Working with the engineers
April 17th, 2010 • Posted in Misc • No Comments »
A day of problem solving with our engineers. Ion challenges us to think outside the box as par usual!
Blog
PLV Team Surveying the Property in Miramar
April 17th, 2010 • Posted in Misc, Puerta a la Vida News • 1 Comment »
The team spent beautiful day in Miramar with the engineers surveying the property. The view from the top was worth the hike. Key advisers like Henry the cow and Wilmer the goat were on board for technical consultation!
Highlands
April 17th, 2010 • Posted in Misc, Puerta a la Vida News • No Comments »
We were happy to have our good friend Robert Rippee from Formo with us for our monthly community get together. Also a few nice pictures from the showroom!
Art Basel 2009: Miami
December 11th, 2009 • Posted in Art, Misc • No Comments »
And then there was Basel…. A massive week of art in Miami. Everything one needed to catch up on what is happening in the world of art. Although the massive Art Basel normally takes the spotlight, I truthfully enjoyed PULSE, OHWOW, GGG and other shows much much more. Just walking the streets of Wynwood was a rare experience, watching each block get painted by artists like Futura, Shepard Fairey, and many more. There was something to be said about such a public process that lacks all exclusivity. There is also something to be said when one can witness art in process. Seeing my close friend David Abir put his piece together into the early hours of the morning grinding before PULSE opened doors, and then seeing the reaction on people’s faces when they finally saw it was unforgettable. A girl ran up to David crying and said, “Thank You!” as she gave hive a warm hug. Everyone I’ve shown this piece to has been forever touched. Such moments are hard to describe but you see people connecting with art, that is the artist’s most immense gratification, a true marker of their tremendous efforts.
Walking through the shows some pieces stuck out more than others, others had a certain subtle yet genius quality, and as always there were pieces I couldn’t connect to. But the saturation in this culture, especially when guided by friends in the industry, was an interesting experience as whole, especially learning more about the artist’s purpose/background with each piece. The variety of mediums, materials, and ingenuity was mind blowing. The ability for such an immense display of expression and talent to exist and reach such a broad audience is truly a feat in and of itself. Enjoy the images I snapped while there…
Diseño Responsable @ Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo
December 11th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Art, Costa Rica, Green • No Comments »
When Costa Rica’s brightest young architects, designers, and creatives get together, the results speak for themselves. Such a wide array of talent was exhibited at the show. The variety of installations, mediums, and expression was mind blowing. The beauty of this show was the interaction. The ability to touch, use, enjoy all of this art was amazing. This interactive experience allows one to form a greater bond and truly grasp things we see. Shows like this one need to go on, as the collaboration and the exhibition of young talent is priceless. Its a rare glimpse into the minds of the future, to see what envelopes are being pushed, what crazy ideas are popping up, and what norms are being shattered. Unless people take risks and step out onto the limb, it is hard to get good results. This show was about risks, it was about the cutting edge, and it was about creativity. The ideators, dreamers, and open minds behind this show succeed beyond their imagination, and not just because of the turn-out but rather the reaction their pieces evoked. Fore this is the true award – the look on the faces of those who have been moved and enlightened by these installations. I look forward to seeing further collaborations of this kind!
The Luna 2 by David Wahl and Melanie Hall
November 25th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design • No Comments »
Stunning minimal design – beautiful intersection of perpendiculars and justa well balanced, clean design.
Gorgeous! Look at the details of the stones on the roof, the concrete spine to the home, the glass cubes with light white roofs. Bravisimo! The pool design, the immaculate garden, how everything pieces together! Fantastic execution. Really among my favorite designs in a while. Such great attention to detail and homage to geometry.
Love those stepping stones! Concrete. Raw.
Throw a Warhol on thewall and your done!
The Torres House by GLR Arquitectos
November 25th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Gilberto Rodriguiz has incorporated so many incredible elements into this home in Mexico. From the water feature at entrance with the tree as one’s entry sclupture and concrete stepping stones, to the floating roof over the glass wall, the natural brick colored minimal interior and exterior, the landscaping lighting – it just doesn’t stop!
Yep thats a floating chimney – wow.
Well done, and an excellent example of the integration of a modern structure of concrete and glass so well with the natural surroundings.
The Laidley Street Residence by LSarc
November 25th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Simple, sleek, and excellent use of space. Just very well done. Window details are great and simplistic white frame provides the accentuation of the spacious interior. 
VIlla in Woods by Zecc Architects
November 25th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
To cut to the point, wow. Material used is incredible. The natural color of the stone creates a very cool exterior. Pay attention to the detail in the bottom two images. This type of thin stone slab exterior won Peter Zumthor the honor of top architect in 2009, and so this style lives on… 
Pavgen
November 25th, 2009 • Posted in Green, Misc • No Comments »
We expend a lot of energy in our every day lives, whether walking or driving, it seems only logical that we recycle that expended energy. Remember, energy can never be destroyed rather only transferred.
