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  • Shopping Mall in Brisbane Offers an Engaging Retail Experience

    Shopping Mall in Brisbane Offers an Engaging Retail Experience

    Wintergarden is a shopping mall in Brisbane, Australia, which has an unique and distinct identity that inevitably draws attention. Which establishes this shopping mall as the undeniable “living heart” of the busy urban thoroughfare and clearly makes a difference between Wintergarden Shopping Centre and the others is its new amazing façade designed by Studio505 and completed this year, in april. The creation of this new façade had some precise intentions: to create a diverting and exciting retail experience, a lifestyle destination and a ‘must-go-to’ meeting place at the heart of Brisbane’s city centre. And we think these goals were fully achieved because the eye-catching Wintergarden façade of 4,000m2 truly impresses the passers-by.

    Wintergarden façade’s structure feature a complex and beautiful study of nature, geometry and layering that communicates the rich diversity of life. Very original and never before seen, its design is very dynamic, with an experiential interplay between expansive palette of colours and a rich language of cutting, scoring, folding and lighting all of which coalesce as a rich, coherent, cultural experience.

    These appealing and joyful cuts and textures changes from day to day according to the sun’s position, this characteristic generating new patterns of highlights and shadows. Moreover, when night falls passers-by can enjoy an engaging lights show due to an integrated low resolution lighting system that can change into rain, sunsets, storms and fireworks all within a single night. The beauty of this shopping mall‘s façade is also underlined by the trees that run (beyond) each side of it, together creating the visual “structure” of it. Great artwork, isn’t it?

     

     

     

    Photos: © John Gollings & studio505.

     

    Project details:

    Location – Brisbane, Australia
    Client – ISPT
    Architect – studio505
    Cost – AUD $6.5m
    Completion – April 2012
    Specialist Engineer – Tensys
    Contractor – Urban Art Projects (UAP)
    Artist consultant – John Warwicker
    Interior and Retail Design – The Buchan Group

     

    Wintergarden Shopping Mall in Brisbane

  • Objects Collection from Estudio Carme Pinós

    Objects Collection from Estudio Carme Pinós

    The Objects collection is the first furniture collection designed by the Barcelona-based studio Estudio Carme Pinós which will be sold exclusively on-line. Manufactured entirely in Spain and made with a new technology such as 3D cutting, the Objects collection consists of versatile, very attractive, functional and at accessible prices 11 furniture pieces (shelves, tables and wardrobe) inspired by everyday needs. With a simple and weightless appearance, each modular piece is very easy to assemble, being made of thick sheets of steel varying in lenghts and colors which permits diverse aesthetic appearance to adapt to any interior design.

    Although extremely light, they are solid structures capable of supporting digital media systems, large books and different objects. The interesting monochromatic tables are multifunctional and available in various finishes, while the wardrobe has an appealing puzzle-like design which is perfect for small spaces because is conceived to be hung on the wall, in this manner freeing up the floor space and giving a feeling o spaciousness.

     

    Photos: © Estudio Carme Pinós.


  • Incredible Futuristic Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

    Incredible Futuristic Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

    Plants are essential to our life, they are the source of life, both, people and for all types of form life at our planet, people in nature always looking grassy places to recharge batteries from everyday stress, parks and gardens are places that any metropolis arranging for us to provide a quiet place in nature,where we forget if making sure that all double glazed windows and doors have solid secure locks for our home.

    • Gardens by the Bay is designed by Gustafson Porter and Grant, they extend on 101 ha, is ever a house that has over a quarter million rare plants and an integral part of Singapore government’s strategy to turn Singapore into a garden city.
    • The stated aim is to increase quality of life by increasing the greenery and flowers in town.

    • Gardens by the Bay East Garden is the perfect place for a family picnic in a dream environment, with palm trees and natural flowers of any kind plus a superb panoramic view of Marina Bay, South Bay Garden (the largest of the three ) where we find trees super futuristic looking rainwater then generate solar energy, measures 16-storey vertical garden that is integrated into a surreal landscape, Central Garden Bay is a link between East and South Bay Bay Gardens, 2  Conservatories (Flower Dome and The Cloud Forest) located along the edge of Marina Reservoir, offering a reprieve from the tropical heat.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Photos © Grant Associates

  • The Guardian Towers, Spectacular Architecture in Abu Dhabi

    The Guardian Towers, Spectacular Architecture in Abu Dhabi

    The Guardian Towers are two amazing 19-storey towers located in Danet Au Dhabi, a luxurious complete community in the heart of Abu Dhabi city centre, the capital of the United Arab Emirates which never ends to impress us with its spectacular architecture. Envisioned in 2011 by one of the world’s most progressive architectural studios – LAB Architecture Studio in association with ERGA progress, the Guardian Towers are the example that confirm the rule.

    Their exterior façade is shaped by a distinctive sliced and shifted geometry that look like some broken mirrors, giving the impression that at any moment they may fall. It’s dynamic and elegant in relation to the whole ensemble. The amazing mixed-use towers offer office spaces, residences, retail outlets and related services over 53,800 sqm. One of the two is residential and the other is a commercial office one, both being linked by a 2-level retail podium.

    Thought in every details, the double-skin facade hasn’t only an aesthetic role for the residential tower, but also a functional one that responds to the capricious weather climate of Abu Dhabi, protecting from direct solar penetration the recessed windows and balcony doors. All their five-star facilities and services are engineered for our peace of mind and assure us relaxing and great moments.

