Historic home in Michigan is purchased over the internet, dimantled and moved to California
This is definitely not modern... the house is 173 years old... but we're all in favor of reuse and the story is just interesting.
The owners had originally planned to build a replica Victorian (shudder) but they purchased a 1831 Greek revival house from Michigan which was slated for demolition instead. Better. Dismantled piece by piece, the home is now being reconstructed in Sonoma County, California.
Via: Inman News
Link: Slideshow
"Investigation into mistakes, miss-prints and ink-cartridge tests with printers."
The Nozzle Check Rug by young Belgian designer Sylvain Willenz is a witty design inspired by the utility of standard ink jet printers. We've hung a bunch of test sheets on the office wall before just for the heck of it, but we never thought of putting them on the floor. Nice.
Link Sylvain Willenz
Simply cool
Designed by young French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, this collection is a wonderful interpretation of common tube framed patio furniture. We like the proportions and straight forward design. The collection features chairs, chaise lounges, stools and tables. Chair covers that don't look like an after thought are also available.
Link: Magis
Designers: Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Paris
U.S. Postal Service issues postage stamp in honor of R. Buckmister Fuller
You've seen it before, but now you can stamp your mail with it.
The U.S. Postal Service released the stamp today, Buckminster Fuller's birthday, in honor of the 50th anniversary of his patent for the geodesic dome.
We're a little freaked out that they decided to make Bucky's head into a geodesic dome... kinda looks like Dr. Evil's secret volcano lair.
Link: USPS
Link: Buckminster Fuller Institute
The museum in New York has reopened to the public following a two and a half year renovation
The Isamu Noguchi Museum, designed by the artist before his death, has been renovated and reopened. The museum features a comprehensive collection of Noguchi's works and also features exhibitions on other artist and designers. The museum is located in Long Island City, Queens.
Noguchi was a sculptor of all materials: stone, light, sound, paper, wood, metal, water, etc. creating wonderful objects, landscapes, spaces and experiences.
Visit: Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum
Mondern retreat is embeded in the Texas landscape and recalls the local ranch vernacular
Sited to enhance the various landscapes of forest and meadow of a former ranch, the design vacillates freely between interior and exterior with broad covered porches serving as living and circulation space. Other built elements extend into the landscape including boardwalks and two water features, which attract birds and evoke functional cattle and irigation troughs. Over the years native grasslands and wetlands on the property have been restored by the owners. The only manicured portion of the landscape is a rectangular field of water conserving buffalo grass bordered on two sides by the "L" shaped house.
Architecture Firm: buildingstudio
Landscape Firm: MESA Design Group
Via: Architectural Record
Millennium Park sculpture by Anish Kapoor is revealed
Weblog "A Daily Dose of Architecture" is showing two images of the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago's Millennium which has been uncovered in preparation for the park's grand opening festivities... check it out.
Link: A Daily Dose of Architecture
Reference: Chicago's Millennium Park
Microsoft's new mouse by Philippe Starck
Starck strikes again, this time for Microsoft. Always a little slow on the uptake, the computing giant goes for a little high design.
We know that people want products that are as beautiful as they are functional. Because of that great design is no longer reserved only for luxury cars or concert halls, but is evident now in common items and places. We've found that people today demand products with exceptional design, as well as performance.
Hmmm... who clued them into that?
Link: Microsoft
UK developer of "urban regeneration projects"
Now here is something we don't run into everyday... a developer dedicated to high design standards, a sense of urbanism and an apparent motive beyond just profits. With projects designed by Alsop Architects, Foster and Partners, Glenn Howells Architects and FAT we could not help but take notice. Then again, if it sells, it sells. Take a look, browse the slick website... what do you think?
Link: Urban Splash
Modern chaise lounges
These chaise lounges from Italian manufacturer Sturm und Plastic come in both aluminum and wood. The length of each chaise is 200cm and the width is 67.5cm.
Link: Sturm und Plastic
Designer: Gigi Rigamonti
The first construction we've seen of an MD 100
When we first saw the MD 100 by Edgar Blazona in ReadyMade magazine, we were intrigued by its simplicity and clean modern lines. Here was a simple structure that just about any person handy with a hammer and saw could build in their spare time using simple off-the-shelf materials. Kent Holden is one such person and while he chose to stray from the plans and alter the structure to meet his needs, the results are still quite impressive.
