Cool Hunting

Wallpaper unveiled its “Design Awards” series recently with some interesting results. Though we're not sure about their cred since they proclaimed Los Angeles “Best City” (air quality and gun violence were obviously not strong criterias), otherwise the periodical (along with judges that include Tadao Ando, Wong Kar-wai and Donatella Versace) really pulled it off.

Best domestic appliance goes to the "Katamari 01" speaker by Giyanze (pictured above left) which despite its sleek, very Japanese design, backs an acoustic punch.

Tokyo-based designer Tokujin Yoshioka takes home the Best furniture designer award for his ingenious work for Moroso Performance Products in Milan. (This on the heels of winning Designer of the Year at this year's Design Miami Pictured at left. Photo courtesy of Keetja Allard.)

Best new private house is intriguing. Architects Makoto Takei and Chie Nabeshima created the Ring House, a weekend house less than 200 miles from Tokyo that's no minka (traditional Japanese farmhouse). Their creation is nothing less than a mini-tower of glass and wood that stands three storeys tall amid thick foliage, offering a panoramic view of its idyllic surroundings.