Windows
A Shape in the Broken Mirror
A Shape in the Broken Mirror of our lives! Or not quite that dramatic. Lovely, though! The lights you’re about to experience are inspired by broken glass mirrors and windows. But while a broken mirror breaks, it basically looses its function, these “Broken Mirror” lights rely on those cracks for shedding!
Shedding the light of beauty. That’s what’s up. In each of these Broken Mirror lights you’ll find a familiar shape, a bit of nature, a bit of light. I’m not sure these would be entirely full-family friendly, as they might prove extra breakable when a toddler gets at them, but for you single lamp-loving folks out there, awesome!
Designer: Hye-Yeon Kim
Amphibious Garden Produces Own Power, Cleans Rivers
[ Filed under Food & Health or in the Energy & Fuel category ]
As we approach World Water Day 2010, it’s important to take a moment to consider just how essential clean drinking water is. More than a billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water. Millions die each year from their lack of access to clean, potable water. Many initiatives have been proposed to address this global concern, but it’s a continuing threat in developing nations around the world. Vincent Callebaut Architectures has proposed a novel way to both purify European waterways and raise public awareness of the water shortage problem.
The proposed solution is this self-sufficient, positive-energy floating garden called the Physalia (which means “water bubble”). The design is zero-emission, in keeping with the firm’s commitment to an environmentally-responsible design. But even more importantly, the structure actually produces its own power with photovoltaic cells and hydro-electric turbines. By producing more power than it consumes, the Physalia crosses over into positive-energy territory.
The Physalia is designed to travel between the major rivers of Europe, purifying the water and facilitating international water conservation research. By far, two of the most prominent physical features of the Physalia are its rooftop garden and its massive sunroof. The garden would be nourished by the water in which the vessel floats, while the sunroof and side windows let passengers admire their surroundings. Because of its reflective windows and natural contours, during daylight hours, the vessel looks more like a biological presence or a trick of light than a carefully constructed fluvial craft.
While it glides along in river waters, the TiO2-coated surface reacts with ultraviolet rays to purify the fluvial water. It absorbs and neutralizes waste from agricultural and industrial sources, as well as the water pollution created by other river vessels. It would become a sort of floating laboratory, a testing ground to see just how successful an innovative vessel like this can actually be. At the same time, it could be a floating classroom, a tourist attraction and a conference location all centered around the idea of clean water accessibility.
The vessel itself is an eco-minded traveler’s paradise. It contains four distinct areas with themes based on the four elements. The Water Garden is the vessel’s main entry point. The open-air reception area would house temporary exhibitions and provide a seamless view of the water below and to every side. The Earth Garden houses the research laboratory. The Fire Garden is a womb-like chamber in the underwater section of the Physalia; it features a roaring fire in the fireproof hull and would be home to permanent exhibits on aquatic ecosystems. The Air Garden is described as “an audacious avant-garde project” that would educate visitors about water respect.
Will we ever see a vessel like the Physalia floating between the major rivers of Europe? That remains to be seen. But such an ambitious project would certainly prove to not only raise awareness of the clean water shortage, but also help to cut down on the widespread pollution of river water. Let’s hope that one day, we can look out over the Seine to see this floating bubble drift by.
Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebEcoist:10 of the World’s Most Vital Rivers for SurvivalRivers are still important transportation routes in places where roads and rails cannot go.They are also a source of energy and drinking water. 2 Comments – Click Here to Read More »»
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38 Snowmen Nightmares: Calvin and Hobbes In Real Life
If you are not a fan of Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip written and illustrated by Bill Watterson, then you may not know that Calvin was an imaginative little boy who created snowmen and put them in scenes that would be straight out of a snowman’s nightmare. Little Calvin would have the snowmen in scenes where the snowmen would die horrible, mostly painful, deaths. For ten winters, Calvin and Hobbes created entire worlds of snowmen living or dying in unhappily ever after ways. Here are some of the best snowmen nightmares, where fans of the comic strip created tributes to Calvin and Hobbes snowmen in real life.
Snowmen Nightmares
(image credits:urbandictionary,vincepenman,dailyinvention,veganbilly,c_r_i_s)
If you decide to build a snowman, then perhaps you should startle your neighbors and people who drive by. The first thing you should know is that the snowman should not be set in a smiling and happily ever after scene. Think along the lines of what would be a snowman’s worst nightmare. If you have a dark sense of humor, then it will be easy. If you need some ideas, take a look at the Calvin and Hobbes comic strips and snowmen below.
