Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Concrete Floor Beautifully Doubles as Kitchen Counter

Posted: 19 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

flower house porto portugal

The Flower House from Portuguese architects Ezzo is defined by its kitchen countertop which doubles as a floor – and that’s only the beginning of its charms.

kitchen counter bathroom

Situated in Porto, the home consists of two stories. The ground floor was refurbished and the second floor completely demolished and rebuilt. When you enter the home, the floor consists of shiny concrete. As you follow the flow of the house toward the back, you’ll see a sunken kitchen on one side and a sunken living room on the other.

kitchen cabinets

The concrete floor wraps around, becoming the counter top in the kitchen. Cabinets were set underneath the concrete, which was all poured on-site.

Gaining access to the second floor can be achieved via a fun ladder or a beautiful set of winding wood stairs. A study area takes up one part of the upper floor while two bedrooms and a second bathroom occupy the rest.

patio doors

Each bedroom has a door that leads out to a shared patio. From the vantage point at the top of a hill, the residents can look out over the rooftops of the city.

exterior flower house

The home has a unique flow thanks to all of its components being in such cozy quarters. Although the inside may look  very modern, the exterior was kept to a traditional shape that fits in with the surrounding homes.


    

Stairway to Heaven: Infinite Staircase Disappears Into Sky

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:00 PM PST

stairway to heaven

Have you ever wondered what would happen if there were an actual “Stairway to Heaven?” It would probably look a little like David McCracken‘s sculpture entitled Diminish and Ascend.

infinite staircase

The welded aluminum steps begin on the shore in Bondi Beach, Australia. They appear to climb up and up into the sky in a never-ending path to an unknown location.

diminish and ascend

On a cloudy day, the diminishing point of the sculpture seems to literally disappear into the sky. Although it’s only an illusion, it really does seem like you could simply climb the stairs infinitely, eventually reaching the serenity of space.


    

Grass-Growing Bench Injects a Little Nature into the City

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 02:00 PM PST

bench with growing grass

Wouldn’t waiting for a bus or taking a jogging break be more pleasant if you had a soft bed of grass to pet in the meantime? The Saturnia Bench from designer Phillippe Nigro features a central strip of grass and a number of protruding geometrical shapes.

saturnia bench

The irregularly-placed shapes give passers-by a place to sit, while the grass in the middle does double duty. It brings a bit of nature to an otherwise nature-starved zone, and it provides stress relief for people who run their fingers over the soft blades while they wait.

grass-filled bench

Using concrete and grass together may seem like an odd choice – particularly for an object that is meant to reside in the “concrete jungle.” However, the industrial look of the concrete along with the softer element of growing plants brings a sense of serenity to the bench. It makes for an inviting place to take a break and enjoy a mini-escape into nature.


    

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