Sky Village by ADEPT Architects

Sky Village by ADEPT Architects

The municipality of Rødovre, an independent municipality of Copenhagen, Denmark, announced a demand for a new tower in Rødovre, the periphery of Copenhagen. This competition raises the issue as to what kind of tower should be added to the skyline of the capital. Can it criticize and improve the somewhat commercial and hollow Architectural Iconic developments of the last years? The new skyscraper with a total surface of 21,688m2 will be located at Roskildevej, a major artery East of the centre of Copenhagen. Read more >>>

Architecture Caribbean Celebrates its First Anniversary (20th June 2010)

Architecture Caribbean Celebrates its First Anniversary

Architecture Caribbean would like to thank all our members, readers, subscribers, supporters, designers, artists, students, and the entire design community in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the rest of the world. Read our anniversary message here >>>

Interview with Trinidadian artist Peter Sheppard

Project by Peter sheppard

Peter Sheppard is a Trinidadian artist who was born into a creative family as both his parents painted and were involved in the Carnival Arts. His father Stephen Sheppard, painted landscapes in acrylics from scenes that inspired him after long drives in and around the countryside. His mother Margaret Sheppard (Highgate), also painted. She made costumes for the theatre, carnival, weddings and personal wardrobes. They exposed him to a wide range of visual and performing arts. He studied at the International Fine Arts College in Miami, Florida. He says that his “canvas is all things Trinidad & Tobago and I live my life enjoying all that our wonderful nation has to offer. Its rich and diverse Culture, its delicious food representing our many ethnic segments of our population. Our many festivals, quaint villages, peaceful rivers, majestic mountains and people full of a life-time of stories will forever provide inspiration for my paintings. I paint from my memories and experiences and enjoy sharing this with the public through my paintings.” He was gracious enough to take time from his busy schedule for an interview with Architecture Caribbean.

Read entire interview here >>>

Caribbean Architecture

Brief video presentation of architecture in the Caribbean.

To contribute your Flickr images:
Join and add photos to the architecture caribbean pool, and/or
Tag your photos architecture caribbean

National Academy for Performing Arts Center – Video

National Academy for the Performing Arts

Brief video of the National Academy for the Performing Arts Center in Port of Spain, Trinidad (Caribbean).

Read previous Blogs on the Performing Arts Center:
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=85
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=249

The New Acropolis Museum by Tschumi

The New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

The New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects with Michael Photiadis of Athens as local associate architect was opened this June 2009. It is located on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis Hill, at the entrance of a network of pedestrian walkways that link the key archaeological sites and monuments of the Acropolis. The New Acropolis showcases and protects the sculptures of the Acropolis and what remains in Greece of the Parthenon frieze from the pollution of the open air. It also aids in convincing the British government to return the Athenian artworks to their place of origin.

New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

There were three concepts for the generation of the museum; the concept of light, movement and a tectonic and programmatic concept. The concept of light comes from the conditions within which the museum is placed; and the importance light plays in showcasing the sculptural objects. The second concept of movement is seen in the three-dimensional loop circulation through the museum. The collection is installed in a chronological sequence. Beginning with the archaeological excavations, visible through the glass floor in the entrance gallery, the Parthenon Gallery at the top of the building against dramatic views of the Acropolis, and then loops down to finish in the Roman Empire galleries below. A tectonic and programmatic concept was a driving factor in the architectural promenade and enclosure of the museum. The museum’s façade of black fritted glass provides ideal light for the sculptures. The Parthenon Gallery’s glass outer walls allow 360-degrees of uninterrupted views of the ancient temple and its surrounding city; with direct view to and from the Acropolis. The Parthenon Marbles are visible from the Acropolis above.

New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

I really like this project. Why? Projects which find their place and grounding from the architectural archaeology of a site is always powerful to me; projects which pay attention to the genius loci of their sites. Firstly, Tschumi rotates the Parthenon Gallery 23 degrees from the rest of the building to align with the Parthenon. By doing this, he pays homage to the Parthenon. Two Architects who stick out in my mind for “grounding” their buildings are Richard Meier and Caribbean Architect, Colin Laird. The Atheneum and the Museum for Applied Arts in Frankfurt, Germany are just two examples. The National Library by Colin Laird in Trinidad &Tobago is another example of the proper grounding of projects (stayed tuned).

New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

Tschumi did not attempt to copy classical elements into his design. He paid homage to Greek culture and their legacy of architecture, philosophy, science, and mathematics in this museum. The sharp, clinical, sleek facade of the museum cast against the rich textures of the Acropolis is just wonderful. He does what I referred to in my previous blog post on The Interlace by OMA, there was a correct use of history in his design. Constraints present us with opportunities to innovative, and create solutions; this is one such case. The sheer history and power of the Acropolis can be intimidating, but Tschumi made it work, and created what I think is a winning design. What are your opinions of the New Acropolis Museum?

