September 2004
Materials — September 29, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Innovative products from recycled materials
"In 1994 a range of sheets made from old plastics bottles was launched. Originally containing shampoo, detergent or milk, they bottles have been collected, sorted, flaked and thoroughly washed to remove any remaining contaminants. Looking like multi-coloured corn-flakes the pieces are then compressed into sheets by a process of heat and pressure, which retains the colours of the original bottles.
The sheet materials in our second product range are made from high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and are harder and more rigid than the sheets from bottles.
Smile Plastics has range called Jazz, made from tough, industrial plastic. As this material is available in individual colours, we can offer a customised sheet by blending any combination of red, brown, blues, yellow, green, black and white in any ratio. Standard items are just two colour mixes.
Since then we have launched products made crushed CDs, plastic water bottles, toothbrushes, banknotes, and Dapple, scrap from our own factory. In 2003 we introduced recycled Mobile Phones and Wellies."
Link: Smile Plastics
Multi-purpose isolation pod
We're not quite sure what to make of this, but if you're looking for isolation while in the surroundings of comfort and technology, the Oculas might be for you.
The Oculas can be outfitted with a flat-screen monitor, 5.1 surround sound, PC, Playstation, XBox, and much, much more.
Now if only this thing could fly (think Jetsons....)
"Relax inside an Oculas and experience pure luxurious comfort whilst enjoying the intensity of its brilliant sound and cinematic vision.
WORK inside a secure Oculas environment on the fastest pc computer seamlessly installed for enhanced network conferences and all your business needs wherever you are in the world.
REST in the pure luxury of the comfy interior whilst listening to your favourite sound tracks and bathing in waves of rejuvenating light. Heated leather seating that massages your entire back invigorates your body back to life.
PLAY against other competitors inside the sound booming, vibrating experience of your Oculas. You can see, feel and hear the excitement of fully immersed gaming with live racing, flight simulations and the full range of game console variations."
Designer: Lee McCormack
Link: The Oculas
Books — September 26, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Old School Prefab
"Comprehensive guide to prefabricated houses circa 1947. Describes in detail the five different methods of prefabrication and sets forth the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Photographs and floor plans plus facts and figures about each manufacturer's homes. Includes a directory of prefabricators with addresses. Midcentury modern as well as more conventional designs."
Link: Dig Modern
Landscape — September 24, 2004
Posted by James
Los Angeles landscape architecture and urban design firm
Here is some nice regional landscape design by Michael Schneider of Orange Street Studio.
Their expertise lies in transforming stylish conceptual designs into elegant outdoor spaces. And their designs are distinctively Southern Californian. From modern and minimal, Mediterranean, to tropical and desert; steel pergolas are complimented by mass plantings of ornamental and native grasses or sculptural vines and trees; cooling water elements are interwoven with succulents and aromatic plantings; spectacular pools are highlighted by playful or sophisticated lines. Orange Street Studio is valued by their clients for an eye for the unusual, attention to detail and creating the extraordinary.
Link: Orange Street Studio
Furniture — September 23, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Bentwood furniture with chromed steel
The Relax System by Parri, introduced in 2002, features lounge chairs, arm chairs, and tables built from veneered plywood with chrome or painted tubular steel.
Designer: Marco Maran
Link: Parri
Kitchen — September 22, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Custom modular kitchens and worktops
"KOBENHAVN DESIGN is a team of Danish and American professionals based in New York City that specializes in high-end wooden custom worktops and cabinetry.
All products are produced in Denmark with the highest level of craftsmanship, technology and expertise."
Link: Kobenhavn Design
Photo tour of residence in Poissy, France designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Janneret
Saphenia features a very nice photo tour of this 1931 Corbu masterwork... the most comprehensive collection of photos I have seen of the Villa Savoye anywhere.
The Villa is a physical manifesto of Le Corbusier's "five points of the new architecture" with its grid of supporting pilotis, horizontal window bands, free facade, open interior plan and roof terraces. The articulated circulation system also exemplifies Corbu's idea of the "architectural promenade."
