2017. június 30., péntek

This interactive woven canopy at MoMA PS1 changes colors as the sun sets

New Yorkers looking for a place to cool off during the summer will do well to duck into Long Island City’s MoMA PS1 – and it’s not just because the museum’s galleries are air-conditioned. A new interactive installation there, called Lumen, is an experience well-worth the trip. Lumen feels like a bright underwater landscape with 250 jellyfish-like tubular structures that interact with light, heat and movement. As the sun sets, colorful solar-powered lights come on, transforming the entire courtyard with an otherworldly vibe.

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

Designed by Jenny Sabin Studio and debuting to the public June 29, Lumen is the winner of The Museum of Modern Arts and MoMA PS1’s 18th edition of the Young Architects Program and will serve as the setting for the 20th season of the Warm Up outdoor concert series this summer. The project integrates various disciplines, including biology, materials science, mathematics, engineering and design, to produce an artistic micro-climate that is both environmentally responsive and beautiful.

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

The canopy is made of over 1,000,000 yards of digitally knitted and robotically woven fiber. During the day, the sun shines through the gaps in the canopy’s fabric to create murals of light and shadows against the concrete walls.Because the design requirements called for shade, water and seating, a responsive water system was incorporated into the hanging fabric tubes.

Warm Up, Museum of Modern Art, Jenny Sabin Studio, solar lights, solar art, art, solar power, interactive installation, interactive art, MoMA interactive art, MoMA, MoMA PS1, PS1, Lumen, MoMA Lumen, MoMA PS1,

Called stalactites, the tubes spray a fine mist when bodies draw near. In addition, 100 recycled spool stools (also robotically woven) provide a place to rest tired feet after a day roaming through the galleries, meeting another criteria that designs incorporate sustainability and recycling in its elements. The recycled fabric absorbs solar power over the course of the day and then emits it at night.

Related: MoMA PS1 unveils futuristic solar canopy that reacts to heat, sunlight, and movement

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

Lumen appeals to the senses; the soft white fabric is juxtaposed against the hard wooden seats and floors engraved with white geometric patterns. The installation invites visitors to play among the hanging fabric as water hits their skin. Lumen exudes both weightlessness and levity as the canopy sways in the breeze during the day and then almost an eeriness when it morphs into a photoluminescent wonderland. Once the Warm Up music series kicks off July 1, custom lighting incorporated into the installation’s design will complement the shows to provide both a visual and aural experience. All of which should make for one vibrant summer.

Lumen will be on view at MoMA PS1’s courtyard from June 29 though August 27.

+ Jenny Sabin Studio

All images by Dorkys Ramos for Inhabitat

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio

MoMA PS1 Lumen installation by Jenny Sabin Studio



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Gorgeous light-filled Nike headquarters opens in New York City

Nike New York Headquarters, Nike New York City, Nike and Miniwiz, Nike NYC headquarters, indoor basketball court in office, office VW van, creative open plan office,

Sports giant Nike just unveiled its stunning new headquarters in New York City—complete with a 4,000-square-foot, full-size indoor basketball court. Drenched in natural light and surrounded by enviable floor-to-ceiling views of the city, the Nike NYHQ offers creative open-plan workspaces across six floors at 855 Avenue of the Americas. The new office is studded with site-specific art, recycled materials, and a giant rooftop planter shaped into the iconic Nike swoosh that’s visible from the Empire State Building.

Nike New York Headquarters, Nike New York City, Nike and Miniwiz, Nike NYC headquarters, indoor basketball court in office, office VW van, creative open plan office,

Though Beaverton, Oregon is Nike’s main headquarters, the company has been forging strong bonds with New York City for decades, including in its recent campaign #NewYorkMade. Creativity and collaborative workspaces abound in the nearly 150,000-square-foot New York HQ. Local artists were commissioned to produce Nike-themed, NYC-related art on multiple floors, while meeting spaces are diverse and varied, and include the inside of a VW van, a tribute to the original van that the founders used to distribute Nike shoes in the company’s early days.

Nike New York Headquarters, Nike New York City, Nike and Miniwiz, Nike NYC headquarters, indoor basketball court in office, office VW van, creative open plan office,

Related: Nike makes Air Max shoebox from recycled milk jugs and coffee lids

Recycled materials were used in the furnishings, such as the outdoor benches made from reclaimed timber posts and the custom ceiling tiles produced by Miniwiz. The 4,000-square-foot indoor basketball court on the second floor doubles as an event space with seating for 400 and will host local leagues, high school teams, and community partners. The roof terrace serves as an outdoor events space with food served from an indoor food truck. The HQ also includes a media room, market showroom, maker’s space, and library.

