Design Folio NZ

1950s Home Remodeled by Hollywood Couple

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:29:00 GMT

Photos: Elle Decor.

Whilst a beautiful house can be many things: architecturally designed, filled with the latest furniture, and walls lined with art; a home, on the other hand, needs to reflect something in addition to all of this: the owners' personality. This home in Hollywood, which belongs to Lynn Harris, an executive vice president of production at Warner Bros and her husband that also works in media, has been remodeled after a series of botched attempts from previous owners. Where shutters once cluttered almost every room, they've removed them to allow the light back inside. The floors are highly polished concrete and wood, and the walls have all been painted white. The owners describe their home as 'an expression of [their] love' for one another, so that their children could grow up in a really 'well-designed environment so they'd learn to appreciate art and beauty.' The furniture within the home is almost a living gallery of some of the top design from the 20th century: Signature chairs by Hans Wegner and Jeffrey Bernett, a Warner Platner table and Harry Bertoia barstools among others.

To read more about this home go here.

Flower X-Rays by Hugh Turvey

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:32:00 GMT

I find these flower x-rays by Hugh Turvey quite arresting. He's been exploring x-ray techniques since 1996 and cites his fascination with 'getting underneath the surface of things,' as something that stemmed from childhood.

Paper Sculptures by Jeff Nishinaka

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:57:00 GMT

The level of detail that Jeff Nishinaka is able to apply to his paper sculptures is remarkable. At first glance the sculptures really seem to have been made of something more solid like marble - when in fact, he makes them solely from paper. Nishinaka prefers to work predominantly with white paper because it casts strong shadows. And if you ever happen to want to see the largest collection of his work, you'd have to pay a visit to his personal friend - Jackie Chan.

Design: The Week in Review 31.8.2010

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:47:00 GMT

a. Brabus Mercedes s600 iBusiness is a high-tech office on wheels [Born Rich]
b. Kitchen of the future: Mind-reading robots whip up delicious dream meals [Fast Co]
c. The Canadian pavilion at the Venice architecture biennale 2010 [Design Boom]
d. The design imperfectionists by Alice Rawsthorne [NY Times]
e. Modern Views exhibition and auction [Design-Milk]
f. David Rowland, designer of the 40/4 chair passes away [Core 77]

Soap Opera by German Design Collective

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:31:00 GMT

Not many things say play time like giant bubbles - even if they do come in the form of balloons. 'Soap Opera' by German collective Raumlabor-Berlin is an installation celebrating the 2010 opening of 'Ruhr European Capital of Culture'. Made from transparent latex, each balloon is filled with either helium or air to create a sense of floating and movement. Each balloon is then lit from within to give an ethereal quality - passerbys can watch them float between the old bath house on the site and the grove of birch trees.

Diesel Installation in Japan

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:06:00 GMT

Diesel denim gallery in Aoyama in Tokyo are currently presenting 'rolls' in an installation for Japanese design studio Sinato. The rolls consist of large amounts of aluminium sheets that are then unwound in an upward fashion towards the ceiling. The installation doubles as a display space for shop merchandise. Very visually impressive.

Caroline Andrieu Fashion Illustrations

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:18:00 GMT

Caroline Andrieu, a French illustrator, is also the art director of Conde Nast digital's French Vogue & GQ websites. Her runway and portrait illustrations are incredible.

Portugal House by DEM Architecture

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:12:00 GMT

Located in the Portugal Northwest border, the Vila Nova de Cerveira house by Demm Architecture was constructed for weekend use for its owners. Built as one long rectangle, its simplicity, enhanced by extensive use of concrete and glass, has good indoor-outdoor flow. The main living area leads out to an infinity pool, and the gardens, which are simply landscaped enables a simple concrete staircase to standout as a feature design feature.

Birdhouse by Thomas Stanley

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:11:00 GMT

Here's a modern take on traditional wooden-hutch birdhouses. Designed by Thomas Stanley, he draws inspiration from an apple, where he hopes birds and insects will come and nest within its spherical shape. Named 'Thee Apple', he's also taken into account key flaws often associated with birdhouses of a traditional variety like how to keep the food dry. The large funnel capacity of Thee Apple enables the owner to store a vast amount of food for our little feathered friends - making it the ultimate feasting pad.

One Light Only Lighting by Lee Broom

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:13:00 GMT

One Light Only is a new collection of pendant lighting by Lee Broom. Inspired by Art Deco jewellery and fashion photography from the late 70s, the lights have a hard exterior with two finishes: matte white or polished gold. Designed to be hung in clusters, we see them in a variety of environments.

Sculptures by Kevin Francis Gray

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:50:00 GMT

These sculptures by artist Kevin Francis Gray have a slight macabre nature to them. His sculpture Ghost Girl adorned with pearls and stringed jewels has the appearance of crying, whilst the skulls dripping with a similar treatment in another sculpture are reminiscent of tribal voodoo dolls. His work is completely arresting and striking.

