April 29, 2009
When I was about 12, my dad and I built four stellated polyhedra (star-shaped, many-sided platonic solids). Dad, a mathematician and math teacher, used the book shown below as a resource and then worked out his own dimensions and angles (you can see his notations right in the book).
April 28, 2009
The Russian Hall, formerly the Russian People’s Home, consistently produces typography so clear, so straightforward, so capitalized it is a manifesto in itself, design or political. This what happens when you try to produce design degree zero: the more you eschew style, the more you achieve it.
April 27, 2009
This is the Mi Casa VolB showroom in São Paolo, by Marcio Kogan. I love cast concrete, especially here where there’s no attempt to embellish or hide the structure.
April 25, 2009
This is artist Donald Judd’s loft in Soho, maintained as a museum and open for viewing after recent restorations. It was one of the first artist’s lofts in Soho – not to mention in New York – and is now almost the paradigmatic example of loft living.
April 24, 2009
Joe Colombo, 1930 – 1971, a prolific Italian architect, designer, artist and filmmaker, produced a substantial, instantly recognizable body of work before dying far too young at 41.
April 21, 2009
This is the Parish Church Complex of Marco de Canevezes, Portugal. It was designed by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza with Rolando Torgo and completed in 1990. It’s a deceptively simple building.
When this old Italian farmhouse was renovated, boards salvaged from outbuildings were brought in to make doors, beams and furniture. I’ve had this magazine clipping on my bulletin board for five years and have never grown tired of it.
April 20, 2009
Apologies to non-Canadian readers, but I need to address our national broadcaster. Dear CBC, Canadians need much more Seán Cullen on CBC radio, and much less Stuart McLean. Why do we have to wait until summer to listen to Simply Seán on the radio?
This tiny sample of photos is from the new website of Vancouver interior designer April Tidey. They include shots of her own amazing loft in Gastown, one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods.
April 19, 2009
From The Practical Encyclopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement, 1972. Via here. And for the family outdoors, see here.