+ Nike

Nike New York Headquarters, Nike New York City, Nike and Miniwiz, Nike NYC headquarters, indoor basketball court in office, office VW van, creative open plan office,

Nike New York Headquarters, Nike New York City, Nike and Miniwiz, Nike NYC headquarters, indoor basketball court in office, office VW van, creative open plan office,

Nike New York Headquarters, Nike New York City, Nike and Miniwiz, Nike NYC headquarters, indoor basketball court in office, office VW van, creative open plan office,



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Worlds first porcelain courtyard opens at Londons V&A Museum

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

London’s world-renowned Victoria & Albert Museum has made art even more accessible to the masses with the completion of the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter. Set to open today, this beautiful and unique civic space includes the “first outdoor porcelain courtyard in the world” as well as a new subterranean exhibition hall. Designed by AL_A, this alternative museum entrance is the V&A’s largest architectural intervention in over a century.

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

Created over the course of six years, the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter transformed the museum’s former boiler house yard into a new arts destination. The design includes the underground Sainsbury Gallery, a flexible 1,100-square-meter column-free exhibition gallery; the Sackler Courtyard, the world’s first porcelain public courtyard; the Blavatnik Hall, a new entrance into the V&A from Exhibition Road; and the Aston Webb Screen, a newly created colonnade with 11 openings. The £54.5 million project is part of the museum’s FuturePlan scheme that has updated two thirds of the V&A’s public spaces in the past 15 years.

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

The V&A Exhibition Road Quarter is envisioned as bridge between the city and the museum, and a reflection of the founding mission to democratize access to culture and education. “The V&A Exhibition Road Quarter reframes the relationship between street and Museum, breaking down the barrier between the two,” says a press release. “We have created a less formal, more public place that is as much of the street as it is of the Museum, attracting and welcoming in new audiences, and making ideas of accessibility and democracy very explicit.”

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

Related: Robots weave an insect-inspired carbon-fiber forest in London

The Sackler Courtyard is paved with 11,000 handmade porcelain tiles produced after two years of research and development. This new public space also hosts a cafe with furniture designed by AL_A and reveals architecturally significant facades and details never seen before by the public, such as the sgraffito decoration on the side of the Henry Cole Wing. Over 22,000 cubic meters of earth were removed from the site, 99% of which was recycled. In celebration of the project’s opening, the V&A is hosting REVEAL, a free, week-long festival from June 30 to July 7.

+ AL_A

Images © Hufton + Crow

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A, porcelain courtyard, outdoor porcelain courtyard, porcelain tile courtyard, V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, V&A REVEAL festival, V&A Sackler Courtyard



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2017. június 29., csütörtök

9 eco-friendly 'man caves' for dudes and dads to get away from it all

Ah, the “man cave” – a place for dudes and dads to find solitude, tinker, build or read. Although the term may conjure up images of dank basements and wood-paneled rec rooms, the modern man cave has much more to offer. From prefabricated backyard pods and minimalist A-framed cabins to a futuristic voice-activated sphere in the sky, we’ve rounded up 9 inspiring ideas for men looking to get away from it all and recharge their batteries.

Backyard Room, studio, man cave, backyard retreat

Backyard Room, green roof, design, sustainable design

1. Prefabricated, versatile backyard getaway

The Backyard Room is only available in Australia at the moment, but, logistics aside, it’s the perfect solution for creating a separate space without the need for moving or funding a pricey (and intrusive) home renovation. The prefabricated structure is built from renewable materials with high standards including LEDs and insulated roof and walls. It only takes a week to install this space-maximizer; calculate another few days to add on a green roof for the ultimate backyard eco-haven.

man cave, teen man cave, renovated family room, temporary escape

teen man cave, man cave, renovation, skatebowl

2. Man cave for a man-in-training

For the young at heart, this man cave features pinball machines, a pool table, and a skateboarding bowl as well as a fully loaded tv and movie-viewing area. Designed and built for a very fortunate Cape Town teen, this space is a dream for men who want to go from shredding on their skateboard to playing video games to lounging with friends. There’s no need to leave the premises, especially when Mom and Dad’s stocked kitchen is just a few feet away.

skysphere, man cave, voice activated command, DIY

skysphere, voice-activated commands, DIY design, futuristic design

3. Solar-powered, voice-activated Skysphere

Image via Jono Williams

Because having a regular, old man cave isn’t sufficient, Jono Williams concocted one of the craziest ones we’ve ever seen: a solar-powered sphere in the sky with electronics that operate on voice command. Williams designed and built the Skysphere himself (with a little help from friends), taking classes and learning a variety of topics to ensure that the Skysphere would be safe and structurally sound. While it’s awesome that he can say the word and custom LED lights change color or motorized doors open to cool the space down, it’s even more impressive that these awesome features are a result of educating himself and working until he had the dream space he wanted.

