a ditty of sorts

So I don't forget Architecture.

2011-01-22T03:04:00.003+06:00

I'm gonna have to start blogging again. Going off to a music school end of this month for about 6 months. Last 6 months have been HELL. And now, I'm scared I'll be out of touch with architecture education, which I will get back to in July!

So I'm gonna weekly review some work/ Artist/ Some f****** brilliant people and their creative work.

Hope that helps :)

Oh and I think I'm gonna call the blog something else now. But I know not what.

Self fashioned Islands

2008-07-30T03:33:00.005+06:00

First project in school. Believe me I don't wanna get this wrong. So We had to make a presentation on one of crazy primitive shelters. So, being obsessed with the Palms, I decided to take on their primitive form.

This is really cool. The first sort of man made islands were Crannogs. Existing in the Neolithic period, from the 3200-2800 BC, they belong to Scotland and Ireland. They were pretty conical thatches of Oak Piles and Wattle( which was a special adhesive that the people created by mixing Soil, Clay, Animal Dung and Straw) which were connected to the mainland by causeways made of stacked stones and wood. Ofcourse, the one in the picture is rather urban but I'm presuming that you get a fair idea of what its like.

The second one is cooler. Way way cooler. These Islands are not supported from the ground, they are movable, and are floating. They are the Uros islands on the lake Titicaca, Peru. The islands are made of dried Bundled Reeds of the Totora plant. So much so, that the Houses, the boats and everything else is made from this plant. It grows in abundance on the Titicaca Lake itself. There are currently 30 huge islands, they have ofcourse evolved and now, people have access to radios and Television also.
!!!

Freshmen at College

2008-07-28T23:08:00.001+06:00

First day of college, always begins with anxiousness even if you've been to college before. So did mine. [ FYI Indian colleges have a tradition of 'ragging' which involves the senior students taking the freshmen s' ass right left and center. And it can go to extreme extents. Due to this conduct over many many years , our guardian Supreme Court has labeled it as an act of offense and considers it to be punishable. But, as other things too, its not very uncommon to see stuff like this happening illegally. Plus it's an old tradition, and if conducted in limits, can break the ice easily between the freshmen and seniors. ]
So, I definitely was anxious about being ragged. But having professors by your side all throughout orientation was a fun experience, the seniors wanted to kill us :)
My day started with Garam Chai (hot tea) and yummy Pakoras and ended with yummier Strawberry Popsicles.

College is definitely going to be hectic, 9 to 5 schedule. The best part of the day was STATIONARY SHOPPING! oh Lovely. How lovely. I spent gorgeous 90 mins in that shop. :) Was still not satisfying enough. I'm not going to put anything major in today's article, though we did start with classes and asssignments are pouring in already, I'm gonna write about my first assignment tomorrow, when I shall have researched on it. What do you guys have to say about primitive shelters?

Tomorrow

2008-07-27T20:07:00.000+06:00

College starts tomorrow! :) woohoo

Architecture planning and the School associated with it

2008-07-15T00:11:00.003+06:00

Okay, So I post after almost a month and a half, purely because I was literally consumed by the process of 'admissioning'; and when you're consumed by something, you either want to write or simply don't want to write. I was going through the phase that involved the latter.

So my results are out, and I get to stay in my hometown for the next 5 years! As I'm gonna be pursuing architecture at the School of planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Its the best college in this country for Architecture and the faculty is supposed to be awesome apparently. I can't wait for it to start, really. Just anyone please suggest me what kind of a table I should be buying for my hostel to work on.

My East Asian adventure was AWESOME > though the sad part is that I ruined my dear dear Canon baby in the ocean but nevertheless, My friend who accompanied me did click a lot of pretty shots. And I seriously wanna go back to Clarke Quay. Oh my god, loved the night life. Loved it. And I'll post more really soon, really really soon.

College Search

2008-05-23T00:46:00.004+06:00

I don't think I will end up doing college in Fall 2008, I want to do so much more. I SO want to apply to RISD, but ouch! the tuition hurts. Besides I really want to start an NGO which I have been thinking about for a long time and I myself want to volunteer at the commonwealth games, Pune, India this year. And I want to sing, get my 8th grade trinity exams done with. There's just so much to do. WHERE can I start my studies in the spring semester 2009?

