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Daniel Libeskind, known for his deconstructive architecture, as seen in examples such as the Jewish Museum in Berlin, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and on the expansion of the Denver Art Museum, to name just a few examples of his work, has finally completed his first private home. The German edition of Architectural Digest published the building in its recent January issue and offered interesting insights on it. Daniel Libeskind designed for some of his art scene friends, a very spectacular weekend house in Connecticut, United States - which is called 18.36.54.This eccentric name comes from a spiraling ribbon of 18 planes, defined by 36 points connected by 54 lines. The shape of the Libeskind building is typical, with tips, edges, dislocations, fractures and folds and interesting insights. Similarly is the Libeskind’s metal cladding that was used on of the facade which gives the 190sq.m large house a special, reflective note. An architectural critic describes Libeskind’s newest building as „a sea snail, standing under high voltage ….” However, the comparison with a distorted crystal or a “hyperactive Origami in polished brass” is rather close. The draft for this home is based on the design of a Libeskind designed garden pavilion for London’s Serpentine Gallery. The interior reminds me in a way of some of the interiors of the Goldstein Residence designed by John Lautner in Hollywood Hills.

Equally interesting is that the architectural features shown in this structure are an essential part of the “The Villa - Libeskind Signature Series” design. The Villa - Libeskind Signature Series is a residential project in which only 30 copies are planned to be built exclusively by him worldwide in a “prefab“ designed house. A prototype of this villa was already installed in Germany and is used as a reception and representation building for one of its partners for many large projects he is working with. The Villa - Libeskind Signature Series is far less spectacular than the building that was built in Connecticut, but this is due also to the idea of the relative economic production in the planned quantities. Compared to “normal” single-family homes and villas this structure simply stands out and delights with the typical Libeskind design. The fans of Libeskind’s architecture that would like to buy the world’s first example, have the opportunity to fulfill their dream with a beautifully situated property in Locarno, overlooking Lake Maggiore. Here, the architecture interconnects with the typical Ticino landscape, flora and fauna. Looking at the exterior of the villa 18:36:54 one can only guess how the interior design of The Villa - Libeskind Signature Series looks like, as Daniel Libeskind will show us how he designed the distinctive central kitchen area. All we can say to the ones who are passionately interested in the house built in Connecticut, is that they should take into account the possibility of The Villa - Libeskind Signature Series. The project in Ticino, which is the world’s first complete offer of this kind, inclusive beautiful located plot, is probably the best option. If interested, I will gladly provide more information about this unique residential project.

Posted by: Peter Rabitz

What does a Lamborghini, a Stealth Fighter and Daniel Libeskind have in common? Well, it’s pretty simple if you picture the finished product. All of them enjoy the beauty of really great cutting edge design philosophies, boasting awesome attention to detail, employing lines and geometric forms far beyond “normal”.

Lamborghini, the high-end Italian luxury sports car manufacture just revealed its latest model, the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, at the Frankfurt 2009 Auto Show. The super car, carrying a million-euro price tag, is based on the already extreme Murcielago, but upgrades on the Reventon coupe’s fighter jet-inspired styling with an open-air body style.

The Stealth Fighter, an aircraft that use stealth technology to interfere with radar detection by employing a combination of features to reduce visibility in the visual, audio, infrared and radio frequency spectrum, is a proud example of modern aircraft technology by the US military. Even I don’t like to talk too much about all the war toys out there, but the very strong design really catches me when I see images of the aircraft because it’s so unique and outstanding.

Unique and outstanding are the keywords where Daniel Libeskind steps into the game. His architecture is one of the most recognized in the world due to the unusual design vocabulary he uses. Libeskind’s design is always controversial and divides viewers into two parties, the one who likes it and the one who hates it. No question that I obviously belong to the people who like his work.

I’ve admired his work for quite a time, but when I visited the Jewish Museum in Berlin shortly after its completion yet before the exhibition was installed, the space really blew me away. His use of angles, surfaces, colours, slits, windows and his different understanding of forms and spaces really created one of the most impressive spaces I have experienced.

Libeskind is renowned for his multidisciplinary approach to architecture. His designs reflect his close connection to arts such as music and literature. In 2003, he won the World Trade Center design competition. Additional works include the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, the Extension of the Denver Art Museum and the Imperial War Museum in Manchester besides many others.

Nevertheless, Libeskind never really delved in single residential designs except a fantastic weekend retreat in Connecticut he designed for friends. The space, called 18.36.54, is formed by a spiraling ribbon of 18 planes, defined by 36 points connected by 54 lines. This living sculpture literally already shows Libeskind’s great ability to create impressive spaces which combines the house as being a piece of art itself as well as high-end living using the finest materials. The Villa, Daniel Libeskind’s first signature series home, creates a new dialogue between contemporary living and a completely new experience of space. Highly limited to a total of 30 villas which will be distributed globally, Villa Libeskind in Ticino, Switzerland is the first offer out of the limited edition to be up for sale. In one of the most sought-after locations on Lago Maggiore featuring stunning views of the lake, the Villa is like a crystal growing from rock, boasting dramatic, unique architecture in an equally unique and stunning location. Fundamental to Libeskind’s philosophy is the notion that buildings and urban projects are crafted with perceptible human energy, and that they address the greater cultural context in which they are built. With his contribution, the Villa becomes not just a home, but a paradise for lovers of architecture.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz