A self proclaimed one-man army of design, illustrator Jan Willem (aka Stinger) has put together a full pallette of work ranging from t-shirts, posters, logos, button badges and books. His Netherlands based studio Zeptonn has contributed work to design sites Threadless, Blik, TeeTonic and SplitTheAtom, among others.
Jan recently launched a line of skateboards and adhesive art through popcling. The decks (3 in total) are being produced and sold in a limited edition of 100 each and are complete with a nifty certificate of authenticity and artist bio. As for the adhesive art, the high quality vinyl sets are being produced in a limited run of 250.
It's back and it's bad. CA Boom 4: coming to you this year from the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport beginning this Friday, March 30th and running through April 1st.
I guess the only reason to point all of that out is to make us feel better for the fact that we will most likely skip covering the event this year if we do a less than stellar job this year... I mean, after posting 28 articles about CA Boom in less than four years, we're done like dinner.
So this year we encourage you to attend the event yourself rather than living vicariously through us via the internet. Go on, get off your lazy butt and go. Or maybe some of our fellowbloggers will actually get around to providing some decent coverage... there's a first time for everything... (hey, all in fun guys... and plus, it is our turn to be lazy).
Link: CA Boom
Register: Register (use code "LAND" for a little discount)
Every once in a while a new material really captures my imagination , and this OLED (Organic Light Emiting Diodes) technology being developed by GE is one for sure. Surface applications where back lighting is not possible... lit undulating, flowing surfaces... vehicle applications... not to mention the effeciency: up to four times better than an incandescent bulb.
GE announced this week that they are going to accelerate the development and commercialization of OLED devices for lighting applications. The goal is to bring OLED lighting to market within the next 3 years.
OLEDs are thin, organic materials sandwiched between two electrodes, which illuminate when an electrical charge is applied. They represent the next evolution in lighting products. Their widespread design capabilities will provide an entirely different way for people to light their homes or businesses. Moreover, OLEDs have the potential to deliver dramatically improved levels of efficiency and environmental performance, while achieving at least the same quality of illumination found in traditional products in the marketplace today.
Two interesting videos demonstrate the product as it exists in development. The first (above) describes the product and how it is made (newspaper printing processes to create electronic devices!!). And the second after the jump demonstrates the physical properties and flexibility of the technology.
How else would Reyner Banham tour Los Angeles but by car? Take a circa 1972 ride through Los Angeles with the architectural critic and author of Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies as he visits the Plains, the Foothills, Surfurbia, and (of course) Autopia. It is amazing to see how much Los Angeles changed in the last 35 years, and yet how relevant Banham's observations still are. Awesome.
We'll get back to modern day Los Angeles with more coverage from CA Boom 4 shortly... stay tuned.
We were contacted recently by a L+L reader who, while offering compliments, also had a request: more art, please! While not exactly what she had in mind, we are pleased to present the work of that very L+L reader.
I was immediately drawn to Betty's woodcut prints. There is a wonderful quality of space and movement to these pieces, and the craft displayed in creating the prints is marvelous. Betty is based in Cushing, Oklahoma where, in addition to creating her own work, she has the vital and admirable job (especially in this day and age) of expanding the minds of young people as a Middle School Art teacher.
"Architorture" -- this term has been the lament of countless aspiring architects for years... who knows, perhaps for generations. It is a simple slang word which embodies a range of emotions, experiences and tribulations faced in the course of an architectural education... and career.
And now "Architorture" is a documentary being created by architects David Krantz and Ian Harris (et. al.) that follows five students through the process of developing their thesis projects.
Content is currently evolving with occasional uploads. Current features are "The Confessionals" where different people explain what Architecture is about in their experience.
The Writing Desk from Team 7 is a simple yet discreet solution for creating a work area in your living space. The Writing Desk features a slide out desktop with a hinged cover that reveals an organizer tray. Cable management is integrated into the desk and there is also ample storage space for your printer and files.
The Writing Desk is available in several different wood types including alder, beech, maple, and walnut.
