nothing is certain but death and...

HST tax today!! Canadians definitely isn't enjoying Canada Day today. In Canada, Harmonised Sales Tax (HST) combines the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST) into a single sales tax. This changes the PST from a cascading tax system, which has been abandoned by most world economies to a VAT like the GST. Saying that, similar to the GST and PST, the HST is a regressive tax. This new system have angered Canadians especially the British Columbia and Ontario province although there is evidence that the harmonisation raises business investment and that PST-type taxes slow down provincial growth. Ipsos Reid poll showing vast majority of British Columbians (82%) and Ontarians (74%) oppose the plans. This is backed by Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress found costs will decrease for small business as they recover sales taxes they have to pay on goods and services they purchase and will lower their administrative costs. Even the former B.C. Premier Bill Vander Zalm has launched a petition against the HST because it was never passed into law by the British Columbia's provincial legislature. Whatever happens next is anyone's guess. Regardless, for sure the tax implemented will stay.

desert flats

Deep in Southern California, this Joshua Tree project by Robert Stone inspires me. Rosa Muerta looks like it's too low to be a habitable structure but he manages to develope a aesthetic language that engages subtle physical and cultural context than the more universal and abstract approaches that dominate the scene - against the mainstream architecture. The Architect believed that modernism shows a pathologic misguidence and scars accrued over a century of cultural use and misuse.

neuro consumption

My brain it's always ticking
Long as I'm alive and kicking
My brain, cool little cluster, that's my brain

My brain it's always working
Long as you keep that coffee perking
My brain, cool little cluster, that's my brain

My brain it's losing power
1,200 neurons every hour
My brain, cool little cluster, that's my brain

My brain it's getting pounded
Pretty soon I'll be dumbfounded
My brain, cool little cluster, that's my brain

shall we dance?

In most cities in the world, big cineplex cinemas have led to the dying out of old cinema theatres. Such is the same demise in Zagreb. But, the City of Zagreb council have decided to retaliate and reuse an old cinema like Lika into a new dance centre. Now, Zagreb has produced about 40 dance troops, most of which are contemporary dancing within 50 years. The Architects 3LHD have designed a centre that houses numerous dancers, choreographers, art troops and companies will have three multipurpose studios (one large studio with 150 telescopic seats and two smaller training studios), three spacious dressing rooms, bathrooms, storages for props and technology and office spaces. The only new architectural element of the centre is the entrance lobby, cafe, library and a video store.

skill, my arse!

Rubbish England!! Loss 4-1 to Germany and now everyone is blaming the Capello. What nonsense!! I'm so furious with anger and fucked off with the 'Golden Age' boys that I can't even write. So, to the England squad for 2010 World Cup - Go Fuck Yourselves!! Shame on you morons!!

Have they no shame? Full of disappointment everytime and all they could do is apologise. How many times do they need to fuck up before they get booted out from the England squad completely? Use-mother fucking-less!!!

ciao luigi

The weather is scorching today. So, a cocktail recipe is in order. Welcome, Luigi!

4-5 ice cubes
25 ml (1 fl oz) orange juice
25 ml (1 fl oz) dry vermouth
12.5 ml (1/2 fl oz) cointreau
25 ml (1 fl oz) grenadine
50ml (2 fl oz) gin
1 wedge blood orange

Method:

Stir vigorously in a mixing glass ice, juice, vermouth, cointreau and gin. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Pour the grenadine gently down one side of the glass so that it settles at the bottom. Peel half of the skin off the orange and sit it on the rim of the glass and serve.

blind chinaman

I dropped my glasses. Fuck!! Now it's shattered, I'm searching for a second frame. I think I need one since I've had this pair for the last 5 years and a person deserves some subtle changes as he grows older. Looking around I found myself magnetically attracted to a Tom Ford 1950's round frame.

