Category: Architecture

A former car showroom has found a new life as innovative modern architecture thanks to the studio CHYBIK+KRISTOF. Using the idea of “façade as a functional banner,” they’ve lined the exterior of a furniture gallery with over 900 black plastic seats. The memorable covering features layered chairs that compose an eye-catching and highly textural motif. Upon viewing the building, you instantly know that’s it’s got to do with interior design—essentially making the structure a giant advertisement.

The single-story building is now the home to the MY DVA group, which focuses on the production of office, school, and metal furniture. When they took over the showroom, it was outdated; the space was first established in the 1990s. The architects then had the unique challenge to design quickly and essentially around MY DVA, because they were already working inside. “Do it cheap, ideally for free,” architects Ondrej Chybik and Michal Kristof recall of the brief. This constraint proved integral in the success of their design. By adding the chairs (which each cost about $3.25USD), they inexpensively produced unique architecture that you won’t soon forget.

In a creative use of modern architecture, studio CHYBIK+KRISTOF clad a furniture gallery in over 900 black plastic seats. The result is an unconventional business card.

In addition to creating the façade, CHYBIK+KRISTOF remodeled the interior. Open and airy, it has two parts—a showroom and an office. Circular curtains reveal furniture setups.

CHYBIK+KRISTOF: Website
h/t [Arch Daily]

All photos by Lukas Pelech.

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The creative cakes produced by Moscow-based bakery Tortik Annushka aren’t your average confections. Founded by siblings Madina and Tortik Yavorskaya, the family-run pastry company boasts an impressive selection of colorful cakes with a hint of artistic and architectural flair.

Madina, who’s academically trained in the fine arts, and Tortik, whose background is in architecture, opened the bakery in 2009. Since then, they have dedicated their time to perfecting a plethora of one-of-a-kind sweets, from delicately decorated sheet cakes to intricate, multi-tiered creations.

Some, like those with organic patterns, abstract adornments, and asymmetrical compositions, showcase Madina’s artistic approach to the craft. Others, like those embellished with geometric motifs or more obviously designed to look like cityscapes, communicate Tortik’s architectural experiences. Whether more arts-oriented or more structural, each cake exhibits the Yavorskaya siblings’ dedication to handcrafted, homemade desserts—as well as to each other. “We always work together, and we get inspired by progress,” Madina told Instagram blog.

As one can imagine, the process required by each exquisite cake is both a labor of love and an experimental expression of creativity. “Creating a single cake may take a week,” Madina explains. “Ideas simply come to us, and sometimes, they emerge as we experiment.”

In addition to selling cakes for weddings and other celebrations, Tortik Annushka also offers confectionary classes through their baking school. With courses from cupcake creating to macaron making, the sweets school is sure to help you brush up on your baking!

Some of Tortik Annushka’s creations, like these fine art cakes, exhibit Madina Yavorskaya’s artistic background.

While others, like this selection of architectural cakes, showcase Tortik’s more structured tastes.

Take a look at the process behind one of their sculptural cakes:

A post shared by Tortik Annushka (@tortikannuchka) on Apr 2, 2017 at 6:48am PDT

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Tortik Annushka: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Instagram Blog]

All images via Tortik Annushka.

The post Elegant Towering Cakes Inspired by Architecture and Fine Art appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Who says you have to live in a rectangular house? In fact, a quick look at the history of architecture tells us that many indigenous cultures relied on circular dwellings. And lately, they are undergoing a resurgence with tiny home enthusiasts looking to maximize space or green homeowners seeking energy efficient options.

What makes round architecture so appealing?

“If people do not have angles then we should not live in boxes,” declared architect Charles Deaton. In 1963, Deaton would go on to construct his only residential piece of architecture—a circular residence for himself called Sculptured House. It was eventually featured in Woody Allen’s sci-fi comedy Sleeper.

Deaton was certainly on to something with this idea, but for centuries architects have been enamored with round architecture. In the 16th century, influenced by the shapes of Greek and Roman temples, architect Andrea Palladio became obsessed with the circle as the perfect form. Pulling from concepts by Vitruvius, Palladio’s rounded architecture was thought to exemplify balance and harmony and has long influenced architects.

But in terms of function and efficiency, a look at indigenous architecture tells the true tale of why round homes reign supreme. Whether a nomadic Yurt, Navajo Hogan, or Arctic igloo, cultures have built round structures for specific reasons. Circular houses use inherently fewer materials than their square counterparts, an attractive option when resources were scarce and extra labor meant expending precious energy.

Round homes stand up to extreme weather. Their curved roofs make them wind resistant—less susceptible to high-velocity gusts lifting up the roof and tilting up the house. As wind can flow around the circular structure, instead of getting hung up around the angles, these homes are particularly resistant to hurricanes and tornados.

