New Zealand's Definitive Design Destination

Japanese designer Tojukin Yoshioka will exhibit a glass window made of 500 crystal prisms at the forthcoming Museum exhibtion.  The eight meter high installation will create rainbows within the space as the light is refracted. It sounds beautiful.

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.

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.

This magnificent home located in the Dominican Republic is made such by its referencing of architectural details synonymous with architectural greats. The sculptural wall detailing references Frank Lloyd Wright and his prolific use of carved and sculptural stone. The extensive use of travertine and stone and the homes pavilion structure has similarities to Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion, and the pivoting steel window frames and doors are similar to that of architect Carlo Scarpa's signature detailing. These elements have come together beautifully to create a cohesive stunning home. 

For more information on the architects go here.

Created by designer Robert Stone, the Rosa Muerta Joshua Tree Home is a desert sanctuary designed for those who need a true escape from the city of Los Angeles just 140 miles away.  This all-black obelisk provides “glamour camping” to its visitors, an open-air vacation rental with running water and comfortable bedding– but total immersion in the wonderous natural environment of the desert.

For rental rates and reservations go here.

Baumraum is a german company specialising in treehouses. Baumraum creates a modernist twist on the tradition; uber-contemporary examples of mankind's design to nestle amongst nature's own. The Jungle House is one among several design templates offered and really is your home away from home. This pod-based lookout is strictly for grown-ups; an almost Bond-like hideout that yet retains the uncomplicated magic derived from an inherent need to seek a very personal refuge from the world. Baumraum do offer much maneuverability within the templates, with design and construction created to fit the client's needs and environmental constraints.

An existing terrace house has been extensively refurbished to allow for the addition of a contemporary live/ work space. The new structure connects at ground level with the existing house, with its form dictated by the tightness of small site.

With the pleasant climate of the Dominican Republic as your backdrop, creating the perfect holiday home seems all that much easier to achieve. This home by Spanish architects A-cero is constructed pretty much entirely in beautiful Coralline stone in light tones of white and beige. The layout itself  considers all the possibilities for cross ventilation taking advantage of the Carribean sea breeze right on the houses doorstep. The curved stone roof not only provides excellent shelter from the persistent sunlight, but also assists in the house's cooling process.

Located 100 feet below the surface of Stockholm, the White Mountain Office - home to a Swedish internet service provider has design qualities worthy of a Bond villains lair. The space was once used as an anti-atomic shelter, intended to provide an escape from atomic blasts and the resulting fallout. Architects Albert France-Lanord Architects renovated the 4000 square foot space and turned it into one of the most unique office environments in the world.

I was last week reminded of this fantastic home by architect John Lautner, while watching a re-run of film  The Big Lebowski. The home has become somewhat of an icon of Hollywood cool, having featured in other films such as Charlies Angels. The house is also one of the best examples of Lautner's work; he designed not only the house, but the interiors, windows, lighting, rugs, furniture, and operable features. The house is extensively detailed and you can see the range of the architect’s work through the different stages of the re-mastering. All of the furnishings enhance the house and are completely related so that the aesthetic of the forms is a function of the whole. Originally built in 1963 the house fell into disrepair until new owner James Goldstein purchased it in the 1972 and engaged Lautner to re-invigorate its appearance by undertaking a series of remodelings that took place over two decades. James Goldstein still owns the house today, and continues with constant upkeep to maintain the architects vision.

Japanese architect Katsufumi Kubota has created this dramatic three story reinforced concrete and steel framed home.

In researching this story, the only good reason that I could find for why you wouldn't have a conversation pit in your home was an issue of safety. Apparently according to one article I found, one can fall into the pit, and come to quite a lot of grief, particularly without safety railings installed. Doesn't sound so bad to me. But seriously, the art of good hearty family conversation should be encouraged. It does seem glaringly obvious that the demise of the conversation pit was about the time of the launch of the television set. Hmmm....time for a conversation pit I think.

Berlin's modernist and contemporary architecture plays a staring role in 2005's futuristic thriller Aoen Flux. Berlin plays the fictional city of Bregna in the year 2415 with suprisingly little alteration. The images above show the interior and exterior of Baumschulenweg Crematorium  by Alex Schultes and Charlotte Frank, where much of the action takes place.

Not only is modern architecture clearly still considered space-age in the popular unconscious, we wonder at what point modernist and contemporary architecture will no longer be considered quite so futurisitc?

The Zurich based Philippe Stuebi Architects have created this eccentric single family villa within the beautiful country side around the Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland.  The architects described the property - "On both, the front and the lake side, the villa presents sculptural facades. Facing Mount Pilatus the white concrete elements are dotted with circular openings that allow glimpses into the two-levelled orangery with ist exotic plants, as well as the lounge, the guest tract and the staircase accessed through one of the openings at the ground floor. The lake side with superb mountain views of the Rigi and the Bürgenstock shows off a protruding, glistering loggia made of round glass bricks. The basement nestles along the slope and opens into a large fitness area with a 25 meter pool, half inside, half outside, which is inserted in a white Terrazzo plate. This Terrazzo plate extends gracefully from the pool bar located inside along the boathouse made of white tinted, rough jetted concrete into Lake Lucerne."

Australian architects McBride Charles Ryan have taken out the top award for the House category at this years World Architecture Festival. The architects were influenced by the geometry of an origami Klein bottle for both its beauty and pervesity. The outcome is a beautiful yet radical example of abstract architecture.

For more information on the architects go here.