Angela Holmberg | Architectural Designer

To be an architect means to understand space, to understand space organized by man, to decipher the spontaneous movements and behavior of people, and to detect the needs of change that they might unconsciously express.

Luxurious details and faux finishes that allude to a grander image do not hold up to the true material expression, whether it be organic elements taken straight from nature or even unfinished, manufactured building materials like plywood. Not to get all philosophical or however you may characterize this statement, but to me honest design and material expression displays a sense of confidence that I don't often see in designs that view materials as ornament rather than as tools whose properties can aid in informing the final form.

Good design = saying it without saying it

An ingenious detail.

Architecture, as well as graffiti, 'defines and establishes' space. Though the buildings themselves leave much to be desired architecturally speaking, I believe the graffiti that adorns them does a much better job at establishing a sense of place because it is participatory. It is more of a direct reflection of the community because it's created by the community, rather than an artistic interpretation of its essence and functional needs created (more often than not) by someone from the outside.

Roads Cover 4.8 square miles of Manhattan

Do you know what else Manhattan is largely comprised of? Rooftops... where more solar panels should go. Hint hint...

Furniture that isn't furniture. A raw, industrial aesthetic befitting of the resourcefulness.

Security made beautiful. Upon seeing this, I immediately thought of the potential of a storefront on a dense city street utilizing a gate like this as an alternative to a generic garage style door. A security gate like this can add another layer to the facade (in regards to the design and, well, literally). Perforated metal comes in an infinite number of forms, so even when closed up and abandoned for the night a storefront can be visually lively. To go one step further, the gate can serve as a shading device when propped open. If the wall of glazing shown here wasn’t protected by an overhang, the gate could protect the interior space from harsh direct sunlight by filtering it through the perforated metal screen panels.

I was just thinking about this the other day about how I am a huge proponent for multi-purpose spaces in a home, storage solutions that are clever and flexible as needs change, and the like, but I sometimes forget that these same concepts are just as vital in the public realm and that even small scale changes can make a big difference. These minimalist fold-out bike racks are a great, simple step toward a more cyclist and pedestrian friendly environment in congested urban areas that have yet to accommodate alternative transportation at a larger scale, such as bicycle and rapid transit lanes on roads, car-free commercial areas, and public parks. Fewer bulky bike racks  and bouquets of bikes inconveniently chained to other bikes chained to street signs taking up sidewalk space!