Green Over Grey, a Vancouver, Canada-based company that design and install green walls (also known as living walls), have produced the largest outdoor green wall in North America.

Located in White Rock, a suburb of Vancouver, the green wall covers 3000 square feet of the Semiahmoo Public Library and RCMP Facility.

The unique design is nearly 3,000 square feet and consists of over 10,000 individual plants representing more than 120 unique species. It includes ground covers, large perennials, shrubs and small trees.

A green wall, also known as a living wall is a self-sufficient vertical garden that is attached to the exterior or interior of a building. The technology being used is soil-free, and the plants receive water and nutrients from within the vertical support instead of from the ground. It closely mimics how plants grow vertically in nature such as on cliffs, bluffs, tree branches or next to waterfalls.

“The large diversity of plant species chosen creates a balanced ecosystem that is an urban oasis for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds,” says Patrick Poiraud, Principal at Green over Grey – Living Walls and Design, the Vancouver-based company designing and constructing the wall. “The living wall helps to insulate the building, purify the air and transforms the grey concrete into hundreds of shades of green.”

Concrete Architectural Associates have designed the Castell D’emporda pavilion in La Bisbal, Girona, Spain.

Castell d’emproda was build in 1301 on a hill nearby the small city of La Bisbal close to Girona (Spain). The castle has been owned for centuries by the Margarit family. In 1973 Salvador Dali wanted to buy the castell for his wife, but the owner refused a payment in artworks. Since 1999 Castell d’emporda has been transformed into a boutique hotel.

Next to the hotel’s restaurant there is a large terrace with great views over the surrounding landscape. Concrete had been asked to create a covering for this terrace with the possibility to create an enclosed space with full wind and rain protection.  It was a client request to create a covering that works in harmony with the ancient and listed building. We added one question for ourselves: we wanted to maintain the terrace feeling while be seated under the covering.

In basics a terrace is an outdoor space where one can enjoy the wheater. If necessary there is only a parasol for sun and rain protection, but there is no obstruction between the visitor and the view. A glass roof or wintergarden would to much become a building, create a feeling being inside a structure and would also appear as an extension of the building, damaging the ancient character.

The solution was to create abstract parasols. 12 Circles in divers diameters are placed randomly on the terrace. Where the circles touch they melt together, where not, the open spaces between circles are filled in with glass. With the circular parasol shape, the feeling of being in an outdoor environment on a terrace, remains. The same shape makes sure the covering appears as a separate almost temporary element, leaving the ancient building untouched.

The top and edge of the parasols are made in rusted steel, seeking harmony with the ancient building and the natural environment. The white painted steel columns and ceiling create an open and light outdoor atmosphere under the parasols. Transparant sliding curtains can be hung easily in colder periods but always stay open. When the mistralwinds suddenly appears the whole covering can be closed in a couple of minutes.
Round and square marble tables and two white leather lounge couches create different seating facilities. Under one parasol a circular outdoor bar is placed. The restaurant now has his own name: Margarit

It’s really  amazing how experts can turn a piece of nothing into something with great work and imagination. This is the reason for which you should always rely on experts when redecorating or just choosing a more challenging project.. such as.. this one!

If you take a look at the before and after pictures i am sure you will be amazed.

Altius Architecture designed the 360 Winnett House in Toronto, Canada.

New construction of an open concept 3 Bedroom Single Family Residence on a challenging urban site. The 24′ centrally located double height volume brings in natural light, casting dramatic shadows, marking the passage of time during the day whilst acting as a “lantern” at night.

For more info you can check out their site here.

The Fontana Apartment in San Francisco, California is the work of Mark English Architects.

“The Fontana Apartment is a reinvention of an early 1960′s unit in one of two semi-circular apartment towers near Aquatic Park in San Francisco. Sweeping views fill the space from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge. My clients wanted the feeling of a very high-end resort hotel getaway, and our goal was to create a sexy, streamlined City pad.

