Designed by Toyo Ito for Baselworld 2013, the new La Montre Pavilion for the luxury label Hermès conveys an openness and lightness worthy of the brand’s name. A two-story box covered in a façade of criss-crossing wood lattice, the pavilion consists of a steel framework with an inner structure made of wood, glass, and metal. The 1,040m² structure contains, in addition to fancy leather goods, 167 plants, which breathe fresh air into the space and provide a connection to nature. Thanks to the lattice façade, light is able to flood the interior spaces, highlighting the designer products on display.

Ito’s clever mobile wall system allows the pavilion to be taken down and rebuilt as many times as needed. The use of natural materials, rather than expensive and flashy cladding, adds a dignity to the pavilion that lets the brand name speak for itself. A physical representation of the brand’s fundamental value of craftsmanship and commitment to handmade products, Ito’s design makes an attractive pop-up space that embodies elegance and innovation.

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It’s safe to say that our Groundhog Day prediction was miserably off target. Winter is still clinging on as we pass into March, and it shows little sign of letting up. So what to do? Simple: Go on Spring Break! Which poses another, more pressing question: Where to go for Spring Break?

We took a poll at Architizer HQ, and we came to the near unanimous decision—we’d all like to be sipping some bubbly (or slushy) while staring out onto some spectacular, sunny vista from an infinity pool. We couldn’t think of a more leisurely or luxurious way to escape the Northeast chill. Here are our top infinity pool destinations. Click through to see them all!

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Project: Yacht House

Architect: Robin Monotti Architects

Location: Foros, Ukraine

Located on the Black Sea at the southern most point of the Ukraine, this rental house gives vacationers a panoramic view of the beachfront and mountain landscape, as well as a place to store their luxury yachts. Really. By incorporating large windows and private balconies, the interior residential rooms are intended to feel like shaded outdoor spaces – as though the house itself feels like a yacht. The large glazed walls look out onto the blue horizon, creating the impression that the house has, indeed, taken to sea. Read more about this project in the Architizer database.

Photos © Ioana Marinescu

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‘Antilia’ in Mumbai; Photo via My Luxury

Nothing says luxury living like a skyscraper-house. We’ve had some things to say about the billion-dollar “home” (or “Antilia” as the grounds are called) before, but the exact design details have been kept very hush hush.

From the little that we do know of the mysterious structure, we can say that it was built by India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani for his family in central Mumbai and designed by Perkins & Will with Atlanta-based Hirsch Bender Associates. Gossip about what goes on inside the towering mansion flared up last spring, which leaked the “revelations” that the structure’s design does not correspond to the Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian building code, and that the Ambani family refuses to spend the night there, reportedly out of superstitious beliefs. A small spread of photos appeared in Vanity Fair in June, though the images only hinted at how one goes about decorating a 27-story tall, 400,000-square-foot house.

Well, now our friends at Curbed have got the scoop on what’s inside the massive mansion. They’ve compiled a list of 10 of the house’s features, and, yes, they are every bit as ridiculous as you thought. Continue.

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Project: BVLGARI Pavilion

Architect: Not a Number Architects

Location: Abu Dhabi

Function: You might have just seen Architizer CEO Marc Kushner’s captivating pictures of his trip to Abu Dhabi on our blog. It reminded us of an amazing installation for Abu Dhabi Art 2012 by Not a Number Architects that was on display from June until November. Commissioned by luxury jewelry brand BVLGARI, this temporary exhibit created a wholly new spatial experience — by using packed acrylic tubes — while remaining faithful to BVLGARI’s heritage. The lounge was conceived as an exclusive and private venue with live music, a bar, and a specially curated selection of BVLGARI’s high-end jewelry. Read more about this project in the Architizer database.

Photos © NaNa

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With winter approaching, a trip to tropical Thailand is looking pretty darn appealing at the moment. Particularly if it involves a stay at the mega-luxurious Naka Hotel! Designed by Bangkok-based architect Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP, this new establishment lets visitors stay in one of its 94 glass pods that jut out from the mountainside above a private beach. Of course, such breathtaking views don’t come cheap, with rooms running at $1,000 per night. Read more!

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The holidays are just around the corner, and what better way to show your love than by giving your favorite architecture nerd her very own Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, heart-shaped private island! AHALife, an online directory of some of the most amazing products in the world, is offering the amazing Petra Island as part of its AHA100 Series of the season’s most coveted gifts. (The price: a cool $20 million.) Only 50 miles away from Manhattan — or a mere 15 minute luxury helicopter ride — the island highlights Wright’s signature melding of modern design with nature. Read more!

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As a 20- something living in New York off a diet of ramen noodles and $1 pizza slices, the idea of a multi-million dollar island resort dedicated to gambling seems unfathomable. But apparently they exist–and quite a number of them, too! Now, South Korea is looking to corner this extravagant market with a new $290 billion gambling paradise that will makes its rivals look like chopped liver. The incredible 8City, named after the lucky Chinese number 8, is a clear attempt to lure Chinese gamblers away from Macau, the Mainland’s biggest gambling hot spot, and the countless luxury resorts in Dubai. Looking like something out of a space-age movie, 8City could be one of the most expensive and impressive man-made super islands in history. Read more!

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Public transportation is rarely described as decadent, even though it is a luxury enjoyed by most city dwellers. Urban environments lend themselves to commuter trains and bus routes, helping millions of people arrive at their destination, albeit not always on time. Unfortunately, between over-crowded trains and delayed schedules, urban commuters can sometimes forget that public transportation is a treat. Parisian city officials have recently transformed a train on the main rapid transit system to resemble the Palace of Versailles, creating potentially the most luxurious and ostentatious train commute imaginable. Read more!

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Founded in 1993 by Claus Sendlinger, Design Hotels is a full-service hospitality marketing consultant, offering services that include but are not limited to global sales representation, public relations and branding.  Design Hotels currently represents and markets more than 200 hotels in over 40 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Berlin as well as branch offices in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore, and Perth. We thought we’d feature some projects from Design Hotels’ special series, Best of Both Worlds, including four historic properties that have been transformed into luxurious, modern getaways. Read more.

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