the first annual icff miami will bring luxury global designers, architects, developers, high end showrooms and retail influencers to miami, a leading market for affluent residential development and investment. like icff nyc, the miami show will showcase what’s next and best in design, but with an energy and style all its own.
spectacular vernacular is the first major solo exhibition of work by the design studio parsons & charlesworth. founded by jessica charlesworth and tim parsons, the exhibition uses the chicago rooms to show three distinct facets of their creative practice: observation, experimentation, and speculation. it reveals the way parsons’ and charlesworth’s work mixes their craft and industrial design backgrounds with influences from fiction, science and the arts, to explore the rhetorical, as well as the practical opportunities of designed objects. in doing so it makes the case for independent design practice as a critical response and essential adjunct to the corporate design world, in which individual creativity can find appropriate form.
above> patricia uriquiola and patrizia moroso at luminaire’s women in design event
designapplause talks to patrizia moroso prior to her special chat women in design: patrizia moroso & patricia uriquiola with spanish architect and designer patricia uriquiola at luminaire’s chicago showroom. moroso is an italian furniture company founded by patrizia moroso’s parents in 1952, and it is still a family company. today the company is headed by the second generation of the moroso family- roberto, the ceo, and patrizia, the art director. patrizia gives us a good glimpse why building close relationships with designers and architects is so important to her.
the story of moroso is about adopting a different approach to the market. it’s a story told by their designs and projects, by people, the protagonists of contemporary living, who tell of their genuine, spontaneous passion for beauty, emotion, design and art.
moroso says what sets her company apart is the amount of time and effort it puts in to make sure the unique character of each designer’s concept is captured in the finished product. “we talk a lot with the designer to try to give identity to the objects,” she explains. “we try to understand what is the personality and the identity of that thing.”
[designapplause] what is the most rewarding aspect of your job? was this realization a surprise? [patrizia moroso] what i love about my job is the possibility to make things and collaborate with the brightest minds i know. it’s a fantastic opportunity for your life to be enriched by these special people and to realize something with them is simply wonderful. these people bring talent, ideas and like patricia (uriquiola) a friendship.
[da] have you enriched your life by selecting such a high quality of talent? [pm] ha! yes. you know everyone is influenced by their beginnings, and my beginning was with very special people and different from the mainstream of design. i started working in the family company, an established company (in the 50s) and simply a daughter coming back from the university. but my roots in the family business started early for me, a young child where i spent much of my time playing with fabric and wood as toys.
above>plana – massimo losa ghini | 1987
at the university my courses were more creative in nature and i had ideas and my first collaboration was with a friend, massimo losa ghini, who was 22 at the time, but later became a very famous designer in italy and founded a movement called bolidismo and worked with the memphis group with ettore sottsass. soon after was ron arad and then toshiyuki kita.
above> suriyama island | toshiyuki kita | 1989
ron was the first to translate an incredibly strong design language and his work was basically art pieces for collectors and museums with the subject of the chair. and with us, it was the first time he created industrial objects and i feel very proud doing that. i was absolutely attracted by his talent and his congeniality. with toshiyuki, coming from japan, for us a completely different world with another kind of concept for the seat- maybe like sitting on a rock in the garden, a fantastic example of organic design. it seems that every designer i’ve made contact with are special talents that greatly influenced me.
[da] do you take risks selecting your talent? [pm] creating something new is an elemental part of design. it makes no sense to just make another thing like the past. so yes, of course. taking risks is part of our job. and this is also the most exciting part the process.
