Product Pick of the Week: The Barcelona Bird Pavilion by Monique Engelund.

Designer Monique Engelund designed this stunning birdhouse and feeder for menu, inspired by the famous 1929 Barcelona Pavilion, designed by the legendary German architect Mies van der Rohe.


above: Meis van der Rohe's 1929 Barcelona Pavilion.

In keeping with van der Rohe’s spirit, it exudes geometric simplicity and is made of an extraordinary material: robust and durable acacia wood from sustainable European forests.



The feeding table is beneath the roof, where the bird food can be placed on two spikes, while the bird bath sits out in the open:



A stylish outdoor element for your garden that will make all the other birds chirp with envy.

Price approx $175 USD.

The Barcelona Bird Pavilion can be purchased here
Or here
Or here
Or here

Modern London Suburban Studio with Sedum Roof and Heated Paddling Pool by Ashton Porter.

North London architecture firm Ashton Porter added this fabulous modern studio with rooftop garden, heated paddling pool, full kitchen and more to a suburban home.





The studio is located in a typical Victorian suburban garden. Its main facade which faces the garden floats above a glass panel and forms a screen to separate the work space of the studio from the domestic garden.




The typical green suburban garden is replaced by a folded timber landscape characterized by a pop up landscape of activities including a heated paddling pool, a sand pit and a fire pit.





The materials of the studio make reference to the suburban context; timber cladding echoes domestic fencing, corrugated aluminum refers to inter-war prefabricated garages and a former Anderson shelter.




The studio is super-insulated and benefits from a sedum roof; heating is provided by Apple Macintosh computers with very occasional recourse to underfloor heating.







The main facade is unsupported along its full length and rests on cantilevered side walls. The wall construction is entirely from stressed ply composite panels with no hidden steel supporting frame.





Ground was first broken in September 2005 for footings and to install water, electrical, gas and communications services. The studio was ready for occupation in April 2008. Since then the garden as completed and the main house has been refurbished with a new rear addition and remodelling. This was completed in Spring 2010.




all images courtesy of Ashton Porter and photographed by Riddle Stagg

ashton porter are an architectural practice based in the North London suburbs.

A New Perspective on Hanging Plants. Introducing Boskke Sky Planters.

Boskke has evolved indoor gardening with the advent of their Sky Planter. Their unique upside down stoneware and plastic planters allow you to sprinkle greenery in any room without sacrificing floor or table space.









above: with Sky Planters, herbs are within cooking reach.



The Ceramic Stoneware Sky Planter:

The Boskke planter, initially created in ceramic stoneware and available in three sizes, was designed by Patrick Morris and received a coveted 2011 RedDot Design award.









above: the ceramic stoneware series of Sky planters comes in three sizes.



New Recycled Sky Planter:

Now, in addition to the original ceramic designs, they have launched a line of large and small recycled planters made from 100% recycled polypropylene plastic and packaged in recycled cardboard.









A wide variety of common house plants, herbs and vegetables grow nicely in the unorthodox planters and a locking disc and mesh holds the upside down plant and soil in place. Its internal reservoir system feeds water gradually to the plant roots. This conserves water and saves time.









The Sky Planter is easy to assemble, as shown in the short video below. Ready-grown plants are simply removed from their container and inserted into your new Sky Planter. Once locked in place, turn the pot upside down and suspend from a securely fastened ceiling hook. Extension wires and wall mounts are also available for high ceilings or wall-hung planters.









Buy the Boskke Sky Planters (original and recycled) here.