Interior Design, Design News and Architecture Trends

Category: Architecture

  • Azerbaijan Tower, the Next Tallest Building in the World Takes Shape

    Azerbaijan Tower, the Next Tallest Building in the World Takes Shape

    If until now the Kingdom Tower, expected to be completed in 2016, was the next tallest building in the world after the famous Burj Khalifa from Dubai, it seems that it won’t hold its record for very long because Azerbaijan businessman Haji Ibrahim Nehramli, president of the Avesta Group of Companies, have plans to begin to build the Azerbaijan Tower on one of a group of 41 artificial islands in the Caspian Sea, southwest of the country’s capitol city, Baku. What do you say about that?

    Maybe you’re amazed, but also surprised in the same time how fast things happen, sometimes unreal, but we think we should get used to such news because it’s obvious that nowadays almost any architectural vision can be achieved if it has the necessary financial support and creative minds. It seems that Dubai city, which started to constantly draw world attention through many innovative large construction projects, will soon become history because other cities would be impressive destination. So, here we are already talking again about a new tallest structure in the world, which will exceed in height both the world’s current tallest building- Burj Khalifa (828 metres)- and the upcoming supertall skyscraper Kingdom Tower (1,000 metres) to be built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Originally planned to be built a 560-m tower, Azerbaijan Tower will  reach 3,445ft ( 1,050 meters) and will feature 189 floors , making it with 200 m taller than the Burj Khalifa, and even 50 m than the Kingdom Tower. For comparison, the Empire State Building stands just 455 meters high.

    The Avesta Group, the company behind the building, has talked to the companies behind the Burj Khalifa and other international investors who seemed to show interest for this new project.  The tower would cost $2 billion, being the centerpiece of a much larger project, the $100 billion Khazar Islands development, which actually would be home for 1 million residents in the near future.  The first phase of the project will consist of building residential, social and cultural centers ( restaurants, shopping malls, universities, schools, parks), hospitals and even  a Formula 1 quality racetrack, every facilities being planned to be able to withstand up to magnitude 9.0 earthquakes. The floating metropolis will act as a new center for business and commerce. The construction of this stunning skyscraper would be part of the second phase and would be expected to begin in 2016 and finish in 2018-2019.

    Here’s how the spectacular project will look:

    Source @news.az/ Photos © Avesta Group

     

     

    Azerbaijan Tower and Khazar Islands – New city

  • Futuristic Design and Friendly Atmosphere: Hotel O in Paris

    Futuristic Design and Friendly Atmosphere: Hotel O in Paris

    In case you are planning to leave for Paris, you’d better check this luxury hotel with astonishing futuristic design, located in the heart of Halles district in Paris, only a few minute walk from historical areas such as the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens, Seine River and Ile de la Cité with the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. Ideal for your trip to Paris, be it a business trip or just to spend your holidays, Hotel O (“O” comes from Othello, but also from Ora-ïto) is an amazing location, which creates you a new and unique experience through its impeccable service presentation and its fantastic 29 space capsules-looking rooms.

    Completed this year, in 2012, the hotel is the first one that famous French designer-architect Ora-Ïto opened in Paris in collaboration with hotel group Elegancia Hotels. Hotel O is such a heaven of peace, where wellness and comfort reigns. The concept is based on designer’s philosophy called “simplexité”, or the art of making something complex look apparently simple. In accordance with the original style of Ora-Ïto, the hotel is an harmonious blend of clean, lines, gentle curves and a relaxing delicate style, which create a smooth transition from outer space to the bustling Parisian day life.

    Embedded with atypical structures and futuristic details emphasized by light effects and natural shades, the stunning hotel welcomes its guests in spaces which seem taken from SF movies achieved through many fabrics, colors and wood. A series of small rooms that resemble a ship’s cabin are designed from a contemporary mode and supported by modern technologies, and promise you to protect from outside world and stress of the city.  As a tribute to Stanley Kubrick’s iconic space ship Discovery One in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), each room has its own personality appearing fluid and soft and referring to science-fiction because of he names of the three types of rooms – Galileo, Odissey, and Cocoon.

    Called “capsules” from their intimate size from 12m2 to 16 m2, the rooms has been decorated with a specific color: turquoise, fuchsia, orange, red, etc., thus participating in the creation of a graded path that runs throughout the building. The bathroom, fully open, is separated from the bed by a gradient glass. The hotel bar is open daily, being part of a dynamic mixing natural setting and futuristic. Cocktails at the request are original creations on the menu of this place, which aims to become a fashionable place. The card renewed every month will both sip fruit juices and original cocktails. A selection of the finest beverages is on display in an alveolus glass casing on the wall to which you can inspire your choice of on demand cocktail. The perfect chemistry to a cosmopolitan ambiance, where glamour and balance walk side by side to create the most mesmerizing Parisian evening.

