Do you have a dream? No, not the kind you get from 8 hours of sleep, a dream dream. Your legacy to leave in this world that people will remember you by. You know, like creating an epic video game, or recording a great music album, or the next social network to take the world by storm? Never hurts to dream big, right?

Alas, in this materialistic world, dreams are expensive – scratch that, dreams need a great deal of money to take off. That’s where crowdfunding sites, a place where everyone can donate money to fund your dream project, can help you kickstart your dreams!

Crowdfunding, as its name suggests, is a funding method where common people like you and me, henceforth the crowd, fund your personal or business project with their own money. There’s a term that we commonly use to describe this money-giving action; it’s called a donation.

1) Kickstarter is home for everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of projects, big and small, that are brought to life through the direct support of people like you. Since our launch in 2009, more than 4.1 million people have pledged over $619 million, funding more than 41,000 creative projects.

The Ostrich Pillow offers a micro environment in which to take a comfortable power nap in the office, travelling or wherever you want.

2) Indiegogo launched in 2007 by the determined trio, Danae, Eric and Slava. Indiegogo is a crowdfunding solution that empowers ideas and enables people to donate funds easily.

Solar Powered Pumps for Poor Farmers hope to bring a radically affordable solar water pump that will transform small plot agriculture and help bring the world’s poorest families out of poverty.

3) RocketHub is definitely a popular station to fuel your project for launch. The site boasts a 3-step simple process to upload your project. You can then track the progress and status of your project. If you are just interested in crowdfunding, you can go for FuelPad, but RocketHub’s winning feature is the launchpad.

Social Palates has established itself as a valuable tool and mainstay in the community of Salem MA. The goal of this campaign is to fund a local storefront on Artist Row in Salem MA which will feature a photography studio set up with space for retail photography products and assorted local artwork.

The post 3 Ideas Featured on the Top 3 Crowdfunding Platforms appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

Stephanie Ng is a Melbourne-based designer with a passion for integrated, intuitive design. Her designs—jewelry, home decor, furniture and lighting—are imaginative, buoyant and put magic into your everyday. While she’s interested in transforming the quotidian into something ethereal, she’s also intent on creating work with a functional edge and integrated energy. Her designs work in relation to your space and her award winning “Halo Light” is a perfect example of that cohesion.

Ng’s “Halo Modular Light” won the Best Concept Award at The Edge—Australia’s International Furniture 2013 for its high aesthetic composition. In the artist’s own words, “the Halo Modular Light was all about creating a simplistic form that could reflect a user’s personality and be interpreted differently from person to person. Each element of its design was considered to achieve versatility. Halo Modular allows a user to define their light by mixing the colors selected to match their interior, right down to the overall form from which it is suspended. The simple molecular structure of the Halo Modular allows users to tile each module at any angle, with a potential to have three modules sprout from one to form a continuous link that grows…and grows.”

The designer was kind enough to sit down with me and explain some of her larger design philosophies.

What inspired the Halo Modular light? And what inspires you as a designer on the daily?

I’m inspired by simple, sleek lines with a minimalist approach and I wanted to create a lighting system that would be cohesive and integrated into its space. The Halo Light is a versatile design that is customizable from user to user and reflects individuality through arrangement and color. It has the potential to grow as large as one’s space allows. It’s spun out of steel and the magnet of one module attracts and sits flush to the next module with the potential to rotate at any angle. This installation can be pulled apart when you feel like “refreshing” your ambiance.

Were there any challenges along the way? If so, how did you overcome them? 

Every project has its challenges. I believe the hardest part of being an emerging designer is building your confidence and knowing which designs have the most potential to keep developing. Keep practicing and keep like-minded company.

What would you say you’re most proud of to date?

The Halo Modular Light was the first design that I exhibited and was awarded ‘Best Concept’ at a reputable event such as the Australian International Furniture Fair. It has definitely given me the encouragement to persevere and keep designing.

What advice do you have for up-and-coming designers that are looking to make their mark in the consumer design industry? 

Keep doing what you love. Work for free. Keep learning. Have your eyes wide open for ideas and inspiration. A good way for me to give myself project briefs is by finding things that I would love to own or look at, and start working your magic.

Those are wise words! We’re super excited about your sale which is live as of today. Thanks for chatting with us, Stephanie. 

[The Halo Light can be purchased on TouchOfModern through May 13, 2013] 

The post Designer Stephanie Ng and the Award-Winning “Halo Light” appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

What does the future look like for Google Glass??

