Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Alessi Store, Houston, TX.

The idea behind the project was that Alessi wanted to open a series of new stores in the US. These new stores will relaunch the image of Alessi as a design force in the 21st Century.

Alessi Store 1

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel.
Students: Alex Holtzer and Adrian Cortez.

Alessi Store 2

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel
Students: Cameron Pybus and Joe Hamiter.

Alessi Store 3

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel
Students: Kristy Lee and Mai Le.

Alessi Store 4

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel
Students: Chelsea Wessels and Lauren Wortham.

Alessi Store 5

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel.
Students: Rob Stoluski and Will Johnson.

Alessi Store 6

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel.
Students: Mara Castro and Lauren Cantrell.

Alessi Shop 7

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Second Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel.
Students: Carlo Penaflorida and Cleigh Stipanovich.

Group Photo

First Row: left to right. Christy Lee, Mai Le, Mara Castro, Lauren Cantrell
Second Row: Left to right. Will Johnson, Chelsea Wessels, Carlo Penaflorida, Coleigh Stipanovich, Joe Hamiter, Rob Stoluski.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Performance and Sensation. Vitra Hotel

The premise of the project was that Vitra wanted to open a small hotel built on their own campus. this new hotel will be emblematic of what Vitra will become on the 21st Century.

The form of exploration will be concerned with yielding systemic hybridity in architecture by exploring two approaches that were previously thought to be both philosophically and methodological at odds with one another and experimenting with a “new way,” performance and sensation. The old cliche of the disruption of architecture, the separation of technology, design and program, the fears of reuniting them has been extremely damaging.

The project incorporated not only the latest ideas in design but in technology, sustainability and materials. Similar how furniture has skins, this building will have the type of skin that is not only performative in the sense that it will become the mechanical system itself, it will run throughout the building as necessary. Think of it as a beautiful jacket, a sweater or a fur coat to the building, it produces some kind of affect and sensation.

Performance and Sensation. Vitra Hotel 1

Texas A&M University. School of Architecture. Third Year Studio. Spring 2010.
Critic: Gabriel Esquivel
Students: Valerie Stevens and Danielle Davis