the buzz log

Real estate is a precious commodity in overcrowded Hong Kong. So it's not entirely startling to learn that Bruce Lee's old crib can be rented to couples by the hour.

But the love nest's hours are numbered. Officials took advantage of the 36th anniversary of Lee's death this week (which pushed up searches on Yahoo! 645% for the late martial arts actor) to announce that they're converting the 5,600-square-foot townhouse again, this time into a museum. And the design will be decided the right way—by a death match in a Roman Coliseum.

Well, okay, no death match. However there will be an "Ideas Competition for Bruce Lee's Residence" open to the public. Aspiring architects who want to sketch out a master plan for an exhibition center, AV-room, library, souvenir shop, and kung fu corner have to register by August 31. Entry deadline's October 15, and the winners get notified some time around Lee's November birthday.

There is a catch: Pros will be separated from the average Joes, and an honest-to-goodness architect can win $13,000 for a kick-arse design. From the looks of the contest's fine print, though, winners of the "Open Group" just get trophies, honor, and maybe a book of Chuck Norris facts. (All right, no book. Maybe a yellow jumpsuit.)

Those who can't draw a straight line to save their life could still get involved in honoring the American-born actor. His siblings have bestowed approval—first time ever—on a biopic series, to be done by a Chinese company. Or, if you want a project closer to home, the Broadway-bound Bruce Lee musical's still in development.

Worse-case scenario, you can try to book one last hour at the love motel. That'll be $30, please.

Filed under: Movies, Martial Arts, Museums, Architects, China, Design

Forget the fountain of youth. People want to know what's with Beijing National Aquatics Centre, better known (and searched on) as "water cube beijing" (+962%). In other words, what kind of alchemy is happening at the Cube to produce world record-breaking gold medalists?

The controversial influence of the Speedo LZR Racer suit has long been known, although the New York Times has looked over that outfit again as an explanation for faster swim times. Slate waded into the theory that the pool's responsible, and does find that the design—from its depth, width, gutters, and lane dividers—all helps to reduce resistance.

Radar Online dismisses those points as horse droppings. The magazine interviewed pool designer John Bilmon, who thinks the wins are due to the contagious nature of competition... that and the fact that the site's just darned purty.

He may have a point. Xinhua News Agency, the official Chinese government media, reports rave reviews about "awesome" pool temperature, a bright atmosphere, and water as "smooth as honey." Before the records started falling like dominos, American swimmer Garrett Weber-Gale called the Cube the "coolest thing I've ever seen in my life."

Better aesthetics leading to better performance is an ancient idea. After all, the environmental design psychology known as feng shui originated in China, and literally means "wind water." Now if only the designers could do kiddy-pool versions for the rest of us.

Filed under: Sports, Architecture, China, Swimming, Design, Olympics