No.3 - Goes to a greenhouse...a rather large one!

So the Eden Project was cool. Now though, in comparison to The Cooled Conservatories at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, it looks like your granddads shed! This incredible building not only gets our No.3 spot but even won the WAF Worlds best building!

Designed by Wilkinson Eyre, The Cooled Conservatories demonstrates the governments commitment to turn Singapore in to a 'City in a garden'. This entire structure is built on reclaimed land and houses the main attraction, two huge conservatories. The first houses a Mediterranean garden that demonstrates to visitors how plants and environments can change throughout seasons (of course living in an eternally tropical climate, locals may have never seen seasonal change).

With everyday selections from the Cultivated Worlds to the extremes of the Strange Worlds its a feast of vegetarian wonder.

In the second you'll find the Cloud forest complete with a 35m high waterfall, sky walks and a mountain!

The plantation is cool for sure, but the sense of scale of this project, and the overwhelming effect it has on you, is profound. The architecture is awe inspiring. We prefer the cell-like structure of the Eden project but the sheer size of this space would make a similar structure surely impossible.

Move away from the conservatories and walk through the 18 super-trees and yeah, they look cool! But wait.......what's that, they're engines....?!?!?!?! Oh yes, that's right, solar engines that power the conservatories! So they look like they are from Avatar, when in actual fact, they exist in todays world and they have a function as well as look beautiful. I'm starting to get giddy!

We've given this the number 3 spot because, yes, we know it cost £250m and yes it huge, but the vision that it represents from a forward thinking government trying to integrate sustainable, environmentally friendly design in to the very foundations of its city, is truly amazing.

So congratulations to The Cooled Conservatories, not only the worlds best building but also No.3 in the TYC Top 10 most exciting things of 2012....! :)

Go visit people!

No.4 - Fortune rewards the brave!

From my first ever visit to Holland back in '98, I have loved the Dutch approach to design. So much so I try to visit every year and they never fail to surprise me. This year, once again they have wowed me once more before I'd even left the airport.

At Schipol airport we were blown away by 3 new additions to Lounge 3. Say Cheese, House of Tulips and Bread don't leave much to the imagination in terms of what they might sell! But this is just part of their beauty. If you make it obvious what you are selling, customers will get it. So what designers, Tjep's have created here, is just pure brilliance!

Bread is selling the most amazing sandwiches, loafs and time-of-day snacks. With an 8m high wall of giant bread loafs piled high, you see it from miles away. The biggest bakers shelves ever perhaps? The craft here (and on all of these concepts) is beautiful. The giant loafs are actually craved from ash wood and look unbelievably convincing. The product display is simple with layers of interest and pin pointed lighting. The graphic comms is wonderfully illustrated too.

Next, Say Cheese. Not only in the shape of a big cheese, but actually made to look like its constructed out of piled high cheese wheels! Oh, and there's the huge cheese wedge as a back drop too in case that was too subtle! The product quite literally becomes the hero here and equally makes as much impact as Bread.

But the 'piece de resistance' is the House of Tulips. Its architectural form is striking (based on the architecture of the Dutch green houses). Its green glass eye-catching. Its product display rustic by comparison. But the real theatre comes when the store opens and closes. Just watch this video and look out for the sales assistant standing outside the unit on the right hand side in the black and pink top.

How amazing is that?! The whole shop lifts up! What a wonderful way to manage security and set out a stall. The sheer drama around opening and closing, combined with the sense of scale is incredible.

What all these kiosk have done is create a memorable, theatrical space that you can't help but be attracted too and smile at. This can be hugely underestimated in retail, the power of a smile. If we smile, we're usually happy. If we're happy, we spend money!

Thinking of doing a kiosk sometime soon? Could you be this bold? You'd do well to. The sales have doubled since these new designs were installed!

Hats off to the brave!

Number 5 - We get all magical!

We realise this is somewhat unexpected. And slightly on the kiddy side of entertainment. But.......WOW!!!!!!!!

How often do you get to go on the sets of one of the biggest film franchises of the modern day, see behind the scenes and the craft that goes into creating such a master piece?! Exactly. That's why Harry Potter World is a well deserved and magical No.5.

Located just out of London in Leavesden, the setting is where most of the filming actually took place. Based in a huge warehouse very little is given away from the outside but once you enter the doors, the magical world of HP comes to life.

