Meet Joe (and Josie) Blog

Today I received in the mail the March 2010 issue of Plan Magazine -- the one out of Ireland, not Italy. The cover story asks, "Could design blogs change the way we understand and produce architecture?" and features five blogs (Archi-Ninja, The Architecture of Fear, BLDGBLOG, we make money not art) including yours truly. Cover ninja Linda Bennett posts some details on the feature.



This article on blogs comes almost three years after Postopolis! and an Architect Magazine feature (Meet the Bloggers) both examined the popularity and influence of architecture-related blogs. Obviously their popularity hasn't let up, and the number of them (see my sidebar) just keeps getting higher and higher, particularly as more architects end up out of work and need something to fill their newly found free time. As well many blogs are now put out by practicing architects, in most cases as an extension of marketing but in others as a means for exploration.

The Plan Magazine feature also coincides with invitations to a couple panel discussions, one on architectural publishing and the other on the role of writing in architectural practice. (More details on these events I'll be participating will be posted soon.) Suffice it to say that the importance of blogs is still strong, and their role in architecture continues to be investigated.

Today's archidose #401

ASU Mesa Upper Floor Split View Down, originally uploaded by ken mccown.

ASU Polytechnic Academic Buildings by Lake|Flato Architects in collaboration with RSP Architects, 2008.

To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:

:: Join and add photos to the archidose pool, and/or
:: Tag your photos archidose

What next, custom vans?

Here's a project I found on Architizer that makes me wonder about web sites where users can input whatever they want.


['66 Ford Mustang Restoration]

So, who will be the first to post their custom van on Architizer?

Mini 56 Leonard Street

The last half of 2008 saw the unveiling of two superstar condo developments for Manhattan: 56 Leonard Street by Herzog & de Meuron and 23 East 22nd Street by OMA. Not surprisingly each project fizzled in the ensuing economic downturn; the release of the projects in September coincides with the federal government bail out of AIG, not a good omen.

While the city will probably never see these shifted and leaning buildings on their skyline, one lucky person can own one of the three hundred lucite models made for 56 Leonard Street in an ebay auction ending Wednesday. The 20" tall model is composed of 58 stacked pieces of the transparent material that lock into a full-height core also made of lucite. The model also includes a miniature Anish Kapoor scultpture at the base and a handy carrying case lined with foam for safe keeping. The case is emblazoned with words about the development that are composed into a profile of the building.


[56 Leonard St. Building Model (Herzog & de Meuron) | image source]

Those interested in buying the model have until Mar 17, 2010 09:14:09 PDT. The Current bid is $605.00.

(via Archinect)