Sep 17
Ravenscroft Cross Leg Desk
Posted in: Uncategorized
Designed to sit in the centre of a room, Pfeifer’s Ravenscroft Desk is a contemporary interpretation of a classic form. The generous desktop finishes ..
Sep 17
A group of disused grain silos near Christchurch in New Zealand are being fitted out as motel rooms.
New Zealand studio F3 Design came up with the concept of reusing the industrial structures, which were used to store feed for farm animals.
Once complete, the Silo Stay motel will provide eight two-bedroom suites, one family unit and a manager’s room.
Each suite will be two storeys high and will have a glazed roof, as well as a kitchen and living room.
A wood pellet boiler inside a separate silo will heat all of the rooms.
F3 Design propose that grain silos could also be reused in cities as offices or information centres.
Another strange hotel room recently featured on Dezeen is the Sleepbox, where airport passengers can take a short nap – see all our stories about hotels here.
Here’s a project description from F3 Design:
Silo Stay Little River
Traditionally grain silos are found in the country filled with feed, surrounded by a distinct waft of, er, farm animals; however ‘Silo Stay’ based in Little River, Banks Peninsula is going against the grain. In this instance, proprietary grain silos are being used as individual motel units as part of an innovative, eco- friendly and affordable accommodation complex.
Silo Stay Little River has eight single units each sleeping two people, an accessible/family unit and a managers unit which will be erected to complete this exciting project. Visionary and founder of this project, Stuart Wright-Stow and his design team, F3 Design, are passionate about environmental sustainability so have designed an energy unit which houses a gravity fed wood pellet boiler to heat the complex. This sits within its own custom designed silo with glazed panels so you can see the energy in the making.
Each two storey unit is 8.7 metres high. The peak has a glazed lid allowing a glimpse of the night sky while relaxing in bed. Upstairs houses a queen sized bed and ensuite while downstairs has a kitchen and living area.
Silo Stay Little River is an exciting project that opens avenues for further ventures . The vision and ingenuity of this design is its versatility of uses in areas which are not necessarily accommodation complexes. These individual units or the larger family complex can be used in a myriad of situations and locations. For example, these units can easily become inner city offices, batches for secluded hideaways, home and office situations, sleep-outs, information centres, accommodation facilities for conference centres, or anything else that requires a compact vessel to accommodate the many needs of both the commercial and domestic sectors.
Along with the grain silo accommodation fit-out and configuration, F3 Design and Stuart have developed drawings for inner city office complexes. If there is a vision for the Silo Units, F3 Design will work with the client to create an exciting outcome to suit anyone’s needs.
See also:
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| Farmhouse by Catrina Stewart | Oogst 1 Solo by Tjep. | Transformations by Tjep. |
Sep 17
Dezeen Wire: Henn Architekten have won a competition to design a 450-metre tower for Haikou in China:
The tower forms part of a masterplan for the new business district that will include ten towers of between 150 and 450 metres.
The competition was won by Henn StudioB, the Berlin design and research studio of Henn Architekten. The same studio won a competition to masterplan the new business district for Wenzhou in November 2010.
Here are some more details from HENN:
HENN wins International Competition for 450m Tower in Haikou
HENN wins the first prize in the international competition to design the Haikou Tower in China. Among the participants were Wilkinson Eyre, Broadway Malyan, Zaha Hadid Architects and RMJM/Alsop.
The Masterplan for the central business district of Haikou thus marks a major milestone in a series of recent designs by HENN.
The competition was realized by the Berlin-based design & research studio HENN StudioB in cooperation with IPPR International Engineering Corporation, Arup, Front and Lumen3.
Haikou Towers are projected to become the heart of the new Central Business District of Haikou, the capital city of Hainan, a tropical island in the South China Sea.
The Masterplan comprises an ensemble of 10 Towers ranging from 150 to 450 meters height with an overall building area of 1.5 million square meters.
Sep 17
Dezeen Space is now open at 54 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3QN, Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm and Sunday 11am-5pm until 16 October.
Come round and check out the new Dezeen Book of Ideas, our latest Dezeen Watch Store pop-up, our live video and blogging studio, specially commissioned sculptures by Dominic Wilcox, an exclusive new product by Paul Cocksedge and a chandelier installation by Plumen, plus a fresh exhibit every day on Dezeen Platform.
See you there!
Sep 17
Hello Etsy! Live from Berlin
Posted in: Uncategorized
Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com
We told you about Etsy’s awesome summit on small business and sustainability and now you can watch it live, streaming from Berlin! Hello Etsy will be taking place over 2 days and include some great satellite events behing hosted around the United States. Tune in online or pop by and say “Hello!”—we’ll be attending in Brooklyn on Sunday!
Sep 17
Dezeen Space: our micro-exhibition Dezeen Platform kicks off at Dezeen Space today, with architect/shoe designer Julian Hakes.
Hakes presents Mojito, a shoe that has no sole and no upper but instead supports the foot on a continuous loop.
The shoes were first shown on Dezeen in 2009 when they were prototypes and due to the response to our story they’re now in production.
You can read much more about the Mojito shoes in our stories here and here and this movie on Dezeen Screen.
The Mojito shoe is also featured in the Dezeen Book of Ideas, which you can order online or buy in person at Dezeen Space.
Each day, for 30 days, a different designer will use a one metre by one metre space to exhibit their work at Dezeen Space. See the full lineup for Dezeen Platform here.
More about Dezeen Space here and more about the London Design festival here.
