Architect: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

and in this case the apples don't fall far from each other either! Sophia Kokosalaki's little sister, Natalia, has just been featured in Wallpaper's ten best architects for its Graduate Directory of 2008. The fashion designer's sister is making a name for herself by designing an environmentally sustainable stadium in Tripoli, while working at the team of Deca Architects in Greece. Her dream working aspirations though include the offices of Herzog and de Meuron, Morphosis, Thomas Heatherwick and Rural Studio, which reveal clearly her british influence that she got from UCL's School of Architecture.

Development: Spain does design... sustainable!

with the new development, Portosenso, in the town of Altea, Spain proves itself once more that has the know-how in the second-homes market. A development that has the signature of Jean Nouvel for its concept design and a plan to create an environmentally friendly atmosphere among the complex by integrating the architecture perfectly to the surrounding area, using natural materials and applying a low consumption of energy resources plan. The project is consisted of around 300 residences, a hotel, a spa and a marina with retail use included. Portosenso, undoubtedly gets a five-star from all aspects.. just check it out here!

Development: Spain Open

This is why I love Carlos Ferrero that much... not only is he my favorite tennis player, but also we share the same interests... real estate!!! Mr. Ferrero has renovated a 19th-century house on a 120,000 sqf of land in an old town close to Valencia, Spain. The renovation lasted for three years with a total cost of $11,720,000, in order to transform the beautiful villa into a luxury hotel with a spa, restaurants and of course a tennis court. I guess this was a grand slam, n'est-ce pas?

Event: The Architectural League NY

hosts its student program 2007 today at the Urban Center in the court of the New York Palace hotel; for more details click here. The Leaugue will launch the student membership with influential talks of current professional architects and a tour around some of the most important architectural firms in New York, like SOM, HOK, Shop Architects and Hanrahan Meyers.

Development: Manhattanville in West Harlem

One of the biggest in size developments that is happening this moment is undisputedly Columbia University's plan to expand its facilities in West Harlem. This urban developement plan consists of 18 academic and research buildings and campus housing on 17 acres. It's not a surprise that the large neighborhood of West Harlem that consists mostly of black and Hispanic residents feels threatened by this grand scheme. Scott Stringer, the Manhattan borough president, is planning to protect the character of the neighborhood by practicing the special zoning model that worked for the Hell's Kitchen region in Midtown Manhattan. Renzo Piano is the assigned designer for the project, who has seeked to maximize green space, which it will be open to the public. The star architect will undeniably elevate the university's image even further. And as the New York Times wrote "without a vibrant Columbia, New York City itself will suffer...".

News: New kid on the blog...

Maybe not so new to his Facebook friends, but Yatzer.com is all about our favorite things... art, architecture, design and good photography! He says "design is to share" and that's what we do here... sharing this blog with you!

Wishlist: Sleep on air..

Wouldn't you be a tiny bit curious to found out how it feels? Better yet, how cool your room would look like? For the trend setters, the risk takers and most of all the big spenders, Janjaap Ruijssenaars, created for you the first floating bed. The ducth architect dedicated six years of his life to complete this project and secure the safety of his unique idea. The bed floats due to the use of permanent magnets that can ensure up to 900 kilos. Only four thin cables assure its motionless position and keep in contact to the ground... Although, not cheap at all - the scale model is priced at US$146,953, while the actual model would cost about US$1,533,419 - you would be able to find out what dreams look like on air!

News: Taschen's new Tribute to Calatrava

the most luxurious publisher on all-things-art, Taschen, produced a monograph that retraces Calatrava's "career thus far and places his architecture in the context of his art, where nature meets engineering". It is surely a collectible book, since it portrays Santiago Calatrava in various lights, as an architect, an engineer and an artist and showcases all of his works so far. The architect created watercolor drawings specifically for the fold-out pages of this volume, illustrating the inspirations behind his designs.

News: Do you have an eye for Design?

Even if you don't... now you can have all things design with a blink of your eye... or at least with a click of your mouse! Interior designer, Alexandra Koumba, has created a design object hub online, where you can find any furniture piece of any style that represents your taste that you could possibly imagine... from Karim Rashid's new love seat (above) or the "Le Corbusier Chaise Longue" to out-of-this world collectable Louis IV antiques. The geniusness of this site is its dual target groups... One the one hand, it is aimed for the design-addicts that would kill to find an original Mies-Van-de-Roh Barcelona chair, since the site orders the objects from the most acclaimed galleries of the world and provides you with certificates of authenticity. On the other hand, one could just be inspired from the site's suggestions and discover pieces that would not ordinarily have found on one's own... Get an eye... here!

