AV is one of five architecture firms worldwide invited to participate in Calculation and Substance, an exhibition associated with the 2009 ACADIA conference, hosted by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture and Designed Objects (AIADO).ACADIA is the Association for Computer Aided Design In Architecture, a group dedicated to digital computation and parametric design in the field of architecture. Each of the chosen participants will produce a piece for exhibition in SAIC’s Sullivan Gallery located in Luis Sullivan’s most influential building. Opening in late September, the exhibit will showcase the cutting edge technologies of parametric and algorithmic design.AV’s proposal draws inspiration from Gaileo’s invention of the telescope 400 years ago and its impact on our understanding of the universe.This project explores how design innovation today may shape our perception of the world in the future.AV is working with students from SAIC and other collaborators to design and fabricate the project. 

Image: Geocentric representation of the solar system, according to the Ptolemaic system, as it was conceived before Galileo’s telescope (source: Scenographia systematis mvndani Ptolemaici, Amsterdam, 1660)

February 02, 2009
Architecture and Vision’s project FioredelCielo won the competition for the design
of the next ‘Macchina di Santa Rosa’ of Viterbo.

The ‘Macchina di Santa Rosa’ is a 30 m high structure dedicated to the city’s patron, St. Rose; every year, in September, the Macchina is carried through the narrow streets of the medieval town, stopping at each major square. The structure/tower is allowed a maximum of 5000 kg and is carried by 100 men.
Every 5 years a new design is introduced.

Participating in the last competition, Architecture and Vision proposed a triple-helix structure, which is winding vertically up around three spheres, that represent different stages of St. Rose’s life. At each stop rose leaves gently fall down from the top, on the crowd gathered to celebrate the patron.

Image © Ideami

Arturo Vittori and Andreas Vogler will design the interior of Project Enterprise by Talis Enterprise – the only privately-funded Space Tourism program in Europe, that will bring the first individuals into space from Airport Magdeburg Cochstedt by 2013.In the future, Talis Enterprise will bring tourists in suborbital space in Germany. In 2004 the project has already begun and flight simulations completed. The company with its headquarters at Cochstedt airport, near Magdeburg is expected to launch the first manned flights in 2013. Specialist companies in rocket technology and a team of experienced engineers develop the aircraft, which will bring passengers at altitudes up to 125 kilometers, where they will experience weightlessness for several minutes – more than in any Parabolic flight. The flight will cost 150,000 euros.The designs of the interiors will be presented beginning of February 2009 at www.talis-enterprise.com.”The interior for our spaceship is of elementary significance. Because we are not flying trained astronauts for scientific missions into space, but people like you and me who are living their dream, “says Ing. Peer Gehrmann, founder and CEO of Talis Enterprise Ltd. Comfort and safety are of prime importance, so these space tourists can enjoy their journey into weightlessness. A cabin stuffed with machines like the U.S. space shuttle or the Russian Soyuz capsules, will not be found in the passenger module of the Enterprise.”In weightlessness a chair is not simply a chair, because there’s no top and down and nothing stands still and firmly on the ground. For the interior design of the Enterprise, we therefore look that the journey will not become a walk on a tightrope for the Space tourists. Matt colors and dark tones will control the glare by the sunlight, so the view of the stars and the planet Earth can be enjoyed,” say Arturo Vittori and Andreas Vogler.

The South Korean Asiana Airline, one of highest-ranking airlines for quality and member of the prestigious Star Alliance group has recently been redefining its corporate identity. AV has developed the new Color and Trim design for the business and first class of four Boeing 747 airplanes, providing functional and aesthetic new solutions, while confirming the identity of the company.

The existing warm grey of Asiana Airlines’ corporate color scheme has been complemented by yellow for the first class, and marine blue for business class, enhancing the business traveler’s atmosphere. The design specifications included all surfaces, with an in-depth study of materials, including fabrics, leather, decorative laminates and faux wood.

For additional images and information see AV’s portfolio page.

