August 2004
Now with a second story
Michelle Kaufmann has updated the Glidehouse to include a second story. Check out the renderings at LiveModern.com:
"Glidehouse 2 builds on the successful approach of the Glidehouse to offer affordable clean, green living on an urban lot. The 2-story Glidehouse is designed for smaller or urban lots, but also can be deployed to help preserve views from a hillside. The second story can orient the bedroom windows at the ends, or facing out. The Glidehouse 2 stacks two modules, each 15'6" x 54', to create a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 1,674 sf home. A basement/garage foundation can also be easily engineered."
[Thanks, Doug]
Link: Glidehouse 2 (LiveModern)
Related: Glidehouse (Land+Living)
Outdoor dining
"PicNik is a table-seating combination specially created for the balcony, small surfaces and semi-public spaces. Made from a standard, massive plate of aluminium (10 mm), PicNik behaves like a ‘piece of art’, while integrating itself into its surroundings. Its simplicity in design and its contemporary colours (5 colours available) make it a must-have for the urban ‘bourgeois-bohemian’. Also available in a junior version (scale 2:3)."
Designers: Dirk Wynants & Xavier Lust
Link: Extremis
Do urban trees really help reduce pollution and clean the air?
Yup.
The answer may not be as surprising as this fact quoted in the article: New York City has 5 million trees.
Link: Environmental News Network
Translucent screen/partition wall
We are all about screens and dividers here at L+L (exhibit a, b, c, d), well, actually it's the other guy who is more than I... see, there, I just put up a divider between us. Ahem, anyway... here is a great piece that I saw at CA Boom.
The screen is made up of rotating translucent resin panels mounted on stainless steel rods. So nice.
Link: em [collaborative studio]
Books — August 30, 2004
Posted by James
The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
George Nakashima was a leader of the American modern craft furniture movement.
Acclaimed furniture designer George Nakashima (1905-1990) made boldly original pieces prized for their superb craftsmanship and their organic use of the natural lines and grain of wood. Today his beautiful creations are avidly sought by private collectors and are housed in museum collections all over the world. This survey of Nakashima's life and work-written by his daughter, the noted designer Mira Nakashima-is the most revealing look we have ever had at this woodworking genius and his profound influence on contemporary design. Mira Nakashima chronicles not only the furniture designs for which her father was best known, but also his equally fine work as an architect. Wonderful modern craft furniture
Link: Amazon
Designer: George Nakashima Woodworker
Bio: Designboom (with images)
Photographer and graphic designer.
Recently while browsing the web for new prints, I came across the gallery of Abba Richman. I was drawn to many of Abba's prints, primarly because of his composition and how he captures the bold colors of many objects that we see, and perhaps ignore, everyday. His "Alphabet Series" (featured at right) is a wonderful photo essay using common everyday items to recreate the alphabet.
"There is nothing to be invented in our visual world, it's all there. I shy away from photographing glorious sunsets, flowers, animals and beautiful things (or people). I find myself again and again looking at ordinary everyday objects, at garbage, old things, discarded junk, stuff lying around and at the man in the street; looking at things really close up and trying to find beauty in their colour and form. Sometimes I find that beauty, more often I don't. Now and then I am satisfied with what I have photographed, occasionally very satisfied and sometimes... well, I just start again and continue looking."
Link: Abba Richman
Modern Miniature
From Christoph Bitzer and Wolfgang Sirch comes the coolest dollhouse ever built. This modernist dollhouse comes with plexiglass sliding doors, beech furnishings, a kitchen island and shower.
Could this be the perfect place to showcase your Vitra Miniatures?
UPDATE: MocoLoco has found additional pictures of the dollhouse.
Via: NY Times (Registration Req'd)
Honeycomb structured paper chair
Don't let the cat near this one, and keep your clumsy friend away too... the one who always spills his drink... you know who I mean.
This chair is made of paper. Yup. The Honey Pop chair designed by Tokujin Yoshioka is created from a two dimensional build up of 120 pieces of glassine paper which are glued together and precisely cut. The structure is then "opened" forming a strong three dimensional honeycomb structure. The chair is custom molded by the shape of the person who sits on it and comes in three sizes, large, medium and child. Plus it makes a crunching sound when you sit on it... and that's just cool.
Link: Tokujin Yoshioka Design
Lighting — August 26, 2004
Posted by Anthony
I asked the guy, "why you so fly?"
"A funky luminescent wall panel made of matte acrylic. A wide variety of color blends are easily obtained by simply turning a switch. Two color assortments are included, each of them offering a numerous possibility of combinations. Available in square and rectanglular formats."
Link: Snowlab Design
Fine Gardening's Guide to Pronouncing Botanical Latin
OK, this is really boring, but for those with an interest in landscape, well... you'll probably be bored as well. My compatriot here at L+L says that I butcher the Latin names of plants. Admittedly, my Latin stinks, but at least I know that Pinus, Latin for "pine," is pronounced PY-nus, unlike a certain client who was confused with a part of the male anatomy... wrong kind of wood, my dear.
