descours 2009 TOUR 10 New Orleans Nocturnal Topi-Scapes.mov

Tour 10 DesCours PODCAST for "Nocturnal Topi-scapes" by Leah Nanpei and Koko Hovaguimian, part of DesCours 2009 Installation series sponsored by the New Orleans Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Concept:
New Orleans is a city of resilience, history and liveliness. This installation adapts the traditional formal attributes of the citys natural landscape and urbanism to create a new synthesis of cityscape. Utilizing the topiary, a rigid form that is unnatural by its very nature, the installation presents an abstraction of the familiar to generate a new typology. Challenging the traditional notion of the topiary, Nocturnal Topi-Scapes are designed beyond object based aesthetics. They are intended to function or behave as new types of -scape, a median between the organic and controlled form of the city that reflect the dynamic and lively nature of New Orleans. The topi-scapes are vibrant urban landscape elements that nightly transform into a luminescent, ethereal urban garden that generates a spirit of renewal that engages the city with its users. The user is first attracted by sight to the luminescent skin of the topiary and then by touch, where the smooth, plasticized nature of the colored material is revealed. The relationship between the user and object is intended to create lively space, one that generates impromptu meetings, performances and gatherings.

Bio:
KOKO HOVAGUIMIAN and LEAH NANPEI are both graduates of Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation with Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design. At Columbia an interest developed in architecture as a broad discipline of design, one that enveloped the current state of architecture with many methods of media and representation as well as expanding ideas of architectural theory and multi-media. This recent collaboration is a bi-coastal practice, which functions under the name Nan.Ko Studio. Both Koko and Leah have a strong interest in conceptual design, expanding the traditional notions of architecture and the role of the designer. Koko is an artist and designer practicing in Los Angeles. He has worked on a broad range of installations, from a digital interactive piece he designed to an installation for the Santa Monica Museum of Art. At Columbia, Koko was awarded Honors for Excellence in Design. Currently working at Frank Gehrys office, he has developed the ability to fuse conceptual creativity with logistics of design development. Leah has a background in multimedia as well as architecture with a strong interest in digital video work. She has been published in the Columbia University Abstract 2006-2007 as well as the a.venu Architecture and Allied Arts Publication at the University of Oregon. Leah has also served as a guest juror at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and maintains an interest in pushing the envelope of architecture. At Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Leah has had an opportunity to realize a project from conceptual design through the actual construction while collaborating closely with the clients.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• DesCours
• DesCours 2009
• AIA New Orleans
• Architecture
• Design
• Urbanism
• podcast