Last summer brought the first appearance of the so-called 'dumpster pools.' Back then the pools were placed at secret locations in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and open by invitation only. Now the pool's designers, Macro-Sea, are bringing their pool systems to the masses for NYC's Summer Streets program. For three weeks in August, the pools will be open from 7am-1pm. See the Summer Streets website for more details.
via Curbed
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Trees as far as the eye can see- that's not an experience that can be replicated easily in most urban environments, but DUS Architects have come up with a workable solution. Their new project, Unlimited Urban Woods, places a single tree within four mirrored walls. The effect places the viewer in the heart of an endless forest, also reflected by endless copies of the viewer themselves. The project was only a temporary installation in Amsterdam, but here's hoping the innovative concept sprouts legs and makes it to our neck of the woods. Check DUS's website for other inventive installations like a winding indoor velodrome constructed for a series of bicycle workshops.
via Core77
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Rebar is typically relegated to a supporting role, serving as the backbone for countless structures around the globe. This brilliant composting structure in Edinburgh, Scotland, however, showcases the versatility of this oft-overlooked building material. The resulting basketweave is as beautiful as it is ingenious. The structure, designed by Groves-Raines Architects, was recently recognized with an award for Excellence in Design by AIA UK.
via Core77
]]>Crafters will probably recognize the familiar face of designer Lotta Jansdotter in this great series of DIY and craft videos. Over the past few months Lotta has been dispensing some of her expert crafting wisdom in an ongoing series with Craft Lab. In the latest installment she takes us through the basics of iron-on transfers, but check out the Craft Lab video vault for videos on printing and patchwork, with more to come! For more info on Lotta's designs and workshops, check out www.jansdotter.com
via CRAFT
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There's nothing like a little greenery to freshen up familiar spaces. Popping up this week and continuing all summer, the folks over at Woolly Pocket are hanging gardens all over the city. The company specializes in systems of fabric pouches carefully designed for planting. Planters can be arranged in a single strip, or grouped to create a wall-sized vertical garden.
Mayor Bloomberg is used to handing out keys to the city, but he was one of the first to receive one of artist Paul Ramírez Jonas' keys at the Times Square Key to the City kiosk. Equipped with one of these simple keys, the Mayor or any keyholder gains access to a myriad of secrets spread throughout the five boroughs. Open a lock at the base of a lamppost by night in Bryant Park to reveal a mysterious switch, or try your luck with a hidden door between two paintings in the Brooklyn Museum. To get a key and start your adventure, bring a friend to the kiosk in Times Sq. between June 3-June 27. Check out the official site for hours and the full list of locations to explore.
via Animal New York
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One of our favorite jewelers, Lunessa by Elise Perelman, is now offering jewelry making classes at their Soho store. Introductory workshops cover the basics for making wire-wrapped jewelry, and every student leaves with 1 or 2 of their own finished pieces. We love chatting with Elise at the Columbus Circle Market, and can't think of a better way to learn a new craft. Sign up with a friend by May 30th and both of you get your jewelry-making materials free!]]>
If you've missed out on the last 13 seasons of Rooftop Films, NYC's answer to the drive-in theater, this could be your year. Now in its 14th season, the film festival will be screening over 20 feature films and 150 shorts on urban rooftops all over the metro area. Coming up May 27th is 'Etienne!' a film about a man and his hamster, with the 'Dark Toons' program of animated short films showing the 28th. The festival continues all summer with many more titles and programs, including live music before many shows.
via CoolHunting
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With food trucks on the rise, there’s no harm in throwing out a quick science lesson whilst you chow. As part of their graduation project in 2009, two artists from the Royal College of Art, Zoe Papadopulou and Cat Kramer, mounted industrial water sprayers onto a retro ice cream van, spouting liquid nitrogen and ice cream, creating clouds that condensed into (wait for it), ice cream clouds! Conceptualized to increase awareness about emerging climate control technology using a method that was developed for altering rainfall, the gastronomic experiment boosts conversations about how weather manipulation and how nanotechnology can impact our efforts to improve climate change.
via Inhabitat
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An entire hotel's worth of drama will soon unfold for audiences all over England as the 'Electric Hotel' travels the country in May, June and July. The multi-level structure is assembled from repurposed and recycled shipping containers, and will be disassembled and shipped to the next location after each run. The performance itself is also all about breaking boundaries and new ground as theater goers trace the action from room to room, all the while eavesdropping with a set of headphones. For more info be sure to check out Container City and Fuel Theatre.
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