The Book Cover Archive
When a discussion of a book comes about, hardly any one mentions the artwork of the book cover. It’s really all about the story, as it rightfully should be. But if you have a fascination with book covers and the hard working designers who make them, head on over to The Book Cover Archive and see the many excellent cover artworks the site is currently displaying. More than 800 books are showcased in the archive, so take your time to see these great works.
Luxury Apartment Interior by ERGES Architect
Outfitting your pad with luxury in mind isn’t necessarily the easiest thing in the world to do. If you need a little help decorating your dream home? Erges Architects may be the answer. Look at this project they completed in 2007. This dream pad features high-end furniture along with elegant and exotic decorations. With other items such as high quality rugs, statues, red dead trees, this space is no doubt a true mixture of eclecticism and luxury. More images after the jump.
Source: Momoy
Manhattan Beach House
If for some reason you haven’t been affected by this struggling economy, MAP Development & Aidlin Darling Design may have something for you. The firm has created the luxury living we can all dream about – this modern three-storey house in Manhattan Beach, California. The masterpiece has a stunning view over the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Malibu, and manages to pack a small but very luxurious backyard, a huge living space with floor-to-celing windows, a number of skylights, an amazing outdoor pool and even an elevator. If you’re interested, this dream home is at a measly $5.6 million. Check out more images after the jump.
Source: Freshome
Hideaway Island House in Australia
This Hideaway Island House was designed by local architect Frank Macchia. Located on an island in the Noosa region of Australia’s Sunshine Coast, this luxurious piece of real estate features 4 bathrooms/4 bedrooms with a view that is breathtaking and beautiful. Close enough to what a paradise home should be, the Hideaway house will be up for auction next month. If you have the monetary funds to purchase such a nice vacation/retirement home, we encourage you to get this one.
Source: Freshome
Mazda KAAN Racer Concept
Mazda looks into the future of racing with their KAAN Racer Concept. The design was a finalist in this year’s Design Los Angeles Automobile Design Challenge. The all-electric racer is an emission-free ride that features a very aerodynamic look. With its electric motors stored inside the wheels, and the help of an electro-conductive polymer that’s resurfaced into the freeway, the KAAN Racer can reach speeds up to 250 mph with zero emissions. Also an idea for team racing, the designers say that the tighter the racers stay to each other, the faster they will go. Continue reading for more images after the jump.
Source: Inhabitat
Arktura Loop Table
If you’re looking to add a touch of modern style to your living room or office space consider the Loop Table designed by Chris Kabatsi for Arktura. This eye catching table is constructed with thin slices of steele that form a sleek and distinct wave shape. The steele is made from 30% – 100% recycable steele and is produced with zero landfill waste plus it is 100% recycable, the Loop Table is not only unique but it is also eco friendly. The table is also available in orange, white, and black. -$1,999
Source: PlushPod
Maison de la Lumiere by Duilio Damilano
Located in Bologna, Italy, this house, designed by Duilio Damilano was built to break the monotony of the similar house designs within the area. The other criteria in its creation was to also make it a technology advanced living space. What makes the house unique is its continuity – the swimming pool leads in to the house, the kitchen opens on to the living room, and so on. The cube structure of the house makes way for its unique glass box living room, and other box-like and angular features throughout the different areas. Through a central system, the house is automated and every function of the house can be managed from anywhere, even if you’re not in the house. Check out images of the pool area, kitchen, and living room after the jump.
Source: Contemporist
Future Hotel Showcase by LAVA
Here is a glimpse of what the hotel room of the future might look like. LAVA has designed the Future Hotel Showcase Room, a demonstration project that investigates the interfaces between architecture, technology and the human body. The project team consisting of Tobias Wallisser, Chris Bosse, Alexander Rieck with Kadri Kaldam, Martin Völkle, and Jan Saggau focused on meeting the expectations and requirements of hotel guests using tomorrow’s technology.
Human comfort was the primary objective in designing the “Future Hotel Room.” Technology has been designed to function almost invisibly in the background, whilst providing the opportunity for individual control of media, light and interior climate. Some of the room’s features include anti-jet-lag lights, active comfort bed, personal spa area, intelligent mirror and a large fully integrated media display window.
Source: Arch Daily
Chestnut House by Dan Heinfeld LPA Architects
The Chestnut House is the brainchild of LPA Architects president, Dan Heinfield. The plan was to achieve a cost-effective model of building a green home, but with all the luxury style ambiance and space. Located in Newport Beach, this energy-efficient ocean-view family home is a modern 4-bedroom, 4-bath adobe that combines the feel of indoor and outdoor living. Some of its green friendly features include an Energy Star Cool roof, a 5.3 Kilowatt solar system (the house’s main energy system), solar hot water system for the pool, integral plaster interior walls (no paint), terrazzo floors (from recycled glass and aggregates). The home is also designed with a courtyard and a two-story living room space that uses natural breeze from the outside to heat and cool these areas, as well as the bedroom.
“Sustainable homes — indeed, all sustainable buildings — are the marriage between time-honored design practices and the best of new technologies available today. Sustainability is not a trend or fad. It’s a value decision. Sustainability should no longer be viewed as an alternative design and building practice, but instead the preferred design and building practice.”
Via: Inhabitat
Hill House by Johnston Marklee & Associates
Sitting perfectly on one of the hills in California’s Pacific Palisades, the Hill House by Johnston Marklee & Associates was completed in 2004. The construction of the house kept in mind local building codes, as well as safety, and the preservation of the hillside. Its boxlike exterior gives the inside maximum space, which are divided into three floors: semi-private loft top floor, living space (livingroom, kitchen, dining rooms) on the central floor, and bedrooms on the ground floor. The house also features glass doors and skylight openings. Click more for the rest of the images.
Via: Design Boom
