Anthony
Adriean Koleric's website goes live
Adriean Koleric, the Canadian designer who brought us the Sugar Lounger and the Edith Mailbox dropped us a note to let us know that his website has launched.
In addition to the above, he's added a few new items including the Bento, a single drawer storage unit, Framecicles (featured at right), which are popcicle stick shaped picture frames, and the Factory coffee table.
Also, he's included some concept work along with a few hidden buttons on the site that reveal hidden surprises. Be sure to check it out.
Link: item
Change its form according to your mood
When it comes to comfort, it appears that the Feel Seating System has all the bases pretty much covered. Sleepy? Lay it out flat and take a nap. A little chilly? Fold half of it over and cover yourself with it. Want to relax with a book? Roll it up into a ball and you've got yourself a cozy little nest.
The Feel, from Animi Causa, is created from 120 soft balls that are covered with an elastic fabric and held together with a flexible internal frame. The design is inspired by a molecular structure and can assume various shapes allowing numerous positions.
Link: Animi Causa [Thanks, Amit!]
Also: Pop Gadget
Young French Designer, Gilles Roudot
We received a note from French Designer Gilles Roudot alerting us to his creations. Unfortunately, I do not speak French and running the text through Babelfish seemed sketchy at best so I'll just leave you with some eye candy from Gilles. The objects on his site appear to be mostly renderings so I'm not sure if any of his designs have come to fruition but there are several pieces that stand out. Of particular note is the Diner (below), which takes a futuristic approach to a 50's style diner counter, complete with barstools and swingout trays.
Link: Kidino [Thanks, Gilles]
Minimalist form with superior function
You've spent considerable time and money crafting your perfect minimalist interior space. Now that you've got the little rugrat running around, you wouldn't dare taint your interior with just any old high chair now would you? No! Fret not, oh minimalist one, as we have the perfect compliment to your Tulip Chairs, the Nest from Mozzee.
The Nest is availble in black or white and features a powder coated tulip base and an easy to clean polyethlyene seat.
Link: Mozzee
Contemporary printed designs for the home
Kragh·Rosenberg is a design team based in Copenhagen that produces contemporary printed designs for the home. Their current collection consists of two patterns - Figus and Ming - which are available in an assortment of colors. Inspiration for their patterns comes from Asian and Danish design and folklore (Ming) as well as "life in the garden" (Figus). Fabrics are 100% cotton.
If you happen to be in Frankfurt August 26 - 30, Kragh·Rosenberg will be displaying their designs at the Tendence Lifestyle Fair.
Link: Kragh·Rosenberg [Thanks, Anne!]
Link: Tendence Lifestyle, Frankfurt
Link: Black+Blum
Related: Clip Lamp (L+L)
3-in-1 table from Grecian design team cor3
The Raindrops coffee table from cor3 creative works is a sleek table comprised of two rings and a solid center that can be exploded into three separate tables. The table is available in several finishes including steel and plexiglass (detail at right) and a dark wood. A red version is also featured from earlier product displays.
Link: cor3
Quick links from around the web
In the spirit of Slinks, Meta Moco, and blogosphere wanderlust, we bring you Clippings, the L+L way of sharing random articles, discussions, and product posts in a quick format sort of way. When a news article warrants a mention but not necessarily a full blog post, look for it here. If there's an interesting discussion going on at one of the many design/architecture related forums, we'll clip it in here. And if one of our fellow bloggers gets the scoop on some great furniture porn, we'll throw it in here as well.
Modular furnishings
Casamania has a system of modular furnishings designed to fit into modern residential or office settings. The Web system, featured at right, is geared toward the office space and features a wide range of accessories including a reception area,coat racks, wastepaper baskets, and the like. In contrast, the Matrix system (below) features various elements with squared sections and colored translucent panels.
"The radical architecture of the 1960s developed avant-garde solutions that have only recently become part and parcel of European or American cities thanks to Frank O. Ghery and the Futur System group. Casamania has been part of this process for the last twenty years, offering solutions for the home and workplace. Our designs are essentially light, flexible and able to adapt to the different needs of a varied but aware user group, which views the home without preconceptions when it comes to using objects."
Link: Casamania by Frezza (Warning: mildly annoying flash site)
Architecture for the Environment
Available in September, Compact Houses by Marta Serrats and Universe Publishing:
"In an age of "McMansions," this international survey of the latest in residential architecture proves that small is beautiful-and responsible. The houses profiled are designed to make maximum use of the smallest possible footprint in order to protect the environment. The houses profiled here prove that efficiency as well as beautiful, thoughtful design can be had in a tiny setting. Each project includes a case history describing its design challenges and how the architect overcame them, a detailed blueprint for each house, full-color photos of the interior and the exterior, and plans of the layout."
Author: Marta Serrats
Link: Universe Publishing
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
Hey buddy, can ya give me a hand?
A fun little accessory for your tub or sink. The Help! drain stopper is available in orange and green.