Link: Fine Gardening's Guide to Pronouncing Botanical Latin
A Sneak Peak at Archinect
Archinect has recently posted a nice feature showing images of works to be displayed at the upcoming 9th Intl. Architecture Exhibition. Enjoy.
Link: Archinect
Link: 9th International Architecture Exhibition - METAMORPH
Another fun bentwood product
Veneered plywood vase shell, bent in a teardop shape. Sealed and weighted with opaque colored resin. Exposed resin bottom, fully waterproof with a satin lacquer finish.
Available in white oak, macassar ebony, ebony veneer, douglas fir, walnut, and zebrawood. Resin colors are available in red, blue, white and yellow.
Designer: Derek Chen
Link: Urbana Design
Furniture — August 24, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Swedish for luxury
Bentwood lounge chair and ottoman from Swedish design firm LYX that appears to draw subtle inspiration from the classic Eames lounge chair and ottoman.
"A reincarnation of the classic wing chair, made for the future. This recliner is made for serious cocooning and is the closest you can get to weightlessness. The upholstery in the Wing Chair is made by open cell visco-elastic foam, developed by NASA and used in all space crafts since the 70s. The foam adapts to your body shape and temperature leaving you in cosmic comfort. This is also probably the biggest single piece of bend wood ever used to create a chair. It's covered in thick layer of superb Lauro Preto veneer. Supplied with ottoman and a pivot safe glass holder."
Link: LYX Wing Chair
Five-in-one modular desk
We met Reeve Schley at CA Boom and we were particularly impressed with his Nomad Desk. This finely crafted piece looks good to start, but it becomes really interesting when you discover that it is like a Swiss Army Knife with pieces that are easily removed and reconfigured. The desk has seven components which can allow for five different configurations of the parts. As the name would suggest, this is perfect for someone who wants an adaptable piece of furniture that looks great.
Link: Reeve T. Schley Furniture Design
Seriously sexy supermarkets
We've mentioned our penchant for modern alpine architecture before, and this just gets us going on a Monday morning. It is always nice to see good design applied to common places of experience like grocery stores, and Austrian supermarket chain MPreis has set he bar very high.
MPries is a regional chain in Austria's Tyrol valley, and many of the 30 different architecture firms they have worked with are Tyrolean natives. MPries does not have set corporate design guidelines allowing each store to be site specific and unique.... and sexy.
Link: MPreis
Via: Guardian Unlimited - Happy shopper
Update 10/31/05: Seeing MPreis (L+L)
Lighting — August 22, 2004
Posted by James
Light fixture by Wonderwall
Simple, elegant, modern; such is the work of well known Tokyo based designer Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall. We really like the wonderfully straightforward yet fun design of this multi-purpose light fixture.
Customizable lighting fixture that allows original visuals and colors to be slid in between the acrylic boards.
Designer: Wonderwall
Manufacturer: Daiko Electric Co.
Furniture — August 22, 2004
Posted by Anthony
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
Furniture — August 22, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Vitra To Launch Home Furnishings Line
Article from Metropolis by Julie Taraska on Vitra's forthcoming line of home furnishings.
"In a return to its roots, German furniture company Vitra is readying a new line of domestic furnishings, Vitra at Home. Available in Europe in October and the U.S. in January 2005, the debut collection includes new designs by Jasper Morrison and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, as well as revived classics by Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Verner Panton, and Isamu Noguchi, among others.
The line is driven by an aesthetic Vitra chairman Rolf Fehlbaum calls “collage design”: a mixing of different styles, authors, and time periods. By being showcased in this manner, the collection's new and old pieces take on fresh and unexpected meanings."
Link: Metropolis
DIY project: useful origami vessel
OK, so you're sitting in front of the tube watching the Olympics this weekend with a bag of chips in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. HELLO! Opportunity is knocking! While Bob Costas is driveling on and on, go ahead and make yourself a stylish little container for those chips. Now that's what we call design within reach.
Link: greggman.com
News — August 20, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Prefab may seem modern, but kit homes go way back
Article from the LA Times by Patricia Ward Biederman on the original pre-fab homes.
The Midwest was the heart of America's prefab-housing industry during the first half of the 20th century. Aladdin Homes of Bay City, Mich., is usually credited with pioneering mail-order sales of pre-cut, relatively easy-to-assemble kit houses through its catalog, another innovation. Popular models included the Pomona, an Arts and Crafts bungalow that would have looked at home on any of the tree-lined streets of that Southern California city.
Link: Article (latimes.com)
Related: Sears Modern Homes
Misc — August 19, 2004
Posted by James
Article by Neal Peirce of the Washington Post Writers Group
Renewable energy supporters cheered when John Kerry, in his Democratic convention acceptance speech, called for an American energy future that relies on our "own ingenuity and innovation and not the Saudi royal family."
Maybe grass-roots America understands already. Coast to coast, for example, states are setting minimum percentages of renewable energy -- solar, wind, geothermal -- that they require utilities to achieve. About half the states are funding energy efficiency programs.
Link: Washington Post Writers Group
Los Angeles based designer/craftsman of fine furniture
The furniture of John Cotese is simple, beautiful and displays a clear appreciation for the natural qualities of wood. One can see the attention to detail he must have gleaned as the apprentice of a Japanese violin maker.
