17 January 11
Retail destination
Late Night Chameleon Cafe is an ambitious new London-based retail venture, selling new, archive and limited release clothing collections based around unisex styling, alongside music and books. Edited in a very specific way, the merchandise fuses some of the most covetable fashion brands in the mainline arena, such as Rick Owens and Balenciaga, with underground brands and Japanese labels including the likes of SASQUATCHfabrix and Nonnative. The 6000 sq ft former boxing gym space is more installation piece than traditional shop-fit – by set designer Gary Card – with areas linked by an indoor forest and a hexagonal tunnel constructed from raw wood and orange acrylic. Initiated by John Skelton (ex Oki-ni and Selfridges) and a team of specialists, LN-CC is an evolving retail platform encompassing clothing, music and art in both a physical and digital environment. Visits by appointment only. www.ln-cc.com
17 January 11
Multi-storey magic
Miami's multi-storey car park, 11 11 Lincoln Road is inspired. Designed by Heuzog & de Meuron, it's more performance piece than building – according to its developer Robert Wennett. The five-story structure includes 300 parking spaces, retail and restaurant spaces, offices and condominiums extending through the pedestrian mall. What sets it apart, is the series of spaces, rather than the usual stacking system. Many of the decks have extravagantly high ceilings whilst others have mezzanine levels and balconies offering magnificent city views. The fifth-floor boutique, The Alchemist, set into the structure like a gem, adds some high-octane glamour to this muscular utilitarianism. Featuring the same concrete floor as the rest of the garage, across the store's ceiling is a mirrors installation developed by London studio Random International. Cued by sensors and driven by pneumatics, it tracks the movements of browsing shoppers and because it reflects the sky and street below, it broadcasts the contents of the shop to the outside, while drawing the city in – giving the space a dynamic look and feel. Wennett personally selected the retailers, such as the directional Artsee Eyewear, housed in the building's ground floor shopping thoroughfare. Ingenious and uplifting. www.1111lincolnroad.com
17 January 10
Diamond building
The most sublime piece of architecture in the UAE isn't in Dubai (okay, the Burj Khalifa is pretty something) – it's in Abu Dhabi. Cue the Yas Hotel designed by the New York-based Asymptote studio. Contributing to a sense of wonder lies at the heart of Asymptote's approach – which is exactly what you get, whether you’re gazing at the hotel from a distance or standing inside it its curving form, with its white, light-filled spaces and floating mantle of shimmering diamond shaped glass panels, lit at night by thousands of coloured LEDs. The only drawback is It's miles-from-anywhere location, but it's well worth the schlep, to sample its fine restaurants or for a weekend getaway. www.assymptote.net
17 January 10
Cut above
This striking storefront was created by X Architekten for the Mittermeier salon in Linz (Austria). The façade's sculptural composition consists of curved laminated sheets, created using water-jet cutters. It succeeds in acting as a store sign – conveying a wave of golden locks – while also providing another layer of privacy for clients, allowing intermittent peeks into the salon through the gaps. Nifty. www.xarchitekten.at
14 January 10
Subterranean space
Many designers are exploring innovative solutions that takes architecture underground – cue the Bulbo Gallery in Milan, designed by Attilio Stocchi and Gino Guarnieri. Their client wanted to build a little gallery under the garden of his house. This involved adhering to endless rules and regulations – the structure's foundations, the roots of a tree, the cumbersome volume of a tank… But these restrictions effectively translated into a language: “We discovered that we could comply with the conditions if we heightened the design,” said Stocchi. The gallery is an irregular nine-sided polyhedron with 47 faces, where natural light pours through seven cones, creating an unreal, yet magical atmosphere. From outside, the complexity of what's inside cannot be perceived. The metal cones spiking the garden, evoke a presence; inviting the visitor to discover a little underworld haven. www.attiliostocchi.it
14 January 10
Shelf life
Who says magazines are finished? Clearly they haven't been to Berlin. It's heartening to discover Do You Read Me – a very special store for magazine junkies, selling a carefully curated collection of international publications – with the covers displayed outwards in all their glory. The focus is largely design and art magazines – which after all, offer some of the best reasons to still scoop up print-based items. With Eames chairs to lounge on, and no shrink-wrap to speak of – you’re free to browse all you want before buying. www.doyoureadme.de
14 January 10
Hillside dwelling
When permission was granted to build two houses close to Switzerland's Vals thermal baths, SeARCH & CMA's client seized the opportunity to develop the site, without destroying the views. A central patio inside the steep incline creates a large façade, that allows for multiple window openings. The viewing angle from the building is slightly inclined, giving even more dramatic views of the mountains on the other side of the valley. Local town planners were pleased that the design didn't 'appear residential’ or impose on the adjacent building, and was perceived as an example of pragmatic development in a sensitive location. The placing of the entrance via an old Graubünder (grey walls) barn and an underground tunnel further convinced them that the concept, while slightly unusual, could go ahead.
