It can simply be dismantled and rebuilt on a new site. Requiring only two square meters of foundation, the impact is minimal after the Fincube is moved to another location.





Horizontal ledges provide privacy and assimilate the home into forests, meadows, and let’s also include mountainsides.





The original home was created 1200m above sea level near Bozen in Northern Italy. Made entirely of local wood, the building provides 47 m≤ of living space with a minimal CO2 footprint: local suppliers and local crafts using local long-lasting and recyclable materials manufactured with the precision and care of tyrolese handwork. A prototype of this nomadic housing concept is exhibited in Ritten, above Bozen.

The combination of long-lasting design and portability make for a flexible house or hideaway and a lifetime companion.

Per the designer:

Long-lasting Design: The design is minimal, material-orientated, and in close touch with nature – the wooden space with a 360-degree triple glazing is furnished with a second facade layer, producing shade and giving the building a unique overall mushroom-like mono-shape.

Hospitality Vision: Together with South Tyrolean hotelier Josef Innherhofer, the Fincube was also conceptualized as a vision for future hospitality: a temporary FINCUBE village with minimum soil sealing can be placed in the middle of the most beautiful landscapes without permanently altering them. In contrast to all permanent buildings it could be easily changed, extended, scaled down or removed and the area would soon be re-naturalized back to normal. These qualities turn the unit into an answer to future needs of flexible and smart tourism.

Technology & Space: Technology wise the FINCUBE is a smart house – all vital house-functions are controlled by a central touch panel. The supporting structure is made of local larch and the interior is a combination of larch & stone-pine. The 3m-high space is organized in a helical structure: the entrance area blends into a generous open kitchen with an adjacent sofa living space, around the corner one enters the bedroom and further down is the spacious bathroom.






[fincube]


Designer: Werner Aisslinger – Berlin .
Interior design: Tina Bunyaprasit, Studio Aisslinger .
Wood structure: Markus Lobis – Ritten, Italy
Interior finish: Matthias Prast – Ritten, Italy

Photographer: matt logue

the jury’s judging criteria: to select ‘work that reflects issues raised by one or more of the concerns of the current debate on design; to consider the responsiveness of the design to the social, cultural and economic landscape as well as environmental issues; and to assess the degree to which the project has fulfilled the expectations of users and clients’.

2010 best of show:



british student, min-kyu choi from london, has won the brit insurance design of the year 2010, for his elegant reinterpretation of the humble electrical plug, beating over 90 international nominees in the process. jury chair, antony gormley, presented him with the award at a gala dinner held at the design museum.

antony gormley comments ‘thought-through, responsive and modest, the folding plug shows how intelligent, elegant and inventive design can make a difference to everyone’s life.’

min-kyu choi’s inspiration came from having to carry around the world’s largest plug (uk pin plug) with the macbook air, the world’s thinnest laptop. In creating a plug which could fold flat for easy transportation, choi received much praise on showcasing the plug at the royal college of art’s graduate show in 2009, with a brilliant and seemingly obvious improvement to a product that had changed little since its inception in 1946.

deyan sudjic, director of the design museum comments ‘it’s great to see such a practical but elegant demonstration of what design can do to make everyday life so much better. min-kyu choi is a designer just setting out on his career and he clearly has a great future ahead of him.’

the folding plug and all of this year’s shortlisted designs are on show at the design museum, due to the overwhelming demand the exhibition has been extended and will now run through to 31 october.

The winners below, and below that the shortlist.