We saw John's work at CA Boom and we were impressed with the quality and craftsmanship. His work is shown at Silho in Los Angeles.
Link: Silho Furniture
Furniture — August 19, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Inventive sliding design
Spotted recently at the ICFF, this coffee table by TRUCK Product Architecture features a top that slides to one side exposing an interior compartment perfect for stashing books, remotes, or anything else that you'd typically keep around your coffee table but need to stash in a hurry when the Man comes knocking on your door.
Designers: TRUCK Product Architecture
Link: Tambour Table
The home that leads a double life.
Greg La Vardera is an architect who designs stock plans for modern homes. Stock plans have a bad rap as being uninspiring and - gasp! - occasionally designed by someone void of proper architecture credentials. However, with a solid understanding of modern design and its application in residential architecture, he has put together several plans that definitely take the bland and boring out of stock plans.
Recently, Greg completed the plans for his latest project, the Porch House.
"The Porch House leads a double life. During the winter it is a cozy two bedroom cabin. During the summer it is a weekend retreat able to accommodate many friends and guests. The entire ground floor of the cabin is designed as one big screened in porch, with sleeping areas and a summer kitchen which allows you to move your life outside for the summer months, hence the name Porch House. So despite the size of the house, during the summer months the number of people that can be accommodated can be quite large. These summer living spaces are made to drink in the scenery and make life at this retreat as different as possible from your daily life back home. Think of it as a machine for unwinding!"
We're not sure what Greg has in store for the future, but we'd like to see some of his designs come with a "prefab" option, boxed up and ready for delivery. Nice work, Greg!
Architect: Greg La Vardera
Link: Porch House
Related: Deck House (MocoLoco)
Art — August 18, 2004
Posted by Anthony
"On the edge of the woods"
Nori Morimoto is a wood-sculptor based in Vermont. He draws inspiration from his surroundings, from the changing seasons, and from nature.
"[It is in his Vermont studio that] Nori ultimately finds solace and peace. Perhaps a painter might trap the elements in the flat of a canvas, but Nori's wall sculptures tame the elements in three-dimensional form. His carpenter beginnings lead him to make furniture as art and then art as furniture, and the evolution continues. Whether he is cutting, planing, carving, sandblasting, burning, or pressing his native wood, Nori looks to redefine his understanding of nature, the raw force at odds with the terrible beauty of a striving humankind. Nori is on the edge of the woods, looking out to us and bringing us the secret of the forest."
Link: Nori Morimoto
Bath — August 17, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Cleanse your psychophysical well-being.
We're not quite sure what to make of this other than it appears to be a KOS Kosmic shower enclosure that lights up in different colors depending on what your mood and/or state of being requires.
"Every colour has a specific beneficial effect on psychophysical well-being. Form and function are combined to offer something that is truly new. Having a bath will be a really pleasant experience that is combined with the genuine benefits of chromotherapy. At this very moment, someone in the world is undressing, turning off the light...preparing to have a bath. Idrocolore by Kos fot total chromotherapy and blower massage, offers true well-being."
Regardless, it's quite the tub.
Link: KOS
First purchasers describe the process.
In addition to the #8 installment in the process of building their home, Jennifer and Barry have also launched their new website, Luminhaus, to promote their LV Home as a vacation rental.
"Our window distributor installed all of the windows during the week of August 2nd. On Sunday, August 8th, I took a break from being mother and wife and went to the building site by myself to inspect the windows and install weatherproofing over the nailfins. The windows look great and I can't wait to install the sliding doors. During the week of August 16th, our roof membrane will be installed and Barry will be installing the rough plumbing."
Link: Luminhaus
Link: Article #8
Link: LV Home Kit
Reference: LV Home - Building Update I
Reference: LV Home - Building Update II
Reference: LV Home - Building Update III
Reference: LV Home - Building Update IV
Reference: LV Home - Building Updates V & VI
Reference: LV Home - Building Update VII
The London Design Festival 2004 website has been launched
This ten day festival taking place between September 20 and 30 in London, England, features all manner of design from graphics to products, photography to fashion, architecture to interiors and everything in between. The festival spans the city with exhibits, lectures, screenings, parties and seminars. Events are individually priced.
Link: London Design Festival 2004
Via: Dezain
New website with more images and information
The Cornerstone Festival of Gardens in Sonoma, California has launched a new and expanded website.
In addition to general information about the festival the new site features detailed descriptions of each of the gardens with images.
Link: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens
Reference: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens - UPDATE I (L+L)
Reference: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens (L+L)
UPDATE: An article from this weekend in the New York Times features a nice write up and slide show.
Link: Avant-Green: Landscaping as a Fine Art
Furniture — August 17, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Simple and pure
Based in Vancouver, BC, Brent Comber creates stunningly simple yet contemporary pieces from wood found along the Pacifc Northwest coast. Douglas fir and western red cedar are just two of the wood types that can be found in his collection. Two of our favorites are the "Saddle" and the "Cube".
