This impressive and somewhat intimidating headquarters were built in Bilbao, Spain by Coll-Barreu Arquitectos. Here are their comments on the building:

The double façade solves not only urban requirements but also those concerning energetic, fire-resistant and acoustic insulation from outside. This climatic improvement enables the elimination of the conventional air-conditioning installation as well as the false ceiling. Thus, the sound produced by the building is reduced, air recirculation in workplaces disappears, with a significant increase of health conditions. The volume occupied per floor is also reduced.

The folded façade generates multiple visual from inside to the streets bellow, and also from the highest floors to the landscape that surrounds the city, a highly effective mechanism for the incorporation of urban vitalism inside the building. The workspace benefits of the permeable, passable and liveable volume of the façade, that enables the building breathing and the space exchange between inside and outside.

The system facade of the building is similar to the experience of sitting at the door of a house, above the threshold, with an eye toward the road and the back into the home.

The apartments are planned for Whitehorse Street in London with an estimated budget of £8m. Studio Seilern had this to say about the project:

A challenging site in an extraordinary location. Sandwiched between listed buildings… The scheme we are proposing responds directly to its site conditions, and creates an architecture that will offer a distinct identity to the serviced apartments, creating spaces of great quality.

[via Design Scene]

Paris here I come… well maybe when it gets a bit warmer. Anyway, it’s definitely on my list and when I do finally arrive I hope I stay somewhere that has a view like this!

This is the Hôtel de Sers and the official blurb reads:

Away from the spotlights of the Champs Elysées, the Hôtel de Sers is a discrete witness to the splendors of 19th century Paris. Today, this mansion has been restored its legacy without fanfare, offering its guests small château charm and star quality: an immense portrait gallery, a restaurant with a lovely courtyard garden, impressive wood-panelled lounge, and of course its welcoming rooms, bright suites, with several of these offering their guests luxurious, breathtaking views of Paris…

I dream! I dream…

[via TheCoolHunter]

I think we had to draw the line after the year we went twice, bringing our parents along as a treat but nearly passing on the frenzy to them. Following that we promised our next trip to Europe would take us elsewhere.

Well that was the plan but one look at this gorgeous and probably ridiculously expensive deluxe hotel named El Palauet and I’m so tempted to go back.

[via CoolHunter]

[via VesselOfBeauty]

The Melbourne Theatre Company is a remarkable building designed by ARM architects. I just love the way the angles are illuminated. It must be fantastic to see up close.

PS: You have to check out Vessel Of Beauty. The stuff this guy posts…

[via DesireToInspire]

Behind the kitchen on one side is a kids room with bunk beds and on the other the bathroom. The rest of the chalet opens up to a spacious living room and view of the seaside. Love it.

[via StudioMama]

[via Dezeen]

When I first spotted the Boxhome I was intrigued by the exterior design but the interior pictures reminded me of the film, Equilibrium.

It definitely seems like a possible source of inspiration for the architects, Rintala Eggertsson, as they described the design as “a kind of urban cave”, the look of which echoes the muted tones and minimalist housing of the film.

Eitherway, I guess in a way I’m fascinated by the concept but doubt I could ever find this livable. It’d be like buying a gorgeous pair of shoes two sizes too small… it might look nice but it’d kill me if I was stuck in them.

[via Dezeen]