Tori-Tori-Restaurant, Mexico City -A digital design for a digital age

Tori-Tori restaurant

A uniquely designed hot spot for loves of food and architecture.

A digital design for a digital age — that is what was envisioned for the Tori-Tori restaurant located in Polanco near Mexico City. The stunningly beautiful blue ivy-like structure is now complete and is the collaborative work of Mexico-based architectural firm Rojkind Arquitectos and design workshop Esrawe Studio.

Tori-Tori-Indoor-Dining-Area

The structure is made of two-layer self-supporting steel that generates the layered and ivy-like façade. Outside, guests can dine and drink amongst natural vegetation, enjoying a remarkably unique dining experience thanks to handcrafted furniture designed exclusively to match the form and function of the restaurant. While we aren't quite sure how well the form and design of the restaurant translates to the food, we would at least enjoy its digitally beautiful atmosphere.

Tori-Tori-Green-Vegetation-Dining-Area

Tori-Tori-entryway

  Tori-Tori-Lounge

Tori-Tori-Corner-Dining-Area

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America`s Most Expensive Public Memorial/The Reflecting Absence

Reflecting Absence: The September 11 Memorial

The tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks is marked with the memorial Reflecting Absence that is opened to the public on the site where the twin towers formerly stood. Designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, Reflecting Absence with a $500 million budget, is the most expensive public memorial ever created in US.

New York authorities held a competition to design the memorial, which became the largest design competition in history. Among 5,200 entries from 63 countries, 13-member jury decided for Arad’s idea as winning. Jury members loved the idea of the big voids, Peter Walker said. But they really disliked seven acres of stone plaza. The memorial also needed to operate as a public open space. Next to Hong Kong, that neighborhood is probably the densest neighborhood in the world.

Reflecting Absence: The September 11 Memorial/view 2

The memorial occupies approximately half of the 16-acre World Trade Center site and features two enormous waterfalls above reflecting pools set in the footprints of the original buildings. The outside area, which opened yesterday to the families of victims, features what Michael Arad, has called a living park of swamp white oak trees whose rows are interrupted by the negative space of the tower imprints. Its design is meant to convey a spirit of hope and renewal while commemorating the victims of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and 26 February 1993.
The project includes the Memorial Plaza, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion and a transportation hub. The Memorial Plaza opened to the public from  September 12th.

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Live life like a lord in New Zealand's only castle

Dunedin's 19th-century Larnach Castle brings the Old World to the South Island

Lanarch CastleLanarch Castle, built by a 19th-century businessman for his first wife, is now a family-run estate.
Unless you’re a bona-fide British blue blood, Madonna or one of the Beckham soccerball clan, it's unlikely you can boast, "Hey plebs -- y’know, I stayed in a castle last night, huh?"
Well, to that roll call of riches, go ahead and add yours truly if you would: I’ve just joined the crenellated club by staying at New Zealand’s finest -- Larnach Castle in Dunedin.
While most of us have likely visited a castle while traveling, especially in Europe, we’d normally leave at the end of the day.
For me, however, nightfall means my experience is just beginning.
Keeping it real
Sitting high over the Otago Pensinsula only a 20-minute drive from Dunedin city center, Larnach Castle is the only castle in New Zealand.
The first thing I notice are the friendly staff -- all kilts and Old World charm that bring a sense of Scotland to the Kiwi scene.

Lanarch Castle

In winter, there's a bleak appeal to Lanarch.
Construction began on the castle in 1871, when Australian William Larnach broke the turf for his first wife, Eliza Jane Guise. It was completed in 1887, with the final addition of a ballroom as a 21st birthday present for his daughter Katie.
The current owners of Larnach Castle, the Barker family, bought the castle in 1967 and developed the tourist side of the estate while restoring both castle and grounds.
Period bedrooms
Pick whether you want to stay at the lodge or in the stables. The stables cost NZD$155 per night and are cozy, although bathrooms are shared.
The lodge, which is right across from the stables, features 12 rooms at NZD$260 per night each, all decorated in period style.
I'm staying in Katie's Room, which has a lovely country cottage vibe.
One reason William Larnach picked this site to build the castle was the view of the Otago Peninsula, which takes in the farms below, the water and mountains. It's easy to pull up a chair and watch the day pass by your window.
While guests can explore at will, visitors can pay to stroll the gardens and castle. To see both, tickets start from NZD$10 for kids.
The castle covers three levels. It's best to start the tour underneath the main entrance on the ground floor with a short background film and a sneak look into the Gun Room.

