Hasta La Ideas

Researcher Yujia Bian has cast the word architecture into bars of soap that are being used at the Oslo Architecture Triennale to question the idea of creating pristine works of architecture.

The bars of soap have been placed in Oslo’s National Museum of Architecture, one of the venues for the triennale, and will be used throughout the festival.

As the festival progresses, the word architecture will slowly be worn away as the soap is used, which is intended to mirror how buildings change as they are used and do not remain in a pristine state for long.

The soap has been created to be a functional installation that questions what architecture is aiming to be.

“Through usage, the text on the soap disappears,” Bian told Dezeen. “Perhaps it’s a symbolic performance that says: when Architecture with a capital A disappears, what it tries to, and claims to, achieve could eventually take place.”

The branded soap also aims to highlight people’s frustration with architecture.

“I’m not sure if the soap questions what architecture is,” said Bian. “It does, however, show some frustrations about what architecture claims to be.”

“As architecture often promises ‘sharing’ with designated common spaces. Nonetheless, it also often fails to achieve the claim to share, as the social factors often escape from the hands of the architects,” she added.

The bars of soap were created to respond to the Oslo Architecture Triennale’s theme of degrowth – an economic strategy that believes we should reduce levels of consumption and production.

“The soap responds to degrowth through its collective use. As you can imagine, not everyone is fond of sharing a bar of soap, despite the fact it actually facilitates collective hygiene,” said Bian.

“I think some discomfort is necessary for people to reconsider caring and sharing with each other. It can be a great experience too!”

The actual bars were made in a factory in Guangzhou, China, which Bian contacted using the online platform Taobao. They were cast in silicon moulds that were also made in the soap factory.

The Oslo Architecture Triennale 2019 takes place in the Norwegian capital between 26 September and 24 November. Explaining the theme of degrowth in a Dezeen opinion column, Phineas Harper, one of the festivals chief curators, said: “our dependency on growth, like on concrete, must be abolished”.

The post Yujia Bian creates architecture soap for Oslo triennale appeared first on Dezeen.

Harriet Harriss, dean of the Pratt Institute School of Architecture in New York, will speak about the future of design education at Dezeen Day on 30 October.

Harriss, who recently became the second female dean of the school, will discuss pioneering new models of design education, an issue that she focuses on in her writing, teaching and research.

She will also present her views on gender inequality in architecture, and discuss how to widen participation to ensure the industry reflects the diversity of the society it seeks to serve.

The education panel at Dezeen Day will discuss whether design and architecture schools have become divorced from the real world, and explore how to transform it.

The other panelists are Zaha Hadid Architects principal Patrik Schumacher, designer Stacie Woolsey, who has created her own masters course, and Neil Pinder, a secondary-school design teacher from London.

Harriss, who judged the inaugural Dezeen Awards in 2018, studied architecture at Oxford Brookes University.

Before moving to New York City, she led the post-graduate research programme in architecture at the Royal College of Art in London.

Her books include Radical Pedagogies: Architectural Education and the British Tradition, and A Gendered Profession, which explores gender imbalance in the architecture profession.

Dezeen Day is an international architecture, interiors and design conference that will be held at BFI Southbank, on the bank of the Thames in central London, on Wednesday 30 October.

The conference will address key topics including future cities, the circular economy and running a successful design business.

Read about all the speakers announced so far and see the full schedule for the day.

Buy reduced early-bird tickets now using the form below or through the Eventbrite page and sign up to receive email updates.

The illustration is by Rima Sabina Aouf.

The post Harriet Harriss to speak about architecture education at Dezeen Day appeared first on Dezeen.

Terracotta-coloured surfaces and step-like decor features appear inside this Mexican restaurant in Sydney, which Studio Gram has designed to steer away from cultural cliches.

Serving up a mix of tacos and cocktails, Chica Bonita has been designed by Studio Gram to celebrate Mexican culture while avoiding the “over-the-top and over-saturated colour palette” that has become associated with the country.

