We write about architecture as being dynamic, interactive, or even animated, but its not really true. All buildings are static, incapable of propelling themselves to spontaneous movement. Architects work around this fact by applying fluttery metal screens or sculptural, undulating balconies to the sides of buildings--to give them the illusion of motion. Add-ons such as these may produce formal and sometimes experiential effects, but they have no structural function.

Swedish architects Belatchew Arkitekter are unsatisfied with this approach. Their conceptual design for a Strawscraper cloaks an existing residential tower in plastic appendages, or hairs, that capture wind and use it to produce electricity for the building. Yes, the hairs are add-ons, but they significantly augment the towers core performance.

The project is part of an extension to Sder Torn, one of the tallest housing high-rises in Stockholm. The tower, designed by celebrated architects Henning Larsen, was completed in 1997, following a dramatic episode between the client and architect. The latter quit the project after the client eliminated 16 of the original 40 stories specified in the building plans. Belatchews Strawscraper scheme restores Larsens vision and grafts the unbuilt floors onto the landmark tower, while also adding a new restaurant and observation deck.

But the Strawscraper goes further, promising to transform the Sder Torn into a large-scale urban wind farm. The architects say theyll do this by fixing movable straws (made from composite material with piezoelectric properties) to the towers exterior: [The] large number of thin straws can produce electricity merely through small movements generated by the wind, while creating very little noise, Belatchew principal Rahel Belatchew Lerdell tells Co. Design. The field of straws also looks aesthetically striking, akin to wheat swaying in the wind. It, along with the proposals sustainable aspirations, will endow the static building with new dimensions, Lerdell says.

Architecture must deliver solutions to contemporary problems or issues, the architect underscores. Naturally, the firm believes the Strawscraper participates in this endeavor. The surplus electricity, they envision, will be used toward producing what the building needs to become positive net energy.

Sammy is a writer, designer, and ice cream maker based in New York. He once lived in China before being an editor at Architizer. Continued

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Architects Dream Up A “Hairy” Skyscraper That Produces Its Own Energy

Architects - Early Grave Guitar Cover w/ Axe FX II
Quick cover I made of one of my favourite tracks off Hollow Crown, which coincidently is also a favourite album of mine from way back. Couple of shaky parts,...

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Architects - Early Grave Guitar Cover w/ Axe FX II - Video

Founded in 1969 by the late Ken Neumann, the Neumann/Smith architecture firm is intimately involved with a revival under way in downtown Detroit. The firm is opening a Detroit studio. Partner Joel Smith, who joined the firm in 1980, talked with the Free Press last week about the firms long-term success.

Whats it like to be one of Dan Gilberts architects?

Theyve been great. Theyre always looking to do something creative and thats really based in their culture. All this work weve done over the years talking to people about building a culture and then finally you get a client who really wants to embrace that and see it through. You see that in a lot of their work thats really built around the culture of the environment theyre trying to set up for their employees. Its great.

Youre also working with the advertising firm Campbell Ewald to design their new home in the old Hudsons warehouse in the Ford Field complex.

Yes, right now were working with Campbell Ewald. They have a design sense, and its a pleasure to work with a client whos a designer. That doesnt come often. Usually youre trying to educate your clients and thats a little more difficult.

Whats the bulk of the work youre doing right now?

We do a lot of university housing work. We do work for (mall developer) Taubman all around the country. Weve always had our philanthropic work in the Jewish community. We have done a lot for (Dan) Gilbert starting with the M@dison Building. And now (for Gilbert) were doing nine floors in the (Minoru) Yamasaki building 1Woodward, and we did 11 floors in the Dime Building, which is now the Chrysler House. Were renovating the First National Building lobby. And were doing the Z deck (a parking deck with first-floor retail for Gilbert).

Ken Neumann, who died in 2007, was your founder and guiding force for so many years. His signature style was buildings with big, bold geometry and dramatic colors. Is his spirit still a presence at the firm?

We constantly have Kens thoughts in our minds, and hes still with us in a very strong way. Most of my employees have been with me for 20-plus years so they were all here during the Ken era, and (with) the younger employees who didnt know Ken its fun to talk to them about what he was about. Hes still a very strong force around here. If the client didnt like (a design) Ken would always say, Well, we can make an equally beautiful solution. Time and time again he would say things like that. He had so many wonderful things to say.

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Neumann/Smith firm: Architects of the Detroit dream

York landscape architects earn gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show

7:23am Saturday 25th May 2013 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

he Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Roof Garden designer Nigel Dunnett, left, with Ed Payne, co-designer from York based company The Landscape Agency

LANDSCAPE architects from York have struck gold at the centenary Chelsea Flower Show with a stunning water roof garden.

The Landscape Agency, of Clifton Moor, co-designed the Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Roof Garden in conjunction with University of Sheffield-based sustainable landscape design and living roofs specialist Nigel Dunnett.

It aimed to show how city centre rooftops could be used to actively manage rainwater to meet the dual challenge presented by water shortages and surface flooding risks.

It is the third consecutive year that the agency and Mr Dunnett had been commissioned to design a garden for the Royal Bank of Canada, having won Silver Gilt awards the previous two years.

Agency managing director Patrick James said he was thrilled to have won the gold medal. It is the culmination of almost a years hard work by a dedicated team, he said. We were determined that this year should be a Gold, having just missed out for the previous two years.

He said with extremes of drought followed by severe flooding, 2012 perfectly encapsulated the huge challenge facing society in managing water supplies.

At times of low rainfall, its vital that we conserve every drop and make use of recycled grey water where possible. However, during periods of heavy rainfall, we must urgently address how to prevent surface water run-off and reduce the risk of flash flooding which causes heartache and expense to so many households and businesses.

