A recent trend in contemporary architecture—raising massive buildings on seemingly spindly legs—is responsible for creating structures straight out of an urban fairytale. The anthropomorphizing of these structures seemingly gives them human characteristics, such as posture, in addition to providing certain functions, like elevating the building away from the elements, providing heat, or even allowing the building to walk. Here, we offer a look at how structural achievements are giving legs to this architectural trend. Vila Castela Residence by Anastasia Arquitetos, Nova Lima, Brazil This house is cantilevered to accentuate its dramatic position on a steep hillside. The concrete columns that hold it up are large and tapered, reducing the number of columns needed so that the site remains as undisturbed as possible. Land(e)scape by Marco Casagrande, Savonlinna, Finland In this installation piece, three abandoned farmhouses have risen on their legs in order to follow former farmers to the cities of the south. Contemporary dancer Reijo Kela set fire to the houses in a performance that explored the abandonment of the Finnish countryside. Image via archello.com. The Sharp Centre by Will Alsop, Toronto, Canada This black-and-white pixellated box, an ...
A recent trend in contemporary architecture—raising massive buildings on seemingly spindly legs—is responsible for creating structures straight out of an urban fairytale. The anthropomorphizing of these structures seemingly gives them human characteristics, such as posture, in addition to providing certain functions, like elevating the building away from the elements, providing heat, or even allowing the building to walk. Here, we offer a look at how structural achievements are giving legs to this architectural trend. Vila Castela Residence by Anastasia Arquitetos, Nova Lima, Brazil This house is cantilevered to accentuate its dramatic position on a steep hillside. The concrete columns that hold it up are large and tapered, reducing the number of columns needed so that the site remains as undisturbed as possible. Land(e)scape by Marco Casagrande, Savonlinna, Finland In this installation piece, three abandoned farmhouses have risen on their legs in order to follow former farmers to the cities of the south. Contemporary dancer Reijo Kela set fire to the houses in a performance that explored the abandonment of the Finnish countryside. Image via archello.com. The Sharp Centre by Will Alsop, Toronto, Canada This black-and-white pixellated box, an ...