24 December 09
Four store
Kuwait is officially cool – thanks to the edgy concept store called 4, which is full of dangerously desirable additions for your wardrobe and home. Based in the heart of Kuwait’s industrial area, which evokes feelings of Manhattan’s Meat Packing District (yes, really) – 4 is an escape from the conventional and a destination for like-minded fans of individual, beautiful things. Since opening its doors in 2008, the industrial-chic gallery-store has established a reputation for sourcing up-and-coming creative talents, selling a discerning and tightly edited selection of men's and women's fashion and accessories, furniture, books and CDs. After flexing the plastic, shoppers can refuel in the store's lounge cafe, make use of the complementary wi-fi and soak up the grooves of 4’s live DJ. The store's blog is well worth bookmarking too. www.thenumber4.com
24 December 09
Jewel store
A jewellery boutique called Octium, has recently opened its doors in Kuwait – designed by the flamboyant Spanish designer, Jaime Hayon. Situated in the city's 360 mall, the store's design conveys Hayon's renowned sense of drama, with a touch of film star chic, and an ornate luxe twist, so beloved in Arabia. Most of the furnishings were custom-made, to give the jewellery pieces – by the likes of Pippa Small, Ivanka Trump, Hanna Martin, as well as Octium's own collection – their own display space. www.octiumjewelry.com
29 November 09
Design emporium
Mint is a one-of-a-kind emporium dedicated to showcasing emerging talents, alongside unique designs and specially commissioned pieces. A favoured resource for London's decorators and prop stylists, it is run by Lina Kanafani, a style-savvy Jordanian who has a knack for spotting design's new names to watch. After 10 years in London's West End, Mint recently relocated to South Kensington, where it is in good company; neighbours include Few and Far, Skandium and the V&A museum. The idiosyncratic collection of objects is the crux of Mint's success and clients – including an increasing number from the UAE – appreciate Mint's ability to integrate such designs in a living context, tailored to their personal taste and lifestyle. www.mintshop.co.uk
15 October 09
Food for thought
Swedish/French design duo, Ralston & Bau was recently commissioned by ceramics firm, Figgjo to create a permanent installation in the reception area of Maltidets Hus (House of Food) – a new foodie resource centre in Norway. A central wall panel, running three flights high, is effectively, a vertical dining table. Clusters of Figgio's iconic crockery decorates the table, which is in a laminated wood, to simulate a linen table cloth, with engravings of cutlery and glasses… A trad-style chair backrest at the top, completes the illusion of the dining setting. www.ralstonbau.com
15 October 09
Design pitt stop
Istanbul has a new design destination to add to the city's thriving design community. Co founded by Erdem Akan, maybedesign is a design store, gallery and showcase for established designers and new talent alike – that reflects its philosophy and multi-disciplinary approach – namely: “maybe design, maybe art”. Hmm. Items include housewares designed exclusively for the shop, alongside well known and iconic products, such as eastmeetswest tea glasses, Istanbul Alphabet and sitbag&relax seating, plus furniture, tabletop objects, lighting, textiles, accessories and jewellery. Designers on board include: 1000volt Design, Abdulla, Adnan Serbest, Anatolian Arts, Birsen Canbaz, Burcu Büyükünal, Cenan Abas Sel, Devran Mursaloğlu, Didem Aras, Ela Cindoruk, GAEA Forms, Gaye Kalavlı, Grafikir, maybedesign, Nazan Pak, Nilüfer Tarzi Kuran, Phare Studio, Roen, Sadi Tekin, Sedef Çalarkan, Serdar Şamlı, Serhan Gürkan, Studio Punto, Take Away İstanbul and Yılmaz Aysan. www.maybeshop.at
15 October 09
Black magic
This house is an attempt to develop alternative domestic solutions to a new suburban neighbourhood in Northern Spain. To date, typically compact villas are plonked on abruptly levelled gardens, irrespective of the local topographic condition. Architects Asensio Mah + JM Aguirre Aldaz have created a design for a house with a more direct relationship with the landscape. A series of terraces in a geometric configuration affords various vistas – and a rich experiential lifestyle within the house's volume and surrounding landscape. A northeast-southwest orentation secures maximum daylight in every room. Clad in dark “composite” panels, customised with digital manufacturing techniques, they introducing legibility to the overall form. The panels offer a range of surfaces and patterns that reflect the changing light conditions, so producing an ever changing array of textures and tones. www.asensio-mah.com
