Since things are turning a bit chilly in these parts, my mind has turned towards staying warm. Our home does not have a fireplace, so we would need some sort of free-standing indoor variety. I ran across this unique fireplace concept from industrial designer Camillo Vanacore. It is made from a special kind of ceramic that turns transparent with heat. When the fireplace is off, it appears white, but as things heat up it becomes clear, allowing for an unhindered view of the fire inside. As it cools down, it returns to its original appearance. While still just a concept, the idea is interesting. I'd love to see this in other shapes besides a cylinder, although the resemblance to a giant light bulb is pretty cool.
What other uses could you think of for this unique kind of ceramic?
Can you recommend any other modern indoor fireplaces?
I stumbled across Johannes Heuckeroth's architectural photography portfolio and thought its beauty and awesomeness were too great not to share! He has such an incredible eye - the black and white photos are particularly stunning.
It's been a long while since we have been looking at strollers. Our Bob Revolution is still a strong performer and will only be retired when we move up to the double. That being said, if we were in the market, this Japanese stroller from Curio would be causing a great deal of envy. Designed for the compact environment of city streets in Japan, the Avventura is compact, versatile and efficient. It will pass through even the skinniest of subway gates, has room for a grocery basket, and the fabric section is even removable for washing. If anyone has information on pricing, pass it on in the comments. More pics after the jump.
Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is perhaps one of the most important names in international architecture. At 101 he might just be the oldest practicing architect ever. I've got a special place in my heart for Brazilian architecture, and Niemeyer is the builder of it.
I can't wait to see this! Coast Modern is an independent documentary about the rise of modernist architecture on the West Coast. I haven't been able to determine a specific release date, but it is tentatively scheduled for release this fall.
About:
Filmmakers Michael Bernard and Gavin Froome will take us on a journey from Los Angeles to Vancouver; from 1922 up to the present exploring modernist architecture on the West Coast. A core group of architects embraced the Coast with its particular geography and values and they have left behind a legacy of beautiful and inspired dwellings. Today, architects have picked up the thread and they continue to explore and celebrate the principles established by their predecessors.
Intimate interviews and unprecedented access to architects in the film include Arthur Erickson (Vancouver), Fred Bassetti (Seattle), Hernik Bull (Berkley), Michael Folonis (Santa Monica), Dion Neutra (Los Angeles) -son and partner of Modernist pioneer Richard Neutra- , Barbara Bestor (LA) and others. Legendary photographer Julius Shulman will also be featured along with the photographs that brought world attention to the work that has been done in Southern California. They will all share their insight into the Modernist Movement, and its relevance in our lives today.
The arts and architecture have always been heavily connected, and this Saturday that tradition continues. As part of the DOCOMOMO's US Tour day Salt Lake Modern is hosting an evening of Arts and Architecture in this beautiful home designed by John Sugden.John Bell, the current owner of the howe will be displaying his art and will be talking about how living in a mid-century home has changed the way he paints.
If you are looking for something to do tomorrow, make sure you check DOCOMOMO's website to see if there are any local chapters next to you.
I'm a big fan of "running bikes" for kids. Simple bikes with no pedals that help you kids learn their sense of balance on two wheels. Wishbone bikes have taken it even a step further. Their bike starts as a tricycle and then converts to a low slung two wheeler. When your kid gets bigger you can even flip the frame to accommodate the growing size of your little one. All that flexibility makes the $249 price tag seen not quite as bad.
As my little kid starts to get older I have been thinking about how fun it would be for him to have a little modern playhouse play in. While the selection of off the shelf modern playhouses is pretty sparse and costly there are some really nice examples. My favorite outdoor example is done by modern shed and retails for $2,600. I assume you could probably pull of a DIY version for about half that. Speaking of DIY the indoor modern shelter by Studiomama is a great example of what could be done with a little imagination.
"Modern" and "porch swing" are two words that you don't typically hear used together. If you've ever thought about getting a porch swing for your modern house, you know that the choices are pretty few and far between. Now there is at least one choice. This little beauty was designed by David Cano and Rick Brown and can be made in a myriad of colors. The design is simple and functional, just the way it should be.
