Zaarly

I watched an interesting short program about Zaarly on WBS TV on November 23rd. What is Zaarly? It is an innovative twist on Craigslist where people who need help or goods can advertise their needs online inviting people to respond and do work or provide goods in return for payment. I was interested in the "doing the work" aspect that Zaarly offers. The other thing I was interested in was the speed at which the tasks and goods can be found and delivered.

Watch the short video that I did on WBS called ＮＹで人気　便利屋仲介ビジネス.

Zaarly's HP is still not set up for Japan yet, but here is the link to it FYI.

 And here is another interesting video about Zaarly. In this 1-minute video, the CEO of Zaarly is talking about the economic thinking behind his company.

What do you think about Zaarly? Would you put something on the site or respond to some else's ad? Write a comment to share your ideas. 

Vitra Design Museum (yuna)

Hi, I’m yuna. I’m going to try to write Blog again（*^_^*）

This name of building is Vitra Design Museum, located in Weil am Rhein, Germany. It was constituted in 1989 which I was born in. It is said that Vitra Design Muum have broken common sense of Modern Architectures, so I chose this building.

 Gahry wanted to make this building look like squatted oil tin and to use metal on outer wall. But client asked him to make this building softer and to use mortar. So his first idea did not realize.

 A special feature of this building is wall. The wall of this building includes not only curve but also an angle. Two different types of wall cause a clash with each other. He broke the concept that a building should have sense of unity. Each wall stands out and it makes our eyes move one part to another part.

 You may think inside of this building is also nonsense. But it is wrong. Frank Gery designed that inside space completely fit display items. It is one of his great ability. He never forgot this was a building. He thought that if inside space was also nonsense, the box did not work as a building. All his buildings are never self-satisfaction.

 Going into the museum, we can see sun light through a skylight. People, who have been to the museum, says that that scene is mysterious and so beautiful. It is also Frank Ghary’s sense of fun.

 

 My opinion

Frank Gahry always thinks who use this building, how they use it, and what kind of building fit this city. And he designed it. In addition he tries to do difficulty and he never forgets a sense of fun. That’s why architectures he designs always are new types.     I really respect his personality.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion(Masashi)

    Hi! I'm Masashi. I selected an an outdoor music theater. That name is Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

     Jay Pritzker Pavilion is located in Chicago, America, and this architecture is a part of Millennium Park, which is constructed in 2004, and has many facilities, for example Chase Promenade, BP Bridge, Harris　Theater. And when my searching, many web-site says Jay Pritzker Pavilion is most famous facility in this park.

    Jay Pritzker Pavilion is utilized for many uses. In summer, this architecture holds many events, movies, free outdoor concert, and ballet stage. On the other hand, in winter, we can enjoy skating in this park! Jay Pritzker Pavilion has 4000 chairs and the space which can accommodate 7000 people.

    The reason why I selected this architecture is my first impression. My image of Frank Gehry architecture is "novel", and not feel "warmth". So I thought I would introduce other architect's art.However, my first impression of Jay Pritzker Pavilion is so good. When seeing this architecture's picture, I think I want to introduce this work because there are many people around Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and I felt not "novel", but "warmth". So I selected Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Your comments for the 100-mile diet HW

Dear Class,
As I got to know, it is impossible to put your comments on the 100-mile page, so please write your comments here. Remember that the deadline is November 18th (Friday). You only have to write your comment - you do not need to comment on the others' comments - too complicated!
If you have questions, please let me know.
This was the first time for me to make something called a "page," which is different from a "post," so please excuse me as I learn the system. Thanks.

NZENB Frank Gehry homework: The 100-mile diet: The average journey that the food you eat travels is 1500 miles; what if you only ate food that traveled 100 miles to r...

Binoculars Building (yuna)

Hi, i'm yuna.

This building is a commercial building located in the Venice, California. The name of this building is Binoculars Building. Built between 1985-1991 for advertising agency Chiat/Day as its West Coast corporate headquarters, it was designed by Los Angeles architect Frank Gehry, his last project in Los Angeles until the Walt Disney Concert Hall began construction in 1999.

The building is notable for the three different styles used in the main facade on Main Street, particularly the massive sculpture of binoculars that function as both a car and pedestrian entrance. The binoculars were designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

I think that this building is different from other buildings Frank Gehry designed, so I chose this building. But still this is unusual. That is to say, he had a lot of images through his entire life. He never stopped trying to build new type of buildings. I really admire him.

 This is for commercial. I wonder why he used a shape of telescope. I want to stand on the top of that telescope and look in it. What do you think you can see in? Look at this website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Frank_Gehry_buildings

His buildings are out of touch with reality. I feel like I’m in dream world. His buildings are standing as if they are poured on hot water, as if a giant man beat it or kick it.  

