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