New Book about Detroit: Life in the Motor City By John Carlisle

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Brilliantly Bookish: 15 Dazzling Library Designs

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By Steve in Architecture & Design , Environment & Nature , Urban & Street Art The word “library” doesn’t immediately conjure up a sense of coolness but these libraries are much more than just book storage depots. From public archives of knowledge to centers of learning at colleges and universities, libraries can be amazing places – so why shouldn’t they look the part? From alien blob monster buildings to futuristic steel-and-glass mega-structures, here fifteen libraries that prove books can be very cool. (image via: Treehugger ) The new national library of the Czech Republic is still in its initial design stages but from the look of the plans, it’s anything but bookish. Materials to be used include unpolished white marble, mirror-finished stainless steel and an abundance of new greenery. A three dimensional construct for the third millennium, the library will have a working capacity of 10 million volumes when completed. (image via: Treeh...
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20 Artistic Architectural Optical Illusions

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By Steve in Architecture & Design , Graffiti & Drawing , Urban & Street Art , Urbanism Seeing is believing… or is it? Aided by high-tech materials, today’s amazing 3D street graffiti artists , 3D mural painters and other clever geek artists. designers and architects are finding that if it can be imagined, it can also be built. This selection of architectural optical illusions showcases 20 more very public ways to fool the eye, please the mind and satisfy the soul.   (image via: Big Illusion ) Artists like Felice Varini like to think big, and this installation is so vast it requires the aid of distance to complete the illusion. “Three Ellipses for Three Locks” in Cardiff, Wales, was completed in 2007 and proves that with a small amount of material – in this case, some yellow paint – something grand can emerge.   (image via: BBC ) The piece is a classic “anamorphic illusion” in that to view Varini’s art as intended, one must be in a certain position where ...
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31 Incredible Examples of Lego Architecture

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By Delana in Architecture & Design , Gadgets & Geek Art If there’s one toy that can transcend cultural, age and geographical barriers, it’s Lego. The timeless toy has been enjoyed by children all over the world and from all walks of life. But it’s not just a child’s toy – Lego is a full-time hobby for plenty of adults, too. These impressive works of Lego architecture were all created by people who have a healthy affection for the colorful building blocks. Historic Moments (images via: SF Weekly , MOC Pages ) Is there any better way to commemorate a special day than to build it in Lego? Here, two unforgettable moments in American history are recreated in plastic blocks for all to enjoy. At top, President Obama’s inaugural ceremony appeared at Legoland in Carlsbad, California. The scene featured thousands of tiny Lego people, including the president and his family, George W. Bush and his family, and a number of cele...
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