Architectural Digest interviewed Simon Doonan who explained the steps he undertook with well known American interior and product designer Jonathan Adler in building their island getaway shelter. For the architecture they hired Lisa Gray and Alan Organschi of the Connecticut firm Gray Organschi Architecture, in addition to Hamptons builder Carlos Routh.
Photographs: Adam Letch & Elsa Young
Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl True Architects (SAOTA) known as one of the leading architectural firms in the world, has just completed a wonderful villa in Johannesburg, South Africa. Just when you thought they can’t do a better job, the outdid themselves with this breathtaking property known as the 6th 1448 Houghton ZM project.
Architecturally, residences in South Africa have similar layouts in terms of a U-Shape architecture surrounding a central courtyard comprising the swimming pool and access to various parts of the house. This project was no different. What differentiates this particular residence is the fact that the interior design firm Antoni Associates and SAOTA both collaborated perfectly where you feel none overpowered the other. In many projects we see the focus may be on the architecture but the interior is usually dealt with minimally. Here there are details, various use of materials and interior finishes which I thought is what made the project feel more complete.
A number of bespoke furniture pieces were designed by OKHA Interiors, a company they usually work with, while other pieces were from well known brands such as Minotti.
The former trade fair area of Milan (Fiera di Milano) comprising 255,000 square meters was the subject of an architectural competition in 2004 for a residential and commercial project. City Life won the competition with designs by Arata Isozaki, Daniel Libeskind, Zaha Hadid and Pier Paolo Maggiora.
The complexity and the scale of the work involved in the re-qualification of the former Milan trade fair area led the partners of CityLife to commission the design of the project to a group of architects rather than a single designer. The choice fell Zaha Hadid, Arata Isozaki and Daniel Libeskind, architects of different origin, culture and background, but who share the distinction of having gained extensive experience by working on some of the most advanced expressions of international architectural culture of recent years.
CityLife is the result of the combined efforts of this group of architects, along with contributions from an array of other professionals and consultants who have ensured the project’s structural, plant design, environmental, urban planning and economic sustainability.
“I believe in the power of women. As nurturers, we have a unique ability to care and share and make the world a better place. Women Who Inspire are women who are making a difference. This website gives their inspiring messages an interactive forum, encouraging women everywhere to take action and get involved.” – Donna Karan
Donna Karan has continuously emphasized her faith in women and what they could accomplish for the world on various levels. For her latest scent, Donna Karan Woman, she collaborated with one of architecture's leading icons and Pritzker Prize winner Zaha Hadid, to design the bottle.
The bottle itself is made of ombre charcoal glass, about which Hadid says, “The bottle’s dark, translucent qualities offer a sense of mystery that awakens our curiosity.”
I am personally a big fan of Donna's Cashmere Mist, I can't wait to try this one as well. Below are more images pertaining to the campaign and bottle itself.
Controversy has been surrounding the designs for the 1 World Trade Center. Over 20 changes have been applied to the initial drawings, however the main conflict was concerning the importance of having the pole (antenna) on top of the skyscraper. It has always been part of the towers' characteristics. Should that change now?
“The problem is that the council does not recognize antennae, flagpoles, signage or other superfluous structures as contributing to the height of the building. That is why the Willis Tower, 1,451 feet, ranks eighth tallest in the world, even though two broadcasting arrays bring its total height to 1,729 feet, the second tallest in the world behind the Burj Khalifa.”- The Observer
Designed by Laidlaw Schultz Architects, this architecture wonder is the result of the beautiful combination of concrete, wood, painted bricks, glass, and beautiful white striated marble. It is lovely how the exterior is reflected into the interior of the house. The same materials and colors used on the facade continue to the interior but with more emphasis on the warm finishes such as walnut wood, fire, and a large orange carpet.
On the exterior however, the emphasis is more on the glass, concrete, and the beautiful pool. This continuity in use of the materials is what gives this residence its balanced feel.
Piero Lisssoni, one of Italy’s well known designers, designed the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. The steel structure, the volumes, lovely furniture, and color scheme are what make the design of this hotel so spectacular. Sleek and sexy are what best describe every part of this beautiful structure.
Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam occupies the famous site of Amsterdam’s former Sweelinck music conservatorium. Originally built at the end of the 19th Century and conceived by the renowned Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel as the Rijkspostspaarbank Building, the construction heralded an urban regeneration of the Museumplein, an area which had been left previously derelict. Knuttel was praised for his ability to fuse simplicity and functionality, and the award-winning Milan-based furniture and interiors designer Piero Lissoni has embraced this tradition through the re-incarnation of this spectacular building 100I years later.
Against the backdrop of the building’s incredibly rich history, the hotel has been consistently imbued with Lissoni’s signature style. Known for his austere lines, demure fabrics and shades of grey that are occasionally dotted by the appearance of bright accents, Lissoni is considered one of the most prominent and exciting contemporary Italian designers. His clean designs are a hybrid of modernist and contemporary chic and contrast playfully with the on-going bath of natural daylight throughout the building’s airy spaces. Furniture from leading Italian manufactures such as Living Divani, Kartell and Cassina sit prominently in all communal spaces while accent pieces such as vintage Asian rugs provide a sense familiar comfort.
Beautifully complementing the surrounding landscape, this lovely house located in Maryland right outside Washington, DC. is designed by Robert Gurney Architects. The landscape alone is just breathtaking with mature trees and a river view.
The house is of two volumes connected using glass bridges. Other overlapping secondary volumes make the entire structure more dynamic. The large spans of glass give a lovely coherence with the wooded landscape.
The use of stone, wood, and glass is a perfect combination for any exterior to feel balanced and blend in such a beautiful surrounding.
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