"Can't decide if it's out of place or fittingly random" says commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are discussing a house in Melbourne with a curved roof and textured concrete walls designed by LLDS Architects.

Called Northcote House, the home is slotted into the site of a former car park, with bespoke elements including the irregularly shaped plywood roof structure created using computer numerically controlled (CNC) robotics.

"Love the context/juxtaposition of this fancy new archi-object with next door's Biffa bins!"

Commenters had mixed reviews. "Inspiring projects are so rare to come by these days – this is a welcome project!" applauded Chris. "Love it, never heard of LLDS, but I have now," they wrote.

"Can't decide if it's out of place or fittingly random," pondered I M Slei. "Love the context/juxtaposition of this fancy new archi-object with next door's Biffa bins!"

Design Junkie deemed Northcote House "a wildly experimental home".

"I kinda like it," said Souji. "It does look like a failure in function and comfort, but it's quirky – sometimes quirky is enough," they determined.

Gothic Gargoyle was on the fence, musing "not sure how I feel about this one", adding "The interiors look interesting but there's nowhere to sit back, relax and enjoy that curving roof".

For Chauncey Mabe there was "an interesting idea or two, but overall it's overdone, inside and out, and the interior is creepy". Then they went further, stating "I predict a horror movie will be shot inside this structure before long".

Quirky or creepy? Join the discussion ›

"Bathsack"

Another story that piqued readers' interest this week was a fold-away bathtub by Japanese product design group LIXIL showcased at Designart Tokyo, cut from a single piece of waterproof textile that can be hung up like a hammock or stowed away.

"I kinda love the idea of this but would definitely prefer to try it before buying it," concluded Henry.

They went on to raise that "with a regular bath, you tend to use the solid sides to leverage yourself as you get out – could see that experience being very different (and potentially wobbly and awkward) with this version!"

Meanwhile, Devin du Plessis simply branded it "bathsack".

"Foldable bathtub, foldable toilets, foldable phones, sometimes I wish I was foldable," quipped Robin518.

What do you reckon? Join the discussion ›

"Looks like an unfinished nuclear plant cooling tower"

Another project splitting opinions in the comments section this week was the 50-metre-tall Sun Tower designed by Open Architecture in northeast China, with a conical concrete form designed to follow the path of the sun.

Zea Newland called it "depressing and noisy" and ultimately "not worth destroying the climate for".

"Looks like an unfinished nuclear plant cooling tower," decided T Foxe.

However, Chuck Anziulewicz was less despondent and argued "it seems like a fairly versatile structure, with spaces for exhibits and performances". They added "I think this is marvelous".

Pa Varreon agreed, writing "beautiful interior spaces in perfect poetical accomplishment with the outside" before hailing it a "masterpiece".

Which side are you on? Join the discussion ›

Comments Update

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