maemarch

an architect keeping ties with photography, poetry, and music

[keepingitneutral]

House of Time, Babahoyo, Los Ríos, Ecuador,

Natura Futura Arquitectura

[maemarch]

Hama-rikyu Gardens | Chuo, Tokyo

Before being the public park that it is now, this landscape began as a Shogun garden during the Edo period. Back then it also served as a naval defense facility, with gun-batteries installed on the grounds facing the sea.

The original tea houses here were for entertaining distinguished guests of past Shoguns; the current huts are restored versions after having suffered damages from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and World War II bombing. There's one by the lake that sells traditional matcha, with tatami floors and a wide balcony to soak in scenic views. Gave me a break from all the walking.

It's a well-maintained park, and if you're someone like me who prefers less crowded places, you'll surely have a great time strolling the area.

[maemarch]

I must share this here!

Quality archviz and insane list of collab work with global firms to feast on! They even offer creation of metaverse for design management. Oh what a time to be alive and learning all of these new approaches to capturing details and story telling in architecture ❤︎❤︎❤︎

[maemarch]

Project: Tokyo International Forum Architect: Rafael Viñoly

I'm pleasantly surprised to know through this video that the building form was heavily influenced by user movement and approach in relation to contextual realities around the site.

My initial intention when I visited the building was to check its exhibition spaces because my work is currently involved in a similar project. After spending hours going around, I wondered why the building is split the way it is, and realized how clever it positioned its open space above the convention center below ground. Seeing Viñoly's sketch from the video put a lot of sense to how I experienced the building especially in terms of circulation.

But when I entered the lobby (photos), there's no question why this is beloved by photographers. The rhythmic structural frame plays so well with natural light!

[maemarch]

Project: The Grand Ring Architect: Suo Fujimoto Location: Expo 2025, Yumeshima Island, Osaka, Japan Guinness World Record holder of the largest wooden architectural structure [measuring 61,035.55 sq.m]

Boasting Japan's mastery of woodwork, the Grand Ring is a clever multi-level circulation tool for exploring the Expo. At ground level, it's an arcade with generous seating areas, dotted with several souvenir shops and dining options from various international cuisines. At roof level, it's a deck that offers sweeping views of the pavilions below.

On my first day at the Expo, I took my sweet time admiring the details of this amazing structure. Hard to take my eyes off of something so beautiful!

[maemarch]

I have deep respect for clients who see value not only in comfort and style but in understanding the impact of their project beyond themselves. Such people are mindful about their choices, and in this case the owners opted to use local materials and incorporate green design elements into their house.

How I'd love to get infected with the bamboo craze and be bambuang, too. All I can think of every time I see bundled bamboo on the posts and beams is "Are they structural?"

What a masterpiece!

[maemarch]

Starfield Library | 별마당도서관 📍Gangnam, Seoul

[maemarch]

Project: The Imprint / Club Chroma Architect: MVRDV Location: Incheon, South Korea

The building's mass may look like a simple block of white and gold, except that this rigidity is disrupted by the fabric-like void at the center. This mirror-clad tunnel serves as the entrance to the club, and is conceptualized to look like a curtain lifted to peek through the exciting atmosphere inside.

Shame I wasn't able to see the lighting at night, but even with the afternoon sun allowing me snaps of those warped lines and whimsical reflections my heart is already full ❤️

Check out MVRDV's gallery for more photographs of this wonderful facade.

[maemarch]

I just gotta have this on my page! It's been decades and it's unbelievable how the band keeps achieving amazing material such as this. God, I hope they'd do an Asian tour soooon.

Let's all enjoy their latest album The Human Fear on spotify

[maemarch]

Serenity. May it dominate my 2025. 📍Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

[maemarch]

When asked about how he felt about how the courtscraper VIA 57 WEST turned out, he replied, "The only thing you can see is all the battles you lost, all the compromises you made, the f*ck ups that couldn't be fixed."

That resonated with me. It reminded me of projects where our team had to restudy approaches because of legal, engineering and cost limitations.

[maemarch]

⌖ Myeongdong, Seoul

[maemarch]

Project: Galleria Department Store Architect: OMA / GANSAM (local) Location: Suwon, South Korea

Large retails usually have limited walls to punch their facade with windows at the upper levels. F&Bs and circulation areas can be opportunities, and this new branch of Galleria in Gwanggyo is a design example I want to remember for that.

Those triangular glass panels extruded from the tiled wall with patterns based off the same geometry trace a path that lets the public experience views of the surrounding urban district from different floor levels. The circular windows that array on the corner are at the ninth floor where the gourmet world is.

[matthiasheiderich]

Sonnenring, Frankfurt am Main. Architect: Günther Balser. Photo: Matthias Heiderich

[maemarch]

mein gott, ist das ein zeichen? 🖤

[maemarch]

waited for the sunrise at the Avenue of Stars 📍 Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

[maemarch]

Project: Lippo Center, Hong Kong Architect: Paul Rudolph Last photo is taken from Paul Rudolph Foundation's website; this detailed hand drawing hints how this building dates way before computer renders became the norm. Although it was completed in the late 1980s, its bold curtain wall projections and the columns that play the base at varying heights do not give away the building's age. To me, it has that space age aesthetic that is heavily angular all around instead of curves.

[maemarch]

| interiors |

The cinematic theme of Studio City brought into W Macau's interiors boasts opulence as any proper luxurious development does.

But what I remember distinct about it is the illumination. It was dramatically dim in most areas, as if muting the extravagance in the furnishings, until the reflections from all the metals and glaze and the lighting from decorative fixtures make you realize otherwise. It stayed consistent with the project's design concept.

Project: W Macau 澳门新濠影汇 W 酒店 Location: Avenida de Cotai, Studio City, Macau