This is the first project in New York City for Alvaro Siza. It is currently under construction. The limestone cladding is very impressive. Large windows make this structure open to natural light. The proximity to the Hudson River gives great views. It seems to fit the surroundings and other tall buildings in the area. I am not sure why every structure he does is white. This is natural stone but mostly white. This is my favorite residential structure desgined by Siza. Living in this structure would guarantee spectacular views. The $1.26 million dollar cost for a 1 bedroom might be slighly prohibitive though.

Michael Graves is a world renowned architect known for his postmodernist style. Many architects point to the Portland Building as Graves’ entry as a staple in the postmodernist movement. Though Graves was taught under the modernist movement he rejected the steel and glass facades as too cold. Instead Graves built a 29 million dollar 15 story office building with a colorful facade in the middle of Portland among colorless Modernist buildings. Built in the 1980’s during the energy crisis Graves chose to use less and smaller tinted windows to help save energy. In its recent history however the building has faced a push to be demolished due to the over $90 million renovations that are needed.

i don’t have any ties to the Kremlin, however one day my mother and I were talking about temples and I told her how much I love temples and how beautiful they are and she mentioned this place. She visited this place during her employment. She’s retired now.

It sits on Borovistsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. I am fascinated with temples and cathedrals. This cathedral is colorful and looks like something that would be in a princess type movie. The white stone walls were first built in 1367-68 and rebuilt more than a century. They later hired skilled artists and architects from around Europe to shape it into a modern form. It used to be where the state governing elites resided and worked in. It is still the office residence of the Russian Federation president but access is limited to where the walls are loosened considerably.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/kremlin-red-square/

As a 21-year-old college student, Maya Lin designed this memorial which is still seen today as a spectacle among all the war memorials. This memorial is something that all of us have learned and seen before. I never knew who was the architect behind this beautiful design but to know that it was a 21-year-old makes it even that much more amazing. As a 21-year-old Yale college student Maya Lin designed this wall in remembrance rather than celebration. She was trying to incorporate the dark tolls that the Vietnam war had on its soldiers while also trying to create something elegant that brought attention to remembering these soldiers. In my eyes, she very much did that. This memorial will live on in history for many more years, the work of Maya Lin will not be forgotten especially in this instance.

This hotel is a very historic landmark within Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Built-in the year 1911, It incorporates the rich history of OKC while also adding a bit of a mysterious and omniscient feel to the city it brings a scary story along with it. There is a story that says that the hotel is haunted by the original owner’s wife. This brings a very intriguing feel to staying there and on many occasions, it has been confirmed that this hotel actually is haunted. This story combined with the amazing architecture that makes it look dark and gloomy makes for a very interesting hotel that is and will be apart of the Oklahoma City tradition for many years in the future.

This is another strange one from 1974. It reminds me of the modular prison cells I used to deliver around the country. The steps seem impractical. Why would you want to carry everything up steps when there is no need? The only good thing I can see about the design is that there is no way to easily break in. You would need a ladder or burglary tools to enter anywhere except the staircase.

This design also forces you to see your neghbors everytime they enter or leave. It is a long wide passage between rows of buildings where everything is quite visible. From the second story windows it is even more visible. I’m not sure everyone would enjoy being so close to their neighbors.

This is a very recent design for Alvaro Siza. It is an office complex for a large chemical plant in China. There are many aspects of this design that I find pleasing. The setting is on the water which seems to go on forever. The building juts out on thse long flat bridges which gives the appearance that it is floating on the water. I like when ugly things like a pond can serve a dual purpose. I would assume the water is used to cool the plant and justifies its existence. There isn’t much information about the building to determine if the building also uses water for cooling and heating.

Everything I’ve read about this Alvaro Siza’s design is that it is a beautiful blend with nature and how water is the source of life and how it is a delightful mind inspiring design. It looks like some Soviet era ugly cement blocks with a pool tied into the rocks. I don’t get it. I guess it was so ugly that it was abandoned for number of years. Only recently has it reopened. It is also weird how people are laying in the sand next to the structure instead of some sort of deck or place to gather. The first high tide and you get washed away is another problem. Lots of reasons to not praise this design.