*****
seven category winners





architecture: monterrey housing — mexico
elemental — chile





fashion: alexander mcqueen
spring/summer ’10 and spring/summer catwalk presentation — plato’s atlantis, uk





furniture: grassworks
by jair straschnow — netherlands





graphics: the newspaper club, uk
created by ben terrett, russell davies and ton taylor and supported by 4iP




interactive: the eyewriter
by members of free art and technology, openframeworks, graffiti research la, the ebeling group and tony quan — usa





product: folding plug
by min-kyu choi — uk





transport: E430 electric aircraft
by yuneec international — china


*****
2010 brit insurance design awards shortlist





the 2010 shortlist of about a hundred nominees.

architecture ( below )





porchdog house prototype, biloxi, mississippi —usa — marlon blackwell architects;
brandhorst museum, munich, germany – matthias sauerbruch, louisa hutton and juan lucas young for sauerbruch hutton;
british embassy, warsaw, poland – tony fretton architects;
high line park, new york, usa – james corner field operations and diller scofidio + renfro;
hutong bubble 32, beijing, china – ma yansong and dang qun, MAD architects;
maxxi, national museum of the XXI century arts, rome, italy – zaha hadid architects;
melbourne recital centre and mtc theatre project, melbourne, australia – ashton raggatt mcdougall;
monterrey housing, mexico – elemental s.a., chile;
neues museum, berlin, germany – david chipperfield architects and julian harrap architects;
ningbo historic museum, ningbo, china – wang shu and lu wenyu, amateur architecture studio;
raven row, london, uk – 6A architects;
tea, tenerife espacio de las artes, canary islands, spain – herzog & de meuron;
youl hwa dang book hall, paju book city, south korea – architecture research unit (aru);
london metropolitan university with network in architecture (nia), seoul.

fashion ( below )





hats: an anthology by stephen jones, v&a museum, london, curated by stephen jones and oriole cullen, UK;


accessories and artefacts: women’s lives in paris 1940-1944 exhibition, curated by the musée galliera and the memorial-musée, designed by jean-jacques raynaud, graphics by CL design, france;
alexander mcqueen spring/summer ’10 and spring/summer ’10 catwalk presentation, france;
beth ditto at evans, (beth ditto and lisa marie peacock) UK;
boudicca spring/summer ’10 real girl lookbook, UK;
christopher kane spring/summer ’09, UK;
goggle jacket ‘989–‘009, by aitor throup for C.P. company, UK;
madeleine vionnet, puriste de la mode exhibition, musée mode et du textile, paris, curated by pamela golbin, designed by andrée putman, france.

furniture ( below )





360° work chair — germany — konstantin grcic;
breathe furniture, australia – helen kontouris;
carbon fibre chair, japan – shigeru ban architects;
extrusions, uk – thomas heatherwick studio;
grassworks, netherlands – jair straschnow;
houdini armrest chair, germany – stefan diez;
palindrome series, uk – peter marigold;
pallet furniture, uk – nina tolstrup, studiomama;
parcs, uk – pearsonlloyd;
polytopia, australia – lucas chirnside;
repair project, lisbon, portugal – linda brothwell;
setu office chair, germany – studio 7.5.

graphics ( below )





cafe of equivalent$ — uk — kennardphillipps;
032c magazine, germany – art direction by mike meiré;
altermodern: TATE triennial catalogue and poster design, uk – m/m (paris);
corporate diversity, swiss graphic design and advertising by geigy 1940-1970, switzerland;
norm, edited by andres janser and barbara junod;
daily visual column for de volkskrant, netherlands – gorilla;
it’s nice that, uk – will hudson and alex bec;
pig 05049, netherlands – christien meindertsma;
russian criminal tattoo encyclopaedia volume III, uk – fuel design and publishing;
the happy hypocrite, uk – a practice for everyday life;
the indian type foundry, india – peter bilak and satya rajpurohit;
the newspaper club, uk – ben terrett;
the new yorker, 2 nov 2009 edition, usa – chris ware;
trillion dollar campaign, zimbabwe – tbwa\hunt\lascaris, south africa for the zimbabwean newspaper;
typographic trees, crawley library, uk – gordon young and why not associates;
voltaic: songs from the volta tour – m/m (paris) for björk;
war memorial, uk – harry pearce for the science museum, london;
yes, uk – farrow design for the pet shop boys.

