Ultimate Wooden House Made of Jenga-Like Stacked Beams
December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Explore the seemingly endless platforms and hidden nooks of this Jenga-like house, conceived as an example of “ultimate wooden architecture” by Sou Fujimoto Architects. Located in Kumamoto, Japan, ‘Final Wooden House’ consists of massive wooden blocks randomly stacked together with irregularly shaped openings covered in glass.
Forget conventional rooms and staircases – this home is like a massive playhouse, requiring the inhabitants to climb from one block to another. The wooden blocks offer all manner of supports for various activities, but you’ll have to use your imagination to determine just how to use each one.
The architects were inspired by primitive conditions before architecture, like cave dwellings, where humans made the most of the surroundings as they found them.
Of course, climbing around inside this minimalist jungle gym requires care, an able body, and perhaps a hard hat. Getting from one area to another in the dark might be an intimidating task. The house may not be terribly practical, but what it lacks in livability, it makes up for in pure fun.
The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour
November 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
10 fun facts about “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Is it that many of us recognize a bit of ourselves in Linus’ longing to catch a glimpse of the Great Pumpkin in the Halloween classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” that keep us coming back year after year just to be disappointed all over again?
Perhaps you’re not feeling that introspective and just really like Peanuts cartoons, but The FW has a fascinating collection of little-known facts to enrich that twenty-five minutes of nostalgic bliss this time around, but, please, wait for the commercial break.
1. The original ‘Great Pumpkin’ story was actually about religion
‘Peanuts’ creator Charles Schulz’s faith and beliefs often served as a launching point for his comic strip story lines and specials. A Halloween special might not seem like the ideal place for a message about personal beliefs but even The Great Pumpkin had something to say about faith and religion.
Schulz’s ‘Great Pumpkin’ story got its start in his comic strip before finding a permanent place in popular culture on television. According to the book ‘Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography,’ Schulz received a rare complaint letter from a reader asserting that the Great Pumpkin was “sacrilegious.” He wrote a response agreeing with her assessment. He felt that the concept of believing in Santa Claus was just as ridiculous and sacrilegious as the Great Pumpkin and that he was “trying to show this in the Great Pumpkin strips.”
2. The Halloween special came to life because CBS wanted another “blockbuster”
The massive success of the ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ special and its subsequent special ‘Charlie Brown’s All-Stars!’ gave animator Bill Melendez and director Lee Mendelson a lot of leeway with CBS to do another special. All they had to do was promise that it would be a “blockbuster.”
Mendelson wrote in his book ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic’ that CBS network executives wanted another ‘Peanuts’ special but they also wanted a surefire hit. They didn’t just want something they could air once a year. They wanted something they could air year after year to bigger and bigger audiences. Mendelson and Melendez had to promise their third special would be a “blockbuster,” even though they had no idea on the table for another ‘Peanuts’ special.
Full story at The FW
Make over your coffee table
October 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The coffee table is a staple in the family or living room of most homes. It’s also a magnet for clutter. Nico de Swert of Pottery Barn demonstrates three ways to stylize your table using thoughtful design that’s simple to implement.
The grand piano gets a modern makeover [video]
September 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It isn’t often one sees something as iconic as a grand piano get a makeover, but Peugeot Design Lab decided to buck tradition and bring this essential instrument into the modern age.
Though traditionalists may scoff at the sleek exterior, don’t jump to the conclusion that this startling instrument wasn’t lovingly and painstakingly crafted, as can be seen in the video below. It might not be your grandfather’s grand, but at least it’s not a synthesizer.
read all about it here.
Barcelona Cathedral Light Show: Gotta-See Video
September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, Spain, is one of humanity’s most interesting constructions. It’s simultaneously hideous, beautiful and inspiring. Construction on the building began in 1882, but the following year, eccentric architect Antoni Gaudí joined the project and morphed the designs with his own ideas. The building is awe inspiring on its own and should be completed in 2026.
All that aside, what way could a building of this amazing character be made even more incredible? With a light show.
Gizmag reports: “Tens of thousands of people witnessed the three-night show over the weekend,” where, “Sixteen video projectors, 13 computers, 25 moving lights were used to bring the intricate detail of the building to life in a production that took more than a dozen of people four and a half months to prepare.” Fortunately, they also were able to film the experience so we can enjoy it too. via Gizmag
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