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Showing newest posts with label Analyse-this. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label Analyse-this. Show older posts

Debating within... Should buildings be architecturally designed 'INNOVATIVE & UNIQUE'... or... 'WEIRD & UNWARRANTED themes'?

Thursday, April 22, 2010 ||| POST TAGS ==> , , ,
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Yesterday night, while editing the final version of the post scheduled to be published today here at BRICKS-n-MORTAR, we happen to take a tea break and took some more time off to check & prune our mailboxes as well as the network links that we follow.

One of such many updates was from ArchDaily, a daily architectural content website, the recent entry of which derailed us from what we were doing that very point of time.  The entry, in subject, inadvertently got us into sort of an informal debate among ourselves, which we now think, could well be posted today instead of the earlier planned post and be shared with our readers to have their insight also.

ABOUT THE DEBATE WITHIN OURSELVES...

The debate started after looking at one of the architectural entries out of a total of eight there in this very update at ArchDaily, which was titled 'SHIP' and was a submission by some Japanese Architect agency, called Katsuhiro Miyamoto & Associates with their reported postal address indicating them to be located at Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan.

The subject entry 'SHIP' made us follow its 'Read more' hyperlink in the received update mailer for two reasons--
  • ONE,  the picture accompanying the entry was looking somewhat weird as compared to other content in the mailer;  and
  • TWO,  the seemingly weirdness of the entry made us more so very inquisitive to find out as what in the first place was the idea behind such a design?!!
This is how the house looks like... (reproducing and sharing the pictures of this weird looking entry from ArchDaily as ready reference)


Now, having visited their respective hyperlinks, this is what the website mentions about the Japanese architect agency's design:
A residence built on a two-tiered site with a level difference of 3 meters. Because of the concern remained about the credibility of embankment and retaining wall built along the housing development, the foundation was laid on natural ground beneath the lower tier which was more reliable as the supporting stratum. The steel-made volume for public rooms floats over the retaining wall and above the upper tier for better view. Private rooms are arranged along the lower tier where the atmosphere is calm, at a distance from the front road, within a reinforced concrete structure which functions as a counterbalance to the overhanging volume.
...The result is in fact much reminiscent of a ferryboat, in terms of both structure and layout, in which passenger decks and floating section are separated up and down with the vehicle decks in between.
Cor-ten steel used for the structure of this house’s first floor and up is entirely untreated on the surface and bare, expected to be covered with stable rust in the future. Contrastingly, the interior surfaces –floor, wall, ceiling- are finished uniformly white with elaborate thermal insulation. Combined with their curved forms, it is intended that a neutral space with a feeling of loss of depth is created.
THIS IS OUR OPINION ON THE DESIGN...  but, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Despite reading the details and looking at various pictures of this weird-looking building, we couldn't be convinced as why foundations (deep foundations and/or pile foundations, etc.) couldn't be possible in the front half of the building, which could have let the building have some meaningful and natural shape? Moreover, we don't think this design could have been economic considering the fact that enormous quantity of steel structure would have been put in use to support such gigantic unsupported cantilevered upper storey part. The RCC overhang would also have been of larger volumes so as to provide a balancing counterweight.

All in all, we debated and debated for hours to find any reasonable meaning in designing such weird-looking buildings (apologies though to the conceiving Japanese architect agency in case we have not been able to understand their concept!!)

Let us ask now BRICKS-n-MORTAR readers to help take the debate further to some concluding decision as what such designs be termed as---  

INNOVATIVE & UNIQUE... 
or...   
WEIRD & UNWARRANTED DESIGN ??


BTW, here's showing the picture of another entry of the same mailer, which is differently conceptualized, but is still looking amazing. Have a look! What do you say for this?


Source: ArchDaily



Suggested stuff of similar interests:
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture       Modern Architecture (Oxford History of Art)       The Art of Construction: Projects and Principles for Beginning Engineers & Architects (Ziggurat Book)

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Whats your viewpoint--- Publishing regular (ordinary) blog posts daily OR quality posts twice a week?

