Dezeen Showroom: French designer Inga Sempé and Spanish brand Nanimarquina have collaborated to launch  a collection of handwoven rugs made from wool.

Colorado was designed by Sempé using two ancient handweaving techniques – hand knotted chobi and flatwoven kilim – in an effort to blend “tradition and modernity”, said Nanimarquina.

The use of handweaving and hand-knotting techniques provides each Colorado rug with variations in surface texture, accentuated by the use of different coloured woolen yarns.

They are available in four sizes and four colours named ashes, clay, moss and sand.

“The concept originated from her desire to avoid using figurative or geometric patterns, which can sometimes feel overwhelming in a room,” said Nanimarquina.

“Instead, she sought to utilise small lengths of leftover thread, connecting them together to create something unique,” it continued.

“I envisioned it resembling the soft, irregular texture of a special animal’s hair, offering a sense of luxury without being overt,” added Sempe.

The photography is by Albert Font.

Product details:

Product: Colorado
Designer: Inge Sempé
Brand: Nanimarquina
Contact: info@nanimarquina.com

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.

The post Colorado rugs by Inga Sempe for Nanimarquina appeared first on Dezeen.

Here’s the craziest industrial designer bio I’ve ever come across.

At age 16, Josef Hurka was forced to work in a Nazi coal mine. It’s 1941, and Germany has invaded Hurka’s native Czechoslovakia. Hurka smuggles dynamite out of the mine for the Czech resistance.

After the war ends, Hurka becomes “a top competitive skier,” according to his son, but runs afoul of the ruling Communist Party for refusing to toe the line. He’s arrested, beaten, tortured, and jailed for months as a political prisoner.

He gets out of prison, somehow becomes an industrial designer (this part of the story is murky), and starts designing lamps for Czech manufacturer Napako.

In 1950 he flees Czechoslovakia, then spends “about a decade working as a spy for the U.S. government.” Eventually he marries an American woman and raises a family in Massachusetts.

Hurka’s spying days, by the way, overlapped with his ID days. Hurka designed lamps for Napako from the 1940s thru the 1970s. As an example, these:

I feel whomever designed the Star Wars battle droids owes Hurka a shout-out.

Here’s an interesting alternative to an established manufacturing solution.

CNC mills use spinning bits to remove material. This material comes off in the form of tiny chips. These chips must be evacuated, to avoid clogging the worksurface and potentially jamming or overheating the bit.

The common solution is to use a dust shoe, which encases the cutting area within a bristled perimeter while a vacuum theoretically evacuates the chips.

Image: ShopBot Tools

Image: AvidCNC

However, these simply aren’t very effective, as the vacuum hose must be located a safe distance away from the spinning bit. Additionally, they obscure one’s view of the cutting action, which may be required in order to make adjustments (or present video of the action, for content creators).

Some users get around the chip clearance problem by mounting air compressor attachments close to the bit, to continuously blow the cut out. But this presents additional hassles, from having to run the compressor and mount the fittings to the spindle/router.

Image: Community Carbide 3D

Image: 1000DIY

A clever, low-tech solution has emerged. People have been 3D-printing their own collet fans:

Image: Bryan_81523

These are essentially impellers, designed to snap onto the collet nut with a friction fit.

Image: Durahl_135319

Image: Greenwood Designs

As the bit spins, the fan creates enough downdraft to blow the chips out of the cut.

Image: Saur0n

There are, however, two things to be mindful of. One, the fan’s design must be robust enough that the thing doesn’t come apart at high rpms.

The second potential hazard relates to a risk CNC mill operators are already aware of: Accidentally running the spindle into a jig or clamping fixture used to hold the workpiece. The collet fan’s wider diameter creates a larger “danger zone” around the bit. CNC enthusiast Bryan Howard demonstrates a collet fan collision in slow-mo, with the spindle running at 24,000 rpm:

Obviously, using a collet fan behind a protective enclosure is recommended.

Permaculture gardening is deeply rooted in the principles of sustainability and aims to harmonize the growth of plants with the local environment. In 1978, Australian ecologist David Holmgren and environmental psychology professor Bill Mollison coined “permaculture” from “permanent agriculture,” later expanding its meaning to include “permanent culture.” Permaculture gardening primarily emphasizes the gradual enhancement of soil quality with nutrients, aiming to continually revitalize the earth while nurturing plant health. Its core ethics include prioritizing care for the Earth, for people, and ensuring equitable sharing, returning any surplus.

