September 2014 - Aesthetic Post

Holiday House Vindö by Max Holst and Strömma Projekt AB

September 21, 2014 ARCHITECTURE

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Vindö Holiday House

Located on Vindö, an island in the Stockholm archipelago, this house is a project of architect Max Holst and developer Strömma Projekt AB.

The property is set amongst granite outcrops, pine trees, and blueberry bushes; the site positions the house on the edge of a gorge, where it is propped on black concrete plinths, making for placement that puts the forest’s trees at perfect eye level.

By carefully considering the layout: bedrooms at back, the children’s being modestly sized to allow for a hallway that acts as a spacious playroom, and a generous open-to-kitchen living area, the house leads you to the large sheltered terrace at front, where you are balanced between dwelling and nature.

Vindö Holiday House

The house’s construction makes use of a simple material palette rooted in local building techniques; from the unfinished interior surfaces to the dark exterior, the minimalist character results in lodging that is both harmonious and respectful to its surroundings.

Vindö Holiday House

More at: Max Holst Arkitektkontor
Photos: Hannes Söderlund

Einstök Ölgerð

September 17, 2014 FOOD

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Einstök

Einstök Ölgerð (brewery) is located 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle in the fishing port of Akureyri, Iceland. Specializing in traditional and craft ales, the name “Einstök” is the Icelandic word for “unique.”

With brewmaster Baldur Karason at the helm of production, the brewery’s output ranges from specific seasonal ales (think Arctic Berry, brewed with bilberries), to their standard lineup that includes Icelandic White Ale: a classic witbier with orange peel and coriander, Toasted Porter: a medium-bodied malty brew with notes of toffee and dark chocolate, and Icelandic Pale Ale: a clean brew with robust hoppiness. All of Einstök’s beer begins with a foundation of pure water that flows from prehistoric glaciers down Hlíðarfjall Mountain, then through ancient lava fields.

Einstök’s brews rate very well on Beeradvocate, and are surely worth trying if you’ve not already been sold by the handsome label.

More at: Einstök

Exobiotanica by Makoto Azuma

September 1, 2014 ART

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Exobiotanica

Earlier this year, in a project titled Exobiotanica, Japanese plant and flower artist extraordinaire Makoto Azuma conceived a “Botanical Space Flight.”

Azuma and crew traveled to Black Rock Desert in Nevada, where they launched two of Azuma’s pieces into the stratosphere. A 50-year-old pine suspended from a metal frame, and an exotic floral arrangement were lifted above Earth with the assistance of JP Aerospace, using a large helium balloon fitted with camera equipment. And while this altitude is not “space” in scientific terms, the 17 miles above these pieces were lifted to certainly lends itself to fascinating imagery that makes one think about the context of natural things and how humans can manipulate that.

Azuma describes the striking in-air scenes poetically: “A pine tree confronting the ridge line of the Earth,” and “a bouquet of flowers marching towards the sun, hit by the intense wind.”

More at: Makoto Azuma