     

    Photos: © Javier Callejas Sevilla- source archdaily.com

     

    Project details:

    Location: Danet Abu Dhabi – Al Qudra, United Arab Emirates
    Architects: LAB Architecture Studio in association with ERGA Progress
    Design Team: Donald Bates, Oliver Hunt, Peter Davidson, Joseph Sawaya, Faris Hammady
    Project Year: 2011
    Project Area: 53,800 sqm
    Client: Guardian Real Estate

  • Preparation is Key to Avoiding DIY Mishaps

    Preparation is Key to Avoiding DIY Mishaps

    We all like to think we can handle jobs around the home, whether it’s papering a wall or putting up a set of shelves. And while doing these tasks ourselves is a great way to expand our knowledge and save money on professional tradesmen, it can be very expensive – not to mention dangerous – when things go wrong. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, an average of 200,000 people a year in the UK injure themselves while carrying out jobs around the home.
    If you want to avoid joining their numbers, take note of these tips before doing a DIY task. Don’t forget to contact your insurance provider before you start any large project – providers like Can Can Cover might be your last defence if something goes wrong!

     

    • Use a wire detector before drilling – drilling through water pipes and electrical cables is one of the most common DIY mistakes, and can cause serious injuries, as well as being very costly to fix. Be especially careful when drilling near light switches or around radiators.
    • Give yourself plenty of space and time – rushing through a job in cramped conditions is a sure-fire recipe for disaster. Plan the work step-by-step, ensure you have all the tools you need close to hand and clear the room of all clutter to make the whole operation smoother.
    • Stay safe when you’re high up – another common DIY mishap is falling from ladders. Always move the ladder closer to the space you’re working on rather than leaning over at the top of it! And if you’re working in the loft, make sure you put down sturdy boards between the floor joists to walk on.
    • Don’t skimp on tools – saving money on a discount chisel won’t do you any favours when it bends in half! It’s worth paying a bit extra for high-quality tools that will be with you for some years to come. Take care of them by giving them all a wipe down when you’re finished.
    • Always know when a job is too big – sometimes it’s much better to admit defeat and call in the professionals than to risk your health and home trying to do a job you don’t have the skills for. Anything to do with electrical wiring, plumbing and gas should always be left to a qualified tradesman.
  • Like Paper by Aust and Amelung

    Like Paper by Aust and Amelung

    Looking to “Like Paper” makes you think that they’re really made of paper due to they’re original crumpled paper appearance. In fact, it’s all about the ingeniousity and creativity of designers Miriam Aust and Sebastian Amelung from design studio aust & amelung who explore the proprieties of concrete and new production methods for this material from which these pendant lamps are made.
    “Like Paper” is the result of their desire to develop novel ways that would give the otherwise raw synthetic stone a fresh face. These interesting pendant lamps with inspiring forms, which seem to be folded paper, are made out of slewed concrete. Each light is unique and handmade by designers in Germany in collaboration with DUA and displays different edges, kinks and creases. Really authentic work, isn’t it?
    Photos: © Minu Lee.

     

  • Olympic Shooting Venue by Magma Architecture

    Olympic Shooting Venue by Magma Architecture

    Located in the southeast London district of Woolwich on the grounds of the historic Royal Artillery Barracks, the Olympic Shooting Venue hosts this year the Olympic and Paralympic Games at the London Olympic Games for summer. Innovatively designed by the German-based firm Magma Architecture, the pavilions are these days home for the shooting competitions where athletes will line up and aim weapons at targets 10, 25 and 50 meters away.

    The construction of the venue has taken almost one year to be made and the result is a dynamically curving space, a space that impresses by a truly unique appearance that is ment to evoke an experience of flow and precision inherent in the shooting sport. The three temporarily buildings occupy 18,000 square metres showcasing a façade covered in white phthalate-free PVC membrane with vibrantly colored dimples that seems to stand out from it, keeping the PVC skin held in tension in order not to flap around in the wind.
    These interesting openings has also another role, to provide natural ventilation and light, and to act as doorways at ground level. Due to the fact that the pavilions are mobile, immediately after the London Games they are dismantled and packed away to reuse them in future sporting events and the site will return to its original condition.

     

    Photos: J.L. Diehl, Magma Architecture.

     

    Project details:

    Architects: Magma Architecture
    Location: London, England
    Lead Consultant: Mott MacDonald
    Client: Olympic Delivery Authority
    Total Footprint: 14,305 sqm
    Total SeatingCapacity: 2,900
    Architectural Design Team: Martin Ostermann with Lena Kleinheinz, Hendrik Bohle, Susanne Welcker, Pablo Carballal, Niko Mahler, Philipp Mecke, Diana Drogan, Veljko Markovicz, Manuel Welsky

     

  • Pipe Chair Concept by Yaroslav Rassadin

    Pipe Chair Concept by Yaroslav Rassadin

    Designers get inspired by lots of things and ideas, some of their products having really creative and interesting shapes that amazes us and make us wish to have such furniture pieces. Take for example Pipe Chair designed by Russian industrial designer Yaroslav Rassadin, which displays an unusual design for a chair, but quite attractive and modern if we can say so. We don’t know if you’ve heard so far of someone being inspired by a pipe, but we certainly didn’t..till now.
    We’re always surprised, in a pleasant manner of course, to find such product concepts, because yes, the Pipe Chair hasn’t been produced yet and it’s still a concept. Industrial designer Yaroslav Rassadin like to make smart designs for people who love to wonder and discover new meanings in ordinary objects, so this chair’s design represents very well his believe.  Part of Stream collection, the Pipe Chair’s shape imitate the classic form of a pipe, being coated with soft surfaces and keeping all ergonomic standards. It evokes that feeling of unhurried process of thinking for someone who sits on it, if thinking that in many cases seeing someone smoking a pipe leads us to the impression of intelligence.

    Photos: © Yaroslav Rassadin.