irenses design and communications » architecture

Spanish Pavilion for Expo Shanghai 2010

Paddy — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:25:15 +0000

The Spanish Pavilion for Expo Shanghai 2010 really is a work of art. The concept of the building is based on the handicraft of making wicker baskets, a handicraft evidnet in both China the expo hosts and Spain. See the an extract about the concept from the architects Miralles Tagliabue EMBT below.

miralles tagliabue EM

“The project proposed by EMBT consists on developing the handicraft technique of the wicker into a practice of construction. With this goal in mind, the universal language of the material works to build a bridge between East and West, and among Spain and China. With the volumetric, material, and structural inspirations of a wicker basket array, the void of the stands will mold a pavilion in which tubular metallic supports will sustain a wicker grid that will filter the light and function as a climatic membrane that wraps the pavilion.”

It really is a spectacular pavilion and worth checking out in greater detail on the EMBT website.

image courtesy miralles tagliabue EMBT

The Highline Park NYC

Paddy — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:14:31 +0000

Built in the 1930’s The Highline is an old overhead railway line to take heavy freight trains off the streets of Manhattans West Side. Instead of demolishing this rail line, it was salvaged by the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation to become a park area in the sky above city traffic. Designed by the architectural firm Diller Scofido + Renfro the highline experience is definitely recommended.

New Museum New York

Paddy — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:29:54 +0000

On a recent visit to New York, I had the pleasure of visiting the New Museum 235 Bowery Street. It really is a spectacular building both inside and outside. In fact recently Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, partners in the architectural firm, SANAA who designed the museum, have been chosen as the 2010 Laureates of the Pritzker Architecture Prize for their designs.

Abstract Shapes From Inside the Belly of Liberty!

Paddy — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:07:06 +0000

This photograph of the interior of the Statue of Liberty has nice abstract shapes and pretty cool details. We like to show nice images so I thought we’d post it up!

Nice Architectural Feature

Paddy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:56:28 +0000

I always try to take photos of nice architectural features like the one below which I saw in JFK airport New York. This effective design allows light in through the roof, while also adding a visually pleasing aspect to the building, especially the order/pattern of the circular roof windows. Its a nice simple design feature.

Valencia Train Station

Paddy — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:59:09 +0000

During a recent trip to Spain I had the pleasure of passing through Valencia train station. The train station may not be the biggest train station in the world but it is definitely one of the most charming stations I have ever traveled through. The impressive mosaic tiles and detailed typography in some of the signage really helped me kill time as I waited to board the train.

A wood craved ticket sales counter with mosaic tiles

Impressive mosaics on the walls around the customer service office

Cool typography craved into the wood spelling out 'Norte'

Another example of nice typography in mosaic, 'Pleasant Journey'

The detail within the clock face is impressive but the mosaic designs that frame it are even more impressive. Check out the mosaic ceiling top right also.

They don’t make them like they used to…

Paddy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:45:44 +0000

Walking down Cornmarket Street in Cork City, I spotted this gem opposite the Garda Station. It’s great to find unique buildings like this remaining intact and in such good condition. The form of the disused public toilet is characteristic of its era, as is the attached/craved typography, which is a particular interest to us. Typography is a very important element of graphic design and this building shows us designers from its era paid particularly good attention to it.