Sep 25, 2010 | Architecture, Environment, LEED
McDonald’s is undergoing a process of redesign. What is more important than design itself is its study for exploring more sustainability in certain locations.The chain’s first self-proclaimed “green” restaurant, located in Chicago, is LEED Gold-certified, while a North Carolina location features Charge-Point electric vehicle charging stations. And in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, 270 McDonald’s restaurants deliver used oil to be converted into biodiesel.The packaging however still has a long way to go. Most McDonald’s packaging is paper-based and can be composted,yet still haven’t found biodegradable materials that don’t retain heat.McDonald’s can never truly claim to be green as long as it sells meat products–the average Holstein cow produces up to 180 kilos of methane each year. Ultimately, cows produce 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and the meat industry is one of the leading contributors to climate change.
The new ‘design’ concept is revolving around the idea of a community center, a place for young people to hang out especially since slow food is the trend now with more attention on the eating experience itself as opposed to gulfing food down. France was the first country to have a redesigned McDonald’s. All the plastic will be replaced with clean and modern lines, wood, brick and softer lighting from modern lamps. The signature mansard roof is being replaced by a flat roof topped and a newly designed golden sloping curve. The emblematic red and yellow colors will be revamped to terra cotta, olive and sage green.All this with the aim of attracting more adults and young professionals to their customers.
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Sep 24, 2010 | Architecture, Famous Designers
“ Each new situation requires a new architecture.” Jean Nouvel
Jean Nouvel is a name synonymous with bold architecture and creativity beyond the ordinary with concentration on incorporating buildings and landscape within their surroundings. Jean Nouvel is now a name not only known to architects, but among the general public as well.
Educational, Cultural, & Entertainment Center, Kuwait
It would have been a great achievement if this project was realized, Kuwait lacks impressive and meaningful architecture similar to the projects Jean Nouvel has been providing in the other Gulf countries. In 2004 Ateliers Jean Nouvel , Pritzker Prize-winning architect, along with SSH International won the International competition for the Educational, Cultural and Entertainment Center in Kuwait City. Bartproject were the digital media bureau hired to do the animation for this project. The main aim of this animation is to render, in just 3 minutes, the architectural complexity and atmosphere of some of the key places of this huge city centre project. The 135.000 m2 complex includes a concert hall,cinemas,shops,restaurants and recreational facilities, a business center, a technology school, and a 25-hectare park.The location of the project was on Abdullah Al Ahmed Street close to Heritage village, a project whose destiny is also unknown. It was supposed to start in June 2005, 5 years later we know nothing about the project. Its a shame, it would have been great to associate the works of such a great architect with a center in Kuwait. Abu Dhabi and Qatar now have a few projects by Jean Nouvel that are being realized and making the news on most architecture and design sites.
The “supposed” location for the project:
National Museum- Qatar
Qatar Museum Authority and Jean Nouvel unveiled plans for the new National Museum of Qatar. The cultural center is inspired by the desert architecture and lives of the Bedouin culture as well as a deep-seated respect for the hot desert climate. The new museum will be the first monument travelers see from the airport and the sustainable design of the complex and surrounding landscapes will help prove Qatar to be a forward-looking country. The museum is presently closed during construction with an anticipated reopening in late 2013.The entire complex will seek LEED Silver certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), relying mostly on traditional building practices to create shady and cool areas with thermal buffer zones. The interlocking disks of the building will provide deep overhangs for outdoor promenades and minimize the transmission of heat into the interior spaces. Steel and concrete will be the main building materials, both of which will be sourced locally.
Source and source
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Sep 23, 2010 | The 10 Best of...
I personally am always in search of references for the best of everything, that’s one of the reasons I refer to Nathaniel and Andrew Lande’s expertise, experience, and reviews. Below is a list of their selection for the best coffees,a review which was done in 2008. Coffee lovers will criticize, as this is a matter of taste, as the case is with all gourmet food and beverage items. Although the brands listed are American brands, as we all know the bean origin varies from continent to another. Bring your cup and enjoy !
