Target Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular

this is amazing! On Wednesday, August 18th, Target took over The Standard and putt on the “Target Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular.” Taking advantage of the glass walls of the hotel, Target will used them to display a huge multi-floor light extravaganza, highlighting their Fall 2010 styles.

Q

A sumptuous Brazilian chocolate bar designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer
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Q elevates the chocolate bar to new heights of gastronomy. The recently launched confection owes its rich taste to Brazil’s finest cocoa beans and equally sensuous curves to Oscar Niemeyer, the country’s celebrated modern architect.

Aquim_Q_3.jpg

Q was concocted by Samantha Aquim, chef and head of the chocolate division at her family’s eponymous restaurant business. After studying with renowned chocolatier Thierry Alain in Paris, she visited cocoa farms in Bahia with a desire to explore “the magical possibilities of the perfect cocoa bean.” Aquim used a painstaking fermentation process—without adding any other ingredients or flavorings—to draw out its raw characteristics.

Aquim_Q_2.jpg

The final product is a piece of edible architecture that’s 77 percent cocoa. As a guide to its complex, tropically infused palate, Q comes with seven blends of the chocolate with different levels of intensity and smoothness. A gold-placed utensil and storybook on Q complete the experience.

Visit Aquim online for more information (in Portuguese only).


Why the layout of American cafes sucks (and why it may be about to change)

pimg alt=”0cafelayouts.jpg” src=”http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/0cafelayouts.jpg” width=”468″ height=”681″ class=”mt-image-none” style=”” //p

pI like coffee, but I despise cafes. At least what we Americans have come to call cafes. /p

pI respect the coffee bar, or espresso bar, as it’s done in Italy. There coffee is not some fatuous beverage to be nursed. It’s fuel, energy, a shot in the arm. There are few or no stools in a coffee bar and there damn sure ain’t any couches. You walk in, put your foot on the rail, remain standing, maybe exchange a few words with the barista; he gives you your drink, you do it like a hot brown shot and then, most importantly, you get the hell out./pa href=”http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/why_the_layout_of_american_cafes_sucks_and_why_it_may_be_about_to_change_17245.asp”(more…)/a
pa href=”http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yElenLSb1rhiH6KsQ8vLhM1RZYQ/0/da”img src=”http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yElenLSb1rhiH6KsQ8vLhM1RZYQ/0/di” border=”0″ ismap=”true”/img/abr/
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BrewDog

brewdog1

The unconventional UK brewery ‘BrewDog’ created this taxidermy packaging for their ‘The End of History’ beer, which holds an astonishing 55% ABV and costs just $765 a pop. More about their other wacky brews after the jump.

BrewDog started up in 2007 when 24-year-olds Martin and James decided that the market needed a brewery that was willing to experiment with beer in all aspects. Now their line up includes Tokyo (18.2%), ‘Sink the Bismark’ (41%), and ‘Tactical Nuclear Pengui’ (32%)., amongst others. Check out some more of their sweet packaging and campaigns below, and hit their site to order some for yourself.

CC14: Crafty Danish Designers

div style=”align: right;”img src=”http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/2010/08/Kubo3.jpg” width=”468″ height=”312″ alt=”Kubo3.jpg”//div

pMaking us Americans jealous yet again with their incredible government funding, a href=”http://www.danishcrafts.org”Danish Crafts/a, a prime example of the kind of support Denmark bestows upon its designers, will roll out the new Crafts Collection, a href=”http://www.craftscollection.dk/grouping/show/37″CC14/a, at Maison Objet in September. This marks the fourteenth Crafts Collection, a curated selection intended to support and promote Danish designer-makers, connecting them with buyers, producers, and manufacturers through international trade shows. /p

pThis year’s collection was curated by London-based designer Nina Tolstrup with a theme based in sustainability, and how it is good for business at all levels, from maker, to seller, to consumer. Twenty-eight designers created objects loosely interpreting the concept “re-think, re-duce, re-craft,” using ceramic, glass, textiles, furniture and jewelry. Many of the resulting objects not only display the superior craft abilities of the designers, but also carry poetic responses to the sustainability theme./pa href=”http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/cc14_crafty_danish_designers_17243.asp”(more…)/a
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Felicia Ferrone: On Space

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pFor the second installment of Chicago’s newest design venue, the event-based a href=”http://www.wvvolumes.com”Volume Gallery/a will show a new, limited-edition collection by a href=”http://www.fferronedesign.com/”Felicia Ferrone/a, entitled a href=”http://www.wvvolumes.com/galleries/3/about”emOn Space./em/a. The project examines the relationship between environment, space, material, and function. /p

blockquoteThe designs in On Space set new rules for engagement, creating innovative modes for social interaction. Ferrone leads the user to question fundamental archetypes; an occasional table is more than a vehicle for objects, a dining table has no host and a light fixture is unconstrained as it gently orbits overhead./blockquotea href=”http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/felicia_ferrone_on_space__17244.asp”(more…)/a
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Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

Peel-off impurities from skin with a preservative-free mask
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The preservative-free, luminizing black mask from Boscia purifies skin with a pore-cleansing, peel-off formula. Filled with minerals, extracts, natural clay, vitamins and antiseptics, I like that the recipe mixes the benefits of a more traditional clay mask with modern ingredients. The upshot is a mask that penetrates well, removing impurities, excess oil and noxious bacteria.

