Such an elegant interior. Located in the new wing of the Palais de Tokyo, perched on the quays of the Seine just across from the Eiffel Tower, Monsieur Bleu caters equally well for sociable suppers, business lunches, family meals, artist meetings, or indeed lively late-nights. Its kitchens open around the clock, offering menus full of flair but conscious of the simple needs of the lunch-breakers, This versatile address designed by the architect Joseph Dirand, both cosmopolitan and international, presents a haven as delectable to the gourmet as it is to the gourmand, a living space where you may nibble just as easily as you’ll lunch, a forum for chance encounters as much as regular rendez-vous and if you fancy a dance, well you can do that too. The bar menu has been created created in collaboration with Alix Lacloche.

Characterized with beautiful gradient marble partitions and lovely black marble accents, this restaurant is all about sophistication made warmer with the velvet chairs and booths. I have been in the mood for greenlately when designing, and this is the perfect combination of materials despite being many. The chairs, tables, and suspended lighting create a lovely complement to the metal and stone background. Design is all about balance and this project proves just that.

THE SITE, ITS STORY

Palais de Tokyo has never since its inception been far from the headlines. Not only a formidable space for artistic experimentation, it encompasses a lifestyle. From noon to night, about the dining table or on the dance floor, ensconced in a good book or the pursuit of love, everything is played out to the frenetic rhythm of the artistic way of life. Channelling this energy, Monsieur Bleu colonises spaces left empty over the decades like a mythical kingdom slumbering through the centuries suddenly awoken by passing footsteps. Cut from the mould of the Palais de Tokyo, Monsieur Bleu is unique and even intangible : convivial but demanding, open but particular, lively and intimate, it partakes of the general atmosphere and thereby amplifies its effect on body and mind.

Photos : Adrien Dirand

Monsieur Bleu

Monsieur Bleu At The Palais De Tokyo in Paris By Joseph Dirand | Restaurant Design originally appeared on Design & Lifestyle Blog on 19 May ’13.

Designer Lee Broom has created a new store concept for Christian Louboutin located in the eveningwear department at Harrods in London. The design of this boutique reflects the city of London but in a theatrical way. Lee Broom is well known for his crystal pendants which have been featured in several projects and exhibitions.

Tiled walls, white street lamps, Big Ben were all elements used in the design to reveal the London character.

Above is the VIP room at the boutique.

About Lee Broom:

Lee Broom is one of the UK’s leading product and interior designers.In his career, he has launched numerous furniture and lighting collections, designed over 40 retail, restaurant and bar interiors and has won more than 20 awards including the ELLE Decoration British Design Award for The Crystal Bulb in October 2012 and ‘Designer of the Year 2011/ 2012’ at the British Design Awards in November 2011. His work has been featured internationally in most major broadsheet and interior design publications. Lee Broom products are now retailed in stores in over 25 countries.

New Christian Louboutin Boutique Design By Lee Broom At Harrods in London | Retail Design originally appeared on Design & Lifestyle Blog on 17 May ’13.

It is all over the news now that Zaha Hadid Architects have been commissioned by the ArRiyadh Development Authority to construct the new King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station in its capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

I don't really get the 'ship' idea but i am sure there is a valid reason. The interlacing structure and the lovely horizontally developed structure is her trademark and it's beautiful. This project should be realized by 2017 which is relatively little in time but apparently a condition set by the King personally.

With six platforms over four public floors and two levels of underground car parking, the KAFD Metro Station will be integrated within the urban context of the financial district, while responding to the functional requirements for a multimodal transport centre and the district’s future vision. The project extends beyond the simple station typology to emphasize the building’s importance as a dynamic, multi-functional public space; not only an intermediate place perceived through quick transitions, but also a dramatic public space for the city.

The waves also symbolize the bustling activity that will fill the station: Serving three new metro lines, as well as a monorail, the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station will be handling thousands of people a day, especially since Riyadh has doubled in population to 5 million since 1990.

Perforated façade panels contextualize the station as well as provide much needed shading from solar gain, demonstrating that the screen trope for dealing with Middle Eastern situations is far from exhausted. Since the station is near a busy highway, it makes sense that its exterior expression would be a bit hard, but the interiors are fully equipped with the typical sumptuous oil state décor of white and gold.

ZHA, Archdaily, Architizer

Zaha Hadid Designs The King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station In Riyadh | Architecture originally appeared on Design & Lifestyle Blog on 17 May ’13.