March 2005
Misc — March 31, 2005
Posted by James
Modern LEGO architecture
When my niece and nephew are visiting there is always a flurry of activities… I get to go places I would never otherwise go… and yesterday we had LEGOLAND California on the agenda.
LEGOLAND on the whole was not overly impressive as a theme park (the rides and shows were just OK), but the things that they did with LEGO bricks... cars, boats, animals... you name it… oh yeah, my childhood LEGO fantasies were realized. Especially in the Miniland section which was by far the highlight of the park. Here they have recreated seven regions of the United States out of 20 million LEGO bricks.
A fair amount of modern architecture was represented, especially in the New York scene including the yet unbuilt Freedom Tower. So, what the heck. Here is a Land+Living modern tour of LEGOLAND California.
Link: Legoland
Exquisitely simple
Last summer in our coverage of CA Boom, it was noted that Sami Hayek was on the panel of a conference that James attended. We included a link but unfortunately didn't feature any of his work. I recently visited his site, and, well, being the huge fan of bentwood furniture that I am, I was impressed with the work that I found. I was most impressed with the Inana cocktail table (below, bottom left). His work is available in finishes such as walnut, maple, and leather. Featured at right is the rambius shelving unit.
Link: Sami Hayek
Reference: CA Boom (Land+Living)
This isn't your mom's wicker
Is it wicker? Is it wire? Is it a "high-tech plastic"? We're not sure, but whatever it is, Lebello shapes it and paints it in some cool colors. Their product line ranges from ottomans and lamps to chairs and stools. The Hollow ottoman (featured at right) provides an open frame for books to be placed in its center. Each product is available in a wide range of fun colors.
Link: Lebello
Link: Available Colors
It's all about the Altuglass
Using a proprietary acrylic known as "Altuglass", desginers at Aitali have come up with the Alikudi chairs. The acrylic is approximately 25 mm thick and can be embedded with graphics to create bold and striking designs.
In addition to the Alikudi chair, they also manufacture a table and chair set and a chaise lounge, all created with Altuglass. Very cool!
Link: Aitali
A consistent approach to design
Founded in London by architect Philipp Mainze, e15 produces well designed furniture in an array of styles and materials. Some of our favorites include the Tafel bench, the Ingmar console, the Alex side tables, the Harry garden bench, and the Noah bed (featured at right).
"Solid European wood, stainless steel, aluminium and leather are selected with beauty, strength and durability in mind. The feel and appearance of the material inform the design of each product. The shape is modern; the craftsmanship traditional. Designed and built to endure, the pieces are assured, refined and uncomplicated, allowing the natural beauty to be appreciated in its most elegant form."
Link: e15
Via: Wallpaper*
Ch-ch-ch-changes
You might not have noticed but we've been making some small changes to the site here at L+L. We've added pagination to our main pages (finally!) and recently fixed a bug that was causing comments to be submitted multiple times. We've also made a few changes to the database so hopefully pages will load a little bit faster. I'm pretty sure things are running smoothly but if you happen to notice any weirdness, give us a holler and let us know, or simply comment below. As always, thanks for stopping by!
Link: Contact
Bath — March 29, 2005
Posted by James
The Purist Hatbox Toilet from Kohler
Toilets haven't changed too much since they evolved from the outhouse... the shape and parts are fairly standard and predictable. But this is different from anything we've seen.
Conventional cues of the traditional toilet are removed as the minimalist inspired electric toilet offers a clean aesthetic both visually and physically with its innovative tankless design. The result is a utilitarian product which provides tremendous performance yet offers unexpected beauty by turning common perceptions of what the traditional American toilet should look like upside down.
The form is nice and simple... hopefully the technology is simple enough that it won't be a maintenance nightmare. But then again, if you can afford the $2890 price tag...
The real wonder of it all is that the same company that can produce a toilet as sleek and straightforward as the Purist Hatbox also made this.
