Toblerone House by Marcio Kogan MK27 Architects

Toblerone House, Sao Paulo, Brazil, by MK27 Architects, Photography by Nelson Kon

Potence Pivotante by Charlotte Perriand for Nemo

A long arm stretches upwards, parallel to the wall, then bends at a right angle and runs along the ceiling, culminating in a large luminous bulb. Potence Pivotante proves that such simple materials as tubular metal and frosted white glass can define a lamp that is as essential as it is charming and timeless, thanks to the ingenuity of an exceptional talent: Charlotte Perriand.

Being hinged at the base, the lamp may be positioned at will anywhere along the circular path that its arm can complete on the ceiling. This solution was adopted by the architect to optimize the efficiency of the lamp, expressly designed in the Forties for flexibly illuminating her small Parisian apartment.

Potence Pivotante, by Charlotte Perriand, for Nemo

Boxes by Josep Lluís Xuclà for Vibia

An outdoor lamp with a minimalist design and an adjustable projector. Available in two colours: white lacquer or matt oxide.

Boxes, by Josep Lluís Xuclà, for Vibia

Wind-dyed House by acaa

A residential building located halfway up a cliff, overlooking the ocean. Thick clumps of trees that grow along the slope of the land surrounding the house cast a series of organic silhouettes that make the slope seem to come alive. We decided that the appropriate form to build would be as low-lying as possible, while also allowing the architecture to become embedded in the surrounding landscape according to the contours of the terrain. This would allow us to minimize the impact of the building on its environment. The design of the walls plays an important role in creating the overall sense of presence that a building projects. As such, we also tried to prevent the walls of this house from becoming surfaces that would obstruct or impede movement and sight.

Glass and screens along the enclosed perimeter of the house gives the second floor of this residence a certain transparency. Slender, deep-set eaves cast deep shadows on the facade of the building, softening the impact of the building’s physical presence in relation to its environment. The various components of the building were structured in order to allow the inhabitants to enjoy a different view of the outside on each level. The first floor features a stone floor and concrete walls finished with plaster, while the Japanese paper screens fitted inside the glass reflect the shadows of plants and trees. The hard-edged surfaces and finishes coexist with the soft, muted tones of the Japanese paper.

The second storey, in contrast, features an open-plan living space, the entirety of which can be opened up towards the ocean. A series of wide eaves stand between the outside of the house and the interior, which is articulated into smaller sections by a row of pillars. Going down the staircase-shaped terrace allows one to gradually draw closer to the outdoor landscape. The section that divides the two different elevations on this floor provides seating throughout, functioning as a unique Japanese-style verandah (engawa). A steel-reinforced concrete structure was used for the second floor, and a Vierendeel bridge structure allowed us to float a large, thin roof on top. The pillars consist of square cylindrical poles (measuring 75mm across) made of solid iron arranged in a densely packed formation using wooden modules (900 x 1800mm). By creating several areas of low-level rigidity, we were able to do away with the need for braces.

Wind-dyed House, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, by acaa, Photography © Hiroshi Ueda, via: ArchDaily

Fruits Table Lamp by S&O Design

Fruits Table Lamp, by S&O Design, for Galerie VIVID

Ice House by Minarc

To create a serene family sanctuary that harmoniously connects inhabitants with the surrounding natural environment, while combining the best sustainable, eco- friendly materials and energy efficient technologies with minimalist architectural design.

Ice House, Reykjavik, Iceland, by Minarc, Photography © Torfi Agnarsson

Exhibition: Jeff Koons: Schirn Kunsthalle & Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung

In the summer of 2012, the SCHIRN and the Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung turn their attention to the work of American artist Jeff Koons (born in 1955), an artist who has been setting trends in the art world since the 1980s. The two simultaneous exhibitions dedicated to Koons’s oeuvre deliberately separate his sculpture and painting, presenting each in its own context. The SCHIRN presentation JEFF KOONS. THE PAINTER will focus on Koons’s structural development as a painter. In his monumental paintings–whose motifs draw upon the most varied sources of high and popular culture–both hyperrealistic and gestural features give rise to highly complex concentrations of image and content. By contrast, in the exhibition JEFF KOONS. THE SCULPTOR at the Liebieghaus, both world-renowned and new sculptural works by Koons will enter into a dialogue with the historic building and its collection spanning 5,000 years of sculpture.

Jeff Koons: Schirn Kunsthalle and Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung, Frankfurt, Germany, June 20 – September 23, Curators: Vinzenz Brinkmann (Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung), Matthias Ulrich (Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt), and Joachim Pissarro (New York)
via: Design Art News

Preservation of Runic Stones by NOBEL

The project consists of two bronze structures which covers the unique runic stones and secure and preserve them for the future. The runic stones mark Denmark’ transition to Christianity in year 965, and the monument is also known as Denmark’s “birth certificate”. The monument is included on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage. The project was inaugurated in December 2011 and it is based on the winning competition project made by NOBEL arkitekter in March 2010.

The architectural composition emphasizes the experience of the runic stones, and forms a stylized dialogue between the two stones, which represents the first two kings of Denmark – Gorm and Harald Bluetooth. The bronze angles form one gable and the roof for each runic stone, while the other sides are designed with large glass surfaces. The coverings provide an architectural composition and allow spectators to get very close to the runic stones.

Preservation of Runic Stones, Jelling, Denmark, by NOBEL Arkitekter

Houseboat on the Eilbek Canal by Sprenger von der Lippe

“The Eilbek Canal, the moorings being considerably lower than street level and the banks lined with dense vegetation, conyeys the impression of introversion. Also the location between the bridges emphasises the impression of a quiet, enclosed area. Taking up this atmosphere we have purposely refrained from using dynamic, mobile-looking design elements in the newbuilding of our houseboat and are trying to establish a connection to the maritime world via materialities, construction and haptic.”

Houseboat on the Eilbek Canal, by Sprenger von der Lippe

Exhibition: Luke Jerram: Revealing the Invisible

In the exhibition, Luke Jerram explores ways to reveal invisible phenomena. The show will include works from three major series: Glass Microbiology, Radiometer Chandeliers, and Rotated Data Sculptures. By capturing phenomena beyond the reach of the human eye and making them material, Jerram draws our attention to a vast array of scientific research and data gathering and questions if and how does this knowledge serve us.

Glass Microbiology continues Jerram’s exploration of clear glass renderings of viruses and bacteria at the root of the most dangerous diseases (such as HIV, H1N1 and SARS). The series presents us with exquisite transparent objects which infer deadly harm. Working with leading virologist Dr. Andrew Davidson from the University of Bristol, Luke Jerram collaborated with specialized glassblowers to fabricate the pieces.

Luke Jerram: Revealing the Invisible, June 8 – July 6, at Heller Gallery, New York