Summer Travel Video - Two Futuristic Buildings in Los Angeles

Irwin Weiner ASID - We're heading to Los Angeles, CA near the end of June to visit clients and friends - and to see Glen Campbell perform at the Hollywood Bowl - and we can't wait. This city and the urban sprawl that surrounds it defines "car culture" in America. Buildings have adapted to technology in LA, almost more than most major global cities. Architecture is the function of buildings to meet people's needs, and the following video on a very old (but advanced for its time) historic office space - the Bradbury Building, used to dystopian effect in Blade Runner - and a very modern office building (also advanced for its time) - the Caltrans Building, also featured in sci fi movies - can also apply to home architecture and design as well.

Note that our homes must innovate with new technology whenever possible. We don't have to ignore traditional home styles - "Throw in a little Greek Revival, won't you?" - but we can embrace dramatically new architecture for our homes and wander away from traditional styles that just aren't green enough any more, energy efficient enough any more, or adaptable to the needs of our family for security, good lighting, proper temperature control, aesthetics, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. We're looking forward to our LA trip, and perhaps seeing these two exciting buildings!

Bonus

Here's a feature we did on modern home architecture in California, where innovation is a way of life in residential architecture. Click here to watch the video of Hillside House Solves Eco and Sloping Hill Problems.

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Summer Travel Video - London's Quirkiest Places

Irwin Weiner ASID - We're celebrating England's great 2012 festivities this summer by focusing in the following video on some of the quirkiest places in London for visitors. Don't forget that this dynamic (and rather expensive) city is always changing, so we imagine that quirky new additions to the London scene are being added every day.

Visitors for the upcoming Summer Olympics have many off-the-beaten-path delights to explore - much more exciting than the usual tourist sightseeing fare. (In the following video, don't forget to click on the link near the end of the vid for more quirky features. They're very addictive to watch.)

Bonus

Do some design and collectible shopping while you're in London. Click here to read UK Antique Heaven and watch a video.

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Beijing Hotel Sensation - The Opposite House

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's our unofficial "Summer Vacation - Explore International Hotels" Week on Design2Share, and today's featured video focuses on one of the top-rated hotel properties on Conde Nast Traveler's latest Gold List, The Opposite House in Beijing, China. The modern architecture is daring and natural thanks to Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose design desires were to give guests a sense of surprise, soft lighting, comfort, and interaction with natural building elements. China has fostered an amazing number of new luxury properties, and you can click here to read more about the Gold List 2012 so you can explore any region of the world to find top-rated hotel and resort accommodations (including luxury cruise lines).

Bonus

Click here to read World's Wildest Hotel Concepts Ever!

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Hotel Week on Design2Share - Let's Visit the Shangri-La in Paris

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's our unofficial "Summer Vacation - Explore International Hotels" Week on Design2Share, and today's featured video focuses on the amazing and lovingly redesigned Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. If you're looking for historical pedigree, this hotel has it in spades: it was the home of Napoleon's grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte. The 1896 building is adjacent to the Trocadéro and has views to all our favorite Paris sites (the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Louvre, Montmartre, and the River Seine). The building was restored by architect Richard Martinet and Pierre-Yves Rochon did a masterful job of the interior design.

Bonus

Are you wondering what Paris has to offer the design-savvy traveler? Click here to watch a design video featuring the Paris Flea Markets.

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