Brian Pagnotta
2011 matR Project: “The Passage”
A team of graduate students recently created a temporary installation on the Kent State University, Kent campus in Ohio. The project grew out of an internal challenge in the matR design competition. Designed by graduate students Brian Thoma, Carl, Veith, Victoria, Capranica, Matt Veith, and Griffin Morris, the tunnel-like structure called “The Passage” was a study to support the conceptualization and actualization of innovative and experimental material research. The students created the initial form in Rhinoceros with a couple Grasshopper definitions as a waffle structure of 26 vertical ribs and 24 horizontal struts. More images and information after the break.
In Progress: Gateway Center Station / EDGE Studio, Pfaffmann & Associates
Architect: EDGE Studio, Pfaffmann & Associates
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
EDGE Studio Design Team: Gary Carlough AIA, Jonathan Golli, Matt Fineout AIA, Stephen Mrdjenovich
Pfaffmann & Associates Design Team: Rob Pfaffmann AIA, Carl Bergamini RA, Erik Hokanson
Completion Date: 2011
Photography: Carl Bergamini, Pfaffmann & Associates
AD Classics: Hiroshima Peace Center and Memorial Park / Kenzo Tange
On August 6th, 1945, a B-29 bomber dropped the first atomic bomb in history over Hiroshima, Japan, targeting the intersection of bridges over the Honkawa and Motoyasu rivers. The bomb devastated Hiroshima within a radius of 5 km, resulting in 140,000-150,000 deaths by December of that year. Kenzo Tange was commissioned with the challenge of designing the reconstruction of Hiroshima. By designing the Hiroshima Peace Center and Memorial Park, Tange expressed the solidarity of human kind as well as symbolizing a commitment to peace. More after the break.
The Pros and Cons of Cargo Container Architecture
With the green premise growing in popularity across the globe, more and more people are turning to cargo container structures for green alternatives. There are countless numbers of empty, unused shipping containers around the world just sitting on shipping docks taking up space. The reason for this is that it’s too expensive for a country to ship empty containers back to their origin. In most cases, it’s just cheaper to buy new containers from Asia. The result is an extremely high surplus of empty shipping containers that are just waiting to become a home, office, apartment, school, dormitory, studio, emergency shelter, and everything else. More information after the break.
August Wilson Center for African American Culture / Perkins+Will
Architect: Perkins+Will
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Civil Engineer: ATS Chester Engineers
Lighting: Studio i
Acoustics: ArupAcoustics
Project Area: 64,500 gsf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Steinkamp Photography, VEKA Marketing, Joshua Franzos Photography
Cassie Campbell Community Centre / Perkins+Will
Architect: Perkins+Will
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Project Area: 165,000 sqf
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: Lisa Logan Architectural Photography
Atrisco Heritage Academy / Perkins+Will and FBT Architects
Architect: Perkins+Will, FBT Architects
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Project Team: Eric Brossy de Dios, Angela Kunz, Ann Knudsen, Charlene Martin, Kevin Mereness, Ashley Stoner, Nathan Wilcox
Executive Architects: Fanning Bard Tatum Architects AIA, Ltd.
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: New York Focus Photography
AD Classics: Bank of China Tower / I.M. Pei
When commissioned to design the Bank of China Tower on an intricate inland site, I.M. Pei was requested to create an unavoidably tall unique headquarters in a typhoon-prone region that would represent the aspirations of the Chinese people yet also symbolize good will toward the British Colony. The solution assimilates architecture and engineering simultaneously, involving an asymmetrical tower that informs both skyline and street. The Bank of China Tower stands 70 stories tall, reaching a height of 1,209 feet. At the time of its opening in May 1990, it was the tallest building in Asia and still remains one of the tallest in Hong Kong.
