Loft Publications

Cybercafes: Espacios para navegar The concept of the cafe, which began as somewhere to have a drink and socialize, has suffered a transformation with the arrival of digital communication. By adding the prefix «cyber» or «Internet» this type of establishment differs from the traditional cafe by offering internet connection at an hourly rate. The snacks and drinks are now a less important aspect of the business. Today the cybercafe is considered a symbol of a world interconnected to real time, an internalization of interpersonal virtual communication in our daily routine, as a clarifying example of the vast popularization of digital technology, principally in Europe, America and Asia. This collection presents the most esthetic aspects of all those cybercafes and their «surfing» interiors, which have survived the golden age of these establishments. It also gives examples of the wide range of typologies starting with the traditional cybercafe, and the subsequent inclusion of cyber lounges, hotel lounges, and education centers with e-learning methods. Подробнее

Practical Ideas for Kitchens and Bathrooms

Moya Sandra, 2007

In ancient times, taking a bath was synonymous with ritual, a cult of the body and even, in public bathhouses, meeting friends. In other periods, hygiene was not exactly a priority, so bathing facilities were virtually non-existent. The 19'th century saw an increasing concern for hygiene and so bathrooms began to be set up in a self-contained space that was considered as an entity separate from the rest of the home. Technological advances have led to new models and materials, as well as cladding that is more resistant to water. Bathrooms are now chosen with decorative criteria, and they have gradually gained prominence as a space for hygiene and relaxation. Bathrooms can be designed as big spaces filled with light and divided into clearly delimited areas, or as small rooms with highly practical means of taking full advantage of the space, so that users can benefit from their functional purpose while also using them to relax and rest-all this without forsaking the privacy that is particularly necessary in this room. The concept of the kitchen has evolved with the passing of time. At the beginning of the 20'th century the kitchen was a neglected room and it was exclusively reserved for cooks and servants, even in quite modest houses. Servants gradually started disappearing from homes and women had to replace them. The woman's role only changed when she decided to abandon purely domestic chores and seek work outside the house. With the new technological advances, the kitchen has opened up to the rest of the house to become a practical space filled with light. The gradual disappearance of the dining room as the family meeting place has made the kitchen the most important space in the house, used also for gathering together the family. More time is now taken to choose the materials and decoration for a kitchen, it is allocated more space and a wide range of practical ideas are exploited to increase its capacity and make its organization more efficient. All today's kitchen designs favor bright, comfortable spaces where preparing food and sitting down to eat become a real pleasure. Подробнее

Remodeling Country Homes

Borras Montse, 2008

The need to be in close contact with nature should be the main reason for looking for a residence outside of the city, and in most cases this is probably the case. The frantic pace of daily life is difficult to cope with and more and more people are starting to search for a tranquil place where they can rest and spend time with their family and friends. This book is an example of how in just a few years many old constructions that have been restored as recreational spaces have now become first homes. The possibility of working from home, the house prices in cities and promise of a higher quality of life make this an increasingly attractive option. So, why restore a house, which in many cases has become a ruin when it would be much simpler and more economical to demolish the existing building and start from scratch? Regulations may not allow demolition in many cases, but it is also true that, by building on top of bases from the past, the new construction will form part of this past. Perhaps this new construction will later become another page from the place's history. This book presents diverse projects, which in some cases radically tackle the concept of building restoration. Whilst unafraid of completely transforming what already exists, the architects heed and learn from those who built and lived in the constructions beforehand, applying techniques and materials which are appropriate to the physical and atmospheric conditions. Подробнее

Houses and Materials

Benitez Cristina Paredes, 2008

Construction materials have formed a part of mankind's development throughout history, providing shelter, both temporary and permanent. This book is divided into five chapters on the five principal materials used in construction — stone, wood, glass, metal and concrete — and it shows some residential projects in which the building materials are particularly important. The architecture works with a predominant material to create a home which is made to measure for the owners. Hopefully, in the future, new materials will become available which will reduce the costs of construction and its impact on the environment, as well as increasing the quality of the buildings and, of course, our quality of life. Подробнее

Urban Garden Design

Basbe Xavier, 2008

Landscape design, or landscape architecture, perfectly defines the projects presented in this work: the art of designing open spaces with living and inert elements. Exteriorism means understanding a home's setting as just another of its inhabitable parts. It means extending the space that can be used and enjoyed through to the last corner of the garden or terrace. The projects by Ignasi and Xavier Bisbe that illustrate this book are a fresh, living and contemporary illustration of what we understand as «exteriorism». Behind the gardens and balconies that feature in this book lies a drastic transformation to traditional landscape gardening. It is pure exteriorism. Подробнее

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