Creative lighting from Brooklyn
From the Brooklyn studio of designer Jeff Weiss comes lamps in both fluorescent and incandescent flavors. From what I can gather on the site, the incandescent lights are cast in gypsum cement and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The flourescent lights are a mixed variety with some cast from gypsum cement, while others are constructed from a mixture of fluorescent tubes, plaster, and clear resin. The Particle lamp, featured at right, features four eight inch circle lights cast in plaster sphere.
Link: Jeff Weiss Studio
Fresh and imaginative landscape design
Formed in March, 2001, the Tom Leader Studio is a collaborative and experimental office designing based in Berkeley, California. Tom's work is modern and rigourous with roots based in the pioneering methodology of Peter Walker, where Tom was formerly a partner.
The Studio designs on a variety of scales and their projects span the globe, including the Shanghai University Hub which is currently being featured at Groundswell, and Break Out at Cornerstone Festival of Gardens.
Link: Tom Leader Studio
Art framing systems
Aluma Designs manufactures framing products from free-standing tabletop models, wallhanging models, and their versatile panel systems. They have a frame available to accomodate just about any size print. Their panel system (below) can be custom configured in many different sizes, colors, and configurations:
"The Aluma Panel Systems are also perfect as large conceptual art pieces for lofts, homes and or commercial spaces that want the industrialy modern look. You can cut images and frame them in the different panels to make up one image, like the photo on this page, or frame a different image in each panel. The Aluma Panel System offers you limitless possibilities in the creative arena of conceptual design."
Link: Aluma Designs
Use your imagination for this one
The other day, Harry over at Mocoloco talked about websites with little more than photos and that's certainly the case here. Damian Barton's site is full of product imagery (mostly renderings) and very little information. Amongst the renderings, we came across what looks like a finished product: the Pet(al) Chair. We have no idea what materials were used in its construction or even if it's available but we like it nonetheless.
Link: Damian Barton
A clean sense of design
From the look of his work, Charley Wheelock is one hell of a talented cabinetmaker. But his work is so much more than cabinets. From modular shelves to children's furniture, Charley's work is clean and simple. Quite refreshing, actually. We're fans of his Gravity desk as well as his Book Boxes.
"Kapow Design is essential design. Our inspiration stems from an interest in connections. This is embodied initially in our attention to detailed physical joinery and expands to include an emotional connection between people and their surroundings. Unique material choices and a clean sense of design offer a dynamic approach to furniture."
Oh, and while you're checking out his site, you should know that moving your mouse over the children's furniture is quite addicting. Don't say we didn't warn you! ;-)
Link: KaPOW Design
California's multidisciplinary contemporary design festival returns
We just got the word today... the CA Boom II website is now up and dates have been announced:
The details are yet to be announced, but the event will be centered once again at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. We are very much looking forward to the sophomore effort for this unique design festival. Stay tuned!
Link: CA Boom II
Reference: CA Boom (last year's Land+Living post and links to our daily reports)
The hotel imagined: 10 Greek architectural teams display their visions for the future
An architectural exhibition running April 19-23, 2005 at the DESTE Foundation’s Centre for Contemporary Art at 8 Omirou Str., Neo Psychico, Athens, Greece.
The exhibition invited 10 avant-garde architects to propose their own vision of what a future hotel could be. The first prize entry will be exhibited in the reDESIgnDESIre exhibition curated by architect Sotirios Papadopoulos at the SoHo gallery in Milan, during the Salone del Mobile 2005.
Link: Invisible Hotel
Visit: DESTE Foundation
Modern home decor and lifestyle products
PlushLiving is a Los Angeles based studio that designs colorful and bold accessories for the home. Their current lineup includes pillows, shower curtains, coasters, journals, and wall art.
"All PlushLiving design revolves around the principle of using striking and contemporary color palettes, high quality materials, and innovative packaging. Each product is highly stylized to create a glamorous statement."
Designers: Kenneth W & Shirley C
Link: PlushLiving
A "young man" shines in an old man's profession
Today, on Saint Patrick's Day, we pay tribute to a great Irish-American architect, Lorcan O'Herlihy. Well, actually.... today Archinect just happened to point us to an article from that the LA Times by Barbara King published back in December about Lorcan... so anyway...
We dig Lorcan. He's a very nice guy who does cool work. I actually cold-called his office looking for a job about 5 years ago, and Lorcan spoke to me on the phone for a couple minutes even though he didn't have any openings. The fact that he would even personally take my call blew me away.
So, for our St. Patrick's Day tribute to Lorcan O'Herlihy, we've included a bunch of previously unpublished pics from our tour of his home at last year's CA Boom festival, provided tons of linkage, and we lift a pint of Guinness... well, actually we'd do that anyway. Sláinte!
Firm: Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects
Article: LA Times - All he needs is a little room
Article: Irish-Architecture.com
Link: Kline residence image gallery
Link: ArchNewsNow - Habitat 825
Link: ArchNewsNow - Hillside Haven: Lexton/MacCarthy Residence
Via: Archinect
Reference: CA Boom (Land+Living)
A modern mountain retreat in Italy
There is a certain equation that we cant resist:
modern design + mountain location
We can't help it. We must blog it. Those of you who read us often already know that.
