Chorong Lamps by Joongho Choi

Reinterpreting the ‘chong-sa-chorong’, the korean illumination device, in terms of modern thoughts. This lighting device could be hanged onto fixed metal pole, or held by hand, but most importantly when it was hanged onto a long fixed pole called ‘deung rong deh’, it would vividly show the difference between the wall and the illumination itself, building up tensions in the atmosphere. That tension could be maximized by just hanging on to the supporting pole, and I have brought along the advantageous idea from the ‘chong-sa-chorong’ which is being able to move from place to another in various directions.

The Bears Cave by Paul Coudamy

The project is located in a covered alley in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, described by Walter Benjamin. It consists in rehabilitating a shop into headquarters for a computer firm. The idea is to reflect Bearstech Company innovative and animal image in order to promote the wild and raw aspects of their approach of virtual technology and communicate a feeling of strength.

The cavernous and intimate atmosphere is organized in three different spaces : working space, leisure space and meeting space. The back space, more of a serious space, is emphasized by Parisian rock and brick walls creating a solid and mineral atmosphere.
A honeycomb cardboard bench creates a low separation between the meeting room and the working spaces. The bench customized and covered with natural felt invites to take place behind the bar, which by its vivid color and angular form activates circulation between spaces.

The meeting room wood structure intends to translate the chaotic mass power dynamited in an uncontrolled energy : a wood vortex out of a natural disaster. The cavern walls are generated day after day by wooden floors and wood waste pieces collected in dumpsters, sidewalks or wastelands. The anarchical and spontaneous organization of the wood pieces creates an organic cave providing an unique atmosphere to the meeting room.

Millennium Park Pavilions by Zaha Hadid and Ben van Berkel

The designs for two temporary pavilions that will be installed this June in Chicago’s Millennium Park have been unveiled.

Both pavilions — one designed by London-based Zaha Hadid and the other by Amsterdam-based Ben van Berkel of UNStudio — emphasize the importance of boldly imagining a better future for all, as Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett did in 1909 in their Plan of Chicago.

Hadid’s curvilinear form uses state-of-the-art fabric technologies. The tent-like structure can be dismantled and re-installed elsewhere after the Centennial. Van Berkel’s floating roof offers surprising views of the Chicago skyline. This pavilion will be de-constructed and recycled.

For more information about the Pavilions, and schedule of events, visit:  www.burnhamplan100.org

The Zaha Hadid Pavilion:

Marmol Radziner Win Professional Landscape Award

The Vienna Way site is divided into thirds with the architecture massed at the outer edges and the garden spaces in the middle. This spatial organization maximizes the amount of physical and visual open space within a narrow, urban lot.

The exterior spaces are divided into thirds as well by the water “corridor” that literally begins with the swimming pool and is implied by the repeated, mass plantings of Chrondopetalum tectorum (Cape Rush) — a plant naturally found at water edges — which align with the pool and kitchen window in the front garden, continue to the garden roof over the sunken kitchen, and culminate at the rear garden with three California Sycamores. Flanking this riparian “corridor” are drought-tolerant plantings reminiscent of a Chaparral landscape including Quercus agrifolia (Coastal Live Oak), Quercus lobata (Valley Oak), native Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass) and Rhus lancea (African Sumac)

The front garden is designed to be an adult, more mature space with simple, monochromatic, architectural plantings, while the rear garden becomes a place for children’s play. The backyard planting design, which includes a lawn of Buffalo Grass, is more colorful, varied and organically arranged than the front garden. It includes California natives Salvia apiana (White sage), Salvia clevelandii (Cleveland Sage) and Fremontodendron californica (Flannel Bush) as well as a raised vegetable planter.

Due to the large quantity of native California plants and desired size at installation, many were “contract grown” by two local nurseries. All of the trees were field grown and craned into the site. Despite the fact that the organizing element for the garden is water, the plants by and large are drought-tolerant.

Kengo Kuma Houses for Muji

The Tree House (House of Trees?) has been built many times and this page describes , in pictures, the incredible variation the Muji houses have.  It is designed to harness natural light and energy.  From the looks of the diagrams , the floors receiving direct sunlight absorb the energy and radiate it back into the house.  The house has a open interior balcony to introduce cross breezes combined with a chimney effect.  In addition, energy-efficient materials are used elsewhere.

