Najjar & Najjar Architects have designed the UNESCO Marine and World Heritage Centre in Krems, Austria. Here is description from the architect: “The design includes a new shipping pier and a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. A large roof spans the area like a wing and connects the elements. The amply roof, desiderated point of arrival, forms likewise a remarkable gate to the landscape of the “Wachau”. Alongside the City it leads the every day life’s fugitives to the place of experience, of emotions. A new place of articulation assumes a shape, creates strong connections between river and city, between landscape and urbanism. The large gate forms the frame for different encounter possibilities, whether cultural, culinary or interpersonal. Zone of communication, gastronomy, commerce and ticket counter conflate into a whole. The Zone of communication of the World Heritage Centre is located at the areas Westside; it guides the visitor in a literary and also in a visual way into the culture of the region. 6 lines of illuminated screens offer the possibility to represent the “Wachau”. An inviting outside staircase leads the visitors from the promenade to the “Gate of the Wachau”. Washed concrete produced from Danube gravel and also several planting accentuations with reed communicate the close proximity to the river.”

Photography by Manfred Seidl

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These intriguing retro style brass sinks designed by Restart, this retro look with the old farmhouse in the world of aesthetics, both in material and visible, in this brasssink half a square closed. The integrated dish rack and towel bar add to the sink’s classic aesthetic and function. The frontal overhang and edge are a nice touch. The sink dimensions are 79.5 cm wide, by 47 cm deep, by 17 cm high. Custom sizes available on request. For more on these old-style brass sinks by visiting Restart.

via: trendir

Franco Bertoli for Italian bathroom brand Hafro was created new Bolla Sfioro round whirlpool bathtub. This a ergonomics and luxury bathtub that blend a contemporary and aesthetics. Perfectly round shape allows for maximum volume of water to the ultimate deep-body soak. This bathtub boasts an integrated disinfection system and skimmer, ensuring it stays clean and giving it a longer life for years of enjoyment, while a built-in electronic temperature and timer, and the sumptuous Airpool and Whirlpool hydro-massage functions let you set it and forget it, as they say, for the perfect customized setting every time – no fuss, no muss. Also available in a built-in model and four different installation options. Check it out by visiting Hafro.

via: trendir

Japanese studio Takeshi Hosaka Architects designed The Outside In House and is located in Yamanashi, Japan. The house especially designed for a couple and their three children. The architecture of the residence is very original and, as the name of the crib suggests, the exterior seems to be brought indoors and vice versa. Here are more details of the architect: “Working to engage with the outdoors in a vertical motion as well as the horizontal, the design utilizes a sawtoothed roof form with strips of acrylic roof lights that secure views of the sky above. The reinforced concrete beams funnel natural sunlight into the interior, shifting the atmosphere of the house throughout the day. Conceived as a series of layers that gradually add more indoor elements, the rectangular layout places the private programs such as the bathroom and bedrooms to the north and communal spaces to the south. Different materiality in surfaces softly establishes the changing levels of outdoors throughout the residence.”

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via: trendir

Designer Jeremy Hugh Aston & Architect João Carlos Ferreira from Simpli Design have completed the Factory Bussines Center is located on the out-skirts of Braga, Portugal. This a bussines center that featuring a bright ‘POP-ART’ decorative style that enhance the attractive and stimulating environment. The design assumes the appearance of the building and combines aspects of utility, comfort and modern technology.

The working area is divided into three floors (ground, first and basement) and is over 700 sqm with adjoining stairs and elevator. The first floor has natural light from two sides and is used as an open office concept with rows of individual tables and cupboards. The ground floor has an impressive entrance area where the main visual concept can be seen instantly with twelve Work-Pod cubicles placed around a circuit of corridors. Within the basement there is a common facility with a kitchen, common room, compact auditorium for talks, along-side a micro library ideal for quick research and relaxing quietly. This is an impressive design with innovative methods of networking in an environments that reflects comfort, design and innovation. via ArchDaily.

Photographs: Rui Pires

Check out MePas, this is spectacular and captivating decorative stainless steel screens by Caino. These screens have many applications, from room dividers to curtains or simply to be used as a decorative feature. Their designs are very intricate and the panels are made of super thin metal sheets making these screens extremely light weight. Their creations are product oriented – meaning the technique and know how of working the metal is of utmost importance, which gets combined with and often inspires creative designs. Forward to their first product to be launched in 2012, so visit Caino Design.

via: trendir

Park + Associates Pte have designed new house on Alnwick Road in Singapore. According to the architects, this is one of the rare project where some ‘character in the form of clients coming through the house’. Using black and white as the dominant color throughout the home makes a strong character and elegance. Most of the spaces are arranged in a linear manner to facilitate light and cross-ventilation; also the use of Low- emissivity glass. This is a wonderful house where internal spaces and the form tie in with each other.

