Shipping Container Houses

In July 2007, three Americans formed PFNC Global Communities -- PFNC stands for "Por Fin, Nuestra Casa," which roughly translates as "Finally, our own home." The company makes the homes you see above out of inexpensive, readily available, shipping containers. Their goal is to provide affordable housing for some of the poorest in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico. These poor now live in houses made of scraps of paper and tin. PFNC wants factories who employ these people to offer homes as part of workers' benefits. What a great Idea, at the state of our housing market right now, we could probably do with a few over here to house all the people whose real houses have been repossessed.

Flower Tower

This building In Paris known as Flower Tower os wrapped in an outer layer of bamboo, becoming a vertical urban garden. Designed by Paris-based architect Edouard Francois' this unique building draws attention to the tower-block and mimics the Parisians use of apartment balconies for Flower pots and baskets!

Olympic Stadium

I have been watching a lot of Beijing 2008 Olympics and have been taken back by a lot of the quality and design produced for this event. However by far the most superior piece of design is the National stadium which cost over £200 million and is the largest steel structure! It was designed by a Swiss architecture firm especially for Beijing 2008 and has been commonly referred to as the Birds Nest.

Centre Pompidou

This modern art gallery in Paris is a master piece itself. Its bold modern glass front juxtaposed with the elegant historic building surrounding it was enough to draw me inside!

Art Deco Architecture

Most people think that America lacks character because its so new and all the buildings are made out of concrete and look the same. After spending nearly a year there I can vouch that for the most part this is true, in Florida anyway. However on a trip to Miami's, South Beach I was struck by the amazing Art Deco style architecture. The majority of these buildings function as hotels that have been restored and modernised, some act as restaurants or bars but for about 15 blocks thats all you can see! Sleek smooth lines running up and down the buildings giving the area so much character, class and style! It was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in not just because of the style of the buildings, but also because of the uniqueness of the place its self! I've really never seen anything like it!