Link: Saphenia - Villa Savoye
Via: Things Magazine
10-storey Paris apartment building by Edouard François
"Flower Tower" is a bit of a misnomer since bamboo isn't a regularly flowering plant (bamboo generally dies after flowering, and most species are long lived, so you connect the dots), but it sounds better than "Bamboo Building" I guess. This Parisian apartment block features a green facade of bamboo planted in 380 large concrete pots embedded in the balconies.
Article: Guardian - Flower power
Firm: Edouard François
Concept conference table design by GRO
While we have visited GRO's website many times before, we have always overlooked this little gem. Though this design is not being produced, it just struck us as worth sharing.
The table features two circular sockets in the center of the table that can accept any number of modular plug-in pieces including electrical outlets, light fixtures, and various containers.
Link: GRO Design
An Interview with Bert Gregory
"BetterBricks talked with Bert Gregory, President & CEO of Mithun, a Seattle-based architecture, design and planning firm and a national leader in resource sensitive and sustainable design."
"Mithun is probably best known for its design of the REI stores and IslandWood, the innovative environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Bert served as design team leader for both of those projects."
Link: BetterBricks
Firm: Mithun
Master plan seeks to encourage environmental sensitivity and celebrate cultural diversity
The concept for this master plan consists of four interrelated themes - A Water Synthesis, The Cultural Connection, The Green Connection (or sustainability), and Plants in Community (Plants in natural associations or ecosystems). Each of these themes are a facet of the underlying idea for the master plan, which only together form a cohesive vision of enduring sustainability.
The scope of work includes a new 15,000 square foot Reception and Administration Building by BKSK Architects.
Firm: Conservation Design Forum - Lead consultant landscape and planning (PDF)
Firm: BKSK Architects - Architecture
Firm: Atelier Dreiseitl - Water specialists
Link: Queens Botanical Garden
Via: NY Times - A Queens Garden Gives New Meaning to 'Green'
Hotel designed by Los Angeles and Berlin based Graft
Designed by more fellow SCI-Arc grads, the new Q! new hotel on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin is a 4 star hotel with 72 rooms, four studios, one penthouse and a bar and spa (wellness area).
The interior of Denari-esque undulating planes was designed to fit into the shell of the new building designed by another architect. Continuous surfaces (where floors wrap up to become walls, seating areas, beds, counters and ceilings) are used throughout the hotel providing a "cocoonlike" effect.
Firm: Graft
Link: Q! Berlin
Via: Architectural Record
Location: L+L Maps - Hotel Q!
Lighting — September 15, 2004
Posted by James
Clip spot lamp
We've always liked the simple utility of binder clips (hmmm... maybe we need to do a "101 uses for the binder clip" blog someday). Anyway, here's one for the less is more category. We really dig this little fixture by Jonas Damon for Habitat that strips down the clip lamp to its bare essentials using the binder clip as inspiration (without being cutesy about it).
Designer: Jonas Damon Office for Design
Link: Habitat
News — September 14, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Turn your roof into a living skin
MSNBC/Newsweek article on rooftop gardening:
Got a green thumb? Gardens are for amateurs; consider applying your talents with plants to your roof. A movement with, uh, roots in Germany is picking up steam in the United States that aims to ameliorate ecological problems from storm water runoff to urban greenhouse warming. A "green roof" or "ecoroof" replaces traditional roofing with a lightweight, living system of soil, compost and vegetation. It's not about looking pretty (although it does) but rather creating a thin, green skin atop your building that gives a little something back to the world—and your pocket book. Apart from local environmental benefits, preliminary evidence suggests green roofs reduce roof maintenance costs and energy use by insulating buildings from extreme temperatures.
