David McCrae’s Post

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao opened on this day in 1997. A truly striking building that represents one of the rare times when both architects and the general public agreed on a new work of contemporary architectural design being outstanding in a good way. It is widely recognised as one of the most important buildings of the past 50 years in terms of architectural impact. The two aspects of the design of the Guggenheim Bilbao that it is famed for are its shape and the cladding. The shape is evocative of a ship, suitable for its location in Bilbao's port area, with the museum rising right on the banks of the River Nervión. The cladding was revolutionary at the time, as most metal cladding of this type at the time was either copper or lead. Due to the potential toxicity of using those metals, tests were carried out to determine the best alternative. Eventually, titanium was chosen as the best material to withstand both the heat of the Basque summer and the wind and rain of its winter. In total, 33,000 titanium plates were made, each only 0.4mm thick. Being stronger than steel, the plates could be made much thinner and being only half the weight means the entire titanium shell for this huge building weighs in at just 60 tons. The architect, Frank Gehry, was called upon to repeat this feat of design a few more times in subsequent years with the owners wanting similar facades. Both the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Richard B. Fisher Center in New York have similar cladding, although in both cases stainless steel was chosen due to its lower cost compared to titanium. Photo by David Vives on Unsplash

Back in 1929, when the world was buzzing with the International Exposition fever, Barcelona's skyline welcomed a game-changer—the @barcelonapavilion. Designed by the visionary @miesvanderrohe, this architectural marvel wasn't just a building; it was a bold statement, a beacon of modernism rising amidst the chaos. Stepping into its sleek corridors felt like stepping into the future. Mies' genius lay in his simplicity—no frills, no fuss, just clean lines, and natural materials weaving a narrative of innovation. While other pavilions dazzled with art and sculptures, Mies kept it real—his Pavilion was a sanctuary, an escape from the exposition frenzy. Tucked away at the foot of the @nationalartmuseumofcatalonia and Montjuic, the Pavilion whispered tales of tranquillity amidst Barcelona's bustling streets. But like all good things, its time came to an end in 1930, dismantled after the expo curtain fell. Yet, the spirit of the Pavilion refused to fade. Fast forward to 1983, and a crew of bold Catalan architects took on the challenge of resurrecting this architectural icon. Armed with little more than old photographs and sheer determination, they breathed new life into Mies' vision. For any mid-century modern enthusiast worth their salt, a pilgrimage to Barcelona isn't complete without paying homage to this legend. As I strolled through its hallowed halls, I couldn't help but marvel at the audacity of those who dared to dream differently. The Barcelona Pavilion isn't just a building—it's a testament to the power of imagination, a reminder that sometimes, the boldest statements are made in the quietest corners. #modernistdesign #barcelonapavilion #23daze

Watch this

#snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking Its lighting, its sparkling lights, and its beacon shine and inspire dreams every evening. As France's symbol in the world, and the showcase of Paris, today it welcomes almost 7 million visitors a year (around 75% of whom are foreigners), making it the most visited monument that you have to pay for in the world.The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889.It Was Designed by Gustave Eiffel. ... It Took 22 Months to Complete. ... The Eiffel Tower Is Made of Iron. ... The Eiffel Tower Has Three Floors. ... It's as heavy as an Entire Freight Train. ... The Eiffel Tower Has to be Repainted Every 7 Years.The Eiffel Tower includes the Esplanade and three levels – the first floor, the second floor, and the summit. There are a couple of restaurants, a few eateries, a champagne bar, museum exhibits, a children's play area, souvenir shops, Gustave Eiffel's office, and an observation deck offering panoramic views of Paris.There are two main reasons the Eiffel Tower isn't on the most famous "7 Wonders" list: Age: The most well-known "7 Wonders of the World" refers to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, chosen in antiquity. These wonders, like the Great Pyramids of Giza, were all built thousands of years ago.In conclusion, the Eiffel Tower has become an enduring symbol of romance, capturing the hearts of people from all over the world. Its elegant design, stunning location, and rich history have all contributed to its appeal as a romantic destination, and its status as a cultural icon is unlikely to fade anytime soonHere another interesting fact about the Eiffel Tower: Its height changes with the seasons. If you're visiting in summer, the tower is actually taller as the iron structure expands up to 7 inches when temperatures are as high as 104°F. In winter, the cold weather causes the tower to shrink up to 6 inches.The Eiffel Tower has three floors: the first level, the second level, and the summit. The pillar elevators and stairs take you to the first and second levels. To reach the very top of the Tower, from the second floor platform you will need to locate the separate elevator to the summit.It's generally referred to as the secret apartment, but it was fairly well-known to the public that Eiffel had this space. It measured roughly 100 square meters (1,075 square feet), and included a workshop, living space, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and piano.What is on the top of the Eiffel Tower? A. The summit of the Eiffel Tower is the highest observation deck in Paris. This floor is home to the restored Gustave Eiffel's office, a 1:50 scale model of the Tower from 1889, and a champagne bar.

