sensual rock III

The final installment from Suha Bekki.

white decking

This house by Bernd Steinhuber has no interior and no exterior. Instead, it has just one moving and living deck within the landscape. The Architects have created a space unhindered at any time and to preserve the tree population, the living deck has to be situated above the existing terrain. The roof and the living deck are raised, the space around opens out similarly. Careful consideration is taken with its off-white facade because the white increases the constantly changing colours of the lake, the nature, the sky.

ain't it tho

The time has come 4 u to see

That love is something else u practise it to be

The line is long

4 u and me

That leads us 2 the very debt of our hearts

We're still on the surface deceiving ourselves

Inside we hate,

and want 2 see our best friends fall... oh

Let us make a change why can't we turn the page

Lord make us able

Without u we are totally unstable

Let us make a change why can't we turn the page

Lord make us able

Without u we are totally unstable

U talk about peace

Put it in ur mouth

The same mouth u use to declare ur bombs

Ur system is a joke

No heart in it

It's choking us to death

We living in decept so

Tell me oh, please tell me that

Love, ain't what u are talking about on TV

Love, ain't what u practice it to be

Love, ain't the Love that u are giving me

Love, gotta be something un can not compare anything to

Let us make a change why can't we turn the page

Lord make us able

Without u we are totally unstable

Let us make a change why can't we turn the page

Lord make us able

Without u we are totally unstable

glass bridge

Safdie Rabines Architects created a studio for two artists wishing to create a new work space while minimizing the impact of any new construction on the natural landscape of their property. To create the studio and library without disturbing the surrounding area, The Architects created a 'bridge' spanning a small arroyo adjacent to the house, providing the opportunity to experience the canyon from the best of all possible locations. The bridge is supported by two concrete piers on either side of the canyon, and is spanned with two trusses made of top and bottom glulam chords with steel cross members. Floating 15ft above the dry creek bed, the studio provides a unique opportunity to experience the canyon. Naturally lit with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, the design creates a bright and airy work space that opens towards the canyon on two sides. When the glass doors are opened completely, the structure takes on the feeling of a true open air bridge, minimizing the distinction between indoors and out.

the colours, red and blue

One night to be confused

One night to speed up truth

We had a promise made

Four hands and then away

Both under influence

We had divine scent

To know what to say

Mind is a razor blade

To call for hands of above

To lean on

Wouldn't be good enough

For me, no

One night of magic rush

The start, a simple touch

One night to push and scream

And then relief

Ten days of perfect tunes

The colors, red and blue

We had a promise made

We were in love

To call for hands of above

To lean on

Wouldn't be good enough

For me, no

To call for hands of above

To lean on

Wouldn't be good enough

And you

You knew the hand of the Devil

And you

Kept us awake with wolf's teeth

Sharing different heartbeats in one night

To call for hands of above

To lean on

Wouldn't be good enough

For me, no

To call for hands of above

To lean on

Wouldn't be good enough

tax evasion

I've been watching Broadwalk Empire since it first aired on HBO and I'm hooked. Let me tell you this; there is something very appealing about the 20's. The idea of the Alcoholic Architect drinking vast amounts of Canadian Whiskey during the Prohibition era is just too good an idea. If it was real, yours truly would have certainly made friends with the mobsters. low-lives, corrupt politicians and lonely housewives. Hell, I would have even met Al Capone. As you can see, we now digress...

Talking of Al Capone, I'm sure most of the 'trendy' Shoreditch crew would follow his prison cell interior design sense. There you go, who said you need a degree to be a good Interior Designer? Can't be that difficult, if even a mobster can do it!

sensual rock II

More from Suha Bekki...

promenades à pied d'hiver - quatre

Excerpts from my previous unposted writings:

My neighbours outside the apartment is having a fight. It's New Year Day for God's sake! Argh! What do I do? I was ears-dropping on their passionate argument.

Mademoiselle: Je vous déteste!! Je vous déteste!!

Monsieur: [Quiet]

Melle: Vous êtes dégoûtants!! Vous, le sommeil avec toutes ces femmes. Va te faire foutre! Vous êtes dégoûtants!! [Screaming]

M: Vous êtes furieux à cause de ma vie passée?

Melle: C'est dégoûtant!....[sound of spitting]

M: [Quiet]

Melle: C'est dégoûtant! C'est dégoûtant!....[sound of spitting]

M: Vous avez craché sur moi!! Comment osent vous? Que vous ai-je fait mal?

Melle: Vous le méritez! [Screaming]

At this time, I wondered whether I should call the Gendemarie, in case it goes too far. The Brunette came out of the shower and was giving me a look. At this time, I've pulled a chair next to the front door. Brunette can't believe what she was seeing. I know, it's terrible.