While applying the opaque black goo feels as weird as it looks, it also seems to really work. After letting it dry for fifteen minutes, I peeled it off (one of those strangely satisfying tasks) to reveal smaller pores and brighter skin.

Boscia’s black mask sells exclusively from Sephora for $34.


Must Have Now: Eggo Plate

imageLeggo my Eggo! Remember those commercials? Now you can relive your childhood with this sweet dish! When it comes to dining fun, this plate really takes the cake (or should I say ‘waffle’?). Make breakfast even more enjoyable than it already is! This will quickly become your favorite dish in the house. For just a few bucks you can add some wacky personality to your housewares collection with this Urban Outfitters retro ‘Leggo my Eggo’ Plate. Now when you whip up something for yourself or friends, you can serve it on a plate that is just as appetizing as the food itself! I love how this plate has actual grooves to re-create the texture of a real waffle! The color makes it look even more 3D and the fruits add a cute little touch to complete the look; it’s so realistic you might even forget to put food on the plate! The only down side? This plate isn’t edible!

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Dutch Danish architects COBE have extended this theatre in Taastrup, Copenhagen, by wrapping it in a curtain of translucent prisms that slope away from the existing building.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

The new space has a triangular plan that houses an entrance foyer and cafe, and looks out onto a green courtyard to the south of the theatre.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

The prisms are made up of translucent and clear acrylic and have red lights behind them that illuminate when the theatre is sold out.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

COBE were initially commissioned to improve the building’s energy consumption but also took the opportunity to improve its functionality and refurbish the interior with the introduction of crystal chandeliers, mirrored tiles and new furniture.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Here’s more info from the architects:


The project for the extension and renovation of Taastrup Theatre seeks to improve the communication of the building with its environment – a social housing neighborhood.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Formally we were commissioned to improve the energy consumption of the 1970s local community theatre in the Copenhagen neighborhood of Taastrup.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Yet, we use this opportunity to improve the general appeal and functionality of the building by introducing a second (isolating) theatre curtain around the rough concrete structure.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Above: the original exterior

By adding this new layer in front of the existing rough concrete structure, the building is extended and opened as wide as possible towards Kjeld Abels Plads north.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

The new translucent facade subtly reminds us of a theatre curtain about to open when the play starts. In fact, when the tickets are outsold or the show is on, red lights underneath the facade broadcast the special atmosphere of this magic moment towards the square.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

This new composition underlines the unity of the old building and its extension as one piece of architecture. The facade is conceived as a translucent curtain of acrylic prisms elegantly embracing the existing building, and creating a new open foyer, arrival area, and café.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

A whole new spatial dimension is added to the building newly connecting the formerly enclosed interior with the outside. Now the theatre visually and spatially connects to both Kjeld Abels Plads north and the protected green courtyard south of the theatre.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

With this overall concept, the theatre now has the possibility to involve the surroundings by exposing its activities. The facade is assembled from acrylic prisms.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

The material is very robust and because of its shape it has an exciting effect at day and night time, when the light from inside will glow out to the surroundings. The prisms vary from totally clear and transparent over translucent to opaque.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

Because of the many elements of irregular shapes and the variance in translucency, the facade is a beautiful play of shadows and reflections. The facade of the theatre includes a number of gates creating connection and access between the foyer and the theatre space.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

These gates can be opened or closed depending on the arrangement. So the theatre has the possibility to work as one coherent floating space, or separately as a theatre space and a foyer.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

With the renovation of the interior we pay reference to the aesthetics of classical theaters in order to soften the appearance of the rough concrete structure. Gold colours, mirror pixel tiles, crystal chandeliers – all things that not only children associate with theatre – are mixed with fluorescent lamps, an RGB bar, and modern design chairs by Paustian.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

The theatre’s service functions are upgraded: Restrooms and café are moved from the basement to the first floor, which means that now all non-technical functions are gathered on the ground floor.Bar, box office, and administration are consolidated as a functional block that can now be run by one person. Hereby, the staff flow is optimized so that capacities become available for theatre work.

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

The modernisation considerably improves the theatre’s logistics. The new facade wraps the theatre in new dramatic apparels. Together, interior renovation and the exterior curtain help establishing a solid project that improves the organization and communication of the building significantly – we proudly present Taastrup Theatre!

Taastrup Theatre by COBE

Click above for larger image

Location: Taastrup, Denmark
Client: Realdania and Taastrup Municipality
Program: Renovation and extension of existing theater
Size: Renovation 1.400 m2, new building 250 m2
Status: Completed
Co-operator: COWI A/S


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Heating Infrastructure
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Variations on Normal: An exhibition of work by Dominic Wilcox

div style=”align: right;”img src=”http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/2010/08/yoyo.jpg” width=”468″ height=”504″ alt=”yoyo.jpg”//div

pa href=”http://blog.analoguebooks.co.uk/”Analogue Books/a, a bookshop and gallery in Edinburgh, is hosting an exhibition of works by Dominic Wilcox, maybe most well known for his War bowl made of melted green army men, but also a prolific cartoonist, as seen at his blog a href=”http://variationsonnormal.com/”Variations on Normal/a. The show will run from September 4th through October 2nd at the Analogue Books space at 102 West Bow, Edinburgh. Be the first to check it out at the opening and preview on Friday, September 3rd, 7-9pm./p

pSee a few of Dominic’s latest cartoons up top and after the jump./pa href=”http://www.core77.com/blog/events/variations_on_normal_an_exhibition_of_work_by_dominic_wilcox__17242.asp”(more…)/a
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