Design & Lifestyle Blog

25 Nov ’11

Slider Station Goes To Oman | Restaurant Design

Filed under: blog,Restaurants — Tags: Basil Al Salem, Interiors, Kuwait, Oman, Restaurant design, restaurant in Oman, Slider Station — Sahar @ 8:22 pm

Many of the international readers of this blog might have not heard of Slider Station; in Kuwait, however, it’s considered one of the must go to places, crowded all year long. Slider Station’s name is derived from the fact that the main concept evolves around sliders rotating on a conveyor belt. But that’s not what gave the restaurant it’s reputation, the high quality and innovative dishes have become its signature, allowing the owner Mr. Basil Al Salem to open a new branch in Oman and launch new concepts that are just as good such as Burger Boutique with a branch in Saudi Arabia and the recently created Cocoa Room in Kuwait everyone is raving about.

Mr. Basil Al Salem was kind enough to share these photos on Instagram of the new Slider Station to open in Muscat, Oman tonight. Everyone is expecting it to be a big hit, and there is every reason for it to be. The design is beautiful, I was specially intrigued by the lighting fixtures, but then when you get used to Mr. Salem’s style you would notice his avant garde approach to use of materials, he does not play it safe yet gets it right.

At this Slider Station he focused on the use of rusted metal to give the overall industrial and revolutionary look. The custom made bar stools are simply amazing.The location has a beautiful sea view. Chairs used are the Round Chair by Emu.

Above is the signature Sliders’ conveyor belt and sauces bar.

Love the revolutionary aspect added to the space.

If you are headed to Oman or live there, this is a must visit place, you won’t regret it.

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24 Nov ’11

Algeria Skyscraper By DNA Architects | Architecture

Filed under: Architecture,blog — Tags: algeria, algeria skyscraper, architecture, DNA architects, Le Far du Grand Vent — Sahar @ 8:30 am

Barcelona-based DNA Architects designed this project for Cheraga, Algeria . Known as Le Far du Grand Vent, this building is designed around the form of a ship with similar angles and horizontal protrusions varying from floor to floor. The building will house a residential and a commercial part. Le Far with it’s exquisite design can be considered one of the city’s landmarks. The lighting is beautiful and accentuates its distinct architecture.

DNA Barcelona Architects is a studio of Architecture, Planning, Landscape, Interiors and Design, that develops projects with a high index of innovation inside a global strategy of internationalization. The projects are located principally within Spain, North and Central Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Central America for residential, hospitality and tourist developments.

Evolo

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23 Nov ’11

Zaha Hadid Architects Design Issam Fares Institute At A.U.B. in Lebanon | Architecture

Filed under: Architecture,blog — Tags: American univerity of beirut architecture, issam fares institute, lebanon, Zaha hadid lebanon project — Sahar @ 8:30 am

According to Patrick from Projekt Cyan Lebanon will finally witness its first architectural structure by Zaha Hadid Architects. They have been commissioned to design The Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut. It should be noted that Zaha Hadid herself was an American University of Beirut student.

This design was chosen among 5 finalists.

Info and images’ source: Projekt Cyan

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22 Nov ’11

Marcel Wanders Designs Luxury Hotel In Spain | Hotel Design

Filed under: Architecture,Famous Designers — Tags: hospitality, hotel design, hotels, Interiors, mallorca, marcel wanders. Kameha Bay portals, Spain — Sahar @ 8:30 am

These breathtaking images are none other than of the Kameha Bay Portals, a luxury resort in Mallorca Spain designed by Tec Architecture and interior designer, Marcel Wanders. Kameha Bay Portals has recently been admitted by the Leading Hotels of the World into its exclusive hotel association and is scheduled to open early 2013.

In addition to its beautiful dream-like design, the resort enjoys the highest standards of ecological sustainability and energy efficiency. The development of the Kameha Bay Portals will involve a ‘green building’, which, with its own sandy beach and access to a small bay, will blend perfectly into the natural surroundings.In accordance with the Kameha philosophy of anticipating and catering to the most diverse wishes of the guests, the Kameha Bay Portals will keep transforming its design based on the theme of the changing seasons, a design concept by Marcel Wanders.