Photographs: Edward Hendricks

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1.) Bring out the glam! Let’s face it; the holidays are the one time of year that the phrase “Go big, or go home” fits perfectly into holiday decor. From decorating with shiny metallic garland and ornaments on the tree, to collecting trinkets in metallic finishes and grouping them together in a tablescape vignette. Pick a metal and find varying shades, finishes and textures to bring out all the shine of the season.

2.) Vintage collectibles: Do you have any vintage silver that can be polished, or silver-plated ornaments that have been handed down from generations? The holidays are the perfect time to show them off. Polish up your vintage finds, and display proudly at the holidays.

3.) Crystal lends a sparkle: Most of the time we think about metallics for sparkle, how about shimmering crystal? From your chandelier over the dining room table, to the gorgeous candlesticks that align the center of your buffet table, crystal dinnerware, stemware, candlesticks, and matching accessories can bring an air of sophistication to your holiday dining experience.

4.) Outdoor sparkle: While your interiors are always the main attraction, don’t forget your outdoor holiday home. Hang a decorative wreath at the front door, sparkling with white twinkling lights, and hang swags of garland from around your front entry. Play up your exterior home features such as railings, columns, and walkways with lighting for extra sparkle, and safety at night.

5.) Simple and easy sparkle: While we all would love for our homes to look like a holiday model home out of an interiors magazine, some would prefer to get the look without taking a lot of time to execute! A simple idea, take your favorite glass or metallic bowl and pile it high with coordinating metallic Christmas ball ornaments from your tree. You will be surprised how a 5 minute project can make an instant centerpiece!

6.) Light up your interiors: There is something quite magical about Christmas lights. From the way they sparkle and dance around a tree, to stringing them throughout your home for added ambiance, lighting can change your home in an instant. For a creative fireplace mantle, string lighting around garland, a wreath that adorns the fireplace above, or gather lights in decorative apothecary jars along top of your mantle.

7.) Non-traditional sparkle: It’s always great to see Christmas decor cycle through history. Years ago metallic trees were a huge hit, in pastel colors and funky psychedelic colors! Today the trend is for more subdued colors, but still with a kick of color and sophistication. Take cues from your interiors and match your tree, ornaments, and decor for added sparkle.

8.) Add sparkle to your gifts: One of the easiest and most forgotten ways to add sparkle to your home is by adorning Christmas gifts with playful metallic ornaments, ties and shiny ribbon to bring out added cheer to your Christmas tree. After all, the tree’s accessories are the beautiful gifts that surround it, right? Don’t forget metallic wrapping paper too!

9.) Sparkling details: While Christmas ball ornaments are the most traditional decorative element on the tree, don’t forget about one-of-a-kind treasures. From handmade varieties, to a themed Christmas tree with ornaments that all tell a story. Add sparkle to your holiday tree with these special individual ornaments. Try using non-traditional colors to adorn your fireplace mantle too!

10.) Reach back to your childhood: What are the sparkling elements you remember? From silver bells adorned with big red bows, to shiny vintage ornaments that your grandparents used to tell you ‘Don’t touch!’ Bring those memories back for your children and pass the sparkling tradition to family and friends!

Your holiday home is waiting for sparkle and magic of this season. Find creative ways to bring shine, whether it be subtle or bold, traditional or modern, your home can not wait for aesthetic decorated with festive season. Enjoy it!

This is an impressive contemporary family home and architecture office located in the Lakes, New Zealand. Designed by Studio Creative Space Architectural Design, The Lakes House especially desgined to serve the living needs of family and accomodates an architecture office. Here is more information from the lead architect: “The brief demanded that the home showcased our unique style of design and stimulated other home owners into stepping outside the usual combinations of methods and materials we commonly see. Great design creates great value and when investing in a new home it seems only natural to create something interesting that reflects all aspects of personality and lifestyle. I really cannot tell you enough about the fundamental level of success this home possesses. I believe the key to this level of success was spending the time to define a detailed brief that satisfied and maximized our hopes and dreams.”

Photos by Creative Space Architectural Design

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