April 2012

Apr 19 2012

Dick Clark’s cave house

OK, so this isn’t exactly futuristic architecture though Fred Flintstone might be impressed with the modern amenities and glass windows. Owned by Dick Clark, who recently passed away, who in addition to being well-known for American Bandstand and being a staple of the New Years’ Eve ball drop in Times Square, was also known for his cave house in Malibu. The one bedroom home is straight out of the Flinstones right down to the furniture and decor. Put on the market before Clark’s death, it can be yours for $3.5million.

Tagged celebrities

Apr 17 2012

Ominous prison is actually a kinder, gentler prison

Looking like something straight out of a dystopian science fiction move, there is actually a method to the madness in this design. Where as traditional jails and prisons are stark sterile complexes isolated from the general population, the building would plunked down in the middle of Jersey City (across the river from Manhattan) and is built in a series of arches, each representing a succession of phases throughout an inmate’s incarceration; from the actual jail cell, to work release, halfway house and finally the release programs. The centralized location allows inmates to be close to family as well as access to community programs and work. While just an idea kicked around by a couple of University of Pennsylvania architecture students, it offers a different perspective to the often harsh American prison system.

Images courtesy of Andreas Tjeldflaat

Via Co.Design

Tagged prisons

Apr 10 2012

No, this Dutch building does not have the droids you’re looking for…

While this building looks like it was designed to roam around the dunes of Tatooine selling wayward droids to the locals, it is actually the new municipal office for The Hague in the Netherlands. Designed by Rudy Uytenhaak (not a Jawa, btw) to emphasize a sense of openness inside and out as well as provide for an instant landmark for the surrounding area.