Ryue Nishiziwa’s House

This project by architect Ryue Nishiziwa is a Vertical Garden House located in Tokyo.

I love the idea but I am not sure how comfortable I would be with being so "on display" for all to see. Especially in city as crowded as Tokyo. Kind of a fish-bowl effect. Also, not sure how they build things in Japan but there does not seem to be much in the way of building systems but maybe they are cleverly tucked away somehow?



Never-the-less, an interesting approach to introducing the outdoors to the modern "house". Found here at Inhabitat.

Laboros-Lux-Librae

Environmental Law

I have chosen to focus on environmental law as a focus for this project. The main details of the work done in the environmental area of law tends to be focused on the "health of the greater good" and so the workers will in effect toil for the benefit of others (as well as themselves).

Taking this in perspective there seems to be a need for the employees to be free to aim for a healthy life-work-balance.

Hence Laboros-Lux-Librae (latin for Life-Work-Balance)

This is a law firm that strives to achieve results that exceed expectations through our commitment to our clients adding maximum value to their business. Handling complex and sophisticated matters efficiently and responsivly through commitment to our communities. Providing extensive and worthy pro bono and public service and through active involvement and leadership on the part of our firm we commit to sustaining an enriching our environment through diversity and teamwork. We strive to improve while celebrating our accomplishments.

The firm will always focus our conitued effort on the work at hand while our workplace is modern, innovative and fun so that our own well-being is not compromised in the process of helping others.

Public - A Restaurant

This is an interesting restaurant in New York city that I would love to go to. Public.Concept and design is by the AvroKO group whose work I am really liking from the looks of what I see (virtually of course;click the image to see closer.)


Located in the NoLita area at 210 Elizabeth Street in NYC, the restaurant serves International food served up by renowned chef Brad Farmerie. The globally inspired menu items are in the $30-55 price range. Farmerie has won many awards for his creative dishes. Public also has a 20 seat wine bar located within called The Monday Room.

The restaurant seats 120 people and the wine bar an additional 35 guests. The Monday room and the main dining room (on the upper level)are not wheelchair accessible but there is one accessible bathroom on the main floor of the establishment. Dinner is served seven days a week, beginning at 6pm and there is brunch service on Saturday and Sunday as well.

The food served up is referred to as "Free-spirited fusion" on the website which I gather means there is a lot of creativity thrown into the mix of offerings. There is a $25 corking fee for wine and gratuities of %20 are added for parties of 6 or more who dine at Public.

Formerly a bakery, the theme now represents a semi-industrial incarnation with sliding doors and hung filament bulbs along the ceiling. Oil lamps line one of the brick walls while a retired library-card catalogue has been placed by the coat check The full concept is represented with library style graphic details, including menus presented on clipboards and stamped like office order forms.

There is a lot of exposed brick in the space and skylights in the loft area above. Concrete flooring is used in the main floor area. Reviews I have read said that the space is often quite loud when busy. Several seating areas have changes in decor elements that differentiate each section yet they seem to be complementary.

Overall descriptions of the space indicate that it is trendy industrial chic with a cosy ambiance and interesting fayre.




AvroKO is also the genius behind Madame Geneva and Saxon+Parole both on Bleecker street. I will definitely be keeping an eye on their work.

Potential Title Page

Something like this but with our Zeitgeist logo in the middle....

Some Ceiling Tiles

I found a source for some interesting ceiling tiles. There is quite a range of patterns available so they could be used for a few different consepts. They also offer backsplashes and mouldings. See Talissa Decor for more infos.

WHOA its a scholarship!!!

So I have been reading Design Sponge for I don't know how long now. I don't go there as often as I used to back when I had more time to stalk read all the great design blogs there are out there.

I was very excited to visit for the latest and see this post with the scholarship returning this year for design students. I could use a little bit of that $10k but I am sure the competition is stiff. It's open to international students this year too so being in Canada I still could qualify. Not sure if my program qualifies but I will have to check further into it as the rules say its for those in undergraduate or graduate level programs. Crossing my fingers and sprucing up my website for my application!....

Tweed, Harris Tweed.

So it's been a week that I have been off school officially and my brain doesn't know what to do with itself!

The other night I had a dream about meeting a man named Harris Tweed and I decided in the morning to do some research into the trademarked textile and see what is new from the Hebrides.

I found there are few sites that are selling the yardage and softgoods which was promising. The age-old textile is still made the traditional way by weavers and there are something like 8,000 patterns available!

Here are some links.
Harris Tweed Textiles (place holder only, keep watching this one!)
Harris Tweed Hebrides (Photo above from here)
Harris Tweed Scotland

I am seriously considering taking on a Harris Tweed North American Headquarters a project. Can you say "Office Design" anyone???

I SERIOUSLY WANT THIS!!!

How ingenius is this?


Found at the Electrolux Design Lab Photo stream on Flickr.