Of course the houses look great with Muji stuff in them.  But Muji seems most focused on the relationship to the Japanese Industrial Arts movement in the early 20th century. These houses are studies in combining traditional Japanese house craftsmanship with an industrialized construction industry.  The kit of parts include simple wood beams with a machined connection system (worthy of being openly framed) that are also earthquake resistant.  In addition the system allows for the house to be modified or expanded in the future.  If you were ever going to buy a house for someone, this is a great way to do it.  Kengo Kuma’s greatness with Muji’s refined simplicity

venice architecture biennale 08: UNStudio

the central question behind UNStudio's installation ' the changing room' is: what are the implications for the architectural environment of the contemporary, highly unsettled and unpredictable configurations of living and working? the installation gradually instills this question by moving the visitor through different layers of meaning and sensation.the scenario of the changing room is clear and simple. individual enters changing room; puts product to test; considers transformed self; comes to a decision and exits. during this brief interlude, the transformative potential of the material world is explored.conclusions that may be drawn from the selection of references, what does it say about architecture that we are tempted to make analogies with magazine culture and couture decisions. ultimately this installation is therefore about architecture itself. the venice biennale is one of the last places where architecture returns to its core identity as a spatial art form, where architecture itself can be at home in the modern world. 

time out of scale' by UNstudio

motorola recently launched a premium handset named ‘aura’. to celebrate the launch, motorola commissioned UNstudio to create a special installation called ‘time out of scale’. the special installation is located at st. martins lane hotel in london. the design is inspired by the ‘aura’ which UNstudio principal ben van berkel used as a starting point to explore concepts of time and craftsmanship. in the design, time is represented by rhythmic changes in sound and imagery within the borderless space. 

http://www.unstudio.com
http://www.motorola.com

Living Underground in Style

Living Underground in Style

Plot #35 of the Ordos Project is not your typical villa. You won’t find it in Spain, France, or Italy. This one is in Inner Mongolia. The flat landscape is known for some of the most amazing blue skies on Earth but living there is harsh with high winds and extreme temperature grades.

Architect Juan Pablo Maza created a large underground home to take advantage of the ground’s natural insulation but the most striking feature is the suspended living area above ground surrounded by a forest of beams. A single stairway twists its way up making even the Apple Cube store in NYC seem complacent. Absolutely gorgeous.

Designer: Juan Pablo Maza 

Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre by Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid Architects announce the design of the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre a new cultural institution for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation on behalf of the Tourism Development and Investment Company of Abu Dhabi (TDIC). Zaha Hadid unveiled the design of the new Performing Arts Centre at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE today.

Hadid’s Performing Arts Centre concept, a 62 metre high building is proposing to house five theatres a music hall, concert hall, opera house, drama theatre and a flexible theatre with a combined seating capacity for 6,300. The Centre may also house an Academy of Performing Arts.

The Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre will be one of five major cultural institutions on the new 270-hectacre cultural district of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi - developed by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation on behalf of the Tourism Development and Investment Company of Abu Dhabi (TDIC).

Zaha Hadid describes the design of the Performing Arts Centre as a sculptural form that emerges from a linear intersection of pedestrian paths within the cultural district, gradually developing into a growing organism that sprouts a network of successive branc

‘Design colour factory’ by dan brill architects

dan brill architects is a recently established studio winchester, UK. the firm recently completed its first building, an artist’s workshop known as the ‘colour factory’. the single story building has a small footprint, but loads of tiny architectural details that add interest. working in a small budget, the studio worked with simple materials and construction methods. the interior walls are structural plywood, while the outside is clad in coloured polycarbonate rodeca. the plywood is perforated allowing light to enter in, while the outside remains water-proofed all around thanks to the polycarbonate. this innovative combination cut costs tremendously by eliminating the need for window fixtures. the building hosts workshops for community children and adults in a range of artistic mediums. ‘colour factory ‘has been shortlisted for the architect’s journal’s small projects exhibition that runs february 5-27 at new london architecture, london.

