"Although it's 'currently on home trial,' (so don't expect to purchase it anytime soon) this Dyson DC06 robotic vacuum cleaner looks to humiliate all the Roombas and Electrolux robots currently out there eating up cat hair with its 'Dual-Cyclone' action. I'm not sure how I feel about a powerful sucking robot having a 'mood indicator light,' though. Nice robot. Gentle robot. No dreamin' of the overmind for you, love."
Elaine Louie of the NY Times writes:"The wood and rice-paper J.room can be assembled in 40 minutes and comes with a tatami mat. 'It's designed to create a tranquil Japanese atmosphere within a small apartment,'' said Tadashi Mori, president of the Morisho Company in Japan, which makes the room. The kit was designed by Hiroyuki Keshida and will be introduced next week at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. The room — 6 1/4 feet high, 7 3/4 feet long and 3 1/2 feet wide — sells for $3,600 to $5,200, plus shipping and duty."
Via: NY Times
Link: J.Room (Japanese Language)
Made from Ipe (a high quality sustainable wood), stainless steel and natural composite materials, Modern Outdoor has three lines of chairs, tables, benches, carts and planters.
"Rashid was born in Cairo and raised in London and Toronto. With a career that began at age nineteen, Rashid is now forty and the author of more than five hundred product designs, ranging from coat racks to mailboxes, perfume packaging to lighting, tableware to high fashion. His Garbo trashcan has become a design icon, with more than two million units sold. His extraordinary commercial success has been mirrored by critical acclaim. His work is in the collections of museums worldwide, including The Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and The Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts." "Among the projects featured in this book are those designed for Nambe, Sony, Issey Miyake, Umbra, Tommy Hilfiger, Leonardo, Yahoo!, and many more. This, the first comprehensive book on his designs, has been written and designed in collaboration with Rashid and includes essays by a stellar list of contributors."
Link: Karim Rashid
Link: Amazon
"Taking a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway in California presents magnificent views of the coastline as you weave back and forth amongst the hills. One can expect rolling hills, breaking waves, and steep, rocky cliffs but, perhaps less expectedly, one can also stumble upon man-made parts of the landscape that seem to harmonize naturally. One such example is the Glass Residence in Big Sur. Daniel Piechota of Sagan Piechota Architects explains that this residence which is 90 percent glass impedes as little as possible with its surroundings and is a house 'one experiences from the inside out.'"
Link: Architectural Record
Firm: Sagan/Piechota
Photographs: Alan Weintraub
"Lotusland is a unique 37-acre estate and botanic garden situated in the foothills of Montecito to the east of the city of Santa Barbara. The gardens now covering the estate were created by Madame Ganna Walska, who owned the property from 1941 until her death in 1984. Before her death, Madame Walska established the nonprofit Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation, which now preserves this unrivaled botanical treasure."
Link: Lotusland
Yeah, so it's obvious we read Dwell. Often. Both print and online. So I'm not sure how I missed this from the Dwell forum, but here ya go.
"Awarded "Home of the Year" by Architecture Magazine and never before available for purchase, this sophisticated modern live/work property is perfectly sited in sought after Little Italy. Designed c.2002 by Sebastian Mariscal of MS-31, this stunning residence was recently profiled in the ultra hip urban shelter magazine Dwell. Form follows function with meticulously planned space, volume and light. Clad in sheets of stainless steel and clear heart redwood there are three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a screening room and a legal office with separate entrance."
Via: Dwell
Link: Architectural Home Sales
Firm: MS-31 (warning: annoying browser resize)
"The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) have selected 10 examples of architectural and "green" design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The selected projects address significant environmental challenges with designs that integrate architecture, technology, and natural systems. The top ten projects make a positive contribution to their community, improve comfort for building occupants, and reduce environmental impacts through strategies such as: reuse of existing structures, connection to transit systems, low-impact site development, energy and water conservation, use of "green" construction materials, and design that improves indoor air quality."
Link: AIA Top Ten
Here's a little project for you to tackle this weekend: The Sunset Chair. Not too sure about the little decorative diamond shaped cutouts on the chair back... we're thinking of just skipping that step. Designed by architect Stephen Kanner for Sunset Magazine.
"Agape was formed in 1973 with a specific mission: the design of fittings for the bathroom. The proved to be a far-sighted decision, as the bathroom was at the time relegated to minor status within the home, a space characterised by the presence of utilitarian sanitary fixtures, only occasionally lightened by decorative touches in the design of ceramic tiles.Agape immediately focused on the washbasin, conceived with unprecedented versatility and flexibility of use. Designs for integrated cabinets and continuous worktops enabled the wash-place to become more flexible and efficient, whereas the basin as a single isolated object is re-valued so that it acquires a specific role within the bathroom."
