Fragments...

As I stumble across Pruned: mentioning the projects as introduce by Marcus Trimble: Ocean Pools of Sydney: The ocean pools of Madeira (Sydney) can be considered as a precedent for the theme of transition... (somewhat reminding me of the of infinity pools)


other examples:
copenhagen's harbour pool by danish architects BIG...

Badeschiff in the Berlin Spree river, imagine it being towed through the channels of Amsterdam...


...coincidentally my current reading: Topographical Stories by David Leatherbarrow:
offers a new way of thinking and reconsideration of the proximities of Landscape Architecture and Architecture. Their realiance on each other to form a single framework of cultural meaning. Redefining landscape architecture and architecture as topographical arts, sharing a task - which is to accommodate and express the patterns of our lives. As landscape is important to architecture, as its attention to the materiality, spatiality and temporarily of terrain may increase the architecture's cultural content...(more to come when i actually read it)

...which reminds me of my recent fascination with the Water Landscapes: redesigning aquariums... please see http://www.cau-aqua.net/ ...and there are many more. Apparently there is a whole lot of people out there creating these Aquascapes... awarding prises based on the harmony and balance created between positive and negative space...


which brings me to another reading.... The Tao of Architecture by Amos Ih Tiao Chang...

A Start...

I will begin to use this post as to keep track of my ideas for my ongoing thesis project.
That is to be completed by May 2009. On another note i will slowly update my past projects and photos from my travels,as well as some notes from readings and other blogs that have interested me.

Lets begin with the New Green California Academy of Sciences. That has an aquarium, a naural museum, a living rainforest, a planetarium and world-calss research and education programs. Housing 38,000 live animals under a 2.5 acre green roof. Achieving a one of a kind sustainable architecture.


http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/22/california-academy-of-sciences-unveiled/









Which reminds me of my past project for Globetrotter, an outdoor sporting goods store.

Thesis Statement

Just to keep track of my thesis development.
Below is my first draft of my Thesis statement and some photos of my thesis probe....

Travel and Identity

The word “Travel” pertains to many agendas; from pleasure to business, wanderings to migration. The idea of entering a new surrounding and leaving one’s home brings about physical displacement, and a series of mental unknowns. Because of this unfamiliarity, one’s sense of belonging is challenged, thus affecting the identity of the individual.

Over the course of history, as the speed and means of transportation multiplies and enhances; the time of discomfort is reduced but the restrictions on luggage is tightened. Individuals become limited from bringing their home in transition to a new permanence. If home represents a place of belonging, then it is also the boundaries of comfort.

Comparing to Nomadic tribes, who travel with only the essentials and necessities for survival, as technology advances, our sense of need has shifted and fused with desire. As the dependency on electronics leads to the belief of technology as a necessity, the items brought for comfort are no longer the basic necessities, but rather personal (sentimental) or financial based valuables.

When one is forced to overcome the unfamiliarity of a new setting, certain objects may generate another level of comfort permitting familiarization. Familiarization with the new cultural and social differences of the new surrounding enables adaptation, hence resolving the feelings resulted by the displacement. This discovery adds a new layer to ones identity, as the understanding of the self in the new context enhances the transition of fitting-in to a new community.

With the basic structures and basic necessities fixed and easily replaceable for individuals, how can we perhaps begin to redesign architecture which can be adaptable and personalized by the user? More importantly how can the short-lived settlement be constantly adaptable to its changing occupant, where comfort is derived only from the objects that they bring with them and the rearranging of the given?

Weinnachtmarket

Stuttgart getting ready for the Christmasmarket

The Giant Nutcracker

The Rathaus (Town Hall) all lit up

Zurich

ZURICH during Winter 2007

Walking down Bahnhofstrasse, world famous shopping street.

Grossmünster - The symbol of the city with its distinctive twin towers.

Fraumünster Church - The Fraumünster is well worth a visit, particularly to see the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Lake Zurich

and from up the Grossmünster

Baden Baden

The City of Baden Baden
a few hour train'ing' from Stuttgart.

to see who better than Richard Meier
The Freider Burda Museum

Free standing walls. Free floating walls.
at least it almost seems like it.

Then the rest of the town...

My first onion dome church.
Yes, I heard there are much more these kirche in north east europe.

Such a beautiful day,
just want to dip your foot in the water.

Konstanz

Konstanz
located where 3 countries borders the lake.
Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.
Nonetheless France is not too far away from here also.
Took a boat to Meersburg...Small village.
Not so much to see. But Interesting indeed.








The Switzerland Toll, Border Not too far away.
Many people did cross border grocery Shoping.



I Guess, the Sun was to blame. so much for enjoying the view on the way to Meersburg.
























Meersburg Schloss.
Guessing that's an old sink!