You almost can’t blame the America-hating Brits for criticizing the newly unveiled designs for a billion dollar U.S. Embassy in London. The 12-story glass stump of a building with a medieval-like moat on one side has been described as a “fortress” and a design adviser to the UK government (they have those?) said it lacks civility. |Guardian|
Forget sharing the lowly road with drivers and pedestrians, Bulgarian architect Martin Angelov has a radical idea for cyclists: “Kolelinia.” That’s the name of his suspended bike lane system that resembles a tightrope, but supports a narrow channel for tires, allowing riders to cruise high above the congestion below. Equally important: the safety harness and security cable that will keep the brave, but slightly uncoordinated alive. |Inhabitat|
A Japanese firm continues to make barcodes fun! |Visual Culture|
This chart detailing the future of public transportation is not as Jetsons as I hoped, but the backpack helicopter is still pretty bad ass. |PSFK|
Now that the Port Authority smartly decided not to call it the Freedom Tower, the City Room asked its readers to help create a logo for 1 WTC with varying results, most of them unreasonable. This one from Mark Sanders is especially eerie: “The number only is visible because of the omission of its twin. While a single new building sits on the site, the shadow of twin towers provides solemn context.” |City Room|
It seems as though Nike athletes will go to war this weekend in a new function-focused line the swoosh has dubbed “Pro Combat” that will debut at all star weekend in Phoenix. Star b-ballers like LeBron James, and Amare Stoudemire (pictured) will rock this two-piece under layer monstrosity that according to Nike, will provide hip, thigh, and ribcage protection.” As Nike Sport Apparel and Innovation Creative Director Todd Van Horne explains “Nike Pro Combat is a breakthrough solution for basketball players engaged in battle in the blocks and perimeter.” Note to the Nike Campus security guards: Cut the swoosh basketball designers key card access off to the Lance Armstrong building immediately.
Well technically, it’s “100 deconstructions of the Republican Logo,” but what’s the difference? Created by illustrator Thomas Fuchs and graphic designer Felix Sockwell, GOP100 – Deconstructing Dumbo is a 5×5 saddle stitched book that does a nice job of dismantling the Republican party’s logo. |Visual Culture|
Although it’s completely synthetic, this Road Kill Carpet isn’t likely to be a big seller amongst animal lovers, sensitive vegans, or card carrying members of PETA. But that’s OK, they’re targeting road kill voyeurs: “Do you know the feeling that you do not want to take a look at something, but you still do? The Road Kill carpet is a continues struggle between attraction and repulsion. It’s a warm, soft, cuddly carpet that attracts you to take a nap on it. But at the same time its a repulsive image of a car-flattened, bloody fox.” |Likecool|
Bring ‘Hope’ and the 44th president right into your home with this severed, half-bodied wall decal of Barack Obama. The hovering political deity will not only delight your left leaning friends, but also terrify those on the right. |Etsy|
The poor Mets, they just can’t seem to win anything. Not only do they have to deal with moving into a new corporately named stadium that the public detests—this disdain increased exponentially when Citicorp asked and got some federal welfare bailout money—but the not as popular ball club wasn’t even successful in securing a proper inaugural logo. The Bronx Bombers on the other hand get to keep their iconic stadium name, get a snazzy new logo, and if they get their way, another $325 million in tax payer funded loot. |Oberholtzer|
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