  |
| Wed 08 Oct 2008 |
|
|
Tag: Melbourne
These items have all been tagged with the tag "Melbourne", You can see other tags in the Tag Cloud| ANZ Breakout & Learning Centre - Melbourne |
| 2008-10-02 01:03:49 |
|
Trust Melbourne (the city that holds Design close to its bosom) to be the home of the latest initiative from ANZ Bank; a Breakout & Learning Centre designed by Hassell. As the title suggests, this large, flexible, multi-purpose space is designed to encourage creativity, however it is in the execution that the freedom from constraints of a “normal” office environment is apparent. Forget about boring corporate colours, obvious branding and drab office furniture (in the style of hit series “The Office”). The use of unexpected materials and contradictory colors in the space and its furnishings produces startling results. Plywood, paint and patterned rubber with industrial raw finishes are topped off with a pop of fire-engine red and frog green! Various-size meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the art technology to enhance the group experience. Perhaps my favorite design features are the “Tree of Knowledge” and the “Giant Foot”. Just like in a fairytale, the tree grows between floors in a natural raw shape reminding us that the childlike imagination is where creativity is ripest. Beneath the tree, the Giant Foot reminds us about reality and perception. – Kate Vandermeer |
| Sake Bar Made From Rope - Melbourne |
| 2008-06-26 04:34:56 |
|
We’re constantly in awe of the incredible ideas coming out of the world of retail and hospitality interior design. Over the last few years we’ve seen an influx of creative new minds enter the field who are redefining the concept and making their own rules. The latest inspiring example of innovative interior commercial design is the new Maedaya Grill & Sake bar in Melbourne, created by local design firm, Architects Eat. The sushi restaurant’s interior, mostly “bound” by ropes, demonstrates the possibility of using ordinary recyclable material for hospitality projects without compromising sophistication. The rope idea originated from the classic design of sake bottles, which are traditionally secured with ropes. The principal materials for this project are Manila ropes, timber and concrete, all reflecting natural elements such as vegetation and earth. EAT took a different path with the first-floor function room, which is in stark contrast with the ground-floor “rope” room. Here they have created a modern, minimalist space with white-washed walls, Japanese black-stained timber flooring, simple timber benches and raw stainless steel canopies. By Lisa Evans. |
| AESOP - Skin Care That Thinks Outside The Box |
| 2008-04-02 06:35:44 |
|
Since being established by Dennis Pahitis twenty years ago, Aésop skin care has become an uncontested success story in the notoriously fickle beauty industry – focused on providing its worldwide clientele with the highest quality botanical skin care, rather than subscribing to mainstream-cosmetic anti-aging hype. Aésop now have 78 international stockists, plus 20 signature stores including stores in Paris, London, Sydney and their most recent Melbourne addition, Flinders Lane. In keeping with Aésop tradition – that every store is different; conceived and designed individually so as that each store is a reflection and celebration of its location – the Flinders Lane store does not disappoint, providing its customers with a design and infrastructure that is just as alternative as Aésop’s skin care products. Located in one of Melbourne’s most interesting precincts, the Flinders Lane store interior is made entirely of industrial-grade cardboard; from the display shelving, to the massive eastern façade, and even the counter tops– proving that cardboard can be both striking and structurally sturdy if it’s engineered well. Designed by local interior architects Rodney Eggleston and Anne-Laure Cavigneaux of March Studios, the ambient new store has drawn attention from all sorts of passers by. Store manager, Kate, says she wasn’t expecting how amazed customers would be by the store’s design. “It’s clear it’s a very tactile environment. Most people come in and tend to want to touch it all.” The Flinders Lane store is located at Shop 1C, 268 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. For a full list of Aésop products and stockists visit www.aesop.net.au. By Anna Byrne. |
| Kids in The Kitchen |
| 2008-03-04 15:19:08 |
|
