Enough about me. GEC are architects in Calgary. Before the envelope or even the logo was created we worked very closely with the client to create their brand and communication platform.

The client knew the essence of what they were trying to communicate about their company but struggled in saying it in a precise and simple way, one that wasn’t bogged down by rhetoric and architectural speak. A large part of the brand discovery session was spent exploring this, who they were, what made them different and how do they and their clients relate to them. Once we had a solid understanding we created the GEC Way. It is the core of who GEC is for their clients, partnering organizations but more importantly for themselves. It gave an uniform platform that every partner, associate and staff member can build on, all aligning with the same core values and brand story.

As GEC has a talented internal graphic design team, we created branded templated documents for their future use. One of these was their Proposal document. We created a system of layouts to accommodate flexibility of the content, ranging from a page layout of all copy, all imagery or a combination of both.

Local freelance designer Nancy Wu was hired to design the logo. The overlapping letters are a direct representation of the GEC way in a subtle and sophisticated way. The bright colours and lowercase letterforms speak to the personality and passion of the company. This is coupled with the grey uppercase treatment of the word ‘architecture’ which represents their expertise and the seriousness with which they practice their trade.

The stationery is elegant and uses white space to allow the logo to have prominence and impact on the page.

Project deliverables: Identity, stationery, proposal template, mailing label template, signage, website
Role: Art director and designer (Logo designed by freelancer Nancy Wu)
Design company: Industrial Brand

The identity and stationery reflect the simplicity and design thinking of their own process and design approach. The slice is a reflection of spaces revealed, hinting at how HCMA use space, design and functionality to enhance a site.

Project deliverables: Brand creation, Identity, stationery, website, proposal documents, and office documents.
Role: Art director and designer
Design company: Industrial Brand

Living in Vancouver where the architecture is a little plain I get excited when I see creative and brave architecture elsewhere in the world. That being said Vancouver is listed on this site of unusual architecture, unfortunately the example is actually a sculpture by Dennis Oppenheim and not an actual building (it is a great sculpture).

Enjoy some of the wacky buildings from around the world. (LINK)

The base of the house is fixed but has a ’second skin’ that slides to expose more sunlight to the glass section of the house or exposes the interior courtroom to the open sky.

Simple, elegant and intelligent.

Watch the movie that Wallpaper made about the house. The house was designed by London based dRMM Architecture.

View photo’s and more info at the site Inhabit. Whilst you are there look around the site, there is great content here. I liked the article about Green building 101, practicle information about how to cut down energy use in your house.

Just found out about this as a friend photographed the foundations being dug. It will be when complete the tallest building in Europe and the UK. From what I remember of London it will be a good addition to a somewhat rundown area. Check out the official site.

I have just learnt of the company Future Systems. The founder Jan Kaplický died earlier this month but leaves behind a most impressive portfolio of both architecture and product design.

Two pieces of work that are well worth a mention are the Sefridges building (a high end department stor in the UK) as well as a new design for a caravan.

Dubai. I have a strange fascination with Dubai, I would love to visit the city that seems to change substantially every few years.

You live in a hot climate but like to ski – build ‘Ski Dubai’

If you like to go to Disney land but don’t want to travel as far – build ‘Dubailand’

6 star luxury hotels don’t quite cut it for you anymore – build the worlds only seven star hotel

A regular ‘nature made’ island is not quite the shape you are after – build your own

At the Dasparkhotel in Ottensheim, Austria, guests receive a door code before arrival and let them selves in.

Click here to see images.