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The Swarovski Stand at Baselworld 2013

Chrissy Atherholt — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:24:30 +0000

This year’s Swarovski stand at Baselworld was designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. Using tiny mirrored panels and LED lights, Yoshioka created a stand that sparkles like a Swarovski crystal. The massive two-story stand displays Swarovski’s watches and jewelry.

Designer Tokujin Yoshioka in front of the Swarovski crystal wall

Vitra Shop-in-Shop Opens at ddc Designpost New York

Chrissy Atherholt — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:01 +0000

Coinciding with the beginning of ICFF, Vitra’s first shop-in-shop concept in the US. ddc Designpost will open with a 3,700 sq ft Vitra display. The display will feature eclectic mixture of products such as the Freeform sofa by Isamu Noguchi and the latest lounge chair, Grand Repos by Antonio Citterio. ddc has been a Vitra dealer since December 2009.

The shop-in-shop has been designed by Interior Architect Jens Ahlemeyer and Industrial Designer Marco Lafiandra from ddc.

The shop-in-shop will be launched with a private event on Monday, May 20.

RSVP here.

Acoustics in Education 101

Jean Lin — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:28:46 +0000

Acoustics in educational settings are a pressing matter for designers and end users alike. With the acoustical quality of an interior becoming ever-more important in classroom settings, we spoke with experts Golterman & Sabo about how it works, and why it’s important. Herb Golterman explains how and why commercial textile brand Guilford of Maine is considered the gold standard in the field.

Hodge Elementary School in Imperial, MO – 4 colors of Guilford FR701-2100 (Bone, Pearl, Aquamarine & Stream) – TRi Architects

What is the history of Golterman & Sabo, and how would you describe your area of expertise?
Herb Golterman: We were incorporated in 1946 and have been working with acoustical building materials since 1980. Our area of expertise is maintaining good sound quality within interiors, whether it be commercial settings like schools, offices and hospitals or specialized settings like recording studios or a residential home. Any place where sound quality is of importance, our products and expertise apply.

Do you think designers consider acoustics a priority when working on a project?
HG: In the recent past, the design community has become increasingly aware of how sound quality effects a space. The designers know it’s an issue, but they don’t have the expertise to be able to deal with the issue and find a solution.

AD Stowell Elementary School in Hannibal, MO – 3 colors of Guilford FR 701-2100 (Green Neutral, Ultramarine & White) – Architechniques, Ltd

What does the process look like? Does the designer approach you with a project, or do you offer them products that solve a bevy of acoustical problems?
HG: The designer works with an acoustical consultant, who then approaches us with the project plans, drawings and concepts. The acoustical consultants are essentially mathematicians who offer analysis based on the dimensions and orientation of a space. We are able to work together to determine which of our products will work best for the space depending on all these factors as well as the intended function of the space.

O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, IL – 2 colors of Guilford Anchorage (Straw & Quarry Blue) – Ittner Architects

What exactly does an acoustical panel consist of?
HG: An acoustical panel consists of 7lb fiberglass that has a hardened edge and is covered in fabric. It is the fiberglass that absorbs the sound and the textile that provides aesthetic value.

When working with commercial textiles in accoustical panel, what do designers and specialists look for in the textile?
HG: There are a large number of characteristics that constitute a great fabric for acoustic panels but most importantly, it has to allow sound to pass through it so the fiberglass’s sound absorbing qualities can be most effective.

Jackson High School in Jackson, MO – 5 colors of Guilford Anchorage (Geranium, Onyx, Sunshine, Green Apple & Pumpkin) – Warner Nease Bost Architects

Truman Middle School in St. Louis, MO – 3 colors of Guilford Anchorage (Willow, Straw & Quarry Blue) – Ittner Architects

Can you share your thoughts on Guilford of Maine products for these purposes?
HG: We’ve had a long and positive relationship with Guilford of Maine. After over 30 years of partnership, they are now our primary fabric supplier. Guilford of Maine is the industry standard of acoustical fabric because it is constructed in a way to allow sound to pass through very well. In addition to that, the product is extremely stable, beautiful and offered at a good price point.

Alejandro Barrios-Carrero Wins 2013 James Beard Foundation Award

Chrissy Atherholt — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:30:42 +0000

This year’s James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design was awarded to Venezuelan architect and interior designer Alejandro Barrios-Carrero for his firm’s design of Juvia. The 10,000 square foot indoor/outdoor restaurant features an innovative trackless, retractable roof, a 22-foot high vertical plant wall by acclaimed French botanist Patrick Blanc and furniture and lighting by Patricia Urquiola, Piero Lissoni, and Thomas Patterson. The space boasts a panoramic view of downtown Miami, unparalleled by any venue in the city.