The leggie sales assistant rapidly moved towards me and suggested that I should give it a try. Looking at her slightly tan legs, I dull fully agreed. As I put it on, I automatically laughed because it reminded me of the film Tai-Pan. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about - Wikipedia it! Anyway, the glasses make me look like a Chinese opium den owner during the British occupation of Hong Kong. I don't know what is worse; looking like an opium den owner or a Gweilo trying to look like a Chinese?

By this time, my leggy bronze sales assistant was commenting on my new look. I deliberately stalled my excitement and tried others brands. Baby, you have to work for this sale!! After trying half a dozen of glasses, I finally chose Tom Ford's to the leggy bronze relief. In one week, I'll have my new glasses. But not before she slipped her mobile number to see whether a friendly coffee was possible.

Looks like Tom Ford's charm is working already. An investment worth having!!

plus one

The Lockyer Residence is a small, contemporary extension onto a post war house in Brisbane, Australia. Shaun Lockyer Architects have tried to address two primary architectural issues; context and language and in search of essence needed from a residence which is engaging. The design is overt and sits in stark contrast to the original. The Architects were very sensitive with the planning, layout and architecture of the space because they wanted it to primarily about the family. As with most Architecture in Australia, environmental issues were addressed in all the decision making for the extension.

life's a beach

BARK Design Architects have decided to celebrate Marcus Beach residence with a natural, light contemporary dwelling. The house is open, light and possesses simple sustainable design solutions that passively defend its residents from the elements. The usual design solutions with its windows and doors strategically positioned to capture the prevailing breezes whilst generous roof overhangs to protect from direct sunlight.

Air conditioning has not been installed in the Marcus Beach House and artificial lighting is kept to a minimum due to its north facing glazing. The roof over the Master Bedroom rises to the north providing a band of high level clerestory glazing which captures daylight and also allowing warm air to escape thus setting up a ‘stack effect’ natural cooling system.The connection between the deck and living spaces is dynamic and direct with the help of the Moreton Bay Ash as a focal point in which almost all rooms within the dwelling enjoy a connection.

fourty - love

Another year and another Wimbledon record. Sitting courtside among the Wimbledon and HSBC banner, I recalled the previous years I've been coming here. To be fair, I was never an avid tennis fan but old age have made realise the simple (often very competitive) pleasures in Sunday tennis match with old (often new) friends. How did I get into it, you ask. Well, it was after going on a date with a tennis ball girl during the 2007 French Open. That's how! ACE!

Longest Wimbledon game ever!! Nicolas Mahut and John Isner on June 22, 23, and 24, 2010. 183 games, 11 hours and 5 minutes of playing time.

Longest set by time and games - The 5th set of the match, 138 games played over 8 hours and 11 minutes.

Longest play in a single day - The first 118 games of the 5th set, 7 hours and 6 minutes.

Most games in a single day - 118

tang ting tang

This Architectural project inherits the generosity, concise and stately characteristic of Hang Tang culture of Xi’an, which expressed by integrated as a whole and enhances the scale perception under determined site area condition. MADA s.p.a.m. have continued the typology and landscape of the imitated Tang Dynasty Park of Qu to reverberate the traditional Hang Tang large-scale construction.

no speak

Comme te po’
Comme te po’

Comme te po’ capì chi te vò bene
si tu le parle ‘mmiezzo americano?
Quando se fa l’ammore sotto ‘a luna
come te vene ‘capa e di: “I love you!?”

Pa pa l’ americano
Pa pa l’ americano
Pa pa l’ americano

fa l’ americano!

Pa pa l’ americano
Fa fa l’ americano

whïsky soda e rockenroll
whïsky soda e rockenroll
whïsky soda e rockenroll…

mule bar

Decided to go cycling in North Downs from Crawley to Reigate and around the area. Work is getting to me again (!!) and I'm feeling that I'm not at the top of my game at the moment hence a bike ride might help recharge (or discharge) my batteries. The route I'm taking is a classic route for the annual London to Brighton bike ride. Following the route along A23, it passes through the London suburbs of Westminster, Brixton, Croydon, Purley, past Gatwick Airport, Crawley, The Weald countryside, crossing North Downs and South Downs, Ditchling Beacon before decending into the seaside resort of Brighton.

