Author Archives: Pave & Pave Creative

We decided to travel the Ionian Islands in Greece having seen some beyond incredible photos (yes on Instagram where else!). In choosing the western islands of Greece, we were looking for an experience less touristy and more authentic than what Santorini and Mykonos could offer. The islands of choice were Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Lefkada. WeContinue reading “Greece Travel: Odyssey in the Ionian Islands”

So I had never been to LA before. Well technically had been to LAX numerous times but never stepped out of it. So this time round I was excited to see what LA had in store. I literally had no expectations. Well other than cruising down Venice beach on my low-rider beach cruiser hair flickingContinue reading “Travel: First time in Los Angeles”

This is my second time in Athens, the first was in 2012 and in my eyes it has changed phenomenally in terms of the bars and cafes that have opened. I hate to use the term ‘hipster’ but I feel it is appropriate. We only had one day of exploring and in the sweltering heatContinue reading “Greece Travel: 48 hours in Athens”

As a female who has worked in predominately male dominated occupations I find Zaha inspiring predominately for her ability to demand respect from her peers. Seeing her work first hand in Seoul at DDP, it really hit me how impressive her designs are in terms of scale, fluidity and the meshing of brutal concrete andContinue reading “Zaha Hadid designs in Seoul”

After leaving the dense, populas and foggy metropolis that is Seoul, I find myself in the tiny agricultural village of Matsudai in the Echigo Tsumari region 2 hours north of Tokyo by bullet train. Matsudai is struggling with loss of residents especially youth to the neon buzz of Tokyo. The town is trying to attractContinue reading “Japan Travel – Echigo-Tsumari (Matsudai)”

Reflecting now on my trip to Seoul I can see that a common thread in the architecture in Seoul is the scale, the ambition and more often than not the hideous ugliness that brings such character to the city. Take for example this… This building was found whilst wandering the back streets and it isContinue reading “Seoul Travel and Design: the good, the bad and the very ugly”

Cheonggyecheon (청계천) is a 10.9 km long man made stream that cuts through the centre of Seoul. It adds much needed respite and greenery to the fast paced, polluted streets that surround it. It’s essentially an oasis in the centre of the one of the most densely populated and polluted cities in the world. TheContinue reading “Seoul: Cheonggyecheon Urban Revitalisation”

Zaha Hadid designed this public space in Seoul, South Korea known as Dongdaemun Design Plaza or ‘DDP’. It’s used as a design centre, exhibition space, and a shopping centre. Zaha Hadid is a prolific architect with a unique style and some would say a certain ‘branding’ to her work. She uses a technique whereby she gathersContinue reading “Seoul Architecture: ‘Dream Design Play’ Zaha Hadid”

First impressions- lush greenery. The sticky heat. The gloomy grey sky. As we travel from Icheon to Seoul the impressions are that this is a city of contrast and change. It is far more western that I imagined. The apartments along the highway are identical and hideously ugly. Scattered between stretches of apartments are someContinue reading “Travel South Korea: Seoul – First impressions”