15 September 09
Vertical garden
Patrick Blanc recently completed a project on the exterior of the Athenæum Hotel in London. Instead of the usual concrete or brick facade, an eight-storey high garden features 12,000 plants instead of the usual concrete or brick facade. Maintenance of such a project might be worrisome for some, but Blanc has it covered with a special “plastic-coated aluminum frame fastened to the wall, covered with synthetic felt into which the plants roots can grow. A custom-made irrigation system keeps the felt moist with a fertilizer solution modelled from the rainwater that trickles through forest canopies. www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com
28 July 09
Retail deluxe
After redesigning Canada’s only luxury department store, Holt Renfrew, in Toronto, design duo Paul Filek and Diego Burdi were commissioned to revitalise Dublin’s menswear emporium, Brown Thomas – also both part of the Wittington Investment Group that includes Selfridges in the UK. Taking a typically bold approach to luxury retail – using traditional luxe touches and custom furnishings, combined with unexpected materials – Burdifilek created an old school bespoke-inspired haven of luxury and an ocean-blue contemporary zone that spells luxury in a more modern language. A walnut wall sculpture, custom wool carpeting and chocolate-brown suede walls deck the more traditional and tailoring section, contrasts with the art-gallery feel to the fashion-forward zone in gleaming silver, blue and polished stainless steel. A sleek and sophisticated response to the client’s desire for evoking a progressive sensibility to international luxury retailing. www.burdifilek.com
24 July 09
Switched on
You have to hand it to Karim. Critics may diss his retro-futuristic styling, but with countless projects and awards under his belt, he gets the last laugh. His first project in the UAE is the design of Switch, a nifty little eaterie at Dubai Mall. Its interior is shaped by an undulating fiberglass wall – 'an abstraction of a desert dune' – that curves over a 22 metre-long banquette. Yet despite its Middle Eastern references, if Emaar [owner and developer of Dubai Mall] had got its way, the restaurant's design concept wouldn't have ever seen the light of day. “The mall's management didn't like the design and said 'it didn't fit the mall language,' fumed Rashid in Commercial Interior Design magazine. "I encouraged my client to fight with them to have it built. Just because the mall has bad, banal interiors, doesn't mean that the public doesn't want interesting, inspiring shops and restaurants." Amen to that. Rashid’s enterprising client, Deem Al Bassam, selected Rashid because "every time he creates a restaurant, it doesn’t look like a typical restaurant. That’s what I was looking for… the design will pull people in; the food and service will bring them back.” Let's hope she's right, as Dubai folk tend to be duped by the big boy brands. But the tide could be turning, as a number of home-grown ventures are sprouting in the UAE, which have the potential to be exported to other countries, so giving a more discerning stamp to the country's credibility.
24 July 09
Moonlit mosque
Abu Dhabi's new mosque, by Halcrow Architects, is one of the largest mosques in the world – designed to house more than 40,000 worshippers. Named after Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan, the late ruler and founder of the United Arab Emirates, the mosque gradually changes colour with the moon. Jonathan Speirs, director of Speirs & Major Associates, the project’s lighting architects, explains to Architectural Review: “In the same way as the moon has an impact on the tides, we wanted the moon to have an impact on the building. Our idea was to have a building that, by full moon, is lit pristinely with white light, but with a textural quality evocative of clouds slowly drifting in front of a full white moon. As the moon wanes over its 28 day cycle, the lighting grows gradually bluer to signify darkness. On the 14th evening the mosque is lit deepest blue.”
