It Might Need a New Name

Blight may not be the best name... but the concept is fantastic. These blinds have tiny solar panels on each individual piece which collect power during the day when closed, then that power can be used in the evenings, when we need it most! A very clever idea by Belgian designer Vincent Gerkens.

Via DVice

Invigorating

Ok... just to warn you, I've got a ton of photos of the Venice Biennale (some of them are labeled, more are not). If you ever have a chance to visit, I would highly recommend it... Especially, if you are like me, and feeling a bit jaded by work. The Biennale was so invigorating and refreshing, and really reminded me of all the things I love about architecture... Oh, and I saw David Adjaye. But, don't worry... I didn't run up to him like a groupie or anything!

UN Studio

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Scotland
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Romania?

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Lot Ek?
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Luxembourg
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I should really remember this firm... especially since I know they are Seattle based...
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Australia
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Belgium (After the Party)

This was my favorite installation... more than any other installation, you really experienced this space.

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Beligium
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Ben Nicholson (a former professor of mine... a bit disappointing, but fun to see)
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Brazil (original exhibition structure)
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Original Carlo Scarpa Structure
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Norway (those sliding glass doors are INSANE)
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Droog (One of my all time favorite design collaboratives)
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Frank Gehry (he should really stick to furniture)
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Frank Gehry
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Herzog & deMueron
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Israel
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Ove Arup
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Russia
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Zaha Hadid
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4X a2o

Urban development around the station

This project is a collaboration between a2o architecten and J Mayer H, responding to a masterplan by West 8. While its easy to see J Mayer H's influence on the design, the end product seems a bit more restrained than the German firm's typical designs... and I personally quite like it.

Cultural Centre Genk

I'm always a sucker for a nice sketch or collage... But, I'm particularly drawn to this image for the Cultural Centre in Genk. a2o architecten has clearly given though not just to the buildings, but to the spaces between buildings, including the structure's impact on light and use of the space.

Barrosch Remodel

In this project, a2o architecten has provided a simple glass box to act as a show room as well as a connector between two protected art nouveau structures. The simple detailing minimizes the impact of the new structure on the old.

Embassy of Qatar in Brussels

This project is probably my favorite of the bunch... Using the idea of traditional Islamic arabesques, a2o architecten have created a skin (and possibly a structure?) from these arabesques. They have managed to create a highly decorated form reminiscent of Islamic structures, interiors, and art, without simply providing additive decorations. All in all, I think its quite lovely, and quite clever.
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Wire Frames

I love the fragile wire frame forms of these lamps by n-d studio. They remind me of soldering exercises from school... especially the top one! I especially like how sculptural and yet unobtrusive the forms are...

Via Pan Dan

Terrible Website, Great Lamps

Dark has got an extremely difficult website to navigate, but the lamps are worth the effort. There are some real gems if you take the time...

Simple, Sublime Steel

Matador's website is entirely in French, so I can't really read it, but I've got to believe that this project is an infill renovation for the Maison Folie Centre des Chantiers Culturels Participatifs in the Ville de Mons, Belgium. Its a lovely project incorporating modern design into an existing, much older project. The steel trusses look like they could have always been there, and yet there is something distinctly modern about their lightweight forms. The rhythm of the forms exterior forms is quite beautiful. This perfect rhythm is the one thing that makes me wonder if the project is entirely new construction, but I'd like to believe that the architects were just lucky enough to have a great starting point in the existing buildings.

The steel forms of this project, Rénovation des anciens abattoirs de Mons Equipement culturel are also very beautiful in contrast with the stark white interior. I'm not exactly sure where the renovation begins and the existing structure ends, but this project as a whole is quite lovely. The simple steel forms impress me the most (whether original or new), but the interior infill and lighting are also simple and spectacular.

I'd love to learn more about these projects or other works by Matador, so if anyone knows of any information in English, I'd be glad to see it.

If you Love Droog

If like me, you love all things Droog... then hurry and get to this Brussels shop before is closes in September. The shop, opened specifically to sell their wares will close forever after being open a mere 240 hours! Hurry!

Via Bloesem

Imelda Hospital

I love these images of the Imelda Hospital by Hans Verstuyft, located in Bonheiden Belgium. The simple rhythm is really lovely and also somewhat Corbusian.

Via Danda