Where once there was an ice cream factory now houses an award winning architectural project, “The Breeder” Gallery. Located in Athens, Greece and originally built in 1970 the building was left empty and abandoned for many years before it was selected by the owners of the gallery to become their new creativity centre. The renovation was undertaken by the famous Greek architect Aris Zambikos and managed to win one of the three awards nominated every four years by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture. The interior space changed a lot in order to become practical to its new function. On the contrary, the old, steel window frames were kept unchangeable contributing to the industrial character of the building. But what I like the most is the new concrete staircase’s design that helps spread the light that comes through the main skylight.

Setting itself apart from the sport inspired garments, the Adidas SLVR collection stays one step ahead and releases the Spring/Summer 2012 collection, shot by fashion photographer Willy Vanderperre. Inspired from the sport of fencing, the new collection is characterized by simple, dynamic lines and bold, primary colours that create a highly functional, well tailored and sophisticated result. The concept behind the new clothing range is excellently presented in the campaign’s video, directed by Willy Vanderperre and starring Marique Schimmel. The video; Extends the idea of fencing set to a beat which is reminiscent of the sport’s rhythm. You can watch it here.

A landmark project. A building that aims to supply with energy the nearby city by combining the power of wind and sun. And moreover an answer in terms of design to the conflict between renewable energy systems and great architecture. All the above and many more can be found in Eolica project. A wind tower and facilities building designed by Spanish architecture firm Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. A landmark that modifies its proportions depending on the viewpoint and the effect of the sunlight, revealing an element in a constant evolution. An engraved tower devoted to the wind. The building combines renewable energy which feeds the city and its facilities with electricity without needing other resources. Taking advantage of the possibilities that it suggests, much as for its construction as for its shape. Its stillness contrasts with the mobility of the shadows, its firmness emphasizes the strength of the wind to whics it frames. More technical details and a full project presentation can be found on the project’s video.

Pastel is the new black. At least for this spring. And Tibi’s proposal for this season is more pastel, elegant and breezy than many others I have seen lately. Amy Smilovic, the person behind the label, after graduating from the University of Georgia, decided to follow her husband to Asia and pursue her dream of creating a new fashion label. And the results justified her. Her collection for Spring 2012 is definitely one of my favorites: chic, simple, clean and elegant. Soft and luxurious fabrics that highlight the best parts of any woman’s silhouette and are adaptable to various personal styles. And what about her inspiration? modernizing and refreshing the nineties silhouette with streamlined cuts, sportswear elements and asymmetrical hems in natural fiber fabrics contrasting with modern techno textiles. Photographs: courtesy of imaxtree.com and Matteo Volta

Today we’re taking a small trip to Japan, to meet the work of a great minimalist Japanese architect Katsufumi Kubota and more precisely the T-House, a housing project located in Kanagawa prefecture southwest of Tokyo. It is a monolithic, two-storey reinforced concrete construction, built on the slope of a hill, which takes great advantage of the surrounding view through a wide opening on the first floor. I love the contrast between the clean and crisp atmosphere of the interior and the natural environment. And what could be more impressive than a swimming pool at the house entrance? The project was awarded the Dedalo Minosse International Prize 2007/2008 Special Prize.

I instantly fell in love with Yi Fang Wan’s new collection for Fall/Winter 2012/13 presented in London’s Fashion Week. A very promising young designer, from southern China who recently graduated from the Central Staint Martin’s College of Art and Design and was awarded the L’Oréal Professionel Young Designer Award at the college’s BA Fashion degree in 2010. College’s graduates also include Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Stella McCartney and Hussein Chalayan. Simple, elegant lines and high quality materials manage to create beautifully feminine and elongated silhouettes. I love the combination of blue and grey and the multiple layers of her clothing. Not to mention the oversized wooden pieces that give an architectural and theatrical dimension to the catwalk version of the collection. A great proposal for a contemporary style with all time classic elements.