24 July 09
It's all a façade
Singapore's new Urban Entertainment Centre incorporates theatres, clubs, bars, shops and public spaces within a 80m x 80m x 80m cube. Designed by WOHA Architects, the different levels are linked by 'tornadoes' – vertical circulation voids that transport people to their destination. But it's pièce de résistence is its interactive façade – an ornamental 24-hour light and media screen, designed by Realities United. Filtering air and light, it blends abstract futuristic shapes with a nod to 1970s Vegas. The tessellated pattern is a matrix of geometric fluorescent lamps superimposed onto the idiosyncratic structure – signalling a fundamental change of architecture: from static to dynamic landmark. www.wohadesigns.com | www.realities-united.de
25 June 09
Urban trinkets
Award-winning architectural practice East, has created the new public realm for Bermondsey Square in London. It aims to stimulate a sense of community within a new mixed-use development developed by igloo – by facilitating local activities such as a market, boules pitch and outdoor cinema. The square was conceived as a carpet, scattered with an array of simple design elements – benches, bollards and cycle hoops – like trinkets laid out on the market stalls. These “trinkets” – painted iron icosohedrons bollards – were created with artist Jonathan Hares, to deter vehicles, provide seating, while bringing added delight to the neighbourhood. www.east.uk.com
25 June 09
Staying around town
A hotel in Austria has taken a rather radical departure from the usual hospitality model. The Pixet Hotel is in fact, six suites scattered around town. Created as part of Linz's efforts to celebrate being the European Capital of Culture for 2009, the guest rooms are located inside quirky, interesting buildings across the city – including a cabinetmaker’s workshop, drag boat, soup kitchen and a gallery. The rooms offer an intriguing array of designs and a “flying receptionist” hands over the keys and bill at the start of your stay. Calling a collection of separate spaces a “hotel” might be stretching things a bit, but the option of staying in different places under one booking offers an interesting way to get to know a city, and while the Pixel Hotel is only scheduled to last this year, perhaps the idea will catch on elsewhere. www.pixelhotel.at
13 May 09
Style, sex and soup
Dutch hospitality group La Bergere is developing a new hotel in Maastricht, currently dubbed Hotel X, which will be decorated with second-hand furniture and knick-knacks purchased from ordinary consumers. The hotel's underlying concept is described as “style, sex and soup” – which stands for design, attraction and authenticity. Sourcing individual furniture pieces and nostalgic trinkets will create the desired look and atmosphere. Hotel X is inviting people to rummage through their attics and garages, to sell any unused objects. People can upload a picture of the item they'd like to sell, along with a brief description and asking price. To give a sense of what they're looking for, the hotel's website shows examples for a wide array of categories, from chairs and tables to art, ceramics, posters, 'collections', boardgames and even plants. Hotels have been adopting the authentic and nostalgic design styles for a while now, however this is also a clever way to find remarkable pieces, and garner interest in the hotel before it opens. Moreover, by encouraging people to look for cash in the attic, it taps into a very of-the-moment trend: recession-induced concepts that help consumers make money rather than spending it. www.bergergroup.com
8 March 09
Ideas incubator
Niche ventures are often hampered in Dubai thanks to hefty start-up fees and overheads. Shelter aims to solve this problem, by offering an 'innovation campus' for creative professionals. Founded by the energetic Emirati twins, Rashid and Ahmed bin Shabib – founders of Brownbook magazine and Brownbag, an online store that delivers magazines, candy and gizmos within an hour of ordering – it also aims to assist with the necessary paperwork for setting up an enterprise. Situated in Dubai's industrial Al Quoz district, Shelter's 11,000 sq ft warehouse offers 24-hour desk space for Dh 3,000 per month, complete with secretarial services, internet and phone lines, meeting rooms and library facilities, plus other perks, including classes, films and events. Bidoun magazine and Rem Koolhaas's OMA are said to have already signed up. www.shelter.ae
27 February 09
It’s shoe time
Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik’s latest store recently opened at Dubai Mall. Designed by Data Nature Associates, the interior reveals influences from the Bedouin lifestyle, Islamic detailing and coral reef forms, and the topography of the Rub’al Khali desert. Traditional metalwork lamps designed by Tom Dixon, are grouped into several clusters. DNA is run by Kristina Hulsebus Blahnik, niece to the Czech-Canarian shoe designer. Now all it needs is a cocktail bar and pedicure station – plus someone to foot the bill. www.datanature.com
9 February 09
Treehouse destination
This organic, pod-shaped restaurant by Pacific Environment Architects was built as a marketing promotion for the New Zealand Yellow Pages, to prove that suppliers for any project can be found through its listings. The Yellow Treehouse restaurant opened in January and will stay open for a month, although an extension is being sought, due to it being booked solid. Perched high above a forest, the structure appears like an enormous chrysallis grafted on to a 40-metre high redwood tree. The 18-seat cafe – 10m wide and 12m high – is entered via a 60-metre walkway, with the kitchen and bathrooms located on the ground. Acrylic sheeting makes the mostly wood structure weather-resistant. Its exact location is disclosed only to those with reservations, making sightseeing impossible for the masses. Besides being a marketing tool for its sponsor, the Yellow Treehouse provides a memorable experience for consumers and the secrecy of its location and scarcity of reservations only boosts its appeal. www.yellowtreehouse.co.nz :: www.pacificenvironments.co.nz
