CARTOON NETWORK HEADQUARTERS.

Who knew the Cartoon Network would have such an fantastic production studio!? I came across this project last week on ‘STUDIOSarchitecture’ website whilst looking for some inspirational images to show a new client, and although this was completely irrelevant for what I was looking for I just thought it was a beautifully designed space. I love the way they have managed to keep the exposed rawness of this 3 story industrial block and modernize it with the materials used and the way in which they are used.

 

All images and information taken from: http://www.studiosarchitecture.com/

GOLDBERGER by TERVHIVATAL

Hungarian architects Zsanett Benedek and Dániel Lakos of Tervhivatal have completed Goldberger, as a result of converting the loft of a former textile factory by juxtaposing numerous pods to create an exciting and innovative office space. Each pod forms a smaller meeting or office space that are slightly elevated or fixed to ground to denote corridors between them. The pods are made up of plasterboard supported by steel structures; the floors are a combination of highly polished concrete and linoleum. The space is used as a venue during the evenings too. I love the simplistic sense the space has; even the fixtures are minimal. The overall highly polished quality is owed to the attention to detail and materials used.

Info and images from:

http://tervhivatal.hu

http://www.dezeen.com

SLACK SPACE

LOCATION: COLCHESTER

‘Slack Space’ is a volunteer run initiative in Colchester that interrupts and occupies empty retail units and other locations abandoned due to recession. The units are used as performance spaces and to display and promote local artists work, in order to generate a buzz in the towns centre.  They have injected colour, art and laughter back into the local community in a successful attempt to help uplift our local social, economic and cultural life in during the recession, which I think is a fantastic cause that gets local artists work seen. ‘The Space’ is its new location (19- 29 Queen Street) and opened this week, wed 21^st April. 

FIRST SITE GALLERY

PROJECT: FIRST SITE GALLERY:

LOCATION: COLCHESTER, UK

ARCHITECT: RAFAEL VINOLY 

I think my excitement for the new first site gallery opening in Colchester has been over shadowed by the long anticipated wait and constant disappointment of missed deadlines to get the project finished. The last time I checked it was due to open early this year, but it is still not completed. Nevertheless, the crescent shaped building designed by acclaimed architect Rafael Vinoly presents a creative space and a landmark destination.

‘Inspired by Colchester’s Roman heritage, Viñoly’s bold design is more than a traditional art gallery; its unusual curved form hugs the parkland landscape whilst its unique engineering preserves the Roman treasures which may lie beneath.’

The iconic contemporary art building is being constructed in the heart of historic Colchester. When it is finally completed the idea is that it will attract visitors from all over the UK, to experience a venue where they can enjoy an artistic, cultural, retail, eating and social space like no other. At 3,200 square metres, firstsite’s new home will rank among the largest contemporary art venues in the UK.

The building will house firstsite’s vibrant programme of changing exhibitions, workshops, lectures and community events.

info and images from: 

http://www.rvapc.com/

http://www.firstsite.uk.net/

SQUARE ONE

STUDIO: SQUARE ONE

PROJECT: ENTRANCE

LOCATION: BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Adding to my collection of favourite retail design concepts, this eye- catcher is well up there in my opinion. Romanian studio Square One have completed a clothing store in Bucharest with pointy stark display stands juxtaposed with a network of black electrical cables. Called Entrance, the monochrome interior features light bulbs weighted at the ends of electrical wires that create angular planes fanning across the ceiling. One side of each emanates light to illuminate the merchandise, bringing the focus back to the products by highlighting them.  

info and images from:

http://www.dezeen.com/2010/04/11/entrance

SNOWFLAKE

Project: Snowflake

Location: Milan

I saw a few images of Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshiokas completed installation comprising of hundreds of transparent plastic sticks at the Kartell showroom in Milan last week, and it immediately caught my attention. Called Snowflake, the installation displayed Yoshioka’s beautifully minimalist Invisibles collection of clear plastic furniture:

‘I am drawn by things that do not have forms but leave emotional effect to people. At a glance, such material is invisible and its existence is erased. Through the interaction with light, however, the form suddenly emerges.’

info and images from:

http://www.tokujin.com/
http://www.dezeen.com/2010/04/20/snowflake

UK PAVILION: SHANGHAI EXPO ’10

ARCHITECT: THOMAS HEATHERWICK

The pavilion is covered in 60,000 7.5m transparent rods, each containing seeds at the tip from the Millennium Seed Bank in the UK. During the day they act as optic fibres and draw daylight in to illuminate the interior, in the evening light sources within the rods allow the whole structure to glow. As wind passes the structure its optic ‘hairs’ move subtly creating a dynamic effect. The pavilion has apparently conjured up massive interest and has been used as the defining image all over the world for Shanghai expo.  Seventy- million people are expected to visit Shanghai expo, which opens to the public on May 1^st, and the UK pavilion is expecting many millions alone. The theme for the expo is ‘better city, better life’, which is what inspired the British designer. He created a unique yet open space encased by a park in which people can relax, by using the UK’s expertise in urban planning. We are left with a stunning structure that stands out from the other 230+ pavilions that have been erected, that ‘reflects the UK’s regional and national excellence and diversity in arts, business, culture, sports, science and education.’

Info and images from:

http://www.ukshanghaiexpo.com

http://www.dezeen.com

info on the architect:

http://www.heatherwick.com

ZIMOUN

SOUND INSTALLATIONS AND SCULPTURES:

I saw this compilation video of this swiss artists work last week and thought it was great, such simple ideas with slightly mesmerizing results. I took a look at his website and saw all the videos for each individual installation piece… I particularly liked the little polystyrene balls, the woodworms and the one with the numerous fluttering filler wires. You can see them all below, enjoy! 

information from:

http://www.zimoun.ch/works.html

LICK

I had almost forgotten how much I missed my favorite hideaway in Brighton, until I was reminded today! Besides its amazingly tasty array of frozen yogurt toppings and toffee covered waffles, Lick has a beautifully minimal, fresh interior and brand identity, that sits proudly in the heart of Brighton’s North lanes. Their brand identity reflects the simple and natural ingredients they use… simple but effective. The Sunday times named them ‘most likely to succeed brand’, thanks to their perfect product and lovable aesthetic. Good news as I’m practically addicted, Yum.  

LICK

 

LICK

 

LICK

 

LICK

 

GO VISIT THEM.. or maybe just visit their website instead:

http://lickyoghurt.com/

LIVARIA DA VILA

Architect: Isay Weinfeld

Collaborator: Domingos Pascali
Project

This caught my eye on the dezeen website today… ‘Livaria da Vila’ is a book- shop in São Paulo that was completed in 2007. The store- front is made of revolving bookcases, it seems to be very effective in fulfilling various functions and happens to be aesthetically stunning… in my opinion!

Livaria da Vila

 

Livaria da Vila

 

images and info from:

http://www.dezeen.com