To rise above the rest, an architect must have a clear signature in their work. This is true of McBride Charles Ryan, who have developed a collection of homes that are distinctive, that share a central trait that is unique to this Australian architecture firm alone. The Klein Bottle House, the Dome House– these structures all share a sense of subtraction from the standard, where a shape is sliced and dissected to yield a stunning new form....

Maximilian Büsser and the team at MB&F have completed work on the final release of the Horological Machine No. 2, the MB&F HM2 SV Watch. This limited edition timepiece will be available for 18 lucky (and wealthy) customers in either black, shown above, or red, below. The “SV” in this watch’s name stands for “Sapphire Vision”, used to describe the unparalleled view of the machine’s inner workings below a clear sapphire case....

Instagram has over 1.3 billion users, who, of course, follow all their favorite celebrities, heroes, and idols. So, who can we classify as some of the most famous people in the world? And why have they even ranked so high anyway? Let’s find out below! Instagram Tells Us Who Is Famous Fame is a strange concept, and there are many ways to determine what is fame and what makes someone famous....

It could be argued that there are more beasts and creatures of fantasy in this world than there are genuine animals. In fact, the number of mythical creatures is so vast that we can’t even begin to put a number on it. From Greek mythology to the Loch Ness monster and the creations of fantasy fiction authors, there is seemingly no end to the beasts our imaginations can conjure....

The Nikon D5500 DSLR is billed as Nikon’s smallest, lightest and slimmest digital SLR yet. It sports a monocoque structure of carbon-fiber composite that trims the weight and measurements down to a palm-friendly size. It’s an answer to one of the most common concerns that enthusiast photographers have before upgrading: aren’t DSLRs bulky and heavy? No, not anymore. Even the later model crop DSLRs are lightweight and compact, but this is a step forward that should ease the mind of soon-to-be DSLR shooters....

The progressive design of the PARKROYAL on Pickering is the work of WOHA, a Singapore-based architecture firm whose work we’ve featured before. The Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali is another high-design resort by WOHA, and the new PARKROYAL is further establishing WOHA’s hospitality expertise. The PARKROYAL on Pickering is open now, with rates starting at around $200 after conversion to USD. Rooms range from a basic Superior Room all the way up to a Presidential Suite with top-floor views of the dynamic Singapore skyline....

With a high-action, liquid heavy perspective, photographer Ruud Baan has painted a series of watery portraits with his camera. Exhibiting a kinetic emotion with a watery sense of time’s slowness, Baan has photographed the self awareness of humanity in a watery medium. High fashion, swimwear, streetwear and culture are all represented in full effect. When the best style marketers in the biz go to build their next photo editorial, you can consider it likely that Ruud Baan will be on their shortlist with camera in hand… [ruud bann via flylyf] View in gallery View in gallery View in gallery View in gallery

Which brings us to the topic of Samsung. While we’re not going to go into details about all the legal volleyball, The Galaxy line of phones basically serve as the Android counterpart to the iPhone. Not surprisingly, this means that – almost since the launch of the original Galaxy – it’s basically been the flagship line for Android, in spite of the fragmentation for which the platform is notorious. Last year’s Galaxy S4 was an impressive offering, offering a great many advantages over the best-selling S3 (though at the price of a somewhat cheap design and off performance issues)....

When you’re going to be leaning on a little blade to feed you, help you build shelter, fashion weapons, assist you in medical procedures, and damn near anything else, it should be impossible to break; or as near as you can get. This usually means picking a fixed blade knife that can’t break in the middle the way a folding knife might. It means being easy to carry, slow to rust, big enough for leverage, small enough for comfort and concealment....

The Stingray Rocker by designer Thomas Pederson is one of few new century modern chairs that deserves comparison to the classics of the 1900s. While its inspiration is clear– some Eames and some Bertoia, the Stingray Rocker is a decidedly progressive breath of fresh air for a genre that has cooled over recent decades. The Stingray is available in a black plastic version or a range of veneers, with an optional leather or felt upholstry....