[da] regarding creative pursuits, can you share what you feel is important? [pm] the first thing is to know yourself. to have confidence in what you are creating, which is not very easy when you’re young. to also feel and communicate passion. and think about finding a good partner who reinforces your thinking.
if you want to do something and can’t find someone happy to make it for you, just do it yourself. do it yourself first and show that it’s possible. and the technology makes it possible to create your own work. in the end, the (industrial) designer has to have a partner in the industry.
for example, i remember in the 80s when i was crazy about all the young london designers, the manufacturing industries were not there. the then young designers, ron (arad), jasper (morrison) and tom dixon, their studios also had workshops so they could make things to propose to people. tom dixon, after trying many many times became a big success mass producing his own.
above> serpentine | tom dixon | 2003
when i first met patricia she presented models of baskets that she interpreted as furniture and she made all these models by hand. you see, when the designer presents more refined examples, more than a sketch or computer prints on paper, there’s a much better understanding of the project and designer. more recently, with front design like ron they also started designing for galleries and collectors and could also make things by themselves.
of course if the relationship is there, sometimes a sketch is enough. so you see in this example the importance of the relationship.
[da] a personal question about you. what do you feel are your most valuable assets you bring to your life’s passion? what are you blessed with. is it a talent or something learned? [pm] i don’t know. i hope it is the value in the end of what we produce. it is the result of many good relations. i like to go around and see our work in a beautiful space, perfectly in harmony with the space and showing the value of the design. sometimes i go to a museum and see our work side by side with great pieces and i’m very proud. i also consider the life of a piece, if the work resists the change of time, resists the trends and is bigger than the last trend. of course every object does not have to be a masterpiece but the value a piece brings is very important.
[da] expanding on this question, is there something that people think is important but it’s not all that important? [pm] ah yes, the ‘aesthetic’ for instance. you know i receive quite a bit of suggestions. most typically the younger talents focus on the aesthetic to try to keep my interest with some ‘ooh wow’ aesthetic attempts. but for me the aesthetic is absolutely the second step behind the concept because the concept is telling me why you did it.
[da] i recently judged a design show and the results were awful. a problem was the judges were given no criteria on what was important. was there innovation, was there a need fulfilled, were others talking about it. with design, after all the above is checked off what is the final criteria? is it good looking, how can a great solution not be beautiful. the aesthetic is pretty important here. [pm] yes but for me the aesthetic is of course but it’s sort of of course. to understand why first, the concept, and then of course beauty because beauty is part of what we try to produce. and beauty is different for everyone in many different ways and takes a long time to fully appreciate.
[da] tonight you and particia will be chatting at luminaire regarding women in design. in 2009 you said there were many women design critics and journalists but few women designers. do you have a reason why? so today are things better? [pm] let’s talk about gender differences. yes, there are many journalists and many are women, especially in italy. both genders are equally talented and accomplished it seems and i don’t see any gender difference. in the profession of design however there is some difference.
the people that i work with are all very confident and the dialog is easy and with many friendships. and there’s not a big gender difference regarding communication. but of course i find that the work between genders is usually a little different. the little details seem to be usually more important for women than for men.
above> victoria and albert | ron arad | 2000
for example, ron arad is really made of iron. his work is sculptural with a very strong gesture and (whoosh) in one second he designs something that has the beauty aesthetic we were just talking about. and he’s connecting this artwork with a craziness for functionality. a chair has to be comfortable and the shape determines comfortability. and if i wish something warmer and softer then metal and we arrive at felt because it’s smooth like metal. his shapes derive from cars, speed and architecture, but he’s not interested in some other the details.
above> tropicalia | patricia uriquiola | 2008
in contrast, patricia’s focus is on the little details. she’s interested in how we do a stitch, how to get a certain effect she wants. she’s not interested in the shape but the very detailed combinations of color and weaving and fabric. we wind up making custom fabrics to satisfy her vision. interestingly, with this kind of detail i find we arrive at a ‘total’ project of fabric determining softness, shape and functionality.
above> soft wood sofa | front design | 2010
for front design (anna lindgren and sofia lagerkvist) their focus is on illusion, it’s not a function but an idea. for instance their ‘soft wood’ bench concept is a fabric that looks like wood, an illusion that a magician might do. it’s fantastic because of the surprise.
[da] your emphasis on knowing why and your interest in the details reminds me that tomorrow i am spending the last day at neocon seeking out the design award winners. my intention is to ask them why their product won the award. what made it so good. [pm] ah, to ask the people that won? a good question. let’s hope that they know.