Anyhow, you guys , all of you who're already studying design or architecture, or are practicing, can attend the Architecture Association, London's amazing visiting student programs. At their last Winter visiting program, they had Rem Khoolas as a lecturer! what the heck.
This http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/?section=school&page=Visiting%20Programmes&sst=2
is where you need to click.

Oh and I'm getting ready for my East Asian adventure which begins on the 26th! so yippie! can't wait. I'll be visiting Singapore, KL, Genting, PJ, Cyberjaya and Langkawi! I'm gonna be GLUED to my Cannon. :)

the power of ZERO

2008-05-18T21:43:00.007+06:00

Today I was watching one of those public opinion shows on TV about how to slow down ecological destruction, and saw this young boy chattering to a camera man about how he wished someone could design a house which would be powered by renewable energy sources. Well, I am proud to break the news to you, young fellow, if you're reading my blog, ahem, that such a house does exist!
A house that generates its own electric power, collects its own water, processes its own waste and that is fully automatic! I'm talking about the zero house! Its unbelievable. Its an ecological haven designed by Scott Specht. And is by far the greatest service an architect has done to the environment.

The cool part is that it can be erected , assembled and installed in almost any environmental condition which can range from 10 feet deep water to 35 degrees tilted ground. This is possible due to its unique helical foundation system which touches ground at only 4 points.

It is Fully furnished with electronic devices such as a 42" LCD TV a full size refrigerator and is almost maintainance-free. The exteriors of the house are impregnable to almost all outside influences, It possesses comfortable interiors that can house up to 4 adults, is extremely secure, and it can be left inhabited for long periods of time. The best part is that it can be put on to the hibernating mode where it conserves the stored energy. You can check it out by clicking on the zero house link above. Its estimated to sell like hot cakes since it was designed but the only problem is that it costs $350 thousand +. Ouch!

Sculptors? or Architects?

2008-05-16T22:49:00.006+06:00

So, what exactly is the difference between a sculptor and an architect? An architect is caged by function whereas a sculptor is an artist. Art has no boundaries whereas an architect has to inculcate art in engineering. And after coming across ONL, Oosterhuis_Lenard, A firm with a visionary sculptor and a devoted architect both working together.
Apart from the insect like wedding chapel I had earlier posted about, another project of theirs that I am a total fan of is the multi purpose Hessing Cockpit in Acoustic Barrier, Utretch, Netherlands.
It is a massive steel and glass structure which was built to separate districts from the industrial ones by dampening sound. It is a 1.5km long acoustic barrier and an industrial building of 5000m2 which is home to some of the world's most exclusive automotive monsters. Hessing shows off Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati all under one roof. And, under the spectacular 3d track of the showrooms, the workshop and the garage are located, just revealing the top of the cars the mechanics are working on .

And ONL gives lectures at the Delft university, Germany. Dear Lord, I wish I had the privilege to go to a place of this sort. The other day I read somewhere that Zaha hadid herself gives lectures at Pratt, NYC and Rem Khoolas (!) gives lectures at the GSD, Harvard. Wow Wow Wow! I'm not going to attend these colleges but I'm sure I'm going to apply for exchange once I go to college again. :)

Brainteasers!

2008-04-07T01:32:00.005+06:00

Dear dear all. I greatly apologise for my absence, but I had nowhere to blog from. My computer was not working. I actually spent my time in front of puzzles rather than sitting in front of my mac, and blimey, I feel creatively worked out! brain teasers are a great way to exercise the left and the right sides of your brain at the same time!
So , I'm gonna tell you about some sites that you can task your analytical and problem solving skills with. OK the graphics of the sites are unpleasant, but hey! don't let that get to you.

Puzzles1
Puzzles2
Puzzles3

And if you're in for some more, and want to create your own anagrams, secret puzzles, word scrmbles sliders, word paints, you could do that too!

APTE
Archemedes-Lab
Crosswords

Lemme in on more creativity enhancing sites if u do and Enjoy untwisting the twisted!

Pritzker!

