TwentyTwo Armchair by Jaime Hayon
A truly beautiful work of craftmanship, The TwentyTwo chair, named so because the frame is constructed out of 22 pieces of maple wood, is both sleek and modern, while retaining a hint of Art Noveau. By Spanish designer Jaime Haydon for Ceccotti Collezioni, the chair also features a hidden leather tray beneath the seat. It was recently presented out of Milan’s Salone el Mobile.
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Himeji Observatory House by Kino Architects
Inspired by Himeji Castle, visible in the distance from its upper floors, the Himeji Observatory House in Japan stands tall and imposing, with a heavy visual presence, particularly at the street level. Designed by Kino Architects, the home uses concrete extensively, with exposed patterns from formwork defining the front elevation. On the uppermost level of the home, the concrete gives way to white walls and soaring expanses of glass which take advantage of the aforementioned views of the castle. Much like the turrets on the nearby castle, the home has terraces recessed into the concrete structure of its upper levels, expanding the interior space and providing a vantage point for residents. Interior furnishings are limited to a sparse selection of modern and traditional vintage pieces, mirroring the amalgamation of old and new references on the outside of the home.
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Telluride Home by Fernau + Hartman Architects
This Telluride, Colorado home was designed by architecture firm Fernau + Hartman with an emphasis on sustainable construction and transition from interior to exterior. Sustainable elements include straw bale exterior walls, concrete floors for thermal mass, and carefully planned natural ventilation. Situated at the top of a hill, the home enjoys views of the surrounding forest, lagoon, and distant coastal range. Accordingly, exterior spaces became a primary design concern. On their website, the firm claims, “our goal was to design a building inextricable from its site, in which indoor and outdoor distinctions are so fluid as to become moot.” To achieve this fluidity, the architects employed a number of tactics including industrial garage doors separating living spaces from the outdoors, and usable exterior spaces around the entire perimeter of the home. Most notable, however, is the use of tracks and wheels that allows select beds to slide out onto exterior terraces. Perched in the highest reaches of the home, the beds allow residents to enjoy unprecedented views from the most comfortable spot in the house.
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The Opposite House Hotel in Beijing, China
Swire Hotels commissioned Kengo Kurna & Associates to design the Opposite House Hotel, which opened in Beijing, prior to the Olympic games of 2008. The Opposite House is one of several boutique hotels from Swire, who have properties throughout China, Hong Kong, and the UK, each with their own unique contextual style. Minimalist, Chinese-inspired design permeates throughout the Opposite House Hotel. The 99 guest rooms employ muted color palettes, wood floors, and sliding panels made from wood, glass, and fabric as room dividers. The understated aesthetic and natural materials are carried throughout the lobby, pool, and outdoor decks. The hotel also contains several restaurants and bars, whose design retains subtle Chinese cues and utilize lavish materials and design flourishes such as tapestries draped from the ceiling and bold color selections. The contrast between the serenity of the rooms and the vividness of the restaurants and bars is where the name of the hotel is derived from.
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Mobile Huts by Tom Kundig
On the site of a former RV park in Mazama, Washington, a group of low-impact “rolling huts” designed by Tom Kundig adds a modern touch to the rural landscape. The river valley site is a flood plain, and the elevated design of the huts reflects their context. They were also raised to allow the environment to return to as natural a state as possible. Each identical dwelling is constructed using a simple steel frame and massive steel wheels that allow the huts to be repositioned. Interior space is a scant 200 square feet, but is supplemented by 240 square feet of covered deck space. The materials adorning the huts are simple and durable- plywood and car-decking clad the outside while plywood and cork cover interior surfaces. Each structure enjoys a unique view of the surrounding mountains, and a fireplace, small kitchen, and bathroom combine to create a hospitable atmosphere. Kundig’s huts are a rustic respite, and manage to take second place to their natural surroundings.
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Contemporary Mountain Home by Ulisses Morato
Despite its thoroughly modern looks, this mountainside home in Brazil, designed by Ulisses Morato, was constructed using primarily local materials and traditional, manual construction. According to Morato, the contemporary aesthetic stems from his desire that “the ‘natural order’ and ‘cultural order’ are mutually distinguished.” The home uses strict geometric forms and bright splashes of primary color to contrast its natural surroundings. Living space is spread over three levels. A glass encased lower level opens onto a patio and pool, while an upper level cantilevers dramatically over the pool toward the valley below, supported on skewed columns. The home was awarded honors in the Single House category of the 10th Architecture Awards, an event promoted by Instituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil.
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Bug Chair by Isak
By Norwegian designers Sigurd Strom and Benjamin Stenmarck, the ISAK’s Bug chair appears like something out of a 1940’s The Rocketeer cartoon, very retro-futuristic and space-inspired. Made of a reinforced glass fiber outer shell and inner steel frame, it literally was inspired by a 50’s bike lamp. Says Sig Dugal, ISAK’s CEO: “Developing this chair has been a true dream project for ISAK. From the moment I saw the design ideas on this chair I fell in love with it. Its retro form combined with its modern look is sure to command attention in any environment.”
More images of ISAK’s Bug chair after the jump.
BMW S.X Concept Design by Iulian Bumbu
Design student Iulian Bumbu is either a genius or a complete madman. Coming on the heels of his Lamborghini Insecta Concept is this stunning BMW S.X Concept car. Bumbu seems to be prodding the execs in Munich to finally produce the supercoupe that they have been tiptoeing around since the debut of the M1 Homage Concept in 2008. Taking design cues from the Aston Martin One-77 and Fisker Karma, the S.X looks sleek and powerful, while still incorporating BMW’s trademark kidney grille and tweaked headlights that look borrowed from their earlier CS Concept. The best choice of engine would most likely be a derivative of their twin-turbo V8, which has taken well to power increases and will source the upcoming M-variants of the X5 and X6.
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Casa Zufferey by Nunatak Sàrl Architectes
In the midst of a quiet vineyard in Wallis, Switzerland, Casa Zufferey by Nunatak Sàrl Architectes emerges as a dark modern monument. The nearby L’Ardévaz Mountains are a prominent visual force and the inspiration for the shape and exterior materials adorning the home. The long, ascending roofline mimics the slope of the mountains and the black slate tiles recall the material nature of the landscape. The wood structure of the home was fabricated off-site and transported to the vineyard and assembled per the architect’s instructions. The unorthodox exterior appearance is only alluded to on the home’s interior with angled windows at either end and dramatic ceiling slopes. Otherwise, a concrete slab floor, fir plank ceiling, and tall white walls complete the uncluttered interior. The overhangs created by the home’s shape create exterior patios and covered parking at opposite ends.
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Brooklyn Bachelor Pad Photos by Jackie Caradonio
Desire to Inspire points us to the photographic works of Jackie Caradonio. As one of her projects, Caradonio was able to photograph the interiors of this great Brooklyn loft space owned by a French bachelor who owns several US art galleries. This male dream pad is complete with cars, masculine art depicting dogs, a blue kitchen space, an exposed brick bedroom, and more. Looking more like a fancy car showroom, than a home, we can’t help but feel that this home has its very own personality. The different uses of colors for different rooms really complements the cars in the space, as well as the many types of art displayed through the entire home. This is one special home for the quintessential art and design minded guy.
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