Writing for Core77 gives me plenty of opportunity to learn new facts, some of them quite surprising. Here’s ten that jumped out at me this year:

In the 1950s, Charles and Ray Eames introduced their iconic Lounge chair to America on an NBC TV show.

Image by Pekka Tahkola

Today, kids in Finland commute to school by bicycle and sled, in snow, at negative-22 degrees.

The chainsaw was actually invented to cut bone.

There’s an old-school production method called “rose engine turning” that produces complicated radiating patterns in metal.

Irregular and organic shapes can be precisely duplicated using a low-tech “ticking stick.”

Image credit: Steve Crise/Railway Modeller

Sir Rod Stewart is an incredible architectural modelmaker!

Looking at these 3D White House cutaways, I found out the Oval Office isn’t actually inside the main building.

There is a surprising alternative production method for making heat sinks.

This demo answered the question “How can protective chaps made from mere fabric possibly stop a chainsaw?”

Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

“Shark Tank” millionaire Kevin O’Leary explained why buying or leasing a car is stupid.

American architect Paul Andersen has designed a series of commercial structures in Colorado with deceptive facades that rise higher than the actual buildings – a style that was popular in the Old West.

The project, called Emerald Workshops, is located in Frederick, a small town just outside of Denver and near a major highway.

The development provides affordable office, workshop and retail spaces geared toward “makers and doers”. The client, Emerald Management, owns several light-industrial and commercial properties in the fast-growing area.

The mixed-use complex was designed by Paul Andersen, founder of the Colorado studio Independent Architecture. The development consists of eight buildings of varying sizes – each with customisable units that can be purchased or rented. The units range from 1,500 to 48,000 square feet (139 to 4,459 square metres).

The structures are arranged in rows on a flat, rectangular site, with driveways and parking spots woven into the 5.2 acre (2.1-hectare) campus. The overall scheme is meant to foster a “social-commercial environment that bridges the gap between an urban main street and spacious rural landscape”.

“Responding to the changing landscape of retail, work and the city, Emerald Workshops is a new typology for an emerging community and its economy,” the architect said in a statement.

The buildings are rectangular in plan and form, although certain elevations are fronted with walls that extend above the roof and have staggered tops – giving the buildings a more sculptural appearance.

This design element takes cues from the false-front facade that was common in the American West in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The “Frontier West” facade rises vertically to form a parapet that conceals the building’s roof and true height.

Andersen’s structures are meant to offer a “new take on Colorado’s historic architecture”.

“They combine the false-front commercial architecture of the Old West with industrial construction that has been common since the 1960s,” the architect said.

“Our design approach aims to strike a balance between familiar and new architecture – to make a place that is deeply connected to our region and, in its own subtle way, unlike any other commercial project.”

Another distinctive architectural element is the exterior cladding. Facades are wrapped in a combination of scalloped fibre-cement shingles and metal siding painted in shades of pink, grey and white. Windows are trimmed with concrete blocks.

“We selected materials for their timelessness, durability and clean details – in the buildings and the surrounding landscape,” the team said.

Interior rooms were left unfinished, enabling tenants to design them to fit their needs. Ceilings rise to a height of 26 feet (eight metres) to allow for industrial equipment or the insertion of a mezzanine level. Glazed garage doors “create an effect of transparency and light”.

Construction is continuing on the campus and will be completed next year. The master plan calls for exterior lighting and planters that will enliven the complex and help establish outdoor work areas.

The campus is already filled up with tenants, including a construction firm, a mobility retailer, a cross-fit gym and an architecture firm.

Paul Andersen established Independent Architecture in 2009. Other projects by Andersen include a barrel-vaulted pavilion created in collaboration with Paul Preissner for the 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Photography is by Ehren Joseph.

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We’re used to speakers of, well, almost all shapes and sizes. However, here’s one that’s been inspired by a lighthouse! Designers Li Xundi, Daniel Abraham, and Dillon Ho came together to design the JMGO N600 Lighthouse Speaker. Usually, home audio sets comprise of multiple speakers and different types of amplifiers, but the Lighthouse Speaker combines all of this and more into its long tower-like structure.

Resembling a symmetrical cylinder, the speaker has been equipped with two vacuum tubes that have the ability to build a 360-degree natural surround sound experience. No matter where you sit in your room, the high fidelity speaker with its silk tweeter and two large woofers, emits an impressive atmospheric sound that will reach you.

The two tube amplifiers are visible at the top, protected by a transparent plexiglass layer. Crafted from aviation-grade aluminum, the remaining body of the speaker that follows suit resembles a metal cage. The plexiglass and metal cage combine to create an almost sci-fi vibe, providing any home space with a modern and futuristic aesthetic. Its unique form allows it to easily merge with the interiors of one’s home, functioning more like a piece of home decoration rather than a simple speaker.

