Category: WOW

Like a glittering oasis in the valley, Zaha Hadid Architect‘s planned Urban Heritage Administration Center will be a standout landmark in the Saudi Arabian city of Diriyah. The firm recently won the competition for the new 95,000-square-foot head office of the Heritage Museum, an educational institution founded to preserve the UNESCO world heritage sites of Diriyah and the surrounding Wadi Hanifah valley. Wishing to strike a balance between authenticity and innovation, the winning design engages with the area’s geographical and cultural context. Diriyah is a natural oasis within the Wadi Hanifah valley, thus the building is centered around a large water feature in an atrium marked with branching columns, and the exterior has four scooped oases carved into a seemingly solid facade.

The center is wrapped in an outer skin that is carefully perforated in order to allow a visual connection with the surroundings while limiting interior sun exposure—the double facade also acting as a contemporary nod to the rammed-earth construction found in historic Diriyah. The firm shares that “the design relates to Diriyah’s local vernacular, not through mimicry or a limiting adherence to references of the past, but by developing a deeper understanding of its traditions and composition—expressed in a contemporary interpretation informed by the same natural forces that defined Diryah’s historical architecture.”

A permanent exhibition gallery, library, lecture hall, educational spaces, and a new scientific institute that will conduct field research at the archeological sites will also be housed within the center, which was one of 36 projects initiated prior to Zaha Hadid’s passing early this year.

Zaha Hadid Architects: Website | Facebook | Twitter
via [dezeen, Zaha Hadid Architects]

All renderings and animation via Methanoia.

Inspired by the all-American aesthetic of the vintage Volkswagen, Dub Box USA designs modern trailers with a retro twist. While its premiere model—a classic camper—has the look of yesteryear’s “silver bullet” motorhomes, it comes equipped with various contemporary perks, from solar panels to a Bluetooth speakers. In addition to its camper, Dub Box USA also sells state-of-the-art food trucks, event trailers, and, in just a few months, the brand new Dinky Dub camper.

Adorably named for its small stature, the Dinky Dub is a miniature model born out of a recent trend in less expensive, tiny trailers. “Over the past couple years the team has listened to the buyer market and know that offering a smaller, simple, lightweight trailer would meet many of their needs,” Dub Box USA explains on its website. “With a basic floor plan, modular approach, and keeping with the unique retro styling of its big brother, we can now offer a fun trailer at a lower price point.” Priced at just $12,800, the Dinky Dub makes traveling with a trailer more affordable than ever.

At 6 feet tall, 5.5 feet wide, and 9.5 feet long, each Dinky Dub camper is 25% smaller than its full-sized counterpart. Inside, it features a dinette that converts into a cozy bed for two, a kitchenette with a sink and laminated cabinets and countertops, and vinyl flooring. Each Dinky Dub camper is also highly personalized, allowing purchasers to choose their own paint color and customize its accoutrements. “We realize that many of us own camping gear,” Dub Box USA explains. “Our options are modular and give you the ability to add what you need and use what you already have.” You can even “build your own” model, picking and choosing each detail to create your dream caravan.

In addition to its compact camper, the company will also release other small Dinky Dub models: a “Fun Hauler,” a “Half Pint Kegerator,” and an event trailer. While the entire Dinky Dub line is still in its final stages of design, you can reserve one now so you’re ready to hit the road as soon as possible!

Dub Box USA: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Inhabitat]

All images via Dub Box USA.

You’re never too old to try something new—even if it’s as bold as strutting your stuff down a fashion runway. An 80-year-old grandfather named Wang Deshun is proving that designers should look to the older population when it comes to modeling clothes. Last year, the actor and artist rocked some seriously stylish attire during China Fashion Week, looking at home among the crowd.

As he grew older, Deshun sought to defy the aging process by staying fit—he works out for three hours a day—and keep his mind sharp by trying new things. According to The New York Times, he’s a creative type and worked in radio, film, and theater when he was younger. In addition, Deshun taught runway modeling and organized shows, but only recently made his runway debut.

The fashion show was a tipping point for Deshun and thrust him into the national spotlight. He’s now referred to as China’s “hottest grandpa” and inspires others to always live their dreams. “It’s about your state of mind. It’s not about age,” he explained. “Nature determines age, but you determine your state of mind.” Heeding his own advice, he already has his next adventure in mind—parachuting.

