An occasional blog, with photos. Thanks for looking.
Zaandam, Netherlands
In August we visited Zaandam, a short train ride north of Amsterdam, mainly to check out a remarkable hotel set in a group of remarkable buildings. Designed by WAM architecten, which is led by Dutch architect Wilfried van Winden, the building both amuses and amazes. Described by the designer as 'fusion architecture' - a blend of old and new, of tradition and innovation, of high and low culture - it references the traditional forms and colours of wooden buildings still in use in the region. The blue section at the top of the building is a nod to Claude Monet's painting 'Blue House in Zaandam'.
The hotel is part of a major redevelopment of the area, not yet complete, with a number of other new buildings also echoing the design themes of traditional Zaandam in a light-hearted, modern way. The master plan for the area is by Sjoerd Soeters of Soeters Van Eldonk architects, who also designed the buildings in these photographs - the railway station, the city hall and council chamber, and a bus station.
The hotel's conference centre and a pedestrian walkway (on the other side) straddle a major road to link the railway and bus stations to the hotel and the retail district of Zaandam.
Some of the traditional wooden house facades found in the Zaandam area.
Adelaide's Northern Wetlands
I knew that some of the northern city councils of Adelaide had created wetlands to help collect and clean storm water - then pumping it into underground aquifers for storage. They are storing huge amounts of water this way. I didn't know, until I was commissioned to photograph some of them in June, that these wetlands are often beautifully designed places located right in the middle of residential areas, providing the lucky locals with great places to walk the dog and play with their kids.
Andrews Farm wetland
Munno Para wetland
Walking the dog, Unity Park, Pooraka
Munno Para wetland Dry Creek behind Yatala Prison
Adelaide Bridges
Anzac Highway/South Road Overpass/Underpass
Wallbridge & Gilbert engineers commissioned me to shoot this fairly major piece of infrastructure with the brief to "make it look like a bridge, not a tunnel". Apparently all the images they could find emphasised the 'under' rather than the 'over'. I was pleased with this result.
Bakewell Bridges
A bit more challenging was the requirement from Wallbridge & Gilbert to show that the Bakewell Bridge over Henley Beach Road was in fact two bridges, one for road and foot traffic and the other for trains. I had to talk my way up to the top of the 4 storey tower on the heritage building nearby to get this shot.
The Globe Apartments
Synagogue Place, Adelaide CBD - photographed December '11 - February '12
Built by Hindmarsh, designed by Grieve Gillett, this student apartment block successfully combines high density, low budget housing with a considerable amount of style.
The apartments, all lit up, from the fire escape of the North Terrace Freemasons' Grand Lodge.
From the Freemasons' backyard - showing off the colour of the balcony ceilings.
The foyer, lifts and office.
Another view of the foyer office.
Part of the communal laundry
The wall on the northern boundary features a a trio of pixellated flying ducks by architect Michael Buchtmann, shown here from the 1st floor communal area.
Each of the apartments has its own balcony.
The apartments are modest in size,
well equipped with the basics,
and feature superb views of the Adelaide CBD from the higher levels.
New York
Our first visit to New York, a couple of weeks in January, cold but with quite a few sunny days showing off beautiful afternoon light. Here are a few of the photographs I took.
21st Century Art Appreciation
The celebrity paintings in the Museum of Modern Art get a real workout.
The Chrysler Building
It was a beautiful image of this extraordinary monument to art deco that first got me inspired about photographing buildings, so of course I had to try to make my own. It took a while to find a good vantage point, but when I did I got reasonably lucky with the light. Three handheld frames from a long lens, stitched together in Photoshop. (I love my 80cm high print of this!)
This is detail from the lower section of the building.
The High Line
This was originally an elevated railway line built in the 1920s to ship goods in and out of New York's West Side warehouses without bothering the street traffic. The trucking industry caused its decline, along with the rest of America's rail system, and in 1980, with a final delivery of 3 carloads of frozen turkeys, it was closed. After years of agitation, litigation and attempts to demolish it by developers who had bought the cheap land underneath, the High Line is now a fabulous raised park, with some stunning design and great views into New York. Photographer Joel Sternfeld's documentation of the disused line and its natural flora helped build public support for the project.
A warmish Saturday evening - the High Line was very busy.
The old and the new are on display from the High Line Free sunset here tonight!
The Cast Iron Buildings of SoHo
These fascinating buildings are a feature of the SoHo district in southern Manhattan. Built in the late 1800s, pre-fabrication of cast iron elements that were bolted in place was the cheapest way at the time to build with decorative facades. I don't know what it is about the windows that cause the intriguing distortions in the reflections.
Note the hexagonal slots for tightening the bolts (the other knobs are decoration).
I wonder if the panels came in a flat pack with a big Allen key?
Meanwhile, back on the SoHo streets:
