Discovered on Flodeau, Agorà is an elegant collection of harmoniously shaped aluminum radiators that miraculously can change the décor of any room. Designed by the talented Nicola De Ponti for TUBES,  these unusual items evoke a classic sophistication and complement the meandering architecture of the ancient Greeks. The beguiling design of these  heaters blends seamlessly with different types of environments, from very traditional to minimalist interiors. “The two distinctive features of Agorà are the three-dimensional modularity and plasticity of shape, which confirm a design approach strongly focused on innovation. The sinuous lines speak the language of contemporary design yet proceed through memory recall.”

Aiming to become the focal point of contemporary living, the Agorà radiators are all about precision and harmony. They come in different sizes and colours, but there’s one thing that unites and groups them under the same collection: the authentic Greek sophistication brilliantly exposed through details: shapes, curves, lines. Playing an aesthetic role as well as a functional one, these sleek sources of heat are an excellent choice for an uplifting contemporary lifestyle.

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ISLA DEL SOL, BOLIVIA

Photograph by LOUIS BIRKS

 

If you look closely, you’ll notice a tiny fishing hut at the bottom right. The hut is located on Isla Del Sol on Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.

Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) is an island in the southern part of Lake Titicaca. Geographically, the terrain is harsh; it is a rocky, hilly island with many eucalyptus trees. There are no motor vehicles or paved roads on the island. The main economic activity of the approximately 800 families on the island is farming, with fishing and tourism augmenting the subsistence economy.

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Slovakia is one of the east block’s countries recently coming alive in terms of quality architecture & design. Rado Rick Designers sent us an inspiring project consisting of rooms for a 6 years old Star Wars fan and a 2 years old princess. The main wish of the parents was to create living spaces which would keep the kids attracted even through puberty. Moreover, the father is a big gamer and Star Wars fan too, so he wanted his son to have this superb room to spend time and play PC games with him together.

All the furniture is custom designed; the picture on the wall in the boy’s room is real handwritten graffiti. The library was also tailored to fit into a fully furnished space, as the customer wanted to divide their kitchen from the living room area, while keeping the ability to watch over their kids. [Photos and information provided via e-mail by Rado Rick Designers]

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Italian company Componendo produces the most beautiful products for the bathroom made from the highest quality stainless steel in combination with other materials such as wood, Corian and glass. Using the very best technologies in combination with unrivalled Italian craftmanship, Componedo is able to offer unique, hande-made, high-design furniture pieces with a specific focus on quality.

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Throughout architectural history architects and designers alike have had to find creative ways to address the issue of structure versus aesthetics in building homes. Columns are one of those design challenges that are essential for structural support to carry the loads from the roof, upper floors, or other weight bearing loads down to the ground to support your home. While you may think that columns have to be covered there are some gorgeous ways to display them proudly! Here are 10 creative ways to use columns as design features in your home.

1. When designing your home think about the structure first:
If you are fortunate enough to have a hand in the design and aesthetics of your home, talk to the structural engineer and architect about options for creatively addressing columns. Especially in large great rooms such as living and family rooms or open kitchens that may have a second story above, ask the design professionals if you can plan how you will use the space so large columns aren’t stuck in inopportune places if possible.

2. Plan your furniture layout around your columns:
For many homes columns can become the focal point of your space. Exterior decks are a great example of how wood, stone, stucco and brick can be creatively displayed as column wraps and outdoor furniture seating arrangements can use similar materials and colors to play off of the aesthetics. Don’t be afraid to try and plan your furniture around the columns for an enjoyable seating arrangement for guests.

3. Adding luxurious details with the addition of columns 
If you want to add grandeur and scale to your interiors, there is no better architectural feature than columns. Classical columns with eye-catching capitals (the top of the column) can be displayed as basic Doric and Tuscan style with simple lines or can be as elaborate as Corinthian style with intricate leaves, swirls and detailing. Used in a main foyer or even in your large master bathroom will create a luxurious and classical atmosphere.


4. What architectural style of columns could your home benefit from?
Architectural periods have come and gone and there are features from every period that characterizes how they addressed structure and columns. Consider researching architectural periods or asking an architect what style of columns would match the architectural theme of your entire home. This will help keep your home true to a specific design era.

5. Create a focal point using greenery around your exterior columns
While you may only think about columns for utilitarian uses they can also serve as creative focal points, especially on an outdoor patio or terrace. Trellises and arbors have always used greenery to vertically display greenery and so can columns. Ask a landscape designer what type of foliage is ideal for climbing or clinging onto your specific exterior materials. Climbing ivy is a popular climbing plant in the United States and can be used vertically and horizontally in outdoor applications.

6. Choosing the best material for your interior columns
Depending on the design style of your interiors, consider what type of material will work best in your home. For many chic urban lofts the appeal of exposed steel columns that can be painted or left unpainted is a design aesthetic many love for their industrial-inspired homes. While if your home lends itself more towards refined and traditionally appointed interiors then drywall wraps around columns are a beautiful way to finish off an open basement or large room.

7. Customize your interiors with faux columns
While the original intent of columns were solely structural, designers and architects have found that using non-structural or faux columns to create a certain aesthetic in interiors is a great design element. Non-load bearing columns look beautiful in foyers and entryways and look beautiful in a colonnade on your outdoor porch.

8. Using columns as design elements in your home
Another design element to consider: use columns as the base for bookshelves, display niches and other creative display areas in your interiors. Many architects use columns to flank a fireplace on both sides and use built-shelves to display books, entertainment center media, sculptures and more.

9. Don’t assume a column can just “be removed” in your design
Many homeowners when trying to renovate or modify their homes take the careless assumption that they can just remove a column in order to open up a room or create a desired look they are going after. Consult with a structural engineer before deciding to remove existing columns. Damage to your home can result if removed or you and others can get seriously injured in the process.

10. Add visual focal points to break up outdoor spaces with columns
While columns are used for structural purposes they also serve as wonderful ways to break up outdoor space. A colonnade of columns aligning an outdoor entertaining space or used on a veranda overlooking a pool can look gorgeous. Try using the same materials of your exterior home to clad exterior columns for a pulled together and integrated look to your outdoor home.

ArchitectDay readers tell us how you use columns in your home to create a home you love to live in.

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LET THERE BE LIGHT

Photograph by LIN TUN/Leopard Photography

In this gorgeous capture by Lin Tun, we see a lone monk basking in the sunlight at a Buddhist cave temple in Myanmar. According to PhotoBotos.com, this is Datdawtaung Cave near the town to Kyaukse which is in the Mandalay region of Myanmar.

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 3D SURFACE is an innovation which arose from a meeting between three experienced craftsmen: Romano Zenoni and Alessandro and Stefano Fazzuoli. The combination of texture, shapes and materials especially developed by the company led to the creation of artistic wall panels, ideal for any modern decor. Thanks to the clever use of ceramic coated fiber-reinforced mortar solutions for interior and exterior, the surfaces can be used in any environment. Have a look at the elegant designs below and let us know your thoughts:

 The dry land is a source of inspiration and gives life to a multiple variety of effects.

 A wall of bamboo canes covers the panel, a perfect example of organic design suitable for any environment.

 Caos is characterized by a precise geometry. Light plays a fundamental role, giving the panel a strong personality.

 This wall is covered with soft cushions that fill the texture with softness and elegance.

 he waves of sand created by the wind inspire Deserto. The texture recalls natural scenarios:

 TA living garden that climbs up the wall. Sinuous lines grow continuously creating elegant and refined effects.

 Thousand lines outline specific scenarios, the rigorous motif meets the harmony of the small waves that compose the texture.

 A wavy texture recreates an idea of the sea’s movement with horizontal surfaces that suits any ambient

 The surface moves and ripples as a fluid creating a continuous solid curtain. The non-uniform development of the folds allows the endless vision of this continuous surface.

 Thanks to defined cuts the decoration of this panel becomes a futuristic texture with a strong aesthetic feature:

 Like a curtain the surface of ONDA develops a soft pattern that easily blends with the architecture surroundings. It’s vertical texture creates an optical effect

A new coating composed by small, soft, square pillows. Elegance and gentleness freely express themselves. Thanks to its compact size the texture easily adjusts to any environment.

Arianna is a panel characterized by a continuous curl that grows on the wall with continuity:

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THE WATER VORTEX

In this striking sunrise photograph by Manuel M. Almedia we see the Bufadero de la Garita in Telde, Gran Canaria in Spain’s Canary Islands. According to VisitCanaryIslands.org, the phenomenon comes from a ‘complex of basalt prismatic figures that have an underwater hollowness made by a volcanic tube which successively expels the water trapped inside, reaching a considerable height’.

This is the final shot of three pictures taken by Almeida showing this fascinating location. In the other photos you can see both the water rushing in and the water being expelled as outlined above. Although I’m unsure how deep this chasm actually is, the sight of ocean water gushing in to fill a large hole is truly a spectacle that would be exciting to experience and photograph!

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Photograph by MIKE PALMER

Taken from a helicopter, we see a breathtaking view of downtown Toronto through the lens of photographer Mike Palmer. The aerial photo is part of a project entitled Born & Raised. Palmer gives himself a single day, from sunrise to sunset, to capture the streets, vibe, and culture of his (and the Sifter’s!) hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
From the fruit markets of Chinatown to vantage points high above the city, Mike gives the audience an intimate view of Toronto, combining still photography and motion picture.

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