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Fusing Architecture and Music: Philip Kennicott Describes the Inspiration Behind Steven Holl’s Daeyang Gallery and House

Awarded yesterday with the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for criticism, Philip Kennicott has built an honorable reputation as a art and architecture critic for Washington Post’s Style section. One of his most recent works, Music Holl: A Copper Clad Pavilion in Seoul recounts the inspiration behind Steven Holl’s award-winning Daeyang Gallery and House in Seoul.

Designed as an experiment on “the architectonics of music,” the basic geometry of the Daeyang Gallery and House was inspired by Istvan Anhalt’s 1967 Symphony of Modules - a uniquely transcribed sheet of music found in John Cage’s contemporary music compendium, Notations. Reminiscent of the “blocky and shard-like shapes” of Anhalt’s sketch, Holl’s design features three copper-clad pavilions punctured by a symphony of carefully placed, rectangular skylights that animate the interior with “bars of light”. As Kennicott describes, Holl uses music as a “powerful metaphor for the dynamic unfolding of experience” (captured in this film by Spirit of Space).

Read Kennicott’s Music Holl: A Copper Clad Pavilion in its entirety here on Dwell. Continue after the break to compare Steven Holl's sketch above with Anhalt’s Symphony of Modules.

Mookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon

Mookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon - Housing, Facade
© Moon Jeongsik
  • Architects: Moon Hoon
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  117
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012

Mookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon - Housing, Stairs, HandrailMookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon - Housing, Door, Facade, HandrailMookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon - Housing, FacadeMookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon - Housing, Beam, Handrail, FacadeMookdong Multi Housing / Moon Hoon - More Images+ 20

Sejong Art Center Winning Proposal / DMP Partners

Designed by DMP Partners, their winning proposal for the Sejong Art Center (SAC) is composed of two theaters, a main theater with more than 800 seats, a medium sized theater with 300 seats, a film theater with 250 seats, and an art gallery. Located in the international cultural area between nature-scape and urban-scape, the building combines nature and city through its straight, linear shape. This form is applied in accordance with the city and its curvature shape is in accordance with nature to create a comfortable feeling. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Performing Arts Studio of the National Theatre of Korea Second Prize Winning Proposal / Archiplan

Designed by Archiplan, their second prize winning proposal for the Performing Arts Studio of the National Theatre of Korea is an extension design concept for the performers practice facilities in the basement of the existing plaza. The main issue is the vitalization of the environment which is now 'blocked' by the retaining wall on the edge of the main road and by the steep slope that makes a disconnection of the site. By embracing art, culture, and the city itself, this proposal connects the two-dimensional old theatre-plaza and the nearby park to link the performer and the citizens while allowing the art and culture flow well. More images and architects’ description after the break.

P&P / D.LIM architects

P&P / D.LIM architects - Office Buildings, FacadeP&P / D.LIM architects - Office Buildings, Facade, Stairs, HandrailP&P / D.LIM architects - Office Buildings, Column, Facade, ArchP&P / D.LIM architects - Office Buildings, Facade, Beam, DoorP&P / D.LIM architects - More Images+ 23

  • Architects: D.LIM architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  467
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2013

Films & Architecture: "Cloud Atlas"

Cloud Altas is the adaptation of David Mitchell's novel by the same name. It follows six different story-lines, each taking place in a different time period, ranging over hundred of years (from our past to future). Each era gets a careful development of space, and, as usual, the Watchowski Brothers show their unique way of imagining the city of the future.

In fact, the story lines were filmed separately: while Tom Tykwer was working on those stories that take place in the 1930's and 1970's, the Watchowski Brothers were filming all the futuristic ones (which take place in the year 2321). Several famous buildings were utilised - let us know if you recognise any of them. Enjoy and as always, comment!

Neil Barrett 'Shop in Shop' / Zaha Hadid Architects

Neil Barrett 'Shop in Shop' / Zaha Hadid Architects - Store, Bathroom, Bathtub
©  Virgile Simon Bertrand

Text description provided by the architects. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the ‘Shop in Shop’ concept for Neil Barrett is based on a singular, cohesive project that is divided into sixteen separate pieces. Specific pieces have then been selected and installed into each of the four Neil Barrett Shop in Shop’s in Seoul, and also into the Hong Kong shop; creating a unique display landscape within each store. The pieces have been carved and molded from the original solid as pairs that define each other to create an artificial landscape that unfolds multiple layers for display. More images and architects' description after the break.

