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Bringing darkness to 06
I know it's only mid-October, but i'd say it's time to start talking about what made our heads turn the most during 2006.
Hands down for me is designer Charlie Davidson's ominous lighting creation, Black-light. Fabricated from layers of black foil, this gem is like watching an explosion put on pause. You almost want to just stand there and make up your own sound effects while staring at this sculptural beauty.
Though we still have a couple of months left in the year to be impressed, i'm pretty confident this will still be tops for me.
Link: Charlie Davidson
An integrated noticeboard that documents activity within a space
A functional wallpaper designed by Duncan Wilson in collaboration with Sirkka Hammer Sirkka Hammer... and Duncan Wilson? Now we're not sure... anyway. the once collaborative team of Duncan Wilson and Sirkka Hammer, Pixelnotes is comprised of a grid of post-it-note-like sheets with four layers of graduated grey tones mounted over a bright primary backing. The result is a constantly changing grided matrix as notes are written and removed revealing different layers. "Pixelated formations and shapes develop according to our patterns of use."
Link: Duncan Wilson
Via: CubeMe
Floating Lamp
FlapFlap - floating lamp
Reinforced steel cable makes it look like it's floating in midair.
A footswitch is mounted on the cable.
Via: Artbox Project
Design: Hopf & Wortmann, Germany
Jackie Terrell fell into interior design out of necessity. The former painter reinvented her life and living space with a fuss-free chic that relies on creativity, not cash.
Los Angeles interior designer Jackie Terrell and her Park La Brea apartment featured in the Home section of the LA Times.
In the earnest, too often self-important world of interior design, Jackie Terrell's irreverent take has helped her stand out.
Her three-bedroom apartment works as an airy artist's statement against excess, and as a ringing endorsement for cleverness over cash.
Link: Los Angeles Times
See also: Doing more with less
Simple design for simple - and tasty - food.
One of the things we've admired when grabbing lunch at Chipotle is the simple interiors they have in their restaurants. Materials such as concrete, wood, stainless steel, exposed conduit, corrugated aluminum, and old-school pull-chain porcelin light fixtures. Perhaps they've taken the typical "let's make this look like an artist's loft" approach to their design (on their behalf, what project these days doesn't use at least some of those materials?) but for a fast food restaurant, we like what they're doing. Rip out the dining tables and chairs, throw in some furniture, and hell, I'd live there. Also, we didn't know this but according to their website, each Chipotle interior and exterior is unique.
"The design of Chipotle mirrors the idea behind our food: simple ingredients put together in creative, new ways, elevating them to a higher level. Each Chipotle uses the same basic materials - wood, concrete, raw steel and metals - but no two look the same."
Not bad considering they're owned by McDonalds.
Link: Chipotle
UPDATE
Artist: Mayatek (chairs & artwork by Bruce Gueswel) [Thanks, Craig!]
A classic <del>in chrome</del>
We've always loved the simple lines of the Emeco Navy chair. After looking up some info on Gehry's new Superlight chair by Emeco, we came across a picture of the Navy in polished chrome aluminum. Then it struck us: if our greasy fingers turn the polished backing of our iPods into a total mess after a few handlings, just imagine what these chairs will look like after a day or two. As beautiful as they are, our advice to you would be to order a big ol' bucket of chrome polish to go with your new chairs. Or, just don't touch or sit on them.
Oh, and as for the Superlight? Well, the jury is still out on that one. Ok, to be honest, we're not crazy about it. Which leads us to wonder how Joe's performance on the Navy would standup against a similar performance on the Superlight. Hmmm, Joe?
UPDATE: Today we received an email from Dan Fogelson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Emeco. He wanted to inform us that we incorrectly described the Navy as "chrome" when in fact it is highly polished aluminum and very easy to keep clean. Here's what Dan had to say:
"Thank-you for your mention of Emeco on your site. Emeco makes 100% aluminum furniture - we do not chrome plate our products (a process that is environmentally dangerous and temporary). The photo you show is of a hand polished aluminum Navy chair. Simple Windex or other non streaking cleaner keeps it looking great. Next time you are in NYC, stop by the Hudson hotel where our polished chairs have been used continuously for close to five years. And if you are in the US, I'd like to show you the new Gehry Superlight T chair for your review now that it is in production."
Thanks for setting us straight on the Navy, Dan, and we'll be sure to get in touch with you about the Superlight.
Link: Emeco.net
Link: Emeco Superlight Press Release
Link: Book of Joe
Move over Kitchenaid.
