Central Asia Central Asia - Uzbekistan -Tashkent Metro Construction of the Tashkent Metro began two years after the destructive earthquake in 1966, with the first line opening in 1977 in honor of 60th anniversary of the USSR. Let's explore some of the station with unique architectural features.
Central Asia Central Asia - Uzbekistan - Amir Timur Amir Timur is a controversial figure of the 14th century as he sacked and destroyed many cities during his reign. But for Uzbekistan, he is a national hero - a unifying figure of strength and courage.
Central Asia Central Asia - Uzbekistan - Tashkent Uzbekistan is the most densely populated of the Stan countries, surrounded by the other four. Its name is a combination of the Turkik words uz (self), bek (master) and the Persian suffix sta (country). This essentially translates as ‘Land of the Free’ - the country also gained independence in 1991.
Travel Moscow Metro Stations The Moscow Metro opened in 1935, becoming the centrepiece of the transportation system (as opposed to horse-carried barrows still widely used in 1930s Moscow); a prototype of the vision for future Soviet large-scale technologies. Let’s explore the magnificent grandeur of the metro stations.
Central Asia Central Asia - Kazakhstan - Almaty Metro The "Almaty Metro" was opened on 1 December 2011, after more than 23 years of construction. It is only 11.3km in length but a joy to travel on with each station beautifully adorned with murals
Central Asia Central Asia - Kazakhstan Part 2 Expecting stark brutalist Russian architecture to dominate, Almaty, Kazakhstan is filled with many modern buildings with attractive sculptures dotted about. The Soviets loved big squares, huge sculptures and monuments also feature
Buildings and Structures The Art of Buildings: London's Riverscape I'm transporting you back to London where I was in July-Aug this year. Today's showcasing is open to everyone as it is a presentation of some of the beautiful buildings which line the Thames River. The ones below I am sure you are all very familar with.
Architecture The Swan Bells - Perth The Bell Tower, in the centre of Perth houses the Swan Bells - a set of 18 bells hanging in a futuristic specially built 82.5-metre-high (271 ft) copper and glass campanile. 12 of the bells had resided in St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London – the parish church to the British Royal family.
Architecture Aberdeen, Scotland: the old and the new through architecture and street art Spending a few days in Aberdeen, Scotland gave me the chance to discover a little about the history of the city's architecture and to see and appreciate some of the works of the contemporary street artists.
Australia Kalbarri Skywalk - Western Australia Venture out onto the cantilevered walkways of the Kalbarri Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park, high above the Murchison River, in Western Australia.
Architecture Jordan - The Rose City of Petra Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans from the 1st century BCE to 4th CE built on their riches by offering a safe haven, food, water and shelter on the lucrative trading route between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Architecture Church of Annunciation - Nazareth, Israel The Church of the Annunciation, is located in Nazareth, Israel. It is two churches in one – the current, modern structure seen above ground was built atop earlier shrines and conceived by the Italian architect Giovanni Muzio.
Architecture Antonio Barluzzi - Architect of the Holy Land Antonio Barluzzi (1884-1960) was an Italian architect who became know as the Architect of the Holy Land. The Franciscans asked him to design and build churches atop the ruins of Byzantine and Crusader churches In all he completed 24 churches, hospitals and schools between 1912 and 1955.
Architecture Tel Aviv - Bauhaus Architecture Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 when 66 Jewish families combined resources to purchase land north of Jaffa. Development halted during WWI and resumed in 1921 sent many Jews north to Tel Aviv. Jewish architects fleeing Nazi Germany set about designing apartment buildings in modernist Bauhaus style.
Buildings and Structures The iconic Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne - Part 1 Today we look at the history of the Heritage Listed Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne Australia, built in 1879. This is a precursor to visiting the Dome, open for the first time in 138 years. Image: Wikimedia, Creative Commons.
Architecture Poetry and Pragmatism: 2022 MPavilion Playful and joyous, the 2022 MPavilion by Bangkok-based architects All Zone emerges from an intense process of exploration, with a flirty canopy that blurs the boundary between porosity and solidity. (Credit: architectureau.com)
Architecture Victorian Desalination Project and Ecological Reserve The Victorian Desalination Project (VDP) in southern Victoria includes one of the largest single ecological restoration projects undertaken in Victoria. The project was announced by the Victorian Government in June 2007 when Melbourne's water storage levels dropped to 28.4%. Photo my own.
Architecture Loch - a village of friendly folk - Part 1 Nestled in the verdant hills of South Gippsland is the beautiful Loch Village. Anchored at the eastern end of the main Street, the Loch Brewery and Distillery which occupies the former Union Bank building (1902), makes the perfect starting point to stroll around the village. Photo my own
Travel Beautiful Slovenia What beckons is a tour through the beautiful and stunning scenery of Slovenia which according to our tour guide, Rick Steves, is the least visited and most underrated of Europe's alpine countries. Some interesting architecture and murals for you to learn about.
Gardens The Calyx - Royal Botanical Gardens Sydney Jane is in Sydney taking in the sights around this glorious Australian city. Today she brings you a little about a living artwork - The Calyx . Read on to find out more.
Tribute The Life and Art of Satish Gujral gives us so much to reflect on Bringing you the inspiring story of Indian artist Satish Gujral who died earlier this year. He overcame physical injury and loss of hearing to become India's greatest artist in the modern era. Image: business-standard.com
Architecture Robin Boyd CBE: the Boyd Dynasty expands to include Architecture Returning to the Boyd Dynasty, it is now the turn of Robin Boyd to be presented. He is considered to be one of the most influential architects by changing the "look" of Australian suburban homes. Image: Gelatin silver photograph of Robin Boyd (portrait.gov.au)
Dynasty Past Post: No 4 June 2018 Our Past Post today revisits the beautiful island of Malta as we take a look at the Schranz dynasty of artists.
Performing Arts Rowena Cade: Sculpting a Theatre Rowena Cade sculpted Minack Theatre out of the granite cliff face in Porthcurno, Cornwall. She built the theatre herself with the help of her gardner Billy Rawlings in 1931–32.
Travel Victor Horta and Art Nouveau Victor Horta (1861 – 1947) was a Belgium architect and designer, and one of the founders of the Art Noveau movement, centred in Brussels