Kyle Kessler : weblog

While waiting for a load of clothes to dry this morning, I hopped on the internet and cruised around some of the ususual architecture-related I have bookmarked. After jumping from link to link, I finally came upon ScottishArchitecture.com, a website-based initiative run by The Lighthouse, funded by the Scottish Executive, and informed by their Policy on Architecture to “involve nation wide communities in issues relating to the built environment.”

Because I’m currently trying to make some decisions about graduate school (Atlanta, America, or abroad…) I decided to check out this site’s Secondary School Resources. My index finger was stopped mid-click when I suddenly recognized that debonair young man pictured slaving away at his drafting table.

“It’s me!”

How funny! I don’t typically see myself in profile so it took me a while to confirm my own identity: Georgia Tech t-shirt - check, sideburns - check, Sanford mechanical pencil - check. I’m still wondering about that tuff of hair falling down my forehead…

So now sit back and bask in my self-promoted 15 minutes of fame. Maybe I’ll get to sign some autographs the next time in Scotland. Maybe not.

Note: If you do visit ScottishArchitecture.com you might have to refresh the homepage a few times before my mug magically appears.

Posted by Kyle at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So at last, I’m finally here in Bilbao, Spain. I’ve been meaning to make this trip since the spring of 2001. I figured I’d just take a train up from Barcelona one weekend, but that never happened. Then I suspected that I’d come down from Glasgow during spring break. But alas, it was not until early this morning that I set foot in this fair city. And I must say that it’s been every bit worth the wait!

For those of y’all who don’t know, Bilbao is home to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum. The building’s created such as stir with all the tourists it’s brought to town and essentially placing this industrial city on the world’s cultural map that other cities around the world are now wanting to get in on the so-called “Bilbao effect.” But don’t be so easily deceived to think that the folks in charge of things here have put all their eggs in one architect’s basket - ready to ride the wave of architectural fashion. No, the city invested their resources well and over the past decade or so have gotten other internationally acclaimed designers such as Santiago Calatrava and Norman Foster in on some of the major projects.

But, of course, it is Gehry’s museum that steals the show! If the outside could be called impressive, there isn’t a word fine enough in English, Spanish, or Basque to describe the interior! It’s been fun to watch visitors often more caught up in the building than in the art. But in spite of my fears that the building would completely over-power the art within, for the most part the collection on show creates a near-perfect synthesis with the building. There’s an unexpected harmony that exists between the art and the architecture similar to the way the titanium-skinned mass of the building makes peace with its surroundings - neighboring buildings, the river, and the hills.

I’m only here until tomorrow before making my way to Italy via Lyon.

Posted by Kyle at 06:03 PM | Permalink

Studio Daniel Libeskind has won the design competition for the rebuilding of Ground Zero. The design features a 1,776-foot tall tower enclosing a “vertical world garden,” exposure of the original towers’ subterranean slurry walls, and a “wedge of light” allowing the sun to illuminate the site each September 11th between the precise time the first plane hit and the collapse of the second tower. In general the design looks quite fragmented and crystalline - typical of the deconstructivist “style” of architecture he helped found.

Continue reading "Le plus haut: World Trade Center" »

Posted by Kyle at 01:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday morning, a few of the world’s most renowned architects displayed their proposals for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. These were the second set of proposals, after the first set from the firm of Beyer Blinder Belle were resoundingly rejected over the summer. These seven new proposals came from from Studio Daniel Libeskind; Foster & Partners; Richard Meier & Partners Architects, Eisenman Architects, Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, Steven Holl Architects; THINK Team; United Architects; Peterson Littenberg Architecture; and Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

After seeing each of the proposals only briefly, my gut reaction was to favor the proposal by Foster & Partners. There’s something very poetic about his twinned towers “that kiss and touch and become one.” But then I harken back to my days in the U.K. when every architect and his/her mother liked nothing better than to criticize Lord Foster with his ‘wobbly’ Millennium Bridge.

The second proposal to catch my eye was from United Architects. I admit it; I’m a sucker for a powerful image.

The rest were of some interest but nothing too engaging. Then I went to bed, woke up and had a fresh look at the coverage from the NY Times, CNN, and the LMDC this morning.

Today’s appraisal: there’s some element I like from almost every proposal, but in none of the proposals do I like everything. I like Daniel Libeskind’s ‘wedges of light’ and sunken bedrock memorial, but it all appears a little too chaotic (even for New York). Foster’s visitors memorial and family memorial are also rather nice. But then again, in spite of the overall awkward tic-tac-toe appearance, Meier’s ‘memorial shadows’ are very nice idea.