Any one point on a busy street can receive up to 50,000 steps a day, so imagine if you could take all that foot traffic and turn it into something useful – like energy! A new product designed by Laurence Kemball-Cook, the director of Pavegen Systems Ltd., can do just that. With a minuscule flex of 5mm, the energy generating pavement is able to absorb the kinetic energy produced by every footstep, creating 2.1 watts of electricity per hour.
Via Inhabitat
Kengo Kuma Water/Glass House
November 25th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Love that Frank Gehry threw this up in his blog, even though its a throw back. This house designed by Kuma in 1995 achieved a very specific goal. Kuma tried to frame space with only two horizontal planes – the floor and the ceiling and to generate between the planes, a transparent and fluid time-space. 
In the Western architectural tradition, a building is primarily framed by means of walls and windows. That interposes a frame between the subject and the object. The subject is inevitably cut off from the object. The space becomes a painting in a frame (i.e. a static image); it becomes frozen. On the other hand, in traditional Japanese architecture, horizontal planes (i.e. the floor and the ceiling) are the dominant framing devices. This enables the subject and the object to coexist in a continuous space, without being cut off from each other by the frame. In such a case, the main concern of planning is the introduction of a sequence and speed into a continuous space. One cannot help but introduce into the building the parameter of time as well as the parameter of space. As a result, become inextricably entwined.
Art Basel Miami
November 3rd, 2009 • Posted in Art, Misc • No Comments »
Hi friends, I will be documenting Art Basel Miami this year in a search for the ultimate experience. As art steps out of the realm of exclusivity and into our lives, it is the experiential element that allows anyone to appreciate it. As a layman myself, there are few pieces that really touch me and teach me about my sense and my understanding of art. The below installation will be a feature at Pulse in the center of Art Basel. David Abir is an artist, composer, philosopher and has become a dear friend. The below images do not do justice to his work, but it has changed the lives of many of my peers and has opened my eyes. These massive rooms combine a shifting of the most emotionally powerful colors and moving pieces of music David creates. I am not only happy to have experienced this in my lifetime, but excited for others to have this in their lives. I will not bore you with the typical art banter, but David’s work is truly next level. Timeless, moving, and truly valuable in the emotion it evokes and the state of mind it puts one in. This is one of the great artists of our time, and we need not a museum or a gallery or a critic to tell us this, this has been validated by each and every person i’ve taken to his studio. 
See Live coverage of David’s work and others at Basel on Dec. 3!
Costa Rican Architect Ricardo Ramirez
November 3rd, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Costa Rica, Misc • 2 Comments »
Dear friends, in search for original design, sometimes it is best to rely on the young architects of our time. Ricardo Ramirez has an imagination, a passion, and a drive to create better ways to live. I’ve known him for about a year now, and have always been impressed by his ideas. Part artist, part architect, part young visionary, he has an amazing discipline to build structures that challenge convention yet provide a real living space. There is a tough balance to strike between one’s ideas and what people would like to live in, and Ricardo does this with a graceful ease. His latest design below is being built in Costa Rica as we speak! Well done my friend and thanks for sharing it with the world. 
Notice the beautiful angles allowing natural sunlight through the large windows. I love skylights but this is the ultimate sky light. I believe sun is essential for people in their everyday lives. The juxtaposition of wood and concrete, all warm up the living environment – modern yet comfortable and livable. This will be a key direction in modern design, as modernism often suffers the reality of creating a comfortable home. As an artists you want to create beauty but you also want people to live in this beauty so a balance has to be struck. Ricardo achieves this flawlessly and I am excited to see his future design!
Richard Meier Architect Volume 5
October 18th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Thanks to my amigos at Proof7 for keeping me in the loop on the freshest of Rizzoli publications! I trust them for anything related to print, they are the mavens in NY in this regard and many others. 
In celebration of Richard Meier Studio’s 45th anniversary, Rizzoli new monograph looks at the Pritzker Prize-winning American architect’s recent work. Titled “Richard Meier Architect Volume 5,” this latest volume reveals that time hast slowed Meier down at all.Focusing on his work between 2004 and 2009, the book offers a thorough and intimate understanding of Meier’s style—particularly the qualities of light and fluidity across a variety of project sizes—through case studies, photographs, illustrations, renderings and drawings of his recent work. Continue reading…
by Anna Carnick
Emerging Landscapes by KLab Architecture
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Its amazing how this home interacts with the surrounding environment. The Angles are beautiful and the glass really brings the environment into the home. Notice the details as well – the green roof has a railing, so its really a neat little green terrace you can enjoy and walk on. 
Images via Arch Daily
Slit House by Eastern Design
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • 1 Comment »
Interesting how this home is not one I particularly love or would live in, but I can recognize the beauty and really appreciate it as an amazing work of architecture. These slits make me feel a bit cold, but you see the interior picture and the effect it creates with light, and it changes my opinion completely. Its a bit like the famous example of a painting of Hitler – even though I hate Hitler and his image disgusts me, the artist achieved his goal in evoking an emotional response from me. This art work, this home below, evoked an emotional response from me, even though its not a home I would build for myself. 
Via Yatzer
Queensland artist Sebastian Di Mauro
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Art, Green, Misc • No Comments »
Sebastian Di Mauro creates these beautiful pieces that I feel would compliment many homes. Its a nice element to liven up and color up one’s interior.
