The Naoshima Experience

The Oval, Bennesse House Hotel and Art Museum, Naoshima Island, Japan. Photo ©Darren Bradley

I just returned from a couple of surreal weeks in Japan with the family. One of the highlights of the trip was a few days at the Bennesse House Art Museum and Hotel on Naoshima Island. It was one of the most fascinating, enjoyable, and frustrating experiences I've ever had. 

Barney's on Broadway

St. Barnabas Church was rebuilt last year after a devastating fire. The architects - Sydney's Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp - were inspired by the work of another very well known architect for their design. Can you guess who? 

A New Icon on Bondi Beach

I love Bondi Beach, but it's not exactly the first destination that comes to mind for photographing modern architecture. Sure, there's Icebergs on the south end which is nice - especially since they recently redid it. But beyond that? Uh… Well, the new building for the historic North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club has just built a must-see architectural icon in this little beach community. 

So we just won an AIA design competition...

I was part of a team that tied for first place in the AIA San Diego 'Balboa Park Centennial Gateway' Competition. Not bad, considering there were 55 entrants to the competition. To be honest, I didn't actually do much to earn a spot on the team. I just took the photos they used for background, and made some suggestions about the pedestrian bridge design on the east end of the park. But the guys at DBRDS did all of the heavy lifting, and were kind enough to include me in their design team for the submission so I've officially won, too. 

The Liljestrand Residence

Bob Liljestrand, son of the original owners, on the deck of his iconic house. Photo ©Darren Bradley

The Liljestrand House, by Vladimir Ossipoff is one of the most stunning, well preserved modernist homes I've ever had the pleasure of visiting anywhere in the world. The fact that it's also located in my own hometown of Honolulu just makes it that much better. 

The Children's Museum

Photo ©Darren Bradley

I recently did a blog post on San Diego's new Central Library, which was designed by Rob Wellington Quigley. Quigley is one of San Diego's most renowned architects and has done a lot to shape the fabric of our built environment. I had the opportunity to shoot this museum a couple of years ago, so thought I'd put up some of those photos here. 

Mandel Weiss Forum

Photo ©Darren Bradley

Seems like I've been spending a lot of time at UCSD this year, so apologies for that. But I've had several commissions on the campus. And there's such a rich modernist architectural heritage there, it's really a never-ending source of inspiration for me. So when I'm there for whatever reason, I also often stop by somewhere else on campus for a quick side trip. This was the case for Muir College. And it's also the reason for these shots of the theater district. 

Muir College: A Concrete Jungle… errr… Forest

Muir College buildings by Robert Mosher (1969). Photo ©Darren Bradley

The design of Muir College was inspired by Yosemite and the great redwood forests of northern California. Frankly, I don't really see it. But I still think it's a pretty interesting place. 

Struck by Modernism: C. Carl Jennings, Artist-Blacksmith

Welcome! Photo ©Darren Bradley

This past spring, my friend Dave Hampton told me about a new museum exhibit he was planning to curate on the artist C. Carl Jennings, for the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. He was planning to visit the late artist's residence in Sonoma County soon, and asked me if I'd join him for the trip. 

A new life for an unloved building in La Jolla

Prospect Center by Thornton Ladd & John Kelsey (1965). Photo ©Darren Bradley

Prospect Center is one of La Jolla's most unloved buildings. Hopefully, that's about to change…