Other+topics

Dubai in its beginning it was a very poor place, didn't even have roads; hardly was it composed for a few alleys and narrows streets, that difficulty the passing of transport, therefore the people used camels. At the time, the highest point of the city was the winds towers of the houses, the vigilance towers and the fort of Al Fahidi, which we can see today as a museum. With the passing of the time, this country became in a small town pearl and this was the beginning of the transformations that happened in the city. The Dubai's success started around the sixties, because it was then that got oil on its territory; this fact accelerated the Emirate's economy and along with the royal family(who has used the resources effectively) achieved and impressive evolution in the city. The progress and development witch it have been going through is very important, proof of this is the design and the structure of the place, nowadays are under construction two hundred projects, in its majority skyscraper. Some of the work that call the attention of the world' people are The Palm, The World, The Dubai International City, The Burj al Arab Hotel (considered the best of the world), The Burj Tower (the highest in the world), The World Trade Center of Dubai, the Dubai International Airport, its subway, its coastline that will soon be the most extensive urban development in the world, among others...
 * Dubai (The city with futuristic vision) **
 * Gabriela Di Pacuale **



For more information visit:

http://gabydipasquale.wikispaces.com/

Project type: urban planning Star Construction: august 2005 Author: Architect Silvia Soonet
 * Integral Project physical training San Rafael-Unida, Caracas ** Venezuela.


 * Andreina Cardenas**

The project is part of the national program for strengthening neighborhoods, funded by the national government and the world bank. Emphasizes the improvement of urban areas, accessibility and public services.

San Rafael-Unido Is the smallest of the areas where the informal settlement vas divided of “La Vega”. It was steep slopes, and insolated, is surrounded by unoccupied areas pf private property and national park.

The project urban proposes the construction of a road system in the periphery of the sector, affecting lower number of homes. In the new streets are located buildings for public use, education and sports facilities, new housing to replace those that will be affected and private residential areas.

It also included the design of the pedestrian road, which is a network of public stairs.

help a group excluded from the population. Occupying an area that should not be urbanized causes serious health risks and problems. The project had an emphasis on slowing the progression of degradation.

For more information visit:

http://andrejustinek.wikispaces.com/

** Global warming! ** Some people think that global warming is just a theory and others call it a proven sect of facts, but the fact is that the temperature on our planet is increasing more and the consequence of this are the different types of natural disasters that have been presented around the world,the sad thing about what we are living is that we are the cause of global warming, we have been destroying our planet. then we have to be repaired all what we have done to our planet, How ??.. Well architects and urban planners can do a lot,they can make green designs to help the planet, no matter if you are an engineer, doctor, teacher ..Everyone can help! In these days taking care of our planet is very important, the earth has given us all to live and what we have done is damage, so I think we can all help to make the world a better place.
 * Andreina Mendez **



For more information visit:

http://desing.wikispaces.com/

** The colors in this Business ** It’s the impression produced on the eye, when the rays reflected and affect from the bodies. the colors play a very important role in this business. Thought them we can transmit a series of emotions and also we can diferenciate the diferent areas, like for example: kitchen, bathroom, etc. We have to be carfull whit them, because they have to be used with harmony and carfullness so they won't create a visual impact thay may cause dislike to the people. this element is very prety cold be use in many ways and be combinated with the furniture or other elements that are in the place.
 * Annette Rossi **






 * International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature (Eco-Architecture 2010) was held in A Coruña, Spain. **


 * Israel Leal **

Eco-Architecture implies a new approach to the design process intended to harmonise its products with nature. This includes ideas such as minimum use of energy at each stage of the building process, taking into account the amount required during the extraction and transportation of materials, their fabrication, building, maintenance and eventual future recycling.

Another important point is the adaptation of the architectural design to the natural environment, learning from nature.

Presentations at the conference were related to topics including building techniques, design by passive systems, design with nature, ecological and cultural sensitivity, life cycle assessment, quantifying sustainability in architecture, reuse and rehabilitation, and topics from education, research and practice. Case studies from different places around the world were also presented.

Eco-Architecture is very multi-disciplinary by definition, attracting in addition to architects, many other professionals. In this regard the conference participants were also engineers, planners, psychologists, sociologists and economists, providing an opportunity to share information and ideas with colleagues from different regions around the world.



For more information visit:

http://israel2124.wikispaces.com/

** The future city **
 * Ileana de Abreu **


 * We all dream to live in a functional city, but some wise ecologist goes ahead and plans cities where people live inside houses made with modeling roots of trees, which are surrounded with an ecologic ambient. Now exist some projects from different urban planners and architects, about a utopian place where people can live in harmony and look for a better future and make profit of the earth resources. One of these ecologist geniuses is Mitchell Joachim, leader in design, urban planning and architecture. **
 * The urban planner Joachim ** ** has reworded the model of cities existing in the twenty-first century. His work is a combination of the cultural and social scene but without losing the scientist knowledge. He is trying to build a self-sufficient city, with intelligent transportation, power generation, food production, waste treatment and efficient use of the resources. All this work could take hundreds of years to become reality. **
 * These sorts of cities must be not only ecological places but also must show the beauty concept. N ** ** o matter what it takes to become reality. ** ** Maybe we aren´t going to see them, but now we can imagine a city with houses made of organic materials, no polluted, with intelligent cars and beauty floating gardens, thanks to the designs in our minds. **



