French designer Inga Sempé just sent in images of Trame, a mirror system she designed for Domestic. Made from self-adhesive PMMA, the reflections may not be what you might be expecting from a typical functional mirror, but the end result is definitely interesting enough to enthrall.
With a tight itinerary, it's impossible to visit all the pavilions. I tell you, once you've been in a queue here, no queue is too long for you - ever. With some queues stretching several kilometers (for eg, entry to the pavilions of Saudi Arabia and Germany) and lasting some 7 hours, it's amazing anyone can actually walk out of the whole 'ordeal' and still get into the mood to enjoy the stuff on display.
Of all the pavilions, two particularly caught my eyes. The architecture of the China National Pavilion is magnificent. The design is traditional in outlook, but it's essentially a very modern and eco-friendly architecture, as I soon found out. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to visit the pavilion itself but can only squeeze myself into the Joint Provincial Pavilion.
The Spain Pavilion has a wicker cover over a steel structure. Spanish handcrafters weaved out different patterns by using different colors of wicker. The wicker is covered by a special water-proofed material that also keeps the pavilion at a comfortable temperature. Inside, the giant baby is a highlight and never fails to garner camera flashes from the visitors.
The other pavilions I managed to visit weren't particularly impressive. I do like the fauna scape inside the France pavilion.
The architecture of the Korea Pavilion strikes me as very poppish and vibrant. Adopting ‘convergence’ as the main theme, the pavilion is an amalgamation of ‘sign’ and ‘space’ where signs become spaces and spaces become signs.
The 180 degrees IMAX film projection at the Switzerland Pavilion is impressive, but it lacks a bit of soul to it.
Sadly, the Germany Pavilion looks just like another modernist building to me.
At the Nepal Pavilion, the rich geography, culture, and religions of the Himalayan country is on show.
Lines. They are so important in interior design you'll find this element in use in just about any space. Popular usage for lines in a room are the flooring, upholstery and, most notably, walls. The marvelous thing about lines is that it adds visual interest in a space instantly.
Horizontal lines easily portray a casual vibe, while vertical lines convey formality. Curvy lines add grace or whimsy while diagonal lines evoke a sense of movement. Lines can be as understated or as powerful as you want it, so it is one design choice you won't find daunting.
To achieve a good balance, combining lines can be a good idea. For example, horizontal lines can calm the strong formalities of vertical lines, like how curvy lines can add a touch of playfulness to balance off casual horizontals. In addition, verticals and horizontals can be applied in a grid-like pattern for the appearance of structure and cleanliness.
Stan
Meanwhile, I'm excited to hear that my Horizon Hills project in Johor, Malaysia, is progressing smoothly, and will be making a trip there over the weekend to check on things. I hope to be surprised. In a positive way of course.
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