"Inspired by the paradox of ancient materials and contemporary forms, Brent Comber brings the rugged North West Coast into the urban setting. By remaining true to the spirit of this precious material, his pieces blur the boundaries between form and function.
Using nature's rhythms and textures, Comber works with an honesty and respect for his medium to produce simple, yet bold statements of modern design."
Link: Brent Comber
Events — August 16, 2004
Posted by James
Some final thoughts about the CA Boom Festival of contemporary design
First things first; congratulations and a heartfelt thanks go out from Land+Living to the organizers of CA Boom. A design event of this kind on the left coast is long overdue. Billed as the "first annual," we look forward to the evolution of CA Boom in the years to come as they learn from the mistakes and build on the successes.
We applaud CA Boom for its efforts to make contemporary design accessible. We felt that the organizers did a good job of providing a mix of content which was of interest to both professionals and the layity... something we strive for here at L+L as well. It is a fine line to walk, and it seemed to work as the event was very well attended throughout the weekend by design professionals as well as the general public.
The evenings turned the festival into a kind of scene, with lots of young people dressed to impress and a club atmosphere taking over. We took note of some attendees saying that it was a great place to meet up and hang out for the night.
It was the mix of events and moods that made CA Boom work.
(More commentary and images as you continue...)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 3 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 2 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 1 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Events — August 15, 2004
Posted by James
The conclusion of the first annual CA Boom Festival of contemporary design
It was a fine finish to the CA Boom festival as we were able to tour three more homes of well known architects. Covering the festival for the last four days straight... we must admit that we are a bit tired. Well, how about we say that one of us is tired from the festival (as are the guests who accompanied), and the other of the L+L crew is tired from backpacking in the Sierra... perhaps two reports will be forthcoming from the weekend!
It wasn't clear whether we would be able to join the home tours today as a snafu with the buses caused scheduling problems. All of the tours were sold out before noon today, but we able to join the V.I.P. tour at the last minute. It would have been a shame to miss this one featuring the homes of Lorcan O'Herlihy, Ron Radziner and Steven Ehrlich (we got to see the inside today after checking out the street view on Friday).
Lots more as you continue...
Reference: CA Boom - Day 2 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 1 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Events — August 14, 2004
Posted by James
Our second day at the festival included speakers, a couple exhibits and (finally) home tours
It was a good day at CA Boom. After being shut out yesterday, we had the opportunity to tour the homes of three different architects in Venice Beach.
Alas we were the victims of our own bad planning today... by the time we got to the third home on the tour, the battery on our digital camera had conked out. And such a cool house it was... we'll redeem ourselves somehow on this one.
In addition to the home tour we attended two speaking sessions and did some more browsing at the exhibits. Carry on then for the details...
Reference: CA Boom - Day 1 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Events — August 14, 2004
Posted by James
The first day of the contemporary design festival in Santa Monica, California
Today being Friday the 13th, it is perhaps not so surprising that there were some hick-ups at this the first day of the first annual CA Boom Festival. A few oversights and a little bit of miscommunication affected the day, but for now we will focus on what we saw today. We will post a review of the event on Monday once the fat lady has sung.
Despite the problems, overall we had a good time today at CA Boom. We took some time to check out many of the exhibitors and to listen to a few of the scheduled architect speakers.
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Events — August 13, 2004
Posted by James
Grand Opening Extravaganza
They rolled out the sod carpet for the CA Boom Grand Opening Extravaganza party tonight. The evening featured exhibits, music, food and drink, and oh yeah, some celebrity guests. We were fashionably late... this is LA after all... but by the time we arrived, we had missed the night's celebrity and designer co-hosts. No sign of Brad Pitt, Courtney Cox or David Arquette. No Salma Hayek, Bencio Del Toro or Diane Keaton to be found. No sightings of Eric Owen Moss, Lawrence Scarpa or David Hertz... though we did see Lorcan O'Herlihy from across the way, but he was gone before we could catch up with him. Or maybe we were just in the wrong place, but no matter, we weren't there for the celebs.
What we did see looks to be a promising event; lots of cool exhibitors that we look forward to checking out in the next couple of days. We will be at CA Boom over the next three days and plan to attend the home tours and hear some of the speakers, so be sure to check back for our daily report.
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Lighting — August 13, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Lighting from die-cut interlocking wood veneer and plastic
"dform products reflect an ongoing exploration of the manipulation of flat sheet materials into dynamic three dimensional forms. The result is lighting and screens made of interlocking die-cut wood veneer or plastic with layered surfaces of pattern and shadow."
dform has 6 base patterns that can be easily adapted to wall panels, folding screens, and room dividers. Custom patterns can also be created.
Link: dform design
Topographically inspired chair
Designed by Mark Naden of Toda, a New York based multidisciplinary design office, the Topos Chair was designed to create a three dimensional form out of a two dimensional material. The result is a grid of contoured Finnish birch plywood with maple veneer that contours to the body.
