The expressive architecture of the new synagogue in Munich is characterized by two stacked cubes: a massive, temple-like rock base with a filigree glass construction on top clad in a bronze-colored translucent woven metallic veil. Architect: Wandel, Höfer und Lorch, Saarbrücken, Germany
More here: http://tinyurl.com/2ex4fqz

The Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) at The University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center at Houston, is a comprehensive research facility designed by BNIM Architects. NBK Terracotta and VM ZINC have been extensively used on the exterior and interior of the building More here: http://tinyurl.com/2bsww4z

Allied Works Architecture won a competition for a new school building by honoring this freewheeling creative spirit while giving students the clean, well-lighted studios and rehearsal spaces they had never had. More here: http://tinyurl.com/32ot99j
Designed by Allied Works Architecture featuring Umicore VM Zinc Interlocking and Perforated Quartz Zinc wall panels

The Victoria & Albert Museum Originally designed by Aston Webb in 1891, the new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries are spread across 10 rooms on two floors, at the south-east corner of the museum. Designed by MUMA (McInnes Usher McKnight Architects) More here: http://tinyurl.com/22ovh9a

This project uses Radians curved aluminum panels with a perforation. If you look really closely you can see that the perforation actually creates the logo of the High School. This project is the practice gymnasium at Glendale High School in Glendale Arizona designed by Todd & Associates.
For more information visithttp://tinyurl.com/28732mj

project of the month -02.12 -hooked on phonics:

pronunciations vary for non-locals, but for those living in and around northwest washington state, puyallup is a city located south of seattle.  or southeast of tacoma, if you prefer.  (don’t worry, locals will tell you which one, if any, is correct).  either way, our hearing is going due to too much rock and roll in our youth at the tacoma dome,  so we are have trouble nailing it down.  no worries. 

the name comes from the native american puyallup tribe.  “puyallup” means the generous people.  we can see that.  nice people, nice city and nice architectural sensibilities. 

take the puyallup city hall, for instance.  designed by the mighty mithun firm on the great alaskan way in nearby seattle, this building absolutely sings with massing and materiality.  we say “mighty” for a reason.  mithun architects provided the architectural, interior design, and landscaping services for this private-public stunner.  (http://mithun.com/projects/project_detail/puyallup_city_hall_block/)

the team at mithun has managed to join the public and private realms with a project that accommodates shops on the main street front and a public plaza + courtyard + landscape to be enjoyed by all.  moreover, the mixing of a material pallet that includes concrete, brick, glass, wood, plants, lights and zinc, could have been a disaster in less skilled hands.  mithun makes it happen with an ease that doesn’t shout for or demand attention.  instead, it has a subtle and sweet finesse that sneaks up on you. 

The only thing we’re concerned about is that drivers passing this building too fast will suddenly slam on their breaks and cause accidents! (“whoa!  what was that?”)  closer inspection (of the zinc first, of course) reveals zinc panel sizes intentionally rendered so that the reveals line up with the mullions.  sounds easy.  hard to do once paper meets the reality of construction.  by the way, the zinc was expertly installed by locals:  architectural sheet metal of puyallup.  (www.architecturalsheetmetal.com)

we believe that the installers’ local pride, combined with their craftsmanship, speaks for itself.  but, because this is a blog, we will mention that the vertical interlocking wall panels were drawn in such a way that they create texture as they draw the eye to the sky. the vertical columns above the brick massing at the street front intensify this effort. wrapping the zinc around to the nearby fascia brings the eye back to the other elements, including the glass and the wood soffit. the brick base box anchors the ensemble to the lively street.

everywhere you turn, the materiality of this building plays out like a small symphony.  quiet and confident — not like great grandma cranking out show tunes on her 1970s hi-fi at full volume in the room down the hall.  no, this building is more like a drive along the ocean on a sunday afternoon, or a windswept field on an open prairie.  calm with an element of the uncontrolled.  and yet, somehow, it is being controlled.  generous in it’s own way.  enough said.

we hope you go by this project. get off i-5 for a few moments and take a look.  if you dig architecture, you’ll be glad that you did.  on the way, you can practice non-local variations of the name: “pju-AWL-ep” … “pew-owl-up”   …”pew-awl-ap”   ”hello? hooked on phonics?” 

enjoy -vm

photos by gilbertson photography.  (www.gilbertsonphotography.com)

editorial contributions by bryan ninneman

Source: www.zincsense.com

repost from www.zincsense.com

Where typical LED boards block windows and obstruct buildings, GKD’s Mediamesh allows for daylight to penetrate the windows, while appearing almost solid from the outside.
More here:http://tinyurl.com/22vkyep

A façade doesn’t have to be flat anymore. Dri-Design® has introduced its new Tapered Series architectural metal wall panel system. The innovative design allows each individual panel face to taper in all directions.
Do you like it?
More here:http://tinyurl.com/26xykj7

Architecture engages with the interaction between contrasts and often creates a new reality from fantasies. To do so, new mediums with regard to contours, colors and textures of surfaces must be possible
more here(Architonic):http://tinyurl.com/2dcqd9s