Lanarch Castle

The castle gardens have been restored by the current occupants, the Barker family.
On the first level are the living areas and Music Room -- said to be William Larnach's favorite -- to which I plan to return in the evening.
The Dining Room is nearby and features Tasmanian Blackwood paneling and Italian marble fireplaces. The Main Foyer is a spectacular sight, with a Venetian glass wall and mosaic tiles on the floor.
Lived-in feeling
Walking up the creaking staircase, I find the bedrooms on the second floor. The Master Bedroom and North Bedroom occupy the majority of the floor, but don't miss the small chamber featuring the wedding dress of Constance, William's third wife, and other Victorian clothing.
One of the most impressive features of the castle is revealed by walking up a narrow spiral staircase leading to the battlements.
It's worth the climb. From 320 meters above the sea, the view commands a panorama from Dunedin, down the harbor past Port Chalmers to the Heads, and then along the open coast and its inlets.
A major plus to staying the night at Larnach Castle is that you can take your time wandering around. There‘s no rush to see everything. Once you’re done, you can take advantage of the gardens or retreat to your room.
Getting together
On the downside, unless you have a car, you might be stuck for mealtime options. During the day, there is a café in the ballroom but after 4.30 p.m., you’re on your own until evening.
At night, for NZD$65 per head, diners have the rare opportunity to eat and drink in the castle, perhaps in the same areas where the Larnach family once dined.
The Music Room doubles as a dining room for guests. 

CNNGo

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Louis Vuitton Island Maison opened At Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Louis Vuitton Island Maison At Marina Bay Sands

Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Peter Marino,this  new luxury shopping paradise will sit directly on water, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the bay. It will not be just a luxury house of fashion, but a space that also incorporate art and cultural elements, which allows visitors to make their own discoveries.
The ground floor will feature a complete selection of men’s and women’s leather goods, ready to wear, shoes and accessories, while the mezzanine level will be a space dedicated to travel luggage and accessories in the first Travel Room in Asia Pacific. There will also be a private lounge for intimate presentations as well as an outdoor loggia reminiscent of a deck on a luxury yacht.

Louis Vuitton Island Maison At Marina Bay Sands-2

The island will be linked to the Marina Bay Sands mall by a tunnel. Visitors travelling through the tunnel will be able to view pieces of contemporary artwork, before it leads them to the Louis Vuitton bookstore where they can browse through a specially curated range of design, cultural and art books.
The Louis Vuitton Island will be the 12th Maison in the world, 1st Maison in Southeast Asia. As of today, Louis Vuitton has 459 stores in 63 countries.

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The deeply strange "1001 Nights" house by architects A-Cero

Madrid-based A-Cero architects are a big deal in Spain with public and residential projects across the country plus South America and the Middle East. Lead architect and principal Joaquin Torres is bit of a celebrity and recently appeared on Spanish TV's equivalent of "The Secret Millionaire" (giving away money of course, not receiving it). Unashamedly modernist, the A-Cero house style generally involves sweeping curved gestures in gleaming white. With the latest residential project however, Joaquin seems to have embraced the dark side and produced a dwelling of such stunning brutality and "otherness" that it could easily be an alien fortress on a distant planet. We love it. It's also one of the few buildings that actually looks good illuminated by multi-colored LEDs.

The architect's own description is disappointingly prosaic:

"It is a single family house located in a development in the outskirts of Madrid. Over a plot of 7000 square meters (75.000 sq.ft.) the building, with 2100 square meters (22,000 sq.ft.), rises with a high standard design answering the owners' requirements.
The access, through the development walkway, is placed on a higher level. Here is the property, partially hidden by many curved walls that seem to elevate from some water sheets over a stone covering in white, grey and black shades, placed on purpose as a part of the landscape in this area of the plot. Besides its sculptural features, typical of the A-cero style, this side of the facade expects the integration of the building in the surrounding environment. A wide stone path, with water sheets on both sides, lead us to a huge black glass door that gives us access inside the property. In the garden, following the wishes of the owners, there are palms, pome granate trees and Middle East vegetation.