Designer: Toda - Mark Naden
Manufacturer: Malofancon
Link: Exterior : Interior
Influential 20th century Brazilian landscape architect
Following up on our post yesterday about contemporary Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, we have complied some links to websites that feature images of his works. One of the sites is in Portuguese and another in German, and both of those are somewhat difficult to navigate, but the effort is well worth while. Unfortunately, there are few images on the Burle Marx firm website (Burle Marx & Cia. continues today lead by Marx's partner Haruyoshi Ono who joined the firm in 1968), but there is a little bit of history.
"Roberto Burle Marx is internationally known as one of the most important landscape architects of the 20th century.
"An artist of multiple facets, besides being a landscape designer he was also a remarkable painter, sculptor, singer, and jewelry designer, with a sensibility that is shown throughout his work."
Firm: Burle Marx & Cia.
Visit: Sítio Roberto Burle Marx (via Maria Brazil)
Link: Burle Marx (via Brazil Gov't - Secretaria de Estado da Fazenda do Espírito Santo)
Link: Roberto Burle Marx: The Missing Link (via Hannes Loipetsberger thesis website)
Reference: Roberto Burle Marx: The Lyrical Landscape (L+L)
News — August 12, 2004
Posted by James
"The door-to-door connection: A group of Angelenos finds a common link: They live in the small, distinctive homes designed by little-known Modernist architect Harwell Harris."
An article by Janet Eastman in the Los Angeles Times covers the homes of lesser known California modernist architect, Harwell Harris.
Harris, who designed houses in Southern California in the 1930s through 1950s, merged elements of Greene & Greene's Arts and Crafts style such as wood, bold roof overhangs and Japanese influences with Modernism's lean lines and liberal use of glass. His small houses showcase walls of windows and see-through doors in every room.
Link: LA Times (with images)
Contemporary Rusg & Carpets
London based Christopher Farr creates handmade contemporary wool rugs designed by a range of leading artists and designers. Farr has stores in London, New York and Los Angeles and Farr rugs can be found in selected oulets worldwide.
Link: Christopher Farr
News — August 11, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Proposal aims for half of all new dwellings in 10 years
Since we live in sunny So. Cal, we found this article over at MSNBC quite interesting. State officials would like to see half of all new homes built running on solar energy within 10 years. Considering the recent energy issues the state has been facing, it's actually not a bad idea.
"California officials are proposing that half of all new homes in the state be running on solar energy in 10 years, an effort spurred by $100 million in annual incentives paid for by electricity consumers.
The move comes three years after the state suffered through an energy crisis that left utility customers paying off billions in debts incurred when wholesales electricity rates hit record-high levels.
The plan proposes that the state give rebates to home builders who install solar panels on new homes, and incentives for installing panels on existing homes, according to a California Environmental Protection Agency draft unveiled this month."
Link: MSNBC
Books — August 11, 2004
Posted by James
"One of the most influential landscape and garden designers of the twentieth century, Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1993) has inspired generations of gardens around the world."
"His sweeping forms and painterly approach to planting were revolutionary when they first came to public attention in the 1930s, and many contemporary designs today owe his vision a great debt. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, the son of German emigrants, Burle Marx studied painting in Rio de Janeiro, an aspect of his work that persisted throughout his career. Drawing on his masterly knowledge of Brazil's rich tropical plants, his fine-art training, and his love of music and sculpture, he began with private landscape commissions before his work caught the eye of architects Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. With them, Burle Marx created some of his most memorable works in Brasilia and elsewhere around Brazil."
Link: Amazon
Lighting — August 11, 2004
Posted by James
Pendant lights from Eurofase
I'd hang a sentinel over my dining room table, though this design is a bit less menacing. We like the simple concept and the streamlined modern/industrial aesthetic of these light fixtures.
Link: Eurofase (Matrix 1, 2)
Furniture — August 11, 2004
Posted by Anthony
So many choices
I've been looking around for a decent room divider / screen and while I think I may have found it in the pogo Libray, I really like the concept behind Material's plywood screen:
"When you don't want to be completely concealed, or need a place to rest your wine as you gaze longingly towards your loved one in the next room. The Flipper folding screen has unique circular cut-outs, hinged with lockign mechanisms to create a lovely disk shelf for your ceramic pheasant collection. Or, leave them closed to remain peerlessly mysterious to those pesky clients in the next room."
The Flipper is made from 3/4" maple ply and is available in maple or a dark walnut stain. Dimensions are 6' x 6'
Link: Material Furniture
Storage and (optional) Bluetooth. What more could you ask for?
The Mod Cabinet is a storage solution with security. But not just any old lock and key security. A built-in fingerprint sensor allows access to locked drawers. Users are registered using a PDA or desktop computer running Glide's proprietary administration software. A wireless Bluetooth link is also available. The cabinet is also available without locks or a fingerprint sensor but really, why wouldn't you want a fingerprint sensor?
Link: Glide
Furniture — August 10, 2004
Posted by Anthony
A place for slouching
"The Slouch Couch is characterized by its radial modularity and embracing circular form. It can be used as separate units or joined side by side for larger, more enclosed space due to its wedge shaped plan. The minimal design is comprised of two elements: a fiberglass exterior and upholstered interior."
The Slouch Couch can be customized to include:
- Custom exterior designs and finishes
- Memory foam interior
- Upgraded upholstery (wool, leather, faux fur)
- Embedded Tecnology (lamp, speakers, DVD/TV, etc.)
