baarch

LEAN CHAIR/ TABLE BY WILLIAM LEE & ET AL. COLLABORATIVE

2011-06-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

Industrial designer William Lee and architects et al. collaborative have collaborated to create a sculptural multi-functional chair/ table for the "universally under-utilized" corner.

Says et al. collaborative, "The versatile piece stands alone as a sculptural element, but also has dual functionality as furniture. When upright in a corner, LEAN is a chair that gains structural support from its adjacent walls."

"Set on its side, it becomes a coffee table with negative spaces for books and magazines.

Fabricated in plywood, LEAN comes in a two-tone color which reinforces its geometric shape. In metal, the thin sheets combine durability with elegance."

TETRA.TENNIS v3.0

2011-06-01T16:16:00.001-07:00

TETRA.TENNIS v3.0 from 1024 on Vimeo.

Video Mapping on the tennins ground of the French Masters series in Paris Bercy / 2010.

This is our third consecutive mapping on the tennis ground. Running realtime, activated with a PS3 controller.
Mapping powered by MadMapper software.

Contour Chair by Ethan Creasman

2011-06-01T01:47:00.000-07:00

The Contour chair designed by Ethan Creasman seems to resemble sea coral architecture considering how it is built using Designtex Fusion, a co-polyester resin panel that lets you go wild when it comes to colors and textures. The resulting surface is cut and bent and thus the Countour chair is born. Despite looking preety frail in the images below, the Contour chair should be quite solid, and besides impressing your guests with the coral design, it will also support their weight, because they’ll surely want to sit on this indoor coral. Of course you should purchase a set so everyone ends up having his or her own coral at their disposal.

Lighting by Schoolhouse Electric

2011-05-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Source: schoolhouseelectric.com

Clerkenwell Design Week: ‘Poly’ light by Scene (UK)

2011-05-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

'Poly' light by Scene; photo courtesy of Scene

The London-based design studio Scene has created this new sculptural ‘Poly’ light which was presented as part of the A.S.A.P collective’s exhibition during this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week. Inspired by the geodesic sphere, the white high-gloss aluminium lamp is constructed from multiple triangular segments which enclose the lightbulb within a metallic golden-coloured interior and the design can be either displayed on a flat surface or suspended as a pendant.

TRIS Chair - Old Plastic Roller Blinds Become A Chair

2011-05-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

The TRIS chair is made from plastic roller blinds that, according to the designers, in Israel have no economical profitability in its recycling processes, as they’re now being replaced with aluminum roller blinds. To preserve and reuse the materials, they’ve designed a closed wooden structure in which the blinds are held. One side — where you sit — is flexible while the other side is locked.

72h OpenJapan WorkJam

2011-05-31T01:34:00.000-07:00

OpenSimSim is an open source architecture network based in Berlin. At the moment they are initiating a 72hr worldwide workSprint in order to create a sustainable project for Japan. This project will be developed by people in various cities around the world (Tokyo, Chennai, Moscow, Berlin, Madrid, Pisa, Torino, Lisbon, New York, Kansas).

The event will start at 10am (1am GMT) on June 10th with a six hour work session in Kyoto, Japan, out of which will come the basis of our ideas and possible real projects collected beforehand and discussed within the advisory board of OpenJapan. The results from this first brain storming session will be passed over to the next city by order of timezone. After 24h the status of the work will be handed back to one node in Japan. This principle of a relay race will be repeated over 72h.

For more information, please go to the event’s official website.

source: archdaily.com

Alberto Seveso - Senza Titolo

2011-05-31T01:08:00.000-07:00

Impressive work by Italian artist Alberto Seveso.

entitled work: Senza Titolo

BMCE headquarters by Foster Partners

2011-05-31T01:04:00.000-07:00

The LL2 Rocking Chaise – Bluetooth Equipped Luxurious Leather Lounger

2011-05-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

Imagination is the driving force for a good designer, since it is important to make their creation stand out from the rest of the clique. The design duo of Bonetti/Kozerski have successfully managed to create buzz around their LL2 lounger which seeks design inspiration from the interiors of the 1966 Lamborghini Miura. This luxurious lounger is truly rocking and is one the most visually dramatic pieces I have come across. Upholstered in the finest of leather, the chaise also comes equipped with a Bluetooth-operated sound system that has been discreetly integrated in the headrest of the lounger.