Link: MSNBC
Books — September 14, 2004
Posted by James
"The issue of landscape is of increasing concern to us as the twenty-first century begins, not only as an area of design and study but also as it is affected by building development and the maintenance of eco-systems. This important and highly topical book extends the existing debate to examine recent projects and their part in our growing concern about the maintenance and enhance-ment of our natural spaces."
"Modern Landscape features over thirty international projects, including schemes by both architects and landscape architects, often working in collaboration. Following an introductory essay, the book is arranged into four sections of extensively illustrated case studies, each of which deals with a different aspect of landscape design - Parkland, Architecture as Landscape, Garden Landscapes and Urban Interventions - relating it directly to historical and contemporary precedents."
Author: Michael Spens
Link: Amazon
Materials — September 14, 2004
Posted by James
The green alternative to drywall with 10x the strength
"From floors to ceilings, walls to roofs, Durra Building Systems' breakthrough products deliver a better way to build."
"Starting with a long overlooked agricultural byproduct, Durra creates an innovative and environmentally sound building material. The patented Durra process uses both high heat and extreme pressure to coax out the fiber's resins, which act as a strong and permanent bonding agent. Durra dry extrudes and finishes the panels with a strong, water-resistant liner paper."
Link: Durra
Lighting — September 13, 2004
Posted by James
Kinetic light fixture
This is the kind of thing we love, a product that is unique without trying too hard. Amsterdam based Tjepkema studio adds movement to a light fixture by using the heat generated by the bulbs. The concept is not new, but the execution here above and beyond.
Heat generated by halogen lights activates a propeller and thus movement in the Dancing Shades lamp. The lamp projects shadows on the wall that create the same type of relaxing and hypnotic atmosphere that reflections of moving water create.
Unfortunately, this is a prototype and is not available for purchase at this time.
Link: Tjepkema studio
Mid-century modern home in the Lone Star state
Now this is a nice house with beautiful integration of interior and exterior spaces adapted to the local climate. The home was built in the 1957 and was recently restored and updated by Austin, Texas based Steinbomer & Associates Architects. We're not sure who designed the landscaping, but we think that it is nicely integrated with the architecture and is perfectly suited to the local environment. The project included the addition of a master bedroom and a wonderful trellised courtyard with a translucent wall facing the street.
Link: Steinbomer & Associates Architects
Landscape: John Wilder [Thanks Gregory!]
Modern African safari accomodations
"Situated In The Makuleke Region In The Northern- Most Part Of Kruger National Park- The Outpost Rests High On A Hill Overlooking The Floodplains Of The Limpopo And Luvuvhu Rivers. This Region Is Bordered To The North By Zimbabwe And The East By Crooks. Corner And Mozambique. Measuring 24000 Hectares The Region Is Well Known For Its Abundant Wildlife And Excellent Birding Includes Less Common Species Not Evident In The Southern And Central Regions Of The Park. The Diverse Terrain Includes Mopane Woodlands- Fever Tree Forests- Acacia Thickets As Well As Some Of The Largest And Oldest Baobab Specimens.
Acclaimed Italian born architect Enrico Daffonchio designed The Outpost. Using simple, clean lines and combining elements of steel and canvas the unashamedly contemporary design of The Outpost emphasizes its beautiful surrounds but blends and preserves the wilderness that is its home.
"
Link: The Outpost
Reproduction "space age" molded fiberglass planters
These neato planters by Austin, Texas based Hip Haven are "faithful reproductions" of the original bullet planters manufactured in the 50's. The planters are available in 9 fiberglass colors. The stands are metal in a choice of 4 finishes and are available in 3 different heights. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Peachy keen.
