Does anyone else feel like 2012 has been busy and chaotic and flying by? I do so I apologize for such long silence.
Ran across this Mondrian-esque multi-family dwelling and had to figure out what? Why? and What? It is a prototype for a new modular home system that can be used for single, multi or even highrise dwellings by Worldwide Modular.
We know there are a ton of projects using shipping containers as housing. This one uses the same dimensions and proportions but uses the containers to, well, ship. Each segment gets built in a warehouse, slides right into a container, ships to site, lift into place and slides out into the concrete framework that was built on site. You can see a video and other renderings and plans on the website. And no, it doesn't have to look like this.
But if you do get this one, you can get the matching bag!
I recently watched a wonderful webinar about color from Shaw Contract Group. It has incredible imagery and a wonderful post-apocalyptic story line. The sounds and voices of the narration while staring at intense photos gets you lost in your own world. After coming back to reality, you can take a quiz at the end to get CEU credit for IIDA, ASID, AIA, or IDC.
You can catch it February 7 at 11am, 2pm, or 5pm central time and it lasts about 45 minutes. Register here. I highly recommend it!
Broadloom carpet is installed by stretch-in method (generally only for residential projects) or by gluing it down. The glues used for a commercial setting are of course very strong because in high traffic areas you don't want your adhesive failing. But the advent of carpet tile brought different installation methods because you want to be able to remove a damaged tile and replace it with a new one. Traditionally they used a different type of glue that would adhere strongly to the floor and strong enough to the tile to keep it down and in place but still allow it to be removed. But now because of concerns with VOCs manufacturers are getting away from adhesives all together.
First FLOR which started as a residential line, came out with FLORdots. They are round stickers that you attach to the bottom of tiles at the corners to stick them together. This creates a floating floor - more like a rug that sits on top of the floor. These stickers work so well that InterfaceFLOR, the parent company and commercial line of carpet, uses it in commercial settings. They call them TacTiles. You can install the tiles wall to wall but it still works as a floating floor.
Shaw Contract Group has their own dots called Lokdots. These are dots of goop about 3/4" in diameter that come in a roll. The goop is kind of like that stuff that holds subscription cards on magazines. You know what I'm talking about. You use a contraption like a tape gun to roll these dots onto the back of the tile and stick it onto the floor. These dots adhere stronger to the tile than the floor so if you need to pull one up and move it, the adhesive comes with it.
The strangest of the non-adhesive installation that I've seen so far is TacFast from Bolyu. It's like putting a giant velcro pad under your carpet tiles. To use this system you get the tiles with a special soft backing. There are square, plastic pads that go down on the floor and lock together. Install the tiles on top and they stick like velcro also creating a floating floor. This actually lets you change your tiles around or change them out regularly. This could be a good solution for retail because you could change out colors for the season or change patterns when you move displays. TacFast is actually it's own company that partners with Bolyu. But they must also partner with other manufacturers such as ceramic tile. It allows you to put down tile with out mortar...hmmm. You can watch the video on their website. Interesting.
Anyway, all of these systems make for greener, cleaner, easier capet tile installation.
This is not a product or material but it is incredible. Not only are the actions incredible but the film is great too considering the guy had never made a film before.
This is a short film about a group of friends that highline and baseline. Watch it to see what that really means.
It's enough to get your stomache in a knot and your heart pounding.
You can read and see more at Seb Montaz's (the film maker) website. And maybe start thinking of a New Year's resolution that involves being more spontaneous and taking risks!
Happy Holidays!
I know there are 5 year old girls out there that have very discerning architectural sense. The Victorian dollhouse with shingled roofs and dormers doesn't fit her taste and she wouldn't be caught dead in a plastic Barbie mansion even if it was owned by Architect Barbie.
No, what she needs is a sleek, modern toy house.
Douglas Rollins must have just such a girl because he has created toy houses with a modernist style that is sure to please. His company brinca dada has 4 modern dollhouses inspired by real houses designed by architects like Richard Neutra and Paul Rudolph. And you can outfit the homes with modern furniture packages as well. These houses are so cool, you might even let your son play with dolls.
Haven't you longed for the Eames lounge chair? Wouldn't the Barcelona chair be the perfect finishing touch to your living room? You love the chairs but let's face it, even Design Within Reach is still just out of reach for most of us. Never fret! You can get the miniature version that you can stare at and appreciate! So even if your derriere can't afford to sit in luxury, your finger can! No...wait...nope. Your finger can't afford it either. Alas, all you can do is cut out a picture of the chair and pin it up on your dream board. Then cut out a smaller picture of that same chair at 1:6 scale and pin it up next to it.