2008-04-02T04:34:00.006+06:00

OK so I was hearing a lot about the Pritzker prize being awarded to Mr. Jean Nouvel, (which is actually history now, as it feels like I haven't posted in years) and decided to find out a little more about it for the sake of satisfying my dear inquisitive grace :)
The Pritzker is awarded once a year to only one living architect for his outstanding work which yawps out talent, commitment and vision in the art of architecture, one who has contributed significantly to the human society through the same.

It is sponsored by the Hyatt Foundation and has the most gorgeous medallion there is. There has been only lady to receive this honor and that was Ms. Zaha Hadid back in 2004. Her famous projects being : Glasgow Transport Musem , Scotland; Nordkettenbahn (aerial tramway) , Innsbruck, Austria; Nuragic and Contemporary art museum, Cagliari, Italy; Maggie's centre at the Victoria Hospital , Kirkcaldy,Scotland; High speed train station of Afragola , Italy; BMW Central , Leipzig, Germany.

The list of others who have been honored with this prize includes Rem Khoolas, Jorn Utzon, Phillip Johnson, and many others. Can't get my eyes off the damn medallion. Its B-E-A-U-tiful! :)

Dedon

2008-03-29T01:16:00.003+06:00

Some extravagant pieces of outdour comfort by Dedon. I won't write too much. The designs shout the talent out . The furniture is hand woven made of fiber that is eco friendly, very flexible, reflects UV radiation, colour fast and not to forget very pretty. The weaving especially is unique and very beautiful. Check out their new collection on their site.

Ultimate amongst peaks

2008-03-26T17:57:00.009+06:00

eVolo Architecture was formed by a group of architects directing towards sustainable architecture in the 21st century.Each year they host a skyscraper Competition! Yeah a sky scraper competion for students, architects, designers, engineers, whoever would want to participate and create something innovative and creative that is technologically feasible and environmentally responsible. Some great pieces of art have been shortlisted and you can view them on the site.

This year, for 2008, the 1st prize was won by Elie Gamburg, who is a student of Cornell university
The 2nd was won by Rugel Chiriboga and Ted Givens. Some Fantabulous pieces of work there.
One that I personally am in awe of is the Urban Sky Mountain by Natalie Ghatan.
The eVolo book is also available on the site which has details of every winning and shortlisted entry full with 240 illustratons. And shipping is available to any part of the world.
This site is a must visit.

Manga Comics

2008-03-23T20:27:00.007+06:00

Graphic Novels are my favorite. My brother was a die hard fan of comics but he somehow ended up transferring his love to me. He no longer reads anything. Ashish you really need to get involved with books again.
Anyway, SO I read this series of manga comics called Miki Falls by Mark Crilley a long time ago. Borrowed them from my little cousin. They're for teens actually. They're really cute!
What got me to read them were these wonderful tutorials on 'how to draw manga figures' which are posted on YouTube by the author. Check out his YouTube Channel. If you practice, You can actually learn how to draw Manga figures. These tutorials are Awesome.

UNREAL??ONREEL!

2008-03-19T22:38:00.004+06:00

Ever wondered how superman movies show superman flying? or how harry potter's Wand is able to produce those flashes of light, or further so, how in those supercool muzic videos, the artist visualises stuff, pops in and out of his dream, walks on water, and lightens up the background.
I'm not talking about Animation, I'm talking about Movie effects. I came accross this great video which is actually GenArts ' Demo reel. They provide digital artists with more than 200 awesome image processing and synthesis effects. They've got some really cool effects in this video. Enough to pop your eyes out 8-D.

P.S. Sorry couldn't upload it because of the size. But DO NOT hesitate to follow up the link to youtube.

Climbing the never ending staircase

2008-03-18T23:57:00.009+06:00

He's one of the greatest graphic artists in the history of mankind.
M.C. Escher's work is savored by people throughout the world and I love his work especially that in Isometry, Geometry and perspective. Isometry being my favorite subject, I was obsessed with his work in college.
I'm not going to write much , and let his work do the talking.

The Ascending Descending staircase and the never ending waterfall are works of his that almost everyone has scene but no one knows are his. Check out his gallery for more works.
P.S. Please look at his works carefully to understand.

