And they've set up their very own embassy in inner city Sydney!

The new embassy was designed by LAVA, with partners Will O’Rourke and The Glue Society, as a fusion of a whale, a rocket and a time tunnel, an immersive space of oscillating plywood ribs brought to life by red planet light and sound projections.

Martian Embassy, image courtesy LAVA

LAVA's design for the Martian Embassy is for The Sydney Story Factory, a not-for-profit creative writing centre for young people in Redfern, Sydney.

The project was a collaboration with production company Will O'Rourke and their creative partners The Glue Society, who developed the Martian concept which was then road tested with kids – of all ages.

Martian Embassy, image courtesy LAVA

Chris Bosse, Asia Pacific director of LAVA said: 'It’s the stuff great stories are made of – think of Moby Dick, H. G. Wells’ Time Machine and 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick'.

Martian Embassy, image courtesy LAVA

'The concept is to awaken creativity in kids, so the design acts as a trigger, firing up the engines of imagination. It's an intergalactic journey – from the embassy, at the street entrance, to the shop full of red planet traveller essentials, to the classroom. By the time kids reach the writing classes they have forgotten they are in "school".'

'Using a fluid geometry merging the three program components [embassy, school and shop], a computer model was sliced and 'nested' into buildable components. 1068 pieces of CNC-cut plywood were put together like a giant puzzle. Using technologies from the yacht and space industry the timber ribs create shelves, seats, benches, storage, counters and displays and continue as strips on the floor. Edged with Martian green, the curvy plywood flows seamlessly so that walls, ceiling and floor, space, structure and ornament, become one element.'

Martian Embassy, image courtesy LAVA

A mix of Martian essential oils infuses the tunnel to inspire young imaginations, whilst the sounds and lights of the red planet animate the space.

Martian passports, alien money, 1kg cans of gravity, abduction kits and SPF 5000 sunscreen are just some of the ‘Made on Mars’ gift products sold in the Martian Embassy store. 'We had a lot of fun creating the first diplomatic mission from inner space',
added Bosse.

Martian Embassy, image courtesy LAVA

+ PRACTICE CREDITS

LAVA: Laboratory for Visionary Architecture | www.l-a-v-a.net

PARTNERS
Will O'Rourke (production)
The Glue Society (creative direction)
Berents Project Management (Project Manager)
ARUP (lighting and acoustic design)
Redwood Projects (builder)
Philips (lighting)
Syntec (sound)
Avatar Air (oils)

PHOTO CREDITS
Brett Boardman
Peter Murphy

+ All images and drawings courtesy LAVA

The vibrant bar and lounge is located in the Grand Hyatt Dubai and HBA brilliantly showcased their expertise in restaurant and bar design, drawing inspiration from the vibrancy of Dubai while offering the ultimate guest experience.

Dubai is such a vibrant and culturally rich city that we did not have to look far for inspiration for the Living Room. In order to design a bar and lounge that offers the ultimate guest experience, we took cues from Arabic rhythms and patterns and fused them with luxurious materials while always maintaining the high quality standards of the Grand Hyatt brand.

Michelle Evans, HBA Dubai Managing Associate

Image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

About Dubai
Dubai, known as the "City of Life,' has become one of the most vibrant, young and dynamic cities today. The harmonious mix of diverse cultures spanning the Middle East, Europe and Asia living and working together in Dubai inspired the Living Room concept. Majestically towering over Dubai's historic creek, Grand Hyatt Dubai sets the standard for excellence in a city known for extravagance. The Living Room Lounge & Bar combines cultural interplay, artistry and unique spatial planning creating an energetic and alive environment that could only exist in a city such as Dubai.

Image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

The Space
With lounge, chill-out, soul and funk music evoking a sensation of relaxation, the Living Room Lounge & Bar is a trendy and stylish venue offering an eclectic and original cocktails and drinks list with an accompanying menu of light bites. The space incorporates elements from local cultures and unites them in a melting pot of styles creating a soothing and exotic atmosphere. The space is made up of four distinct lounges linked together by a series of portals that play into Dubai's see-and-be-seen tradition by offering glimpses between rooms. Each lounge has a different color scheme, although all are bold and harmonious through the use of luxe velvets and leathers to finish the space. The "live kitchen" is a stand out feature, showcasing chefs in their working environment, turning food into art.