Aspiring mini-chefs take note: now there’s no excuse not to get the kids involved in the kitchen with this sweet range of kids cookware made specially for little fingers. Created by Melbourne based brand, Little Kitchen, the range will inspire little people everywhere to help mum with dinner. The innovative brand also runs a kids' cooking school from their North Fitzroy retail store in Melbourne, Australia. The space features a custom-built kitchen designed specially for children where kids can learn basic cooking techniques and the joys of cooking with fresh, organic produce. They also hold cooking parties; a great choice for parents looking for interesting (and healthy!) ways to celebrate their little one’s birthday. By Lisa Evans Little Kitchen 371 St Georges Rd, North Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia |
| Cut Copy - 'Lights And Music' |
| 2008-02-27 13:27:02 |
|
With their new album 'In Ghost Colours' to be released next month, Cut Copy are going to be everywhere very soon. Radio, TV, car stereos and who knows - maybe they’ll go down the Pnau path and put their tracks on slick commercials. 'In Ghost Colours' is certainly one of the most hyped Australian electronic albums ever. With the release of the first single 'Hearts On Fire' followed soon after by 'So Haunted', musical appetites were whetted worldwide. Then came a freely downloadable mixtape which dropped Cut Copy gems in between indie classics like Panda Bear's 'Bros'. Backed up by a national tour and a support slot at Daft Punk’s Neverland shows, Cut Copy have well and truly done the groundwork to build the excitment. Now when we can't take any more, the clip for 'Lights And Music' emerges. The tension is palpable. People are dying to hear the record in its entirety. Bring on March! By Nick Christie |
| Phooey Architects - Children's Activity Centre (Melbourne) |
| 2008-02-11 11:20:22 |
|
We’ve told you before about some of the creative uses for abandoned shipping containers – and we wouldn’t keep bringing it up if we didn’t think that design recycling is still essential. Also, we have never before found a project where the principles underlying sustainability have been so successfully achieved. Phooey Architects completed work on Skinners Playground, a backyard for children living in public housing in South Melbourne, Australia – and a low cost, environmentally sound, and socially responsible solution. Setting design aside for a second, we need to acknowledge that the architects created a place to find a community support network; a place for children to learn and grow; a place that provides a place to escape; and a place where families know children are safe. The result is similar to the Danish concept of allowing children within a community to build their own play space. Although the children in South Melbourne did not actually build this playground, they will take an active role in how the activity centre will develop and grow. Beginning with the desire to produce zero waste from conception to completion, Phooey architects staggered, sliced and arranged four unpainted shipping containers on the site of the playground. Any additional material including windows, decking, carpet tiles and joinery had to be durable, recycled, reclaimed, reused, plantation or salvaged from demolition. Even parts that were cut off or unassembled from the containers were used to make a staircase with a balustrade, overhangs providing external shading, and various decorative features. Through the successfull stacking of the shipping containers, a variety of indoor and outdoor, intimate and public spaces are created. Areas are provided for study, art, dance, play and general hang out. Every interior space has visual and physical connections to its surroundings by opening up onto sandpits, play spaces and even a pond and reed bed that receives much of the roof’s runoff rainwater. The containers are fully sealed and insulated allowing continued use through Melbourne’s temperate winter months. And in the summer, cool ocean breezes help prevent overactive children from overheating. By Andrew J Wiener |
| Fur Hairdressing, Melbourne |
| 2007-07-17 06:30:47 |
|
Some are happy to just get a haircut and some relationship advice from their stylist, but we want more. If stylists actually have a sense of style, why are hair salons mostly boring, sterile and cookie-cutter, we wonder? Our hunt for cool hair salons has yielded a few exceptions. One is Fur Hairdressing at City Square in Melbourne. It is Fur’s second salon; the first is in Greville St, Prahran. The new salon is an expression of Fur creative director Frank Valvo’s inimitable flair that has earned him a semi-permanent perch on the list of Melbourne’s best-dressed men. Combining their talents with Melbourne-based Six Degrees, Fur stylists created a salon that appears much larger than its 24 square meters. The eclectic interior is a flexible set up changeable for one to seven clients. Imagine walls made of a recycled basketball court – one camouflaging a huge set of drawers -- add 70s disco kitsch, flexible sets of angled and rotating mirrors and you are all set for a new kind of hair salon experience. Fur’s custom-designed lighting and sound (using a BOSE system) will maximize your enjoyment. By Tuija Seipell. See also Pimp and Pinups |
