Although we are not quite sure what Danish design firm KiBiSi was thinking about when they designed these chair, but we like it. It may look like a rolled up bed mattress, but it is actually something between a chair, a couch and a mattress. All we can say for sure, is that the KiBiSi Chair is extremely comfortable.

“The idea was to make a roll-up and foldable bed”, but that proved impossible due to very high costs of unwrapping the bed. The team liked, however, how the curled structure looked like, so they made a chair out of it. Of course, the form is the only thing that stayed the same, because the “Roulade” chair is made from high-density foam which was cut into a fixed shape.

If you take a closer look, you will see that the chair imitates the buttons which evoke a Chesterfield. It is also upholstered in Hallingdal, which is basically a high-wearing fabric.

The design of this furniture piece is simple, which makes it perfect for any type of home, and it comes in all types of colors! If you like this piece, then you should know that there is also a couch that works with it. KiBiSi launches “Brick”, a right sofa for every type of apartment. The concept started with a brick bond forming the cushion pattern. The cushions where then tied together.

“A contemporary, iconic and humorous character with a cozy and comfortable expression”

Bjarke Ingels, member of KiBiSi considers that a sofa should be a pile of pillows which offer comfort. As a result, the couch meets its purpose perfectly, and it also explores the concept of tectonic bricklaying.

Eagle Wolf Orca is a transatlantic interior design company with a story to tell. They say that they are fueled by “passion, Young and gung-ho”. Designer friends Fritz Riha, Emmet Rock and Marc Reisen finished their studies abroad, in London, Dublin and Palo Alto, and found themselves uninspired. In an attempt to recapture the former fulfilling feeling which they experienced together in Italy, they decided to form a transatlantic creative firm focused on the voice of the group.

The name comes from a dream that a close friend had one night. Riha and Rock soon found their inner spirit animal. The name of the group also means power in numbers, and individuality. The Eagle stands for representation and the ability to understand the overall pattern, which helps keep the concept clear and concise. The eagle is a reminder of where they came from, no matter how high they soar. The Wolf is the image of loyalty, perseverance and deep understanding.

This means that the group cares a great deal about team effort and overcoming hardships together. They say that the wolf can see into the future, and helps them accomplish their goals. The last element, the orca, means strength and focus. The orca is what keeps them focused and with their feet on the ground.

“Each of us share the ability to be excellent storytellers and visual communicator, whether it be in physical products, visual infographics or beautifully rendered artwork”, said Rock, who also felt the need to clarify that their creations do not lack human empathy.

The group works together on Skype most of the time, and they talk about their concepts and give each other feedback. One of their last projects is a set of furniture which explores the relationship between human and nature, and each piece has something to say.

 It is interesting to see how object develop a certain meaning. Besides their own projects, EWO help other people find their “story”. Their entire website is like a story which enthralls the visitor.

PROJECT INFO:

Client: Durst Fetner Residentials

Size: 80.000 sqm

Partner in Charge: Bjarke Ingels

Project Architect: Soren Grunert

The world-renowned Danish Architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group ( BIG ) has managed to amaze us with a brand new design of an Eco-friendly residential tower on West 57^th New York. The planning commissioner, Amanda Burden, wanted something big, something symbolic, especially because the building was meant for a prominent location. Contained within 10260 sqm will be 753 apartments organized in a pyramid shape, around a huge interior courtyard.

Durst’s 57th Street Pyramid Apartments

The concept of the building is to create affordable housing units which will relate a bridge between the waterfront and the neighborhood. The shape of the structure was designed to protect the inhabitants from the unwelcoming nearby views, and give access to beautiful daylight. As a result, each apartment has access to the interior courtyard and a private terrace orientated to the south.

The only problem remaining addresses the issue of affordability. Just how affordable will these units be in 10,20, or 30 years? The community board wants permanent affordability, but misters Durst disagrees.

The proposition by the Bjarke Ingels Group won approval, after a heated debate on the subject of affordable houses. Initially, there were supposed to be 173 affordable units, on the 32 story, and although the community board could not be persuaded at first, Durst managed to convince them.

Much thought was also given to the aspect of appearance. The project suffered a few changes, because the committee feared that a blank wall would affect the street life. The „wall” was replaced with windows which ensured transparency and adequate lighting.

Architects: F451 Arquitectura

Location: Gijon, Spain

Area: 395 sqm

Situated in Gijon, Spain, is a beautiful house designed by F451 Arquitectura. The project represents a hybridization of two typologies, the first of the modern house, and the second of an industrial shed with north light from above. The house is made up of 4 independent, yet interlinked units: the garage, the workplace, the house and the guest apartment. These volumes are united with the help of a slope in the terrain.

The architects created, with the help of the slopes, another meaning to the space, which are put in a different relationship with the immediate surroundings. There is a deep connection between the built area and the terrain, because the house emerges from it, together they create a central area, and to the west, the volume detaches itself from the ground.The open hallway which can be seen in the pictures, was designed to unite the exterior space with the interior one and create a space of relationship.