Right up there with the Dualit toaster, we've always considered the Kitchenaid mixer to be one of the must-have countertop appliances for your kitchen. Then we discovered that Viking makes a countertop mixer. Both come in a multitude of colors. The Kitchenaid maxes out at 6 quarts and 525 watts; the Viking takes you up to 7 quarts and 1000 watts. That's some serious horsepower in the kitchen. Move over Kitchenaid.
Link: Viking
Puzzle pieces of scrap wood
"The Favela chair created by Humberto and Fernando Campana comes from Santo Cristo, a town in the Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), and is constructed piece-by-piece from the wood used to build the favelas, hand-glued and nailed. Looking like a primitive throne, the puzzle of pieces of scrap wood summarises the poetics of the Campana brothers who have received acclaim following the recent personal exhibition in Brazil. And it is therefore an aptitude to create, fuelled by a vision still capable of surprising, starting with scraps and ingenious use of the hands, that results in pieces that transcend the dimension of pauperism in order to attain symbolic style."
Designer: Fernando Campana
Designer: Humberto Campana
Link: Edra
The green alternative to drywall with 10x the strength
"From floors to ceilings, walls to roofs, Durra Building Systems' breakthrough products deliver a better way to build."
"Starting with a long overlooked agricultural byproduct, Durra creates an innovative and environmentally sound building material. The patented Durra process uses both high heat and extreme pressure to coax out the fiber's resins, which act as a strong and permanent bonding agent. Durra dry extrudes and finishes the panels with a strong, water-resistant liner paper."
Link: Durra
L-Shaped Modernist Home
"The house is composed of two simple rectangular volumes forming an L-Shaped plan. It engages the landscape and the pleasures of being in the country by framing it. The private pool area acts similar to some beaches in teh area, where the beac becomes a stage for exhibitionism by parading bodies.
Inspired by Giacometti's sculture titled, "Figure in a Box between Two Boxes which are Houses", the Sagaponac-House takes the form of minimalist structure hovering over a solid platform within the untouched natural landscape."
[Thanks, Graig!]
Firm: Hariri & Hariri
Related: First of the "Houses at Sagaponac" Completed
Good design for everyday.
Area Home is a NY based company that specializes in bedding and home accessories with a Scandinavian flair. In addition to some terrific bedding patterns, they also make a great bed and matching tables.
Sheets and pillows come in thread counts ranging from 200 to 300. Bed and tables are made from bent ply with walnut veneer.
Link: Area Home [Thanks, Scott!]
Contemporary Danish Pottery
These wonderful handmade ceramics by Copenhagen based Anne Black are well worthy of the fine tradition of contemporary Scandinavian design. There are currently two collections, "Tilt" tablewares and "Seam" interior accessories.
The products are porcelain cast in plaster forms or hand thrown and are glazed with non-toxic glazes. Many of the designs feature a graphic red silk screened design.
Beautiful.
Link: Anne Black
Three projects by this central figure of contemporary landscape design in Southern California
Nancy Goslee Power's name may not be as well known to the general public as say Frank Gehry, but then, the general public would most likely have trouble coming up with the name of any landscape designer *sigh*. But Nancy Goslee Power has collaborated with many "big names" including The Frank, Moore Ruble Yudell and Rem Koolhaas, and she is an important figure in contemporary landscape design. Her landscapes are modern, but not typically of the boldly sculptural type. They are architectural, but not rigidly geometric.
We recently visited three of her recent projects in Pasadena, California. She was chosen by Frank Gehry to work with him on the remodel of the Norton Simon Museum where she reworked the extensive gardens. At the new Art Center South Campus by Daly Genik she created a meadow-like roof garden. And just last week the first phase of the new Kidspace Museum designed by Michael Maltzan was opened featuring a range of outdoor exhibits, spaces and interactive gardens.
Also, an article in last week's LA Times covers the work at Kidspace and provides a detailed look at her life and career.
Firm: Nancy Goslee Power & Associates
Link: Norton Simon Museum - Garden
Link: Art Center College of Design South Campus
Reference: The Wind Tunnel (Land+Living)
Link: Kidspace Children's Museum - Back 40 garden
Article: LA Times - An artist of the alfresco
Locations: Local+Living : Pasadena
Modern wood house in Portland, Oregon
Designed by Sid L. Scott, AIA of Portland, Oregon based Scott | Edwards Architecture
this house utilizes simple "off the shelf" materials to achieve stunning results.
We really like the way that the construction and framing of the structure is honestly expressed. Glulam beams, plywood, structural steel and hardware are exposed and featured as design elements. Large windows capture views of Mount Hood and the Willamette Valley.
