Olympic Architecture

The 2008 Olympic Stadium is a unique modern backdrop for the opening ceremonies. The "Bird's Nest", as it is called is jointly designed by Herzog and De Meuron Architekten AG, Switzerland, and China Architecture Design Institute.

Orange Street Studio, Modern Landscapes

In this day and age of more is more, it's refreshing to see a less is more approach to landscape design. Forget the pavers and block that so many are using to try to simulate stone, flowery planting galore and psuedo natural water features and go for concrete slabs, stone, real wood decking, geometric water features and minimalist planting. Orange Street Studio has taken this route to modern landscape design with stunning outcomes. Here are a few of their residential projects with many more photos at there web site. This is doable and affordable modern landscaping.

Scales

Scales room divider by Daniel Svahn is a very cool design.

The Spa At Nemacolin

With a mix of Asian and modern design, The Spa at Nemacolin Woodland Resort in Western Pennsylvania is not only a luxurious retreat, it's a wonderful design feast. You can take many of the ideas you'll see there and apply them to your personal space.

Belmont Freeman Architects

Going minimal on interior design is an elegant way to live. I love the sense of simplicity and the mood that accompanies it in these two interior by Belmont Freeman.

Xoo Bookends

Vessel USA Inc. has recently introduced Malcolm Leland’s X00 (zoo) industrial design bookends. This new design was inspired by Los Angeles’ famous historical American Cement Building on Wilshire Blvd. In 1961 Malcolm was commissioned by the architect to produce a sculptural façade made of reinforced concrete which had never been done before at that time. The 10 foot Xs’ were then cast one at a time and place in position creating a sculptural structure for the upper 13 story lofts and the lower half which is the parking garage. His sculptural design has been a part Los Angeles’ skyline since 1964.

Small Spaces, Double Duty

I love interior elements and design that serve more than one purpose. I find this sort of problem solving to produce such clever designs. Here are some examples from Small Spaces. Cube storage that provides privacy, under the stair bar, 360 degree rotating TV, shelve steps, insulating roof garden and a computer desk with a bed as the chair.

20th Century Cincinnati

Includes 2008 includes 50 exhibitors of vintage modern design to see and purchase.

Special exhibit: Cincinnati Modern Architecture - A Retrospective


Link to more info.

A New Year of New Design, H-Haus

H-Haus models are showcases of intelligent home design for the 21st century. The architecturally modern home designs introduce elegant living paired with eco-friendly designs adopted from European housing standards to the American Market.

Luxurious spa bath, single and two-story living arrangements, double height entry, cook’s kitchen, roomy bedrooms, wrap around balconies and operable skylights are just some of many high-end standard features throughout the H-Haus models. Spacious plans provide maximum living and storage space in a small footprint that reduces land use.

From the rooftop to the interior floor coverings, these homes are constructed with materials that will reduce energy bills and conserve natural resources. The smart, efficient design offers solar heating, super-insulated walls and roofing, rainwater catchment, and wastewater recycling.

Nakashima Visit

John Yarnel sweeping slate patio.

I ended my month off with a trip to the Nakashima Woodworker Studio in New Hope PA to pick up some chairs for work. Mira, George's daughter and her husband John still run the shop and are producing amazing work. Having spent time with them before I was so glad to be going and we spent about three hours with John, who worked with George for years and even helped build some of the stunning structures on the property, walked us through many of the buildings. It was an honor to spend so much time in the presence of iconic design. Of course the furniture is an modern organic joy but George's studio, office, and living spaces were transcendent. The modern architecture with a great deal of Japanese influence creates quite, calming spaces. Scattered throughout are objects from years of travel and pieces by Ben Shon and Harry Bertoia,close friends of Georges. All placed on the beautiful landscape of Bucks County PA with woods and ponds, its a true retreat. I asked John as we stood in a dwelling space that brought me to tears upon entering if it ever got mundane after all these years. In his quiet, Zen way he smiled a soft smile and shook his head no.

All modern designers should see this space for themselves. It reminded me that we live in an organic world and there is very much a place for that in modern design. My deep gratitude to George, Mira and John.

A Visit To Thailand

A stunningly designed hotel in Thailand with the perfect mix of traditional and modern.

Pre Fabulous

Go modular with this expandable design. One room or a home. The MD 280 features a full kitchen, a separate bedroom, a living room and a bath. Ambient light is plentiful thanks to 9' floor-to-ceiling glass. The entire home fits on a single semi truck trailer and is very easy to transport and assemble. Fabulous.

Viewer's Interior Design

I want to give a big hand to Joel at Blue Ant Studio for sharing his home with us. The modern architecture of this house is filled with classic mid-century design and every attention to detail has been taken into consideration, from the cool light fixture on the stairs to the modern landscape design outside the home. The main dining area has a wonderful combination of red Eames plywood chairs and Bertoia wire chairs. In the living room small details like the white vases on the Noguchi coffee table are highlighted by the white of the orchids on the Saarinen side tables. The overall effect is fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing you fabulous design sensibility.

Buy Modern......Homes

There are many real estate brokers that deal only in modern homes. This is a good way to save yourself a lot of time and trouble when looking for a modern home. In Chicago is Modernist Dwellings. These are two of the properties they currently have on the market.

dVider

This is a very hip and easy way to divide you living space and add a bit of art at the same time. dViders come in many sizes and configurations and you can add your custom art or choose from the company's.

Alvin Lustig Design

By the time Alvin Lustig died at the age of forty in 1955, he had already introduced principles of Modern art to graphic design that have had a long-term influence on contemporary practice. He did this through his contributions to the design of books and book jackets, magazines, interiors, and textiles as well as his teachings. He also designed lighting, logos, advertisements and a host of other graphic material. He was a pioneer who reinvented these objects creating works of beauty through design. See more of his work at the Lustig site and get information on buying posters. Also check out the reproduction process at Flickr.

The Eames House

The Eames House was built in 1949, by husband and wife Charles and Ray Eames as part of the Case Study Program. The design of the home helped revolutionize modern architecture and push its limits, by introducing prefabricated materials into residential architecture. The main living space boasted an open and versatile design that allowed multi use of the space both vertically and horizontally. We apologize for the lack of proper photo credits as these photos have been collected over time. Some are from the Eames Foundation. If you know the source of others please leave them in a comment.

Architectural Shoes

There is something about the design of these shoes that puts me in the mind of architecture. Whether it's a mid-century ranch, a Frank Gehry Museum, a Japanese tea house or a Wright home, these designs have a wonderful structural element to them and they're on sale.

A Stay In Greece

The Emelisse Hotel is situated along the rugged shoreline of the emerald Ionion Sea. The pools and outdoor restaurants and bars provide front row seating for an unparalleled views of nature's splendour. Styled for tranquility, with natural materials and earth tones, show obviously that details was the primal goal. The design is meant to add to the style of the hotel without detracting from the surrounding natural beauty.

Modern Interior

This is a featured home at the Jet Set site. Bob Mooney purchased the home, renovated and set about the task of doing the interior design himself with the help of books on the period. Amazing job Bob.