Spot Research

Spots | Architecture | Design Ephemera

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Casa da Musica- Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)⁠⁠ Porto, 2005⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ @gabrielfortunat in 2019, ollie, 📷 by @spliffiths ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ The original concept of the building was based on an earlier house design, all in glass, that was defined by a massive central horizontal void, kind of like a courtyard rotated 90 degrees. "I was hoping that every part that was not a void would look like a compacted laundry bag, with a Manzoni-like compression of dirty linens and unmentionable things."- Rem Koolhaas ⁠, photos by @iwanbaan ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #Porto #modernarchitecture #OMA #Remkoolhaas #gabrielfortunato #casadamusica (at Porto, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRMEWEpEMA/?utm_medium=tumblr

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One more at Neue Nationalgalerie - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe - Berlin, Germany - c.1962-1968⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ 1- #sylvaintognelli from @isleskateboards “Vase” 🏺 by @jacobelliottharris from 2015, taking a road less traveled out front of the gallery before the recent renovations. Thank you @brettenichols aka @the_built.environment for pointing this one out.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ 2- Original collages by Mies, populated with figurative sculptures rather than people, emphasizing the abstract, idealized nature of his designs. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ There’s a great article “Why Do People Still Think That Classical Sculptures Were Meant to Be White?” via @artsy, which unpacks the often misunderstood history of classical form and color, and the subsequent misinterpretation of “aesthetic purity” from the Renaissance on through the modern era- to which Mies, with his early training rooted in the nostalgia of neoclassicism- was not immune. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #berlinarchitecture #miesvanderrohe #modernarchitecture #neuenationalgalerie⁠ #berlinskateboarding #classicalsculpture (at Neue Nationalgalerie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRLOWRpcx-/?utm_medium=tumblr

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More Neue- this time the relentless grid. Neue Nationalgalerie - Berlin, Germany - c.1962-1968⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ 1-4. Various plans- ceiling, main hall, plaza, site.⁠⁠ 5. @samiharithi smoothing it out with the flatground flow back in 1995 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠ #berlinarchitecture #miesvanderrohe #modernarchitecture #neuenationalgalerie #gridsystems #berlinskateboarding ⁠ #samiharithi⁠ (at Neue Nationalgalerie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIsRctBjZa/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Neue Nationalgalerie - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe - Berlin, Germany - c.1962-1968⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ 1. New edit that @gehtdenn dropped toda⁠⁠y 🎬💥 2. Interior rendering by Mies (must have been during construction as it is uncharacteristically photorealistic) and exterior photograph following David Chipperfield’s recent refurbishments.⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ “Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie is a perfectly square temple of steel and glass, raised above the street on its own granite acropolis. Built in 1968, not far from the recently erected Berlin Wall, it was intended to symbolise the freedoms of the west, its big black roof enclosing an epic column-free hall for the display of modern art. It has long been venerated as a 20th-century Parthenon, the ultimate example of Mies’s pursuit of ’universal space’.”⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ “‘People thought it looked like a giant petrol station when it first opened,’ says David Chipperfield, the British architect behind its six-year restoration. ‘But affection grew in the decades since.’”⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Text via Oliver Wainwright/ @guardian ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #berlinarchitecture #miesvanderrohe #modernarchitecture #neuenationalgalerie #davidchipperfield #berlinskateboarding ⁠⁠ (at Neue Nationalgalerie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDw878BzIP/?utm_medium=tumblr

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New piece up @villagepsychic about Mies van der Rohe and the origins of granite plazas in North America. 🏙 Inspired by @bobbydekeyzer , @dickrizzo , and others who have graced Mies' architecture with traces of skateboarding. Pictured here- NYC's Seagram building and Toronto's TD Centre. 🔗 Link in Bio.⁠ #miesvanderrohe #modernarchitecture #nycskateboarding #torontoskateboarding (at Bauhaus) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTh1UqZp124/?utm_medium=tumblr

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UN Plaza, designed by Lawrence Halprin and Mario Ciampi, San Francisco, 1975⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ “None of the great fountains of the world is brutal.” In this quote, the critic Allan Temko is talking about EMB’s fountain- but it still applies here- where he is referring to the “brutalist” architecture of the ’50s and ’60s characterized by rough concrete and rigid, blocky forms- not the intuitive choice to compliment flowing water.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Various clips of me, filmed by @waylon.bone c. 2008 or so? I was deep in architecture school at the time and not skating much, but the one trick I could rely on with some confidence was jamming my nose into walls. Also think I met @aaron_herrington on one of these sessions. Rad dude! Miss seeing Aaron do his thing in person.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Also shoutout to @tedbarrow for shining a light on Temko’s writing. Good to read some honest architectural criticism of Halprin. #lawrencehalprin #sanfranciscoarchitecture #landscapearchitecture #brutalism (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTA66d8J37f/?utm_medium=tumblr