The overall effect is a design that is both modern and regional, and we're all about that! Beautiful.
Firm: Scott | Edwards Architecture
Eco-artist
One of the strongest influences from my college education was my exposure to the works of artist Kathryn Miller at Pitzer College. The concepts and perspectives behind her art struck a deep chord with me, and are an influence in my thinking to this day - a philosophy of working with the land.
Kathryn is both an artist and biologist and is particularly concerned with the importance of place - local ecology, native species, and the natural condition. Many of her projects are interventions which work with ecological systems, while others are commentary dealing with issues of ecological concern. Based in Southern California Kathryn's projects are inspired by local issues such as arid landscapes, urban sprawl and non-native species - from guerilla re-vegetation to lawn life-support, etc.
My work is not about beauty but about challenging the "notion" of beauty that prevails as a general aesthetic in our culture.
Link: greenmuseum.org - Kathryn Miller
Unique Industrial Style
The Waterblade (featured at right) and the Frame are two faucet designs from Lacava Designs. The Waterblade features sleek contemporary lines and comes in both wall-mounted and deck-mounted configurations. They are available in brushed nickel and polished chrome.
The Frame series (below) is also available in deck or wall-mounted configurations and features a braided steel hose attached to an external frame.
Link: Lacava Design
Via: Trendir [Thanks, Joe!]
It's all about the Altuglass
Using a proprietary acrylic known as "Altuglass", desginers at Aitali have come up with the Alikudi chairs. The acrylic is approximately 25 mm thick and can be embedded with graphics to create bold and striking designs.
In addition to the Alikudi chair, they also manufacture a table and chair set and a chaise lounge, all created with Altuglass. Very cool!
Link: Aitali
Contemporary residential garage doors
We got excited a while back when we found a source for modern aluminum and glass garage doors made for residential application... for some reason they are somewhat hard to find. Well, we've found another source. Clopay has adapted one of their commercial models to meet the demand for such a style in the residential market.
Link: Clopay Avante
Reference: Glass Garage Doors
The Crit: Cruel and unusual punishment (?)
Yesterday I had jury duty... at the University of Southern California Department of Landscape Architecture. I had the opportunity to critique (along with Mark Rios, Mia Lehrer, Clark Stevens, and other jury members) the final presentations for a landscape architecture studio co-taught by David Fletcher and Tom Leader.
I will provided an overview of the student projects next week... the studio was very interesting and the work of a high caliber... but today I want to talk a bit about the design education hazing ritual known as the "crit."
Architectural tour by satellite
A Daily Dose of Architecture picked up the satellite imagery theme yesterday as well... must've been something in the air, or sunspots or something... and featured images of architectural landmarks yesterday.
We decided to do some reconassance as well and have a few architecture images of our own below. Let us know about your spy finds as well!
Link: The Grand Tour
Link: Google Maps
Thumbnail at right: Getty Center, Los Angeles by Richard Meier
For a good time.
The recent post about Sport Utility Furniture got me thinking about skating again and the other day when I was at the local grocer, I picked up a copy of Transworld Skateboarding to try and get back in touch with my skating past (ha, who am I kidding). Anyhow, flipping through the pages, I came across the Nixon Rotolog watch.
What a cool watch! The Rotolog's case and band are machined from stainless steel with walnut wood inlays. It's also available in leather but c'mon, we all know the walnut is way cooler, brah ;-) My only bitch about the watch is the Nixon logo that's on the face. A logoless face would be much cleaner. I would prefer a slightly wider dial window with the logo on the dial. Ah, walnut and steel, so hot right now (ok, that'll be the last time I say "so hot right now" in a post).
Link: Nixon
A design by Richard Neutra restored and updated by SH_Arc as seen at CA Boom II
Originally built in 1956, the Troxell House in Pacific Palisades, California has been rigourously renovated by architecture firm SH_Arc. The house had been occupied by the original owner until recently, and few changes had been made over the years.
A prime example of Neutra's California Modernism, the stucture is a simple post and beam grid with a broad flat roof. The house is approached from one end where a carport and storage area tuck beneath the roof with an entry path located between the house and the hill sloping up to the street. A long hallway inside bisects the east end of the house with four small bedrooms along the street side and the bathroom, laundry and kitchen along the other. The living room, entry and dining room are arranged in an "L" at the heart of the house with floor to ceiling windows and doors opening to a broad terrace perched on the hillside. The far west end of the house contains the master bedroom.
