bad banana blog

The Yas Hotel

The recently-completed Yas Hotel features more than 5,300 diamond-shaped steel panels containing almost 5,000 LED fixtures. It's the largest remote-controlled LED project in the world. Where else, but Abu Dhabi?

Via Contemporist.

The Long Barn Studio

For his architectural studio, Nicolas Tye created this 2,200 square foot addition right next to his award-winning barn conversion home in Bedfordshire. The studio utilizes rainwater harvesting, low energy lighting, and its very own wind turbine. Read more about the project (and see more photos) here.

Via Contemporist.

The Hergé Museum

The idea of a museum dedicated to the art of Hergé (Georges Remi) had been in the works for more than thirty years. This month, the Hergé Museum officially opens in Louvain-la-Neuve, just outside of Brussels. Hergé's timeless comic character Tintin made his first newspaper appearance more than seventy years ago, in January of 1929.
    The museum was designed by Christian de Portzamparc. I'm particularly taken by the entrance. More photos and project details here.

Via Contemporist.

Helix Hotel

The centerpiece of a new waterfront development in Abu Dhabi, the Helix Hotel will feature 208 guest rooms and suites arranged around a helical floor. Gone are the rigid hallways and duplicated room views of a traditional hotel. Here, the floor constantly shifts in width and pitch as it rises to the top level. The running track on the fifth floor represents the only time when the ramping ceases and a flat surface prevails. Designed by New York's Leeser Architecture. Read more about the newly-selected design here.

Via Contemporist.

Reborn

The discovery of a 17th century tomb for gardeners of Charles I was the impetus to save the St Mary-at-Lambeth parish church from demolition in 1977. Since then, the formal cathedral and grounds (located across the river Thames from the House of Parliament) has been a living showcase and museum dedicated to British gardening and garden design. The interior photos above highlight the renovation completed in November of last year. You can read more about it here.

Via Inhabitat.

Yellow Treehouse Restaurant

To demonstrate that the phone book can be used to complete any project, the New Zealand Yellow Pages decided to construct a restaurant in a redwood tree just north of Auckland. Designed by Pacific Environments Architects, the Yellow Treehouse Restaurants was constructed by sourcing all products and services out of the Yellow Pages. See more photos, including some interior shots, here.

Via Contemporist.

Bluff Farm House

Fabulous farm house in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. According to architect Richard Cole, the house was conceived as a "singular gesture responding to the strength of the site" in the tradition of isolated rural buildings. More photos here.

Via Contemporist.

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.

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.

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.