Vitro Pavilion is a structure made of 25,000 pieces of glass recycled from construction sites for a trade show in Madrid. The architects, Aybar-Mateos, describe the pavilion as “fast and disposable architecture built with rubbish,” which refers to more than just the project’s lifespan. The architect collected 170 tons of surplus cuttings from float glass sheets and then used them to form the pavilion’s exterior shape: a perfect geometric form, orthogonal and flat, while its interior was an amorphous space. Like the molecular structure of the glass, it was regular and flat outside but heterogeneous inside, thereby making more exhibition space.
The design relies on the variations in glass; the sheets are stacked in relation to their transparency, darker panes at the bottom of the wall, and extra-clear ones at the top. The superposition of different types of glass created a greenish, varied atmosphere, where the wall disappeared gradually and stratified the image of the pavilion—an effect the architect describes as similar to the theme of appearance and disappearance in video artist Bill Viola’s work “Tiny Deaths,” a 1993 video and sound installation at the Museum of contemporary art in Lyon, France where large projections appear on the walls of a completely dark room. Human forms gradually emerge as dim silhouettes. A light source slowly appears on one of the figures, increasing until the illumination rapidly accelerates to suddenly consume the whole body in a burst of saturated white light. The peak light momentarily illuminates the room and washes out the other two projections. All returns abruptly to darkness until one of the other projected figures moves through the same transformation.
Eventually, at the end of the trade show, visitors dismantled the Vitro pavilion, creating the perfect ending for this structure: a disappearing act!
http://www.cnca.gob.mx/viola/15.html
I LOVE carboard seating!! As a nod to Frank Gehery, I once made a paper chair myself…
’softseating’ by Molo Design is made from kraft paper which is 100% recyclable, and is flame retardant. The flexible honeycomb structure fans open into stools, benches, and loungers. Embedded magnetic connectors connect to one another to form winding benches. Each of the 8 sizes (up to 80″ diameter) can compress like a big book for storage. Paper softseating is available in natural, unbleached brown kraft paper as well as kraft paper dyed a deep black with bamboo charcoal ink to emphasize the geometric pattern of light and shadow in the honeycomb structure. Paper softseating can be used as seating or as low tables. The elements can even be stacked and overlaid playfully as building blocks to create unusual seating topographies.
Made a houshold name by Bravo TV’s show Project Runway, Kara Janx has launched her Spring 2007 collection which is simple, modern, and beautiful. The garments are made of rich materials, like this dress made from 100% silk, which is perfect for day or night. The unusual color combinations, will have everyone asking ‘Where did you get that dress?’
Brillare is a dining and party space, an addition to the Risonare wedding resort located in Japan and designed by 2 English Architects, Klein & Dytham of KDa Architecture.
The main space is built around one long table, with 22 chairs on each side for a wedding feast. The table is tapered, starting narrow and widening to its head, and is reserved for the bride and groom.
The room and furniture are completely white. Nature is part of every gathering since it is seen through sliding glass panels running the full length of the room. An abstracted vine pattern frets the ceiling and frames the absent vanishing point – which, when occupied by the adorable couple, commands the center of attention.
A brilliant mirrored finish dissolves the form in glittering reflections of trees and sky. At night there is a surreal vision of wedding guests dressed in their exquisite finery and performing elegant rituals, suspended in a pure white room floating in the darkness of the woods.
http://www.klein-dytham.com/architecture/
McDonald’s has opened its first-ever LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified restaurant. The store is located in the LEED-certified Abercorn Common retail development in Savannah, Ga. Designed by Adams + Associates Architecture, Mooresville, N.C., the McDonald’s features large windows that allow daylight to reach 75 percent of the interior of the restaurant, reducing lighting costs. The restaurant also boasts bike racks, preferred parking for hybrid vehicles, porous pavement, and a white roof. If Micky D’s is doing it, why aren’t you?
Robern, a leader in lighting innovation and storage solutions, is refreshing their lighting offering with the new minimalist Reflexion series. Reflexion is inspired by the modern architectural style where geometric elements intersect and appear to be floating. The frosted glass panels juxtaposed with the mirror is clean and elegant.
Reflexion lights use new T-5 fluorescent technology providing warm fluorescent lighting that is ideal for daily grooming tasks. The narrow fluorescent lamps have a low-profile design, are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and easy to replace.
