Week #9
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Haere Ra, NZ. I'm back, NY And Ready to Rock!
Or am I??? It's true, the longer you stay at home, the harder it is to leave. Earlier this week I left the little slice of paradise in my life that I adore, for some new adventures back in the Big Apple. I like to take risks, but they're always calculated. I think of it as, a really really big pool, it can be as deep or vast as it wants, but I just need to be able to swim to the side if need be. (I hate open water swimming).
Don't forget you can subscribe here. And like always shenanigans are at the bottom.
to set the mood, press play and enjoy some classical music.
Seeing as it's Christmas here is the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. Enjoy!
1.0 the maypole
pacifica tower
architect: plus architects (AUS)
location: 10 commerce street, auckland, new zealand
Joy oh Joy another travesty set to hit the Auckland skyline. Designed by Plus Architecture this $300 million-dollar project is to rise 57 stories (192m/629ft) and is the child of developer Hengyi Pacific projects. An awkward curtain wall glass ribbon twists up the tower like a maypole. I really don't know how else to describe it. Lead designer Jaimin Atkins from Plus Architecture says, "the building's glass facade was designed to reflect the surrounding city and waterfront, and the Maori Pikorua motif of two intertwined pikopiko ferns was meant to be represented in the "twist" pattern on the building's exterior."
Maybe a little too literal mate?
2.0 phew!
auckland art gallery toi o tamaki
architect: fjmt (aus) + archimedia
LOCATION: wellesley street east, auckland, new zealand
Probably my favourite building in the city co-designed by… Australians! Hey, it's awesome and I think the addition to the existing gallery is the perfect size for the city. Moreover, who can fault the patterning and craftsmanship on the wooden canopy soffit. Fun Fact: It received World Building of the Year in 2013.
3.0 something different…
hundertwasser museum
architect: hundertwasser
location: whangarei, new zealand
From an architectural perspective, not sure what I think of this art centre… (it looks a bit like Noddy land in my opinion) but good on Whangarei for raising the money to get this project to happen. Austrian artist Friedensreigh Hundertwasser has designed the facility as a "treasure box" of his own and contemporary Maori artists. Hundertwasser has designed the building as "human architecture" and one that is in harmony with nature. His painting style is echoed in his building designs. The building will be two levels and will contain two galleries, a theatre, café, learning centre and of course shop. A contemporary Maori art gallery will be on the ground floor.
I'm intrigued to see it when it's finally completed!
Proposed gallery in Whangarei.
4.0 in the south…
christchurch public library
architect: architectus (nz/aus) + schmidt hammer lassen
Location: christchurch, new zealand
In collaboration with Schmidt Hammer Larsen (DEN), Architectus (AUS/NZ) haive designed the new library for Christchurch, post the 2011 earthquake. The library is currently under construction and is due to be completed in 2018. The design speaks to the cultural traditions of Ngai Tahu through the way the form is an elevated building of knowledge, similar to a storehouse (Pataka) that is raised on posts. The Pataka is veiled with a folded exterior, that sits in front of a glass façade. The library hopes to revive and increase activity to Cathedral Square.
Building partii and arrangement.
5.0 architecture terminology
bach (NZ) = cabin sort of/beach house (everywhere else)
Bach, pronounced like 'batch'. (Not the composer, we’re not that fancy).
Not to sound like a prude, but you don't really understand the true meaning of the word bach till you experience one. The quintessential kiwi bach sits humble compared to its surroundings. They are a kiwi's private getaway from the 'city'. Initially it was the bare minimum of an abode, with its inhabitants subsisting on tank water, and no electricity. However, as humans have become more sophisticated, so has the bach. Bearing in mind that if you bowl down your original < 80m2 structure and replace it with something new, it is then referred to as a holiday home.
6.0 is this real life?
This work is entitled Mad Men, by MIR. Building design by SOM, in Beijing, China.
7.0 architectural spotlight… this is…
Stevens lawson architects
New Zealand duo Nicholas Stevens and Gary Lawson established Stevens Lawson Architects in 2002. Thrown into the limelight for their cutting edge residential designs, Stevens Lawson are well known in the architecture world. They have won New Zealand Home of the Year four times and have received 18 NZIA National Awards. Their architecture grounds itself seamlessly within nature; their material choices meticulously calculated. Each building has a carefully articulated form that gives it a fresh uniqueness and sculptural quality.
Nicholas Stevens (left) Gary Lawson (right)
Te Kaitaka, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
Above is the Rock house, and the rock is part of the house.
(Over classical… try this! aretha franklin’s, I say a little prayer)
shenanigans
1.0 a canine friend
Again taken by The Dogist. I think I've shown Maverick to nearly everyone I've seen this week. He's just so bloomin' cute. Fun fact, Samoyed were breed by eskimos and at night would sleep on their owners to keep them warm at night. Awwwwwwwww
2.0 babe
This young babe is totally "crushing it" (hate that term) as a superhero in my current favourite series, Stranger Things.
3.0 space invader of the chrysler building by william van alen
4.0 boy
American Professional surfer and 11 time World Surfing champion, Kelly Slater. He won five consecutive titles between 1994-1998. What a champ!
5.0 stair porn
This staircase was constructed from 400 wooden slats and sits in the office of LMVH. Designed by Ora Ito.
6.0 art
Entitled "The Orb" this sculpture contains a bridge which connects two buildings at the Betsy Hotel, South Beach, Florida.
7.0 object
Need a fancy christmas present for your pup?? How about a Woof Dog Bowl Luxe by Bendo? Only $39.99.
8.0 wanderlust
The incredible Mount Taranaki (or what is referred to as just "the Naki"), on the West coast of the North Island in New Zealand.
9.0 harsh realities
And the fires in California are still burning...
The Thomas Fire is now being referred to as a mega fire and is being fueled by ongoing drought coupled with low humidity and the unforgiving Santa Ana winds.
10.0 doodle
My secret concoction of objects that enables me to sleep on long haul flights. What works for you?
11.0 lol
And to get us in the festive season... learn from other people's mistakes…
12.0 nom nom nom
Checked out a neighbourhood place that we'd never been to before called Sauce & Barrel, located on Washington Street in the Financial District. It was good. I got a mushroom pizza and added some sausage. So yummy. I rate!
Someone else's picture of a pizza, which is that Neapolitan styled based. So good.
13.0 and that’s a wrap! here’s some ‘new’ music.
Matt Corby, an incredible Australian artist. Really gutted I missed out seeing him live... having faith that there will be a 'next time'. This deserves your full attention.
Oh and Merry Christmas! (Happy Holidays...!)
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Till next week my friends.
I hope that I have credited everything. If not images are not mine unless stated, please click on the images and hyperlinks to their original sources :)