okokno : 2012

Crumbling Ruins of Bulgarian Communist Party Headquarters

Like something out of a Steven Spielberg movie - when the mother ship lands and a light shines down . . . but in fact, it's the former headquarters of the Bulgarian Communist Party. Now in a state of neglect and just crumbling ruins.

DoorBot: the battery operated Wi-Fi video doorbell that connects to your smartphones and tablets. See who is at your door – anytime/anywhere.

J. Konrad Schmidt is a Hamburg based photographer, who's work has appeared in such publications as Elle, NEON, Cosmopolitan among others.

Schmidt manipulates lighting is very unique ways to creative some stunning images. The following photo shoot uses reflective copper surfaces to complement skin tones, and conveying a depth of emotion . . . take a look and see what you think.

English based artist Simon Beck, has been creating geometric patterns in the snow since 2004. With a pair of snowshoes, a precise mapping process and patience - Beck is able to create his impressive geometric designs in the snow in 4 to 6 hours.

This years Milan Design week brought us some very interesting pieces. Designer Sotirios Papadopoulos created a credenza with a photorealistic luminous image of the moon printed on its surface - Coated with ELI (Eco Light Inside an eco-friendly material) which creates a realistic glowing effect when the lights go out - in a limited edition of 24.

Sugru is a self-setting silicone rubber that resembles modeling clay, for fixing and improving almost anything.

Anup Shah ventured into the African savannah in the Serengeti and the Massai Mara to capture the animals like never seen before. Using hidden cameras scattered across various locations, netted very unique perspectives, otherwise not possible.

The 'Speedshop Type One' is a sleek automotive shop located in Tokyo, Japan that specializes in Honda vehicles. The location was re-designed to create a repair shop that would also double as a display floor for clients.

Germany photographer Malte Pietschman, offers us portraits that are so visually engaging and yet full of unspoken emotion. Here are some of our favourites.

Fans of Peter Gabriel rejoice, each show during 2012 'Back to Front Tour' recorded live from the soundboard, mixed by Peter's 'Front of House' Engineer, Ben Findlay.

During the 2012 summer Olympics in London, Brazilian artists Marcos Saboya and Gualter Pupo constructed a book maze covering more than 5,000 square feet. Over 250,000 books where borrowed from Oxfam to create the 13 feet high walls.

Just days after Porsche released a video featuring glimpses of it's new 911 GT3 Cup race car, we now have the official images.

Helloooo - Just found the new desk for our office!! The Ralph Lauren Highbridge Desk features a nice beefy 3/4-inch thick glass desktop measuring 84 x 40 inches, finished off with polished stainless steel sawhorse legs for a mere $12,000.

For those not following the evolution of BMW models. The 4 Series is a extension of the 3 series and replacing that model's coupe. Like all the recent BMW re-designs, the 4 series is longer, wider, lower and shares the same drivetrain as the 3 series.

This one's from the archives - Berlin based brothers Tim and Jan Edler have gangrened a place in the architecture world with their work with lighting and engineering systems imposing them onto the existing facades and spaces of celebrated buildings.

We've never been fans to sticking heads of animals on walls, but this stylish twist has function to it's form, in which the deer’s antlers, and the elephant’s tusks light up to add some soft accents.

The classic lines of the Porsche 911 have influenced Dutch designer Bastiaan Kok to create the Porsche Bicycle. Resembling a shape more like an older racing motor bike, than a bicycle.

Has to be the funniest thing we've seen in a long time. This wooden contraption fits to the front of a bicycle with coconut shells and all . . . Guaranteed to confuse anybody out of sight and even those that see you coming, with the clip klop sound approaching!

Amazon.com the world's largest online retailer, with over 80 fulfillment centres around the world, some so large they span 28 football fields. Having reached $17.43 Billion dollars in sales for Q4 2011, dictates the need for the massive centres for the online giant.

Rok Espresso Maker americanos, cappuccinos lattes at home office

It's the simplest idea's which are the best, the Rok Espresso Maker is no different. Fill the top with grounds, add hot water and crank the aluminum levers and presto you have a Espresso. No electrical outlets needed.

Paul Smith has teamed up with Leica to create the 'Leica X2 Edition Paul Smith camera'. Typical with Paul Smith fashion, the camera features a three tone colour scheme with British racing green with bright orange and fluorescent yellow stripes.

When you have to wait over 4 years for your bicycle to be custom built . . . it better be from Vanilla Bicycles.

Cary Grant
January 18, 1904 - November 29, 1986

While we love staying in very modern boutique hotels, the NoMad in New York recently entered our radar - European grandeur . . . with Parisian flair!

One of the more interested clocks we've come across recently - makes watching 'time' fun, but be prepared for some noise. A row of balls spiral down tracks, and navigate their way to the bottom from where they are scooped back up to start the process all over again.

We have long admired Herman Miller Furniture, a name synonymous with design, quality and innovation. Their product range carries a large range to furnish your home and office. Unlike many products where design is paramount over function, the opposite holds true with Herman Miller - They design for function.