Glass can already do a lot. From looking up your local weather report, snapping a photo or video via voice command, or getting directions while on the move, Glass has got you covered. Unfortunately, Glass is getting some grief for voice activation triggering others Glass devices within a close proximity. Maybe a resolve for this would be a voice memory feature? This way your voice can only activate your Glass — this would also help if you were to ever lose your Glass or in cases of theft. Here are a few other ideas we had for the future of Glass..

What if your Glass could:

Transportation & Location

-guide you when taking a city tour. Glass could place exactly what neighborhood you are in in any city in the world, as well as recognize your mode of transportation. Glass would be able to create an ideal city tour for you whether you are on foot, segway, boat or car!

-advanced GPS with street signs virtually displayed and a lit up driving path for night time driving (1. for night time driving 2. day-time visibility 3. roads that aren’t labeled at any given place)

-drive your car, motorcycle, or plane (a turn of the neck or blink of the eye can turn or break your car.) Popular routes can be remember and sync up with real time traffic lights and regulations.

People, Product & Personal Preference

-facial recognition feature for those “friends” that you run into, but can’t remember their name. This would also help with identifying celebrities..

-price check products before purchase (a.ka.: intuitive product comparison)

-integrate foursquare/yelp/facebook of any and all types of locations that are able to be filtered and displayed according to your settings

Communication & Instruction Manuals

-live sign language translation (glass should be smart enough to recognize hand motion patterns and automatically begin translating)

-live translation (augment reality), tech already exists via iphone apps

-interactive instruction guides/troubleshoot. For example, you open the hood of your car and all the data of what make/model your car is, is instantly recognized and all parts under the hood are labeled for you to point out and ask what each thing is/does. Basically, you would ask Glass where everything is and what you need to do to add more oil and more information/tips of what not to do (a general knowledge base.) Other use cases could be for building ikea furniture, for example. Glass would be able to walk you through exactly what to do and identify what piece/tool you are looking at or what you need and what it looks like.

The post 6 Google Glass Ideas That Can Transform Your World appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk

With  a cost of about $100M each, the Global Hawk is one expensive killing machine. While originally designed as a surveillance aircraft to replace the Lockheed U-2, several variants have been produced that hold powerful munitions that can deliver a deadly punch to the enemy. The aircraft comes with an array of sensors including radar, electro-optical, and infrared. It has built in GPS  and can stay inflight for a record breaking 30 hours covering over 40,000 square miles a day.

AAI RQ-7 Shadow

Used by the US Army and Marine Corps, the Shadow UAV is a small, nimble plan that is cheap to produce, and yet delivers deadly results. It sports a liquid nitrogen-cooled electro-optical/infrared camera that relays video in real time. In April 2012, the Army started experimenting with munitions on the Shadow and began attaching 81 mm 10-pound motar rounds. The results were accurate and deadly and since then, the Shadow has been used as an effective killing machine over Middle East combat zones.

General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

With a cost of $4M each, the Predator drone is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system… that can also kill you. In February 2001, the Predator became armed with Hellfire anti-armor missiles that were able to take out tanks with supreme efficiency. There were also rumors that several Predator missions included potentially taking out Osama bin Laden in his residence with a guided missile. The Predator, with it’s range, reliability, and ease of use is the UAV of choice for the United States Air Force.

General Atomics Predator Avenger C

What makes the Avenger C different than the existing Predator is that its design includes stealth features such as internal weapons storage, and an S-shaped exhaust for reduced heat and radar signature. It  is also powered by a turbofan engine making it much more maneuverable than it’s predecessors. It’s internal weapons bay can hold 6,500 pounds of payload, including Hellfire missles, Paveway bombs, and 2000lb JDAM bombs.

Boeing Phantom Ray

Developed by the Boeing Phantom Works program, the Phantom Ray is a prototype that is being considered for the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike Program. What makes this aircraft unique is that it is built on stealth technology, which means that not only can it kill you, but it can kill you without being detected. Not a whole lot is known about this aircraft as it’s still in the development stages.

Northrop Grumman X-47B

Designed to compete with the Boeing Phantom Ray, the X-47B is a carrier-based unmanned aircraft designed to evade detection by radar and heat sensors. It has 2 internal weapon bays that can hold up to 4,500 lb of ordnance which means that this machine is no joke. The current aircraft was first flown in 2011 and is still in the testing phase, but should enter into full production for the US Navy in the near future.

