Theatre Design Conceptual sketches

Homtini MTB race

Some friends and I decided to cycle the Homtini mountain bike race in Knysna this weekend.  It was great fun (except the part where we climbed 800m)!!!  It was a two day stage race, however the night after the first event it poured buckets for 12 hours.

I decided not to race the second day (being my first MTB challenge ever), best not to put me off mountain biking forever!

Gardens in architecture

It is interesting to read about the role of gardens in architecture and how the designs developed over the centuries.  In the case with the French, the palace at Versailles is grand, but closed to the opulent gardens.  The gardens seem to be unfriendly, structured, “do not touch”.  There is no transparency as would be in a Japanese style garden.  “Kings hiding away from the masses”.  Did the French kings and their families enjoy their gardens as much as Monet did his?  Yes they may have had riches and large gardens, but how much could one enjoy those gardens other than them being an oversized symbol of their power. 

In contrast, Monet lived in poverty for the majority of his life ,he was an artist with a personal relationship with nature (not money and power), endeavouring to paint the French countryside.  The Japanese style gardens were designed as a place of meditation and contemplation.  Monet’s gardens at Giverny in France were a joy to him, spending hours there painting.  

Interestingly, the bridge in Japanese style gardens symbolises the path to paradise and immortality.   If the French kings had taken note, maybe they would not have ordered for more bridges to adorn the gardens of Versailles! 

The Palace at Versailles

The bridge in Monet's garden at Giverny

Architectural presentation layouts

I am always on the look out for interesting and striking presentation layouts to use as precedent for my own presentations. 

It is always useful to look at other presentations to get a feel for what the new trends are.

Here are some examples that I have seen lately.

Architectural styles timeline

Our design theory class will be studying Architectural styles in the next semester, so I decided to have a look at the timeline.

Some of these styles I haven't even heard of!  Now's the time to do some research....

 

Port Elizabeth Opera House

As part of our next project (Theatre design) we have investigated the Port Elizabeth Opera House as a precedent.  I thought I share some interesting facts about the Opera House.

The Port Elizabeth Opera House was the first theatre built in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere in 1892 and was proclaimed a National Monument in 1980.  Although the original Victorian building was constructed in 1892, there have been numerous additions including the Main Entrance foyer that was constructed in the 1980's.  The Opera House is currently undergoing renovations and additions.

There are two theatres in the building: The main proscenium stage and an in the round cabaret venue.

The building is constructed over an old gallows where public hangings took place.  Apparently the staff have seen ghosts in the building and no-one wishes to be the last person to leave at night!  There have been two deaths and two murders in the building and ghost tours are done on request at 24h00 with torch light.

3D Studio Max Interior rendering

Interim 3D Studio Max Rendering for my computer class based on an actual image!!  Need to work on the grainy timber, but getting there slowly but surely.

Anticipated Theatre for 2014

On of the most anticipated Grand Theatre for 2014:

Grand Theatre d’Albi: Albi, France

The little-known southern French town of Albi will soon be home to a grand theater by one of the country’s leading architects, Dominique Perrault. Located on the fringe of the historic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building includes a 900-seat auditorium for live performances as well as a 250-seat experimental hall and several cinemas. Acting as a reflective curtain, a curved copper-color metal mesh covers the red metal-clad façade

  For more new buildings of 2014 go to:

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/2014-02/tallest-best-new-buildings-towers-in-2014-slideshow_slideshow_Grand-Theatre-d-Albi_3

PG Bison Project Final Hand in

The PG project is done and dusted.  See the final "reveal" below!

 

On to the next one!

 

 

 

 

 

Funky Restaurant Interiors

Are you hungry?  I love going out to wine and dine the night away.  Wouldn't it be great if we could go to these restaurants?

Zaha Hadid Interiors

With all this interior work that I am doing, I thought I would get some inspiration. 


Zaha Hadid's interiors caught my eye.  Although most of the images are renderings, I could definitely see myself in these flowing spaces.

PG Bison Renderings

Here is one of my A2 boards for the PG Bison Competition.  I am still busy rendering the others, will post them when I am done!

Paint splash!

I have been exploring some ideas for my PG Bison layout and came across these colourful paint splashes.
 
Media Militia offers a Photoshop 'add-on" that allows you to use these paint splashes in your projects.  You can download the package on their web-site:
http://mediamilitia.com/paint-tossing