WEEK IN REVIEW

this week, ensamble studio shared new images of ‘ca’n terra’, an off-grid dwelling that occupies the subterranean landscape of menorca, a spanish island in mediterranean sea. the project exists within a sandstone quarry that was subsequently used by the military during the spanish civil war before being left abandoned. the studio began the project by exploring the space and scanning every part of it, then analyzed the spaces in order to reconfigure and refine them as an environment for living. step inside the underground abode here, and read more about the scanning process here.

in other news, the architectural design studio of hayri atak envisioned a striking skyscraper for the manhattan skyline, whose amorphous shape and material properties make it stand out among the neighboring buildings. while comparable in terms of scale and proportion, ‘sarcostyle tower’ is distinctly different from its context. unlike some of its static, geometrically formed neighbors, the building is inspired by biological concepts, including anatomy and cells, which lend the project an organic sensibility within the dense cityscape. thoughts?

meanwhile, a BMW R18 motorcycle has been transformed into an art deco masterpiece by kingston custom. called 'the spirit of passion', the design is covered in swooping bodywork that is handmade, and seamlessly integrates the LED headlight and large, vertical kidney grille at the front into the fairing. dark paintwork with light pin-stripe lines coat the body from tip to rear wheel cover. the result is a highly sophisticated, art deco-inspired motorcycle.

also this week, watch thom mayne and michael maltzan join architects, not architecture on its virtual world tour as the LA-based architects talk about themselves, rather than their work. see the conversation on designboom here.

finally, if you're planning on making pasta this week, barilla has teamed with spotify to create a series of playlists whose duration correspond to the cooking time of most pasta shapes — listen in and get cooking here.