Anyway, their conversation stayed for the next hour. I wondered why they couldn't just get in their apartment and have a go at each other there. I'm sure, I wasn't the only one ear-dropping to this saga. It was so bad that by the time the Brunette was ready to leave for petit dejeuner, we are worried that we might be dragged in their fight. Alors, la solution - We stayed for 1 hour 15 minutes while having port, wine, saucisson sec, chantal and hope they would calm down. Bon Appetit!

beat that lady gaga

Simply AMAZING!!

promenades à pied d'hiver - trois

More excerpts from previous un-posted writings: 

Today is the past and tomorrow is the future. Goodbye 2010 and hello 2011, soon Alcoholic Architect will be a year old. Like a baby, the breast-feeding years are not finished yet. The nursing time and the sleepless nights by the late nights are still ongoing. Brunette thought my comparison of this blog as a baby is ridiculous. What does she know, she hasn't got one - not that I know yet at least.

Talking about the future, everyone seems to have a dream, idea and hope of best wishes but, the reality is we wished that we hadn't drank that much on the New Year's Eve. Come on, be honest with yourself!!

We decided to take a longer walk through the old cobbled stone Paris this morning before heading to Boulevard Hausmann. The view of Paris from the top of Printemps while sipping champagne is sweet. Brunette's fur coat is waving at me in the wind and she ordered a Manhattan. The sky is clear, soiree is happening and the fireworks is impressive. Recession, what recession?? The pyro-boys are making a killing. The fireworks goes bang! The crowd goes whoa! The pyro-boys goes ching-ka-ching!!

golden leaves

Autumn in New York

Why does it seem so inviting?

Autumn in New York

It spells the thrill of first-nighting

Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel

They're making me feel I'm home

It's autumn in New York

That brings the promise of new love

Autumn in New York

Is often mingled with pain

Dreamers with empty hands

They sigh for exotic lands

It's autumn in New York

It's good to live it again

Lovers that bless the dark

On benches in Central Park

It's autumn in New York

It's good to live it again

promenades à pied d'hiver - deux

Excerpts from previous unposted writings:

Walking on Champs Elysees on Christmas day evening, I'm struck by how busy it is. The whole road and pedestrian walkway is gridlocked with shops selling knick-knacks for parents walking with their children, group of young guys out for the prowl, tourists buying vin chaud to soak up the experience, young couples holding each other so tightly as not to lose each other, early twenties girls braving the bitterly cold weather wearing nothing more than short skirts, open toe heels and thin stockings and us. I had decided to leave London for a quiet end of the year celebration; a sort of reset button. The soiree invitations are as abundant as ever but I've politely declined all of them. There is something rejuvenating about not lifting a finger for Christmas and I haven't done something like this for a long long time.

Wrapped warm walking out to the street, the Brunette commented about how nice it is to have the pied the terre at Miromesnil. I explained that the choice is clear, it's a stone throw away from Le Bristol and Le Crillon. She laughed. Our walk ended perching at the bar in Le Crillon Bar ordering a Negroni por moi and a Sakura for mademoiselle. The drinks were excellent thanks to the head barman Frederick. Behind us, a few couples yong and old sitting in the deep red chairs attentively listening and sharing each others company. By the piano, Anton sits comfortably deep in trance while feeling the jazz he's playing; something I truly appreciate.

work in progress

Randy Brown Architects purchased this property and decided to move into the house during its construction project with the intention for it to be a laboratory for architectural experiments. The Architect have ch osen the site in a partially wooded area with rolling hills with views to the west and south. The existing house is located on the highest ground of the site on the edge of where the trees meet the native prairie grass meadow.

The project has been built by the Architect's own hands with each of the last four summers, architectural students have been hired to assist with the design and construction. This project is intended to continue for the rest of the Architect’s life as a 'Work in Progress'. Green building technology were integrated as much as possible such as passive solar, natural ventilation insulated concrete forms, R-45 roof insulation, renewable materials, radiant flooring, heat pumps, and a green roof system. The idea was to explore ways to intertwine what is man-made with what is natural and the intention is to create a house that is so interconnected with the land that it is simultaneously natural and man-made.

promenades à pied d'hiver - une

After sorting all the papers and files on my desk, I came across some writings I've done back in December 2010 which I haven't posted. Duh!