Designer: Robert Hutchison Architecture and Javier Sanchez Arquitectos

What is the primary goal of Permaculture?

Permaculture advocates aligning with nature, emphasizing mindful actions to avoid widespread negative impacts. It stresses preserving and restoring natural systems and settlements, highlighting their irreplaceable value. The goal is to achieve objectives with minimal environmental disruption.

What is Permaculture farming?

Image courtesy of: viktelminova

Permaculture farming means growing crops in a way that takes care of itself and the environment. It learns from nature and creates farming systems where different crops help each other grow. This way of farming is diverse, strong, and lasts a long time, just like nature does.

What are the benefits of creating a Permaculture Garden?

The benefits of creating a Permaculture Garden includes:

Protects Natural Resources

Image courtesy of: Sangiao_photography

We can optimize natural resources by harvesting wild medicinal plants, growing anti-pollutant plants for indoor air quality, and strategically planting trees for summer shade. It’s essential to minimize waste and promote material reuse.

Avoid Tilling the Soil

In permaculture, it’s preferred to avoid tilling vegetable garden soil. Instead, natural insect processes, aided by mulch, are encouraged, as tillers or cultivators can harm underground insect populations.

Promotes Biodiversity

Image courtesy of: YuriArcursPeopleimages

Unlike conventional agriculture, permaculture embraces nature, drawing inspiration from its diversity and working in harmony with it to derive benefits.

Connects Humans with Nature

Permaculture links humans with nature, fostering harmony by working in tandem with natural processes. This approach to gardening can deeply affect our spiritual well-being.

Low Maintenance

Image courtesy of: YuriArcursPeopleimages

Permaculture gardening offers low-maintenance benefits, making it ideal for those with limited time or less gardening experience.

Avoids Use of Pesticides

Image courtesy of: valeriygoncharukphoto

Permaculture avoids all pesticides and insecticides, organic or not, to protect biodiversity, relying on natural self-regulation and abstaining from herbicides and chemical fertilizers. Gardeners may accept some crop loss to pests rather than resorting to chemicals.

Saves Space

Producing ample yields in a confined space reduces the need for more area, allowing for extra activities. An essential element of permaculture gardening is maximizing space efficiency. Permaculture gardens vary in size, but in limited spaces, employing strategies to uphold permaculture principles is key. For instance, consider cultivating plants vertically using trellises or similar structures.

Supports Local Wildlife

Image courtesy of: cannonapril

Permaculture’s ethics and practices naturally draw wildlife to outdoor spaces. Follow permaculture guidelines to turn your backyard into a flourishing haven for birds, pollinating insects, and other creatures. Tips include avoiding pesticides, using vegetation to attract specific animals, hanging bird feeders, keeping dead logs and leaf litter, and planting trees and shrubs for wildlife shelter.

However, there are a few downsides to permaculture gardening. It can initially be more expensive to implement its practices. Although, the upfront costs are usually justified by long-term benefits. Some may find the initial workload overwhelming, despite its eventual rewards. Moreover, there may be concerns about potential odors from composting, managing a garden that utilizes all resources, and dealing with pests and bacteria without pesticides.

How to design a Permaculture Garden?

Use these tips to create your own Permaculture Garden:

Know your Surroundings

Get to know your environment by familiarizing yourself with the native flora, fauna, and predators in your area, while also noting the sunny and shady spots in your garden. Identify any unique features that could be advantageous for your permaculture garden.

Choose Your Plants Wisely

Select plants suited to your local conditions, researching which species thrive annually and perennially. Utilize companion planting to attract beneficial insects, deter pests, and enrich soil naturally. Opt for butterfly-attracting flowers, pest-repelling herbs for fruit trees, and nitrogen-fixing green manure crops to gradually enhance soil fertility. Opt for edible crops like fruits, veggies, herbs, seeds, and fruit trees, as they provide sustenance with minimal resource use.

Design the Garden

Once you’re familiar with your surroundings and the existing plant life, you can better design your garden. Consider light, water sources, and landscape when situating plants. Utilize plant stacking for efficient space use, with ground cover herbs, shrubs, and trees organized accordingly.

