Optical Glass House
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
Take a gorgeous video tour of the Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura and his studio NAP. Truly experiential, exploring all of the senses while solving for the homeowners space needs. The home is located in the heart of the city on a busy highway. The custom Optical Glass Block wall on the front facade provides acoustic separation from the noise of the city, while maintaining a visual connection to the lively and active urban streetscape. It seems to me a relaxing and meditative environment, the manipulation of light and water creating pattern and texture dancing on the walls, an art installation if you will, changing with the shifting sun. The Optical Glass House project is getting some well deserved attention in the press. An architectural expression, not just of shelter, but also realizing the power of transformation. A once undesirable lot becomes an oasis of calm from the activity of the day to day just outside the door.
Video sourced at http://www.dezeen.com
Tags: architectural water feature, architecture, Glass Block, Hiroshi Nakamaura, interior design, lighting design, Studio NAP, Urban dwelling
Le Plic
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
A modern wall sconce is often a design challenge. Something dynamic, offering not only ambient light to a room, but visual interest and a bit of drama. An expressive and gorgeous solution, the Le Pic designed by Nathalie Dewez. Offered by ligne-roset,, it throws light in an artful array, and creates focus to the mounting surface. The design is so stunningly simple: “The originality of this wall light lies in its simple use. Its construction is particularly ingenious: the ‘Plic’ is made of a round bulb with a lateral reflector; it is used as a torch that can be attached to different places with a spring-clip.” This spring clip attachment piece is where you come in. A DIY installation, creating a custom art installation unique to each user. You can arrange the bulbs however you fancy, the spacing and placement producing varied effect on mood of a room. Great fun!
Images and excerpt sourced at ligne-roset, and the designers website, Nathalie Dewez.
Tags: diy, diy-lighting, interior design, Le Plic, lighting design, ligne roset, Modern Wall Sconce, Nathalie Dewez
Happy Birthday to the Lightbulb
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
‘Thomas Edison’s first successful test of a long-lasting carbon filament took place on October 22, 1879.’ A discovery that has changed the very way we live and engage in our environments. A source of light, functioning beyond the expected, visually warming a room, and providing a focal point. Bulbrite‘s introduction of the Nostalgic light bulb collection is beautiful indeed. With eye catching and intricate filament designs, they can be used both indoors and out. Spectacular enlightenment.
Images and excerpt sourced at Unbiased Writer.
Tags: architecture, Bulbrite, Incandescent Lightbulb, interior design, lightbulb, lighting design, Nostalgic Collection, vintage lighting
Let There Be Light
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
One of the strongest gestures to define a space is the manipulation of light. It enlivens space, creates connection to the environment beyond, and makes a space feel larger than the confines of its perimeter. This light filled renovation was designed by the bay area based architecture firm of Malcom Davis. When I saw the images of this 1905 family row house, I responded to the simplicity of implementing a few broad design choices, which transform the space. The key to the success of this project lies not only the amount of glass, but thoughtful and creative placement. For example, the shower entry from the deck creates an ‘outdoor shower’ in the summer months, and a frosted glass on the door provides privacy when needed. Similarly, the rear elevation of the home treats the entry to the basement level with equal consideration to its occupants. What a lovely decent, providing light and view. Light from above from the ridge skylights creates a wash of light, filling the entire space, diffused by the frosted glass, managing light quality and focusing views out the clear glass doors to the garden.
The architect opened the central core of the house by relocating the main staircases, installing interior glazing at both floors and walls, and adding ridge skylights. Exposed steel moment frames provided the necessary structure to open the floor plan and allow for larger areas of glass. The material palette of natural cedar shingles, painted wood paneling, marble, exposed steel, and board-form concrete creates a modern yet timeless aesthetic that complements the original house.
Images and excerpts sourced at Malcom Davis Architects.
Tags: architecture, interior design, lighting design, Malcom Davis Architects, Rennovation
Dramatic Effect of Light
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
Light, in design is a tremendous element of power. It, like no other, provides opportunity to create drama and exude a feeling or mood. The manipulation of light in architecture and the spaces we occupy, offers an experiential moment to reflect on how we interact with space. The image above is one of the most beautiful examples of this I’ve seen. A long, dark, unlit cavernous space lit only by the glowing green glass of the wine bottles in this cellar. Gorgeous and dramatic, it demands the attention of those who dare enter this space.
Often times, we sprinkle lighting around in our homes and offices, to provide an overall light level in a space. But, when you think about it, high light levels are only required while on task, like cooking or writing, while light required when passing through a corridor is considerably less. When we strategically place light where we need it and where we want to draw attention, and let the balance drop off into the murky shadows, we create intimacy and focus. Below, these simple spaces use these simple strategies beautifully. Go ahead. Look around your room. What do you need to see?
Images sourced from the stunning design work of Joseph Dirand.
Tags: architecture, interior design, light, lighting design
