Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reveal Californian house designed by Axel Vervoordt

Kim Kardashian has revealed a glimpse of the "minimal style" Calabasas house that Axel Vervoordt and Vincent Van Duysen designed for the reality television star and her rapper husband Kanye West.

Kardashian posted several images of her family's Californian home on Instagram to announce that the property will be featured on the cover of Architectural Digest – something Kardashian said she has "always dreamed of".

Axel Vervoordt's interior design practice designed the overhaul of the property, with a contribution from Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen, for the celebrity couple.

The interiors, described by Kardashian as a "minimal style", are predominantly decorated with a pale palette. They include a hallway accented by a curved staircase balustrade and a circular, wooden table.

A key feature of the property, as revealed in the photos, is a grand hallway topped with arched ceilings and lined with windows.

 

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Feb 3, 2020 at 10:54am PST

Other shots capture a corner nook decorated with a rustic, wooden table and ornaments, and a slender dining table, which is flanked by a cushioned bench one side, and rattan wood chairs on the other.

There is also space with creamy walls matched by a large light fixture, a textured rug and a curved chair, which is set atop dark, wooden legs. Additional furnishings include a curvilinear wood table.

The photoset also captures the property's expansive pool and an all-pink bedroom designed for the eldest of Kardashian and West's four children, North West. The bed is backed by a butterfly-shaped headboard and flanked on either side by two mirrors.

Architectural Digest also posted another shot of the children's all-white playroom – furnished with animal-shaped cushions created by artist Isabel Rower – to celebrate its March issue.

Glimpses of the property have already been revealed in the latest season of Kardashian's reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Other details include a large, circular dining table and an outdoor terrace.

 

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A post shared by Architectural Digest (@archdigest) on Feb 3, 2020 at 2:12pm PST

This is not the firm time that the Kardashian-West's have come into contact with the world of architecture.

In one episode of the's Kardashian hit show, the family emerged as unlikely fans of Modernist architecture, when Kardashian's mother Kris Jenner revealed that she was reading a book about "Le Courvoisier, which is an architect".

Recent years, however, have seen West make a more ambitious venture into the architecture scene. During a visit to Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2013, he told students that "the world can be saved through design".

West has since launched an architecture arm to his Yeezy fashion label and revealed plans to create Star Wars-themed housing for the homeless.

Last year, he built prototypes of the affordable domed housing on his Calabasas property but these were demolished shortly afterward following reports that he had failed to secure a building permit.

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"A very sad day indeed for architectural education"

In this week's comments update, readers are saddened that the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin will close.

Cracks in the foundations: readers are upset to learn that Frank Lloyd Wright's School of Architecture at Taliesin is to shut due to a financial disagreement with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

"A very sad day indeed for architectural education," said Benny in dismay. "FLW must be rolling in his grave at the news."

"This isn't right," agreed Wow. "I can only imagine how tough this is on the students. What an amazing institution, an impeccable example of the American community and education. Something this country needs now more than ever."

Evil P was also frustrated: "Pathetic. FLW Foundation is the gift shop. The school was the real deal, an institution founded by the very architect whose legacy the foundation claims to want to preserve. Maybe they could turn Taliesin into a hotel with cool pretend-you're-an-architect VR headsets and maybe a water slide."

As was Jzakary: "It's wonderful to see an 88-year-old institution destroyed because of massive egos and political infighting. :( "

This reader thought they knew the cause of the issue:

What do you think about Wright's architecture school closing? Join the discussion ›

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The clash: Adam Nathaniel Furman has delighted commenters with his design for a Tokyo apartment, featuring a bubble-gum pink kitchen and stripey watermelon-green floor.

"Could be a psych ward in a Wes Anderson film," said Mitts Marner. "I like it."

Carlo Maria Cattaneo went on: "I am entirely convinced architecture should be like this – intriguing, colourful, playful, in the most exaggerated and ludicrous way. This is an interesting space for an interesting life, and the architect who dares make a space such as this is just as unprejudiced and brave as needed for some change."

"Oh that kitchen makes me smile!" added Maddi. "I would have a hard time feeling restful in the bedroom, but I think the common spaces are beautifully executed. Rigorous and detail-oriented whimsy."

"Looking back and looking forward simultaneously, while providing atmospheric joy. This is a success!" concluded Anto Yeldezian.

One commenter was less keen though:

Are you a fan of Furman's design? Join the discussion ›

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Up, up and away: creative agency Framlab has disappointed readers with its proposal for modular vertical farms, designed to provide low-income neighbourhoods in Brooklyn with access to fresh produce.