Photo Gallery: Troxell Residence
Link: SH_Arc
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Threee (L+L)
Eco-friendly home by David Hertz as seen at CA Boom II day two
I have been a fan of this house since the first portion was built some years ago, and was able to tour the expanded home last year at CA Boom. When I saw that the home would be featured again this year, I was not disappointed... actually I was excited to have the chance see it again. I hyped this tour above all others to Anthony as CA Boom approached, and upon our visit, his enthusiasm matched mine as is evident in the wealth of images in our extended photo gallery.
Photo Gallery: McKinley Residence
Link: Syndesis / David Hertz AIA
Article: Outside
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Three (L+L)
I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your (bird)house down.
Don't be swayed into thinking your feathered friends, living large in their Modern Birdhouse, will be safe. Modern Birdhouses, in case you hadn't noticed, are constructed of wood. And just like the second little pig found out, houses "built of sticks" are sure to fall down (or get chewed up by rabid squirrels).
The Museum Birdhouse is constructed of stainless steel and was inspired by Gehry's Guggenheim Museum. It's available in round or teardrop shapes and the opening can be sized according to the needs of the birds. And best of all, it's squirrel proof.
Link: Tom Dukich
An alternative to Portland Cement
Lithistone is an environmentally friendly alternative to Portland Cement that Ryan Waxman and Brett Fitzgerald use to fabricate countertops, sinks and decorative products. Lithistone will not contribute to indoor air pollution through off-gassing because it uses natural organic high colorfast pigments from Bioshield earth pigments, and non-toxic sealers and glosses. Lithistone is made from a variety of aggregates including crushed slate, granite, quartz, sea shells, marble and limestone. Furthermore, it can be carved, cast or sculpted. Lithistone provides natural contrast to a contemporary interior.
Link: Lithistone
I love malls... really...
There is nothing more glamorous for an architect than designing America's malls... except perhaps designing 13,000 square foot faux-Tuscan additions to 9,000 square foot even-more-faux-Tuscan houses... ahem.
This project in Anaheim, California, has been in the proposal stage for years, and it appears that it is finally going to move forward. Situated right across the street from Disneyland, the architects absolutely had to out do themselves... and indeed they have turned architecture on its head. Don't believe me? Let's take a closer look just for shits and giggles...
Link: GardenWalk
Via: Curbed (LA style) - Anaheim Approves New Tourist Trap
The Original Prefab?
"From 1908–1940, Sears, Roebuck and Company sold more than 100,000 homes through their mail-order Modern Homes program. Over that time Sears designed 447 different housing styles, from the elaborate multistory Ivanhoe, with its elegant French doors and art glass windows, to the simpler Goldenrod, which served as a quaint, three-room and no-bath cottage for summer vacationers. (An outhouse could be purchased separately for Goldenrod and similar cottage dwellers.) Customers could choose a house to suit their individual tastes and budgets."
"Sears was not an innovative home designer. Sears was instead a very able follower of popular home designs but with the added advantage of modifying houses and hardware according to buyer tastes. Individuals could even design their own homes and submit the blueprints to Sears, which would then ship off the appropriate precut and fitted materials, putting the home owner in full creative control. Modern Home customers had the freedom to build their own dream houses, and Sears helped realize these dreams through quality custom design and favorable financing."
Via: Things Magazine
Link: Sears Archive
Molded recycled 100% wastepaper wall tiles
"Tangent tiles allow you to customize the acoustic and aesthetic properties of any environment. Three-dimensional and reconfigurable, they can be assembled in a variety of patterns. These tiles fit almost any wall or ceiling area and are made from 100% post and pre-consumer waste paper. Tangent tiles are easy to recycle when no longer needed. They are durable, can be painted with water-based paints and are easy to install."
Link: MioCultureLab
Designers: Jamie Salm, Esther Chung
Engineered wood panel product with excellent thermal and mechanical performance levels.
Parklex panels are manufactured from 100% natural wood fibres and treated with durable resins to create a high performance wood surface product. Different grades and treatments are availble for various applications; exterior cladding, floors, interior wall panels, countertops, etc. The panels are also available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
Link: Parklex
US Distributor: Finland Color Plywood Corporation
Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain to be dedicated next week
The delayed and (naturally) controversial memorial to Princess Diana has been completed and will be officially dedicated July 6th by Queen Elizabeth. The design by American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson was selected by the memorial committee in a design competition. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has described the memorial as such: "Like the Princess herself, the fountain is open and approachable. In some areas it offers a welcoming space for families and paddling children, in others a shady spot for quiet contemplation."
Link: BBC News
Link: The Guardian
Link: Royal Parks Press Room (detailed description of design and construction process)
Firm: Gustafson Porter
