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Samsung S4 Active

I did not used to be a big fan of smartphones. I was using a cell phone with monochromatic display. It was a new model by Nokia – they still produce even the simple once. [1] I could go weeks without charging it and it would survive everything, very easy to handle in gloves as well. Then I have got a S3 as present for my B-day. Unfortunatelly, it was stolen last year and by that time I knew I was already addicted to smarphone and would have to buy a new one asap. This time [August 2014], I have got to chose the model by myself and I had to pay for it as well. There were three brand options for me – iPhone, Nexus, or Samsung. I had a clear vision, what I expect of the device. I can be negligent about my stuff sometimes, so I needed someting resistant. Then, I have came across the S4 outdoor version by Samsung [2]. It is basically a S4 but water- and dustproof. You can take even pictures under water. The 5 zoll display can be control even in gloves or in rain. There are even higher models [S5 asnd S6]. In my opinion, they look very robust while S4 looks cute and is ressilient. Truth to be told, they are not so easy to buy and of course are more expensive. I have waited two months for mine to arrive and was very tempted to stick with the regular version.

Nevertheless, I do not regret buying it. Even after one year use, the case is still waterproof and I have barely any scratch on it as well. It has fallen down several times, survived shooting in lake, sandy beaches are not a problem either. If you are as clumsy as I am, you should definitely consider purchasing one! The functions are basically the same, yet the camera is weaker, at least in S4 series. I have been disappointed by it because I was able to take better pictures with my old S3 but in general, it works fine. The most pictures I have presented to you on this site were taken with that poor camera and I do not think they are lacking any extra pixels. All in all, I am very happy with my choice.

[1] Nokia 1200 in black. Check out the picture here.

[2] Samsung S4 outdoor. Link at Amazon.de

November 12, 2015 0

Silent dancing and power of a great song

Yesterday, I have been on my almost-daily walk listening to my new favourite song. It is called Bright White by Kishi Bashi – you can listen to it at Youtube. Do not judge it by its name until you have listened to it – would recommend starting right now.

I have to go on record, I cannot sing, I am not able to read notes, I do not play any instrument, and I only took dancing lessons for recreational purpose. However, I like to sing aloud when I am alone. Otherwise, I stick to the lip-singing because I am aware of the horrible sound coming out of mouth when I attempt to sing. The same goes for my dancing skills, I enjoy it mostly by myself when tidying up or in overcrowded places. Nevertheless, Bright White is very impulsive. It makes me run faster and jump over bushes… Unfortunatelly, I have been recently fighting a flu or some kind of cold, so I had to stick to walking-only yesterday. Then the song came up and I had dificulties stay still so I looked around, the air was clear, and I started dancing and singing aloud. It has been a great 4:15 minutes. I would highly recommend a similar therapy if you are feeling down or exhausted. It is a great boost.

GALLERY

November 12, 2015 0

Sunday ride

I have been avioding my bike for too long, so I have decided to take it for a ride this Sunday. It has been another sunny day, yet little windy. I have packed proper jacket, gloves, and some snack into by bag as I knew it will be one of the longer trips. I have been aiming to climb on a saddleback called Certovica. …

GPX-file

GALLERY

November 8, 2015 0

Hiking in High Tatras

The end of running season is appoaching and this weekend, we have attended the last race on the scedule. To clarify the situation, I have not gathered enough courage to acctually sign up for one yet, so I usually accompany my dad or/and my brother and I do the second most important job there is to do. I cheer the racer up – I am very passionate and loud 🙂 .

Nevertheless, it was a sort of local race in High Tatras, in Bobrovec. The organisation was maybe lacking the professional level, yet it was a great race for amateurs. All in all, about 200 runners and the best part was the large number of kids among them! You may think, it is not a big race. However, taking under consideration there are only about 5 million people in Slovakia, and it has been taking place at the countryside – I was impressed by this number. I for sure did not expect so many people to show up. The race was very fast – the track was only about 4k long with 500m altitude gain. Participating only as moral support, I have had time to enjoy the incredible views and nice weather as you can see in the gallery below. The change of scenery was very nice, especially the foggy Liptov in the morning. Afterwards, we prolonged the event by going on a quick hike even higher.