Each Living Room has a unique concept and cultural identity, while blending together seamlessly.

Image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

The Sunken Lounge is the heart of the space. Each of the rooms emanate from this central entry point.
The Velvet Lounge takes inspiration from the Middle East's love of color. The space incorporates vivid hues of purples and magenta with a hint of gold along with velvets and richly patterned fabrics. Every detail is thought through, down to the junction from floor to walls – the transition is curved in order to emphasize softness.

Image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

The European Lounge has Louis VX chairs upholstered in modern day fabrics and pearlized leathers with black lacquer frames. The architectural colors are white on white, which is carried through in the large oil paintings on aluminum metal by Julia Brooker. The room is punctuated by tones of grey and vivid orange. As guests enter the room through a glowing burnt orange portal constructed in high gloss lacquer, it creates a grand sense of entry. In line with the Louis XIV chair, an entire wall is clad in antiqued mirror and through the wall is the portal that glimpses into the Velvet Lounge.

Image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

The Chinese Lounge is bold and strong with vibrant reds and blacks that create a real sense of drama. The space is punctuated with oversized heavily adorned chandeliers in crystal and velvet. The chandeliers were sourced from a local supplier, Petals, known for their flamboyant designs. One wall is attributed to a photographic scene from a Chinese nightclub where the dress of the central figure was colored to match the silk fabrics and panels around the room. The well-choreographed art and interior design program provide a focal point seen from all around the room and create a unique atmosphere unlike anything found in Dubai.

In addition to the The Living Room Lounge & Bar, HBA also renovated two other spaces in Grand Hyatt Dubai – the Ahasees Spa & Club and Al Manzil Residence. All three brand-new lifestyle experiences are set to enhance and complement the luxurious facilities the hotel is synonymous with.

+ All images courtesy HBA

Terrace Garden at Bandra, image courtesy The White Room studio

Hovering above the concrete jungle of the Bandra neighborhood in Mumbai, 'The Terrace Garden' by The White Room studio was built to offer respite from the chaos and clatter of the city, offering obscure views of the Arabian Sea.

Terrace Garden at Bandra, image courtesy The White Room studio

This 1500 sq ft rooftop was conceived as a pleasure garden where one could watch the sun setting into the sea or the birds flying by or simply relax. The garden is made of organically designed free flowing arched canopy encompassing the whole length of the terrace, the canopy starts from the floor and slowly raises to a level where it becomes the roof for the patio. The canopy framed the open terrace where kids can play, the adults could gather together, soak in the sun or rain, or choose to sit and relax in the verandah shade. The spaces beyond the framed terrace and veranda mostly serve as built in planters for trees or an occasional lily pond. Salinity tolerant and hardy plant varieties like palms, lantanas and wild grass were chosen for easy maintenance.

Terrace Garden at Bandra, image courtesy The White Room studio

For building up the free flowing canopy we needed a material which has the plasticity of modelling clay and at the same time is highly elastic and compact. After a lot of investigation we chose 'ferrocrete' the long forgotten material to provide a monolithic sculptural form. The structure was then waterproofed using epoxy polymer, and the lawn laid over it.

+ Project facts

Architect: The White room | http://www.thewhiteroom.co.in/
Project: Terrace Garden at Bandra
Location: Mumbai, India
Architect: The White Room studio
Gross Area: 1500 sft
Photograph: The White room

 + All images courtesy The White room

Chopped, image courtesy Yuval Tal

Designer Yuval Tal has designed a series of tables in three sizes made from wooden dowels wrapped with a metal ring. The design allows for a solid and stable structure without the need for glue or screws.

The table’s color arrangement is inspired by a color vision deficiency test. Every piece has a uniquely designed top.

Chopped, image courtesy Yuval Tal

The tables are available in three different diameters and heights with grey, orange or green paint and lacquer.

Chopped, image courtesy Yuval Tal

Tal is an internationally recognized and award-winning designer. His work has won prizes in Israel and around the world.

Designer: Yuval Tal
Material: Beech wood, stainless steel
Color: grey probably green or orange