The Architectural Wonders Of The Modern World

When we think of the wonders of the world, we think of history’s greatest creations that inspire awe. But there are also modern man-made wonders that will have you asking, “how did they do that?”

Kogod Courtyard, Washington D.C

This elegant glass canopy gives the impression of a floating ceiling. Designed by Norman Foster, Kogod Courtyard was built over 28,000 square feet of glass. It won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1999.

Image source: americanart.si.edu

Panama Canal, Panama

This man-made feat is one of the most difficult architectural accomplishments of our time. It is a marvel of engineering. It literally connects nations across oceans. Built as a travel port, the Panama Canal links the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Each year, over 14,000 vessels pass through its concrete tunneled walls.

Hoover Dam, Border of Arizona and Nevada

This is one of the world’s largest hydro-electric generating stations. It powers Nevada, Arizona, and California. The dam was built by more than 20,000 workers, and what’s more unbelievable is that it was constructed and built in a span of only 5 years.

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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

There’s a reason why the Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world. Arching over the Pacific Ocean, the bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County. You can walk through the bridge to get a view of San Francisco’s harbor.

Hi there, I’m Jonathan Bunge, a San Francisco-based architect. I also do interior designs as a part-time job. Follow me on Twitter.

The marriage of film and interior design

Interior design is one of the aspects of production design in film. An intricately designed set can change entire sequences. What once was bland and dreary can immediately become fantastic and whimsical if the right colors are used. An ordinary abandoned warehouse can look ominous and mysterious with the addition of a few fixtures. Sometimes people take for granted the interior design they see on film. 

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Take for example the immensely popular 90s sitcom Friends. One of its biggest appeals is that people find it incredibly comfortable to watch. The same goes with today’s The Big Bang Theory. What’s the one thing both sitcoms have in common? Their interior design. The apartments in both shows are colorful, bright, and cozy. They also look affordable, making viewers say, “hey, I want to live in a place like that.” 

The interior of Colorado’s Stanley Hotel was the set for the Stanley Kubrick horror masterpiece, The Shining. What started out as a magnificent and majestic vacation hotspot slowly turned into a gothic, terrifying maze with no exit in sight with just the change of lighting, and a few choice shots of really long corridors. 

Even fantasy and science-fiction movies such as The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars sagas, and television shows such as Game of Thrones owe a lot of their otherworldly allure to the magical art of interior design. Interior design is an integral part of a film that transports people to make believe realms. 

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Hey there. I'm Jonathan Bunge an architect, but I also do interior design. Subscribe to this Twitter for more on the stuff I love.

A Tip Sheet To Mixing And Matching Furniture

Conventional wisdom holds that everything should be tailored. This extends to interior design, which is a reflection of a person’s identity. Modern trends break away from this, calling people to make their homes true representations of their character. Not everything is seamless. Interior designers encourage their clients to mix and match furniture, using whatever old pieces they have and blending them well with contemporary ones. To avoid a home looking like an odd hodgepodge of design, here a few helpful hints:

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Go for similar wood finishes: There is a danger with getting exact wood finishes. Most likely, a room will look clunky and boxed up. The key is to find similar matches. For example, in a room that has deep and rich wood floors, try looking for other furniture that are of the same shade but not of the same texture. Pieces should contribute to one another instead of competing. There should still be some sort of flow among furniture.

Keep it simple: Traditional bohemian looks are beautiful, but for those who still want to be somewhat modern, opt for simplicity. A good way to achieve this is to hang different photos on the walls (of varying textures, lengths, sizes, etc.) and keeping the floor clean. Take advantage of textures and colors rather than filling a room with too many pieces.

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Have a motif: This is the simplest way to mix and match furniture. This is also particularly useful in spaces that are smaller, as there is no room (quite literally) for mistakes. Choose a common element among the many pieces and remain consistent allthroughout. Smaller patterns and pieces should be used to enhance the general motif.

Above all, mixing and matching furniture should be fun and reflective of the homeowner’s personality. The home should feel personal and intimate.

Jonathan Bunge is a full-time architect and a part-time interior designer. His life revolves around anything design. Learn more when you like this Facebook page.

Home Improvement 2017: Top Trends That Will Improve Your Place

There’s always something to look forward to in design. This year we saw many people exploring Asian design, using bright colors, and going back to white. As 2017 begins, here are some of the trends that will make its way into the homes of many:

1. Back to black.

Matte black to be exact. Experts say that the end is near for perfect white and pristine kitchens. Having black walls that complement metallic cooking equipment will become popular in 2017. Instead of having a bright kitchen, this season will see a rough and rugged place where people whip out their culinary masterpieces. For a guy like me, I approve.