The tour itself takes you through the Great hall, The Ministry of Magic and Dumbledores office to name a few. The attention to detail is incredible but also, and surprisingly, the methods of construction. For instance the green tiles of the MOM that have that beautiful bevelled green tile with the depth of colour is actually MDF sprayed to look like tiles!

Many of the secrets are given away on the tour and hundreds of props are on display showing the workings and development of each. As you enter the world of Honeydukes sweet shop it's a graphic designers dream! Each and every piece of packaging has been designed and made in true wizzardry styling, slightly reminscent of the post war era of the 1940's - full of colour, excitement and expressive forms. It's enough to stop any child in the their tracks (any design interested adult too!).

As you progress through the tour you enter the drafting workshop. And I thought drafting was a lost art. Oh no, in full swing, in the world of set design it seems! OMG, the drawings of the sets and characters are mind-blowing! So much care and attention has been taken with each drawing they look like masterpieces (so amazing, one of them now hangs on the wall in the office!).

And for the finale of the tour, and quite possibly the biggest surprise of the film, Hogwarts.............the model! Yes, that's right, the entire castle is a huge model that is green screened and then super imposed using visual effects.

After the tour there is the expected retail offer where visitors can buy everything from wands to broomsticks, mugs to uniforms and everything you could possibly imagine. The shop is nicely designed too with surprise and wonder around each corner. Its fair to say that practically every child left with a bag so well done HPW!

As excitement goes, and regardless of whether you're a fan or not, this is an amazing day out and a mind blowing experience.

So in the words of the esteemed Dumbledore, "join us here and your education in the magical arts will begin....with the TYC blog......!".

(Sorry, couldn't resist :)

Number 6 – Finger touch payment at the party capital of the world!

We’re continuing the countdown with number 6,  the amazing Ushuaia Beach Hotel.

Facebook addicts, hardcore clubbers and gadget-geeks book your flights to Ibiza NOW! Because, thanks to this hotel, this is the holiday destination for you!! 

This hotel is beyond modern or cool. Party-hard as Ibiza expects you to, get your daily Facebook fix with the mere swipe of a wristband or take a step into the future with finger touch payments, making you feel as slick as Mr Bond himself! To much excitement to take in?? Let’s break it down…

Technology plays a large and impressive part of this hotel. The company have teamed up with Barcelona based payment provider ‘Pay-touch’ which, for the first time ever, lets guests register their fingerprints upon check-in allowing them to make payments whilst in the hotel with literally the touch of a finger! No more worrying about leaving your wallet unattended at the poolside!

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Gen Z is obsessed with Facebook and so it was only a matter of time until someone came up with the idea of integrated Facebook within the architecture of the building. At check-in, guests have the option of receiving a wristband that is synchronised to their online profile. These wristbands allow guests to simply swipe to access their accounts from any of the FB pillars located around the hotel. 

Guests can update statuses and even upload photos from wherever they are in the hotel. For Facebook lovers this means no more cold-turkey whilst on holiday and the ability to document your holiday as it happens, making the friends you left at home, super jealous!

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Now for the partying! The hotel itself, comprises of two main buildings, the Ushuaia Club, a three storey building surround a pool with its very own performance stage allowing guests to watch international DJs perform from either the poolside crowds or the comfort of their own private balconies overlooking the stage. 

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For guests looking to enjoy luxurious comfort, there is the Ushauaia Tower. This 8 storey building boasts fantastic views of the island as well as luxury suites each with their own individual facilities included, ensuring every type of guest has their needs attended to.

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 The combination of facilities is what makes this hotel so great. The ground breaking technology, fantastic party scene and luxury design all combine to create the ultimate location for the hardcore party scene (oh, those were the days! :)

 So the question is, if a party scene hotel can do finger-touch payment, why then isn’t this on our high streets…?!  Ushuaia clearly leading the way, glow sticks in hand!

 

Number 7: MW Nails

Taking seventh place on our list of 2012’s top 10 is a real “nail biter”, MW Nails bar at Spitalfields, London.

 

Unlike any nail bar you will have encountered before, this fun salon brand offers a true experience of pampered escapism with an interior designed and built from an original 1970’s Beoing 737 plane! 

