The Squid stories: architecture

Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts

Nr°33-Image of the day

Look good at this picture.
Yes, you see it right?
There is an entire villa built on this 26 floor apartment block.

Over a period of 6 six years Zhang Biqing-a doctor in Beijing-constructed a 'villa in a montain' on the rooftop of his own building.

The guy had no building permission what so ever, but could keep on building without any interference of the city authorities.

A sign of times, where people live next to each other without knowing what the other does and not even care?

It's unbelievable that such a construction can be build without anybody taking notice. Now that the inhabitants of the building are aware of the 'fata morgana-like' dream house above their head, they start protesting.

A little to late to react in times where mass-city individualization is spreading like a virus.

But, let's face it, it creates weird, intriguing images that are proof of human's imagination, creativity and drive. And that counts for something too.

Zhang Biqing Beijing villa on rooftop building

Picture Fubiz

http://www.fubiz.net

Nr°27-image of the day

Always been a huge fan of Tadao Ando, a Japanese, strong minimalist architect, with a very personal aesthetic signature.

As the image of the day (This section on my blog I really want to explore more, I promise) I selected this beautiful image of a RANCH Ando designed for Mister Aesthetic Tom Ford himself.

A strong statement in the desert on the dusty grounds of New Mexico, where this luxe ranch completes the scenic views of Ford’s Santa Fe residence.

Bijschrift toevoegen

Enjoy the the quiet power from these minimal but very poetic lines, shades and volumes that brings peace and silence in everybody's, work-stressed head.

I would work for me....

Images: Vogue Paris

Nr°23 Image of the day

Just stunning: the 'vieux port pavilion' by foster + partners.

Located in Marseille in la douce France

Look at the horizontal plane of stainless steel that mirrors
the quayside and pedestrian traffic in a most breathtaking way.

This project is part of a greater revitalization effort
of some Marseille area's.
The mirrored, covered zone is envisioned as an event space and
possible market place where the pavilion reflects
beautifully the bustling port in Marseille. It's great to see
spectators become part of the landscape experience.

Next time you visit Marseille, check it out and make some
reflection pictures!

Some technical info?
The 46 by 22 meter canopy is made of highly polished stainless
steel such that it reflects the inverted pedestrian area and

harbor at the water's edge.
The landscape design was developed by Michel Desvigne and
includes a subtle granite surface.

Nr°19-Image of the day

As Snow took over the public life in Belgium, I couldn't resist in posting this image. What a great, surreal concept house!
The guys from the milano-based architecture group Santambrogiomilano designed these transparent glass houses that fit into nature almost anywhere around the world.

image © santambrogiomilano

Inhabitants immerse completely in nature, they become one with their surroundings, and if you have the privilege to have a piece of land that isolated, do not hesitate!
For all types of houses, every component of the dwellings, except for the ground floor, is composed of structural glass pieces. The 'snow house' for instance could be located in colder climates and is constructed of thicker panes capable of withstanding
larger loads from snow.
What about some wanted privacy*? Special glass panels instantly turn matte and sliding curtains make it possible to further close off specific rooms.

image © santambrogiomilano

* People who want privacy in this kind of house, didn't get the concept though.

http://www.santambrogiomilano.it

Nr°12 Image of the day

Louvre-Lens, this means the famous Louvre museum in a tiny, (in)dusty little town called Lens. We visited this new born yesterday with the kids Iman and Maui.
So, the image of the day needed to be our son, posing in front of the museum, in the pouring rain....

The museum 'satellite' is been open for a few days (December 12th 2012), and The inhabitants of Lens don't have a clue what is happening lately: 'bus loads' of people landing in their village, looking for that brand new, all ready famous museum by the Japanese architects SANAA: Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa based in Tokyo (SANAA associated with architects Imrey-Culbert (New York) and landscape architect Catherine Mosbach (Paris)).
SANAA is a Japanese architectural company, noted for their ethereal designs.
The size? 28,000 square meters of usable space built on two levels, with semi-permanent exhibition space covering at least 6000 m².
Top pieces? Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People as the star exhibit in the first tranche of paintings on view, And leonardo's The Virgin and Child with St Anne in this first temporary exhibition.

More images: as the exhibit was so crowdy, the weather so shity, we didn't make that much pictures. We go back this summer, when the first hype is over, the sun sets the architecture back in value and the green landscape architecture is more finished...

Here are some of the rainy, crowded pictures, as an appetizer...

Rio in Ghent-a life inspiration day

It-bag shoppers paradise in Ghent!

Photo Kate Stockman

Normally you have to book a trip to designers heaven cosmo's like Milano, Paris, or for my part NY city to lay your hands on thé bag of the season that makes your heart melt. (No, we don't count instant gratification non-personal online stores)

Not any more girls!

Ghent-my-city has a new spot that absolutely must be visited.

I know, not easy to find at this very moment: the entire facade is covered with scaffolding but once you fought your way in, you're welcomed by the lovely Christina in her warm, calming, very stylish store.

Without a doubt, you recognize the hand of Glenn Sestig. (Tip 1: Check when you enter the very 70 ties fabulous doorknob in agate stone! Love it.)

Photo Kate Stockman

Besides the good selection of arm and hand candy( Yves Saint Laurent, Comme des Garçons, Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Maison Michel, Stella McCartney and Repossi), you'll find the jewels of the moment, scarfs, belts and other must-have accessories.

One bag caught my eye: Stella's Fallabella non leather bag in grey. Wishlist hit number one.

But hey..., I also LOVE the McQueen clutch in black fur (one day, I'll be the very proud owner of one), and the Maison Michels bunny/cat ears in lace.
When my stuff from McQueen ( scull scarfs, rings or other) needs replacement, this is a close by first aid address.

Why Rio? The great 80 ties song Rio by the 'glamrockers' Duran Duran could be a perfect excuse, but there's an easier explanation. Shop owner Christina has Brazilian roots so this store brings a little Rio glam vibe to Ghent. Thank you!

http://www.riostore.be

Rio, Lange Kruisstraat 29, Gent

Hi, my name is Kate Stockman.

I am an creative, intuitive thinker & trend forecaster who believes in cross-disciplinary solutions.
I have a passion for future brand development, fashion, art and powerful through-the-line-communication.

I always had multiple sensors, ‘aerials’ or ‘antennas’ as I call them, to feel what’s going on in the world, what is coming and why.
From fashion, over design, food, modern art, communication to psychology, nightlife and science connected with nature. It always felt natural.

That’s why I founded my own creative trend company and this blog.

Enjoy.

The Squid Stories is an interdisciplinary blog magazine focusing on the interaction between design, art, fashion, shops, travel, communication and developments in consumer behaviour.

If I look at art, fashion, design and food trends, all signs direct in the same direction. We are restoring society with all the means we have.
That’s the good news.

The Squid Stories tries to catch urban and rural vibes on contemporary culture that surrounds us.
Founded in 2010, the blog started as a diary/playground/time capsule to document my inspiration-filled days and took a next step in 2014 towards Kate’s weekly report on contemporary culture.

DISCLAIMER

As my roots lie in photography, most of the pictures of this blog are my own. I’ve always been a true Nikon lover, so all photographs are taken with the beautiful white Nikon J1 or with my professional Nikon D80. Off course, being an ‘Instagramer’ of the first hour, my I-phone also serves frequently as a third black box.

Besides that, The Squid Stories carefully selects images and adds links to the original source, to give credit where credit is due. If you happen to come across an image with any missing information, please contact me to fix it.