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VZDRSCP (P1+P2 = P3)

Posted: December 30th, 2009 | Author: matt | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , | Comments Off

VZDRSCP (3rd yr. architecture unl) from Matthew Joseph Conway on Vimeo.

Here is the digital presentation for my final in studio this year (Steve Hardy’s 3rd year studio).  This project was a combination of my earlier projects in the semester.  The first project dealt with typologies of office buildings and I decided to focus on fluidity and openness for my building.  I incorporated a lot of influence from my summer in Tokyo.  I was really fascinated with my experiences at the Yokohama International Port Terminal (pictured in boroboro’s second post!) and Omotesando Hills.  both these buildings had really unique circulation systems that dealt with bifurcating and spiral ramps.  For the second project I drew a lot of inspiration from superstructures and science fiction (mostly from M.A.D.’s Mobile China Town project).  I ended up creating a system of towers and platforms that connected the urban scene at every level.

Through countless sketches during classes other than my studio class (I have the notebooks to prove it) I was able to come up with a triangular form that could satisfy the demands for the combination of projects one and projects two: project three.  I really like the structure created in project three and I think the triangle spirals really flow nicely into each other.  Also upon connecting the various triangles to each other I discovered that they created a pattern similar to the pattern rural chinese market towns create.  I liked this so I kept it (it is also a pattern of the star of david).

The voice is provided by Andrew Hover and definitely gives the video its edge, along with the beats provided by Ratatat (One – 9 Beats).

Enjoy the video, right now I am working on the laser cutter in architecture hall trying to finish the physical model for this project.

Matthew


Sod Haus

Posted: September 12th, 2009 | Author: matt | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , | 2 Comments »

Sod Haus OverviewThis was my second project in architectural school and still my favorite.  The project called for a visitor center to be installed in pioneer’s park, and the center was supposed to reflect the park’s history.  As a precedent I choose the early homesteaders, and investigated their use of the Earth to construct their homes.

I took this an evolved it, creating a structure that literally takes its form and material from the earth.  The buildings roof seems to flow down from the hill and peel back revealing the nature sanctuary inside.  The roof was intended to be covered in native Nebraskan prairie grasses and become an extension of the surrounding area.

Enjoy, someday I hope to design a building in my native Nebraska and I will undoubtedly use this as my jumping off point.

Also, my current professor recently came to my architecture college from the Architectural Association in London, and informed our class that the midwest is the only place that still uses wood, weird I know.


Iroirona Mikusu Fikusu

Posted: August 4th, 2009 | Author: matt | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Chilling in Matt's room

Final mix from the land of the rising sun, Mix Fix #3:

Download: MIX008 (Mix no.8)

(mp3, 55.8MB, 1:00:55 running time)

Be sure to check out my other mixes: mix no.5 and mix no.7. First proper lounge session, very relaxed, minimal and downtempo tunes for when you just want to sit and have a drink with  friends.  I wanted to show the side of DJing that’s more than just top 40 hip-hop-pop tracks, and that not every DJ needs to have a raving dance floor; I much prefer a room filled with chatter.  I was mostly inspired to do this from my visits to Tokyo’s Pecha Kucha night.

For those of you not in the know, Pecha Kucha is an event where designers, artists, and anybody who has someting interesting to talk about is given 20 slides for 20 seconds each and a room full of eager listeners with a drink in their hand.  Pecha Kucha is held in over 219 cities, so check their website to find the city nearest you, I promise you will be inspired.

Until then, kick back and enjoy this soothing mix.  (*note: so far these mixes have focused on song selection, cohesion, and progression, mixes after these will focus on more technical aspects of mixing, the song selection will still be thought out as always though, no worries). Image courtesy Mahmoud, who will be making his first post any time now, he assures you.

Stream

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Tracklisting:

  1. Asem Shama – Kinderspiel
  2. Djulz – Fleurette (Tobias Remix)
  3. Maetrik – They Love Terror
  4. Johannes Moses – Handsome
  5. St. Germain – Pont des Arts
  6. DJ Cam – I Don’t Know Why
  7. Lemon Jelly – ‘75 aka Stay With You
  8. Beat Pharmacy feat. Ursula Rucker- Pieces
  9. Beat Pharmacy feat. Paul St. Hilaire – Hot Spot Splash
  10. Bebel Gilberto – Bring Back The Love (Remix)
  11. Telepopmusik – Breathe
  12. Dzihn & Kamien – Smile (Eddy & Dus Remix)
  13. Chateau Flight – Superflight (Maurice Fulton Remix)
  14. Luscious Jackson – Nervous Breakthrough (Thievery Corporation Remix)
  15. Dzihan & Kamien – Before (Herbert’s After Dub)
  16. A Forest Mighty Black – Serpentines
  17. DJ Cam – Stress (Deckwrecka Remix)
  18. Lemon Jelly – Space Walk
  19. Bebel Gilberto – Cada Beijo (Thievery Corporation Remix)
  20. Dzihan & Kamien – Homebase (UFO Remix)
  21. A Forest Mighty Black – Everything (Freakniks Remix)
  22. Del The Funky Homosapien – Naked Fonk

Hookah Bar for the Kiddies

Posted: July 27th, 2009 | Author: matt | Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Hookah BarThis is my first project in architecture school: Modular Me – Hookah Bar.  The project was focused on the students’ personal ergonomics and each student used measurements to create a space or object that could be put on campus to improve student life.

