bad banana blog

Super Kingdom

In response to urban development encroaching upon the woodland environment of Kings Wood, the art collective London Fieldworks created the woodland development Super Kingdom. A "social experiment for animals," the site-specific interventions include bird palaces, gated communities, and high-rise animal housing. The show homes have recently opened for animal occupancy and will function as a film set for a new video and animation production to be shot through the winter and exhibited next spring.

Via designboom.

Computer Installation

Check out these installation pieces by Scottish artist Sandy Smith. Depicted in the top three photos, Mauritian Sunset featured computers facing towards a blank wall, projecting the colors of a glowing sunset onto the wall. The back of the computers, ugly cords and all, faced out towards the gallery's street window. The bottom two photos show Green/Blue Horizontal, a walk-in corner installation featuring sixty computers configured in various tones of green and blue.

Via Shape + Colour.

Cathedral of Christ the Light

Glass, concrete, wood, and natural light are just part of the design story behind this stunning cathedral in Oakland, California. Bucking classical design, the architects placed the altar in the center of the cathedral, surrounded by the seating. The outside structure then funnels up twelve stories to a glass roof. Inspiring design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Via Inhabitat.

Design Island

Creativity magazine and Penguin Books have joined forces on a talent contest to design the book cover for Sam Taylor's upcoming novel, The Island at the End of the World. More than 300 ideas were submitted from illustrators, painters, designers, and photographers. The 25 finalists can be seen over at Creativity. Shown above are entries from (top to bottom) Justin Walsh, Warren Kemp, Philip Witak, and Pillow Fort (Seth Jablon and Mehmet Irdel) The winning design will be announced at Creativity's Hearts & Minds event in New York this Thursday.

Curio Bathroom Cabinet

This lockable, metal bathroom cabinet features a tiny little object on a recessed shelf. Options include a little bird, cat, soldier, radio, and giraffe. Available next spring.

Via designklub.

Modern McDonald's

In Europe, McDonald's restaurants have been moving to a more contemporary design. Here's what London design firm SHH has produced for various locations around England. McCool.

Via Contemporist.

You Are What You Touch

A simple idea with three wonderful executions. I really love the three distinctly different looks. Click for a larger view and take a look at all the rich detail. Nice work from JWT Sydney, Australia.

Via Ads of the World.

Martha Stewart's Best of the Blogs

It's not often you see Bad Banana Blog and Perez Hilton mentioned in the same article. Yet today, over at Martha Stewart's web site, this humble little blog joins Perez Hilton and the likes of Serious Eats and The Martha Blog on a list of the best 25 blogs, as chosen by the editors of Martha Stewart's media empire. It's all part of the festivities surrounding today's Martha Stewart Show, which focused on blogging (and had Perez Hilton as a guest).
    Thanks, Martha!

Wallpaper Number One

Check out Wallpaper Number One by California-based artist Shannon Wright. As Wright explains on her web site, the wallpaper pattern depicts "exuberantly healthy human urinary tracts."

Via Street Anatomy.

Pixelated Skyscraper

Currently under construction in the Tribeca district of Manahattan, 56 Leonard Street will house 145 residences, each with its own unique floor plan and private outdoor space. Herzog & de Meuron Architects describe the concept as "houses stacked in the sky."

Via Contemporist.