NGA: Architects series

Always inspiring... Contemporary Australian Architects speaker series hosted by AIA ACT at the National Gallery of Australia. The series this year kicked off last week with Phooey Architects, and continues this Wednesday night with Chenchow Little Architects (faaabulous!).

19 August Philip Thalis, Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects, Sydney
26 August Angelo Candalepas, Candalepas Associates, Adjunct Prof of Architecture at UNSW

James O Fairfax Theatre from 6pm
Tickets each session $20 ($15 for members) book here.

Helloooooooo.... spotted this morning on Canberra's online auction site Allbids, a repeat of multiple offerings of Harry Bertoia side chairs in white. Word is they are the real deal, and I am crying inside because my house cannot possibly fit another chair... or can Nina make room for these?...

So in love, maybe it's time to update my dining room, now with huge extendable table and already earmarked for an enormous painting on the wall, the white chairs would look pretty amazing here... and I would finally have all matching chairs!... hmm...

I think I talked myself into it! Don't outbid me ok?

Love Nina x

Designcraft: new products launch

Designcraft is hosting an 'Autumn Launch' with a new range of products from Fritz Hansen, Louis Poulsen, Designer Rugs, 3 Form and Audio Dynamics. We will have two sessions that you are welcome to attend;

2.00pm Drop in for afternoon tea and a browse through our inspirational showroom in Hume.
Experience our new collection of contemporary furniture and our exclusive range of floor coverings from Designer Rugs.

Targetti will introduce you to the beautiful lighting from the Louis Poulsen collection.

or 6.00pm Join us for lychee champagne chillers and nibbles while enjoying the sounds from the new Geneva sound system. Be inspired by Designcraft’s newest collection of furniture and take your time to journey through our fabulous showroom.

Representatives from Designer Rugs, 3Form, Louis Poulsen and Geneva will be on hand to talk about our new ranges.

Please RSVP to Lee on 6290 4900 or email info@designcraft.net.au

Futuristic Thursday: Space Pod

Who knew that this amazing example of 1960's pop architecture was hiding in the graveyard of the now closed Canberra Space Dome and Observatory in Dickson? Well, the Shopping Sherpa knew and I will not resist any temptation to share it with you too. Designed in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen as a pre-fab relocatable residential pod, the Futuro gives an obvious nod to the space age futuristic movement of the time...

Image from The Shopping Sherpa

"The circular house, 11 feet high and 26 feet across, was designed by Matti Suuronen, a Finnish architect, in 1968. A hatch door in its lower half opened down to reveal steps, like the door of a small airplane, and led into a room outfitted with six plastic bed-chair combinations and a central fireplace slab, as well as a kitchenette and a bathroom. Photographs from the time make the house look like a place where the Teletubbies might live, with Barbarella as a frequent houseguest."

Image by the Shopping Sherpa

Too cool to go unnoticed, our Canberran Futuro was never used as a live-in pod, but as part of the Space Dome and Observatory, probably manufactured in Australia. Now completely disused - it would be a damn shame to leave it to rust and ruin, what I wouldn't give to convert this into some very special accommodation!... see below for some images of other Futuros in their original glory and the final image of a refurbished 'holiday pod' in the US.

A film about the Futuro was released in 1998, leading to a resurgence in the popularity of it's ideals and an audience of a whole new generation of fans... and me! Hot tomale, if Dickson Tradies are going to give it away, can I have it please!??

Open house: Modern miniatures

Saturday saw the grand opening of Playing House: Dolls Houses 1957-2007 a remarkable display of 18 dolls houses and furniture collected by none other than The Shopping Sherpa. I gave you a preview here last week, now a sneak peek at the exhibition made famous on design sites Desire to Inspire and Apartment Therapy... you should not miss...

Playing House is on display now at Canberra Museum and Gallery until January 2009.

Real Estate perve: Red Hill

Well there has been a bit of publicity for this absolutely stunning house in Red Hill since I spotted it on the local news (who knew they were selling houses on the news these days?) a little over a week ago, but because it was designed and built by the builder who did my own house extension I have a personal interest...

