Miniature Houses on Cork Cliffs Float Inside Handmade Wooden Frames by Rosa de Jong
Designer Rosa de Jong produces micro homes that are built into the side of tiny cliffs constructed out of cork. Her miniature environments are covered in fake moss and dotted with modeling trees, which add an enchanting element to the small homes. Her most recent pieces hang between two panes of glass and are secured with thin wires. De Jong collaborated with her father to create the wooden frames for the structures, which include tiny wheels that allow the owner to adjust the position of the floating islands.
In a residential part of central Zurich, architect Manuel Herz has designed a house with a striking façade comprising operable horizontal and vertical louvers. the building, which contains five residences, is located in close proximity to Le Corbusier’s ‘Heidi Weber Museum’ and references the institution’s colorful metal panels and striking geometry. the design also takes cues from its bucolic setting, which is filled with a surprising array of plants, installations, and objects.
The scheme comprises horizontal and vertical louvers with a rounded triangular shape, which unfold to become accessible balconies with corresponding roofs. The vertical louvers darken the rooms when closed, or provide privacy and intimacy when open. the adaptable nature of the design means that a series of temporary spaces can be created and used depending on the time of day or season.
A collection of stones piled one on top of the other, dry stone is an iconic building method found just about anywhere across the world. Relying solely on an age-old craft to create sturdy, reliable structures and characterised by its rustic, interlocking shapes, the technique has deep routes that stretch back to ancient times. Its principles are simple: stack the stones in a certain way, as to create a unified, load-bearing wall.
But the efficient, long-lasting results—coupled with the technique’s cultural significance—have lead to continued use and interpretation throughout today’s architecture.
Eid al-Adha celebrates the religious devotion of Abraham and his obedience to God’s command. It marks the end of the hajj, or the obligatory pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city in Saudi Arabia. The celebration of Eid al-Adha starts with prayers, readings from the Qur’an, and giving thanks to God for all of his blessings. Prayer rugs are placed on the ground with the decorative end facing Mecca, while decorative holders are worn on belt straps to carry a Qur’an. Eid al-Adha ends with a feast shared among family, friends, and the needy.