The post 6 Beautifully Designed UAVs (Drones) that can Definitely Kill You appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has come under fierce scrutiny for its major cutbacks and $50 million contract for uniform enhancements. TSA has been called “the worst example of a bureaucratic mess” and has been whiplashed for mishandling budgetary spending; the agency has a $50 million contract with VF Image Inc. for new uniforms but has also doubled down on official spending and fired a vast number of airport workers, leading to delayed or canceled flights, insane airport traffic and prolonged travel time in, you guessed it, security checkpoints. If you’re a frequent flyer, it’s time to reshape your habits and repack your bags. Below is a list of  TSA-friendly tips for breezing through the line and getting to your flight right on time.

Pack Like A Pro

Your best bet for breezing through the airport security line is packing efficiently and leaving your excess items in a checked bag. Ditch the coats, baggy jackets, sleeping bags and sports gear and organize your carry-on to the best of your ability. Keep essential liquids (1 quart) in a clear, zip top or zippered compartment and leave it on top of your bag. Keep cables and portable gadgets bundled together, declare your undeveloped film for hand checking, and make sure that your intimates are kept in a zippered pocket so as not to be awkwardly checked. Pack your clothes in vacuum packed, sealed bags to keep them wrinkle-free and easy to examine. Also, if you want to be truly organized, it’s a good idea to weigh your bag before arriving at the airport. The maximum weight allowed is 40 pounds so trim any fat from your packing list before heading to security. Check out these cheap and efficient items from Container Store and Balanzza.

Container Store: Cosmetic Clutch ($7.99)

Balanzza: Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale ($19.99)

Dress for Success

The biggest hassle in the security line is an unnecessary pat down. To avoid that hazard, remember not to wear belts with buckles, slip on shoes with socks (so you’re not touching the dirty floor) and remove your body piercings and head coverings. Tighter clothing than your average is a smart idea—any ambiguous folds or pockets will be searched in a moment of doubt. The airport is your big moment to dress purposefully and stylishly. Ditch your oversize sweatshirt and old lace ups for a cleaner look that will keep you rolling through the line. Also, make sure to pack a laptop/iPad sleeve to protect your computer from dirty/rough bins.

Tod’s Loafers ($425)

Charbonize iPad Sleeve ($99)

Download The App

Airports are central social hubs and developers have stepped to the times with a number of airport-centric apps. If you need a digital boarding pass, use the official apps for United, Delta and American; to see where Starbucks is/find your gate/locate the nearest bookstore, use the official United app that has site specific airport maps. If you utilize these mobile apps, you can make best use of your time and breeze through security to your given location without a second guess.

The post TSA-Sequester Travel Tips appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

Christopher Ohms, the founder of Wine Barrel Concepts, believes in integrity and quality. Drawing from his sense of curiosity, creativity, and detail, he started Wine Barrel Concepts with the aspiration of giving rise to something lasting. After interviewing Christopher about his Knabe Piano Table currently on sale at ToMo, here is what the innovator himself had to say..

What was the first moment you realized you wanted to become a designer?

I wanted to become a designer since I was in elementary school.  I have enjoyed stretching my imagination and creating different things from seemingly  unrelated items.  As a kid, I would make rockets, tools, and different gadgets.  I would take apart computers and small machines to see if I could reinvent something.

What inspired the design of the Reclaimed Knabe Piano Table? And beyond that, what inspires you as a designer daily?

Initially, I acquired the upright piano to test my skills refinishing and to see if I could rebuild it.  It was in the backyard over a few winters so the wood and keys were badly damaged.  I took the piano apart and the beauty of the frame inspired the idea of the table.  About the same time, a friend brought me some large pieces of glass from a building demolition.

Design starts with nature.  There is an intrinsic beauty in natural things.  The scroll of a shell on the beach, the vascularity of an oak leaf, texture in rocks, and reflectance of light in snow.   When art and design can lead to something of function I have achieved something of meaning to me.

What were the steps taken in bringing the object from concept to product? Is there a general process you undergo during the design process?

Generally, I sketch out the basic design and then discuss it with other creative-minded people.  I am often working on a few different projects at the same time.  So, I often draw parallel thoughts to see if I can bridge boundaries in thinking.  I would like to design something epic by the end of this year. It may be a functional sculpture or a wooden Viking ship…who knows.

Were there any challenges along the way? If so, how did you overcome them?

Time is my biggest challenge.  I am managing a number of items in any given day but design and creativity require a freedom of thought.  So, I try to carve out some open time to allow my creative side to flourish.

What would you say you’re most proud of to date?

