October 10, 2007

Donald Duck in Amsterdam

Filed under: Architecture,Comics by Branko Collin @ 1:30 pm

Albeit an American export, the Donald Duck comic is something typically European. For some reason, Donald Duck comics haven’t done much in their country of origin. In the Netherlands however, Donald Duck magazine — subtitled “The merry weekly” — is considered the blueprint of how to make a successful magazine. It has existed for well over 50 years, and has always been a hit, not in the least because grown-ups kept buying the magazines for themselves and their children long after they supposedly should have grown out of comics themselves.

Donald Duck’s adventures often take place in Duck Town, which is a generic city in the US. Whenever couleur locale managed to creep into a locally produced comic, it would be an exception. But the Dutch magazine is now sending its main characters on the road, and is working on a story that takes Donald, Scrooge, and the three nephews to Amsterdam. Daily De Telegraaf reports (Dutch) that there will be gables, canals, and the royal palace on Dam Square (so-called because it is where the actual dam was built in the river Amstel).

Disclaimer: I have co-written a few stories for Donald Duck magazine myself in the past, but I have no ties to the magazine.

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August 27, 2007

Water tower converted to house

Filed under: Architecture by Branko Collin @ 8:35 am

[photo of the bathroom]Zecc Architecten took a water tower in Soest in 2004, and converted it into a house with eight floors. One side of the tower was “cut open” across the bottom three floors to let in more light. With this repurposing the company won the 2004 Watertorenprijs (Dutch).

The photo by Zecc Architecten shows the bathroom; check out the ceiling!

Via BoingBoing. Materialicious have a follow-up post with other such conversions throughout the world.

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July 9, 2007

Wind makes Hague tower sing

Filed under: Architecture,Weird by Orangemaster @ 5:56 pm
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The highest flat tower in The Hague, South Holland, at 130 metres in height called “The Iron” (“Het Strijkijzer”) on the Rijswijkseplein is currently giving off a constant, high-pitched whistle that can be heard from far away, all day long. The ‘annoying’ whistling started when the building was fitted with a metal construction on the roof a few weeks ago. Apparently, this “crown” is not yet finished, and construction is delayed. The poor, soon to be tone-deaf people living in and around the building are supposed to keep their windows shut until this is solved. And the website says end of September…

Check out the video and sympathise.

(Link: Trouw, via zoom.in)

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June 29, 2007

Groningen house owners to pee sitting down

Filed under: Architecture,Science,Weird by Orangemaster @ 9:20 am

meerstad1.jpgin a hospital sounded like a good idea, but what about in people’s homes?

Residents of the upcoming Meerstad neighbourhood in Groningen, Groningen province will probably have to pee sitting down permanently so that their urine can be separated. Contrary to the hospital that wanted to avoid putting medication in the sewage system, the environmentally friendly pee seperating project initiators, Hunze en Aa’s want to use the urine to help grow maize and cabbage. The whole point is that Meerstad is to become a really green neighbourhood.

Orangemaster’s note: it’s interested how men and small children are at a disadvantage, but not women. Just a thought.

(Link tip: ANP, via Dutch news)

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April 12, 2007

Staircase features hidden messages

Filed under: Architecture by Orangemaster @ 7:38 pm
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The Instituut voor Life Science & Technology of the Hanzehogeschool Groningen has made a staircase shaped like DNA. It has several colours and can be accessed from two sides, making it a unique object of functional bioart. There are various hidden messages in this DNA staircase. To unravel these mysteries, the Instituut voor Life Science & Technology has turned it into a contest for all students and employees of the Hanzehogeschool Groningen. The prize is an iPod nano.

(Link)

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April 2, 2007

Bright orange Dutch architecture

Filed under: Architecture by Orangemaster @ 3:25 pm
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The new Agora Theatre is officially scheduled to open on May 25 in Lelystad, province of Flevoland and plans to feature performances and new media works. The building is the work of UN Studio, an Amsterdam design studio with theatre, museum and art buildings in its portfolio. Even without going to the show, the building itself is apparently worth a visit. It has a cafe open during the day and bright pink, curving staircase walls. The concert hall is red with unusual wall surfaces.

Follow the link for more details and pictures.

(Link: thecoolhunter)

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