According to Yoo, “currently planned are 64 rooms and suites between 36 and 240 m² that will extend to the main building and the beach. Spa treatments, holistic programs, and water sports are just a few of the activities one can anticipate from the Kameha Bay Portals resort.”

“Inspiring architecture by tec Architecture has met the extraordinary interior design of Marcel Wanders and in doing so has created one of the new favorite locations in Mallorca. For Sebastian Knorr, CEO of the tec Architecture architectural firm, the interplay of hotel and nature and the highest standards of ecological sustainability and energy efficiency are particularly important in the design. Because of this, the development of the Kameha Bay Portals will involve a ‘green building’, which, with its own sandy beach and access to a small bay, will blend perfectly into the natural surroundings. The investment volume amounts to 50 million Euros.

In accordance with the Kameha philosophy of anticipating guests’ wishes and catering to the most diverse wishes of the guests, the Kameha Bay Portals will keep transforming -‐ like a chameleon. Based on the theme ‘changing seasons’, the design concept by Marcel Wanders is in line with the seasons: in summer, light fabrics and bright colors dominate, while in winter warm colors have an inviting ‘cocooning’ effect.”

Info and images from: YOO

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21 Nov ’11

Beirutopia : A Concept For A Greener Beirut By Studioinvisible

Filed under: Environment — Tags: architecture, beirut, Beirutopia, eco, environment, green solution, lebanon, urban design — Sahar @ 10:54 pm

Beirut, Lebanon is known to be a very polluted city. With the chaos during the years of war, building regulations were not respected, not to mention whatever ‘green’ Lebanon was known for is being diminished by the day. Political greed lead to the environmental catastrophe Lebanese are now living in. It is time to raise awareness and come up with solutions to stop the wrong and try to introduce alternatives or some kind of “patchwork” to the existing mess. This is where Studioinvisible come in, they proposed a concept to help Beirut restore some of its ‘green’.

Studioinvisible’s concept:

Given the circumstances, the most pragmatic solution will be to have a municipal decree that requires each building to grow it’s simple rooftop garden (by require we mean harshly implement, by force if necessary). Nothing fancy, just a couple of trees in a large fixed pot on each rooftop. As incentives to the urban population, the municipality can offer tax reductions or benefits to the buildings that have a well maintained rooftop garden, and the gardening/plant companies could offer discounts and sponsorship, and later claim that they turned Beirut green (we can already predict their campaigns).

There are many types of tree that can grow in the Beirut climate to 3-4 meters high in a simple 1 meter pot, such as the olive tree, the Schinum Molle, Morus Alba, Melia azaderachh, Punica Granatum, Etc… In order to prevent these trees from falling in case of high winds, they could be connected by three steel wires to the roof slab.

The advantages of having this done on a large scale are many. Better oxygen levels and a healthy environment is the first that comes to mind, but also a layer of trees will provide shade and accordingly soften the increasingly hot and arid climate, which in turn would lead to a lower level of energy consumption. Moreover, semi public green spaces will be created for the respective residents of each building, increasing even further the quality of living within the city itself. On the other hand, depending on the choice of trees and plants, these gardens can evolve into a sort of urban farming, yielding a small but valuable agricultural output.

Ultimately, If the plan works out, Beirut could become a rooftop wonder forest, the whole city as a Landmark: Beirutopia.

StudioInvisible (pronounced in French), is a multidisciplinary design consultancy working in the fields of Urban Planning, Architecture, Interior & product Design, Visual Branding and Political Science, and aiming to provide the world with Avant-Garde Design interventions as well as in-depth Cultural, Social and Political guidance. Composed of Architect and Urban Designer Wassim Melki, Colonel Sir Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot, the studio is an open platform for debate and thought-sharing.

Do you think this is feasible?