interactive ( below )





bbc iplayer — uk — bbc;
bloom, uk – brian eno and peter chilvers;
graffiti taxonomy: paris, france – evan roth;
kindle 2, usa – amazon.com;
l-e-d-led-l-ed, japan – dilight;
onedotzero festival identity, uk – karsten schmidt and wieden + kennedy london;
openframeworks, usa – zach lieberman, theodore watson, arturo castro and the of community;
pachube, uk – usman haque, sam mulube and christopher burman;
panda eyes, uk – jason bruges studio for wwf;
the eyewriter, usa – developed by members of free art and technology (f.a.t), openframeworks, graffiti research lab, the ebeling group and tony quan;
the incidental, milan and london design festival, italy and uk – concept and creative direction by daniel charny, from now on;
ycn library, uk – young creative network.

product ( below )





sugru, uk – jane ni dhulchaointigh;
beehaus, uk – omlet;
blown-fabric lanterns, japan – nendo;
case abyss, norway – abyssus marine services for seabed geophysical;
clouds, denmark – ronan and erwan bouroullec for kvadrat;
design and democracy: blanke ark, norway – blueroom, innovativoli and kadabra;
folding plug, uk – min-kyu choi;
hope chandelier, italy – francisco gomez paz and paolo rizzatto for luceplan;
kyoto box, kenya – jon bohmer of kyoto;
l’eau d’issey ettore sottsass edition, france – issey miyake;
pact underwear, usa – yves béhar;
plantlock, uk – front yard company;
real time, netherlands – maarten bass;
samsung n310 mini notebook, japan – naoto fukasawa;
ski helmet for girls, norway – per finne industrial design for kari traa;
soma, tel aviv, israel – ayala serfaty;
the idea of a tree, austria – katherine mischer & thomas traxler;
the story of stuff, usa – annie leonard;
worldmade sport wheelchair, uk – david constantine.

transport ( below )





gina light visionary model — germany – bmw;
e430 electric aircraft, china – yuneec international;
gocycle, uk – karbon kinetics ltd.;
honda ev-n concept, japan – kanna sumiyoshi;
land glider, japan – nissan motor co. ltd.;
mission one superbike, usa – yves béhar for mission motors;
urbikes, fourth generation urban bicycle, spain – eduard sentís.

from this comprehensive list, the jury selected the seven category winners on march 4th, 2010. on march 16 the overall brit insurance design of the year 2010 winner. last year’s winner was the poster ‘hope’, designed by shepard fairey for barack obama’s presidential campaign.

above two photos: #44 mvrdv—dutch design firm—gwanggyo power center.


The 50—a whopping 31 are new![last year]
1) Facebook [15]
Amazon [9]
Apple [4]
Google [2]
5) Huawei [new!]
First Solar [18]
PG&E [new!]
Novartis [new!]
Walmart [33]
10) HP [12]
Hulu [3]
Netflix [new!]
Nike [27]
Intel [8]
15) Spotify [new!]
BYD [45]
Cisco Systems [5]
IBM [19]
GE [11]
20) Disney [22]
Gilt Group [new!]
Indian Premier League [new!]
Patients Like Me [new!]
Grey New York [new!]
25) BMW Group Designworks USA [new!]
Synthetic Genomics [new!]
FiLife [new!]
Frito-Lay [new!]
Alibaba [new!]
30) Mitre [new!]
HTC [new!]
Diller Scofidio + Renfro [new!]
Firstborn [new!]
Sportvision [new!]
35) Ideo [10}
Samsung [new!]
Glam Media [new!]
Ngmoco [new!]
VNL [new!]
40) Aldi Süd [new!]
Fast Retailing [new!]
Huayi Brothers [new!]
Athenahealth [new!]
MVRDV [new!]
Alstom [new!]
Quantcast [new!]
Good Guide [new!]
Microsoft [34]
Politico [new!]
50) Twitter [new!]

Resources:
andscape forms
metro 40
bavaria deep blue 46
saeco
model byd fo
first solar company
mvrdv
alstom
fastcompany

My early clients included Fujikawa Conterato Lohan ( formerly the office of Mies ) and then Lohan Associates, Dirk Lohan is Mies’s grandson. The relationship exposed me to the process of Mies and his desciples. Their strength, and sometimes flaw, was an unwavering loyalty to core principles that made their structures immediately recognized.