Link: Agape Design
Are you suffering from Frank Gehry withdrawals? Not to fear, his projects are still sprouting up everywhere these days.
The commanding campus will include the Museum of Tolerance, a Theater complex, an International Conference Center, a Grand Hall and an Education Center and Library. The Center is forecast to become a stimulant for the economic, cultural, and educational growth, as well as a boost to tourism resources of the city and is expected to be completed in 2006/7.Link: Museum of Tolerance
"META means “right in the center” and META is right in the center of a metamorphosis thanks to its innovative modular system. It formulates a progressive statement in its objective formal language. A geometric order of long-lasting value."
Link: Dornbracht
Designer: Sieger-Design
"In loose change, you see a couch. In pieces of show leather, a chair. In jars, a chandelier. These are all visions turned into reality by Johnny Swing. and his Obsessive Furniture line. Taking common, everyday materials and re-purposing them, Johnny Swing has created practical art that is as stunning to view as it is stimulating to use.
His nickel couch, made of over 6400 welded nickels, is a magnificient piece of work that is contoured for the body. His Jardelier, a chandelier made of glass jars, evokes a feeling of early 20th century invention with its illumination. These are but two example of an exceptional furniture line. The difference is in the art. Each is a unique example of beautiful and functional sculpture."
Link: Johnny Swing
We like the fluid forms and tactile quality of this line of furnishings including some pieces suitable for outdoor use.
Float has been an effort to create objects with material integrity that improve over time, respond to the human form, and welcome a dialogue with architectural space. The furniture reflects a joy for experimentation, versitility, and cultural curiosity.Link: Float
Over at Designboom, we stumbled across this fantastic poster. It has been in production for quite some time, but we still think it's pretty cool. It features everything from early Egyptian and Chinese folding stools, to contemporary chairs by James Irvine, and just about everything in between. 196 chairs in total.
The illustrated folding chairs history poster is printed on white coated cartoon 210 gr.
dimensions:
70 x 100 cm.
27 3/4 x 39 1/2
Link: DesignBoom
Link: Easy Chairs
Link: Transformer Chairs
Link: Folding Chairs
Link: Chaise-Lounge
Stumbling about again today, this time over at Hyperkit, we found this nice little feature. Hyperkit spent 3 days in Marseille at the Unité d’Habitation designed by Le Corbusier (1947-1952). The pictures show some wonderful views of the building including the sculptural rooftop "garden." The Unité was designed to be a self contained urban village, and is but a piece of Le Corbusier's idea for modern city living, the Cité Radieuse.
Link: Hyperkit visit Le Corbusier
More info about Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation:
Great Buildings Online
Galinsky (including info on how to visit)
A photographic documentation of the travels in Japan of two scholarship winners; Roche Scholarship winner Colin Franzen and SOM Traveling Fellowship recipient Zane Karpova. Four "sections" cut across the island were chosen as paths of travel and documentation. The images are keyed to these lines of investigation revealing a wonderful array of landscape, architecture, culture and space.
Link: Franzen and Karpova Japan Sections
Via: A Daily Dose of Architecture
"The Deneb Outdoor system is derived from the Deneb table. The system is comprised of a table and matching bench. The same base is used for both and they each have an Iroko solid wooden top.
The principles of Stua are embodied in this system, simplicity, timelessness and warmth. The Deneb system is suitable for indoor and outdoor use."
Iroko wood is a popular alternative to teak with a similar texture and grain.
Link: Stua
Designer: Jesus Gasca
Good looking outdoor furniture that we would gladly invite inside. Designed by Los Angeles architects Marmol Radnizer.
"Barry and I put the first waterproofing coat on the foundation wall May, 25, 2004. We were hoping to finish waterproofing before framing started but it rained the rest of the week.
The treated lumber for the floor was delivered on May 28. We started framing early Saturday morning, May 29. It was a beautiful day...sunny and in the high 70's. The framing crew consisted of my brother Kevin, Christopher (a family friend), my husband Barry and I."
Link: Article
Link: LV Home Kit
Reference: LV Home - Building Update I
Reference: LV Home - Building Update II
"Aarnio was - and still is - one of the pioneers in using plastic in industrial design. Plastic material set the designers free to create every shape and use every color they wanted. This gave birth to objects oscillating between function and fun - but always fascinating ones."
Link: Eero Aarnio
Link: Ball Chair
Link: Bubble Chair
Link: Screw Tables
Link: Tipi
Elaine Louie writes about the Nicholas Murcutt designed Box House in the today's NY Times online edition. An excerpt from the article:"...in Australia the Box House is much admired among designers, having won a commendation in 2002 from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. And it is not even finished. For $50,000, Ms. Charles and Mr. Halstead got a roof over their head, but not a gas stove or hot water. That's Stage 2, to be completed in August for another $11,000 (all sums in this article are in American dollars). They will have to wait for Stage 3 for a toilet, to be tucked into a storage shed with solar panels on the roof. The collected electricity will permit a refrigerator, hot water and lights. Stage 3, still on the drawing board, will cost another $11,000. In the meantime, the family uses a neighbor's outhouse, which the Australians call a long drop. It is also a long haul, being more than 100 feet away."
