20 December 2006

UVa - John Paul Jones Arena



Charlottesville, Virginia firm VMDO Architects designs a modern arena for sports and entertainment with goliath Ellerbe Becket. The design is an interesting mix of traditional architypes found on the historic campus which are then given a modern twist. Ellerbe Becket's website provides this description of the design, "Your first impression of the John Paul Jones Arena is of the grand pergola crowning the main entrance. This distinctive design feature echoes the architectural vocabulary established by Thomas Jefferson, who founded the University of Virginia nearly two centuries ago. The arena combines the best of traditional design with the modern amenities today’s sports and concert patrons crave – an inviting entry plaza, wide concourses, 20 luxury suites and 100+ courtside seats."






University of Virginia Official Athletic Site Link

19 December 2006

Durham Begins Performing Arts Center

The City of Durham, NC has begun its own venture into the performing arts center community while also further revitalizing its downtown. Following the lead of nearby Raleigh, the DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) should provide an additional venue for the arts in the Triangle above and beyond the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the BTI Center). DPAC is slated to be a 110,000 square foot, 2,800 seat facility designed by Szostak Design, Inc. Currently the project is scheduled to open in 2008 and will be located in proximity to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.





Endangered Durham Link

07 December 2006

Zaha Hadid's 2012 Olympic Aquatic Center



This is an short but interesting animation for Zaha Hadid's Olympic Aquatic Center for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (XLI Olympiad) to be held in London.

Zaha Hadid Architects Link


05 December 2006

Architect...what's in a word?

This week we had a contributor send this interesting article to us from archrecord2. There has been much discussion in recent years over the use of the word, "Architect". Many states currently reserve the right to use this title only when one becomes accredited. However, there seems to be no way of distinguishing a person who has recently graduated from design school from, say, someone with 5+ years of experience in the field who is sitting for board examination. Instead everyone is allowed to use the broad term, "Intern" to describe their current professional status. Perhaps a case recently decided in Colorado will assist as a catalyst for more discourse on this subject. Follow the link below for more information.

archrecord2 Link