Jim Olson, Puget Sound cabin, cabin, DIY cabin

Jim Olson, DIY, architect's getaway, lakeside retreat

4. Cabin by the lake with a 55-year history

This lakeside retreat isn’t truly tiny, but it began that way 55 years ago when an 18-year-old commenced construction on a 14-square-foot bunk house. That teen with a vision grew up to be Jim Olson, an accomplished architect. Over more than five decades, the cabin grew too, continually and gradually transforming into the picturesque getaway that it now is. Olson took care to build his outdoor deck around three trees to allow for their continued growth; a palette of woods used in the cabin’s interior as well as floor-to-ceiling windows make the space appear integrated into its gorgeous surroundings.

micro cabin, 3-D printed micro cabin, 3-D printing, design

3-D printed cabin, bioplastic, sustainable design, micro design

Related|Build your own tiny home or treehouse with these stackable wooden micro-units

5. Modern micro-cabin made from recycled parts

We love this 3-D printed micro-cabin, and we hope you will too. Dutch architects created the “Urban Cabin” using mostly recycled components and a sustainably produced and sturdy bioplastic frame. There’s enough room for a bed, which can also be folded into seating to leave room for Dad to tinker with other projects (or even set up a little table to serve as a mini office). A 3-D printed tub doesn’t fit inside the structure itself, but can be placed just outside.

cabin, library, library room, salvaged wood

book nook, cabin, upstate cabin, New York library room

6. Book nook nestled in nature

For bibliophiles, this timber cabin is a green dream come to life. Felled oak trees that were left over from a separate construction project were repurposed into the bones of this tiny retreat, which was crafted using a Lincoln log-like method that created natural internal bookshelves and window spaces. This sublime upstate New York space is perfect for every season, although the wood-burning stove makes it the ideal place to snuggle up for a long winter’s nap.

cabin, cabin in the trees, house on stilts, DIY design

tree cabin, timber cabin, tiny home, cabin design

Image via Rok Pezdirc

7. Cabin among the trees

This cozy cabin on stilts reminds us of a kiddie treehouse all grown up and elevated (literally). Inside there’s everything one would need for some R & R including a chair, storage units that double as a bed foundation, and a table. An outdoor deck offers optimal views, but between the skylights and numerous windows, the divide between inside and outside is minimal. Untreated timber forms the interior and exterior, but the space is surprisingly refined and could even serve as an office space.

tiny home, disability-friendly, wheelchair accessible, mobile home

wheelchair friendly tiny home, tiny home, wheelchair accessible, design for all

Image via Carolyn L. Bates

8. Wheelchair accessible tiny home with a mobile base

Wheelchair accessibility is unfortunately not typically high on the list of specifics when designing tiny homes; the struggle to use every nook , cranny, and spare inch often supersedes an effort to make the space friendly to persons with mobility issues. Wheel Pad, designed with input from home health nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and doctors, aims to change that precedent. The home maximizes the available 200 square feet with a spacious and accessible bathroom, a wheelchair-level desk set-up and fixtures, and large windows to fill the home with natural light.

cabin, A-frame, tiny home, dude escapes

Lushna, A-frame, cabin, prefab

9. A-frame eco hut with a tiny footprint

A-frame cabins by Lushna are reminiscent of human-sized bird houses, and they even come ready for some up-close-and-personal nesting: each has a king-sized mattress and was designed with four season living in mind. The prefab cabins are comprised of locally sourced larchwood and can be customized to include an outdoor wooden hot tub, curtains, or even a luxurious suite version with bathroom facilities and a mini kitchen.



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2017. június 28., szerda

This high school in California embodies sustainability at every possible level

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain

The new Center for Environmental Studies (CES) at Bishop O’Dowd high school in California is one of the greenest classrooms we’ve ever seen. Siegel & Strain Architects designed the building to support sustainability at every level while providing a flexible space for learning. It paid off – the classroom has achieved both Zero Net Energy and LEED Platinum certification.

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain

The new facility is located at Bishop O’Dowd, a college preparatory high school in the Oakland Hills in California. Its goal is to prepare students for careers in renewable energy, resource management and environmental engineering and inspire them to become innovators in tackling environmental challenges.

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain

Related: Sprout Space is an Award-Winning Prefab Modular Classroom by Perkins + Will

Passive design strategies minimize the building’s energy use. A deep overhang and low-emissivity dual glazing protect south-facing clerestory windows from unwanted solar gain, while a large porch wraps around the building and shades its west side.

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain

Related: Project FROG’s Zero Energy Modular Classrooms

Rainwater is collected in a series of large cisterns for use in toilets and irrigation, while low-flow water fixtures reduce the use of potable water by 60% over USGCB-estimated baseline water usage for a building of similar type and size. In order to create a healthy environment, the architects used natural, non-toxic, renewable, recycled and environmentally friendly building materials.

+ Bishop O’Dowd High School

+ Siegel & Strain Architects

Photos by David Wakely

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain

Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Bishop O’Dowd high school, California, green classroom, green school, LEED Platinum, Zero Net Energy, Siegel & Strain Architects, green architecture, rainwater harvesting, natural materials, recycled materials, double glazing, solar gain



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