9 February 09
Distressed deluxe
Interior designer/gallerist, Rabih Hage, has opened a bijoux hotel in London. Not for the feint-hearted, forget air-conditioned constancy, polished marble and a bland colour scheme. The Rough Luxe Hotel is the complete antithesis – with its brave blend of urban archaeology, partially sanded surfaces and rough edges, blended with contemporary wallpaper, modern art and quality furnishings. The hotel's look evolved when the building was purchased by one of Hage's clients. During its refurbishment, layers of wallpaper were peeled away to reveal decoration ideas from centuries ago. Hage’s instinct was to keep this intriguing 'catalogue' of interior design rather than cover it up. Each room's ‘deconstructed’ walls contrast with chic wallpaper or huge murals, creating an illusion of space and opulence. 'Luxe' elements include top quality beds, fine linens and delicious food. Hotel guests will need to have an eye for seeing beauty in imperfection. Plans are afoot to develop the Rough Luxe brand in unusual dwellings around the world. Hage sees Africa's ‘Tribal Tent Hotels’ as kindred spirits, with a little roughness round the edges, to give an authentic experience. www.roughluxe.com
27 January 09
Danube delight
The ‘Danube Flower’ was built in 1973 and became a landmark on Belgrade’s waterfront. It housed an exclusive restaurant, supported by the communist government, endorsed by President Tito, who was the restaurant’s first guest. A famed hangout, it fell into decline in 1990s before closing, just as Yugoslavia went into civil war. For 15 years the building lay idle and deteriorated considerably. The main volume of the building, triangular in plan, rises 15 meters above the river. It is supported solely by the central core which contains two lift shafts and a double spiral staircase. An uninterrupted 150-metre glass strip wraps the building, so bringing the river inside. while offering panoramic views. Newly restored by architect Djordje Stojanovic, the building, complete with a semi-translucent Barrisol stretched ceiling, is now an upmarket gym. www.4ofseven.com
12 January 09
Capital space
Investment group All Capital wanted a space for its high-powered meetings in Amsterdam, that were prestigious without being pretentious. Interior designers Firm i29 and architects Eckhardt & Leeuwenstein themed the space around the concept of being under the spotlight: giant black lamp shades, painted gold inside, appear to cast spots and shadows around the rooms… Accompanying ovals on the floor, walls and furnishings, in contrasting colours and textures, define specific areas and soften the angles of the black-stained ash cabinets and desks. The gold and silver ovals also symbolise coins – a subtle reference to the client’s business. All existing detailing of the historic 17th century building was painted white. A visual language that speaks volumes. www.i29.nl :: www.eckhardtenleeuwenstein.nl
7 November 08
Lost resort
Abandoned towns and villages abound all over the world – not just ancient lost cities, but modern-day communities and resorts, which become uninhabitable due to environmental disasters, outliving their use or because they didn't take off. One such place is the San Zhi resort in Taiwan. The circular structures were intended to be futuristic holiday village on the water – for affluent Taipei residents seeking to escape the city. Built in the 1970s/early 1980s, there are no credited architects, as the whole site was commissioned by the government and several local firms. Speculation about why it was abandoned varies. Press reports said that so many workers died during construction, this caused the locals to believe the site was haunted, consequently the structures couldn't be demolished because of a local taboo on interfering with the homes of spirits and lost souls. This instigated the decision to stop construction (and put a stop to any future redevelopment). More mundane reasons include poor insulation in a difficult climate, the failure of a regional property bubble or the developer running out of money. As news spread to the urbanites of the island state, nobody wanted to holiday there, let alone visit. A shame, as architecturally, the cantilevered pods are pretty cool. The modular design later raised suspicions that the stacks were possibly intended to be built vertically over time.
7 November 08
Bolder Dolder
Over the years, Zurich’s 19th century Dolder Grand Hotel hosted the Shah of Iran, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and the Rolling Stones. It recently reopened after a radical four-year $400 million facelift – with the addition of two new wings and a spa designed by Foster and Partners. A first for a star architect, as unlike Basel and Bern, Zurich has been seemingly content to deflect attention – until now. The spa’s slogan is "blending classic traditions with a techno beat". Smart, sleek and fabulously cool, it’s crying out to take centre stage in the next Bond film. Tucked into the hill under the hotel, light floods into the canyon-like pool area, with its pale stone walls and black granite bottom. In between treatments guests can wallow in the pools on the terrace and gaze at the Alps – or the city below. www.thedoldergrand.com
7 November 08
Conversation point
