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The Education of the Architect: Bio-morphism vs. Anthropomorphism
Holley House by hanrahan Meyers architects: bio-morphic design: bringing outside inside and using glass to connect interior to the exterior space. built using sustainable, local materials and minimalist designON THE EDUCATION OF THE ARCHITECT
This past December I sat on juries at a few different schools of architecture, a bi-annual rite of passage that happens across the country in December and again in May. For those who never studied architecture, this bi-annual event is a time of maximum anticipation and anxiety for students of architecture, when they are all required to withstand the rigours of a ritual not unlike defending a Ph.D.
After a full semester of sorting through issues of an investigation set by a studio critic – either a life-long academician, or a practicing architect who has chosen to return to academia for a semester or two of intellectual renewal - students are required to draw up a building based on a program and site, and defend their designs. Inevitably, after visiting these reviews, visitors leave with a profound appreciation for a younger generation of architects coming through the ranks.
As I visited various programs and studios, what struck me was the work of one student who had chosen a highly anthropomorphic language of design. For me it was a non-starter from the get-go, and I had to recuse myself from the discussion.
left: a biomorphic airplane design; right: Philip Johnson's AT&T Building in midtown Manhattan
For me, anthropomorphism in design (not to be confused with bio-morphism – an area of research that hMa endorses and pursues in their work) is akin to religious fundamentalism. That sort of design takes me back to Post-Modernism and its worst sins against intelligent design.
I started my practice in architecture as an engineer, after growing up reading and believing the writings of Frank Lloyd Wright, my hero. I had the fortune or handicap of knowing who and what I wanted to do and be from the time I could speak. I announced that I was going to be 'an architect' by the time I was 5 years old. I collected and read through the writings of Wright, the most famous architect when I was growing up, and it was through Wright that I determined how I would pursue my architectural education. Wright never went to architecture school but instead graduated from an engineering program because he was convinced that schools of architecture were places of brain-washing, and not very good at educating future architects. Following in Wright's footsteps, my undergraduate degree was in Civil Engineering / Art History.
Which takes me back to my experience at the recent reviews and my reaction to that anthropomorphic project.
left: Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, a building floated over water
right: hanrahan Meyers architects' Pratt Design Center, a building floated over the lobby belowFor me, the strongest educational stance a student in architecture can take today is to leave the architecture studio, walk over to the engineering quad, and engage the engineers in a discourse around materiality, energy use, and ways that we might envision taking architecture toward a future that is moving - much like the car industry – toward a model based less on hype and fashion - and more on a maximization of sustainable techniques for energy use and materiality.
Whereas hMa will always support the intelligence of bio-morphic design – we oppose academic fashions whenever they rear their ugly heads and take charge of the field of architecture. When the academicians rule, there is no longer an appreciation for intelligent areas of investigation. Architects can and must lead the way into a sustainable future. This is my advice to the architecture students of today. Read widely, experience the world first-hand, and design environments that respect our limited resources.
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Best Wishes for 2010!
hMa's Infinity Chapel is currently under construction in New York, NY click here to view more photos of Infinity Chapel on hanrahanmeyers.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYSHappy Holidays from hanrahanMeyers architects. 2009 has marked a very successful year for hMa. In 2009 hMa had more projects in construction than we've ever had in one year. hMa broke ground on the new Buddhist Training Center in Claverack, New York in November. The Won Buddhist Training Center is a remarkable project where hMa designed five buildings, including residential halls, a Meditation Hall, and a 200-acre landscaped campus. Battery Park City Community Center is in construction, and scheduled to be complete in 2011 with a Platinum LEED rating, the highest Green rating available. Infinity Chapel, featured above, is a 10,000 square foot chapel scheduled for completion in February 2010. We hope to see you at the opening for the Infinity Chapel. Best wishes from hMa for 2010!ONLINEFans and Friends can now follow hMa on Facebook and Twitter!Holley House and Battery Park City Community Center featured on www.designitgreener.com
Ash 4 Ways featured on www.apartmenttherapy.com
Holley House on www.houzz.com
Victoria Meyers featured in BuildBLOG's Women Making an Impact Series www.blog.buildllc.com
Pratt Pavilion on Architect WORLD
Visit an interactive floorplan of hMa's Holley House on Wallpaper*.com
http://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/holley-house-new-york/2622ON AIRIn September 2009, Victoria Meyers was interviewed for Art on Air Radio
http://blog.hanrahanmeyers.com/2009/09/artonair_corwin_meyerstst.htmlIN PRINTPratt Pavilion in the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century ArchitecturePratt Pavilion in 101 Cool Buildings by Richard McMillanHolley House, Pratt Pavilion, WaveLine and Ash 4 Ways in Architecture Highlights 2 published by Shanglin A&C Ltd.IN CONSTRUCTIONWon Buddhist RetreatInfinity ChapelBattery Park City Community CenterSinger Residence, FloridaVISIT USView hMa’s body of work on our website : www.hanrahanMeyers.com
Keep up with hMa’s current events with our blogs: www.blog.hanrahanMeyers.com and www.culturalconversations.com -
Holley House: An hMa ‘roman a clef’, featuring Holley House
It was winter – nearly christmas - and he still had made no decisions about whether or not he would be visiting Moscow in January. His friends were impatient – but he just could not decide.