Snow Monster
(image credits:zzaran,justalby)
The man-eating snowman is a giant snowman with a huge toothy mouth. Calvin once placed himself in its mouth to create the impression he was being eaten alive. This snow monster above is into cannibalism, catching and eating other snowmen. When Calvin’s dad saw the scene, he said, “I don’t think the schools assign enough homework.”
Repent. The End is Near
(image credits:verybigjen,?ick?, ausreißer,baldheretic,blogspot)
The “Snowmen Prophets of Doom” proclaim that spring is near and the snowmen are melting. Calvin made snowmen and then gave them all signs like,”Repent all sinners,” “The end is near,” and “Spring is coming!”
Snowman House of Horrors
(image credits:zzaran,Tom_Vaughan,freakyhumor,freakyhumor,freakyhumor)
Calvin created many depictions of snowmen in his “Snowman House of Horror.” Among the snowmen created, a specific snowman had been chopped in half with a sled driven by a baby snowman, the horrified headless snowman, and the snowman with a tree staked through its heart. People have gone with this theme, maiming, stabbing, and killing their snow-people. Calvin said to his mother, “You don’t like my snowman house of horror, do you?”
Snow Sharks
(image credits:bigpicture,-Mainman-,jimgrant,bigpicture)
Hobbes asks, “Snow sharks?” Calvin replied, “That guy’s a goner.” Snow snarks have popped up all over the world to eat snowmen since that time. There were also snow snakes, same idea, the snowman is about to die a horrible death.
Snowman Car Crash
(image credits:nargalzius,blogspot,catamountcorner,ryanjhouse,whitepuffycloud,yousaytoo)
Perhaps the most famous snowman gag involved Dad’s parked car. Several snowmen were are gathered around with their mouths gaping in horror while they look at the trisected body of a snowman “hit” by the car. Dad then stated, “I think we’d better get that kid to a psychologist.”
Snowmen Slowed Down Traffic
(image credits:zzaran,fergusj,ryanjhouse,blogspot,caswell_tom)
Minitecture: 15 Ultra-Modern Dollhouse Designs
Dollhouses have a long history, beginning in the 17th century. They were originally used to display interior designs, but eventually came to be used as children’s playthings. Today, they’re still loved by children, but there is also a growing global community of adult miniature collectors who value dollhouses for their style and quality. There is a huge variety to be found in the world of tiny houses, from the elaborate handmade houses to the mass-produced plastic ones. For many of us, the dollhouses we remember from childhood are the frilly Victorian type or the sterile Barbie’s Dream Houses. But there’s a whole world of sleek, stylish modern dollhouses out there, just waiting to instill a love of modern architecture in your little one.
(images via: Paris Renfroe)
These shipping container modules from Paris Renfroe Design are the ultimate in modern dollhouse architecture. Taking the wildly popular container homes trend and shrinking it to dollhouse size, Renfroe is bringing even more exposure to this particular architectural movement. Each unit is handmade by the artist and will run you $175-$250, depending on your desired finish. If you have some money to throw around, this might just be the perfect way to inspire your aspiring architect or interior designer.
(images via: Paris Renfroe)
Fabulous prefab dollhouse design is also from Paris Renfroe; in fact, it was his first foray into miniature home design. The modern, open home could easily be a real city dwelling, complete with small backyard pool and intimate second-floor patio.
(image via: My Modern Mini)
The Mini House 1 is another take on the modern modular dollhouse design. The upper and lower units can be purchased separately or together so you can come up with your own unique home design. The sleek lines and glass fronts offer an unquestionably modern alternative to those character-less plastic dollhouses many of us grew up with.
(images via: Minimii)
Magical things happen in dollhouses. Miniature lives are lived while children develop their social skills and imaginations. This gorgeous modern dollhouse from Minimii encourages that learning and playing with a design that even grownups will love. This house is an exact 1:14 replica of famed architect Arne Jacobsen’s beloved home. The company even offers modern furniture to outfit the crisp modern rooms.
(images via: A Touch of the Past)
Why let the people who make the dollhouses have all the fun? This Ultra Modern Doll House comes ready to finish, so you can apply your creativity to each and every room. The high ceilings, interesting entryway, garage-top terrace and huge, modern windows make this a truly unique dollhouse.