Source: http://www.furniturefashion.com

TRON: The Next Day - Flynn Lives

2011-03-14T03:48:00.000-07:00

'TRON: The Next Day - Flynn Lives Revealed' Video Leaked Online

Lloyd Wright's National Life Insurance Building

2011-02-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

This is Frank Lloyd Wright's National Life Insurance Building. A 25 story Goliath that was to be built on Michigan Ave at the end of the Magnificent Mile, Wright's concept involved a pylon core and cantilevered floor plates. It really would have been an amazing structure had it been constructed. If you want to read more, I got it from here.

Online Video Popularity Around The World Info Graphic

2011-02-17T00:56:00.001-08:00

Source: ffffound.com

WikiLeaks embassy cables: download the key data and see how it breaks down

2011-02-17T00:53:00.000-08:00

Source: ffffound.com

Mark Laita's controversial "Created Equal" photo diptychs

2011-02-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Photographer Mark Laita's "Created Equal" is a series of portraits of Americans juxtaposed in rather provocative diptychs. Pairings include the likes of marine/war veteran, Baptist churchgoer/white supremacist, pedophile/child, and, seen above, polygamist/pimp. Turnstyle intervieed Laita and presents a selection of the Created Equal photos:

"How did this project come about and why did you want to work on it?
Mark Laita: Created Equal is different from my other work in that it’s not politically correct. Perhaps it’s a reaction to all the years of working for advertising clients, producing work that was pleasing to look at. Almost all commercial work has a committee or focus group making certain that the end result is “nice.” I felt the need to produce something that was raw and real, as life truly is, not just what we aspire to. The more shocking to our sense of what’s “right,” the better. That’s why I sought out the worst pedophile I could find (with a list of the most horrible convictions you can imagine) and a beautiful and innocent little girl (photographed with her mother’s consent of the pairing of images). If the viewer cringes from the pairing that’s great. I think a lot of us don’t think what you see in Created Equal exists in our city, but take a look at your neighborhood’s Megan’s list website sometime and tell me how “nice” your town is. Every city in the U.S. has sex offenders, prostitutes, drug addicts along with wonderful humanitarians, philanthropists and leaders. I aimed to depict our country as it is, not as we would like to think it is."

source: boingboing.net

W57 - West 57th Residential Building by Big

2011-02-14T21:48:00.001-08:00

W57 - West 57th Residential Building from BIG on Vimeo.

Durst Fetner Residential selects BIG to design a 600-unit residential building. The project entitled West 57th introduces an entirely new residential typology to New York City that will add an inviting twist to the Manhattan Skyline. The building is a hybrid between the European perimeter block and a traditional Manhattan high-rise. West 57th has a unique shape which combines the advantages of both: the compactness and efficiency of a courtyard building providing density, a sense of inti¬macy and security, with the airiness and the expansive views of a skyscraper.

In the past few years, Bjarke Ingels’ architecture has slowly, but steadily, been gaining international attention. From housing projects to commercial entities to design ideas, Northern European countries have found themselves host to an abundance of angular geometries, bold forms, and straightforward approaches characteristic of Ingels. As we reported early last week, BIG will now take its signature style to Manhattan with a not-so-typical response for the design of a New York apartment building for client Durst Fetner Residential (be sure to read our coverage here).

After the excitement of seeing BIG’s fresh architectural idea respond to the character and context of New York, now, the harsh reality of board meetings and zoning regulations are the project’s next obstacle to overcome in the quest for final approval.

