Bimhuis, Muziekgebouw and Passenger Terminal Amsterdam.

Images by idiggitt.

The Bimhuis is a venue for Jazz and improvised music, whilst the Muziekgebouw is for contemporary classical music. Both buildings designed by 3XN sit alongside the Passenger Terminal designed by HOK.

The impressive cantilever of the Muziekgebouw roof contains both an internal lobby and and external cafe - and a grand internal staircase is expressed externally under the Bimhuis. In the lobby, mid level foyers cantilever into the space, and circulation stairs hang in space. The aesthetic is paired back - nearly industrial, but all highly detailed and appropriate.

The dock area around the building has also been regenerated with a modern take on dockside detailing - the infrastructure is well executed, combining steel deck plates, stone, timber and a highly detailed expressive bridge.

ARCAM Amsterdam Centre for Architecture

Images by idiggitt.

Designed by Rene van Zuuk www.renevanzuuk.nl, and completed in 2003, the ARCAM building holds 5 rotating exhibitions showcasing current Dutch or International architecture. The surprisingly simple building shows what can be achieved with simple materials used in and inventive and sculptural way. The sweeps of the buildings curves form small external niches that frame views of the city, whilst the purposely proportioned glazing sculpturally divides and otherwise simple facade in that modernist way.

Parc Andre-Citroen Paris

Images by idiggitt.

Quoted from http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/parc_andre_citroen_paris "The underlying geometry is modernist, embellished with post-modern ornament. It is a fine product of a late-twentieth century landscape design competition. Alain Provost and Gilles Clément explained their design as having four themes (artifice, architecture, movement and nature) with an overall transition from urban to rural. The use of water and clipped plants carry a distant echo of the French Baroque. A White Garden and a Black Garden are set into the urban fabric and lead on to the park's central feature - a vast rectangular lawn sliced through by a diagonal path. Two glasshouse pavilions, separated by a pavement of dancing fountains, stand at the urban end of the lawn. The River Seine flows at the far end. One flank of the lawn is bounded by a monumental canal and the other by two sets of small gardens: the six Serial Gardens and a wild Garden in Movement. The park is on the site of a former Citroen car factory, which was levelled."
From our point of view, the gardens make a great transition from the old part of town to a new commercial area on the other side of the park. The scale transition is taken up in the landscape elements and across the central lawn. The low point was the dry water features which were obviously under maintenance.

Banks of the Seine

Images by idiggitt.

There is a confidence in the way the Banks of the Seine around the Bibliotheque are being regenerated. A blend of rustic retaining walls and highly finessed paving sit easily together. Changes in level provide places for sitting, disabled access, and steps, all combined in a beautiful piece of urban landscape.

Bibliotheque nationale de France

Images by idiggitt

One of the grand projects by President Francois Mitterand, this was won in competition by Dominique Perrault www.perraultarchitecte.com and opened in December 1996.

The city block scale building on the banks of the River Seine has a dramatic impact on the contours by basically using a plinth of timber to create an amphitheater of steps cascading down to level changes. To some this is ignoring the geography, but to others it is a dramatic gesture in the spirit of Mitterand's vision.

The towers are activated by a double skin consisting internal timber screens - the occupiers move these at will - unfortunately they even use them as storage cupboards - out of their view - but in full view of the public.

The descent down into the reading rooms takes the visitor into an densely planted wilderness - maybe a metaphor for the tree of knowledge - but anyway a calming environment for study.

The footbridge 'Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir' Paris

Images by idiggitt.

This amazing footbridge by Feichtinger Architects www.feichtingerarchitectes.com working with engineers RFR, spans over 270m and is made of two opposing curves forming a truss. The structure is known as a 'pectinate lenticular' truss, with members being in compression and tension. At its deepest point the truss forms a sheltered area for views of the River Seine. Its an elegant way to cross the Seine starting from two levels and is part of a wider regeneration of this part of the river edges.

La Piscine Josephine Baker Paris

Image idiggitt.

Situated on the banks of the River Seine and designed by architect Robert de Busni, this floating pool was named after the actress and resistance heroine. Completed in 2006 it has a sliding glass roof, which can be opened in summer and closed winter. The pool uses filtered and treated water from the Seine, which is then returned to the river cleaner than before.

Reiss HQ London

Images by idiggitt.