I flipped past this really quickly at Wallpaper a while back... but I was in a hurry and didn't realize that it contained the magic variables, so I didn't delve further.
Located in the middle of South Tyrol at 1500 meters, this resort is accessible only by cable car (add another childhood fantasy point for this one). Designed by Milan based architect (and one time creative director for Swatch) Mattheo Thun, the structure is at once sleek and organic. Each room contains a fabricated rammed earth wall which serves as a divider and thermal mass for the embedded radiant heating elements... nice.
Visit: Vigilius Mountain Resort
Firm: Mattheo Thun
Via: Earth Architecture
"Cultivating culture and form"
Symmetry Showroom features rugs handknotted in the "finest wool" available in numerous patterns and designs. They are a showroom for numerous partners including Gus, SpekeKlein, and Ethnicities. In addition, they also carry handpicked items from Tibet, Thailand, Phillipines, Peru, and elsewhere.
Besides rugs, they also feature contemporary home furnishings with an Eastern flair.
Link: Symmetry Showroom
"Wood is a living material"
Based in Finland, Albicantes specializes in wooden interior objects. Wood varieties include aspen, birch, mahogany, maple, oak, and walnut. We're especially fond of the Wind vase (featured at right) along with the Motion tray (below).
All Albicantes products are designed and crafted for everyday use. The products are coated with natural tree oils and wax. Direct contact with water is not recommended for any wooden surface though wood can be wiped for cleaning with a wet cloth. The coating keeps the wooden surface naturally lively and protects the material from dust and humidity.
Link: Albicantes
Fetching dog products
As the canine-obsessed one here at L+L (that other guy is into *gasp* felines!), it's always good to come across fun pooch products with a modern slant. With that in mind, the pooch gear from Otis and Claude fits the bill. With products ranging from tug toys, bowls, and of course bedding, they've got a great selection sure to please just about every dog owner. And for you cat lovers, they've even got a kitty condo.
Link: Otis and Claude [Thanks Peter!]
Simplicity. Defined.
In the past, the majority of our landscape posts, with a few exceptions, focused primarily on residential projects. However, when I came across Mikyoung Kim's Contemplation Garden, I thought it would fit in quite nicely with the other posts in this category.
In this spare entrance garden, bamboo, moss, water, and granite are used to create a contemplative courtyard and sculptural pool. The granite water wall invites users to engage directly with the water before entering the contemplative area where the pool reflects the movement of the sky.
Also be sure to check out Mikyoung's "Navigations Garden".
Link: Mikyoung Kim
The Philip Cramer Collection for Bernhardt
With his experience in photography, graphic design and furniture design, and Swiss and American heritage, Geneva based designer Philippe Cramer is an interesting fellow who's work seem to draw from his eclectic background.
We like the way this collection of chairs and tables simply and elegantly balances opposites of material and form.
Designer: Philippe Cramer
Manufacturer: Bernhardt
"The Land of the Rising Sun will not bow to the shrinking space"
As a follow up to the quasi-debate going on with regard to our post about The Very Small Home, here is an article that talks further with author Azby Brown about building smart in Japan... and elsewhere.
At Land+Living, we're all about functional space. Americans as a generalization may think that bigger is better... however we think that functional is better. Perhaps square footage is not so important as "well designed" usable space. Urban property values continue to spiral upwards (like for us in Los Angeles) forcing us to truly consider how we live and what we value.
(Azby Brown) suggests that the small house is actually superior to its larger incarnations and that, given a choice, the truly discerning are opting for life on the squeeze.
Read.
Article: Telegraph - Turning Japanese, why aren't we turning Japanese?
Via: Archinect
Reference: The Very Small Home (Land+Living)
An updated site tells you where you can get 'em
People seem to be flipping out about where to find those fresh and funky Pumas by our favorite Frenchman, Philippe Starck.
Well, we have some answers... a new website lets you play with the creepy dood shown at right, sweetly tells you how couples come togethere, features a downloadable monkey mask as well as info on how to have a monkey party, AND provides a listing of stores worldwide where you can find the shoes.
Link: Starck Puma
Reference: Starck does Puma (Land+Living)
Michelle Kaufmann strikes again at the Sunset Celebration Weekend 2005
The prefab GlidehouseTM design by architect Michelle Kaufmann made quite a splash last year at Sunset Magazine's Celebration Weekend in Menlo Park, California. So much so that this year's Celebration will feature an encore.
The BreezehouseTM is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,798 square foot modular home with an optional 248 square foot third bedroom module. The house is organized around a light-filled central space called the Breezeroom which is opens to outdoor living spaces at each end and is topped by butterfly roof.
