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where did the term “form follows function” come from?

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Image of “form follows function” sofa by Daan Mulder

The first mention of the phrase could be ascribed to the American sculptor Horatio Greenough, who in 1852 was relating it to the organic principles of architecture.1
The American architect Louis Sullivan, who admired rationalist thinkers like Greenough, Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman and Melville – picked it up, in 1896, in his article The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered. Here Sullivan actually said “form ever follows function”, but the simpler (and less emphatic) phrase is the one usually remembered. For Sullivan this was distilled wisdom, an aesthetic credo, the single “rule that shall permit of no exception”. The full quote is thus:
It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law. 2

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180B commercial office tower brisbane

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180B is a 32 level office tower located in Ann Street Brisbane. I headed the Design Team at Crone Partners for our client Daisho with the aim of developing a highly efficient, environmentally sustainable office tower. The building is targeting a 6 Star Green Star (World’s Best Practice) certification with the Green Building Council of Australia. 180B is currently at the end of Tender Documentation Stage with construction to commence early 2013. The works are due for completion July 2015.

One of the key features of the design is a large super graphic of the Brisbane River located on the north eastern facade. This will be developed using a frit pattern and low iron glass to the curtain wall system and modifications to the custom designed, twin blade sun shading devices. The super graphic allows the building to be identified from varying locations and aspects around the city.

I enjoy reading comments about the building at; http://brisbanedevelopment.com/daishos-redesigned-brisbane-river-tower/ and this site also gives further information on the project.

180B axo view

what is the largest span of the sydney harbour bridge?

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503m and for a while was the worlds widest long spanning bridge. It is the fifth longest spanning arch bridge and the worlds tallest steel arch bridge at 134m. For a bridge designed in 1932 by an engineer, nicknamed “The Coathanger” and synonymous to Australia, it is a great piece of art and architecture iconic to the Sydney skyline.

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do you like the apple store in sydney?

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I don’t know about you but I am a huge fan of the design of the Apple store in George Street Sydney. Time and effort has been spent on the detailing of not only the entry facade but the glass feature stair that connects the floors at the back of the building. It is a beautiful stair. The treads span from wall to wall made from 50mm thick solid glass spanning approximately 2.4m. The treads are connected to the wall by minuscule stainless steel patch fittings removing the need for stringers. The open risers add to the transparency of the stair allowing light to filter through the incredibly lightweight structure and create soft shadows on the stark aluminium composite walls. The stair not only looks good but it encourages the visitor to use the stair rather than riding the lift to the other levels. Nice work by the architect! Does anyone know who designed it?

apple store

One Serendra Philippines

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One Serendra, is a premium grade residential development, located in Bonifacio Global City, in the Philippines. The project comprise two high rise residential towers, at 48 and 37 levels each and a ‘Garden Bridge’ building of six storeys, that connect the towers at the podium level with luxury, 2 storey apartments. The total GFA for the development is 90,000m2, housing 600 apartments, in a mix of 1, 2, 3 bedroom and penthouse apartments. The West tower is complete and the East tower is currently under construction.

The initial design was presented to AYALA Land Premier in 2006. One Serendra, is the flagship development of the Serendra Master Plan. Amenities include 24 hour concierge, pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna. The buildings are set within a ‘green landscape’ zone, with the majority of apartments looking inwardly, on luscious green private gardens, pathways and pools. Interestingly to note, the Garden Bridge apartments sold at a higher price than the tower penthouse apartments, proving that a garden environment and good facility design is popular with the local market.

One Serendra

AYALA

Skyscraper

serendra elevation serendra photo One Serendra Aerial