2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Plastic Modernism

Sometimes a radio is just a radio, meaning we don't give it a second glance as an object, and are concerned solely about it function -  playing tunes.  But sometimes a radio demands we give it a second look.  Its design compels us to linger over its form, the way its dials cleverly lend themselves to our fingertips.  Suddenly the function of the radio is subsumed beneath the pure aesthetic joy we get from exploring the object, marveling at its molded form, slick surface, crisp graphics, touch sensitive controls, and all the other tiny details.  

The Braun Exporter Radio from 1956 (see above) is an example of how good design can transform a simple, banal, object into something that gives us joy.  It seems almost trite to suggest that the measure of good design is in the pleasure it gives, but that's exactly what underlies our aesthetic judgment of things.

Beautiful plastic objects - mid-century and beyond - are the subject of Brazilian designer Gerson Lessa's Flkr photostream.  Taken from his own collection, Lessa has created a virtual museum of every day plastic objects of extraordinary design.

Knu on 2Modern.com!

Knu is now on 2Modern! Knu is solely focused on sustainable contemporary furniture. Knu's unique, original designs--from the Knu Entertainment Center, Knu Lateral File, and Knu Bookcase to the Knu Aluminum Coffee Table and Knu Aluminum Dining Table--will foster creativity and innovation while also being ecologically conscious. Designed and engineered with an unrelenting commitment to quality and sustainability, Knú will become a lasting part of your modern environment.

WISA Wooden Design Hotel by Pieta-Linda Auttila, Helsinki, Finland

The WISA Wooden Design hotel is an architectural gem of wood situated in the maritime heart of Helsinki. The work was designed by interior architect Pieta-Linda Auttila. She hopes to spark interest in wood and highlight its role in building and design. The purpose of the intensive design session was to inspire competitors to boldly look for experimental shapes. The objective of the competition was to produce an iconic creation that expresses strong vision and the flight of a free spirit. This sculptural landmark would be Helsinki’s equivalent of the Little Mermaid – a sight that attracts architects, designers and the general public alike. Only Finnish wood in its various forms could be used in the competition proposal.

Nearly 100 designers entered the WISA Wooden Design Workshop competition. A total of 75 entries were submitted. The jury, composed of professionals of architecture, wood construction and design, considered the competition very successful. Eight entries were selected for the short list. The jury was unanimous in choosing interior architect Ms Pieta-Linda Auttila’s entry as the winner of the competition. The jury also presented two second prizes and three honourable mentions.

The WISA Wooden Design Hotel is an outstanding example of wood’s versatility. Here, wood works both as a load-bearing structure and décor in walls, ceilings and floors. The first thing that catches the eye is the atrium courtyard in the centre. The long curved pine boards half-covering the patio form a trellis that titillates the imagination. The trellis protects against the wind and filters the long rays of the Nordic sun into the courtyard. The charming interplay of light and shade can be observed throughout the day, as the bright morning light gradually turns into the red glow of the Northern midnight sun.

The striking wood architecture makes its way to the living quarters. The pine floor is complemented by the light ethereal beauty of Nordic birch. The walls and the ceiling are panelled with beautiful and durable birch plywood. Light comes in at both ends of the living quarters through floor-to-ceiling windows that brighten the interior. From the bedroom you can admire the morning sun and the sea, while the view from the lounging area opens onto the city and the evening sun.

This is how architect Pieta-Linda Auttila describes her idea: “In the beginning was the roaring sea. Powerful waves lifted from the depths a wooden block, already darkened by sea water, and threw it against a rock. The force of the blow broke the wood in the middle.” The curved part, slashed into strips in the middle, forms a trellis and shelters the atrium of the hotel. As for the unbroken ends, they are the living quarters. The dark exterior and light interior of the WISA Wooden Design Hotel likewise represent a broken block of wood. When the dark surface of the block is broken, the original lightness of the wood comes to light.

The WISA Wooden Design Hotel is a temporary building that will remain in place in Valkosaari until the end of September 2009. The building can provide overnight accommodation for a few people, but it is not designed for general hotel use.

Bamboo Light

Using the form of bamboo trunks as inspiration, this design is the postmodern version of a Zen garden, that works as lamp and as interior division. The design has an aluminum base that holds the trunks, which are formed by a repeated module, made of translucent flexible acrylic, that works as screen. Each trunk is held to the base through a hidden metallic structure that holds to the modules and the electrical system. The trunks are slightly flexible, creating harmonic movements in contact with the wind, allowing the hit of the trunks that generates a soft percussion as background music. Link

cupcake cards by nan lawson.

These hand painted art cards by Nan Lawson are so sweet they make me want to go out and buy all of my friends a present just so I can use them to decorate each package. Pick some up for self by visiting Nan's shop.

Photography by Amy Shutt

 These prints are available at Daylab for $20 a piece (unframed). You can also visit her website here .

  

GE packaging concept

Brilliant work by Kevin Kwok !  I love how the stacked boxes come together to form a complete image of a bulb.

