A Constructed Reality

Dumpster "Diving" Anyone?

It's summer time and nothing is better than a swimming pool to cool off in. Don't have one? Well then why not dive into a dumpster? A group called Macro-Sea decided to re-use the large, trash filled, box of steel as a simple, affordable solution to beat the heat.

Macro-Sea's urban re-invention of the large commercial dumpster into an affordable swimming pool is catching on parking lots of strip malls as a way to allow the community to cool off and interact with each other.

"By stripping and altering its [strip malls] common architectural features, adding community space and involvement, and carefully selecting and curating vendors and the space itself Macro-Sea hopes to create and promote a place for people to shop, meet, learn, and engage with one another."
- Macro-Sea

Simple concepts like this one is what being "green" and sustainable is really about. Let's hope more people begin to be open to creative ideas like Macro-Sea has shown us.

Ready Made's Article

Macro-Sea

evolvo 09 Skyscraper

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Evolvo 09 Skyscraper is a recent competition submission designed by Marco De Gregario architect/s. Their design for the Barcelona Infinity Competition 2009 that attempts to break the abrupt transition from the horizontal city grid to the vertical grid of a skyscraper.

Evolvo 09 contains public, private, and residential areas and fuses them all together with series of forms that are extended upwards from the urban base below.

The urban horizontal Cerdà Matrix becomes a vertical dynamic force.
As a continuation of the grid, the building structure becomes a fluid expansion so the density of the territory is analogically translated into a vertical structure, the Skyscraper.
- Marco De Gregorio architect/s

The design is a thoughtful gesture towards creating a stronger connection between the street level grid and the skyscrapers that tower above it. Hit the link to read more about the ideas and thoughts behind evolvo 09 Skyscraper's form and function.

Marco De Gregorio architect/s

10 Tips for Beginning Sketchup Users

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Having used Google Sketchup for over four years, using the 3D modeling software has become second nature to me. Beginning users may be a bit overwhelmed at first, but Sketchup is a very easy program to pick up and is user friendly. Guest writer, Megan Jones, wrote an article on Bill Mullin's Weblog listing 10 beginning tips for Google Sketchup users.

Megan lists things such as shortcuts, layering, tutorials, and group editing for making your 3D modeling experience alot easier. Be sure to hit the link and check out her full list. As with any software, the best way to learn is by completely immersing yourself in it and find out as much as you can about it.

Bill Mullins Weblog

modeling, renderings, software |

Spaceport America Begins Construction

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Every day we move closer and closer to traveling deeper into space. July 19th marked the next step in man's quest to achieve sensible travel methods out of earth's atmosphere. Spaceport America broke ground for construction on a new facility that will be the home for commercial flights into space.

Spaceport America is currently under construction in New Mexico. Private funding is the driving force behind this venture which is probably better for getting the job done quickly. The building has been designed to be sustainable by providing heating and cooling via heat pumps, earth tubes, solar panels, and stack ventilation. The spaceport will be able to host vertical and horizontal vehicle launches.

As the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, Spaceport America is designed with the needs of the commercial space business in mind. Unique geographic benefits, striking iconic design, and the tradition of New Mexico space leadership are coming together to create a new way to travel into space.
-Spaceport America

Hit the link to check out the official website and follow along with the updates during the construction process.

Spaceport America
-via Gizmod o

Boone Oakley Makes YouTube Useful

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Every now and then, someone comes along and completely changes up the way you see and use something and leaves you sitting there thinking, "Now why didn't I think of that!?". An advertising company called Boone Oakley, based out of Charlotte, NC, did just that by turning their company's website into a series of YouTube videos.

YouTube gives you the option of providing links on videos that you upload. Boone Oakley wised up and created a series of videos that correspond to links that are on each of their videos. So as you watch their intro video, you get to see their portfolio, history, contacts, etc. and a link is provided for each area. Once you click one, it takes you to another video and so on. It would not be surprising to see more companies start advertising this way in the future. The good thing about a YouTube website is that you do not have to pay for hosting to keep your website maintained. It's all quite clever yet very simple and worth checking out.

Boone Oakley

commercial design, graphic design |

A Closer Look: A-J Concepts

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Today we check out digital artist, Alex Jenyon. His online portfolio has some great examples of how to use 3D modeling as a base to create stunning digital art.

Jenyon uses a variety of software such as Sketchup, Painter, Maya, and Photoshop to illustrate his images. The use of more than one piece of software helps him achieve a level of detail that is hard to attain in a single render or sketch. The Concept Art and Matte Painting sections of his website lets you roll your cursor over each image to reveal the photo he based his work on. Check out his showreel too for some video footage of transitions between stage sets and final film versions. Its all pretty remarkable stuff.

AJ-Concepts

art, modeling, renderings |

In a Galaxy Not So Far, Far Away...

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The Architects' Journal recently did a feature on Star Wars architecture and picked their top 10 buildings.

