MOST COMMENTED
MVRDV Moves Into Mountains
Ever commited to the unconventional, MVRDV has designed a housing complex for Liuzhou, China that once again defies convention. The location of the project is a valley where the eroding mountain face will be enveloped by a series of staggered boxed structures that will leave pockets of vegetation in an amalgam of built and natural form. In the valley itself is a wetland or constructed pond that is shown to support both vegetation and housing on its edge.
There is something parasitic about the development as it grows from the valley, and unfortunately there is neither an ecological nor slope stabilization strategy present on their Web site, but it would be interesting to know how they plan on striking a balance between the existing ecology and proposed architecture. Liuzhou is scheduled to be completed in 2007.
Link: MVRDV
Via: China Daily
A prefabricated house built by Living Homes designed by Ray Kappe
Prefab seems to have been the panacea for many young architects seeking to make a name for themselves. Many efforts have not gotten off the ground and frankly many have not been overwhelmingly impressive. But a name like Ray Kappe (founder of SCI-Arc and a well respected west coast architect) lends a certain credibility to this prefab proposal.
There is a lot to like about Living Homes first product as designed by Kappe - green materials, solar power, living roof system, reduced construction waste. A model home is currently under construction in Santa Monica, California, and Living Homes is apparently developing a community near Joshua Tree National Park thus creating their own economy of scale. Plus they'll let you buy your own prefab to plant wherever you like.
You can check out Living Homes at CA Boom 3 where they will be exhibiting in the "prefab Zone" and presenting at the Speakers Conference.
Link: Living Homes
Bath — June 16, 2004
Posted by James
Kohler and the arts: the Arts/Industry program
We think that Kohler makes some pretty nicely designed products, but this just leaves us speechless.
Link: Kohler
German Architects are about to build the first Car Loft.
The acropolis of transportation engineering and home of arguably the greatest four wheel creations in history has taken the next step towards composing the ultimate ode to the automobile: the car loft. German architects Manfred Dick (who sought a patent for his concept) and Johannes Kauka are about to break ground for what promises to be a wet and steamy dream for car enthusiasts and safety minded yuppies alike.
Link: CarLoft [Thanks, Mom!]
Link: Heuer (pdf)
Minimalist, sustainable, functional
This slick smoke detector has been talked about quite a bit, but it is such a simple and graceful solution that it warrants yet another plug.
Created by brothers Jason and Geoffry Rosenblatt of San Francisco, the Modern Smoke Detector has a minimal profile and uses sustainable technologies... no radioactive material here as in other smoke detectors.
It is designed to lie recessed and flush-mounted into gypsum board finished wall or ceiling surfaces. Custom painting is available.
Link: Architectural Devices
UPDATE (12-11-06) - Now available. The first shipment has sold out, orders for the second shipment are currently being accepted.
Note: Land+Living does NOT sell these. You must contact the manufacturer, Architectural Devices, for sales information.
Books — August 8, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Architecture for the Environment
Available in September, Compact Houses by Marta Serrats and Universe Publishing:
"In an age of "McMansions," this international survey of the latest in residential architecture proves that small is beautiful-and responsible. The houses profiled are designed to make maximum use of the smallest possible footprint in order to protect the environment. The houses profiled here prove that efficiency as well as beautiful, thoughtful design can be had in a tiny setting. Each project includes a case history describing its design challenges and how the architect overcame them, a detailed blueprint for each house, full-color photos of the interior and the exterior, and plans of the layout."
Author: Marta Serrats
Link: Universe Publishing
Good on the first take
Swedish design group FRONT are continuing their fine form with their latest project Sketch Furniture.
Is it possible to let a first sketch become an object, to design directly onto space?
The four FRONT members have developed a method to materialise free hand sketches. They make it possible by using a unique method where two advanced techniques are combined.
Pen strokes made in the air are recorded with Motion Capture and become 3D digital files; these are then materialised through Rapid Prototyping into real pieces of furniture.
The ladies of FRONT will be doing a live demonstration of this process over at Tokyo Design Week (October 31st to November 5th).
More images and video after the jump.
Link: FRONT
Destroying design to sell design
Ikea is at it again. Knocking down the past to build a big-box emporium to hock their mass produced modern design wares. Here is a company that takes advantage of their Scandinavian design heritage to sell inexpensive, yet "well designed" products to the masses. But, in the process, they have now displayed two blatant instances of their disregard for design legacy. First, they defaced a Marcel Breuer building in New Haven, Connecticut. Now the wrecking ball has turned to Civil War era structures in Brooklyn.
Nice work, Ikea. Class act all the way.
