Category: Art
Posted by James on 12/29/2004 9:38:00 PM
Art on the landscape
 A recent article in the Guardian by Sean Thomas talks about the history of land art and three important works nearing completion: Michael Heizer's City, Charles Ross's Star Axis and James Turrell's Roden Crater (web site under construction).
While the article just barely scratches the surface of the opening question -- "Is it a monumental way to adorn the planet - or just arrogant vandalism?" -- the article is still worth a read.
Article: Guardian - This epic Earth
Other land art links:
Link: Richard Long
Link: Irish Sky Garden - James Turrell
Link: Lightning Field - Walter De Maria
Link: Robert Smithson
Link: Spiral Jetty - Robert Smithson
Reference: Andy Goldsworthy (Land+Living)
Reference:
Satell(s)iteseeing (Land+Living)
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Category: Outdoor
Posted by James on 12/29/2004 9:50:00 AM
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
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Category: News
Posted by James on 12/26/2004 10:27:00 PM
Steve Lopez of the LA Times meets face to face with developer Rick Caruso
 A critical look at the "lifestyle center" phenomenon and the Los Angeles area developments of Rick Caruso.
...city officials, generally speaking, are not visionaries. Although their most important role is to safeguard history and nourish a distinct sense of place, they're like heroin addicts when it comes to retail.
They'll bulldoze the past, raffle off the last precious parcel of open space and build parking garages over their mothers' graves for a quick hit of sales tax revenue.
Article: LA Times - Lunching With the Caruso of Retail
Reference: Reality Bites (Land+Living)
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Category: Announcements
Posted by James on 12/23/2004 9:30:00 AM
It's a festive... uh... Festivus here at Land+Living, and we'd like to share it with you!
 HAPPY FESTIVUS!
Today is Festivus, and just before we take off for some Festivus r+r, we would like to share in the traditions of the season with you, our dear Land+Living readers.
Both of us here at Land+Living would like to thank you for visiting our site. We hope you like what you have seen, and please continue to visit as we grow and evolve. And, of course, please free to contact us with any suggestions or tips. And to our design blog compatriots, thank you all for your support and professionalism. Happy Festivus to you all! And now... on with the Festivus for the rest of us.....
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Category: Landscape
Posted by James on 12/22/2004 10:57:00 PM
Three projects by this central figure of contemporary landscape design in Southern California
 Nancy Goslee Power's name may not be as well known to the general public as say Frank Gehry, but then, the general public would most likely have trouble coming up with the name of any landscape designer *sigh*. But Nancy Goslee Power has collaborated with many "big names" including The Frank, Moore Ruble Yudell and Rem Koolhaas, and she is an important figure in contemporary landscape design. Her landscapes are modern, but not typically of the boldly sculptural type. They are architectural, but not rigidly geometric.
We recently visited three of her recent projects in Pasadena, California. She was chosen by Frank Gehry to work with him on the remodel of the Norton Simon Museum where she reworked the extensive gardens. At the new Art Center South Campus by Daly Genik she created a meadow-like roof garden. And just last week the first phase of the new Kidspace Museum designed by Michael Maltzan was opened featuring a range of outdoor exhibits, spaces and interactive gardens.
Also, an article in last week's LA Times covers the work at Kidspace and provides a detailed look at her life and career.
Firm: Nancy Goslee Power & Associates
Link: Norton Simon Museum - Garden
Link: Art Center College of Design South Campus
Reference: The Wind Tunnel (Land+Living)
Link: Kidspace Children's Museum - Back 40 garden
Article: LA Times - An artist of the alfresco
Locations: Local+Living : Pasadena
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Category: Lighting
Posted by Anthony on 12/21/2004 9:26:00 PM
Let there be light
 Niche NYC is New York based (East Village) shop that recently introduced a line of hand-blown glass light fixtures.
Designed by Jeremy Pyles, the lights are available in colors such as smoke, dark grey, and amber. Prewired installation is required.
Link: Niche NYC
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Category: Accessories
Posted by James on 12/21/2004 2:17:00 PM
Dual Zone Alarm Clock by Sebastian Conran
 The design of this funky alarm clock is both Jetsons-retro and iPod fresh. Part of the Equilibrium collection designed by British designer Sebastian Conran exclusively for Bliss (though it can be found all over the web it you care to look), the clock is chrome-plated die-cast zinc with a duel time display allowing two time zones to be displayed simultaneously.
Link: Bliss
Via: Urban Spy
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Category: Commentary
Posted by James on 12/20/2004 4:25:00 PM
Crocker Park, another faux town is born outside of Cleveland, Ohio
 It's a mall. Another mall. It isn't even an old town center that has been revitalized and has mall-like characteristics. It's another mall themed as a town. And yes... it's another post about lifestyle centers. Sheesh, why don't we give it a rest already?!
Because the "lifestyle center" continues to spawn and spread across the country... and the more that open, the more alarmed the we are by the trend. The Plain Dealer features a critical look at the good and the bad of Crocker Park in the Cleveland suburb of Westlake. The article touches on many of the same issues that we have been stewing over in recent commentary posts.
Article: The Plain Dealer, Cleveland.com - Westlake's new center, half-done, feels hollow
Link: Crocker Park
Firm: Bialosky + Partners Architects
Via: Archinect
Reference: Reality bites (Land+Living)
Reference: Downtown Mauled - Part I (Land+Living)
Reference: Downtown Mauled - Part I (Land+Living)
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Category: Events
Posted by James on 12/18/2004 9:58:00 PM
Diverse views of the future of Chicago’s built environment
 Exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago running through April 15th, 2004.
Featuring:
Jeanne Gang
Douglas Garofalo
Ralph Johnson
Ron Krueck
Eva Maddox
Margaret McCurry
Elva Rubio
Katerina Rüedi Ray
Joe Valerio
Xavier Vendrell
The 10 architects reflect a cross section of Chicago’s vibrant architectural scene—from large and small firms as well as the academic community—bringing to this exhibition diverse experiences and insights. Each architect was asked to define an important issue for the future of Chicago and create a “spatial commentary” on that particular theme.
Link: Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago Architecture: Ten Visions
Via: Repeat
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Category: Dining
Posted by James on 12/18/2004 8:57:00 PM
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
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