While crushing construction materials may seem wasteful, it offers an opportunity to research new aesthetic patterns and finishing solutions. The multifunctional Concert Hall CKK Jordanki in Torun (Poland) designed by the Tenerife-based architect Fernando Menis offers a unique example of this. By using lo-tech tricks such as crushing bricks, the team delivered an appealing new look for an important public facility.
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While crushing construction materials may seem wasteful, it offers an opportunity to research new aesthetic patterns and finishing solutions. The multifunctional Concert Hall CKK Jordanki in Torun (Poland) designed by the Tenerife-based architect Fernando Menis offers a unique example of this. By using lo-tech tricks such as crushing bricks, the team delivered an appealing new look for an important public facility. ENG
Milan is well known for its museums, theaters and numerous architectural attractions. However, as far as the weather is getting better and the sun warms up more and more cozy streets of this Italian city, we think it is the right moment to speak about open air monuments of the capital of Expo-2015. ENG
Anywhere you go in Italy, don’t forget to explore the small towns around. Often time, fabulous jewels are tucked away in secret locations. One example of such a jewel is Val Nervia located just some kilometers inland from the famous Liguria cost. Withdrawing from the blue Mediterranean sea and going toward mountain landscape one will find rich land full of secrets. Such small towns as Dolceacqua, Isolabona, Pigna, Castelvittorio and many others represent the unique cultural, historical and architectural legacy of Italy, real pearls spread all over Liguria region. ENG
Expo Gate is a new temporary architecture in the heart of Milan. It was officially open on May 11th of this year and it will be disassembled in November of the next year, once Expo 2015 is ended. In the meantime it works as the Expo’s city info point and landmark, as a meeting point and as a spot for numerous cultural events. Expo Gate is located just in the heart of historical Milan on the pedestrian axis that links Duomo (the Cathedral) and Castello Sforzesco (the Castle).
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Previously we asked if you have been to Venice Biennale of architecture this year? If you visted Giardini's Central Pavilion? And which "elements'" room did you like the most? About 200 of you sheared with us your opinion. here are the result: ENG
Since two millenniums Italian architecture keeps amaze the entire world. The architectural capitals have been always moving from one place to another. Yet, Italian cities were always on the list. We all know such masterpieces as Roman Coliseum (80 AD), Venetian Piazza San Marco (1100), Leaning Tower of Pisa (1372) and Florence Cathedral (1436). Indeed, Italy is probably the only country that has been able to preserve since the beginning of time the title of the architectural heart of the globe and to stay up to date. The new century is not an exception. ENG
Just came back from my second trip to the 14th Venice Biennale. This time I went only to Giardini. And I should say I liked it much more than Arsenale that I visited some months earlier. Though my not very much positive feedback regarding Monditalia in Arsenale posted in June was perhaps given by the burning Italian summer sun… Back to Giardini. I just loved it! I loved the simplicity, the clarity, the architecture (and not architects!). One thing there I appreciated in particular: the fireplace hall. At the center of the room one encounters nothing else but a total-back-to-the-origin thing. “280,000 years ago…” says the display “fireplace was just a ground”. So simple! ENG
The universe is made of contrary forces that represent the dynamic equilibrium of the world. Day and night, light and shade, small and big, hot and cold balance each other preserving the harmony of our being. Ancient Chinese named this concept Yin and Yang. Physics teaches us that oppositely charged particles attract each other. But does this principle work even in terms of art and design? Пока большинство стремится к прогрессу, есть и те, что живут в утопии. Вместо привычной для нас благоустроенности они предпочитают спартанские условия. А взамен уютных квартир выбирают руины античных вилл. Такова парадоксальная реальность разрушенной Старой Буссаны, «несуществующего» итальянского городка на берегу Лигурийского моря. Переполненная мечтами, яркими цветами и необычным образом жизни Буссана — уникальное место даже для самых искушенных туристов.
