Hasta La Ideas

Dezeen Wire: German broadcaster Deutsche Welle have featured our pop-up design shop Dezeen Super Store in a feature on temporary shops in London during the Olympics, including an interview with Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs. It also shows the nearby Opening Ceremony shop furnished by Faye Toogood, Boxpark in east London and temporary boutiques at Selfridges department store, where the Nike+ House of Innovation hosts our event tonight.

Watch the program on the Deutsche Welle website »

Dezeen Super Store
38 Monmouth Street, London WC2
1 July – 30 September 2012

www.dezeensuperstore.com

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Dezeen Wire: Dutch architect Wiel Arets has been appointed as dean of the College of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Arets will join IIT in the autumn, taking over the role from Donna Roberston who resigned earlier this year.

See projects by Wiel Arets Architects on Dezeen »

Photography is by Ineke Oostveen.

See the full press release below:

Wiel Arets Named Dean of IIT College of Architecture

Illinois Institute of Technology Provost Alan Cramb announced today the appointment of Wiel Arets as the new dean of the IIT College of Architecture. Born in the Netherlands, Arets, an internationally acclaimed architect, educator, industrial designer, theorist, and urbanist, is known for his academic progressive research and hybrid design solutions. He is currently the professor of building planning and design at the Berlin University of the Arts. His architecture and design practice, Wiel Arets Architects, has multiple studios throughout Europe and its work has been nominated for the European Union’s celebrated ‘Mies van der Rohe Award’ on numerous occasions.

Arets, who was dean of the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam from 1995-2002, will join IIT this fall and will lead an academic program originally shaped by the vision and work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Considered by many to be one of the founders of modern architecture and design, Mies chaired the IIT architecture program from 1938-1958 and designed the IIT Main Campus, home to many of his iconic structures including S. R. Crown Hall.

Arets currently has projects under construction throughout Europe and Japan, including the Allianz Headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland, Amsterdam Centraal Station’s IJhal, the Schwäbischer Verlag in Ravensburg, Germany and the A’ House in Tokyo. His many distinguished projects include the library on the Uithof campus of Utrecht University, the Academy of Art & Architecture in Maastricht, the Euroborg Stadium in Groningen, and the Hedge House in Wijlre, the Netherlands.

“The College of Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology has a global reputation and attracted outstanding candidates for dean from leading programs worldwide. It is indicative of the position of the IIT College of Architecture that we have found such an accomplished architect to lead the school in a new direction,” said Cramb.

Arets has been a guest professor at many of the world’s preeminent architectural universities, including the AA London, Columbia University and Cooper Union—and served on the Advisory Council of Princeton University from 2003-2012. He graduated from the Technical University of Eindhoven in 1983, where he obtained his Master of Science in Architecture.

The IIT College of Architecture offers a five-year Bachelor of Architecture program, four master’s programs and the Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture. Accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the college attracts students from around the world.

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Dezeen Wire: car brand Nissan has unveiled its design for a new fleet of black cabs for London.

The Nissan NV200 London Taxi features a glass roof for better sightseeing.

The rear has sliding doors and accommodates three passengers on a bench facing forwards plus two on flip-down seats facing backwards.

There are also anchors for a wheelchair and the rear seats are on sliders to create more space when required.

The front passenger seat has been removed to make more room for carrying luggage.

Taxi versions of the NV200 have already been unveiled in Tokyo and New York, and subject to testing the diesel version is expected to be available to London cab drivers later this year.

An all-electric version is also set to undergo trials in London next year.

Here’s some more information from Nissan:

Nissan unveils a new Hackney Carriage for the Capital

» Affordable and 50% more fuel efficient, than alternative cabs
» Complies with TfL regulations, including 25ft turning circle
» All-electric e-NV200 prototype London Taxi to be tested in 2013
» Fully backed by London Mayor, Boris Johnson, the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association and disability groups
» Designed for superior comfort, space, convenience and accessibility
» Nissan has unveiled a bold new vision for the future of the London ‘black cab’ and its 300,000 daily users – the Nissan NV200 London Taxi.
» The NV200 London Taxi will offer significantly reduced CO2 outputs compared to current taxi models – a focus in line with the Mayor Boris Johnson’s Air Quality strategy for London.

An all-electric e-NV200 concept is also set to undergo trials in the Capital. The Mayor has joined disability groups and the influential London Taxi Drivers’ Association in welcoming the launch of the Nissan NV200 London Taxi.

