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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Pittsburgh's Handmade Arcade is Just Tip of Handmade Iceberg

Irwin Weiner ASID - If it's made by hand, it's going to be better. Probably more tender loving care into the object, more eco-friendliness, and carloads of personality. I've often commented that if there's a cure for contemporary mass-produced and machine-made home goods, it's buying handmade items to warm-up a space. I'm attracted to bulky-knit rugs, hand-screened prints in WPA colors and retro sensibilities, sculpture of any kind, and imaginative metal work. Of the latter, I love working with a local blacksmith and metal master Ray Matthis of Tutto Metal Design - see photo above. If you're a designer or homeowner, working with someone like Ray will guarantee that you have a unique handmade item in your home or client project. Other handmade sources of inspiration: Etsy shops, of course; Pittsburgh's Handmade Arcade (check out the Handmade Arcade for the Holidays this Saturday, November 12 from 11am to 7pm by going onto the Handmade Arcade website - and check out the video below for a look at a past arcade event); and the Modern Victorian/Steampunk home renovation work and furniture design of Bruce Rosenbaum (see photo below) and ModVic.

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This Man Lives a Steampunk Life

Steampunk Workshop

Irwin Weiner ASID - Based on yesterday's post regarding human bones and interior design, I'm still not in the mood to switch gears and go to a lighter design topic. Instead, I'm all set to wax poetic about steampunk and design. Think Victorian meets High Tech, and you've got the idea. There's a dark, industrial vibe about steampunk accessorizing, fashion, and design. Folks like Boston area's Jake Von Slatt have added a touch of this dark romance to their everyday lives by accessorizing modern gear - from cars and guitars to computers and lighting - with elaborate ornamentation suitable for a Jules Verne novel. Visit Jake's Steampunk Workshop website for more of his exciting work, and enjoy this MAKE Magazine video about Jake and his fascinating steampunky life. This is a great example of what I love about design; if you truly love something, add it to your decor and surroundings. Design without passion and personality is without a soul. Why bother?

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Bergdorf Goodman Windows

Irwin Weiner ASID - This was the week that sent blizzards to New York City to finally add atmospheric oomph to the beautiful department store holiday windows around town. My office is a block north of Bloomingdale's, and I'm afraid that their windows completely missed the mark this year. Video screens slowly showing an animated Christmas tree and snow falling and messages of merry, merry, joy, joy. Blank windows filled with video screens on a constant loop. Disappointing, and the store lost the usual crowds of tourists and families waiting in line to see every animated detail of the windows. Hopefully they'll shift back to tradition next year.

Consistently pleasing are the elaborate holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman. They always amaze, and this year there was a steampunk, industrial chic vibe to their fashion-forward displays. Beautiful gowns framed with Victorian-meets-Information-Age futurism straight out of the pages of a Jules Verne novel. Enjoy this video of the behind-the-scenes making of these wonderful windows.

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