From the monthly archives: May 2011
Read the rest of Torre Plaça Europa: Social Housing in Barcelona Made With 100% Recyclable Materials
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Post tags: "sustainable architecture", affordable housing, Barcelona, brise soleil, eco design, green architecture, Green Building, green design, Recycled Materials, Roldán+Berengué Arqts, social housing, solar shading, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, Torre Plaça Europa
Read the rest of Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport to be Resurrected as One of Europe’s Largest Urban Gardens
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Post tags: "sustainable architecture", airport, airport renovation, berlin, eco design, germany, green architecture, Green Building, green design, green renovation, Gross Max, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, sutherland hussey, tempelhof, tempelhof airport, tempelhof renovation, urban garden
Read the rest of Corby Cube: Dazzling Glass Pavilion Unveiled in England
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Post tags: building design, Civic hib, Croby UK, cubic form, design awards, glass building, Glass Cube, Hawkins\Brown, Multi-purpose building, Public Architecture, public building, public space
Seven of the latest and greatest ways to get the most out of your bike this season
With spring on the way and summer right around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with some long bike rides? Since you've already picked up a bike from our seasonal bicycle guide, we've put together a brief list of some of our favorite accessories for your spring pedaling.
Conceived with the sporting cyclist in mind, Brooks' B15 Swallow Select saddle was originally patented in 1937. This reproduction brings back the timeless design of hand-hammered copper rivets paired with a rich organic leather that breaks in for an ergonomic, customize fit sooner than other standard leather saddles. Although its minimal silhouette and aggressive design was originally intended for the avid road cyclist, this saddle also performs quite well for the ride-to-the-office-and-then-to-the-pub cyclist. Dropping in June, the B15 Swallow Select will sell for €190.
Linus Bikes' Market Bag is the ideal addition to any grocery-getter. The traditional panniers firmly secure to any rear bicycle rack with just a few brass snaps, making them easy to take off too. Constructed with tough waxed canvas and oil skin leather, the super-durable bags roll up neatly when not in use. The pair come with one adjustable shoulder strap for mobility and in multiple colors for $130.
Another new product from Brooks—who've dominated the cycling world since 1866, by the way—the Islington Rucksack is a 2011 release obviously designed with the cyclist in mind. Constructed of sturdy water-resistant cotton and vegetable tanned leather, this pack has more than enough room for picnic supplies or a soccer ball for a relaxing weekend in the park. The innovative shoulder harness design allows for the straps to adjust to cross the chest or waist for added stability while riding, and coated cotton will scratch with prolonged use, lending an appealing patina. Grab it for €300.
Specialized's S-Works Prevail is the ultimate lightweight road helmet. Built with patented Kevlar-reinforced construction and designed with incredible ventilation, it keeps domes safe and fresh. It's the lightest on the market and so aerodynamic that you may just go faster with this puppy. Our favorite feature has to be the simple Mindset micro-dial fit system with height adjustability that makes for a perfectly comfortable fit for any-sized noggin. Available for $230.
Made in NYC and designed to soften the harsh blow of an east coast summer, Outlier's Three Way Short is constructed of four-season fabric woven in Switzerland by Schoeller Textiles to produce an extremely breathable material to keep you cooler in the heat, resist stains and dry fast. These sleek shorts have an 8.5" inseam landing just above the knee for a classic (think Gold Finger-era James Bond) and comfortable fit. Perfect for keeping you looking sharp even after the commute, trip to the beach or a friend's BBQ, they represent summer style up for grabs in multiple subdued colors for $128 a pop.
Princeton Tec's new Push bicycyle light delivers 260 degrees and 68 meters of visibility, powered by a 100 lumen vessel light with up to 63 hours of burn time. Small windows on the side emit flashing red lights to keep drivers notified of your presence, while the powerful LED illuminates the way. In addition to an easy on/off switch, an ingenious bar mount mechanism easily detaches to prevent the little gadget from getting permanently "borrowed." All this in a tiny package costs just $32.
Small and portable, Avenir's Mini Tool is accented with wood and has everything a bike enthusiast needs. From hex wrenches to a chain tool and even a phillips head screwdriver, this multi-tool is the ultimate cyclist pocket gadget. It's a great buy for the buck at just $14.
