Houston's Dome

The science of mega engineering says we can save Houston with a Dome. Imagine building a huge Dome that covers the entire city, that is higher than Houston's skyscrapers.
One solution to counter the almost overwhelming environmental challenges facing Houston is to cover it with a giant geodesic dome.

The country's fourth most populous city faces heat, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Houston has always been vulnerable to hurricanes and severe weather.
Houston city center shut down for nearly a week from last year's hurricane. It caused the city a 10 billion dollar damage. It's not only the hurricanes, but also heat and humidity that keep oppressing this great city. On nearly 100 days each year the temperature climbs above 90 degrees. Air conditioning helps, but it comes at a very high cost. Houston is using more electricity than Los Angeles. This is why some scientists think the only way to save the city is to move it indoors, in other words to build a huge dome for Houston. Houston dome area will stretch over 21 Million square feet, making it the biggest structure with the largest roof in the world.
Houston Dome's broadest panels will be 15 feet across. It will take 147,000 panels to cover the city of Houston. Glass will not work for Houston Dome. It will be so heavy that it can't hold. Houston Dome will require a much lighter material. It may come from the German city of Bremen, from a factory of Vector Foil Company.


Vector Foiltec invented the use of Texlon® ETFE, the climatic envelope, over twenty five years ago and has successfully developed and promoted the use of this innovative technology worldwide. This is light polymer and is the future of glass.
This material, called ETFE is the only material that will make a fuller city-size dome possible, even for a city like Houston. At just one percent of glass, ETFE is described as 99 percent nothing. Without ETF the Houston dome can never become reality. It is so light that 99 percent lighter than glass is tremendous change.


Since it's not possible to stop the life in Houston to build the Dome and army of dirigibles will be used to complete the construction.
Houston Dome will take years of construction and billions of dollars. The Dome is designed to protect a city from a category-5 hurricane. The ETFE panels and the space-frame steel structure that supports them are the key. ETFE can withstand winds of 180 miles per hour. This is higher velocity than the strongest category 5 hurricane.
Houston Dome idea is very intriguing. But I am just left with one idea. Will Houston ever see rain? If no, is it possible to sustain an ecosystem of such a size without rain?

(The nodes reading from left to right: Construction, Dome Geometry, Dome Entrance, Apexvents, Panel Saftey, Space Frame, Dirigible)

Does anyone remember that episode on The Simpsons, where there was a dome around Springfield? How much of an impact would daily life for Houstonians change. The downtown area would never have to worry about poor weather because the dome would have a proposed "perfect" environment. That does seem quite lovely considering i hate how my clothes stick to my skin 2 minutes after being outside. However, would we take for granted being able to enjoy nature in nature around downtown Houston? Would living in a bubble, especially those living AND working downtown, become too repetative? How would this change the future design of structures? Would It be possible to loose a facade and have "open" buildings?

For more info visit the Discovery Channel.

The design genius of Charles & Ray Eames

The legendary design team Charles and Ray Eames made films, houses, books and classic midcentury modern furniture. Eames Demetrios, their grandson, shows rarely seen films and archival footage in a lively, loving tribute to their creative process. Enjoy!

Weekend Links!

• Amazing Ceilings!
• Cool Zipper Pond in the Juming Museum in Taiwan
• 32 meter-high sculpture for Audi @ the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex.
• First Photos of Spence Dock Bridge in Dublin.
• 30 Emerging architecture practices create their Ideal Model Home
• Julius Shulman, Celebrated photographer of modernist architecture has died.
  

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Olafur Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen
Location: London



This timber clad structure resembles a spinning top and brings a dramatic vertical dimension to the traditional single-level pavilion. A wide spiralling ramp makes two complete turns, allowing visitors to ascend from the Gallery lawn to the highest point for views across Kensington Gardens as well as a bird’s eye view of the chamber below.





*Photo's curiosity of Iwan Baan Photography

Palais Ideal

A degree in architecture takes years of study. Even then, there's only a one in a million chance you'll design a work of art that will be declared a national monument. But Ferdinand Cheval aka Facteur Cheval (1836-1924) built the Palais Ideal in Hauterives, France, out of stones he collected on his route as a postman, with no architectural or engineering training. It took 33 years to construct this amateur fairy tale palace by hand. Cheval, who wished to be buried inside, was forced to go even further and build his own ornate mausoleum at 78-years-old, since local officials wouldn't grant him the permissions to be buried within without one.
(Regis Duvignau/Reuters)

Bartlett School of Architecture features one year in 10 minutes

The students at the Bartlett School of Architecure, London, have made a film about their first year studying architecture. A great opportunity to see what you will be doing if you choose to become an architect.

Hadid will continue construction despite a court ruling

Zaha Hadid will continue construction of the controversial Seville library despite public opposition and a court ruling against the firm.

The 5.6 million dollar library at the city’s university, described by Hadid as ‘a sculpted bar of stone with a great contrast between solidity and transparency’, has fallen foul of local residents, who claim the library will occupy 8% of the Prado de San Sebastian, a green area that provides welcome sanctuary in the summer months for residents.

However, following the court ruling in the residents favour, AJ has been informed by Hadid the practice will continue construction during the appeal process - in direct contravention of the resident association’s demands.

The statement said: ‘The Government of Andalucía, the Seville City Council and the University of Seville will be appealing the ruling. All construction works continue as normal throughout the appeal process.’

The three-storey building will cover 8,000 m2 and house reading rooms, cafes, auditoriums, computer rooms and parking.

In a statement to the court, the residents said: ‘The specifications regarding the new library clearly violate the protection measures derived from the fact that the Prado de San Sebastian is part of Seville’s historic city centre.’