Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Architecture of Happiness

balancing barn
Balancing Barn, Suffolk
Mole Architects

Alain de Botton
LIVING ARCHITECTURE

Some friends of ours came for the weekend from Germany and brought the latest issue of Der Spiegel where there were an article about the latest project by Alain de Botton. I got so excited when I viewed it, somehow it had not reached my ear that the great novelist turned philosopher now has turned his energy into creating exciting holiday homes.
I have followed his writings since his adorable novels like "The Romantic Movement" and "Kiss and Tell". He later went on to write more philosophical books, but always with a strange twist like "How Proust can change your life" or "The Art of Travel". After he gave out the book "The Architecture of Happiness" he wondered why he was not more involved in Architecture since he loved it so much.
Therefore he began with the project "Living Architecture" which is a not-for-profit organisation that engages leading Architects to build houses around UK for then to rent it out for holidays.


A discovery seldom comes alone... so yesterday I ventured to the Design museum and guess what was there? The model for the Balancing Barn. That made me even more excited and inspired me to share this with you.

The faceted roof floats above a glazed ground floor, partially sunk into the surrounding dunes..
The Dune House, Suffolk
Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects

The book that instigated the project


" I love architecture and I believe that good quality buildings can make a serious improvement to life. But most people’s experience of modern architecture is civic and not residential...". (Alain de Botton)


I am now thrilled to see which architects and what new houses Living Architecture will bring forth to us in the future!
With Love
Kristin





















Posted by at 5:26 AM
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18 comments:

  1. Diana MieczanAugust 3, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    How fantastic and the dune house in Suffolk looks incredible. Can you imagine the view? Have a great afternoon, sweetie
    Muah

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  2. agujaAugust 3, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    I love exciting architecture and the Balancing Barn is incredible. I could look at house designs forever and imagine living in each one. I wonder would my toes curl the first time I walked to the end of the Balancing Barn?? Pure physics!

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  3. Jaime @ laviejaimeAugust 3, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Balacing Barn is just amazing! how is that possible?!

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  4. little luxury listAugust 3, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    That balancing barn is so unexpected and cool!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  5. Punctuation MarkAugust 3, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    isn't architecture amazing??? i wish people appreciated what designers can do much more

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  6. Couture CarrieAugust 3, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    OMG these are amazing!
    Loving this architecture post, darling!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  7. Erika Lee @ A Tiny RocketAugust 3, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    that is amazing- i would be freaked going underneath that house. lol.

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  8. Pierre BOYERAugust 3, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Waohhh !
    Regards from France,

    Pierre
    http://pierre-boyer.blogspot.com/

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  9. honey my heartAugust 3, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    this is amazing. i'm mesmerized by the house in the first photo. it's just so great.

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  10. KatieAugust 3, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Wow, so amazing! I can't stop looking xo

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  11. -E-August 3, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    interesting. didn't know he was into architecture.

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  12. Glamour DropsAugust 3, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    It's a great project and one to be commended for giving back to the community. Which is what all great architecture should do, whether civil or residential.

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  13. EmAugust 3, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Wow, incredible pictures! Such interesting architecture

    http://www.fashionhacks.blogspot.com/

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  14. AnsAugust 4, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    AWESOME ARTICLE, I SHALL BUT THE BOOK NOW!! VERY INTERESTING PROJECT!!!!
    XXX

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  15. JoAugust 4, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Wow I had no idea he was doing this either?! Weird but very cool.

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  16. Thelma FrayneAugust 4, 2011 at 3:29 AM

    Amazing.

    I'm very interested in that book- have you read his book, The Art of Travel? Good read.

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  17. kAugust 4, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    i love the dune house for some reason, that totally draws me in

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  18. Krysten @ Why Girls Are WeirdAugust 4, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Those places are crazy awesome!

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