And with dozens of interconnecting points forming a strong support system, circular houses have extra structural strength and flexibility. This is the reason you will see round architecture adapt to heavy snowfall and earthquakes. And in heat? The rounded walls help with that as well. With 20% less exterior wall space, heating and cooling bills are automatically reduced and good natural airflow means comfort, even in desert climates.

So, the real question is: why go square when you can be round?

Across the globe, indigenous cultures have relied on round architecture for their structural strength and efficient use of materials.

In the 1950s and 1960s architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice Don Erickson, enjoyed playing with the organic forms that rounded homes created.

Prefabricated homes, whether domed or curved, are energy efficient options that can weather harsh conditions from hurricanes to freezing temperatures.

Today, architects remain influenced by history in the breathtaking creation of circular houses.

The post Eye-Opening History of Round Homes and Why Curves Matter in Architecture appeared first on My Modern Met.

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High fashion takes inspiration from all sources, from the natural world to fine art. But perhaps there is no better synergy than that between fashion designers and architects. While architecture gives us the spaces we live and work in, high fashion is constructed to give us wearable art.

Designers who dabble in architectural fashion use their materials as building blocks, constructing a wearable form in the same manner architects utilize concrete, cement, and glass to build up their structures. Fashion giants such as the late Pierre Balmain and Gianfranco Ferré even come from an architecture background. Balmain was clear in his enthusiasm for incorporating architectural elements into his designs, stating “dressmaking is the architecture of movement.”

Hallmarks of fashion inspired by architecture include exaggerated proportions and swooping angles and particular attention to construction and shapes.  To create a three-dimensional, architectural look, fabrics are often manipulated through pleating, folding, and layering in order to build up the final effect.

These days, fashion houses like Balenciaga, Marchesa, and Chloé have included pointed architectural nods in their collections. Whether the contemporary work of Frank Gehry for Balenciaga or the delicate details of Arabesque architecture for Chloé, each designer interprets their architectural inspiration to meet their individual style.

And the admiration can flow both ways. The late Zaha Hadid was known to dabble in the fashion world, bringing elements reminiscent of her own buildings into her designs.

From classic church interiors to cutting-edge skyscrapers, fashion designers often take inspiration from architecture. Let’s look at some side-by-side comparisons of fashions and their architectural influences.

Not always referencing a specific building, designers often incorporate architectural elements, like elongated proportions and strong silhouettes, in their fashions.

The post Side by Side Images Reveal How Much High Fashion is Inspired by Architecture appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Architectural photographer Aurélien Villette has spent the last nine years traveling to different countries in order to document how architecture manifests cultural change. After voyaging to the region of Abkhazia, he brings back two series of work that display this often forgotten conflict area.

Abkhazia is a partially recognized state on the Black Sea coast. The United Nations and Georgia consider it part of Georgia, while Russia and a few other countries recognize it as independent. This makes Abkahzia, which was an unrecognized state for most of its existence, one of several post-Soviet frozen conflict zones.

Working within this context, Villette’s two series—both devoid of humans—speaks to an area in limbo. Left falling into decadent decay, his work shows the evolution in a state without resolution.

His first series Topophilia—Abkhazia, captures Stalin era monuments built prior to 1955. “This abandoned monumental architecture becomes almost unreal or imaginary, like something out of a storybook, as it enters a state of decay,” Villette shares. “The peculiar, detached atmosphere that surrounds these structures reinforces the feeling of ‘belonging to nowhere’ that pervades this whole territory as they wait for international recognition beyond Russia.”

Instead, Heteroclite Voyage—Abkhazia is part of larger project started four years ago that includes images from a variety of countries. Here, man-made structures lay in abandon, leaving themselves to a natural upheaval that mimics Abkhazia’s political status. “The quick movement from one piece of the region’s history to another illustrates the jarring series of upheavals that Abkhazia has experienced in the last 100 years,” the photographer explains. “These structures speak; they tell a story based on approximations, propaganda, souvenirs, and stories that are passed from person to person.”

The first part of Villette’s series captures the Stalin era monuments of Abkhazia, a post-Soviet frozen conflict zone on the Black Sea coast.

The architectural photographer’s second series shows man-made structures in abandon, mirroring the upheaval to the state.

Aurélien Villette: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Lens Culture]

All images via Aurélien Villette.

The post Photographer Captures the Crumbling Architecture of Post-Soviet Abkhazia appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Australian artist Joshua Smith is a former stencil artist and gallerist turned miniaturist. For the past two years, Smith has focused his attention on creating miniature urban landscapes replete with detail. From graffitied walls to discarded cigarette butts, he uses everyday materials to bring his scale models to life.

