Caged-Stone Facade - No Clichés of Architecture

Dominus Winery by Herzog & de Meuron (Yountville, California, 1997).

Swiss architecture duo Herzog & De Meuron are equal parts mystery and legend. They are one of the most prolific and well-respected firms in contemporary architecture, yet they don’t even have a website. (Best fact gleaned over the years: the pair met in kindergarten.)
Herzog & de Meuron’s first project in the United States was Dominus Winery, a private commission in Napa Valley. The so-called ‘stealth winery’ is low-slung and horizontal, a typical building style in the area, with a trump card of a curtain wall: reinforced concrete and gabion cladding on steel tube frame supporting baskets filled with basalt rocks from a nearby canyon.

The stainless steel baskets on the facade are both an aesthetic and technical choice that typify Herzog & de Meuron’s rich yet minimalist approach: “Generally used to retain dirt along highways,” in this case the gabions moderate the extreme temperatures of wine-growing valleys north of San Francisco.
Jacques Herzog, upon winning the Pritzker Prize in 2001, compared their work to that of Andy Warhol: ”He used common Pop images to say something new. That is exactly what we are interested in: to use well known forms and materials in a new way so that they become alive again … We love to destroy the clichés of architecture.”

From Architecture Week: “Variation in the wire mesh density and in the size of fill rock are finely orchestrated to a classical gravitational theme, with the strength of high-density mesh and close-packed rock establishing robustness at the base, then a middle then of more open mesh with close-packed rock for the main wall, capped by a top band with the more open spacing of larger rock.”

Onto the Dominus descendants:




Source: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/14379/if-you-like-herzog-de-meuron/
& http://fivenonblondes.wordpress.com/ & http://www.architectureweek.com

New generation of sports cars

After two and a half years of development Donkervoort Automobielen in Lelystad – in close collaboration with quattro GmbH, fully owned subcompany of the AUDI AG – has presented the next generation of open sports cars: the Donkervoort GTO. A combination of beautiful shape, the latest auto techniques and the ultimate experience. With a capacity of 340 to 400 HP and a torque of 450 Nm from about 1600 RPMs. And all this with a total weight of around 700 kilos. Without a doubt one of the fastest sports cars on the European market. And, with the first private preview for Donkervoort Ambassadors from all over Europe, received so enthusiastically that within a few hours approximately half of the first 25 specially designed GTOs were sold. The GTO is clearly a size larger than its predecessors, the closed GT and the open D8 270RS. About 35 centimetres longer and 15 centimetres wider, to be exact. Necessary to accommodate the massive, longitudinally placed, five cylinder 340 hp 2.5 TFSI AUDI AG motor and at the same time realise an astonishing balance in the design. The GTO is therefore a brand-new designed car. Only sharing 5% of the parts with the D8 270RS and about 30% with the much more recent GT. A milestone in the 34-year history of Donkervoort. With techniques directly derived from the aviation and aerospace industry. The first in a new generation of Donkervoort automobiles, according to Joop Donkervoort. The reason he also put the chassis number back to ‘0’ starting with the GTO.

Source: http://www.designspotter.com/news-details/2011/12/New-generation-of-sports-cars-GTO-by-Donkervoort.html

Focus Fireplaces

Today I would like to bring you Dominique Imbert and his "Focus" on fireplace design.
"Following his roving studies and an adventurous existence between the Sorbonne in Paris and the subways of Manhattan, one day in 1967, Dominique Imbert decided to set up a sculpture workshop at the foot of the Cevennes, north of Montpellier. The crumbling building he settled in had neither a roof nor windows that closed, so, prompted by the cold, he created a steel fireplace for his own use. On seeing it, visitors wanted one for themselves.
And so, Focus was born."
Here are some of his simply beautiful designs:

Source: http://www.focus-creation.com/#/UK

Coffee and Dining Table for Small Spaces

This interesting and inspiring furniture design for small space was brought to you by Sculrtures Jeux, An Expandable coffee and dining tables furniture that is now available and ready to decorate your small rooms space. You don’t have to be worried cause this small furniture design is practically have an expandable construction which can be transformed into a large and very useful furniture to store all your accecories. This contemporary wooden tables furniture have an interesting design covers with natural touch and finishing.
This expandable coffee table furniture could make your interior space more functional yet comfortable. Every coffee and dining table has several sliding tops, which are easy to adjust. With such models you could have a table of the size, which you need in the moment. The dining table with 4 additional sliding tops could become a perfect versatile work area and indispensable item in your kitchen.

Coffee and Dining Tables by Sculrtures Jeux

For more: http://www.decodir.com/2009/09/inspiring-coffee-and-dining-tables-sculrtures-jeux/

In the Celebration of Mitra, the God of Light

From this moment on, the days start to get longer and we see more light at least for the next six months. In celebration of Mitra's birth, the God of light, here I present some creative and inspiring lighting designs.

Lighting from Andromeda

The Icarus Light is designed by Tord Boontje

Nastro Light from Andromeda

The AMEBA Light by Pete Sans

 

light-emitting wallpaper by Jonas Samson

conceptual lighting system by Billy May

Patterned Light Fixtures by Sha-do

Sources: http://www.designemo.com/decorating-ideas-tips/lighting-decorating-2/lighting-your-home-and-make-it-gorgious
&: http://weburbanist.com/2009/10/05/15-innovative-lamp-lighting-and-light-bulb-designs/?ref=search
&: http://www.juvandesign.com/design/multi-color-lightinginteresting-dighting-design/

Designing a Better Hospital Room

When Michael Graves, the American architect and designer, found himself paralyzed, he began to notice design flaws in hospital rooms. He sketched ideas for improving hospital buildings, rooms, and furniture. In 2009, the products he designed became available through a partnership with Stryker, a hospital furnishing company.

