Unhappy Hipsters

Great little blog to lift your spirits on a Monday morning, Unhappy Hipsters is a series of hilarious comments on architectural photos. We wish they would make these into cards we'd be sending them to every designer we know! You've got to see it to believe it, so get reading over at Unhappy Hipsters.

Oh and don't forget to come back to Blackbird Blog when you're done, for more interior design brilliance!

Caan Architecten - Pharmacy M

The beautifully simple Pharmacy M by Belgian architects Caan Architecten, we love the way the sliding green glass makes the pharmacy sign appear when open.

Victoria Baths Free Photography Lesson

This Sunday at Manchester's Victoria Baths, photographer Aidan O'Rourke will be giving free photography tutorials to anyone who drops by. The beautiful Grade II listed Baths were first opened in 1906 and were operational for 86 years until their closure and subsequently fell into disrepair. Thankfully fundraisers managed to save and restore the building opening it back up to the public in 2006 and is now host to tours, events and used as a filming location.

What better way to celebrate the beautiful interiors and the extra day off than having a photography lesson to capture some of the original interior features, and helping to contribute towards the future of this piece of history.

For more information about Sunday's event and all upcoming events visit the Victoria Baths site.

Photo via Urban Ghosts

Photo via Gecko's Progress

Le Corbusier Interior Design

With the unrelenting trend for mid-century furniture gripping all areas interior design we take a look at images of Le Corbusier's interior design and furniture, showing how he paved the way for contemporary interior design way before the 1980's had even heard of black leather and chrome. Showing images from the famous housing development Unite D'habitaion in Marseilles, to his summer house, where he drowned in 1965.

Interior of Le Corbusier’s Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouvea (recontructed in Italy 1977) via Viralata

Le Corbusier, Summer House, Cabanon

Interior of Le Corbusier’s Summer House Cabanon via Dezeen

Villa Savoye 1933, via Three is Enough blog

Villa Savoye 1933, via B3 Bond

Le Corbusier, Villa Le Lac, Corseaux via Max Butcher

Maison Jaoul via Reference Library

Japanese Homes

We've always had a soft spot for Japanese modern residential architecture, the clever use of small space and innovative use of modern building techniques always seems to result in beautiful modern homes. Here are a few of our favourites...


Japanese House by Apollo Architects & Associates via Arch Daily
Photos: Masao Nishikawa

 

Mono Struct House by Masato Sekiya via Dezeen

 

 Tokyo House, Transparent facade by A.L.X Architects

 

Mario Rocha House by Carlos Nuno Lacerda

Contemporary architecture in a warm country, an interior designers dream! We could love to get our hands on the Mario Rocha House by Carlos Nuno Lacerda in Valongo, Portugal, the possibilities of beautiful, minimal interior design are endless, we can but dream...

Stealth Barn by Carl Turner Architects

We love this Norfolk barn conversion from London based Carl Turner Architects, it's simplicity coupled with the uninterrupted views of the wild countryside and OSB interior, makes for one of the most striking barn structures we've seen in a while. Not surprisingly shortlisted for the Architect’s Journal Small Projects 2012, see more pictures here.

Le France Project

We work on a wide range of projects here at Blackbird Design Studio but nothing makes us feel as summery as our current project in France. Working on a 15th century farmhouse takes care, attention and fortunately many trips to sunny climes! Working with an amazing British architect we're currently in the mid-stages of this evolving project, the next stage in the conversion of the 400sq metre barn space into a contemporary house. C'est magnifique!

Here's a sneak peak of the terrace going down yesterday...

Le Photo: Stirling Prize Winner, Evelyn Grace Academy

Photo of the Day today is The Evelyn Grace Academy by Zaha Hadid who won the Stirling Prize last night for the second year in a row. Looks a lot like our favourite Zaha Hadid Phaeno Centre in Wolfsburg, Germany, but still looks different enough to be a uniquely wonderful building. Congratulations!
Photo via Josh Greenaway.