Robot Dog Lamps

Yanko Design has images of some anthropomorphic lamp designs by Charles Kalpakian. For some reason these aren't on his website. These are wonderful and should be brought to market.

iWay

TrendsNow has the details on the completion of an ambitious project in Lyon France. Created by the Cyril Druart agency, iWay is a driving simulation center that also houses a gym, spa, bars, shops and more. The architecture is stunning and the amenities seem fun. Next time I'm in France, I'm going.

Dancing Trees, Singing Birds

Dancing Trees, Singing Birds is a six unit apartment complex in central Tokyo. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architects, the building juts out to occupy space between an existing grove of trees. The interiors are typically sparse. A quite respite from the bustle of the city.

Cathedral of Christ the Light

Inhabitat has some photos of the new Cathedral of Christ the Light by Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill. Situated by Lake Merritt in Oakland California, the new design takes the place of the old St. Francis Cathedral that was irreparably damaged by the Loma Prieta earthquake. The use of materials and natural light are incredible, and a far cry from the usual staid architecture of SOM.

Table Cube

Ricardo Garza Marcos has designed this interesting coffee table. I really like the smooth white interior. I think this would also make a great design for a public bench.

The Art of Cutting up Books

Dark Roasted Blend has a rather large spread featuring artists who make sculptures and/or statements harnessing used books as their medium. The varying techniques play on the symbolic, material, and yes, even "literal" meanings of the books. 

Community Bridge

The Community Bridge, in Frederick Maryland, was an eyesore of a concrete bridge until it was transformed by muralist William Cochran. The trompe l'oiel "bridge painted on a bridge" was done entirely by hand. Truly stunning work.

I Want I Want I Want!

Dutchbydesign.com is where you can order the Le Clochard duvet set for me. The cotton duvet and shams feature a photographic print of cardboard boxes. Portions of the sales go to the foundation for homeless youngsters in the Netherlands. I need the Queen size.

Super Kingdom

London Fieldworks, an organization formed by artists Bruce Gilchrist and Jo Joelson, has completed it's latest exhibition. "Super Kingdom" is a series of site-specific homes placed the forest. They are based on research of animal hibernation patterns in England's King's Wood Forest.

Batman Debates the Penguin

Here's a timely clip from the original Batman and Robin television show in which Batman participates in a televised debate with the Penguin. Art imitates life? Life imitates art? It just demonstrates how unoriginal the Republicans still are.

The Art of Jim Denevan

Jim Denevan is an artist that makes giant freehand drawings in the sand. He has spent up to 7 hours and walked 30 miles making on of his drawings. The results are truly amazing considering he uses no measuring device.

Dresses Made From Toilet Paper

Cashmere, Canada's #1 selling bathroom tissue, has had its' 5th annual fashion show featuring the works of 8 Canadian designers. All the creations are made exclusively from Cashmere's white and pink toilet tissue. Beautifully designed and executed.

More Light Painting

Fubiz has a feature on another pair of "light painters". Jan Woller and Jord Miedza use time lapse photography and glo-sticks etc. to create some amazing images.

Sprinkler Rainbow Conspiracy

I can't tell if the woman who made this video, is the most astounding idiot of all time, or a great conceptual artist having us on. Either way it's delightful.

The Art of Michel de Broin

Michel de Broin is an artist in Montreal who, with playfulness and wit, creates works that challenge the imagination. He's most famous for his "Shared Propulsion Car", an '86 Buick turned into a pedal car. I also really like "Dead Star" shown above, made from a collection of dead batteries.

The Art of Jean Shin

Jean Shin's website documents a vast body of work. Her site specific installations consist of enormous collections of cast-off objects reinterpreted as conceptual objects. Shown above is "Umbrellas Stripped Bare".

o-14 Tower in Dubai

Designboom has some virtual images and construction photos of a new hi-rise going up in Dubai. Designed by Reiser+Umemoto, the pierced concrete facade and organically shaped footprint offer a welcome alternative to the typical glass enclosed boxes.

Great Sarah Palin Satire: Watch Them All