architecture | julia by design

Meet the Arist Designing 3D Shells for Homeless Hermit Crabs

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Julia

Little critters have to show off their fashion too sometimes. However, they can’t show off their style if humans keep coming along and stealing their clothes. Hermit crabs in Taiwan are having their homes threatened by the over collection of seashells by humans. Fortunately, these nomadic sea-dwellers have a sympathetic defender on their side.

Meet Aki Inomata, a Tokyo native who received her MFA in Media Arts and whose breadth of work has landed her a handful of creative art awards. Inomata heard the bubbling cry of homeless hermit crabs and delved into a new project she dubbed, “Why not hand over a shelter to hermit crabs?”

Thanks to 3-D modeling technology, Inomata was able to scan shells and create dreamlike cityscapes to display on top of them. Some of the structures are heavily influenced by Japanese architecture, but others also are inspired by the bâtiments of Paris, Dutch windmills, and Manhattan skyscrapers. The structures are uniquely crafted to be adopted by hermit crabs, but they are mainly aesthetic statements.

Despite Inomata’s efforts, her hermit crabs’ partiality to her shells was short lived, as many of the crabs abandoned the plastic cities after a few days. This creative endeavor to solve these hermit crabs homeless crisis must be applauded not only for its artistic approach, but also its message. Through this project Inomata explained, “I connected my study of the hermit’s transformation to the self-adaptation of humans, whether it be in acquiring a new nationality, immigrating, or relocating.” In this way, we can all learn a thing or two from these hermit crabs about adopting new forms of ourselves.

Designed to Float: Houseboats Capture the Imagination of Architecture Design

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Julia

There’s something about water that pulls on human consciousness, maybe it’s the serenity that comes from the vast expanse of deep blue or the unpredictability of the water’s movements? Whatever it is, it continues to inspire unconventional design. You can find it walking the lovers’ lazy promenade along the Seine and passing through the winding Spree River of Berlin. Moored on the cusp of these bobbing rivers sits rows of houseboats. The idea of living on a river charms the imagination to dream of a life of autonomy. The appeal often comes from the mystery of who inhabits these homes, but the design is the true clue to the unknown.

Modern Houseboat by +31 Architecture in Amsterdam

The Amsterdam-based studio, +31 Architects, is one notable firm plopping eye-catching houseboats into Netherland’s canals. Located on the waterways of the Amstel river sits the sleek Watervilla Weesperzijde. The design was inspired by the water itself. The studio explained, “in our design we try to maximize the view to the water and if possible make the living areas as close to the water as possible so you are able to feel and even touch it.” When designing this project, the firm did not want to lose the typical characteristics of a houseboat, so they were particular with their contemporary design.

300 miles away in the twinkling city of Paris, another architect was inspired to give her old floating home a modern makeover. Valérie Mazerat and her daughter reside on a 100-year-old barge named Margot. Margot’s previous owner fitted her with a 1920s train carriage that still remains after the redesign. Anchored in central Paris, not far from the infamous Bastille, this beautiful floating home is truly breathtaking on the inside. Picture Danish wooden furniture from the 1950s interwoven with industrial metals and smooth leather that give the space a comfortable contemporary feel.

Valérie Mazerat on her houseboat in Paris

The next 645-square foot houseboat was dreamed-up by the brother design duo, Chris and Oliver Laugsch. Situated on Lake Rummelsburg, the large glass walls that encompass this boat provide sweeping views of the city and a tranquil seat to enjoy residential wildlife.

Houseboats provide an escape from the anchored life of cramped apartment buildings and the horror of shopping mall suburbia. They give you the option to live like a nomad and explore the slow curves of fluid waterways. Designing for something with such a free spirit is a difficult undertaking, but as you can see, these architects and designers did not falter at the water, but plunged into its cold embrace to create something unforgettable.