    Photos © Serge Ramelli

    Project details:

    Year: 2012
    Location: Halles district, Paris
    Brand: Hotel O
    Category: Commercial
    Design studio: Ora-ïto

  • Eco Boutique Hotel in a Paradise of Unique Beauty

    Eco Boutique Hotel in a Paradise of Unique Beauty

    How would be to wake up in a peaceful and charming room, go out on your private terrace and feel the tropical breeze caressing your skin while your eye is delighted by the breathtaking turquoise water of the Mexican Caribbean? What a tremendous picture! Can you imagine this? If you plan to visit the Mexican Caribbean, then all these come true in Las Ranitas Eco Boutique Hotel. Conscious of the privilege the surroundings offer us, the resort has been designed in the most beautiful part of Tulum, in the Mexican Caribbean’s Riviera Maya, an idyllic setting that really makes you forget everything and enjoy every moment spent in this paradise.

    Its 27 comfortable rooms with vibrantly, stylish decor exude a soothing and peaceful atmosphere, aiming to offer you the ideal carefree family vacation, an enchanting honeymoon or an unforgettable weeding. Being an ecologically friendly property, the hotel use renewable energy, both solar and wind powered, so all its rooms come with natural cross ventilation system, luxury amenities, private terraces which allows you to enjoy the magnificent Tulum sunrises and sunsets, and beautiful water views.

    Moreover, the Las Ranitas Eco Boutique Hotel promises its guests an exquisite regional and international cuisine that satisfies the most demanding tastes. Imaginable combination of flavours, aromas and spices along with special refreshing cocktails is everything you need for long days of sun and fun, and warm nights. Besides the splendind scenery and breathtaking beaches with soft sands and stunningly turquoise waters, travelers could experience its interesting Mayan culture from the archaeological site of Tulum and two other larchaeological ruins, Coba and Muyil, in the Riviera Maya, both being very close to Las Ranitas.

     

     Photos @lasranitashotel.com

  • SkyTower, the Tallest Building in Romania

    SkyTower, the Tallest Building in Romania

    The tallest building of the city of Bucharest and also of Romania, the SkyTower is almost complete. Owned by Raiffeisen International Property, the ambitious project is for the moment the largest construction in all markets where the Austrian group operates, with an investment of over 100 million euros. Built at a fast pace, within a year, the entire building will be completed at the end of 2012 and will soon become the main point of attraction in the new business district of Bucharest and a powerful new landmark of the city.

    Photo © skycam.ro

    Visible virtually from all parts of the city, it has an ideal location for today’s modern business needs: in the rapidly developing urban and residential area of Northern Bucharest, between two important arterial roads, where it has a great infrastructure, extraordinary easy access by public and private transportation, and also green surroundings (Lake Floreasca). Built to the highest technical standards, the SkyTower stands out through its great aesthetic which reveals an imposing modern architecture and elliptical shape made of 50,000 cubic meters of concrete, 8,300 tons of steel and 17,250 square feet of plywood for facades. If steel bars should be strung, being put together, would reach a length of 4463 km.

    Photos © skytower.ro

    When it’s finished, the building will have 37 floors that will total an overall height of 137 meters. It has five floors underground, thus, with all the pillars of the foundation, the tower reaches a depth of 60 meters, which represents approximately 40% of its existing surface height. Groundwater levels will have 518 parking spaces available. Office building benefits from BMS (Building Management System) that provides energy efficiency over the entire surface. The advantage of this system is to reduce maintenance costs by 30%. The building was designed so that all offices benefit from natural light, which means a reduction in lighting during the day.

    Corporate tenants looking for premium quality will find here high-class offices with perfect visibility and maximum space flexibility, exceptional panoramic restaurant skybar and  a conference area situated on 35th and 36th floor that offer magnificent views of Bucharest for they and for visitors, thus creating a strong corporate presence and identity. In addition to these exclusive amenities offered by SkyTower, visitors will have also excellent entertainment and shopping  possibilities in the new Promenada Mall, next to the SkyTower.

     Photos © skyscrapercity.com

     

     

  • Beautiful Architecture with Willow Sculptures

    Beautiful Architecture with Willow Sculptures

    The creators of willow sculptures, Trevor Leath is one of the most quite important in the UK, using traditional techniques that combine beauty with creativity, manages to weave willow over 30 years.

    The range of products made of willow architecture technique is varied, making such products as baskets, garden furniture, statues and even willow coffins, in this series are observed-size animal figures made in his technique of weaving the willow, and spectacular giant figures made for exhibitions and events, still find a few of the festivals where they were presented, The Wickerman Festival, The Edinburgh Hogmanay Celebrations and The Burns Light Festival in Dumfries. Visitors are very pleased with this work, as something new, but also a creation of great value in terms of architecture and sculpture from natural and organic materials.
    By increasing the willow organic by choosing Old but very adapted varieties to work, lath Trevor manages to amaze with his works of architecture made of willow.

    Days in the workshop

     

     Summer Coffin

     The Wickerman Festival 2012 : Hermes Willow Sculpture

    Herne the Hunter ( Wickerman Festival 2011)

     Holm Elephant, Glenkens.