Taxi versions of the NV200 have already been unveiled in Tokyo and it has also been chosen as the exclusive New York City ‘Taxi of tomorrow’. The NV200 London Taxi joins an exciting global Nissan vision for the private hire industry.

Nissan has a respected place in the Capital’s taxi history – its 2.7-litre TD27 diesel engine was chosen for the iconic LTI FX4 ‘Fairway’ black cab, which introduced improved speed, reliability and efficiency to the London cabbie’s daily drive. The same engine also featured in the Fairway’s successor, the TX1.

The NV200 will build on this reputation.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: “Nissan already has a great footing in the London taxi market – the 2.7-litre diesel that featured in some of the early taxis was one of the greatest engines ever put in a cab. From what I’ve seen of the NV200 London Taxi, it ticks all the right boxes. It’s important that it looks like a cab, is comfortable with good ingress and egress and is reliable. If the fuel consumption figures are as promised, it will be a big seller.”

Designed from the inside out for the well-being of passengers, drivers and even other road users, the NV200 London Taxi is more efficient and more environmentally considerate than current ‘black cab’ models, while delivering more comfort, space and convenience for occupants. A particular focus was also placed on providing for passengers with mobility issues.

Alan Norton, from Assist UK, said: “Assist UK is proud to be associated with Nissan in the development of an accessible taxi to meet the needs of all disabled people. We have had the opportunity to bring together experts from all fields of disability to work with designers to ensure the vehicle will work for all in their transport needs. The work is ongoing and future refinements are planned after the initial launch, as many ideas have been discussed and are currently undergoing development. We congratulate Nissan for its initiative and wish them every success with their project.”

Durable and reliable, the Nissan NV200 London Taxi is based on the company’s multi-purpose NV200 compact van – a vehicle which has won many awards including International Van Of The Year. Launched at end of 2009, the model has been introduced to 40 countries, selling over 100,000 units worldwide.

The Nissan NV200 London Taxi comfortably seats five adults – three on a rear bench with two on rear-facing, fold-down seats. The front passenger seat has been removed to create space for luggage.

A stand-out feature is the taxi’s sliding passenger doors, which were developed for easy open and close. They are also much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles because they do not swing out to create a potential obstruction.

The diesel version of the Nissan NV200 London Taxi is expected to be competitively priced below the new TX4 – the London Taxi Company’s current model – and will be available through a designated ‘specialist’ Nissan dealer.

Nissan’s NV200 also delivers significantly improved running costs than alternative London cabs. The model’s frugal 1.5 dCi 89 HP EuroV, 6-speed manual drivetrain achieves 53.3mpg on a combined cycle meaning almost 50% fuel saving than the most efficient TX4 with its combined cycle figure of 35.3mpg.

Fuel costs account for around 10 percent of taxi driver overheads. Over the course of a year, NV200 London Taxi drivers would spend around 50% less – about £700 – on fuel than TX4 drivers.*

With a focus on improving air quality in the city, the NV200 London Taxi’s Euro V engine only emits up to 139g/km of CO2, compared with 209g/km from the ‘greenest’ TX4 model. As a relevant simulation, if all of London’s licensed taxis were replaced with the NV200 London Taxi, there would be a CO2 reduction across London of 37,970 metric tonnes each year – the equivalent of planting 10,000 acres, or two Congestion Charge zones, of trees every 12 months.

More importantly, the harmful NOx and PM (particulate) gases on which authorities are seeking particular improvement in ‘clean air’ legislation, would be reduced by an estimated 135 metric tonnes and 20 metric tonnes per year.

An all electric version could have an even bigger impact on London’s air quality. Having been the first car manufacturer to mass produce a 100% electric family car with its trail-blazing Nissan LEAF, Nissan could cement its place at the forefront of motoring technology with the introduction of an all-electric e-NV200 London Taxi. With running costs estimated to be around one fifth of a conventional, diesel-powered Hackney Carriage it is likely to be popular with drivers too.

Discussions with all the stakeholders will continue to try and make an e-NV200 a realistic proposition by increasing investment in charging infrastructure.

Subject to final testing, including a crash-test, the diesel-powered Nissan NV200 aims to receive full London Taxi certification later this year.

