Remind Me - Architecture in Video

Music video by Royksopp provides visually unique view of the World and Architecture.

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

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

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

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

WTC Complex Striving for LEED Gold

Apparently the latest design incarnation of the World Trade Center Complex will attempt to receive USGBC (United States Green Building Council) LEED Gold Certification. Tower 7 has already been certified Gold as of March of 2006. For those of you unfamiliar with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ here is a passage from the USGBC's website to help explain, "...(LEED Rating System) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality." Points are earned through research, calculation, analysis and written description in a prescribed manner and submitted for review to USGBC within a LEED Letter Template in one of six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation & Design Process. After successful review points are awarded in the various categories which count towards certification. Below are listed the required point system milestones for various levels of certification:

Certification Level Points

Certified: 26-32
Silver: 33-38
Gold: 39-51
Platinum: 52+

The Freedom Tower and all other towers as well as the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum will submit applications for LEED Certification.

Official World Trade Center Memorial Site
Another Gold Certification Article

Beware Architecture!

Who knew Architecture could be so contagious???

Intriguing Earth Architecture 02

Today we feature a construction photo of National Stadium in Beijing which will play host to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games (XXIX Olympiad). The stadium will seat 91,000+ and will feature the opening and closing ceremonies as well as all of the track & field events during the Olympics. In 2002, Herzog & de Meuron teamed with ArupSport and China Architecture Research & Design Group to win the international competition for the design of the Olympic centerpiece venue.

National Stadium Wikipedia
NAi Herzog & de Meuron Web File

NCMoA Plans Major Expansion

The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh is planning a major expansion to its existing facility that will open to the public in 2009. Currently, the museum has one expansion designed by Smith-Miller+Hawkinson but in this case they have selected New York architects Thomas Phifer and Partners. The design will be approximately 127,000 sf and incorporate some interesting natural daylighting to be engineered, in part, by renowned engineers Ove Arup. An excerpt from the museum's press release helps to provide insight into the design: "The new NCMoA building is a low-lying, single-story pavilion that merges visually with the rolling green surroundings. The building will be clad in satin polished stainless steel panels flush mounted to seamlessly and softly reflect the landscape and changing conditions of the sky and atmosphere to ethereal effect. A rolling roof plane dotted by occuli every 26 feet echoes the pattern of surrounding hills and hints at a path-breaking lighting system within."

NCMoA Full Press Release