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Design Libya Announces Competition To Redesign Gaddafi’s Former Military Stronghold: Bab Al-Azizia

Filed under: Architecture,New Concepts — Tags: architecture, bab al azizia, competition to design Libya, design Liby, Gaddafi, libya, urban design — Sahar @ 9:18 pm

Many of Libya’s cities were damaged or destroyed during the February 17th Revolution. While the human cost was heavy by any measure, there is an opportunity for Libya to be rebuilt in pioneering new ways. Design Libya will be sponsoring a major international conference in Tripoli in mid to late 2012, bringing together innovative thinkers, designers, architects and visionaries to collaborate on new ideas for Libya’s new schools, ports, hospitals, public spaces, plazas and more.

Bab al-Azizia, Gaddafi’s former military stronghold, bunker and palace in the heart of Tripoli, was transformed from a 2.3 square-mile symbol of fear and oppression into a place for public gatherings and weekly markets before it was finally demolished in late October. Bab al-Azizia is now the site for an open architecture competition.

Announcing an open competition in 2012 for redesigning Bab al-Azizia. Architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, artists, horticulturalists, students and community members are invited to create visionary, inspired design proposals for the space’s reuse as a public, open space for all. The competition will culminate in a major exhibition in Tripoli, Libya, accompanied by a publication and website. Design Libya hope the rebirth of Bab al-Azizia will come to powerfully symbolize the rebirth of the new Libya, and serve as an inspiration to the Libyan people, and all free people around the world.

The competition is not meant to result in awarding of actual contracts to formally design the new site. This is a preliminary call for open ideas, not sponsored by the Libyan government, to help shape inspire citizen participation and creative investment right here on bitcoin360ai which is better in the future of the country. Design Libya hope as the government is formed and elections take place to build systems to properly begin reclaiming Bab al-Azizia, raising funds and preparing a formal call for design submissions.

As much as the competition sound interesting, I just hope their new government will really take on such a project and allow Libyans a breath of novelty.

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19 Nov ’11

Celebrity Homes: Hilary Swank’s Manhattan Home | Residential Design

Filed under: Celebrity Homes,Interiors — Tags: Calvin Klein Home, celebrity homes, Hillary swank's home, home interiors, interior design, Interiors, Manhattan — Sahar @ 8:30 am

Hilary Swank, award winning American actress, in an interview with Elle Décor stated that she believes a home doesn’t have to be as extravagant as a dream. “I feel comforted in smaller spaces,” she says. “They’re more nurturing.”

She hired designer Mark Zeff, with whom she’d worked previously on a New York brownstone and her California house. The two have a natural sympathy. “Hilary is very intense and also very pure,” says Zeff. “She knows what she likes. She doesn’t live in fantasy. I wanted to create a place that would give her a sense of grace and harmony.”

His options were limited, however, as Swank didn’t want any demolition or reconfiguration of the apartment, which is in a new building on the site of a former printing plant. Walls had to stay where they were; kitchen and bathrooms remained largely as is. Zeff’s first step was to furnish the rooms with serene, clean-lined pieces, many of which he chose from the Calvin Klein Home collection. “Calvin’s furniture has a strong modern sensibility without any tricks,” he explains. Then he layered in elements—historical, cultural, emotional, symbolic—to offset any sterility. Softly weathered barn wood reclaimed from a Pennsylvania farm clads one wall of the living area. The study’s shelves—custom-made built-in cabinetry designed by Zeff—are lined with artifacts: African headrests, hand-forged scissors, and sculptural Indian molds.

For details on the items used and pieces within every space, you can check the original article for references.

ElleDecor

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16 Nov ’11

Understanding Da Vinci | History | Art

Filed under: Art & Photography — Tags: art, CNN Art, Documentary Italy, Leonardo Da Vinci — Sahar @ 8:00 am

Understanding Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci is known to be one of the greatest men of all time, he was an Italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal.

In this video, CNN’s Nick Glass travels to the Uffizi Gallery to get a better insight into the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci.

The background music is so calming, the video is to the point and beautiful, grab you cup of coffee, relax, and listen…

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