"Here are a couple of shots of my new shed. I haven't put the Plexiglas in yet but it will go across the top and down the right side as in the original plan. As you can see I changed the front to a sliding door and put a small door on the left side. I didn't put any interior panelling in (it's just a shed) and by changing the plywood from 3/4 to 5/8 I think it cost me less than $1000 for the whole project. If you take a look at Lowes or Home Depot I'm sure you'll agree you don't get much of a shed for that price."
Looking good, Kent!
Have you built or do you know anyone that has also built an MD 100? If so, drop us a line and tell us about it.
Link: ReadyMade
Link: Modular Dwellings
Airstream trailers by San Francisco designer Christopher C. Deam
Clean. Efficient. Elemental. The Airstream trailer is the epitome of modernity. The CCD line features updated interiors by interdisciplinary designer Christopher C. Deam. "The International CCDs are aptly named because they can be towed cross-continent or cross-county," actually we were thinking that CCD stood for Christopher C. Deam... but anyway, "anywhere an automobile can go and still have all the facilities for comfortable living. Yes, even luxurious living!"
We like that the designs bring the flowing lines of the exterior, and even the riveted aluminum skin, inside.
Link: Airstream International CCD
Designer: Christopher C. Deam
Even the most eco-friendly home may do more harm than good.
Article by Linda Baker over at Salon.com that discusses the relevence of green building techniques on super-sized homes:
"Here's what the green residential landscape looks like in the 21st century. In the United States, advances in green-building technologies have to compete with the proliferation of 3,000-square-foot-plus homes -- simultaneous trends that underscore one of the key paradoxes of sustainable development in the United States.
"In spite of everything we've done to make the building envelope more efficient," O'Brien said, "we're still using more energy in our homes." Nadav Malin, the editor of the monthly newsletter Environmental Building News, agrees. Most of the green features people are incorporating into their homes represent ecological improvements in the 10 to 50 percent range, he said via e-mail. But even a 50 percent reduction in the ecological footprint, Malin noted, "would be totally offset by a doubling of the house size."
Continue reading at Salon.com (get the free day pass to read)
Link: Salon.com (Registration Req'd)
Add this to the must-have appliance list.
A while back in a blog about the Viking Mixer, we posted about how you always see KitchenAid mixers and Dualit toasters on the countertops of kitchens featured in the architecture and design rags. You could also add the FrancisFrancis! X1 espresso machine to that list as we've noticed it on more than a few countertops as well.
While browsing a skiing related website today (we're into snow sports, remember?), we came across a post about some guy getting a new Isomac espresso maker. A quick Google search later and we found a "first look" review of the Millenium over at CoffeeGeeks.com.
"One of the most visually appealing machines to hit the market in recent years has to be the Isomac Millennium, a semi automatic, heat exchanger equipped espresso machine. From the polished E61 grouphead right up front to the beautifully sculpted sides and extra thick metal housing, the machine is a head turner. The question is, does it have the performance to back up those good looks."
We've never had the opportunity to brew a cup of espresso on the FrancisFrancis! and we certainly haven't brewed a cup on the Isomac, but based on looks alone -- yeah, we know, how shallow of us -- we'd have to say that the Isomac wins the good looks contest hands down. Check out the rest of the article at CoffeeGeeks.com
Via: CoffeeGeek.com
Better four years late than never
Chicago's new 24.5 acre Millennium Park is be unveiled next week with the grand opening ceremony on July 16th and festivities planned throughout the weekend.
The park has its share of designer credentials with Frank Gehry, Kathryn Gustafson and Anish Kapoor just to name a few.
Link: Millennium Park
Link: Public Building Commission of Chicago
Link: Millennium Park - unofficial site
Link: Archinect (Pritzker Pavilion photo gallery)
Critical commentary about current urban trends
A couple of interesting articles by Joel Kotkin questioning the sustainability of current "urban revival" trends. Though I'm not sure I totally agree with Kotkin, there are some good points about cities becoming centers of entertainment and experience; in essence shopping malls rather than traditional centers of commerce and industry.
What we are seeing is more like a subtle shift in the role of cities: from the commanding centers of global civilization to (at least in the advanced countries) a more peripheral function.
