Neighborhood Tours

Nendo’s Sculptural Farming-net Lights Float Like Bubbles in the Air
July 11, 2014

Nendo’s Sculptural Farming-net Lights Float Like Bubbles in the Air

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Tokyo-based design firm Nendo created a collection of enchanting luminaries that seems to be floating like bubbles in the air. The sculptural lights are made from farming-net, an agricultural mesh ordinarily placed around fruits and vegetables to protect them from the wind as well as the animals. This decontextualized knitted material works as a translucent lampshade to create these brilliantly simple 'Farming-net Lights'.
Learn more about this brilliant lights
Formafantasma’s Delicately Engraved Glass and Copper ‘Still’ Vases Purify Water Using Activated Charcoal
July 10, 2014

Formafantasma’s Delicately Engraved Glass and Copper ‘Still’ Vases Purify Water Using Activated Charcoal

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Italian designer duo Formafantasma created a charming collection of objects that purifies "the most humble and fundamental of all drinks". They called it "Still" and it consists of a series of carefully engraved crystal and copper vessels paired with activated charcoal designed to purify and improve the taste of tap water. Created for Viennese company J. & L. Lobmeyr, these unique handcrafted objects clean water in a simple yet very sophisticated way.
Learn more about it here
Could We Construct a Skyscraper Out of Legos? Smart Bricks Provides an Interesting Building Alternative
July 9, 2014

Could We Construct a Skyscraper Out of Legos? Smart Bricks Provides an Interesting Building Alternative

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Kite Bricks' "Smart Bricks" (also known as S-Bricks) are Lego-shaped, high-strength concrete bricks that can be used to construct the floors, walls, and ceilings of buildings quickly, inexpensively, and energy efficiently. Just like the childhood toy, the patent-pending product is available in different forms that snap together with rows of knobs on the top that slide into indentations on the bottom of another brick. And like a modular home, they can be delivered in a package with traditional doors and windows.
Learn more about smart bricks here
Mesmerizing Abyss Table by Duffy London Replicates a Geological Cross Section of the Ocean
July 8, 2014

Mesmerizing Abyss Table by Duffy London Replicates a Geological Cross Section of the Ocean

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Christopher Duffy from Duffy London unveiled a dramatic coffee table that brings the ocean's depths into people's living spaces. Like all of Duffy's designs, the Abyss Table serves as a functional design as well as conversation piece that will never go unnoticed. Made from layers of certified FSC high-grade wood and glass, this stunning sculptural design replicates a geological cross section of the ocean.
Learn more about the design here
Susan Wisniewski Landscape’s River House is an Enchanting Hudson Valley Escape
July 7, 2014

Susan Wisniewski Landscape’s River House is an Enchanting Hudson Valley Escape

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Nestled in the quaint town of Coxsackie, New York is a residential garden oasis with crystal clear views of the Hudson River and magical green landscaping that could very well serve as the backdrop for a children's fairytale book. The enchanting grounds of the River House were designed by Susan Wisniewski Landscape, who created a natural-looking setting to frame the environmentally friendly Hudson Valley home.
Take a tour of the beautiful outdoor space
Resolution 4: Architecture Brings Modernism to the Bronx Waterfront
July 7, 2014

Resolution 4: Architecture Brings Modernism to the Bronx Waterfront

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Waterfront views and innovative architecture: San Francisco? Manhattan? Miami? How about the Bronx? Residents of many Throgs Neck neighborhoods have happily traded off expansive living spaces and large backyards for the spectacular views of the Eastchester Bay and the bridge whose name the community bears. Though spaces can be a bit compact along the water, a challenging lot size didn’t stop Resolution: 4 Architecture from creating a home whose beauty rivals that of its view. Among the modest homes tucked neatly into small parcels along the waterfront, the Bronx Box stands out as a proud example of how infill housing is an innovative way to make the most of narrow lots in urban areas.
Learn more about this beautiful home
Rent This Oceanfront Long Island Retreat Designed by Resolution: 4 Architecture
July 3, 2014

Rent This Oceanfront Long Island Retreat Designed by Resolution: 4 Architecture

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East Quogue, a town located on the far end of Long Island, is littered with beach houses thanks to its picturesque oceanfront location. It's the perfect escape for New York City families to leave behind the hustle and bustle of Big Apple living and swap their tiny apartments for sprawling vacation homes. Because of its location on a barrier island, that doesn't hold true for this dune retreat, which meant the team at Resolution: 4 Architecture has to be as efficient with space as possible.
See how the architects overcome their dilemma
Park Slope’s Slim and ‘Super Green’ Condo Building Features a Solar Panel-Clad Facade
July 1, 2014

Park Slope’s Slim and ‘Super Green’ Condo Building Features a Solar Panel-Clad Facade

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A brand new building has popped up in Park Slope and it's got quite an interesting facade. Located at 443 Bergen Street just off of Flatbush Ave, this sleek new addition to the neighborhood boasts 5 stories of living space, a 7KW solar array, reclaimed IPE wood from boardwalks, and triple glazed Passive House windows and doors. According to the building permits, work started in the Fall of last year, and by the looks of things, construction has just about wrapped up.
More on the new solar powered building this way
A Glittering Tower Built from Mushrooms Rises in the MoMA PS1 Courtyard
June 28, 2014