Amped with Bluetooth connectivity, you can easily connect your smartphone and play your favorite hits, turning your home into a concert hall!

Designers: Li Xundi, Daniel Abraham and Dillon Ho of JMGO Creative Center

For those who need to buy offline, pleasant presents found in real-life stores

It’s officially too late to shop for holiday gifts online, but there’s still time to grab a last-minute present the old fashioned way: making a dash to real-life brick-and-mortar stores. These gift ideas are available from retailers across the country—be it New York or New Orleans, Saint Paul or Sacramento, Detroit or Dallas. Each item continues to be readily available but still makes for a thoughtful present—and chances are the retailers may be near your hometown.

New York: Club Kids: By Waltpaper

Authored by multi-media artist Walt Cassidy (aka Waltpaper), New York: Club Kids ($55) proves to be a most comprehensive survey of the legendary antics of ’90s nightlife in NYC. Cassidy, a central figure in the subculture, saw firsthand the “artistic, fashion-conscious youth movement that crossed over into the public consciousness.” Though it includes rare photographs, this book is far more than an attempt at archiving an era that bubbled up from the underground; it also works to contextualize modern-day concepts that originated with the Club Kids: “reality television, self-branding, ‘influencers’ and the gender revolution.” Available at Target.

Versailles Playing Card Set

Trading the traditional royal motif for artful objects, Jonathan Adler’s Versailles Playing Card Set ($35) comes with two decks—one in green and black and another in pink and gold. Both sets are packaged within a drawer box, that’s embellished with a striking golden geometric pattern, for easy storage or transportation. Available at Neiman Marcus.

Grand Cru Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Bridging the gap between liquid French refinement and spiritous Scottish prestige, Glenfiddich introduces Grand Cru ($325), a permanent addition to their portfolio. The 23-year-old liquid finishes for up to six months in French cuvée casks from the Champagne region. Dark gold in color, the 80 proof whisky coats the mouth with lavish creaminess. It’s smooth from start to finish and imparts elegance along the way. Available at quality liquor stores, including Astor Wines.

The Chronicler Kit

Made in Australia by Aesop, the Chronicler ($130) three-piece kit comes complete with the beloved brand’s Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste, Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque and Fabulous Face Oil. Each product feels lush and rich, and leaves skin feeling fresh and nourished. Ideal for cold, dry months, this set is one of five seasonal kits available in the Of Muse and Myth collection. Available at Aesop and Saks.

Solange: When I Get Home

Solange’s 19-track When I Get Home ($24) is available on clear vinyl, for those who enjoy the ritual and sound of real-life records. With tracks featuring Sampha, Panda Bear, Tyler the Creator, The-Dream, Abra, Dev Hynes and others, it’s a lush album that waxes and wanes effortlessly between ballads, interludes and beyond. Available at Best Buy.

105-Piece Mini Architectural Model Kit

Recommended for architecture nerds (over eight years old), model kit maker ARCKIT’s 105-piece set ($40) comes with instructions for assembling the basics, but plenty of opportunities for customization, too. Whether an aspiring architect or someone looking for something structural to tinker with, there’s plenty to conceptualize and bring to fruition—from a standalone building to a corridor within a larger complex. Available at Nordstrom.

Plaid Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops

These multi-patterned Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi sneakers ($75) incorporate three different types of plaid and a world peace logo. Neon green piping accents the upper and the heel, offering contrast and even more flair. With their clashing patterns and colors, these otherwise classic All Stars (which were first introduced in 1917) stand out for all the right reasons. Available at Foot Locker.

SL2 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Referencing the classic 1970s Leica R3 in its design, the German camera-maker’s SL2 ($6000) is a full-frame mirrorless camera that’s undeniably versatile. Its a magnesium alloy body is covered in leatherette and black anodized paint, making it lightweight, but weatherproof. Additionally, it’s ergonomic, quick-moving, and naturally stabilizing. With a 47.3-megapixel sensor and a Maestro III processor, this camera really delivers and begs to be taken out on all your adventures. Available at Leica stores and good camera shops.

Tie-Dye Basketball

Part of an ongoing collaboration between Chinatown Market and Smiley, this tie-dye basketball ($65) adds extra flair to anybody’s game. Crafted from composite leather and inflated to official regulation size, this colorful ball affords equal opportunity for performance as it does expression. Best of all, it’ll be nearly impossible to mix this limited-edition ball up with others at pick-up games. Available at Urban Outfitters.

Rose of No Man’s Land Hand Cream

BYREDO’s striking new fragrance Rose of No Man’s Land ($42) is named for the 1918 song “La Rose Sous les Boulets.” The scent boasts notes of rose petals, but it’s not overly floral—thanks to pink pepper, papyrus and white amber. As a hand cream, it feels rich and nourishing when applied, but doesn’t leave hands feeling greasy. Available at Neiman Marcus.