With its dramatic slope and carved out center, West 57th is clearly an eye-catcher. Resulting from the improbable blend of a Manhattan high-rise and a European perimeter block typology, the residential form captures the advantageous essence of each while still taking on its own identity. As Justin Davidson for New York magazine explains, “For the desolate juncture of 57th Street and the West Side Highway, he [Bjarke Ingels] has designed an utterly unexpected form, neither tower nor slab nor even quite a pyramid, but a gracefully asymmetrical peak with a landscaped bower in its hollowed core. It looks wild, but it’s born of logic; true originality is the inevitable endpoint of rigorous thought.”

We couldn’t agree more. While the slope is quite strong – and definitely a unique angle for the context – the rising edge helps break down the scale of the mass to a pedestrian approachable entity at the sidewalk level near the waterfront. At its full height of 450 ft, the form provides ample room for residences and the slope terminates into an edge that is more acclimated to its context. As BIG’s video illustrates, the composition of the form does not allow the height of the building to overpower the viewer nor the waterfront atmosphere the city has been rejunevating over the past few years.

However, as Branden Klayko for the AN Blog reported, after the flashy presentation, the board became less interested in the design and more interested in the what the project could offer to New York on a developmental level. In particular, as Klayko explains, the board expressed concern over three issues: contextual sensitivity, affordable housing, and green space.

Councilwoman Gale Brewer commented on the design’s large courtyard element, noting that future issues may arise if the central courtyard solely serves residents, rather than the public. Others proposed that 140 apartments, roughly 20% of the building, become permanently affordable housing – currently, the developer has not agreed to this suggestion.

Another conversation was sparked by the 130,000 sqf of cultural space at the base of the tower. While Bjarke suggested that the International Center for Photography occupy a portion the space, the remaining square footage is envisioned for different retailers that will enliven the sidewalk life. Yet, Hell’s Kitchen locals were promised that Costco and Walmart would not be part of the mix.

With the approval process just beginning, we can expect the project will gain a lot of attention as the finer details must be worked out. Still in his 30s, we believe Ingels has a lot to offer the architectural scene and we’re excited to keep you updated with the approval process of W57th.

Source: archdaily.com

Bio-mimicry in Architecture: TED Talks

2011-02-14T17:09:00.000-08:00

Michael Pawlyn: Using nature's genius in architecture

Winning Design Turns Abandoned Italian Bridge into Eco Village

2011-02-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

We have been having a lot of fun profiling projects submitted to the Solar Park South competition which challenged designers to re-imagine a soon to be decommissioned bridge on the Reggio Calabria Highway in Italy. The winning proposal by French team Phillippe Rizzotti and Off Architecture turns the iconic span of roadwork into a vertical village, injecting a sustainable community into the countryside without the resulting impact stemming from development. A well-considered design, the verticality of the residences allows for privacy and views of the unspoiled landscape.

The jury awarded the plan for best meeting a series of needs including aesthetic, environment, economic, social impact and innovation.The proposal calls for a reinforcing 2 meter grid around the bridge which in turn supports platforms to build habitation on. The platforms could be walled in for apartments or left open to enjoy the view and Mediterranean weather.

The entire project is to be self supporting. A geothermal plant will and generator will provide clean, local electricity. Rainwater will be captured in tanks and filtered to feed the domestic needs through a centralized distribution system and heated by methane from a waste biodigestor. Even graywater will be filtered using phytoremediation and in turn be reused. The team won $20,000 Euros for the groundbreaking concept.