Link: Kohler Purist Hatbox
Via: MSNBC
Dining — March 29, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Your napkins will love them
Browsing the Moss online store, we were smitten with these industrial looking, albeit pricey, sterling silver napking rings designed by Italian architect, Gabriele De Vecchi. For a cool $1275, this set of 6 rings can be yours as well.
For me, however, I think I'll stick with bicycle cogs and some silver Rustoleum.
Link: Modern Rings (Moss Online)
Architecture, landscapes and installations
Québec based architect Pierra Thibault designs a wide range of projects on a variety of scales. Always central to his work is an understanding of context and the dialogue between design and environment.
The interrelation of landscape, site history and cultural context allows for the development of distinctive solutions that give birth to buildings rich with meaning, atmosphere and heightened sensory awareness.
Link: Pierre Thibault, architecte
Furniture for the modern minded, part II
Back in early February, I had this flashback to my high school woodshop days. It was caused by the X-Lounge from Modern Objects and since their website lacked information about their lounge, I rambled on about the old high school memory it evoked.
Well, since then, it looks like they've been busy because they've got a new site up with quite a few new products and plenty of information. Bravo to them!
So it turns out, the X-Lounge is available in three different woods: poplar, walnut, and teak. In addition to the X-Lounge, they also have a few new tables: the min coffee table, which features a sliding, removeable platform shelf; the hidey table, which features a "box like" shelf for stashing your keys, wallet, etc; and the italic table (at right), which has an off angle book cubby and a floating removable shelf. Nice work, Jesse!
Link: Modern Object
Designer: Jesse Doquillo
Reference: X-Lounge (Land+Living)
Premier online resource for worldwide architectural sales
Architecture For Sale is an online resource featuring some of the most sought after real estate on the planet. From Schindler to Neutra to Murcutt, Architecture For Sale has them listed. The prices of these homes are way out of my price range, but if you've got a million plus burning a hole in your pocket and are in the market for a new home, check them out.
Architecture for Sale is the premier online resource for architectural properties around the world.
For nearly a decade, architectureforsale.
com has featured an eclectic and diverse offering of estates, historic properties and architectural residences. Our current listings may include: a craftsman bungalow in California; a grand Southern plantation inLouisiana; a modernist retreat in Connecticut; a prefabricated house available for construction worldwide; a historic light house in Maine; or an urban loft in Germany. Our goal is to marry a customer with the architectural, historic or estate home of his or her dreams.
Link: Architecture for Sale
An office and a guesthouse
Previously, we mentioned the firm of Kanner Architects in a blog about the AIA/LA Awards. Revisiting their site, we discovered their Canyon View guesthouse.
The owners insisted on a warm modern design that was to be flexible, private, and contextual. The structure's highly articulated form is composed of a series of angled cedar wall planes. "Breaking the box" into a series of angled walls allows the building to more effectively blend into its environment.
Firm: Kanner Architects
From across the pond
From UK Designer Samuel Chan comes Channels.
Channels is an acclaimed British furniture designer-maker. Its distinctive style is a refined modernity - bringing together minimalism in design with the richness and luxe of timber. Every piece of furniture is made in Channels' own workshops and the craftsmanship is superb.
Channels presents at least one new range of furniture a year. Some pieces are available as stock items, others are made to order.
Link: Channels Design
Kitchen — March 25, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Simple, yet impressive
Based on the date of our last entry in the kitchen category -- and the, *sigh*, general lack of entries -- it would appear that we've been neglecting one of our favorite rooms in the house. Well, now that we've found this wonderfull kitchen island from Time & Style, we're hoping that will change. This island features a built-in range and sink with all plumbing and gas lines built into the legs. An extendable top board is included and a pull-out counter is also available as an option. Materials include stainless steel and walnut.
Link: Time & Style
Lighting — March 25, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Creative lighting from Brooklyn
From the Brooklyn studio of designer Jeff Weiss comes lamps in both fluorescent and incandescent flavors. From what I can gather on the site, the incandescent lights are cast in gypsum cement and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The flourescent lights are a mixed variety with some cast from gypsum cement, while others are constructed from a mixture of fluorescent tubes, plaster, and clear resin. The Particle lamp, featured at right, features four eight inch circle lights cast in plaster sphere.