Architecture: Aegean Design

Greece has been known for its beautiful islands, its Aegean sea and its divine light, since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has been considered a top preference as a tourist destination and acquiring a second home in the islands is considered to be ubber luxury. Nevertheless, Greece took slow steps in the design element in the architecture of its second homes, as other places on the contrary, like Spain (Ibiza), Italy, France (less so...), Miami or Malibu, were known for it. Now, things have changed... This is due to the addition of a high-profile and multi-awarded summer house in the Cycladic island of Antiparos. The house designed by Deca Architects was "conceived as an inhabitable Krater, a dwelling, which is inextricably linked to the landscape that forms it". The architects focused on two major challenges for this site... On the one hand, they had to protect the exterior living areas from the strong winds of the Aegean Sea and on the other to focus on hiding the volume of the house from the settlement. The idea for this was to create the perfect habitat in harmony with the landscape. The result was the birth of a unique sensual identity for the site...

The development is a concept of Iasson Tsakonas, founder and manager of Antiparos Design Properties, who has formed a series of design summer homes on the island and has placed acclaimed design architects to produce the concept design, like We Design, Zege and Tala Mikdashi. It looks like the other developments will cause the same kind of stir, as this one! Krater, now, places the Greek architecture onto another level... and portrays Greece as the ultimum hot-spot destination!

Development: NYC gets Jaded

...by Jade Jagger's new condo in Chelsea! Jade Jagger, a new addition to Yoo's development team, alongside Philippe Starck (co-founder and creative director), styled this new development of 157 apartments with her personal taste and brought in the product and interior design scene the already famed PODs. The Pod, aka a multifunctional cubicle that includes bathroom, kitchen, storage and bar, is the perfect solution to minimize your space and project style. Yoo-hoo...

Architecture: Future-Original-Amazing...

In the limited competition that occured for the mixed-use project in Floreasca, in Bucharest, by Global Finance Real Estate... Foreign Office Architects had surely the most innovative and forward-looking design of all. Although, FOA was not the winner of the particular competition, its designs left an impact like none other... Having the Romanian sculptor, Brancusi, as an inspiration, FOA designed six high rise glass buildings that resembled to the infamous "Great Vision" and proposed unique bracing techniques. FOA's architecture is not only bringing the future closer, but it can be considered as a form of art in its own right. FOA's latest development that will be changing London's skyline is the miraculous Trinity EC3. Enjoy...

Development: Design in Bucharest...

is added with the new mixed use project that is created by UK firm Squire and Partners. The 145,000 sqm development of Global Finance Real Estate is at the heart of the city in the area of Floreasca. Just next to Floreasca lake the high-rise residences will be able to enjoy the best view of Bucharest, while the offices and retail shall be in the front keeping things busy... The current brown field used to be in the 1930's a Ford's factory and as the Romanians consider it to have historical value, Squire designed it in such a way as to preserve the old brick elements and adjust the new design glass buildings in perfect harmony. Hence, the transition to a modern and luxurious project will be done very smoothly...

The development will create a city within the city, by offering a retail arcade, a hotel, tennis courts, spas and fitness centers that will be open to the public and other facilities being exclusive to the residences.

News: NYC gets online...

New York City's Department of Buildings has gone all techy by digitizing the design and construction process of the agency. It is quite an achievement, if you consider that the Department receives 300,000 papers monthly to be able to host online all kinds of construction permit applications and associated documents. As seen in the architect magazine, buildings commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster states "The paper age is over. We are now effectively creating virtual job folders online". Come to think of it, you just wonder how this development hadn't happened any time sooner...

Development: Romania goes Global...

...with its new mixed-use complex being developed in Bucharest, Global City. In the northern suburbs of Bucharest, Global City will be a Business Park of the highest standards. The 130,000 sqm development of Global Finance Real Estate will contain a retail sector, with premium facilities, like spa, fitness centers, high-quality restaurants and bars that will aim to steal the congested city's buzz to a new and inviting destination in Pipera. This Business Hub is conceptially created by international design architetcs ISV, who are known for their modern, simplistic and sleek lines, as well as their good use of refined and natural materials. This minimalist product is accompanied by an artistic identity that aims to project character and celebrate the Romanian artistic heritage of Brancusi. This red symbol resembles much more to a sculpture rather than a corporate logo, inspired by Red Design. Global City aims to promote the artistic culture and differentiate itself from being just another business center. The design of Global City, therefore, will give birth to a new sophisticated business district of international standards. Coming soon...