“It is not the right angle that attracts me, nor the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. What attracts me is the free and sensual curve — the curve that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuous course of its rivers, in the body of the beloved woman.” Oscar Niemeyer

Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer has passed away on Wednesday at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 104. A Pritzker prize laureate, Niemeyer had designed some of the 20th Century's most famous modernist buildings including the main government buildings in the futuristic Brazilian capital, Brasilia, and UN building in New York, together with Le Corbusier. He went on to create more than 600 buildings around the world. His legacy endures in museums, monuments, schools and churches in Brazil and beyond. Thank you Oscar!

By the way if you are in Brazil, why not pick up a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Chukka boots designed by him?! 

Images: BBC, Arcstreet

How cool is this?! a bridge suspended by 3 balloons! This bridge created by French artist Olivier Grossetête, called the ‘Pont de Singe’or ‘Monkey Bridge’ is, in fact, strong enough to hold one small person.

Although not trained as an architect, Grossetête is best known for creating miniature bridges and towers from cardboard, and says he is fascinated by the physical sciences. With the help of his parents – both scientists – he made the calculations for the suspended bridge.

However, he doesn’t recommend wading in and trying to climb on. Passage across this fantastical bridge is dangerous, especially in high winds, and the structure is placed in the centre of the water to prevent sharp objects from threatening the balloons.

Of course, the bridge is more about the allure of possibility than the physics of lift and drag. ‘I think our imagination takes us far – that little frustration and not being able to climb above can be largely enhanced by contemplation,’ Grossetête says.

Source: Frameweb

We are deeply sorry to hear Lebbeus Woods, an American architect and artist, died last night in New York at age 72. He was a true visionary architect, who has inspired generations for architects and artists, and has made direct influence  on films such as 12 Monkeys and Alien 3. His website and blog as a monument to his talents, and if you are interested there is a very good article on him on the NY Times by Nicolai Ouroussoff. 

Image: dibujoetsamadrid

21 Balançoires (21 Swings) is a recent project by Canadian design collective Daily Tous Les Jours, known for their wide variety of interactive public installations and experiences. Surrounded on both sides by a new music complex and science center, designers Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat chose to bridge the gap between the two by converting a narrow strip of land into an enormous interactive instrument. Pre-recorded sounds from a xylophone, piano, and other instruments were programmed into color-coded swings that when in use play various notes, however when swung in unison with careful cooperation, more complex melodies and harmonies arise. An additional “secret mode” was programmed to only play when all 21 swings were in use. What a fun idea!

Source: www.thisiscolossal.com

Haven't done "Something cool for Friday arvo" for a while now, and this is a good one.

Jody Xiong of DDB China in conjunction with the China Environmental Protection Foundation created this wonderful outdoor campaign to create a subtle visual reminder of the environmental benefits of walking versus driving. Enormous white canvases with a bare tree were placed across 132 crosswalks in 15 Chinese cities. As pedestrians crossed their shoe soles were imprinted with a small amount of green paint, leaving behind a trail of leaf-like footprints. BBD estimated that nearly 3,920,000 people passed through the installations, and the final posters were eventually hung has billboards in several urban locations. Awesome!

Source: www.thisiscolossal.com