More than a few grown-ups are going to covet Barbie's new house.
Barbie's dream house is the product of a design competition staged by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Mattel, Barbie's manufacturer. More than 30 architects participated, using their imagination to design a house for the world's most popular doll.
The winning design by Ting Li and Maja Paklar is touted as "the quintessential Malibu beach house".
The four-storey cantilevered design is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, according to Barbie lore. There is plenty of room for entertaining and floor-to-ceiling windows to highlight Barbie's active lifestyle and role as the "classic California girl".
It could be argued that many of the elements are frivolous. Does Barbie really need a meditation space?
But other aspects would certainly peak the interest of many house hunters. There is a broad terrace, open kitchen and a greenhouse and landscaped garden on the roof. Each floor is connected by a spiral staircase built around a hollow tube that serves as Barbie's computerised tower closet, which is the centrepiece of the house in every way.
The closet allows clothes to be displayed and visible from "every angle of the house", the AIA notes. Barbie can select her outfit, push a button and it is delivered to her bedroom via the double helix moving rack.
The design is "modern, functional, spacious and fun", but it is also sustainable, reflecting the tenor of the times. Solar panels, bamboo flooring, shading screens, low flow bathroom fixtures and efficient heating and airconditioning equipment are all part of the design, the AIA says. There is no need for a garage or driveway; Barbie drives a Vespa, of course.
More than 8,400 people voted in the competition.
Ms Li and Ms Paklar said they were honoured to win the competition.
"Barbie was both of our favourite doll growing up in China and Croatia," they said in a joint statement. "We hope to encourage more young female architects to flex their design muscles and just to have fun with architecture."
kbrass@thenational.ae
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
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The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full
1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