ModCraft tiles from New York based designer David Clark are available in 4 styles and remind me of the Tangent 3D wallpaper tiles we featured a few years back. The Peak (featured above), Valley, and Scoop are available in 6x6 while the Dom comes in 3x7. All tiles are made from stoneware.
I received an email this morning that screamed a bunch of one-liners at me about what ATYPYK is and is not. Such as:
ATYPYK IS NOT THE BEST TO EXPLAIN ATYPYK
ATYPYK ENJOYS MAKING COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY THINGS
ATYPYK PRODUCTS CONTAINS SMALL PARTS DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN
ATYPYK MAY CONSIDER ACCEPT MONEY FROM STRANGERS
On and on the list went. And they were right when they said, "NO BIG SURPRISE THAT YOU NEVER HEARD ABOUT US THEN" because I've never heard of them. You probably haven't either. So, whatever. I don't really feel like trying to explain who or what they are but they've got some interesting sh*t on their website (seriously, and it's "lucky" as well) so just click through and check out the site for yourself. And watch where you step.
Entering the realm of the longboard culture is Canadian upstarts Boardeli Longboards.
Hailing from the most unlikeliest of longboard destinations (Edmonton, Alberta)this undettered group has compiled a roster of 15 designers worldwide to create their introductory Series 1 line. The kicker is that these will be limited run pieces at 100 along with a variant design at a low, low run of only 10!
Designers for the start-up line hail from a variety of locations such as Canada, England, Australia, U.S. and Iran. With talents like Dan May, Motomichi Nakamura, Blake Marquis and Jeff Kulak, The group should have no problem generating some decent buzz for this launch.
Great posting over at eternallycool of current group exhibit Cracking Art that's taking place at the Cloister of Bramante in Italy until the 29th of July.
The Pink Crocs and red poodle nestled in an old world courtyard is absolute money.
One of my favorite movie dialogues came from 2005's Everything is Illuminated.
The story revolves around a young Jewish American (played by Elijah Wood) who ventures off to the Ukraine in search of family history. While out there he enlists the services of a tour guide (played by Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hutz). During the tour they come across an abandoned apartment complex in the middle of nowhere. Woods turns to Hutz and asks "What happened", Hutz replies after a pause "Independence". Brilliant scene.
Ironically enough a day after watching the flick for the 100th time (addicted to the soundtrack), a friend lead me to this particular site entitled Abandoned.
Compiled by a Russian photographer named Uryevich, Abandoned is an eerie collection of Russian complexes such as hospitals and apartments that had been left to rot soon after the fall of the Communist regime way back when.
Like a scene out of 28 Days, you just have to ask yourself "Where is everyone"?
Perfect for renters, loft-dwellers and the restless, the Nomad System (not to be confused with the Nomad Desk) is a modular system that can be assembled like a giant children's toy into free-standing sculptural screens, temporary partitions, rooms or displays without hardware, tools or alterations to existing structures. Designed by Jaime Salm & Roger Allen, the system is made from recycled, double-wall cardboard, and comes in six colors.
Nomadic lifestyles and the desire for flexible space inspired the creation of Nomad. Designed to grow and adapt to any environment and a range of applications, Nomad Architectural System translates the tools of architecture into simple modules that anyone can use.
One 24 Module Set sells for $56 and creates a 3 ft x 4.5 ft wall section.... not outrageous, but definitely an investment to create a wall of any significant size.
Link: Mio - Nomad System
Designers: Jaime Salm and Roger Allen
Via: AT
I'm a fan of clean, simple design and this stackable chair from Hussi is just that. The ST10 features a thin yet flexible backrest which is available with 2 or 3 slats.
D.C. architect Carib Daniel Martin came up with the idea of HELP (Housing Every Last Person) soon after Hurricane Katrina devasted the Gulf-Coast region. His idea was to create an emergency housing system that was easily transportable and could be quickly assembled.
With a working demo in place, he secured the means to manufacture his creation and has spent the last two years fine-tuning his work. Expanding on his original design, he has evolved the structure to also meet the needs of the commercial, non-emergency market by producing 4 models: the microCABANA, microHOME, microSTUDIO, and microSHED.
A full-service website is due to be launched this coming Labor Day weekend.