Barrios-Carrero installed a trackless, retractable roof that acts as an umbrella and accommodates terrace dining year-round. A celestial water fountain with wrap-around sofas, situated at the center of the terrace, provides seating and further enhances the atmosphere. The indoor dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows features limestone tabletops and a communal table, made of petrified wood, are accented with organic, hand-woven chairs designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Named after the indigenous Brazilian nut tree, Juvia’s design incorporates elements of nature, creating a magical juxtaposition between the massive concrete structure and a tropical jungle oasis with a subtle integration of organic shapes, colors and materials.

Godiva’s Truffle Express by dash designs

Chrissy Atherholt — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:30:14 +0000

dash design, a New York-based interior design firm, has created Truffle Express, Godiva’s first freestanding chocolate kiosk. Recently debuted in San Francisco’s Westfield Centre Mall, the kiosk allows customers to experience the beloved truffles in a new and fresh way. Located in the Mall’s food court, Godiva’s Truffle Express provides the shoppers with a quick grab-and-go experience.

dash design partnered with Creative Brand Strategist Peter Levine to develop the identity of this new Godiva outlet, the kiosk features clean lines and sleek materials, marrying the classic Godiva brand with cool, modern scheme. Truffle Express is designed to appeal to a younger, fast-paced, impulse-driven customer who wanted a treat or a small gift on the go.

New Radisson Blu Lobby Features Sculptural Design

Chrissy Atherholt — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:00:26 +0000

The second U.S. Radisson Blu has opened in connection with the Mall of America. Radisson Blu’s are edgier than traditional Radisson hotels in the US, and the latest location’s lobby features a sculptural Krion wall, meant to represent a shopping bag.

Jim Hamilton of Graven Images is responsible for the sculptural design. The “shopping bag” wall is made up of individual panels of Krion, a material produced by Porcelanosa in Spain.

Bright red Krion is used on the inside walls where the design is punctured by windows and doorways.

Invest Atlanta by VeenendaalCave

Chrissy Atherholt — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:22:10 +0000

VeenendaalCave has designed the new 25,000 sq ft office for Invest Atlanta.

Interior of Villa Bloemendaal by i29 interior architects

Chrissy Atherholt — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:10:23 +0000

Dutch architecture firm, i29 interior architects recently completed the interior of a sustainable home in Bloemendaal, Netherlands. The large expanses of glass bring the villa’s interior and surrounding nature together. Additionally, all of the interior functions in the house are made from natural materials. The designers used large panels of pine throughout the house for continuity.

Rijksmuseum illuminated with Philips LED lighting

Chrissy Atherholt — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:00:03 +0000

The newly renovated Rijksmuseum, and its entire art exhibition, is now fully illuminated by Royal Philips Electronics LED Lighting. As one of the lead partners in the renovation, Philips worked closely with the Rijksmuseum on the lighting design with a strong focus on the visitor experience and the conservation of the artworks. The renovated Rijksmuseum opened its doors on April 13, showcasing collections of the Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, all illuminated with Philips LED lighting. The LED lighting solution creates effects and visual contrasts that closely mimic the color rendition of natural daylight, presenting the artwork in the best way and enhancing the visitor experience.

Milan 2013: Spazio Marni

Jean Lin — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:16:11 +0000

Brand new Spazio Marni is situated in an old factory build in early 1920’s in viale Umbria 42, Milan, and covers over 1000 square meters.

Recent renovation project has been ideated to maintain the original architecture and linear geometry, as well as to disclose the transformations of the space in time, highlighting the patina created in decades. For the removal of materials, Marni favored specific procedure, that brings out the original finishing. What is more all areas dedicated to back offices are facing the street, thus giving the highest flexibility to the three big spans of the building, creating a functional and variable space. The concept of this multifunctional space is thought to accommodate all Marni’s activities: fashion shows, presentations of collections, spaces dedicated to the show room and to the special projects, which Marni evolves periodically in collaboration with artists, architects and associations.

On the occasion of the Salone del Mobile 2013 Marni has presented the new space through the project “100 chairs”, which includes models and colours linked to the idea of urban sitting rooms, and the workshop “ABI-tanti. The migrating multitude”, a project of the Education Department of the Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea.