I recently collected two NFTs from aerial photographer Vitor Esteves. I purchased one of Menton, France and one of Las Negras, Spain (pictured above). Both are from his 1/1 Coastline Villages collection on Sloika. I know that NFTs aren't nearly as popular as they were last year, but that is exactly why now is a great time to be collecting. Talented artists continue to create, but ETH gas fees have come way down (a few dollars versus sometimes over a hundred at the peak) and there is now far less competition out there. It is no different than trying to buy great real estate when the rest of the market is sleeping.

At some point, I'm going to need to pull the trigger on a good NFT display. I've been contemplating a Tokenframe, but I also think that most TVs are going to appropriate this function pretty soon. Some already have.

Side Gallery opened up a new 700 square meter exhibition space in Barcelona last month that is worth showcasing. It's a beautiful space. Designed by Spanish architect Guillermo Santomà, the space sits within an old 19th century factory that used to house an Italian pasta company. It's minimal and stark white, but the architecture of the former factory still comes through. There's also a prominent greenhouse featuring flora that is local to South America. Fitting given that the gallery focuses on Latin American design. Have a look.

I also love these images from the architect, which (I think) use light to completely transform the space.

All photos via Side Gallery and Guillermo Santomà

I love the contrast in this villa between the more private spaces, which are housed in a brutalist concrete structure, and the more public spaces, which sit on top and are housed in minimalist glass box that is reminiscent of the Farnsworth House.

All of this was done in order to maximize views of the surrounding mountains from this upper floor. But it also creates a certain lightness within the next landscape. And I'm sure that the views out are that much better after emerging from such a contrasting space below.

Located to the southwest of Madrid, the villa was designed by Spanish architect Alberto Campo Baeza in 2000. It's called the Casa de Blas and it's currently on the market for €850,000. Listing information over here.

But I would also encourage you to check out some of the firm's other work. It's absolutely magical. One of my favourites is the House of the Infinite, which was designed in 2014 and, in my mind, shares some similarities with the above villa.

In both the Blas House and the House of the Infinite, the rooftop spaces feel like everything. In some ways, they have been privileged over almost everything else. And so instead of wanting to be inside the houses, the architecture seems to pull you toward wanting to be on top of them.

Image: ArchitectenWoning