Link: m-finity.com
Link: Path to Prefab
Cole Scego is a designer based in rural Missouri who prefers the use of materials such as aluminum and steel to construct pieces that will stand the test of time. A strict vegetarian, Cole believes that happiness and well-being are strongly associated with your
living environment.
Link: Cole Scego Design
Link: About Cole
The Spotnik XL is the second incarnation of the Spotnik lamp but in a larger scale. Inside the sphere is a dual-light source offering both spot and ambient lighting. Originally designed as a table lamp, this newer version of the Spotnik now towers above your space at over 6 feet tall.
Link: Spotnik xl
CA|Boom I
Can you believe its been three years since CA|Boom burst onto the design scene? Check out our coverage from the design show's freshman year.
Teardrop Vase from Derek Chen
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.
Favela Chair
Wood scraps never looked better. Designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana.
Fix Lighting
Simple, elegant, and modern. Light fixtures designed by Wonderwall.
Wing Lounge Chair from LYX
If Ray and Charles worked at the Sci-Fi channel, perhaps this would've been their creation.
Porch House
"With a solid understanding of modern design and its application in residential architecture, Greg Lavardera has put together several plans that definitely take the bland and boring out of stock plans."
The Leaf collection from Arper exhibits simple lines and is right at home indoors or out. Leaf is available in a painted (white, mocha, green) or chrome finish. Full-grain leather or polyurethane cushions are also available.
The Troika from em is a screen / partition wall constructed from translucent resin panels and spheres along with stainless steel rods, plates, and collars. Depending on your installation, the Troika is available with or without the self-supporting frame.
flashfilm.com has an interview with London-based garden designer, Philip Nixon. Philip is a participant of the Chelsea Flower Show and is currently working on an exhibition for the 2008 Gothenburg Festival in Sweden.
I just spent some time at the local B&N and discovered issue #1 of Antenna magazine. Flipping through it, Antenna read like the RSS feed of my favorite blogs: gadgets, snowboards, sneakers, messenger bags, sunglasses, even Oreos(!).
Antenna is the first mainstream magazine to target individuals who are on a constant quest for the newest and coolest products on the horizon. And it does so without using celebrities, models, concept shoots, service stories and whatever else we deem superfluous to our mission: to become a guidebook, allowing readers to navigate the most extensive collection of products ever compiled in a single publication, while championing the people who create, sell and collect them—all in one comprehensive, artful, elegant and innovative format.
Extra points for Antenna because their first cover compliments the color palette of the L+L site, too :)
Link: Antenna
So like most designers I have my usual monthly design reads such as Azure, Canadian Interiors, Metropolis and yes even Dwell from time to time. All fine reads that normally come from magical places such as Toronto, New York or some other town big enough to have mutliple NFL teams. So as a Western boy from Alberta, I have to admit being red faced at JUST being introduced to a design mag originating from a town only a short drive down the highway.
elemente Magazine is a Calgary based publication that provides Canadians with a Western perspective on design, architecture and lifestyle. From tales of sharing cocktails with Will Alsop (personal fave) to profiling up and coming designers, it really is a great fix for design junkies.
Influenced by some of the world's most renowned architecture and design-driven publications, Elemente provides a unique regional platform that focuses on current architectural highlights, key players, products, designs and emerging trends. Singular in personality and voice, Elemente's mandate is to deliver contextually relevant content exclusive to the region that is functional and purposeful, entertaining yet challenging, enlightening and informative, humourous yet inspirational.
Full cover shot of the September issue after the jump....
Being in the "experience design" world professionally myself these days, I was very interested to check out the work of Tel-Aviv, Israel based designers Roy Roth Yaal Tevet. They say:
We explore all design disciplines, creating exciting, multi-sensual experiences for the public domain, telling a new story each and every time. We are always looking for new boundaries to cross.
Their work covers a broad range of disciplines for a broad range of clients, including exhibitions, public spaces, cafés, bars, restaurants, clubs and products.