The extensive modifications to the standard NV200 ensure the model fully conforms to the regulations set in the TfL London Taxi Conditions of Fitness. These include being able to accommodate a wheelchair passenger and achieve a 25ft (7.6m) turning-circle – a legal requirement for all Hackney carriages, said to originate from the small roundabout in front of the famous Savoy Hotel on The Strand that taxis needed to round in one manoeuvre.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “Improving air quality in London is one of the most important challenges I face as Mayor. Having taken the significant step of introducing the first age limit for taxis in London, I am absolutely delighted that manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and are responding to the challenge I set in my air quality strategy to reduce taxi emissions and improve efficiency. I look forward to when a fully competitive model comes to market.”

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan, said: “Nissan is proud to be delivering a 21st century vision for one of London’s most iconic vehicles. The ‘black cab’ is as much a part of the London landscape as Big Ben and, whilst there will always be a place for that familiar silhouette, the Nissan NV200 London Taxi focuses as much attention on its interior as the exterior – a better experience for drivers and passengers.”

He continued: “The design process for the NV200 London Taxi was exhaustive and will be further improved. In addition to ensuring drivers would be comfortable spending extended hours behind the wheel, we’ve had to consider every user for this vehicle – there are no specific customer profiles in the back of a London cab. Adults, children, business professionals, foreign visitors, disabled travellers – they’re all potential customers. We’ve even considered those who might never get inside the taxi but who will benefit from features such as the model’s lower CO2 emissions or the un-obstructing sliding doors.

“The Nissan NV200 is a global taxi, launching in the biggest and brightest cities in the world. Safe, comfortable, efficient and convenient – it’s a great step forward for providing a transport solution that is good for both its users and other city inhabitants.”

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Dezeen Wire: London 2012 Olympic cauldron designer Thomas Heatherwick has revealed that he has been inundated with messages of support from people “moved by his spectacular creation”. Speaking to the Independent, Heatherwick also says he ignored advice to avoid having moving parts in the cauldron, which features around 1,000 moving components. “ ”It’s probably more complex than a Swiss watch,” Heatherwick says – read the article in the Independent.

See all our stories about the London 2012 Olympics | See all our stories about Thomas Heatherwick

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Dezeen Wire: the Royal Institute of British Architects has joined the campaign to promote the architects and engineers who designed buildings for the London 2012 Olympic games but have been unable to promote their work because of a marketing agreement with the event organisers.

RIBA president Angela Brady, President of the Institute of Structural Engineers John Nolan and New London Architecture chair Peter Murray have today hung a banner down the facade of the RIBA headquarters in London listing all of those involved under the slogan “The Architects and Engineers who designed and built London 2012″.

The protest follows our story about how Murray wore a T-shirt listing the names to a Creative Industries Summit at Lancaster House earlier this week and attendees at today’s event can be seen wearing the same shirt.

Download a pdf of the design here so you can print your own.

See all our stories about the London 2012 Olympics »

Photography is by Jack Shaw.

Here’s a press release from the RIBA:

Team ‘Design GB’ stage ‘name drop’ event to promote the firms who built the Olympics

Today the RIBA staged a protest with the architects and engineers who built the Olympic buildings. Strict contractual rules have meant that they are not able to do any pro-active work to promote their role in London 2012. In an effort to encourage LOCOG to do more to promote, and to allow the architects and engineers to promote, their great work on the inspiring Olympic buildings, they did a literal “name drop” by unfurling a banner from RIBA’s central London HQ listing the names of all the design and engineering companies involved in the Olympics.

The banner was dropped by RIBA President, Angela Brady, President of the Institute of Structural Engineers, John Nolan and Peter Murray, Director of New London Architecture. Olympic architects and engineers surrounded the banner wearing T-shirts listing all the firms involved in designing the Games.

RIBA President Angela Brady, said today:

“Architects and engineers have delivered incredible buildings which are hosting the London 2012 Games right now. We are calling on LOCOG to be proud of our architectural and engineering achievements for the London 2012 Olympics and do everything they can to promote the buildings and all the designers involved. Time is of the essence and we want them to start doing it now, and very importantly, to let architects get out there and talk about their work now. Let’s shout about the great design and engineering talent that the UK has to offer and not miss this valuable opportunity to do so.”

President of the Institute of Structural Engineers said today:

“The London Olympics is an exemplar for building design throughout the world. It seems nonsensical in a time when so much of our industry is struggling that the opportunity to market ‘construction/design GB’ is being thrown away by short-sighted government policy.”

Peter Murray, Director of New London Architecture, said today:

“When the government called for businesses involved in the Olympics to promote themselves overseas to support the British economy it seems crazy that architects, consultants and other suppliers to the Olympics are gagged in this draconian way”.

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