Köln for a day

This past weekend, I went to Köln (Keulen/Cologne) for a day. Took in the imm (internationale möbelmesse/international furnishings show), as well as the 'Dom' (cathedral), and wondered the streets for a bit and ate some German food.


-nice entrance

First section I took in was the young design talents section, possibly the most interesting.


-floating minimalist fires in a stainless steel base - apparently all the rage


-crazy spaghetti-ish lights


-Eames aluminium group - ok, the young design talent aren't responsible for the Eames aluminum group, I just wanted to take a picture as I'm appreciating Eames design more and more.


-"Napshell" - apparently sleeping pods are becoming in too


-vinyl wall decals, nature themed - apparently still in, but I have read that all the nature (deer, birds, etc) patterns are gonna be out this year


-Canada booth - WTF?


-"UtiliTILE hallway" - very nice, very tight, great execution, nice use of materials (yes, that's my critique)


-"United We Stand" - chairs, I'm not so sure how much I'm a fan of the design, but I really like the pic.


-"PACMAN" - to me, this looks like a nice chair to seclude yourself from the world in.


-chaise skateboard? - this looked pretty cool, I think it was all plastic though.


-projection on water - yeah, if you look closely at the upper middle of the picture, you'll notice some text being projected on a small stream of water.


-Fiber optic lamp - ooooh, pretty.




-Closet doors with print - those patterns are still pretty big it seems, although this pic was from the more mainstream furniture section, so maybe if it's this mainstream, it's on its way out.


-Felt and zipper room divider - I thought this just seemed pretty clever.




-Minimalist Kitchen - in the foreground is the 'faucet' above the sink, and in the background, you can see how the wall cabinets open.


-big grey bed - big boxy forms are compensated with a plush upholstery.


-Coffee table with integrated fruit bowl? - nice woodwork.


-More minimalist fire - behind glass and in a stainless steel base.


-Aluminium Coatrack - reminds me of Eames Aluminium group. Nice form.


-the Dom from afar - it doesn't look THAT big does it?


-maybe it is that big

† Oscar

-Found out last night that Oscar was put down. I pretty much knew when I left he wouldn't be there the next time I'm back home. Glad I got to say my final goodbye while he was in better shape.

Time is the root of all this earth;
These creatures, who from Time had birth,
Within his bosom at the end
Shall sleep; Time hath nor enemy nor friend.

All we in one long caravan
Are journeying since the world began;
We know not whither, but we know
Time guideth at the front, and all must go.

Like as the wind upon the field
Bows every herb, and all must yield,
So we beneath Time’s passing breath
Bow each in turn, – why tears for birth or death?

‘Time’, by Paul Elmer More

Amsterdam by bicycle

WARNING, despite the fact that this was a trip to Amsterdam, and there are tonnes of pictures, all of it is rated G, for Grood, or Great, or Good, or Great and Good.

Past weekend, went with my cousin to Amsterdam for the day. We rented bicycles and absorbed some arhic-culture. Nice time. I think I'd have to say that bicycles are the best means of seeing a city. I took so many pics in this day trip, it really made me feel like a tourist.


-Amsterdam by bike, and I believe the guy at the bike rental place charged us a lower rate because we were dutch and not the regular tourists, although I'm not sure on that.


-MuziekGebouwAan'tIj, (Music Building on the Island), a really nice fairly new building. The black block jutting out the side is a jazz concert hall I believe.


-Bimhuis, the jutty-outy black block.


-See-thru, this shot gives a better view of how the building has a skin of glass, and a giant concrete heart.


-Nice sign-age, I think I'm gonna end up highlighting a lot of the nice sign-age in this trip post.


-Large open spaces, monolithic blocks of concrete, and nice sign-age. I like how the signs for the elevator aren't placed on a 'sign' but are just decals on the wall, very simplistic and minimalist, and nicely done.


-Oh, and really nice hardwood floors. I think this building also makes me appreciate materials when used nicely. Lots of natural light also from the massive glass exterior walls.


-Bar tables at the downstairs dock-level. Close up of the nice hardwood floors, and nice view of immense glass wall and open space.


-More sign-age, again, decals incorporated into structural elements for the sign, plus placement at stairs and the angle all work really well.


-Lone party? Champagne bottle sitting on the deck outside for some reason? It looks lonely, damn it, I should have gave it some company.


-Mmmint, fresh mint tea, which consists of hot water and mint leaves, add honey as desired.


-New canal development, made to have a similar 'look' to the older canals/streets of Amsterdam. This is built on an island with newer development, so it isn't made to detract from the charm of old Amsterdam, but is rather a new take on it. (or so my interpretation goes)


-The house in the centre is the one I picked out, SOLD, where do I sign. I really like how the stripe of wood slats on the left side blends in with the door. That and the mix of wood, glass, and steel.


-Marine Musem Amsterdam (or was it maritime museum?) either way really nice classic architecture on a massive building.


-Same museum, further away gives more perspective on its mass.


-Architecture Centrum Amsterdam, I think at this point, I'm just taking pictures of pretty buildings.


-Back of Architecture Centrum Amsterdam


-NEMO science centre


-Bridge from NEMO


-openbare bibliotheek amsterdam






-anti-theft scanners are even nicely designed, (frosted glass I think?) but by the looks of the rest of this library, nothing else would have been good enough


-gotta love the sign-age, very nicely indicated, and becomes the central feature to the library, the floor sign-age incorporates into the escalators, and the white back-light with black lettering is very clean. I just thought this was really really nicely done, and added a lot to the library.










-upholstery by Hella Jongerius (of Droog Design)


-why don't all libraries look more like this?


-Multimedia floor


-this is a library?


-not a lightswitch rave?


-so much light, open space, nice work areas, 'design', ooh, and more pretty hardwood floors


-DS, on a kinda not related note, just a detail shot of a Citroën DS in the streets of amsterdam, what I belive to be one of the most beautiful cars ever produced.