The materials used for this construction are metal corrugated plate, in the interior, and flexible stucco on fiber reinforced resins on the exterior. The honeycomb walls consist of clay block which was reinforced with thermal insulation.  The interior which is spacious and transparent, uses neutral colors and white. It is connected with the exterior through large glass windows.

Architects: Coates Design

Location: Bainbridge Island Washington, USA

Landscape Architect: Outdoor Studio

Project Area: 2800 sqf

Project Year: 2010

Situated in Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA, is the Dorsey Residence. The house, created by Coates Design represents an interesting approach on the uses of concrete. The first thing you should know about this home is that it represents its owner perfectly. From the outside, it is anonymous, almost austere, due to its monumental concrete facade which is deeply anchored into the hillside. On the inside, however, it becomes a totally different experience.

The house exterior, is marked by two, 18-inch concrete walls which provide a counterpoint to the warm wooden and copper of the inside. Not only is concrete extremely expressive in modern architecture, but it also has a reduced energy cost because it acts like a thermal mass.

The views are an important part of the project, as a result, the architects have taken maximum advantage of them. A main concern of the house was to create comfort to the inhabitants and also profit from the building site footprint. As such, the house makes use of vertical space, thus creating intersting angles and heights for the panoramas.

The back facade is filled with windows which illuminate the welcoming, yet introvert interior space , and offer beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains and water. The living room area is connected with the exterior with the help of cantilevers and a spacious deck. 

The interior is spectacular. The kitchen is furnished with caramelized bamboo, and gloss laminate. It features a beautiful bar, hidden cabinets and a three-way mitre corner. The entire home is surprising. We were already used with home designs which pay tribute to minimalism, but the ingenious splashes of personality make this house truly unique.

„Den is an independent architecture firm dedicated to environmentally-conscious design” is the greeting text for the website of one of the most successful Eco-friendly architecture groups of the moment. Not only do they built with the help of sustainable resources, but they have also managed to create a variety of interesting and tasteful interiors. From kitchen remodels, to school design and home interior proposals, DEN has conceived many projects which adapt to the climate and resources of the environment.

There has been a lot of talk about conserving energy, and what is left of the fossil fuels. While it doesn’t seem important to us at the moment, conservationists and architects have made great efforts to reduce the negative effects that human interventions have on our planet.

Our proposal for today is an interesting and environmentally friendly interior space. The Horcasitas apartments is basically a remodel after an outdated 1970 apartment, dedicated to a young couple from Central America. The intervention was made with great care, and attention to details, and the transformation is spectacular. The extremely spacious apartment was filled with multicolored volumes in monolithic forms. Deep earth tones, and beautifully furnished dark woods complement the red accents which create a transition between rooms. The idea was for every room to be unique.

The master bathroom for example, is separated from the bedroom through a wall that features three vertical windows which create a beautiful view of the Biscayne Bay. Everything in the apartment was designed in order to take advantage of the views and the ocean breezes. The living room and the kitchen also profit from beautiful panoramas of the city.

As far as the environmental aspect is concerned, the architects have complemented the beautiful part with equally sophisticated ecological sensibility. The bathrooms have dual flush toilets, low VOC paint, recycled marble tiles and reclaimed plumbing fixtures.

ARCHITECT: Robin Monotti Architects

Internal Floor area: 575 m2

Total Floor area: 875 m2

Total Cost: £1M

Location: Foros, Crimea, Ukraine

Completed: September 2012 

Crimea is considered the Russian Riviera due to its Mediterranean-like climate and beautiful waters. Foros, which is located in the southern part of Crimea offers the most beautiful coastlines in Ukraine. The building site is thus filled with architectural herritage, and the architects tried to preserve and respect what could already be found there.

Situated on the Crimean shoreline is Robin Monotti Architect’s latest design: The Yacht House. This breathtakingly beautiful and simple building was conceived as a stack of boxes which make the whole structure look playful. In the vision of the architect, it is an “organic composition“ which was thought from the center, home to the boat, and that expanded outwards as terraces and accommodations were added. In many ways, the Yacht House is a contemporary response to the Dacha tradition. The fact that the architect sought to create a people focused project is very important because the repressive Soviet Regime is often associated with brutalist architecture.

The building is equipped with a captain’s lodge which leads from the ground floor through the yacht storage. The studio flat can be found on the first floor, and the apartments are located on the second and third floor. Glass railings were applied to all balconies and terraces, and in order to create a an unobstructed view of the Sea, 9 meter wide ceiling windows were added. On the sides of the building, parallel to the coastline are a number of porthole windows which continue the marine theme. The floors are linked by a stair tower, which recalls the nearby defensive Genoese fortifications. Much thought has also been given to the interior lighting of the tower. As a result, it is pierced by small windows which offer beams of light to delight the visitor. These small windows also create an intimate setting.

The concept of the structure was to create a relation between the sea and the sky. “We wanted people to experience their surroundings – the sound of water, the sea winds, the changing light and moods… as if they were already on the yacht “ said Monotti. It seems that modern architecture is paying more attention to these little details, and customers appreciate it.

The houses today look nothing like what we were used to in our childhood. From the materials used, to the interior and exterior design, houses have changed significantly over the passed few years. There has been a lot of talk about the house of the future, about new concepts of living, about Eco-houses and futuristic design. If we take a closer look to what is happening in architecture today, we will see a few things that are starting to take shape.