In the meantime, there was plenty to do here, gathering wood, getting the house ready for the holidays…
Holley House: view looking south, toward the living room pavilion. In winter, the house features two stone fireplaces: one in the living room, and a second in the master bedroom. For decision making, there's nothing better than a walk in the woods, followed by time by the fire.
To see more views of the Holley House in Garrison, New York, visit our website: www.hanrahanMeyers.com.
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Architecture and Nature; Architecture and Natural Light: hanrahan Meyers architectsNew York Architects; Modern Minimalist Design; Natural Architecture; Green Architecture
hMa: hanrahan Meyers architects
New York architects hanrahan Meyers (hMa) believe that abstract and minimal form is part of an ongoing transformation of design as a global practice of universal forms, as well as a local practice that values essential human experience by accomplishing the most with the least means.Architecture and Nature
hMa’s architecture of abstract and minimal form is open and sympathetic to nature, as well as revealing of nature. It is open to nature by allowing natural spaces and materials to come into buildings. It also reveals nature by contrast, where the single architectural gesture frames complex topographies and views. In this way, the architecture of hMa both absorbs and measures nature.Holley House, Garrison NY, 2006: Victoria Meyers and Thomas Hanrahan architects
Trajectories
These two statements place hMa in the school of designers and artists who conceptually integrate art, architecture and nature by means of essential forms and experiences, including such figures as Carl Andre, Mies Van Der Rohe and John Cage. This conceptual integration is a complex cultural phenomenon belied by the simplicity of forms that are employed, relying both on the invented and the found, the new and the contextual, and the abstract and the natural.hMa has teamed with artists on several projects. Composer Michael Schumacher and sculptor David Teeple have been in-house consultants on a number of hMa projects. For hMa’s new Community Center adjacent to Ground Zero, Michael Schumacher composed the composition, ‘Birdsong’, that establishes the formal language for a ‘frit’ pattern that will go on the glass façade of the building. David Teeple’s sculptural vision was part of the formal discussion both for Holley House, as well as Dune House (currently in design). hMa has served as an ongoing advisor to Mark di Suvero and Socrates Sculpture Park.
hMa’s value that they place on abstraction in their architecture is exemplified by their design of the Holley Loft in Manhattan, featured in MoMA’s ‘Un-Private House’ show. Holley Loft was included as a demonstration of hMa’s concept of ‘liberated living’. The Holley House in Garrison, New York is their second commission for the same client and is the rural counterpart to the urban loft.
Ecological Form
By integrating nature and minimalism into their work, hMa accomplishes the most with the least means: extensive natural light, buildings set into topography, renewable energy sources and local materials . hMa’s practice began when partners Victoria Meyers and Thomas Hanrahan came to international attention after designing the winning entry in the design competition for Chattanooga Nature Interpretive Center. hMa’s winning entry was arguably the first ecologically designed museum in the world, and set the tone for their practice and their ongoing dialogue between nature, art, and minimalism.
Office Research
Research by hMa include investigations into sound and sound waves (WaveLine; Ojai Festival Shell); research into techniques for stone wall construction (Holley House); research into vision and sight as they relate to formal constructions (See-Thru House); research into light and shadow to coordinate the placement of architectural program in space (Queens Museum of Art; Won Buddhist Retreat); Research into the fabrication of sound waves into visual patterns in order to allow visitors to inhabit sound, visually (Battery Park City Community Center); Research into the development of pre-stressed and failed materials in the design of a dwelling (Dune House); Research into the use of pre-fabricated elements to create dwelling (Pre-Fab House). The firm’s researches into these areas are in the process of being collected for hMa’s next book.Natural Light
Light is a special focus of hMa research. hMa published the firm's research into Natural Light in 2006 with their book 'designing with light'. To see a preview of the book, go to the book's website: www.designingwithlight.us.
hMa is a certified WBE.
White Space/ Ash 4 Ways, NYC, 2005: Victoria Meyers and Thomas Hanrahan architects
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In Construction : Won Buddhist Training Centercampus master plan; buddhist retreat design; modern campus design
hMa is pleased to announce that construction has begun on the Won Buddhist Training Center in Claverack, NY. The Won Buddhist Center will be a Green campus designed with sensitivity to Nature and issues of Sustainable design.