1- Peet’s Coffee
Each day they hand-roast 32 varieties of coffee in small batches then ship them within 24 hours to give the freshest, most deeply flavored cup of coffee possible.Peet’s sample each batch to make sure the roast tastes just right. www.peets.com
2- Terroir
They specialize in medium roast styles that bring out the character of the green coffee. They sell only single origin coffees no blends. Terroir™ freezes its green coffee in nitrogen flushed containers. The reason behind this strategy is because they believe that one should not blend truly fine coffees, just like one does not blend fine wines, because they are already complete statements.
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Sep 19, 2010 | Furniture
“Funky” is the new “trendy” when it comes to modern casual seating these days. With fashion houses, well known designers, and brands entering the furniture world, statements and designs that stand out are only natural. Roche Bobois introduced their “ Mah Jong” modular seating in the 1970s by Hans Hopfer . After working with Kenzo maison and Missoni home on several fabirc finishes, this year Roche Bobois decided to work with Jean Paul Gaultier . Roche Bobois presents its vintage Mah Jong sofa, in a new “bleu blanc rouge” look as opposed to the very colorful fabrics of Missoni and Kenzo. Personally I loved this years edition of this sectional. In addition to the Mah Jong, Jean Paul Gaultier worked on numerous items as part of his collaboration with Roche Bobois. The Mah Jong sectional, like modernism itself, has never gone out of fashion.
Another very attractive, modern, and hip sofa is the Confluences designed by Philippe Nigro for Ligne Roset. “Confluences may be considered to be a trailblazer in terms of the new trend for ‘counterforms’ as characterized by the interwoven yin-yang or puzzle-type effect. It will be just as pleasing to lovers of radical design, pioneers searching for a sofa which is totally different from any other, as it will to all those who are seduced first and foremost by the freedom of posture and unheard-of conviviality offered by its colorful, unbridled compositions.” You can get in monochromatic colors as shown or play with the colors and composition.Confluences was introduced by Ligne Roset during the 2009 Imm Cologne Fair.
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Sep 19, 2010 | Designer Interiors
Both Gucci and Fendi are entering the world of design for luxury transportation by storm. A few months ago we saw the photos of the magnificent Lady Lara yacht furnished by Fendi Casa and last month Gucci announced they are introducing made-to-order speedboats with prices starting at around $750,000.
The Aquariva By Gucci ,produced along with Officina Italiana Design, will be available by special order in 2011 . The boat was designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini as part of Gucci’s upcoming 90th anniversary celebrations. The boat’s fiberglass hull and detailing are painted in Gucci’s custom glossy white, offset with varnished mahogany in the cockpit and decks. The seats and sundeck are upholstered in waterproof Gucci print fabric with the fashion house’s signature red and green stripe detailing. Gianni has also designed a number of Riva by Gucci his-and-hers accessories, including bags and shoes, to go along with the craft, which is powered by two 380 hp Yanmar engines for a maximum speed of 41 knots and a 150-mile range at cruising speed. info source
Lady Lara by Fendi Casa
In its first venture at sea, Fendi Casa—under the direction of interior design firm Studio Massari—has provided the furnishings for Lady Lara, which Benetti delivered last summer.
Fendi Casa have established an elegant image through their known preference for neutral colors mainly creams, silver, and champagne. Some may perceive this as monotonous but once you see the glamour you will definitely change your mind, their furniture and fabric define luxury. Their use of high end materials like mother of pearl, crocodile leather, & exotic wood such as Briar root (used in pipes) adds the unique touch that distinguishes a well designed product from a plain one.
All details were taken into consideration by Fendi designers, from the door handles to the flooring, to the luxurious lighting made with Swarovski crystals to the last vase and photo frame. Fendi Casa are known for their wide and beautiful selection of lighting and accessories. The glass used for their chandeliers , table lamps and vases is mainly Murano glass which is considered of highest end glass.
Fendi Designed a private plane interior as well…
For more info on any of the products above and latest Fendi Casa releases you can contact them on +965 2 2255205. Their showroom in Kuwait is located at Tilal Mall, Shoueikh .
Sep 19, 2010 | From my Kitchen
Today my blog turns 1 month old!! Thank you everyone for your lovely comments and support!! On this day it also happens to be my beautiful sister’s birthday! I would love to wish her a Happy Birthday! Hope she has a lovely one!
