Belfast - Titanic Museum

Week 5 – Belfast Titanic Museum located in the city’s Titanic Quarter.

 

 



Titanic Belfast was designed and built to reflect Belfast’s maritime heritage and honour the history of Harland & Wolff shipyard where the word famous Titanic was built.

 

 

Eric Kuhne and Associates were commissioned as concept architects, with Todd Architects chosen as lead consultants. Once built, National Geographic identified Titanic Belfast as the main attraction for visitors to look forward to in 2012. What a site!

 

 

If you have a close look you will notice the building is clad in metal shards and when the light plays on them it looks like the movement of water. The building also has reflecting pools for a symbolic water effect.  

 

If seen from above, the building resembles a white star, which is symbolic for Titanic’s operators.

 

If there is any doubt of what the museum is all about, then I’m sure this contemporary sculpture will help give it away.

This is one building that definitely wont sink!

 

We have landed in Dublin!

Week 4 - Dublin

The Grand Canal Square Hotel.
If you ever visit Dublin, why not stay at this Contemporary piece of Architecture.

This building has been described by the Sunday Times as a building that will "bring the champagne fizz back into architecture". Architect Manuel Aires Mateus's designed this luxury hotel, plus 94 hotel residences to make a dramatic and effective impact in the new Grand Canal Square of Dublin.

Through Form and material the building positions itself in the dramatic landscape and primordial architecture of Ireland. The Hotel also features a dramatic lobby that has been designed as if it was excavated from rock. Definitely worthy of a visit.  

Bord Gais Energy Theatre also located at Dublin’s Grand Canal Square.

 

Designed by Martha Schwartz and also known as ‘the Square’, features a striking composition of a red "carpet" extending from the theatre into and over the dock. This is crossed by a green "carpet" of paving with lawns and vegetation. The red "carpet" is made of bright red resin-glass paving covered with red glowing angled light sticks. The green "carpet" of polygon-shaped planters filled with marsh like vegetation provides seating and will connect the new hotel to the office development across the square.

A Green Wall for a Green country, Dublin!

 

What can only be described as remarkable and well-established Green wall fully encasing this Apartment block in Dublin.

Next week we will be going back in time to explore the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Don't miss it!

Welcome to Camden

Week 3 - London (part 2)

Camden Town, often shortened to Camden, is a district of inner London in northwest London, England.

Camden is described for having an alternative culture, being famous for its retail, tourism, entertainment and internally-known markets and music venues.

This photo was taken inside a café. The image displays an example of Camden's alternative culture with this quirky feature chandelier.

You know the expression "when pigs fly" well now Shoes can fly.

Artistic portray of a shoe flying or being thrown out the window. This is what Camden is all about.

As I mentioned earlier, Camden Town is known for its markets. Welcome to Horse Tunnel Markets

 

This sculptural display of Horses is to represent the historic significant of these 19th century horse stables now opened for the public to enjoy.

 

These tunnels were truly an architectural experience!

Last image for this weeks blog!

Perfect way to sum up Camden with this artistic fixture for your bath tub. A traditional, yet eclectic design!

 

Jump onto our facebook and check out more of our photos from this weeks blog. Let us know which ones you like as we would love your feedback.

 

Thanks for reading and next week we visit Dublin!

ELLO, Welcome to London, England!

Week 3 - London (part 1)

First stop is London's main Financial District.

View of skyscraper 30 St Mary Axe (more informally known as “the Gherkin”) located in central London. The tower is 180m tall with over 40 floors. Architects Foster and Partners created an energy efficient building that packs a punch in both design and innovation.

Londoner’s have always been known for their pickled fruit!

Fact: In order to keep lighting costs down for this building the Architects designed the shafts to allow sunlight to pass through the building and also making the work environment more pleasing. Heating and cooling has also been efficiently designed by the shafts pulling warm air out of the building during the summer and warm the building in the winter using passive solar heating.

Take a look at Kensington Palace during its Makeover.

 

This building is currently being renovated for the future King and Queen of England. This is just an large printed image of the what the Palace should look like to cover the construction behind. The palace’s designer is one of Kate’s great friends. What a dream job!

The TOWER of LONDON

Inside peak of the Tower of London – view of one of the Kings Rooms. Interesting to see that the same building methods, flooring and timber features popular back then are still modern in today’s design world. 

 

This feature lighting is a perfect example of how you can mix new designs to complement the existing surroundings of this 10^th Century Castle.

 

Stay tunned for London (part 2) - Camden Town

The amazing 'Notre Dame Cathedral' in Paris



Week 2 - Paris (part 2)

Known as 'Our Lady of Paris' in French, the Notre Dame Cathedral was one of the first Gothic Cathedrals and its construction took place during the whole Gothic period.

Its sculptures and stained glass show the strong influence of naturalism which is unlike the Romanesque architecture which is commonly seen throughout Paris!

 

Notre Dame was restored and saved from destruction by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, one of France's most famous architects.

Hope you enjoyed Paris. Keep a look out as we explore London next week!

Tweaq explores Designs and Architecture from Paris!

Week 2 - Paris (part 1)

Bienvenue a Paris!

Paris has some amazing Architecture which is well over 100 years old and is just as effective now as it was back then.

 

It's common for some Architecture in Paris to have what the French call 'Jardin public' which means public gardens, surrounding the impressive building for the locals to relax and enjoy the features of this amazing piece of history.

Example of the locals enjoying the gardens surrounding this piece of architecture which will no doubt be as unique in another 100 years.

Now this is a street with history and style, modernised with bright and colourful bollards for an artistic and quirky atmosphere!

Good design will honestly last a lifetime. Perfect example is this fairy-tale style castle which is truly a remarkable piece of architecture. It may not suit all tastes but will still be looked upon in awe every time!

Another spectacular Parisian feature that can be seen while you walk through the streets and explore the Architecture of Paris!

Check out our Facebook page for more Photos from 'Merveilleux Paris'

TWEAQ EXPLORES DESIGN FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Stay tuned over the next 4 weeks as we explore Tweaq’s vision for design from around the world.

Week 1 - Venice
Tania recently visited Venice and got inspired by the traditional designs

 

Each colour represents a different family. Design can be everywhere!

  

Pattern doesn’t always have to be just on clothes or pillows. Check out this flooring option found in a traditional Venetian Café.

 

 

Feature lighting can make a space go from average to having the ‘WOW factor’. See example of light found in Venice. Need a chair anyone!

 

Renovating in Venice? Have a look at this Bathroom showroom’s display window. Great way to explore with colour.

Check out this designer Gruppo Squassabia. An new upcoming furniture designer that challenges traditional methods. Jump on our Facebook page and check out some of his unique designs.

One example is this exciting new table. Inspiration for design can be everywhere. Even in daily chores. Definitely a unique and effective coffee table design.

 

 

Stay tuned as next week we explore Paris!