Link: Jeff Weiss Studio
Fresh and imaginative landscape design
Formed in March, 2001, the Tom Leader Studio is a collaborative and experimental office designing based in Berkeley, California. Tom's work is modern and rigourous with roots based in the pioneering methodology of Peter Walker, where Tom was formerly a partner.
The Studio designs on a variety of scales and their projects span the globe, including the Shanghai University Hub which is currently being featured at Groundswell, and Break Out at Cornerstone Festival of Gardens.
Link: Tom Leader Studio
Art framing systems
Aluma Designs manufactures framing products from free-standing tabletop models, wallhanging models, and their versatile panel systems. They have a frame available to accomodate just about any size print. Their panel system (below) can be custom configured in many different sizes, colors, and configurations:
"The Aluma Panel Systems are also perfect as large conceptual art pieces for lofts, homes and or commercial spaces that want the industrialy modern look. You can cut images and frame them in the different panels to make up one image, like the photo on this page, or frame a different image in each panel. The Aluma Panel System offers you limitless possibilities in the creative arena of conceptual design."
Link: Aluma Designs
Use your imagination for this one
The other day, Harry over at Mocoloco talked about websites with little more than photos and that's certainly the case here. Damian Barton's site is full of product imagery (mostly renderings) and very little information. Amongst the renderings, we came across what looks like a finished product: the Pet(al) Chair. We have no idea what materials were used in its construction or even if it's available but we like it nonetheless.
Link: Damian Barton
A clean sense of design
From the look of his work, Charley Wheelock is one hell of a talented cabinetmaker. But his work is so much more than cabinets. From modular shelves to children's furniture, Charley's work is clean and simple. Quite refreshing, actually. We're fans of his Gravity desk as well as his Book Boxes.
"Kapow Design is essential design. Our inspiration stems from an interest in connections. This is embodied initially in our attention to detailed physical joinery and expands to include an emotional connection between people and their surroundings. Unique material choices and a clean sense of design offer a dynamic approach to furniture."
Oh, and while you're checking out his site, you should know that moving your mouse over the children's furniture is quite addicting. Don't say we didn't warn you! ;-)
Link: KaPOW Design
Events — March 18, 2005
Posted by James
California's multidisciplinary contemporary design festival returns
We just got the word today... the CA Boom II website is now up and dates have been announced:
The details are yet to be announced, but the event will be centered once again at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. We are very much looking forward to the sophomore effort for this unique design festival. Stay tuned!
Link: CA Boom II
Reference: CA Boom (last year's Land+Living post and links to our daily reports)
The hotel imagined: 10 Greek architectural teams display their visions for the future
An architectural exhibition running April 19-23, 2005 at the DESTE Foundation’s Centre for Contemporary Art at 8 Omirou Str., Neo Psychico, Athens, Greece.
The exhibition invited 10 avant-garde architects to propose their own vision of what a future hotel could be. The first prize entry will be exhibited in the reDESIgnDESIre exhibition curated by architect Sotirios Papadopoulos at the SoHo gallery in Milan, during the Salone del Mobile 2005.
Link: Invisible Hotel
Visit: DESTE Foundation
Modern home decor and lifestyle products
PlushLiving is a Los Angeles based studio that designs colorful and bold accessories for the home. Their current lineup includes pillows, shower curtains, coasters, journals, and wall art.
"All PlushLiving design revolves around the principle of using striking and contemporary color palettes, high quality materials, and innovative packaging. Each product is highly stylized to create a glamorous statement."
Designers: Kenneth W & Shirley C
Link: PlushLiving
A "young man" shines in an old man's profession
Today, on Saint Patrick's Day, we pay tribute to a great Irish-American architect, Lorcan O'Herlihy. Well, actually.... today Archinect just happened to point us to an article from that the LA Times by Barbara King published back in December about Lorcan... so anyway...