Architect: Nicholas Murcutt
Link: NY Times
Link: NineMSN
Images: © Brett Boardman for The New York Times
"In 1931, destiny brought Edward J Wormley, a young twenty three year old furniture designer with a fresh new perspective, to the doors of DUNBAR. A gifted designer and student of furniture history, Wormley inspired a global perspective and was instrumental in the introduction of world-class design philosophies into the American interior landscape. With a passion for quality and an eye for detail, Wormley found a perfect partner for his talent in DUNBAR, and remained with the company as Design Director for over three decades."
Now the designs of Edward J. Wormley are available for the first time in over 50 years.
"Tillamook Cheddar is a Jack Russell Terrier from Brooklyn, New York. She is widely regarded as the world’s preeminent canine artist. In her native New York City she has already had six solo exhibitions. Tillie is five years old.
In April 2002 Tillie worked with 25 humans in an incredible feat of interspecial collaboration: the COLLAROBATIONS exhibition, presented at The National Arts Club.
Last year the artist reached another milestone, the first inclusion of her work in a museum exhibition—PETROPOLIS at the New-York Historical Society."
Artist: Tillamook Cheddar
Via: Artbox Project
Outdoor showers are the hip thing to have in your yard this summer. Earlier, we featured a shower from Target and one from Restoration hardware. The Target shower, we found out, was made from nyatoh wood, which just isn't quite up to par with the teak found on the Restoration Hardware shower. However, if wood just isn't your thing, we've found a stainless steel model at -- where else? -- DWR:
"The slender Coro Shower has an easy-to-assemble, freestanding design that hooks up to any standard garden hose for convenient beach and poolside rinsing. Attached to a heavy metal base plate (diameter of 17"), it is completely stable and scaled for users of every height. The shower’s all-stainless steel construction is resistant to corrosion, and will provide years of consistent use. Because of its compact and unobtrusive form, the design is a practical addition to even the most manicured of outdoor environments. Made in Italy."Link: CORO
Speaking of roof gardens (we always end up with some kind of theme running through our posts) the newly opened building at the Art Center College of Design South Campus features a planted roofscape designed by Nancy Goslee Power. We made a visit a couple weeks ago and took some pictures... should've charged the battery... but oh well...
The first major exhibition to be held in The Wind Tunnel is happening right now: a region-wide exhibition of all the artists graduating the MFA programs at Art Center, CalArts, Claremont Graduate University, Otis, UCI, UCLA, UCSD and USC.
Also see the article in Metropolis about Art Center's long range campus plans... which, we are relieved to know... include work by Frank Gehry. Too bad he doesn't build much.
Architect: Daly Genik
Landscape Architect: Nancy Goslee Power & Associates
Link: Article in Metropolis
Show: Supersonic Jun 12 - Aug 21, 2004
Perfect for groovin' in your space age bachelor pad. The Space Panel is constructed of white fiberglass and features a fixture in the middle. Mount them on the ceiling next to your mirrors. They can also be ordered in custom colors. Groovy, baby.
We noticed a trend on some of the other design blogs this morning in that several of them were featuring glassware. For the past few years, we've been using highballs from the Balance barware collection featured at Pottery Barn (yes, Pottery Barn) and we love them. Thick, heavy, sturdy, simple. Pour yourself two glasses of your favorite beverage -- one for each hand -- and you'll get quite a workout curling these 18 oz. behemoths. I wouldn't drink my, uh, non-fat milk any other way.
"Artisans in Poland give these handblown glasses heavy bases and smoothly flared sides that make them a pleasure to hold. Before each glass cools and hardens, the blower uses scissors to cut and shape the rim. Each is oversized to hold plenty of your favorite libation. Made from soda lime glass that's as clear as water."Link: Pottery Barn
Fun lampshades from UK designer Madeleine Rogers.
"In 2001, Madeleine Rogers left her career in art directing to start up her company mibo. Her intention was to create original, yet affordable interiors products. First off the press were the distinctive patterned lampshades, still a firm favourite, all bearing seaside inspired names and mibo’s now familiar bold colour palette."
Link: mibo
So bad it's good. Yeah, there is some bad stuff in here, but then again, we kind of dig some of the ideas. It begs to be said... totally groovy. Can we help it if we are children of the ´70's? Just wait until we are looking back at 2004 in thirty years. Seriously.
Link: EUROBAD '74
Via: Things Magazine