Great Women Artists

With the work of 400+ artists from all over the world, Great Women Artists ($54) spans five centuries of glorious creations—from the Renaissance to Rococo, Surrealism, to street photography and beyond. While there are plenty of household names like Kara Walker, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama and Elaine de Koonig, hundreds of lesser-known artists are given the same amount of space in this comprehensive tome. Organized in alphabetical order, each artist (be it Anna Waser or Xiao Lu) is illustrated with an image of their work and a short introduction. A wonderful jumping off point for readers to begin exploring many of these artist’s careers, the book—by PHAIDON and in conjunction with Kering’s Women In Motion program—serves as a reminder that while oftentimes undervalued and underrepresented, there have been many, many great women artists. Available at Barnes & Noble.

Rope Hanging Planter

Available in five bright, cheerful colorways and two different sizes—small ($62) or larges ($102)—this hanging planter is handmade by Brooklyn’s Closed Mondays. A more sophisticated take on the oftentimes kitsch macramé version, this elegant iteration is made entirely of rope. Available at West Elm.

“Danger 380 Volts” Pétillant Naturel (2017)

Czech natural winemaker Milan Nestarec’s Danger 380 Volts ($35) is a funky and dry pétillant naturel that includes refreshing notes of apple, grapefruit and white peach. Crafted in the pétillant naturel style (aka the méthode ancestrale, in which wines are bottled before initial fermentation is finished, resulting in a natural sparkling), it’s slightly bubbly, cloudy and has an almost cider-like quality. Available at quality wine stores, including Astor Wines.

Ghosteen

This vinyl pressing of the haunting and heartbreaking Ghosteen ($28) is the 17th studio album by the universally beloved Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. The stunning record deals with grief and longing, but its over-arching themes are enduring love and healing. Lush and poetic, it’s an exquisite and entirely transfixing record. Available at Barnes & Noble.

Rounded Stacking Planter

Areaware’s tall stoneware stacking planter (which stands eight inches wide and eight inches tall) comprises two parts—a planter and a drainage dish—that nestle into one another to create one clean silhouette. With holes for excess water to escape, the planter ($80) is super-functional and easy to clean, while remaining an attractive object for the home. Also available in a smaller four-inch tall size. Available at Urban Outfitters.

Images courtesy of respective brands, hero image courtesy of Aesop

Danish architecture studio CEBRA has designed the facades of a car park for Lego in Billund, Denmark, which features a road layout based on the toy company’s City road plates.

The facades, created by CEBRA, cover a five-storey car park designed by architecture studio Ravn Arkitektur, which will be used by people working in the Lego offices and visiting the nearby Legoland.

The design used across the facades is directly based on Lego’s City road plates, which were originally created in 1977 and are still being sold by the company.

CEBRA chose to base the design on the city plates after discussions with Kirkbi – Lego’s holding company – to find a visual identity that tied into a Lego product.

“We had a really good and open design process with the client, and we suggested nearly 40 different ideas to discuss,” explained CEBRA founding partner Mikkel Frost.

“All the ideas revolved around the LEGO bricks or products. The scope was to somehow reflect the company, their identity and their amazing inventions,” he told Dezeen.

The entire facade is clad in aluminium panels that are directly upscaled from the original road plates. The patterns across the facades are made up from nine different section types.

“First of all, they are clearly a LEGO product while at the same time they have to do with traffic and driving,” said Frost.

“But they also turn out to be extremely flexible in terms of designing a versatile and interesting facade pattern even though there are only a few different plates. My favourite detail is the solitary, circular road appearing as a dot on the elevation.”

The sizes of the perforations in the facade are based on the dimensions and ratios of the standard Lego brick.

This means that bricks can be attached to the smaller perforations in the facades.

The car park stands directly alongside the offices designed by CF Møller Architects for Lego, which incorporate giant bricks in the facades and near the BIG-designed Lego House that looks like a stack of building blocks.

“All of the buildings that make up Lego Campus are somehow inspired by the Lego product – that’s visually evident,” explained Frost.

“But they also express the very identity of the Lego Group. The buildings on the campus are all high quality, creative and playful.”

“In my opinion, we didn’t design a fun facade, and that wasn’t our scope either. We aimed for playfulness while celebrating imagination,” he added.

The fact that one can use the notorious road plates for a facade demonstrates how playing and creativity is closely connected.”

Photography is by Adam Mørk.

Project credits:

Client: Kirkbi
Architect – facades: CEBRA
Architect – building: Ravn Arkitektur
Engineer: 5E Byg

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