The venue had been host to a bike shop for the past 20 years but was almost entirely stripped back to make way for the new restaurant fit-out.

Its stone archways, tin ceilings and parquet floors were the only features preserved.

“The existing building fabric is protected under the buildings’ heritage listing,” the studio’s director, David Bickmore, told Dezeen.

“For this reason, the stepped details and surfaces are all ‘positive’ elements, added layers if you like, that can be removed to return the space back to its original condition.”

Surfaces throughout the dining space are painted terracotta-orange to emulate the hue of the sand in Mexico’s deserts.

Matching-coloured tiles have been used to clad the entrance steps to the restaurant and the service bar that runs around the open kitchen, which has a terrazzo-like countertop.

Diners also have the option of sitting at one of the more formal square dining tables, which are surrounded by brown-leather chairs, or in one of the booths which boast mustard-yellow and rust-red cushioning.

The studio has also incorporated step-like imagery throughout the space in loose reference to the style of architecture on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Stepped reliefs run across the peripheral walls and a tiered wall recesses back into the restaurant’s bathroom facilities.

Staggered shelving has also been created to openly-display drinks bottles in the bar.

Splashes of colour are provided by lime-green arched shelving units and a handful of potted plants.

Decor is otherwise kept simple with a selection of ceramic vases and modest wall hangings that the client has accrued from trips to Mexico and other tropical climes.

Studio Gram is based in Adelaide and was founded by Graham Charbonneau and Dave Bickmore.

As in this project, Australian interior designers Pattern shunned “simplistic and culturally appropriated” imagery to create the interiors of Byron Bay’s Locura bar.

It features patchy grey walls and concrete fixtures, akin to the aesthetic of Mexico City’s late-night eateries.

Photography is by Toby Peet.

Project credits:

Project team: Olivier Martin, Dave Bickmore, Graham Charbonneau, Sam Broadbridge
Builder: Minogue Construction
Branding: Peculiar Familia

The post Sydney’s Chica Bonita restaurant evades “over-the-top” colours appeared first on Dezeen.

ROOM is here to make room for people in the modern workplace. They create thoughtful designs that inspire new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a better way to work. Their first product is a soundproof phone booth for the open office. It takes away the noise and makes room for what’s essential. ROOM delivers directly from factory to business and keeps prices low so that their clients can invest in bigger ideas down the road, by rethinking and refining every step of the customer experience they offer thoughtful, modular solutions that grow with the business, leading the way to better Mondays and a brighter future. Since launching in May 2018, Room has acquired over 2000 clients, ranging from budding startups to Fortune 500 companies, such as JP Morgan, Nike, Google, and Salesforce. They are backed by Slow Ventures and notable angel investors from Silicon Valley, and TIME named our product one of the Best Inventions of 2018. ROOM’s belief is simple: What makes you different is what allows them to be different. They value diversity not only in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religious background but also in the way you think and approach challenges.  Not only are they committed to creating a work environment where you can be yourself and but also ensure that everybody’s voice is heard. Diversity isn’t something the company simply preaches but something they practice everyday and taking care of their team is always a top priority. Apply now if you’re interested in creating solutions that improve life at work and are looking for a culture of growth, freedom, and accountability!

Designed with recycled materials and engineered to perfection, Room’s soundproof office phone booths are seamless, sustainable and simple, and was named one of the Best Inventions of 2018 by TIME. 

The Opportunity

With ROOM’s first product, ROOM One, they offer a moment of peace to everyone who has ever taken a phone call in the hallway, finished a spreadsheet in the quiet time at midnight, or sat alone in the stairwell to be alone and think big thoughts. As the company begins to expand their product offering, they’re are looking for a rockstar product designer who lives and breathes user-centric design, is passionate about sustainability, and has the skill to ensure that their products remain the most attractive ones on the market. The ideal candidate is a Product Design with experience driving consumer and furniture products from concept through production on time while championing the voice of the customer.

