isabel barros architects

blog

We have decided to move our blog into our main site. Everything new and old is now available at our new location http://isabelbarrosarchitects.ie/blog/.

 

If you are following this blog, don’t forget to subscribe to the new RSS feed using the new address.

Isabel’s Picks for December 2011

ADD SOME SPARKLE

Let your days be merry and bright

 

1. DIGITAL DISPLAY

Manufacturer:
SmartSlab Ltd

Price Range:
Approx. €4,000 per square metre.

Material:
Combines honeycomb aerospace technology with LEDs. The display surfaces are made of clear polycarbonate.

Key Facts:
SmartSlab is a display solution for medium to large scale media applications. SmartSlab can be used anywhere you want to have a video display. SmartSlab displays are provided as tiles that easily hook into position. The SmartSlab tiles are connected together in just a few minutes using standard Ethernet cables. SmartSlab can be configured into seating, cubes, zig-zags and endless 3D forms. The final component is a media server software, which runs on a PC/Mac. This server allows SmartSlab displays to run media from any source that you can imagine: DVD, HDTV, DVI, satellite, web broadband, etc. It can also interact with people or devices such as mobile phones.

Applications:
Walls, floors, ceilings, indoor and outdoor. SmartSlab is ideal for application in Architecture, Design, Sports, Events, Retail and Branding.

Available from:
SmartSlab
 

 

2. Pendant lamp

Designer:
IKEA of Sweden

Name:
STRÅLA Pendant lamp

Price Range:
€12.99

Material:
Bleached chlorine-free paper.

Key Features:
The light shines through the paper and gives a soft, cosy glow.

Available in Ireland from:
IKEA
 

3. SHELVING SYSTEM

Trademark:
Magis

Designer:
Zaha Hadid

Product Name:
Tide

Price Range:
€140 per module

Material:
Standard injection moulded glossy ABS.

Key Features:
The symmetric shelving module allows to create different compositions through various rotations on itself. It allows individuals to build and rebuild the module to fit the space around them, adjusting the components according to their needs.

Available to Ireland from:
Panik

 

4. HEAT PUMP

Manufacturer:
NEURA

Product Name:
Neura NDX

Price Range:
n/a

Key Facts:
Smallest of laying surface necessary. Plug & Heat system (ready to use, easy to install). Coolant circulates directly in the surface collectors and absorbs the energy (direct evaporation); by doing so additional components such as heat exchanger and brine re-circulation pump are unnecessary, which means increased operational reliability and improvement in efficiency of approx. 20%. Infinitely variable electronic speed control (PCS technology). WEB DIALOG ® capable, you can control and monitor the heat pump regardless of location or time.

Available in Ireland from:

Eco Heat Ltd. 

 

See More Picks

Bjarke Ingels’ presentation at Architectural Record's Innovation Conference 2011 touches the new concept of Hedonistic Sustainability that Ingel’s office (BIG) has been exploring in a number of projects shown in this presentation.

 

The idea behind Hedonistic Sustainability is that architecture does not need to make a design sacrifice in order to be ecologically and economically conscientious.

The current way of thinking about sustainability incurs in undesired compromises that often start in the consumer’s pocket.

The approach to Hedonistic Sustainability supports that any strategies should be motivated by the desire for pleasure, increasing life quality and human enjoyment.

In order to complement this new ‘green concept’ Ingels says that architects need to become designers of ecosystems. I feel that architects have been designing ecosystems for a long time; the challenge is that we need to integrate many more resources these days.

 

 

Isabel’s Picks for November 2011

ENLIGHT THE SPIRIT

Christmas is almost here.

 

1. TIMBER SHUTTERS

Manufacturer:
Lusaflex

Price Range:
n/a

Material:
Premium quality kiln dried solid basswood.

Available in Ireland from:
Carlow Curtain Centre
 

 

2. LED SINK FAUCET

Name:
Color Changing LED Waterfall Bathroom Sink Faucet

Price Range:
€52.20

Material:
Brass with chrome finish and glass.

