Sunday, December 30, 2012

Architecture Quote #1 - Robertson Davies


"A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more again in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight."
          -Robertson Davies


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Futuristic Sky SOHO by Zaha Hadid Architects, Shanghai, China

Picture of new futuristic complex as seen from the air
Futuristic Sky SOHO by Zaha Hadid Architects, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

After successful and impressive Wangjing SOHO in Beijing, famous Zaha Hadid Architects designed another amazing project for this Chinese company. This time modern office and retail complex is located in Shanghai, called Sky SOHO.


New offices are imagined as a complex of four futuristic looking horizontal buildings connected with sky bridges, providing strong visual identity close to Hongqiao Transportation Hub near Shanghai's city centre and Hongqiao Airport. Roofs will be used as green park areas, also connected with sky bridges, making the whole new complex sustainable and welcoming.

Picture of new complex by the river
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of small lake in front of the building
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of the area between two buildings
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of greenery around the building
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of the buildings as seen at night
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of walkways and the buildings
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of sky bridge connecting two buildings
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of lobby desk in the looby
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of the lobby as seen from the balcony
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of brown sofa in the lobby
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of the entrance as seen from the balcony
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of the hallway with elevators
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Picture of glass wall in the hallway
Sky SOHO, Shanghai, China
© Zaha Hadid Architects

Friday, December 28, 2012

Modern Hollywood Mansion; Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California

Picture of modern Hollywood mansion
Modern Hollywood mansion; Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Openhouse is minimalist architectural masterpiece designed by XTEN Architecture. This modern mansion is built on the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Los Angeles city.


Straight lines and sharp edges made of concrete defined overall shape of the house while clean minimalist glass walls with uninterrupted views placed this project in the dream home category. Glass is also used as a terrace and balcony railing. Interiors are designed in dark and bright colors, keeping the contrast obvious and well incorporated into the architecture.

Other side of the house is focused on vegetation and landscape which are also designed as welcoming and enjoyable space.

Picture of modern house facade
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of modern house
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of modern mansion on the hill
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of minimalist living room with fireplace
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of dark fireplace in the living room
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of wooden table in the backyard
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of black minimalist staircase without the railing
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of White sofa in the living room
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of wooden table in the dining room
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of wooden chair on the terrace
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of city lights as seen from the balcony
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of staircase down to the swimming pool
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of black modern bathtub by the wondow
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of minimalist bathroom
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Picture of pool area and the city in the background
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© Art Gray

Floor plan of the first level
Openhouse floor plan by XTEN Architecture, California
© XTEN Architecture

Floor plan of the second level
Openhouse floor plan by XTEN Architecture, California
© XTEN Architecture

Drawing of the Holly wood modern mansion
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© XTEN Architecture

Side drawing of the modern house
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© XTEN Architecture

Side drawing of the modern home
Openhouse by XTEN Architecture, California
© XTEN Architecture

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Sustainable Communities: Eco Resort In Pedras Salgadas, Portugal

Picture of dark grey small modern house among the trees
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Luís Rebelo de Andrade in cooperation with Diogo Aguiar designed this lovely eco resort in the woods of Pedras Salgadas, Portugal. Seven modern houses with minimalist contemporary interiors are built among the trees carefully blending with surroundings.


All objects were prefabricated allowing fast and precise construction. Small wooden houses are placed on steel platforms not depending on hilly terrain. Interiors are painted white taking maximum of daylight down to the forest. Exterior facade is made of wooden planks pointing out on sustainability and blending with nature.

Eco resort is built in 2012.

Picture of brown small house between the trees
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of small modern house in the forest
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of small house in the resort
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of small houses in the forest
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of wooden house on the steel platform
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of small modern house
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of medium sized house
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of the house with terrace on the platform
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of brown small house in the forest
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of white minimalist interior
Eco resort house interior in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of bright interior of the resort house
Eco resort house interior in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of bedroom interior with large windows
Eco resort house interior in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Floor plan of small resort house
Eco resort house floor plan in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Drawing of small resort house
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Drawing of small resort house in the forest
Eco resort house in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG

Picture of every floor of every house in the resort
Eco resort house floor plans in Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
© FG + SG