Also I really respect engineers because I cannot believe those buildings are constituted by someone. If Frank Gehry had not found outstanding engineers, he would not have built his buildings. He is to be blessed with members. However it was also his ability.

Walt Disney Concert Hall (Lily)

Hello. This is Lily. I am going to introduce one building.
What I chose was this!

This building is Walt Disney Concert Hall. This is at Los Angels, California in USA. This is concert hall used for concerts. Frank Gehry constracted this in 1999-2003. In 1987, this buidling was decided to build  by Lillian Disney, wife of Walt Disney. She wanted to give art and music to people of Los Angels. The Frank Gehry-designed building opend on Octobor 24, 2003. This building cost about $280 million. Disney family's contribution was estimated to $84.5 million with another $25 million from The Walt Disney Company.

I chose this building as soon as I saw the name Disney because I am a big fan of him. But as I look this building I found many interesting points of this building. First, the shape of building is so bubbly. As if I could see some music from the the tips of the walls. It looks so sprited. Secondary, it is more gorgeous at night.
Here is the picture of at night.

Don't you think it is gorgeous? The silver wall bright so much and it refrects many colors. I just really like it.
I have never been there althought I have been Los Angels for 3 weeks. But if i get any chance to go Los Angels, I definetely go there and watch some concerts.

The Dancing House (Narumi)

Hello. I’m Narumi Tsunashima.

I chose this building.

The name of the building is Nationale-Nederlanden building.

However many people call this building as the Dancing House.

As you can see, this building is formed like it is dancing.

That is the reason why I chose this structure.

I have never seen such unique building and I love this interesting design. 

The night shot

This is built in 1996 in downtown Prague, Czech Republic at Rasinovo nabrezi 80, 120 00 Praha 2.

It was designed by two architects, Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milnic and Canadian architect Frank Gehry.  They started to design this building in 1992.  Four years later, the Dancing House was completed.

Frank Gehry

At that time, the Dancing House was controversial, because this it was difficult to evaluate the very non-traditional design in Prague that has a lot of traditional and historical structures.

But now, the building is received by many local citizen and visitors.

This building has another nickname, that is Fred and Ginger.

This nickname comes from a pair of dancers, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

They are one of the famous dancers who played in musical film in 1930s.

Someone also call this building as “Drunk House”.  That is funny.

To show the nickname, this building makes the visitors impress to the structure is as if the couple is dancing. 

After the cold war, Czech became republic.  This building was completed at the time of Czech president Vaclav Havel.

Once, he lived next to this building.  Vlado Milnic lodged Havel’s house.

That is why the Dance House was designed by Vlado Milnic. 

Havel had supported it.

My opinion

To see and research the history of Dance House, I got the impression that two architects had bravery.  Because when they design this unique building, the traditional design structure had strong power in Prague.  However they expressed their idea to the Dance House.  To follow the two great architects, I try to challenge something seems to be difficult in my life. 

Guggenheim Bilbao

      Hello,everyone! My name is Takuya Ikeda. I will introduce an famous museum.  Gruggenheim Museum Bilbao is located in Bilbao, Spain and deals with modern art. It opened on October 18th, 1997 and Bilbao flourished to the main city thanks to this museum.  Frank Gehry made the most of technological advance. Therefore, he succeeded to expand the limitation of modern architecture. He created smooth curve of this building and irregular design by using plan support device.

He designed the shape of this museum like a ship which voyages smoothly, because Bilbao is important which supports fishing. I think it is great that he tried to harmony this museum with
the city despite of this strange shape. I think it is important for buildings to harmony with the city.
By the way, this museum is made of titanium, so visitors will feel cold toward this museum.
However, the theme of this museum is "water". From this point, I think Frank Gehry may be very
glad for visitors to feel good.

About Weisman Art Museum by Frank Gehry

Hi, everyone. I’m Motoki Ono. The building I chosen to introduce is Weisman Art Museum. The reason I chosen it is that I went to Minneapolis in the last March to visit my relatives. However regrettably I didn’t know about the existence of Weisman Art Museum, so I failed to visit here! When I found the name and the place in the web site, I became so sad, but I also want to try the research about this museum.  

The name of this building was based on the enterpriser Frederick R. Weisman, who is contributed to foundation of this museum. This building is located in Minneapolis in the US and was made for Minnesota University. This building is used for, of course, the Art Museum. This building was built in 1991, and Frank Gehry won a famous Progressive Architecture Design Award in this year. Then Home to the museum since 1993, this important architectural achievement has become a landmark for the University of Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Actually it took a long time to select the main director of Weisman Art Museum in order to decide the most suitable person. But after such a selection process, Frank Gerhy was chosen. Lyndel King, director of the Weisman Art Museum, said that Gehry was chosen as the architect because he “showed that he really understood the mission and the dream of the museum.” The mission is that “The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota creates art experiences that spark discovery, critical thinking, and transformation, linking the University and the community.”