What a beautiful day!

transparent projections

No explanatory needed. Just enjoy the images...

dynasty, colby's & the 80's

Can you hear me calling
Out your name
You know that I'm falling in love
Don't know what to say
I'll speak a little louder
I'll even shout

You know that I'm proud
And I can't get the words out
Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
(Wanna be with you everywhere)

Something's happening
Happening to me
My friends say I'm acting peculiarly
Come along baby
We better make a start
You better make it soon
Before you break my heart

Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
(Wanna be with you everywhere)

Can you hear me calling
Out your name
You know that I'm falling in love
Don't know what to say
Come along baby
We better make a start
You better make it soon
Before you break my heart

Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I... I want to be with you everywhere
(Wanna be with you everywhere)

rainbow trout

A fish?!?! That's what the client must have said to XPACE architecture + urban design when they proposed their idea for his new house extension. The new building is an extension to the private house of a sculptor in Luxemburg, providing a studio, a relaxation and wellness area with a sauna, and a viewing terrace. The studio is housed in the garden storey, half-sunk space is shielded against the hill slope by an angled, exposed concrete wall. Due to its full-height, openable glass façade facing the garden, the studio can also be used as an outside working area. A copper-coated, two-storey air space additionally lends the relatively small studio space a surprising spaciousness. The elevated position of the upper storey, nestled amongst the treetops, provides a beautiful vista over the park-like private garden. The roof, constructed as a sundeck and affording an open view onto the Kirchberg and the surrounding landscape, forms the upper surround of the house.

blue lime

House Equanimity is a single-family, three bedroom home that deviates in scale and appearance from the surrounding neighbourhood, designed by Joseph N. Biondo. The main living area, whose face is half buried into the landscape, offers no views to the east except that of its walled courtyard.

The hues of blue on the exterior of the house echo the mottled limestone quarried locally in Northampton, Pennsylvania. The interior space is open, intimate, and neutral with domestic objects articulated as furnishings placed within.

californication

Like a sound you hear
That lingers in your ear
But you can't forget
From sundown to sunset
It's all in the air
You hear it everywhere
No matter what you do
It's gonna grab a hold on you

California soul, California soul

They say the sun comes up every morning
And if you listen oh so carefully
The winds that ride on the high time
Whistle in melody
And so the people started to sing
And that's how the surf gave birth untold

To California soul, California soul

When you hear the beat
You wanna pat your feet
And you've got to move cause
It's really such a groove
Puts a brand new kind of thinkin' in your mind
And you can't go wrong
Cause you're groovin' all day long

California soul, California soul

They had the melody and the beat
But it still didn't seem complete
Until they saw two lovers kissin
They knew just what was missin
So happy they were rockin and reelin
Because that added that lovin feeling

To California soul, California soul

Like a sound you hear That lingers in your ear

playing with my delirium

What is better than a simple timber construction especially if you're merely a visitor in an ancient landscape such as a township of Fiscavaig on the western side of the Isle of Skye? Rural Design has successfully proposed a house in a landscape without disruption thus not lending itself as an intervention. The Architects have decided to lift the building off the ground on small piloti so that it could relate to the wider context. The house deliberately narrows to the north thus reducing its surface area as it leans into the weather.

beach block

This house in Obama is for a family of a president of a company. Situated near a beach, suppose design office have created a space closed to the outside environment. The building has a piloti built with reinforced concrete structure. The second floor is a metal structure that can have a wide span due to the truss beams. Kitchen space, bathrooms, study corners, storages and other services are placed at the border line of the building area. Meanwhile, the main space for residence is located in the inner area to protect from cold air from outside. Gardens are placed between the rooms and separate each room. Because of the courtyards, elements of the rooms and gardens are mixed and interact each other to create space that is hard to define neither inside nor outside.