Architecture & Web Art

In a converted warehouse on the outskirts of Ann Arbor (Michigan’s other city), swarms of brilliant students harness conceptual, terrestrial and solar power for unusually racy, million-dollar road trips. Enter the Infinium 2009 solar car. Strips of photovoltaic panels (the space-age, gallium-arsenide kind) absorb the sun’s energy along a sleek and light carbon-fiber shell, and a 16-hp electric motor in one of its three wheels propels the 600-lb coupe up to 90 miles per hour and 98 percent efficiency. Awesome aerodynamics and innovative innards apparently allow the Infinium a driving range of 200 to 300 miles without any sunlight at all.

Revving up for the World Solar Challenge — an 1,800–mile race across Australia this October — the University of Michigan’s Solar Car Team pools academic disciplines, corporate backing and 3-D technology to engineer highly competitive electric vehicles. The Infinium is their tenth sun car in 20 years. In order to produce such a lean, clean and “green” machine, the 150 or so collaborators use CAD and Z Corp for efficient design, and mostly titanium and aluminum parts.

Architects: Blank Studio
Location: Superior, AZ, USA
Principal in Charge: Matthew G Trzebiatowski, AIA
Project Team: Michael Powell + Stefan Richter
Client: Alan + Christine Benoit; Superior C O A L, LLC
Structural Engineer: BDA Engineers
Electrical Engineer: Don Witt Engineering
Mechanical + Plumbing: Kunka Engineering
Constructed Area: 120 sqm + 42 sqm of outdoor dining terrace
Project year: 2007
Photography: Bill Timmerman

The Social Condenser project is located at the base of the Superstition Mountain Range in the Town of Superior, Arizona which was founded in 1882 and has strong ties to mining of copper, silver and gold. The project is uniquely positioned between historic Main Street and Queen Creek. The site consists of two parcels, the project parcel to the north and an open landscaped parcel to be developed into future outdoor dining and music pavilion, and is bisected by an access path from the upper street level and a lower wooden footbridge that spans across the creek.

The rectangle isn’t your conventional bathtub shape, but then again, there’s nothing conventional about the Vision see through bathtub from Gruppo Treesse. This chic new design by Paolo Parea features the minimalist, lightweight look of a white or black enclosure with see-through plate-glass panels on either side. A spacious interior offers plenty of room to stretch out, soft sides and a comfortable built-in headrest, a rejuvenating hydro-massage ease you into relaxation mode as you ease yourself in for a deep soak. Thess cool see-through bathtubs are also available with optional color therapy, radio, and audio jacks for your iPod or CD player. For more information on the modern Vision bathtub, visit Gruppo Treesse.

A nice concept, suitable for small apartments, small kitchen or just for a fun more complex experience in your dream kitchen.

Ideal for small city homes or for the big entertainer at heart, this modern movable kitchen island with compact barbeque from European distributor Gunni has all your culinary cravings covered, in one convenient spot. This cool kitchen essential features a mobile cart with lots of storage, and it expands into a kitchen island for all your prep work. When you’re done slicing and dicing and it’s time to get cooking, you won’t have to go very far – a handy slide-out compact barbeque lets you grill your appetizers and entrees to perfection. With function covered, this kitchen must-have also brings fashion to the table with a contemporary combination of wood and steel. Be the host with the most with this movable kitchen island for easy indoor and outdoor entertaining, available at Gunni.

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd
Location: 55 Blair Road, Singapore
Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez.
Project Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Ryan Manuel, Linda Qing
Interior design: YPS
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Derek Swalwell

Continuity of space was a key concept to promote the relationship of outside/inside space. The First floor employs flexible glazed walls that lead directly to the pool. The main section of the house is separated by the out door pool and frangipani garden. When both sides of the glazed partitions are open the first floor becomes one large space. The scheme proves to be an approach that promotes diversity of space. The ground floor is not only a lounge and dinning area it is an ideal place to relax and sit poolside. The intention to create a diverse space on the first floor adds huge value and appeal to a property this size.