"A rubbery hand extends up from the plug mimicking a reach for help out of the watery depths. while essentially providing a non-slip surface for an easy and firm grip in the sink or tub. green."
Link: Modern Poverty
"For the Closest Approach of the Original Sound"
I'll be honest, I don't know jack about speakers or what qualities to look for when purchasing a new set - other than if they sound good - so I won't try to wow you with all sorts of techno-gibberish about ohms and impedance except to say that these are some of the most attractive looking speakers I've ever seen. The QUAD ESL 57 (featured at right), with its ribbed fabric grill, has a 50's retro feel and looks more like a finely crafted piece of furniture than an audiophile's dream. Considering that they were first produced in 1955, I guess that sort of makes sense.
Link: QUAD Musik [Thanks, Goodo!]
Submit your ideas/renderings to Prophecy Magazine
Prophecy magazine is looking for submissions to include in a section of their mag titled "The Lab". The Lab usually features anywhere from 3-5 projects of theoretical architectural ideas and renderings. If you're itching to get your undiscovered brillance out to the world, look them up. Prophecy Magazine is an internationally distributed bi-annual magazine of architecture, art, fashion, music + culture.
Link: Submission Specs
Link: Prophecy Magazine [Thanks, CW!]
Harwell Harris design recently restored by Michael Folonis
Visiting the Entenza Residence on day one of the CA Boom II home tour came as a surprise. It was not listed on the tour handouts so it was an exciting stop on the tour. The house was originally designed for John Entenza by architect Harwell Harris. According to Michael Folonis, the architect who handled the restoration project of this home in 1998, it is quite possible that Entenza's Case Study program was conceived at this home.
Photo Gallery: Entenza Residence
Link: Michael Folonis
Link: Case Study Houses
Reference: Harwell Harris (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day One (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Two (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom II Day Threee (L+L)
Day three wrap up
Another day at CA Boom and another day of home tours. I always figured that most people prefer to save the best for last, but today's selection of home tour residences, while featuring some nice homes, was lacking when compared to days one and two. The standout home today had to be the Ehrlich Residence (featured at right) by John Friedman and Alice Kimm. The Kumagai Residence, by Glen Irani, while only about 80% complete, promises to be quite the exciting residence when it's complete. I have a feeling we'll see this on next year's tour.
Photo Gallery: Ehrlich Residence
Photo Gallery: Kumagai Residence
Photo Gallery: Church/Loft
Day two wrap up
Another day at CA Boom and another great day of home tours. Today's home tour featured a pair of repeat homes from last year: The McKinley residence from David Hertz Architects and the Irani & Beaucage residence from Glen Irani Architects. In addition, we toured the Omura/Galperin Residence from Vaughan Trammell, and the Kozely/Farmer residence by Sant Architects which featured a fantastic landscape (at right) designed by Jay Griffith. We finished up our day at the Sheldon Residence by Mark Billy & Richard Warner.
The highlight of today's tour was definitely the McKinley residence. I missed attending CA Boom last year and after hearing James' praise for the design and attention to detail the home features, I was blown away. We made at least four laps throughout the home discovering something new each time. The McKinley residence was also featured in the Dec. 2001 issue of Dwell. Keep an eye out for more photos of this and the other homes on today's tour in the upcoming days.
We've yet to run into these guys on the floor or on the home tours, but MocoLoco is featuring some great photos from event as well.
Day Two Home Tours
Kozely/Farmer Residence
Irani House
McKinley Residence
Here we go again... your opening night teaser
Land+Living is glad to see CA Boom back and kicking... we (both editors Anthony and James) were on hand for the opening night kick-off. This year promises to be a worthy sophomore effort... already it is apparent that the event is a bit more mature, if a bit less ambitious.
This year's opening party was wisely not billed as the "extravaganza" that was over promised last year. The event had a more subdued build up which was fitting for the low key event that it was. Lots more food, flowing drink, mixing DJ's and mingling design-peeps was the theme for the evening, and a pleasant evening it was.
As we've mentioned before, Land+Living will be at the event all weekend providing updated coverage, so stay tuned!
Oh, and we'll try to remember to bring some sunblock for Shane. ;-)
"The best of independent contemporary design"
CA Boom kicks off tonight, and we will be in Santa Monica throughout the weekend bringing you coverage directly from the event of the home tours, speakers conference and exhibitions.
Tickets are available online and at the door, remember to use code LLG510 for your discount.
Be sure to join us for
Breaking Ground: New Directions in Landscape Architecture, a panel discussion hosted by Land+Living on Friday at 4:00 pm.
Link: CA Boom II
Article: LA Times - It's showtime
In a nature reserve in Lewes, East Sussex, internationally renowned land artist, Chris Drury has created a bed of reeds in the shape of a heart — not the “I-heart-you” heart, but the anatomical cross-section of a human heart. This “cardiac twist” is a form that is mirrored everywhere in the geometry of nature, a double vortex that in this case channels water from natural springs into the reed bed and then out to surrounding meadows.