Firm: MK Architecture
Link: Live Modern - Catch the Breezehouse at Sunset
Visit: Sunset Celebration Weekend - May 21 & 22, 2005
Reference: The Fab New World of Prefab Houses (Land+Living)
Reference:
Prefab-o-rama (Land+Living)
Fine outdoor furniture
We're always on the lookout for cool outdoor furniture. Henry Hall Designs is based in San Francisco and is available throughout the U.S. They offer a wide range of styles by designers such as Frank Boschman, Julian Chichester, Jean-Louis Guinochet, Wim Segers and Kris Van Puyvelde. Of course, we like the contemporary collections they offer. And Treehugger says they're OK... all teak is plantation grown... so you can rest easy while you lounge in the sun.
Link: Henry Hall Designs
Eclectic Southern California gardens
I met Rob Steiner back when he was partners with Jay Griffith... it was an interview actually... and I didn't take the job. But that is another story. I liked Rob's work at the time, and I like it now.
Steiner brings a modern sensibility to his designs which are wonderfully composed and structured architecturally to create outdoor living spaces and extend and/or transform the architecture of the house. He is especially adept in his planting plans which (to borrow from his website since this says it best) "are distinguished for their graphic quality, successional bloom, subtle modulations of tone and year-round foliage interest."
Firm: Rob Steiner Gardens
It's all about the Turkish ply, baby
Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar are multidisciplinary designers based in Istanbul, not Constantinople... ahem. Their work covers the gamut: architecture, interior design and product design
Their temporary website shows a range of cool furniture and lighting designs. We're are particularly impressed with their wide array of plywood furniture. Fun stuff, and we're looking forward to seeing more from Autoban when they get around to finishing their new website. Their new website is now up!
Link: Autoban
Update 4/9/05: Interiors by Autoban (L+L)
Great and good.
A bit of a lull around here... sorry folks, sometimes we just slow down for some reason. Other than just being busy, I've been spending part of my time with this book.
I was introduced to The Great Good Place when I was working on my graduate thesis, but I only read a couple of chapters... back then I had stacks of books I was reading, so many were only given a quick scan. Six years later I am finally getting around to actually reading the whole thing. It is an interesting look at the roll of places (especially unique and authentic places) in social and community life.
The Great Good Place argues that "third places" - where people can gather, put aside the concerns of work and home, and hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation - are the heart of a community's social vitality and the grassroots of democracy.
Author: Ray Oldenburg
Link: Amazon
More photography... and more from Peter Baker
It must be photography week here at Land+Living - first the work of eco-artist Kathryn Miller who photo-documents her field projects, then photographer Chris Jordan yesterday, and our photo spread on Groundswell. To top it off, this morning Peter Baker, who we featured back in June, paid us a visit to let us know about his new site: TreeMeat.
We liked his stuff then, and we like it now. Mmmm... TreeMeat... tasty. Seriously, take a look for yourself. Tasty, right?
Link: TreeMeat
Reference: Peter Baker
The phenomenon of American consumerism
We were blown away by the images of Seattle based photographer Chris Jordan when we ran across his website over at Archinect.
In large-format color, these images take the viewer on a tour behind the façade of the American Dream into the underbelly of our consumer society, where the vast cumulative effects of our individual consumer choices are visible. These images invite viewers to consider the complexity and scale of the consumerism issue, and to evaluate their own role in the consumptive process.
Chris's photographs are sublimely beautiful and haunting.
Link: Chris Jordan Photography
"Landscape architecture is back"
Slate 's architecture critic, Witold Rybczynski, reviews MoMA's Groundswell exhibit with a slide-show essay. Bookending the review, Mr. Rybcynski provides some historical perspective of landscape design, and laments the lack of a "landscape approach to rebuilding" the World Trade Center site.
And we've added LOTS of images of our own for your browsing pleasure (thanks to MoMA's Press Office). Lots of images means waiting for them to download... please be patient, won't you?
Enjoy.
Link: Slate - The Aesthetics of Urban Renewal
Reference: Groundswell (Land+Living)
Reference: "Confronting Blight With Hope" (Land+Living)
Reference: "From Ruin and Artifice, Landscapes Reborn" (Land+Living)
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!]
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
A modern woodland home in the Chilterns
Located on a wooded hillside in the Chilterns, Oxfordshire, U.K., this simple modern house fits wonderfully into it's surroundings.
Designed by London based architect Níall McLaughlin, the house is a straightforward glass box concept laid out on a regularized 12 square grid. A second glass box protrudes perpendicular to the main structure and encloses a lap pool.
Firm: Níall McLaughlin Architects
Award: Irish Architecture Awards 2002
Scandinavian design by way of San Francisco
Born in Finland, raised in Sweden and now residing in San Francisco, California, self-taught designer Lotta Jansson creates a range of beautiful screen-printed home products. Her colorful and fun designs include ceramics, table linens, bags, stationary and more.
Lotta has both a deep appreciation for nature’s limitless beauty and a love for modern urban style. The balance between these two worlds is unequivocally present in Lotta’s contemporary organic designs.
She started Lotta Jansdotter in 1996, and opened her San Francisco studio and store front in 2002. Lotta's designs are also available online and at retail stores around the world.
Link: Lotta Jansdotter
Via: urbanSPY
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
