a visit: Lafayette Park

So apparently I have been living under a rock because I only just heard about Lafayette Park (which is especially embarrassing considering how often I visit Michigan)

townhouses designed in u-shaped formation

The residential complex, designed in the 1950s by architect Mies van der Rohe, was part of an urban renewal project. It is located just Northeast of downtown Detroit, and features the largest collection of buildings in the world designed by the architect.

one-story villa

The buildings are designed in the International Style which the architect became famous for, including elements such as exposed steel, glass curtains, clean proportions and interiors which open to the outdoors, creating spaces that allow in natural light and appear spacious.

(we have the same Stelton thermos which we

brought back as a souvenir from our trip)

Remarkably, despite the current economic crisis in Detroit, this development is still thriving.

Outside each townhouse, the residents are given a space of land that may be used as a garden. As one resident said, "Mies's floor-to-ceiling windows make the spaces feel open, while at the same time the canopy of trees makes you feel protected. It's a private, quiet, green oasis within spitting distance of the freeway, and you'd never know it."

(images by Dwell Magazine)

the light lane

We've been a little cycling obsessed since returning from Denmark (see Rob's blog here)

The biking infrastructure in Copenhagen makes cycling accessible (and safe) for people of any age or experience level. Since returning to North America though, I've been less enthusiastic about getting on a bike.

(traffic light in Copenhagen)

The luxury of raised, dedicated lanes with proper cycling lights is nothing more than simple lines painted on the road here. There is nothing restricting cars, trucks or buses (either parked or moving) from entering the 'bike' lanes which makes me a little uneasy.

I'm not alone. Safety is a huge concern for cyclists especially since thousands of people are injured (or worse) while cycling every year. Building proper bike lanes is expensive and is not happening as quickly as many would hope.

The designers at Altitude Inc. have come up with a possible solution: The Light Lane. A solution that adapts the bike lane to the cyclists rather than the other way around.

Using lasers, the Light Lane projects visible boundary lines for drivers to avoid.

Such a great idea, especially considering lanes like that show in this video called the "stupidest bike lane" are more common than not.

(copenhagen images by me, light lane image from here, story from here)

inside Wayne Coyne's home

The Oklahoma residence/music studio of Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips has been featured all week in the blogosphere. The design was done by Fitzsimmons Architects and the space is magical and inspiring.

As you can see, the exterior is rather unassuming

The interior is what makes this space so unique

I love the hanging fireplace

Coyne's imagination is always running wild and the space is an extension of this. In an interview with Design Milk, he describes the bedroom as "strange, artistic" and the bathroom as "strange, futuristic."

About the bathroom pod, he says, "now you are entering into the, drug damaged, artist element of our home."

(images via Fitzsimmons Architects)

Bob Dylan: artist

Still a little nostalgic for Copenhagen, I found myself on the website for the Statens Museum (the National Gallery of Denmark). I was excited to learn that they will be exhibiting work by musician/writer/artist Bob Dylan.

The exhibition, which runs from September 2010 to February 2011, features drawings and sketches made while on the road during the period of 1989-1992. Some new pieces will also be introduced, including some acrylic paintings, which will be shown to the public for the first time.

This exhibition documents the artist's progression from drawings and sketches, to canvas, to large scale acrylic paintings. Dylan takes his viewers on tour with him, as witnesses to the people and places he has observed over the years.

"I just draw what’s interesting to me, and then I paint it. Rows of houses, orchard acres, lines of tree trunks, could be anything. I can take a bowl of fruit and turn it into a life and death drama. Women are power figures, so I depict them that way. I can find people to paint in mobile home communities. I could paint bourgeois people too.

I’m not trying to make social comment or fulfil somebody’s vision and I can find subject matter anywhere. I guess in some way that comes out of the folk world that I came up in." Bob Dylan

A selection from the Drawn Blank series is currently being exhibited at the Halcyon Gallery in London until April 10 2010.

images from Halcyon Gallery

a rustic cottage retreat

This weather makes the idea of a quiet evening at the cottage by the fire sound very appealing.

I've had designer Jill Brinson's home bookmarked for a while now. The designer describes the space as part loft, part farmhouse.

I love the use of reclaimed beams, which were salvaged from several North Carolina tobacco barns, with the light wood flooring.

An eclectic mix of rustic charm with elements from industrial-style warehouses

The huge windows throughout the home bring the outdoors in

images by House Beautiful

a visit: the Drake Hotel

Having Toronto as a home base, I've never had the opportunity to stay at the Drake Hotel but once I saw what I was missing...I'll have to take a mini vacation there soon (or at least recommend it to out-of-towners!)

The hotel was designed by a team which included Toronto's 3rd UNCLE (who also designed most of the furniture). Located in West Queen West, the hotel includes guest rooms, a bar/lounge, dining room, cafe, music/banquet/theatre venue, yoga studio, two outdoor patios and staff areas.

The design includes many details to maximize storage and functionality in the small space, such as tables that fold down from the walls and headboards (like the side tables in the image below) and the use of pendant lamps (no table needed!)

The renovation of this historic building was done in a way which would preserve the original structure but would still allow it to evolve over time.

The merchandise and graphics, designed by pod 10, were created uniquely for the hotel. Exclusive toiletries by Malin + Goetz.

images by the Drake Hotel

a visit: the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen

While we were in Copenhagen, we visited the famous Royal Hotel. The hotel, including the interior and all the furnishings, were designed by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen. The hotel was completed in 1960 and was the city's first skyscraper.

Much of the interior has changed but the iconic furniture remains.

All the rooms have been updated but one, Room 606, which remains the way Jacobsen designed it. It is available for booking!

The Egg and Swan chairs were designed by Arne Jacobsen especially for the space. The swivel base of the Swan chair allowed the guests to spin in their seats, making them active participants in the atmosphere of the busy hotel.

Along with the Swan chair, the Egg chair is believed to be one of the first upholstered swivel chairs.

The hotel even features Arne Jacobsen's famous Banker Clock. The clock indicates the hour with a blackened square in a stack of twelve boxes. Definitely a piece on my wish list!

(Furniture images by DWR, interior images by me)