Here are some current photos of the Won Buddhist Center campus under construction:
Administration Building : Won Buddhist Training Center in construction click here to view all photos of the Won Buddhist Training Center at www.hanrahanmeyers.com
site view from Guest Residence Buildings click here to view all photos of the Won Buddhist Training Center at www.hanrahanmeyers.com
view through office window : Won Buddhist Training Center in construction click here to view all photos of the Won Buddhist Training Center at www.hanrahanmeyers.com
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Victoria Meyers featured on BUILD Blog : “Women Making an Impact”
BUILDblog is a discussion of modern design from the Northwest. It's authored by the team at BUILD LLC who also run a furniture and cabinet shop and keep a modern list of city recommendations.
Victoria Meyers is featured in a November 18th post on BUILDblog as part of their "Women Making an Impact" series. In this post, the 4th in the series, BUILDblog showcases the work of ten women in architecture creating "hot, forward thinking work." Other architects in this series include Amanda Levete (UK), Louisa Hutton (Germany), Momoyo Kaijima (Japan), Anne Lacaton (France), Dorte Mandrup (Denmark), Victoria Meyers, E.B. Min (U.S.A.)., Toshiko Mori (U.S.A.), Patricia Patkau (Canada), and Carme Pinos (Spain).
From BUILDblog:
Victoria Meyers, U.S.A.
"Meyers has a good handle on the ‘everything it needs to be and nothing more’ aesthetic and her work hits all the right chords with us. There is a nice range of challenging projects on her website and she also keeps a blog –big points from team BUILD."
Click here to view the entire post at BUILDblog
Click here to view more of Victoria Meyers' work at hanrahanMeyers.com
left to right: Victoria Meyers, JCT Pratt Design Center Pavilion in Brooklyn, NY and Holley House in Garrison, NY by hanrahan Meyers Architects
Award winning New York Architects, Build Blog, Buildblog, futuristic design, hanrahan meyers architects, holley house, hot architects, minimalism and modernism in architecture, minimalist architecture, new york architects, Pratt Design Center, pratt pavilion, victoria meyers architect, women architects, women in architecture, women making an impact -
Victoria Meyers’ Lecture: ‘Weather Report’Global Warming; UT Arlington; Sustainable Design; Dallas, Texas
In October 2009, Victoria Meyers lectured at the University of Texas, Arlington. Victoria's lecture, 'the Weather Report' focused on architectural responses to global warming by her firm, hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa). hMa's nature-based designs incorporate cutting edge technologies to create zero carbon footprints and sustainable design. To see more about hMa's Green Designs, visit their website, www.hanrahanMeyers.com. hMa believes that Green design is good design. hMa's work has been featured at the Museum of Modern Art, and in publications worldwide.
Click the link to see images from 'the Weather Report'
hanrahanMeyers architects' Holley House, a home built with green materials and formed to follow the landscape of its site CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL PHOTOS OF HOLLEY HOUSE -
hMa Research : Biomimicry and DesignGreen Design; Sustainable Design; Ecology and Architecture; WaveLine; Battery Park City Community Center
THE NOSE-CONE OF A JAPANESE 500-SERIES SHINKANGEN BULLET TRAIN IS MODELED AFTER A KINGFISHER'S BEAK
Biomimicry is an emerging discipline that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s designs and processes. By emulating 3.8 billion years of well-adapted technology, biomimicry helps innovators design sustainable products and processes that create conditions conducive to all life.
hanrahan Meyers architects use biomimicry in their architectural projects. At hMa's Battery Park City Community Center, the building's glass facade will feature a transcribed score from composer Michael Schumacher, recording the sounds of water. The building is headed for a Platinum LEED rating, the highest level of sustainable and green rating. At WaveLine, hMa used naturally occuring wave forms to determine the shape of the building's roof. At White Space / Ash4Ways, hMa created a whitened space where they floated large pieces of free-form pieces of old lumber to simulate the feeling of Central Park, which the apartment overlooks.
hanrahan Meyers believes that biomimicry is a future-oriented approach to the development of cutting-edge architectural design. To see more about the work of hanrahan Meyers architects, visit the firm's website: www.hanrahanMeyers.com.