http://www.danbrillarchitects.com

k:fem department store by wingårdh architecture

the k:fem department store by wingårdh architecture is located in the vällingby development, just outside of stockholm. the store was conceived as a new beacon for the community serving to inject new life into the area. the exterior is covered in a milky glass which get increasingly see through toward the top, merging into the red overhang above. the list of stores inside are displayed on the overhang, all in white on red. a pedestrian street cuts-through the department store, dividing it from the adjoining solo retailer. inside the store, the semitransparent theme continues. the most unique features is the light filled central core which is open to the sky.

http://www.wingardhs.se

“Puzzling” Modern Design – Next Generation House is the Cottage of the Future

Sou Fujimoto Architects have this “puzzling” vision for the home of the future. Next Generation House is a small, cottage-style design discreetly tucked in a forest overlooking the picturesque River Kuma in Kumakura, Japan. This four-by-four-meter box is assembled from Japanese cedar blocks, thoughtfully fitted together to create a unique interior terrain. Blocks jut out from walls to create built-in shelves, tables, seating, windows and skylights. Sou Fujimoto Architects
via Cool Boom

Children's furniture series by RAFASCHIERI DESIGN STUDIO

 

Children’s furniture is intended for being used in child-related everyday activities and manipulations: meals, hygiene and games. The furniture’s design principle contributes to adapting more adequately the height of the seat to the growing child thus lowering the risk and the gravity of a possible fall. An additional asset of the unit is the durability of its components, which can be used either en bloc or separately to safely contain and entertain the child.

The underlying concept takes account of and integrates the child’s ability to progressively find both independence and security in his movements and is conducive to the behaviour of minimum risk, which for the child starts with learning 

Ann Demeulemeester shop by Mass Studies

Ann Demeulemeester shop by Mass Studies
The site is located in an alley, at a block’s distance from Dosandae-ro – a busy thoroughfare in Seoul’s Gangnam district – in close proximity to Dosan Park. Primarily residential in the past, the neighborhood is undergoing a rapid transformation into an upscale commercial district full of shops and restaurants.

The building is comprised of one subterranean level and three floors above. The Ann Demeulemeester Shop is located on the first floor, with a restaurant above and a Multi-Shop in the basement.

WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

This landmark building by Snøhetta, who also designed the new Library of Alexandria (2002), is the largest cultural centre built in Norway in 700 years. It sloping stone roof - made up of 36,000 fitted pieces – rises up from the fjord; allowing members of the public, residents and opera goers alike, to walk over the building, developing a relationship with the public structure. Integral to the 1,000-room interior, which is largely lined with crafted woodwork (using the traditions of Norwegian boat builders), are a number of art commissions interwoven into the structural fabric, including a cloakroom, a collaboration with their 2007 Serpentine Pavilion collaborator Olafur Eliasson. There will be a press visit to the winning building on 7 May 2009 and a special granting ceremony at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona on 28 May 2009.

renovation of the showroom YESHOP IN HOUSE

Concept - Milles feuilles – a thousand leaves | Concept of the approach was the design of site-specific constructions that would emphasize and intensify the continuity of space and its homely feel while at the same time they would homogenize in a mental and formal way the varying events that happen in the “house” (shop – exhibition space, lounge area, party space, small scale fashion shows). The ephemeral character of the refurbishment was a wish of the client.
Existing furniture were rearranged in order to bring into forth the two, new, constructions that were handmade, using eco -friendly corrugated packaging carton. The sense of packing (as a reference to refurbishment, moving and the ephemeral) is spatially expressed, while the cheap material used in a derivational manner, structures space.

Toy Factory Loft by Zellnerplus

Glacier Loft by Gus Wüstemann. Interior Design did a piece on this way back when, and every time that image of the stair pops up I fall in love with it again.

Hoe Hoe Hoe at Container Ground, Tokyo

We should have run this over Christmas, on account of its punny name. Hoe Hoe Hoe! was an installation at Container Ground during Tokyo Designers Week in November. Students of Tama Art University in Tokyo filled their shipping container with a papier mache structure lined with shredded newspaper.

credit  Tokyo Designers Week

Roll Charger – Chinese health toy-inspired ecofriendly battery charger

Eco Factor: Charger converts mechanical energy into electricity.