The architects almost exclusively built towers, both commercial and residential, and yes, the buildings are very similar, both inside and out. The majority of the buildings until the mid 80s are dark bronze to match the patina of cor-ten steel which is used quite a bit.

It’s not a stretch to say the house resembles the street level lobbies of the towers. It also looks and feels like a white mini-McCormick Place, a convention center. Mies applied the concept of the unobstructed space of exhibit halls that is flexible for use by people.

Effective January 1, 2010, Landmarks Illinois transferred operation of the Farnsworth House to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the property’s owner.






















above: the core to all mechanicals. the house built on a flood plain, the main slab is 5-3 feet high.

The vitals:
The total cost of the house was $74,000 in 1951.
Materials almost exclusively are glass, steel, and travertine stone.
The main deck is 5-3 feet high to prevent flooding ;-(
The house is now a museum and in the process of restoration due to severe flood damage.
Landmarks Illinois transferred operation of the Farnsworth House, effective January 1, 2010, to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the property’s owner.

Designer: ludwig mies van der rohe

Resources:
wikipedia
wired new york forum
pruned
farnsworthhouse.org
strangeharvest
channel4
mr watson
prusikloop
architectural guidance
skyscraper page

]]> http://designapplause.com/2010/farnsworth-house-revisited/7651/feed/ 8 http://designapplause.com/2010/burj-khalifa-worlds-tallest-skyscraper/7494/ http://designapplause.com/2010/burj-khalifa-worlds-tallest-skyscraper/7494/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:18:47 +0000 PRand http://designapplause.com/?p=7494 828 m (2,717 ft). formerly burj dubai. renamed burj khalifa in honor of sheikh khalifa bin zayed bin sultan al nahyan, president of the united arab emirates (UAE).]]>
formerly burj dubai. renamed burj khalifa in honor of sheikh khalifa bin zayed bin sultan al nahyan, president of the united arab emirates (UAE). the building officially opened january 4, 2010.






above: from the spire, mid 2008








above: The tower is being constructed by a South Korean company, Samsung Engineering & Construction [16] which built the Petronas Twin Towers and the Taipei 101. The tower is designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who also designed the Sears Tower in Chicago and the Freedom Tower in New York City, among numerous other famous high-rises. The building resembles the bundled tube form of the Sears Tower, but is not a tube structure.

The design of Burj Dubai is ostensibly derived from the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, with the triple-lobed footprint of the building based on an abstracted version of the desert flower hymenocallis native to the region. The tower is composed of three elements arranged around a central core. As the tower rises from the flat desert base, setbacks occur at each element in an upward spiralling pattern, decreasing the cross section of the tower as it reaches toward the sky. At the top, the central core emerges and is sculpted to form a finishing spire. A Y-shaped floor plan maximizes views of the Persian Gulf. Viewed from above or from the base, the form also evokes the onion domes of Islamic architecture.

The renamed Burj Khalifa marks the first time since the Middle Ages, when Europe’s Gothic cathedrals rose taller than the Great Pyramid of Egypt, that the world’s tallest building has been located in the Middle East.

Designer: adrian smith ( note: the architects are the chicago office of SOM. smith left in 2006 to open his own firm: adrian smith + gordon gill

Current records:
* Tallest skyscraper to top of spire: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 509.2 m (1,671 ft))
* Tallest structure ever built: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Warsaw radio mast – 646.38 m (2,121 ft))
* Tallest extant structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m (2,063 ft))
* Tallest freestanding structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously CN Tower – 553.3 m (1,815 ft))
* Building with most floors: 160 (previously Willis Tower – 108)
* World’s highest elevator installation
* World’s fastest elevators at speed of 64 km/h (40 mph) or 18 m/s (59 ft/s) (previously Taipei 101 – 16.83 m/s)
* Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 449.2 m (1,474 ft))
* Highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction): 606 m (1,988 ft) (previously Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant – 532 m (1,745 ft))
* The first world’s tallest structure in history to include residential space
* Highest outdoor observation deck in the world (124th floor)
* World’s highest mosque (located on the 154th floor)
* World’s highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade, at a height of 512 m (1,680 ft)
* World’s highest swimming pool (76th floor)

