Tag Archives: building

Constructional Jam Session

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Power Transformer Folly

Power Transformer uilding with folly in Bagnols-en-Forêt, France Photo: RM

After the construction of this small power transformer building on the outskirts of Bagnols-en-Foret  (Var, France) there were some bricks and tiles left over. This probably made the construction workers decide to go on a little more, this time improvising, without construction drawings, as a kind of constructional jam session after work. The result was a sloping piece of wall next to the house, covered with tiles, containing an asymmetrical gate. Continue reading →

Revelation through Concealment

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veiled building

Veiled building. Photo: RM

In phases of transition, such as renovation or (partial) demolition, buildings sometimes show themselves in a new and unexpected way. By removing layers of the facade buildings often gain a more interesting appearance, a stronger expressiveness. When a building is halfway demolished, you often get a kind of reversal, if it were pulled inside out. The underlying structure becomes visible, inner walls become facades. Continue reading →

City Wall

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architecture blog, Deventrade, city wall

Deventrade, Deventer. Photo: RM

The frayed edges of our agglomerations are often formed by industrial areas or business parks. Functions which, because of the noise pollution they cause or their mere size,are difficult to fit into the urban fabric. Therefore they have been raked together neatly in these places. When we are unfortunately enough to drive (they are by definition very pedestrian unfriendly)through these areas they cause us a slightly uncomfortable feeling. The buildings generally consist of a large shed, built of corrugated iron, sometimes with a relatively, disproportionately small office building in front of it.

Now what is it that causes our discomfort? Continue reading →

Myriad

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Architecture blog: Student housing

Student housing, Delft. Photo: RM

Students in general have little money, spend much of their time in public spaces and are less demanding in terms of comfort. They must, however, be housed, preferably as cheap as possible and in places where they cause the least possible inconvenience to the indigenous population. Continue reading →

Station to station

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Architecture blog, Guillemins station

Guillemins staion, Liège. Photo: RM

If the same solution is applied often enough for a particular type of building, a new  typology is created. This can take place relatively quickly; comparatively young building types have already instilled a particular archetypal form in our subconscious. Continue reading →

De Rotterdam; a quantum leap in scale.

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architecture blog, de Rotterdam

De Rotterdam by O.M.A. Photo: Rogier Mentink


In terms of scale, the “Rotterdam” building is one size larger than other high-rises in the city of Rotterdam. With a height of 150 meters it isn’t the tallest building in the city, but its proportions and its location allow the city to make a quantum leap. Continue reading →