GPX-file

GALLERY

November 7, 2015 0

Attached Capsule (3rd year)

TASK

revilatise Kafr Ashry and Minet el Bassal, develop a new approach to reuse abanonded warehouses

LOCATION

former industrial area of western harbour Alexandria, Egypt

FOCUS

site analysis (workshop in Alexandria, 11|2013), develop an approach and revitalisation plan based on the needs of community, elaborate housing typologies (focus on climate aspects)

SUPERVISOR

Prof. Heinz Nagler (urban design), Prof. Bernd Huckriede (design)

IDEA
Reattach the Mahmoudia canal to the sea and transform it into a new green spine of Alexandria, providing leisure and sports activities. Embrace the unique form of intervention area in urban pattern and establish connections as to the neighbourhood as well as the city center itself. Create hew housing units in the warehouses (concrete skeletal structures) and accomodate new services, e.g. health care centre, education and cultural centre.

GALLERY

November 6, 2015 17

Spa and Hotel (3rd year)

TASK

design a hotel and spa complex in tourist resort at the Northern Sea

LOCATION
Trawemünde, Germany

FOCUS

design, optimise costs, structural details, preliminary calculations

PROJECT PARTNER

Felix Schaub

IDEA

Based on additive and layering principle spread over the neighbourhood of the resort, implement a new interpretation of combining two materials – bricks and concrete. Build corridors and communication areas in a rather open way – use large openings and reduce the partition walls to create a continuous space flow. However, hide the private rooms behind the closed, brick curtain wall facade and sun blinds.

GALLERY

November 6, 2015 0

St. Concrete (2nd year)

TASK

design a simple, multi-functional, sacral object in reinforced concrete (a quiet place for meditation, a chapel, a landmark at a highway)

LOCATION

a highway in Germany (without any further specifation)

FOCUS

light, space ow, views and connection, structural details project

PROJECT PARTNER

Felix Schaub

IDEA

Turn the impressions of taking a break from fast road and finding a quiet place to relax into the form itself. Break a block of concrete aparts, so that the light infiltrating the space in between these halfs creates a transcendent atmosphere. Ultimately, a simple crack opens up and offers a magnicent view into the nature, setting the spirits free.

GALLERY

November 6, 2015 0

Entrance Pavilion (1st year)

TASK

design an entrance pavillion for the site of Alvar Aalto‘s summer house (based on experience from excursion to Scandinavia)

LOCATION

Muuratsalo (island nearby Jyväskylä), Finland

PROJECT PARTNER

Mathaeus Nierzwicki

IDEA

Induce the former impressions, that visitors had when arriving in the past by boat and climbing up the granite cli, in the new entrance pavillion at a modern, car-accessible road.

GALLERY

November 6, 2015 0

Going to places I used to go before

Today I woke up into a cold, yet very sunny morning. I have been quite lazy the day before so I have decided to start the day in a big way. I went for a run. If you have read my previous posts, you would notice I usually go the same round – I have been trying to mix up pictures from different spots so you would not notice and I am not sure I did well 🙂 . Nevertheless, I was in a need of something new, so I have went ‘exploing’. Growing up in an apartment located in housing estate, we did not have a garden to play in. However, our playground was quite extensive – surrounding fields, meadows, and woods. One of our favourites was a meadow – we used to call it ‘yellow meadow’, I guess it was because we have discovered it in autumn and the long grass was already dry and yellow. I have not visited it for a long time, so I wanted to check up on that place and see for myself how it changed over the time.

Despite the latest sunny weather some roads are still muddy but this morning the most of them were still frozen. It was a nice change to run just on the surface. Everything was cold and sugarcoated with the ice. I have stopped to take few pictures, you can see for yourself in the gallery attached below. Eventually, this frosty beauty started to melt and disappeared. When I got to the yellow meadow, I have become little nostalgic and lied down for a moment. The half of it was already turned into a forest but the other half was still yellow. The long dry grass was soft and warm despite the sharp cold air. It was a strange experience. Returning to familiar places from different times. I have been struggling with this lately a lot. It is like characters in your dreams – they have faces of your friends, yet they suddenly speak different language, and show up on places where they do not belong. It is a mixed feeling, very confusing. I haven not decided yet whether it is a good or a bad one.

GALLERY