A Glittering Tower Built from Mushrooms Rises in the MoMA PS1 Courtyard

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There's a new tower in town, and for once it's not made of steel and glass... After a month of construction, David Benjamin and his firm, The Living, have completed the world's first large-scale structure made of mushroom bricks. Better known as ‘Hy-Fi‘, the tower is the winning design of this year's MoMA Young Architects Program, and like the works that preceded it, it's an idea that asks us to rethink what we know about materials, fabrication and architecture in an urban context.
More photos of the fungtastic tower this way
Modular Post-Disaster Housing Prototype by Garrison Architects Features Flexibility and Quick Assembly
June 25, 2014

Modular Post-Disaster Housing Prototype by Garrison Architects Features Flexibility and Quick Assembly

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We all remember where we were when we first saw the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. We all remember the residents who were forced from their homes and separated from their families and their support system. In a better world, we would never have to see such heartbreaking images again. That’s where Garrison Architects come in. Hired by American Manufactured Structures and Services (AMSS), Garrison Architects has provided a post-disaster urban housing prototype for residents displaced during a crisis.
Take a look at Garrison Architect's post-disaster housing prototype here
Sneak Peek at the Hy-Fi Mushroom Towers Rising at MoMA PS1
June 23, 2014

Sneak Peek at the Hy-Fi Mushroom Towers Rising at MoMA PS1

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Every year MoMA PS1 holds a competition that gives emerging architects the opportunity to build a full-scale pavilion for their courtyard space in Long Island City, Queens. Past winners of the Young Architects Program (YAP) have gone on to do some great things, becoming hotly sought after for their skills and world-renowned for their incredible works (Do HWKN, SHoP and Work Architecture Company, ring a bell?). As no surprise, this year's winner is no shrinking violet, and he together with his team are bringing something unprecedented to the PS1 courtyard space. Architect David Benjamin and his studio, The Living, have devised a plan to construct a spectacular "Hy-Fi" tower made from a self-assembling, mushroom-based material that can be completely composted once the summer is over. This past weekend we got a sneak peek of the towers rising at the LIC site. Check out our photos of the mushroom wonder ahead.
See more photos here
Giant Rocking Horse Head Sculpture by Jeff Koons Going Up at Rockefeller Center

Photo © Jeff Koons. Courtesy Gagosian Gallery. Photography by Tom Powel Imaging.

June 21, 2014

Giant Rocking Horse Head Sculpture by Jeff Koons Going Up at Rockefeller Center

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Is it a giant rat? A horse? A dinosaur? Those passing by 30 Rock over the past week and a half have probably been wondering what's going up in the famed plaza (at least we have). Word has it that Jeff Koons is back in the 'hood, this time with a massive sculpture of a pony, or "Split-Rocker", grafted in living flowers and complete with an internal irrigation system. Editor's note 8/27: This article has been updated to show the completed work, seen above.
Find out more about the work here
Vacation in the Woods in Style with Archi-Tectonics’ Pre-Fab Upstate Guest House
June 20, 2014

Vacation in the Woods in Style with Archi-Tectonics’ Pre-Fab Upstate Guest House

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It’s not often a guest house gets as much attention as the main one, but this mini-me of an upstate New York home designed by Archi-Tectonics is hard to miss. Built as an alter-ego to a larger structure, the 1,500-square-feet building stands out without upstaging the estate’s true star.
Check out more photos straight ahead
LOT-EK’s Shipping Container Townhouse Brings a Modern Sustainable Edge to Greenwich Village
June 10, 2014

LOT-EK’s Shipping Container Townhouse Brings a Modern Sustainable Edge to Greenwich Village

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At first glance, there's nothing particularly unique about the facade of this white brick townhouse, but take a second look and you'll see that there's more to the building than meets the eye. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the protruding bay windows aren't made from ordinary frames, but from sections of stainless steel truck bodies. The recycled windows are a signature of LOT-EK, the studio that owners Lawrence and Alice Weiner hired to re-do their Greenwich Village townhouse. Founded in 1993 by Columbia University grads Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Liganano, the New York and Naples-based firm has become known for its sustainable approach to construction and architecture, namely the use of upcycled steel containers.
More photos of the inside here
A Retro NY Home Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Hits the Market for $795K
June 6, 2014

A Retro NY Home Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Hits the Market for $795K

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Frank Lloyd Wright has put his stamp on some of the world's most famous and recognizable structures, including New York City's own Guggenheim Museum. But did you know the prolific architect was also the forefather of a revolutionary style of residential housing that informed the airy, open floor plans seen in many modern homes today? Wright's Prairie style took hold in the Midwest during the early 20th-century and quickly spread across the country, profoundly influencing the built landscape we know today. If you've ever wanted to live in an iconic Wright home, this could be your chance: One of the few prefab Prairie homes designed by the architect has hit the market, and it's just a quick half-hour drive from Manhattan.
Take a tour of the retro, mid-century property
The Results Are In: Rebuild By Design Announces Winning Proposals for Post-Sandy Flood Protection
June 3, 2014

