The World, Dubai

http://www.theworld.ae/

Eco Petrol Station

In Los Angeles, in the gas guzzling centre of the Universe, BP has enlisted Office dA to embrace the paradoxical task of creating a green petrol station. Taking the existing station on the site, it was 'upcycled' into not a futuristic station but a station for today that is a 'little better' ... a little greener in its design and materials, and in its use of water and energy.

Quite ironic really that a petrol station is trying to be greener. I suppose... every little helps and the design is cutting edge.

Elevator Art

The subject of endless psychology experiments and countless awkward moments. Now, thanks to a collaboration between KONE elevators and Finnish design company Marimekko, you can stare intently at wonderful designs rather than floor or the control panel. Marimekko Corporation is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company that was established in 1951.

“Applying Marimekko designs to elevator cars will turn the ride into an experience that can be continued in other interior designs of the building. The agreement reflects the goal of both parties to make design a part of people’s everyday lives,” says Kirsti Paakkanen, President, Marimekko.

Such a small interior space which are normally rather industrial and boring. They are there functionally, but normally not aesthetically pleasing. These pieces of art, placed within the lifts form a point of conversation and are more visually pleasing than metal or mirrors!

CityWall, Finland

The CityWall is a large mutli-touch display installed in a central location in Helsinki which acts as a collaborative and playful interface for the everchanging media landscape of the city. The content displayed on the CityWall is periodically organized into themes or events that are currently taking place in the city such as festivals, carnivals or sports events.

The technology which enables this direct interaction has been specifically designed so that several people can interact directly with display at the same time; the maximum number of people who can interact is limited only by physical space.

The installation has three objectives;

1 : It aims at creating Awareness and Presence of City Events in an engaging installation where passers by playfully manipulate media and learn about anniversaries, events and festivals.
2 : It is aimed at supporting active visitors and social media motivating users to actively and collaboratively make sense and play with media.
3 : CityWall proposes a platform for Media Literacy which can deliver rich media experiences to the widest audience. Anyone with the most basic computer skills can learn and use the CityWall in a few moments.

This interactive piece allows people to communicate digitally - it would be good if it could happen throughout the city so that no matter where you are, you can interact with one another.

Citylounge

A red carpet has enveloped the surface in and around the financial district of St. Gallen, a north-eastern city of Switzerland. A result of a competition, the 'Stadtlounge' (citylounge) was designed by artist Pipilotti Rist along with the Carlos Martinez architectural firm. The redness meanders through the functional office buildings, creating an inspiring and fun people-friendly space.

The entire ground, including cars and the road, have been covered in red broadloom, as part of a design competition to create a "public living room."

It's interesting how the fabric pours out over the streets and rises in curves to form ultra-chic couches dotted around, and also how objects such as cars are covered in a carpeted material making it part of the lounge. The car isn't functional in it's own right... it's part of a piece of art - there to be used as a piece of furniture.

Leeds Urban Development

The urban development in Leeds is happening so quickly... as soon as a plan is authorized, another is being proposed. Lumiere is currently under construction on Wellington Street, Leeds which will be the tallest residential building in Europe. The new face of Leeds is commencing. I hope that the contemporary will highlight the historic.

Wellington Place is the most significant urban regeneration project in the region, a 2 acre city centre site that will provide in excess of three million square feet of offices, residential, hotel, retail and leisure uses with the added appeal of galleries and inspiring public spaces. All this plus the extensive frontage to the River Aire.

The Art of Knitting!

I was watching Graham Norton on TV the other week and one of his guests (Alison Murray) was in the process of knitting an entire house and its contents for charity. Everything in the house was made from wool and stuffing.

About 500 women from across the UK, USA, Canada and Spain sent knitted contributions to the house which goes on show on Friday until 20 September. It just shows that people can pull together to create something wonderful.

So, in my inquest to find out more about the process of making a house from wool, I came across a few other people who have been creating similar things.



This house is made by Tasmanian knitters.

This community art project grew out of nursing homes in and around Hobart, Tasmania. Residents of the homes have some terrific skills and memories, and their carers were looking for some useful projects for them to be involved in that would have both physical, mental and social benefits.




"The knitting site" is a device for remembering, say the ladies who made this house in London.

They had met weekly to prepare, and continued on the day of the event, as the house unfolded before the crowd’s eyes. As they said: “Some people think that the act of building should be hidden behind screens, we like building site stuff - nets and ropes and scaffolding. We knit with them. And while some people think knitting is to remain behind walls, we build walls that are knitted. The knitting site is about bringing the backstage to the fore."

Turning The Place Over

When I saw this building on the News last night I had to put it into my Blog. The building itself is a bit of an eye sore but by taking a section of the building out of its 'normal' place and rotating it, the buildings personality is completely transformed. The concrete 1960's looking building has been brought forward into the millenium. It's really weird on the eye when you first see it ... it doesn't seem to make sense. I love it! It's so different to anything I have seen before.

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The artwork, called Turning The Place Over has recently been launched and will run until the end of 2008. It is costing £450,000 - with Culture Company paying £150,000.

With thousands of city centre workers using Moorfields station every day, it is likely to be one of the best-viewed Capital of Culture installations.

Described as “the most daring piece of public art ever commissioned in the UK”, it is seen as the jewel in the crown of the 2008 public art programme.

It was organised by the Culture Company and Liverpool Biennial, which was also responsible for bringing Antony Gormley’s “iron men” statues to Crosby beach.

Mr Wilson, one of Britain’s best-known sculptors, is renowned for drawing inspiration from the worlds of construction and engineering, and Turning The Place Over is no exception.

The cut-out, which measures eight metres across, rests on a rotator usually found in the shipping or nuclear industries.

The Culture Company believes “this astonishing feat of engineering will stun audiences. Passers-by will have a thrilling experience as the building rotates above them”.

Lewis Biggs, director of Liverpool Biennial, said: “It is a dream come true to be able to realise this fabulous artwork in Liverpool.

“Turning The Place Over will be remembered and celebrated for as long as people’s jaws are capable of dropping.”