Hasta La Ideas

Barack and Michelle Obama have released a set of new renderings and a movie showing the cultural complex celebrating his presidency, which is to be built on Chicago’s South Side.

Designed by US firms Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects with Interactive Design Architects (IDEA), the Obama Presidential Center is planned for a site in the historic Jackson Park.

Since the initial concept sketches and layout were unveiled in May 2017, the design has been tweaked and updated based on public feedback.

“We’ve taken your thoughts and concerns, and reconsidered and reconceived various aspects of the campus design and the details of the architecture,” said Obama in a statement. “We’ve reimagined the landscape plans and the recreational spaces. And we’re far from finished.”

The new visuals offer views of the campus and its varied landscaping, designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, which will include snaking paths to connect the buildings and other areas of the park.

The centre will split into three main buildings: a library and a forum – both partially buried – and a stone-clad “landmark” tower that will host a museum. The tower’s shape is based on a photograph of four hands coming together, according to Obama.

These buildings will form a U-shape around a public plaza, which will host events. Parking facilities, a children’s play area and an athletics centre are also included in the masterplan.

“When I was younger, there was a time I dreamed of being an architect,” said Obama. “So, as you might guess, I’ve been pretty hands-on in the plans for this centre – and Michelle has, too.”

Both the Obamas grew up in the South Side, which has been associated with high crime rates and poor education, and they hope that the centre will bring jobs and an economic boost to the area.

During a public consultation for the centre in September 2017, Obama urged architecture and technology firms to take on apprentices from the area to support its youth population.

“Michelle and I want this centre to be more than a building or a museum,” said Obama in the recent statement. “We want to create an economic engine for Chicago and the South Side, and a cultural destination that showcases the South Side to the rest of the world.”

Architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien were selected for the project in June 2016, and the site in Jackson Park was announced shortly after. Construction is due to complete in 2021.

Each US president since Franklin D Roosevelt has had a library, archive and museum to commemorate their terms of office, and bring together documents and artefacts from their administrations.

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New York design studio TBD has transformed an apartment in Manhattan’s West Village with white interiors and a new rooftop patio, complete with an outdoor shower and hot tub.

TBD reconfigured the New York apartment – located on Christopher Street and measuring 1,600 square foot (149 square metres) – to create an open-plan layout.

The two-bed, two-bath property boasts a private outdoor terrace upstairs, which includes a deck and bar area. A small pool was custom fabricated in Colorado by Diamond Spas, sent on a flat-bed truck and lifted by crane onto the roof.

“One nice thing about old buildings in downtown New York City is that many were originally built to carry heavy loads – such as manufacturing equipment,” said Josh Weiselberg, who co-founded TBD Design Studio with Selin Semaan in 2006.

“While we did have to introduce new structural reinforcement, we were starting from a very sound structure, which of course is something to consider before dropping a pool onto a roof.”

The roof deck is set at the height of the existing parapet, giving the illusion that the small pool is built into the floor. Other additions include a bulkhead and a walk-on skylight on the deck.

Downstairs, the interiors are defined by white surfaces that contrast with a wood-lined corridor. Concrete floors line the home.

“A key challenge in the design was how to connect the front elevator entry to a larger open loft area in the rear,” said the studio. “Our solution was to create a walnut-clad hallway that widens towards the rear of the apartment, drawing visitors to the common space and the stairs to the roof.

The hallway’s walnut walls conceal an office, storage cabinet and a guest bathroom. To the left is a kitchen and dining area, with a bedroom on the other wing.

A dining table is made from a large piece of timber to match the wooden hallway. A nearby stairwell is similarly designed with wood boards, light metal rails and a potted plant area.

A large grey couch and oversized ottoman furnish the living room, which is lined in windows and has a skylight overhead.

Original concrete vaulted arches, which have been smoothed and painted white, feature across the apartment. “The layout of the apartment considers their placement such that walls align and the new stair to the roof pops up within an arch,” said TBD Design Studio.

On the opposite end of the penthouse is a master bedroom, accessed through a glass door. “When this door is open, there is a clear view from front to back of the apartment,” said the studio. “The bed is tucked behind a low headboard cabinet to conceal it from view when the door is open.”

The fully-white bedroom is designed for watching movies, and has a projector is installed overhead, along with blinds fitted to the room’s four arched windows across from the bed.

Photography is by Matthew Williams unless otherwise stated.

Project credits:

Project Team: Joshua Weiselberg, Selin Semaan, Meagan Pauley, Alexander McCargar
Contractor: Cardinal Construction

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In his post about simple living and labour-saving devices, Unclutterer PJ stated that technology in the service of simple living can help us save time. Unclutterer Jeri showed us that certain tools can help make organizing a little bit easier and how little changes in your home can make a big difference.

Here are a few changes we have made around our house that have helped us save time and effort.

We added wheels to a large, heavy computer cabinet. It took some effort to install the them but it was oh-so-effortless when we needed to move the cabinet to adjust the computer cables behind it, or to retrieve toy cars that had rolled underneath, or even just clean!

Our kitchen garbage pail is inside a cupboard so the dog cannot use it as a luncheon buffet. While it is now safe for the dog, it is a little inconvenient for humans. To solve this problem, I attached a small metal joining plate to the bottom of the cupboard door so that hangs down below the edge. I covered the end with Sugru so it wouldn’t be sharp. This allows me to open the door with my foot — instant hands-free access!

Most non-Canadians probably are not familiar with Robertson (square head) screws but I use them exclusively. Robertson screws, do not slip or strip. You can get maximum torque with even if your hands are not very strong (like mine). When I buy something like a curtain rod and the hardware is included, I’ll swap out the screws provided for Robertsons. As a bonus, Robertson screwdrivers are colour-coded — screw size is indicated by handle colour. No longer do I waste time rummaging through my toolbox trying to read worn writing on handles or examining tips to get the proper screwdriver. And because I only need to have one type of screw and screwdriver handy, I have an uncluttered toolbox.

Have you made any simple changes like these that have made your routine tasks easier? Share them with our readers in the comments.

Post written by Jacki Hollywood Brown

Now, here’s a design everyone can use, because it doesn’t matter who you are… you’re either not drinking enough water or not often enough! Especially useful for those who get busy at work, Drinki is designed to keep you properly hydrated throughout the day.

It features a top lid infuser so you can add in your favorite tea leaves or other flavors. Because it can be used for tea or cold water, it also sports a cute, glowing temperature gauge that mimics the shape of a water droplet so you can always ensure your water is just right. Because it’s easy to forget to hydrate, it alerts users with a sound and vibration alert when it’s time to quench. A digital happy face at the bottom of the water droplet screen will track your progress and display a happy face when you’re staying hydrated. Alternatively, it will rock a sad face if you haven’t sipped for an hour. No water in 2 hours = dead face. So drink up!

Designer: Yifeng Qin

Face it… you’re going to age! By then, you’ll appreciate having as many alternatives as possible to get around. Designed as an introduction to assistive mobility, the walking wheel takes inspiration from the traditional walking stick without the total reliance.

It can be used as a crutch for walking or leaned on for support when standing. An integrated pressure-sensitive brake gives the user grip in both modes. Because it uses the same diameter as standard bicycle wheels, it can be fitted with tires of varying tread type to accommodate different terrain types and scenarios from hiking to casual walking. Better yet, there’s nothing quite like it! So, it doesn’t have the stigma associated with old age and physical debilitation.

Designer: Markus Erlando Gekeler