Casa Alma was a dedicated exhibition unit created for CASACOR, São Paulo’s premier festival of architecture and interior design, designed to provide a sensory environment where visitors could reconnect with their senses. This physical space explored perceptions and feelings through carefully curated textures and spatial design. Visitors wore Apple Watches that captured their heartbeats and movements, which were transformed into real-time artworks inspired by the design elements within Casa Alma. André Mattos and Gabriel Santos (GAN) led the creative and technical development for the data-driven art, producing over 1,600 unique artworks based on visitors' biometric data during the event. This project was completed in collaboration with Midiadub, Melina Romano Studio, and Dexco. What it's about: Art generated from visitors' sensations. We love this project for: Blending technology with personal experience. Things to watch out for: Real-time art reflecting heartbeats and movements. #Experiential #Generative #Interactive #Realtime #DataDriven #GANDirectors #CreativeTechnology #Immersive

🌆👽 A Glimpse of Earth... or an Alien Invasion? 👽🌆 I recently came across an image of a street in Macau, and the towering Grand Lisboa Casino in the background gave me a jolt of sci-fi vibes! 🚀✨ Imagine walking down a quiet street, and suddenly, this colossal, otherworldly structure looms over you, its futuristic design making it look as though an alien mothership has descended upon Earth. 🛸🌍 🔸 The Grand Lisboa’s golden spires and bold, shimmering facade seem almost like a beacon from another dimension, dwarfing the street below and creating a surreal contrast with the old-world charm of Macau’s narrow streets. 🏙️💫 🔸 It's a mix of past and future, tradition and technology—almost as if an extraterrestrial presence is about to announce itself, taking over the skyline. 👽✨ The towering structure appears to demand attention, much like the dramatic scenes we see in alien invasion movies! 💡 Architectural Impact: This photo is a powerful reminder of how design can evoke emotion, imagination, and even a sense of mystery. The ability of architecture to shape how we feel—whether through awe or intrigue—shows the universal language of structure and space. 🏗️🎨 Isn't it amazing how certain buildings can make you feel like you're in a different world? 🌍🤔 #Macau #Architecture #DesignInspiration #FuturisticDesign #GrandLisboa #AlienVibes

Casa Alma was a dedicated exhibition unit created for CASACOR, São Paulo’s premier festival of architecture and interior design, designed to provide a sensory environment where visitors could reconnect with their senses. This physical space explored perceptions and feelings through carefully curated textures and spatial design. Visitors wore Apple Watches that captured their heartbeats and movements, which were transformed into real-time artworks inspired by the design elements within Casa Alma. André Mattos and Gabriel Santos (GAN) led the creative and technical development for the data-driven art, producing over 1,600 unique artworks based on visitors' biometric data during the event. This project was completed in collaboration with Midiadub, Melina Romano Studio, and Dexco. What it's about: Art generated from visitors' sensations. We love this project for: Blending technology with personal experience. Things to watch out for: Real-time art reflecting heartbeats and movements. #Experiential #Generative #Interactive #Realtime #DataDriven #GANDirectors #CreativeTechnology #Immersive

I recently visited the stunning exhibition "Circle of Light" at Gropius Bau and I couldn't help but be captivated by the mesmerising round tubes and round holes by Nancy Holt. They have a captivating way of playing with the light in different moments of the day and also changes the perspective! 🌒🌓🌔🌕 For instance, when you look through this tube and catch a glimpse in the mirror, you witness yourself from an entirely distinct #perspective compared to any other point. The concept seems logical, but the actual impact it has is truly astonishing. This became so obvious when I attempted to capture this photograph... As I walked through the exhibition, these beautiful round tubes reminded me of something else: the round mirrors I used as wall decor.✨ The way the light reflected off the tubes created a mesmerising play of shadows and patterns, much like the way the mirrors enhanced the natural light in the apartment. It's incredible how art and design can make a difference and transform our surroundings and evoke different emotions. The exhibition offered a unique perspective, allowing me to see the world from a different point of view. It reminded me that even the simplest #objects can hold great beauty and significance when seen through the lens of #art. If you're in the area, I highly recommend visiting the "Circle of Light" exhibition. It's a truly immersive #experience that will leave you inspired and in awe of the power of light and perspective. 📍 Gropius Bau Exhibition: Circle of Light by Nancy Holt 🌟 #CircleOfLightExhibition #NancyHolt #ArtInspiration #DesignPerspective #Reflections #GropiusBau #TransformingSpaces #InspiredByArt #PointOfView #CreativeJourney

I recently read this fascinating article from #ArtBasel about Frank Gehry's collaboration with #LouisVuitton at Art Basel Paris: Art Basel Article on Frank Gehry. Gehry's new large-scale fish sculpture is not just an artistic marvel but a profound statement on the future of architecture and the importance of living in the "here and now." His approach is a reminder that we must be fully present, drawing inspiration from our environment and nature itself, rather than merely looking to the past. Gehry says, "If you feel the need to go back in time, don’t go to the Romans and the Greeks, go back 300 million years earlier to Fish!" This philosophy aligns perfectly with my belief that true innovation comes from embracing the moment we are in—acknowledging that every experience, every detail around us, holds the potential to inspire something extraordinary. In a world where it's easy to get caught up in trends and past influences, staying rooted in the present allows us to create designs and experiences that are timeless and impactful. How do you find inspiration in the everyday and stay present in your work? How does this approach transform your creativity? #ArtAndDesign #Innovation #Architecture #HereAndNow #Mindfulness #Miami #LasVegas #BeverlyHills#Artbasel https://lnkd.in/gNzE37J3

Innovation and Influence: Tartaria's influence on modern architecture and art is undeniable. 🖌️ 🏛️ This article delves into how the empire's aesthetic principles and technological advancements continue to inspire and inform contemporary works. Join us in exploring the timeless appeal of Tartarian aesthetics and how they enrich modern creative endeavors. Discuss the challenges and successes in reviving and preserving Tartarian culture for future generations. #ModernInfluence #ArtisticInspiration #CulturalPreservation https://bit.ly/43yVluh