Photo: Asiana Airlines, South Korea

Last Friday in Rome, the new Architecture Gallery “come se” opened with the exhibition “Quindici architetti romani nuove sfide per la città di domani / Fifteen Roman Architects, New Challenges for the
City of Tomorrow.” Curated by Antonino Saggio, the exhibit has raised a lot of interest among architects, designers, students and scholars, city officials and journalists. A video and additional shots of the opening day event and exhibited projects, including the “AirTree” by AV, can be viewed online at the the Gallery website (and visit the special page for the PressKit).
The exhibition will be open until Sunday March 30; Gallery Hours are 11am-1pm, 6-9pm.
For more information and images of “AirTree” see the new page in the Portfolio section of our website.

For more information and images of the “AirTree” project see the new page in the Portfolio section of our website.

DesertSeal in the White Desert
Egypt, January 24, 2007 – January 29, 2008

“DesertSeal” has been taken for a trekking and photographed in the beautiful arid White Desert (West Egypt / Near Lybian frontier) for 3 days. To the astonishment and admiration of the local population it has been used and photographed by our special reporter on the site, Céline Laurière.

See the gallery.

Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago, USA, July, 2007

A 1/100 model of the AV design for an inflatable MoonBase has been acquired for the Space Collection of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is currently reconfiguring their exhibition at the Henry Crown Space Center and approached AV to contribute their design of a MoonBase – “MoonBaseTwo”.

The Henry Crown Space Center offers a first-hand look at famous spacecrafts, space artifacts and equipment used to aid astronauts and ground crews during space exploration. Two revolutionary spacecraft are currently on loan to the Museum — The Apollo 8 Command Module and the Aurora 7 Mercury Space Capsule. Both allow guests an opportunity to view real spacecraft as well as learn what life was like aboard them. The Henry Crown Space Center is a permanent addition to the Museum and opened in 1986.

BirdHouse Project, Presentation
Palazzo d’Orsini
Bomarzo, Italy, December 9, 2006

AV has presented the “BirdHouse” to the representatives of the Birdhouse Foundation coming from Japan.The event took place in the Palazzo d’Orsini in Bomarzo. The Maire Stefano Bonori hosted the event and gave an opening speech. Thereafter the representatives of the Birdhouse foundation Mr. Yoshino and Mrs. Takenaka presented the Birdhouse Foundation.
Following, Arturo Vittori and Andreas Vogler presented their design (Space architects create the Bird House), which was build up in the Palace. Supporting companies were present as well. These were Loris Granziera from G-Engineering (Udine), Ricardo and Marco Self from Self Group (Udine) and Renata Ferrua from sail maker Navigare (Porto Ercole).
Further companies involved are Artico (Pordenone), McNeel Europe (Barcelona) and many other individuals, who supported the project enthusiastically.

The event was honored by the presence and speech of astronaut Roberto Vittori. The presentation was closed with childrens presenting theirs views of the Bird House.

Later the BirdHouse was built up outside the Bomarzo AV office. It will be shipped to Japan early next year.

Space Designer – Designed Birdhouses
Birdhouse Foundation

AV has been selected by the Birdhouse Foundation as designers for Space Designer – Designed Birdhouses.

The Birdhouse Foundation invites designers to build their idea of a birdhouse, which stands as a symbol for living in harmony with nature.

«Artificial birdhouses becoming dwellings
for wild birds Humans in Nature – Humans
and Birds Tiny birdhouses
that hint the future of our home, the Earth.
The Birdhouse Project aims at our well-balanced existence in nature.
World renown artists and designers,
as well as students in various schools,
create birdhouses based on our future environment.»

AV’s founding partners Arturo Vittori and Andreas Vogler have been interviewed by Discovery Channel (Canada) at Arturo Vittori’s home town Bomarzo in Italy.
The interview will be part of a documentation about Leonardo da Vinci and selected modern designers and inventors, who are considered as modern days’ Leonardos.