Responsibilities

– Support the product design process, alongside engineering, from brainstorming and concept generation through production.
– Create concept sketches and renderings to present to key stakeholders.
– Get your hands dirty making initial prototypes to verify new ideas.
– Act as a key stakeholder in developing ROOM’s product families and product roadmap.
– Cultivate a deep understanding of our customers and advocate for solutions based on their needs and pain points.
– Specify CMF (colors, materials, finish) for new products.
– Ability to synthesize an understanding of customer behavior, our brand, and market trends into a story and a product.

Requirements

– A degree in Industrial Design or an equivalent program.
–  4+ years of product design experience.
– Incredible 3D CAD Modeling Skills, especially with the surfacing. (SolidWorks strongly preferred).
– Ability to quickly create and iterate on photorealistic renderings (KeyShot, VRay, Cinema 4D, etc.)
– Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite like the back of your hand.
– Jaw-dropping portfolio with demonstrated ability to execute on tight deadlines.
– Projects ranging across a variety of materials and manufacturing processes. Furniture and textile experience is a must.
– Experience in a startup environment where you have taken ideas from conception to production.
– Uncanny ability to juggle multiple priorities and make trade-off decisions when timeline, specs and/or budget don’t align.
– Confident self-starter who is comfortable working in a changing and ambiguous environment.
– Eager to wear multiple hats and do the next most important task, even when it is new, unfamiliar, or outside the scope of your daily work

Benefits

Health & wellness: Fully covered medical, vision, and dental insurance to take care of you and your family.
Unlimited PTO: Flexible vacation policy to allow you to unplug and recharge whenever you need it.
Equity: Company stock to honor your hard work and dedication.
Fully stocked kitchen and lunches: Weekly catered lunches and plenty of healthy snacks, coffee, and drinks to give you the perfect energy boost.
Commuter benefits: Pre-tax savings that make a difference in your budget and your morning commute.
Team events: Monthly team outings, dinners, and happy hours that inspire new conversations and lead to meaningful relationships.

Location

New York, NY.

Click here to Apply Now!

Check out all the latest design openings on Yanko Design Job Board

This week we’ve selected the five roles for visualisers on Dezeen Jobs, including vacancies at British architecture studios Caruso St John and Grimshaw.

3D visualiser at Caruso St John

Caruso St John is seeking a 3D visualiser to work on client presentations and project reports at its London studio. The architecture firm designed Newport Street Gallery, an exhibition space for artist Damien Hirst in south London.

Find out more about this role ›

CGI visualiser at Grimshaw

Global architecture firm Grimshaw was behind the design of the Eden Project, an ecological park contained under geodesic domes in Cornwall. The practice has an opportunity for a CGI visualiser to work on architectural visualisations and animated renderings at its office in Farringdon, London.

Find out more about this role ›

Senior architectural visualiser at David Chipperfield Architects

David Chipperfield Architects is searching for an experienced architectural visualiser to join its team in central London. The firm recently completed the overhaul of a 19th-century building in Montreal, transforming its interior into a boutique for fashion brand Ssense.

Find out more about this role ›

Computational designer at Jason Bruges Studio

Jason Bruges Studio created four site-specific installations featuring moving robotic limbs, positioning them across a number of locations in Hull for its City of Culture celebrations. The company is recruiting a computational designer to work closely with its London design team to complete procedural modelling and complex parametric design.

Find out more about this role ›

3D visualiser at Universal Design Studio

Universal Design Studio has completed the interiors for its own workplace and sister company Map Project Office in Clerkenwell, London. The studio is hiring a 3D visualiser to create high-quality interior and exterior imagery.

Find out more about this role ›

See all the latest architecture and design roles on Dezeen Jobs ›

The post Five opportunities for visualisers including positions at Caruso St John and Grimshaw appeared first on Dezeen.