Since its creation, the Pantone color chart has been the official dictionary of color. Artists, designers, painters and decorators have used Pantone to precisely pair colors to create a desired visual aesthetic. Artist David Pierre has redesigned the Pantone with a different shade of coloring– the varied beauty of Human skin tones. Pierre’s work was shown in Brazil, showcasing the range of beautiful colors of the people of the proud South American nation....

The Planchonella House stands on a sloping plot, lifted by tall supports for a high vantage point. Its shapely, waving concrete forms serve as both floor and ceiling, with glass walls that skirt the exterior. The home’s most curvy concrete section serves as an outdoor patio, a place for dining and relaxation with a stunning view of the forest. Indoors, the grand glass walls create a sort of visual wallpaper out of the flora outside....

Sanborn traveled with a generator, a large format projector and camera equipment to create this series. The generator and projector would provide a steady light source upon the subject while a camera would capture a long exposure of the scene. The result is a collection of eight magnificent photographs of natural and mathematic art. Today’s projection mapping artists could find a lot of inspiration in these early, still images. Most projection mapping is performed in cities on architecture, and this throwback to nature’s architecture is inspiring indeed....

Originally built in the 1970s as a series of separate pavilions, the Secondary School Garcia Da Orta’s new addition is a linear building that serves as a central meeting point for students. The recreational area is external, but covered, which means people can experience the changing seasons without having to be subjected to them. Students also have easy access to the cafeteria, gym, and library, areas which all naturally attract gatherings of people and allow for interaction....

The approach taken by architects to build the house was to first install polystyrene panel walls, and then cover them with cast-in-place concrete plates. Not only does this provide ideal thermal and acoustic conditions without the use of climate control systems, but it also makes the concrete a key part of the design. Ambient light is a defining feature throughout the house, adding color to many of the rooms, and acting as a bridge between the cold aesthetic of concrete and the warm wooden accents throughout....

A bandana allows you to style it your own way; there is no right or wrong way to have it. Today, we review 12 bandanas that will make you look cool and feel more confident in your style. Cool Bandanas to Rock Your Style: Our Top 10 Recommendations If you’re looking for an accessory that’ll make you stand out, then go for one of these cool bandanas. 1. Levi’s Multi-Purpose Cotton Bandana View in galleryBuy now The Multi-Purpose Bandana from Levi’s is a must-have for your wardrobe, able to be worn practically anywhere, any time....

Architecture Books | Fans of architecture are a truly vibrant and insatiable people. The buildings of the world, from homes to skyscrapers, churches to sheds, are met with a delightful appreciation for complicated craftsmanship. To learn and grow as a fan of architecture, no matter how casual, these 10 architecture books will provide a base of understanding to explore the world of architecture armed with knowledge. Read on, fellow archophile, to discover a new book or two that will help you round out the way you experience your love of architecture....

If you don’t have one, you’re living wrong. How to Pick a Mini Fridge Any little ice box will keep your stuff cold. The questions you need to ask yourself when purchasing a mini fridge is “Does it hold cold consistently?”; “How much power does it use?”; “Does it have the organizational features I need?”; and “Can I conceal or lock it?” The trick with these is not just getting things cold, but making sure they don’t ruin items by heating up and cooling down too quickly or too often....

How We Picked Our first criteria of any area was how far you could stretch a buck; and making sure that buck covered quality goods and services to prevent you from living in some hellpit without a decent internet provider. We sought regions where you could live high on the hog for a fraction of what you’d pay domestically with a minimal loss to your amenities. Each of these 16 locales costs pennies on the dollar, yet you’ll be eating, sleeping, drinking, and living about as well (or better) than you would in the costly, “industrialized,” western world....

The 1960 Chevrolet CERV 1 was engineered by Chevrolet exec Zora Arkus-Duntov, a visionary who had more riding on the vehicle than even Chevrolet may have imagined. It was ordered to be a test vehicle, a platform that Arkus-Duntov and his colleagues could push to the limits for research and development. Zora Arkus-Duntov wasn’t content with this academic environment, he wanted his CERV 1 on the race track — and he wanted it to win....