Dezeen Wire: Swiss architecture and design publisher Birkhäuser has gone into administration just over two years after being bought out by Spanish publisher ACTAR.
All business is currently on hold until a new buyer can be found for the company, which was first founded by Emil Birkhäuser back in 1879.
Dezeen Wire: the fifth annual World Architecture Festival (WAF) will take place this year from 3-5 October at the Moshe Safdie-designed Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore.
The event will include a programme of presentations, seminars and exhibitions, as well as awards for the most successful architectural projects of the last year.
The overall winner from the 2011 festival was the the Media-ICT office building by Cloud 9 Architects, which you can see here.
Here’s some more text from the festival organisers:
World Architecture Festival sets sail for Singapore
New venue as Festival returns for fifth successive year
The World Architecture Festival (WAF), the world’s largest, live, inclusive and interactive global architecture event, is returning for its fifth successive year. To celebrate this milestone, and to signal the evolution of the Festival as the world’s leading architectural event, this year’s Festival will be held in a new destination, taking place in Singapore from 3rd to 5th October 2012. Entries to the Festival awards open on May 1st.
Featuring an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from British colonial civic buildings to Art Deco office blocks, Singapore has a rich architectural heritage which it is recognising to an ever greater extent. Through the President’s Design Awards with its multiple international juries, and through the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize now in its third iteration, Singapore has demonstrated a real belief in the power of design to transform people and places for the better and as country which has a real interest in design quality in many fields. This year’s Festival will be held at the spectacular Marina Bay Sands resort, designed by Moshe Safdie, itself a WAF Award winner in 2010.
The Festival will include a comprehensive programme of presentations, seminars, exhibitions, and keynote addresses from international participants. The WAF Awards, the largest architectural awards programme in the world, will again be a focal point of the Festival. Previous entrants have ranged from renowned global architectural firms to small local practices. All entrants go head-to-head as equals in presenting their designs on a global stage. The interactive format involves shortlisted entrants presenting their projects live to international judging panels and Festival delegates.
The Festival’s organisers, i2i Events Group, have today unveiled a jury comprising of a selection of the world’s leading architects and designers, who will decide which projects will be rewarded with a WAF yellow W trophy live at the Festival.
This year’s jury includes Ben van Berkel, UNStudio; Juergen Mayer H., J. Mayer H Architecture Design Research; Mok Wei Wei, W Architects; Kongjian Yu, Turenscape; Marcio Kogan, Studio MK27; Kerry Hill, Kerry Hill Architects; Tang Guan Bee, Tangguanbee Architects; Edouard Francois, Maison d’Architecture Edouard Francois; Ivan Harbour, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners; Ole Scheeren, Buro Ole Scheeren; Richard Hassell and Wong Mun Summ, WOHA and Sanjay Puri, Sanjay Puri Architects.
Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director said: “Since our inaugural Festival in 2008, WAF has evolved into a truly global event, annually attracting thousands of architects and designers from across the world. Following four fantastic years in Barcelona we feel the time is right to move the Festival to a new location, and where better to celebrate our fifth birthday than at Moshe Safdie’s award winning Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
“The Festival represents an exclusive forum for the architectural community to showcase projects, debate and discuss current trends and learn from some of the world’s most inspirational designers.
“This year’s jury features some of the industry’s leading minds and most-respected thinkers, who are each individually at the very forefront of their respective fields. We’re looking forward to seeing the quality of this panel matched by the creativity and ingenuity of the projects that they will be judging.”
Dezeen Wire: a concept for a watch that syncs up to an iPhone or Android device has received over $3.4 million worth of funding on internet platform Kickstarter, breaking the site’s existing record with a month still to go – TNW
Designed by Californian start-up company Pebble Technology, the Pebble E-Paper Watch will discreetly alert you to incoming calls, emails and messages on your phone with a gentle vibration and has currently received backing from over 23,000 people.
If you’ve got a thing for watches, then check out Dezeen Watch Store for the latest designs from Ross McBride, Denis Guidone, Braun and more.
Dezeen Wire: this year’s Qubique design fair will take place at a former freight train station in Berlin between the later dates of 30 November and 2 December.
The event, which launched last year, is moving from its original location at the former Tempelhof airport following the liquidation of parent company Offshow AG. This year’s show will take place under the aegis of a new company, Qubique GmbH & Co KG.
See all our stories about Qubique 2011 here.
Here’s the full press release from the organisers:
QUBIQUE HAS A NEW DATE AND LOCATION
In October 2011 the new design furniture fair Qubique celebrated its well-received kick-off at Berlin Tempelhof Airport. After a work-intensive winter, a refined concept and some important innovations are the foundation of the second edition.
The date of the event has been postponed from mid-October: Qubique is going to take place November 30th till December 2nd. Instead of an airport, a former train station will stage the new Berlin furniture design show: The ‘Station Berlin’, a onetime station for postal fright in the heart of the city, close to Potsdamer Platz is going to be the venue of Qubique 2012.
THE NEW LOCATION
The ‘Station’ is a Berlin venue that combines charisma and atmosphere with central position and ideal conditions of production. The move results in distinctly lower production costs, passed on directly to the exhibitors with a more favorable price per square meter. The ‘Station’ is a household name for trendsetters all over Europe as it is the venue of the overly successful fashion trade fair Premium.
Evaluating the kick-off event revealed the excessive costs of production at Tempelhof Airport to achieve the level of quality doing justice to Qubique’s claims. “We are not content to lower our sights concerning production quality. On top of this, the market asked for a lower price per square meter – so we had to find another venue,” says Matthias Schmid, Managing Director of Qubique. “With the ‘Station’, we have found a place that combines the industrial, cool, Berlin charm with a very good location, ideal size and perfect conditions for production. Additionally, we could gain the owner, Station 10963 Berlin GmbH, as a strong partner for Qubique.”
THE NEW DATE
The new date of Qubique, November 30 – December 2, 2012 does not squeeze in this falls very busy trade fair calendar and therefore offers the possibility to generate more public attention. Not just for the end-consumer this pre-Christmas date is distinctly attractive, it also means a perfect preview for the coming year for the trade professionals.
THE CONCEPT
Alongside moving to another location, there goes a basic strategic intensification of the concept. Qubique‘s exhibitor portfolio will be even more selected concerning quality standards – to offer the ultimate mixture of the best international, established manufacturers with progressive brands and brand new companies: a mix you cannot find anywhere else. Simultaneously to the show and on location, the Qubique Pop-Up Store will be opened. With Qubique Conference there will be an innovative live discussion format, addressing the young talents, professionals and design interested parties alike.
As an important advancement, Qubique offers exhibitors more individual possibilities to take part. The options range from pre-built booths of just a few square meters up to large, individual stands. As a result, large, established companies as well as smaller, fresh brands will find their individually perfect solution for exhibiting at Qubique.
As an innovation the ‘Catwalk’ – two meters wide and elevated – will run through the different halls of the location. Primarily smaller manufacturers, designers and fresh brands can book two or more running meters, to present a small collection or single items – easy and emphasized. “At Qubique we want to show a lot of progressive and really fresh brands and collections – the market leaders of tomorrow that are not yet on everyones agenda”, Matthias Schmid explains.
Also the pricing structure of Qubique has been adjusted: the price per square meter now varies from 175 Euros for the plain exhibition space to 290 Euros for a pre-built stand. The running meter on the ‘Catwalk’ costs 450 Euros, including light and logo branding.
The ‘Qubique Factory’ at the inaugural event demonstrated live the manufacturing process of high-class furniture. This area will be distinctly enlarged for the 2012 event. As a result, experiencing craftsmanship and production processes will be a focus for this year‘s Qubique.
The Sunday as a new event day was not only chosen with regard to smaller, owner-managed shops, but also to address the end-consumer, as this direct contact becomes more and more important for furniture brands:
In times of internet and globalization the well-informed shopper is no longer limited to the range of products offered by local stores. The overall emotional experience and the exciting brand presentations make the visitors more receptive for brands and quality, and create desire. Thus Qubique is also a perfect marketing platform to present a brand to new target groups. “Up until know, existing trade fairs haven‘t reflected the
importance of the end-consumer in their concept that well” Matthias Schmid thinks.