2. Green is in.

Pantone’s 2017 color of the year is called Greenery and it’s a cheerful color that will surely bring life to rooms. It’s not as dull as ocean green but it’s not as bright as yellow green. Taking a cue from the new year’s color, many homes will incorporate nature elements into their spaces. Whether it’s natural or artificial greenery, the lucky hue will give a home a pop of energy and personality.

Image source: Hgtvhome.com

3. Sleek and metallic.

Put away your bamboo accents and switch to metallic décor. In 2017 it seems that many will return to aiming for that modern-industrial appeal for their spaces. Simple and easy to maintain, going back to this theme is a wise choice for bachelors and young professionals.

Are you looking forward to seeing these trends? These design schemes could be too straightforward for others but it’s always worth a try.

Image source: Home-designing.com

Always think about what will make your home look better. Hi there, I’m Jonathan Bunge, an architect who appreciates all kinds of designs. My goal as an architect is to understand the stories and the logic and philosophy behind different designs. Read more about my interests here.

Traveling Like an Architect

The travel industry has seen significant growth the past decade as travelers are given greater access to different places around the world. Sometimes, the challenge for the avid traveler is picking the right destination worth their buck. For those who seek to explore primarily for man-made structures and marvelous landmarks, architecture can be a great guide for choosing the next destination.

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For example, in Dubai, there is no shortage of colossal modern architecture and one can immediately see them from the window of an airplane hovering over the city as it makes it descent. It would be hard to miss the famous the seven-star Burj Al Arab, one of the world's tallest building, jutting out a few meters from the Jumeirah beach shore on a man-made archipelago.

Another city for modern sights is Brasilia, thanks to urban planner Luis Costa and primary architect Oscar Niemeyer who participated in the modernist movement. There is a packaged tour for Brasilia modernism, and tourists will get to visit key creations such as the National Congress, Cathedral of Brasilia, and the Palacio de Alvarado.

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Hi! I'm Jonathan Bunge. I am an architect myself, and I try not to limit myself to one style. I study a wide range of concepts, from classic to modern. Connect with me on Facebook for more posts on architecture.

Going Wild With White: Working With White Walls

I have clients who dread white walls because they’re scared to ruin their pristine state.  But if I could have it my way, at least one white wall can be a great thing for a home’s interior.  If you’re planning on painting an area of your home white, you’re in for a treat.

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White walls are like a blank canvas.  It gives a person more space for décor, artwork, and other stand out pieces that will not clash with a plain backdrop.  While it’s good to use a white wall to highlight certain pieces, you can also try to use all white furniture and décor to create a heavenly space.  Yes, it might look intimidating at first, but it will certainly make the room look more spacious and calming especially when done with bedrooms.  If maintained well, it will always look clean and new.

Image source: Minimalistdesk.net

When working in a room with a view, white is a great way to frame the scenery.  Along with white walls, earth-toned furniture will help create a serene and refreshing vibe that will surely make people feel comfortable in an instant.


In using white walls, it’s important to know the fine line between plainness and minimalism.  Plainness is when there’s no planning involved, which results in a dull looking space.  Minimalism, on the other hand, showcases an essential element that is important to the room’s whole concept.  When using white walls, it is good to go for minimalist details that are also easy to maintain.

Thanks for dropping by. I’m Jonathan Bunge, an architect who appreciates all kinds of designs. My goal as an architect is to understand the stories and the logic and philosophy behind different designs. Read more about my interests here.

A Curated Home: Choosing Art For Your Living Space

Choosing art for a room requires as much planning as selecting the paint color and picking out the furniture. Having the right artwork in the room will complete the look, make it more attractive, and somehow more comfortable. But what guidelines are there for selecting art pieces for a room?

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One of the most important things to consider when buying art for the room is whether the piece is something one could look at every day. Sure, you might be purchasing a painting by a renowned artist but if you think the subject's haunted expression might depress you when it's hanging in your living room, choose something else.

Image source: houzz.com

Aside from picking something that makes you happy and relaxed, the painting or sculpture should "pop," not melt into the background. The whole idea behind adding an art piece to a room is to give it visual interest and make the space more exciting. Good, high-quality frames, glass, or display tables are a necessary indulgence to highlight the artwork. It's also important that the piece gets proper lighting so it can be appreciated properly.

A good rule of thumb to consider when selecting paintings or posters to hang is to use the wall's length and width as a guide. For example, if the wall is horizontal, hang a horizontal painting or use a wide layout for several small pieces. If the wall is tall, a long vertical painting or decorative fabric will look great on it. This tip will make a room look bigger than it really is.

Choosing artwork for the home may require a lot of contemplation but what's essential to having a properly curated home is finding pieces that truly speak to you, the homeowner – after all, you'll have to live with the artwork day in and day out.

Architect and interior designer Jonathan Bunge, in the house. Check out my Twitter account for short updates on building and design.