Nike introduces their first Lunar sole in a pro skater's signature shoe
Drawing inspiration from both running and soccer shoes, pro skateboarder Eric Koston announced his first signature model for NikeSB last week. The result has the durability, performance and looks of a skate shoe, but with comfort and technical specs usually reserved for traditional sports.
Koston, who had design experience from working on both Nike's Dunk Pro SB and Zoom FP, found himself turning to Lunars and Glides to cushion his feet when he wasn't skating. Taking cues from the comfort of those shoes, along with the glove-like fit of the Nike Presto, the goal was to integrate those features into an outer that could withstand the pavement. Simple enough in theory, what it took to get there was a little more involved.
To get the lightweight comfort of the Lunar, the Koston 1 is the first shoe in the Nike Action family to use the recent innovation of Lunar foam. Putting it in both the sockliner and midsole makes for a light shoe with full-foot cushion that translates into heavy impact protection—without a loss of board feel. Another cushion for toe crunch helps with high impact from jumping down stairs or slams, and a mono tongue (as well as an overall minimization of seams) alleviates pressure points around toe ligament.
In spite of the cushy interior, the new kicks have a tough exterior that can hold up to even Koston's pro moves. A lack of seams and superior durability of the TPU-reinforced suede upper makes the shoe last longer and less susceptible to immediate toe blow-outs. Where the icon claims he used to go through a pair every four or five days, his model lasts him weeks, even getting an ollie hole which he hadn't done since he was a kid.
Sealing the deal, a neoprene collar lends uniform ankle comfort and "Lo Ride" construction gives the stability of cupsole construction with the board feel of a full vulcanized sole.
The Koston 1s hit stores 1 July 2011 in three colorways, as well as a limited release of Nike SB Eric Koston Premium, a collaboration with Kobe Bryant that features an embossed suede and a snakeskin pattern upper inspired by the Kobe VI basketball shoe.
After just six months of dating, 30-year-old Kim Kardashian is now engaged to NBA star Kris Humphries (age 26). Kris surprised her by covering rose petals in her bedroom spelling out “WIll you marry Me? and sealing the deal with a custom-made 20.5 cara Lorraine Schwartz ring.
(via LA Times)
A few years ago, I sat down with Cameron Sinclair to talk about his recently-launched Open Architecture Network. He describes it as a “gift to the design community” with a simple mission: “to generate design opportunities that will improve living standards for all “by providing an open-source platform through which anyone can view, post, share, and adapt sustainable, humanitarian-based, scalable solutions. The idea that designs and all associated documents can and should be shared within the decidedly proprietary architectural industry is truly innovative, and could very well aid in the reshaping of the entire architectural profession into a more socially-focused and responsible vocation. Read on for a full transcription of the interview.
Read the rest of INTERVIEW: We Talk with Architecture for Humanity Founder Cameron Sinclair
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Post tags: Architecture for Humanity, cameron sinclair, Cameron Sinclair Interview, Interview with Cameron Sinclair, Open Architecture Network, open source design, TED 2007, TED prize
From the world’s largest rooftop farm to stunning private gardens, we’ve seen a lot of amazing designs on New York City rooftops, but who would have thought to place an entire house atop a Big Apple building? More people than you would think, that’s for sure. The idea of a rooftop house may seem extravagant, but open space is sparse in the concrete jungle, and often there’s no place to go but up. Hit the jump to see eight amazing hidden houses that create no additional footprint and offer a unique twist on green roofs.
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Post tags: Green Building, green buildings nyc, green design, loftcube new york city, loftcube nyc, rooftop home, rooftop home new york city, rooftop home nyc, rooftop house, rooftop house new york, rooftop house new york city, rooftop house nyc, Sustainable Building, sustainable design
Flat-pack platforms, Playboy's archive for iPads, a sneaker encyclopedia and more in this week's look at the web
1. Inception Chair
Designer Vivian Chiu created this fascinating chair within a chair within a chair. The conceptual seating is so enchanting I almost can't remember whose dream I'm in.
2. Female Foosball
Showing up in NYC for ICFF, the first-ever female foosball player finally puts the ladies in power on the table.
3. Build Your Own Platform
Fashion-forward shoe designer United Nude teamed up with Spanish performance artist Alicia Framis for a carbon-fiber flat-pack shoe you build yourself, based on the belief "that humans will one day live in outer-space."