THE NEW PARTNERS
Qubique is happy to announce the collaboration with two new, strong partners that will support the Berlin furniture design show in the future: With Michael Haentjes, founder, majority stock holder and chairman of the board of Edel AG from Hamburg, a new investor with a keen sense for furniture design was found. “I have been following the development of Qubique from 2010 on with much interest,” says Michael Haentjes. “If nothing else, the well-performed first show has convinced me that this new idea of a furniture and design show is a sustainable and promising concept and I am happy to support Qubique‘s further development.”
As a second partner Station 10963 GmbH could be engaged – the owner of the new Qubique event location ‘Station Berlin’ and a subsidiary of the Premium fashion trade fair. Positive side effects of the collaboration are extensive synergies in the field of trade fair productions that will result in a smooth realization of the show.
“By launching Qubique, we have started the discussion about what a trade fair needs to be fit for the future,” says Matthias Schmid, Managing Director of Qubique. »The extremely positive feedback of exhibitors, visitors and press on the first show confirmed the fact that the market needs an innovative, new platform. With the refined concept, the new location and date and with the new, strong partners, we will again realize our vision of a next generation furniture and design show in 2012. In 2011 Qubique was much more than a trade fair already – and with our refined concept we will be heading even more consistently towards the future.”
Dezeen Wire: Dutch designer Hella Jongerius has revealed that she is designing a new interior for the World Business Class cabins of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Jongerius will also create new cabin seats, which will be installed inside the upgraded cabins of 22 Boeing 747-400s.
The designs will be unveiled later this year.
See more projects by Hella Jongerius here.
Here’s some more information from Hella Jongerius:
KLM revitalises its World Business Class cabin interior in association with leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has asked leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius to revitalise its World Business Class (WBC) cabin interior across the fleet. This will enable KLM to modernise its WBC product, uniting international allure with top Dutch design to emphasise a sense of pride in our Dutch heritage.
By cooperating in this unique manner with Hella Jongerius, KLM intends to create an entirely new Business Class look & feel. In addition to designing the interior, Hella Jongerius will shape the full-flat seats. Customer comfort and safety always form the premise, harmonising well with KLM’s brand values. This also fits into the broader context of other successful KLM initiatives in WBC with top Dutch chefs and fashion designers.
Erik Varwijk, Managing Director KLM: “By choosing to work with Hella Jongerius, KLM is opting to engage a top Dutch designer to help make our Business Class passengers feel at home on board. As a designer, Hella has broad experience which she can apply to the needs of KLM and its customers, in accordance with the specific requirements for cabin interiors in the airline industry. Her previous projects demonstrate her ability to process such criteria into top-quality designs such as the ‘polder sofa’, which is both comfortable and beautiful. With her expertise and focus on quality, she is keenly aware of what makes a brand unique. An outstanding match!”
Hella Jongerius: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for me to design the cabin interior and the new business class seat for KLM. The challenge is one of safeguarding individual comfort in amiable settings using innovations. In so doing, I can optimally combine traditional details, and my industrial textile and colour skills with high-tech functionality.”
KLM will begin revitalising the first aircraft in June 2013. The Boeing 747-400s will be converted first; a total of 22 aircraft. Further details of the design and the new seat will be published in the second half of 2012.
Dezeen Wire: the “revolutionary” new product that French designer Philippe Starck claimed in a radio interview on Friday to be designing for Apple has been revealed by online technology publication AllThingsD to be a yacht for the family of late CEO Steve Jobs – AllThingsD
A spokesperson from Apple told the magazine that the company is not working on a new product or project with Starck. However the designer was working on plans for a yacht for Jobs before his death last year, to be constructed by boatbuilders Feadship.
Dezeen Wire: local architects EllisMiller have been granted permission to create a series of temporary structures in the London borough of Hackney that will provide a hub for media and commerce during the upcoming Olympic games.