Resources:
dubai architecture
eikongraphia
wikipedia
skyscraperpage.com
blair kamin – 1
blair kamin – 2

window dressing(s) on the luxury venues this time of year does put you in a mood. it’s only fitting to read THIS account from a self-proclaimed connoisseur via her blog, privilege…

<< In the beginning I thought minimalism meant pared-down design. Mies Van der Rohe chairs. The opposite of baroque, or ornate.

Or, the current indie frugality trend? Canning peaches, attaching toilet paper rolls to your walls as art*, reusing plastic bags.

But a few weeks ago I bought a very expensive little black dress, and I believe it was the most minimalist action I’ve taken in the last 5 years. Luxury isn’t the antithesis of minimalism, unnecessary is.

Let’s be clear. It wasn’t a virtuous purchase. No self-denial involved. I love my dress. Made from a cashmere wool blend, and therefore not itchy, but even so, lined in the bodice. Sleeves. I no longer have the need or wish to show my upper arms. Knee length, applying similar principles to the legs. Structured, seamed, perfectly fitting. Narciso Rodriguez, for those who care, as I confess I do, about designers’ bodies of work.

But it’s not the aesthetic, the lack of ruffles, lace, sheer panels, nor the usefulness alone that makes me cry minimalism. I present the minimalist luxury credo, for your review.

1. Be clear why you need what you plan to buy. For what uses? They must be multiple, or critical, i.e. many times, or one time so important it is nigh-historic. I will wear this little black dress, as I have two others in my life, for 5-10 years. With joy. Over and over and over again, each time feeling fantastic and honoring the occasion I celebrate.

2. Be sure you have no happy way to do without. None. When I am called to dress up, if I feel I have nothing appropriate to wear, my upbringing calls in the ghosts and I become sad, anxious, and resentful. This may not be true for you. You will have your own ghosts and your own non-negotiable needs to either burn from your soul or make peace with. Which brings us to the next point.

3. Understand the requirements of your heart and your circumstances point by point. Make sure you know what you want and that you have realistically assessed the likelihood that this purchase will answer your needs. I don’t go to Burning Man. I can see, even now, the times and places I will wear my dress and I can feel looming anxiety dissipate.

4. Do homework to understand price banding. Luxury does not relieve us of the responsibility to assess value. I had looked at J. Crew and found nothing, tried on Barney’s New York private label version to no avail, and vintage clothing gives me the creeps. I am familiar with Rodriguez and his reputation for quality. I also knew, that though his dresses are expensive, I could afford the purchase. Or I would never have walked into the store to begin with. Minimalism means do not stir up undue desires that you cannot fulfill without consequence.

5. Never make anyone else feel bad for what they can’t have. Because, if you pare away everything unnecessary, courtesy has to make the cut.

(Because Little Black Dresses are as flexible in philosophy and meme as they are on the body. Hence the enduring appeal.) >> more pov’s from privilege

DA— the following dresses / designers, and many more, found by googling “minimal little black dresses” and doing an “images” search…

below:
Designer: katarina danisová
Photographer: vivienne bolla

Designer: louis vuitton
Photographer: vivienne bolla

Designer: orsolya kránitz
Photographer: vivienne bolla

Introduced as the answer to the millions of American adults who do not ride a bike, the Trek Lime bike was the first to feature Shimano’s revolutionary Coasting system. At the center of Lime’s design is the reminder that riding a bike should be as enjoyable today as it was when you were a child.

With its comfortable, upright riding position, automatic transmission, and pedal brakes, Lime is designed to ride the way we did as kids — spontaneously, socially, and to experience the sheer joy of motion. Lime is the ideal bike for the casual rider who wants a fun, convenient and stylish way to run out for a cup of coffee or a breath of fresh air.