In Chinese tradition balls have been used as health and fitness toys for centuries. Rolling two balls in one’s hand stimulates acupuncture points and loosens bones and muscles making you feel relaxed and fresh. Keeping conventions aside, product designer Jiang Qian has developed a concept charger that utilizes the mechanical energy generated in the balls and converts it into electricity.

Roll Charger, as Jiang calls his concept, harnesses energy as the balls are rolled in the palm. The device then converts this rotating motion into electricity, which is then fed into a single AA or AAA battery that fits neatly inside the ball. Since two balls are used to stimulate the acupuncture points, you can charge two batteries at once which can then be used in a remote or other devices powered by them. A LED is integrated into the device, which tells you that the charger is functioning and also alerts the user when the batteries are completely charged.

A house for Art / Luca Selva Architects

There are houses that become houses devoted to art over time by the gradual addition of artwork. Others, like the house in Binningen, were built to be a house for art from the beginning. This is reflected in the traffic pattern as well as in the sequence and size of the main rooms, the position and finish of the windows and the conservative and unitary materialization. The ground floor flooring gives the impression that it has existed since the beginning of time. It consists of a stomped clay floor, made by Martin Rauch. It is the colour of honey and it has countless crazes and a velvety touch despite its hardness. The floor leads the visitors from the entrée through the corridor to the entrance hall, which are squired by large-sized photographs by contemporary artists and include rare and aged cactuses and various delicate antique physiques. This archaic floor contrasts strongly with the slender and precise aluminium frames of the sliding glass doors which constrict the passage from the hall to the living room, opening it up towards the garden and the covered seating area. This is where the interpenetration of indoors and outdoors is strongest. The angular floorplan repeatedly allows simultaneous views of interior and exterior surfaces which are both kept in the same bright white to enhance the visual continuity of ceiling and walls.

credit  www.archdaily.com

Triangle facade

The poetics of metaphor in architecture is what comes to mind when one investigates this house in a row. Monolab discarded the formalism of traditional dutch houses that derive their setup from social logic: a façade hiding and garding the bourgeois interior as a shrine , while lace curtains allow to monitor the street in low profile. The Body House draws more from a Roman layout - organised around the emptiness of the atrium - and the premodern houses that lack context but intensify their introverted way of looking into the interior by hallowing the centre of the house, around a defining domestic element (stairs, terrace, fireplace, …) that symbolises the most important function of the house.

credit  www.archdaily.com

Flipt Living Room Chairs Like You've Never Seen Before

It is always fun to find great concepts in design that make living easier. Flipt living room chairs fall into this category. First off, this is great looking modern furniture that adds elegance to any room. I am always drawn to this sleek design and its minimal roots as it tends not to over power the decorating balance in a room. The great feature of Flipt is that it is two chairs in one. You can have it extended out as a lounge chair or fold it back onto itself so it is just a regular chair. This clever design was created by Jeff Miller. I do like the yellow and white colors and how they play when the chair is folded back or in its extended position. With space being so limited in many big cities, living room chairs that can be multi-functional like Flipt are great ideas. More information: here.

Brauner Wegner Priehn centre for dentistry

Berlin office J Mayer H Architects have completed the interior of the Brauner Wegner Priehn dental practice in Hamburg, Germany.

credit  www.dezeen.com

Contemporary Crochet

Just when I was beginning to get over my phobia of display plates, it appears that all things knitted, weaved and crocheted are making a resurgence too. Not that it hasn't been a long time coming, celebrities have been flashing around their knitting needles for quite a while, and even your grandma was in on the craze before you were.

So it's no surprise that earlier this month at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, it was the unlikely union of tubular steel and weaved textiles (clothed polyurethane foam to be precise) that grabbed the attention of many. The design of new architecture/design trio Imaginary Office, the Pleats-Pleats Sofa is an unexpected combination of precision steel and squishy handicrafts.

credit http://blog.2modern.com/garden/