4. Lockitron
Between all the devices and accessories the modern human has to lug around, carrying (and not loosing) keys can be a pain. Enter Lockitron, a new mobile app that lets users lock and unlock doors from their phones.
5. Social Memories
For all our digital prowess, there's still nothing like a photo album for a leisurely stroll down memory lane. Enter Social Memories, Deutsche Post DHL's infographic-heavy book based on data and photos gleaned from your Facebook page.
6. Venice in Venice
Curated by Tim Nye and Jacqueline Miro, Venice in Venice bring Italy's most famous films to California, such as Federico Fellini’s Il Casanova and more.
7. Hermes and Vans
The blank canvases that are Vans sneakers have inspired many a masterpiece but none quite blend high and low fashion as ingeniously as this unofficial collaboration that customizes a pair with Hermes scarves.
8. Slew of Brooklyn Vendors Confirmed for Rockaway Boardwalk
In a win for urban revivification and low-key restaurant development, several of Brooklyn's finest restaurants—among them Roberta's, Caracas and Blue Bottle—are banding together to open up shop this summer nearby the popular Rockaway Taco.
9. This is My Dream
Full of insights like "I'm just interested in how to cut the clothing," the trailer for the forthcoming documentary on world-renowned designer Yohji Yamamoto promises a must-see film when it comes out this fall.
10. Richard Chai for Acura
Fashion designer Richard Chai created an elegant set of limited-edition driving gloves for Acura, inspired by the new film Thor made using the automaker's leather and based on the curves of the vehicle's interior.
11. Sneakerpedia
On the heels of an upswing, Foot Locker is launching Sneakerpedia on 17 May 2011. The encyclopedic sight will offer info on when the shoe hit the market, materials, style and pretty much anything else a sneaker freaker would want.
12. Playboy for iPad
The final element has fallen into place to make reading on the iPad a classy experience for any debonair gent with the release of Playboy for iPad. Hef and company have finally gone totally digital, offering ever issue since the magazines inception (1953) for mobile viewing.
In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human…
Playboy are celebrating the top 23 Air Jordans of all-time with this short video featuring Playmate Francesca Frigo. Assuming the unmistakable of Spike Lee’s Mars Blackmon, Frigo gives everybody a heads up about the upcoming feature which also stars Playmates Francesca Frigo, Jaime Edmondson, Jessica Burciaga, Patrice Hollis, Hiromi Oshima, Tiffany Taylor, Candice Cassidy, Kimberly Phillips and Heather Rae Young. The feature will launch on May 31 at Playboy.com.
Jay-Z out and about strolling the town today with Beyonce, was caught wearing this “Yeezy Taught You Well” ($21) t-shirt from The Cooler Collective.
(via Complex)
Read the rest of ResilienCity: map-Lab’s 2035 Vision For Boston Includes a 20 Million Gallon Water Cistern
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Post tags: 2035, biogas, boston, brownfield, canals, green design, greyfield, innovation district, international living future institute, living city design competition, Living Walls, map-lab, pedestrian friendly, photovoltaics, sustainable design, underground cistern
Read the rest of Solar-Powered Piezoelectric Sports Stadium Breaks Ground in India
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Post tags: biomimicry architecture, eco design, green design, India, kinetic energy, piezoelectricity, pneumatic panels, solar panel, Solar Power, Sonia Gandhi, Sports complex, Studio Symbiosis, sustainable design
Read the rest of Contemporary Russian Studio Emerges from Old Garage
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Post tags: built in rooms, eco convertion, FABRE/deMARIEN architectes, garage convertion, russian green buildign, urban green studio conversion, wooden rolling shutters
Read the rest of Mattel Designer Builds Gorgeous Turquoise Dream Home from Shipping Containers
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Post tags: container homes, green kitchen, green roof, industrial design, low energy appliances, mattel company, Prefab Housing, Recycling initiatives, shipping container architecture, Sustainable Building, texas architecture, vegetable patch
“One Shot” – a short action film by Freddie Wong featuring Jayson Floyd and Eliza Dushku, and the stunts of Action Factory.
Full disclosure: I blog on the internet. And, yes, that involves a lot of time spent reading lengthy walls of text on my MacBook screen in the name of research. So when I heard somebody had developed a font that was specifically designed to be the best for reading text on bright screens, I knew I wanted to test it out for myself, and you can too.
