April 25, 2009

Koolhaas Prada Transformer opens in Korea

Filed under: Architecture by Orangemaster @ 9:57 am

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Today marks the opening of yet another Prada building designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas of Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), the Prada Transformer, a portable, shape-shifting cultural pavilion located in Seoul, Korea.

Having sat down and really enjoyed a recent television show/lecture with Koolhaas, I listened to him explain that the building could physically be transformed for four main uses: art exhibitions, special events, cinema theatre and a section called ‘waist down’. The idea is that instead of rearranging the interior of the building, a big crane has to reposition the Prada Transformer like a giant puzzle.

Some say, nonsense, what a waste of time, energy and resources, others thinks it’s brilliant. On telly, one of the students from the Delft University of Technology studying architecture said that all his teachers refer to him as ‘God’. He was also criticised amicably by the host of the show who said he is always in a rush to get somewhere to which he retorted that by rushing and getting to places faster, he has more time for himself once he arrives.

(Link and image: dezeen.com)

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April 23, 2008

Rem Koolhaas to design Prada museum

Filed under: Architecture,Design by Orangemaster @ 8:37 am
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Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has been asked to design a museum for Prada’s art collection, according to the website of Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), Koolhaas’ architectural firm.

Designer Miuccia Prada and her spouse Patrizio Bertelli have bought hundreds of modern art pieces over the years and need a place to display them. They have found a place in Milan where Koolhaas is going to design three new buildings, including a tower with exhibition halls. Koolhaas has already designed the Prada flagship store in New York City (see photo).

(Link: gelderlander.nl)

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