New Zealand's Definitive Design Destination

Anyone in the vicinity of Sydney over the next few months should visit the must-see exhibition of acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson. Renown for his ability to emulate nature - from creating the sun inside London's Tate Modern (The Weather Project, 2003) to waterfalls under the Brooklyn Bridge (The New York City Waterfalls, 2008) and, perhaps most famously, making whole rivers run a deep green colour (Green River, 1998-2001). Breathtakingly diverse, magical and immersive, Eliasson makes artworks of the simplest elements of the world around us. The first survey show of his career is open in MCA Sydney until 11 April.

As one of the greatest architectural visionaries of the 21st century Zaha Hadid's work is both ambitious and expansive. With a portfolio that extends from opera houses, museums and art galleries, to private residences, furniture and footwear; Hadid's imaginative designs are unrivaled. And to remind us of just that, publishers Taschen will release an artisit's edition of her complete works, housed in a polymorphous plastic casing designed by the great Hadid herself.

 After studying industrial product design in France, french designers Gautier Pelegrin and Vincent Taïani joined forces to create Noon Studio. With an emphasis on a clean and minimalist aesthetic, they consider their philosophy a simple one; wanting to create a harmonious environment for man and object to co exist.  

Heavily influenced by architectural angles, Dmitry Samal's concept sunglasses for Louis Vuitton are the perfect progression for Kanye West from his ubiquitous louvre shades.

Situated on 'The Park' the private art park of one of New Zealand's greatest art patrons  - Alan Gibbs, Neil Dawson's Horizons sculpture is an incredible optical illusion that has an almost animated cartoon like feel to it.

Paper artist Paula Arntzen shows once again that in talented creative hands, paper can be transformed into the prettiest of shapes, in this case creating dazzling overhead garlands and chandeliers for new year's eve party celebrations.

These are the first pictures available of a future-futuristic home which many have dubbed worthy of a Bond movie. Set on Kawau Island about 60km north of Auckland, the Mahina house (the Maori name for Moon) has been designed by Weber Consulting with floor to ceiling windows in the shape of a crescent.With a stark white modern interior that references the past; its website states it will remind the owner of 'the glamorous age of martinis and tuxedos.'

On completion it will feature, a plant room, deck and swimming pool - and all within a large 827 square metres.

Overseas investors at this point are among those expressing an interest in the luxury home. That is, if the property reaches completion - at this point Kawau residents (of only 400) are split on the proposed plans.

Straight out of The Jetsons, this bathroom designed for The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne by FitzSimmons Architects is futuristic, and described as 'the drug damaged, artistic element of (his) home.' Shaped like a pod, details of the bathroom are revealed behind curves in the walls, with the seating built in.

We're not sure how practical the fireplace above the bath is, but it definitely adds a visually interesting element.

This vibrant and colourful installation is the combined effort of Cut Collective and architectural graduate Jasper Middleton (who currently works at Fearon Hay Architects). Created for Splore - a summer festival dedicated to art and culture (which begins today) south of Auckland at Tapapakanga Regional Park, Middleton says he wanted to  'provide something that took sculpture into the realm of the user, and provided a truly engaging experience that blurred the line between art and architecture.'

Despite its faceted and interlocking surfaces, it was purposefully designed to be able to fit together from a single component in order to minimise construction costs and to ease the process of relocation.

Instead of the traditional ways of housing favourite items (we can think of bookshelves, chests and boxes), there is now a new and interesting way to add illumination to your treasures. Scandinavian/Asian homeware company Chen Karlsson (the two last names of its founders) has created a light that can support each owner's favourite items in its base. We suggest keeping it to smaller goods. The only question we have is what kind of shadows it will cast.

If you've ever felt like you're being watched, these might not be the best addition to your home. Originally created by Piero Fornasetti in the 50s, but having never made it into production, it was with some fortune that Piero's son found them in the cellar. Years later, Italian company Bitossi Ceramiche has released the vases in a new limited edition collection. This collection will shortly be on display until April in the Spazio Fornasetti, Corso Matteotti in Milan. The only question is, who will be watching who.

Fornasetti is available locally from here.

Japanese Sculptor Sayaka Kajita Ganz who currently resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana - creates these sculptures out of pre-loved goods. It's important to her that she uses materials that have once had previous homes - as she feels it gives life to her sculptures. We'd agree with her.

Who knew a bus stop could stay upright and look like this. French artist Baptiste Debombourg experiments with how objects look as they break down. The result? Sculptures and paintings that literally appear to be fading or crumbling away at the point of ruin.

 Most people when using a sharpie can't do much more than write in basic letters. But artist Cheeming Boey is able to create works of art with nothing but a black sharpie pen and a plain styrofoam cup. Each cup takes anywhere from a few hours to several months to complete - with the end result of each selling for hundreds of dollars around the world. We're guessing the buyers won't be using them as disposables.