In part 1, I explored the work of Tita Carloni. Now I would like to study the church façade of Sant’Antonio Abate (1999-2003) designed by internationally recognized architect Mario Botta, a disciple of Tita Carloni.
Continue reading Church facade in Ticino, Switzerland: Part 2
About summer salads. There is no restriction on the season to savor a delicious salad but, let’s face it, summer is an ideal time to enjoy fresh lettuce and all the ingredients that compose a great salad.
About sketching an iterative process, Part 1. I believe that any architectural project starts with a concept, and let us call it to have an idea. As humans, we communicate ideas through sound, smell, taste, touch, and VISION. There is an English adage, A picture is worth a thousand words; a saying that suggests that complex ideas may be expressed by a single image transmitting the essence of the idea.
Continue reading About sketching an iterative process, Part 1
Tita Carloni Church facade in Ticino. Since the founding of the Federal Charter of 1291, Switzerland has remained an open-minded country that has sought to balance tradition with innovation. This is true in many aspects of Swiss life, and is particularly visible in matters related to art, religion, education, and perhaps most importantly, Switzerland’s principle of federalism.
Continue reading Tita Carloni Church facade in Ticino
Element, system and structure. I believe that there is no architecture without a sound structural system, be it expressed or hidden from sight. For the seasoned professional, this statement seems self-evident, but for neophytes and young architectural students, the concept of architecture is often thought of as merely the creation of spaces, or the expression of a list of functions, or worse, the design of beautiful objects.
Urban Posters in Paris, France. In most cities around the world, and in particular in Europe, public posters, placards or affiches -as they are called in France- became commonplace after the invention of Guttenberg’s printing press around 1450.
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Door Locks in Corripo, Switzerland. North of the Ticinese city of Locarno, Switzerland, high up in the Verzasca valley, is a picturesque 13thcentury vernacular village called Corippo. It seems to be built at the end of the world (the first official access road was only constructed in 1883), and, while not much has changed over the past centuries, it is a must to visit. With only 12 inhabitants in 2018, it is the smallest municipality in Switzerland, however, it is better known for its use of stone. Throughout the village, paved granite paths, granite walls, granite stairs, and steep slate roofs create a visual harmony that is both striking and overwhelming.
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La Tourette by Le Corbusier. If you travel to Lyon for either the cultural sites or for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience (in 2010, UNESCO added France’s gastronomy tradition to the “world intangible heritage”) you may wish to stay a half-day longer to visit an icon of modern architecture.
Situated 25 miles in the hillside west of Lyon and easily accessible by train or car, the Dominican monastery of La Tourette (1956-61) overlooks the town of Eveux-sur-l’Arbresle, and is the creation of famed Swiss architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, commonly known as Le Corbusier (1887-1965). Completed in 1961 and recognized in 2016 as part of UNESCO “World Heritage Sites,” the Architecture –yes, with a capital A, remains one of the most recognizable works of Le Corbusier’s oeuvre, and continues to welcome neophyte visitors, students, and faculty in architecture from all over the world.
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Salmon in Phyllo Dough. Remember that when a cook mentions that a recipe is complicated, you can bet it’s easier than it sounds. Salmon in phyllo dough is one of my favorite dishes and is so easy to make, and this despite the final presentation that seems complex.
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