Conference and meeting rooms are typically uninspiring affairs, so a new facility aims to redefine the concept with a creative approach. Meet at the Apartment is a split-level loft complete with a library stocked with arts books; a pantry filled with snacks; and breakout rooms with lounge furniture, phone chargers, iMacs and high-definition screens. From sit-down presentations and product launches to private cocktail parties or perhaps an afternoon tea break – you get to call the shots. Eschewing the a-la-carte pricing used by most hotels, it operates a flat-rate scheme from $5,000-$10,000 per day, including staffing (concierge, waiter and on-call A/V tech), meeting facilitation supplies and unlimited beverages and snacks. It officially launches in New York in November, with similar facilities in Dubai and London to follow. Perhaps not the best of timing, given the global credit crunch, although Dubai is crying out for alternative venues to its 5-star hotels. www.welcometomeet.com
7 November 08
Raising the bar
Where to lift the mood during these troubled times..? Paramount – a new members club and restaurant occupies the top three – of 35 – floors at London’s iconic Centrepoint tower. Courtesy of Tunisian-born, Brit designer Tom Dixon – the bar is a blend of 1960’s retro futurism, with hard-edged materials, resulting in a spaceship meets uber-club vibe. The star feature, of course, is the fabulous view (London has precious-few rooftop venues) – enhanced by Dixon’s clean, modern interior. One level features an events space designed for launches, private dinners or presentations – and watching the sunset. The second level houses the members’ club lounge and a more formal dining room, while The Champagne Bar in the circular viewing gallery at the top, offers a breathtaking 360° view of London. Those hoping to pay a visit need get to work on their membership application, which is vetted by a panel including the likes of actor Stephen Fry. www.paramount.co.net
16 October 08
In the limelight
The recently opened Limes Hotel in Brisbane, is the first hotel in Australia to join the global Design Hotels group. Designed by derlot+, an architecture/multi-media practice run by designer Alexander Loterztain, it reflects the designer's vision in every detail – from the bed linens to its distinctive facade – which conveys the hotel's branding and aesthetic on a grand scale. A hip rooftop bar transforms seamlessly into a cinema. www.derlot.com
16 October 08
Cool casa
The Dupli Casa was designed by Jürgen Mayer H – founder and principal of the Berlin-based cross-disciplinary practice, J Mayer H Architekten. The private residence, situated in South-West Germany, is a fine example of connection and fluidity – and the outdoor swimming pool, with its white surround is like a perfect reflection of the house. The organic, airy internal spaces give a sensation of floating and lightness. J Mayer Architects has completed some interesting and beautiful projects – it's well worth checking out their website. www.jmayerh.com
15 October 08
Work playground
The design of Google Zurich's workspace – complete with massage chairs, slides, pool tables and private cabins – isn't really a surprise given the company… Google usually has a very strict privacy policy and doesn’t like strangers wandering around their campus, however photos of the workspace and its various amenities have been leaked on to the internet – here's a taste.
12 August 08
The architectural game
While Dubai – and increasingly Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – are adept at generating column inches about their urban developments… neighbouring Iran already has a great deal of fascinating architecture, which the region's emerging states might do well to study, in terms of establishing their own architectural vernacular. While perfume bottle towers with frilly Islamic detailing are par of the course in the UAE – Tehran is full of dynamic buildings by innovative architects, such as Azadi (Shahyad) Square (pictured) which has become the symbol of the city.
12 August 08
Rocking hotel
The iconic Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea is known locally as the ‘Hotel of Doom’ because it has never been occupied. The 105 storey pyramid structure was never completed owing to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and with it, its funding. All construction work consequently came to a halt in 1992. Now the hotel could soon be back in business as Egypt’s Orascom Group has taken over its construction, starting with the refurbishment of the top three floors. It is estimated that it will take around $2 billion to make the building habitable. Esquire magazine has inexplicably dubbed it ‘The Worst Building in the History of Mankind’, adding, “Even by Communist standards, the 3,000-room hotel is hideously ugly… like some twisted North Korean version of Cindarella's castle.” Shows what they know. Yet even the authorities seem embarrassed; the Communist regime routinely covers it up, airbrushing it to make it look more open, or cropping it out of pictures completely. Shame. We think it's rockin'. www.ryugyong.org
22 July 08
Eco-chic chalets
As sustainable design becomes the order of the day… the interior design fraternity responsible for designing all the new hotels in the Middle East, could take a leaf out of Venice Beach Eco Cottages. The holiday chalets were designed by “organic interior designer” Kelly LaPlante. Merging sustainability with luxury, eco-friendly touches include repurposed wooden floors, energy efficient appliances, vintage furnishings (see the birdcage pictured, recycled as a chair) and local art. Not to mention wine bottle corks as bathroom floor tiles, organic cotton sheets and a hot tub that uses ozone and UV light to clean the water. www.venicebeachecocottages.com
07 July 08
Pearl dining
The world’s first undersea restaurant has opened in the Maldives. Called Ithaa (pronounced “eet-ha”) which means ‘pearl’, it sits five metres below the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef. Its clear acrylic shell offers incredible underwater views. The restaurant is part of Rangalifinolhu Island, one of the twin islands that makes up the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. Restaurants with views often think they can get away with dire food, but not here, where diners can enjoy a fine balance of Western cuisine, with a local twist.
