Author: designer

  • Modern Wall Mounted House for Cats by Mojorno

    Modern Wall Mounted House for Cats by Mojorno

    Pet owners know best is not very easy to find furniture for their smallest friends that is fashionable and fits their home’s décor as well. Besides that, there are also some other things to consider when buying a house for your pet such as durability, safety for other family members, materials that should be non toxic, etc. Russian industrial designer Ilshat Garipov from Mojorno came up with a creative, fun and modern solution for cats to lounge and sleep: Catissa.

    Catissa-colored-modules-night

    A sample of the modern architecture for cats, Catissa is an awesome wall mounted cat tree designed to gives your cats their own area to call home without disturbing the interior look of your home. Unlike other furniture pieces for cats, this four-storey house consists of solidwood modular cubes which can be placed on the wall, just below the ceiling, where your cath can reach using the little ladder that comes along with the cubes. This smart idea of installing the cats’ house at height not only creates a safe place for them where children and dogs can’t get them, but also leaves your room available for other important furniture pieces you might want to have.

    Each cube has a soft pillow inside in order to create a cozy place for your cats’ sleep, pillows that are very easy to remove and wash. Catissa’s minimalistic design will complement any contemporary interior, and thinking that it comes also in various color combinations makes it a powerful eye-catching object in your room. What do you think, do you like it?

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    Catissa-colored-detail
    Catissa-colored-modules
    Catissa-white-modules

    Photos © Mojorno

  • VIP Dining Experience at Pak Loh Restaurant in Hong Kong

    VIP Dining Experience at Pak Loh Restaurant in Hong Kong

    Opened since 1967, Pak Loh is a traditional, Hong Kong based family restaurant that serves Chiu Chow cuisine, a particular Chinese food. Situated in the heart of a building block in Causeway Bay district, Hong Kong, their highly successful flagship restaurant got in 2012 a new image for its public entrance area and for ‘Lo Mei food preparation area’, which was transformed into an exclusive VIP dining room by Hong Kong & Antwerp based architectural design and research practice LEAD.

    Restaurant-entrance

    This new lounge area is somehow separated from the restaurant main entrance by a public passageway, being positioned in front of the building block’s façade of the Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant, situation that was seen as an opportunity by LEAD’s architects and designers to engage those passers by in an authentic and playful visual theatre. Causeway Bay’s busy street-life and the VIP room hidden deep inside interact in a beautiful manner, all designed elements ensuring a continuity between the publically accessible space and the private one.

    They worked with geometrical elements, played with reflections and transparencies and amplified perspectival views, in order to trigger curiosity and seduce potential clients to enter Pak Loh Restaurant’s VIP dining area. Inside, the luxurious private space exudes elegance and intimacy. It reveals a seductive game of exposure and concealment with stylish curves and mirror and fins that replaced the space-limiting items such as walls and corners, all of them working together to create a unique dining experience. Have a look and share your experience with us if you had the change to eat there!

    Restaurant-passageway

    Restaurant-passageway-01

    VIP-dining-room

    Pah-Loh-VIP-room

    Pah-Loh-plan-and-section

    Photos © Dennis Lo Designs

     

    Project details:

    Architects: LEAD
    Client: Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant Ltd.
    Location: 23-25 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
    Program: Chinese Restaurant’s VIP Room
    Project Management: 4N Architects, Laboratory for Explorative Architecture & Design Ltd. (LEAD)
    Design Team: Kristof Crolla, Sebastien Delagrange
    General Contractor: Kin Wah Decoration Co
    Specialist Contractor Fins: E T Engineering Ltd.
    Area: 25 sqm
    Year: 2012

     

  • A Dialogue Between Styles- Loft in Milan by Takane Ezoe and Modourbano

    A Dialogue Between Styles- Loft in Milan by Takane Ezoe and Modourbano

    We have spotted recently the work of MODOURBANO associates and we liked very much one specifically project that was accomplished in collaboration with Japanese artist Takane Ezoe and that is T House, the one we are presenting you today. T House is a gorgeous contemporary residence located near Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio in Milan, Italy, that exhales good taste and unique design style, and seeks to establish a connection between the elegance of a Milanese loft and the depth of a Japanese home. This union of traditions and tastes is reflected with ingenuity throughout the entire house and once guests get in, they’ll experience a different kind of charm of the Italian city.