“My work captures the often overlooked aspects of urban life from discarded cigarettes to trash to grime and rust on buildings,” Smith writes via email. “The works I create are of buildings long forgotten and soon to be demolished. I capture their current state of a once thriving but long forgotten space.”

Working in a scale of 1:20, Smith primarily uses MDF, cardboard, and plastic for the framing and base. Layers of paint and chalk pastels give the architecture its realistic feel prior to wiring and lighting. The artist’s newest work, created for the VOLTA Art Fair in New York, is a four-storey replica of a building in Kowloon.

This new masterpiece took three months to complete, with Smith putting in eight to sixteen hours a day. The level of care in creating authenticity is evident in its painstaking detail. Layers of posters crumble from the decaying facade, which shows an incredible level of wear—enough to make you think it’s been around much longer than it has. In fact, this is Smith’s goal. “I strive to create a reality,” he shares. “I take as many reference photos as possible to mimic every single streak of rust, grime, and chipping of stonework. I want viewers to be fooled, if I take a photo of the completed work in sunlight, to think it is the real thing.”

Joshua Smith’s realistic scale models of urban architecture have been his primary focus since 2015.

Joshua Smith: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images by Andrew Beveridge / ASB Creative Instagram. My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Joshua Smith.

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Bursting with rich history, Iran’s architecture helps weave a tale of the country’s long, Persian culture. Decorative tile work and ingenious feats of engineering are hallmarks of Persian architecture throughout the centuries.

And with twenty UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there is no shortage of monuments to visit. From elaborate mosques to sprawling desert cities, the breadth and variety of historical architecture in Iran is stunning. As such, we’ve whittled down a list of the top 10 historical sites that should top your must-see list when in Iran.

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

This colorful jewel box of a mosque is filled with a kaleidoscope of light each morning. Located in Shiraz, this 19th-century architectural masterpiece is also known for its dazzling tile work, aside from its stained glass windows. In fact, it earned its nickname, Pink Mosque, from the rose colored tiles that dot the interior.

 

Persepolis, Shiraz

This ancient city was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and exemplifies the Empire’s architectural style. Archeological remains show evidence of Persepolis dating to 515 BC, with part of the site being cut out of the surrounding mountains. The remaining colossal buildings and relief sculptures are an incredible testament to ancient Iranian architecture.

 

Shah Cheragh, Shiraz

What seems like an unsuspecting funerary monument on the exterior is filled with glass tiles that bounce light in every direction. A treasured pilgrimage monument since the 14th-century, the site has undergone continual reconstruction after earthquakes and structural damage. But none of these interventions have diminished the impact one feels when entering into this glittering environment.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan

Dating from the 17th century, this mosque is known as a masterpiece of Safavid Iranian architecture. It owes this reputation to its delicate tilework and intricate corbeling. The entire structure is a study in harmony, with careful attention to proportions to maximize the serene divinity meant to be felt inside.

 

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, Kashan

This traditional, public bathhouse, constructed in the 16th century, gives incredible insight into daily life in ancient Iran. Decorated with turquoise and gold tile work, brickwork, and artistic paintings, the site is composed of a large dressing hall and hot bathing room. Today, the site serves as a museum open to tourists year round.

 

Eram Garden and Palace, Shiraz

This tranquil Persian garden and palace was built in the mid-13th century, though the garden was most likely laid out earlier, in the 11th century. Always keeping aesthetic, as well as comfort, in mind, the three-storey building was constructed to allow for maximum airflow on the lower levels. Colorful tile work juxtaposes with the lush gardens, with the entire structure reflected in an ornamental pool.

 

Bazaar, Yazd

Years of adaptation to its desert environment has made for unique Persian architecture in the city of Yazd. Its historical center, including the bazaar, is constructed from adobe and includes a unique system of wind catchers for ventilation.

 

Jameh Mosque, Isfahan

This magnificent mosque, which is said to be the oldest shrine in Iran, underwent continuous construction from the 7th to 20th centuries. Since 2012 it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in a four-iwan architectural style by placing four gates face to face.

 

Tower and fort of Bam, Kerman province

This ancient desert city, located in the southern Kerman province, is another of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its citadel, the Arg-e Bam, is the largest adobe building in the world and dates to 2,000 years ago during the Parthian Empire. The city was largely abandoned in 1722 after an Afghan invasion but has gradually repopulated, in part due to tourism.

 

Golestan Palace, Tehran

One of the oldest historical monuments in Tehran, the palace was the former royal complex of the Qajar dynasty. The entire complex consists of gardens, royal buildings, and a collection of Iranian crafts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Unfortunately, many buildings in the complex were destroyed by Reza Shah between 1925 and 1945, as he felt that the old architecture was hindering Iranian modernization.

The post 10 Must-See Sites of Iran’s Historical Architecture appeared first on My Modern Met.

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