Schiffbau, Zurich

Schiffbau, Zurich

It was a warehouse, sited amongst the industrial buildings and factories.

The plaster walls were deliberately chipped off to reveal the steel channels that held the large spans of the interior space, the rusty texture of weathered sienna hue commanded a certain rustic charm. Then there were sleek modern furniture and fittings that spoke the language of modern utilisation, posters glued to the wall and notice boards informing of the activities that went around during day and night.

A concrete space was inserted within this warehouse, the finishing left as natural as it could be and given a modest appeal to complement the exisitng quality of space within, while light filtered in subtly through the high ceilings on that Friday afternoon. One feels secured in the hall yet liberated due to the vastness of clear span spaces.

I truly admire this piece of work.

"The architect Peter Kern, who was responsible for the conversion project Schiffbau (shipbuilding), has made the shipbuilding hall into an experience room for theater, music and gastronomy. Each one leads its own life under the huge factory roof. In this way this former industrial building turns into a veritable town within a town consisting of the aquarium-like glazed square of the LaSalle restaurant, the Trendbar and Nietturm lounge, four rehearsal stages, as well as the concrete cubes of the Box studio theater and the well-known Moods jazz club. The heart of the entire site is the indoor theater itself with its charming generous dimensions. "

Address:
Schiffbaustrasse 4
8005 Zürich

Gem of Berlin

"Gem of Berlin" (well according to me)

As I sauntered along the so-called shopping district of Berlin, with restaurants hoarding corners of the junctions, this seemingly delapidated building got my immediate attention. The peeling plasterwork and individual murals and graffiti, the myraid posters and signature boards loosely attached to the wall, were only indications that I had to go beyond this wall.

And I did.

I found the Gem of Berlin. Stay tuned for what's behind this facade!

Melbourne

Melbourne 6 July, originally uploaded by jonolist.

is cold now, can't type much but enjoy! will post more when i get a stable and warm internet connection

Of Katong

somewhere in katong, originally uploaded by jonolist.

Katong is one of those places proconservation wished they had more time to explore into but with our exchange programme settling to do in full swing we kinda have our hands tied up with silly administrators and incompetent school staff.

but thats not the point

Hopefully you'll find more post on buildings in europe and australia here soon as we leave all the hassle behind and both go on our individual trips abroad. Its an exciting time ahead now and the post will come soon.

in the meanwhile enjoy the holidays!

Malacca snippets

through the window of Malacca shophouses

You know I wonder, what would become of this place 5 years down the road, even just 2 years down the road.
Who'd still use that classic frame, that golden coated timbre carved piece that holds photographs beneath that reflective glass.
Who'd use this purplish-maroon hue sofa that tells what era it's from.
Who'd still use that circular socket with a rectangular switch.
Who'd still sit in that ratan chair at that far end of the kitchen fanning the charcoal fed stove (I used to squat and fan my grandma's soya bean drink, trust me it tastes so much better than gas boiled ones)

You know sometimes, when people purchase antique goods and place them in their living rooms, they seem out of context?

Of Old Airport Road

I overslept on the bus the other day on my to meet with some friends for coffee. I hurriedly got off the bus and found out that i ended up in a place i haven't been to for quite a while.

it did feel sorta familiar, thankfully i had a camera in hand. figured i'll just snap a shot.

Old Airport Road, originally uploaded by jonolist.

Early housing flats are a favorite in Proconservation (along with shophouses). These flats and its neighbours at Dakota Crescent still retain that old brick work charm.

The land these estates sits on is also known as Kallang Airport Road.....they say there used to be an airstrip here, thus old airport road. I guess the roads were pretty wide here in the past because my mum often ran to the nearby national stadium carpark to watch car races when she was a youth. They would hold similar ones near her estate too.

i also recall it being the setting for the local motorcycle movie "chi feng" (Jiak Hong). Automobiles seem to have a strong affinity to this area no?...hmmmm formula one anybody???

I remember coming here when i still a kid to visit some relatives and boy did i love the food at the nearby hawker centre. I hope they don't disappear altogether when the new stadium is built. (which reminds me...Huilian! lets go National Stadium! plis?)

apart from the new kitchen extensions and paintjob nothing much has changed, you get the large open fields and very airy interiors. The lattice brickwork(not shown in pics..sorry)and open ciculation spaces reminds one of the time when natural ventilation was a must and not an add on.

I would have investigated more but my return bus was coming.

If anyone knows more about the area, architecture and other info (personal or otherwise) please do drop a message.

Wuhan City old town

Wuhan City old town

Sometimes as an outsider, one is struck by the rusticity of this intricate old town, and perhaps the immediate signs one can read are the textures of failing plaster walls and stainings from the weathering, and maybe the architecture style in juxtaposition to the so-called contemporary style (shudders a lil here at this terminology used).

But one never truly understands the spirit it embodies unless one has lived here, which is quite sad to see if they themselves are willing to relinquish that value. Then again, this is subjective.

My friend who was here with me can tell you how much I loved the feel of this place, albeit being there only for a very short while. The language of it is a lil quirky in that context, but it just appear right somehow.