Pope John Paul II Hall - Randic & Turato Architects

The Pope John Paul II Hall in Croatia, designed by Randić & Turato is quite amazing. The skin dematerializes to allow light in and out of the seemingly heavy, solid mass. From within, the sense of the space is very light and open. I also really like the siting and how the portico integrates into the plaza, and how the zone is re-used for confessions. The entire project is really well done.



photos by Robert Les
via Notcot

Ana Botezatu - Embroidered Pillows

We posted about Ana Botezatu's sketchbook last week, and I was browsing her blog yesterday and came across this amazing pillow project that she did - embroidered with some of her fantastic illustrations. I would definitely have sweet dreams with this pillow.

The Complete National Geographic

National Geographic recently released The Complete National Geographic on Nov. 1st. It compiles the last 120 years of issues, from 1888 to 2008. You can browse and search every single page of the magazine from its inception and it also includes all the maps that come with the issues. The interface looks very cool and it must have been an enormous task to tag and categorize every photo, map, advertisement and article for the search engine. It's a pretty buy at 70 bucks for the dvds, but I would opt for the hard drive version so you don't have to swap disks all the time.

The Working Proof: OSoo - Armadillo

We released this very lovely print yesterday over at The Working Proof - Armadillo, by OSoo, a NYC-based artist with a background in architecture.

Armadillo is about blending realistic nature with things humans have found within nature (such as geometries, textures, patterns, and colors).

Each Armadillo print sold benefits Doctors Without Borders. To learn more about OSoo, read our interview with her here.

Christopher Monro DeLorenzo - Picture Keyboard Sticker Set

I love the idea behind Christopher Monro DeLorenzo's Picture Keyboard Sticker Set:

"We used to learn our alphabets by reading those classroom banners that associated each letter with an animal or object. These days as kids become increasingly computer dependent at an early age I thought it was about time to adapt an old method to a new medium. From cultural icons to Greek mythology, this keyboard sticker set will advance the alphabetical knowledge of any child, or adult."

The stickers aren't available for purchase yet, but the website says to check back next week...I want, for the big kid in me.

Via Notcot.

CuteCircuit - LED Galaxy Dress

My friend John sent me the link to CuteCircuit's LED Galaxy Dress, which is all kinds of amazing. The dress is made up of 24,000 full-color LEDs. Part of the appeal is the way that the light plays with the fabric of the dress - the circuitry for all of the LEDs was hand-embroidered into a layer of silk. The dress is powered by several iPod batteries, which last between 30 minutes to an hour. The design of the dress itself could certainly be improved upon (especially the Swarovski crystal-encrusted portions), but the use of the LEDs in the dress is amazing. Check out the video below to see the dress in action.

Be sure to check out CuteCircuit's website for more wearable technology.

Via Ecouterre. All photos are by J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry.

Brevity Jewelry - The Horo Collection

Finally - I'm excited to show you some of the pieces from my newly launched Horo collection of jewelry over at brevity....It's been a ten month process from design to launch, but better late than never, right? The Horo Collection is inspired clock parts - the fusing of the temporal into the permanent. There are ten designs, each based on a pair of clock hands, fixed in time. Each chain is customized with a delicate gear charm that links to the chain at the collarbone. The pendant styles span modern to classic looks by drawing from traditional forms combined with modern arrangements and fabrication techniques. The pendants come in stainless steel or in 24k gold-plated. See all of the designs here.

Maxxi Museum - Zaha Hadid

The new Maxxi museum, located in the northern outskirts of the city center of Rome, is quite beautiful on its own. Visual context is not much of an issue. The museum is mostly inward-facing, light funnels down from skylights above, into the circulation and gallery spaces. Access to the exterior views is limited. The long interior spaces are the most striking, with the fins reinforcing the mobile program of the circulation zones. Zaha's work has always been about lines, speed and movement and the Maxxi museum is no different. Take a look at the NYTimes slideshow for some more images.

via NYTimes

Alexa Lixfeld - Fragrance

I would buy this perfume JUST for the bottle - I don't even care what it smells like. Designed by Alexa Lixfeld and called Fragrance, it's got a concrete top, people!

Via Dezeen.

Ana Botezatu Sketchbook

I love Ana Botezatu's artwork. It's so refreshingly different than most of what it out there. She is truly following her own ideas and style. Check out some of her sketchbook pages.

via Book By Its Cover