Also, I have noticed that there isn't much interesting projects that I would be bothered writing about. Double Duh!! So, I've decided to post those thoughts mainly from my winter away in Paris. A nice break from all the seriousness of Architecture I guess...

sunday roast

Sunday morning rain is falling

Steal some covers share some skin

Clouds are shrouding us in moments unforgettable

You twist to fit the mold that I am in

But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do

And I would gladly hit the road get up and go if I knew

That someday it would lead me back to you

That someday it would lead me back to you

That may be all I need

In darkness she is all I see

Come and rest your bones with me

Driving slow on Sunday morning

And I never want to leave

Fingers trace your every outline

Paint a picture with my hands

Back and forth we sway like branches in a storm

Change the weather still together when it ends

That may be all I need

In darkness she is all I see

Come and rest your bones with me

Driving slow on Sunday morning

And I never want to leave

But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do

Sunday morning rain is falling and I'm calling out to you

Singing someday it'll bring me back to you

Find a way to bring myself back home to you

And you may not know

That may be all I need

In darkness she is all I see

Come and rest your bones with me

Driving slow on Sunday morning

light & trees

BAK Architects JD House is located on a 20m x 30m plot of land in the coastal Mar Azul forest, Argentina. The residence designed primarily in concrete, wood and glass is blended into the topography and vegetation on the site. The client specified a house that could accomodate visitors within the building as well as a generous outdoor expansions. The land on which the house is situated follows a gentle slope that provided a welcome challenge for the design of the house. The house sits very high above the ground in order to adjust to the level changes on the site thus providing a heightened condition of privacy. The Architects conceived the house as two pure prisms, located in a clearing among trees of various heights, as intersecting perpendicular forms that joined at half levels. Volumes that alternate between high and low ceilings, depressed floors to provide a dynamic space of a variety of functions and different level of transparency through the house is equally as important as the opacity of the grey concrete walls. The views through the house direct the eyes onto the landscape beyond the house whereas the concrete walls direct light and provide organised views within the house.

menu gestapo

Every Goddamn year, the 14th of Feb is the worst day to be an individual. As like any other day, I would get up and get ready to go to work. But, on the 14th, all hell break lose! Fucking red balloons made into arches, giant white teddy bears hugging love hearts, red heart shape cut-outs pasted on window fronts, red roses cramped into every shape and size of buckets that can fit them, my local M&S filled to the brim with £20 dinner for two meal deals and worst of all, in every restaurant, I am succumbed into a 'Valentine's Set Menu'. Forced into submission to order what everyone else is eating, I retire in despair to my local take-away Indian - Bombay Bicycle. What the fuck is a 'Valentine's Set Menu' anyway?!?! What about the single people?? Are they expelled into the abyss during the day of 'couple-dom'? How selfish these couples? Grinning from ear to ear in happiness, eyes glazed in love and vision blinded in content - FUCK YOU ALL!! All I want, is to be able to choose what I Goddamn want to eat and not forced into some mediocre duck terrine shite!

Calmness decends after my rant and I bought roses for the Brunette. Not the typical and over-used red ones but a selection of white and pink roses. Who cares about True Love when Eternal Love with Youth is better. Happy Valentine's Brunette and hope you like Indian tonight.

paper folded phoenix

BKK Architects Beached House plays out the journey of a holiday home. This sequence of unfolding spaces and views have been the concept behind the whole design. Volumetric origami was adapted in the folding of spaces to resembles the house like a small village or informal site occupation that has aggregated over time. The Architects have responsed to prevailing conditions within the site hence the external spaces are located, nestled, between these elements and are orientated according to the shift in the wind and sun patterns throughout the day. Various options are available for the owners use because the Architects have intended that living in the house will be an unfolding series of moments, linked closely to climate and site that will continually delight and surprise.

planes & bomb - three

Finally from William Laven

pink facet

UNStudio's Agora Theatre is an extremely colourful, determinedly upbeat place. The building is part of the masterplan for Lelystad to revitalise the pragmatic, sober town centre. The Architects responded to the ongoing mission of reviving and recovering the post-war Dutch new towns by focusing on the archetypal function of a theatre. Both the interior and exterior walls are faceted to reconstruct the kaleidoscopic experience of the world of the stage.

beautiful night

Some day, when I'm awfully low,

When the world is cold,

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight.

Oh, You're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft,

There is nothing for me but to love you,

And the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,

Tearing my fears apart

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,

Touches my foolish heart.

Yes you're lovely, never, ever change

Keep that breathless charm.

Won't you please arrange it?

'Cause I love you

Just the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,

Tearing my fears apart

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,

Touches my foolish heart.

Yes you're lovely, never, ever change

Keep that breathless charm.

Won't you please arrange it?

'Cause I love you

Just the way you look tonight.

Just the way you look tonight.

Darling

Just the way you look tonight.

planes & bomb - two

More from William Laven