coooll- like the design function

Toronto, Canada is the site of Evergreen Brickworks, an environmental centre with a mission to showcase green design and environmentally sustainable initiatives. A prime example is the Welcome Hut by Levitt Goodman Architects, which forms the entrance and information point of the centre.

Made from a derelict shipping container and other salvaged materials, the interior includes chalkboards made of slate and electrical panels that form an artful light fixture. ‘This project is a microcosm of the Brickworks initiative as a whole,’ says Evergreen Senior Project Manger Matthew Cohen. ‘Old industrial materials are given a new life and purpose through collaboration and design.’

The only non-recycled material used in the kiosk is TimberSIL, an impermeable wood that doesn’t use toxins in its production process. All other features, however, are made from reused items; a group of students helped design and construct a seating system, made from recycled shipping crates.

Nice Lighting

The Leaf chapel designed by Klein Dytham architecture sits within the grounds of the Risonare hotel resort in Kobuchizawa, a refreshingly green setting with beautiful views to the southern Japanese Alps, Yatsugatuke peaks and Mt.Fuji. The chapel is formed by 2 leaves – one glass, one steel – which have seemingly fluttered to the ground. The glass leaf with its delicate lace pattern motif emulates a pergola and the structure holding it up reminds one of the veins of a leaf which slowly become thinner the further they get from the central stem. The white steel leaf, perforated with 4700 holes, each of which hold an acrylic lens, is similar to bride’s veil made of delicate lace. Light filters through the lenses and projects a lace pattern onto the white fabric inside. At the end of the ceremony when the groom lifts the bride’s veil for the legendary kiss the ‘steel veil’ magically opens too, revealing the pond and the enchanting nature beyond.
Well, I’ve lifted the entire text from the designers’ website…..I guess the structure needed the detailed description to be fully appreciated. I quite liked the idea, it is both modern and baroquish at the same time. And it is a refreshing new way of looking at a chapel, both architecturally and spiritually.

just what i'm looking for!

my first project involving designing a shed! Just the kind a function i was after.

Stockholm-based Sommarnöjen (Summer Enjoyment - or Entertainment - in English) has just unveiled the designs for five new beautiful 15-square-meter second houses. Sommarnöjen houses are  designed by Sweden's top-tier architectural offices Kjellander + Sjöberg Arkitektkontor, Sandellsandberg Arkitekter and Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter.





Sommarnöjen provides the houses ready-built on site. Some are suitable for year-round use as well. The mini-houses are also great as additions to a larger dwelling - as guest houses, studios, workshops, separate bedrooms and of course, saunas. For those of us with Scandinavian backgrounds, these cottages look like home. They look perfectly suited to join the thousands of tiny cottages that dot the small islands, rocky seashores and lakesides of Scandinavia where people take July off and also spend every weekend from April till September (or more) at the cottage, rain or shine.

A shed that can be used in many locations, rather then just my chosen location.