Insult to injury: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Just released is a hybrid version of one of the most hated tanks on the streets (second to the Hummer).

With the new hybrid engine fuel economy doubles to (a still gas sucking) 20 mpg, which is poor timing since gas prices has now been dropping to less than $3/gallon and many are economizing their way of life in these uncertain economic times.

The question is will anyone buying this 6,000 lb behemoth will actually use all 8 seats and haul enough stuff to fill most of its insanely carnivorous 108 cubit feet of interior space?

I'm sure this will be bought and driven by some latte sipping, cell phone yapping douche bag joining in on the eco wave, or some sports star making a rather pitty environmental statement. More is more, still to some...

LAMA- Textures & Textiles

Cell
Felt
Furore

For Inspiration~

http://www.lamaconcept.nl/

North Tiles by Kvadrat

Modern in Denver wrote about the Bouroullec brothers, and reminded me of the Kvadrat North Tiles, and how amazing they look in almost any application..


http://www.kvadrat.dk/textiles/north-tiles/

Upgrade by Tomas Kral

I normally don't like decoration, but I thought this collection of glass objects by Slovakain designer Tomas Kral is rather ingenious and witty.
Called Upgrade, the collection (which was exhibited at last month's 100% Design in London) involves taking normally processes used to engrave and gild crystal glass and applying them to used consumer/industrial jars and bottles. So a lowly ketchup bottle becomes something of value and beauty.

It is also ironic that Slovakia is a country known for their fine glass making and elevating something that's very pedestrian and utilitarian to something valued is recycling at its finest.

Interactive Inspiration

With all of the interest in interactivity, data/information presentation, display walls etc. going on in the office, this site could be really useful to a lot of you.
http://adnxtc.wordpress.com/2007/08/03/visualisation-de-donnees-quelles-sont-les-differentes-approches-possible/

PET Wall

Brilliant.
http://transstudio.com/petwall/

Bananas across the world

http://www.londonbananas.com/

Industrial Craft

Check it out...lace fencing.

http://www.demakersvan.com/

Chihuly Exhibit

Click to see the latest info from De Young in San Francisco

What is next?

Neutra Cyclorama at Risk (again)

Richard Neutra's son has filed a lawsuit trying to keep the Cyclorama from being demolished.

Click here to get the NPR Story:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95460483

Click here to see images of the Cyclorama:

http://www.neutra.org/gallery/gettys.htm

Restoration Lego?

Colorful solution to classic cobblestone deterioration!

http://www.janvormann.com/dispatchwork.php

Heir Apparent..

Herman Miller is beginning to reveal the new Heir to the Mirra. Should be an interesting sit!http://dvice.com/archives/2008/10/herman_miller_t.php?p=6&cat=undefined#more

"What we do here affects the rest of the world. People follow."

Gensler alumn Cameron Sinclair is featured in a new Gap ad. Watch it here. As co-founder of Architecture for Humanity he is one of my design heroes. I met him in Qatar and he is kind, passionate and genuine. (Plus he told me I was a rock star!) If there is ever a day when I don't show up for work it will probably be because I've run off to join him. If you aren't familiar with him here is his Ted Talk.

                                              

It's crash and burn time! Let's celebrate!!!

Subprime mortgage crisis, rampant foreclosures, stock market crash, 401K losses, credit crunch, the downfall of major bank institutions, pending recession...
Feeling down? Don't despair. You could comfort yourself in an epic 20-course dinner put together by legendary chef Thomas Keller and culinary whiz kid/Keller protégé Grant Achatz. Two of the finest chefs in the world.
At these dinners, each chef will prepare ten alternating courses that "will allow diners to experience a 15 years of culinary dedication, creativity, and history in a single meal."
This rare event will take place for three nights this fall and will be limited to 65 people per dinner. So how much for all this comfort food?

$1,500 a head, but that includes wine pairings, tip and personally signed copies of Keller's and Achatz's latest cookbook. Feeling better now?

For more information click on these Chef's restaurant's websites (where the tastings will take place): www.alinea-restaurant.com (awesome photos), www.perseny.com, www.frenchlaundry.com

Bon appetit!