A Peek Inside Lego Headquarters

Hello, dream office. Employees who work at Lego HQ get to enjoy a slide inside of their already sleek-and-modern digs. I imagine their day-to-day goes something like this: “Hey, Bob. Meet me in the conference room for a very important meeting in 30 seconds — just take the slide!” LINK

The Hourglass

Marc Newson's latest creation for Ikepod sees the Australian designer interpret the most iconic timepiece of all: The Hourglass. Director Philip Andelman traveled to Basel, Switzerland, to document the designer's modern take of the classic hourglass inside the Glaskeller factory. Each hand made hourglass comprises highly durable borosilicate glass and millions of stainless steel nanoballs, and is available in a 10 or 60 minute timer. LINK

Video: A Brief History of the Modern Pixel

Simon Cottee -- the artist behind Rule, the recently noted animation created entirely inside Sleep Is Death -- has put together this thoughtful musing on the power of the pixel, talking with SiD creator Jason Rohrer, chiptune artist Dot.AY, and Studio Joho (the same behind semi-controversial pixel vid Dan the Man).

PIXEL - A pixel art documentary [Simon Cottee]. LINK: Boingboing, Via: Youtube

Awesome Secret Indoor Gardens

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Fifteen gardens that are amazing examples of how modern technology can bring nature indoors. LINK: The Presurfer

7 (Thankfully) Extinct Giant Versions of Modern Animals

Giants once roamed the earth, meaning many species of animals that are familiar to us have enormous extinct ancestors. Cracked looks at seven of them, some of which have been previously featured individually at Neatorama. Take a look at Argentavis magnificens.

As if answering the dare to make us feel more inadequate, the world gave us Argentavis magnificens, the largest flying bird in recorded history. These beasts possessed a wingspan between 19- and 26-feet, and a wing area of 75-feet, which you may notice is only slightly smaller than a Lear Jet. In addition to its staggering size and 240-pound weight, the bird is believed to have swallowed prey as large as cattle in one fell swoop.

Link, -Via: Gorilla Mask, Via: Neatorama

The Dynosphere

This invention achieved speeds of 30 mph. The latticework in front of the driver was not a visual impediment while in motion. LINK, Via: Youtube

Liquid vests to repel bullets

Russian armour has been well known for years. To create it the best scientists have been working in research institutes. Although modern ballistic vests can weigh up to 12 kilos, Russian designers say there's another option. Armour filled with special gel can be light and even comfortable to wear. LINK: Youtube

Creative House & Home Conversions

Raise the alarm: these homes transformed from old fire towers are ablaze with beauty and eco-conscious creativity. The height gives them a treehouse feel, not to mention the amazing views afforded by their lofty locations. They’re already built to withstand the elements, so it doesn’t take much to make them ready for habitation. LINK

Bloomframe Disappearing Balcony

Bloomframe is an innovative window that transforms into a balcony at the touch of a button.

Engineered by Hurks, this modern balcony consists of tough all-weather materials and controlled by a smooth electronic system. LINK, Via: Youtube

A Beautiful Modern House

This modern house, called the Villa Berkel, was designed by architect Paul de Ruiter. Located in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, it keeps to an inside/outside theme that I've come to love. By using natural light and playing with the idea of open space, the house creates a connection to the outdoors in a warm and comforting way, one that's not typical of a modern house.

Per the Contemporist: "To create openness and lightness and to give the residents the feeling living outside in the green, the house is entirely oriented to the secluded garden at the south. Every room in the villa looks directly out on to this garden, because three of the four façades are made of glass." LINK

The New Barcelo Raval Hotel in Barcelona

This modern design hotel will make you do a double take the moment you walk through their doors. Designers like Jaime Hayon, Marcel Wanders for Mooi, and Vitra have all had their hands on this place, creating a modern world unlike you've ever seen before. Touted as the "central gem of the city," Barcelo Raval has only become what it is today by a $44.7 million (or $35 million euro) facelift realized by the architect Jose Maria Guillen White. LINK

Barcelo Raval Hotel website