Hasta La Ideas

Carlo Scarpa’s architectural feat restored to glory as Venice’s newest museum

Widely recognized for their Ettore Sottsass-designed Valentine typewriter, one of Olivetti’s less celebrated design accomplishments is the company’s Venice showroom and store. Architect Carlo Scarpa spent two years conceiving the space with a focus on transparencies and materials after commissioned by Adriano Olivetti in the late ’50s, leading to what became one of the most significant architectural achievements of the 20th century.

Located on Venice’s famed Piazza San Marco, 14 years ago the Olivetti store was turned into a novelty shop. Last year the space’s owner, Assicurazioni Generali, began working with the Venice Heritage office to painstakingly refurbish the shop to its original appearance, reinstating authentic materials, forms and color schemes. They also turned to the glorious Italian cultural institution, FAI to protect and manage the building, which is filled with a unique collection of typewriters and calculators donated by Olivetti that’s now open to the public for regular visits along with the rest of the space.

One focal point of the renovated store is Alberto Viani’s “Nudo al Sole”—a sculpture that the architect put above a black Belgian marble plinth covered by water. To achieve the right amount of light, Scarpa increased the number of windows, illuminating the irregularly-shaped mosaic glass floor which changes color in each area. The main entrance is red, the central section almost white, the side entrance blue and the rear yellow.

The showroom-slash-museum provides exhaustive testimony to Scarpa’s construction expertise, taste and sophistication in the dialogue between old and new—skills that enabled him to design a classic in a city of architectural icons. The Olivetti Store is made of savvy construction details, balanced contrasts and constant maniacal research into lettering and texts, the results of which were never so eloquent as they are in the Olivetti Showroom.

Nice Collective opens a transportable military-inspired store in San Francisco

Quietly shaking up fashion with their utopian approach, San Francisco, CA-based label Nice Collective recently applied their forward-thinking ethos to a transportable storefront they call Mobile Supply Unit #1 or MSU. Together with Brand Director Riley Johndonnel, co-founders Joe Haller and Ian Hannula created an environment that encompasses everything from their quantum gravity theories to functional fashion and optimism—a place that feels as comfortable as it does foreign.

Completed in just eight weeks, MSU borrows heavily from military mobilization platforms that make it easy to “re-contextualize for a better use.” Nice Collective hopes their temporary home will strike a chord with customers and other designers alike, serving as a communication tool for progressive projects and events as it travels to each new destination.

Haller explains, “The intent was to transform the the core elements of Nice Collective’s soul into physical destinations where people could shop, experience and participate. The concept also required the units be quick and easy to assemble, adaptable to a multitude of geographical locations and most importantly, equipped with an efficient system for dismantling, transport, and installation in ever-changing new locations.”

The science theme falls in line with their Fall 2011 collection, which is a translation of their feelings on “the splitting of time and space, as well as ideas on how all known forces of the universe work together.” MSU will stock this line (for men and women later on) as well as pieces designed exclusively for the shop, experimental prototypes and a new lifestyle collection that will include pillows and home storage solutions.

The Nice Collection Mobile Supply Unit will remain in San Francisco until 10 September 2011, where it will then migrate on a mission to “facilitate social change” and create a sense of community wherever it goes.

MSU #1 is open daily from 12-9 pm, and through midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Tel: +1 415-824-6426

From geometric mobiles to solar-powered iPod docks, our favorites from the newest MoMA store collection

With over 125 products included in the new collection, selecting favorites from the MoMA Spring/Summer 2011 preview is no easy feat. In Part I, we sorted it out by limiting our picks to “things that look like other things,” but here you’ll find a more general assortment of nine items that we like for their form, function or both.

Garlic Rocker

Designed by Edward Goodwin and Richard Hartshorn, this Garlic Rocker ($16) helps crush garlic with ease. Simply rock it back and forth to press the garlic through the holes, and scrape the results directly into the pan. But the real beauty lies in its stainless steel construction, which is easy to clean, dishwasher safe and deodorizes hands when you run it under water.

Maiaia Bowls

Memories of childhood hand-knit clothes inspired Spanish designer Silvia Garcia to craft large ($35) and small ($15) serving bowls out of recycled colored glass, each with intricate textural patterns that toe the line between kitsch and beauty.

Reflections Placemats and Coasters

Liora Mann‘s design studio hand-blended, needle-punched and encased acrylic fibers between two layers of vinyl—a patented process—to create these color-splashed placements ($16) and set of four coasters ($12).

Flat Watch

Aptly titled, the Flat Watch ($30) by Ops! is a super-slim silicone watch that’s perfect for teens or color fanatics. The back-lit display makes it easy to read in any lighting condition, it’s water-resistant, and has a 12- or 24-hour display along with the date.