We've all seen the futuristic gadgets in the movies - well wait no longer, the future is here. 'The Keychain Laser Virtual Projection Keyboard' is a small compact design keychain (smaller version of the Cube), which allows you to connect to a smartphone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth or USB. The laser technology projects a virtual keyboard on any flat surface.

German-Swedish design duo 'Humans Since 1982', have re-contextualized time with a large digital display made of 24 two-handed analogue clocks, with six clocks making up a number, each of them displaying either one of its corners or one of its sides.

This summer, we watched as our friend smoked Scalps with a ingenious gadget called 'The Smoking Gun'. It offers a quick and easy way to infuse foods, even drinks with a variety of flavours.

After this years Olympic Games in London, U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's “Not Impressed” look made headlines around the world. President Barack Obama jokingly mimics Maroney’s “not impressed” look while greeting members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams in the Oval Office, November 15, 2012.

Tron-inspired dance routine features dancers wearing iLuminate’s patented LED outfits that flicker on and off, making it seem like the characters disappear from the stage. A very creative dance routine and a must see. Video after the jump.

A new innovative system that consists of 2 thin profile LED rings (white in front, red in back) that mount directly to each wheel rim. Power is supplied via the hub where a USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery is held. A small magnet is secured to the fork to provide speed and orientation information to the rings.

While in London this past Summer, the 'Icecreamists' in Convent Garden caught our attention with their 'Vice Lolly' a gun-shaped icicle made from Holy Water from a sacred spring in Lourdes, France. Containing 80% alcohol Absinthe and sugar, then is frozen at minus 30 degrees celsius into a gun-shaped mold. Ohh did I mention the 6 foot tall window banner of the Nun holding the gun-shaped popsicle??

This one is for you Gaming Fans out there, the mother of all simulators and a price tag to match. Priced at £90,000 or about $143,000 US at today’s exchange rate, but don't despair the simulator does come with real Pirreli F1 slick tires, Brembo or AP Racing calipers, body is made out of carbon fibre and composites.

We're usually not fans of Kahn designs, but this one seems to work. The iconic Defender can be seen scattered throughout the English country side and increasingly in the city centre's. The quintessential off-roader has gained a new found respect with the current generation.

Minimalist Lego - 'Imagine' was a Lego campaign by Hamburg advertising agency Jung von Matt, using a series of minimalist Lego designs, based upon some of our most beloved cartoon characters.

Instruments for Professionals - BREITLING’s motto fits perfectly for their newest Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow watch. With a name like Seawolf, if you haven't already guessed, the latest in Breitling's diving watch range. Blacksteel is for the special carbon-base treatment and the Code Yellow stands for the yellow accents on the dial face.

This is for our friends who wonder why we go to see DJ's perform:
A great mix of Hip hop, Electronica & Nu jazz - watch PAD TRIO / RAW SESSIONS in this incredible 18 minute set. (music starts at 02:09)

Stanley Chow is a British based graphic artist who started his career in fashion, now is more notable know for his illustration/caricatures portraits of celebrities and famous characters. Check out his unique portraits below which are also available to purchase from his Big Cartel.

Ninjas keep rude movies goes in check London's Prince Charles Cinema

Been to a movie where the people in front of you decide to talk through the whole movie, or worse the guy sitting beside you decides to carry on a text conversation?? Then you need to see a movie in London's Prince Charles Cinema, where Ninjas dressed in black bodysuits appear from nowhere and tell the offending parties to lock it off.

The making of a men’s Louis Vuitton shoe in Fiesso d’Artico’s workshops, paying attention to every little detail shows the precision of famous shoemaker. Watch the video.

Tom Cruise's use of virtual gestures in Minority Report is closer than you think . . . Pranav Mistry showcases one of the best technologies we've ever seen on a TED talk. The potential of SixthSense technology is very cost effective and will change the world we live in - Seemless access to all the information we use from our device filled pockets.

Bb 2.0 is a collaborative music and spoken word project conceived by Darren Solomon. The videos can be played simultaneously, the soundtracks will work together, and the mix can be adjusted with the individual volume sliders.

100,000 staples, 40 hours, a level floor and lots of patience

Animation like you've never seen before . . Hand draw illustrations mixed with flip-book style - fitting for the 'Parkour' action moves. Made up of various frames, every image literally unfolds onto each other depicting each scene as it happens. A must see video.

Montreal-based Anibal Automotive Design has released images of their Attack series models based on the Porsche 911.

A great selection of alternate posters ranging from Clockwork Orange, Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Inception, Jurassic Park, Leon, and many more by artist Adam Rabalais.

Steve McQueen was the quintessential definition of cool, his taste in cars, women & clothing where legendary. One of his trademark signatures, the Persol Sunglasses worn on & off the set - tortoise housing, collapsible body and blue lens. Truly a classic with a retro feel, but still fitting in today's style has been reintroduced.

The iExpander adds expandable Micro SD memory, a 30-pin connector, doubled battery life, and an added flash to enhance low light images.

Everybody's heard of a 'Panic Room', but how about a 'Safe House'?? Located in Poland, this unique concept allows maximum security when required, or a spacious villa when the walls slide open.

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