Available in a wide variety of colors.
Designers: o'fa
Link: Slouch Couch
Furniture — August 10, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Need more book storage?
"Rather than lining your walls with books, the books are the wall. You can't have too much book space. Period. Goes anywhere. And the five shelves hold all your reading material while touching the ceiling and floor on only four white rubber feet."
Link: Urban Workshop
New York restaurant owned by a design firm
This cool restaurant in New York City is owned by AvroKO, "an idea driven, integrated design group that creates and enhances high-style brands, products and environments." And what an environment they have created here.
Without becoming a "themed" restaurant, Public is filled with design references (literal and subtle) to public spaces from the library to the post office to the common streetscape. The concept is to offer a unique and adventuresome menu in an accessible setting.
Very nicely done.
The union of the innovative New York based design group and the acclaimed kitchen team from London marks one of the first successful collaborative restaurant ventures of its kind.
Link: Public
Firm: AvroKO
Location: L+L Maps - Public
Some things happening at L+L
We've made some small changes to our site over the past few days. Earlier this week, we added a link to Kinja, a "weblog portal" that allows you to view numerous headlines from your favorite weblogs all in one convenient location. Links to other design websites we read have also been added (thanks to MoCo Loco for linking to us as well!).
We have also deployed search functionality to the site. At this time, it's fairly primitive (we're not quite up to snuff with Google's engineers) but it offers basic keyword searching that, for the most part, returns relevent results. We're aware of a few minor shortcomings (ok, bugs) with our implementation and we're working to correct them.
Additionally, we've started working on a redesign of the site that will hopefully get us up to date with current web standards (CSS, XHTML, etc.) as well as having our site render the same across most major browsers. We're also looking into adding some enhanced content as well. Look for these changes in the coming weeks (ok, probably months).
If you happen to come across a great modern landscape design, know of a great architecture firm (or better yet, architecture student) working on a fantastic project, or simply find a product you'd like us to feature, drop us a line and let us know.
As always, thanks for your emails and most of all, thanks for visiting.
Costs of building green are far less significant than a range of other factors that affect building cost
An article at BuildingGreen.com outlines the results of a new report by Davis Langdon Adamson (a construction cost planning and management services firm) indicating that building green is a minor factor in the cost of construction.
Link: BuildingGreen.com
Lighting — August 9, 2004
Posted by James
Modern direct/indirect pendants and sconces
Sleek light fixtures finished in premium automotive paint finishes with seamless construction. The "Aliente Family" line of fixtures is designed by Stefano Casciani was the winner of ALA 2002 Lighting for Tomorrow Contest. A new line designed by New York architects Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (shown at right) is being introduced this year.
IVALO is committed to the great tradition of modernism and its powerful intuitions about future modes of living. By rigorous attention to the changing conditions of our fast-moving culture, new ways of living can be detected and accommodated through better design.
Link: Ivalo Lighting
Designer: Stefano Casciani
Firm: Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis
Fantastic cushions from this London based designer.
From the "pillows that make me want a martini" category:
"Anne Kyyrö Quinn, a London based Finnish designer, produces stylish contemporary home accessories which are all handmade to very high standard in the UK. Her signature style of raised relief detailing, not only gives a sculptural three-dimensional effect to her collections of home accessories, but it also enhances the surface with a highly desirable tactile quality."
Link: Anne Kyyrö Quinn
Contemporary and traditional wallpapers
Timorous Beasties is a design company specialising in fabrics, roller-shades, wallcoverings, and accessories for commercial and private interiors. They design and produce contemporary and traditional wallpapers for the contract and domestic markets.
The wallpapers are supplied in 10 metre rolls by 52cm wide
in varying repeats.
Link: Timorous Beasties
Retail — August 8, 2004
Posted by Anthony
Furniture as Fashion
"EQ3 is affordable self-expression for the style-conscious. Home furnishing choices are telling exposés of not only who we are, but also who we want to be. EQ3 offers modern, sophisticated design that finds favor with discerning consumers of any age. The store concept is nothing short of an inspirational gallery of style. EQ3 customers will feel that they can create a room or a lifestyle out of what they see, rather than just find a single piece of furniture.
EQ3 works with a global team of designers to create its flexible fashion forward look. The exclusive Palliser-supplied product lines of EQ3 reflect the most current trends. EQ3 product lines are designed to inspire and to be used in eclectic mix-and-match styling. New furniture and accessories are added to the EQ3 line twice a year."
Link: EQ3
Lighting — August 7, 2004
Posted by James
Interactive lighting product using LED and pressure sensitive technology and advanced software
Jump back, Denny Terrio, put on those dancing shoes and flip on Gordon "Venus Flytrap" Simms... we're having disco flashbacks. C'mon... how cool was that dance floor in Saturday Night Fever?. Well, if you were a kid in the 70's like us then you probably thought it was cool. Anyway, that was just flashing lights, this is something different.
Lightspace has been used for nightclubs (of course), health clubs, stage lighting, fashion shows, etc., and can be used on floors, walls, countertops, etc. The sophisticated software is highly adaptable with an almost limitless variety of display effects and interactive programs.... this is not your one trick pony effects system.
