November 26, 2008
Results to the 2008 Autodesk/AIA Green Index – an annual survey that measures how AIA member are practicing sustainable design – were recently released, and it is no surprise that this year’s index shows a significant increase in the implementation of sustainable design practices from architects and building owners. Read More
November 26, 2008
Gambling has never been so dangerous. Two recent sports outcomes have pitted wagerers not only against Las Vegas odds-makers, but against the teams and sports for whom they are wagering.
Most notably, during last month’s World Series, Game 5 was halted due to rain in the sixth inning with the Phillies and Rays tied 2-2. From Major League Baseball’s perspective, the game was not complete and would be finished the next day when the weather relented. But nearly 1,500 miles west in Las Vegas, the sports books had an altogether different take. Read More
November 25, 2008
Two major news organizations have taken note of a widening trend in real estate: American homebuyers flocking to Mexico. On November 13, the Los Angeles Times explored Mineral de Pozos, a village that reporter Christopher Reynolds describes as “a Mexican ghost town [that] lives on as an artist colony.”
“But Pozos isn’t dead,” says Reynolds. “It’s slowly growing, its ghosts joined by perhaps 3,500 residents who have begun filling the reclaimed ruins with contemporary art and pre-Hispanic music.”
And less than a week later, The New York Times examined San Miguel de Allende, calling it “a Spanish colonial town in Mexico [that] is luring a wave of American home buyers.” Read More
November 24, 2008
Architects are playing an increasing role in the luxury goods industry. For the last decade, sports carmaker Ferrari has enlisted international figures such as Jean Nouvel, Renzo Piano and Marco Visconti to redesign structures key to the company’s automotive works and innovation. According to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Ferrari’s president, starchitects were brought in to accomplish three goals: to revitalize its organization, to eliminate the division of employees and to maintain, not lose, the spirit of Ferrari. Read More
November 24, 2008
The running joke amongst hard-core web surfers is that one day they’ll reach the “end of the internet.” Well, laugh no more. Web pioneer Vint Cerf recently told The London Times that the world is running out of internet addresses. And according to Cerf, unless preparations are made now, “Some computers might not be able to go online and the connectivity of the internet might be damaged.” Read More
November 20, 2008
Well in to their US tour, breakthrough London alt rockers The Duke Spirit shook the famous 9:30 Club the other night. It was a sub-freezing November Tuesday night in the nation’s capital. But lead vocalist Liela Moss warmed the crowd with the emotion, range and strength of her dark-edged voice… a combination of Courtney Love and Björk. (A previous Hot Sheet post compared her to Nico and Grace Slick.) From high and loud to a sultry whisper. The short-haired Moss (her new do) poses dramatically, one foot on the s Read More
November 20, 2008
More than 2,000 architecture fans recently gathered in Barcelona at the first-annual World Architecture Festival. While visitors enjoyed seminars, lectures and a product showcase, the world’s architects vied for the 17 awards, including the coveted “World Building of the Year.” The awards program drew 722 submissions from 63 countries and were considered by super-juries of “starchitects” including Robert Stern, Neil Denari and Stefan Behnisch. In the end, Irish firm Grafton Architects took “Best Building of the Year” for its design at the Luigi Bocconi University in Milan. “We were up against fairly stiff competition, and there were some really interesting projects,” said Shelley McNamara, who runs Grafton with Yvonne Farrell. “We were surprised and delighted to win it.” Read More
November 19, 2008
A great little essay by Steve Rose of London’s The Guardian, notices how the James Bond movies – from the earliest to the newest, Quantum of Solace, consistently feature stunning pieces of Modernist architecture. Only to destroy them: “Bond movies invariably end like Quantum: with 007 single-handedly trashing not only the plans of would-be world dominators but also their hideouts, which is a pity because most of them are rather splendid.” Rose traces the trend to Bond creator Ian Fleming. Apparently, original villain Goldfinger was named after Erno Goldfinger, architect of London’s Trellick Tower. “The conservation-minded author was incensed when he demolished two Victorian houses to build his now-classic modern villas on Willow Road.”
November 17, 2008
Scott Weiland, one of the world’s most prolific – if erratic – rock performers in the last couple decades recently revealed details of a new upcoming solo album, slated for release on November 25. The announcement comes on the heels of a summer reunion tour with The Stone Temple Pilots. Frontman Weiland and original STP band mates Richard and Dean DeLeo on guitar and bass respectively, along with Eric Kretz on drums, not only reworked their mid-90s grunge rock, they also explored never-before-performed tracks. The new album Happy in Galoshes is Read More
November 14, 2008
We Americans think fast, work fast, walk fast, eat fast and practically demand everything fast. But compared to the rest of the world we surf (the Internet) slow.
Japan is the leader in Internet speed, efficiency and overall cost to the consumer. In his August 2007 article, Japan’s Warp-Speed Ride to Internet Future, Washington Post columnist Blaine Harden says, “Accelerating broadband speed [in Japan] is eight to 30 times as fast as in the United States—and is Read More
