Research
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates Developer: Mori Building Roppongi Hills is another integrated residential development by Mori Building. It is in stark contrast with Omotesando Hills with its 54-story high tower that house retail, hotels, offices and apartments as well as a few parks. It is also connected to many developments around the site, bought
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Feb 20, 2010 |

Omotesando Hills, Tokyo, Japan

Architect: Tadao Ando Developer: Mori Building How does it fit into Tokyo? The contrast of this internal street against the grand Omotesando Avenue is what Tokyo is all about: a constant transition from wide to narrow, monumental to intimate… The web has much better images. One is not allowed to take photos inside and has
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Feb 15, 2010 |

Research Trip Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is made up of such a multitude of experiences that it is impossible to sum it up in words. In a poor attempt… Tokyo is dense and sparse, grand and small, wide and narrow, tall and petite, fashion and scruffy, charming and unappealing, beautiful and ugly, heavy and light, colourful and grey, varied and
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Feb 14, 2010 |

The Genesis of Cities

I had always thought that cities came about out of the basic human needs for protection (survival) & socialization, hence agglomeration. I was familiar with the fact that the first hint of urbanization appeared when Homo sapiens shifted from their nomadic lifestyle to permanent settlements. What I had never considered were the reasons that caused
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Jan 26, 2010 |

Où es-tu?

Pourquoi privilégier ce qui n’existe plus au détriment de tout ce qui est là? Pourquoi donner plus d’importance à ce qui ne va pas au lieu d’aimer tout ce qui va? (Marc Levy, Où es-tu?)

Jan 16, 2010 |

TOGS Competition

TOGS3 – Temporary Outdoor Gallery Spaces is a competition organized by Art Alliance Austin. The objective is to design a temporary gallery space to exhibit a variety of art works. I think I might join that one. The brief is fairly simple leaving room for exploration. I might make use of the future Houdini workshops.
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Jan 08, 2010 |

Automating Radiance renders with Python

Today’s session focused on automating the rendering process of Radiance using python. It involved creating a bunch of randomly positioned & sized red spheres with a couple of lights before calling Radiance for the render scene. The final script can be obtained here. Below is a little bit of modifications applied to randomize the color
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Jan 07, 2010 |

Semester 1 Modules

Classes begin officially this Monday but I am currently attending some crash courses, Intro to Python & Houdini. Hopefully, I will find some time to commit to learning Houdini. I might need it very soon. I miss design and I am seriously considering some ways to remain in touch, maybe via competitions, one each semester…
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Jan 06, 2010 |

A GOOD START

Le mieux serait d’écrire les événements au jour le jour. Tenir un journal pour y voir clair. Ne pas laisser échapper les nuances, les petits faits, même s’ils n’ont l’air de rien, et surtout les classer. (Jean-Paul Sartre, La Nausée)

Dec 24, 2009 |