Create Garden Beds

Image courtesy of: fokkebok

Build raised beds, ideal for permaculture gardening as they preserve soil nutrients without tilling, placed six to 12 inches above ground. Alternatively, use sheet mulching, and layering compostable materials over grass to build soil without disturbing tillage.

Plant the Permaculture Garden

Plant your permaculture garden, prioritizing taller plants to offer shade for sun-sensitive ones. Group together plants with similar water and sunlight requirements for optimal growth.

Add Mulch

Image courtesy of: larisikstefania

Use organic mulch on topsoil instead of chemical weed killers in line with permaculture principles. Apply it after planting to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Options include leaves, newspaper, straw, wood chips, shredded bark, and grass clippings.

Add Compost

Image courtesy of: medialensking

Add compost without disturbing the soil, favoring natural options over chemical fertilizers. Utilize materials like manure, kitchen scraps, earthworm castings, and worm tea to enrich the soil with organic matter and beneficial microbes.

Efficient Water Irrigation System

Image courtesy of: aowsakornprapat

Use a sustainable watering system, minimizing water consumption for optimal garden health. Choose a low-waste drip irrigation method to directly hydrate soil and collect rain runoff from roof gutters for recycling into your watering system.

What is the difference between Permaculture and Organic Farming?

Organic Farming

Image courtesy of: monkeybusiness

Organic farming, initiated in the 1940s, is denoted by the term “organic,” indicating products grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, and growth regulators, spurred by J. I. Rodale.

Permaculture Farming

In the 1970s, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren introduced permaculture design, an agricultural system mirroring nature and addressing human needs like food, shelter, and energy consumption.

Here is how Permaculture differs from Organic Farming

• The primary difference between organic farming and permaculture is their approach to sustainable practices. Permaculture centers on preserving natural resources and conserving the planet, ensuring current needs are met without compromising those of future generations.
• Permaculture prioritizes energy conservation by locally growing and selling food, minimizing carbon footprints, while organic-labeled produce is often transported globally.
• In organic farming, the focus is on eliminating chemical residue from the food supply while protecting pollinators, while in permaculture, it’s environmental protection, ultimately benefiting humans.
• Permaculture farming promotes zero waste through recycling and reusable packaging, while organic food often uses disposable containers, contributing to landfill waste.
• Permaculture emphasizes integrated design, where each element serves multiple functions, contrasting with organic farming’s focus on a limited range of commodities. For example, chickens in permaculture not only provide eggs but also help control pests, fertilize the soil, and contribute to soil aeration.

In conclusion, permaculture yields numerous benefits: waste reduction, efficient resource utilization, and pollution prevention. It fosters ethical land management, enhancing both homeowners’ lives and ecosystems. Moreover, permaculture paves the way for sustainable systems that safeguard habitats for humans, animals, and plants, ensuring a healthy planet for the future.

The post What is Permaculture? Exploring the Basics of Permaculture Gardening first appeared on Yanko Design.

Documenting a place where local wine and classic cooking techniques coexist with state-of-the-art Italian sports cars

For a chef known for recognizing that a broken lemon tart could be the inception of culinary artistry and a deliciously simple tortellini could be transformed into a fine dining specialty, Massimo Bottura can be a mercurial character. He and Lara Gilmore, his wife and partner, have their three Michelin star restaurant, Osteria Francescana, and other culinary spaces in Italy and around the world. Along their path to acclaim, they began collecting world-class art and luxury Italian cars, while continuing to celebrate Italy’s culinary roots and foundational foods like pasta, aged balsamic vinegar and artisanal Parmigiano Reggiano. This juxtaposition of haute and humble lives harmoniously in the lifestyle and community they have created in Modena. 

Chronicling the experience of staying at Casa Maria Luigia (which we first did in 2021), their new book opens the doors to their countryside home to share the creative spirit and inspirational choices throughout the idyllic property. COOL HUNTING sat down with Bottura and Gilmore on a sunny Los Angeles morning to talk about the flavors of the Emilia-Romagna region, the visionary artistry of the Italian automobile industry and how they simmered and stirred this new book, Slow Food, Fast Cars, to life. 

