Urban Planning Blog

“Serero Architects have won the open competition to redesign any of the Eiffel Tower’s public reception and access areas as a celebration of the 120th birthday of Gustave Eiffel’s original creation” [source]. Don’t worry, the installation is temporary in nature and won’t modify the original structure in any way. But Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s recognizable icons itself was supposed to be a temporary structure [for the World Fair].

Bridges are one of the most beautiful structures in the world - structurally perfect yet aesthetically pleasing. Bridges are one of the few structures are an epitome of form follows function yet results in form triumphing over the mundane function of transporting people and vehicles from one side to another. Here are the ten most beautiful bridges in the world.

Couple of colleagues in a Sustainable Urbanism class had proposed floating homes as a potential solution for homes in New Orleans. This floating villa designed by Swedish architect, Staffan Strindberg, currently situated in the town of Kalmar on the east coast of Sweden may be a tad fancy for residents of New Orleans especially for those whose houses got washed away. But definitely a technology worth exploring, right?

The office space of David Yocum and Brian Bell’s architecture firm. They have ‘decorated’ the space by using blight. Does it work?

Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest person is building a monstrous residence in the heart of densely-populated Mumbai. The structure is 490 feet tall and includes a corporate meeting facility along with his 35,000 square feet of private residence. Arzan however is impressed by the architectural aspects of the structure which might change the way high rises are built in dense Indian cities.

I know that the toilet bowl in one heck of a sculptural design piece but why would you design a house to look like it?

We all love beautiful architecture, don’t we? But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any ugliness in our world. Deputy Dog presents 9 repulsive buildings on Earth.

I can definitely add at least a dozen more to that list but maybe sometime later.

Trailer homes always have had a bad rap in architecture. But recent innovations especially with respect to post-disaster emergency housing has led to some beautiful and innovative creations.

These homes are designed by Front Architects and are incredibly small. I don’t speak or read German Polish so can’t say much about them but I love the exposed staircase leading up to the house in each of the design. I’ve always considered the staircase as a sculpture so why hide it, eh?

Shake hands?

Remodeling your home and can’t afford a decorator? Try out Floorplanner. The online software runs in Flash and lets your drag-and-drop objects to your layout. A free account should suffice although premium options are available too.

Amazing pictures of the Minami-Nagano Dental Clinic and Residence. I simply love simplistic modern Japanese architecture [via].

In spite of the perceived purist architecture tradition in Paris, it has seen innovative designs like the Pompidou Centre, Fondation Quartier, and of course, the Louvre Pyramid. And now, the design for “Phare” Tower (Lighthouse) part of the redevelopment of the business district, La Défense has been revealed. Quite dramatic. Should I mention that this design beat design entries by Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas?

Fancy living in a camouflaged home? You might want to check out this home’s tree-lined walls. Literally.