Treehouse / RPA

Located on a high eastern-facing ridge with views downtown Los Angeles in the distance, the Banyan Treehouse is a diminutive art studio and sanctuary. Rockefeller Partners was originally commissioned by this client to design a house that was ultimately never realized. Working together once again on this project, architect and client were able to revisit some of the design elements that they had originally explored in a different context, such as the striking butterfly roofline.

Perched atop steel pylons that abstractly emulate natural branches, the project is not literally a tree house but rather a modern interpretation of one. The design pays the ultimate respect to the pre-existing tree, literally shaping itself around the contours of the trunk. Inside, a single glass cut out in the floor reconnects the tree house inhabitant to the tree itself, a respectful and subtle nod to Mother Nature.

Every surface of the tree house is appointed with wood, creating an unparalleled level of warmth. The exterior is clad with high-grade cedar while the underside of the eaves and the structure itself are clad with rich palope. Inside, the walnut floors are complemented by walnut paneled walls.

Serving both as a studio and as guest accommodation, the tree house is completely self-sufficient with a water closet, fireplace, refrigerator, daybed, and television. Outside, a quick walk down the stairs leads to a protected and private outdoor shower.

Source: Arch Daily

Air Jordan XII White/Varsity Red Release Date

"Part of a fitting trilogy along with the Air Jordan XII Flu Game and the Air Jordan XII Rising Sun, the Air Jordan XII white/black-varsity red, which features colors from each of the aforementioned AJ12’s, has an official release date set. If you’re a big fan of retro releases that don’t digress too much from the original, this might just be for you as it’s pretty much the same shoe seen so many years ago. In fact this is the only original colorway of the AJ12 that hasn’t been retro’d until now. It’s about time. The Air Jordan XII white/varsity red release date is set for December 19th."

Source: nikeblog.com

Airless Tires

"anyone who has ever driven a car dreads getting a flat tire, but what if your tires could never go flat? in recent years a number of companies and inventors have been working on creating airless tires that would be impossible to puncture. the most well known design in this field is the michelin tweel, a combination wheel and tire. the design was one of the first to emerge, bringing the idea of non-pneumatic tires to the public's attention. but michelin has been slow to roll out the technology beyond the test phase. in light of this, a company called resilient technologies has also been working on an airless tire. the company recently announced that prototypes of their honeycomb-like tires will ship in 2011 for use in the US military. this will no doubt help the airless tire field, as will other startup companies working on the task like britek. you can see their design below and a video explaining more. with this much competition in the field, we may see non-pneumatic tires on consumer vehicles in the near future.

http://www.michelin.com
http://www.resilienttech.com
http://www.energyreturnwheel.com"

Source: designboom

Carbon 451 Lamp by Marcus Tremonto

"American artist/designer Marcus Tremonto has created the Carbon 451 Lamp.When asked by art gallery owner Patrick Brillet to design a piece out of Carbon Fiber, we decided to celebrate and utilize the best of the materials true physical properties, its strength and lightness. The complexity of curves and required thinness could not be duplicated in any other material whilestill maintaining its ability to support itself completely…"

Source: Contemporist

Ferrari World Prepares for Grand Opening in Abu Dhabi Next Year

"If you had the occasion to watch the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which capped the end of the 2009 Formula One World Championship, you may have gotten a glimpse of a giant red structure with a huge Ferrari emblem on the roof. What you're looking at is Ferrari World, the first Ferrari theme park, being built on the man-made Yas Island resort in Abu Dhabi.

The complex stands as the largest indoor park in the world, encompassing some 2 million square feet under a giant 150-foot-high red steel roof sporting the largest Ferrari logo in the world. Out of the top protrudes a 200-foot g-force drop tower, accompanying the world's fastest roller coaster, a flume ride simulating a Ferrari engine and kart tracks among its 20+ attractions. Of course there'll be plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities that go along with any theme park as well. This one is set to open its doors some time next year as part of an ongoing initiative to turn the United Arab Emirates into a leading tourist destination."

Source: Luxist

Audi Avatar Concept Hails From an Optimistic Future

"This otherworldly Audi Avatar concept throws out all kinds of unlikely performance figures–the 2.9-second 0 to 62 mph time and 223 + mph top speed seem like pretty tall orders from an electric. Then again, why not throw out all kinds of ridiculous numbers; it’s just a concept, anyway. Plus the designer has until the self-imposed 2032 to get the tech up to the vision. High performance hopes aside, the odd-looking mechanical creature features four, wheel-mounted electric motors powered by long-range supercharge-ion batteries. Assisting the motors with performance is an aerodynamic, lightweight body. The car is designed to deliver drivers with the “joy of driving that they had playing racing games when they were kids”. That is, assuming they can find the wheels. Designed by Edwin Conan. [via Coroflot]"

Source: DesignCrave

Listen..

Wale Ft. Rihanna - Contemplate

Attention Deficit drops Nov. 11th

Wood and Glass Staircases - Mistral staircase design by Siller

"These gorgeous wood and glass staircases by Siller are about as close as “interactive art” as you can get! Indeed you’ll feel like you’re scaling a sculpture as you make your way up the Mistral staircase design – a stylishly simple, barely there floating staircase. The minimalist design enhances every modern space with the clean, clear look of glass, which allows light and space to flow uninterrupted. Customizable to suit any space, large or small, these wood and glass staircases add instant chic to every home. Put a modern twist on your style and take it to the next level with the Mistral staircase. Check it out at Siller."

Source: Trendir

"The original" leather postal messenger bag

"Handcrafted, meticulously finished American leather. J.Crew has faithfully recreated the beautiful, oil-tanned mailbags carried by the U.S. Postal Service from 1868 until the 1970s, when the original leather satchels were replaced by blue nylon bags. Designed to improve with age, our hand-oiled, hand-stained, hand-burnished postal messengers are sewn by experienced artisans on century-old machines. Each piece of leather is carefully selected for quality; each historically correct, heavy copper rivet is set by hand. As a result, each "original" leather postal messenger is one of a kind with its own unique character. Buckle-strap closure on flap. Interior back-wall patch pocket. Unlined. "

Available at jcrew.com - $795

Source: J. Crew

The Hill-Side Scarf in Indigo Chambray

"You_Have_Broken_The_Internet blog points us out to this wonderful scarf by Hill-Side. While the chambray love is still strong amongst the shirt circle, Hill-Side gives us a unique accessory for the fall season. The stitch detailing is superb as well as the color contrast of the indigo chambray and the lining. A number of these scarves will be available in November in Indigo, Black, Plum Violet, and Kyoto Violet."

Source: Swipelife