The rear facade of the house, the most visible, makes the most of the slight slope of the plot, where there is the porch, a pool and the garden. Almost all the views from the different rooms of the property are focused here, as the views of the lakes in the common areas of the development.
All the building is dressed in "black villar granite stone". In this part of the property big windows, with hidden woodwork, are opened, achieving a lot of light for the inside space. In the porch, the window in the main living room, of 10 meters, is automatically hidden, connecting indoors and outdoors.
The surrounding walkway is made of white marble, the tiling in the pool of blue gressite. The outside furniture is from the Rest collection by A-cero"

The rear of the building is a little bland, dealing as it must with the earthly pursuits of sunbathing, swimming and barbecues but the front is a triumph of juxtaposed leaning angles and curved barricades. The "hockey stick" curves are an A-Cero trademark but whereas tall and extended in blinding white marble they look like an homage to 60s Brasilia, truncated and in black they resemble nothing as much as tank traps.
The "1001 Nights" project title and the oasis at the front of the building suggest that the very lucky owner is of Arabic descent. Perhaps in its setting at dusk there is a hint of the silhouette of a desert citadel - but one surely from the mind of a science fiction writer. Fantastic.

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Extreme hotels/ The world's deepest subterranean hotel room

The eerie hotel suite accommodates two and is situated 155 meters (509 ft) below the earth's surface, amidst winding tunnels and deep cavities (image: Sala Silvermine)

Deep within the dark tunnels and cavity shafts of an old Swedish silver mine, guests can sleep in the world's deepest hotel suite. The Sala Silvermine is located in Sala (120 km/75 miles from Stockholm) and is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. For a long period of time the mine was Sweden's largest source of silver, and is now home to an underground hotel room, dining experience, museum, live theater and numerous exploration activities.

The eerie hotel suite accommodates two and is situated 155 meters (509 ft) below the earth's surface, amidst winding tunnels and deep cavities. The suite is not suitable for claustrophobes, as the dark chamber features a double bed surrounded by three rock walls, candles, seating and little else.
Upon arrival, the daring guests receive a guided tour of the space to orientate themselves before being left alone for the night. A staff member remains available above ground for the duration of the stay, contactable by an intercom radio. Guests are also reminded that cell phones do not work this deep underground! 

There is a toilet located 50 meters (165 ft) below ground, however guests will have to use the bathroom facilities in the adjoining hostel above ground.
The mine also features two dining rooms in the vicinity of the hotel suite, where dinner guests can experience a banquet in a truly unique environment.

Above ground, in the southern area of the mine, lie several high wire adventure tracks, including ropeways, hanging bridges and other tree challenges. But if you'd prefer to go underground, adventurers have the opportunity to go cave diving. The cave dive offers a limited number of divers access to explore the mine's underwater environment. The water temperature is constantly a chilly 2 degrees Celsius / 35 degrees Fahrenheit, however divers braving the cold conditions are promised a "spectacular scenery" experience.
A night's stay in the underground suite at the Sala Silvermine will cost approximately US$580.

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Bosco Verticale: the world's first vertical forest

Bosco Verticale is a planned 10,000 square meter urban forest, which will grow upwards. (Images from Stefano Boeri)
Italian architecture firm Stefano Boeri Architetti hopes to merge vegetation and urban architecture, with its Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) project. The Milan-based firm has designed a model that could see the "reforestation and naturalization" of metropolitan cities, by growing forests sky-ways. "Bosco Verticale [is a] device for the environmental survival of contemporary European cities," says Stefano Boeri.
Milan will host the first example of Bosco Verticale, with two residential towers already planned for construction. The towers, measuring 110 and 76 meters (361 and 250 feet), will become home to over 900 trees and that's excluding a wide range of shrubs and floral plants. The basic idea is that if you were to take the building out of the picture, the amount of trees needed to plant a forest on the land surface should be equal to those growing vertically on the tower. In essence, you will be creating a 10,000 square meter (11,960 sq. yds.) forest, growing upwards.