18 June 08
Five Franklin Place
In Manhattan's downtown Tribeca district, Five Franklin Place will be the epitomy of luxury living. The 20-storey building houses 55 residential units – plus three triplex penthouses with rooftop terrace and private lift (pictured) designed by B&B Italia. www.fivefranklin.com
18 June 08
Elite boutique
DNA opened its doors in Riyadh in 2006. Owned by the Saudi Princess Deena Abdulaziz, the members-only boutique draws its inspiration from the Palm Springs/'rat pack' vibe of the 1950s and 1960s. The split-level emporium sells desirable fashion and design objects while aiming to educate and inspire its clientele. In essence, a less conventional retail destination that exposes its visitors to new experiences and surprises – with a great lounge cafe-library attached. www.dnariyadh.com
22 May 08
Design destination
In Dubai's world of interiors, there are showrooms selling designer furniture and lighting – represented by local dealers or a distributor, or there are department stores like Harvey Nichols who give floorspace to high-profile lifestyle brands like Fendi and Ralph Lauren. If interior designers want to source more avant garde or even understated contemporary design, this usually means going on the internet. That is, until traffic opened its doors (last summer). For owner Rami Farook, design is a lifelong passion and he conceived traffic as a place for more individual pieces by renowned and up-and-coming talents (by the likes of Marc Newson, Marcel Wanders and Established & Sons) – making it a refreshing and much-needed source of inspiration for both contract and residential schemes. www.viatraffic.org
22 May 08
Swanky luxe
Berlin’s 100 year-old Kaufhaus des Westens department store. known affectionately by locals as KaDeWe, specialises in luxury, style and indulgence – to the max. It has never shied away from swanky design or striking displays, so Hamburg-based Bilen & Born recently created two radically different areas for the ground-floor perfumery department. A white space-agey multi-label area inspired by the act of breathing in fragrances, features spirals and rounded shapes, to draw the visitor in, contrasts with a baroque-inspired space, albeit with a contemporary twist. courtesy of a glass mosaic floor, studded pillars and ceiling with more than 8,000 Swarovski crystals. www.kadewe-berlin.de
27 March 08
Ultimate getaway
X.Pace, a Sydney/Singapore design studio is redefining the ultimate getaway with its Hingarae residences and resort in New Zealand. Hingarae combines total luxury and privacy within an uber-contemporary backdrop. It offers 28 stylishly furnished "modules" (of approximately 200 sq m), set within a few acres of unspoilt landscape. Oversized windows give uninterrupted views to the surrounding forest, mountains and lake. Other benefits include an electric car for getting around on-site, premium 4x4 vehicles for off-site travel, on-call helicopter, and unlimited access to the Hingarae Hotel and its facilities. The haven encapsulates the ultimate form of escape – for those of us able to get in. Prices start at $1.9 million. www.hingarae.com
27 March 08
Cool complex
The Blue Frog in Mumbai has caused a stir ever since it opened its doors earlier this year. The 1,000 sq m complex comprises restaurant, lounge, club and recording studio, within an old warehouse in the city's mill district. Set against glowing back-lit resin surfaced walls, wood-panelled circles surround each table, forming pod-like booths in varying shapes at various levels, guaranteeing views for all, rather like an ampitheatre. Designed by Serie, comprising Chris Lee (based in London) and Kapil Gupta (in Mumbai) – they have created a cohesive yet exciting space. www.serie.co.uk
27 March 08
Arabic-Nordic abode
Architects Knut Hovland of Tupelo Arkitektur (Oslo) and Abdelkarim el Achak (Marrakech) collaborated on a residential project in Morocco. The Scandinavian interpretation of traditional Arabic architectural design resulted in a home that is at once private and sacred, yet open to nature. The Moroccan method of internal organisation and its inherent complexity, juxtaposed with the Nordic approach of purity and openness is manifested in a series of unique spatial relationships and experiences. The riad structure has essentially been reinvented by incorporating the garden as a fourth wall and Interwoven and overlapping walls, create visual privacy yet enable open-plan movement. A successful blend of Scandinavian forms and volumes with local craftsmanship. Pictures © James Silverman
Urban outfit
50°C is the latest hip outlet to open in Dubai – in the somewhat incongruous surroundings of the new Morrocan-style Souk Al Bahar. Developed by the same people who run gallery-store Five Green, the emphasis is on fun, adventure and openness. Designed by Japanese designer Manabu Ozawa, the store offers a playful assembly of clothes, cards, music, homeware, toys and gadgets from such brands as Suck UK, Norman, Whimsy and Whish – "something for everyone irrespective of age, ethnicity or social status". So there you go. Tel: +971(0)4 420 0400.