The specs:
Frameset
Sizes S, M, L
Frame Alpha White Aluminum
Fork High tensile steel
Wheels
Wheels Shimano Coasting dynamo front hub, 3-speed rear hub; alloy rims
Tires Bontrager Cruiser, 26×1.90″
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Coasting, automatic
Front Derailleur n/a
Rear Derailleur n/a
Crank Bontrager Satellite 33T
Cassette Shimano 20T
Pedals Nylon platform
Components
Saddle Bontrager Suburbia
Seat Post Steel
Handlebars High tensile steel, 45 degree backsweep
Stem Alloy
Headset Threaded, semi-integrated
Brakeset Coaster
Extras Kickstand, chainguard, hub covers, top tube pad





Launched in 2006, National Design Week is an education initiative offering free admission for all museum visitors and hosting a series of public programs surrounding the National Design Awards. See what your city is doing…





This year marks the tenth anniversary of the National Design Awards. Browse past winners and finalists by selecting a year from the list below.





Browse this year’s People Awards winners.


Sources
dwell
yanko design
artdaily
mediabistro
bandlbicycles
bikeportland.org
notcot
jacksbikes
bikejuju
endless-sphere
treehugger

Looking back, going to the Knoll showroom in early 70s prior to Neocon looking for floor samples – this company always inspirational.

Above: hardoy chair
Designer: Ferrari-Hardoy, Jorge

Date of Design: 1938
Date of Manufacture: 1947-1973
Model Number: 198
Materials: Steel rods, leather sling




above: tulip chair
Designer: Saarinen, Eero

Date of Design: 1955
Date of Manufacture: 1956-1996
Model Number: 151C
Materials: Base consists of cast aluminum, and nylon ring glide. The shell is molded fiber glass reinforced plastic. Upholstery inside of shell over a foam rubber cushion.

Saarinen’s pedestal furniture was designed between 1955 and 1957 as a part of his “one piece, one material” furniture philosophy. He attempted also to minimize the clutter of feet that most furniture creates. Saarinen’s original intention to become a sculptor is evident in his use of non-rectilinear forms and constant striving for innovative solutions to age old questions.

above: metal chair 132
Designer: Knorr, Donald R.

Date of Design: 1948
Date of Manufacture: 1950-1952
Model Number: 132 (black)
Materials: Steel tube base, sheet metal seat pan, bent rod steel legs

Donald Knorr designed this chair as an entry for MoMA’s 1950 competition for low cost furniture. It was crowned co-winner in the seating category.




above: womb settee 73
Designer: Saarinen, Eero

Date of Design: 1950-78
Model Number: 73
Materials: Steel rod base with polished chrome; upholstered shell, seat and back cushions

“Eero Saarinen’s 1950 Womb Settee, part of his Womb series made exclusively for Knoll, displays the Finnish-born designer’s flair for challenging rules, breaking molds and setting new standards for modern design.”

source: knoll museum

Rolling stone.


above: (images via: Dornob and Inhabitat)

Slovakia-based Nice Architects has a nice idea for future mobile-homers: the Rolling Stone eco-capsule. Though not connected in any way with a certain English music group, a certain American pop culture magazine or a song by a certain singer named Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stone stands on its own when it comes to being environmentally friendly, self-sufficient and generally cute & cozy.

Caravan.

above: (images via: Balleride and Core77)

Those who wouldn’t be caught dead in a classic, Harvest Gold motor home might find the svelte & stylish Mehrzeller much more appealing. German for “multi-cell”, the Mehrzeller caravan concept maximizes interior space while displaying an organic, polygon exterior that resembles natural mineral crystals. The Mehrzeller hails from Graz, Austria, birthplace of another svelte & stylish object: California “Governator” Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ford airstream

above: (images via: All Hydrogen Cars and Fotki)

The 2030s, that is. Actually the Airstream concept Ford’s been showing off lately looks both ways: its eco-friendly hybrid hydrogen fuel cell is most futuristic while the silvery style and iconic name harken back to the good old dust bowl days when hydrogen power was all the rage… until that idea went down like a lead zeppelin.

