Living Architecture - The Shingle House

The Shingle House is located by a beach in Dungeness, Kent.

The house, designed by NORD, is clad in tarred black shingles.

I have been noticing and reading the coverage (as seen in Dezeen, Remodelista and Wallpaper) about the popular Living Architecture, a social enterprise who are embracing the idea of "holidays in modern architecture".
The brain child of Alain be Botton, Living Architecture offers a chance to rent holiday homes designed by talented architects/designers and are placed in picturesque locations around Britain - what an amazing idea.
Some homes are still in development, including one designed by awesome Peter Zumthor, however, the Shingle House in Kent by Scottish company NORD Architecture is one that is getting lots of attention. Not hard to see why. Beam me there right now...

The stunning interiors are clad in white painted wooden panels.

Loving the hooks on the walls located throughout the house.

All photographs via Dezeen.

Pretty Architectural Models

1/100 Paper model set no. 11 Cherry Blossom from Upon a Fold.

Designed by Terada Mokei, these cute models are 1:100 scale.

The models flat packed - ready for assembling.

1/100 Paper model set no. 10 Street Tree

Architectural models are not usually as pretty as these ones! I'm enjoying these spring-like scenes as we venture into our Winter season. Have a good weekend everyone.
Photographs via Upon a Fold.

Skating Shelters

Winnipeg Skating Shelters by Patkau Architects

Plywood flooring and seating inside.

A skater taking a break from the freezing wind.

I have been admiring these elegant temporary plywood shelters designed by Patkau Architects from Canada. Located by a skating trail on a frozen river in Winnipeg, "they stand with their backs to the wind like buffalo, seeming to have life and purpose as they huddle together shielding each other from the elements." The shelters are made with two layers of flexible plywood over a timber frame - with plywood flooring and seating inside. Not only do these shelters function as a reprieve from the freezing wind, they are also an unique architectural sculpture in the landscape.
Photographs via Dezeen and quote from Patkau.

Meridian First Light House - Solar Decathlon 2011

Victoria University's design for the Solar Decathlon 2011. 

Building in progress - this is Day 7.

The Meridian Firstlight house on the Wellington waterfront.

Closer up - Day 9.

There is an exciting sight down on the Wellington waterfront right now - it is the Victoria University's Meridian First Light House for the US Department of Solar Energy Decathlon 2011. They have been selected as one of 20 University teams around the world and the only one ever from the Southern hemisphere to compete. Awesome.
Their challenge was to "design, build and operate a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar-powered house." Right now they are building the actual house (and getting some attention) on the Wellington waterfront - a practice run if you like, before packing up the house and sending it over to Washington D.C. This project has been 2 years in the making and I wish them all the best. Read more about it here and here.
If you're in Wellington, check out the viewing this weekend.
Photographs via Firstlight House Facebook page.

My Big Fat Greek Setting

via 1, 2 + 3
I'm dreaming of an endless blue that extends from the sea to the sky.  I'm dreaming of a place that is Mother Nature's greatest work of art.  Cotton candy clouds,  crepes filled with chocolate, and white arched buildings made of stucco.  The reality is, I will be whipping up some Chocolate Nutella Crepes and popping Mama Mia or Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in the VCR.  Hmmm... sounds like a great alternative to the Superbowl game and a mini escape to the Greek isles.
What are you dreaming of?

Current giveaways:
Win a cute clutch and ring from Ruche
Nordicware Ebelskiver from CSN Stores

London Olympics 2012

The Velodrome under construction. It was designed by Hopkins Architects and Partners and already has a nickname, the 'Pringle'.

The completed Energy Centre designed by John McAslan and Partners.

The Basketball Arena - it is a temporary structure that will be removed after the Games.

The Olympic Park black brick electrical substation designed by Nord.

The Aquatic Centre by Zaha Hadid is taking form.

The London 2012 Olympic Village is taking shape and looking rather interesting. Read the Guardian article here to learn more about the construction happening in East London. Click on the photos above to get a better view of the overall scene.
Photographs via The Guardian.