[Originally posted to polis] This is a postcard of the Hawaii State Capitol around the time of its completion in 1969. The caption on the back says: “Hawaii’s striking and unusual State Capitol is an unforgettable sight when illuminated at night.” Although this sounds kind of euphemistic, the building does appear striking and even beautiful in the photos I’ve seen.

Apparently, the architectural team (a collaboration between Belt, Lemon and Lo, and John Carl Warnecke) explained the building with metaphors from local geography. The reflecting pool is the Pacific Ocean, the legislative chambers are volcanoes, and the columns are coconut trees, with eight on each side to represent the state’s main islands. Even the chandeliers in the legislative chambers are representative (of the sun and moon, that is). My favorite part is the open center, as “it is said that the sky is Hawaii’s capitol rotunda.” (more…)

[Originally posted to polis] Plans for Governors Island are gaining momentum! Located in the New York Harbor less than half a mile from Manhattan, the island offers breathtaking views of the city. For nearly 200 years it was a military base with limited public access. In 2003, the state purchased the island for a dollar with the stipulation that it not be used for permanent housing or casinos. It is now open on weekends from the end of May through mid-October.

Big ideas have been proposed, including a New Globe Theater by Foster + Partners and a gondola system by Santiago Calatrava. Perhaps even more impressive are the steps initiated by Leslie Koch of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC). There is now a ferry service free of charge. There are wooden bikes to borrow, hammocks along the shore, and a miniature golf course designed as part of an annual arts festival. The island is currently hosting Plot/09, an exhibition curated by Creative Time. GIPEC has sought ideas from the public and proposals from private developers. They’ve commissioned the design of a park with allées, wetlands, flower gardens, and scenic hills built from local debris covered with soil.

Funding for the island’s renewal is tenuous, so I’d like to ask how you might go about making ideas happen inexpensively. This takes a creativity that compliments the generation of ideas. It brings together the contributions of many, and can gain momentum through a succession of small victories. It is an essential part of shaping the world around us for a common good. If you’d like to get involved or follow the island’s development, more information can be found at govisland.com and govislandblog.com.

Credits: Photo of Governors Island from the gallery section of the GIPEC website.

[Originally posted to Where] The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum is currently showing an exhibition on Tulou, an affordable-housing prototype designed by Chinese architecture firm Urbanus for the city of Guangzhou, China. The Tulou prototype includes 245 apartments, an inn, exercise facilities, a library, storefronts, and varied public space. The exhibition will feature two bedrooms at actual size, as well as images, models, and project information. It runs from October 3, 2008 to April 5, 2009 at 2 East 91st Street in New York. (more…)

Landscape architect Robert Royston has designed some of the most successful parks in the United States. The site postwar portfolio – robert royston provides background information, links, and photos of his work from 1947 to 1964. I’m particularly inspired by his rooftop gardens (see photo at left). Landscape design can play an important role in creating attractive public spaces, and Royston’s work is a striking example.

An article on Royston in Dwell Magazine:
Avant Gardens

A book on Royston’s work:
Modern Public Gardens: Robert Royston and the Suburban Park

A discussion (and book) on urban parks at the Architectural League NY:
Large Parks: A panel discussion with James Corner, Julia Czerniak, George Hargreaves, Linda Pollak, and Ken Smith

e-architect provides excellent pictures and descriptions of current architectural projects from around the world. In addition to daily news, there are city guides, architect profiles, large-format photos, and links. While the site lacks any real navigation scheme, relying on new windows for just about every link, it more than makes up for this in quality content.

The term permaculture is derived from “permanent agriculture” or “permanent culture.” It represents the design and development of self-sustaining communities inspired by natural ecosystems. Local agriculture is a key component, as well as reducing dependence on industrial production and distribution as much as possible.

The Permaculture Mandala (left) sums up the ethics and principles of permaculture design. A larger version can be viewed on Wikipedia.

Quoted from Permaculture, Wikipedia: In the mid 1970s, two Australians, Dr. Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, started to develop ideas that they hoped could be used to create stable agricultural systems. This was a result of their perception of a rapidly growing use of destructive industrial-agricultural methods. They saw that these methods were poisoning the land and water, reducing biodiversity, and removing billions of tons of soil from previously fertile landscapes. A design approach called “permaculture” was their response, first made public with the publication of Permaculture One in 1978.

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A great article on sustainable home design by Abigail Goldman of the LA Times, published on July 29, 2007. Goldman highlights simple and affordable ways to cut carbon emissions and lower energy bills.

Quoted: “Forty percent of America’s carbon emissions comes from buildings — almost half — and utility bills are a major factor in household bankruptcy,” said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. “You can reduce your utility bill by 50% or 60% relatively easily. That’s one-fifth of the total carbon emissions today. It’s a huge part of what we have to do.” Making those eco-friendly changes at home has become simpler and more affordable.

The Dwell on Design Conference + Exhibition takes place at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco from September 15-17, 2006. Topics include prefab architecture, sustainability, and urban design. Registration and other information can be found on the Dwell Magazine Web site.