April, 2015 Archives

Unconventional Dr Seuss-like Architecture of Hundertwasser [41 PICS]

April 23rd, 2015 Permalink

Friedensreich Hundertwasser was an artist turned architect at age 55. He spurned traditionally boring 20th century designs, put out manifestos such as one proclaiming Window Rights, pushed his point across by giving lectures in the nude, used bright colors, distorted lines and designed with the desire to be in harmony with nature. Here’s a look at some of creations by the “the doctor of architecture.” [41 Photos]

It's alive, Hundertwasserhaus House in Vienna

It’s alive, Hundertwasser House in Austria. It’s both an apartment house and expressionist landmark in Vienna that was built after the idea and concept of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Although the concept of a forested roof terrace house was at first rejected, the City of Vienna eventually was convinced to allow the unconventional design. “Within the house there are 52 apartments, 4 offices, 16 private terraces, 3 communal terraces, with a total of 250 trees and bushes.” The Hundertwasserhaus has many unique features, including undulating floors as the artist “said ‘an uneven floor is a divine melody to the feet,’ a roof covered with earth and grass, and large trees growing from inside the rooms, with limbs extending from windows. Hundertwasser took no payment for the design of the house, declaring that it was worth it, to prevent something ugly from going up in its place.” Photo #1 by Sergio Morchon

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Grass Roofs Across the Globe [54 PICS]

April 16th, 2015 Permalink

If it is springtime where you live, then it’s time to start mowing the grass again. Can you imagine if you also had to control the grass growth on your roof? Sod roofs have been around for about a thousand years out of necessity; in modern times, living green roofs have become more popular again by environmentally conscious people. However for many people, grass roofs are not something you see every day. If that describes you, then here’s a big collection of grass roofs from around the globe. [54 Photos]

Grass roofs on wooden houses in Tysfjord, Norway

Grass roofs on wooden houses in Tysfjord, Norway. Sod roofs, or grass roofs, were traditional types of Scandinavian green roofs. Photo #1 by hqwalls

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