South Africa World Cup 2010 – Stadiums

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Soccer City Stadium

Soccer City Stadium is located in Johannesburg and it was originally built in 1987. Among other important events, it hosted the first massive speech from Nelson Mandela after his liberation in 1990. However, it was completely renewed for the upcoming World Cup, becoming the stadium where the starting and the final game will be played.

Designed by Boogertman Urban Edge and Partners in partnership with Populous, it will allow for 94,000 spectators to enjoy the best soccer in the world. The design of the stadium was selected from a series of concept designs ranging from acknowledgement of Johannesburg’s disappearing mine dumps; the kgotla (defined by the tree) of the African city state; the African map as a horizontal representation, which included the roof as a desert plane supported on tropical trees set within the mineral wealth of Southern Africa; to a representation of the protea, South Africa’s national flower.

Greenpoint Stadium

Greenpoint Stadium was the name of the previously stadium located in Cape Town which hosted a maximum capacity of 18,000 spectators. Designed by gmp architekten, the new Cape Town Stadium will host more than 65,000 soccer fans that will enjoy eight World Cup matches.

The geography of Cape Town is uniquely dominated by the contrast of the Table Mountain massif and Signal Hill with the gently undulating landscape and, sorrounding it all, the Atlantic Ocean. Greenpoint Stadium is a landmark building in the parkland of Greenpoint Common at the foot of Signal Hill, and blends respectfully with the landscape as a whole.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, in the city of Durban is situated on a raised platform, the multifunctional stadium is accessed from the south via a broad flight of steps. A 104m (two-pronged) arch curves high over the stadium as an emblem, visible far and wide. The main entrance at the end of a 2.5 km linear park coincides with the bifurcation of the arch, as a gateway to the city.

A cable car at the northern end leads to the Skywalk at the apex of the arch. From here, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view over the city and the Indian Ocean. As a distinctive feature, the arch, gives the stadium its unique silhouette, while as a landmark it forms an imposing part of the skyline of Durban.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

The Nelson Mandela Bay Multi-Purpose Stadium located in Port Elizabeth is the third stadium designed by gmp architekten for South Africa’s World Cup. It will host eight games, including the 3rd and 4th place match. Designed as a football and rugby stadium, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is located beside North End Lake with terraces and hills in the middle of Prince Alfred’s Park.

The stadium is set in the surrounding area as a landmark building, rising from the edge of the lake like a flower. Located right beside the lake, the building is reflected in the water and forms a unique vista. The silhouette of the stadium indicates the clear design of the structural members. They form a colonnaded walkway that encloses the whole stadium. The glazed lounge level forms the horizontal termination of the colonnades. The leaf-shaped roof components, the tips of which extend as far as the floor at lounge level, float above this ring and round the picture off.

Theme: Spirit of Innovation

Pavilion Area: Around 3,000 Square Meters

Designer: SWECO, Sweden

expo 2010 shanghai china

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Theme: Spirit of Innovation

Pavilion Area: Around 3,000 Square Meters

Designer: SWECO, Sweden

Groundbreaking Date: April 20, 2009

Location: Within Zone C of the Expo Site

Profile Highlights: Energy-saving Wood

Pavilion Features

As the key words “Sustainability, Innovation and Communication” cornerstones, the Swedish Pavilion showcases how the nation’s spirit of innovation solves problems, improves the urban environment and living standards, and demonstrates the importance of communication under the new technology situation.

Pavilion Highlights

The pavilion comprises four cube-like structures that are arranged to form a cross-like space between them — a shape much like Sweden’s flag when seen from above.The outside walls show a city-like grid; the inside walls are covered with images of nature. These cubes are connected by elevated walkways, and house the exhibition,VIP areas, a shop, a café, and a large covered courtyard — room enough for everyone.

Highlight 1

Adhering to the concept of sustainability, the design of the pavilion emphasizes the concept of recycling and reuse. The four sections of the pavilion are connected at an intersection, which symbolizes the harmonious interaction between city and countryside. Through this crossroad, visitors are able to reach every section of the pavilion with ease and comfort.

Highlight 2

Creativity and innovation are displayed everywhere in the Swedish Pavilion, inviting people to interact and think deeply. Visitors can experience Swedish culture, society, engineering and traditions, which demonstrate Swedish people’s passion for nature and spirit of innovation.

Highlight 3

This three-storey complex composed of four connected blocks contains an exhibition area of about 1500 square meters, and a number of cafes and boutiques. The third floor includes the VIP section and restaurants. Visitors can savor Swedish coffee while enjoying Swedish movies and music. Souvenirs from Sweden will also be available.

‘One’ provides a real solution to the problems involved with urban transport. With congestion rapidly clogging up the roads the need for products that can free individuals from their car are in real demand. When open, ‘One’ is a comfortable stylish bicycle that not only offers all the benefits of cycling (like cheap travel and exercise) but with its revolutionary power assist system the user can cruise around with ease. When folded, ‘One’ turns into a smooth, light and compact case free of all dirty and protruding parts. ‘One’ can be easily carried, stowed and stored. ‘One’ is truly a bike for eco and money minded individuals alike. Its stylish design strips it from the folding bike stigma and makes it a bike for the 21st century.