The title of my Blog means a bit of everything, its why I will include posts related to various issues that contribute to forming our “lifestyle”. I am not a professional cook or chef myself but cooking and baking are among my hobbies, food is a MAJOR part of my life. I have a good reputation regarding my cooking skills, which is why I will share with you the most popular recipes. Since I am a mom of two, have a fulltime job, and now this blog, my recipes are usually very fast, convenient, and simple. I am very “health” conscious though I tend to use some unhealthy options for lack of time or substitutes. Every month I will throw in a recipe , hope you like them!
This dessert was actually a recipe given to me by a friend I used to work with at my previous job in Lebanon, every time I make it its a huge hit. The basic tiramisu has mascarpone, this one relies on whipped cream and condensed milk instead with the addition of bananas, hence the name “with a twist” 🙂 Yes I know very fattening but I only make it 2-3 times a year and I make it in small portions for control. You can’t use low fat cream as it will not be fluffy like this one, I tried it, it didn’t work. So let’s get started!
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Sep 17, 2010 | Compliments & Accessories
How are designers inspired? No one knows what exactly, anything could inspire us, but what really helps is the client’s attitude and extent of flexibility. In “flexibility” I mean how much he is willing to allow the designer to create in addition to the budget limit he/she sets for the project.
This Chandelier called “Bacterioptica “ is made of petri dishes (dishes biologists use to culture cells) and 15000 feet of Fiber optic cables. The interesting thing about this chandelier is the story behind it, its why I mentioned how clients shape our designs in many ways.
According to the designers, MADLAB, it is “designed to be adaptive, not only in its form and mechanics, but more importantly, in the way it evolves. Bacterioptica is not your typical chandelier, just as no family is a typical unit of interactions. Its on/off switch does not control it. Bacterioptica is alive. It grows. It is itself a household organism. It is living and breathing the same air and bacteria we are. It is designed to synchronize with the life of a very unique New Jersey household, comprised of two parents, three children, a dog, and one hell of an extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, not to mention house plants, insects, allergens, fungi, and billions of bacteria that live with, on and among all humans."
MADLAB is an award-winning and internationally published architecture firm noted for its research and innovative design services. We approach every project with a creative collaborative mindset and expanded understanding of the diverse and complex factors that influence wonderful design- from interior fixtures to urban environments.
MADLAB was Founded in 2003 by Petia Morozov and Jose Alcala, the firm is comprised of design professionals who reflect MADLAB’s commitment to environmental sensitivity, intelligent creativity and client service. Each of our projects is the result of a unique vision, with a masterful expression of space, materials and systems.
Swarovsky Crystal Palace
Another design house not just promoting luxury materials in their lighting fixtures but working with talented designers to create breathtaking chandeliers is Swarovsky Crystal Palace.
The Topograph by Karim Rashid for Swarovsky Crystal Palace is a depiction of the Tyrolian Mountains, home to Swarovski Headquarters.
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Sep 17, 2010 | Exhibitions & Events
Location: VeronaFiere, Verona, Italy
Abitare il Tempo has been the most exclusive trade fair for interior design, an event which reaches across the entire product range at the highest level,is turning 25 this year.
Trades included in this annual fair are: Furniture, Upholstered furniture, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Lighting, Textiles, Carpets, Drapes, Household linen, Designer ranges, Tableware, Decorative accessories, Paintings, Children’s furniture, Flooring, Coverings, Doors, Staircases, Handles, Outdoor furniture.
The fair constitutes of : 8 exhibition halls covering 100,000 square meters; 600 exhibitors including 75 from 20 foreign countries (data awaiting FKM certification).
Abitare il Tempo is the only exhibition in the sector whose data is certified by FKM.
Among the exhibitors you will find these very popular brands that are known to be trendsetters across the various sectors, such as:
AGAPE ALESSI BAXTER BONACINA PIERANTONIO CASAMILANO DEDON EUROMOBIL
FENDI CASA FRETTE GUY LAROCHE IVANO REDAELLI MISURAEMME
Can’t wait to see what the new releases are, if you are nearby it would be a great opportunity to check it out.