Saturday, April 17, 2010 ||| POST TAGS ==> , ,
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"Let us ask our dear blog readers and subscribers too as WHAT IS THEIR OPINION ON THIS ISSUE. Tell us what you have in your mind to make us agile.. so as to serve you even better."
Current Results: Quality Posts twice a week (2 votes) Vs Regular (ordinary) Posts daily (0 votes)
BRICKS-n-MORTAR dot com, the Knowledge-sharing-blog says :
We have been patronizing the Civil Engineering based knowledge-sharing blog- 'BRICKS-n-MORTAR' since April 2008, which essentially encompasses 'A COMMON MAN'S civil engineering related doubts and queries' We firmly believe against the web-gurus' usual advice of regularly (read multiple on daily basis) posting web material on one's blog, no matter if the quality is maintained or not, for the simple fact that it helps in drawing the search engines' attention and thereby respective rankings (PR points etc.). However, we have been posting selective knowledge-sharing posts since the inception of our blog earning loyalty and admiration of our niche blog readers and subscribers. Notwithstanding what we believe, MAY WE KNOW WHATS YOUR OPINION ON THIS MATTER?
Debate, Opine, Answer.. dear readers!! If interested, accept the invitation from BRICKS-n-MORTAR to join their network on 'TooStep' platform also by clicking here
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Delhi Metro (DMRC) bridge collapse accident | Corrective Actions on Column Piers with faulty Cantilever Overhangs

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 ||| POST TAGS ==> , , ,
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Remember, the Delhi Metro (DMRC) column and bridge collapse accident that shook South Delhi in the month of July 2009?

The metro rail track supporting bridge was
being erected at the East of Kailash area stretch on the Central Secretariat to Badarpur corridor of the Delhi Metro when one the piers (huge bridge supporting columns) gave way resulting in loss of life, property, time, money and DMRC's face and grace of being a top-class engineering division of the country.

The initial fact-finding study reports and subsequent testing of samples and engineering design checks pointed fingers at the design flaws which had been found as the prime reason of failure in the design details of the cantilever pier-caps (the one-side overhung column caps to support the pre-cast rail bridge pieces), together with ill-quality material and workmanship standards followed for the fast-tracked construction activities that were being pushed to the limit to meet the target of making the Delhi Metro rail network functional in all desired stretches of Delhi and suburbs like Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad that comprise of the National Capital Region (NCR).
The incident took place between pillars 66 and 67 when the pillar cap was affected. Ten segments were to be erected on the stretch of which five had been completed. When the sixth segment was being erected, the launching girder collapsed due to disbalance causing a portion of the bridge to fall, one of the leading news portals (source: accident site photo at top too) had reported. The Delhi Metro rail Corporation (DMRC) had subsequently announced that all cantilever structures built during the ongoing Phase-II would be rechecked for safety and stability. The report following the rechecks found a number of columns on the Delhi-Noida as well as Delhi-Gurgaon stretch faulty.

BRICKS-n-MORTAR hereby appraise you pictorially as what measures DMRC have taken to take care of the piers with faulty cantilever overhangs.







Share your thoughts and comments essaying your reactions towards these measures and if you think these are adequate in restoring the structural safety as well as restoring back the faith of future commuters of the Metro Rail on these tracks.

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[Readers' Query]: How to know the past history of purchased home/ property?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 ||| POST TAGS ==> , ,
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Another interesting question answered on "Y! Answers" By 'Team B-n-M':

"How do I find information on past history of our recently purchased home and property, if something bad may have happened?