| PHARMAKON - A Boutique Pharmacy in Port Melbourne |
| 2007-05-04 09:33:12 |
|
It’s an age-old Greek practice: tailoring skin and health care to an individual’s needs. It’s called “compounding” and the art form, previously lost to super-size-me pharmacy chains and the mass vitamin and skincare market, is being “restored” with the launch of boutique pharmacy Pharmakon in the Victorian suburb of Port Melbourne. The airy store drips in opulence – flocked wallpaper and chandelier detailing. But the real decadence lies in what is stocked on the backlight shelves. Pharmakon stocks Apivita, a Greek specialist skincare range of more than 300 products. Apivita, which has more than 4000 outlets in Greece, is regarded as leading some of the most advanced research into anti-ageing skincare formulations. So how does this skincare customising actually work? Glad you asked, said the man in the lab coat. Customers undergo a range of alternative tests to achieve a biochemical snapshot of their skin’s needs. The in-store compounders then mix up the perfect product. Like a homeopath with herbs. But in this case, using the latest cosmeceutical formulations, such as botox. The concept, says owner Vassily Hatzipantazis is grass roots stuff. The compounders also prepare vitamin formulations that target specific health complaints, including hormonal inbalances, fatigue and pain management. To keep with the supremely odd phenomenon of pharmacies, or chemists, stocking random gift products (tackily printed chinaware, stuffed puppies etc that sit dustily in the window for years) Pharmakon is also stockist for a range of exclusive brands. Among them Disney Couture and the celeb-covted CCsky bags. By Sarah W Pharmakon is located at 86 Bay Street Port Melbourne. Phone: 03 9646-8188  |
| Royce Hotel - Melbourne (Review) |
| 2007-05-03 09:46:22 |
|
Melbourne’s Royce Hotel, housed in a former Rolls-Royce showroom, has being overhauled by design firm SJB Architects and Interior Design. The multi-million upgrade includes a refurbishment of most original rooms and two brand-new floors with 29 new rooms and suites. It is a case of out with the terracotta, moss green carpets and faux armoires - in with Isernia limestone, moody Vistosi lighting and flatscreens. SJB has created a collection of seven types of conservative, contemporary suites, all with a sense of drama, privacy and calm. The Royal Suites come with four-poster beds and curved modular lounges. Most suites have extended king-sized beds with faux leather headboards. Bedding includes duvets, crisp white linens, down pillows and soft cushions. Room layouts are intelligent with a sensible use of space and the touch lighting has myriad settings for just the right mood. There is plenty of seating; chaises, ottomans, desk chairs and even little round tables, an ample work area and broadband access from the bed as well as the desk – hallelujah. The marble bathrooms feature a deep spa bath with its own flatscreen television, separate shower and WC. Although not expansive, these bathrooms would have to be contender for best boutique bathroom in the city. Several junior executive suites come with views over Barry Humphries’ (aka Dame Edna’s) grammar school, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. Although the main public areas, restaurant Dish and Amberoom bar of the hotel have been revamped, the refurbishment has a way to go. The glam lobby aesthetic of animal skins, chandeliers and quirky chair collection is almost ruined by a glass cabinet displaying polo shirts and travel brochures, standard rooms are still awaiting their makeovers. However, in the right suite, the Royce Hotel experience at $215-315 per night offers serious value, right on the edge of the CBD in South Yarra close to some of the city’s best shopping, restaurants and gardens. The trick is, make sure you don’t book a standard room, insist on a room on the fifth or sixth floor, or a suite on the lower levels. By Emily Ross |
| THE SAINTS & BALE - 2 OF THE COOLEST NEW SKI LODGES IN THE WORLD |
| 2006-08-15 00:32:02 |
|
|
|
|