Author: Nicky Rackard | ArchDaily

The 10 Most Overlooked Women in Architecture History

Nicky Rackard — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 07:35:00 +0000

Looking back on architectural history, you could be forgiven for thinking that women were an invention of the 1950s, alongside spandex and power steering - but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Big names like Le Corbusier, Mies, Wright, and Kahn often had equally inspired female peers, but the rigid structure of society meant that their contributions tended to be overlooked.

Could A Sustainable Source of Energy Be Right Beneath Our Feet?

Nicky Rackard — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The potential to generate energy is hidden in many places, from skyscrapers to ski-slopes. But new research is showing that a potent source of energy is hiding right beneath our noses, or feet to be more specific.

One World Trade Center Will Soon Top Out at 1,776 Feet

Nicky Rackard — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

After weather conditions refused to cooperate on Monday, the final two sections of Freedom Tower have been lifted to the summit of the One World Trade Center. Construction of the gargantuan 758-ton, 408-foot spire - a joint Canadian-U.S. venture - began in December 2012, when 18 separate pieces were shipped to Manhattan from Canada and New Jersey. This final addition, including a steel beacon, means that the height of the building will soon rise from 1,368 feet to a more patriotic 1,776 feet once the segments are permanently installed within the next few weeks. However, it's not yet certain that the building will officially be the tallest in the U.S.

AZPA Wins Competition To Transform German Power Plant Into a 'Green Mountain'

Nicky Rackard — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Although necessary, power plants are typically an eyesore that don't attract much positive attention. As Thomas Heatherwick put it, "we are ashamed of how we generate our energy." Breaking the mold, a competition-winning proposal by architecture firm AZPA (Alejandro Zaera-Polo Arquitectura) plans to transform a German power plant into a densely-forested "green mountain", which will in turn be a landmark public space for a town.

Video: Thom Mayne Talks With Toyo Ito

Nicky Rackard — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

At 71, the 2013 Pritzker Prize winner Toyo Ito is not content with settling down just yet, at least not architecturally-speaking. Where many architects have established distinct styles, Ito is known for constantly shifting, experimenting, questioning and developing his approach to architecture. As one member of the Prtizker jury put it "he has been working on one project all along - to push the boundaries of architecture. And to achieve that goal, he is not afraid of letting go what he has accomplished before.”

PowerWINDows: A Proposal for Skyscraper-Compatible Wind Turbines

Nicky Rackard — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Could a new revolution in wind-turbines be on its way? A team from Australia's University of Wollongong (UOW) have collaborated with leading marine engineering firm Birdon Pty Ltd, to develop PowerWINDows - a new type of wind-to-energy converter that could potentially be appearing on skyscrapers near you soon.

The 10 Most Inspirational TED Talks for Architects

Nicky Rackard — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Inspiration is a funny thing: when you need it is nowhere to be seen, and just when you're not expecting it, it can blindside you in the least convenient of places. Here's ten inspirational TED talks for architects (in no particular order) from people with broad and unique views on architecture. Some might enlighten, educate or even enrage you - at the very least they should get those creative juices flowing a little better.

Build Your Own Neutra Home!

Nicky Rackard — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The mid-century modern master, Richard Neutra was well known for his cutting edge modernism. Since Julius Shulman immortalized his houses in his iconic photographs, Neutra's bright, airy homes have widely been seen as the pinacle of modernism and desirability. One problem though, they're in high demand and it's not exactly like they're making any more Neutra buildings; in fact, quite the opposite is true and as a result they have become a pretty expensive commodity.

Zaha Hadid Wins Veuve Cliquot Business Women Award

Nicky Rackard — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Zaha Hadid has been announced as the winner of the 41st Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award at a ceremony in London on Monday. Now in its 41st year, the Veuve Clicquot Award was set up by the Champagne house to recognize the work of successful businesswomen worldwide, who embody their spirit of Madame Clicquot.

Woodskin: The Flexible Timber Skin

Nicky Rackard — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wanted to create delicate, complex shapes from plywood, but can't because it's too stiff and unforgiving? Well all that might soon change, thanks to Milan-based design studio MammaFotogramma. They have created a type of flexible, 'Woodskin' triangular tiles of russian plywood.

A Look at Hollywood's Love Affair with John Lautner

Nicky Rackard — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 01:00:00 +0000

You have to admit it, Hollywood really seems to have a thing for John Lautner; his designs are continuously cropping up in tv-shows, films, cartoons, music videos and even video games. The occasional despondent college professor aside, his exuberant mansions are usually typecast as the bachelor-pads of various flamboyant psycho-paths, pornographers or drug-smugglers. Curbed Los Angeles have compiled this excellent video of the various Lautner-featuring scenes, so we thought that we'd take a closer look at some of his buildings, which tend to pop up in all manner of unexpected places.

Kickstarter Campaign Seeks Funds To Produce Film About Eileen Gray

Nicky Rackard — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

As we've mentioned before, Irish designer Eileen Gray was undoubtedly one of the most influential, and most overlooked, designers of the 20th century. However, a new Kickstarter campaign aims to put that right once and for all. The campaign is seeking funds to help renovate Gray's seminal house, E-1027, for the production of a feature film about the architect.

Infographic: Life Inside The Kowloon Walled City

Nicky Rackard — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

It has been twenty years since the demolition of the Kowloon Walled City. To mark this, the South China Morning Post has created an info-graphic that details the facts and figures of what life was like inside this architectural oddity.

Motion Picture Academy Unveils Designs for Renzo Piano-Designed Museum

Nicky Rackard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

It's surprising to think that Los Angeles - the home of the U.S film industry - doesn't have a museum solely dedicated to its homegrown artform. However, all that is about to change should the Academy of Motion Pictures have their way.

Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal Awarded to Peter Wilson

Nicky Rackard — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Peter Wilson, co-founder and director of Bolles+Wilson, was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal, their highest accolade, at a ceremony last month in Canberra. The Institute bestows the medal upon architects who have designed, or executed, exceptional buildings, promoted the knowledge of architecture, or have made some defining contribution to the field.

City Council Approves Redevelopment of NYC's Historic Pier 57

Nicky Rackard — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

New York's City Council have unanimously backed a proposed plan to restore and redevelop the aging giant that is Pier 57. Built in 1952, the 300,000 square foot pier was hailed by Popular Mechanics as a 'SuperPier' for its vast size and unconventional construction, as most of the pier's weight is supported by 'floating' air-filled concrete cassions. The pier was originally used as a bus depot by the New York City Transit Authority, however it has been lying vacant since 2003. The latest decision brings a concrete end to years of speculation as to what the fate of the pier would be.

Chicago On-Track To Break Ground On Elevated Parkway

Nicky Rackard — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Chicago is set to be the next U.S. city to park-ify on one of its abandoned rail-lines. First proposed back in 1997, the 2.7 mile, 13-acre Bloomingdale Trail and Park is proposed for a stretch of abandoned railway trestle dating from 1910, which has been lying unused since the turn of the century. And, even though it is already being compared to New-York's High Line, the planners are adamant that the park will be an entirely different animal to its New York cousin.

Construction Begins on NYC's First Prefab Steel and Concrete Residential Development

Nicky Rackard — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Prefabrication has long been heralded as a possible way to infill New York's vacant sites, however it is only in recent years that it has become a solid practical solution rather than an experimental concept. Riding the crest of the wave of new prefabricated housing is GLUCK+ (formerly Peter Gluck & Partners), in collaboration with developers Jeffrey Brown and Kimberly Frank. Together they have began construction on one of New York's first prefabricated steel and concrete residential buildings.