Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily


Floating Home Perches Atop a Fragile Looking Glass Layer

Posted: 26 May 2014 08:00 AM PDT

floating home

Typically, a home has a layer that can be considered a base or foundation, and above that there are levels which can be designated as public and/or private living spaces. And for the most part, we know what to expect from those levels: wider on the bottom and narrower near the top, since that’s what physics and engineering tell us makes sense.

glass second level

The BE House in Paredes, Portugal turns that expectation upside-down. Designed by Portuguese firm spaceworkers, the three-level home features what appears to be an impossible middle layer made entirely of glass. The glass level is actually smaller than the overhanging enclosed layer, making the house appear to be precariously stacked out of order.

half indoor pool

On the lowest level, the home’s mundane service functions are hidden within solid walls. A surprising feature also resides there, however: a partially covered swimming pool. With half of the pool under the shade of the house itself and the other half open to the sunlight, residents and visitors can choose to bask in the sunlight or cool off in the shade.

be house see through middle level

The middle level appears nearly transparent, giving the impression that the level above is almost floating in the air. In this see-through layer lie the public living spaces and a neutral color palette that leads the eye to the surrounding vistas.

deck be house

clear middle layer be house

In keeping with the open feeling of the middle level, it is surrounded by a large open deck on which the residents can enjoy a view of the city or overlook their lovely pool.

upper level

At the top of the home is the mysteriously “floating” layer. It is enclosed and contains the home’s private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms. The top level contains partitions that, in contrast with the mostly open space below, allow for a sense of privacy and retreat.

Quirky Tongue-in-Cheek Furniture Brings Humor to a Room

Posted: 25 May 2014 02:00 PM PDT

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 1

Staring at this roomful of YOY furniture feels a bit like stepping into a surreal film: nothing functions exactly as it seems like it should, given its usual purpose and the laws of physics. That doesn’t mean this furniture series is any less useful than it ought to be. It’s just delightfully weird.

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 2

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 3

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 4

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 5

What looks like an ordinary shag throw rug, for example, can be curled up to function as a seat. A hidden 10mm layer of aluminum under the soft surface gives the rug its unexpectedly flexible, weight-supporting form. Another quirky design is an LED lamp that projects its own shade onto the wall.

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 6

Tongue in Cheek Furniture 7

A wooden tray balances precariously on the edge of a table – but how is it supporting the weight of that coffee cup? The answer is a clip underneath that can be used at any angle to add space to an existing surface. A fourth design is a series of drawer-shaped accessory cases that extend from the wall at varying depths to make it look like they’re actually built into the surface.

 

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