http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/ ULTRA MODERN DECOR en Copyright 2008 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:33:31 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Zenith, newly located in Saint-Etienne, France, has recently opened its doors to rave reviews. It’s no wonder this sleek, contemporary design is a hit with modern architecture and art buffs, considering its origins in a 2004 international design competition. Needless to say that architects Foster + Partners won with their plans for the state-of-the-art performance center. “The project has two aims: to raise Saint-Etienne’s profile as a regional venue for arts events and to help drive the regeneration of this formerly industrial city,” according to the architects. The new building is geared to do just that with its distinctive, aerodynamic roof and flexible performance space. Apart from looking cool, the cantilevered roof is actually designed to “scoop” air and create a flow for passive interior ventilation. The modern concert hall is designed to accommodate anywhere from 1,100 to 7,200 culture connoisseurs. Foster + Partners via Contemporist ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/modern-architecture-in-france---concert-hall-design-by-foster-and-partners.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/modern-architecture-in-france---concert-hall-design-by-foster-and-partners.html Architecture Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:33:31 -0600 Yellow Treehouse Restaurant is a 10-by-12-meter split-level structure, constructed mainly of timber trusses. Set on the trunk of a majestic, 40-meter high Redwood on the outskirts of Aukland, New Zealand, the cafe resembles a glowing, floating lantern by night. Apart from its unconventional placement, the design of the actual cafe is an organic, tear-drop shape accessible via a 60-meter “treetop walkway.” Inside, seating for 18 awaits, where the gorgeous surrounding views are visible through the openings between the slats. “It’s inspired through many forms found in nature – the chrysalis/cocoon protecting the emerging butterfly/moth, perhaps an onion/garlic clove form hung out to dry,” according to the architects. This contemporary design is currently being built as part of a design competition hosted by the New Zealand Yellow Pages, which requires that participants source all products and services from listings in the Yellow Pages. Pacific Environments Architects via Contemporist ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/treehouse-restaurant-in-new-zealand-yellow-treetop-restaurant.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/treehouse-restaurant-in-new-zealand-yellow-treetop-restaurant.html Architecture Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:03:09 -0600 Amin Taha Architects via World Architecture News ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/london-vauxhall-sky-garden-by-amin-taha-architects.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/london-vauxhall-sky-garden-by-amin-taha-architects.html Architecture Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:49:07 -0600 EDITT Tower is a modern marvel of eco-friendly, aesthetically appealing and truly amazing building designs. Created by architects T.R.Hamzah & Yeang, EDITT – the acronym for “Ecological Design in the Tropics" – is a 26-storey structure that embraces sustainable features like 855 m2 of photovoltaic panels delivering 39.7 per cent of the building’s energy supply; passive ventilation methods; a biogas generation plant to convert sewage into alternate energy and fertilizer; all wrapped in an organic envelope of local vegetation that acts as an insulator. The contemporary design also features a grey-water recycling system to irrigate its living, leafy facade. T.R.Hamzah & Yeang via Inhabitat ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/eco-friendly-skyscraper-singapore-modern-tower-trhamzah-and-yeang.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/eco-friendly-skyscraper-singapore-modern-tower-trhamzah-and-yeang.html Architecture Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:10:27 -0600 Lewism ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/seashell-house-in-espoo-finland-contemporary-creativity-at-its-best.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/seashell-house-in-espoo-finland-contemporary-creativity-at-its-best.html Architecture Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:26:41 -0600 Mass Studies Architecture. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-amalgamation-of-natural-and-artificial-interior-and-exterior.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-amalgamation-of-natural-and-artificial-interior-and-exterior.html Architecture Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:07:36 -0600 There’s no denying it – the Bisazza Clown Sofa has real personality. Designed by Spanish Jaima Hayon, the sofa reflects his merging of art and design – and also reveals his associations with toy design! The Bisazza sofa is new for 2008 from the award-winning designer. Playful, bright and chunky, a circular bright blue sofa stretches all the way around a central backrest. Ideal for busy or public spaces, this smart arrangement means that many people can be comfortably seated on the plush sofa in a relatively small space. The sofa is topped with a cute moulded head which looks like an appealing cartoon character – although it is an abstract form open to interpretation. Contact Bisazza to receive a catalogue with more information on the Clown Sofa.]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/bisazza-clown-sofa.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/bisazza-clown-sofa.html Furniture Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:37:16 -0600 You might not have realised you needed a power-napping bed – but once you have seen this futuristic creation by Napshell you’ll feel your life is totally incomplete without it. The newest technological innovation, this item was presented for the first time at the International Furniture Fair IMM COLOGNE 2008. Ergonomically designed to be good for your back and spine, the Napshell bed’s super comfy shaped mattress will fit a wide range of body types and heights. Visual and acoustic elements within the bed make instant, deep relaxation possible at the press of a button. Complete with LED lights, MP3 player and sound proof walls, the Napshell is a busy businessperson’s ultimate dream come true. Perfect for urban places and confined spaces, the power-napping bed can fit neatly into offices, corridors or lobbies. Available to buy now, contact Napshell. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/power-napping-bed-from-napshell-for-your-luxury-home.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/power-napping-bed-from-napshell-for-your-luxury-home.html Furniture Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:10:41 -0600 Polish architects Wojciech Kakowski, Natalia Paszkowska and Marcin Mostafa have won the bid to design the Polish Pavilion at Shanghai’s Expo 2010. Inspired by traditional Polish arts and crafts, the innovative facade is the soul of this avant-garde structure. “Given the nature of the exposition, the exhibition facility has to denote, by its esthetic distinctiveness, the country of origin, [and] has to constitute, by the strength of its stylistic connotations, an evocative, recognizable and memorable cultural ideogram,” according to the architects. “In our design, the cultural idiom is primarily conveyed through the theme, the motif of folk-art paper cut-out. Or, more precisely, through a rendering of the motif, a transcription of an elementary esthetic code into the contemporary language of architectural decor.” The result is an ultra-modern, architecturally interesting and intricate design by day, which transforms into an illuminated, multi-colored art installation by night. The building’s form boasts obtuse angles and slanting planes reminiscent of folded paper, complemented by the perforations. Polish Pavilion. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/polish-architects-winning-ultra-modern-design-expo-2010-shanghai.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/polish-architects-winning-ultra-modern-design-expo-2010-shanghai.html Architecture Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:44:09 -0600 Cley Marshes Visitor Centre in Norfolk, England, has been awarded the Best Sustainable Development at the 2008 Emirates Glass LEAF Awards. This contemporary, sustainable design by LSI Architects boasts an exterior inspired by the landscape, and taking its muse a step beyond simple inspiration, the structure is actually topped by the landscape as well. A sedum moss roof arches over a frameless glazed window, which offers unobstructed views of the nature reserve while flooring interiors with natural light. The Centre features other eco-friendly technologies and materials, and it is powered renewable energy sources including wind and solar power. LSI Architects. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/sustainable-architecture-in-norfolk-england-by-lsi-architects.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/sustainable-architecture-in-norfolk-england-by-lsi-architects.html Architecture Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:45:14 -0600 Aussersihl Community Center in Zurich, Switzerland. The architects based their design on the notion that “Not the building alone is the Community Center, but the entire park.” With this in mind, EM2N started on a contemporary structure that would make a statement on its own, while also speaking to its surroundings. According to the architects, “It was clear to us, that there was only one possible way to build in the park: preserving all the trees, minimal footprint, [and] stacking the program.” The original idea for the design included mirror facades. But in order to stick to the prescribed budget, the architects clad a majority of the building in dark green wood panels, and the remainder in mirrors, creating a loosely camouflage effect among the trees. The modern community center strays from traditional horizontal construction with its strongly vertical silhouette. This “stacking” method also allowed for unobstructed, open-concept interiors free from columns and interior walls. EM2N. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-architecture-in-zurich-switzerland.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-architecture-in-zurich-switzerland.html Architecture Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:34:25 -0600 World Architecture News ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/ultramodern-interpretation-of.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/ultramodern-interpretation-of.html Architecture Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:14:21 -0600 Mimoa photos credit: Fernando Guerra ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-lounge-by-upandco.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-lounge-by-upandco.html Architecture Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:09:25 -0600 J. Mayer H. via Dezeen photo credit: Dirk Fellenberg ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-community-housing-1.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/contemporary-community-housing-1.html Architecture Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:45:47 -0600 Lace Apartments by OFIS Arhitekti are oddly delicate, yet command attention in their home of Nova Gorcia, Slovenia. After four years of planning, design and construction, this five-floor, 69,965-sq.-ft. multi-unit residential building finally came to completion earlier this year. The most unique feature of this ultra modern structure is most certainly its shape, featuring protruding elements that are not only architecturally appealing, but also serve to withstand the region’s sweltering summers and windy winters. “The formal concept reinstates three-dimensional lace, which embraces the volume of the building,” according to OFIS Arhitekti. “Furthermore, the lace is transformed into functional elements – projecting roofs, pergolas, apartment dividing walls, terraces and balconies with loggias. These elements protect external spaces and interior of apartments and provide additional privacy to inhabitants.” OFIS Arhitekti. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/ultra-modern-architecture-in-s.html http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/ultra-modern-architecture-in-s.html Architecture Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:26:38 -0600