Design Crave

Freeway Bound: FAA Approved Flying Car

Diana Cook — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:00:52 +0000

Designed by MIT-pedigreed engineers, the Terrafugia (“escape from land” in Latin) is prepared to take off as the world’s first flying car. The company got a huge boost earlier this year when the Federal Aviation Administration granted them a weight exemption that allowed the vehicle to be 110 pounds heavier than the normal maximum for a light sport aircraft. Thanks to this exemption, all the road essentials, like airbags and a structural cage have been worked into the new design.

While these automotive-style crash safety features have all been designed so that the Terrafugia will meet the stringent Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, I can’t help but wonder if air safety would be compromised. But hey, I’m no MIT brainiac, just a lowly Seton Hall University grad, so I will let the smarties worry about that one.

The Plauto (yes, I just made that word up) is expected to cost slightly less than $200,000 – but just imagine all the money you’d save with the ability to strategically fly over toll booths?

Designed for Chumming: Shark Week Discovery Channel

Diana Cook — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:05:53 +0000

Just when you thought it was safe to commute to downtown Silver Spring, Maryland – the Discovery Channel has transformed its headquarters into a giant “man-eater” in honor of Shark Week. Nicknamed “Chompie,” the inflatable shark consists of five pieces – the head, two side fins, a dorsal fin, and a tail.

Created by CMEANN, Chompie is 113-feet tall from his belly to dorsal fin and 200-feet wide. Providing giant inflatable solutions for the entertainment industry, CMEANN is the same company that helped King Kong scale the Empire State Building and a giant Spiderman descend on movie goers in Manhattan.

Shark Week 2010 kicks off this Sunday, August 1, with “Ultimate Air Jaws” one of six brand-new episodes. Jaw-dropping fact, Shark Week is celebrating its 23rd year, and has been unnerving viewers since the first one debuted back in 1987.

Cocktails By Design: Hot Summer Tour

Diana Cook — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:00:06 +0000

To me, the ultimate summer refresher isn’t a dip in the pool but rather a fresh, frothy cocktail over ice. When you get the right combination of flavors and presentation, it not only cools you down, but puts you in instant vacation mode.

If we are on the same page and you plan on being in the Southern California area anytime this August, I suggest you check out the second leg of the Riviera Summer Cocktail tour. The tour includes the hottest watering holes in Orange County, and challenges them to throw down and shake it up for bragging rights as creator of the ultimate cocktail. Once you’ve sipped and savored, you can cast your vote for the top spot. [via Riviera Magazine]

I haven’t had the chance to sample them all yet, but the garnish award should certainly go to the houseofbigfish.com for the floating Swedish fish. I’ve posted images of a few, to see all ten contenders check out Modern Luxury Cocktail Tour. Cheers!

16 Pictures From Creepy Abandoned Amusement Parks

Kristi Harrison — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:00:47 +0000

Just ask Velma, Shaggy, and the rest of the Mystery Gang: the scariest part of solving mysteries is when you have to do it in an old abandoned amusement park. Hands down. Why? Because jacked up rusty clown faces are horrifying, that’s why. And so are decaying machines that were once intended for fun and good times, but are now on the brink of crumbling down onto your head. We can’t look at these pictures without imagining that they’ll be the last thing we see before a psychotic old man emerges from the computer monitor to kill us.

And it would serve us right for meddling.

Red Hot Design: 2010 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion

Diana Cook — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:00:58 +0000

Bold and playful, this year’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion has arrived at Kensington Gardens, giving Londoners a fiery retreat amid the park’s staid greenery. Designed by world-renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, this is the 10th commission in the series and Nouvel’s first completed building in the UK. Renowned for architectural experimentation, the Serpentine Gallery’s annual commission showcases the talent of some of the world’s greatest architects.

I am always fascinated by the immediacy of the project. With a maximum of six months from invitation to completion, the pavilion is a testament to the brilliant minds that accomplish this feat each year. Nouvel’s 2010 structure does not disappoint. Rendered in an eye-popping candy apple red, the sleek geometric forms, retractable awnings and sloped freestanding wall appear to be dipped in a luscious candy coating. With a versatile system of interior and exterior spaces, the pavilion has been designed to accommodate Park Nights, the Gallery’s acclaimed program of public talks. The robust hue also pays homage to iconic British reds found in telephone boxes, post boxes and London buses.

I have to confess I’m disappointed I won’t be able to visit the structure in person. I always love visiting London, but won’t be able to squeeze in a trip before the scheduled dismantling in October. Fortunately, photographers John Offenbach and Philippe Ruault have provided sumptuous photos of the building and grounds, so at least I can enjoy the virtual experience.

Cheeky Luggage Stickers: Designed for Airline Hassle

Diana Cook — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:00:06 +0000

If you’ve ever had your Tumi grabbed by a stranger, you can appreciate the ability to quickly shag your bag as it makes its way through baggage claim. Designed to adhere to anything, TheCheeky.com offers “Suitcase Stickers” that will make the dreaded conveyor belt clamor a bit more manageable. Colin Hart, the mastermind behind Thecheeky.com, offers products designed to “make the world wide web smile and from time to time frown like a baby eating a lemon.”

Actually, I’m not sure if these tongue-in-cheek stickers will combat travel hassles or optimize them. As TheCheeky.com warns, “Caution: Some of these stickers may cause offense to airport and immigration staff. But you would have figured that out whilst enjoying those cavity searches.”

