From the last spatial point of view, as well as from the first perspective resort, the bridge reminds us of the organic shape of the tent. An archetype that embodies the very notion of the shelter. Because of these exact reasons and in this nomadic spirit the Greek architect Mihail Paleodimopoulos has designed a dwelling, shaped as a bridge that oozes with oriental mystery. The two key words for the architectural aesthetics that guided the entire work were the credibility of the materials used and the harmony of the whole concept. The desired idea being established, the chosen materials that prevail are mostly of a raw nature: wood, stone, wool, glass. The general atmosphere tries to create a space of distinct personality that not only brings harmony to the family but also makes any friend feel truly at home.
PROIECT: MIHAIL PALEODIMOPOULOS
TEXT: FRANÇOISE PAMFIL
FOTO: SERBAN BONCIOCAT

The twin architects Marco and Gianluigi Giammetta were born in Rome in 1965. They graduated in 1965 from "la Sapienza" School of Architecture, Rome. In the same year they founded their private office, Giammetta e Giammetta.
The world of strategic marketing drives the two architects to enrich their knowledge on the most recent theories of information, virtual technologies, and speed’s visual effects in the purpose of using architecture as means of communication.
Their work evolves around the semantic value of shapes, materials and colors including even media-building and the accomplishments of Archigram. The Italian architects believe that architecture is a space of sensorial stimulation and in doing so they base their work on "the Concept", a guiding mark system that makes the connection between the functional and esthetic necessities of the Client and architecture.

The task: the design of a collective housing consisting of two flats, each of them possessing an exterior space and being catered for by a range of common areas: an entry yard, a staircase, an elevator, an underground parking lot and a heat station, all being built on a 230 square meters surface, with an opening span of 11.75 meters. The most important aspect of the project was its thought-out budget. It is an all known fact that even if critique may appear regarding the concept behind the design of the already built house, none of these seem to be important at the very beginning, when all that matter are the pragmatic issues.
PROIECT: ASDESIGN 95, ARH. ASTRID ROTTMAN, ARH. BOGDAN POP
TEXT, FOTO: BOGDAN POP

The vast majority of the quotidian objects lead an almost neutral existence. Although just part of the domestic décor they are an important ingredient of the daily ritual, inducing personality and pleasure even to the most common gestures. The tea & coffee set is considered by the architect Alessandro Mendini to be a true "chameleonic still life", as it has "journeyed" through centuries using different aesthetic postures, taking from the visual language of different communities and communicating through out shape, basic line, material and color the principals of distinct cultures. Initially started in 1970 and resumed in 2003, the meta-project Tea/Coffee Piazza/Towers is an adventure of technology and architectural creativity on the realm of domestic design- an aesthetic revival at a conceptual level.
TEXT: MIRELA DUCULESCU
FOTO: DI PALMA ASSOCIATI, MILANO