Xpressionz of an Architect

There can hardly be any other place on earth so full of Art and cultural Heritage which has influenced rest of the world in its own way as Rome, Italy. There have been many master architects, painters, sculptors , artists here who have left their legacy for us to follow. As soon as you enter Rome you realize this. There is the massive Colosseum, Roman Forum , Piazza Venezia to name a few. All the structures studied during architecture school were popping in my head. Had never thought that I would be actually standing in front of them. This was my aha moment!! Roman cities are so well planned, pedestrian friendly and stand true to the test of time. There are piazzas for people to come together for social events. Every piazza or square has its own water fountain flanked by great sculptures. There is a masterpiece in every corner you turn , be it the Trevi fountain, the Spanish steps, Piazza del Popolo, Pantheon..I truly agree on one thing that they say…A lifetime is not enough to see this place. I have tossed coins in the Trevi fountain to ensure that I come back..

Venice to me has an enchanting feeling to it keeping all travelers really engulfed in its mystique past. This city built on the black lagoons, is comp letely surrounded by water which not only gives a charming character to this city but also has protected this city from invasions. Built in the 5th century this city was under Austria, France and now part of Italy. All the traffic is on foot here, no cars allowed internally. The streets are lined by shops selling the famous masks. There are astounding Palaces, Bridges, Churches, Museums lined up along the Grand canal. I was really captured by two sites Piazza San Marco and Rialto bridge. Great examples of Gothic architecture. The smaller interior canals are coupled with bridges which almost are waiting to surprise you!!

The Art Gallery of Ontario is redesigned by Frank Gehry and the pictures look amazing. What can I say hats off to the Master Architect. I am a great fan of this architect and just love his projects. Had been to his EMP project in Seattle which is just one of his masterpieces. Time and again can’t stress how modern or rather more in tune with the era his structures are. Most of his projects are aweinspiring not only to architects but to a layman too. The forms he uses and plays with are so different and defying any typecast and still so true to its function. The AGO has a rear wall out of glass which is the building’s unique balance. Here is the official Architectural record link to the pics
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/080903gehry/1.asp

Richard Meier
JUBILEE CHURCH, ROME

Richard Meier is a master Architect with his own legacy. His expertise is evident in one of his recent creations which I find truly astounding, The Jubilee Church, Rome. This is a structure of significant proportions and the architect has definitely given justice to its form. There is a balance achieved with the use of concrete shells and the fact that this is a church only adds to the purity of its purpose. Learn more about the architect and his works on its official website:

www.richardmeier.com

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, SEATTLE, USA

This famous Dutch Architect has many modern marvels to his name. His design for the Seattle public library is a sheer Genius composition of abstract forms put together. When I was looking at the structure from exterior was totally confused as to how can such an abstract form work for the purpose of a library which has more of a strict and a traditional function. But as I entered all my conceptions of this place were proven wrong. There was so much light and openness around every space that it was inviting thru and thru. The interior spaces too flowed well with the exterior abstract form. There I was trying to learn how an Architect can provide interest to every space and define its purpose. And yes definitely God is in the details. Learn more about the Architect and his works here

Office for Metropolitan Architecture

The skywalk is amidst all the canyon landscape situated on the west rim of Grand Canyon. There was a stretch of 20 mile of unpaved road on the route at its approach of the west rim. I would advise to wait for a year and then visit as the road will be paved by then. The skywalk is surrounded by desert landscape overlooking 4000 ft. of canyon below. It’s an experience you should have once in your life.

I would say its an adventure in itself to stand over the glass floor and see 4000 ft below of raw canyon. I can’t describe what a feeling it is to know that there is only one glass piece between you and all that rocky valley below. It makes u believe in the forces and power of nature and Man is only but a part of it. One thing I appreciated is the skywalk blends into its surrounding very well. Its not any pyrotechnic structure flopped onto the site but a well thought out design which blends into the valley giving people that modern skywalk experience. Here is the link to its official webpage for more info http://grandcanyonskywalk

THE TURNING TORSO, SWEDEN

The Turning Torso is one of the most interesting skyscrapers of recent times. It was a formal sculpture of Calatrava which was transformed into this magnificent piece of architecture. Like the sculpture, the building is composed of nine cubic elements, which turn gradually upward @ 90⁰ around a circular axis in the center. The load bearing structure of the building rests for the most part on a central concrete ring 35 feet in diameter. Its foundations are fixed 49 feet directly into the bedrock. Part of the construction of the Torso is turned inside out, Calatrava style. This is Sweden’s tallest tower and one of my favorite skyscrapers of all times. Follow the link for more info on this structure.

