Today's ArchiPic #101

Clifftop House from Architectural Record

    Today's ArchiPic is the Clifftop House in Maui, Hawaii.  (It's actually on a cliff if you didn't figure that out already.)  The owner of the home is a sail designer that lived in Europe but moved to the great state of Hawaii with its tasty, tropical flavor.  Architects Aljosa Dekleva and Tina Gregoric designed the home for their client friend, and they decided to put together different combinations of home designs with one roof, making it very flexible with the landscape around it.  "Each separate “house” is a U-shaped volume with a bedroom and bath that each open to the ocean view," says Architectural Record.  In the end, the (out of country) sail designer was very happy with the job well done.  In other words, there's no April Fool's joke up his sleeve this year.  (Ha!)

>> Read More about the "Clifftop House" at Architectural Record

The Overall Scheme of Things...

    I wanted to do a quick post to share with you guys the overall scheme of things that will be happening this week on my blog.  First of all, I have the 20K special to deal with.  I did not do it this weekend because I felt really unmotivated.  (Usually when I feel unmotivated, the posts just aren't as good or long as they could be.)  So hopefully, I'll get it done by this week or the coming weekend.  By the way, from now on I will plan ahead before I reach a 10,000 page view mark.  I will work on the special post ahead of time and post it right when I hit the next 10K.  By doing that, I will be able to get the "special post" on my blog immediately. 

    Secondly, we did some more work in Minecraft on the server this week, which means be looking for a Minecraft Creations post tomorrow.

    Thirdly, I will be changing the name of my "Minecraft Creations" series to simply "Minecraft Architecture".  The TAGS for Minecraft Creations will also be changed to "Minecraft Architecture".

Yes, that was the overall scheme of things this week...

Today's ArchiPic #100

I have been doing this series called "Today's ArchiPic" for a long time now.  I started it a little longer than a year ago, and this installment is the 100th.  And I have some special architecture to show you guys.  

    "Driving this perpetual change in 2012 are the celebrated men and women of the new AD100, from an influential decorator working solo to visionary architects managing a spectrum of satellite offices. The following esteemed firms represent a fellowship of trailblazers and standard-bearers whose work is imaginative, intelligent, and inspiring."  - Architectural Digest

[All pictures' links were broken.  I will make sure this never again happens in the future.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  This has been fixed for most recent posts.  Older posts might still have this issue.]

    These 10 pictures are part of Architectural Digest's AD100, which includes the top architectural firms in the nation.

>> See all of the best firms only at Architectural Digest

>> All pictures also from Architectural Digest

20K Special?

    Sorry, I won't be posting the 20K Special tonight because I am very busy with school.  It would probably be best if I worked on it during the weekend, since I have more free time than on the weeknights.  It should be up by this weekend.

    Also, I will probably be working on our current Minecraft project this weekend on the server, which is the town of Sidka.

    But I do have time to do one quick post for the night.  (*cough* Today's ArchiPic #100 *cough*)

Today's ArchiPic #99

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation HQ from Architectural Record

    Today's ArchiPic is the new headquarters of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.  While the architects were still designing the complex, they decided to make the entire project have a campus style layout.  They split the headquarters into four separate complexes.  "A pair of curved office buildings, a reception pavilion, and a 1,000-car parking structure anchor three corners of the site and may be joined by a third office building in the future," mentions Architectural Record.

>> Read More at archrecord.construction.com

Changed My Profile Picture...Finally

    I have finally gotten around to changing my profile picture.  Before, it was a roller coaster, which didn't make much sense.  (other than I have posted some Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 architecture on my blog before)  I changed it to one of my new favorite buildings: the Frost Bank Tower in Austin, Texas.  I featured it on Today's ArchiPic a couple of weeks ago.  I just wanted to say that I have changed my picture to something that relates more to my blog.  Stay tuned because there will be a new post coming tonight.  And yes, after that post, I will be working on the 20K special.  I may just work on it tonight and post it tomorrow.

Skyrim Architecture | Whiterun

Welcome to the next installment of my Skyrim Architecture series, where I scout the Skyrim world in search of the most beautiful structures and landmarks Bethesda's award-winning franchise has to offer.

    

    Whiterun is an intricate and beautiful city.  Right in the center of Skyrim, it sits on the plains of the tundra, which is inside a huge valley bordered by mountains.  It has a Nordic style of architecture and each building is unique in its own way.  This is the Plains District, which is the first district you see when you walk into Whiterun.  It has many shops, inns, and taverns.  In the back, the market sits on a circle/round-a-bout area that leads you straight into the Wind District.  (which is residential)

    This is the Wind or Residential District.  It consists of all the homes in Whiterun, and again, each house is very unique from the other.  By the way, the details are amazing.  Near the back of the Wind District is an ancient tree called the Gildergreen.  Behind the Gildergreen lies the Companions' hall, Jorrvaskr.

    The last district in Whiterun (and the most magnificent), is the Cloud District.  It gets its name because of Dragonsreach, which is an ancient palace that sits on the highest point of the city.  As you walk up the steps to the palace, there are beautiful waterfalls that mix into a small pond.  Once you get to the top, you will see an archway that connects to the entrance.  

    This is a picture of the entire city of Whiterun.  The only thing not included is the palace, which is behind the picture.  I really need to take inspiration from Skyrim and put it into our Minecraft cities.  Skyrim is a great game full of architecture that is simply breathtaking.  Join me next time when I show you guys Windhelm.

References:

>> http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Whiterun_(City)
>> Previous Skyrim Architecture Post
>> Dragonsreach

Today's ArchiPic #98

The Chrysler Building courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

    Today's ArchiPic is the glorious Chrysler Building in downtown New York City.  It is most famous for being a "leading example" of Art Deco architecture, which is a eclectic artistic design style that originated in Paris after World War I.  Its iconic terraced crown is another big reason why the Chrysler Building is famous.  

     "Art Deco in France found its American equivalent in the design of the New York skyscrapers of the 1920s. The Chrysler Building ... was one of the most accomplished essays in the style."  - John Julius Norwich

An Update...

    Yesterday, I reached 20,000 page views, which means I will be posting a 20k special on my blog soon.  Also, Minecraft Creations will resume for the town of Sidka by the week of April 1.   

Today's ArchiPic #97

Soumaya Museum from Instagram courtesy of ArchDaily.tumblr.com

    Today's ArchiPic is the Soumaya Museum in Mexico City.  It is a private museum and you don't even have to pay anything to get in.  Admission is free.  The 170,000 square foot building was finished in March 2011.  It also resembles the style of the Selfridges shop in Birmingham, England, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.