POP of Colour

I really wanted to do my Vietnam Recap in an immediate two part series, but I found this over on Contemporist before I could get too it and it is just too amazing! The MVMNT pop up cafe by Morag Myerscough in Londons industrial suburb of Greenwich is an amazing example of a cool pop up cafe that doesn't involve a single shipping container! What excites me most about this pop up (asides from its totally rad design) is how easy it is to create a space that feels fresh and exciting simply with some plywood and some paint! 

The front of MVMNT Cafe via Contemporist

Not only does the use of colour allow the cafe to brand itself and differentiate from other cafes, it creates an eye-catching visual landmark within the suburb. I only have to look at the pictures and I want to pop by (if only I was still in the UK). The outside area of the cafe also presents an amazing opportunity for workspaces or meetings out in the public realm, something I think a lot of businesses need to utilize more. The outdoor area manages to look peaceful and exciting at the same time, although I am stuck wondering what will happen when it rains?

MVMNT Cafe outdoor area via Contemporist

So I know I am totally enthused, but would any one else like to see more pop ups like this happening? 

Mobile Cities

Now I want to admit to you guys something, hideously, hideously embarrassing - I have never had a meal provided by a food truck. This is particularly bad as I have noticed they seem to have been the biggest urban trend of the last 6 months or so and only seem to be growing in popularity. That being said, Australia and Brisbane in particular only just seem to be really picking up the whole mobile food service trend, with Brisbane's only current contender being "The Bun Mobile" pictured below. 

The Bun Mobile @ Newstead via Facebook

Now I can't help thinking that the food truck may turn out to be one of the biggest trends of 2013, allowing us to have adaptable and ever changing cities. BUT is the humble truck restricted to just serving us delicious, specialised foods? Why can't we have makers and craftsmen using the truck as a mobile store? We could have "The Shoe Horn" a bespoke cobbler featuring the old school ice cream truck horn.  Or "The Rolling Press" where people could simply walk in and have an appointment for their printing and letterpress needs. Not only could this trend provide us with exciting, moving cities but it could also allow for small businesses an affordable way to get on their feet before moving to more permanent (and expensive) premises. 

This is one trend I would really like to see be taken to new levels this year, what do you think? 

Transport Accelerator

So, I recently discovered the blog Pop Up City and have fallen head over heels in love (despite being slightly jealous of how amazing it is). One of their features (of many) that really caught my eye is for the "Transport Accelerator" which is a super cool slide that has been installed next to the stairs at a Dutch railway station in Utrecht for commuters trying to catch their train in a hurry. 

Dutch "Transport Accelerator" via Pop Up City

The project was not only used to bring some more fun to the city and encourage urban play but also used as a catalyst project to help revitalise a disadvantaged area. Having an awesome slide also shows that just because something is fun does not mean that it isn't also functional. And I mean, who doesn't want a little more fun on their daily commute?

New Years Resolutions

Asides from the usual personal resolutions I have been making for the end of 2012 (exercise more, find a handsome creative guy, get a proper job in urban design/town planning) I thought I would make a list of my blog based resolutions here as well. This is mostly because I am chronic for having broken all of my resolutions by January 1st and I thought if I had them here anyone reading would know about them and could hold me accountable - perhaps via the form of an angry tweet (@UrbanSubmarine).

So here goes, my list of blogging resolutions; 

1. Spend an hour a day working on blog posts and design (unfortunately I have realised recently this wont mean a blog post a day but maybe 3 or 4 a week)
2. Design at least a sweet header for my blog, possibly business cards
3. Carry a camera everywhere so I can rely more on original photography as well as practice my photo editing
4. Get my first comment on a post! I know there has to be at least one person as interested in urban design as I am out there.
5. Post more original and up to date content, whenever possible

So there are my blogging resolutions, not too many so I have a better chance of keeping them. I am heading to a new bar in Brisbane tonight to ring in the New Years and I hope you all have fabulous evenings planned! 

Changing Urban Landscapes - Technology

As I unwrapped my (albeit wonderful) kindle touch at Christmas and thought of the myriad of other wonderful technological gadgets friends had received, I wanted to take some time to think about how the way we use technology and the level that it integrates into our daily life is changing. As awesome new gadgets such as the Ipad mini (I am very jealous of anyone who received on) have shown us, even good new technology can be improved and made increasingly portable. 

With many of my university friends overseas on big adventures I am amazed at how often they can call, text, email and of course update their Facebook with plenty of photos to ensure complete jealousy. Compared to a story I heard the other day where a friend was backpacking a few decades ago and to meet up with his friends had to wait at the same spot at 8 every morning and every night until his friends appeared (which took 3 days) - our ability to remain in constant contact is fairly breathtaking. 

It also is something that needs to be increasingly incorporated into the design of our cities - if we can now take our Ipad or laptop and access wireless throughout the city why are there not more public places which allow us to do so comfortably and easily. Why should WI-FI access and the opportunity to work be limited to coffee shops and chains like McDonalds? Why can't attractive, WI-FI enabled office pods and meeting areas be available for use in the public realm alongside the BBQs and benches?

Urban Submarine design for a WIFI pod - Park Image via Newton Research and Explorations

Not only would these pods allow us to change up our daily routine and spend more time out in the fresh air (especially in generally sunny climates such as Brisbanes) but they could also be designed to reflect the character of a city e.g. refurbished cable cars as WIFI pods in San Francisco. What do you think, is this the way we should be heading in the future or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?