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York landscape architects earn gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show

Design Engine, who are the architects of the Abercrombie extension and the new John Henry Brookes building, have been shortlisted for theRoyal Institute of British Architects Regional Awards 2013.

The Abercrombie Building at Oxford Brookes University

Winchester-based practiceDesign Enginewon the contract for the development of a new entrance building at Brookes against steep competition. The company proposed that rather than building a new building here and a new building thereto devise a radical master plan, get demolishing, and go back to first principles. The original campus at Brookes was designed in 1955 by city architect EG Chandler. The original plans defined generous courtyards, but additions over the years have obscured this clarity and reduced the open space available.

Design Engines vision returns to the 1950s plan and re-energises it with new buildings and a new circulation sequence. Their plan slides new buildings alongside the old, interlocking them together. By increasing the density of the built forms, it is possible to provide generous public spaces; either new spaces, as with the entrance piazza, or reconfigured spaces, as with the central courtyard.

Key to the design is the new John Henry Brookes Building which will serve as the new main entrance to the campus. The building will contain a modern library, a 300-seat floating lecture theatre and a learning space dubbed the Forum. The open space will include informal touch down areas for the laptop working and group discussion that now form a key part of modern universities facilities. It will also become the new home of Student Services and Oxford Brookes Students Union.

Richard Rose Casemore, a Partner at Design Engine, is also a design tutor in the School of Architecture.

For more information on studying Architecture at Oxford Brookes University, visit the School of Architecture website.

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Abercrombie architects shortlisted for RIBA’s Regional Awards 2013

Neuigkeiten von Editors, Frightened Rabbit, Architects, into It. Over It., Erlen Meyer, The Elijah, Crash Of Rhinos, Cultura Tres, Morrissey und Gewinnspielen, bei denen ihr Tickets fr Rock im Park gewinnen knnt.

+++ Fr die hollndische Radioshow Giel haben Tom Smith, Frontmann der Editors, und Bassist Russell Leetch den Song "Nothing" in einer Akustikversion gespielt. Der Titel wird auch auf der neuen Platte "The Weight Of Your Love", die im Juni erscheint, enthalten sein.

+++ Auch Frightened Rabbit haben kein Problem mit Akustikgitarren. Scott Hutchinson, Snger und Gitarrist der Band, hat vor malerischer Kulisse "Backyard Skulls" zum Besten gegeben.

+++ Normalerweise finanzieren Musiker mit Crowdfunding Alben oder Musikvideos. Die Metalcore-Band Architects hat mir ihrer Tourdoku "100 Days" ein etwas ambitionierteres Projekt angestoen - und auch erfolgreich finanziert. Jetzt gibt es einen neuen Videoteaser zum Song "Black Blood", der gewohnt brachial und chaotisch daherkommt.

+++ ber den Into It. Over It.-Fotoband und die beiliegende Seven-Inch, die im Juni erscheinen sollen, haben wir schon berichtet. Jetzt gibt es die auf der Platte enthaltenen zwei Songs im Stream.

+++ Die franzsische Postmetal-Band Erlen Meyer verffentlicht ihr Debt nchsten Montag ber das Label Shelsmusic. Wer sich schon einen Hreindruck verschaffen mchte, kann mit "Nuit" jetzt einen neuen Song streamen.

+++ Am 10. Juni verffentlichen The Elijah ihr Debt "I Loved I Hated I Destroyed I Created" als limitierte Gatefold-LP. Ein Video zum Song "I Loved" gibt es schon jetzt. Um ihre Fans auf den Release vorzubereiten, kommt die Band auf eine kleine, aber feine Club-Tour durch Europa.

21.05. Frankfurt - Elfer 22.05. Stuttgart - JuHa West 23.05. Dessau - Beat Club 27.05. Wien - Cafe Aera 28.05. Nrnberg - Desi

+++ Crash Of Rhinos aus dem britischen Derby haben nicht nur einen, sondern gleich zwei Bsse. Zusammen mit den beiden Gitarren und einem einsamen Drummer spielen sie Indierock mit leichtem Mathrock-Einschlag. Der Song "Opener" stammt vom im Sommer erscheinenden Album "Knots". Fr den Preis eurer Wahl knnt ihr euch auf Bandcamp auch gleich das Debt "Distal" downloaden.

+++ Cultura Tres stammen aus Maracay in Venezuela und spielen progressiven Doom mit psychdelischen Duftnoten, dazu gibt es englische und spanische Texte. Ihr neues Album "Rezando Al Miedo" knnt ihr euch unten im Stream anhren.

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Neues von Editors, Frigthened Rabbit, Architects und vielen mehr.

The Coop Architects - Scotia Bank Pro-Am Game 2013
Full game video of The Coop Architects (Purple Gold jersey #39;s) in the Scotia Bank Pro-Am Tournament, held at York University, May 2013. This charity tourname...

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THE YELLOW - MONOLAB Architects
The Yellow - MONOLAB Architects. 2013. Entry for the Salt Lake City 69-70 competition. A sub cultural network like a maze, allowing tourists, visitors and ci...

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System of a Down release statement -- Architects, Black Blood -- We Came As Romans new CD
System of a Down release statement regarding Shavo #39;s comments -- Architects new track preview of Black Blood -- We Came As Romans new CD Tracing Back Roots art work and tracklist released -...

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System of a Down release statement -- Architects, Black Blood -- We Came As Romans new CD - Video

RISE AGAINST "Architects" ........Drum Cover
All rights to the song belong to original artist Rise Against. Hope you enjoy this cover as much as I enjoyed doing it. Do leave me a comment and Subscribe T...

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RISE AGAINST "Architects" ........Drum Cover - Video