Straight Up Chess

Straight Up Chess makes chess boards that fit today’s life style. The vertical wall mounted board is one part game, one part wall decor. The chess board’s tiles become the back drop to pieces that sit on acrylic shelves. A decorative frame turns it into an art piece, to be played until you’re ready for the next match up.

[via]

Kinetic Wall: A Vertical Lake Building Facade

International design studio Urban Art Projects puts the soothing effects of water into an unlikely place; the side of Brisbane, Australia’s airport car park.

This project is being developed with artist Ned Kahn. It is called a “Kinetic Wall,” and it will essentially be an eight-story-tall public art installation. Seen from the outside, the installation will look like a vertical body of water, complete with gentle waves and natural movement. From the inside of the building, the movement of the facade will create beautiful patterns in sunlight on the interior surfaces.

The effect is created with 250,000 aluminum panels which are loosely suspended so as to move gently with the wind.

It also helps provide passive cooling and ventilation for the car park, cutting down on energy costs and keeping the building more comfortable all year long. The new parking garage, complete with the unique facade, will be completed in late 2011.

[via]