Saudi spa
For Beiruti architect Bernard Khoury, what goes on underneath the surface is what he finds more interesting. He had an opportunity to explore the relationship between men and women in Saudi society when a member of the Saudi royal family commissioned a spa, wanting it to be a symbol of something of value for the city's female population. Its prominent site is in downtown Riyadh, and it would offer a stimulating cultural experience, making it unique in its local context, and placing it on the Arab world map for its social significance. Offering lifestyle retail, beauty bar, lounge café, business centre and creche, the multi-functional loft-space is surrounded by a permeable skin – an enormous translucent roof flush with the road. Visitors arrive on the glass carpet, from where lifts inside a ruby red cube transport them to the entrance below ground. Natural light penetrates the space through the slab. By day it acts as a veil through which the visitors perceive the city's goings-on above, while being protected from the gaze of passers-by. By night, it lights up, giving the subterranean space an incandescent glow. "The name, Surramanraa — pleasure to who observes," explains Khoury. "...it's supposed to be a haven for women. But it's also for men of course, because they can imagine what's inside." www.bernardkhoury.com.
Resistence chic
Comme des Garcons opened a "guerrilla" store in Beirut last summer as a mark of its faith in the city's continuing cool. Run by a local jeweller and his Moroccan partner, the shop carries the various CDG collections alongside a selection of regional designers. Tucked away on a small side street, inside a traditional Ottoman-era townhouse, it features cinder block display tables and an unfinished, peeling interior, giving the air of a civil war safe house. The outlet is open for just one year, as is the case with all Comme guerilla shops. www.guerilla-store.com
Des res
The rapid pace of development in the desert seems to be driving a cookie-cutter approach to building, resulting in dense concentrations of landmark towers, each one much like its neighbour, albeit differentiated with a few cladding details. Scale, community and street life issues largely ignored. With a blank canvas to start with, the opportunities are infinite, yet most design firms are churning out the same old ideas conceived over a hundred years ago on western shores. Challenging pre-conceived ideas of what constitutes quality architecture and urban design, senior architect Misha Stavrides, at Woods Bagot Architects, recently created a desirable villa complex for a local client in Dubai. Sadly the desirable residences won't see the light of day, although other housing schemes have recently got the go-ahead. Watch this space. www.woodsbagot.ae
Fashion house
Retailing in Dubai – and much of the Middle East – usually means shopping malls, so a designer store that's not in a mall, is a unique, not to say brave move. Tucked away in a residential street in Dubai's Umm Suqeim district, a modernist two-storey house, complete with zen garden and water features, is home to IF Boutique. Designed by local architect, Omran Al Owais, the building's clean and minimal lines were exactly what store owner Maya Shehedeh, was looking for, after an arduous three-year search. "It inspires serenity and confidence." she explains, adding, "I was looking for a villa with character that didn't feel like someone's home but made you feel at home." IF Boutique has been at the crux of cutting-edge fashion since the 1970s – with stores in Beirut and New York – where they brought such labels as Jean Paul Gaultier and Martin Margiela to the US for the first time. Such conceptual clothing requires a more gallery-like environment, for a more discerning clientele who don't relish the hustle and bustle of a mall. Shehedeh believes that just as an independent art scene is thriving away from Dubai's hotel and malls to more edgy, industrial locations, so independent stores are starting to make their mark in the UAE. Tel: +971(0)4 394 7260.
Disney 'House of the Future'
Walt Disney is attempting to predict the way we will live in future decades with the revival of its House of the Future concept. The House was a popular attraction at Disneyland 50 years ago and the new $15 million model aims to replicate its success in a deal with today's technology giants. The new 5,000 square feet house will open in May, however unlike the original futuristic-looking house (pictured), it will look like an ordinary suburban residence of today. "Life-transforming technology" inside includes touchscreens built into surfaces and appliances, and devices, such as lights and thermostats, that adjust intelligently to living conditions. Disney has worked with homebuilder Taylor Morrison, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard as well as software specialist LifeWare.
Bahrain Bay
An ubermodern commercial and residential enclave, Bahrain Bay is the flagship component in the country's capital city, Manama. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) – what sets it apart is not only the attention to detail, from each building's public space to the street furniture elements – but the holistic inside-outside approach. Public courtyards are enlivened with interior elements like large chandeliers, wallpaper, ornate floor treatments, dramatic lighting and decorative mosaics. Patterns and screens form an important part of the development's design language. SOM wanted to reference a socio-contextual history of screens and geometric patterns in the region without reproducing them outside of their historic context. The development is scheduled for phased completion by 2011. www.bahrainbay.com :: www.som.com
Design destination
Istanbul's design gallery-store, Haaz – whose interior was designed by Sami Hayek (brother of Hollywood's Selma) – showcases all the design greats: droog, edra, jaime hayon, artek, qubus… www.haaz.info
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