Choonwondang Oriental Clinic & Museum / Doojin Hwang Architects

Choonwondang Oriental Clinic & Museum / Doojin Hwang Architects - Clinic, Facade, Door, Handrail, ColumnChoonwondang Oriental Clinic & Museum / Doojin Hwang Architects - Clinic, Facade, CityscapeChoonwondang Oriental Clinic & Museum / Doojin Hwang Architects - Clinic, ChairChoonwondang Oriental Clinic & Museum / Doojin Hwang Architects - Clinic, Beam, TableChoonwondang Oriental Clinic & Museum / Doojin Hwang Architects - More Images+ 29

The Bricks / Doojin Hwang Architects

The Bricks / Doojin Hwang Architects - UniversityThe Bricks / Doojin Hwang Architects - University, FacadeThe Bricks / Doojin Hwang Architects - UniversityThe Bricks / Doojin Hwang Architects - UniversityThe Bricks / Doojin Hwang Architects - More Images+ 19

H-House / Sae Min Oh_ bang by min

H-House / Sae Min Oh_ bang by min - HousesH-House / Sae Min Oh_ bang by min - Houses, Facade, Stairs, HandrailH-House / Sae Min Oh_ bang by min - Houses, Facade, Stairs, HandrailH-House / Sae Min Oh_ bang by min - Houses, Facade, CityscapeH-House / Sae Min Oh_ bang by min - More Images+ 55

My Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC

My Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC - Shopping Centers, Table, Chair
© Nacasa & Partners

My Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC - Shopping CentersMy Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC - Shopping CentersMy Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC - Shopping Centers, Facade, ChairMy Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC - Shopping CentersMy Boon / Jaklitsch - Gardner Architects PC - More Images+ 23

HouseWING / AnLstudio + Heebon

HouseWING / AnLstudio + Heebon - Offices Interiors, Facade, BeamHouseWING / AnLstudio + Heebon - Offices Interiors, StairsHouseWING / AnLstudio + Heebon - Offices Interiors, TableHouseWING / AnLstudio + Heebon - Offices Interiors, Kitchen, Beam, Facade, HandrailHouseWING / AnLstudio + Heebon - More Images+ 4

  • Architects: AnLstudio, Heebon
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  69
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012

Hyundai Advances Design Studio / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects

Hyundai Advances Design Studio / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects - Offices Interiors, Chair, Lighting, TableHyundai Advances Design Studio / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects - Offices Interiors, FacadeHyundai Advances Design Studio / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects - Offices Interiors, Table, Chair, BenchHyundai Advances Design Studio / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects - Offices InteriorsHyundai Advances Design Studio / Delugan Meissl Associated Architects - More Images

Poroscape / YounghanChung Architects

Poroscape / YounghanChung Architects - Shopping Centers, FacadePoroscape / YounghanChung Architects - Shopping Centers, Facade, CityscapePoroscape / YounghanChung Architects - Shopping Centers, FacadePoroscape / YounghanChung Architects - Shopping Centers, FacadePoroscape / YounghanChung Architects - More Images+ 20

In Progress: Lotte World Tower / KPF

In Progress: Lotte World Tower / KPF - Image 19 of 4
image by dbox branding & creative for KPF

Construction of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea designed by high-rise architectural firm KPF is well underway. Won via an international design competition, this new tower will rise up to a pinnacle height of 555 meters. Organized around a mixed-use program including retail, office, hotel and an observation deck at the peak, the tower pulls inspiration from historical Korean arts of ceramics, porcelain, and calligraphy. More details after the break.

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Seoul Memorial Park / Haeahn Architecture

Seoul Memorial Park / Haeahn Architecture - Featured Image
© Park Young-chae

Architects: Haeahn Architecture Location: Seoul Project Year: 2012 Photographs: Park Young-chae

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Miega / BANG by MIN

Miega / BANG by MIN - Interior Design, Door, FacadeMiega / BANG by MIN - Interior Design, Bathroom, Door, Facade, LightingMiega / BANG by MIN - Interior Design, FacadeMiega / BANG by MIN - Interior Design, Beam, Door, FacadeMiega / BANG by MIN - More Images+ 44

  • Architects: BANG by MIN
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  124
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012

Seoul Floating Islands / Haeahn Architecture & H Architecture

Seoul Floating Islands / Haeahn Architecture & H Architecture - Shopping Centers, Facade, CityscapeSeoul Floating Islands / Haeahn Architecture & H Architecture - Shopping Centers, Facade, CityscapeSeoul Floating Islands / Haeahn Architecture & H Architecture - Shopping Centers, CityscapeSeoul Floating Islands / Haeahn Architecture & H Architecture - Shopping Centers, Facade, CityscapeSeoul Floating Islands / Haeahn Architecture & H Architecture - More Images+ 9