I have this odd feeling when I'm outside. When I go into the house I'm fine. The house was moved on the property about 5 years ago, a year before we bought it"


'Team B-n-M' answers:


  • One of the ways to find out if the property is a clean one is to check with the local property agents / brokers as well as the neighboring houses. In case any unwanted history is there, these people could be the best source to find out as they are local contacts and stay in same place.
  • The other source could be the nearest police station. There should not be any untoward record history of the property.
  • Last but not the least, check upon the credentials of the previous owners / builders / property developers who are connected with the property in whichever way. Their history and antecedents may help in confirming / quashing your untoward fears / doubts about the property.
For more such queries on similar topics, write in to us.  We would be glad to assist you.
-Shelly
(for Team at BRICKS-n-MORTAR dot com)
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The Marvelous Heritage Architecture -- The 'TAJ MAHAL PALACE & TOWER' -- Mumbai, India

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 ||| POST TAGS ==> , ,
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India, in the past week gone by, witnessed one of the most horrendous and ghastly terrorist attacks on one of her iconic and heritage architectural structure which by no means can be considered less than a monument.   Several innocent lives lost, many of dutiful Indian armed personnel martyred, and innumerable horrific memories remain in the eyes 'n minds of the entire rational world.

And, in the centre stage of this worst episode of inhuman and ghastly act of certain fundamentalists, stand the other victims  -  'TAJ MAHAL PALACE and TOWER' besides the 'Oberoi TRIDENT', Jewish settlers' Nariman point building and the Cafe Leopold  -  which bore the physical blunt of this insane act of terrorism...  may be still trying to find out  WHY THEY WERE SO ATTACKED and defaced.  The answer may never come to them unless the fanatic fundamentalists who carry out such devilish acts are blessed back the thoughtfulness and righteousness of whats right and whats not right by the Almighty.



This post of Bricks-n-Mortar is a humble and heartfelt 'get-well-soon' prayer to this iconic Indian monument as well as the other buildings that came under attack. Heartfelt tribute to all the persons too also who lost their precious lives.

The Taj Mahal Palace hotel was built in the year 1903 by Mr. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the founder of India's one of the topmost business conglomerate house: The Tata group.   History has it that Mr.
Jamsetji N. Tata decided to build this iconic hotel when he was denied entry into a premier English hotel during the Britsh Raj era.   The result was this marvelous piece of architecture, which in fact was built even before the very famous 'Gateway of India' monument, some about 20 years back.  [Check out the hotel's full history snapshot at the hotel's official website the link of which is following below]

As highlighted in the Taj Hotels' website,

"Built in 1903, the hotel is an architectural marvel and brings together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. Offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, the hotel is a gracious landmark of the city of Mumbai, showcasing contemporary Indian influences along with beautiful vaulted alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, graceful archways, hand-woven silk carpets, crystal chandeliers, a magnificent art collection, an eclectic collection of furniture, and a dramatic cantilever stairway.

Over the past century, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai has amassed a diverse collection of paintings and works of art and is a veritable showcase of artifacts and art of the era. From Belgian chandeliers to Goan Christian artifacts, the hotel incorporates a myriad of artistic styles and tastes."


 Architecture.about.com writes,

"With distinctive onion domes and pointed arches, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel combined Moorish and Byzantine design with European ideas.   Constructed of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete, the grand arch borrows details from 16th century Islamic architecture."
Now that the nightmarish terror episode has been tamed by the Indian armed forces and the positive will of the Indian and International people alike, lets all wish these iconic and marvelous architectural jewels come to vibrant life as soon as possible.  Come together hand-in-hand wishing the marvel and grandeur of these beautiful jewels of the earth are restored by the utmost strong will and empathy of rational mankind.





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[Analyse this]: Can you identify the prominent Architectural feature in this?

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 ||| POST TAGS ==> , ,
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This photograph was taken in the South-Indian city of Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, where the reader who has sent this across went visiting.

The house in picture looks nice, but has one very prominent Architectural feature, which technically speaking, is some sorts of a flaw (in terms of designing the structural elements.)

Can you identify?

[Hint: Look near the slanting red roof]

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