Мария Новожилова из Италии, специальнодля журнала КЛ | фото автора ENG
What do you know about copper? Although each of us has an idea about this golden-looking material, probably no one can actually realize the real importance and the whole multiplicity of its uses. Art, design, architecture, industry and technology: all largely employ the copper. Its unique properties make this material simply irreplaceable. It is resistant. Yet it is ductile and malleable too. Thus while diligently serving for technical purposes in some engineering works, it can easily change the form under the master hand of an artist. ENG Waseda University (Tokyo) opened the new Building 3 on September 18. Located between the Main Gate and the Okuma statue, it has 14 floors above ground, and recreates the former building on the lower floors. ENG
This place does not exist. It used to be a small Italian borgo above the Liguria sea. Then, in 1887, it was hit by an earthquake… After the disaster, its inhabitants happily decided to move for living elsewhere forgetting the place. Absconding from fresh rubbles they left their old homes. Since then the town is left abandoned, and its buildings still stay half-destroyed. ENG
On a green and steep hill of the Liguria cost an old and lonely Italian lady leads her quiet life. Built of stone centuries ago, signora Pigna stays there with no change. Stiff but abounded, dreamy and mysterious her narrow streets whisper stories from the past. Windows are shut. Piazzas are empty. There are no people. Only random guests discover her beauty, walk through her paths reviving her youth. By Maria Novozhilova RUS
Кто был в Милане, наверняка хорошо запомнил Дуомо ди Милано, один из красивейших соборов всей Европы. Строительство Дуомо было долгим (его возводили с 1386 по 1892 гг.) и затратным. Знаменитый белоснежный и «кружевной» мрамор из Каррары и 96 уникальных статуй, украшающих внешнее убранство собора – всё дело искусных рук специально приглашённых итальянских мастеров. ENG
Italy is full of surprises. Small villages, divine landscapes and picturesque architecture are hidden all over the country. One of these Italian jewels, the “Humpback” bridge in borgo Dolceacqua (Liguria), is veiled by the green silhouettes of the maritime Alps. The small pearl of the Liguria cost was discovered by many. Yet, it is still know by few. Alas! The master hand of Claude Monet captured the charming grace of the monumental form back in 1884. Since then time seems to stay frozen leaving intact the bridge and its beauty. By Maria Novozhilova 073. Technique and imagination of Paulo Mendes da Rocha: an exhibition at Triennale di Milano6/27/2014
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Palazzo Pubblico is one of the most important works of architecture of Sienna (Italy) and of the entire world. Protected by UNESCO, it appears as the main front of the central square of the city – Piazza del Campo (we’ve already spoke about theis piazza here). Responding to the urban context, the building gently incurves embracing the piazza. This quintessential example of the Gothic Italian Palace is characterized by its peculiar large triple-arched windows, the use of bricks and the so-called 'Guelph' crenellation. By Maria Novozhilova
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Italy is famous with its piazzas: every big city and any small town has its civic, religious, market squares. Even more than one of each. Yet, among thousands of unique Italian piazzas there is one really special: Piazza del Campo in Siena. This shell-shaped square that counts about 1 000 years of history is among the most remarkable urban open spaces conceived by Italian school of architecture. ENG
One of the most quintessential works of architecture of Italy is, no doubt, Duomo di Firenze. Florence Cathedral, known also as Santa Maria del Fiore, is famous all over the world thanks to its great dome courageously designed and built by Brunelleschi in 1436, that is 140 years after the beginning of the construction. Rich marble decoration coveting the Cathedral and the adjacent Giotto's Campanile and Baptistery is the another peculiarity of this architectural composition. Colorful marble ornamental pattern is, therefore, the landmark and the symbol of the city. Thus Domo di Firenze has always been funky. Yet now it is even more! ENG
Although our imaginary always depicts Venice as the city of history, picturesque water canals and charming antique bridges, there are some examples of contemporary design. One of them is the Constitution Bridge that was commissioned to Calatrava in 1996 and finally opened only 12 years later, in 2008. This bridge is different: it is made of glass. The only transparent overpass of Venetian waterways, the bridge for years has been a source of polemics.
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Visiting the 14th Venice Biennale of Architecture don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful and unique city that used to be known as “Serenissima” - the capital of the Republic of Venice. Up to nowadays undoubtedly Venice is considered as the most beautiful city built by men. |
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