We dig Lorcan. He's a very nice guy who does cool work. I actually cold-called his office looking for a job about 5 years ago, and Lorcan spoke to me on the phone for a couple minutes even though he didn't have any openings. The fact that he would even personally take my call blew me away.
So, for our St. Patrick's Day tribute to Lorcan O'Herlihy, we've included a bunch of previously unpublished pics from our tour of his home at last year's CA Boom festival, provided tons of linkage, and we lift a pint of Guinness... well, actually we'd do that anyway. Sláinte!
Firm: Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects
Article: LA Times - All he needs is a little room
Article: Irish-Architecture.com
Link: Kline residence image gallery
Link: ArchNewsNow - Habitat 825
Link: ArchNewsNow - Hillside Haven: Lexton/MacCarthy Residence
Via: Archinect
Reference: CA Boom (Land+Living)
A modern mountain retreat in Italy
There is a certain equation that we cant resist:
modern design + mountain location
We can't help it. We must blog it. Those of you who read us often already know that.
I flipped past this really quickly at Wallpaper a while back... but I was in a hurry and didn't realize that it contained the magic variables, so I didn't delve further.
Located in the middle of South Tyrol at 1500 meters, this resort is accessible only by cable car (add another childhood fantasy point for this one). Designed by Milan based architect (and one time creative director for Swatch) Mattheo Thun, the structure is at once sleek and organic. Each room contains a fabricated rammed earth wall which serves as a divider and thermal mass for the embedded radiant heating elements... nice.
Visit: Vigilius Mountain Resort
Firm: Mattheo Thun
Via: Earth Architecture
"Cultivating culture and form"
Symmetry Showroom features rugs handknotted in the "finest wool" available in numerous patterns and designs. They are a showroom for numerous partners including Gus, SpekeKlein, and Ethnicities. In addition, they also carry handpicked items from Tibet, Thailand, Phillipines, Peru, and elsewhere.
Besides rugs, they also feature contemporary home furnishings with an Eastern flair.
Link: Symmetry Showroom
"Wood is a living material"
Based in Finland, Albicantes specializes in wooden interior objects. Wood varieties include aspen, birch, mahogany, maple, oak, and walnut. We're especially fond of the Wind vase (featured at right) along with the Motion tray (below).
All Albicantes products are designed and crafted for everyday use. The products are coated with natural tree oils and wax. Direct contact with water is not recommended for any wooden surface though wood can be wiped for cleaning with a wet cloth. The coating keeps the wooden surface naturally lively and protects the material from dust and humidity.
Link: Albicantes
Pets — March 14, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Fetching dog products
As the canine-obsessed one here at L+L (that other guy is into *gasp* felines!), it's always good to come across fun pooch products with a modern slant. With that in mind, the pooch gear from Otis and Claude fits the bill. With products ranging from tug toys, bowls, and of course bedding, they've got a great selection sure to please just about every dog owner. And for you cat lovers, they've even got a kitty condo.
Link: Otis and Claude [Thanks Peter!]
Simplicity. Defined.
In the past, the majority of our landscape posts, with a few exceptions, focused primarily on residential projects. However, when I came across Mikyoung Kim's Contemplation Garden, I thought it would fit in quite nicely with the other posts in this category.
In this spare entrance garden, bamboo, moss, water, and granite are used to create a contemplative courtyard and sculptural pool. The granite water wall invites users to engage directly with the water before entering the contemplative area where the pool reflects the movement of the sky.
Also be sure to check out Mikyoung's "Navigations Garden".
Link: Mikyoung Kim
The Philip Cramer Collection for Bernhardt
With his experience in photography, graphic design and furniture design, and Swiss and American heritage, Geneva based designer Philippe Cramer is an interesting fellow who's work seem to draw from his eclectic background.
We like the way this collection of chairs and tables simply and elegantly balances opposites of material and form.