In many ways, this follows the prediction made a century ago by H.G. Wells, who said that cities would evolve from the unquestioned center of economic life into a "bazaar, a great gallery of shops and places of concourse and rendezvous."
Link: Trying to be hip won't save cities
Link: The Ephemeral City
A visual source book of ideas
"Packed with ideas for every type of garden - large, small, town and country - this book demonstrates Arne's imaginative approach and comprehensive understanding of building gardens; it is the essential guide to good garden design. Whether you want to remodel your entire garden or just a small part of it, Garden Design Details has hundreds of ideas to spark your creativity. From walls and paving to lawns, topiary, water features and even tables and chairs, this book shows the huge variety of materials and forms and explains how to choose the best for you."
Author: Arne Maynard
Link: Amazon UK
Another classic "Why didn't I think of that?" product.
"Those irritating ringmarks that mugs and cups leave..... well, you can turn them into a nice floral pattern now with a set of Stamp Cups. The pattern on the base of the cup match up so you can join as many marks as you want."
Via: Sensory Impact
Link: Thorsten Van Elten
Designers: Valeria Miglioli & Barnaby Barford
Inspired by the garden as a metaphor.
Coming in Fall 2004 to the Art Center Wind Tunnel:
In September and October 2004 the Art Center Wind Tunnel will become the stage for diverse experiments creating a micro-ecosystem. Prominent local artists, architects, designers, writers, film makers, performers, educators, politicians, activists, pacifists, scientists, academics and thinkers will be invited to take over some part of the wind tunnel for the six week period. Responding to this unique space and the context of the show, participants will have complete freedom to propose anything: site specific installations, film screenings, lecture series, information booths, performances, seminars, exhibits. This event will be a fusion of exhibition / fair / convention / party / meeting / classroom / exhibit / town square / performance.
The GardenLAb experiment opens to the public on Tuesday, September 7 and runs through Saturday, October 16.
Link: GardenLAb
Designers: Fritz Haeg & Francois Perrin
Line of shoes by master of design Philippe Starck
Starck's theory of evolution... he forgot the part about the pocket-lining-monkeys.
This shoe collection is modern because it includes all the technology we now know... but without having to show it - because we don't need to show it!
These shoes are based not on design, not on showing off, not on more and more and more features, but on showing less and less and less. It means more technology, more intelligence, but less styling. This is the secret of the product of tomorrow.
Starck, you so crazy.
Quick Link: Starck Puma (without sized window)
Designer: Philippe Starck
Catching up on what has been going on
From this weekend's Fourth of July cornerstone laying ceremony for the new World Trade Center Freedom Tower in New York, a panorama by Jook Leung shows the scene from ground zero. The tower was designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill based on Daniel Libeskind's master plan.
Link: Rebirth Marked by Cornerstone at Ground Zero
Link: Port Authority Press Release
And earlier today, the Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain designed by Kathryn Gustafson and Neil Porter was dedicated in London.
Link: In pictures: Diana memorial
Link: MSNBC video feature
Ann Sacks: tile, tile and more tile
The holiday weekend has barely begun and we've already consumed our limit of tile. We're blogging under the influence of tile. While we don't usually feature something perhaps quite so obvious, a quick browse of the Ann Saks website today made us think: "Are we a design weblog or what? We need to bring this to the people!" So, obvious or not, here is our little "show and tell" session of tile. Thanks to Ann Sacks for carrying such great product.... we like this stuff.
And thanks to you for reading. Have a good holiday weekend if you're an American citizen, or you live in Canada or Belarus or Burundi or Cape Verde or Comoros or Malawi or Venezuela or whatever and you too have a holiday weekend.. This tile's for you.
Link: Ann Sacks
Landscape architect Catherine Mosbach creates a new garden at the Bordeaux Botanical Garden
The new Bastide Garden at the Bordeaux Botanical Garden in France by landscape architect Catherine Mosbach is designed to deal with issues of biodiversity, renewable natural resources and the dynamics and mutation of landscapes. The concept is that of the artificial "botanical object" for the layout of the gardens.
a-matter has a nice article about the garden with photos and plans.
Link: a-matter
Visit: Jardin Botanique Bordeaux: La Bastide
Perfect for your Eichler home kitchen.
Current era refrigerators updated with a retro feel.