1. Eco-friendly houses

The concept of ECO has not been fully understood yet. An Eco-friendly house isn’t a house made from ecological materials, but rather a house which tries not to harm it. This means that it will not pollute, and it will take as little exhaustible energy from the environment as possible. A house made out of prefabricated concrete panels for example, can be considered environmental friendly because it doesn’t produce harmful substances, and it isn’t a risk for the surroundings. Wood for example cannot be consider Eco, because it is a resource which regenerates very slow. Concrete on the other hand is made out of widespread materials. Although an Eco-friendly house is costly to build, in the end you will end up saving more money than you would with a regular home. It uses unconventional energy sources like solar panels and wind installations which provide more than enough energy.

2. Houses from prefabricated materials

Prefabricated houses are modular houses, which take a lot of time to build, but they are very advantageous for the producers and clients. These houses are extremely cheap, perfectly hydro and thermo isolated. Prefabricated houses are as comfortable as regular houses, they look good and are guaranteed to resist at least 100 years. People see this type of housing as a pragmatic and accessible solution for lower budgets, and for horizontally expanding cities.

3. Integrating houses in the environment

Human communion with nature has lost its meaning in the era of industrialism, but architects all over the world are trying to revive the concept. Everyone knows that houses which match the environment ( color, shape, texture ) are the real eye candy. Architects are designing homes which open up to the surroundings, rooms with big windows which are reducing the border between nature and artificial, and create a link between the two.

4. Organic Architecture

Organic architecture, which proposes a lot of unusual forms, is not a new concept in architecture. It was first studied by Antonio Gaudi. Basically it reproduces natural forms, decorative elements which respect the ergonomic nature of space and the human body, curvaceous lines and lack of corners. The lack of corners is supposed to make a person feel protected.

Contemporary interior design, also known as the modern style, can seem a little confusing for people who don’t have a lot of experience in the field. This is mainly because the modern style doesn’t have any definitive characteristics. Usually, when people hear “modern” they immediately think of “cold”, but the contemporary style is known for its definite lines which help create a relaxing atmosphere, open spaces, neutral colors and textures inspired from nature. If modern seems too broad a decorating concept, try tor remember the old and opulent styles like art deco.

The most attractive feature of the modern style is the accent put on open spaces. Even if you don’t have a large house, you can use certain decorations to accentuate and create the impression of big spaces. Modern decoration is characterized by clean lines and matte surfaces, with little details. However, this doesn’t mean that your house will be sterile and rigid. Contemporary design plays a lot with light, textures, and materials, and as a result it creates a feeling of sophistication.

Modern design in a small space

Many projects are faced with the challenge of a small space. But it is not hard to create an interesting functional concept which will ensure the comfort of the whole family. When a space is small, attention paid to details is essential. Maintaining minimalism is imperative if you want to convey the sensation of big space. The bedroom should have only the essential pieces of furniture, the bed, a drawer and a mirror. Mirrors are an excellent solution if you want your house to look bigger. There are many ways to decorate your house, and modern design is not boring if you know how to tastefully mix the elements of your room.

For more interior decorating tips, take a look 8 Cheap Interior Decoration Tips and Cheap Interior Design Tricks for a Vintage Decor.

Simple colors and powerful contrasts

In contemporary interior design, colors and contrasts are very important. Usually, the chromatic of a room are based on the contrast between light and dark. Powerful and elegant, this combination becomes one of the most important aspects in arranging your apartment. For example, white furniture from glossy MDF can be accentuated with the help of graphite black walls. Although it may sound like a simple combination of black and white, the subtle shades given to the walls, and the different accents ( ornaments, illumination etc.. ) will temperate the contrast and make the room look more welcoming.

Modern interior design, with its unique approach, has managed to define the space as a whole, and to give meaning to every element. Original choices, contemporary designs, functionalism, nonconformity and minimalism is what makes a model elegant.

As technology advances, so does the world of architecture, engineering and automobiles. And while some discoveries seem to be taken out of a SciFi movie, some promises for the future sound extremely enthralling. The latest news in the world of architecture is the Landscape House, designed by the dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars from the Amstertdam University of Architecture.

The young and talanted visionary has designed a building which will be printed with the help of a 3D printer. The dutch architect hopes that his project will be ready by the end of the following year. Of course none of this would be possible without the help of a mathematician, by the name of Rinus Roelofs which developed the technology behind the 3D printer.

The entire structure will be molded piece by piece, and afterwards assembled. Each printed piece will be 6 meters wide and 9 meters long. The printer uses thin layers of sand and an-organic cement. Although the project was meant for the european competition for young designers called Europan ( it happens every 2 years and includes 15 countries ), it seems so promising, that its materialization will soon follow. 

In 2006, Janjaap Ruijssenaars became known worldwide for the invention of the floating bed, which at the time was considered the best invention of the year by Time Magazine. It is no surprise that 2013 comes with another innovation which, if successful, will change the world of architecture.

The following video will explain more : The World’s First 3D Printed Building

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