The salon offers the ultimate first class experience with glamorous staff dressed as airhostesses and luxurious treatments such as the ‘Two Weeks to Tahiti’ manicure and ‘The Mile High’ manicure pedicure. You’re guaranteed to leave feeling well looked after and your nails rejuvenated…so buckle up and join the file high club!

We love how MW Nails has brought back the glamour of the 1970’s airhostess and the fun they’ve had with the brand is terrific. This really is a piece of unique design that makes you smile and deserves the no7 spot! Now sit back, relax and prepare for lift off....MWN style!

Number 8: Nike Fuel Station

Continuing with our Top 10 things that have got us most excited in 2012 - in 8th place is....

The Nike Fuel Station (opened in March 2012) is a must visit as this, we believe,  is the future of retail



The Fuel Station represents the new Nike+ product range. The Nike+ product range is super clever… it uses integrated digital technology to measure the wearers physical activity and then sends this info to a range of devices where the user can review, set goals and share their performance.

So, its not surprising that the Nike+ Fuel Station embraces the use of technology to support the retail story and it does so flawlessly and in an incredible way.  You can see how the designers must have had a deep understanding of the different ways that technology could be implemented in order to generate such a number of creative ways to help support the Nike+ sales pitch. So what’s so special about this retail experience? Where to start…..

-       The instant you step through the door your movement is tracked (using a camera), turning the red interactive wall green as you move past it.



-       Next, you are encouraged to play with the Fuel pod (powered by Microsoft Kinect) it tracks your movements, recreates your silhouette on the wall in front of you. Then, cleverly, give Nike your email address and they email with your 30-second clip so you can share it.

-       In the changing rooms mirrors will turn on to play inspirational videos of famous Nike runners demonstrating the products.

-       Computer stations dotted around help users set-up the Fuel Band so that you can walk out of the store already to rock 'n’ roll.

-       The shop does not carry all stock, instead there are iPads on the wall that double up as an interactive catalogue.

-       QR code cards use augmented reality so customers can see how a Nike shoe is made and what it does.

-       There is also a treadmill and a series of cameras that will record you running. This information then magically appears on an iPad that you can then discuss with a sales assistant.

-       We also loved all of the small details too such as the light box shelving and the digital time readings that appear through the wooden paneling.

You really must see it to believe it… hats off to you Nike for setting the way with technology in retail!

Find out more about Nike Fuel:

Number 9: The rooftops become green!

Continuing with our Top 10 things that have got us most excited in 2012 - in 9th place is....

Green goodness of rooftop gardens! As space becomes more of a premium, there has been a massive upwards rise in the number of rooftop gardens and terraces opening in 2012. This green trend is not only helping to bring back nature to our cities but at the same time, creating amazing, breath-taking hang-outs all across the world.

Our favourite example of this in 2012 was the partnership between the Southbank Centre and the Eden Project.  The rooftop garden at the Queen Elizabeth Hall was built from scratch by the Grounded gardening team from Providence Row Housing Association (PRHA) working together with colleagues from Eden.

Photo care of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mctumshie/5743995476/

The gardens actually opened in 2011 but it was such a successful venture that they were reopened in April 2012 with a real lawn, vegetable planters and wildflower meadows. With a relaxed and cheerful vibe this was the perfect place to hang out, explore the planting and enjoy a pint or two from the ‘Roof Garden Café’, run by Company of Cooks.

The space attracted all sorts! From drop-in gardeners, passers-by looking for a quiet spot to relax or Londoners wanting the perfect venue for summer’s evening drink. The garden is planned to reopen April / May 2013.

Read more about the QEH rooftop garden.

Photo care of: http://davisla.wordpress.com

There are a number of environmental benefits that weigh in favor of this rooftop garden trend, such as the improvement of water management, absorption of particulates, improved air quality and providing a habitat for plants and animals.

In fact, Chicago City Hall rooftop garden was designed to test the cooling effects of this kind of landscaping design, as well as being an experiment in how rooftop gardens can support plants, birds and insects in a city.

And of course, no-one could do a blog on outdoor spaces and not include the High Line bridge in NY. Although completed in 2011, this is just another wildly exciting example of green space forcing its way back in to our cities.

We expect to see more roof gardens and terraces opening in 2013, specifically more vegetable rooftop gardens as people decide to put these outdoor rooms to good use. We hope to see you there and share a beer or two!

Be inspired by the 50 best rooftop bars and restaurants.

Read more about the rooftop trends.