"GET OUT OF THE BOX, and into a Big Chill retro refrigerator. Who says you have to hide your fridge by camouflaging it into your cabinetry?
Speak personality and make your statement. Unmistakably, The Big Chill will be
the conversation piece at your next party.
Our refrigerator is like a stylish ’57 Chevy Bel Air (only the fins are missing), for those who like to express a bit of style, uniqueness and enjoy terrific color.
This may look like your mama’s icebox, but the Big Chill includes
all of today’s functionality, efficiency, and dependability. The only thing we left
off was the chisel; no defrosting required!"
Link: Big Chill
Via: Wired
"Not bigger, but smarter."
Interior designer Jasper Sanders and architect Gavin Elliot had the idea of creating a compact apartment unit that could offer the option of low-cost city-center living to those otherwise priced out of the market. The concept, called Abito, is hyper-efficient 347 square foot apartment priced around £85,000. Each apartment features high ceilings, balcony, foldaway bed and storage wall, and a multifunctional pod (the "central living unit") in the center of the unit which contains storage, laundry, kitchen and bath. Ask Developments is now building the concept in cities across the U.K.
Imagine you could buy a city centre apartment that was cheaper than a one bedroom flat, but much, much better. (Abito is) specifically designed to reflect modern lifestyles.
Link: Abito
Modern, graphic textiles for your bed
Not affiliated with Dwell Magazine (at least not that we can determine), but cool enough to get away with the same name. We saw plenty of stuff we liked on their website, and they even have bedding for cribs! We have never seen cool baby bedding before, so check it out you hipster parents.
Inspired by the linear forms of modern architecture, vintage textiles and antique wallpaper, the Dwell home accessories line has a sophistication that is a natural choice for modern interiors. The vivid colors and graphic prints are elegant and clean, reminiscent of the textiles of the mid-century.
Link: Dwell Home Furnishings
Modern wood benches.
"These slatted benches are constructed as meticulously jointed wooden frames in sections of 2 and 3 cubes. Their light airy structure provides ideal minimal impact seating but they can also be used as coffee or occasional tables or at the foot of a bed. Low profile leather cushions are available as accessories"
Link: Seri
Vegetated roof cover, eco-roof, green roof... call it what you will
There has been a lot of talk recently about planted roofscapes. We have featured a few projects recently that have employed green roofs, and just today we have run across two news articles: one features a Toronto resident has created a roof garden on top of his garage, and the other a commercial building in Washington D.C. And of course there is the Ford Motor Company factory complex which has been renovated with a 10 acre planted roofscape.
There are multiple benefits to green roofs from this insulation value for the building to larger environmental issues such as the urban "heat island" effect, not to mention the design possibilities.
So for your browsing pleasure, here is a compilation of some links that we have found regarding green roofs... enjoy:
Article: Globe and Mail
Article: Washington Post
Article: MSNBC (Ford Factory)
Link: Ford's River Rouge Factory
Link: Roofmeadow
Link: Hyedrotech
Link: Green Roof Plants
Link: Creating a green roof (Interesting to read... dare to do-it-yourself?)
Reference:
Green Crusade
Reference: The Wind Tunnel
Reference:
Greenwich Academy Upper School/ Library building
Not Your Grandma's Garden Festival
Inspired by the famous garden festival at Chaumont in France, Chris Hougie teamed with Peter Walker to create an American avant-garde garden show. The Cornerstone Festival of gardens is located in Sonoma Valley, California, about a 40 minute drive north of San Francisco.
The show features well known landscape architects and designers such as: Peter Walker; Lutsko Associates; Mark Rios; Ken Smith; Walter Hood; Martha Schwartz; Andy Cao; Mario Schjetnan; and Pamela Burton.
Link: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens
Via: ASLA Landscape Architecture News Digest
Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain to be dedicated next week
The delayed and (naturally) controversial memorial to Princess Diana has been completed and will be officially dedicated July 6th by Queen Elizabeth. The design by American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson was selected by the memorial committee in a design competition. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has described the memorial as such: "Like the Princess herself, the fountain is open and approachable. In some areas it offers a welcoming space for families and paddling children, in others a shady spot for quiet contemplation."
Link: BBC News
Link: The Guardian
Link: Royal Parks Press Room (detailed description of design and construction process)
Firm: Gustafson Porter
