Photo: Basem Wasef

Let’s be honest here: the similarities between the two companies are astonishing. We both build world-class products. We both have roots in Italy. And come to find out, we both use extremely sophisticated processes to execute our work. On a recent photojournalistic tour of the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, WIRED got an up-close and personal view of how this state-of-the-art company goes about producing perfection. Here’s a short segment from the piece:

At the embryonic stage of any car, an irreconcilable disconnect can form between the creative spark of an inspired design and the real-world demands of its implementation. As a result, the Centro Stile (Style Center) at Lamborghini headquarters enabled CAD files of the Aventador to be shared between the artists (i.e., the designers) and the geeks (i.e., the engineers), ensuring the technical department could stop a design if its proportions were too wide, low or outlandish for reality.

Three-dimensional renderings were altered for different colors and lighting environments, and scale models “printed” from those files using a device that uses lasers to cut plastic. Computational fluid-dynamic calculations were enacted to finesse aerodynamics and engine cooling, and the whole car was essentially assembled on a virtual level before it took physical form.

Sounds like what they’re saying is that they use a sort of collaborative delivery service in order to “build it the project twice.” I think we’re inclined to agree with that process.

Read on for more great photos and the rest of the story.

We are builders who love design. There, we said it. We love design beyond a mere knee-jerk aesthetic reaction. We love design because it can push boundaries, ask questions, make us question, and often unearth opportunities that may have otherwise remained dormant. Enter Becker Architect’s latest creation: the hydroelectric power station on the banks of the Iller River in Germany. It’s at this location, and for this specific assignment that an opportunity was unearthed that could have been passed over in favor of another lifeless structure tacked along the water’s edge. Instead, their intervention creates a playful relationship between the existing industrial language while supplementing it’s context with an attractive river walk. The Kempten station replaces an existing hydroelectric plant that dated back to the 1950′s, powering 3,000 households and producing up to 10.5 million kilowatt hours per year.

For a more eloquent and thorough description of this project, head to yatzer.com to read more.

Kudos, Becker Architects. Kudos.

photo © Brigida González

The term “eco-conscious performance” seemed to be a paradox until recent transportation designers began to ask if green vehicles really needed to be slow and ugly. With volatile fuel prices, oil spills, and political tensions pushing alternative energy for transport, a few notable concepts have emerged utilizing aerodynamic forms, lightweight materials, and regenerative braking to achieve greater ranges. Three of our favorites are listed below with a recap on how these innovative technologies apply to the building industry.

Audi e-tron concept

First unveiled at IAA 2009, the e-tron boasts over 300 hp from four segregated electric motors. While not quite as impressive as the numbers from Tesla’s Roadster, the combined 3,300 lb-ft of torque accelerate the e-tron to over 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Efficiency is also improved by the dynamic air intakes that close when not in use to minimize drag.

Mission One PLE

Designed by Yves Behar of Fuseproject, the Mission One Premier Limited Edition superbike provides 102 ft-lbs of torque with the 136 hp AC induction motor. It is also the only bike of its class capable of a power wheelie at 70 mph. The fully electronic system empowers riders to customize their ride settings with a laptop.

Smart E-bike

From the makers of the less-than-successful Smart Car (sales plunged 41% in 2009), comes a slightly more intelligent concept for a hybrid electric and human powered bicycle. Constructed from aluminum and weighing in at almost 50 lbs, the Smart Ebike assists the rider’s efforts with four levels of boost. The bike also has a mount for smartphones to assist in controlling and navigating the bike.

All of these concepts exhibit technological developments that may be seen as seeds for cross pollination in the AEC industry. Specifically, opportunities exist to design and construct intelligent building systems that minimize waste and improve end user feedback without sacrificing aesthetics.

What do you do when you have two abutting countries, one of which drives on the right side of the road and the other drives on the left and drivers are often crossing the border? Pass them through a flipper bridge of course.

Such is the case between China and Hong Kong. Drivers in China drive on the right and in Hong Kong they drive on the left side of the road. There is a lot of traffic between these two counties so there was recently a competition to design the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF).

One of the entries was this ingenious “Flipper Bridge”  by the Dutch firm NL Architects. This elegant solution passes drivers through a figure eight so they automatically end up on the correct side of the road without having to stop or take any awkward turns. Not only extremely function this concept is also lovely, resembling a string of pearls from an aerial view. Alas, it was not a winner; the officials choose a project entitled “Under the Same Roof, China, Macau and Hong Kong as one big family.”

Photos courtesy of www.fastcompany.com

Through the exacting contemplation of context, function, and form, Santiago Calatrava’s design for the Quadracci Pavilion has been captivating patrons of the Milwaukee Art Museum since 2001. This addition to the museum is a masterful fusion of old world craft and cutting edge technology.  The building was hand built largely by pouring concrete into unique wooden forms, but it also features advanced engineering in the Burke Brise Soleil. This wing-like sunscreen opens and closes throughout the day and includes ultra-sonic wind sensors which automatically close when wind speed reaches 23mph or greater.

The building showcases Calatrava’s signature style, including prominent geometric shapes, soaring arches and a harmonious balance of light and strength.