Headquarters for fashion house Reiss in London by Squire and Partners www.squireandpartners.com is covered in a double skin facade to shade it from the south heat load. The outer skin is composed of solid acrylic that has been machined to create modeling and different degrees of translucency. The effect is an abstract transparent barcode - relevent to the function of the building behind that houses a retail outlet, offices and a cutting floor and penthouse.

Postcard from Berlin 2010

Top left image idiggitt; others by Casa Camper.

Located near Hackescher Market at Weinmeisterstrae 1. Mitte disctrict, Casa Camper is one of the two hotels designed by the Barcelona Shoe company Camper. With a rooftop breakfast and day bar, and a ground level Japanese restaurant it is part of the regeneration of this part of Berlin.

Buildings of Potsdamer Platz. Images idiggitt.

The 19 buildings of the DaimlerCrysler precinct were constructed under the leadership of Renzo Piano. His plans were also based on a draft for urban development by Munich Architects Hilmer and Sattler. Architects involved included Renzo Piano; Hans Kollhoff; Ulrike Lauer and Wolfgang Wohr; Jose Rafael Moneo, Richard Rogers, and Arata Isozaki.

Berlin Holocaust Memorial by Peter Eisenman. 2005. Image idiggitt.

Some people have described this memorial, made of 2,700 concrete slabs occupying 19,000 square meters, as abstract. However, passing through the undulating landscape, the visitor hears voices, echoes, and silence - this powerful play of the senses evokes its meaning in an uncanny way.

Marie-Elisabeth Luders House and Paul Lobe Haus, both by Stephan Braunfels 1998-2001. Image idiggitt.

These buildings of the Government Quarter next to the Foster designed Reichstag have been criticised as being severe. However, the fine quality of the concrete, and elements such as the connecting bridge and integrated urban spaces next to the River Spree make it an important Urban element of the Government Quarter master plan.

Reichstag, New German Parliament, Berlin 1992-1999 Foster + Partners. Images idiggitt.

The transformation of the Reichstag is a superb lesson in building modern within historic. Fosters' won this project in competition with 14 other architects in a competition that followed the 'wrapping' of the Reichstag by Christos and Jeanne-Claudes.

The building contains a bio-fuel co-generator, with waste heat stored in an aquifer below ground and pumped up when it needs to be reused.

The popularity of this building with the public however, means the queues for entry become an obstacle; take a toddler with you and you can shortcut the queues and get a VIP direct entry to the roof terrace; and what a terrace - the views over the city are reflected in the giant light scoop that directs light down through the cupola into the chamber; the ramps around the inside of the cupola are ever popular and activate this building in a truly democratic way.

The superb detailing contrasts with the existing building where graffiti from Russian soldiers can still be seen - the terrace that sits on top of the old structure is visable in the light wells - the transition from steel to glass, then on to stone is deftly handled.

Studio Daniel Liebskind: Jewish Museum Berlin 2001. Images idiggitt.

The plan of the museum is based on a series of connected places and historic events. The ramped floors and ceilings, and changing geometry of walls constantly keeps the visitor off guard and creates a sense of unease relevant to part of the museums content.

The visitor traces the history of the Jewish faith from inception to the present day. Parts of the building are visible, but not accessible - a reference to Liebskinds' idea of 'voided space', a metaphor for the disappearance of the Jewish faith in the city.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, New National Gallery, at Berlin, Germany, 1962 to 1968. Images idiggitt.

One of the striking things about Mies Berlin Gallery is the industrial scale of the elements. The roof beams and columns of substantial steel members seen usually in bridge construction. That this building explores the limits of such engineering is a testament to Mies' understanding of engineering structure - whilst at the same time creating an elegant pavilion that floats on its base. So - now the exhibition has closed, and the workers have moved in to apply reflective film, this once transparent pavilion will now take on a new form. The glass will reflect the surroundings making the whole structure appear more solid and heavyweight. Bring back the transparency and lightness and find another way to control the glare!

Wall at Potsdamer Platz: Image idiggitt.

The remnants of the cold war are omnipresent in Berlin. They inhabit public spaces now as a reminder of the past, and perhaps as a warning for the future. The east now however, has the air of a resurgent artisans quarter. Inhabited by new hotels, designer shops, and trendy restaurants - its the place to be seen.