The apartment had been untouched, and we removed all non-bearing walls, moved plumbing and completely transformed the space. The materials include custom designed built-in illuminated ultra-suede sofa, white marble flooring, radiant heat, Venetian plaster and sparkling Laurentian Green Granite slabs. The project was realized in collaboration with Interior Designer Gary Hutton and his associates.”

The awesome location and great design make this apartment a unique piece. The most appealing room of this apartment is the living-room of course, this is not only due to the huge windows which allow everyone to enjoy that wonderful view but also due to the adequate use of colors which make this space a cozy and extremely comfortable one.

All in all, it’s a modern apartment with a great view and a cozy touch! Enjoy!

The East hotel in Hong Kong was designed by CL3. It is simply a wonderful design worth looking at, from which you could steal a few ideas for your own interior design project.

East, a business hotel located in a residential/commercial neighbourhood in Hong Kong, takes a different look at hotel design by planning from the inside-out. The interior designer was appointed early in the design process, 4.5 years ago, to carry out the space planning of the rooms and public areas, consisting of the entrance, lobby reception, all day dining, health club, 339 guestrooms, 6 suites and a rooftop bar, as an integral part of the architecture. It is the interior spatial experience rather than ornamentation that shapes the design. The name “EAST” resulted from the design concept which interprets the contemporary Oriental/Hong Kong travel experience as being world class, efficient, modern, playful, with a touch of Chinese culture. This is achieved through:

Use of a consistent and simple material palette with two shades of wood, a light limed elm and classic walnut, two different stones, rio white and mocha limestone, and black stainless steel as highlight throughout the entire hotel. This serves to unify all the various outlets and guest rooms whilst still allowing for individual design character to emerge. Maximizing the intake of daylight and views, with a 16ft. long window frontage to most guest rooms and north facing, full height glazing to all the public spaces. The interior design elements helped to determine window sill heights and window mullion spacing. Use of playful Chinese elements, for example: Chinese characters for floor number indication, a backlit Contemporary Chinese landscape painting as the reception backdrop.

Two main features in the lobby that act as Yin and Yang: A serene, 35ft. long, back illuminated reception desk cantilevered from a single column, vs a glass grand stair with a labyrinth of steel and wood as structural support to symbolize the energy of Hong Kong.

Efficient guest room design with an open bathroom concept in a 270sq.ft. room with 128sq.ft. of window exposure. The six suites each feature one large space of 560s.f. using only one wood veneer and a lime stone floor as the internal finishes.

F&B outlets that are spacious, efficient and relaxing: ‘Feast’, a casual restaurant provides a variety of dining ambiances under a 39ft high atrium space. ‘Sugar’ is a lively bar of tiered seating facing an open roof deck with stunning panoramic views of Hong Kong.

Client: Swire Properties
Location: Hong Kong
Size: Approx. 17,000 m2
Completion: 2010

Sunlight Residence is a Proto Homes project.

You own a pet and want what is best for your friend? Bestfriendshome.com presents you 4 different styles of dog houses: Alabama, Cubix, Fairytale, Lonneberga but the german firm also offers custom made dog houses.

Cubix

Paying homage to the Bauhaus design

Clear lines, puristic colours, glass cladding: Following the connotatively Bauhaus architecture spacious Cubix offers lots of light and room for small and big dogs. The apparently free floating roof is a special highlight. Particularly functional: The built in water drain on the roof and the cleaning lids at the back of the house.

Alabama

American southern states flair in the middle of the garden

Imposing pillars, wide entrance area: The generous Alabama makes the dog the lord of the manor. Paying attention to the smallest details the invitingly Southern state house is based on its historical model.Particularly love to detail: The lattice windows and the real bitumen shingles. Particularly elaborated: The dormer that canopies the entrance area and protects it from rain as well as a roof that can be removed for cleaning purposes.