Via: Curbed
Link: New York Daily News - Ikea targets buildings
Link: Metropolis - Disposable Architecture
The bad guy: Ikea
Paolo Soleri's experimental city in the Arizona high desert
I visited Arcosanti in 1998 on an extended field trip through Arizona while pursing my masters degree, and was reminded of this trip while reading an article in the Arizona State University student newspaper.
What a crazy place... crazy, and incredibly interesting. During our two day stay at Arcosanti, we learned about the concept of Arcology, explored the site, and partied all night with the locals.
Paolo Soleri is an Italian architect who was an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright in the late 1940's. Soleri later developed the concept of Arcology, the fusion of architecture and ecology, an alternative urban development form. In 1970 construction began on Arcosanti, a prototype town for 5,000 people (there are currently about 60 residents).
...a highly integrated and compact three-dimensional urban form that is the opposite of urban sprawl with its inherently wasteful consumption of land, energy and time, tending to isolate people from each other and the community.
I bet Mr. Greenhut would freak. ;-)
Link: Arcosanti
Link: Cosanti Originals
Article: ASU Web Devil - In your own backyard: No roads, no conservatives (via The Dirt)
When Maurice Calka went plastic
In 1969, the renowned French sculptor Maurice Calka issued something different: the Boomerang desk. A sexy molded fiberglass and plastic desk. The largest version, the PDG, came with a matching molded chair and personalized control panel was enough to impress President Pompidou who owned one in white and placed it in the Elysée Palace; the contrasting Baroque and 70's plastic fantastic raised a few eyebrows back then. Manufactured by Leleu-Deshays they are highly sought after, but only 35 were produced as a limited edition piece. Recently, a Boomerang desk came up for auction and was sold for 29,300 Euro (roughly 35,000 USD).
Link: Maurice Calka
Via: A.D.
About being on the slope
It would seem that former pro snowboarder Marc Morisset selected the site for his home the way he would pick a line. Sited on a steep wooded hillside in Whistler, B.C., the house nearly rides the site; carving and floating down the slope while grabbing exhilarating moments of big air.
The house is about being on the slope... composed of crevasses and plateaus.
Designed by San Francisco based Studio (n-1), the firm of Dutch transplants Christos Marcopoulos and Carol Moukheibe, the three bedroom house is set in an Intrawest planned subdivision. The architects pushed and pulled at the stringent Design Guidelines to create a modern mountain home in contrast with the more typical neighbors, but in harmony with its environment.
An article in the NY Times provides other interesting tidbits in talking with the owner and architects, though they can't seem to keep all their facts straight... Squaw Valley is in California (not Nevada), and I could split some other hairs as well... but I won't.
Firm: Studio (n-1)
Article: NY Times - The Boarding House
Photos: NY Times
Landscape Architecture Masters Thesis by Veenu Jayaram
Veenu Jayaram was among the landscape architecture students I met when I sat on the jury for the BrownLAb studio at the University of Southern California Landscape Architecture program. She recently completed her graduate work, and contacted us to share her thesis project.
Examining the patchwork of surface parking lots in Downtown Los Angeles Venu saw an opportunity for intervention realizing that these parking lots occupy much of the land in the Central Business District, yet are only utilized for limited hours, and for the limited purpose of temporary vehicle storage. She proposed that parking lots can serve a more dynamic program that recognizes economic realities while serving the multiple needs of the urban environment.
The proposal takes into account the studied needs within the CBD for the existing and growing residential population in addition to the daytime workers. New infrastructure, planting and programming strategies allow the space to be more flexible while remaining compatible with the need for parking space.
Outdoor — December 29, 2004
Posted by James
A Case Study for the birds
Perhaps you don't live in the modern home of your dreams... but at least the birds in your yard can. Designed by architect Dail Dixon of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, these modern birdhouses are inspired by Entenza's Case Study Houses Program (1945-1962). Each of the three designed is named after a Case Study participant: J.R. Davidson, Richard Neutra, and Ralph Rapson.
[The birdhouses] are hand-made of sustainably harvested teak and finished with an oil that protects against water, mildew, and UV rays. The roofs are constructed of sandblasted 1/4" thick aluminum plate and aluminum dowels.
Link: Modern Birdhouses
Designer: Dail Dixon
Via: Treehugger
Contemporary reinterpretations of treehouses
Treehouses have grown-up and are winning awards for excellence in design and innovation. If the idea of treehouse as family dwelling conjures up images of the Swiss Family Robinson, then prepare yourself for the following reinterpretations.