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above> click on image to open lightbox | images courtesy of luminaire
luminaire is more than a furniture showroom. it is an interactive design research center, a playground for the soul, an esplanade for discovery. more than anything else, however, it is a resource focused on creating environments that affect people’s lives.
apple’s next iphone will use modems from intel, replacing qualcomm chips in some versions of the new handset, a move by the world’s most-valuable public company to diversify its supplier base. no mention of performance. via adage [RK]
above> introducing montara650 collection by the coalesse design group and lievore altherr molina
coalesse® engages a&d as participants at neocon 2016 / #1032 – a&d community invited to take part in the design process
coalesse, recognized for forward-looking, design-driven products that foster social connection, creative collaboration, and focus and rejuvenation, is inviting the a&d community to participate in the design process through a range of new products and custom capabilities at neocon 2016.
its showroom #1032, will feature expressions of custom capabilities that can be applied through the newly launched potrero415™ tables, massaud conference seating, and the montara650™ collection, among other products, giving a&d professionals the opportunity to discover new ways of personalizing through color and pattern, materials and features, and shape and size to make it their own and enhance emotional engagement at the workplace.
showroom visitors are also invited to participate in the design process through coalesse’s new customizer web app, which demonstrates ways of applying custom color and pattern to the groundbreaking lessthanfive™ chair. the web app and degree of product offerings make customization highly-attainable, empowering clients to be curators of a more meaningful design experience.
below> vitra & artek / #1192 // north american introductions / vitra customized applications
at neocon, vitra will present a series of projects that demonstrate how it has optimized collaboration with client project teams. this provides clients a direct dialogue and unprecedented access to vitra’s top design talent, allowing for the custom-development of new product applications for large scale projects.
below> mohawk group / #377 & 3-121
elevate contemporary spaces to inspired floorscapes through mohawk’s latest production collections. inspired by nature and designed to merge fashion with function.
below> mohawk group / moving floors collection / diagonal relief, fade relief, plane high, plane low, 656 green 24by24
designed to be dynamically moving base on the user’s point of view, moving floors was inspired by the multi-layered beauty of our cultural landscape. empowers designers to create kinetic floorscapes through limitless combinations.
below> haberdasher textiles / by laura guido-clark for herman miller / 3-321
haberdasher is an array of palettes and patterns, inspired by traditional sewing materials—and tailored for projects of various sizes and budgets. giving solids and patterns license to commingle or stand alone, haberdasher gives you license to play. mix. match. curate. collaborate. differentiate. and indulge.
above> there are 5 families each with their own identity. pins and needles: a simple pattern of pins strewn about a canvas becomes iconic in a highly graphic way. / string plaid: the crosshatch pattern creates a colorful, dynamic, and graphic twist on traditional plaid. / well suited: allows vibrant and deep colors to collaborate in a small scale, two-color nailhead pattern. / fish net: the quilted hand offers dimension and explores a large line of intense, warm, and cool colors. / tailored: the tightly woven grid texture creates a subtle surface that reflects light and contours form.
below> hbf & hbf textiles / 387
hbf has returned to its roots, teaming with esteemed designer and longtime partner michael vanderbyl to create introduce conexus, a work/lounge chair designed to function across any contract setting — offices, lobbies, hospitality environments…
designer michael vanderbyl notes, “i strive for timelessness. conexus plays with the shape of a classic lounge chair and transforms it into a more organic form that showcases the exceptional craftsmanship in the woodwork and the upholstery. the wood merges with the upholstery in such a seamless way that the piece takes on a sculptural quality, an engineering feat that hbf executed masterfully.”
below> hbf textiles highlights color, texture, yarn, and hue in spring 2016 collection
known for their artful and authentic approach to design, hbf textiles is going back to the classics for its spring 2016 collection. hbf textiles vice president of design mary jo miller started with le corbusier’s infamous lc palette of colors from the 1920s, and used these fresh shades as a catalyst for the collection.
