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November 28, 2005
Move Over Dyson
A new cyclone is in town and he's called the Cyclone Cleaner. Many vacs on the market are too cumbersome and difficult to use. What happened to the days when a vacuum just needed a flip switch and a slight push to remove dust? Sure, all the technology that goes into them now-a-days mandates that they come with a dizzying array of attachments. We've already mastered how much suction is needed to clean thoroughly. What we need now is something that re-simplifies the act of vacuuming.
The Metaphys Cyclone Cleaner was designed to be ready to use at any time, not to be stored and stowed away, it's beautiful enough to leave out once it's folded up. All the basics are here; extendable hose, collapsable handle, and that fact that its iPod white couldn't hurt either.
another picture after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Stealth Chair
Looking like a distant cousin to the Stealth Bomber, the Stealth Chair designed by CULTIVATE is slick, sharp, and definitely unique. If you got money to burn, burn it here. While you're at it, pick one up for me too.
Posted by tranism at 1:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
The Eskimo-Inuit Civilization IF?
Out of the swirl of cold white air and the haze of powered snow, an eery glow emanates from the horizon in the far north. As you trek closer, you realize you've stumbled upon something amazing. Frozen blocks of water stacked in elliptical and organic shapes communicate a great civilization exists here. Its form and design evokes something ancient, but yet its sparseness feels perfected. Just like in nature, nothing in excess; only what is needed exists. When I saw these forms, I couldn't help but write stories to go along with them. No these aren't the ancient cities of the inuit civilizations, they are The Snow Show exhibition.
The Snow Show is an exhibition of contemporary environmental art and architecture that replaces familiar, permanent materials like wood or concrete with the unusual, ephemeral element of water it its froze form.
This outdoor exhibition presents huge extraordinary architectonic structures of snow and ice, some over 5 meters tall. Some of the participants in the exhibition are some of today's most exciting artists and architects. It is a place that is magical, playful and unforgettable.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Space Ship One
I've been meaning to write about this forever but somehow it keeps slipping past me only to get postponed to a post-it note on my monitor.
On October 4th, 2004, Space Ship One claimed the 10 million dollar prize to become the first private manned space craft to reach space. With that, it obliterated any thought that space was only within the reach of those large, sometimes cumbersome government managed space agencies (ahem . . . NASA).
The story embodied all the virtues of a classic young techno upstart by Paul Allen of Microsoft, designed by supreme aviation designer Burt Rutan, and built by his company Scaled Composites.
This is an age where inventions are often more evolutionary and incremental rather than revolutionary, Space Ship One is ground breaking - perhaps standing right up there with the Wright Brothers, Alexander Bell, and Lambie Baird.
WIth hopes of a bright future in hand where humans can really reach up far beyond the sky, Space Ship One hopes to start its first passenger flights into space in 2007.
Are you a pioneer? If you could afford the air(space)fare, would you go?
another photo after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Queen Mary's School
One of London's largest University's recently opened the doors to its new facilities and I don't know how I missed it. Amazing architecture with a balance between space and creativity. Clearly it defies any previous rules that all medical spaces need be sterile. The new School of Medicine & Dentistry is an example of how a creative environment that makes use of form and color can contribute to the learning process regardless of vocation.
The outside is nothing compared to the inside.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 25, 2005
Origami x's 100000000000000
That's how mind boggling Yuko Nishimura's intricately folded paper artworks are. The precision and skill required to take paper folding to this level is thoughtful and provoking. I'm still in awe.
website here for more AWESOMENESS!
Posted by tranism at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Eden Project
The Eden Project (located in the United Kingdom) is a showcase for global bio-diversity and one of the most innovative and high profile lottery funded projects.
The "biomes" makes up the largest plant enclosure in the world built in the lightest and most ecological way possible. They are a sequences of honey-comb shaped spheres that encapsulate humid tropic and warm temperate regions.
Make sure you check out the website. The structure(s) are amazing. Too bad it's not in the USA.
Posted by tranism at 12:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
November 24, 2005
People+
Modern lives are increasingly becoming more flexible, connected and mobile. How do you update your living space to communicate the themes of mobility and its influence on people's lives? The People+ installation exposes flaws of communication, and stresses the fact that mobile communication expands the boundaries of a person and augments the distances one can reach.
The installation uses the human figure symbol (imagine a stick figure) and the "+" sign as a vehicle to tell a story; and the story is simple - connect one human being to another and you have created a network and mobile communication is all about networks. It's a type of emotional math if you will.
From that "equation", how does the installation look? A cloud of human figures and "+" signs hang from the ceiling and react to mobile phone activities like calls, SMS, MMS, etc. When this happens, the cloud becomes alive with steams of light flowing between the objects. The objects glow and dim, a human figure, a "+" sign, another human figure, another "+" sign and so on. An imaginary line is then created portraying a trajectory of activity. The result is beautiful and hypnotic.
Posted by tranism at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Instant Balcony Bloomframe
Hofman Dujardin Architecten has patented a window frame which offers apartment dwellers in dense urban areas the pleasure of having a balcony. Super utilizing space - Bloomframe acts as both window and balcony. This nifty building component can also be added to existing buildings.