In 2003 Lukasz Kos, a masters student at the University of Toronto's School of Architecture & Design, took honourable mention at the OAA awards for his Muskoka, ON. treehouse, an elegant slatted structure that scales the trees and lets light radiate down it's core.
More recently, Joel Sherman of jls Design produced his AIA award-winning Steel Tree House in Lake Tahoe, CA, a sprawling residence that is cleverly engineered to work with snow loads and sloping terrain. Then there is Marcio Kogan's BR House in Araras, RJ that was built up to the canopy, and allows trees to puncture through the roof at points creating a contemporary elevated living space.
Link: Lukasz Kos
Link: Marcio Kogan
Via: Nelson Kon fotografias
Link: jls Design
Via: Dexigner
News — January 10, 2008
Posted by James
USPS Stamps
The United States Postal Service is giving Charles and Ray Eames (and some of their designs) some face time on your mail.
The set of sixteen stamps designed by Derry Noyes (wow... you can make a living as a stamp designer?!!?) showcases the broad range of work for which the design duo are known. Coming next summer.
Outdoor — May 25, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Sure it costs more, but is it really that much better?
Earlier this month, we featured an outdoor shower that is being sold at Target. Today, we came across a similiar item being sold at Restoration Hardware.
"After a dip in the ocean, lake or pool, a rinse-off in this outdoor shower will wash away salt, silt or chlorine, and keep bare feet from transferring half the beach into the house. Constructed of durable, water-loving teak.
Features include:
Solid brass plumbing
Hardware has a satin-nickel finish
Built-in shelf holds soap and shampoo
Slatted platform provides a comfortable, puddle-free place to stand
Hooks up to an existing outdoor tap with a hose connector (not included)"
Link: Restoration Hardware
Link: Industrial Strength Woodworking
Reference: Outdoor Shower
A layered garden in London
Jinny Blom is a London based landscape designer who's core interests include art, ecology, restoration and modernism. Her designs feature studied and structured plan overlaid with wild and naturalistic planting schemes.
This modern garden serves as an extension of the remodeled and expanded home by Eldridge Smerin Architects, in the Hampstead Village Conservation area of London. Inspired by the materiality of Carlo Scarpa, Ms. Blom defined the landscape as an extension of the modernist addition with concrete, glass, limestone and steel. The rich colors of the planting contrast and soften the rigid forms and materials.
Firm: Jinny Blom
Karimi Couch
Though he may have the odd hater, you have to respect the amount of pieces that K-Rad (that's right, you heard it here first) pumps out these days.
Of note for me has to be his latest sofa design for Italian manufacturer Contempo. The appropriately coined Karimi Couch stays true to the style that has been Karims bread and butter with the usage of his mainstay patterns consisting of his familiar "cross and peanut" motif.
Now I know some of you are moaning and groaning about this well travelled route, but really people what would you rather see him do ? A village pattern ?
Link: Karim Rashid
Link: Contempo
Contemporary and traditional wallpapers
Timorous Beasties is a design company specialising in fabrics, roller-shades, wallcoverings, and accessories for commercial and private interiors. They design and produce contemporary and traditional wallpapers for the contract and domestic markets.
The wallpapers are supplied in 10 metre rolls by 52cm wide
in varying repeats.
Link: Timorous Beasties
Dining — December 18, 2004
Posted by James
Set of 3 handcrafted Pyrex glasses
We dig these funky glasses by Houston, Texas based Plodes Studio. At first glance we thought they were shot glasses (and we were thinking that Pyrex was a good choice of material to withstand slamming down on the bar), but they are actually 7 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter. Must've been that thick rim that threw us off... anyway, we liked them even more once we realized they were full sized glasses.
Glass is fluid too. These glasses are reminiscent in what they contain. DROOPLETS are handmade of strong Pyrex glass and are available in S, M, or L. The unique design also insulates hot or cold liquids. Use them rightside up or upside down.
Groovy.
Designer: John Paul Plauche
Link: Plodes Studio
W.S. Tyler Wire Cloth for Architecture and Design
Facade, screen, ceiling, shelter, sound and fire barrier are just some the things that the architectural wire cloth series from Haver & Böecker can be. A thoroughly versatile steel mesh, it can take on harsh weather and pollution, and is often used along highways and in industry as a filter. The aesthetic qualities of architectural wire cloth make it ideal as a skin allowing subtle changes of colour and light at different angles. It also offers a myriad of options for interior application as ceilings and screens. Haver & Böecker have been producing woven wire cloth since 1887 with their first operation in Hohenlimburg, Germany and are distributed worldwide by their parent company W.S. Tyler.