Burnt Furniture by Kaspar Hamacher

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:22:00 GMT

This simple yet effective idea from Belgian designer Kaspar Hamacher is called “ausgebrannt,” which translates to burned out in German. The designer removes the bark from each trunk and then burns the interior of each to create the legs of each table and chair.

Bicycles by Francesco Bertelli

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:41:00 GMT

We absolutely love these bicycles which are all assembled, finished and fine tuned by Franceso Bertelli in New York City. He uses a combination of brand new parts and old parts found at flea markets to create these lust worthy cycles. Each bike is completely unique and stunning.

Introducing Dyson Award Winner Tim Cox

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:24:00 GMT

Above: Tim Cox

Tim Cox, last year’s Dyson Award winner is bursting with enthusiasm and has a fun and off beat sense of humour. He’s bright-eyed (as the saying goes) but not without firm opinions about the state of design – and what designers, including himself, should aim for. We met up with him at this year’s Dyson Awards – where he spoke of his experiences as a young designer in New Zealand and asked him a few questions about what designers and work he's currently impressed by.

You spoke brilliantly at this year’s Dyson awards – one of the things you mentioned is that you wished advancements in design weren’t solely associated with minimalism and simplicity, can you expand?

The trend of simplicity and minimalism in a general sense formed around very practical ideas, and was driven by the radically new manufacturing methods people were experimenting with at the time. Designers were starting to question their approach to design and ask why a product had to look and the function the way it did. The outcome was new and exciting products of course but they were still very much honest and full of character. The trend advanced technology and aesthetics rapidly so it was very purposeful and beneficial. However, our take on simplistic design and minimalistic aesthetic no longer has that same justification. We haven’t moved on instead we have driven the trend beyond what is beneficial because it has turned into a very aesthetic based methodology. If the solutions maintained their personality and character and weren’t always trying to hide their function I would have no reason to point finger. Think of the emotional associations you would have with a space if every product was crisp white, super clean and minimally minimal, I doubt they’d be of warmth and excitement. I’d rather book a bed in the local ER ward before I would lather my home with soapy clean appliances and furniture; if the environment lacks inspiration then no doubt it will eventually rub off to those who live there. Simply put it would get visually boring very quickly.

What designers or products do you draw visual references from?

1. 1950 Buick Le Sabre concept Car & 2000 Buik Blackhawk concept car

2. Frank Gehry. His work is crazy and wonderful. He isn't conservative with his design and defies trends to create unique pieces that crave attention. His work is on many different scales, he creates beautiful things that are indeed simplistic but they are always creative and interesting. He puts a 'twist' into his design and I like that kind of approach.

Above: Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health by Frank Gehry, Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry

3. Naoto Fukasawa. Literal interpreatio of fruit juice containers, a creative way of explaining the product without words or pictures.

Above: Fruit juice container by Naoto Fukasawa

4. Richard Sapper's Match Company Telefunken 1963 portrable transitor radio. This style of interlocking to create an enclosure has lasted a long time. The soft detail with contrast of dark textured leather provide really nice and simple but fun feel to the product. If that could hold a gig of tunes I would happily buy one.

5. Bryan Louie's illustrations. Crazy, exciting lines contrasting with bold colours. His collision of visuals creates amazing compositions.

6. Paul Rand, graphic designer. I love his work and how you can see his process in the images. He did amazing design that has stuck around - his work was playful and well ahead of his time.

7. Depression Press' photostream on Flickr. Vintage logos, sweet stuff can be found here. These graphics are great, they are full of imperfection that you wouldn't see if they had been created with the software we have today. Like I said in relation to Paul Rand, the images are testament to the designer's process of how they were made. The texture of the printing methods add so much depth and interest.

And lastly, what would be your dream commission?

I’d love to have the chance to design a building and everything that would fill it. I’d be there forever but it would be fun. In terms of value to others, it would be a rather selfish endeavour so ultimately I would like to create/ design a “something” that would give the least fortunate a better chance at life. It would have to be a tool that would teach and developed skills to help them help themselves. Obviously this “thing” would have to be worth nothing but have huge value to those using it. The challenge of that would keep me busy for a while to come and would be hugely satisfying. The best thing is I have no idea what that “thing” would be, it could be a system, a method or a tangible product who knows?

Design: The Week In Review 17.8.2010

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 04:09:00 GMT

a. Tivoli Audio 10th Anniversary global design challenge [Dexigner]
b. A book dedicated to container-style housing [Stylepark]
c. Semi-Permanent about to open to crowds in New Zealand [Semi-Permanent]
d. Pet decor is on the rise [NY Times]
e. Manuel Villa Arquitecto create a polyhedron pod for living [Designboom]
f. Hybrid bike wheel wins U.S Dyson Award [Fast Co]