    Bright-studio-room

    A studio zone and a residential area are  delightfully combined under one roof according to the client’s needs, an artist that works till late and asked for an airy place, where the two realities don’t have a real separation line between them. Formerly a horse stable, the T House has a strong, distinctive character reminiscent of buildings in Milan of the eighteenth century: roomy double volumes, large windows with arches, stone fragments and large wooden beam of gallery, which was preserved and improved with details inspired from Japanese culture like: semi-open spaces, asymmetry and incorporation of elements from nature.

    With an harmonious combination of wood floors and white walls, the loft interior is neat, airy and elegant in the same time. Bright and luminous, bordered by huge windows, the studio is a large and comfortable place, which allows the owner to work all day long, meet with her assistants and  move freely inside with her large-size works of art. A space dedicated to exhibiting and moving the artworks during various events, was designed near the studio. By doing that, the problem of the storage of the works of art was solved in an interesting and appealing manner. Neutrality and simplicity defines this area where the artist wants to work on her own art without being disturbed by the outside world.

    Wood-floors

    Very modern and roomy, the transparent kitchen and dining room for social events are designed to be welcoming and relaxing, spaces where the owner can put into practice the passion for cooking while easily talking to her guests and spend cheerful moments in front of a lovely dish. They exudes a clean beauty, featuring small plants pots on the countertop and dining table. The entire design emphasize the freedom and the maximum comfort of movement at any time, so the kitchen and dining area are made deliberately free.

    The sleeping area on the mezzanine is a very intimate place where plush turtle and lotus lanterns are placed on the ground creating a mysterious and relaxing Japanese inspired environment. Plants are installed both in the bedroom and the main bathroom to point more fresh air.  The bathrooms are designed to comply with the Japanese tradition, reminding of the thermal baths in stone and wood, characterized by a large, exquisite bathtub. Natural materials combined with relaxing lights create a soothing and refined atmosphere. Have a look and discover the other amazing design details we haven’t already mentioned.

    Huge-contemporary-kitchen

    T-House-residence

    T-House-loft

    Contemporary-living-area

    Relaxing-bedroom-design

    Japanese-style-bathroom

    T-House-exterior-building

     Photos © Takane Ezoe & Modourbano

     

    Project details:

    Project Name: T House
    Location: Milan, Italy
    Architects: Modourbano
    Partner: Takane Ezoe, artist
    Type: Atelier/House
    Building area: 250sqm
    Status: realized
    Client: private

  • No, Sweat! Versatile Workspace Turns into Home Gym

    No, Sweat! Versatile Workspace Turns into Home Gym

    The  latest work of Vancouver-based designer Darryl Agawin  is an attractive 3-piece workspace furniture that fitness enthusiasts  or beginners will surely love it. “No, Sweat!” is an office furniture set adapted to our busy lifestyle that doesn’t allow us to find the time for daily exercises. Because sport is important at all ages, Darryl Agawin’s new project is for everyone. It’s a special workspace, atypical from those we’ve presented so far on our website, because it’s designed to convert into workout furniture that give you the possibility to take a physical and mental break from your daily activities and do your regular exercises. How does it sound?

    Workspace-by-Darryl-Agawin

    We think it’s a great design idea because firstly it acts as a reminder regarding the importance of doing sport on a daily routine, and secondly, it can be used wherever desk work is placed.  By combining workspace and workout furniture, it resulted an interesting set of office furniture that it’s not only highly functional, but also good looking. With an eye-catching color combination (red, black and white), No, Sweat! features basic forms achieved from typical workout props and equipment such as the the weight bar, balance board, the kettle bell and the skip rope. In this way, the user can explore various exercises from these basic structures, having a full body workout, and after that rearranged into a workspace configuration. It practically turns to be your home gym and it’s great if you don’t have time or financial possibility to get dedicated home equipment or join a public gym.

