CONTEMPORIST

Universiade Sports Center by GMP Architects

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 04:49 PM PDT

GMP Architects have completed the Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.

Description from the architects:

The overall complex is laid out as an extensive landscaped park with typical elements of a traditional Chinese garden. Watercourses and plants symbolize movement and development, while crystalline structures in the form of stones and rocks represent continuity and stability. The dialogue between the fluid landscape shapes and the expressive architecture of the stadia constitutes the conceptual framework of the design. The crystalline shape of the three stadia is additionally emphasized by the illumination of the translucent facades at night.

Visit the GMP Architects website – here.

Photography by Christian Gahl

Natural Systems Domination by Tres Birds Workshop

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 05:21 AM PDT

Tres Birds, a design/build architecture firm, created a temporary nature-inspired art installation in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Architecture design and build firm, Tres Birds Workshop from Boulder, CO was recently commissioned to create a large-scale art installation for KEEN’s Recess Revolution Tour encouraging people outside during the workday for daily activity breaks and encouraging adults to re-energize by connecting with nature. KEEN, manufacturer of original hybrid footwear, bags and socks, produced the tour in response to American’s increasingly digital and sedentary lifestyles coupled with growing obesity rates. In Denver, KEEN’s recess event called for a nature-inspired makeover of an office, situated outdoors and for adults to participate in playtime activities, such as tetherball. Tres Birds Workshop was selected by KEEN to creatively concept and physically complete the dynamic 5-part art installation that was erected in the middle of downtown Denver’s business district on the 16th Street Mall.

The overgrown office scene, brought together with the help of Green Roofs of Colorado and The Fabric Lab, cleverly reminds viewers to avoid office overgrowth in daily life, a chronic problem in many modern and fast-paced lifestyles. Participants and passers-by were encouraged to interact with the installation, where an executive office, conference room, break room, cubicle space and file cabinet made up the five distinct areas. Using 100% live vegetation, the Tres Birds Workshop team spent much of their preparation time hand-sewing sedum and ground cover quilts to drape over large furniture pieces for creating the overgrowth effect. All non-living props were obtained from second hand stores, including an old Canon copier, water cooler, cubicle walls, golf set, computers, kitschy knick knacks, coffee mugs and more.

Once the elaborate installation was complete, the sedum and vegetation were recycled into the community (two families and one business eagerly took the leftover vegetation once break-down began) and the office props were re-donated to second hand stores, making it a highly sustainable art piece as well.

Visit the Tres Birds Workshop website – here.