A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books

Steven Holl's design for the Bloch Building addition to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO has seen its fair share of controversey , long before its 2007 completion date. While these exterior photographs probably won't quiet any skeptics, they should give people a better idea of what to expect come completion. These were sent to me by my old classmate Jeff who currently resides in Kansas City, though we don't know the author of these photos. If that's you, let me know and I'll give you credit here. Update 01.12: In response to KevinS's question/comment, the answer appears to be "yes...and no":

As Built is a monograph on the London studio Caruso St. John Architects , published by a+t ediciones . a+t publishes some damn fine - but pricey - magazines twice a year. Although I've featured Caruso St. John's work on my weekly page , I'm not familiar with much of his work, though I feel I should be. It has a quiet appeal, a certain calm that's refreshing these days. As the editors put it well enough, the studio "has carried out a series of projects that is characterized by coherence, sobriety, and a search for emotion through built reality."

First a church by Sullivan on Chicago's south side, now a house by Wright in nearby Gary, Indiana. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?), the pre-fire condition of the Wynant House - built ca. 1915 for the president of a local insurance company - wasn't much better than its post-fire condition, below. It's been determined that "torches used by workers putting final touches on a new church roof sparked the blaze" at Pilgrim Baptist Church, though the cause of the Wynant House fire has yet to be determined. (via Archinect )

Found myself walking down South Michigan Avenue this morning, so I clicked these pics of the construction site of the Spertus Institute's new home . The groundbreaking for the Spertus was October 7, though it appears that was more a ceremonial start than a construction start. From the looks of things today the demolition needs to be hauled away and then excavation can start for the building's foundation. Click image for larger view It might not be too exciting yet, but it's good to see things underway on what should be a great contribution to Chicago, and more specifically the Michigan Avenue streetwall overlooking Grant Park.

What started as a renovation of an existing market turned into an urban redevelopment in and around the Avenida Cambo in Barcelona. But this dry description belies the executed work, designed by the late Eric Miralles's office EMBT. The most distinctive feature of the design is the colored tile roof that undulates its way across the market below, visible to our feathered friends and those lucky enough to live in the adjacent buildings. Cantilevered portions create shade, and relief from inclement weather, as well as an interesting interaction with the existing market. The sinuous structural system makes itself known in all aspects of the design, as it punctures through the roof, reaches the ground outside the old market walls, or overtly supports the wood roof above. The complex project is actually three levels, with two below grade that include loading/unloading, parking, and an organic waste depository for the surrounding area. In many ways, its contribution to the city takes pla...

Smart Architecture , by Ed van Hinte, Marc Neelen, Jacques Vink and Piet Vollaard, published by 010 Publishers , 2003. ( Amazon ) Smart architecture is never just green - it is always something more. Thus reads the manifesto for Smart Architecture, a Dutch Foundation that poses many questions about the future of architecture, urbanism, and sustainability in this little book. While it's clear that the individuals involved have an optimistic viewpoint based on the integration of technology, engineering, and ecological/environmental concepts, the book presents a variety of projects to illustrate their ideas, rather than theorizing for 200 pages. This decision makes everything easier to sw...

Chamanna Tschierva in Bernina, Switzerland by Hans-Jörg Ruch Architektur This extension to the Swiss Alpine Club's facility Chamanna da Tschierva by Hans-Jörg Ruch Architektur is the result of an architectural competition. While the original - extended to once previously - is of a stone that blends the building into its context, particularly in the warmer months when it is primarily used, the latest opts for a wood exterior that positions it in sharp contrast to what came before. Situated in the Bernina mountain range of the Alps, which extend from Switzerland into Italy, this building is part of a series of huts run by the Swiss Alpine Club for trekking the Bernina massif. Called chamannas in the local language, the huts provide spots for rest for...