For more information visit:

http://ileanadeabreu-2124-wiki.wikispaces.com/

** Modern architecture: Concept and origins **
 * Luis Augusto Rodriguez **

Modern architecture is the term used to describe the simplified, unournamented building styles of the late 19th and the 20th centuries. These building styles are also known by other labels like International style, and as Functionalism. Modern architecture developed as a reaction against to the design excesses and complexities. The Architects proponents of the modern style wanted designs that were more in keeping with the social and political developments of a new age. It also became possible to implement these new design ideas as a result of new technological and engineering developments. Materials like glass, steel, iron and concrete began to be widely used in construction. The architects who designed in the modern style were mainly inspired by machine aesthetics. They determined the form of a building according to its functional requirements and the materials to be used. Simplified forms were preferred and all unnecessary details were discarded. Some prominent modern architects were Otto Wagner in Vienna, Victor Horta in Brussels, Le Corbusier in France and Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. The German architects Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and Walter Gropius ran the famous Bauhaus school that was a major influence on the modern movement. The principle problem with modern architecture was its uncompromising focus on functionality and rectilinear forms. There was no inclination to give designs more humanizing touches and no concession to local styles. Furthermore Critics of modern architecture argued that aesthetics and accessibility were as important as functionality. Furthermore, the insistence on rectilinear forms was stifling creativity

For more information visit:

http://luis1910.wikispaces.com/


 * ARCHITSCULPTURE **
 * Ana Cristina Ayala **

The Archi-sculpture is a new kind of architecture, so, this article is about the new obsession of making buildings as sculptures. That means, that in the postmodern arquitecture some architects design buildings with a strange style that remember a sculpture. Nowadays, many architects make them buildings with this artistic and plastic touch, for example Frank Gehry or Santiago Calatrava. One way to recognize this style is seeing the reaction of the people when they’re face to face to the building. If they turn around it, means that the building is oriented to the sculpture style. If they enter since the first time is a normal architecture piece. This expression of the architectural art is called Archi-sculpture. All those works are habitable sculptures, means that you can walk inside them and “live” them in some way. The point of difference between a sculpture and an archi-sculpture is that the objective is more functional, because the archi-sculptures have to take into account many aspects, not only if the shape is beautiful and nice, but also have to solve some architecture problems that affect all the construction. For that, this style goes beyond the normal architecture. It looks for a change, for something new, out of all the ordinary structures that were made before. It wants to break (romper esquemas) and makes the people talk, because the architecture has to astonish and always surprised people.

For more information visit:

http://anacr.wikispaces.com/


 * Minimalist Interior Design **
 * Hendrina Diaz **

Minimalism was introduced in the mid-seventies in New York, but it has its origins in Europe. Since then this term has influenced all the arts, architecture mainly. It is considered a contemporary trend that uses the basic geometry of the forms. The forms have a close relationship with the surrounding space. Minimalisms try to express as much as possible with the minimum of elements.

This relates to definitions such as: reduction, simplicity, synthesis, seriousness, order, economy, repetition, nudity, material purity. This is not called rationality, now is defined as minimalism. The minimalist interior designs are not like before, hard, cold and serious. Today the trends are smoother and easier to live. It takes things from complex to simple, get rid of everything unnecessary. Use pure and straight lines, basic shapes, neutral colors, lack of accessories and play with the light. 1) The walls and color: the color base is white. But you can use neutral colors. As the brown, gray, beige, even green. 2) Furniture: The furniture should be simple, functional and elegant. Most of the furniture and accessories must be equal or at least uniform. For the furniture would be ideal to use natural wood furniture, black or white leather. It can be low level 3) Floors and windows: floors plain, simple, and smooth. Leaning toward for the Made of wood. Windows should be simple, naked, where you can see out; curtains or blinds can be simple and thin. 4) Accessories: Accessories should be very few, necessary and placed with care. Should be limited to a one painting or tapestry. Use the philosophy Less is more: is choosing which is necessary and that no, the quality and not quantity.

You need to be a certain type of person to live in a minimalist, it highlights the cleanliness and order, doesn’t work for disorderly persons, which like collections or excessive decoration, minimalist interiors create simple and clear spaces, brings an air of tranquility, the perfect place to relax after a day of work.

For more information visit:

http://hendrinad.wikispaces.com/


 * Sustainable architecture **
 * Karen Mata **

Architecture presents a unique challenge in the field of sustainability. Construction projects typically consume a lot of materials, produce tons of waste, and often involve the preservation of buildings that have historical significance against the desire for the development of newer, more modern designs. Sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space. Most simply, the idea of sustainability, or ecological design, is to ensure that our actions and decisions today do not inhibit the opportunities of future generations.

Energy efficiency over the entire life cycle of a building is the single most important goal of sustainable architecture. Architects use many different techniques to reduce the energy needs of buildings and increase their ability to capture or generate their own energy.

Related to this topic, as architects we seek to use the minimal energy that it’s possible and manage the light and the temperature inside. Also is important to relate the form and plan of the design to the site, the region and the climate. Finally we should create an efficient building, and it has to be long lasting and elegant relationship of use areas, circulation, building form. Finished buildings shall be well built, easy to use and beautiful, because as consumers we are frequently confronted with life style decisions that can impact our environment. There are a few choices in this life that can make a big difference in what the quality of life will be for those who follow us. One of the most momentous choices that any of us will make is the kind of house we live in.

For more information visit:

http://kaaren.wikispaces.com/