See Deshun’s infectious spirit in a short video, below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4saxIfPYw?rel=0&w=750&h=422]

via [The Huffington Post]

She loves to doodle and create emotive characters. His passion is photography. Together, they are Doodledeux—an Instagram account which presents the travels of a young couple in a most novel way. After many coffee dates and selfies of them here and there, they had an idea to document their journey together through drawings rather than conventional pictures of them smiling at the camera. Thus, the two characters, Abang and Neng, were brought to life on paper and now travel everywhere with them.

Wherever the real couple goes—whether it’s Java, Singapore, the zoo, or the local pool—Abang and Neng are also there and ready to be held up for a snapshot. The doodles are drawn differently every time to reflect the exact experience and emotions felt by the traveling couple. In one shot, the characters float in a 2-D paper hot air balloon over a majestic mountain, while in another photo, they hug in front of Universal Studios. Abang and Neng peek over gigantic $1 ice cream sandwiches in Singapore and utilize their own selfie stick in front of ancient ruins. Much like Flat Stanley, these paper-made cartoons get around.

While Doodledeux’s photographs showcase their travels, they also document their love for one another. Abang and Neng’s close body language and facial expressions emote the joy and unity cultivated during an exploration of the world with a loved one. Indeed, instead of selfies—which often just show two heads smiling and not “participating”—the character doodles allow for a truer representation of their creators’ adventurous experience and loving relationship.

Doodledeux: Instagram
via [Bored Panda, Neatorama]

As an art student, Jon Sparkman was introduced to the Rule of Thirds, which are guidelines for how to compose an image. Essentially, the picture is divided into a grid, and the intersecting points are where the impactful parts of the picture should take place. Sparkman, however, makes use of its “superior, wiser, and elusive brother,” the Golden Ratio (aka the Fibonacci Spiral) to construct his compositions.

The UK-based photographer demonstrates how the Golden Ratio creates a dynamic image that’s less static and more engaging than the Rule of Thirds. Its sweeping curve and tight coil is “like a giant subliminal road sign pointing the eyes towards where you want them to go.” To prove his theory, Sparkman has placed the curve over several of his photographs. By doing so, he showcases areas of drama and movement. Even though these aren’t action-packed shots, the clever arrangement of the characters and environment makes us feel like we’ve stepped into dramatic and/or emotional moment from a play or film.

Armed with the knowledge of the Golden Ratio, Sparkman uses it to inform series like Through a Door. His compelling and voyeuristic project is much different than the fashion photography that he was convinced he’d pursue. While in school, however, he heard some hard truths. “I wasn’t interested in showing off the clothes,” he tell us in an email. “I was interested in telling stories, moving people and annoying others.”

After studying classical art lighting and working with models and actors, a theme began to emerge. Sparkman wanted his “pictures full of tension and strife.” This desire is less about showcasing the adversities of others and more of a poignant look at how we tackle (or ignore) our own issues. Talking specifically about British culture, he explains, “We’re not fond of confronting our dilemmas or problems, we usually just look the other way and hope it goes away,” he says. “It’s always fascinated me how odd a trait that is for the entire country to share, so I based my stories around them.”

Through a Door features carefully-constructed narratives of individuals as they deal with the minutiae of everyday life. Primarily focused on relationships, none of the characters interact with each other, and they appear ambivalent to their surroundings. To Sparkman, this is the opposite of “outwardly optimistic expression,” making each image a break in a “stoic facade” that challenges us to look at both these people as well as ourselves.

Jon Sparkman: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Jon Sparkman.

Disney’s beloved animated film Beauty and the Beast is getting a live-action remake, and after much anticipation, new scenes from it have finally been revealed. Shared exclusively by Entertainment Weekly, the stunning images convey the magic of the original 1991 release that inspired a long-running Broadway musical and countless little girls wishing they were Belle.

Emma Watson shines as Belle, who was enamored with the role ever since she was a little girl. “I can’t even think how many times I watched it as a child,” she told EW. “I knew all the words by heart. I knew all the songs by heart.” Watson is seen in the sneak peek photos donning the iconic yellow dress—wearing it as if she was always meant to.

Included in the series of photographs are other lovable characters; Gaston (played by Luke Evans) shows off his swords, while the Beast (Dan Stevens) looks through a dusty book with Belle by his side. And let’s not forget the delightful Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Lumière and Plumette—they’ll make an appearance, too.

Beauty and the Beast will be released on March 17, 2017.

Beauty and the Beast: Website
via [The Huffington Post]

All images via Laurie Sparham / Disney.