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Our top-ten preview of the U.S. design event of the year
Many try, but few succeed in creating the kind of citywide hum that an event like ICFF brings to NYC each May. We once saw the editor of one Los Angeles-based site navigate using a sheet of printer paper with scribbled notes on the many launches, openings, appointments and cocktail parties she planned to hit. With such an overwhelming agenda, we made this hit list to assist on decisions of where to go and what to see. So find a sheet of printer paper, jot down some dates, times and addresses or, if you're not in the Big Apple, get a sneak peek of what's coming next in the world of design.
Noho Design District
First on the list of "what not to miss" is the second-annual Noho Design District, which runs from 13-16 May 2011. Concentrated primarily around Great Jones and Bond streets, you'll find product showcases, a film screening room, founders Sight Unseen's pop-up shop and much more.
With Sight Unseen lending their design expertise for the second year in a row to produce McMasterpieces, the showcase of 15 design objects created entirely out of parts and raw materials from McMaster-Carr has some of our favorite local designers in it. Head to The American Design Building at Great Jones Lumber (45 Great Jones Street) to check it out.
Sharing the same location as McMasterpieces and with several more of the NYC designers that we've come to know and love, The American Design Club presents Use Me, an exhibit of "unapologetically functional objects" by 45 young American designers.
While cruising the many new Noho venues, make sure to check out Sight Unseen's first-ever pop-up shop, featuring a collection of eccentric and handmade wares— Iacoli & McAllister's perfectly-simple Hex bottle opener—by many rising talents in art, fashion and design. The pop-up shop runs May 13-16 and is located at 45 Great Jones as well.
Swing by Partners & Spade at 40 Great Jones for even more rising talent (that in this case is based mere blocks away). There Rich, Brilliant, Willing will show an exhibition of new large-scale Delta Lights handmade in the Tri-State area. Also keep an eye out for the limited run of table lights inspired by Estes model rocket kits and born out of a collaboration between Partners & Spade and RBW.
Take a few steps over to 55 Great Jones and you'll find yourself at The Future Perfect and their showcase of new furniture and lighting by a wide array of talents. Included in the exhibit will be Matt Gagnon, who will be building his wrapped Prototype lamps on site, and Mark Moskovitz' Facecord Cabinet.
ICFF
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair returns to NYC this weekend to showcase the work of over 24,000 designers, architects, developers and more all under one roof of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from May 14-17.
Emerging lighting brand Roll & Hill will present their second collection of new products since launching in 2010. Find time between May 14-17 to swing by ICFF to catch a glimpse of the stunning fixtures that brought the Brooklynites so much attention in the past year.
Designboom's mart, an exhibition of 40 designers worldwide, always has something fun. The installation allows for patrons to meet young designers and purchase their work on the spot, directly from the talent themselves. Each mans a booth with their projects for all to see, hear, and touch. Make sure to bring some extra cash to this spirited event open for all on 14-16 May 2011 from 10am-4pm.
Fans of Spanish design shouldn't miss a special presentation at the Javits Center where the Spanish design association Red in collaboration with our sister company Largetail brings together Stone Designs, Santa & Cole, Estudihac and Luis Eslava will give short presentations on what inspires their process and the significance of living and working in Spain. Cool Hunting and three other sites will be present conducting live interviews with the designers and exploring a variety of themes. The event is open to all ICFF attendees and takes place on Sunday, 16 May 2011, from 2pm-3pm at the Spanish Pavilion.
NYC Design Week
Over on Bowery, a handful of goings-on make a good next stop after checking out Noho. Private Property, a show presented by New York Art Department, Alife, and Uhuru, features high-end sustainable furniture design inspired by NYC graffiti culture including the likes of Earsnot, Jim Joe, Semen, KR and the beloved hangout Max Fish. Be there for the opening reception Friday 13 May 2011 from 6-8pm at The Hole on 312 Bowery. If you can't get into the opening the show, don't worry it runs 14-17 May 2011, from 12-8pm everyday.
Take a quick stroll over to the Chelsea Art Museum to see a more diverse showcase of design at Model Citizens. Over 90 designers from here and abroad come together to present their latest works of furniture, products, ceramics, glass and jewelry. There is also a show retail shop in case something in particular catches your eye. It runs from 13-15 May 2011.
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