Link: Hip Haven
Kids, Misc — September 10, 2004
Posted by Anthony
The Almost Bicycle
We found this cool little "almost bicycle" while browsing over at Sparkability and liked its look and design. The manufacturer doesn't have the English language section of their website up yet but here's a Babelfish hack/translation of some info:
The LIKEaBIKE are an unique houten bicycle without pedals for children between 2 and 6 years. The design and the technique of the LIKEaBIKE have been exactly coordinated on the motorieke skills and the natural bewegingsdrang of this age group. Spelenderwijs Spelenderwijs the child gets acquainted with its first bicycle, is LIKEaBIKE or too, however, is "almost bicycle"! At its first careful bicycle attempts the child will play ahead pushing and the possibilities firstly with the LIKEaBIKE, to discover Self-confidence Already rapidly discovered the child that it can and it will be run live already sitting on the saddle first mobility. Within very short time balance and manoeuvre and goes it learns the child always more rapidly and more rapidly. The LIKEaBIKE go too fast or threaten he to fall then the child instinctively correct by putting itself both feet on the ground or and this way recover it the control concerning the LIKEaBIKE. Spelenderwijs the child passes through these steps and becomes it within some days an expert in "bicycles". This is tevens a development in feeling of independence.
Link: LIKEaBIKE California
Link: Houtenfiets.nl
Link: Sparkability
Related: Sibi Max (Mocoloco)
Functional works of art created from discarded road signage
We've always had a fascination with the bold graphics and colors of road signs, but not so much in the frat house aesthetic kind of way... though we have to admit there is something intriguing about the idea of bringing signs into the home. Now we've found a way to satisfy that desire: road signs repurposed as functional objects!
Borris Bally ingeniously maintains the pleasingly primitive aspects of this notion; he reclaims the material but sublimely transforms its utility. His pieces include furniture, tableware, jewelry, etc.
I attempt to produce pieces of technical integrity and rich content. The rhythmic quality of design elements in my work become specific metaphors for strength and stability, as well as the danger and pain of life, while maintaining a disarming edge of humor.
Artist: Borris Bally
Link: Guild
Green, News — September 9, 2004
Posted by James
The only way is up when looking for new habitats for urban wildlife
"Green roofs are a new fashion in nature conservation, promoted enthusiastically by the wildlife campaigner Dusty Gedge, of Livingroofs.org."
"With an estimated 24,000 hectares of roof space in London alone - an area 28 times the size of Richmond Park - the potential of green roofs is clear. As brownfield sites are developed, the only direction left for wildlife in many areas is up"
Article: Independent Digital (UK) - Room at the top
Link: Livingroofs.org
Reference:
Roofscapes (Land+Living)
A modern approach to suburban development ties agricultural traditions to the Midwest landscape
Minneapolis, Minnesota based Coen + Partners is a landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm with a modern approach that is influenced by regionalism.
It is our intent to create interfaces between cultural and natural systems with lasting social and ecological impacts. Designed spaces can articulate and highlight physical relationships in ways that bring meaning and beauty to man-altered environments.
Coen + Partners headed the planning and design for the Mayo Woodlands, a thoughtful reinterpretation of a typical residential subdivision near Rochester, Minnesota. The firm altered the inherited street and lot layout with four interventions: first, native prairie grasses overlay the site creating a uniform natural field; second, building sites for each residence were carved out of the prairie in an orthogonal layout deemphasizing the curving cul-de-sacs; third, traditional agricultural windbreaks of pine trees were laid across the site from east to west; and fourth, a series of low east/west walls and fences delineate paths connecting the neighborhoods. In addition, the colors of the houses are to graduate from off-white to grey and black as one moves through the site towards the river.
Firm: Coen + Partners
Firm: Salmela Architecture & Design
Firm: Altus Architecture
Link: Mayo Woodlands
Link: ASLA Award
Article: Star Tribune (registration required)
Lighting — September 8, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Creative ways for product design
Front Design is a four person design group based in Stockholm, Sweden. Their Fly Lamp (featured at right and below) was created using motion capture. This motion capture was then plotted and used as the basis for the lamp shade. They have several other fantastic products on their site as well. Vases cast from dog footprints in the snow; a lamp made from the mould of a rabbit hole; a lounge chair moulded from the hole of an explosion. Their work is some of the most creative that we've seen. Definitely drop by their site and take a look at the rest of their work.