Egad: "A noble idea that’s beyond practical – back to the drawing board."

Miles Teg agreed: "Aesthetically cool and eye-catching, functionally idiotic. But functional design doesn't get anyone any attention these days."

"Shows a really shallow understanding of how plants grow, of agronomy, of soil, of food scarcity," LTH agreed. "A thoroughly shallow, throw-away 'design solution' to a very deeply troubling and complex social problem."

"What a de-humanized piece of art,"added Bananarama. "How does one get up inside these structures? Tend to the plants? There are thousands of acres worth of flat rooftop space in cities that would be perfect for growing plants. But for some reason, designers have been obsessed with vertical solutions that simply fight the conditions and natural requirements for growing."

One reader was more optimistic:

Are commenters being harsh? Join the discussion ›

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Meta Morphosis: readers are divided over Morphosis' design for a mixed-use development in Los Angeles comprising an angular white structure cradling a plant-covered glass tower.

"Classic discombobulated, haphazardly composed, Morphosis design. Love it," said Stephen.

"It looks like a sock puppet having a snack, but I like it anyway," continued Steve.

"Kill it before it breeds," replied Aaron Albinder.

Benny thought the building resembled something else: "Donald Trump’s hair sort of does the same thing as the white building is doing to its neighbour. It’s a giant architectural comb-over!"

This reader thought the development was dated:

What does the structure remind you of? Join the discussion ›

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Basketball player creates sneaker based on David Adjaye's African-American history museum

Basketball player Stephen Curry and sports brand Under Armour have created a sneaker influenced by architect David Adjaye's Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Curry 7 Our History colourway is the latest version of the Curry 7 Basketball Shoes series created by American company Under Armour and the professional Golden State Warriors player.

Curry was prompted to create the new design following a trip last year to the Museum of African American History that British-Ghanaian architect Adjaye completed in 2016 with US firms The Freelon Group, Davis Brod Bond and SmithGroupJJR.

"The Our History colourway is special; it reflects on our history and those who helped build it," said Curry.

"The colourway is inspired by both a memorable trip to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, and the incredible art by David Adjaye."

The Curry 7 Our History colourway was released last month to celebrate Black History Month, an annual celebration of the African diaspora that takes place in America and Canada from 1 to 29 February this year.

The bronze plates perforated with patterns that form the walls of the museum influenced the hues of brown, olive, bronze and neon green decorating the shoe.

These colours are laid in layers that are intended to reflect the shape of the stacked volumes that form the museum.

The shoe has a chunky heel composed of Under Armour's patented Hovr and Micro G cushioning, which are intended to represent the "museum's longitude and latitude coordinates".

Adjaye Associates has also designed a limited-edition seeding box for the new colourway, which are available in limited pairs for $140 (£107.45).

Adjaye's British firm was selected in 2009 as a team of architects known as Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup JJR to complete the museum, which is often referred to as NMAAHC.

Since completing the project, Adjaye Associates has worked on a number of cultural projects in the US.

These include Manhattan's Spy Museum and the Ruby City art centre in Texas. He also recently completed a pink-concrete store in Los Angeles.

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A Verdant Botanical Animation Takes a Macro View of Nature’s Cycles

Spanning from day to night and from sunshine to rain and wind, “Story of Flowers” shows the various stages of botanical growth and the help plants get along the way. The instructional project—which was illustrated by Katie Scott, animated by James Paulley, and directed by Azuma Makoto—depicts the interconnected systems within an ecosystem, like the organisms underground fertilizing the soil or a bumblebee landing atop and pollinating a pistil. Each stage of the germination process is shot with an enlarged view to magnify roots stretching out, sprouts poking through the ground, and flowers opening up to bloom. As rain falls, the petals drop and plants release their seeds, which then are embedded into the soil, beginning the cycle once again. Head to Instagram to check out more work from Scott, Paulley, and Makoto. (via The Kids Should See This)

 

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Interview: A Conversation with Photographer Brooke DiDonato Explores the Process and Inspiration Behind Her Surreal Imagery

All images © Brooke DiDonato, shared with permission

New York City and Texas-based photographer Brooke DiDonato discusses her approach to composition and color in her unmistakably original images in a conversation with Editor-in-Chief Christopher Jobson. The two talk about ideas of surrealism and magic realism found in DiDonato’s work, the deep lines of inspiration drawn from her family, and her observations of the world around her.

Join hundreds of Colossal Members who are diving into this discussion with DiDonato. As a member, you’ll gain access to this interview, in addition to other perks, and be part of a visual culture community of 10 million monthly readers.

 

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