Long-lost London Bridge — the medieval structure that once spanned the capital’s River Thames, is still revered for its beauty and functionality as an extension of city life and commerce with its houses and shops. The still-standing medieval Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy gives us a glimpse of what London Bridge must have been like and is one of the city’s most stunning pieces of architecture.
Architects often incorporate multifunctionality into their designs and bridges are no exception. Here we bring you a selection of bridge projects, both real and conceptual.
Month: September 2018
When we decided to look into projects based around ‘tunnels’ we thought we’d be scraping around looking for content. How wrong we were! Read on for some amazing pieces of work from architects and designs around the world that give tunnels a whole new aesthetic.
You’ll often find a maze in the grand, landscaped gardens of Europe. Originally conceived as continuous or unicursal pathways, several hundred years ago garden designers began to plant puzzle-like hedge mazes to amuse garden owners and their guests. The oldest surviving puzzle hedge maze, at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey, England, was built for King William in the late 17th century, while the modern hedge maze at Longleat House in Wiltshire, England, designed in 1978, features a three-dimensional design incorporating bridges and a grid-less layout to confuse visitors.
Of course, we take furniture for granted. And even when we purchase expensive pieces, there are usually acquired for their durability, craftsmanship and fine materials as much as for their aesthetic value. However, many artists are only too happy to work with furniture to create thought-provoking pieces and experiences.
Capella Ubud, Bali is the ultra-luxurious tented camp set in the heart of a verdant rainforest by celebrated architect and designer Bill Bensley.
Illusional art and architecture are not only immensely creative and thought-provoking but also great fun.
South London art collective Intoart works with people with learning difficulties to help them achieve equal recognition in the world of contemporary art and design. Just weeks ago the Peckham-based studio joined forces with luxury British knitwear brand John Smedley and is set to launch its first capsule collection of garments designed by Intoart artists this coming November.
Intoart was founded in 2001 by Ella Ritchie and Sam Jones, initially as an eight-week project to respond to a lack of high-quality arts education and limited opportunities for artists with learning difficulties.
London-based architecture practice Grimshaw is once again to show off its flair for botanical gardens with a new botanical garden in Sharjah, UAE.
Architects and artists love the freedom to work their magic on public spaces. From large urban squares to national park sculpture trails, creating an innovative design that is inclusive can be a life-dream for many in the arts, architecture and design industry. Take a look at the selection of our favourite projects.
Award-winning urban design and landscape architecture practice West 8 is the winner of a competition to design a new section of the Bernie Spain Gardens on London’s South Bank.