Link: Front Design
News — September 8, 2004
Posted by James
A whole lot of talk about prefab
Yesterday's MD 100 sighting was just a taste... today we have the fix for you prefab junkies.
ArchNewsNow features an interview with Michelle Kaufmann, creator of the Glidehouse.
Link: ArchNewsNow - Interview: Michelle Kaufmann and Glidehouse: Chic and Green
Next, an article in the October issue of Time Magazine talks about prefab including Michelle Kaufmann (again), Adam Kalkin and kit homes by Michael Graves and James Cutler for Lindal Cedar Homes.
Link: Time - Prefab Rehab
And finally your prefab buzz kill... an opinion piece in the Opinion Journal takes a stab at the Dwell Home.
Link: Opinion Journal - The Wieler-Tung Home:
Modernist, modular, but not yet mass produced
Pool House on Extreme Makeover, Home Edition
Flipping channels this evening I came across the tail end of the ABC show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. As they were panning over the backyard, one thing in an otherwise typical "Extreme Makeover" style landscape caught my eye: an MD 100! It was constructed next to the pool and I must say, made for quite the attractive pool house.
Link: Extreme Makeover
Link: Modular Dwellings
Related: MD 100 Shed (Land+Living)
Furniture — September 7, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Bent. Wood.
We love the organic shape of this bentwood table. The Moroso website simply says "Plywood curved lacquered or stained".
The table is availble in beechwood or cherry and measures 45 x 43 x 40.
Designer: Jacob Wagner
Link: Moroso
Art — September 4, 2004
Posted by James
Architectural and documentary photographer
Brian Rose has photographed the work of many notable architects including Philip Johnson, Cesar Pelli, Aldo Rossi, Helmut Jahn, and MVRDV just to name a few. A browse through his online portfolio is interesting and impressive.
Rose's website also features a powerful photo series entitled The Lost Border which documents the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall before and after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Lost Border is set to be published this fall by Princeton Architectural Press.
Link: Brian Rose
Books — September 4, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Architect of Steel
"Japanese architect Shuhei Endo can be defined as an architect of steel since he distinctly favors this material in the buildings he designs and continually experiments with its infinite possibilities. His works are apparently weightless and communicate a sense of liberty: undulating sheets of steel are twisted into spirals and wrapped around buildings in overlapping layers, like petals of flowers, or arranged on different levels to create a membrane around open spaces. This approach is most evident in the “great roofs” that house Endo-designed offices, such as Rooftecture N (Nisinomiya, Hyogo, 1998), or spaces for relaxation and meetings, such as Rooftecture T (Fukui, 1997), as well as private homes, such as Springtecture H (Harima, 1998) and Rooftecture M (Maruoka, 2001). Born in 1960 in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, he graduated in 1986 from the Kyoto School of Art and then joined the Osamu Ishii & Biken Associates architectural studio. In 1988 he founded the Shuhei Endo Institute in Osaka and began teaching at Kinki University, Kobe Design University and the Fukui Institute of Technology."
Author: Shuhei Endo
Link: Amazon
Books — September 3, 2004
Posted by James
160 figures that have shaped America's land
"An important look at 140 prominent landscape architects and their work, full of new and archival photographs--the first reference book of its kind. An absolute must for landscape architects, students, and anyone interested in the design and evolution of the American landscape. Each entry includes biographical information, a discussion of the architects' approach and methodology, and representative plans and photographs of major projects. Emphasizes vital issues in landscape preservation and ecologically sound design."
Authors: Charles A. Birnbaum & Robin Karson
Link: Amazon
Retail — September 3, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Fun products from independent designers
Elsewares is a new breed of design catalog based in New York that features the works of independent designers. We like their product assortment in a ReadyMade/Dwell sort of way. Also, when you go through their checkout process, you are able to vote for a non-profit group that you would like Elsewares to contribute to. At the end of each quarter, the group with the most votes will receive a portion of Elsewares' profits. Nice.