Designer: Philippe Cramer
Manufacturer: Bernhardt
"The Land of the Rising Sun will not bow to the shrinking space"
As a follow up to the quasi-debate going on with regard to our post about The Very Small Home, here is an article that talks further with author Azby Brown about building smart in Japan... and elsewhere.
At Land+Living, we're all about functional space. Americans as a generalization may think that bigger is better... however we think that functional is better. Perhaps square footage is not so important as "well designed" usable space. Urban property values continue to spiral upwards (like for us in Los Angeles) forcing us to truly consider how we live and what we value.
(Azby Brown) suggests that the small house is actually superior to its larger incarnations and that, given a choice, the truly discerning are opting for life on the squeeze.
Read.
Article: Telegraph - Turning Japanese, why aren't we turning Japanese?
Via: Archinect
Reference: The Very Small Home (Land+Living)
Personal — March 11, 2005
Posted by James
An updated site tells you where you can get 'em
People seem to be flipping out about where to find those fresh and funky Pumas by our favorite Frenchman, Philippe Starck.
Well, we have some answers... a new website lets you play with the creepy dood shown at right, sweetly tells you how couples come togethere, features a downloadable monkey mask as well as info on how to have a monkey party, AND provides a listing of stores worldwide where you can find the shoes.
Link: Starck Puma
Reference: Starck does Puma (Land+Living)
Michelle Kaufmann strikes again at the Sunset Celebration Weekend 2005
The prefab GlidehouseTM design by architect Michelle Kaufmann made quite a splash last year at Sunset Magazine's Celebration Weekend in Menlo Park, California. So much so that this year's Celebration will feature an encore.
The BreezehouseTM is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,798 square foot modular home with an optional 248 square foot third bedroom module. The house is organized around a light-filled central space called the Breezeroom which is opens to outdoor living spaces at each end and is topped by butterfly roof.
Firm: MK Architecture
Link: Live Modern - Catch the Breezehouse at Sunset
Visit: Sunset Celebration Weekend - May 21 & 22, 2005
Reference: The Fab New World of Prefab Houses (Land+Living)
Reference:
Prefab-o-rama (Land+Living)
Outdoor — March 9, 2005
Posted by James
Fine outdoor furniture
We're always on the lookout for cool outdoor furniture. Henry Hall Designs is based in San Francisco and is available throughout the U.S. They offer a wide range of styles by designers such as Frank Boschman, Julian Chichester, Jean-Louis Guinochet, Wim Segers and Kris Van Puyvelde. Of course, we like the contemporary collections they offer. And Treehugger says they're OK... all teak is plantation grown... so you can rest easy while you lounge in the sun.
Link: Henry Hall Designs
Eclectic Southern California gardens
I met Rob Steiner back when he was partners with Jay Griffith... it was an interview actually... and I didn't take the job. But that is another story. I liked Rob's work at the time, and I like it now.
Steiner brings a modern sensibility to his designs which are wonderfully composed and structured architecturally to create outdoor living spaces and extend and/or transform the architecture of the house. He is especially adept in his planting plans which (to borrow from his website since this says it best) "are distinguished for their graphic quality, successional bloom, subtle modulations of tone and year-round foliage interest."
Firm: Rob Steiner Gardens
It's all about the Turkish ply, baby
Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar are multidisciplinary designers based in Istanbul, not Constantinople... ahem. Their work covers the gamut: architecture, interior design and product design
Their temporary website shows a range of cool furniture and lighting designs. We're are particularly impressed with their wide array of plywood furniture. Fun stuff, and we're looking forward to seeing more from Autoban when they get around to finishing their new website. Their new website is now up!
Link: Autoban
Update 4/9/05: Interiors by Autoban (L+L)
Books — March 7, 2005
Posted by James
Great and good.
A bit of a lull around here... sorry folks, sometimes we just slow down for some reason. Other than just being busy, I've been spending part of my time with this book.