Themis Mobile

Designed by Clara Von Zweigbergk, the Themis Mobile consists of five geometric paper ornaments, suspended from a thin metal frame. With multiple colors, this piece creates a fun visual effect and requires only a small amount of assembly despite its delicate appearance.

Lace Border Rings

Using the lost wax process, Brigitte Adolf created the unisex rings out of sterling silver ($575) and 18K gold ($2,750) exclusively for MoMA. The inspiration stems from her “long-time passion for old handiwork” and the “illusion of a textile material.”

Muji Suitcase

Made by Muji, the medium or small carry-on suitcases ($125, $115) both meet FAA standards and features a minimalist polyester exterior that has multiple compartments, a side handle and now 360-degree wheels. Interior divider pockets makes for easy organization and a sturdy, water-repellent exterior keeps belongings safe and dry.

Soulra Speaker

Eton Soulra‘s portable, solar-powered sound system for the iPod and iPhone ($200) offers a bass boost for full stereo sound, and the rubberized case and aluminum frame make it the perfect picnic accessory once the weather warms up.

Space Bimba Watch

Miriam Mirri continues her playful approach to design with a polyurethane watch dubbed the Space Bimba ($85) for Alessi. Her charming take undoubtedly also captivates kids and adults alike.

Converse leverages their heritage to reinvent retail with their second shop

With over 100 years of history and a shoe known around the world, it may seem surprising that the Converse store opening today in NYC is only the second brick-and-mortar shop for the iconic brand. Following the success of its first location on Boston’s Newbury Street, Converse is taking their wholesale and online empire to SoHo, with a sizable shop dedicated both to the city itself and Converse’s athletic heritage all with a punk rock twist.

As explained by Dave Powers, Vice President of Global Retail for Converse, the store is directed at kids aged 18-22 that enjoy wearing a simple outfit comprised of Chuck Taylors, jeans and a plaid shirt. While this sounds similar to the typical ensemble adorning the Abercrombie crowd, Powers ensures us that the Converse shop is actually the opposite to uniform style. Powers states simply, “we don’t need anyone telling us how to dress.” The Converse store reflects this, with its relaxed atmosphere, no-frills merchandising (there’s even an express pick-up window for shoe shoppers who already know their size) and a customization center complete with “maestros” who are eager to help patrons put their name and personal style on shoes, totes and tees.

The store is home to the largest selection of Converse kicks in the world, from the 648 pairs of red, white and blue Chuck Taylors making up the American flag wall installation (taken from the Berlin Bread and Butter show) to its extensive showcase of premium brand collaborations, NYC One Stars, (Product) Red, Jack Purcells and more.The shop isn’t just for sneaker freaks though—also stocking the shelves is a brand new collection of apparel and accessories seemingly centered around various styles of denim and snug-fitting sportswear.

With so many brands drawing on their heritage as modern inspiration, the Converse store is a refreshing take on the concept; successfully acknowledging its roots and playing to them without force-feeding its customers a glorified version of its past. Reclaimed gym bleachers are a prominent design element in the store, for example. Powers also explained to CH that before they worried about decor or product the goal was to achieve the perfect store ambiance. Initially working with design firm Ideo, two years later they have done just that.

The charms of Coastal Maine embodied in a local label’s rustic flagship shop

Now that we’re fully in Fall’s grip, it seemed like a fitting time to check out the rugged gear sold at Rogues Gallery‘s rustic flagship shop in Portland, ME.

Tucked away on a cobblestone alley that runs parallel to two of the busiest streets in the Old Port area, the tiny brick storefront is marked only by a pair of ancient-looking wooden signs, making it perfectly easy to miss. Historically reserved for lobster-trinket-seeking tourists, stores like Rogues Gallery, along with an outcropping of excellent restaurants and local breweries, are giving the district a much-needed reinvention.

Once inside, we found exactly what we were looking for—staples like worn in tees, plaid button downs, navy sweaters and rugged leather belts compliment a range of outdoor gear, crisp jeans and a surprising variety of sneakers, boat shoes and boots.

The nautical theme is ever-present, but refreshingly different than the shops that surround Rogues Gallery. Metal anchor belt buckles and bracelets, antique model ships and buoys, dark plaids and wool sweaters, all set against the dark wood beams and brick walls, perfectly evoke the convergence of the ocean and the woods that defines coastal Maine.

While browsing and snapping pictures, a collection of bottles caught our eyes. Last year, Rogues Gallery collaborated with Delaware’s Dogfish Head Brewery to produce Squall IPA—a robust, strong beer that “brings together the hard-worn New England port town perspective of Rogues Gallery and the artisinal brew-mastery of Dogfish Head.” Luckily for us, the shopkeepers recommended Novare Res, a biergarten right around the corner that still had some left.