From a design perspective, I am most proud of the pieces I make from reclaimed wine barrels.  It seems bland, but I am surprised at the different modes of creativity and how these have blossomed from one common object.

What advice do you have for up-and-coming designers that are looking to make their mark in the consumer design industry.

Connect with people in various industries.  You never know what new ideas and connections can be availed by these unions.  Communicate and share ideas to expand your designs.  And align yourself in a manner that is mindful and open.

This reclaimed Knabe Piano is a show-stealer with superior detailing and a musical silhouette. This stunning coffee table has a tempered glass top, a cast-iron frame and a wooden peg board. Though it’s a functional furniture piece, it’s retained the magnificence and grandeur of a traditional piano—it even has attached (though loosened) piano strings and reclaimed legs.

A few more masterpieces curated from reclaimed wood by Chris Ohms..

The post Christopher Ohms for Wine Barrel Concepts appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

Coachella is underway and with two maxed-out weekends of music (Beach House, Tegan and Sara, Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 2 Chainz, Theophilus London, to name a few), it’s important that every concert goer amplify their experience. Sure—the throngs of people, 100 degree Indio heat and porta-potty lines can’t be avoided but there are tools that are sure to enhance and boost your festival experience. If you’re looking to live it up to the fullest, check out these killer tech and festival related gadgets that were made for your mm-bop-ing pleasure.

1. Google Glass 

Google Glass is an elite, hands-free, titanium device that allows the wearer to take pictures, record video, email, share media and get directions to the location of their choice. With simple audio commands such as “okay glass, take a picture”, this new fangled design makes living and sharing the Coachella experience easier than ever before. Forget a detailed text or hasty iPhone pic—this futuristic device allows you to actually give your friends and family a piece of the action. (You can apply for Google Glass here: http://www.google.com/glass/start/how-to-get-one/)

2. Lowdi Wireless Bluetooth Speaker 

The Lowdi hails from France and makes for an excellent camping/dance party experience. This wireless bluetooth speaker is compatible with your smartphone, tablet and audio-connected device with all the perks of premium media. It features built-in 3 watt speakers, scratch resistance and a rechargeable battery with 8 hours of power (when fully juiced). Bring your new festival friends together and dance it up after the last act with Lowdi; this little guy even comes with a travel pouch for easy use. (You can purchase Lowdi here: https://lowdi.com/store?)

3. Menu’s Baggy Wine Coat 

Keep your wine at the perfect temperature with this clever “wine coat.” The opening fits all standard taps and it is easy to lift and carry by the broad, soft rubber belt. The size can be adjusted by rolling or folding the belt and the Winecoat stands on a non-slip rubber base. And if the wine is to be served chilled, there is room for an ice pack. This piece is ideal for travel and makes for easy picnicking and shared meals. (You can purchase the Baggy Wine Coat here: http://www.amazon.com/Menu-Red-Baggy-Winecoat/dp/B0043FYT3W/ref=rec_dp_2)

4. Izzi’s Orbit Lens for iPhone 5

The Orbit is the new standard in premium protection and photography for your iPhone 5. This item is made of intensely durable aircraft aluminum and has three interchangeable lenses and patented Peripheral Motion Lock Technology (PMLT) that allows you to hone your photography skills like never before. The Orbit comes with a protective sleeve, microfiber cleaning cloth and wrist lanyard for mobility and ease. Ditch the disposable camera and use your iPhone to the best of its ability with this clever device. (You can purchase the Orbit here: http://shop.izzigadgets.com/)

5. Mophie Juice Pack  

Coachella is outfitted with cellphone charging stations but who wants to miss their favorite show for endless lines? Use your downtime for other errands (beer runs, perhaps?) and get charged up with Mophie’s Juice Pack. This durable case fits on your iPhone 4/4S and houses a rechargeable battery that practically doubles your battery life. Record the show, talk to your friends at other stages and instagram the action with this awesome, ultra thin protector. (You can purchase Mophie’s Juice Pack here: http://www.mophie.com/product-p/2250_jph-ip5-mblk.htm)

The post Kick Start Coachella: Gear for 2013 appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

A Few Features to Help You Get There..

Disappearing Act:

Now, you can have it all – a big screen and big style. Designers are increasingly choosing to hide gigantic televisions in the wall and cover them with a mirror or artwork so when they’re not in use, you don’t even know they’re there! Or, try out the new transparent tv for a sleek and slender addition to any family room.

