rward2008

This is astronaut Chris Hadfield demonstrating what happens when you wring a washcloth out in space. It's completely different (read: cooler) than what happens here on boring old earth. Also, who the hell uses washcloths anymore -- this is 2011, folks. "2013." Right. This is 2013, folks. Shower scrunchies. Washcloths are only good for flossing your roommate's between your buttcheeks. Hit the jump for the video, but skip to 1:45 for the washcloth squeezing fun to begin.

There's no shortage of fantasy maps of the LA transit system, but Metro's new "under-construction" map (click link for zooming options), despite looking like one of those train-nerd designs, is very real. "It's pretty impressive," writes The Source's Steve Hymon, given that prior to July 1990 -- when the Blue Line opened -- there was no Metro Rail." The new map includes Expo Line Phase II, the Gold Line Foothill Extension--both in hardcore construction right now and set to open in a few years--but also the Purple Line subway Extension, the Regional Connector light rail, and the Crenshaw Line light rail. Though those last three are in pre-construction, only the Crenshaw Line yet has a contractor assigned to build it, though the Purple Line and the Regional Connector should get builders within the year or by early next. No doubt the map looks good, but it's clear LA needs more north-south lines (Metro has many long-term plans, including for something along the 405).
· New Under Construction Map for Metro Rail Debuts [The Source]

Name: Heinz Legler and Veronique Lievre - Co-owners of Boutique Homes
Location: Topanga; Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,500 square feet
Years lived in: 11 years

Veronique and Heinz purchased their Topanga home 10 years ago. They were looking for land when their realtor showed them a house that was in really bad condition — mice running around, trash everywhere, structure in horrible condition — but with a great view. Fortunately, they were able to look past the deteriorating condition of the property and saw its potential. 

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My aunt lives in East Hollywood in a house that’s on the side of a hill. It’s a very rectangular, pre-post modern architectural house that looks like a suitcase jutting out from a mountain. When my grandfather (A big influence stylistically on me: rest in peace, sir.) visited the house, he notoriously called the place a “trailer on the side of a hill.” This was his ineloquent and curt way to say, “Hey: you live in a very boxy place with a great view.” I’ve coveted the house for a long time (and my Aunt knows it) but I’ve also been looking for my own alternative to her place. What’s the latest entry into this series? LA architecture firm J,P;A‘s Sessa Residence.

We saw the house through Arch Daily and have been drooling over it for days. We’re not sure where it is in town (probably better that way) but is a very linear, totally rectangular, indoor/outdoor space that answers your prayers of wanting to constantly be on a patio. The house is a meditation on letting the outside in, which is exactly what people in LA love. With a patio that unites the entire house, every part of the place has a great view and access to the view. Most hillside houses in LA have one good view–but this house has all good views.

J,P;A calls the place “a demonstration of the positive virtue of restraint.” Why is that? It is a very minimal, linear house. That rectangular, “trailer on the side of a hill” idea is an excellent point of departure for design: enhance and embrace that rectangle and make everything rectangular. As you can tell from the exterior from front and back (both below), this shape is the point of departure for the design. J,P;A agrees: “The composite design process followed Michelangelo’s sculptural practice of ‘removing everything that was not it’ and then adding in all that was necessary to make it be the best possible version of itself. In this case ‘it’ was an iconic ‘tube’ partis, hiding within an unremarkable contractor-designed box-on-stilts.”

Of all the houses we’ve shared recently (and have coveted), this is the one we love the most. Why is that? Because it takes the simple concept of being succinct in design, being indoor/outdoors, and relying on something super basic to excel. Also, it’s big and would be great to host parties (which is a big thing for us). We’re glad to share this house with you all because we’re sure you’ll be drooling over it as much as we did: see more of it here.

[Images via Marmol Radziner]

Architect Ron Radziner of the excellent local firm Marmol Radziner has sold the house he built for his own family in 2007, reports the Wall Street Journal. The Vienna Way Residence has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling glazed walls, custom furniture, a pool, a green roof, and outdoor living areas with fireplaces (Marmol Radziner was also the landscape architect on the project, according to ArchDaily). It's made up of two main structures connected by a sunken kitchen--at the front, a one-story space houses a great room; the back structure has "more casual, private spaces, including a family room and an office on the first floor and bedrooms on the second floor." The house sold for $4.4 million.
· Architect Ron Radziner Sells His Noted Southern California Home [WSJ]
· Vienna Way / Marmol Radziner [ArchDaily]

In a leafy suburb of Buenos Aires, in a neighborhood full of classical homes, architect Alejandro Sticotti and graphic designer Mercedes Hernáez have built this modern masterpiece. Indoor and outdoor spaces blend almost seamlessly — Mercedes calls it 'a garden with a roof.' Surrounded by all this greenery, it's easy to forget you're in the city. 