    Plyo-jump-by-Darryl-Agawin

    Pushup-row-by-Darryl-Agawin

    Step-press-Darryl-Agawin

    Step-pushup-by-Darryl-Agawin

    Photos © MarkStokoe.ca

  • Outdoor Fireplace Inspired by the Archetypical Factory Chimney

    Outdoor Fireplace Inspired by the Archetypical Factory Chimney

    Outdoor fireplaces are great aesthetic statements, transforming an ordinary patio or backyard into a true extension of your home. Since the hot summer days are finally here for many of us, it’s time to take the party outside. And what better way to do this than getting our outdoor living spaces ready in order to enjoy the beautiful weather while entertaining and gather with your family or friends. From rooftop terraces to backyard sanctuaries, the possibilities to create your personal outdoor space are practically endless as our imagination, the outcome depending largely on the project we have and on the money invested.

    Smokestack-by-Frederik Roijé-02

    But one design element that should be always part of your exterior décor is the fireplace. Why? Because an exterior heater besides the fact that will provide structure and definition to our outdoor living space, will create a visual and physical warmth to the space, adding as well a dramatic light that will make our longer evenings magical. So, here we show you an original looking outdoor fireplace to complement your outdoor décor perfectly.

    Designed by Amsterdam-based designer Frederik Roijé and introduced at Milan Design Week 2013, ‘SmokeStack‘ feature a simple, minimalist style but interesting enough to draw attention to your guests thanks to shape inspired by the archetypical factory chimney of those traditional times. The wood-burning SmokeStack’s design evokes nostalgia, memories from the past, being presented as a symbol of industrial progress and a landmark in the same time. Made in Holland from Corten steel, a weathered metal that ensures a protective layer around the fireplace, the fireplace will create a strong vertical focal point that anchors beautifully any outdoor room.

    Smokestack-by-Frederik Roijé-01
    Smokestack-for-outdoors
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     Photos © Frederik Roijé
  • Lovely Portable Fireplace Design for Outdoors and Indoors

    Lovely Portable Fireplace Design for Outdoors and Indoors

    Looking for an out-of-the-box solution this summer that brings in a minute the holiday vibe? Well, in today’s post we’re presenting you FARO, an extremely versatile fireplace that will transform your home ambience, creating a warm and inviting place. Even though many of us love grand fireplaces that create an impressive statement in our houses and apartments, portable fireplaces are a great alternative, becoming very popular in recent years. You can let them in a permanent location or move them wherever you want, even in the most tiny spaces.

    Small-fireplace

    This interesting fireplace concept is created by Japanese designer Ryosuke Fukusada in collaboration with Rui Pereira and Eco Smart Inc., being developed around the idea of bringing people together in a society where high-technology is expanding fast and people are becoming more individualistic. The element of fire have been throughout history a sacred symbol which have, among other meanings, a role in connecting people, to reignite the flame of face-to-face communication between them.

    Small and compact, FARO is a as lovely as it’s functional. It’s playful and eye-catching design allows you to enjoy the mesmerizing flame in a matter of minutes both in ourdoors and indoors, through the use of an ethanol burner. Unlike other  fireplaces, FARO was modeled after the traditional woodstove, this feature giving  you the possibility to load it with firewood when you move it outdoors. It is made from clay screens, a hammered base and an iron stand. Relocate it with ease and create a unique atmosphere for gardens, courtyards, terraces, patios, pool decks, or  for any indoor area.