Affordable modern house plans are nothing new, in fact we have featured several great ones in the past. Hometta is looking to take it one step further though. Besides a small collection of modern house plans for under $3k, Hometta also offers a little help once you decided to embark down the path of actually building a modern home. Through a yearly subscription you will have access to builders in your area that aren't afraid of homes with flat roofs, and other resources that can help you through the process.
When you think about affordable modern furniture, it's hard not to think about Ikea. It's been a while since they announced their venture into the housing market so I thought I would stop by their UK BoKLOK site to see how things are going. Despite the current economic downturn it seems like they are doing alright. Their first build in the UK was the St James, Gatehead area which was completed just over a year ago. Off the 57 houses they built there, only one is still available. Honestly I'm surprised they didn't go faster. Priced at£105,000 they seem pretty ideal.
This weeks way back when is a mix of the old with the new...
This house is just down the street from mine, and I have been slowly watching it transform as Tyler works on it. He has done an amazing job making a fairly typical 50's home look good. I didn't know just how good until Tyler sent me some pictures of the interior and then I was literally speechless. I'm usually a fan of preserving mid century architecture in it's original form, but this is one update that is both respectful of the original structure, and so much better than it ever was. The house has been completely gutted and redone on the inside, and the pool area in the back yard makes me feel like I am in Palm Springs again. This is a wonderful example of breathing new life into an old house. Ohh and did I mention it's for sale? Anyone have $749,000 they want to give to me?
For whatever reason, I am fascinated with bird houses. And for an equally obscure reason, I am fascinated with the Hepper Roost Bird House designed by Jed Crystal. Blame it on the seductive angles or the rust-proof aluminum construction, but this particular bird house has my number. Available in four colors, the Hepper Roost Bird House seems a wonderful gift for your favorite avian friends. Luckily for you (and your wallet) it's currently on sale for $99. Nice!
This weeks "way back when" spotlight goes to a photographer not a architect or designer. Julius Shulman is perhaps one of the most well know mid century modern photographers of all time. His client list reads like a who's who of mid century design. The iconic photographs that he took were instrumental in both capturing the innovative architecture of the time as well as influencing main stream society's idea of a "modern life". In this great video Julius narrates some of his most well known photographs.
Loads of eye candy to start your weekend out with a bang! ONG & ONG is a design firm which started as a small practice in Singapore in 1972. Since that time, the practice has expanded to include 4 other offices in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and China. With over 500 built projects, their portfolio is vast and impressive. I suggest you check it out for yourself - perhaps when you've got a good block of time to devote to the task!
Last week Capree blogged about the new modern homes that are being built in the Utah super suburb Daybreak. The $206K price tag sounded too good to be true, so I had to go check it out for my self. I admit that I was pleasantly impressed. The homes themselves were well built and the majority of the interior details were well done. Interior surfaces were fairly high end, including nice glass tiles in the kitchens and bathrooms. The ikea interiors made me feel right at home. Overall they are an amazing feat for $140 a square foot land. Sure the .10 acres you get isn't a ton of land, but at the price point you really can't beat these house. As much as it might pain me to say it, these homes are probably the best example of affordable modern in Utah, maybe in the whole country. The biggest downside to the whole thing is the location. Besides feeling like you lived in a movie set (which really didn't bother me to much) the rather extreme south west location may be a deal breaker. To me it would mean an extra hour of commuting every day. To see lots more pictures and get more details head over to Utahmodern.org.
When I first saw the Julep Rocker in the CB2 catalog earlier this year, I thought it was a beautiful specimen. The $150 price tag wasn't too bad either. Now as Summer is winding down, this outdoor looker is on sale at an even more amazing price - $100. If you've been meaning to get a few modern looking rocking chairs for the patio (or porch - do those still exist??) the Julep Rocker would be perfect! From the online reviews, it seems better suited for taller people - us shorties may have to slouch a bit to reach the ground. But, hey, that's life! Grey polymesh over grey, rust-resistant, powder coated aluminum.