    The Siren Willow Sculpture

     

     

     The Queen at Falkland Palace, Fife. June 2012

     

     Sunset Willow Sculpture

     Calgary Woods, Isle of Mull. April 2012

     Gordon Community Woodland

     

    All images ©trevorleat.co.uk

  • Element House, a Simple Space Made of Matter and Light

    Element House, a Simple Space Made of Matter and Light

    The Element House is the perfect place for passers that need to halt, to rest on the simple space, but with a special architecture, the house is situated on the river, and a forest park and the Seoul metropolitan area, it is the perfect place where people may have a shelter in their journey to return to the city, It is an invitation space for users of the Anyang Resort.

     

    On the building of this line we can see that the first and main room is the biggest, is a cubic space made of steel, this space is too small travelling to other rooms, these compact cameras are made of wood, to note is that each room includes many symbolic recommendation and based on the main elements (fire, water, air, earth). It is particularly pleasing that the material used is steel rusty colors that perfectly imitating nature around it.

     

     

     

     

     

    Element House Project information:

    The project name Element House located on Anyang Park, Anyang on Seoul, South Korea, has a 72 m2 floor area and is made it on 2006 for Anyang Public Art Project, this significant project is designed by Rintala Eggertsson Architects and their team. This Project Is made by a Site-specific architectural base to Bisan Urban Natural Park, Anyang Resort.

     

     

     

    All images © Rintala Eggertsson

  • Inviting Holiday Retreat in Norway: Twisted House by JVA

    Inviting Holiday Retreat in Norway: Twisted House by JVA

    Either on a sunny weather or on wintertime, when snow is everywhere, Twisted House is a beautiful and warm cabin getaway perfect for a large family on holiday. Nestled high in mountains of Norway, to 1000m above the ocean and very close to the ski slopes, the property takes full advantage of all peacefulness the surrounding landscape offers, ensuring comfortable and relaxing days. Finished in 2011 by Norwegian architecture studio JVA, the 3900 sq. ft cabin displays a clean, larch wood-cladded architecture style which  makes it very much part of the surroundings.

    Architects designed it on seven floor levels, being connected differently, but harmoniously to the sloping terrain. Inside, the Twisted House impresses by its spacious wooden interiors which compliment the exterior design. Almost everything in the house’s interior design from floors, to walls, stairs, ceiling and table is made of oak wood to give a warm feeling especially in the wintertime.

    Photos © Nils Petter Dale via archdaily.com

    Project details:

    Location : Kvitfjell, Norway
    Building type : Cabin
    Client : Withheld at the owners request
    Size : 360m²
    Schedule : Finished 2011
    Consultants : AS Fredriksen
    Primary architects : Einar Jarmund, Håkon Vigsnæs, Alessandra Kosberg, Claes Cho Heske Ekornaas

     

  • Interesting Garden Pavillion for Flux Projects at Freedom Park in Atlanta

    Interesting Garden Pavillion for Flux Projects at Freedom Park in Atlanta

    Sitting embodied as architecture- this was the ideas behind this nice garden pavillion we show you in today’s post. Imagined by architects Brian Brush and Yong Ju Lee from the New York-based design practice E/B Office, SEAT is an interactive architectural design created for 2012 Summer Pavilion for Flux Projects at Freedom Park in Atlanta, GA, which is a great opportunity for many in Atlanta to enjoy art, but also for artists to have audience for their work.

    SEAT was chosen this summer’s Freedom Park Project from 89 entries, because it managed to draw jury’s attention by combining something that was visually compelling with something that was interesting to use and also met more of the this year’s criteria: high visibility, great impact, artistic merit, feasibility and safety for the audience.

    The core of the project as you can see was the chair, a very important element in the use and experience of architecture, but which isn’t considered architecture at all, being rather related to furniture design or industrial design. So, what architects Brian Brush and Yong Ju Lee  wanted to do by creating this nice garden pavillion was to associate sitting in a designed object with architecture itself, thus trying to change the perception of domestic objects through their use as architectural units and components.

    The design is a collection of about 400 simple wooden chairs custom-connected to one another through simple lag bolts, clamps, and screws that are hidden from view, in the form of a sine wave arch rising from the ground. Besides the fact that visitors can watch it, they can actually sit on the chairs or even in the shade beneath them, regarding the upward flow of chairs transcending their function. Chairs suspended above ground between these zones restore the role of the seated object as one that can also play as structure, decoration, and enclosure. Although it seems fragile, the construction allow for stability, flexibility and safety thanks to redundancy and connection.

     

     

    Photos © E/B Office and Eve Styles

     

    Project details:

    Design and fabrication : E/B Office (Yong Ju Lee and Brian Brush)
    Location : Freedom Park at Atlanta, GA
    Project year : 2012
    Assembly team: Rudi Matheis-Brown, Tom Roncco, Kyle Holland, Larissa Hand, David Williams, Britni Jeziorski, Megan Mallery, Katie Seifert, Wendy Chou, Kayla Kirchberg, Sarah Turner, Emily Gilbert, Colleen Devoe, Casey Butler, Cydne Mayberry, Maria Lioy, Sydney Styles.