Glamour Outdoors:

Outdoor patios with full kitchens are getting even bigger these days, with some nearing 10,000 square feet. They’ve got the Rolls Royce of grills, outdoor wine fridges, fireplaces, sweeping views — you name it. But guess what else they’ve got? Bugs.

Top realtors who have high-end clients with penthouses in places like Boca Raton, Fla., are increasingly in demand for these innovative glass structures out at the end of the patio where the best views are. People are turning them into everything from outdoor dining areas and zen gardens to man caves and music studios.

Note Worthy Homes Around the World..

The Heliotrope, Freiburg, Germany

The Heliotrope is the world’s first home that generates more power than it uses, according to German architechtural firm Rolf Disch SolarArchitektur. The modern marvel was designed to use the sun’s energy by turning the more energy efficient side of the cylindrical home toward the sun in different seasons. A large multi-directional solar panel array on the roof tracks the sun’s movements in order to get the best charge possible. This system powers a unified climate and floor warmth system, and a rooftop collector traps and filters rainwater. There’s even a human waste disposal system that would impress an astronaut with its ingenuity, producing dry, odorless solids for composting and clarified liquid waste for a cascading pool in front of the home.

Harbour Hide, Dorset, United Kingdom

While some modern houses scream high-tech, Harbour Hide does its best to blend into its surroundings. But rest assured, those familiar high-tech amenities can be found all throughout the staggered, round beach house. Android tablets in every room allow the homeowner to set the desired ambiance, mood, lighting, and temperature for each part of the home. The system also runs the extensive audio-visual entertainment setup, curtains and blinds, and, most impressively, it controls the electronic photochromic glass which can darken or lighten as the sunlight warrants. There is also a hidden, heated swimming pool (with an endless-lap jet stream current feature) with tablet-controlled hatch and temperature. The asking price is just over $6 million.

Skins, Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles

L.A.’s Proto Homes combines prefab elements with architectural design and home features that are specifically tailored to each owner’s needs. High-tech homes not only feature visible electronic features, but are often the result of sophisticated technological solutions required to build and maintain such digital homes. In this case, the company’s designers installed many of their most impressive features, including window shades that close themselves in bright light; iPad-controlled music, temperature, and fireplace in the home’s “core” room; and exterior panels, or “skins” as on an iPhone, that can easily be removed and changed according to the owner’s mood or color preferences.

The post A Tech-Home Worthy of James Bond appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

The Tread 1 is a revolution in technology and a “kinetic sculpture” with a completely new architecture that’s made of four sliding belts. What inspired this composition and how did you invent an entirely new movement?

At Devon Works Lab our design inspirations come from a variety of influences.  While working on the record-setting Devon GTX racecar I was introduced to Jason Wilbur, an award winning car designer from Honda. Jason had some ancillary design inspirations and one of them was a watch that told time on interwoven belts. We decided to collaborate on making it a reality. This was more of a challenge than I expected and everyone in the watch industry said it couldn’t be made. Jason and I found a boutique, aerospace electronics company in California that we employed with the task of making the impossible, possible.

In the Tread 1 video, you mention that this watch has created a fundamental shift in how people tell time. Could you please elaborate on how this patented watch has changed the game?

We believe the Devon Tread 1 is the most cutting edge watch ever made. We like to say we  ”broke the sound barrier” when it comes to watch engineering.  Even the conservative Swiss establishment applauded our efforts by nominating us for concept watch of the year in 2010 [the only American watch ever nominated for the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve]. In order to make our watch functional we had to invent a patented movement.  We invented the first hybrid electro/mechanical powered watch that tells time with a system of interwoven “Time Belts”. The system uses the power of electricity to move 4 small micro-step mechanical motors that turn the belts with accuracy to within 1/2 second per day. Our initial break came when the influential watch collector and historian Dr. Bernard Cheong of Singapore recognized our accomplishment by calling it “iconic, revolutionary, and historically significant”.  His endorsement convinced watch collectors that the Devon Tread 1 was a “must have” for any serious collection.

What would future versions of this timepiece look like? And how do you plan to expand on this design?

We currently have over 5 years of conceptual designs under consideration so it’s a matter of timing (no pun intended) as to which ones will develop. We will be introducing the first production piece for Tread 2 and a show-stopper called Exoskeleton at Baselworld next month. We consider Tread 2 to be a “daily driver” and entry-level timepiece for the Devon brand.  It is a sleeker complication that will retail for 10k [US dollars]. Exoskeleton is a futuristic interpretation of Tread 1 that is getting a tremendous response.  It will be made with stainless steel, gold, silver, and possibly brass. And after Baselworld, we will begin working on our most extraordinary effort to date—a 3 dimensional kinetic timepiece that will astound the watch industry if we are successful.