I wanted to create a space for students to relax and be used everyday of the week as the campus was somewhat dead late at night.  With the passing of a smoking ban for the entire city, I decided to create a shelter that could function as a smoking area, while adding a space for broad student interaction. I designed a hookah bar, as smoking from a hookah is a multi-person activity and would add to the student interaction and an increased capacity for socializing.  For my concept I looked back to my favorite childhood story: Alice and Wonderland – The Caterpillar.  The Caterpillar caused Alice to question, I wanted to create a space that would allow students to do the same.  I believe are institutions have focused on memorization and left-brain functioning, while our ability to create and use our right brain has been suppressed.  Through the contrasting of object and location (a black glass tube that lights up at night in the middle of a grass field surrounded by typical red brick collegiate buildings) I created a context that would start students down the path of questioning and discovery.

After spending many sleepless nights and then finally catching up on sleep and feeling my brain bounce back (along with reading articles on the correlation between sleep and learning)  I was left with what you see, an easily accessible relaxation space.

Were I to rework this project today, I would create a totally different design that is more eco-conscious and mixes better with the university campus instead of creating such a contrast. I would create ripples or waves of grass within the campus’ existing green spaces.  These would function not only as a beautifully unique aesthetic addition to the natural environment, but the ripples would provide an adequate ledge for varied postures for students wishing to use the green space from studying to napping.  Within these ripples, I would place small sculptures that would be sun capturing devices, providing the areas with solar-powered lighting after dark. This project will have to wait for another day.

(photo courtesy of Mahmoud, we’ll start posting flickr albums or something soon)


Mikusu Fikusu Mou Ii Kai

Posted: July 18th, 2009 | Author: matt | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Shit's goin nuts

One more time from Nihon, the second installment of the Mix Fix.

Download: MIX007 (Mix no.7)

(mp3, 73MB, 1:17:30 running length)

This mix was made using all my favorite party music from Spring 2009.  You will have to forgive the rough start, but I promise that if you get past the first three songs it is smooth sailing.  I really enjoy the ending.  The nostalgia of all those nights in the North Bottoms.  I will forever remember New Hampshire St. while listening to this mix, so if you participated in the activities, enjoy the memory through these bumpin air waves.

The title of this post is inspired by this. Pictured above is what you might come to expect from parties set to these tunes. If you enjoyed make sure to check out (Mix no.5).

Stream

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Tracklisting

  1. Kid Cudi – Cleveland Is The Reason
  2. John Legend feat. Andre 3000 – Green Light (Full)
  3. The Clipse feat. Kanye – Kinda Like A Big Deal
  4. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne – Swagga Like Us
  5. Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Common feat. Lady Gaga – Poke Her Face
  6. Bee Gees – More Than A Woman (DJ Protege Blue Room Remix)
  7. Mo’ Horizons – Gonna Be
  8. James Brown – Payback (The Final Mixdown)
  9. Lush Logic – Mexico City (Murder Monkeys Mix)
  10. Ratatat – Wildcat
  11. Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger (Neptunes Remix)
  12. MGMT – Kids
  13. Kanye West – Champion (Cousin Cole Acid Dub)
  14. The Ting Tings – That’s Not My Name (Tom Neville’s Nameless Vocal Mix)
  15. Oh Snap – High Top Fade
  16. Dj Class feat. Kanye West – I’m The Shit (Remix Dirty)
  17. Starski & The Cool Kids – Stunnas On (Pfunkt’s Wear My Stunnas At Night Remix)
  18. Rye Rye feat. M.I.A. – Bang (DJ Booman Remix)
  19. Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow (Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix)
  20. The Ting Tings – Great DJ (Calvin Harris Remix)
  21. Santogold feat. Spank Rock – Shove It (Disco Remix)
  22. Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Nite (Crookers Remix)
  23. N.E.R.D. – Everyone Nose (Douster Remix)
  24. LCD Soundsystem – Daft Punk Is Playing At My House
  25. LCD Soundsystem – North American Scum
  26. The Beatles – All The Lonely People (DJ Protege Re-Fix)

Mikusu Fikusu

Posted: July 11th, 2009 | Author: matt | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments »

KoibitoFrom Nippon, the first in my hopefully recurring series, Mix Fix:

Download: MIX005 (Mix no.5)

(mp3, 64MB, 1:06:08 running length)

Downtempo with an eclectic mix of lounge, indie, electronica, and hip-hop. One of my first recorded mixes, all the way back from March, and still one of my favorites, I think this mix’s variety, along with the thought and heart I put into it are what keep it continually appearing on my playlists. I hope you and you properly enjoy this mix.

Pictured left is Yokohama, Japan, Oosanbashi (Yokohama International Terminal), during Tanabata matsuri.

Stream

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Tracklisting:

  1. Kings of Convenience – I’d Rather Dance With You
  2. Santogold – Lights Out
  3. Desmond and the Tutus – Kiss You On The Cheek (King Of Town Remix)
  4. Mo ‘Horizons – Dance Naked Under Palmtrees
  5. Daft Punk – Digital Love (Boris Dlugosh Remix)
  6. Chromeo – Fancy Footwork
  7. Santogold, Casablancas, N.E.R.D. – My Drive Thru
  8. Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin’ (Tough Guys)
  9. Santogold – Your Voice
  10. Mos Def – Umi Says
  11. Kanye West – Love Lockdown (B.Cause Disco Edit)
  12. CCS – Lets Make Love And Listen To Death From Above (Spank Rock Remix)
  13. LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great
  14. Al-Pha-X – An Indian Summer
  15. N.E.R.D. – Tape You
  16. Daft Punk – Something About Us (Love Theme From Interstella 5555)
  17. Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon (The Anthem)
  18. Kid Loco – She’s My Lover
  19. Kid Cudi – Pillow Talk
  20. Hacienda – Late Lounge Lover
  21. Lupe Fiasco – Paris, Tokyo
  22. Kanye West – Good Night (Bonus Track)
  23. Kid Cudi – The Prayer