The products are simple, logical improvements of the usual furniture found in patient rooms, such as a bedside cabinet with rounded edges, handles, a two way-drawer and an integrated trash can that fits under the bedside table (a favorite of hospital staff). The line also includes a chair with larger handles, to make it easier for patients to hoist themselves up, an overbed table, and a bedside stand with a large handle.

For more and Michael Graves TED Talk: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/design-architecture/michael-graves-on-how-to-design-better-hospital-rooms/2749

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A Ceiling Landscape

Made of metal and acrylic, the angled W&W lights fit into the suspended ceiling structure just like regular tiles but instead provide light from one or all sides.
materials : metal & PMMA
dimensions : 60x60cm modules, 5 different models

Source: http://work.poolhouse.eu/#1352790/W-W

& http://mocoloco.com/archives/026439.php

Inverted Warehouse-Townhouse by Dean-Wolf Architects

An addition and renovation of a multi-level Tribeca loft in New York, with "three double story voids [that] animate the missing 'garden' of the townhouse providing light, air, and visual contemplation."


"Admitting light and townhouse "garden" uses, these new spaces provide the structure for domestic life. Exterior court, reading court, and playroom are suspended into the void."

More at Dean-Wolf Architects.

Photos: Paul Warchol.

Source: http://mocoloco.com/fresh2/2011/12/08/inverted-warehouse-townhouse-by-dean-wolf-architects.php

2011 Tokyo Motor Show

credit: Jacob Gordon

The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show took place in Japan's capital city December 3-11.

First up, Toyota. The car manufacturer pulled the wraps off its FCV-R concept car for the first time during the show's press days. This sizable sedan runs on a hydrogen fuel cell power plant which Toyota claims can propel the FCV-R for 430 miles between hydrogen fillups.
Japan's leading automaker has been tinkering with conceptual fuel cell cars for some time, as first seen in the Fine-N back in 2005.

credit: Jacob Gordon

Honda staked out a large presence at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, and debuted a number of concepts for the first time.
Among those was this tiny Micro Commuter concept car. Intended strictly for zipping around the urban core, this Tron-esq three-seater maxes out at 37 miles per hour.

credit: Jacob Gordon

We've been following BMW's electrification for a while, but it was quite stunning to see the dramatic i8 plug-in diesel hybrid sports car in person this week in Tokyo.
What is it about gull-wing doors that always makes my body temperature go up a little? The i8 is a concept car, yes, but BMW insists its on track to bring it to production by 2013.
Under the hood is a 3-cylinder diesel engine that is mated to two electric motors. This combo can supposedly make the jump from 0-60 miles per hour in an fantastic 4.8 seconds, with a total range of 430 miles.

credit: Jacob Gordon

We've seen previous iterations of the Nissan Pivo.

Now in its third incarnation, Nissan showed the tiny commuter EV concept in Tokyo this week. While the Pivo III has lost its bubble shape, it has retained its ability to control each wheel independently, giving the car the ability to squeeze into otherwise-impossible parking spaces and maneuver in our increasingly jammed cities.

credit: Jacob Gordon

If you didn't think a station wagon deserved both gull-wing and suicide doors, take a gander at the Subaru Advanced Tourer concept that is on display in Tokyo this week.

Under the hood is a horizontally opposed boxer engine hooked to a single-motor hybrid system. And since it's a Subaru wagon, it has to be all-wheel drive.

Here is the Suzuki Q Concept. The Q - which apparently draws its name from its exterior form - is described as a new kind of mobility that's "positioned between motorcycles and cars." Designed primarily for urban use, the car is only 8.2-feet long, is purportedly "ideal for trips under 10 km." Tandem seating for two is provided, though Suzuki says the smaller rear seat can be folded flat to provide enough cargo space for use as a delivery vehicle
Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/tokyo/2011/1111_suzuki_q_concept/index.html#ixzz1gKA74YpU

More: http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/cars/2011-tokyo-motor-show-exclusive-innovative-green-concept-cars/

Ludovico Desk/Chairs/Storage by Claudio Sibille

An excellent contemporary design for small spaces designed by Claudio Sibille.

The concept itself is very simple. Two chairs are placed inside the furniture in determined areas of the furniture that fit exactly with the lines of the chairs, maintaining at the same time four drawers of considerable volume. When closed, the chairs seem hidden and give the impression of four more little drawers.

Materials: eucalyptus grandis finger joint. Aluminum handles.

Source: http://www.claudiosibille.com/ludovico.php

Heritage Revisited Armchair

"I wanted to pay an homage to our history, to our hand crafts. In the end, to what is ours, to what is truly Portuguese ", said Susana Martins the designer of this fabulous armchair.
This piece will be at the Millionaire Gallery in the Millionaire Fair Amsterdam from 8th to 12th December 2011!

Its silver back is totally handmade, with inspiration on the traditional Portuguese filigree. A unique armchair with historical references, that provides inspiration for exquisite and bold atmospheres.
 

Detailed handmade fabric



Source:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Munna/128055343876375