If you pay attention to the architecture world, you’ve seen a notice about this year’s Pritzker winners and some discussion of the goals they work towards in their practice. I’ll summarize it below, but given the amount that has been written, you’re better off looking elsewhere for details. I want to discuss what their work, …
Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal Win The Pritzker Prize Read More »
The caption for the circa 1920 photo above is “Snow Blocked Trolley.” I am no expert on street cars, but there’s almost no snow around this one. I suspect the snow is on the next block, beyond the two trucks. This is probably the aftermath of the storm of February 4 to 7, 1920, which …
New York is known as a city of masonry and metals with its ubiquitous visible bricks, stones, decorative terra cotta, cast iron facades, and sheet metal cornices, which is why Old Structures Engineering has titled its guide to the structure of New York buildings City of Brick and Steel. Peering inside this book, just like peering inside …
New York will soon have off-shore wind turbines for electric power. Three areas are set for development: two off the entrance to the harbor and one to the east, past the east end of Long Island. People have successfully developed solar power in the our area, but between the reduced direct light in winter and …
Down to Earth by Kiel Moe explains how you can trace the materials and energy used in a building back to the source. Moe uses as an example the Seagram Building, an icon of modern architecture, and discusses its energy impact. Reading his essay suggests that bronze may not be the most eco-friendly material to …