8 Bright Concepts for Portable Gadgetry – B | Technology

2011-02-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

Technology helps you have what you need with you at all times. Computer, phone, iPod, keys, wallet, e-book? By now, all of these items can fit in a small bag (or maybe even a pocket of some XL pants).
Wires and “workstations” are outdated; we know that electronics don’t need to be stationed at your desk, locked in a maze of wires. They’re tools to be kept in your pocket or your handbag, whether your goal is to answer an email, or read a 1,000 page book.
But why be satisfied just because our digital essentials are portable? What if everything you used throughout your day was portable? Objects we accept as being bulky and having to be “stationed” in one spot don’t have to be. What if your Coffee Maker didn’t need to be parked on your counter, but could be thrown in your bag to use later, or folded up and hidden in a cabinet?
This gallery, designed by Creative Professionals on The Behance Network, stretches the limits of what can be portable, tackling notoriously bulky items like Projectors and Turntables, or more conceptual items like light sources and search mechanisms.

Art piece needs a temporary new home

2011-02-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn based artist Ian Trask is trying to find a home for the above pictured cardboard sculpture. It’s been on a wall in the grand ballroom of Webster Hall for the last 8 months, and due to renovations had to come down. He is trying to find a suitable semi-permanent home so that he doesn’t have to discard the piece.

Do you have space for it? If so, get in touch with Ian.

NASA's black light poster-esque artistic renderings

2011-02-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

LIFE's Ben Cosgrove compiled a glorious gallery of NASA artistic renderings that are probably best enjoyed while listening to "Midnight to Mars" by Ashra. "NASA's Wildest Artist Renderings"

For more NASA Images click here

DIPLOID_B LAMP

2011-02-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

Year: 2010
Size: 20″ x 20″ x 20″

Description: Working with an updated version of the script that produced the earlier Diploid Lamps, this new lamp is fabricated entirely without glue. Every connection is a locking tab that enables the lamp to be built quickly despite the nearly 1000 parts. For price, please email info@matsysdesign.com

Tree House / Robert Potokar and Janez Brežnik

2011-02-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

The Tree House, designed by Robert Potokar of Robert Potokar Architecture Office and co-designer Janez Brežnik, is a wooden play structure that is elevated without requiring nearby trees to support its weight. The concept, originally designed in February 2008 as since been realized three times.

The freestanding, self-supporting house-by-a-tree is a playhouse designed with contemporary design principles, deviating from precedents that model real houses or garden sheds. Instead, the design was guided by the goal of creating interesting and different spatial experiences for children that inspire new forms of polay.

The house is made of spruce spruce plywood, protected on the exterior by a colourless nano-varnish. The roof is covered in a roofing cardboard that shields against most kinds of unfavourable weather conditions.

The furnishings are minimal and simply constructed from dowel pins that allowed children to participate in the making of their playhouse. The tree features a permanent and retractable bench, and scattered operable openings at different heights in the walls. The house also features a plexi-glass wall at one end that makes the house visually accessible.

Architects: Robert Potokar and Janez Brežnik of Robert Potokar Architecture Office
Location: Trnovo, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Construction: Tesarstvo Kregar
Project: February 2008
Completion: June 2008, July 2009, October 2010
Building area: 3.5 m²
Photographs: Andraž Kavčič, Robert Potokar, Robert Marčun

Source: archdaily.com

PRITZKER 2011

2011-02-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

It is almost that time again, who should win?

My predictions:
TWBTA
REX
FAT
Steven Holl

2011 Jury Members

Lord Peter Palumbo, 2005-present (Chair)
Alejandro Aravena, 2009-present
Carlos Jimenez, 2001-present
Glenn Murcutt, 2010-present
Juhani Pallasmaa, 2009-present
Renzo Piano, 2006-present
Karen Stein, 2004-present
Martha Thorne, 2005-present (Executive Director)

via| http://www.pritzkerprize.com/about/jury.html

20 Really Nice Examples Of Poster Design

2011-02-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

Printed poster are a very nice medium for design and pictures. I like it to print some works on a big size, so that I can see all the details. Unfortunately I have not so many space in my rooms for all the poster I want. There are a lot of great artists who create very impressive and decorative poster with great ideas. Here I selected 20 examples which could inspire you.

SPEAK SPELL by Anthony Dart

PENGUIN RIDER by Zim And Zou