Foldoub trailer


above: (images via: Treehugger)

Dutch designer Niels Caris has created a foldout trailer called, naturally, the Foldoub Trailer. Tow, park, push a switch and the whole kit & kaboodle opens up like Godzilla’s big pop-up book of home design. On the downside, the Foldoub Trailer has no kitchen, bathroom or storage… which could be a problem if you’re parked 50 miles past the “100 miles to Next Gas & Lodging” sign.

252° Living Area

above: (images via: Busyboo and Yanko Design)

The 252° Living Area springs from the creative mind of French designer Stephanie Bellange. Small enough to be towed by a Mini, the 3-wheeled trailer features supporting feet that spread automatically once the trailer’s outside shell is opened. The interior parts follow, much like the petals of a blossoming flower.

Colim modular camper

above: (images via: Trendbird and Luxist)

The Colim Modular Camper is a car, a trailer and a motorhome all in one. Park at your campsite, then tour the sites in the two-seater convertible module. The interior lives up to the exterior’s promises as well, with flowing, organic surfaces and eye-pleasing colors – not a splinter of plastic wood anywhere. The Colim Modular Camper is eco-friendly as well, with a solar panel on the roof and a hybrid engine nestled under the hood.

T@B

above: (images via: Squob and DesignApplause)

The T@B XL takes the classic teardrop trailer concept and lifts it into a new level of luxury. T@B’s (pronounced “Tab”) lesser models are anything but trashy but the twin-axle XL definitely rules the roost. Sleekly styled, the XL still stretches 22 feet from stem to stern and is expected to be priced in the $60K range. That is, if manufacturer Knaus Tabbert manages to emerge from bankruptcy – times are tough for the purveyors of luxo-goods.

Car trailers for motorcycles

above: (images via: Carscoop and American Custom Trailers)

You’ve seen cars towing motorcycles, but how about ‘cycles towing cars? They may be scaled down a mite but these very cool trailers still evoke the spirit of pinstriped, big-tired muscle cars. Mustangs and Corvettes are featured but the manufacturer, American Custom Trailers, also takes custom orders.

Sylvan sport GO trailer

above: (images via: Gear)

The Sylvan Sport GO trailer looks like a comfy pop-up camping trailer at first glance but the more you look, the more you see. Indeed, versatility is the Sport GO’s middle name. Weighing in at 800 lbs., the camper morphs into an ATV hauler, a camping gear hauler, basically whatever you need it to do. Calling it the Transformers of pop-up campers would be an understatement, though the Sport GO seems to be the non-combative type. Here’s a video of the Sylvan Sport GO in action:

The Sylvan Sport GO, via PCTV1

GMC PAD

above: (images via: World’s Fair Community and Gizmag)

This intimidating mobile home concept from General Motors Advanced Design Group shows the beleaguered corporation isn’t bankrupt – at least when it comes to provocative ideas. The GMC PAD is sort of a Winnebago on steroids that sports 6 wheels, an enormous full length (and width) windshield and a curious articulating feature that extends a step-like device out from the, er, fuselage to ease entry and exit. The PAD runs on a diesel-Electric hybrid system and its innovative resource management technology ensures onboard fuel and water supplies will last weeks, even months.

Tumbleweed homes

above: (images via: Find A Property)

The Tumbleweed Tiny Home Company has got a good thing going. These tiny perfect houses come mounted on wheels, so by law they’re considered travel trailers and thus a building permit isn’t required. Tiny they are, however: could you live in 65 to 140 square feet of space without padding the walls?

Capsule caravan

above: (images via: Design Art Book)

The Capsule Caravan may look lke an oversized M&M but there’s nothing nutty about what’s inside. British designer David Tonkinson engineered the ovoid trailer to separate into distinct Comfort and Service Pods to keep men and machines apart. Conceived as a way to take in summer music festivals by day while resting comfortably by night, the Capsule Caravan is one of the sharpest trailers around – and that’s saying something as it’s one of the smoothest designs going.

via architecture news