The buildings of Star Wars have always been fascinating because of features such as defiance of gravity, limitless size, and exquisite detail just to name a few. What also makes them interesting is how many of them have a close relationship to buildings back here on planet Earth. Thumb through AJ's picks and see how much these buildings "far, far away" look strangely similar to those not so far away.

Architects' Journal

architecture, buildings, structures |

Furniture Design On a Budget: Try IKEA Hacker

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Looking for ways to give your living space a tasteful upgrade but don't feel like shelling out big bucks on overpriced furniture? Look no further than IKEA Hacker for great home furniture ideas.

This site is dedicated to showing off IKEA furniture that has been altered to give a more customized feel for your personal space. Sometimes the furniture is modified to be used for a completely different purpose. My personal favorite is the bunk bed that was transformed into an outdoor chicken coop!

IKEA Hacks

Hook's CG Cityscape Will Blow Your Mind

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When Toyota and Lexus asked ad developer, Hook, to create an interactive virtual cityscape, I'm sure no one realized just how immense of an undertaking they were about to get themselves into. Tons of caffeine and nine days later, Hook unveiled an insanely detailed CG city that will send chills down a modeler's spine.

The car companies came to Hook to see if they could create an interactive 3D city that would be detailed from aerial views all the way down to street view level. The challenge was accepted and the race was on. At first they toyed with the idea of using a city generation engine to create buildings in large volume. It was quickly determined that the generator's problem with repetition and patterns would not work so they fell back to the good old stand-by of brute force modeling. Over the next 9 days they modeled buildings, cranes, mechanicals, streets, radio antennas, etc... Detail was focused on the areas that would be viewed in the interactive touch interface. The final count of buildings reached about 1200 and the whole model was right under 7 million polygons!! Hook created a video fly-through of their beast of a city model that you can view on their website. Be sure to check out their other projects too. They do very good work and have their hands in alot of today's big name companies.

Thanks tommoor!

3D Cityscape Fly-Through Video

Hook

buildings, modeling, renderings |

Set Your Bathtub on Spin Cycle

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Ever wished your shower could magically transform into a luxurious bath? What about a bathtub that could morph into a modern shower? Ron Arad attempts to capture both modes of bathing with this artistic spinning fixture.

With a simple 180 degree rotation, you can enjoy a warm, soothing bath or a rejuvenating shower. Arad hooked up with bathroom design brand, Teuco, to create a working prototype that could one day be sold commercially.

Ron Arad
- via The Cool Hunter

art, interior design, objects, products |

Design Portfolio: Brief Update

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Work is slowly coming along with the house in my spare time. The windows and doors are nearing completion. I figured I would start tinkering with my V-Ray plug-in to check out some lighting on it.

Tu Delft School of Architecture: An Architecture Student's Dream School

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After the Tu Delft School of Architecture burned down in the Netherlands, there was only one thing to do. Hold an open competition to design a new school from the ground up. As you can see, California based architect, Sid Wichienkuer met the challenge in such a way that only an architecture student could fully appreciate.

At first glance, Wichienkuer's design of the building's exterior quickly reminds you of a topography model. Once inside, all floors and structure surround a communal space located in the center. Notable features of the building include an expandable auditorium, library, and a series of design labs. The horizontal facade forms into seating and an exterior staircase to access the school. The scale model of the school is also very impressive and nicely detailed.

Sid Wichienkuer

- via The Design Blog

architecture, buildings, competition |

Lighting a Room Has Never Been So Dark

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Adam Wallacavage's take on the chandelier breathes dark new life into the classic piece.

His elk skull version is reminiscent of a medieval chandelier while his "tentacle" version is just downright different. What's really cool about the tentacles though is that that they seem like they were meant to be incorporated in to chandeliers from the beginning. These are very interesting lighting pieces and worth checking out. Also, make sure to dig through his Wallacavage's photography and blog. He has alot of very impressive stuff!

Adam Wallacavage

art, interior design, objects, products |

GM Should Get Some Tips From This Auto Design

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Seeing the current state of automotive design, it's no wonder that all the car companies are having trouble paying the bills. If they were smart and wanted to get back on track, they would make cars that look like Niels van Roij designs.

His work is innovative and fresh. What is so impressive about his sketches is how each car design maintains its original design concept while bringing a new modern twist to it. The Hastens truck is a very sleek vehicle that still keeps the functional aspects of a truck intact. His website shows off his graduation project, cars of inspiration, and other car design projects. My personal favorite is his modern interpretation on the DMC Delorean. Be sure to check out his page and GM, if you're reading this, take some notes!

Niels van Roij via NOTCOT

objects, renderings, transportation |

Your Feedback is Appreciated

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You might have noticed the Feedback box on the left side of ACR now. It enables you to share an idea, ask questions, report problems, and give some praise. Fill out the description area and give it a short title and you will be able to follow your comments via www.getsatisfaction.com.