Fairytale

In the luxury Fairytale every doggy feels like being in an actual fairy-tale. Two solid shaped turrets and the intentional abdication of windows makes the castle a secure stronghold and cuddly cave. Particularly sweet: If desired the coronet on the front can be ennobled with Swarowski crystals. Particularly practical: The cleaning lid on the back of the house which makes cleaning fabulously easy.

Lonneberg

Sweden sends its love with a charming feeling of security

The typical Sweden house of Best Friend’s HOME puts dog and lordling in holiday mood. Close to nature, peaceful and Scandinavian idyllic it creates an atmosphere of complacency and security.Particularly warming: The strong red of the wooden cladding and the solid real bitumen roof. Particularly pragmatic: The roof can be removed for cleaning purposes.

The prices for these houses vary between 1800 euros and 3000 euros for the Small Sized ones.

Iron Man 2 continues the adventures of billionaire Tony Stark and his superhero alter ego Iron Man. The main character is played by Robert Downey Jr. and the whole movie features amazing effects and state-of-the-art technology.

But the home of the character is by far the most interesting aspect of the movie- from my point of view at least. I have to admit that i was amazed and also reserved when i saw all the technology and interior design that his mansion “owned”. Iron Man the 2nd was my 1st Iron man as i didn’t see Iron Man 1  first and then go to see part 2, but i have to tell you it was an awesome movie which deserves to be seen. Of course the next day i saw Iron Man 1 aswell which was also pretty nice, alot of “crafting” made by Tony Stark in harsh environment but it had it’s funny moments. Aside the actors, another common puzzle piece for both parts of Iron Man was Tony Stark’s awesome, high-tech with minimalist design, on the verge of some Malibu “abyss” residence. It was so perfect and real that it kinda’ annoyed me!

This may come as a huge disappointment to some of our readers, but what you see in the photos below is digitized fiction. Jon Favreau, the director of the film explains that the home was falsely positioned on a site in Malibu. It is forbidden to build an architecture project there, so they came up with a different solution: computer graphics. The interiors were built on a sound-stage area in Los Angeles and everything was synchronized with the computer plans.

Those people have decided to create something unique and something that you don’t see everyday and yet it is cheap and it is built from a recycled materials.

This house is one of the examples how home can be built without spending much money. This house has been built from a cheap recycled materials and it is also eco-friendly.

But those people are not just savvy they are also pretty creative, you can see how some of the walls, doors and roof are mosaic-like decorated. And when you look it inside it looks really nice and makes you wonder who wouldn’t like to live there.

The Leaf House, a tropical beach house was designed by Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura is located in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Leaf House was inspired by Brazil’s Indian architecture, perfectly suited for the hot and humid climate where it stands, Rio de Janeiro. The roof acts as a big leaf that protects from the hot sun all the enclosed spaces of the house, such as the verandas and the in-between open spaces. These last two types of space are the main social areas, the essence of the design. They allow trade winds from the sea to pass trough the building, providing natural ventilation and passive cooling.

The architects see this as low-tech eco-efficiency where it has the greatest impact; as the concept of the architectural design. Mareines +Patalano, in agreement with the client, understand the idea of a tropical beach house as a means of enhancing the interaction between man and nature, trying not to separate them completely. There are no corridors and inside and outside are almost fused. Rain water is harvested from the roof for re-use. With its natural finishes, organic aesthetics and richness of details, the house is in harmony with the exuberant Brazilian nature.

Homes in the tropics rarely need much more than a breeze in order to keep the environment comfortable. As for other sustainable design techniques, the roof harvests rainwater for use in the house, and the interior is naturally finished with wood, stone and natural fabrics. We suspect the wood was harvested locally, and can only hope it was done so in a sustainable fashion. Above all the Leaf House is amazing inspiration for organic design that brings the outdoors in. It protects the inhabitants from rain and sun, while bringing in fresh breezes to cool the interior.

Simply a piece of paradise!