Link: Lightspace
Events — August 6, 2004
Posted by James
First Annual Trade Fair and Festival of California Design in Santa Monica, August 12-15, 2004
A three and a half day event, trade fair and festival combined into one for designers and consumers. The festival will include exhibitions on design, prefab, architecture, landscape and furniture as well as home tours, speakers, bands and DJs, restaurants and lounges.
CA Boom is coming up soon! Don't forget to register early for discounted admission.
Link: CA BOOM
UPDATE:
Report: CA Boom Opens!
Report: CA Boom - Day 1
Report: CA Boom - Day 2
Report: CA Boom - Day 3
Report: CA Boom Wrap Up
Swivel armchair by Karim Rashid for Frighetto
Swivel armchair with shaped steel section frame, covered with moulded polyurethane foam. Available in leather and fabric. Swivel base.
Designer: Karim Rashid
Link: Frighetto
Reference: Karim Rashid (L+L)
Modern classics by architect Eero Saarinen
Moving right along with our Saarinen theme (1, 2), we would be remiss if we did not feature the furniture designs of Eero Saarinen.
The tulip chair is perhaps as well known as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the TWA Terminal in New York. Knoll Studio still produces several of Saarinen's modern classics.
Link: KnollStudio
Design Observer recalls Eero Saarinen's landmark TWA Terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport
Speaking of things Saarinen, the Design Observer has posted an article about Eero Saarinen's TWA Terminal with a bit of history of the building along with links to photos, facts, etc. Also today, a New York Times article outlines plans for Jet Blue to use the currently shuttered facility.
Link: Design Observer
Link: New York Times
More contemporary photos at: Galinsky
Susan Saarinen, daughter of famed architect Eero Saarinen, finds her creative outlet in landscape architecture
She grew up surrounded by artists and modern design masters; her mother was a sculptor, her father and grandfather were famed architects Eero and Eliel Saarinen, and her godfather was Charles Eames. Art and design have truly been part of her everyday life.
"At dinner every night, we had discussions about art or design in some form," she says. "It was a very rich environment in terms of art and design. I didn't know until much, much later how much I picked up by osmosis."
After a series of career and life changes, Susan now runs a small landscape architecture practice in Golden, Colorado.
Link: Rocky Mountain News - Artist, designer by nature
Firm: Saarinen Landscape Architecture
Hand-knotted tibetan rugs and carpets
Beautiful contemporary rugs by a range of talented designers.
elson & company was founded with the vision of fusing custom-designed, hand-knotted Tibetan rugs with the endless possibilities of sophisticated modern design. Each collection is a delicate balance of present and past. The weavers with whom we work in Katmandu are masters of traditional techniques that reflect the rich heritage of the unique Tibetan craft. Our designers translate their innovative vision into individual works of art. The collections embrace the harmony between the established art form of Tibetan weaving and the simplicity of timeless, modern design.
Collections include "Tibetan Modern: The Architects Collection" where architects (such as Steven Holl, Greg Lynn, Michael Rotondi, Billie Tsien & Tod Williams, David Yamawere and many others) translated their impressions of Tibet into carpets design.
Link: Elson & Company
The mid-century designs of famed landscape architect Robert Royston
We love the work of Bay Area landscape architect Robert Royston who was one of the pioneers of modern landscape design. He was partners with Garrett Eckbo and Ed Williams in a firm that shaped the California School of landscape design. The firm continues to this day as Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey. This online portfolio provides a glimpse into the early work of Robert Royston and his influential designs.
Link: Postwar Portfolio - Robert Royston
Firm: Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey
An architect's house in East Hampton designed and built on a budget
While certainly not an inexpensive or small house, this residence by New York architect Michael Haverland was created out of a process of budget minded editing and attention to detail making it much less costly to build than the neighboring Houses at Sagaponac.
The home incorporates an eclectic mix of classic modern and antique fixtures and furnishings while the design of the architecture is also modern yet timeless.
"Modernism is really about economy of means and rigor, and how you design space. If you lose those values, it's just a superficial treatment of modern surfaces."
Link: Michael Haverland Architect
Via: New York Times - The House That Homework Built
First purchasers describe the process.
Yet another update from Jennifer and Barry detailing their LV Home build:
We installed the tallest faux wall panels first onto the Simpson strong walls, then proceeded to install the panels on the back of the house where the large sliding doors/windows will be. After lifting the parapet panels onto the roof, Kevin measured the parapet height on each panel, nailed a 2x4 onto the panel, and we were able to hang the panel onto the side of the house while Kevin nailed each into place.
This is coming along quite nicely. We're definitely looking forward to seeing the final result.
Link: Article #7
Link: LV Home Kit
Reference: LV Home - Building Update I
Reference: LV Home - Building Update II
Reference: LV Home - Building Update III
Reference: LV Home - Building Update IV
Reference: LV Home - Building Updates V & VI
Online tour of private residence in San Mateo, CA
This San Mateo family has setup an online tour of their Eichler home:
"We purchased our house in June, 2000. It's located in an Eichler devlopment known as 'The Highlands' in San Mateo, California.
