English novelist James Hilton wrote in 1933, 'Lost Horizon’ an adventure novel which told tales of an earthly paradise hidden from the world within the mountains of Tibet. This eden called Shangri-La was unaffected by the ravages of time, it was a place where humans and nature coexisted as one. Shangri-La would later become the inspiration and name of one of Asia's most Iconic hotel brands. I had the opportunity to review their spectacular inaugural property, it's located in Singapore and opened in 1971.
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is set amidst 15 acres of lush greenery, it's a place like no other and is consistently voted as one of the best hotels in the world. The hotel offers three distinctive accommodation options, the Garden Wing, the Tower Wing, and the Valley Wing.
- The Garden Wing is an urban resort, featuring 158 spacious guestrooms and suites with interiors inspired by nature. Soothing sounds from the cascading waterfall, graceful koi swimming in the ponds and verdant surroundings with child-friendly amenities complete the resort experience. - The Tower Wing is the hotels first phase and features contemporary styling. Entering in the wings vast lobby with impressive oval marble columns, a grand sweeping staircase and a floor-to-ceiling mural depicting the legendary mountains of author James Hilton's "Lost Horizon" sets the tone for a fantastic stay. - The Valley Wing is the hotel's most exclusive option, and is the choice for heads of states, celebrities, captains of industries and discerning travelers alike. The Valley Wing epitomises the very best of luxury accommodation in Singapore. With 131 beautifully furnished guestrooms, including 26 suites, this elegant wing's exclusivity is experienced as soon as guests arrive at the private lobby. I stayed within the Garden Wing and loved every moment, the landscaping was brilliantly executed. This is a modern day Hanging Gardens of Babylon; everywhere you look nature surrounds you. Catch my video review below to see why I am totally in love with the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore! I thought I had seen my share of amazing infinity-edge pools at Marina Bay Sands Singapore & the Hanging Gardens Ubud Hotel in Bali, but I was wrong! This concept villa, Mirage House, takes the cake. The home's entire roof is a pool! Image this place all to yourself, the tranquility, the parties, the views. Its incredible!
Manhattan's 432 Park Avenue is quickly rising to become the Western Hemisphere's tallest residential tower (1,398 ft.). Designed by starchitect Rafael Viñoly, the building is redefining New York's real estate records. Already generating nearly $1 billion in apartment sales, 432 Park Avenue stands to earn $3 billion in total sales. The skyscraper's six penthouse residences, each at 8,255 sq. ft. contain six bedrooms, seven baths, and are located on floors 91 - 96. Completion of the tower is expected in 2015.
Over the course of eight weeks, Chanel transformed a barren man-made desert island off the shores of Dubai into a stunning modernist venue for the unveiling of its 2014/15 Cruise collection. See here Chanel's official videography documenting this unprecedented event.
Suspended 40 meters above Fairhaven Beach, the Pole House is one of Australia's most iconic homes. Designed and built in the 1970s by Frank Dixon, the home needed upgrades and has now been recently renovated by F2 Architecture. The new finishings add a luxurious modern interior, creating a striking holiday experience like no other.