That sounds fantastic! Tell me about the Tread 1 Guy. What is his style? What are his hobbies? Why does he love wearing this amazingly unique watch? 

The initial clients for the Devon Tread 1 consisted of collectors. We have about 50 celebrities and athletes across the globe wearing the Tread 1 and we are going to be in a couple of high profile music videos soon that I am excited about. As for the typical Tread 1 guy, I think that is still being defined but it is someone that appreciates advanced technology and design.

Lupe Fiasco was pictured wearing your watch at the MTV Music Awards. How does it feel to see your product come to life?

Lupe Fiasco was very generous in wearing the Tread 1 at the MTV Music Awards. My good friend and NFL Legend, Warren Sapp, has been helping us promote the brand.  I’m making him a special watch for his upcoming Hall of Fame Induction this August.

It’s rewarding to get so much respect for our brand.  We have innovations in Mobile Phone Apps, luxury goods, and other licensing opportunities in addition to our watch developments at the lab in Los Angeles. We are very excited and busy working on other revolutionary consumer products that we hope to share in the near future and beyond!

If you’re as excited about Tread 1 as we are, stay tuned for TouchOfModern’s Devon Works sale on Tuesday, April 9th. 

The post Tread 1: An Interview with Devon Works Founder & Creative Director, Scott Devon appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.

If you had the option (and the bank account) to live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? Location, style, amenities are all important specs one takes into account when hunting for that perfect apartment. Whether you are wanting a beach front space, or rather prefer underground room service, here are a few jaw dropping apartments worth gawking over..

20 Pine, New York (Studio: $595,000 to $1,470,000)

While 20 Pine is not technically a spa, this Armani designed building located in NY’s Financial District has a spa luxurious enough to make you forget that you’re only a few floors from your apartment. Exhale Spa provides building residents with massages, manicures/pedicures, facials and other services in the basement of 20 Pine. The basement fun doesn’t end with the spa, though. 20 Pine is home to a subterranean wonderland, complete with a gym, billiards room, poker tables, Turkish sauna, simulated golf range, and (in what is perhaps the most useful apartment amenity of all-time) an underground passage to the 2, 3, 4, 5, M, and J trains. Snowstorms? Hurricanes? No problem! Just take the underground tunnel to the subway!

One Hyde Park, London (1 Bedroom: $1,000,000+)

With a tag line like “Experience the Exceptional,” One Hyde Park has a lot to live up to. But as the Mandarin Oriental’s only residential building in Europe, ‘exceptionality’ is definitely the appropriate descriptor. The building’s design is a feat in itself, with glass-enclosed elevators that feature iris scanners as a security measure. The residents’ safety is a priority at One Hyde Park, where bomb shelters and bulletproof windows offer added protection, as does the building’s policy of scanning all incoming mail. Over-the-top security like this comes at a cost: units in this building start at 30 million. One Hyde Park has all the typical features of a high-end apartment building—pool, fitness center, movie theater—but what sets this Knightsbridge condo apart from the pack is an underground tunnel, through which room service from the Mandarin Oriental is brought to your apartment.

The Sail @ Marina Bay, Singapore (1 Bedroom: $27,00/Month)

In Singapore the sun is always shining, the temperature hovers around 80 year-round, and at The Sail @ Marina Bay, everyone is enjoying the mega-complex’s many pools. The Sail boasts a main pool, a lap pool, a whirlpool, a children’s pool, and what may be the coolest pool in any apartment ever, a spa/aqua gym. In the spa/aqua gym there are underwater lounge chairs and beds, and underwater treadmills. I know that spinning underwater is the ultimate calorie and fat burning exercise, so I can only image the wonders that underwater running does for your legs..

Q1, Gold Coast, Australia (Skyrise Spa Apt: $98,000/3Mo)

Q1 sits right on the beach, making it a surfer’s (or beach bum’s) paradise. For those who like the scenery but would rather stay out of the sand, Q1 has an elevator that can whisk you up 77 floors in 43 seconds, directly to the observation deck, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the Gold Coast. The observation deck is large enough to fit 400 people…so if you ever live there, send out a mass Facebook message inviting everyone you’ve ever met to come over and marvel at the view from the top. Now that’s bragging rights.

The post If I Had A Million Do$$ars: The Best Apartment Buildings Around The World appeared first on TOMO DESIGN.