RWU North Campus Residence Hall / Perkins+Will
Architect: Perkins+Will
Location: Bristol, Rhode Island
Project Area: 120,000sqf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Christian Phillips Photography, Anton Grassl/Esto, lesvants.com
Kirkwood Public Library / ikon.5 architects
Architect: ikon.5 architects
Location: New Castle, Delaware
Project Area: 22,500sqf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: James D’Addio
Venice: City in Peril
Venice is commonly regarded as one of the wonders of the world, attracting over 17 million tourists each year. However, the city of Venice faces ongoing problems that threaten its ability to stay above water. The city’s flooding issues are notorious around the world. Every year water surges through its legendary labyrinth of streets wreaking havoc on architectural gems such as the Palazzo San Marco. With its architecture under threat, and dwindling population as many young people flock to the mainland, it is appropriate to think of Venice as a dying relic.
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation / EDGE Studio, Nbbj
Architect: EDGE Studio, Nbbj
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Project Team EDGE Studio: Gary Carlough AIA, Jeff King AIA, Mick McNutt AIA, Stephen Mrdjenovich
Project Team Nbbj: Doug Parris AIA, A.J. Montero AIA, Kathy Kelly AIA
Project Area: 22,000sqf
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Ed Massery
Hockessin Public Library / ikon.5 architects
Architect: ikon.5 architects
Location: New Castle, Delaware
Project Area: 15,000sqf
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: James D’Addio
Eastside Addition / 3six0 Architecture
Architect: 3six0 Architecture
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Project Team: Kyna Leski- Principal, Christopher Bardt AIA- Principal, Jack Ryan RA- Senior Associate & Project Architect, Curtis Boivin, Kelly Ennis, Yu Morishita, Michael Williams
General Contractor: Golden Rule Construction Company
Structural Engineer: Wilbur Yoder
Lighting Consultant: Hogan Macaulay, Architecture + Light
Project Area: 1,100 square feet
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: 3six0 Architecture, John Horner
Radian Apartments / Erdy McHenry Architecture
Architect: Erdy McHenry Architecture
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Structural Engineer: The Harman Group
Mechanical Engineer: PHY Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineer: Pennoni Associates, Inc.
General Contractor: Intech Construction
Project Area: 170,000sqf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Peter Kubilus, Roger Swingle, Tommy Holt
Three PNC Plaza / Gensler
Architect: Gensler
Location, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Structural Engineer: Astorino
Sustainability Consultant: Paladino & Company
Contractor: P.J. Dick
Project Area: 750,000sqf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Gensler
AD Classics: Rusakov Workers’ Club / Konstantin Melnikov
The collapse of the old regime in Russia that took place with the Revolution of 1917 was followed by an artistic period of powerful activity in formal experimentation directed at the establishment of a creative language capable of expressing the new ideals and aspirations of Soviet Society. Konstantin Melnikov’sRusakov Workers’ Club in Moscow shows an intense fascination with dramatic structure, in this case through bold cantilevered seating constructed of reinforced concrete. More on Rusakov Workers’ Club after the break.
Paschke Danskin Double Loft / 3six0 Architecture
Architect: 3six0 Architecture
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Principals: Kyna Leski and Christopher Bardt, AIA
Associate & Project Architect: Olga Mesa, LEED AP
Team: Aaron Brode, Avi Forman, and Kelly Ennis
General Contractor: Case Construction Company
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: John Horner Photography
Campus Commons, SUNY at New Paltz / ikon.5 architects
Architect: ikon.5 architects
Location: New Paltz, New York
Project Area: 12,000sqf
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Peter Mauss/Esto
AD Classics: Kanchanjunga Apartments / Charles Correa
By developing climatic solutions for different sites and programs, Indian architect Charles Correa designed the Kanchanjunga Apartments. Located in Mumbai, the U.S. equivalent of New York City in terms of population and diversity, the 32 luxury apartments are located south-west of downtown in an upscale suburban setting embodying the characteristics of the upper echelon of society within the community. The Kanchanjunga Apartments are a direct response to the present culture, the escalating urbanization, and the climatic conditions for the region. They pay homage to the vernacular architecture that once stood on the site before the development in a number of ways. More on Kanchanjunga Apartments after the break.
Tower at PNC Plaza / Gensler
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., currently the sixth largest bank in the United States, is a leader in green design, currently possessing over 100 green buildings. PNC was an early adopter of sustainable design, opening its first green building in 2000. PNC and Gensler have recently announced plans to design and construct the world’s most environmentally friendly skyscraper at PNC’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More information and images after the break.
