“Geode” Street Art Project / A Common Name

Designer: A Common Name
Project location: Los Angeles
Date: NA
Client: NA
Program: “Geode” Street Art Project

'The past couple months I have been working on a street art project around the Los Angeles area. Rather than using traditional paint or wheat paste methods in a 2D platform, I’ve been using paper in 3D. These sculptures come in all sizes and fit in the holes of buildings and pipes found while walking around. The finished shapes represent geodes, crystal, quartz, or any mineral formation that you would normally find in nature, now in our planned out cities.

A parallel aspect of these “geodes” in nature and in the city is they are always unexpected treasures. You might go hunting for treasures but you generally happen upon them during your adventures or casual interaction with the environment. I enjoy the fact that many people will not notice these, but some astute people will; that these will not last forever and the weather will affect them as naturally as it might in nature. So far I’ve made nine—several have been trashed or taken away, and one has fallen apart due to rain. Enjoy the images and feel free to hunt for the existing ones using this map of current locations.'

source (include photos):  A COMMON NAME, http://acommonname.com/street-art-project/

Didden Village / MVRDV

Architects: MVRDV
Project location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Date: 2002-2006
Client: Didden Family
Program: 45 sqm extension private residence and 120 sqm terrace

Most topping up on rooftops is done for two reasons: a need for additional space and the desire to live or work high above the city rooftops, closer to heaven than to other people. Dutch architecture firm designed an extension for the Didden family on top of an existing monumental house and atelier. The attic storey of the house below is extended by a sky-blue parapet. Behind it two gables of the same colour can be seen. It creates a crown on top of the monument. The extension is an example of the growing trend to exploit the urban roofscape for new living and working spaces.

The bedrooms are positioned as separate houses, optimising the privacy of every member of the family (one for parents and two adjoining children’s rooms). The houses are accessed via a suspended spiral staircase from the loft-like living room. The two spiral stairs to the two children’s houses coil around each other to form a double helix stairs. The houses are placed on the large rectilinear roof surface in such a way that they form a small number of outdoor spaces (houses, squares, streets and lanes) that make up a rooftop village.

The ‘village’ is enclosed by a parapet with windows that offer views of the street. Trees, tables, open air showers and benches added, optimising the rooftop life. By finishing all the elements with a blue poly-urethane coating a new heaven appears.

Unlike many similar projects, the Didden Village does not simply offer its owners additional living and sleeping space. It actually functions like a real small village, with alleys and courtyards equipped with benches, tables and a pool. Shoulder high parapets create the necessary air of privacy.

“The addition can be seen as a prototype for a further densification of the old and existing city. It adds a roof life to the city.” MVRDV

source: O'Grady, Elena. "Didden Village / MVRDV" 18 Feb 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 05 Apr 2012. http://www.archdaily.com/13370