Link: W.S. Tyler
Link: Haver & Böecker
Design on the way up.
Architectural and design practice, Sybarite UK has come up with a radical approach for housing units in a rural setting by seriously beefing up the common treehouse. The concept is an amazing display of creativity and consideration to the environment which is clearly the way things are rightfully heading these days.
Conceptual research project in rural areas of England such as Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. In partnership with local planning authorities and property developers we aim to develop a modular tree house concept. This could, with a flexible planning arrangement, encourage a more organic approach to country living.
Architecturally, the design direction evolves from the underside, to the interior and then outwards concentrating on views and aspects above the tree horizon. The ‘belly’ of the tree house accommodates undulating kinetic baffles that utilise wind power to generate electricity. The plan form also meanders to the extent that modular sections can be prefabricated so that the overall size can vary from a single bedroom house up to a five bedroom model. The prefabricated design can be installed on site within two weeks, is extremely lightweight, uses many recycled products, is part self-sustainable and low on maintenance.
Link: Sybarite UK
First purchasers describe the process.
"For several years, we have been interested in modern prefab architecture. Barry gave me a copy of Arieff & Burkhart's book PREFAB for Christmas, 2002. When I saw Rocio Romero's LV Home, I knew if we ever built a prefab house, it would be the LV Home. I had also just finished documenting a 1960's house designed by Richard Neutra...I became enthralled by modernity."
Link: Article
Link: LV Home Kit
Gear for the modern baby and beyond
Babygeared features essentials for the urbane parent from world-renowned designers and manufacturers--everything from the Karim Rashid Kapsule Chair to Lulu DK luxury crib linens, chic diaper bags, sporty strollers, gives, and more.
Link: Babygeared.com
Modern Rocky Mountain house in two parts
Our penchant for alpine architecture continues... there is a reason after all, since I (James here) used to work for a firm in the Lake Tahoe area. And frankly, I got pretty bored with same old cabin/lodge style, so I always have an eye out for a modern approach to mountain architecture.
This house in Breckenridge, Colorado by Denver based Faleide Architects is comprised of two boxes. One is glass to open to the views and the forest and the other is more cozy, sheltered and closed. To us... this is what a mountain house should be like.
Firm: Faleide Architects - Crowder House
Link: Architectural Record - House of the Month, December 2004
News — April 12, 2005
Posted by James
When is enough enough?
Mother Jones reports some interesting figures about the lifestyle of Americans.
The American Dream just keeps growing. Since 1970 the size of the average new home has ballooned by 50 percent.
Studies have found that even with the big houses, modern comforts, opportunities and latest technologies, we are no happier than our predecessors. In fact, some studies show that Americans are less happy today than 25 years ago. It's part of what is often referred to as "the dark side of the American dream," the insatiable appetite for more wealth and more stuff to the detriment of personal well being.
Whoa... too big a topic for this quick blog... but while we here at Land+Living are all for the enjoyment of your home and the contents within and without, we also believe that there is more to life. Dare we say, it’s not the size that matters, it’s how you use it.
Link: Mother Jones - This New House
Design Lab 2008 challenge: Design Home Appliances for the Internet generation
Electrolux Design Lab, established in 2003, is an annual global design competition open to undergraduate and graduate industrial design students who are invited to present innovative, daring ideas and solutions for home appliances.
Visit Electrolux Design Lab for more information.
Entry Deadline: 30 May 2008
Finalists Announced: End of June 2008
Finals in Zurich: 08 and 09 October 2008
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)
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)
Outdoor — May 4, 2005
Posted by Anthony
Mailbox. Updated.
Originally developed as an entry for the 2005 *Frost furniture prototype exhibit in Edmonton, this hot pink mailbox from designer Adriean Koleric is sure to get your postman's attention. The mailbox is constructed from welded steel and features illuminated frosted plexi-glass letters on the front. The light is connected to a light sensitive transformer so it will not light during the day.
"From the start my main objective was to maintain a simple form that would not compete with the house / structure it sat infront of, plus be able to compliment any adjacent greenery. For something that will sit among shrubs and trees, it should look like it has the same right to be there. It almost feels like it grew out of the ground itself to a point that you almost anticipate it to get bigger each year or even sprout leaves. But the question usually asked is why pink ? Reason being this prototype was finished in that particular color was to bring it some attention right from the get go. With such an ultra simple form it needed a punch that would make someone stop and take notice."
Update 5/5/05: Looks like we're late to this party. Check out Josh Spear's write-up on this from a few days back.
Designer: Adriean Koleric
Link: I T E M [Thanks, Adriean!]