below> tek pier / teknion / 1048
tek pier “is the first product of its kind to successfully merge wall-mounted monitors with height-adjustable worksurfaces,” said paul kruger, teknion’s director of design, architectural products. tek pier takes advantage of teknion’s altos demountable wall cable routing, structure and acoustic performance. the innovative origami mount allows for fluid positioning to share a large format monitor, maintain viewing privacy, or engage in touchscreen applications.
below> designtex / moquette / 1032a
moquette is a textile mash-up that blends a classic velvet weaving technique with the creative possibilities offered by digital printing technology. the woven structure employs a “moquette” construction produced on a modern wire loom, allowing some areas to be woven as flat bands while elsewhere selected yarns are lifted and then cut to create a short, dense pile. beginning with a simple pattern of alternating horizontal stripes of varying widths, the moquette technique adds complexity by introducing a sense of dimensionality, which is enhanced by the luxurious combination of lustrous and matte yarns. finally, the raised, plush surfaces of the woven fabric are printed digitally with a non-repeating and random color pattern.
the result is an intricate layering of textures and colors that evokes natural landscapes, reflecting biologist e.o. wilson’s concept of biophilia—the theory that human beings are instinctively drawn to the natural world, and thus that design following this principle provides a heightened sensation of comfort and repose. below> parentesit freestanding / by lievore altherr molina for arper / 339
arper extends the functionality of parentesit to include freestanding models for increased privacy and comfort. architectural in scale, these modules carve out a three-dimensional space for concentration or quiet conversation in shared workspaces or collaborative environments.
parentesit was created with a dual inspiration of minimalist art and classic japanese interiors. to shift this approach to an architectural scale, the screen is capable of dividing a room in half, or partitioning off a space for quiet, independent thought.
below> wolf-gordon / & 10 – 161
following dazzling installations of sculptures and interactive digital displays in past years of neocon, wolf-gordon has again transformed the market space in a new way. office_excavate re-envisions the cubicle-enclosed office by creating a colorful, open seating space that can be easily rearranged for meetings, coffee breaks, and recharging of phones and humans alike. the furniture, which can be used alternately as seating, desks, tables, or stools, will be upholstered in over 100 different wolf-gordon textiles. office_excavate is a collaboration of karlssonwilker inc., new motor, graham kelman and wolf-gordon creative direction. below> humanscale / 351
they’re not only previewing a brand new line of diffrient occasional chairs they’re unveiling never-before-seen niels diffrient designs. take a journey through human-centered design innovation and chat with founder and ceo bob king, visionary designer todd bracher and the rest of the humanscale team.
below> carnegie / 10 – 112
reflectacoustic is a groundbreaking design that controls sound and delivers heat and glare reduction through yarn, weaving and metalized backing technology. the textile absorbs and reflects back a great deal of light; all validated through 3rd party testing.
below node with sharesurface / sharesurface was designed by steelcase design studio / steelcase / 300
steelcase health research reveals exam rooms not designed for the modern healthcare experience . findings uncover five ways exam space is failing physicians, patients and family members; informs new design framework and product, node® with sharesurface
node with sharesurface features a rotating sharesurface that provides dynamic access to information, a central part of the exam experience. physicians using mobile technology are able to chart while maintaining eye contact, pivot the surface to share their screen with the patient and family for education and shared decision making, all while having mobility in the room. the chair’s back and arms allow doctors to have more conversational postures during consultation and the rotating surface arm moves out of the way for examination activities.
below> northern parallel / cf stinson / 10-1150
[ collection summary ]
• 7 new textiles, 72 colorways.
• a collection of coordinating textiles that explores the connections between michigan (where stinson is headquartered) and maine (where stinson houses their design studio).
• shared michigan/maine discoveries:
• similar geographic latitudes
• rigorous climate with diverse seasons
• inhabitants with an appreciation for nature and willingness to embrace the seasons
• michigan/maine ideals include work hard, build with integrity and if you are going to be unique – be honest. shared mindset explored through textiles that are hard working, unique, honest and full of integrity.