Available in four styles (Air Stewardess, Cash, Sugar and Toys), “Suitcase Stickers” will (at the very least) raise a few eyebrows and spark a few conversations along your journey.

18 Incredible Cave Houses From Around the World

Adam Tod Brown — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:00:55 +0000

Are you a creepy weirdo looking to further alienate everyone you know with your choice of living conditions? Or maybe you’re a world renowned terrorist on the run from nearly every law enforcement organization on the planet? Or perhaps you’re just vacationing in Turkey or Spain?

If any of these situations apply to you, have you considered shacking up in a cave house? If not, maybe it’s time to start! Because honestly, we can’t think of better accommodations for a person in your situation. And before you get all snooty about things, consider this. Cave houses aren’t what they used to be. In other words, they aren’t just caves that random transients move into and start calling home. No, today, cave homes sell for several hundreds of thousands of dollars and in some cases are marketed as vacation destinations for worldly travelers looking to escape the usual tourist traps that claim most adventure seekers.

So if you’re in the market for a whole new way of living or just a different take on the traditional vacation setting, consider one of these amazing cave houses. You’ll be glad you did. Unless there are bats, of course. Bats are awful.

Urban Fun in the Sun: Paris Beach

Diana Cook — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:00:13 +0000

Inaugurated in 2002, Paris Beach (or “Paris Plage” for you snooty types) is a month long event that transforms several spots in Paris into artificial beaches. Thousands of tons of sand are imported along with full size palm trees, beach chairs and chaise-lounges to create an asphalt “shoreline” abutting water that the French Ministry of Health says is unfit for swimming. Designed by “urban scenographer” Jean-Christophe Choblet, the concept seems a bit gauche, but those wacky French appear to love it.

All that sand atop concrete reminds me of giant cat litterbox – but I guess I am not as refined as the French. This year’s “plage” just opened and will run until mid-August. The brainchild of Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, well-known for launching ambitious municipal events, Paris Plage, was initially criticized by some has become a permanent fixture in the Parisian summertime scene. If you go there for the people watching there will be plenty of Euro-centric speedos, but no South of France topless sunbathing or G-strings by city ordinance. Last year police handed out $48 fines for topless sunbathing, which risked riling Islamic sensibilities [via Bloomberg].

Surfer’s Dream Ride: The Volcom Chariot (0)

18 Mad Men Inspired Design Ideas

Kristi Harrison — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:00:25 +0000

The latest season of Mad Men is upon us, so people everywhere are standing a little taller, sucking in guts and trying to forget the era of 90s grunge ever existed. If there’s one thing Mad Men has accomplished, it’s that this amazing show has encouraged us all to look in the mirror every now and then. Maybe tuck in our shirts. Straighten up the cushions. And smoke cigarettes while pregnant.

Perhaps no one’s fallen for that last one…but we’d sure look stylish if we did. Here are 18 things you can buy right now to make you look and feel like you’re right on the set of Mad Men.

Best Bar Design: The Tote India

Diana Cook — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:00:45 +0000

I was so excited when the winners were announced for the 2010 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. I love a good bar, so started to mentally prepare (ie. what would I wear?) to experience the winning design. Then I realized it would be quite a bar hop, as this year’s winner, The Tote was over in Mumbai, India. I had to settle for the virtual experience and a self poured Kettle and soda whilst checking it out.

Designed by Chriss Lee and Kapil Gupta from Serie Architects, the bar design and construction of the Tote was a complex combination of restoration works. The bar itself is part of the larger multi-purpose Heritage building, so the rehab included the demolition and reconstruction of a larger space, including a banquet wing.

According to Serie Architects, the most interesting aspect of the site, was not the colonial buildings but the open areas covered by mature Rain Trees. These spaces are shaded throughout the year by the thinly wide spread leaves of the Rain Trees, allowing many events to occur outdoors. The bar design attempts to create this idea of a continuously differentiated space, with no clear boundary, into the envelope of the conservation building. The scaffolding of the space mimics the exterior under the Rain Trees.

The Tote Mumbai, India, won The 2010 Restaurant Bar Design Awards in category International Bar and Best Bar design award.

24 Amazing Swimming Pools From Around the World

Adam Tod Brown — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:00:35 +0000

A really incredible swimming pool is always a sight to behold no matter what the season. Seriously, it’s just a hole in the ground yet it manages to provide enjoyment for legions of people for years and years. The fact that some people actually take the time to turn their water filled hole into a complete and total master work of art is just icing on the cake.

And if you haven’t noticed, it’s approximately 116 degrees outside right now. So this might be a good time to track down one of these incredible swimming pools from around the world and take a dip. Your risk of heat stroke will thank you kindly.

Hot Pots: Golly Pods by Jason Lane

Diana Cook — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:00:27 +0000

Pots for plants can be tres chic. These space-age style plant pods by Jason Lane of Bells & Whistles fame for Tend are perfect examples of artistic green habitats. More like living sculptures than a place just to stick your plants, Golly Pods will add a sense of high style to your indoor garden. Entirely hand-lathed and then cast in ceramic, these exquisitely crafted, cutting edge containers are in the prototype stage right now, but will be available soon.

Tend bridges gardening and modern design, exploring sustainability and aesthetics to create living works of art. For status updates on the release of these trendy terrariums, bookmark www.tendingtoit.com.

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