DR•I Issue #8

Second to last issue for 2020

A new issuance numbering system will start in January 2021
it will begin with 21•1 - the mid-month issue will be 21•2, followed by 21•3 etc ...
​through the calendar year.
​Thank you

B E F O R E

Simple is good - simple is best

A F T E R 

One of the things we like, which might not be the normal reflexive choice, is that they elected to
follow the already established angle of the rafters with the lower cladding.
Many may have though to drop that façade to the true vertical......this works, and certainly both simplified the effort and reduced the costs at the same time.
Overall an fine example of good, clear, logical choices and decision-making.
My primary concern would be cooling during summer hours but one has to assume that
​ has been taken into account.

On the surface it has a WOWThis next project, gave us 'pause, as they say. Why? Examine it carefully. It was clearly a very costly project to undertake and finish. Little expense was spared - in fact there are key areas where the budget seems to have been unnecessarily abused.

On the surface it has a WOW factor - somewhat architecturally impressive - somewhat. But upon closer scrutiny some things make little sense. For example - the kitchen - it is rather pointless as a kitchen - - almost zero counter space - very odd. And yet there seems to be a second adjunct kitchen around the corner - also rather barren and under-designed. And yet a family lives here.
And speaking of which, with there being a rather generous budget, aside from the master bedroom with its en suite bath, there is but one bathroom, rather paltry, to serve for 3 additional bedrooms.
​A very odd balance of priorities. And finally, a great deal of expense was allowed in the rather unnecessary but beautiful wood slat ceiling......hard to understand who drove that particular bus.

Take a look at the Main Floor plan - in particular the kitchens

The primary kitchen must be the one directly adjacent to the Dining Room - it's smaller than most efficiency apartments I've seen. And to have to cook and bring food from the second kitchen seems weirdly inefficient......our conclusion, for and faulty planning. Cost was clearly not the arbiter in those decisions. 

So, as design professionals we sat here, scratching our heads there is clearly a tail and that tail is wagging that dog - the dog being, unfortunately good sensible, responsible design and the tail being an unnatural determination to display show-off aesthetics.

​And none of us are at all sure what the purpose of the tower is - other than to raise the question.......
​We decided not to embarrass the owners or architects by revealing any proprietary information.

Now this is - impressive. Of course, Gensler being the world class architectural leader that it is one should expect no less.

Text description provided by the architects.
​ Located in Hanoi’s new commercial centre, Viettel’s one-of-a-kind HQ is Gensler’s first headquarters office building designed and completed in Vietnam. As the hub of Vietnam’s largest tele-communication company, this unique structure stands out from a uniform cityscape. The optimized oval geometry fosters a high- energy collaborative working environment through connecting employees via interconnected floor spaces across all eight levels. This includes a 800-seat auditorium which serves to provide a functional event space in the premises itself.

Keeping local cultural and tradition requirements in mind, the Gensler team delivered efficient design of the building massing and orientation on a fast track project programme. With employee work environment and sustainability as core design drivers, the building is designed from the inside-out. Floor plates customized to an ideal depth with its series of skylights brings natural light to all working areas and reduces the need for artificial lighting. 
​
The facility also utilizes natural barriers to combat Hanoi’s tropical climate and fosters an ecological habitat within the city. Despite an abundance of natural light, horizontal louvers installed screen the interior from solar glare and effectively reduce solar heat gain, resulting in a smaller heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) load. The aesthetically pleasing landscape design incorporated with native plants forms the iconic green roof which also similarly reduces heat gain throughout the day. Users can also enjoy the break-out space at the landscaped terraced roof gardens on either sides of the sloping roof. Other green features include a rainwater harvesting system.

​Gensler’s design for Viettel’s new campus in Hanoi redefines how an office building performs. Viettel’s strong roots in the tele-communication market will continue to prevail as they champion innovation and embrace change with a building that will last for generations to come.

From an article in ArchDaily.com

s i m p l y 
awesomely
c  o  o  l

A RIVAL FOR THE ROAD: AN INDIAN SCOUT SIDECAR FROM FRANCE

FEW MODES OF transportation can rival the elegance of the wooden boats made by the renowned Italian company Riva. But what if you could capture that sophistication in a well-executed classic sidecar rig?
That’s exactly what the French sidecar specialists, Alternative Sidecar, have just done. Based in Ablon-sur-Seine (about ten miles from the Parisian city center), their latest build pairs a modern Indian Scout with a new version of one of their existing sidecar designs. Except this one’s been finished with luxurious leather and wood finishes.

To pull it off, Alternative Sidecar roped in Jacques Jouvin of Atelier JAB—a carpenter that specializes in automotive work. Jacques has experience creating wooden trim for cars, motorcycles and sidecars, and has even built his own wooden Yamaha XS650 cafe racer.
With the team assembled, all that was left was to find a suitable donor. They settled on a current-model Indian Scout 1200, and sourced one from the Indian dealership in Valence.

Alternative Sidecar hadn’t built a rig on a Scout until now—but luckily they’ve been building sidecars for modern classics for five years already. So they took their existing ‘Gran’Large’ design and reworked it to sit lower, and to match up with the Scout’s proportions.
Their proprietary attachment system doesn’t require any frame mods on the parent bike, which means that they can now offer this new ‘Gran’Sport’ unit as a kit.

All of Alternative Sidecar’s rigs use frames and attachment arms made from MIG-welded steel pipe. They also use a ‘big wheel’ design with a swing arm and shock, for maximum comfort. This particular unit’s using a Hagon shock, plus a Brembo disc brake that’s linked to the bike’s rear brake pedal.
The bike itself has been fitted with stiffer fork springs, and a stronger set of rear shocks from Shock Factory to match.