TOP: HANRAHAN MEYERS ARCHITECTS' WAVELINE : A BUILDING BASED ON NATURALLY OCCURRING WAVE FORMS CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL IMAGES OF WAVELINE ON HANRAHANMEYERS.COM
BOTTOM: HANRAHAN MEYERS ARCHITECTS' BATTERY PARK CITY COMMUNITY CENTER: FEATURING AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION BY MICHAEL J. SCHUMACHER BASED ON WATER SOUNDS CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL IMAGES OF BPCCC ON HANRAHANMEYERS.COM
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Sacred Architecture and Green Design : Victoria Meyers to speak about Infinity ChapelGod Comes to Earth: Designing Sacred Spaces for Environmentally Sensitive Times 10/26
Infinity Chapel by hanrahanMeyers architects click here to see all photos of Infinity Chapel on hanrahanMeyers.com
Victoria Meyers of hanrahan Meyers architects will be participating in a panel discussion on Sustainability and Religious Architecture at the Center for Architecture on Monday October 26th, details below. hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) have completed one church in Queens, New York (Church of the Light). In addition to Infinity Chapel, the firm currently has a new Buddhist retreat in construction in Claverack, New York.
In addition to developing a track record for religious buildings, hMa has a reputation for sustainable and Green design. hanrahan Meyers have been the master plan architects for Battery Park City's North Neighborhood since 1997. In that capacity, hMa has overviewed the construction of over 1 million square feet of green construction, including several acres of sustainable, green landscape design. hMa wrote the design guidelines for all buildings built in the North Neighborhood since 1997, including the Solaire, the first LEED certified high-rise residential building. hMa currently has a 65,000 square foot community center in construction at Battery Park City which is headed for Platinum LEED certification.
To read more about hMa's architectural projects related to sacred spaces, as well as the firm's cutting edge green designs, go to the firm's website, www.hanrahanMeyers.com, and click on 'sacred spaces' or 'green', under 'Projects'.
God Comes to Earth : Designing Sacred Spaces for Environmentally Sensitive Times
When: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
Where:
The Center for Architecture
536 LaGuardia Place
NY, NY 10012
(212) 683-0023For many religious groups, caring for the environment is not an option but a spiritual imperative. For such congregations, green design goes beyond building materials and systems to address the relationship of the building to the site and of the congregants to nature. The relationship of man to nature and nature to spirituality has dramatically changed in this era of environmental awareness.
The program God Comes to Earth explores ways in which architects can design places of prayer that acknowledge this paradigm shift. Sustainability will be a key factor.
Panelists
– Michael J. Crosbie, Ph.D., AIA, Editor of Faith & Form
– Rabbi Lea Cohen, Congregation B’Nai Chaim, Georgetown, CT
– Alexander Gorlin, FAIA, Alexander Gorlin Architects
– Victoria Meyers, AIA, Hanrahan Meyers Architects
– Henry Stolzman, FAIA, PKSB Architects, P.C.Click this link to read an article on the "God Comes to Earth" Panel in eOculus
view of Reading Room: hanrahan Meyers architects' Infinity Chapel click here to see all photos of Infinity Chapel on hanrahanMeyers.com
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“Iannis Xenakis : Composer, Architect, Visionary” Events begin this Week; Victoria Meyers lectures in Jan. 2010
Philips Pavilion at the Brussells 1958 World's Fair, designed by Iannis Xenakis for Le Corbusier
Victoria Meyers will lecture as part of the comprehensive exhibition and event series centered around the "Iannis Xenakis: Composer, Architect, Visionary" exhibition at the Drawing Center. The exhibition will run from January 15 – April 8, 2010, with an Opening Reception on Thursday, January 14, 6-8 pm. Click here to read the press release.
Kicking it off this week are two events:
Iannis Xenakis Panel Discussion and Concert by International Contemporary Ensemble
Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Miller Theatre at Columbia University
Friday, October 16, 7:00pm
In conjunction with Miller Theatre's "Composer Portrait" of Iannis Xenakis on October 17, a consortium of artists and experts join together for a panel discussion focusing on the interdisciplinary connections between Xenakis's music and related work as a mathematician, architect, physicist, and political activist. Panelists include composer David Lang; musicologist and Xenakis specialist Sharon Kanach; Mark Wigley, Dean of Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; and Steven Schick, percussionist and conductor. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Lara Pellegrinelli.Concert by International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
Saturday, October 17, 8:00pm
International Contemporary Ensemble will present a "Composer Portrait" of Xenakis featuring 19 performers with percussion superstar Steven Schick, who will play and conduct O-Mega, Xenakis's final composition, together with other musical selections by Xenakis. Tickets: $7 – $25Iannis Xenakis: Composer, Architect, Visionary is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, The Grand Marnier Foundation and other generous supporters.
Events are Free and Open to the Public : Click here for complete details
Victoria Meyers will speak at a three day Forum coinciding with the exhibition to be held at NYU Polytechnic Brooklyn Campus on January 29, 30, 31, 2010. The forum is arranged by Carl Skelton and Sharon Kanach. More details to come.
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