“Massimo came up with the name of the book,” says Gilmore. “It is a phrase he often says about life in Modena.” The colors for the cover came directly from the design of the house, kitchen and garden. Julia Hasting, the Creative Director of Phaidon, designed it. The double effect of the lettering reflects the duality of Casa Maria Luigia: Bottura and Gilmore are the embodiment of traditional and innovative, natural and elevated, straightforward and complex. The book’s photographer, Michael Gardenia, visited Casa Maria Luigia six times to document the changing seasons. They wanted him to have time to experience the property and pick up on the details of the people, architecture, art, food and cars. 

Turning the pages, the images evoke all of the senses from the aromas of the food, the heat of the flames in the outdoor oven, the textures of the flowers on the trees, the colors of the art collection and the sound of the cars. Bottura says, “Casa Maria Luigia is everything. We call it casa because we want to be very humble; it’s not a villa, not a hotel. We invite our guests to come into our home and experience our passion, our way of thinking.” 

Bottura describes growing up in his large family, living together at their boisterous house and how his mother always made room for guests. “She always had the door open for the unexpected,” he says. “And my brother renamed our home Hotel California. Always, always open, come in, come in…let’s have fun.” He remembers a house filled with music and food. Casa Maria Luigia is named to honor Bottura’s mother and her generous hospitality.   

Topics range from house sweets and savories to colorful pantry staples, shared among pages of lush gardens, staff in the kitchen and playing foosball, and the art installations throughout the music room full of vinyl records, the gym and more. “We wanted people to have a feeling of what it looks like and tastes like. The recipes are great to cook from, but they’re also just an invitation to imagine,” says Gilmore. On page 174 is a recipe for bite sized coffee cakes guests might find waiting for them on the counter in the kitchen, where they can meet and talk with the other guests. The fridge is always filled with wine, house made drinks and snacks that can be shared all day. 

This is a place where local wine and classic cooking techniques coexist with state-of-the-art Italian sports cars. “We had this opportunity to bring art and culture to the countryside of Modena, with our crazy contemporary art collection with this deep, profound cultural way of thinking through traditional recipes and reinventing them and just inviting people to explore and that’s the layers of Maria Luigia and the layers of this book. I always trust the process because you don’t try to control it,” says Gilmore.

“Massimo has memorabilia in his garage and in another part of the garage there’s African art and in the middle, you have the “Oops!, I dropped the lemon tart Lamborghini,” says Gilmore, as she tries to give a sense of the whimsical chaos. The car, a surprise for Bottura from the CEO of Lamborghini, was inspired by the origin story of the lemon tart dessert at Osteria Francescana, that accidentally broke into pieces on the floor and went on to be served from that day forward as an artistic recreation of that moment. 

Upstairs guests will find a peaceful room with a stained-glass window by JR. “We saw his exhibition in San Gimignano. It just seemed like a perfect way to bring art out to the countryside,” says Gilmore. “And that particular installation was abouthow farmers are having such a hard time even in Italy, just maintaining a living. We wanted to make sure we had a tribute to that in the property. It’s very quiet, almost like a chapel up there.”

“There’s another very important part of the JR Installation,” adds Bottura. “A poem by Pier Paolo Pasolini. In the ’70s, Pasolini was writing about industrialized climate change and how all the butterflies, fireflies and bees were going to disappear. It’s happening now and he was talking about that 50 years ago. That’s why art is our landscape of ideas, because art is always the highest point of our society. Artists make visible the invisible for us.”

Bottura considers himself to be an artisan, not an artist. “Cooking good food or making amazing Ferraris. It’s an obsession with quality,” he says. “I am a chef and I’m as obsessed with quality as Flavio Manzoni is when he is designing Ferraris.” Bottura feels that one of the most important things that they have done was build a bridge between Ferrari and Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati. “You switch ‘or’ with ‘and,’ and it’s a totally different perspective for the whole industry and for Emilia,” he says. “In these 30 kilometers we build the most beautiful and desirable cars in the world.” It has become a way to express who they are and where they are from. Furher, they host a yearly event called Motor Valley Weekend, in which all of the cars from around the world come to Casa Maria Luigia.

The house tells the story of the slow foods, but it is also about speed, technology and innovation. The cars represent Italy’s daring and ability to take risks. Bottura, known for his inspired creativity in the kitchen, alongside Gilmore, continues the journey of reinvention, imagination and celebration of their beloved Modena.