Some of the products we like are the Super Bowl by Elasticco and the Bottle Opener/Fridge Magnent from Suck UK.
Link: Elsewares
Via: Engadget
Green — September 3, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Guide to green home remodeling
Billed as the "resource for beautiful, safe, and local remodeling", the Green Home Guide has resources for those of you wishing to remodel your home with environmentally sound products. While it tends to focus on Northern California, the ideas presented in the Guide should be useful wherever you are located.
"GreenHomeGuide is a community-based resource for advice and information about environmentally sound home remodeling. We connect green building experts with each other, and with homeowners who want to green their own homes. We believe the passion and expertise of the green professional community desperately needs to be shared – to advise, inspire, and challenge each other. The Guide is a forum for this communication and growth to occur between all the various interested parties – homeowners, builders, architects, designers, retailers, and manufacturers."
Link: Green Home Guide
Via: World Changing
A brilliant online photo log
This is the nicest web photo log we've seen since Franzen and Karpova's Japan Sections.
A beautiful collection of images in a well designed immersive web environment.... it reminds me of a class at SCI-Arc, Seeing LA (which no longer seems to be part of the curriculum). Actually, Piperboy reminds me of the damned over achievers in my class who always went above and beyond not only capturing some of the nicest images, but blew everyone else away with their presentations... the ones from who the rest of us would steal inspiration.
I always enjoy seeing another designer's perspective and understanding of physical environments. Thanks for sharing, Piperboy.
Link: Piperboy's travel scrapbook
Via: Coudal
Furniture — September 2, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Bentwood Bamboo
Our fascination with bentwood furniture continues with these simple, yet modern, pieces from Adapt Design.
"The Spring Chair's single part form minimizes weight and material waste. Its ergonomic design is contoured to the body. The strength and flexibility of bamboo create a gentle rocking action in a sled-based chair.
Insted of using birch ply, douglas fir, or any other typical "tree" wood, Adapt has chosen to use bamboo, which I have learned, is not a tree, but a giant grass. For an informative introductory about bamboo and its many uses, check out Adapt's materials page.
Link: Adapt Design
Link: Materials
Landscape — September 2, 2004
Posted by James
Landscape in Highland Park, Illinois by Daniel Weinbach & Partners
This residential landscape by Chicago based landscape architecture firm Daniel Weinbach & Partners caught our attention with its effective integration of interior and exterior spaces.
The thoughtful integration of architecture into the landscape through the use of materials and geometry is effective and beautiful. Moving away from the house, the geometry loosens and the design transitions gracefully to a more naturalistic state.
Firm: Daniel Weinbach & Partners, LTD
Modular storage units
"Sapporo is a refined and versatile storage system. It can be used as an individual element, or can be stacked up to six units high. The units sit on a steel base, which can be either fixed or on castors. The tempered glass sliding doors are available in a transparent or frosted finish. Also of red plexiglass.
"Sapporo units can have wheels for the units with 1 or 2 highs. The dimensions of the system are the same."
Link: Stua
Designer: Jesus Gasca
Books — September 1, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Modernist Gardens in Southern California
From the publisher:
"When we think of the gardens of Southern California, we tend to think of the enormous semiarid landscapes of the Huntington and Rancho Los Alamitos, often built on the sprawling grounds of former ranches. But there is another garden tradition in Southern California: the modest, rectangular suburban plots designed by the most famous architects of mid-century modernism: Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, Gregory Ain, Raphael Soriano, Harwell Hamilton Harris, A. Quincy Jones, and John Lautner. These architects saw the garden as an outdoor extension of the space of the houses they designed, rather than a neo-Spanish fantasy to be added later by a "landscapist." Their modern gardens made use of low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants, and made room for informal outdoor living by children and adults with an emphasis on recreation and exercise."
Authors: Pamela Burton, Marie Botnick
Link: Princeton Architectural