The Results Are In: Rebuild By Design Announces Winning Proposals for Post-Sandy Flood Protection

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Over a year after Hurricane Sandy tore through the metro New York area, destroying lives and homes, some areas are still in the process of rebuilding. In an effort to ensure New York City is never caught off guard from a natural disaster like we were in the fall of 2012, the Department of Housing and Urban Development launched Rebuild By Design, a contest to develop ways to rebuild the city’s most vulnerable areas in such a way that they’ll be better prepared for nature’s unpredictability. 140 proposals were submitted over a year ago, coming from 15 different countries. Last June, 10 finalists were chosen to refine their plans, developing protective strategies for all of the vulnerable areas that were struck, and will likely be struck again. After nearly a year, the Department of Housing and Development has just announced six winners that will receive a piece of the federal government's $4 billion disaster-recovery fund.
Take a look at the winning designs here
Green City: Eight of the Biggest Eco-Friendly Developments Happening Right Now in NYC
May 29, 2014

Green City: Eight of the Biggest Eco-Friendly Developments Happening Right Now in NYC

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While going green has more or less become the norm in most modern day construction in New York, some projects have really outdone themselves from the ingenuity of design to the sheer scale of size. This is a city where the new police academy will harness the power of re-usable rainwater, and where the Barclays Center's arena roof is being covered with 130,000 square feet of new garden space. New York is placing itself at the forefront of green design and green construction, and here are just eight of the biggest green projects happening right now.
The top green developments in the city this way
Diane von Furstenberg’s Penthouse Sparkles Above Her Meatpacking HQ
May 27, 2014

Diane von Furstenberg’s Penthouse Sparkles Above Her Meatpacking HQ

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The headquarters of the "Queen of the Wrap Dress" (ladies, you know what I'm talking about if you've ever stood in line for one of these sample sales!) is well known for the big, geometric glass structure that sits perched atop the traditional Meatpacking District building. Not so well known, though, is that inside this rooftop crystal is Ms. von Furstenberg's penthouse apartment.  And just as you'd expect, the space is full of all of the sleek, yet glamorous style that the designer expresses in her clothing. Conceptualized by Work Architecture, the Diane von Furstenberg headquarters was adapted from this landmarked meat market building to house the firm's flagship store, administrative offices, and production space. The re-imagined rooftop is not only an apartment, but a garden oasis. The staircase, dubbed the "stairdelier" by the architects since it is lined with Swarovski crystals, ties the live/work space together and is its crowning jewel. Descending diagonally through the building's six stories, it reflects light throughout the entire interior.
More about the sparkling staircase and all of the interior eye candy this way
Seaport City: Neighborhood Built on Landfill May Be Coming to the East River
May 23, 2014

Seaport City: Neighborhood Built on Landfill May Be Coming to the East River

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Though bearing little resemblance to its quaint East River neighbor, “Seaport City” could become a reality based on a new study released yesterday by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. But don’t bank on a new set of sought after residential and commercial river views just yet. Seaport City is only one of a number of options presented to the city as part of former mayor Michael Bloomberg's 257-point, post-Hurricane Sandy resiliency plan – and it’s the most challenging on the list.
Find out more about the plan to protect the lower east side
Beautiful Eco-Friendly Loft on Watts Street Sells
May 21, 2014

Beautiful Eco-Friendly Loft on Watts Street Sells

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It looks like Town Residential’s Danny Davis has done it again. He has made someone fall in love with another apartment, this time at 125 Watts Street. Unit #4 is the quintessential loft experience with high ceilings, white brick walls and tons of light. This historic, pre-war building is perfectly situated in Northwest Tribeca, right on the edge of Soho. This area has those desirable cobblestone streets, not to mention having plenty of dining and shopping to appeal to your chic side, while still being situated right near Hudson River Park and Pier 25 to appeal to your athletic side. You know what they call that? Nirvana.
See what Nirvana looks like here
Camp Rockaway: Queens Designer Kent Johnson Wants to Bring Luxury Camping to Far Rockaway
May 20, 2014

Camp Rockaway: Queens Designer Kent Johnson Wants to Bring Luxury Camping to Far Rockaway

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And the glamping trend continues... Designer Kent Johnson has just launched a Kickstarter campaign that aims to bring a "luxurious" tent campsite to the Rockaways. From fully furnished tents with crisp white linens, to private fire pits and hot tubs overlooking Jamaica Bay, this is not your everyday man's campsite. And if you think the idea sounds crazy, think again. It's actually an initiative inspired by the area's past, which once found incredible success!
More on Camp Rockaway this way
This Breathtaking Nolita Penthouse Takes Going Green to Another Level
May 15, 2014

This Breathtaking Nolita Penthouse Takes Going Green to Another Level

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Not all rooftop gardens are created equal, especially when it's an award-winning green space perched high above Little Italy. A collaboration between Andrew Berman Architect and the sustainable roof designers of Goode Green, the blooming penthouse abode is a serious urban oasis complete with chickens and a bee colony.
More photos of the beautiful garden home ahead
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