The British Library

The British Library, London has so many architectural "wow"s that I was spoilt for choice.  Here are a few:

But I highly recommend looking yourself if you get the opportunity.  The British Library is open from 09.30-18.00 on Mon, Wed, Thurs & Friday, until 20.00 on Tuesdays, 09.30-17.00 on Saturdays and 11.00-17.00 on Sundays and public holidays.

And then it also contains "wow"s such as this:

Which "wow" you?


Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7

Desert Chair

I'm not sure that artist Nadia Utto's Desert For One from her Eco-Chairs collection is one that you'd want to lean back and relax in, but, each taking a month to sculpt, they're made to be (otherwise) practical and to last.  The cacti and plants are real, with a drain to prevent build-up of water.  And the right arm features a cocktail holder!

Did she capture your view of a desert oasis?

Melted Staircase

This "melted staircase" in the Longchamp Store, NYC, USA is mindboggling.  Not least how it could be constructed for use without becoming a major health&safety problem.  If it wasn't for the railings you'd think it was a painting.

What do you think? Would you walk up it? Does it "wow" you?

Stop 'n' Grow

This ad for Stop 'n' Grow makes me cringe, but it's certainly eyecatching.

Wow?

Ice Hotel, Sweden

Ever fancied sleeping at -5˚ on a bed made of blocks of ice and reindeer skin? If you have you're in luck. The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden was the first and is the largest of its kind. Constructed of 10,000 tonnes of ice and 30,000 tonnes of snow, each year the hotel melts down to a "mere" 1,000 tonnes and has to be rebuilt. And each time it is built to a different theme.

Even the glasses in the bar are made of ice.

Does it "wow" you?


Photo 1 Photo 2

Square Melons?

I thought they were photoshopped - or at least a gimmick - but it turns out these square melons are actually grown by Japanese farmers in individual boxes so that they're forced to adapt into the square shape.  The idea is they take up less space in the fridge. 

Does this "wow" you?  Good or bad?

What would you grow in a box?  I wouldn't mind square tomatoes... Or would you grow things into a different shape?

Photo Credit

Scattered Light

This art installation by Jim Campbell is hanging in Madison Square Park, New York until February.  I was staring at it, trying to work out why it "wow"s me, and then it struck me: looking into that photo I feel like I'm standing surrounded by stars - able to reach out and touch them.  I've been looking up at distant stars all my life, no wonder that feels so meaningful.

Does it "wow" you?


Photo credit: Jou-Yie Chou

Mushroom LED Lamps

Created by a Japanese artist known as "The Great Mushrooming", these LED lights "sprouting" from found driftwood/salvaged lumber are a great idea.  Unfortunately unless you live in or visit Japan, you won't be able to buy one as the artist thinks they are far too brittle for shipping.

"Wow"?

Queen's House Staircase

The Tulip Stairs were the first centrally unsupported spiral stairs constructed in England, and they're a work of art.  They are part of the Queen's House, Greenwich, England, built between 1614-17 by architect Inigo Jones.  The house is open to the public (free of charge) from 10.00-17.00 most days as it's part of the National Maritime Museum.

If it doesn't "wow" you, perhaps the floor of the Great Hall will:

What do you think?

Photo Credit

Typewriter Animals

This octopus and this deer by Jeremy Mayer are made entirely from the parts of typewriters that he has disassembled and then reassembled into sculptures without soldering, welding or gluing.  I'm lost for words.

Do they "wow" you?

Gold Nanoparticles Make Trees Glow

Research by Taiwanese scientists has revealed that adding gold nanoparticles to plants can induce luminescence in leaves.  Dr Yen Hsun Su and his colleagues are imagining a future where streetlights are replaced by trees, reducing the pollution of cities in two ways: a) no electricity is used to create the light, and b) trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a waste product.  It sounds like a fantastic idea, although I'm slightly skeptical about the practicalities.

Does the thought of walking down a leaf-lit street at night (or seeing it from above) "wow" you?

How else could this technology be used? Glowing Christmas trees? Potted night-lights for young children?


Photo © Paul Dex

A Rainbow in Your Hands

This flipbook by Masashi Kawamura is one of my favourites, a sophisticated version of the stick figure flipbooks that I was encouraged to draw as a child.  I love the mistiness created by the white page edges - it gives it a realistic drizzly look.

Does it "wow" you?