Posted by tranism at 8:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 18, 2005
MuscleBoy . . .errr, I Mean Muscle Body
I must be slightly perverted because it's only now I realize this thing is called "muscle body" not "muscle boy". Strange how the mind can make you see things that aren't really there. Perhaps my brain was telling me what I'm really interested in is a muscle boy. Oh well, I digress . . .
The MuscleBoy project consists of a fully kinetic and interactive architecture that is a full-scale prototype of an interior space. The project is an architectural body that consists of a continuous skin that incorporates all its architectural properties and makes no categorical distinctions such as floor, wall, ceiling, door. The interaction between MuscleBody and its players (the people that have entered the interior space) causes the MuscleBody to change its shape, its degrees of transparency and the sound that it generates.
Outside of that I just want one because the title of the project sorta sounds / looks like "muscle boy" and it would look madd wicked in my backyard.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Beanbags Are For Portables Too
A mini beanbag chair for your cellphone / iPod / blackberry / or anything else you can sit in it. Yes I know, it's totally pointless since we are just as content with tossing our mobile devices onto a table / bed / desk / bag when not in use. This is just a nice cute departure from all that. These devices often cost several hundred dollars so why not spend a measly $9 and display it.
Oh and buy us one too. :)
Posted by tranism at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 13, 2005
Japanese Pre-Fab
The Japanese sure do know how to make some amazingly efficient and beautiful pre-fabricated homes. If you can read kanji, check it all out here.
Posted by tranism at 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 12, 2005
Let's Cheat
Baller Pens have a 6.5" retractable sheet able to take fine tip markers, pens and pencils. Write your notes down or . . . "cough" write answers down. When the opportune time arises, simply pull out the sheet, have yourself a quick glance, retract and be on your merry way. Nobody would be the wiser. Enjoy CHEATERS!
Posted by tranism at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Freeze It Cubes
Pretty simple idea. Take some food coloring and water, seal it inside a glass cube. Freeze them and color code your friend's drinks. Re-use as often as you like. Like I said, simple but very effective.
Posted by tranism at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Sitting Is A Hot Activity
So don't ever let anybody tell you - you sit down too much. Don't let them tell you - you needs to get yo ass up and move around because you know what? Sitting is a hot activity to do. Get the right chair and I swear you'll receive more attention than you ever did walking around.
Seating option number one is called the "Nouvelle Vague" by Christophe Pillet. Perfect for the day time or evening, the chair gives off different moods depending on which. Complemented by its oval footrest that's shaped to give you multiple relaxing positions which can also work as a standalone pouf.
Seating option number two is called "Truffle" by Jean Marie Massaud. It is a fun and unorthodox armchair that can sit flat or raised with a metal base. The Truffle is inviting as it begs to be sat on. Turn it upside down and you'll see why it received its moniker.
Both are elegant and modern seating options anyone can get into. Don't be afraid and visit the Porro site to pick yourself or a loved one up a pair.
Posted by tranism at 1:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
November 7, 2005
Vaja + Motorola RAZR
Premium leather soft goods makers Vaja unveiled their form fitting letter case for a phone I hate, the Motorola Razr.
The case is beautiful and comes in over 20 colors (40 if you consider you can combine colors). The case is $70 but I think well worth it for the perfect fit it achieves, while protecting the phone without forcing the phone to bulk up too much.
Posted by tranism at 3:49 PM | Permalink
November 6, 2005
Project Import Export
P.I.E. finds and sources some of the most talented small design studios in the world in an effort to help them spread across the globe. What makes P.I.E. stand out are the incredible designs they find and on top of that, all of them were designed and produced using "green" materials and technology. Safe for the environment and beautiful too. What more can you ask for?
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:47 AM | Permalink
mmm Purrrrr
That's exactly what your cat would say and do if you get this Elizabeth Page Smith Prrrounge Chaise Lounge. We all love our independent feline friends but don't cha just hate how Mr. Purr's cat tree house fucks up your decor? The Prrrounge is an elegant solution to give Mr. Purr the space he wants while adding to your home decor. Pick one up for $215.
Posted by tranism at 1:22 AM | Permalink
November 2, 2005
Egg Babies
This is just so freakin weird yet so damn amazing and beautiful. Egg babies are individually hand sculpted "mini-babies" in clay by hand. The babies range in size from 2 to 5 inches. All the babies appear inside an eggshell to appear fragile and new.
I'm not sure how much they cost since there is a waiting list now; they are all sold out. I just can't stop looking at them. I don't know what it is about them.
Posted by tranism at 1:41 AM | Permalink
iSmack
How many stories have you come across about people getting mugged for their iPods? Yes those white headphones have become a beacon for criminals and as the number of iPod snatchings rises, none of the peripheral vendors have released anything to help protect the consumer along with their iPod.
I present to you the iSmack Nano. Next time someone tries to jack your sh*t, let them know if they want your iPod, they'll have to get thru you first. Yes, it's a nano wrapped inside brass knuckles. New meaning to the song "Smack My Bitch Up".
Posted by tranism at 1:31 AM | Permalink