In my opinion, this building is certainly matched the mission of this Weisman Art Museum. It is not enough to just collect the good works in the ordinary building. Collecting good works in the outstanding building is meaningful as the art museum. It is because the atmosphere is related to the point of view against the works. Then the building is the most important of component to make the atmosphere. Frank Gehry’s building must makes the university students more creative and to spark discovery. This Weisman Art Museum has contributed to not only the advertisement for admittance but also the incentive for the Minnesota university students and neighborhood.

       After all, I’m regretting that I didn't go there.

Supreme Court of Japan

Hi, everyone! I’m Shun.
Regretfully, although I glanced over the Frank Gehry’s buildings and admired them, they all looked like the same for me. So, I didn’t feel like introducing Gehry’s ones then chose a different architect.

Now, I would like to introduce Supreme Court of Japan that we usually call “Saiko-Saibansho”. I’m in the Department of Law and really interested in going over something that is related to my specialty. That’s why I chose this.              

It is the only Japanese court explicitly empowered to review the constitutionality of laws, although it has held that lower courts also have power to interpret the constitution. In brief, it was made for a trial. And it was made of stone. The statute creating the Court was abolished in 1947, and the modern Supreme Court was formed that year under the constitution of 1946.The new court was first convened in May 1947 in the former Privy Council quarters of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. In 1974, the Supreme Court moved to its current five-story building at 4-2 Hayabusa-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo. The building was designed by architect Shinichi Okada.

He was born in 1928 and He won the Architecture Institute of Japan Prize for Design for that architect. To my surprise, He also built the Metropolitan Police Department we call  ”Keishicho” in 1980 and Gakushuin University High School & Junior High School in 1998. When I found out these facts, I was really astonished! I guess you all might know how I felt.

Anyway, let me go back to the Supreme Court. Personally, I love this architect so much. That appearance seems really solemn and dignified for us, not only for me. It has no extra part so looks stylish. However, beside my preference, there are some problems coming up from that one : the esrangement between us and judiciary.

We usually think that trials and judiciary are so heavy, solemn and sublime. It is totally natural for us to guess so because they took the most important role out of the national powers, that is to say, their activities are related to our life directly so the activities have to be conducted very carefully and solemnly. Then Supreme Court perfectly fits in and appear that kind of our thoughts and what the judiciary is. It means that architect shows the dignity. However, that concept is causing the estrangement between us and judiciary. That solemn atmosphere makes us keep away from the justice and court, I bet. So, in my opinion, this is the pain in the neck of this structure.

I wish milder and softer courts will come up in the near future.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Hello, everyone. My name is Kako Furukawa. The building which I chose is "Walt Disney Concert Hall". It's in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Needless to say, It's used for concerts. But, it was built by Frank Gehry ingeniously, for this hall is famous as the concert hall which has very good acoustics.

And, it was completed in 2003, so, it's still new.

What do you think this about architecture? It's very beautiful and romantic, isn't it?

When it gets a lot of sunshine, it's also very beautiful and golden.

Moreover, it is romantic at night.

Then, do you know why this concert hall named "Walt Disney"?

Because Walt Disney's wife wanted to build a hall for the arts in Los Angeles and this couple contributed, so the hall was named "Walt Disney Concert Hall". And, there are some characteristics. this architecture's exterior was designed with stainless steel. The hall met with lauded approval from nearly all of its listeners, including its performers.

   There are about three reasons why I love this concert hall. First, I love Disney Land. So, when I saw this architecture's name, it attracted my interest. Second, I like music and musical instruments. Actually, I love playing the piano, accordions, and glockenspiels. Then, please look at upper photos again. It looks like these musical instruments, doesn't it? I think this architecture looks like an accordion's bellows,
pipe organs, and glockenspiels' metallic plates. Third, I think that this architecture expresses tone, harmony, and powerful sound with its whole outward appearance.

For the reasons stated above, I have really taken to this concert hall and I would like to go to this concert hall to experience its good acoustics. Finally, please look at the site of this building HERE. 

Big Box

Hi, everyone. I am Sotaro. Today, I would like to introduce Big Box in Takadanobaba. It is a commercial building.

   Big Box was built in 1974 by Kisho Kurokawa. Have you ever heard of his name? I think some people have heard his name before. He is a famous Japanese architect. He announced his candidacy of Sangiin statesman and the governor of Tokyo in 2007, but he failed both of them. The Governor of Tokyo now is of course, Shintaro Ishihara. His famous works are Prince Hotel in Karuizawa, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the National Art Center Tokyo. Have you ever seen any of them?