I’d still like to see more of each of the proposals. Maybe one of the many architecture magazines will print a large collection of the work. This is definitely a project where it’s very easy to go wrong and very hard to be successful. But what more could an architect ask for, a good challenge…

Posted by Kyle at 03:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This weekend we’re taking a class trip to Switzerland and Germany. By the time we’re back in Paris, we’ll have seen the abbey in Vézelay by Viollet-le-Duc, the pilgrimage chapel of Notre Dame de Haut in Ronchamp by Le Corbusier, the Landesgartenschau and former Vitra Fire Station by Zaha Hadid, the Vitra Conference Center by Tadao Ando, and the Vitra Design Museum by Frank Gehry all in Weil am Rhein, numerous projects by the two Basel-based firms of Herzog & de Meuron and Diener & Diener, and the Beyeler Foundation Museum in Riehen by Renzo Piano.

Posted by Kyle at 11:11 PM | Permalink

Today we’re leaving on an overnight class trip to the Loire Valley. We’ll be visiting various châteaus along the way and even be spending the night in one!

Last weekend’s trip to Switzerland was wonderful! Diller & Scofidio’s “Blur Building” didn’t disappoint, although I was upset we weren’t able to visit it again at night. We didn’t have nearly enough time to visit all the exposition pavilions and exhibits, but I - at least - got to see everything I really wanted. And Geneva really surprised me on Sunday - a gorgeous day relaxing, reading, and playing games in a park along Lake Geneva looking towards the Alps. Unforgettable!

Posted by Kyle at 06:18 AM | Permalink

Only two more days till my final architecture presentation, so it’s draw, draw, draw for me this afternoon - and tonight - and tomorrow morning, etc. I’ll let y’all know how things turn out.

Posted by Kyle at 02:42 PM | Permalink

After nearly two weeks of waiting, I have finally received the correct authorization code for my student copy of Architectural Desktop 3.3. Without it, my laptop’s been frequently suffering from the Blue Screen of Death. The remedy couldn’t have arrived at a more critical time since I’m speaking to the Rotary Club of Paisley Callants this evening. It would take a lot of Southern charm to recover from a dying PowerPoint presentation in front of the District 1230 governor.

Posted by Kyle at 04:05 PM | Permalink

Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s House for an Art Lover is featured today as one of the Yahoo! New & Notable websites. Mackintosh designed the house for a competition in 1901, but was disqualified for submitting his work late. (It’s comforting to know even great architects aren’t always on-time.) The house was recently constructed (1989-96), thanks in part to the staff and faculty of the Glasgow School of Art, in Bellahouston Park.

Posted by Kyle at 04:53 PM | Permalink

This week at ‘the Mac’ we’re working with guest critic C.J. Lim. My primary school has become a metaphorical Christmas present. Trust me, it’s good stuff!

I spoke last night to the Rotary Club of Garnock Valley. Following the talk I attempted to answer questions regarding the role of golf in Georgia (with respect to The Masters), Andersonville Prison, The North vs. The South rivalry, and my lack of Southern accent.

Posted by Kyle at 02:36 PM | Permalink

I bought a drafting table today. I decided to get the table so I can work on projects back in my room even when the architecture building is closed. It took awhile to get the other furniture in my flat arranged to fit it in, but now every night can be an all-nighter!

Posted by Kyle at 04:52 PM | Permalink

Architect Samuel Mockbee, founder of Auburn University’s Rural Studio in Hale County, Alabama, has died. Through the studio Mockbee and his students have designed and built architecturally distinctive homes for some of the nation’s poorest citizens. Two years ago he received the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “genius” award.

It’s snowing in Atlanta.

Posted by Kyle at 08:05 PM | Permalink

After three grueling weeks of classes in Barcelona, we had a week-long “midterm” break. I spent my time away from classes in Rome, Italy - rightfully known as the Eternal City. The city is absolutely gorgeous and awe-inspiring - filled with ancient Roman ruins and Renaissance masterpieces. There must be a church on nearly every block! I hope you enjoy the photos, and I sincerely encourage you to visit Rome for yourself!

P.S. - I will get some Barcelona photos up soon.

• temple of saturn (53.2kb)
• santa maria maggiore (111kb)
• spanish steps (133kb)
• via cavour (97.4kb)
• st. peter’s basilica (62.8kb)
• pantheon [inside] (70.1kb)
• pantheon [outside] (101kb)
• archaeology (132kb)
• colosseum (96.4kb)

Posted by Kyle at 03:11 PM | Permalink