A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books

The first monograph on the work of architect/builder/educator extraordinaire Dan Rockhill has finally been published by Tuns Press . Design & Building features " ten design-build and seven preservation projects from the firm's work, and seven low cost houses designed and built by students from the Studio 804 course taught by Dan Rockhill at the University of Kansas. " Although I went to school down I-70 at arch-rival Kansas State University, I was fond of Rockhill's houses, and I was able to visit a couple back then. They were an unexpected pleasure in a place as conservative as Kansas. I've written about Rockhill previously on my weekly page and for TENbyTEN .

An anonymous tipster on a previous post buried in the archives tells us about a webcam pointing at the Block 37 construction site from the northwest.

"Metropol Parasol", a redevelopment project by J. Mayer H. for Plaza de la Encarnacion in Seville, Spain is one of the most striking projects I've seen in ages. Amazingly, it's under construction and is expected to be complete this year. The design is comprised of mushroom-like structures scattered about the site, linked together overhead like an amorphous parasol. The project includes " an archeological site, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols, as well as a panorama terrace on the very top of the parasols. " Links: :: J. Mayer H. :: Encarnacion de Sevilla :: Sevilla 21 (w/construction images)

Scandinavian Design by Charlotte & Peter Fiell, published by Taschen , 2003. ( Amazon ) As the publisher so rightly admits, "Scandinavians are exceptionally gifted in design." While this guide to Scandinavian furniture, glass, ceramics, textile, jewelry, metalware and industrial design may not be "all you need" it definitely hits all the high points, as well as covering lesser-known personalities and designs. The authors' introduction is a good overview that's followed by descriptions of each country's design history. Coverage on 200+ designers and design-led companies follows, and although the text is a bit dry - reading like resumes in paragraph f...

Taisei High School in Shizuoka, Japan by Itsuko Hasegawa Atelier In the enlargement and renovation of a private girls' school into the Shizouka Taisei Junior School & High School - due to falling birth rate - collaboration between grades and environmental comfort were seen as the most important factors. Designed by Itsuko Hasegawa Atelier and located in Shizuoka, Japan, the design is a response to these considerations as well as site constraints and the relationship to its context. Given the bounded urban site, the school was forced to build up, making it difficult to connect spaces horizontally for collaboration. To create connections in both axes, linked via the main atrium and a patchwork of exterior staircases. The student h...

Much has been written and posted about Museum Plaza in Louisville, Kentucky, a huge mixed-use skyscraper that's the latest design unveiled recently by OMA. In addition to the two informative photo sets at Louisville's Courier Journal, there's an animation by Brooklyn Digital Foundry that does a great job of explaining the design's concept and situating the building in its context. Some snaps of it are below but check it out when you've got the chance. In case you're wondering the music is by Mouse on Mars Kanu

No, I'm not talking about Petra, though I wouldn't mind visiting sometime. I'm referring to "the first open-sourced architectural contest, Your Hidden City " set up by the fine folk at Tropolism. Details below, and via the link above. The contest is simple: post your photos (with a caption) to our public Flickr pool (or email them to us for posting), and our jury will select their favorites in five categories. The winners will be posted to Tropolism. The theme of the contest is uncovering the Hidden City, your Hidden City, the one you see every day. It may be in plain sight of everyone else, but it is your eye that finds the extraordinariness in a particular street corner, a unique stair, a crazy intersection, a visually arresting approach, or a particular tree in the city. The photographs can be of a beautiful (and perhaps unpublished) park, or as simple as the sun hitting a particular building at a particular time of day. Please include a caption, or a Flickr ...