  Big Box is in front of the Takadanobaba Station. Seibu Railway Company owns it and the building is nine-storied building. It was built in 1974 and it was rebuilt in 2007. The construction took 4 months. There are a lot of shops and cafes in the first floor. Uniqlo, 100 yen shop Can Do, or excelsior café is good examples. In the third, fourth, and fifth floor, you can go to the gym, play golf, or take some massage. In the sixth, seventh, and eighth floor, you can play arcade game, darts, or bowling. Also, internet café (man-kitsu), karaoke, is available too. Finally, in the ninth floor, there are restaurants.

  The reason why I picked this building is because it is familiar to many students of Gakushuin. Also, I thought it used to be a conspicious building than now. Before the building was reconstructed, it was like this.

The building was famous for the man running in front of the building. Everyone understood where to get together just by saying, ''The building which the guy is running.'' It was clear for those who visits Takadanobaba for the first time. Also, the color was red then. I prefer the design of the past. My first visit to Takadanobaba was when I was a high school student, so I didn’t know the design of before as well as it was designed by Kisho Kurokawa.

Thanks for reading!

Sotaro

Guggenheim Museum Bilboa

Hello, everyone. I'm Marumi. I’d like to introduce Frank Gehry’s beautiful building. This is the photo.

The reason I chose this building was it is very beautiful especially at night. As you see in the photo, the reflection on the river with the moon light is amazing.
Could you guess what is it used for?

I thought it would be a theatre. Actually, it is a museum called Guggenheim Museum.

   Guggenheim Museum was built in 1997 in Bilboa which is located in the north of Spain. The museum is built alongside the Nervion River, which runs through the city of Bilbao to the Atlantic Coast. 

   The building itself is admired as one of the most important works in the 2010 World Architecture Survey. It has lots of curves, which let the light to come in the museum. The design is intended to look like a ship along the river. Titan panels are used in its walls, which resemble fish scales. When Gehry designed the architecture, he used computer simulations. In earlier eras, it was thought to be impossible to construct the building as Gehry’s. However computer simulations greatly helped the construction feasible. In addition, although the architecture looks unique when you see it from the river, it looks quite simple from the street. By the design, Gehry did not destroy the traditional surroundings.  

   The museum is made up of three floors and has nineteen gallaries. The exhibitions are modern and contemporary art of Spanish and international artists. It also holds an auditorium, a restaurant, a library, gift shop. Besides the museum, there is the sculpture of Puppy built by Jeff Koons. He is an American architect and built it in 1992. It can be considered that Gehry built the museum intentionally next to the Puppy.

This is the Puppy by Jeff Koons.

The city of Bilbao expected the museum to be revitalization. It was successful and as soon as it opened, it became a global tourist attraction. The museum has a benefit for artists, tourists, and the city.

My opinion

I think this museum is very beautiful. Among some of his works, I found this museum is the most attractive. The photo taken at night is especially wonderful. Moreover, it is considerate of Gehry that he designed the museum without spoiling the surrounding’s atmosphere. I was realised that architects should have lots of things to consider such as   cost, time, and surrounding. In addition, it is a good point that the city has a benefit by the architecture. Tourism sometimes causes problems like littering, so it is important that local citizens have some benefit. I'd like to go to this museum someday!

                       This is the website of Guggenheim Museum:

http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao

Blog homework for November 9 (Wednesday)

Choose one of Frank Gehry's buildings and introduce it in a blog post on this blog by going to "new post" at the top right of this screen and making your own post. Remember to write a title and start by giving your name. Then, write your blog: tell us the building you have chosen, where it is, what it is used for, and when it was made. Give other background information about it too. After that, explain what you think of it and why. Be as detailed as you can. Add a photo, or a video and links about the building. For this homework you can use photos from the internet.

**Due date: Wednesday November 9 at 17:00.

**Everyone should comment on all the posts by Wednesday November 16 at 17:00. When you make your comment, try to include a question or give an opinion that the post writer and other members of the class (and Ms. MacGregor) can reply to. Let's try to make the posts and the comments more interactive so we can have a lively discussion online!

*** If there is absolutely no Frank Gehry building you want to introduce, then choose a different architect, but make sure to include some background information about him/her in addition to the above.

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Besides the above blog homework, we haven't finished all we needed to do in the textbook, Unit 8, lecture on architecture. Please do the textbook HW watching the vldeo of the lecture for Friday November 11.
Here are two versions of the video lecture. The first one is just the lecture and the second one is the lecture with powerpoint notes.

Lecture with powerpoint notes:

Welcome to your blog!

I hope you like the design. This is the way to make a blog.
You can add photos, videos and links to websites. For example, the university website is here.
Try out blogging today and get ready for your first blog next month!