Getting married in THERE

2008-03-17T23:21:00.004+06:00

Another prospective wonder from ONL, This ones called the Wedding chappel . Still not finalised yet (been in the future projects list since 2007), it is tentative to be built in Nanjing, China.

Its about 450 m square in space. And is going to be one of the most bizarre acrchitectural designs ever.Its unusual, distinct and extraordinary.

Apparently, the Wedding Chapel structure is a direct translation of an intuitive 3d sketch by Ilona Lénárd on a 3d digitaliser. The continuous curve thus created has been literally used for the construction of the Chappel.

Between certain section of the curves ONL has created double curved surfaces which form the envelope of the enclosed space for the wedding ceremony. A curved path patiently curls up from the landscape into the Wedding Chapel. And the colourful bits and pieces that you see are going to be stained glass.

Lets hope to see people get married in this insect like thing! :)

phOtOjOjO!

2008-03-16T22:16:00.005+06:00

Okay, This is my favourite photography newsletter, and I totally suggest you guys to subscribe to it. Its full of funky DIY projects dealing with your photos, great Tips, Cool competitions and news thats unprocessed.
You subscribe via email, u get it twice a week or you can go for the RSS feed! Check it out

DezeenJobs

2008-03-12T22:15:00.004+06:00

This is the place to be if you're looking for Art, Design and Architecture internships; or for that matter even jobs. Its quite cool.

Santiangelo?

2008-03-11T23:23:00.008+06:00

His work speaks for him, and the critics have tagged him as the Michelangelo of the 21st Century. Santiago Calatra va - I personally revere his work immensely. and can definitely say every architect looks up to him as he is not just an architect, but also a structural engineer. Everything that he has built or rather designed has a class to it. It is said that he chooses his project with utmost meticulousness and works on them with even more sincerity and devotion. His way of designing is not the same as the others and he builds one of a kinds projects with the essence of structural engineering highly evident.
Be it 80,South Street which a residential project consisting of 45 glazed cubes stuck together in an atypical way, or Chicago spire which looks like a pirouetting bar of candy floss or the Reggio Emila Station (Station Medio Padana) which I insist, you must check out are all unique pieces of art. [There is no separate site for the station as it is under construction so you can check it out on Santiago Calatrava's site].
When I heard that Calatrava addressed students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technolgy giving a series of lectures, I was indeed Green with envy. I can go on for hours talking about his work at the same time praising them. Please please please check out his work. You don't want to miss out on this.

Just ONE %

2008-03-10T22:30:00.008+06:00

I recently visited my friend for lunch, when I saw the beamingly exhibited Fruit Template on the Table which her Mother got from Tokyo. Its a one of its kind Fruit holder. As I wouldn't like to call it a fruit bowl. I inquired about it a little and found out that it's designed by another Japanese Product design firm called 1% Products. Their concept is rather cool as they manufacture only 100 of their uniquely designed products so that the customer becomes the owner of 1% of the entire edition.
They've got a limited stock (obviously) but very little number of products. Some are very neat, modern whereas some do not score. Have a look at it.
.

YUMMY Pencils ! Which I CANT WAIT to get my hands on.

2008-03-09T20:16:00.010+06:00

First of all I would like to apologize to all my readers , *I'm Sorry for the Absences*, I did not have access to an Internet connection for the past 3 days.
And I am so excited about the article that I'm writing today that I hardly wish to make up for my 3 pending articles. All Chocolate lovers are going to love this!
NENDO is a Design Collaboration that I came across recently, It's a Japanese organization consisting of designers who want to make a difference to the lives of people who choose Nendo .
Check out their concept for sure. And other works- the Bookshelf, the tea bottle the tetris , All their architecture, furniture etc. they're worth checking out and are all on the site.

One of their most recent works include the 'chocolat e pencils' that make your mouth water. No, you can not draw or write with them, they are designed as tableware . The artists at Nendo wanted their plates to show off the beauty of meals and desserts like a painting on a canvas. And that's how they came up with the chocolate pencils. Apparantly you also get a sharpner free!! :) which yeilds chocolate shavings that you can decorate your dessert with. I definitely want this on my dining table!