To contribute your Flickr images:
Join and add photos to the architecture caribbean pool, and/or
Tag your photos architecture caribbean

Interview with Trinidadian Architect – Rudylynn DeFour Roberts (Pt. 1)

Rudylynn DeFour Roberts

Rudylynn De Four Roberts, TTIA, is a Trinidadian Architect with a love for old buildings and Historic Restoration. She is a director of De Four Farmer & Associates Ltd. and was a visiting lecturer at several Institutes including the Caribbean School of Architecture. As the former head of the Trinidad and Tobago Government Historic Restoration Unit she was responsible for monitoring government restoration projects, and advising government regarding preservation issues. She was kind enough to take some time to do an interview with Architecture Caribbean, and we have placed parts of the interview here for you.

Architecture Caribbean: Who is Rudylynn De Four?
Rudylynn De Four Roberts: I am a Caribbean woman, an architect with a love for Old buildings.

AC: Where were you born?
RDR: I was born in New York USA while my Father was at University doing his second degree. Both my parents are from Trinidad & Tobago. We returned to Trinidad when I was six years old.

AC: Where did you study?
RDR: I studied at Howard University. Washington DC. USA

AC: What inspired you to study/practice architecture?
RDR: I come from a family of Engineers and Architects. My father was a Civil and an Electrical Engineer. He established the first locally owned engineering consultancy practice in Trinidad & Tobago. I myself was an artist and my Dad encouraged me to study Architecture like his brother and cousin.

AC: Have any other professions or types of work interested you?
RDR: I enjoy lecturing, and speaking to students about historic Architectural Patrimony. I suppose I could always go back to Art.

AC: How long have you been in the field?
RDR: I graduated from Howard University in 1974.

AC: What was your first architecture job, doing what?
RDR: My first job was in Alexandria Virginia. I did the usual as a new graduate, working drawings for design architects, I also did site planning and landscaping drawings. My first architectural design job was the Restoration of a 200 year old Lutheran Church. It was an adaptive re-use. We converted it into a community theatre. I was responsible for doing the design, the drawings, and the specs….everything.

AC: What did you learn during that experience?
RDR: I realized that I loved restoration, and I began what was to become my life’s vocation. My appreciation of historic architecture came from my love of History and seeing my Grandfather’s buildings. He was a builder and joiner. In his early days he built houses with Fretwork and stained glass. I loved to watch the sun pouring through the fretwork creating patterns on the floor and walls; and the coloured glass always fascinated me. When I was a child, Port of Spain looked like a miniature New Orleans.

AC: What about architecture excites you?
RDR: Creating spaces that conform firstly to the user’s needs ….and using shape, colour, art and craftsmanship to make the spaces comfortable, pleasing and efficient.

AC: Who (or what) were the biggest inspirations for your career?
RDR: The biggest inspirations in my career are my father and the late Trinidadian architect, Anthony C. Lewis. My father Fenrick De Four, for his support, encouragement and example. He felt strongly about ethics in the workplace, serving and contributing to nation building, and supporting local enterprise. Anthony Lewis was an architect, planner and artist, who established the first local architectural consultancy in Trinidad and Tobago. His firm is responsible for many of the landmark buildings in Port of Spain.

AC: Who are your favorite architects (International and Caribbean) and what do you admire about their work?
RDR: Internationally – Frank Lloyd Wright, architect, interior designer, writer and educator. I admire his ability to use Nature as inspiration in his organic designs. In 1991 the AIA declared Wright “The greatest American Architect of all time.” Locally- Anthony C. Lewis who was an architect whose concepts expressed an organic and environmentally friendly architecture. He used sunlight, flora and fauna as inspiration in his designs. As an architect he was always conscious of creating a living space for optimum human comfort and visual stimulation. This was reflected in his use of the natural elements and indigenous materials.

AC: What do you think about (Architecture Caribbean) and its goal to highlight Architecture and the Arts in the Caribbean and other parts of the world?
RDR: An admirable project, with lots of scope. Although we are all from the Caribbean islands, there is so much diversity in culture and architecture. From earthquake prone Trinidad to islands in the hurricane belt…………Our colonial heritage is varied and each old world intervention has left its indelible mark. Cuba – Spanish heritage; Barbados- British heritage; Curacao- Dutch; Martinique and Guadeloupe –French and Trinidad and Tobago a pleasant mix up of French, English, African and East Indian Heritage resulting in our eclectic architecture.

Read the entire interview>>>