Heart of Reeds has been in progress since 2000, helped along through consultation with environmentalists, botanists, landscape architects, and Lewes locals (of which Drury is one). The four-acre piece is formed primarily of organic materials already present at the site, and all man-made materials used in the construction are made of local, recycled plastics and natural wood.
Stainless steel and copper tubs
Stackable shelving from Boom Design
If you're looking for a storage system that can grow with you, check out the Hive Cubes from Boom Design. The system uses individual storage spaces connected via pins for infinite expansion. The units are available in 3 colors and are constructed of wood (we don't yet know what kind of wood but will update as soon as we hear back). A wall mounted configuration (Hive Wall Shelf) is also available
Link: Boom Design
Update: Helena from Boom got back to us and the storage units feature a walnut veneer finish.
My t-shirt is cooler than your t-shirt
How's this for a cool company: some guy named Jake wins a t-shirt contest in London. Jake thinks t-shirt contests are cool. Jake hooks up with some other guy named Jacob to create a funky website called Threadless. The two Jakes then run a perpetual t-shirt design contest with cash prizes given to the contest winners. In addition to that, they make up limited-editions of your shirt design which are made available in their catalog for all of us to buy. Cool huh?
Featured at right is Sweet Creep by Philip van Bruchem.
Link: Threadless
A modern base camp in the Sierra Nevada
Earlier this year, I spent 5 days with a friend in California's Sierra Nevada on a backcountry ski and splitboard tour. Our destination was the Palisades Glacier located east of the town of Big Pine off Hwy 395. Due to the distance one needs to travel over difficult terrain, the Palisades Glacier is one of the least visited locations in the Sierra during the winter months. It's remote, avalanches are common, sunny weather can turn stormy in minutes, and help is a long ways away. So, I have to admit that I was somewhat intrigued to discover a design competition proposal from the firm ERW Design for a modern mountain hut tucked away in the Palisades.
The plan is comprised of several buildings with each building serving a separate function. There's a building for bathing, eating, and sleeping. This is meant to capture the "spirit of wilderness camping." I personally don't buy into that as it sounds like more of a marketing ploy aimed at the Cayenne/Range Rover crowd, but I do like this design.
Link: ERW Design
Link: Palisades Glacier Mountain Hut Competition
Urban Stone
The STO bench system from Macaedis is comprised of 12 different bench modules. Made of natural stone, the models can be linked together to create an organic flow or used as stand alone pieces to accent your urban environment.
Designs are varied, including basic benches, benches with recessed seating, with back and arm rests, fountains, and tree wells.
"Stone is the finest of all natural construction materials. Its physical characteristics and its historical significance cause feelings of comfort that can hardly even be approached by other materials. Its long, beautiful ageing process has all the dignity of a natural cycle. Architecture in buildings and in urban spaces must relate to its surroundings. Stone brings us into touch with our history and our culture, conveying the perceptible message that is a natural part of the human environment.
It transmits wealth, depth, elegance and quality as no other material."
Link: Macaedis
Launch event in Los Angeles
CITYWORKSLOSANGELES, a volunteer based forum of members from the architecture and design community acting as a catalyst for real world solutions in Los Angeles, is holding a book launch event on July 28th from 5 - 8 pm at the Herman Miller Los Angeles National Design Center.
The CITYWORKSLosAngeles: HANDBOOK answers 4 basic questions:
1. What stops people from getting involved in making a difference in the world?
2. What are the major challenges facing our world?
3. What can the average person do in their everyday life to make the world better?
4. What are examples of community based and socially relevant design projects?
The book is priced at $10 and will be available for sale at this event.
Link: City Works LA [Thanks, Michael]
RSVP: rsvp@cityworkslosangeles.org
This is the quick summary
Link:
Hip digs for your dog
We've been fans of Jesse Doquilo's work for quite some time now (see references below) so it's great to see him putting out new pieces. One of the pieces we like is the mutt dog dwelling.
For the pampered pet, or the owner with an appreciation for architecture, this unique dog dwelling features a skylight, a plush ultra suede cushion, and mod styling to fit your decor.
The mutt is available in poplar (featured at right) and cherry and can be custom sized for small or medium dogs. Horse sized dogs need not apply.
Link: Modern Object
Reference: Min & Italic Tables (Land+Living)
Reference: x-lounge (Land+Living)
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
Built to last
Now here's something that I can appreciate. The Three Sixty Table from Sports Utility Furniture. A table made with skateboard trucks and wheels. So cool. There was once a time when a skateboard was practically attached to my feet at all times. I skated everywhere and everything. It's not too often that a piece of furniture evokes such great childhood memories but for some reason, this piece is doing it for me. I see kids skating everywhere these days and it's fairly common to see contests on TV so I can't say I'm no longer exposed to skating since I see it in some form almost daily, but for some reason, this table gets me stoked and makes me want to hop on a board and go skate some vert.
Link: Sports Utility Furniture
Via: Sensory Impact
Link: