The spirit of Opera can be developed only by architecture which joins in a whole some of the common points of human existence. In contemporary life, a need for a human has developed to the limits to, at least for a moment; go back to places which in his/her entire memory represent places of peace and rest. Relaxing after everyday efforts, by which the body and the soul are exposed, gains the sense of myth of healing in modern life.

Busan opera House, render courtesy Vladimir Ivanovic

Busan opera House, render courtesy Vladimir Ivanovic

The location of Opera in many views represents a place which should, for Busan, take the role of a mediator between a human and the joy provided by resting and relaxing. The wisdom lies in places in nature. The ability of locating natural resources for intimacy and differentiating the place of an individual in a great plan of existence is a means of moving around in that area. This is of great importance for survival nowadays.

Busan opera House, render courtesy Vladimir Ivanovic

Busan opera House, render courtesy Vladimir Ivanovic

According to the existing tradition, Opera is almost unknown, going to it is an adventure of honor, fame and prestige, illusion and an unattainable dream of most people. By renouncing something that may naturally belong to it – a greater part of the ground floor – opera demonstrates a close way of adapting itself by attracting the activities of everyday life in its environment, opening space for encounter of both people and the spirit. Everyone is familiar with the fact that the nature is filled with spiritual content. Spiritual, as the essential initiator of life of revealing, is in nature. Wishing to be the extension of everyday life Opera has to do that in a close way, adapting itself by attracting the environment into its wings, keeping the balance with the environment through integration with it so that the relationship could exist independently and in harmony. This way of accustoming and adapting is based on especially sensitive relations. The repetition of going in nature slowly becomes a habit, and the habit becomes a necessity.

Busan opera House, render courtesy Vladimir Ivanovic

The place where you are right now is Opera house. Visits to Opera house will eventually become a ritual because the environment has a great influence on people which is manifested with its magical and breathtaking atmosphere. It is a good way of experiencing Opera and her contents as an expansion of the idea of change and renewal in everyday life. There are numerous outdoor and indoor activities such as games, relaxation, recreation, climbing to the top of the buildings and so enjoying a breathtaking view, and passing from one top to the other as well. All of this is a path that will open up Opera and set its spirit free and so enable the communication with the soul of the user. Nature and relaxation have always been the most important source of energy renewal.

Busan opera House, render courtesy Vladimir Ivanovic

The structure of the complex is experienced as a wave. It reminds on overlapping and dancing of waves so that Opera blends in with the environment.

+ Project credits / data

Location: Busan, South Korea
Type of Competition: Open International Competition
Company name: UNDA
Architect: Vladimir Ivanovic

Like architecture, Furniture design should always interact with Light.

Enis Aldallal

Sketch idea, image courtesy Enis Aldallal

Barcode cabinet was designed and built to read as a sculptural peice, interacting with light through the different densities of shade and spaces dedicated for keeping not only books but also other sculptural elements. Spaces for keeping sculptural items were backlit by lasercut, barcode-like, plywood (1/4″) backdrop.

Architecturally, the rectangle shaping this unit was perfectly based on the Golden Section, providing it profound geometrical aspect. Technically, the wood used for building this piece was Pine hardwood with carefull attention on NO glue or metal to use in this cabinet. This was made possible by means of wood-to-wood joints only, using Dovetail connections giving this unit sustainable credit, stronger Physics` aspect, tactility, and lightness, and modern look.

Barcode Cabinet, image courtesy Enis Aldallal

Barcode Cabinet, image courtesy Enis Aldallal

Barcode Cabinet, image courtesy Enis Aldallal

+ About Enis Aldallal

Born in Hama, Syria in 1977.

Passionate about the built environment and the spaces created between its artifacts. Enis got his BArch from Syria and practiced architecture for 5 years in the Gulf area (Middle East).

Earned a Master of Philosophy in Architecture from the University of Liverpool, England in 2009. Then moved to the US, Chicago and enrolled at the IIT to earn the MArch by May/2011. Enis is Associate AIA and is an intern architect at 360 Design Group, based in Chicago, IL working on different projects typologies at different scales. Research is considered as a key factor for success at all missions either practical or academic. His interest in architectural writing has qualified his MPhil dissertation at the University of Liverpool for publication with Routledge Taylor & Francis Group as his first book; Site and Composition in 2012.

Barcode Cabinet, image courtesy Enis Aldallal

+ All images and drawings courtesy Enis Aldallal

Kerem Ercin and Mahmut Kefeli are young designers from Turkey. They established a design studio Escapefromsofa in Istanbul and recently have created the new furniture collection.

Coma Wired // side table, image courtesy escapefromsofa

Backwards // stool, image courtesy escapefromsofa

+ About Escapefromsofa

Escapefromsofa | http://www.escapefromsofa.com/

Escapefromsofa is a design studio established in Istanbul in 2009. Catering to various design needs like interior and product design. Escapefromsofa creates high profile solutions by nurturing the contextual and contemporary values of their demographics.

We, at escapefromsofa strive to create rich experiences for our clients and their market, with our humble approach towards design taking into account the nuissances and disparities in our everyday lifes. We believe in simplicity and worship the details, we enjoy working with new and emerging materials and technologies.

Kerem Ercin and Mahmut Kefeli, image courtesy escapefromsofa

Kerem Ercin

Born in 1984, graduated from Lyceé Saint Joseph in 2003. He then continued his education at Yeditepe University Faculty of Fine Arts with a scholarship.

After obtaining his bachelor's degree in industrial design he worked for several architectural firms between 2006 and 2008.
In September 2008 he moved to Sweden, to study Advanced Design Visualization at Umea Institute of Design.

Mahmut Kefeli

Born in 1984, graduated from Sisli Terakki High School in 2001. He then continued his education at Yeditepe University Faculty of Fine Arts with a scholarship.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in interior design he started to work for escapefromsofa design studio.

+ All images courtesy escapefromsofa