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UN Plaza, designed by Lawrence Halprin and Mario Ciampi, San Francisco, 1975⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ @fieldrasa with 2 versions of a wallride, one for a #rasalibre ad, photographer not noted, possibly Bradley Burt? Halprin’s original sketch for UN Plaza. The way it’s drawn- little dots for people and all- makes it seem as if the fountain is the centerpiece of a grand civic space- bustling and accessible. The reality of the space has been much different, due in part to its cramped scale, lack of accessibility, awkward relationship to the axial intersection of Market St. and Civic Center, and its generally unwelcoming palette. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #lawrencehalprin #sanfranciscoarchitecture #landscapearchitecture #brutalism (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTA4Nx6JtrQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

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UN Plaza, designed by Lawrence Halprin and Mario Ciampi, San Francisco, 1975⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ @skatemental 's ender from @foundationskateboards 1999 "Nervous Breakdown" - clip from Thrasher's "Classics" - with Brad's voiceover "One thing I can say about this video part- I think through my head the whole time I was going like- I can't wait to ride for @toymachine" 😂⁠⁠ Also notable is the lack of the massive stainless steel clad 2007 federal building by Morphosis in the background. ⁠⁠ Support your local pizzeria @raymondspizzeria 🍕⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #UNplaza #LawrenceHalprin #sanfrancisco #landscapearchitecture #pizza (at Civic Center San Fransisco) https://www.instagram.com/p/CS5D7KFhTcc/?utm_medium=tumblr

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UN Plaza, designed by Lawrence Halprin and Mario Ciampi, San Francisco, 1975⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Images from AIA Journal, August 1980. Like Justin Herman Plaza (aka EMB) and its awkward, brutal concrete fountain by Armand Vaillandcourt, Halprin's fountain at the intersection of Civic Center Plaza with Market street - one of the most significant axial intersections in San Francisco - has been plagued with issues since its construction. SF Weekly described it as a "shameful pile of cement-covered rebar", and its function as a civic space, beyond being a notable skate spot, has included being a conveniently located public toilet and bathtub. There are current plans to redesign the entire plaza stretching to Civic Center, and to "adapt" the fountain by including some much-needed green space at its eastern edge.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #UNplaza #LawrenceHalprin #landscapearchitecture #sanfrancisco #sf #publicart (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CS40Y_EpLLW/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Follow up to the last post- another one at Sara D. Roosevelt Park , a year later, in 1999, by @brianwenning732 from @transworldskate 's "Feedback" 16mm 🎥 section.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Second image is from an ad in the East Side Chamber News, 1932, illustrating Howe and Lescaze's European-style housing block proposal, which thankfully never materialized. Sara D. Roosevelt Park was built in its place. #brianwenning #chrystiestreet #nycarchitecture #internationalstyle #nycskateboarding #nychistory #howeandlescaze (at Chrystie Street) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPbbGVbloPi/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The Chrystie St. 🏙 that thankfully never materialized, or @timandvicstagram would have never blessed us with this one in 1998. (via @scienceversuslife , photo via @tednewsome)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Ironically, Sara D. Roosevelt park as we know it today would exist if the tenements that stood there in the early 1900's were not cleared to make way for this proposed array of International Style public housing blocks by Howe and Lescaze in 1931. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Another bit of odd history, while this project wasn't built, it served as the basic blueprint for the Williamsburg Houses in Brooklyn and the accompanying Martinez Playground ie. #bluepark @blueparktrickbounty ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ This proposal was a favorite of then-mayor Jimmy Walker and @themuseumofmodernart, an outspoken advocate for the public housing project that was highlighted in it’s 1932 exhibition simply titled "Modern Architecture: International Exhibition”. To the project's credit, LES in the 1920's was suffering from dilapidated and vacant tenements, so the idea of offering high-quality affordable housing ($11/ month) was ambitious and quite good in theory. However, following the market crash of 1929 and the election of Mayor LaGuardia in 1934 (along with Robert Moses as Parks Commissioner), we instead (thankfully) ended up with Sara D. Roosevelt Park. #bobbypuleo #chrystiestreet #nycarchitecture #madcircle #nycskateboarding #nychistory #howeandlescaze #internationalstyle #robertmoses (at Chrystie Street) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPZLPPelEmG/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The Chrystie St. 🏙 that thankfully never materialized, or @timandvicstagram would have never blessed us with this one in 1998. (via @scienceversuslife , photo via @tednewsome)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Ironically, Sara D. Roosevelt park as we know it today would exist if the tenements that stood there in the early 1900's were not cleared to make way for this proposed array of International Style public housing blocks by Howe and Lescaze in 1931. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Another bit of odd history, while this project wasn't built, it served as the basic blueprint for the Williamsburg Houses in Brooklyn and the accompanying Martinez Playground ie. #bluepark @blueparktrickbounty ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ This proposal was a favorite of then-mayor Jimmy Walker and @themuseumofmodernart, an outspoken advocate for the public housing project that was highlighted in it’s 1932 exhibition simply titled "Modern Architecture: International Exhibition”. To the project's credit, LES in the 1920's was suffering from dilapidated and vacant tenements, so the idea of offering high-quality affordable housing ($11/ month) was ambitious and quite good in theory. However, following the market crash of 1929 and the election of Mayor LaGuardia in 1934 (along with Robert Moses as Parks Commissioner), we instead (thankfully) ended up with Sara D. Roosevelt Park. #bobbypuleo #chrystiestreet #nycarchitecture #madcircle #nycskateboarding #nychistory #howeandlescaze #internationalstyle #robertmoses (at Chrystie Street) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPZLPPelEmG/?utm_medium=tumblr

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El Internacional, aka Teddy's, by Antoni Miralda and chef Montse Guillen. 1984-1986, Tribeca, NYC.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ "Leasing the space of Teddy’s, a former nightclub with alleged mob ties, Miralda paired with chef and fellow Spaniard Montse Guillén to serve tapas to artists and non-artists alike, while also enlisting them as performers in curated rituals. In its constantly changing décor, diners might be illuminated by candlelight or cheap fluorescents bouncing off a glitter ceiling, descend acrylic stairs with encased wedding cakes, be serenaded by blaring conch shells or watched over by chrome-horned animal skulls and a cutout of Ronald Reagan. Word got around quickly and the restaurant’s regulars soon counted 80s art- and pop-culture royalty such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pina Bausch, David Byrne, Umberto Eco, and Grace Jones."⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ (Text via @pinupmagazine)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #elinternacional⁠⁠ #teddys⁠⁠ #nychistory #nyc (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMs0QUdFlSy/?igshid=8qt8zt1mdy51

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And now for some roadside architecture🛣 🦆 ⁠ ⁠⁠ “Hat ‘n’ Boots, designed by Lewis Naysmith... Opened in 1954 as a Premium Tex service station, these buildings housed retail space under the hat and restrooms in the boots... After standing empty for more than a decade, the station received designation as a Seattle Landmark in 2002, and the buildings were preserved through relocation to nearby Oxbow Park the next year.”⁠⁠ (Text via University of Washington)⁠ ⁠⁠ Matt Hensley @matthensley22 , frontside ollie. Photo by Daniel Harold Sturt, 1992, originally printed in @transworldskate ⁠⁠ Recent Sturt/ Hensley inspired boneless by @dontmesswithberes , photo by @photojoebrook ⁠ in 2019⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #roadsidearchitecture⁠⁠ #matthensley⁠⁠ #danielharoldsturt #hatnboots⁠ (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMprVg3lbI6/?igshid=1hpvl0zfa1735

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Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, by Foreign Office Architects (FOA), 1995⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Recent architecture grads likely spent at least half a semester studying this project- at least I did- for both its structural and formal aspects and its innovative approach to waterfront infrastructure and public space. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ "The greatest conceptual strength of the project is perhaps its sensitive relationship with the urban waterfront. With the observation deck doubling as a fully accessible public plaza, the terminal seamlessly emerges from the neighboring Yamashita and Akaranega Parks to make one uninterrupted, universally accessible urban parkscape. Its height is calculated to achieve continuity with the shore and to ensure that inland views of the waterfront remain unobstructed.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ The terminal won several international awards after its completion, including the 2004 Enric Miralles Prize, and brought enormous recognition to FOA, Zaera-Polo, and Moussavi. It also completely challenged the limited role of traditional public infrastructure projects, creating a new precedent of technological innovation and urban integration that many have since tried to match."⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Text and images via @archdaily⁠⁠ Photos by FOA/ Satoru Mishima. #foa #yokohama #architecture #japanarchitecture #foreignofficearchitects (at Yokohama, Japan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHygZ3B3hn/?igshid=grdbszs3f66y

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Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, by Foreign Office Architects (FOA), 1995⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #jkjhsn, nosemanual, by Richard Hart @pushperiodical , 2015. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ An image like this is where it all comes together. First, skateboarding as a creative act- the endless search for new spots and new ways to skate them; second, piece of landscape/ architecture that is unlike anywhere else in the world (likely with a high bust factor); and third, the timeless style of Jake.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Also worth noting- this print is available for sale via @pushperiodical⁠⁠ #foa #yokohama #japanarchitecture #foreignofficearchitects (at Yokohama, Japan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHySz_Btu7/?igshid=1wh4qu2oudwv2

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Zulmiro de Carvalho- "Onda de Abril"- 2001- Lisbon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ The wall god @silasbaxterneal , frontside flip, 2012⁠⁠ Photo by @davechami ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ As seen in Rafael Zarka's 2017 book, "Riding Modern Art"⁠⁠ #roundaboutart #ridingmodernart (at Lisbon, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK7GXQulbNN/?igshid=1wepolpe0nqol