Dezeen Space
17 September – 16 October
Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
54 Rivington Street,
London EC2A 3QN
See also:
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| Mojito shoe by Julian Hakes | Dezeen’s top ten: shoes | These shoes on Dezeen Screen |
Sep 16
Maison & Objet Fall 2011, Part Three
Posted in: UncategorizedSix artisans showing the creative side of elegant craftsmanship
Parts one and two of our Maison & Objet coverage looked to the fully materialized innovations in furniture and sustainable design, but one of most inspiring sections of the expo is the area dedicated to arts and craft. In this sector creativity reigns, and each artist’s distinct know-how turns raw materials into unique collectibles, sophisticated jewelry, intriguing lamps and more. Each object tells a story, many of the hands that made them.
Observing the world through ancient and forgotten optics, Dominic Stora’s kaleidoscopes, optical games and early animation devices like the phenakistoscope are as much an objet d’art as they are an entertaining toy. His range of unearthed spy devices and more can be purchased by contacting Stora at apreslapluie[at]orange[dot]fr.
Based in Brittany, French artist Pauline Bétin creates beautifully fragile glass sculptures. Imprisoned in the blocks are dreamlike images that seemingly float within the glass, half erased and half embedded within the material. Featuring landscapes or urban industrial environments, the artist works with both mediums to explore the mysteries of opacity and illumination. Bétin sells her decorative objects under the moniker La Fabrique du Verre.
Poetic stories to get kids to sleep is what the paper lampshades and other enlighten paper figures created by Papier à êtres tell. The couple behind the company is both paper craftsmen and artists and most of their creations are made out of their own homemade cotton or linen paper production.
The graceful white figures and handblown lighting sculptures borrow their soft charm from the folded paper they are made from. Inspired by fairy tails, the mini tree-hut lamps and moon-like suspension lamps featuring tiny swinging figures are known to enchant a child’s room or the Parisian Opera House.
Parisian Aude Tahon tells stories of princesses with her refined ultra-feminine floral jewlery. Handmade using the traditional Korean technique of knotting twisted silk yarns or by braiding cotton threads, the artist makes airy rings, bracelets and other creative body accessories.
A trained architect, ceramist Beatrice Bruneteau creates contrasting sandstone and porcelain housewares under the name Brune.
Inspired by rock, cliffs and tree bark, her smooth tea sets and attractive flower pots reflect her talent for pottery, while the willowy tree branches simply allow anyone to elegantly bring a bit of nature indoors.
Marseille-based Jean-Pierre Giusiano turns everyday objects into functional works of art. Kitchen utensils, bicycle pieces or gear boxes are given new life as desk lamps, coffee tables or stools.
Sep 16
Friday Photo: Fire-Breathing Maker Mascot
Posted in: Uncategorized
(Photo courtesy Teddy Lo)
Pass the diet cola and Mentos, fire up the 3-D printer, and prepare to be serenaded by Tesla coils, because it’s time for Maker Faire. The bricolage bash kicks off tomorrow at the New York Hall of Science in Queens—take a left at the glowing dragon! Created for last year’s Burning Man festival, “GonKiRin” (Mandarin for “Light Dragon”) is the work of Hong Kong-based light artist Teddy Lo, who constructed the 69-foot-long and 22-foot-tall car-creature from a 1963 Dodge W-300 power dump truck, approximately 2,500 feet of linear RGB LED lighting fixtures, and a massive flamethrower. Artist Ryan Doyle collaborated with Lo on the project. Riders can sit in the dragon’s mouth or relax in a couch on its back as an intrepid DJ spins from a booth on the second story. Can’t make it to Maker Faire? Look for GonKiRin in the New York City Halloween parade later this fall and click below to watch a video of the creature in action.
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
Sep 16
DIY Art
Posted in: UncategorizedWe all aspire to own great original artwork by up and coming and established artists, but for most of us, now isn’t exactly the time in our lives when that goal is attainable. In the future, absolutely, but for now, not really. Although I encourage the support of the arts community, sometimes you just want a nice large piece of art to add color and interest to your walls. You have seen some pretty simplistic art out there and you figure, “Hey, I can do that myself”. If you are in that crafty/DIY mood and inspired by professional pieces you have seen, here are some ideas to get started.
Abstract Art
A quick trip to the art supply store to pick up a large canvas, brushes, and some acrylic or oil paints can yeild a free form composition. Some people even reuse leftover home interior latex paints to ensure a matching color scheme and to be green. Be aware of the colors that you choose and how they come together on the canvas, just like a real artist. Work by building layers of colors. Embrace drips. And if you paint with a fat brush you will save time. The result will be indistinguishable from museum pieces.
Oh Happy Day – great step by step instructions
Made By Girl, what’s easier than big circles painted free hand in a grid formation?
Sep 16
Ben Lai’s Wood Graining & Marbleizing Video Demos
Posted in: Uncategorized
Earlier this week, we wrapped up our four-part miniseries on Benjamin Lai (from finish to start, as it were); as we were not allowed to visit him on his jobsites, we asked the decorative painter to give us some private video demonstrations of his techniques. He agreed, with the understanding that these would be somewhat watered down due to time frame; on a real job he might spend days performing what we asked him to crunch down into a few hours.
For the first demonstration, he quickly mahogan-izes a beer can using all three types of products discussed in his Part 2 interview—alcohol-, oil- and water-base, including beer itself:
For the second, he left a camera on for several hours while he laid down a quick marbleizing and wood graining demonstration:
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