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This four-bedroom residence is located in the Fresnaye section of Cape Town, South Africa and was designed by the incomparable SAOTA (Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects). Built for a young family, Head Road 1816 provides luxury with optimal indoor/outdoor connectivity.

The main living space opens up to the outdoors, optimizing the coastal views and making the area perfect for entertaining.

Open the siding glass doors and hop in the pool for a swim.

Wood slats are a prominent feature throughout the house, including on these sliding screens that offer privacy and shade.

The upper floor houses the private areas of the home, including the bedrooms. The parents wanted close proximity to the young children, as well as being able to close off the upstairs for “family only.”

That view! Everything completely sides open so it feels like you’re sitting outside when you’re at the dining room table.

I love that they utilized an open floor plan because it makes the house feel extra huge.

This cozy seating area sits adjacent to the main staircase. The staircase is flanked in the same wood planks you see on the screens and throughout the interior.

Photos by Adam Letch.

This is a small series of ceramic dinosaur corn on the cob holders designed by Lana Filippone. Obviously, they're the best thing to happen to corn on the cob holders since Native Americans invented corn (remind me to Wikipedia that) and are this summer's must-have grilling accessory. You show up at a barbeque and they don't have dinosaur corn on the cob holders? Grab as much beer as you can and run, that party is gonna suck asses. Hit the jump for the t-rex and bonus wing and gun ones.

Note: Video does contain some brief bare boobie action so make sure to call everybody in the office over before you start it. This is an interactive music video for the band Light Light's song 'Kilo'. You just follow the instructions on the screen as the song plays, then they add your cursor to a new composite video every hour. Whee, you're in a music video! It's easy to recognize me because when they ask you to not hover over the nude model I was the one circling the left nip. I'm basically famous now. Want an autograph? "No." TAKE MY AUTOGRAPH. "This says 'Give me all your money, I have a knife.'" Haha! I said I'm famous, not rich. Thanks to Fitz, who has been in numerous music videos before as a backup dancer. So jealous right now.

[Main image via Downtown News]

Downtown is getting a new movie theater--filling the sweet spot between the huge Regal cineplex and the little Downtown Independent, the Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse will open in a new building next to the Medallion apartments at Fourth and Main. The theater will have eight screens and occupy a 30,000-square-foot single story building on the site (currently home to a parking lot next to Medallion's commercial plaza), reports the Downtown News: "Plans call for the theater to be built into the hill with a rooftop garden. Some parking on the lot would remain." The theater's set to open in about a year and a half. Alamo Drafthouse is famous for its theme nights and seat-side food delivery, and also for being super harsh on jerks (video) who use their phones during the movie.
· Plan in Works to Bring Eight-Screen Movie House to Historic Core [Downtown News]
· Medallion Archives [Curbed LA]

So, a group of Russians went to Egypt and climbed the Great Pyramide. According to their story, they arrived there early while the complex was open, then waited in shadows till the visitor hours are over and the night came down, so later they climbed on the top and made photos. “There are lots of signs on the top of the pyramide on different languages, including Russian, and they say somewhere among them there is a signature of last Russian Tsar who climbed it too sometime long ago”.
The security didn’t notice them, they got back down uncaught, keeping in mind that according to Egypt’s laws there is a possible couple of years sentence for such kind of things.

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Redbox Instant, the streaming service that complements the kiosk-based DVD rental service, launched today. In addition to unlimited access to streaming titles, you'll also get four Redbox DVD rentals for $8 a month. More »

Casa La Punta is a beachfront retreat located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in Punta Mita. Designed by Elías Rizo Arquitectos to appease an unconventional couple who wanted to steer away from the typical style of Mexican beach houses.

The residence is pread out over three volumes that are connected by a wooden timber walkway throughout the property. There’s an entrance volume that houses a double-height workshop, along with the service areas. The main volume is where the public and private sections of the house are contained.

This structure, the third, is an open terrace right next to the ocean.

The pathway to the sea…

Can you imagine soaking in this at sunset?

That’s volcanic rock in the area between the two structures.

This entrance leads to two separate staircases – one goes to the master suite and the other to the two guest suites.

I’m pretty sure that is the tallest door ever – it’s triple-height.

Photos by Marcos García.

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When it comes to old familiar New York versus Los Angeles smackdown, we can admit they have us handily beat in their ability to drink legally at bars until 4 a.m. Now, however, a California State Senator is putting forth a bill that would give cities the option to let their bars serve until nearly sun-up. [ more › ]