CompeTe for Ts

2008-03-05T21:55:00.005+06:00

Seems like T-Shirts are in unprecedented demand. If you guys wanna try your luck at "Design T Competitions" then blimey, you gotta lotta options to place your hands upon.

First is the Spread Firefox Campaign. You get a chance to show off your creativity and promote the many benefits of your favorite browser as part of the Firefox 3 T-Shirt Design Contest. The winning design will be featured as the official Firefox 3 T-Shirt in the Mozilla Store. You will receive worldwide recognition for your work, and an opportunity to win awesome Prizes!
TeeTonic is a nonstop T-shirt design competition site on the web! .

3. The NEENTEEN contest is great for CHILDREN. 13-16 year olds are placed in a different category and so are 17-20 year olds.

4. Also, If you think time's not a problem for you and you can compile your designs in 2 days or less then the Fashion Bomb T-shirt design Contest is the one for you.5. You could also Check out Graniph

6. And if you like to contribute to your society, then you can definitely do so by participating in this competition. The AIDS Walk of Oklah oma City graphic design contest is open through April 15. The winning full-color design will be used on the 2008 T-shirt and poster.AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in the greater Oklahoma City community.

happy T-ing!

A Cube Of H2O

2008-03-04T22:11:00.000+06:00

Its called the Water Cube, and is by far one of the best works done by the PTW Architects. They have Collaborated with CSCEC and ARUP.

Its located in Beijing, China and is going to be functional as the National Swimming Center for the Beijing Olympics 2008.

The building will use solar energy to heat the pools and the interior area, and all backwash water is to be filtered and returned to the swimming pools.

It's definitely a treat for one's eyes. You can read about it on the PTW site or ARUP site. Or you can even check it out here.

SIDEways

2008-03-03T22:48:00.000+06:00

My Ex-Roomie had this awesome Nail Chipper which she bought from I dunno where. But after some search on the internet I found that you could get it here. Its a Sideways nail Chipper. Its SOO convenient. I wonder why regular nail Chippers are still being manufactured.

Instituto Europeo di Design

2008-03-01T23:38:00.000+06:00

IED is known all over the world, and it's giving out scholarships to people all over the world. Yes you heard me right. All over the world. So to all secondary school students, here's chance to prove your potential and go ahead participate in "Design your own world".Check it out.

STREET ART!

2008-02-29T16:33:00.000+06:00

For those of you who love graffiti, well here's an interview with DOMA, a group of Argentine artists who started in the Street-Art scene in 1998.
The Members are Mariano Barbieri, Julian Pablo Manzelli, Matias Vigliano and Orilo Balndini.
Its
insightful I must say. Check it out.
http://www.illustrationmundo.com/wp/62

Stirringly Froggy!

2008-02-28T20:21:00.001+06:00

I was going through my Dad's posts when I came accross an article on Serie Architects and I decided to check them out for my self. And voila! Something I would definitely like to post on my Blog. They've recently done a music lounge called the Blue Frog in Mumbai, India. Its Savvy, Its in your face, its Crazy and looks like a lot of fun!
They have actually managed to merge a theater, a restaurant, a bar and a club into a warehouse and at the same time maintained all the individual characteristics of each.
you have to check this out. Click here
Great going!

Panic Not

2008-02-28T03:54:00.001+06:00

Hey! Check this out! this website is probably the most colourful thing I've ever come across. And so pretty. For all those of you in the UK, Austrailia, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia this is a must to subscribe to.
It updates you weekly on events related to Art, Design, Permorming arts etc. You can even promote your own event free of cost!
It has numerous design competitions,events and contests for you to go check out. So what are you waiting for?
http://www.dontpanicmedia.com/

" People's Building"

2008-02-28T01:38:00.000+06:00

Can you actually believe this could possibly be one of the future architecture marvels created by the human race. Well, it is. Such a beautiful piece of art, also known as the people's building in Shanghai.
The team called PLOT = BIG + JDS, composed of twenty architects, is the creator of this innovative proposal for the Shanghai World Expo to be held in 2010.As it is still a proposal, I'm gonna cross my fingers for it to happen!
The building has a unique silhouette in the form of the Chinese symbol used for "people". It is defined as a union of 2 buildings that emerge from the land and water respectively.
The lower parts have apparantly to be transformed into Water culture house, Conference Centre,
As we go up the building, We get to see the Office space , the Lobby and the 1000 roomed Hotel!
For more information, Click here.

