Andrea Giannotti

Grey Brick Galleries, Red Brick Galleries, Three Shadows Photographic Centre by Ai Weiwei at Cao Chang Di, Beijing

red-brick-courtyards-(18) — Red Brick Galleries

Architect: Fake Design, Ai Weiwei
Location: Cao Chang Di, Beijing
Photographs: Li Shi Xing, Andrea Giannotti

Beijing urban expansion _
The fast and enormous urban development of Beijing has transformed the city into a metropolis made of suburban residential compounds, abandoned industrial plants, community housing blocks from the 70s-80s and popular self-grown villages. A mix of high rise residential areas, business districts, impressive infrastructures enclosing spontaneous house areas surviving the demolition and renovation dictated by the construction market. The population has grown from 1 to 18 millions in 60 years, and the size of the city has reached 5 times the ancient capital within the walls – the 2nd Ring Road.

The urban expansion, mostly based on imported urban models and low quality constructions, has been exploding in the past 30 years, and it is rooted with political and economical decisions, as well as local culture and history. Briefly, Beijing is a stunning showcase of urban consequences happening in the world’s first growing economy, during an explosive industrial revolution.

House in Ookayama / Torafu Architects

Architects: Torafu Architects
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Structural Design: OHNO-Japan
Lighting: Maxray
Fabric Design: Nuno
Project Year: 2010
Project Area: 105 sqm
Photographs: Daici Ano

AD Classics: St. Mary Cathedral / Kenzo Tange

Feb 23 -
Andrea Giannotti -
AD Architecture Classics Featured Religious Architecture

1351951451_f309956eb6_o_scarletgreen — © Scarletgreen

There are some buildings that do not belong to any time or age. The Saint Mary Cathedral of Tokyo by Kenzo Tange is definitely one of these. Of course materials and technologies make it recognizable as a project of the 20th century, but we could easily say that this project has been built yesterday the same as 50 years ago. It’s not usual, in terms of the quality of architecture. And it is not the only quality of this project.

More after the break.

New Art Museum / SANAA

Architect: SANAA
Location: 235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
Client: New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York City; Zubatkin Owner Representation
Project Leadership: Saul Dennison, Chairman, Board of Trustees, New Museum; Lisa Phillips, Toby Devan Lewis Director, New Museum; Lisa Roumell, Deputy Director, New Museum
Architect of record: Gensler Architects
Project Management: Plaza Construction Corporation, New York City

Structural engineers: Guy Nordenson Associates, Simpson Gumperts & Heger Inc., New York City
Lights and illumination: Arup
Constructed area: 58,700 sq ft
Year of enchargement: 2002
Year of completion: 2007
Photographs: Iwan Baan, Dean Kaufman, Benoit Pailley

AD Interviews: Maurice Nio

C_03-Thurlow — © Courtesy of Maurice Nio

In the Dutch architectural scene, beside the famous offices and well known practices, there is a list of young architects which catch the attention of the critics because of their outstanding conceptual approach and realized works. Maurice Nio is one of the most interesting architects of his generation. During an interview with him, we analyzed some of his works, regarding conceptual meaning, architectural aspects, and realized results.

His interest in cinema, writings and “contemporary sub-culture” have been evident since his final project at TU Delft – a house for Michael Jackson. Mixing up and recalling other fields than architecture is a constant mark in his works. Not only in naming the projects. The Cyclops.

MAXXI Museum / Zaha Hadid Architects

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Location: Rome, Flaminio, Italy
Client: Ministero Beni e Attività Culturali – Fondazione MAXXI
Structural engineers: Anthony Hunts Associates OK Design Group
Lights and illumination: Equation Lighting
Year of enchargement: 1999
Year of completion: 2009
Constructed area: 27,000 sqm
Photographs: Iwan Baan

Muziekgebouw / 3XN

Architect: 3XN
Location: Piet Heinkade 1, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Client: Geemente Amsterdam
Structural engineers: ABT BV, Netherlands
Year of enchargement: 1997
Year of completion: 2005
Constructed area: 15,000 sqm
Photographs: Andrea Giannotti

Hotel Fouquet Barrière / Edouard François

Jun 13 -
Andrea Giannotti -
Hotels and Restaurants Refurbishment Selected Works

Architect: Edouard François
Location: Paris, France
Client: Groupe Lucien Barrière, Groupe ACCOR
Structural engineers: COTEBA Ingénierie
Decorations: Jacques Garcia
Gardens: Pré Carré, Marc Vatinel
Lights and illumination: Light CIBLES, Louis Claire
Year of enchargement: 2003
Year of completion: 2006
Constructed area: 18,000 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of Agence Edouard François

Church of 2000 / Richard Meier & Partners Architects

Architects: Richard Meier and Partners, New York, USA
Location: Tor Tre Teste, Rome, Italy
Client: Vicariato of Rome
Structural engineers: Ove Arup and Partners, Italcementi
Mechanical engineers: Ove Arup and Partners, Luigi Dell’Aquila
Concrete prefabricated panels: Italcementi
Lights and illumination: FMRS, Erco
Year of the competition: 1996
Year of completion: 2003
Constructed area: 830 m2 church, 1671 m2 parish complex
Photographs: Andrea Giannotti, Gabriele Rossetti

Located in the eastern suburban area of Rome, the Church of 2000 “Dives in Misericordia” by architect Richard Meier is the first realized work of the American architect in the Italian capital, followed by the Ara Pacis Museum (2005).