The project also aids in filtering air pollution contained in the urban environment. This is achieved as the the plants help produce humidity, absorb CO2 and dust particles, and produce oxygen. This will improve the quality of living for the residents, and it also creates a canopy that protects the building from radiation and noise pollution.
An irrigation and filtering system will be installed, that recycles gray water for maintenance of the plants. Photovoltaic solar cells will help contribute to the building's energy self-sufficiency.
Bosco Verticale will cost EUR65 million (US$87.5 million) and is stage one of the proposed BioMilano, which is hoped to create a green belt around the city.
(GIZMAG)

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Tourist Attraction/Kingdom Tower – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal announced plans to build the Kingdom Tower, world’s tallest building in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, less than two years after the Burj Khalifa opened in Dubai at a height that many thought wouldn’t be surpassed for years.
The planned tower will be 1km tall (3,281 feet) when it is completed and consist of hotels, offices, luxury apartments and a shopping centre. Prince Alwaleed said his company, Kingdom Holding Co., had signed a $1.23 billion deal with Bin Laden Group to build the tower, which is expected to take more than five years to complete. Building this tower in Jeddah sends a financial and economic message that should not be ignored, Prince Alwaleed told. It has a political depth to it to tell the world that we Saudis invest in our country despite what is happening around us from events, turmoil and revolutions even.

With a total construction area of over 500,000 square meters, the soaring Kingdom Tower will be a mixed-use building featuring a Four Seasons hotel, Four Seasons service apartments, first class office space, luxury condominiums and an observatory that will be higher than the world’s current highest observation deck.
US company Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture has been employed to design and oversee development of the project. The sprawling mega project, first announced in 2008, will cover two square miles at its base. Originally, the intention was to build the tower a mile high – a feat that would mean a 12-minute journey in a lift to get to the top – but there were fears that the soil would not support its foundations. It is not 1,000 meters. It is more, could be more by many meters… The figure is secret, only a small number of people know, said Prince Alwaleed.

The great height of Kingdom Tower necessitates one of the world’s most sophisticated elevator systems. The Kingdom Tower complex will contain 59 elevators, including 54 single-deck and five double-deck elevators, along with 12 escalators. Elevators serving the observatory will travel at a rate of 10 meters per second in both directions. Another unique feature of the design is a sky terrace, roughly 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter, at level 157. It is an outdoor amenity space intended for use by the penthouse floor.

Kingdom Tower will be the centerpiece and the first construction phase of Kingdom City, Jeddah Economic Company’s (JEC) new urban development of more than 5.3 million square meters of land in the north of Jeddah, overlooking the Red Sea and Obhur Creek. The overall construction cost of the tower is $1.2 billion and the overall estimated cost of the entire Kingdom City project is anticipated to be $20 billion. This project will provide sustainable profits to Kingdom Holding shareholders, Prince Alwaleed said.
Prince Alwaleed, who owns 95% of Kingdom Holding, has focused his investments on banks, hotels and media companies, building sizable stakes in firms such as Citigroup Inc., News Corp., Apple Inc. and Time Warner Inc. News Corp. owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal.

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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel In Saudi Arabia Opens Doors To Guests

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company announceed the opening of its long-awaited The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, which is scheduled to begin receiving guests on October 24, 2011. Situated next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh features 493 rooms and suites.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, will open its first hotel in the Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh
Within 213,500 sq m (52 acres) of landscaped gardens, the hotel’s stately architecture is modelled on traditional palaces and elegant Arabian residences. Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property.

Choosy guests will be satisfied with some of 49 two-bedroom Royal Suites, each measuring more than 425 sqm and 50 one-bedroom Executive Suites at 95 sqm. All guestrooms and suites are styled using the vibrant colors and ethnic textures of the region, and are equipped with wireless and wired Internet access, flat screen televisions and DVD players.
The hotel offers more than 5,800 sqm of conference space combined, including two colossal ballrooms in a separate wing that are both identical in size at 1,970 sq meters. They are complemented by two vast auditorium-styled theatres with stepped floors and built-in stages. Completing the conference area is Aubergine restaurant that cater exclusively for the invited delegates, journalists and accompanying security personnel.

Flanking the indoor swimming pool on the ground level is Hong, the Asian restaurant featuring a contemporary fusion of fresh Oriental ingredients with a western flair, and Azzuro Italian restaurant that serves authentic cuisine from the old country.
Recreational facilities include a full-service men’s health club complete with three treatment rooms. For medical emergencies, the hotel features a fully-equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with separate rooms for patients.
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh joins nine other Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts currently operating or under development in the Middle East: Bahrain, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh, Doha, Sharq Village & Spa, Dubai International Finance Centre, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Nile Cairo (opening respectively in 2012 and 2013.) [The Ritz Carlton]

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Special Hotels/ Bella Sky Comwell Hotel(10 photos)

The Bella Sky Comwell Hotel in Copenhagen has opened its doors. The 250 feet (76.5 m) tall, 814 room hotel is among of the largest in Scandinavia, but its not the size of the design from architecture firm 3XN that's striking - it's the shape. The building's tilting twin towers lean apart from each other at an impressive 15 degrees, an angle that provides guests with a better view of the surrounding parkland.