    Fireplace-for-outdoor
    Small-fireplace-01 Fireplace-design-details

    Photos © Ryosuke Fukusada

     

  • Yin-Yang House, a Modern Vision for a Single-Family Home

    Yin-Yang House, a Modern Vision for a Single-Family Home

    Take a look at the Yin-Yang House characterized by wonderful serene environment with an accent on public family space. Located in a peaceful neighborhood in Venice, California,  the fantastic 4700 square feet residence was designed by Brooks + Scarpa Architects and  it totally meets the client’s needs. They wanted a house for raising a large and growing family with several children, with plenty of space for family time, but also for socializing with their friends. Having this objective in mind, the architects envisioned a beautiful airy, tranquil and relaxed environment, that eliminates the standard space distribution and provides the the inhabitants a great and improved experience on all levels: architecturally, environmentally, emotionally, spiritually and pshilosophically.

    House-exterior-view

    Facing the street, the Ying-Yang House is a two-story volume which appears massive, with a modern architecture. Large, welcoming open areas favours a subtly transition between outdoors and indoors, giving a feel of freedom and breeziness. A series of courtyards and other outdoor spaces surrounds the residence, being designed for entertainment. In this way, the owners can host many guests without the feeling of being overcharged. The outdoor spaces with a large swimming pool for sunny days are perfect social areas for teenagers and their friends. A 50 foot sliding glass door connects the main courtyard with the modern decorated living space. A minimalist wonderful kitchen plays an important role in the home design, having an open working area where the owner can chat with guests while cooking. The area features a dining place as well as a breakfast room that overlooks the courtyard and the guest room/kids playroom, establishing a visual connection while defining the separation of uses. In this way, the children can be observed by adults while they play outdoors or do homework in the office. In order to have larger spaces for socializing, the other rooms like bedrooms are made quite small and simple.

    The architects used recycled materials in most of the cases like composite stone, bamboo, tile for countertops and bathroom finishes too. The house roof has a series of eco-friendly features to increase the performance of the house’s heating and cooling: green roof, blown-in cellulose insulation, radiant heating, 12 KW solar photovoltaic panel system which ensures shade from the sun, preventing it from becoming overheated.

    Exterior-stairs

    Exterior-socializing-area

    Modern-minimalist-kitchen

    Residence-by-Brooks-and-Scarpa-Architects

    House-at-night

    Photos ©  John Linden via @contemporist.com

     

    Project details:

    Project name: Yin-Yang House
    Location: Venice, CA
    Architects: Brooks + Scarpa Architects, Inc. (architect) – Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, Lead Designer, Emily Hodgdon, Ching Luk,
    Project Team: Glen Lyons Contractor M & M Solar (Solar Engineering/Installation)
    Size: 4700 square feet
    Date: 2011

     

  • Comfort and Privacy with Abri-Boca Living Pod

    Comfort and Privacy with Abri-Boca Living Pod

    Abri-Boca is the latest project of the young German industrial designer Philipp Süssmann showcased at Milan Design Week 2013, an original looking living pod characterized by adaptability and clever design. Combining knowledge of society, living space and nature, the Abri-Boca concept reflects the idea of flexibility in a continuously changing society and the idea of protection, which is the actual meaning of transformation in nature.

    The unique shape of the furniture item and it’s pivoting mechanism caught our attention and we couldn’t help ourselves from sharing with you guys. Dedicated to relaxation, at a blink of an eye Abri-Boca can transform itself from an open state into more intimate and enclosed ones allowing users to rest as they were in an armchair or in a bed. Interesting to observe from every stand point, when looking at it in its open state,  the  minimalist design it has doesn’t betray at all the fact that what initially appears to be an unusual armchair, it becomes a cocoon-like place, creating a protective canopy over the owner. A comfortable mattress unfolds forming a larger resting area, whilst the curved wood components kept together when it’s in the open state, now reveals to create a beautiful wooden shell via a mobile module for more privacy and tranquility.

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    Unfolded-mattress
    Wooden-shell-opened

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    Living-pod-detail

    Photos © Philipp Süssmann