Objectivism (partly)

2008-02-19T03:28:00.000+06:00

I met 2 of my closest friends day before yesterday. Somehow it made me happier than I've ever been since I've dropped out of college. Though I Love the Solo time I'm exposing myself to, I do feel the yearn for a quick coffee sometimes with my fellow Sapiens. Anyway, Can't get my hands on Pride and Prejudice. ITs just Sad so I've picked up Gone with the Wind. I wonder why I'm falling in love with Classics. Maybe THAT is why they're called so. Tee Hee.

So the meetings with the respective friends were successful. They totally satisfied my very craved needs to be included in our gregarious community. I somehow feel everyone I know living on the Earth's crust is just interlocking each other in this framework which just doesn't seem very well bound to me.

Ah, with this I shall proudly recall Ayn Rand's Fountainhead. WOW. A book, a mighty bible for those who consider themselves to be bound by their principles, never to be bought for no matter what, and carry an 'i am a genius attitude'. Howard Roark, the male lead is an architect who does not believe in compromise.His spirit, ego and exertion are unprecedented. He believes that selfish giftedness is the real future of the society and not benevolent altruism. He believes that it is a genius or a first grader who invents something after giving himself entirely up to his sole motive i.e. his work. And the second grader or the altruist, who, scared to give way to the first, talks of following after him, of giving up practices that man has been practicing since ages. He tells people to be selfless when the truth actually is that the society cannot move forward if the genius is not selfish and does not wish to churn out that-which is needed by the society.The genius is the one who works for himself and for no one else. Says Ayn Rand.

Her philosophy of Objectivism has swayed and stirred so many souls. I feel shes one of the greatest women who did what they had to do. She has been Great to have penned these books to pass on her thoughts to us. I really persuade all of you guy to pick up her books or at least read up a bit about Objectivism.I would like the last lines to be her dialogs. " The proper moral purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own happiness or "rational self-interest. "

My first blog!

2008-02-16T03:13:00.001+06:00

Oh yes! I did watch the BBC:1995 theatre adaption of Our beloved Jane Austin's Pride and prejudice. It is BEAUTIFUL. I think everyone should spare 7 hours out of their very busy existence and devote it to this pure and mighty dramatization. After watching the Drama I deeply regret not reading the book. Oh yes! please don't be too shocked. I have tried reading it many times but each time i found myself flipping pages till number 5 and then distancing it from myself.However, I do believe that if it were not for this drama series, I would not have at all gathered courage to pick up the book again.Colin Firth's skills are as fine as they can be, faultless, exemplary, unperturbed by influences. And Jennifer Ehle possesses this tranquil and lily white character of a woman who is indeed very well spoken and charming, but is also upright on her morals, does not believe the existence of the word called compromise and is determined to find her way through the world.I have deeply fallen in love with it and you would be surprised to know that I actually watched the whole thing all over again.

Though I strongly believe that any book that we read will always seem superior to its adapted movie version. It sometimes really scares me to watch a movie designed on a book. I'm scared to see how my eye is different from that which I see before me in the movie. Im scared that the essence that one feels in reading might be lost. A book is your own property. It for you to interpret for your self. Its for you to perceive and discern in any way you wish. Its for you to watch as it grows inside your gray matter. Its mysterious, exciting, creatively satisfying,and more than anything else personalized. And that is what makes me prefer them any day over movies.
On the other hand, a movie is what you see. you cannot decode it in your own manner, all you can do is to absorb and understand it.However, it is seeing and hearing. And, embracing 2 or more senses together triggers us to be receptive to feeling without touch. To let out emotions when we see someone else bursting with the same.It is such a powerful means of communication.Today everyone watches movies, who does not? wether or not they indulge in reading.

So I'm still gonna read Pride and prejudice though I feel its going to be not as much fun as it would have been had I not seen the movie. But I'm sure the ride's going to be Pleasurable :)