The hotel features 23 floors, 814 designer rooms with 200 different room types, 30 meeting and conference rooms, three restaurants, two bars and a wellness center. Natural design elements of earth colors, wood and grass throughout the hotel create a warm atmosphere and highlight the Scandinavian connection to the environment.

The entrance boasts a stunning light installation and furniture is designed to reflecting the structure of the building's facade, which is notable for its pattern of blue and white triangle shaped glass.

"The challenge was to build two towers with a single origin, so a common foyer was possible," said Kim Herforth Nielsen, founder of 3XN and Creative Director. "Designing a sustainable building was also vital to us. This includes insulating the building from solar heat and heat loss, which meant that the facade could not be comprised of more than 50% glass. The facade's pattern provides this insulating effect. And the pattern, which is formed by diagonal and vertical lines, enhances the building's look by following the turning of the towers."

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10 of the World’s Most Fascinating Arches

The world is filled with some amazing and scenic arches. Some of them are man-made and others have been formed naturally over the years. These are some of the world’s best.

1. Arc de Triomphe; Paris, France

This is probably one of the most recognizable arches on the planet. Actually, we can thank Napoleon Bonaparte for it as he commissioned it to honor himself and his soldiers back in 1806. It’s now one of Paris’s top tourist attractions. If you visit the Arc, make sure you take the underground tunnels to reach it as the streets are way too busy and chaotic to cross.

2. Reno Arch; Reno, Nevada, USA

This famous arch first appeared back in the 1920s. The glowing sign welcomes visitors to the western city. The sign is adorned with the city’s popular slogan, which is, ‘Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World.’ The slogan was actually the winning entry of a contest and was worth $100 to the winner many years ago.

3. Stari Most, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Stari Most translates into ‘The Old Bridge.’ It had been standing proudly for over 400 years, but was destroyed in the 1990s as war hit the former Yugoslavia. With help from UNESCO, the bridge has been rebuilt, including the wonderful arch which makes it so recognizable and attractive.

4. New River Gorge Bridge; Fayetteville, West Virginia, USA

This used to be the biggest arch bridge in the world. The huge steel bridge looks right at home here as it overlooks the beautiful lush trees and river below. The bridge also attracts many visitors to it on Bridge Day, which is an annual event in which extreme athletes will base jump from it and others are allowed to walk across it.

5. Arco Naturale; Capri, Italy

This natural arch lies in front of the Mediterranean Sea and dates back to Paleolithic times. It was formed over the years by natural erosion of the rock. It started out as the opening to a cave which has now eroded into the seas. It’s still a popular attraction centuries later in Capri.

6. St. Louis Gateway Arch; St. Louis, Missouri, USA

This stunning arch is one of the most recognizable in America. It was designed by Eero Saarinen, who was an architect of Finnish-American descent. He came in first place during a country-wide design contest to capture the nation’s exploratory spirit in a monument. It’s easily St Louis’ most famous landmark and attracts thousands of visitors a day in the summer.

7. Kintai Bridge; Iwakuni, Japan

This amazing Japanese bridge was originally built in the 1600s and it has been standing in one form or another since then. The current bridge was erected in the 1950s after World War II. The structure is quite stunning, especially during the year’s cherry blossom season.

8. Delicate Arch; Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA

This western American park is home to about 2,000 naturally-made arches. However, the top attraction is the fantastic sandstone piece called Delicate Arch. The rock looks to be bright orange when the sun strikes it, giving it a glowing experience. You can hike to the arch where you’ll get some breathtaking views of the park.

9. Los Arcos del 3er Milenio, Guadalajara, Mexico

hese huge yellow arches grace this Mexican city in the neighbourhood of Jardines del Bosque. The work of art was designed by Sebastian, who was a Mexican sculptor well known for his geometric works that were larger than life.

10. Xian Ren Qiao (Fairy Bridge), Guangxi Province, China

This picturesque natural bridge is carved out of limestone and sits next to the Buliu River. It’s about 25 miles northwest of the city of Fengshan. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society lists the opening span at 400 feet, which makes it the largest span in the world. You can reach the bridge by water as you sail down the river from the charming village of Buliu.

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