Curated lists of the best new building-products, materials and design solutions to inspire your next project.
In most contexts, a cage represents imprisonment or an otherwise undesirable restriction of one̵ 7;s freedom. However, within the realm of architectural design, cages themselves can be freed from the negative connotation of containment: well-designed instances can dramatically enhance the structure or space they contain, framing views, creating visual dynamism, and filtering light to fantastic effect…
With environmental concerns propelling a concerted drive toward more sustainable construction proces ses, notable instances of designers utilizing salvaged materials in new and inventive ways have proliferated over the last decade. The upcycling phenomenon has long been big business in industrial design, with luxury furniture showrooms such as Espasso illustrating that the textured patina of reclaimed…
Urban marketplaces have thrived for centuries: from the Agora of ancient Greece to the Forum in Rome , people have flocked to public gathering spaces looking not only to buy and sell all manner of goods, but also — significantly — to socialize with their fellow citizens. Markets, in all their many forms, are vibrant communal…
70 years ago today, the Second World War ended in Europe, sparking joyous celebrations and an unbrid led sense of relief around the globe. While the day itself marks a positive moment in world history, the tragedies that preceded it left an indelible mark upon the memories of millions and will be remembered in perpetuity. Via…
Six architects who preserve artifacts with flair.
Inflatable enclosures were first popularized back in the 1960s and 1970s, when radical architects us ed the quick and cheap technique to adapt to changing social conditions, i.e. new thoughts about nomadic living, such as Reyner Banham’s Environment-Bubble in A Home Is Not a House [PDF] or Ant Farm’s Clean Air Pod. The politically charged technique…
Marble has long been the luxe building material of choice. From cathedrals such as Milan’s Duo mo to the Parthenon in Athens, the subtle character of the stone has been sought out for its milky texture and rich patterns. Even the harvesting process is a sight to behold. Still from Il Capo by Yuri Ancarani. Modernism…
We showed you Cor-Ten homes last week, where economical materials bring a touch of industrial chic t o any home. At a larger scale, buildings like stadiums and museums can also be distinguished by the rusted-rustic texture of Cor-Ten. Of course, it offers practical advantages, as well: controlled oxidation yields a protective skin of rust, which…
Cor-Ten steel has become one of the most heavily used cladding surfaces in recent years. There are g ood reasons: it is cheap and easily procured, and its natural patina adds textural flair to any project. Its industrial look makes it well-suited to contemporary renovations, but it’s worth noting that it is not a new phenomenon.…