Leica's new, uber-exclusive M9-P camera designed with Hermès, and even for appreciators of fine things like us, the $25,000 pricetag was jaw-dropping. In this video, though, the handmade detailing that goes into each camera (edition of 300) goes a long way toward explaining why owning one of these babies requires such a lofty investment.

re:Think Housing:

“Affordable housing is one of the toughest challenges we face in Vancouver, and we need fresh, bold thinking in terms of how we build affordable options for the people who live and work in our city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “This competition is an important step to getting dynamic, maybe even controversial ideas into the public realm and hearing directly from our citizens.”

Applicants may submit proposals for public or private land in two categories: Building Bold, and Vibrant Neighbourhoods. Each proposal must explain how affordability will be maintained over the long term without government subsidy. It should also include ideas on how a project would protect and enhance green space; integrate with neighbourhoods; and be financially viable.

Winners will be selected by a five-member jury from the Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housingand the public will be able to vote online for their favorites in early July.

Winning submissions will be announced in late July, and a total of $8,000 in prize money will be distributed to the winners as selected by the jury. All winners will see their ideas published in Spacing Magazine.

As part of the new community planning processes and in support of re:THINK Housing, storytelling nights based on the theme “There’s No Place Like Home” are being held in three Vancouver neighbourhoods. The events, which are free and open to all Vancouverites, aim to inspire, entertain and motivate thinking about housing and community. The first one was held Tuesday night in Marpole, and two more are upcoming:

• Grandview-Woodland:  Friday, May 11, 7 – 10 pm, WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street 
  • Register at:  gwplanlaunch.eventbrite.ca
• West End:  Thursday, May 10, 7 – 10 pm, Denman Theatre, 1737 Comox Street
  • Register at:  westendplanlaunch.eventbrite.ca

Goodbye yachts, and welcome Wolke 7! Quite soon in the future, the most luxury and comfortable way to travel around the world is probably to fly with a traveling home, the Wolke 7 flying home concept put forward by designer Timon Sager. The glorious flying home is designed with three floors, each of which is well furnished to provide the users a best and most impressed experience of traveling.

For info on the aritist Romain-Laurent go to http://www.romain-laurent.com/

The Reflection lounge will offer light appies and tons of cocktail choices to get the party started.