Designer: Thomas Owen

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The architects behind South Korea’s new eco dome have hatched another stunning project that plants a 131 acre green roof in the heart of Seoul. Designed by Samoo Architects & Engineers, the plan renovates the run-down Garak Wholesale Market with an eco-upgrade topped with a sprawling public garden.

Residents in the areas surrounding the Garak Wholesale Market currently complain of traffic congestion and unfortunate produce odors created by the center’s poor layout. Samoo Architects & Engineers‘ plan rethinks the commercial center from the ground up, including energy-saving features and topping it all off with a lush green roof.

The architects propose a redesigned market that features better connectivity for delivery of produce and isolates certain adverse smells (the kimchi and pickled goods stands will be relegated to the basement). Three market pavilions feature “ecotubes” that penetrate through the market’s stories to channel daylight and ventilation to the lower levels. Up top, the green roof features promenades and a large public park that mitigates rainwater runoff, insulates the interior spaces, and infuses Seoul’s city center with a breath of fresh air.

When conceptual design meets elegancy…

Times are changing, things get blurred, and fusion becomes more than just a nice concept : we have fusion of generations, fusion of cultures, fusion cuisine, fusion music. Now we finally have the Fusion table.

Today, a good product is not just about a great design, it’s about life, it’s about people and it needs to address their need for good times and precious moments.

Bringing emotional value and quality time is the key characteristic of the Fusion table.

Built with “Know-How to entertain”, the Fusion table has indeed exactly what it takes to create those unique memorable moments for you, your family and guests. Fusion

A large, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display. An incredibly responsive Multi-Touch screen. And an amazingly powerful Apple-designed chip. All in a design that’s thin and light enough to take anywhere. iPad isn’t just the best device of its kind. It’s a whole new kind of device

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A sofa with removable covers and integrated/patented mechanism which transforms the sofa into a bunk bed. Doc XL furnishes the day area and with a simple movement transforms into a practical ready made bunk bed with integrated supporting ladder and protection guard.

After years of casting around for a third model, Lamborghini has settled on what Manfred Fitzgerald, head of brand and design, rather presumptively calls “the world’s first supersedan.” The dramatic Estoque, revealed in concept form at the Paris auto show, isn’t called a four-door coupe by its makers, but it certainly would travel in the extrawide tire tracks of cars like the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide, both of which it would follow to market, in 2012

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2012 Lamborghini Estoque – rear view

2012 Lamborghini Estoque – interior view

CTRLZ architectures have rethought a new model for, not just a building, but rather for society.  Due to the on-going “cultural revolution” we are experiencing, the way we approach solving the problems of the world have changed, and architecture along with it.  Now, the architect must not merely respond to designing spaces, but to other factors, such as  society, energy, the internet, and politics, as well. “We believe that architecture is not anymore about form and/or/…function, but that it is about relations. The development of network systems shows us that the power resides in links and connections.” – ArchDaily

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What if the very idea of growth—accumulating riches, destroying the environment and worsening social inequality—is a trap? Maybe we need to aim to create a society that is based on quality not quantity, on cooperation and not competition.
Serge Latouche
And finally the economical smash came to make the world better. We can clearly see that ecological issue is not a side problem of the system or something we should try to cope with if we are good persons. Latest economical events confirm that we assist to a global breakdown of the whole model. On the other side, technological development and web communication revolution are building a radically new system of thinking, based on participation and collective intelligence.

While this cultural revolution is growing and changing the way we approach to the world and problems solving, we observe that in
architecture, sustainability and ecological growth concepts are still used as ridiculous publicity spots to keep going on with the present system based on money. We believe that architecture is not anymore about form and/or/…/ function, but that it is about relations. The development of network systems shows us that the power resides in links and connections. Architecture cannot solve the contemporary enigma without creating relations with environment and between people. The figure of
architect has to deal with spaces, society, energy, internet, and politics.

We aim to create a new model for society and not just a building. Our project is about economic decrease. We imagine the growth of interconnected social spaces and a completely transparent model of energy and production. Raised housing units are pixilated in order to create a shared landscape that alternates private and public places; this is a base which will create a collaborative and social entourage. Ground level is free from construction and dedicated to cow graze and cultivation. From the bottom to the sky, the succession of relational function is (-1) commerce /// (0) landscape and food production /// (2) housing /// (3) social public places and /// (4) energy collect. We are proposing a decentralized mode of living that group together production and consume. This is to promote a transparent hyperlocalized society and culture, where inhabitants can develop a public consciousness about their life cost in term of product waste and energy consumption.

The Boxetti collection takes the term ‘thinking out of the box’ to another level.

The Boxetti collection takes the term ‘thinking out of the box’ to another level, providing home furnishings that truly come “from a box”. The concept is driven by three basic design principles: functionality, advance technology and contemporary aesthetics of minimalism. The concept was created by a young designer from Latvia named Rolands Landsbergs. When still in the box the room looks very clean, free of clutter and a minimal white. Once the boxes are opened, the usefulness of each piece is displayed along with color that is introduced into the room. Boxetti.