original design. The day prior to his death, Rapson had been in the office, "working on design projects and writing." His son, Toby Rapson said, "He always joked that he would be carried out on his drafting board." Check out some of his designs below, then read the whole story at the New York Times.

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Celebrate International Women's Day With CasaSugar

CasaSugar — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:00:59 -0800

Today is International Women's Day. Annually on this day, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. Definitely look in your local paper to see if there are any events in your community celebrating this day, and for now, take a look at some of my favorite posts celebrating creative women here on CasaSugar.

Designer Natalie Chanin creates beautiful and innovative repurposed designs for your home.
Architect Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize in its 26-year history.
Artist Yvette Molina paints dreamy flora on aluminum.
Photographer Tria Giovan has established a successful career shooting for a number of coveted shelter magazines.
Designer Sheila Bridges makes inspiring interiors for livable and lovely homes.
Architect Julia Morgan was the first woman allowed in Paris's Ecole des Beaux-Arts.
Artist Cal Lane brings an unexpected feminine twist to traditionally male-dominated objects.
Designer Eva Zeisel has not only lived an incredible and dramatic life, she's also making beautiful designs well into her 90s.

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Architect Stories: Walker Warner Architects

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:15:55 -0800

Architects Brooks Walker and Greg Warner met while studying architecture at the University of Oregon and later worked together at various firms before they decided to start their own, Walker Warner Architects, which is located in San Francisco. Over the last two decades, the Walker Warner Architects has focused on residential design as well as estate and winery development. The firm strives to design buildings that are energy-efficient, sustainable, and contextually appropriate. In 2000, the firm won a competition to design the Quintessa Winery and since then has worked on several other winery estates' design projects. The firm prides itself on its approach to proposed architectural projects instead of a particular style of architecture. This means that considerations such as the natural features of the building site, the nearby surroundings, and any existing structures take precedence when determining the final look of a design.

For a look at one of the firm's beautiful and contextually appropriate residential projects, just read more.

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Architect Stories: John C. Williams Architects

CasaSugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:18:00 -0800

Williams Architects, located in both New Orleans, La., and Mobile, Ala., offers architectural, interior design, and planning services. The firm has won design awards for historic renovation and new construction from the American Institute of Architects, the Vieux Carre Commission, the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the City of New Orleans. Check out the slideshow for some of their residential projects. Source

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Architect Stories: BNIM Architects

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:00:43 -0800

For nearly 40 years, BNIM Architects has been working to further sustainable, affordable design. With offices in Kansas City and Houston, this powerhouse firm believes in working on deep, green design projects. The firm is committed to its local and regional communities while establishing a national presence as an innovator of design methodologies, sustainability, and new technologies in architecture, planning, and workplace design. Check out the slideshow to see what projects the firm's working on, and which green-minded celeb they've teamed with to create green, affordable homes. Source

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Architect Stories: Zaha Hadid

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:00:07 -0800

The first woman to win the Pritzker Prize for Architecture in its 26-year history, Zaha Hadid has defined her architecture with sensual curves and a lack of right angles. She creates buildings that revel in multiple perspectives and seem to mirror the fragmentation of modern living. Born in Baghdad in 1950, Zaha Hadid currently resides in London, but her architectural mark is seen across the planet, with projects such as the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati and the BMW plant in Leipzig. She's also designing the 2012 Olympic aquatic center in London, which is typical of her style, with its sinuous and fluid lines.Take a look at some of her innovative and futuristic designs and buildings. Source, Source, and Source

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Architect Stories: Oscar Niemeyer

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:15:57 -0800

Oscar Niemeyer is considered one of the most important names in modern architecture worldwide, and he just turned 100 this December. His pièce de résistance is not a building, but a city — Brasília, the capital city of Brazil. He was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1907, graduated from Escola de Belas Artes (also in Rio) as an engineer architect in 1934, and joined the office of architect Lucio Costa in 1936. Together they designed the new headquarters for the Ministry of Education and Public Health in Rio, the Brazilian pavilion at the New York World's Fair, and the new plan for the city of Brasília l in 1956. The world can thank him for many other architectural gems, which are marked by clean and dynamic lines and an aversion to right angles, including the UN Headquarters in New York, the Brazilian National Stadium, Samba Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the Museum of Modern Art of Caracas and the French Communist Party headquarters. He is also chiefly credited for the first national style in modern architecture, Brazilian architectural Modernism. To see some of his works, check out this slideshow. Source and Source

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Architect Stories: Aldo Rossi

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:00:58 -0800

Architect Aldo Rossi's buildings are distinguished by his successful melding of modern design with architectural and vernacular traditions. Whether building an apartment complex or an art museum, his style is unmistakable. Born in Milan, Italy, into a family of bicycle makers in 1931, Rossi grew up during World War II, and later studied at the School of the Somaschi Fathers in Lake Como and the Collegio Alessandro Votas in Lecco. After the end of the war, Rossi entered the Milan Polytechnic, where he received his architecture degree in 1959.

Although Rossi's first career choice was film, his interests translated to the field of architecture, though, according to Rossi, "In all of my architecture, I have always been fascinated by the theatre." In fact, for the Venice Biennale in 1979, he designed the Teatro del Mondo, a floating theatre, which seated 250 guests around a central stage. He also built the Toronto Lighthouse Theatre, on the banks of Lake Ontario.

To read about some of Rossi's other projects and to see a gallery of his buildings, just read more.

Rossi also built a number of residential projects. His first housing complex, Gallaratese, was built on the outskirts of Milan, and is one of his most important buildings. The design is comprised of two buildings separated by a narrow gap. Commenting on Gallaratese, Rossi said, "I believe it to be significant, above all, because of the simplicity of its construction, which allows it to be repeated." Other residential housing he's built, which include apartment buildings, hotels, and individual homes, include the Pocono Pines Houses in Pocono, Pennsylvania, an apartment building in the Berlin-Tiergarten district of West Germany, and another called Sudliche Friedrichstadt. He also drafted numerous residence designs in Italy

The seemingly inexhaustible Rossi, was also a writer, theorist, artist, and teacher. His architectural accomplishments also include such varied projects as office buildings for Giorgio Armani, an art gallery in Japan, a restoration and addition to a monastery in Seville, Spain, and a sports arena and many other projects in Italy. In 1990, he became the first Italian to win the distinguished Pritzker Prize.

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