Entrepreneur Randy Gerber has teamed up with sucessful production designer Charles Infante to transform a famous Art Deco landmark in South Beach, Miami into the new Royal Palm Resort. The resort will convert the 417 room hotel into an exquisitely detailed 130 suites, 35 executive poolside bungalows, and 252 newly refurbished hotel rooms. A wide range of top-of-the range facilities will include a contemporary fusion cuisine restaurant, infinity pool, fitness center, and suites decked out in advanced of technology.
http://www.royalpalmmiamibeach.com/
http://www.charlesinfante.com/
The design team at Patdo Light Studio of Port Chester, NY created a mysterious lighting design for the BathHouse Spa in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. The client requested calming, yet dramatic lighting in an architecturally abstracted ‘cave’ environment. The design solution was to create lighting seeping into the cave through “cracks in the earth.” Grazing of highly textured stone walls and the calming movement of light through water gave the space the ambiance the client was seeking.
Now more than ever, people are seeking to improve the indoor air quality and overall healthiness of their homes. The EcoSmart™ Fire is the very first flue less fireplace ever offered on the market. The unit does not require a pipe or utility connection for its fuel supply so your fire is no longer restricted to your wall. In fact, your fireplace can be as mobile as your couch or coffee table.
The EcoSmart™ Fire is fueled by methylated spirits, an ethanol-based fuel that is renewable and burns clean. That means no wood to split, no sparks, soot, smoke, or harmful exhaust gasses. And its better for the environment. Using 2 liters will generally last 5 hours on its highest setting and heat over a 100 square foot area.
This featured project was once used as stables built in 1920 for a transporting company. Today, the historic stables have been adapted into four, two-storied loft homes by architectural firm Johannsen & Associates, combining some of the old materials with new elements of design. The eclectic mix of the natural timbers, brickwork and weathered steel elements creates a lounge space that maximises the liveability of the space and the fabulous setting. An integral part of this setting is a two-way EcoSmart® Fire.
Fashion designer Jason Wu presented his Spring 2007 collection sponsored by Brizo. Wu combines the modern evening dress with the spirit and detail of vintage clothing. Brizo creates distinctively-designed faucets and accessories that make a fashion statement in the home. Wu collaborated with Brizo to bring the concept of his flowing fabrics to the design of a new line of faucets for Brizo. This collaboration proves that high style can be achieved both on the runway, as well as the home.
http://www.brizofashionweek.com/
Lynn Gaffney Architect of New York, NY helped their client realize the vision of creating a loft-like space within a post-war building on the Upper East Side. They left the rough concrete shell and designed some richly textured woodwork to define the different living spaces of the home while leaving the open loft feeling of the space.
http://www.lynngaffney.com/main.html
Fashion designer, Hussein Chalayan’s collection, ‘Airborne’ collection includes a dress made of LED Crystal (thanks to a special on going collaboration with Swarovski) onto which was projected a video about the four seasons, the inspiration for the collection.
Hutker Architects are located in Massachussets on Martha’s Vinyard and in Falmouth on Cape Cod. They design “new regional vernacular” buildings and interior spaces. This home, called ‘Deer Path’ is a perfect example of familiar design using local materials presented in a fresh and modern way.
http://www.hutkerarchitects.com/
Industrial designer, Lea Bogdan has designed a sophisticated new line of zinc cabinet hardware for Amerock Company’s luxury line of hardware, ‘Galleria’. To see more forthcoming designs from Lea, check her out at the KBIS show in Las Vegas on May 8th-10th or at the Design Philadelphia exhibit ‘InDigenous’ from April 15th-May 6th.
Sean O’Connor Associates Lighting Consultants of Philadelphia has re-invented the opulence of the historic Bellevue penthouse for XIX Cafe in the Park Hyatt. The soft cove lighting combined with the custom pearl necklace chandelier draping from a 36-foot domed ceiling is breathtaking.
http://www.seanoconnorassociates.com/index.html
Ford’s shiny new Airstream concept car is fashion, technology, and design rolled into one: mirror-finished bodywork; an integral lava lamp; hydrogen fuel cell; ceiling mounted display screen; and even on-the-road blogging.
This is a shiny way of showing off Ford’s forthcoming HySeries Drive powertrain, is the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability. The HySeries Drive technology is able to operate using a fuel cell, small gasoline or diesel engine connected to an electric generator to make electricity. It sets the standard for all Ford vehicles to come. The Airstream is creating a new American on-road lifestyle with more than a hint of space-age.
http://www.ford.com
Ford Airstream, concept only
http://www.studiogang.net/site/home.htm
The spring 2007 collection from Lela Rose has simple glamour that is wearable for busy (but stylish) women. In her own words, it is “voluminous while controlled, modern and easy.” The play of shimmering and matte / tone-on-tone fabrics is very elegant.