(images via: Inhabitots)
For all of the minuscule minimalist modernists out there, this A-frame dollhouse is based on Andrew Geller’s similarly-shaped teepee home from the 1950s. The unusual shape lends itself well to imaginative play, while the design itself is visually interesting enough that you’ll want to keep it out on the table rather than hide it away with the rest of the toys.
Arezzo Park Hotel by Simone Micheli
Italian architect Simone Micheli has completed the design of the Arezzo Park Hotel.
Full description after the photos….
Bridge House by Max Pritchard Architect
Architect Max Pritchard has designed the Bridge House in Adelaide, Australia.
An idyllic site of winter creek, billabong, large river red gums, dense wattles and rocky banks called for a house that would “touch the earth lightly”. The solution, a narrow bridge like structure spanning the creek providing the experience of living amongst the trees in an almost untouched beautiful setting.
Winter sun through the north facing windows heats the black concrete floor for reradiaiton at night. A wood combustion heater supplements the natural passive heating. Double glazing to the living area helps retain the heat. Perforated steel louvres shade the north windows in summer. The narrow plan form allows cross ventilation and is combined with ceiling fans to provide sufficient cooling for summer comfort. Solar hot water heating and photovoltaic cells positioned on the garage roof compliment the sustainable character of the house.
Photography by Sam Noonan
Visit the website of Max Pritchard Architect – here.
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Pinheiros House in Brazil by Isay Weinfeld
Simple, modern home with lots of fun vertical windows and columns and in opposition, some playful elements, such as the grate-like patterned wall.
http://www.isayweinfeld.com
2009 Design Milk | Posted by Jaime in Architecture | Permalink | No comments
2009 review: August
Our most popular story in August 2009 was this housing project with windows that look like gilded picture frames by Stockholm architects Wilhelmson Arkitekter. Scroll down for the rest of August’s top five… (more…)
The Futuro House: Space Age Architecture Comes Home
[ Filed under Architecture & Design or in the Abandoned Places category ]
Evoking images of flying saucers, interplanetary space pods and science fiction futurism, the Futuro house offered homeowners a chance to live in the future without ever leaving their front yards. Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed the Futuro house in 1968 but only 96 of the fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic pods were produced over a 5-year period – killed by the 1973 Oil Crisis that tripled the price of plastics. Today, roughly half of the ellipsoid structures have been accounted for and their iconic design has made them a favorite of pop culture collectors, retrofuturism fans and all those who appreciate the impact of 1960s Space Age style.
From Finland It Came
(images via: Artificial Owl, International Day and Discover Interior Design)
The Futuro house was the brainchild of Matti Suuronen, one of a number of Finnish architects and designers who garnered wide recognition for futuristic, post-modern structures and consumer goods. Along with Alvar Aalto, Eero Saarinen and Viljo Revell, visionary architects like Suuronen put Finland on the map when it came to futuristic, and, well, fantastic expressions of the post-modernist ethos.
(image via: Yu-Lin Chan)
Explaining his architectural philosophy in a 1957 speech, Alvar Aalto said, “We should work for simple, good, undecorated things, but things which are in harmony with the human being and organically suited to the little man in the street.” Toronto’s city hall, which was designed by Revell and opened in 1967, is shown above.
Design Ahead Of Its Time
(images via: ArcSpace and Zentropolis)
Airport terminals and city halls are one thing, homes for the “little man” are quite another. That’s where Matti Suuronen comes in, along with his iconic Futuro house. Measuring 10 feet (3 meters) high, 26 feet (8 meters) in diameter and perched upon a sturdy 4-legged steel base, the Futuro house could house a very small family in a pinch or several modules could serve different domestic functions. The basic design is a simple one, as can be noted by the consistency of Suuronen’s vision from the very first hand-drawn renderings.
(image via: Ektroverde)
The finished product proves the practicality of Suuronen’s design. The shape and form are timeless – with its “egg on an egg cup” format, the Futuro house looks as good today as it did in 1968.
Themes, Memes and Dreams in a Decade of Architecture
The blogs are full of “best of the year” lists, but architecture moves more slowly – it takes a long time for ideas to get built, technologies to evolve and for knowledge to spread. Instead, we look at the themes and memes of the past decade of architecture in TreeHugger. From the rise of modern prefab to the growth of green roofs, read on for the most notable trends in sustainable building.
Read the rest of Themes, Memes and Dreams in a Decade of Architecture
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