Mourning House- Simple Stunning Architecture o9

The Mourning House in Mexico City, Mexico by Pascal Arquitectos is a project with very strong emotional implications.
Between understanding the mood of the user, who at that particular moment would not care much to analysis any place for its aesthetic value, and from the design aspect of wanted to create a space that can lift-up spiritual mood, Pascal Arquitectos did not only refered to ancient buidings that were designed for this purpose, as the Egiptian “Mastabas” or some Mayan buildings in Palenque but they were also guided by several groups of Rabbies because of Religious rules and buildings codes in the Jewish Religion are very strict for this kind of places.

"A project of this nature must encourage introspection and peaceful visual harmony through a discrete use of materials and lighting. "
-Pascal Arquitectos

Located in a residential area and as planned to isolate the building from its surroundings, the building facade is completely covered by Grissal flamed granite with only an indoor illuminated yard to provide natural-light source. A 6´4” wide + 30´ height triangular shaped wooden door welcome visitor s by leading them to an access tunnel in the same shape, creating a solemn atmosphere as you enter but at the entrance ends, the hallway opens to a large, double height granite hall illuminated by the northern light coming from the indoor courtyard with a tall Dracaena at the center and a symbolical abstract sculpture by artist Saul Kaminer as the only artwork piece for decoration.

No furniture was used inside this place,
only a floating bench surrounding the room,
that is made out of the same wood used in all the building.
It also serves to hide all of the air conditioning,
speakers and recessed lighting which adds a dramatic touch.
This way the rooms shows no added ornament but
the light and shades playing on the granite volumes.
The ceiling is made of dark cumaru wood and floats without touching any wall
and a skylight puts a highlight on this detail.

Ground Floor Plan

Longitudinal Section 1

Longitudinal Section 2

Cross Section 1

Cross Section 1

a+. pascal arquitectos via via
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Yoshitomo Nara

I first saw Yoshitomo Nara's work when i was in Ubud, Bali 3 years ago in an art shop, i guess. This cute face, oversized head with pinprick nose & tight pursed lips peeking into a world that seems eerily familiar through his persimmon pit-eyes...captured me. Then again on March this year at The Jim Thompson House in Bangkok, those familiar eyes...

from time to time I am like a child
from time to time I really am a child
from time to time I am like an adult
however (I) cannot truly become an adult
-Yoshimoto Nara
Born in 1959, the artwork of Yoshimoto Nara precedes the artist's own name. A long-term resident of Cologne, Nara having already exhibited in Milwaukee, L.A., Cologne and Seoul, with New York scheduled for later this year. The artist's Tokyo dealer, Tomio Koyama says that a major Nara sculpture was recently purchased by an American collector, and is earmarked for long-term loan to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. With a couple of books both in their second run, a limited edition wristwatch and a clothing line that incorporates motifs from his artwork, Nara is well on his way to developing a cult following in Japan.

The young and vulnerable, Yoshimoto Nara was often left to entertain himself, playing games and using his imagination to pass time resulting a deep sense of loneliness just like many of Nara's work, where the kids are always engaging in innocuous solo activities: holding a flag, playing in a box, sitting on a potty, holding a book, standing in a puddle. But sometimes they are brandishing sharp little implements--knives and saws. Capturing these scenes in a moment of stillness,
the children look up at the viewer with what seems to be an air of wariness or is it complicity?
do those heavy eyelids indicate post- or pre-nappy time
or do they embody a jaded cynicism,incongruent with the insouciance of childhood?

Each work is an emotional trigger which has different effects on different viewers.

Deep Deep Water Puddle

where is this place
how did I come to be here
looking around the restrictive shallows
the light from the sun glitters on the water's surface
I walk slowly while submerged in the water
walking in scattered patterns like the other children
without passing one another
keeping a certain distance
expressionlessly passing by one anotherthere seems to have been the sound of a helicopter above my headregardlessly I continue forward through the shallowswater clings heavily around my legswhile feeling my own existencein the deep deep puddlewhile having a dream of drowning
-Yoshimoto Nara








a+. yoshitomo nara via the-artists.org via christie's via wikipedia
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Flirt Jewels

I found this through INSEI blog, she designed and personally made this at Flirt, a jewelry store & design studio. Nice huh?
Flipping through Flirt webpage, i found few more that interest me.
Do check out Flirt's workshop if you are in the neighbourhood, make something for that someone special.
a+. flirt jewels via Read more...