updates on some interesting new buildings popping up and some old ones that i have taken notice of

pheonix international media center
by biad ufo in beijing

new architects to follow
k-studio
denton corker marshall
tamizo architects

3 cubes residence by tamizo architects poland

museums to add to list

museum reitberg near zurich

nelson-atkins museum of art kansas city

kunst museum lichtenstein

kolumba museum by peter zumthor cologne 

he is receiving the royal gold medal award for 2013 and an absolute favorite of mine
renews the link with a tradition of modern architecture that emphasizes place, community and material practice.the swiss architect will be formally presented with the medal in a ceremony in february. it will join zumthor’s pritzker prize for architecture (2009), premium imperiale (2008), thomas jefferson medal in architecture (2006), and the numerous other awards he has amassed.

saint benedict chapel switzerland

devon house uk

built over the only thermal springs in the graubunden canton in switzerland, the therme vals is a hotel and spa

designer shopping in istanbul and turkey

some of my favorite purchases were from the places listed below
i was looking for goat hair tent covers to bind as rugs and textiles
4 stops not to miss
for textiles new and vintage in grand old bazaar
muhlis gunbatti
 i purchased silk velvet and some antique metallic thread embroidered pieces and remnants

other good nomadic rugs and kilims where i was also able to locate the tent covers from hazal

liked this rug also

anther rug dealer with a large selection that distinguished itself in terms of willingness to locate what i was looking for and with a much larger selection warehoused close by their showroom in old bazaar carpet art

my favorite turkish designer
asli tunca and a few of her bespoke pieces- she does great metal doors, and fabulous patinated wood cabinetry as well a snake wall sconce and tufted bergere with bronze legs.

and my other all time favorite jewelry designer
sevan bicakci

turkey sights to see

had a fascinating trip to turkey
sights not to miss
istanbul
blue mosque
 i am sure there are better photos but i focused on details, specifically materials

topkapi palace
there were some amazing exhibits that could not be photographed

the raw material and age mixed with the gilding is right up my alley

hagia sophia
amazing built in year 537 hard to believe

archeological museums
probably the best i have seen

marble roman period 2nd c.a.d.

door and column detail

see also the dolmabahce palace
and don't forget about the spice market

will follow up with some great textile and rug vendors and more from istanbul next posting
but must show you a very special place in central turkey
cappodocia
 a natural wonder created from volcanic eruptions with underground and cave cities dating back to 3000-2000 b.c.

our hotel yunak a marvel

 

seeing formations from a hot air balloon

more caves

some monastic regions within cities

no photos were allowed inside the churches
more to follow