In the area of Bruges in Belgium, the local architects Benny Govaert & Damiaan Vanhoutte designed Villa Roces, a family house and a conceptual home. The oblong terrain and the wooded surroundings led the architects to the designing solution of a wide glass box with a high degree of transparency in order to provide a response to the minimum light. A big wall along the house was also built for the same reason: the intention to reflect the light and the presence of the forest. The design of the interior follows the overall visual pavilion impression too. The two levels of the house are developed in such a way to maintain and intensify the idea of the box while white, clearly defined boxes form the interior space, incorporating the structure elements and reflecting the light. Photography: Tim Van de Velde

A contemporary version of classic design. This is how I could describe MTWTF Spring/Summer 2012 collection by Weekday; a new line to celebrate Weekday’s 10th anniversary. Great, refined tailoring, simple lines and the finest materials – high quality cotton, cashmere, silk and wool – compose a collection that can easily become ageless. I love the use of basic colours and the overall elegance that characterizes both men’s and women’s collection. Another great example of what Swedish knows to do best: minimalism. MTWTFSS collection was launched in all Weekday stores on 22 February, 2012. Images courtesy of Star PR / Weekday

Located in the island of Formentera in Spain and designed by architect Marià Castelló, Casa Amalia is a reformation project of an existing building originally constructed at the early 70s. The refurbishment was carried out between 2008 and 2010 and the main architectural concept was that of creating a contemporary version of the local architecture while introducing fluid and open spaces in the interiors. No building interventions were made except that of a perimeter foundation that redefines the way the building contacts with the ground. This platform not only protects the house from the water runoff but also separates the house from the natural terrain giving shape to the terraces-viewpoint. The limited use of materials and colours and the simple, geometrical volumes help achieve an attractive and sophisticated mix of the various phases of the building and create serene and elegant interiors. I don’t need more! Photography: Estudi EPDSE

Born and raised in Singapore but now living in London, Tze Goh stands out for his strikingly minimal and sculptural designs. He has developed a very interesting signature, strongly influenced by his roots, the geometry of Asian shapes, but with a clearly contemporary statement due to the high quality materials and the architectural, 3D constructions of his designs. Yes, my designs are inspired by modern architecture. When designing, I like to start with a simple shape, such as a t-shirt, and stretch and mould the fabric into something new, modern, creating a serenely sensual and statuesque design. My design ethos is one of minimalism. Smooth lines, folded seams and intricate pleating create a clean palette that allows the garments to speak for themselves. Tze Goh was also one of four designers chosen in February 2011 by Vauxhall Fashion Scout, to show on their collaborative catwalk event Ones To Watch.

The Musealization of the Archaeological Site of Praça Nova of São Jorge Castle, in Lisbon, a project by Portuguese architect Joao Luís Carrilho da Graca apart from being an exceptional project has also received the Piranesi Prix de Rome 2010 international prize. But, who could describe this project better than the architect himself? The following text is part of the text published in Pirenesi Prize application. The excavation of the Castle’s Praça Nova, begun in 1996, uncovered remnants of its successive periods of inhabitation, leaving the exposed archeological site open to an intervention of protection and musealization. […] The first action was its clear delimitation with a precise incision: a wall of corten steel to contain the higher perimetrical surface. The same precision was used in the inserted steps, landings and seating, setting them apart from the excavated walls. The canopy for the protection of the XI Century Muslim domestic structures and its frescoes was an opportunity to reproduce its spatial experience. Conjectural, abstract and scenographic, the white walls float above the visible foundations, touching the ground on mere 6 points, while its covering filters the sunlight. Underlying the whole site, the evidence of the Iron Age settlement is exposed and...

Iceland’s landscape in black and white; when photography is not about colours but about emotions. Fierce, stark and ethereal. This is how German photographer Michael Schlegel sees Iceland. An empty, primitive land where the only inhabitants are the elements of nature. The combination of simple frames and high contrasts with the wise choice of shutter speed captures the beauty of the landscape, the wind, the fog and the running waters. Schlegel’s project “Iceland” won first place in Fine Art/Landscape at the International Photography Awards. His work has been featured among many others in Black & White Magazine, Zoom Magazine and D-La Repubblica. His most recent exhibitions include Sylt & Iceland – Flo Peters Gallery, Germany and Iceland & Australia – Photo Münsingen in Switzerland.