Link
Helix Wind Turbine
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Green • No Comments »
This is one of a number of beautiful wind turbines I’ve seen hit the market recently. I like this as it plays into architecture, because one does not have to sacrifice beauty for sustainability. If people are to incorporate wind turbines into their homes and everyday lives, someone has to make them beautiful. Philippe Starck just created one as well, so this sentiment is obviously a growing one in the community. I think its awesome that people are branching out to do this. I’ve been interested in this since some of my earliest posts (see energy ball etc.), I think the future will see a lot of innovation in this regard, and I can’t wait. 
Via Inhabitat 
Via Luxist
House Bierings by Rocha Tombal Architects
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design • No Comments »
This house in the Utrecht achieves something I personally find amazing. Besides the exterior (the wood is gorgeous) and interior aesthetic beauty, the use of light is incredible. I love natural sunlight, makes me feel warm and happy, and I like to live with it. The window design and the wall design allow the sunlight to play an integral part in this home. The minimalist white walls add to that warmth and the subtle angles allow for light to make certain areas glow with energy. This house, in its subtly and simplicity, achieves a lot. 
Link
Wooster x Costa Rica
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Art, Costa Rica, Misc • No Comments »
I like the interaction between graffiti and urban architecture! Like the zipper on the side of the building posted last month. There is so much room for creativity and so many interesting examples I’ve seen in Costa Rica. This one brought to us by the Wooster collective. 
Via Wooster Collective
Pedro Almodovar´s Monument / Enproyecto Arquitectura
October 15th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • 1 Comment »
Location: Calzada de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Read more at Arch Daily…
Puerta a la Vida
October 12th, 2009 • Posted in Misc, Puerta a la Vida News • 1 Comment »
If you haven’t already, take a look at the new teaser site for Puerta a la Vida… My first project, the result of 5 years of planning, passion, and hard work, and what took me to CR in the first place!
Link: Puerta a la Vida
Moss House
October 1st, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Nendo Studios renovated this house in Tokyo with dry moss and it looks ridiculously cool. The vivid green moss against the white walls really makes it look alive and most of all there is texture! You can touch it and enjoy an experience beyond the mundane flat walls with paint/wallpaper that we are so used to in our everyday lives. Challenge convention and I’ll always approve. 
Read more at Inhabitat
Google x Life Magazine
October 1st, 2009 • Posted in Misc • No Comments »
Google has done it again! They now have every single issue of LIFE magazine every published. This is a ridiculous achievement. Not only is this one of the most coveted collectors magazines, but a cultural staple. I have a nice collection of vintage LIFE mags I picked up at an antique shop in Norwich, CT and I know many people who go nuts about them. Whats amazing about this is that you can actually browse through them so easily and even just look through the covers to get a feel of history. Its a photographic journey through time and so cool to see what made the covers and what was a big deal back in the day. The Year In Pictures – 1972 is one of the coolest, so make sure to check it out.
Take a look yourself!
FU-1 house by Takao Akiyama
October 1st, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Experiments in grandeur meet Japanese minimalism. Almost a sure shot to land on a design or architecture site – make it grand – add the Meier wall – big solid color space with connecting structures and large voids. We’ve discussed this before in some of my earliest posts. I like it, not saying anything bad, just a very popular trend these days in architecture. Like making a Jet Li x DMX film – may not get an Oscar but always a guarantee to make money. 
Link
Kengo Kuma x MA,YU
October 1st, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
Kengo Kuma teams up with Mayumi Ohmori to create a jewelry line inspired by his designs. Normally I stray away from anything about jewelry etc. but this is an exception for Kengo. He is not only one of the most incredible architects of our time, but someone who has inspired even the most famous of architects. He is one of my favorites, and even the inspiration of a high-end clothing line my friend own called Rochambeau. The jewelry really captures the essence of his designs and does great justice to his work. There are some amazing books that showcase his work, but none better that his Selected Works by who else – Rizzoli! Love the book and love anything Rizzoli publishes. When I make a lot of money, I will not spend it on a Ferrari, I will spend it on a Rizzoli library. Yes I am quite sick in the head! 
Read on…
Bloom Gin
October 1st, 2009 • Posted in Art, Misc • 1 Comment »
Beautiful new bottle design by Bloom Gin of London 
Link
J&B Start a Party Campaign
October 1st, 2009 • Posted in Art, Misc • No Comments »
Great new ad campaign by J&B! 
Via Fubiz
WOODEN HOUSE BY WIM GOES
September 24th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design • No Comments »
Located on the outskirts of Gent, Belgium’s third-largest city, is this stunning private sanctuary.
Read More…
Noma Bar: Negative Space
September 24th, 2009 • Posted in Architecture & Design, Misc • No Comments »
To provoke a second glance, Noma Bar expertly uses negative space: his illustrations are formed of both a single image and a series of themed elements that give the final piece its shape. 
The Big Squeeze: piece for an article on the oil gains to be made from Iraq
Gun Crime illustration
Fat Cat: for a piece on how CEOs invest their personal wealth
This is The End illustration