Google Tel Aviv Will Floor You

Eight floors of amazing is what Camenzind Evolution has designed in collaboration with Setter Architects and Studio Yaron Tal.

The Google work environment promotes creativity, collaboration and the sharing of ideas, through the effective design layout, which sets itself apart from the typical office. Located in the Electra Tower in central Tel Aviv, the office boasts views of the city and sea through full length windows, while allowing in generous amounts of natural light. Communication is key in this office and it is shown through 50% of the floor plan being open. Perfect for conversation, many areas display a casual demeanor of comfortable lounge seating consisting of banquettes, booths, or benches. The other half of the space is more enclosed, to allow focus and privacy. Each floor of the 8,000 m2 office is contrasted by aspects of the diversity in Israel, portraying a different theme relating to the building’s surroundings. The Google cafeteria features three restaurants, each themed differently: Non-kosher, kosher dairy and kosher meat. Featuring a slide between floors, a Lego room, music room, full gym and a rooftop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this office could be enough motivation to make most opt (or lust) for a career change. The project is currently awaiting LEED Platinum certification; If granted, this will be the first of its category in Israel.

Design for Change

As Canada is phasing out the penny and it will no longer be distributed from the Royal Canadian Mint, it makes ‘cents’ to put that spare change to a worthy cause.

Ten million pennies, or $100,000 is the cost equivalent for building supplies that the Habitat for Humanity can use to build a safe, affordable home for one family. With the ultimate goal of collecting 690 million pennies, the Habitat can build an additional 69 homes across Canada. 

The Greater Vancouver Habitat for Humanity and ReStore locations will be accepting penny donations. Click here for more information on the Habitat, or here, for the location nearest you.

Buildex Vancouver 2013

Showcasing innovation in architecture, interior design, construction and property management, Buildex is the place to be, with trade shows, seminars and exhibits.

600 exhibits are found on the trade show floor, ranging from construction materials, design solutions, lighting and green building practices. The following images are of the exhibits that caught my attention during the show.My first stop in the trade show was a 3D printing booth. The printer used an additive process to print a tea cup and saucer in colour, from a CAD file.A three-dimensional print of a multi-level commercial buildingGreen roof material consisting of a living system of soil, compost and vegetation, planted over a waterproofing membrane (This also happens to be the same material that is used on top of the Vancouver Convention Center!). LED lighting in an exterior application for parking lots, stadiums, fields and postsCutouts produced with a CNC machine used as functional and decorative art panels A combination living-working zone produced to maximize functionality in a smaller space Customized wall treatments produced from photos and artworkTextured millwork cabinet doors, fabricated from layers of plywood, in various finishes

Buildex 2013 was definitely worthwhile for me, as it’s a great way to keep current with new products and technology in an ever-changing industry.

Habitat 67 – Montreal

Designed by Canadian architect Mosche Safdie, Habitat 67 consists of 354 prefabricated concrete forms located next to the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal. The development boasts suburban living in an urban apartment environment, featuring fresh air, gardens and multiple levels. Section cut – Courtesy of Canadian Architecture Collection, McGill University

Built for Expo 67, the cube housing complex is a symbol of stability and strength, with bold, dominant shapes, varying in height and configuration.Safdie’s design encompasses private terraces and solariums to offer “a piece of paradise to everyone”.

A look into Moshe Safdie’s own apartment in the complex

Photographs: Complexe de la cité du havre

I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Make this Christmas a green one, with a lower environmental impact! This year, I did the majority of my wrapping with the Lush Cosmetics holiday flyer. It is festive, looks fantastic and can be jazzed up or down with ribbons and bows. Best of all, it will be up-cycled into wrapping paper, can be down-cycled later and costs absolutely nothing. As they say, “the best things in life are free!” Happy holidays!

Get creative with any household items you have! Here’s a list of materials I recommend to get you started:

Wrapping: Newspapers, magazines, flyers, product packaging (anything with a festive print is ideal), scrap paper                                                                                                                                                           Gift Tags: Christmas card covers – If you’re crafty, you can get several tags out of just one card Tips: This year, try to salvage any ribbons, bows or wrapping materials for future use!

Fogo Island – Long Studio

Photographer: Bent Rene´Synnevåg and Saunders Architecture Site Plan – Courtesy of Saunders ArchitectureSection Cut: Courtesy of Saunders ArchitectureJust outside of Newfoundland, lies Fogo Island, a Canadian beauty. The area is culturally rich and a home to  independent and resourceful people. In the effort to preserve the natural landscape with its unique traditions and cultures, came the idea for an Arts Residency program. This program allows artists from all over the map to connect and live in Fogo Island to experience its unique sense of community. The concept for the project was to create striking, bold and harsh geometric structures to contrast against the softer, natural environment. The idea is symbolic of change and acts as a link, connecting the past to the future.The studio faces the sea and is elevated, to give the resident artist a feeling of being unbound, unobstructed and ultimately, free. Organized in three different spaces, the studio reflects the seasons winter, spring and summer. One side of the structure remains fully enclosed, emulating winter, in an area of safety, solitude and protection from outside factors. The open, yet covered area of the studio portrays the entrance in a clean, crisp, white palette. This gives way to spring and a new, fresh beginning. The central portion of the space reflects the transition into summer, showcasing length through both the structure of the building and the allowance of light through openness. The lack of overhead coverage implies longer days, free of any limitations. At 120m squared, Long Studio produces their own power and recycles their own waste, adding efficiency and intelligence to a modest, yet stunningly beautiful space.

Closet Haven

Mariah Carey’s lovely boutique inspired closet – Clothing, shoes and accessories are organized by colour, material and occasion. The space features natural lighting, neutral white walls and bleached-wood flooring. More formal highlights are displayed in the from of large, glamorous chandeliers, crown moldings and gold leaf prints in the hardwood. Very fancy and a little over the top!