Pritzker prize winner Zaha Hadid, architect of the winning 2020 Japanese National Stadium proposal, and Miami's upcoming One Thousand Museum Tower, has recently completed the Jockey Club Innovation Tower (JCIT). The fluid structure is apart of Hong Kong's Polytechnic University campus. Zaha Hadid Architects have released images of JCIT, documented by renowned photographers Iwan Baan, studio Doublespace, Virgile Simon Bertrand, and videography by Dan Chung. Enjoy! This amazing new exhibition taking place at the A+D Architecture and Design Museum L.A. from July 28, 2013 - October 13, 2013 explores the "what if" Los Angeles, and dares the city to dream again. The show is curated by Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin and designed by Clive Wilkinson Architects. The exhibition asks: Why is Los Angeles a hotbed of great architects, yet so lacking in urban innovation? The show looks at visionary works that had the greatest potential to reshape the city, from buildings to master plans, parks to follies and transportation proposals any of which could have transformed both the physical reality and the collective perception of the metropolis. The stories surrounding these projects shed light on a reluctant city whose institutions and infrastructure have often undermined inventive, challenging urban schemes. Zaha hadid has just launched in the NOVA shoe, a limited edition haute couture footwear, as part of a collaboration with United Nude. The manifestation of a years-long exchange of idea with United Nude creative director Rem D. Koolhaas (not to be confused with his namesake, uncle and Hadid's former employer), the design is both a challenge to preconceived formal limits of shoes as well as a synthesis of materiality, ergonomics and dynamism. Informed by Hadid's characteristic architectural language of sinuous curves and impossible forms, the shoe is a small-scaled structural feat, sporting a cantilevered heel that allows a 6.25 inch heel to appear unsupported. The engineering and fabrication of the shoe appropriates both time-tested and entirely new methods of cobbling what with a combination of lost wax cast techniques, injection molding and vacuum forming to ensure a seamless vessel. The NOVA shoe is the first to employ rotation molding as a viable fabrication technique-- a method by which a softened material is rotated on a perpendicular axis throughout the cooling and curing process. The upper portion of the shoe is part italian leather and metallic chromed rubber, while the hidden heel and platform are fiberglass, ensuring a lightweight object that articulately expresses the dynamic movements of the wearer. the shoe will be available in sizes 35-40 at select stores in l'eclaireur in Paris for a price tag in the £1300 range. a limited edition run of 100 pairs in black, bronze and rose gold have already been created. NOVA shoe by Zaha Hadid for United Nude
As a proud Bahamian I am excited to celebrate our 40th year of independence on July 10th. As I write this feature, I’m nostalgic about the past, but very excited for the future of The Bahamas and Baha Mar; emotions of joy, pride, and excitement overwhelm me. My focus is centered on Baha Mar’s current construction ventures, and I believe it’s a foreshadowing of great things to come.
Architect Jonathan Segal designed the Lemperle Residence on a narrow pie shaped oceanfront lot in La Jolla, California. This ocean front residence promotes an indoor/outdoor lifestyle through the use of expansive glass and deck areas. Due to the small pie shaped lot the architect focused all views toward the ocean. Every room above grade space frames a view of the Pacific Ocean through the use of vertical and horizontal planes and edges. These edges also create an air of privacy from the adjacent neighbors. When a designer is faced with site challenges this always creates an opportunity for experimentation in design; John Segal has succeeded, creatively adapting Lemperle Residence to site restrictions. via: iam-architect.com This feature, fresh off the press from the 55th Venice Biennale, is a gem for any lover of international art. The Biennale is the 'Art World's Olympics.' The images and information were sent directly to me just yesterday by FITZ & CO, who represent Tavares Strachan; immediately I had to share! The pavilion looks breathtakingly fascinating, the quality is of such strong international standard, that I'm most certain it will captivate attendees, and positively promote the 700 islands & cays that make up, The Bahamas. This is the island nation's 40th year of independence, and I believe the showing at the Biennale is a signal foretelling of even greater years ahead. Earlier this month Tavares was featured on Traveller's Bazaar, including a prelude to his Venice showing. Now see here FIRST, images of The Bahamas Pavilion.
Influenced by nature, in particular from the 'weaver bird', which gets its name because of its elaborately woven nest - the design of 'the biodiversity nest' by blueforest features an elevated walkway and platform, which will form part of the new rainforest canopy walkway at the eden project, located in Cornwall, England.
Hospitality venues like the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi are far and few. When I think on it further there is nothing comparable to it. The Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is a Xanadu of surreal luxury, set within architecture that takes you out of your everyday and reminds you to live. I had the pleasure of staying for two unforgettable nights during my seven night stay in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I left thinking you really don't know what luxury is, until you've experienced the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, it's a fine execution of all the right reasons to travel.