"This contemporary masterpiece, designed and built by Rod Sheather Consultants, skillfully combines Modernist principles with cutting edge technology, chic décor and highest quality finishes to offer a prestigious energy efficient residence, unique in its uncluttered sophistication."

"Glass and stainless steel finishes create visual transparency as the solar passive home features floor to ceiling windows and doors. With a simplification and clarity of form, the luxurious accommodation consists of five bedrooms, three bathrooms, formal and informal living and dining areas, home office, designer kitchen and rumpus room."

Ooooh lovely, looks like a fabulous resort. I love it, I want it, if only I had several million to spare. "Expressions of interest" in the property close this thursday, check out more shots here on Allhomes. Consider my interest expressed!

I covet: Real Estate room

I could die happily now if this is what heaven looks like... I spotted a designers (or maybe just my) dream home in Giralang this week end, for sale by negotiation...

The spec on All homes reads: Architecturally created to optimise space and light this remarkable residence boasts panoramic views across green fields to the snow capped Brindabella Mountains. Complemented by a total solar passive design it offers an ultra contemporary, executive lifestyle that is in harmony with the environment.

Decorated in neutral tones throughout it has accented limed timber ceilings and a stylish use of angles to create an atmosphere of tranquillity and spaciousness. Its sensational and dramatic formal and informal living areas spill out to the front terrace show-casing the breath taking panorama and also to the sunny side deck.

Accommodation is flexible with the potential for two segregated main bedrooms with ensuites or the capacity to utilise one as a consulting area or home office with separate access to a paved courtyard.
Click on the images for more detail and check out more here.
Sounds too faaaabulous... when can I move in?

Hot Antiques!: Burley Griffin Antique Centre

Holy smokes - check out the booty at this place! its been a while since I had dropped in to the little antiques place next to the Old bus Depot Markets in Kingston, but while I was in the area I just had to drop in and see...

Mod wire chairs

Several of my favourite swivel numbers,and a cute 60's task light.

Gorgeous twin armchairs in a delicious shade of candy teal velvet, and pink velvet floor lamp.

A fabulous collection of pendant lighting

Orange, orange and white.

An allegedly original "Barcelona" chair and an "Oxford" chair

Some beautiful glassy goods

And finish off with some fantastic plastic.

Adjoining the Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston.

Hot Architecture: Modernism in Canberra

As a fan of Modernist architecture, it pleases me immensly that Canberra has quite a wealth of dead sexy modernist homes - well, in between the 'ex govvies' and cottages that is! Cast your eyes over these lovely examples...

The ‘Fenner House’ (above) at 8 Monaro Crescent, Red Hill.The house is one of Canberra’s best examples of the post-war Melbourne regional style with its long unbroken roofline, widely projecting eaves and large areas of timber framed glazing. It was designed by Robin Boyd in 1952–53 for Professor and Mrs Frank Fenner and built by Karl Schreiner in 1953-54.

The Cater House, (above) at 145 Mugga Way, Red Hill, was designed by leading Sydney architect Russell Jack of Allen, Jack and Cottier in 1965. The house is an example of the late twentieth century Sydney regional style.The Cater House is listed on the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture. It is regarded by the RAIA as an excellent example of the late twentieth century Sydney regional style and was an advanced design in Canberra at the time of its construction.The house is innovatively designed to give privacy, good aspect and views over Canberra. It was awarded the Canberra Medallion for 1965.

19 Downes Place, Hughes (above) was designed by Enrico Taglietti in 1965. It is an excellent example of Taglietti’s sculptural organic style of architecture with its asymmetrical massing, horizontal roof planes and horizontally boarded fascias and balustrades.The House is listed on the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture. The house was an innovative and very different house for its time and is an excellent example of internationally renowned architect Enrico Taglietti’s unique sculptural organic style.

Information and Images courtesy of Canberra House website here, view Martins Flickr stream for more beauties here. Thanks Martin.