The Land of Dubai

Recent financial news has brought Dubai more into the spotlight as one of the world's most innovative and unpredictable architectural hot spots. Check out these photos!

The Burj Dubai is the World's tallest building at 2,684 feet and has an amazing 160 floors.

It was developed by Emaar Properties, a Dubai based company that has grown over the 12 years since it begin in 1997 to one of Dubai's if not one of the World's greatest developers. Architects Skidmore Owings and Merrill continue to pump out amazing designs, check back next week for a more detailed look at their work, or check out their site!

Burj Dubai image atop spire

The Burj al-Arab is claimed to be the most luxurious hotel in the World, with a private chauffeur in a Rolls-Royce transfer service from the airport for those that are afraid of heights and do not want to take the helicopter. Includes private beaches, tennis court pad suspended near the top of the structure and all the amenities you would expect at $2000- $4000 USD a night. Architect Tom Wright's design portrays the sail of a boat and is an iconic structure for Dubai. Check back in two weeks for a more in-depth look at Tom Wright's work, or check out his website!

Stay tuned for part 2 of The Land of Dubai

I'm Back!

Hey everyone, I know I was MIA for a few months, but with good reason. I am applying for a Master's in Urban or City and Regional Planning program for next fall. I have been preparing to apply; taking the GRE, writing statements, researching schools, talking to professors, and finally today I submitted my first application! Now it I just need to fill out a few more applications and send them off in the next month or so. I plan to keep everyone informed and to post information about the schools I am applying to as well. Here is a little sampler from the first school, University of California, Berkeley...

University of California, Berkeley's City and Regional Planning program is ranked second in the United States according to Planetizen 2009 Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs. The College of Environmental Design is proud to celebrate its 50th Anniversary this year and under its new direction of Dean Jennifer Wolch. Wolch's background includes urban analysis in looking at homelessness and affordable housing and human services for poor people, as well as connections between city form, physical activity and public health. Berkeley is home to many other world renowned professors and faculty. Stay tuned for more information about what Berkeley is doing to change the way we live...

Mondays Special #3

This tribute goes to one of the greatest architects, at least in my opinion, Bernard Khoury.  I might also be impartial to his work since he was the first architect I saw speak while at ASU.

Khoury talked about project designs for multi-millionaires, billionaires and corporations all around the middle east.  He enjoys his elite clients and his projects show that.

Here are some of his works...

Residence Project

A night club built on an old refuge site in Lebanon

Another night club/restaurant

Check out more of his work at his website.

Cruiser Dos

I haven't decided what to call my second beach cruiser 

i've fixed up and refinished, even though it might just end up being 

"The Project 2"

This bike is modeled after old-school "Bobber" style bikes.... like the one below. 

 

Someday....

Monday's Special #2

Many are familiar with the street graffiti work of Banksy, but here is a little more about him and his movement.  He was born in 1974 in Bristol, England.  His works are often satirical pieces on topics such as politics, culture, and ethics.

As of date he has hundreds of street works and is featured in various art galleries and museums.  Another one of his more famous pieces:

"If you have a statue in the city centre, you could go past it every day on your way to school and never even notice it, right - but as soon as someone puts a traffic cone on its head, you've made your own sculpture."

-Banksy

Check out more of his works at Banksy!

Monday's Special

Each Monday I will be posting a piece about an artist, designer, architect, or just someone doing remarkable things around the world.  This is my way of learning and being inspired by the great minds and artists while giving credit where I feel is due...  

Vernor Panton

(1926–1998)

One of Denmark's most 

influential 20th-century

furniture and interior designers. 

"Most people spend their lives living in dreary, beige conformity, mortally afraid of using colours. The main purpose of my work is to provoke people into using their imagination and make their surroundings more exciting."  - Verner Panton  

To find out more information of his work and life, click here.

Cruiser

So I began this little hobby of mine about a month ago.  I bought an old beach cruiser for around 50 bucks and decided to refinish it.  I started by taking apart the frame, forks, handlebar, and crank and then stripping the old paint and grease.  That was no easy task!  Then I painted and put decals to get the final product... The Project 1 (as it is called).  April is bike month here in the Phoenix valley, encouraging residents to ride to work.   According to the State of the World 2001 report, less then 1% of people rode their bike to work in the United States.  In contrast to the Netherlands, where 30% rode to work, the United States has a long way to go.  Over the past few years there has been an increase in riders and hopefully that continues to grow as people become more environmentally aware and moving back into the city or denser areas.

Check out all the events for Bike Month at ValleyMetro.com

Final Product

My group recently finished our chair made from 100% cardboard.  We modeled our design form the contour of the human spine, the way it allows flexibility and movement yet control and strength for your body.  Our chair consisted of 22 "vertebrae" or interlocking pieces for the seat, as well as two back pieces and side panels, as well as a triangular support beam through its core.  During our initial test it supported a 210 pound man.

We were required to film and document our design process.  Check out our videos on Youtube.com; Long Version or Short Version!

Here are some other pictures of our project:

Special thanks to Group 50- Kristen, Javier, Bruce, Robert, Joe, & Nic

Everyday Inspiration

Core 77, a Design Magazine & Resource just announced the winners of their BraunPrize 2009 photo competition.  This photo by Jayashankar of India won the grand prize.  This and hundreds of other inspirational photos can be seen at Core 77.  

The winning picture has a close resemblance to the cast of Slumdog Millionaire, which came out today as well.  One of the best movies of all time!  Go out and buy it, rent it, or borrow it form me, its that good.

Ray Ban's 'Chameleon' Viral Campaign

Inspiration is all around us, we just have to see it.  Ray Ban sees it!  Look at their new viral campaign showing a chameleon changing colors when placed with their sunglasses.

Click to see video! 

Def. "Viral Campaign"-  Marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce an increase in brand awareness through self-replicating (viral) processes.

Cardboard?

Partly because I am designing and building a chair made completely from cardboard for Environment Design and partly for pure entertainment, look at what people are doing with this usual discarded trash.   

Stay posted for my groups' finished chair.

If your interested check out the work of Leo Kempf and his great website of cardboard projects.

URBANity Design Kick-Off!

The kick-off of URBANity Design is right around the corner. 

In order to start my vision of a design company I thought it was only fair to showcase design ideas.  So I am sponsoring the first ever URBANity Design "Office Space" Competition, cause where am I going to work?  The requirements are simple, design the office place of tomorrow.  Ideas can be submitted as drawings, photographs, through a movie, or as the actual built office.  It must include an explanation of why it works and how it will benefit those working in the office space.  

All ideas must be submitted via email by 12:00 p.m. Friday April 10, 2009.  Emails shall be sent to URBANityDesign@gmail.com, with "Office Space" Competition in subject line.  A winner will be announced by Monday April 13, 2009.  

First place winner will be awarded an URBANity Design T-Shirt.  And for those close behind the top three designs will be featured on this blog as well.

Any questions please contact Laron Turley at the above email or by phone 480.201.0935