Casa Batllo

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Casa Mila

a.k.a. La Pedrera "Stone Quarry" for it resembles the steep cliff in which african tribes build their cave-like dwellings.




Exhibition Space on top floor


Gaudi illustrates the form of the spire (inverted)




Roof Sculpture Garden
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Barcelona, Spain

My Photo Album of Barcelona









Barcelona on Google Map
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Rotterdam, Netherlands - 1 day

A one-day excursion to Rotterdam from Amsterdam would've been much better if the museums were open. Monday is not a good day as all galleries and museums are close. Nevertheless, there're some surprises and some unusual sights.

Shopping street below grade crosses underneath a busy traffic street.


surprises: Lighting of a public square that moves


Towards a mutli-screen cinema


Advertising on the cinema building


Lawn just outside an Art Gallery


the unusual: The Cube residential complex

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Rotterdam on Google Map
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Amsterdam, the Netherlands

My plan to explore other parts of Europe at the end of April 2003 began in the Netherlands. Destination: Amsterdam + Rotterdam.
Weather in London had been so gray that it really got to my nerves. Luckily the day I arrived in Amsterdam after a 45min plane ride was surprising warm and pleasant!
Right away I went to a bike store and rented a bike for two days. The first bike I picked was one with brake in the pedal - when you stop you have to pedal backward. I couldn't do that so a bike with hand brake was exchanged.


Typical street along a canal

After a few hours of exploring the city on bike, I took a break at the Van Gogh Museum.

Van Gohg Museum and surrounding - the sloped lawn is the perfect place to soak in the sun!

Crossing the bridge to Borneo Island which is a new residential district.

Bridge, Bike, The Whale building


Another bridge. This one curves up to give clearance for boats.


Part of the island is filled with individual narrow lots most of which are typical models , with one street in particular (picture right) where each lot is designed by different architects.


MVRDV's residential building in a former dockland.


Renzo Piano's Nemo building - Science Center with accessible stepped roof (right)


Dinner at a small restaurant that serves comforting foods.



Random shots of street, market, carnival and night


Can't leave the Netherlands without taking a picture of windmills. ha!

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Amsterdam on Google Map
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National Library, 13e arrondisement

On the boardwalk of the National Library


Across the sunken courtyard to one of the four L-buildings


Escalator descending to the sunken courtyard


Floor to floor shutters create random patterns
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Parc de la Villette, 19e arrondissement

This urban park is the result of a design competition won by Bernard Tschumi in 1982. It challenges our notion of park as green space to create this urban artificial and domesticated park.


A series of bright red abstract programless structures dubbed "follies" are envisioned to accomodate events and activities related to the park.


One of the bright red structures and a kid
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La Defense, 20e arrondissement

On our way back from Poissy after a visit to Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye, BJ and I got off the train to check out La Defense, a business district developed in 1960's. Most recognizable is this:

the Grande Arche de la Défense




Axial view to the old Triumphant Arch


Centre des nouvelles industries et technologies (CNIT)
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