From a statement spiral staircase to an architectural see-saw installation and lamps inspired by hats, these are the top VISI picks of the week series- week 229.

1. Spiral Staircase by Williamson Williamson

“A spiral staircase can really make a statement in a space,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “Designed by Williamson Williamson, this wood-clad example is such a beautiful addition to this home in Canada, fitting in naturally with the rest of the house.”

2. Modern Cat Scratchers by WISKI

“As a certified cat lady and self-professed cat expert,” says Features Editor Amelia Brown, “I can confidently say that I think this ticks all the feline-friendly boxes (and we know how cats love boxes): a cosy, safe shelter with an ample surveillance window, and a good felt-textured exterior for stretching and scratching. Plus, as carpeted cat scratch posts go, it’s easy on the eye, minimalist and chic.” Check out more stylish furniture for cats.

3. MVRDV’s SeaSaw

“Dutch architectural firm MVRDV has designed a see-saw-like art installation that allows people to move up and down from the city to the sea,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “So clever!”

4. Atelier SAD and Mmcité1’s Pinecone Pavilion

“Czech designers Atelier SAD and Mmcité1 have designed a mobile pinecone-shaped gazebo that’s covered in plywood scales,” says Art Director Anton Pietersen. “I like the fact that the structure can be moved around as needed.”

5. BuzziHat Lamps

“These hat-inspired pendant lights, made from a combination of metal and upholstered foam, are designed to absorb sound,” says Content Producer Mary Garner.

Read more stories from our VISI Picks of The Week series. Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.

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From tiny Swedish cabins and a new Banksy to the latest adidas sneaker drop and a reconfigurable hotel, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 204.

1. Tiny Swedish Cabins

“These 5 m² off-the-grid cabins by architecture studio JeanArch were created with the surrounding natural environment in mind,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “According to the architects, the concept behind the design is to allow those staying there to feel closer to nature. Sounds pretty magical to me!” Here’s another experimental cabin in the wilderness to consider next, Norwegian mountain cabin.

Image credit: Jeanna Berger via Archdaily.com

2. MVRDV’s Reconfigurable Hotel at Dutch Design Week

“Dutch architecture studio MVRDV (who we previously featured here) has built a colourful, futuristic hotel made up of nine rooms that can be moved into different configurations for Dutch Design Week 2017,” says Content Producer Mary Garner. “This colourful, modular design is as thrilling as it is visually stimulating.”

Image credit: dezeen.com

3. Banksy’s Unofficial Collab With Basquiat

“Banksy’s latest murals recently popped up at the Barbican Centre in London,” says Art Director Anton Pietersen. “They are an ironic take on the centre’s latest exhibition of famed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.”

 

Portrait of Basquiat being welcomed by the Metropolitan Police – an (unofficial) collaboration with the new Basquiat show.

A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) on Sep 17, 2017 at 5:11am PDT

 

Major new Basquiat show opens at the Barbican – a place that is normally very keen to clean any graffiti from its walls.

A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) on Sep 17, 2017 at 5:10am PDT

 

A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) on Sep 17, 2017 at 5:28am PDT

4. Adidas ATRIC Drop

“ATRIC is the latest drop to come from adidas, featuring two striking new silhouettes,” says Features Editor Amelia Brown. “Jamal Nxedlana, publisher and creative director of Bubblegum Club, conceptualised the shoot to put together this cool lookbook.”

Image credit: adidas.com

5. Emily Jane Long’s Marble Collection

“Local artist Emily Jane Long has launched a new collection of notebooks, gift tags and cards,” says Editor-In-Chief Sumien Brink. The designs have been marbled by hand using ink and paint, before being scanned and printed and there is a variety of each colour and pattern available.”

Image credit: emilyjanelong.com

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The Netherlands-based architecture studio MVRDV is renowned for its research-based approach to contemporary urban architectural design.

“… A fascination for radical, investigative spatial research focusing on the urban landscape, the public realm, and the influence of architecture on the everyday lives of its inhabitants and users,” is how the studio describes their design philosophy.

With Winy Maas, Director of MVRDV on his way to South Africa to speak at the annual Design Indaba Conference, we decided to round up a selection of some of the most impressive projects that the studio has designed and collaborated on.

Below, in no particular order, are 10 MVRDV designs that stood out at first glance.

Name: Crystal Houses

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Retail/residential

Completed In: 2016

Name: The Couch

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Tennis club/viewing platform

Completed In: 2013

Name: Ragnarock

Location: Roskilde, Denmark

Type of Project: Music museum

Completed In: 2016

Name: Market Hall

Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Market space/residential

Completed In: 2014

Name: New Manor

Location: Vecht Region, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Residential

Completed In: 2004

Name: Didden Village

Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Residential rooftop extension

Completed In: 2006

Name: Hongqiao Flower Building

Location: Shanghai, China

Type of Project: Offices

Completed In: 2015

Name: Balancing Barn

Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom

Type of Project: Holiday house

Completed In: 2010

Name: T?F Tribune

Location: Delft, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Auditorium

Completed In: 2009

Name: Cancer Centre

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Type of Project: Offices/laboratories (265 containers)

Completed In: 2005

View more of MVRDV’s projects at mvrdv.nl. To find out more about Winy Maas speaking at Design Indaba, visit designindaba.com.

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Which design are you cheering for?

See the 12 furniture designs and 22 product designs that are finalists for Design of the Year. See all 90 finalists here or visit the exhibition in London from 20 March to 7 July.

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