An Interesting Online Tool

My daughter found this interesting tool online and I thought I would try it out. It is similar to Polyvore except you can load up your own photos. This took no time at all and I can see where it might be useful, especially for those of us who do not have Photoshop readily available.

I have to say I liked it better without the glaring ad for the Glogster site on it (which they curiously do not show at the "preview" stage when you are editing your piece.) At least I don't have to go to the trouble of posting a link to where I found it!

So Refreshing.............

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS!!!

A Breath of Life by Fraser Ross from FRASER ROSS on Vimeo.

Pure genius.

What to do When There is a Chill in the Air

You could bundle up in your parka on the cafe terrace or you could warm up up in style if they have these cool patio lanterns on.



Are these not the super chic alternative to those ugly gas heaters that can be seen keeping the chill away on those cooler summer evenings? While the gas heater might not be the best "green" solution to keeping warm in the outside areas we frequent, they are sometimes a necessary evil. Might as well go with the best looking of the bunch and this stylish solution from Kindle Living is the way to go. Note they are available with the optional LED lamp so the base is not to be missed. The black versions are sleek and offer a less conspicuous option.

See more and get info from Kindle Living.

Such a simple solution adds so much class to an otherwise clunky appliance. This company is based in Southern California and these items are crafted in the USA.

Crazy BluDot Swap Project

"Blu Dot End Tags!" offered by Naissance in the Blu Dot Swap Meet

Still trying to figure out how this could work out to my advantage. I'm not sure if they accept Canadian offers yet, still reading the fine print but browsing through the swap offers is hilarious. Here are some of the accepted bids, like the one above which is some end tags that were swapped for a lovely coffee table it looks like.

Hmmmm, I could really use this couch myself; what could I possibly offer?

Dr. Eugene Tsui

"You are the builder of your dreams. You are the master of your destiny".
One of my new favourite quotes. More can be seen at www.eugenetsui.com


I cannot sum up the life and ways of Dr Eugene Tsui in a blog post. All I can say is that his works and philosophies about life and other issues are unconventional and amazing at the same time.

His architecture is sometimes referred to as Biomimetic or immitating nature but he himself refers to it as Evolutionary. He is a biologist and mathematician. He lived briefly in Montreal and attended McGill Engineering school. His life is both interesting and diverse.

Other fun facts:
He only eats every other day! This apparently saves him 1100 hours per year. He is fully ambidextrous! He is a gymnast, boxer and also fences. He even designs his own clothes. I think the man is probably good at everything he does!

An Interesting Project

This project is a contest by Design By Many to design a house for the Katrina ravaged area of New Orleans. A bit much for an interior design student to attempt but I will be watching this one to see what the outcome is. Found at Inhabitat.

This is HOT!

I just found these hot new items that are getting a lot of internet attention. It's a new product that is actually on Kickstarter as the inventors (two guys named Dave from New Jersey) were looking for start-up money. Looks like this project is a go because there was so much interest in their product that their website crashed! Check out their Kickstarter page- $100k and climbing in pledges.

The beans are called Joulies and the website (still down) is joulies.com. The beans are some kind of metal that is safe to drop into your coffee and it will supposedly keep your java warm for hours. What a great idea and they look so sleek and cool too. Now that is literally a HOT product coming to market in May.

Some Moody Photos

These are a few inspiration pics for the condo project for the mood board. The project is a fun and functional space for a young creative family of four. Our concept is an aesthetically appealing organic and flowing space for a couple who work in design and their two boys. This family plays together and takes their fun seriously.

Muvbox in Old Montreal

I like this concept. I am definitely going to take a look in the warmer weather and see this up close and personal.

I also found a review of the place from Mocoloco which shows the place in summer.

A Whoville Bathroom

Some bathroom cabinets and fixtures with a whimsical feel. The cabinets are from Dust Furniture from Indiana and I love the playfulness of these pieces. Fixtures and light sconce are all Kholer products. The terazzo is for the countertop of the vanity that I want to custom fit the shorter cabinet for. I found a great resource for eco-terazzo with Vetrazzo based in Georgia and it looks like the reps are mainly in the West for Canada. I think I will go with Jadestone in Calgary.

Brad Ford Interior Design

I came across this designer a few weeks ago while doing research for my personal dream condo project. I really am impressed with the way Mr. Ford's design aesthetic is so cohesive in his work. His designs are all different but in the same vein of the modern and contemporary with a nod to the past. Mid century modern abounds also and I just can't get enough of it so his work is right up my alley so to speak. He is based in New York not surprisingly. See www.bradfordid.com for more.

Interesting Lighting Place des Arts

Back again at the Metro Place des Arts, this time inside near teh entrance to the Contemporary art Museum.Above is a paper type feature ceiling installed in a well used corridor.
Tiny lights iin the floor of the dark hallway to the theatre offer a dramatic feel. Below is some kind of wayfinding lighting but I'm not too sure what the e5 means, maybe where you enter for different theater seating sections?


Some cove lighting on the way to the Metro entrance. Lighting definitely draws the eye through this space.