"The redesign of General Electric CFL light bulbs is aimed to bring a friendlier shelf presence through the use of basic informative graphics. An advantage of the redesign is the ability to stack the packages together to complete the graphical form of a CFL light bulb. The top and bottom of each package might look familiar, they graphically resemble what the top and bottom of a CFL light bulb. Also something to note is each wattage has it's own color identity.

The redesign also considered the environment, the new design is packaged with post consumer cardboard rather than calm shell plastic. This ensures the use of less natural resources and therefore less impact on the environment. GE would also allow consumers to put old CFL light bulbs back in these packages and mail them back to be recycled."

Ah... to be a student again!

via

--sdotg--

New from Ferm Living!

New from Ferm Living! Ferm Living has released new Wall Sticker patterns for both your living areas & your kid's room. The Velo Wall Sticker, with marching Velo Pillow, will add a touch of vintage flair to your living room, while the Birdie Wall Sticker, with matching Birdie Pillow, will look great in your kid's playroom. Also new are the Cork Dinner Mats, & the 100% Porcelain Thermo Mugs.

A simple solution

Incredible idea, by Argetinian designer Gabriel Contino. All of us had already been in this situation: standing in a party, talking to someone, drinking some wine and trying to eat. It`s a step for a disaster! So, Gabriel came up with this plate, which has a "space" for a wine glass and cutlery. Smart, isn`t it?

 

 

 

Via Revista Design.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2009 Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2009 has been designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of leading Japanese architecture practice SANAA. It is sponsored by NetJets Europe. Describing their structure the architects say: ‘The Pavilion is floating aluminium, drifting freely between the trees like smoke. The reflective canopy undulates across the site, expanding the park and sky. Its appearance changes according to the weather, allowing it to melt into the surroundings. It works as a field of activity with no walls, allowing uninterrupted view across the park and encouraging access from all sides. It is a sheltered extension of the park where people can read, relax and enjoy lovely summer days.’

 

Sejima and Nishizawa have created a stunning Pavilion that resembles a reflective cloud or a floating pool of water, sitting atop a series of delicate columns. The metal roof structure varies in height, wrapping itself around the trees in the park, reaching up towards the sky and sweeping down almost to the ground in various places. Open and ephemeral in structure, its reflective materials make it sit seamlessly within the natural environment, reflecting both the park and sky around it.

The Pavilion will be the architects’ first built structure in the UK and the ninth commission in the Gallery’s annual series of Pavilions, the world’s first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind that annually gives pre-eminent architects their début in this country and brings the best of contemporary architecture to London for everyone to enjoy.

There is no budget for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion commission. It is paid for by sponsorship, sponsorship help-in-kind, and the sale of the finished structure through Knight Frank, which does not cover more than 40% of its cost. The Serpentine Gallery collaborates with a range of companies and individuals whose support makes it possible to realise the Pavilion.

Julia Peyton-Jones, Director, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director, Serpentine Gallery, said: ‘Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa’s design embraces the parkland around the Serpentine Gallery as never before with an extraordinarily innovative design, which reveals the subtle play on light and perception so characteristic of their work. This Pavilion will be a wonderful addition to London’s landscape this summer. It is our dream come true.’ Separate areas within the Pavilion contain spaces for a café and an auditorium, where the Park Nights events programme will be presented, including performances, talks, film screenings and the Serpentine Gallery Poetry Marathon.

Sejima and Nishizawa’s pioneering buildings have created an architecture that marries aesthetic simplicity with technical complexity, defining a new architectural language which plays with light and perception. Sought after by high-profile clients the world over, from the Louvre Museum in Lens, France, to the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, USA, SANAA’s projects are open stages which make visible the connection between the built structure, the users and the natural environment. Sejima, who in her early days studied at the Japan Women's University and worked with architect Toyo Ito, designer of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in 2002, began collaborating with Nishizawa in 1995. The architects are working with the structural design and engineering firm SAPS, led by Mutsuro Sasaki, and with the Arup team, led by David Glover and Ed Clark with Cecil Balmond, to realise this project.

NetJets Europe is the title sponsor for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2009. Mark Booth, Executive Chairman, said: ‘Sejima and Nishizawa’s design for the Serpentine Pavilion 2009 is truly breathtaking. The incredible light and openness of the concept will make for a stunning structure, which will raise the bar even higher for the much-anticipated Pavilion. Design is an area that we’re passionate about at NetJets: we’re firmly focussed on how we can bring world-class design to our customers’ flight experience; just as the Serpentine Pavilion brings world class architecture to London. We’re delighted to be a partner in this project and are looking forward to seeing the finished Pavilion.’

Arup Partner Ed Clark commented: ‘Arup's eighth year of commitment to the Serpentine Pavilion reflects our belief in the project and the positive experience our teams get from collaborating with some of the most exciting architects of our time. This year's Pavilion does not disappoint and reflects the exciting dynamism that SANAA bring to all of their projects.’

Peter Rogers, Director of Stanhope plc, will donate his expertise to all aspects of the Pavilion. He said: ‘The Serpentine Pavilion is a unique project whose innovative and challenging designs transcend normal building projects as well as fusing art and architecture in an exciting built form.’

Photographs courtesy of Guardian - photographers Dan Kitwood, Graeme Robertson, Shaun Curry