Designed by A. Quincy Jones, it's an atrium model with four bedrooms, two baths, and 1,660 sq. ft. of living space. In 1959 when new, the house sold for about $24,000. We paid just a bit more in 2000.
The lot is rectangular, 68' wide by 110' deep, set on a slight slope, with the rear of the house, which is almost entirely floor-to-ceiling glass, facing east.
The front door is to the side of the central carport, and opens into an atrium space which provides access through three different sliding glass doors to the living room, dining/kitchen area, or home office area."
Link: Eichler Home Tour
Architect: A. Quincy Jones
Photo: Ernie Braun
"The Michael Graves-Target partnership is the very model of a successful designer-retailer collaboration. But getting there was an occasionally bumpy ride."
An an interview with Michael Graves by Linda Tishler in Fast Company about his partnership with Target to create an affordable line of designer products. The arrangement with Graves paved the way for Target's future collaborations with other designers and making Target the budget outlet for designer products.
Article: Fast Company
Link: Graves at Target
An innovation in seating
LCP - "Low Chair Plastic" - is a fitting name for this low lounge chair, created with a single piece of molded transparent PMMA plastic which spirals around itself to form a radically innovative seat. Thanks to an exclusive technology, LCP is elastic, soft and resistant in spite of its light and transparent appearance. This sophisticated chair, for the most attentive connoisseurs of design is available in four colors and fits with elegance into any environment.
Link: Kartell
Link: MoMa Online Store
Gear for the modern baby and beyond
Babygeared features essentials for the urbane parent from world-renowned designers and manufacturers--everything from the Karim Rashid Kapsule Chair to Lulu DK luxury crib linens, chic diaper bags, sporty strollers, gives, and more.
Link: Babygeared.com
A specialty shopping and entertainment complex in Shanghai (however you spell it)
The upscale outdoor urban shopping complex can be found these days even in China, complete with Starbucks and Haagen-Dazs. The photos seem to show a very high quality project beyond many that we have seen in the United States. We are kind of fascinated by this project as it seems to do a pretty nice job of combining historic architecture and landscape with modern additions, but even more so because one of the restored houses in the project was the site of the first Communist Party meeting in China... hello irony.
Link: Xihu Tiandi
Article: Straits Times
Firm: Wood + Zapata
Firm: Nikken Sekkei - Planners Architects Engineers
Firm: Cicada Landscape Architecture
Smart Products. Modern Living.
"A collaborative design and product showroom featuring sustainable products and modern design.
Three architects developed alterego to make environmentally sensitive and modern products otherwise inaccessible to the general public available through a showroom environment. The design aspect of the company delivers a functional approach, providing clientele with the aesthetic of modern products and the design expertise of licensed architects."
Link: Alter Ego
An opposition between studio and residence
"The Canal House is composed of three cubes: one raised at the street as a studio, two together at the canalside as the residence. In its concept and execution, the house is informed by two ideas, one embracing the possibility of the poetic, the other a more specific kind of material formation."
Link: Sander Architects
Retail — August 3, 2004
Posted by James
Modern furniture outlet and full service design studio contemporary lifestyle store and interior design studio in Atlanta, Georgia.
Space is a contemporary lifestyle store and interior design studio in Atlanta, Georgia.
Representing more than 30 manufacturers of modern contemporary furniture, lighting, textiles, and accessories, our 8,000 square foot showroom affords our clients the opportunity to view in person many of the products that we specify.
Our design projects include commercial, corporate, and residential interiors both on a local and a national level. We can offer a variety of design solutions, from the most basic initial consultation to fully developed interior design presentations including color-rendered floor plans.
Link: Space
Deere hosts exhibit of modern buildings to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark building
The company is hosting an exhibit at their Saarinen designed headquarters in Moline, Illinois entitled Structures of Our Time: 31 Buildings That Changed Modern Life. It is a special architectural exhibit celebrating buildings that have received the American Institute of Architect's 25-Year Award. The Deere Administative Center was one of Saarinen's last designs. The surrounding pastoral landscape setting was designed by Stu Dawson of Sasaki Associates.
Link: John Deere & Company
Link: Eero Saarinen bio (via USNPS)
Link: Sasaki Associates
Via: Quad-City Times - "Deere’s World Headquarters is centerpiece of new exhibit"
Via: Quad-City Times - "Landscaping was dear to their hearts"
The greatness of Ted
"Founded on the Oregon coast by a guy named Ted, this small handscreened wallpaper company flourished in the Age of Aquarius.
Many years later, some young designers seeking striking wallcoverings discovered Ted's greatness- just days before the designs and equipment were to be destroyed. Knowing what had to be done, these young designers headed west to save Ted's legacy...
Relocated to the Bywater District of New Orleans, Flavor Paper continues to produce the greatness of Ted."
Featured print: Cycloid
Screens: 3
Colors Achieved: 3 to 7
Screen Repeat: 48 inches
Pattern Repeat: 48 inches
Side-to-side Match:
straight across
Link: Flavor Paper
Found in: Dwell
