Hasta La Ideas

In this week’s comments update, readers think that plans for the King Toronto development in Canada are too “BIG” to be true.

King Kong: The King Toronto development designed by architecture firm BIG has gained zoning approval in Canada’s largest city, and readers are shocked.

“What a horror,” said Rd.

HeywoodFloyd agreed, adding: “A mountain-scaled cellular gelatinous blob straight out of a low budget 1950s horror film. Run! It won’t stop until it’s devoured the entire city.”

“This proposal makes Godzilla look like a social worker,” added Jb.

FuriousB, was also, furious: “This is just a knockoff with nothing original to love.”

Not all readers felt the same though:



What do you think of BIG’s development? Join the discussion ›

Selfie spot: MVRDV has completed The Imprint in South Korea – two windowless buildings containing an indoor theme park and nightclub, which commenters couldn’t wait to photograph.

“This is something new for sure. Interesting and totally Instagrammable,” offered Spadestick, diplomatically.

JaxonPollock agreed: “Don’t like it, but I would take a selfie for the Instagram. Guess that’s the point these days.”

Others, including, Jacob Volanski, were less light-hearted: “This makes me really sad.”

Nick agreed, commenting: “It’s haunting, and not in a good way.”

This reader cared about one person in particular’s thoughts:



Are Instagrammable buildings the future? Join the discussion ›

Postmodern muse: commenters mourned the loss of American architect Robert Venturi, who died on Tuesday 18 September 2018, aged 93. Venturi spearheaded the postmodern movement with wife and partner Denise Scott Brown.

“Sometimes you need somebody that shakes the deck to start again. He was one of the thinkers of his time,” said Adrian Menichelli.

Yethica said: “I have never been a huge fan of postmodernism, but I do have a deep amount of respect for the work Bob and Denise have done in the world of architecture. Lovely people.”

Sir John V also offered positive words: “A fascinating and kind humanist. I would prefer to live in his cities than any others.”

“An icon. I will always remember his kindness, intellect, and excellent company,” lamented Jon.

For this reader, Venturi may be gone, but will never be forgotten:



What will you remember Robert Venturi for? Join the discussion ›

Bum move: images of Pavilion House – a residence by Israeli architecture firm Pitsou Kedem – feature a model, and readers aren’t quite sure why.

“Anyone else think this is kind of gratuitous use of a swimwear model?” asked Nimdoorquoi.

An equally confused Katie continued: “Definitely not sure how I feel about the model. Normally just finished projects don’t show a single person in any of their photography.”

“I love the last shot where she is looking into the empty house like ‘uhh, who has my towel?'” joked Cloudy.

Chris MacDonald replied: “No complaints here.”

At least one reader was able to concentrate on architectural features:



Do you think the model is a necessary addition? Join the discussion ›

The post “This proposal makes Godzilla look like a social worker” appeared first on Dezeen.

Paramount Pictures just released the first full-length trailer for Bumblebee, an upcoming 2018 prequel to the Transformers film series starring Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena. Bumblebee transforms into theaters on December 21st.”On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.”..(Read…)

I’ve always maintained that the best way for a designer to validate a personal project is to crowdfund it. Crowdfunding is literally an exercise that helps you take your product from a base concept to a fully manufactured and functional product. Walking down that road itself can help a designer gain a lot of insights and experiences, and having people pledge to buy your product is probably the best way to test the water to see what consumers think, and most importantly, want. Created back in 2008, the Drop Light was an ingeniously designed chandelier concept that comprised multiple hanging lights that could be detached and carried around. Thanks to advents in contact charging, wireless charging, and LED technology, Baek can take the Drop Light from a concept to a product that design enthusiasts can own. Newly christened the Doolight, the design features a few updates and visual tweaks to make it look great and perform seamlessly well.

The Doolight comes with its own set of improvements, from a redesigned chandelier base to a separate reading-light attachment. The individual lamp units come with a sturdy, waterproof construction that can be used outdoors or even in the shower without abandon. The LEDs are surrounded by a soft silicone sphere that absorbs impact and diffuses the light perfectly. With a flat base, these individual ‘drops’ can be kept flat on any surface on their own, using them as an ambient light, or a night light, or even a nursery light. The lights can be controlled using a switch on the base, or even via an app, allowing you to power on/off and even control the brightness of individual lamps. The lights now even recognize voice commands, allowing you to control them via Alexa (a feature that clearly wouldn’t be possible a decade ago). The lights hang upside down on a flower-shaped mount just like wine-glasses do, and charge using wireless charging technology. Running on batteries, the lights can work for three days on a full charge, allowing you to use them anywhere around the house and returning them to the chandelier mount only when you need to charge them, or when you’ve got friends coming over and you want to impress them with this amazing Alexa-powered chandelier in your house that has detachable light modules!

Designer: Doosan Baek

Click here to Buy Now: $149 $299 (50% off) for the Leaf Set (1 Base + 1 Droplet).

A new freedom of lighting never seen before. Chandelier, Stand lamp, Torch and Nightlight.

Click here to Buy Now: $149 $299 (50% off) for the Leaf Set (1 Base + 1 Droplet).

Techniquement, le Bamboo Treehouse de Monoarchi Architects n’est pas exactement construit sur un arbre, mais il se trouve au milieu d’une ancienne forêt de bambous avec des vues fantastiques sur la rivière. Située à Yuyao, en Chine, la maison est surélevée par des supports en acier à 8 mètres du sol, la hauteur standard d’un bambou. Faite principalement de bois, la maison est surmontée d’un toit en forme de vague, ce qui est indéniablement sa caractéristique la plus frappante. Travailler avec des artisans locaux a permis aux architectes de trouver un équilibre entre le design et les méthodes de construction traditionnelles.
Images © Hao Chen/Xiaodan Song

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is searching for prospective candidates to take over management of the annual NYCxDesign festival.

The quasi‐governmental entity has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) in the hope of find a new organiser for the citywide event, which has taken place each May since 2012.

The NYCEDC currently oversees NYCxDesign along with a steering committee of design industry experts, who represent various local institutions, companies and organisations in the field, along with the City Council.

But the corporation is looking to transfer its responsibility to an individual, team or group that will grow the festival in size and reputation, and ensure its financial sustainability.

“The selected respondent is expected to take on ownership of NYCxDesign, including marketing, promotion, partnerships, logistics, and administration, while ensuring NYCxDesign’s success and independence as a standalone brand,” said the RFEI document.

Some of the criteria that respondents will be evaluated against include articulated future vision for growth and management; demonstrated understanding of, and connections within, the design world in New York City; and previous expertise managing large‐scale events and platforms.

The NYCEDC has already held information sessions at its offices, on 14 August and 5 September 2018, for those interested to attend and learn more about the opportunity.

Submissions are being accepted until 3 October 2018, then interviews will be conducted later this year, with the hope that successful respondents – if any – will be involved in a transition of management during the 2019 edition.

They would then be expected to assume full responsibility for the festival from 2020.

Taking place 10-22 May 2019, the next NYCxDesign is already in the planning stages. As in previous years, it will coincide with the independently run International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center, and encompass several other exhibitions, plus installations, talks and parties.

Since its inception, the festival has grown to encompass a wide range of design disciplines, and events across the five boroughs over a two-week period. In 2017, approximately 347,000 attendees took part.

The NYCEDC was created to promote and create jobs for New Yorkers, as well as foster “dynamic, resilient communities” across the city.

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