What I appreciate about their work is that they are able to skillfully navigate multiple disciplines and genres, creating environments which work emotionally as well as intellectually. And that really is the key to the idiosyncratic world of experience design. You must be adept at designing from a variety of perspectives, not just from your own aesthetic.
FaulknerWorks is the brainchild of Truckee, California architect Greg Faulkner in partnership with Leo Burke, and Brian Hijos - a team which combines the skills of an architect, theatrical lighting designer, artistic metal fabricator, and electrical contractor. I dig their products which are basically extracted from the custom fixtures and hardware that Greg Faulkner has designed for his commissions over the years.
I almost worked for Faulkner Architects many years back when I lived at Tahoe... I was all fired up to work there until they told me what my salary would be... ahem. Anyway, what I like about Faulkner's work is the balance and contrast of the modern and the rustic. There is a hand-made feeling (obviously owing much to the American Arts and Crafts movement) yet with an aesthetic informed by modern and industrial design and materials. I would love to see an even more modern evolution of this design thread.
Viteo and Danny Venlet are surely amongst those leading the revolution of outdoor furniture design. And they have once again taken the Parisian furniture show 'Maison et Objet' by storm. This time they came up with an outdoor waterbed called Lylo. As always the Austrian brand has developed it in all weather materials of the highest quality.
It's back and it's bad. CA Boom 4: coming to you this year from the 
Every once in a while a new material really captures my imagination , and this OLED (Organic Light Emiting Diodes) technology being developed by GE is one for sure. Surface applications where back lighting is not possible... lit undulating, flowing surfaces... vehicle applications... not to mention the effeciency: up to four times better than an incandescent bulb.
We were contacted recently by a L+L reader who, while offering compliments, also had a request: more art, please! While not exactly what she had in mind, we are pleased to present the work of that very L+L reader. 
"Architorture" -- this term has been the lament of countless aspiring architects for years... who knows, perhaps for generations. It is a simple slang word which embodies a range of emotions, experiences and tribulations faced in the course of an architectural education... and career.
The Writing Desk from Team 7 is a simple yet discreet solution for creating a work area in your living space. The Writing Desk features a slide out desktop with a hinged cover that reveals an organizer tray. Cable management is integrated into the desk and there is also ample storage space for your printer and files.
I received an email this morning that screamed a bunch of one-liners at me about what ATYPYK is and is not. Such as:
Perfect for renters, loft-dwellers and the restless, the Nomad System (not to be confused with the 
D.C. architect Carib Daniel Martin came up with the idea of HELP (Housing Every Last Person) soon after Hurricane Katrina devasted the Gulf-Coast region. His idea was to create an emergency housing system that was easily transportable and could be quickly assembled.
With a working demo in place, he secured the means to manufacture his creation and has spent the last two years fine-tuning his work. Expanding on his original design, he has evolved the structure to also meet the needs of the commercial, non-emergency market by producing 4 models: the microCABANA, microHOME, microSTUDIO, and microSHED.
The Spotnik XL is the second incarnation of the Spotnik lamp but in a larger scale. Inside the sphere is a dual-light source offering both spot and ambient lighting. Originally designed as a table lamp, this newer version of the Spotnik now towers above your space at over 6 feet tall.
Link: 
Architect Pouya Khazaeli Parsa drew upon inspiration from Le Corbusier’s “Poem of the right angle” when designing this home which features an aerial ramp that takes you from a first-floor terrace to a roof garden with views of the beaches along the Caspian Sea.
Via: 
I just spent some time at the local B&N and discovered issue #1 of Antenna magazine. Flipping through it, Antenna read like the RSS feed of my favorite blogs: gadgets, snowboards, sneakers, messenger bags, sunglasses, even 
Being in the "experience design" world professionally myself these days, I was very interested to check out the work of Tel-Aviv, Israel based designers Roy Roth Yaal Tevet. They say:
FaulknerWorks is the brainchild of Truckee, California architect Greg Faulkner in partnership with Leo Burke, and Brian Hijos - a team which combines the skills of an architect, theatrical lighting designer, artistic metal fabricator, and electrical contractor. I dig their products which are basically extracted from the custom fixtures and hardware that Greg Faulkner has designed for his commissions over the years.