Other sidecar features include a 50-liter trunk, and a full complement of LED lighting. It’s also sporting a Brooklands-style windscreen, and a chrome grab handle and footrest. Alternative Sidecar have even built in a USB charge port, and there’s a cover for when you want to protect the interior.
But it’s that Riva-inspired wood trim that steals the show. Working with solid mahogany as a primary wood, and sycamore for stripe inlays, Jacques hand-shaped the floor and outer step, and added a stripe that runs down the front. He also made new armrests, and backings for a set of custom badges.

But Jacques isn’t the only master craftsman that laid hands on this project. There’s a leather artisan near Alternative Sidecar’s HQ who specializes in car interiors; he handled the stunning burgundy leather upholstery.
The pin striping was laid down by Taka Hira—a well-respected striper in France with over 40 years experience. It sits on a green base with just a hint of flake, with gold tank logos that were hand-painted by Studio Kallico.

From the color palette to the materials used, this elegant sidecar rig is so well judged it hurts. If we had a 1960s Riva Aquarama moored nearby, this is the bike we’d pick to ride down to it.
Alternative Sidecar Instagram | Images by Franck Blanquin
Written by: WESLEY REYNEKE

So - wanna know what is SO cool about this masterpiece? Other than the fine artistry, craftsmanship, persona that it exudes? It's that, knowing my readership - knowing all of you on a personal level - I can see any one of you, singularly or with your partner, cruising about in this puppy......that tells me - and should tell you all, a lot about who you guys are. Oh! Look! There Leonardo - with his two boys in the sidecar! Hey! And look there - it's Denis and Kathleen (Kathleen' striving. . . .). And soon Amir and Nadine should be rounding the corner down the street just there.......in theirs. So cool - nice, to dream.

DOGGONE!
I LOVE typography!
It's sensual, elegant - oh so communicative
Form/Shape personified
Just look at this one - it is my latest font acquisition • don't have anything to use it on yet, 
​but believe me, I will

It is the work of kissmiklos of Budapest. A designer and visual artist he developed this font based on the font Didot.  It is called MASQUE. . . . . . . . 

Look how cleverly the sinuous lines, form has been woven in and through the text......

simply wonderful
wonderfully simple

So - what is this?

Can't figure it out? Maybe this will help . . . . 

Still not?

Of course that's what it is! It's a RADIO silly. . . . . 

CITY RADIO  /  $100
Catch the top 20 in Berlin then listen to the news in Tokyo. The City Radio keeps you in tune with the rest of the world no matter where you are. The small wooden radio features 18 interchangeable keys, each one with a different city written on it. Press the corresponding button and the device will connection to the live radio station of that city. The radio requires an accompanying app and is available for both Android or Apple devices.

Length: 8.27" / Height: 3" / Depth: 1.5"

• 40 years ago this week •

The world lost one of its brightest, most scintillating lights!
John Lennon was senselessly assassinated in front of his home, The Dakota, New York

What is not widely known is that this apartment was his home for the 18 months preceding his move to The Dakota. It is now on the market for $5, 500, 00.00. It is a gorgeous apartment with its own self-contained apartment. This is the view through the kitchen window to the terrace and the East River.

APARTMENT PLAN

​Imagine Living in a Dream Penthouse in a building with a Magical Private Terrace. This magnificent home with approximately 4,000-square-foot spans three floors atop the exclusive Southgate co-op in Sutton Place. Perched above the East River, the home features striking panoramic views of New York City and an enormous 2,000-square-foot landscaped wraparound terrace that can be accessed from every room on the main floor. This dramatic home features exquisite renovations and modern design elements to create a timeless space with an inviting, intimate ambience. On the entry level, a luminous and elegant living room invites you in with its high ceilings, woodburning fireplace, and beautiful inlaid hardwood flooring. Large picture windows frame the cinematic cityscape of bridges and buildings to the south and east and majestic river views all the way to New York harbor. A library/media room sits on one side of this space, while a sizeable bedroom/home office and bath are found on the other side. The generous kitchen, which evokes an eclectic French countryside sensibility, is a chef's dream come true. Top-of-the-line appliances, impressive counterspace, and abundant storage offer functionality while the oversized windows and adjoining terrace seamlessly bring the outdoors in. Nearby, a formal dining room that comfortably seats 20 awaits with its own fireplace. An elegant staircase with wrought-iron banisters ushers you to the upper level, where a dramatic sitting room offers a luxurious window seat for lounging, reading, or daydreaming. Beyond this space is the serene master bedroom, with its 14-foot ceilings, woodburning fireplace, two en-suite bathrooms, and sweeping river views. Also on this level is a two-level dressing room with its own electronic rotating closet system and washer/dryer. The lower level of this expansive home is a fully self-contained one-bedroom apartment with a large living room (featuring a fireplace), spacious bedroom, full bathroom, and a kitchen. It can be accessed directly by its own internal stairs or through a separate entrance. There is a six-zone central AC system and the maintenance includes electricity charges. Developed by Bing and Bing and designed by renowned architect Emery Roth, 434 East 52nd Street is a world-class pet-friendly co-op with full-time doorman and landscaped gardens in a discreet location off of a quiet cul-de-sac. Located at the convergence of Midtown East and the Upper East Side, the building is near some of the world's best dining, shopping, and cultural destinations.

From Homes & Gardens

And, that's a  w r a p ! One more issue in a couple of weeks then bye bye 2020 - it's also 'sayonara' to
The Design Trust • London who have been a supporter and semi-sponsor this past 12 months. 
I enjoyed our relationship, benefited from their guidance and insights and sincerely hope we might partner again in future enterprises - merçi beaucoup mes amis.