Furnished by PearsonLloyd, Hackney House will occupy a site beside Shoreditch High Street and will accomodate a media centre for journalists during the games, as well as exhibitions and events that will take place throughout the summer.
The venue is scheduled to complete at the start of May and will remain in place until September.
Dezeen’s offices are also located in the borough of Hackney, so we’ve been putting together a showcase of the best design talent from the area. More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.
Here’s a full statement from EllisMiller:
EllisMiller: Starter’s orders for Hackney House
EllisMiller have secured planning consent for Hackney House – a media and investment centre for Hackney during the Olympic games.
During the summer it is expected that thousands of people will visit Hackney – including many individuals and organisations who are looking for businesses opportunities in the area. The Hackney House partners – led by Hackney Borough Council – seized this opportunity and commissioned Ellis Miller to design what will be one of the most vibrant venues of summer 2012.
Hackney House is located off Shoreditch High Street and will be used as a media centre for non-sports journalists during the games period, and will be the venue for a series of events designed to showcase business opportunities and creative talent in Hackney to UK and global business leaders, decision-makers and VIPs. Around 20,000 people are expected to visit Hackney House to enjoy an events programme that will promote Hackney as the creative heart of London in 2012. Visitors will be able to make use of exceptional networking opportunities while experiencing Hackney’s reputation as a crucible of enterprise, creativity and entertainment.
Visitors to Hackney House will first be greeted by a bespoke entrance structure, which juxtaposes highly functional materials with a decorative woven chainlink carrying a lace motif. Beyond an entrance garden, Hackney House will consist of a flexible series of marquees and other temporary structures that can accommodate a range of different uses throughout the summer. These will include exhibition and performance venues, spaces for formal and informal functions, catering and other visitor facilities.
On completion in April/May 2012, the venue will begin hosting events almost immediately including the Digital Shoreditch Festival, BBC Radio 1 Hackney Big Weekend 2012, the London College of Fashion graduate fashion shows and business networking events hosted by the Mayor of London. Hackney House will remain open until the end of September.
The site is currently a vacant brownfield site owned by development company Lirastar, who are developing a mixed use urban masterplan for its future development with EllisMiller. The scheme was initiated by EllisMiller’s strong relationship with Hackney Council, and EllisMiller were able to facilitate the temporary use of the site with the landowner. EllisMiller also encouraged Hackney Council to collaborate with emerging and fellow East London architect Harry Dobbs Design on the project. Other creative partners include design studio Pearson Lloyd and Ben Todd (Executive Director, Arcola Theatre).
Chris Patience, Partner at Ellis Miller said:
“It’s been a huge privilege working with the Hackney House partners to design one of the most exciting non-Olympic venues in London this summer. It will play host to journalists from around the world alongside thousands of people enjoying a wide range of activities including music, fashion, exhibitions and business functions. We’ve therefore worked hard to create a venue that is simple, flexible and fun.”
Carl Welham, Assistant Chief Executive, Communications and Consultation at Hackney Borough Council said:
“The Olympics will create investment, jobs and business venture capital. Hackney House will enable us to maximise this opportunity for the benefit of residents, artists and local businesses.”
Dezeen Wire: design critic Justin McGuirk examines the politically driven design and development that has taken place in Colombian capital Bogotá in recent years and reflects on the successes and failures when compared to the advancement of second city Medellín – The Guardian
Watch a movie about the Coliseos sports centre in Medellín here, which is one the buildings mentioned in the article.
Dezeen Wire: urban explorer Bradley Garrett has posted photographs on his blog showing how himself and members of the group London Consolidation Crew climbed the 309-metre-high exterior of London skyscraper the Shard back in February 2011.
Currently the tallest building in Europe, the tower was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and its construction is scheduled to complete later this year.
Dezeen Wire: architecture and design blog Designitecture have published an update to YAMoPo, a list of the most popular architecture and design websites in the world, and have ranked Dezeen in sixth place. See the results in full here.
The YAMoPo (Yet Another Most Popular) list was originally created by architecture blog Archdaily but hadn’t been revised since 2009.
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