Le Cube Orange

Simply spectacular. Visually arresting. Happiness for the eyes. Another reason to go to France. Le Cube Orange by Paris-based Jacob & MacFarlane architects, a soon to be completed commercial and cultural complex in Lyon.

Wrapped in Style

Another splendid example of colliding worlds; of architecture and shoe design. This July, Lacoste will release its new collaboration with London-based Zaha Hadid Architects and the pairing has produced some out-of-the-world footwear! They look light as air and so very modern.

Featuring a digitized version of Lacoste’s famous croc logo and a pliable, coiled strap system, the styles bring Hadid’s signature look to footwear for men (an ankle boot) and women (a calf boot). Only 850 pairs of the $525 styles will be available. Look for them at Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and 10 Corso Como in Milan. Luckily, a lower-price diffusion line will hit stores in September.

When Worlds Collide

I love it when the worlds of architecture and graphic design collide and this stunning library in Alexandria is a great example of that kind of vision. Designed by Snøhetta, a Norwegian architectural firm that has been making quite a statement with their building projects. At the library in Alexandria, a huge cylinder with concrete plating is covered with typographical elements in non-western languages, mostly hieroglyphs. So beautiful.

The Tower of Santa Barbara

This building gives me good reason to drive up to Santa Barbara for the day just to marvel upon this tiny but tall structure, The Ablitt House designed by architect Jeff Shelton. It sits on a 20 x 20 square foot lot!! Rising 53 feet into the air, the interior boasts some serious tile work. The house is open for tours from time to time and will be available to the public to tour (for free) on Saturday April 25 &  Saturday May 30 at 11:00 am.

Takes my Breath Away

Located on the top of Motta Grande in Calabria, Italy, the new Art Museum Strongoli in Calabria is the third Coop Himmelb(l)au project in Italy. With it's panoramic view of the sea I can only imagine how much it would take my breath away to be there. Dauntingly beautiful.

Spinning a Web

AirSpace, a screen facade design that creates an exterior building skin/web for a new dwelling in Tokyo by Thomas Faulders “is a zone where the artificial blends with nature: sunlight is refracted along its metallic surfaces; rainwater is channeled away from exterior walkways via capillary action; and interior views are shielded behind its variegated and foliage-like cover.” Just so beautiful!

Architectural Stalker

How I wish our city was graced with such a structure as William Alsop’s  tabletop extension to the Ontario College of Art and Design. It is so graphic, so striking and I love it mixed with the Victorian streetscape! If this building was here in Los Angeles, I am afraid I would become a stalker and visit it multiple times for that feeling of awe that visionary architecture can provoke. Thanks Krysta! 

Blue Limes

The new Limes Hotel, in Brisbane, is all about the newest, stylish innovations in hotel living. With only 21 rooms, designer Alexander Lotersztain decided to focus on guests' primary travel requirements rather than traditional, 5-star standards. Add to that a gorgeous, innovative exterior, and you have a new definition of the luxury hotel experience. Really digging the facade of the building and the interior view of it from the guest rooms.

(Via Been Seen)

Moonlit Cinema

I could so handle living in this house overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, but what I really love is the mixed usage of an exterior wall as a summer film screening surface. A winner at the 37th Annual Architectural Awards recognizing 25 project teams and seven entertainment studios for outstanding contributions to Los Angeles.

Sleeping in Neutra’s Bed

The iconic Neutra VDL House overlooking Silver Lake reservoir where the mid-century architect lived and worked is struggling to stay open to the public. There is an urgent campaign for funding of preservation maintenance and if you’ve never toured the residence, make time to do it now. Back in the early 70s I had the massive good fortune to spend the weekend at the house with a German artist friend who was working for Mrs. Neutra translating the writings and journals of her late husband. Mrs. Neutra was in Europe for a month, so my friend was working there and house-sitting (what a job!!). I spent hours browsing though his massive collection of books, cooking in the tiny kitchen, lounging in their furniture and playing musical beds, sleeping in a different room each night. My favorite spot was the tiny penthouse room with an outside reflecting pool facing Silver Lake. I threw down my sleeping bag thinking this was my idea of camping—in a visionary's home space. At night, it was magical with the windows open and moonlight dancing on the lake. For donations to help keep the house open, please visit the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation.

Photos: 7d7 Studio/Omar Madrigal