When I got news that the Bahamas was showcasing at the Venice Biennale, I almost did a backflip, which sadly I cannot actually do, needless to say...I was very excited. Being a Bahamian myself, the news made me more than proud, and curious as to what exactly we would be showcasing to the world. To put in laymen terms, this art exhibition held every other year is regarded in the design world as an equivalent to perhaps the Oscars or Grammys, minus actual awards being handed out, but equal to their high-calibre status.
Baha Mar, the new 3.5 billion dollar hospitality destination in Nassau, Bahamas is rising fast, sure to be an icon of the islands and the region at large. It is comprised of four distinguished brands: Rosewood, Mondrian, Grand Hyatt, and a dazzling newcomer, The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel.
Photographer David Orias shoots waves with the best dawn or dusk light relying on slow shutter speeds to capture these amazing images all along the California coast. He creates magic through the lens of his camera. See below what drives him to capture such wondrous shots...
Miami is such a cosmopolitan melting pot. Its Sobe - Miami Beach style is world renown for its clean lines, pure white linens, coral accent colours, and beach influences. Gaze into our collection of South Beach Modern Inter...
Aston Martin celebrates 100 years of Power, Beauty, Soul with a spectacular centenary event. The New Vanquish reached new heights, lifted to the helipad of the exclusive Burj Al Arab hotel, Dubai, a world's first. Attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, this stunning event continues Aston Martin's centenary celebrations the year. Check out the latest stunner from Zaha Hadid Architects, the New Japanese National Stadium. Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher give a....
Finally images have surfaced of starchitect - Zaha Hadid's first approved skyscraper in the Americas. Feast your eyes on the plans, renderings, elevations, diagrams, etc. etc. of Pritzker prize-winning superstar architect Zaha Hadid's One Thousand Museum condo tower, soon to rise in downtown Miami. Details of the tower have been heavily under-wraps. Until now, an anonymous tipster sent these images to 'Curbed Miami' today. Click 'Read More,' to view pics of the new Miami ICON + a Wall Street Journal video on the skyscraper.
Inspired by the simplicity of black line drawings, and how those lines can communicate three dimensions, John Tong has created a series of freestanding and and wall-hung clothing racks. Highly flexible and playful, the geometric welded steel collection features freestanding units weighted toward the wall, offering highly stable units that are movable. More images & video, click 'Read More.'
The Louvre Abu Dhabi which is u/c at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi will open its next exhibition in its temporary exhibition space at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The new exhibition titled - 'Birth of a Museum,' runs from 22 April until 20 July, 2013. The exhibition will showcase important works of art from the Louvre Abu Dhabi permanent collection, some of which have never been seen or revealed before.
Gica is a rocking chair of simple and smart forms. It is an ergonomic and functional piece, with a design of curved line and great attractive simplicity. Its seemed lightness hides a solid structure but with movement when a user sits in it. The perfection of its finishes make it a difficult carrying out but whose final result surprises due to its purity and versatility. Gica has obtained many awards and recognitions by spanish furniture sector. Wood back finishing options in options table. For more images click 'Read More.'
A stunning modern masterpiece of a home, located in the ultra-luxurious 'island-within-an island,' community of Sentosa Cove, Singapore. This minimalist modern home responds so well to its site context by designing for projected future urban density and the site’s local environment. The home is designed with a thick, nine metre high wall that forms the entrance façade which wraps around to continue along the sides, revealing itself open to a waterway at the back of the home. See the awe-inspiring photos and video by clicking 'Read More.'
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AuthorHello World! My name is Quinn Russell, I am a Bahamian - American architectural designer who is passionate about luxury travel and design. If i'm not exploring the remote corners of the globe, I am designing them. I blog on the best in world architecture, luxury hospitality and virtually all things travel & design. Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoy and find my reviews helpful. Categories
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