When you think of a map, you most likely envision a collection of countries, cities, and roads—but there are countless ways to visualize land. Geographer Robert Szucs has done so using waterways, focusing specifically on river basins. To show their paths, he applies vibrant colors to the feather-like motifs as they extend across large areas of the world.

Szucs takes us on a journey from the United States to South America to Europe to Africa. Each map is set against a black background and the rivers are highlighted in an array of neon colors that are electrified against the dark surface. This aesthetic makes the plot points resemble something other than waterways—rather, the designs have a more decorative appeal than a scientific one.

Szucs uses open-source Geographic Information System software to generate these maps. Afterwards, he color codes them into catchment areas—the area from which rainfall flows into a river—which accounts for the changing hues. All of his maps are currently available as downloadable high-resolution prints on Etsy.

Above: United States

California

Africa

Europe

France

European Union

Germany

Iberian Peninsula

Balkans

Robert Szucs: Etsy
via [Boing Boing]

The Hong-Kong based jewelry maker OOO Workshop transforms childhood memories into quirky, one-of-a-kind earrings. The designers cut upcycled retro plastic dinosaur toys in half and adorn a stud on one side, so your ear is sandwiched between each side of the ancient reptile’s body. This method makes it easy to mix and match—a fun way to create your own dinosaur hybrid. OOO Workshop offers many varieties of stud earrings, including a Velociraptor, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Brontosaurus. Channel your inner child and let your creativity run wild.

OOO Workshop sells dinosaur studs and hook earrings, as well as other nostalgic and playful wearable pieces, on their Etsy page.

Hook earrings are also available in a wider variety of dinosaurs:

OOO Workshop: Etsy | Twitter
via [Bored Panda, So Super Awesome]

An unexpected compliment can make someone’s day, so it’s a wonder why we don’t give them more often. Photographer Rotasız Seyyah, however, is changing this one person at a time. He’s in the midst of a 1,001-day journey across the globe, working on a simple-yet-endearing project along the way. Called You Are So Beautiful, the series documents the moment Seyyah meets a stranger and tells them they are “very beautiful.” Every individual has two photos snapped of them—one before they receive the kind remark and another after hearing it.

The difference between the photographs is like night and day. Before, the selected women look at the camera with unassuming expressions. But once Seyyah gives the compliment, their faces change—they light up with the sweetest reactions. Some are beaming while others are endearingly embarrassed by the sentiment and cover their face with their hands. No matter how old or where they live—many of these women reside in Central and South America—being told they’re beautiful will shift the way you see yourself.

Despite the time now devoted to this passion project, Seyyah’s travel photography is his second career. He spent six years working in IT in Istanbul before following his passions for travel and picture-taking. He plans to be on the road until September 11, 2017, and in the meantime you can follow along with his adventures on Instagram.

Rotasiz Seyyah: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Bored Panda]

Who said book bags have to be boring? Krukrustudio, a one-of-a-kind shop based in Moscow, creates unique purses and backpacks inspired by a love of literature. Designed to look like your favorite novels, the bags put a literary and literal spin on the traditional book bag.

Krukrustudio is composed of Russian-born design duo Max and Lyuba, who founded the shop in January of 2011. “We started this project from scratch,” they state on Etsy. “It took about a month to find [the] right materials, draw sketches, make patterns and sew [our] first bags. Finally, we produced our first models for a chain of handmade shops in Moscow by March.” While they originally created “classical style” bags in felt, they eventually added cotton, leather, and faux leather to the mix, and started to experiment with different aesthetics. They abandoned their traditional designs and began creating “bag-objects,” purses that resemble everyday items from blimps to jam jars.  Their “book bags” quickly proved to be particularly popular.

Each beautiful bag features iconic cover art from some of the world’s most beloved books. Ranging from classic coming-of-age novels like To Kill a Mockingbird and Catcher in the Rye to adored childhood staples like Le Petit Prince and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the eclectic collection covers a wide range of written masterpieces. While Krukrutudio’s Etsy shop has an awe-inspiring inventory of ready-to-ship and pre-made items, Max and Lyuba also invite customers to place custom orders to choose the desired size, material, color, and even cover art of their bag. “Service always seemed for us to be one of the key points of the craft,” Max explains in a post on Bored Panda. “So we always welcomed the custom orders – that’s the best way to find out what others need.”

Cleverly designed, highly personalized, and expertly crafted by hand, Krukrustudio’s literary creations are any bookworm’s ideal accessory.

Krukrustudio: Website | Etsy | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr 
via [Culture N Lifestyle, Bored Panda]

All images via Krukrustudio.