HSB Turning Torso http://www.turningtorso.com/

Green buildings have less negative impact on environment than standard buildings.

In 2000, U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) started LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

 Following are 10 rules for Green development

• Rule 1: Focus on the big picture

  Integrating green principles into building’s planning and design from the start, appointing the right people.

• Rule 2:Choose a sustainable site

  Cannot be constructed on prime farm land, parkland, historic site or endangered habitat of a species. Ideal location would be vacant lots, redevelopment sites like rail yards etc.

• Rule 3:Do the Math

  Apply a cost /benefit analysis before allocating funding.

• Rule 4:Make the site plan work for you

  Reduce the amount of roads, parking lots, reduce grading and earthwork, limit erosion. Easy access to public transportation. 

• Rule 5:Landscape for Savings

  Minimizing heat islands, green roof, drought tolerant plants.

• Rule 6:Design for greater green

  Maximize of day lighting, Operable windows and skylights enable natural ventilation.

• Rule 7:Take advantage of Technology

  Help conserve and even generate energy. Install motion sensitive lighting sensors and individual climate controls in offices, workstations. Highly efficient HVAC systems that do not use chloro floro carbons. Though it will take long time before we get back the investment cost, in part through lower operating costs, increased productivity, longer employee retention and less sick time. 

• Rule 8: Save and manage water

  Water conserving irrigation systems, waterless urinals, recycled water for landscape.

• Rule 9: Use alternative materials

  Low emission paints, strawboard made out of wheat.

• Rule 10:Construct green

  Construction process control, recycle waste, recycle at least 50% of its waste

 

Source: Building the Green Way – Charles Lockwood (HBR:R0606J)

This was one of my favorite projects to work on. Designing it was an educating experience in itself. The client was Micro Technologies, a software firm which did business globally. The function of the office spaces was to adapt to its ever changing needs. The concept was of a circular lobby entrance opening to a series of offices with a central corridor. As the concept evolved with the clear geometric forms , InfoTech park got a character of its own. The internal floor beams were tried to be kept consistent as the internal wall locations were not fixed and the spaces wanted flexibility. If you compare my original sketch and see the actual completed structure u could come to know the whole process.

Location: Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Client: http://www.microtechnologies.net/index.asp

Initial Sketch

 

Finished Project

 

I began my career in Bombay, India. I worked for Late Architect Satish Haware for 5 years at the beginning of my career. I knew Satish as I had been an Intern in my vacation time at his Vashi office. He was more of mentor to me and has an influence over my career in more ways then one. The firm grew from a 5 person firm to a whole some 200+ employees in a matter of3 years. The construction scene at that time in Bombay was very interesting. The real estate rates were touching the sky and the market was under recession during late 90’s.Bombay was bursting out of its seams and had all the problems faced by a growing city. This was right around the onset of software boom which changed the whole face of the economy. There were a lot of facilities and commercial office spaces designed for the new era professionals in the software industry. Massive software parks which were essentially huge buildings with glass facade. I see it clearly in my head when I had started working on my first project in Kharghar, New Mumbai which is the satellite town for Mumbai we had to find our site from a site marker wooden stick. This was all based on assumptions; there were no roads or street lights. There was acre and acres of land as far as your eyes could see. Slowly and steadily over the years we had done many residential towers (approx. 10 per year). I have seen this city grow in front of my eyes. I see after 3 years the city is close to being a concrete jungle. I see how globalization has imbibed thru the texture of the society. It’s a global city with upscale fashion boutiques and malls along with hotels and designers all around the globe. I was talking to myself when I was visiting it after staying almost 2 years in US, wait a minute is this the same city!!!! Gosh its changed a lot. It has a definitive skyline. I am proud to say that I had a say in defining the skyline of this city. What else could an Architect’s soul ask for? Kudos to a mesmerizing city and thanks a bunch to everybody who made it possible.