In the book "War and Cinema," theorist and critic Paul Virilio suggests that the art of war is really the art of the image. Satellites are part of an information gathering continuum that, beginning with the telescope, has now progressed to the latest deep space observatories. So, when Google democratized satellite imagery, people everywhere had access to their own personal high ground. Architects have always favoured high-altitude like views of their projects. Providing clients with an analytic view of a site's context is somehow so reassuring in its omnipotence.

If you're interested in seeing what your part of the city looks from 100 kilometres or so, go to geology.com

The Toronto Society of Architects Forum brings former mayor John Sewell to the Gladstone Hotel to kick off a four part series on Toronto's suburban growth from 1945 to 2000. Beginning February 6th with "The Real Story Behind the Superhighways, 1930 to Now," Sewell offers a unique insight into city issues. There will be a reception beginning at 6:00 prior to the talk.

Toronto's Hariri and Pontarini Architects received another accolade this week.

Best House:
Art Collectors' Residence
Toronto
Architect: Hariri Pontarini Architects

The best houses in the world are now designed in Toronto; the latest is by Siamak Hariri and David Pontarini. The sleek, materials-first modernism the designers espouse puts the world of "custom home" builders to shame.

Last year, the deliciously stoic Art Collectors' Residence garnered praise and awards by upstaging its high-end Toronto enclave with an image at once feather-light and fortified. Detailed with teak, copper and limestone, the house gently and unself-consciously melds functions with arcs and angles. These are new modernists, not ideologues. Perhaps Americans will catch on?

Since its inception in June 1999 Montreal’s Gau Design's is a multi disciplinary design consulting firm that can create projects, follow it into production and procure final delivery. Their progressive and unique resume lists limited series editing, furniture design, styling and shape development including object design for limited or mass production. Not only that, they can provide research and development, architectural design services for interiors + exteriors, and commercial photography. Gau Design’s has participated in a number of SIDIM exhibitions + received an award of excellent at SIDIM 2005 – for their new product ‘the wireless bench table’. The group has even been worthy of a couple of grants from the Ministry of Economical Development and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.


Gau Design’s MU table designer Jean-Michel Gauvreau + Sidney Kristienson materials: sealed natural or stained hardwood or aluminum + transparent glass. When seen from above the four identical stackable pieces form a square and is a complete self-supporting structure. Presented at SIDIM 2000, Salon Domicilia Montreal 2003, 2004 new England Home Show, 2004 Scottsdale Home and Garden Show and Salon Habitation 2004.


Gau Design’s DZETA table designer jean-michel gauvreau materials: sealed natural or stained hardwood and transparent glass. Is an interesting contrast between the woods warm colours and glass. Award of excellence SIDIM 2002. See the website for superb detail shots.


Gau Design’s ZEN GARDEN SINK designer Jean-Michel Gauvreau and Luke-Etienne Gagnon materials: polished or matte sealed concrete in black, gray, natural or white is poetic and displays a clear sense of purpose. The garden space can function also as a storage area. Different configurations can be found on their website.

Their catalog of works is innovative and showcases a line of contemporary furniture components. Contact President + Director of Design at Gau Design's or catch them at the upcoming Interior Design Show 2006, Feb.23-26 at the National Trade Center in Toronto booth #SN-37