I was introduced to The Great Good Place when I was working on my graduate thesis, but I only read a couple of chapters... back then I had stacks of books I was reading, so many were only given a quick scan. Six years later I am finally getting around to actually reading the whole thing. It is an interesting look at the roll of places (especially unique and authentic places) in social and community life.
The Great Good Place argues that "third places" - where people can gather, put aside the concerns of work and home, and hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation - are the heart of a community's social vitality and the grassroots of democracy.
Author: Ray Oldenburg
Link: Amazon
Art — March 4, 2005
Posted by James
More photography... and more from Peter Baker
It must be photography week here at Land+Living - first the work of eco-artist Kathryn Miller who photo-documents her field projects, then photographer Chris Jordan yesterday, and our photo spread on Groundswell. To top it off, this morning Peter Baker, who we featured back in June, paid us a visit to let us know about his new site: TreeMeat.
We liked his stuff then, and we like it now. Mmmm... TreeMeat... tasty. Seriously, take a look for yourself. Tasty, right?
Link: TreeMeat
Reference: Peter Baker
Art — March 3, 2005
Posted by James
The phenomenon of American consumerism
We were blown away by the images of Seattle based photographer Chris Jordan when we ran across his website over at Archinect.
In large-format color, these images take the viewer on a tour behind the façade of the American Dream into the underbelly of our consumer society, where the vast cumulative effects of our individual consumer choices are visible. These images invite viewers to consider the complexity and scale of the consumerism issue, and to evaluate their own role in the consumptive process.
Chris's photographs are sublimely beautiful and haunting.
Link: Chris Jordan Photography
Events — March 3, 2005
Posted by James
"Landscape architecture is back"
Slate 's architecture critic, Witold Rybczynski, reviews MoMA's Groundswell exhibit with a slide-show essay. Bookending the review, Mr. Rybcynski provides some historical perspective of landscape design, and laments the lack of a "landscape approach to rebuilding" the World Trade Center site.
And we've added LOTS of images of our own for your browsing pleasure (thanks to MoMA's Press Office). Lots of images means waiting for them to download... please be patient, won't you?
Enjoy.
Link: Slate - The Aesthetics of Urban Renewal
Reference: Groundswell (Land+Living)
Reference: "Confronting Blight With Hope" (Land+Living)
Reference: "From Ruin and Artifice, Landscapes Reborn" (Land+Living)
Bath — March 2, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Unique Industrial Style
The Waterblade (featured at right) and the Frame are two faucet designs from Lacava Designs. The Waterblade features sleek contemporary lines and comes in both wall-mounted and deck-mounted configurations. They are available in brushed nickel and polished chrome.
The Frame series (below) is also available in deck or wall-mounted configurations and features a braided steel hose attached to an external frame.
Link: Lacava Design
Via: Trendir [Thanks, Joe!]
Art — March 2, 2005
Posted by James
Eco-artist
One of the strongest influences from my college education was my exposure to the works of artist Kathryn Miller at Pitzer College. The concepts and perspectives behind her art struck a deep chord with me, and are an influence in my thinking to this day - a philosophy of working with the land.
Kathryn is both an artist and biologist and is particularly concerned with the importance of place - local ecology, native species, and the natural condition. Many of her projects are interventions which work with ecological systems, while others are commentary dealing with issues of ecological concern. Based in Southern California Kathryn's projects are inspired by local issues such as arid landscapes, urban sprawl and non-native species - from guerilla re-vegetation to lawn life-support, etc.
My work is not about beauty but about challenging the "notion" of beauty that prevails as a general aesthetic in our culture.
Link: greenmuseum.org - Kathryn Miller
A modern woodland home in the Chilterns
Located on a wooded hillside in the Chilterns, Oxfordshire, U.K., this simple modern house fits wonderfully into it's surroundings.
Designed by London based architect Níall McLaughlin, the house is a straightforward glass box concept laid out on a regularized 12 square grid. A second glass box protrudes perpendicular to the main structure and encloses a lap pool.
Firm: Níall McLaughlin Architects
Award: Irish Architecture Awards 2002
