Moreton Bay and Islands Discovery Centre

This week I visited the site for a proposed environmental learning centre.  While discussing the brief with colleagues I was reminded of a design concept which I worked on this time last year; a Moreton Bay and Islands Ecological Discovery and Information Centre combined with a refurbished public swimming pool.  The site was the existing Manly Baths beside the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club at the Manly Marina.  The above design was developed in collaboration with Lucy Jeffries, Matteo Dalla Valle and Oliver Barker.

Another Drum Stool

Although seemingly we are fast running out of clear floor space, I couldn't go past the opportunity to acquire this second vintage Chinese garden stool.  Similar to the first purchase it is also in my favourite blue and white style ceramic.  This one is lovely with its gold highlights and peony and bird motifs.  This is likely to be the last garden stool purchase for a while but I have offered to continue to keep an eye out for Oi Lai which I admit is probably really an excuse to keep looking for them.  They are just too attractive!  

Island Escape

A refreshing getaway to cap off summer.  We escaped to Couran Cove on South Stradbroke Island for a few days after a busy start to the year.  Despite our misgivings the weather held up during our stay for us to enjoy long days at the beach.  Upon arrival we hopped on a couple of bicycles and made our way across the island through native bush tracks to the sandy dunes flanking the ocean.  Diving into the cool waves and going for runs along miles of deserted beach it certainly felt like a seachange given the bustling city surrounds that form the backdrop of everyday life.  In the evenings we enjoyed sumptuous dinners by the marina watching the sun set over the cove.  The perfect place to relax with Campari and soda and a good book.

Moët and Macarons

So we decided to celebrate the Chinese New Year with... you guessed it, macarons!  Chatting with Anton and Oi Lai over Friday night dinner we decided it would be a good challenge to attempt to make these notoriously temperamental pastries together over the weekend.  Armed with Hisako Ogita's I (Heart) Macarons recipe book we combined our efforts to create quite a respectable first batch.  Pistachio macarons with bitter ganache filling enjoyed with a chilled glass of Moet.  An auspicious start to the Year of the Tiger!

Happy Valentine's

James gave me these long stemmed roses for St Valentine's Day.  I love the foliage and berries complimenting this stunning dozen.  I'm thinking of taking them to work tomorrow so that I can enjoy them during the day.  How spoilt!

Utilitarian Architectures

Today I spent a little time surfing to try and find some more photographs of Santiago Calatrava's projects.  I have been thinking about his work almost daily since Helen gave me a book on his works for Christmas.  Calatrava's work is centred around connecting people and places.  His forms are derived from humble explorations into human form.  So simple and yet powerful.  While surfing I stumbled across an interesting thread on SkyscraperPage Forum called utilitarian buildings designed by famous architects.  I have always been interested in utilitarian structures, factories, bridges, infrastructure, etc.  It took a little more searching to find the source of the final three images; a water treatment plant on San Erasmo Island near Vennice, Italy.  I love the care and simplicity of the architecture surrounding what is essentially a hub of infrastructure.  Not only has the exterior been carefully crafted but the services themselves have a stunning regimented order.


Images from top:
Montjuic Communications Tower in Barcelona, Spain by Santiago Calatrava
NOAA Satelite Operations Facility in Maryland, USA by Morphosis
Seaholm Power Plant in Austin, USA by Design Collective Architects Inc.
Water Treatment Plant near Venice, Italy by C&S Associati
Image sources:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=170818
http://design.fr/architecture/water-filtration-plant-cs-associati/

Anniversary Dinner

Last night we celebrated three years of being together.  James planned the evening starting with a trip on the ferry along the Brisbane River.  We stopped off at Portside Wharf to have dinner at a Japanese restaurant I've been wanting to try for a long time.  Sono Portside was absolutely lovely and served a delicious menu.  Platters of sake tasters, sashimi, ponzu oysters and chawan mushi were devoured with enthusiasm.  Japanese is of course is my favourite cuisine!  We finished off with refreshing Japanese desserts then made our way leisurely home.

Willowlamp Moonflower

Earlier last year we were seriously considering acquiring one of these amazingly beautiful chandeliers from Willowlamp.  They have a unique range of whimsical designs all made based on lengths of ballchain available in a number of vibrant colours.  I was particularly taken with the Moonflower design based on the concept of a hanging flower. However, I soon discovered the sizes available were much too grand for our little apartment.  Another one for when we have higher ceilings!

Keen as Kimchi

We have already played over eight ours of Mahjong this weekend.  Last night we met up with Anton and Oi Lai at a fairly new Korean restaurant and followed up by playing mahjong until 2am.  Anton and I got a little side tracked building this tower...  Today we spotted their car down the street and tempted them back for some more mahjong madness!

Bicycle Progress

Anton sent me this photo yesterday, he has dismantled my grandpa's bicycle and is in the process of cleaning it up.  The BSA detail within the front cog is one of my favourite elements.  It is looking pretty shiny compared with the last time I looked at it!