360 DEGREES Weblog

 

The futuristic architectural marvel that is Tokyo’s Prada store may soon have competition in the form of a proposed flagship store for Louis Vuitton. Designed by UNStudio of Amsterdam, the building employs a multi-level leaf motif meant to be simple and naturalistic, but somehow manages to come off looking like an alien head totem doubling as a spacecraft ready for launch. The building’s specific Tokyo location has not been disclosed but when this structure is complete it will quickly rank high among the city’s many design feats of wonder.

Store your tools in style with the Craftsman AXS 13-Drawer 27-Inch Combo, available in Black Pearl ($1,200), Midnight Blue ($1,200), Red ($1,050), and Titanium Metallic ($1,000). The AXS combo consists of a 6-Drawer Chest and a 7-Drawer Roll-Away, and features two slide-out LED lights, Master Lock One-Key learning lock system, a heavy-duty, slide-out worksurface, multi-function message-center with LED, and a 6-outlet 120-volt power strip. Now that looks professional in your garage, even if you have 2 left hands!

 

PosiMotion’s A Level iPhone app that uses the device’s built-in accelerometer to measure levels. “Great for picture frames, tables, anything in need of alignment. Use it in portrait mode, landscape mode, or face-up mode!”.

If you thought Red Bull Racing was crazy, you won’t believe the Rocket Racing League. Think NASCAR, but in the air, using planes powered by solid-state rockets flying simultaneously. The racers take off in pairs, separated by minutes, competing against the clock at the same time. That means that they will have to maneuver around the competition, following a 3D track projected in their head-up displays. You know it would be spectacular just with the description, and watching this video of one the $1 million racers in action at the 2008 Air Venture in Oshkosh.

The Rocket Racing League® is an aerospace sports and entertainment organization that combines the competition of racing with the excitement of rocketry. The RRL was established by X-Prize founder Peter Diamandis and two-time Indianapolis 500 champion team partner Granger Whitelaw to advance the technology and increase public awareness of space travel. The NASCAR-style racing league features rocket-powered aircraft that will be flown by top pilots through a ‘three-dimensional track way’ at venues throughout the world. With millions of fans who enjoy racing and air shows, and an even wider audience enthralled with humanity’s next step into space, rocket racing is destined to become the future of racing!

Now don’t get me wrong. This vortex fountain known as ‘Charybdis’ which is located in Seaham Hall, Sunderland (UK) definitely catches the eye, but it’s oddly reminiscent of a giant see-through toilet that’s just been flushed. (Not that I’ve encountered a giant see-through toilet before mind you.) Designed by William Pye, the Charybdis fountain is his largest vortex water sculpture to date, and it was created using a large acrylic polymer cylinder which allows an air-core vortex to form as water is pumped in a circular motion. Not surprisingly the fountain also relies on a heavy-duty water filtration system which is necessary to keep the vortex clean and spinning properly.

The multi-functional furniture trend gets luxurious with this elliptical cabinet designed by FAK3 that can rotate 360-degrees to reveal different facets. The cabinet is custom-made on order for a client who wanted to have a central space to facilitate a variety of activities: dining, study, recreation and with a spot for the son to practice his burgeoning skills on the electronic keyboards. On its two longer sides, it housed a set of keyboards and a desk; the two shorter sides accommodated storage and a television. Fitted with industrial strength bearings that can support up to two tones, the wooden cabinet rotates with the push of just one finger. As the cabinet moves, its content and form shifts the room’s perceived spatial configuration to give each zone its own character.

Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has put off talks over selling a stake in his fashion business to a private equity firm. The Telegraph reports that bankers at Merrill Lynch in London and Italy were working on deals with buyout groups including Carlyle, Lion Capital and TPG in recent months. The deals halted on a pretty major sticking point, the value of the business. Cavalli figures his business is worth about $2 billion while some buyers thought that figure was close to $1 billion.

It’s unknown whether Cavalli has called off talks permanently or is on the hunt for someone who will agree with his valuation. In our currently gloomy economy some luxury companies are finding it increasingly difficult to attract investors willing to write the big checks. The luxury brands are doing well but right now the climate of economic fear has some firms fearing the long haul. For the moment Cavalli seems to have aimed too high but the Italian designer, famed for his sexy styles, will likely get his deal eventually, he might just have to scale back his expectations.

The aquatic complex Les Bains des Docks, designed by the 2008 Prtizker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel has just opened in the historical Port of Le Havre. Inspired by the Roman thermal baths, the 5,000-square-meter complex offers an eerily beautiful atmosphere of tranquility with the fantastic play of natural light soothing the eyes, the masterful acoustics pleasing the ears, and the pools and treatment areas taking care of the rest of the body.

Although the main “color” of the complex is white, each section’s distinct atmosphere and hue is created by flowing water curtains, color walls, and various textures and surface treatments. Each pool – lap-pool, children’s pool, whirlpools – is designed, shaped and lit to create a unique “private space” for its specific users. These seemingly enclosed areas help minimize echoing and sound carriage – an annoying aspect of most aquatic centers — as do the varying-height floors and ceilings, and the acoustic false ceilings. Saunas, a hammam, cold and hot baths, and a spa area with hydro-massage and aquagym areas complete the atmosphere of pampering and care. An external lagoon makes the summer use of the complex even more appealing.

Thanks Coolhunter

We’re looking for a nearby dead tree branch where we can hang this $60 Melting Clock, but even placing it on the mantelpiece will remind everyone of Salvadore Dali’s famous painting, The Persistence of Memory. Plop it on the edge of your magically floating and dripping table next to your droppa carafe, and the resulting surreal décor will be persistently unforgettable.

If you were a DJ, you would know how important the table is to keep your mixing devices. DJ tables are usually dull and boring and don’t usually go according to the party situation. If you have parties at home, you would definitely want to buy a shiny DJ table that not only looks good but also is also very functional. DJ Booth ‘HOMELANDER’ is a table for DJs and can be used at major nightclubs and also at normal parties in your apartment. It comes with a customized high gloss finish with a color of your choice. It fits all your DJ equipments perfectly. The 3 LED lights and the 2 color powerleds can be remote controlled and the on/off/change buttons are also located in the remote. An integrated cooling fan makes sure your expensive mixing equipment doesn’t heat up.