Key Features:
Built-in LED light. LED color changes with water temperature.

Available to Ireland from:
Lightinthebox.com
 

3. TABLECLOTH

Manufacturer:
LumiGram

Product Name:
L08 - Luminous Fiber Optics Tablecloth

Price Range:
€279

Material:
Made of fiber optics fabric (Luminex® patented material), with assorted cotton borders.

Key Features:
Emits a colored light along the full length of the fibers. The tablecloth can be handwashed with natural soap. The tablecloth is powered by a mains adaptor 110/220Vac.

Available to Ireland from:
LumiGram

 

4. HERRINGBONE TIMBER FLOOR

Product Name:
American Prime White Oak Herringbone

Price Range:
n/a

Collection:
Parquet.

Available in Ireland from:

Trunk Flooring

 

5. CHAIR

Manufacturer:
Calligaris

Designer:
Stefano Cavazzana

Product Name:
CS/1054-LH S Deja vu leather

Price Range:
€450

Material:
Solid wood and leather.

Available in Ireland from:
Kube

See Isabel's Previous Picks

Construction Costs in Recession Ireland and Useful Tools to Estimate Your Construction Costs are two of the most popular posts in our blog.

This time we bring you the Average Irish Construction Costs for 2011 as published by Bruce Shaw in their latest Handbook 2011.  Bruce Shaw is one of Europe’s leading quantity surveying practices, they provide construction cost management, construction project management and consultancy services.

The average construction costs table is generated using Bruce Shaw’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs.

(Click image to enlarge) 

The basic hourly wage rates for Craftman and General Operatives are approximately 5% lower than 2008 rates.

(Click image to enlarge) 

 

The Society of Chartered Surveyors publishes every year a guide to rebuilding costs in Ireland. This guide is intended to assist in insuring a house and the costs included are based on building rates as of March 2011.
(Click image to enlarge)


Check out our other articles in this series.

Isabel’s Picks for October 2011

HIDDEN TREASURES

Bringing to light some interesting selections.

 

1. GLASS FIRE SCREEN

Manufacturer:
Blomus

Product Name:
Bebop

Price Range:
€315

Material:
Stainless steel and glass.

Features:
Heat resistant.

Available to Ireland from:
Panik-Design
 

 

2. RUG

Collection:
Rug Star - Designer collection : Love Stories

Name:
Johnny I Am Going To Jackson Dark Grey

Price Range:
Prices per square meter range from €800 (100 knot, wool only) to €1,210 (150 knot, 15% silk).

Material:
Wool / Silk mix or Wool only.

Key Features:
Hand knotted, 100 or 150 knots per sq inch. Custom made in 100 or 150 knot quality and may include silk fibers. Rug Star standard specification is 150 knot with 15% silk.

Available in Ireland from:
RugArt
 

3. HANDS FREE DOOR HANDLE

Manufacturer:
Ulna Cyclope

Product Name:
Ulna Initial

Price Range:
n/a

Material:
Polypropylene. Available in a range of 13 colours.

Key Features:
It can be used without hands. Eliminates the first carrier of contamination through hands. Makes easier the opening with arms full.

Applications:
Hotels and Restaurants. Dentists, Doctors and Medical Offices. Nurseries and Play Group Facilities. Hospitals and Clinics. Fast Food Outlets. Conference Rooms. Leisure Facilities. Rest Homes and Rehabilitation Centres. Railway Stations, Airports & Car Parks. Petrol Stations & Service Stations.

Available to Ireland from:
James Gibbons Format

 

4. SPIRAL CELLAR

Price Range:
From €10,500

Key Features:
Watertight, pre-cast cylindrical system. It can keep up to 1,900 bottles in perfect storage. It relies on the surrounding earth for its insulation, plus an ingenious air-flow system, it requires no power to maintain its constant temperature.

Available in Ireland from:
Spiral Cellars Ltd.

 

See Isabel's Previous Picks