• made in america, small carbon footprint.
below> the doni collection / designed by giancarlo piretti for ki / 1181
if you can dream it, doni can express it. create with a fresh palette of energizing brights and sophisticated neutrals. imagine the possibilities with two-tone colors and unlimited custom color possibilities. the collection offers guest, task, tandem and stackable configurations.
rooted in david rockwell’s innovative approach to hospitality environments and public space, and inspired by his award-winning design for theater and entertainment, rockwell unscripted is a comprehensive collection of furniture elements that adapt to the spontaneous choreography of the work day.
“our interest is in getting people to look at their work environments as a stage on which movable furniture can be arranged in endless configurations. you can craft the scene around what it is you’re doing that day,” said rockwell group founder and president david rockwell.
below> lievore altherr molina’s arcel for bernhardt design / 399
glass gradients by scholten & baijings add dimensionality to a space by establishing a dialogue between the simplicity of the patterns with their signature color palette.
below> suri pouf / designed by sezgin aksu and silvia suardi for kolekiyon / 11 – 113a
inspired by headgear from the ottoman empire
below> elemental wall systems / 3form / 10 – 142
time + weather = beauty
inspired by the rustic look—created from clean materials
the perfect combination of sitting and standing – a new style of work posture
it is no secret that changing our posture throughout the day is essential to our well-being in the office. what’s more, adapting a posture that is appropriate for the task at hand helps relieve stress placed upon the body. okamura recommends five postures for increased office productivity and efficiency. among them is the perching posture, a perfect combination of standing and sitting.
speckle is a durable and easy to maintain textile ideal for any environment.
speckle comes in four color ways and in each the warp yarn subtly contrasts with the soft pearlescent silver speckles in the weft direction.
chilewich has experimented laying speckle tiles quarter turned and found that the natural color shift between warp and weft adds a richness and level of interest to this quiet weave. speckle is ideal for spaces in which the floor is a foundation for bolder interior design elements. a sustainable solution of bold and neutral patterns.
below> wilkhahn / 7-3082c
wilkhahn’s dynamic office seating utilizes patented 3d technology to encourage health, creativity, and productivity in the workplace.
by special request of the a&d community, will show for the first time at neocon, a white, through-dyed seat shell and backrest frame.
below> arborite high pressure laminates / 7-1018
recognizing the increasingly blurred aesthetic line between contract and residential design, arborite has curated a selection of residential products with crossover appeal to create commercial stones.
above left > cityscape loft’s modern, wet cement look is ideal for urbanites in search of a low-maintenance, industrial-inspired surface. right> industrial loft evokes the glazed look of oxidized metal, combining light and dark shades with a matte texture for a chic, modern effect.
below> amble / by stephan copeland for lightcorp / 7-8062
why is amble different? amble is a light with no moving joints or articulation – in fact, the only moving part is a gravity-powered “eye.” minimalist design meets elite performance in a battery operated dimmagle led task light. created by renowned lighting designer stephan copeland, amble is highly adjustable yet has no moving joints or articulation. amble’s lean, single-form construction enables excellent adjustability and mobility through the intelligence of its shape.
below> nima / by giancarlo piretti for american seating / 10-148
aimed for the higher education market and various contract environments, nima is an inspiring multipurpose collection of chairs, providing exceptional comfort through a sophisticated minimalist aesthetic.
below> stir kinetic desk m1 / 1067a
the new m1 is a height-adjustable desk driven by software that senses your presence, learns your preferences, enables you to set goals and actively reminds you to change positions throughout the day.
DesignApplause will continue to add to this post as well as social shout it during neocon.
women in design: patrizia moroso / luminaire chicago / 301 west superior / tuesday 14 june / 6:30p
as a longtime advocate of design education, luminaire is honored to host patrizia moroso in an enlightening conversation with patricia urquiola for the second edition of the women in design series during neocon®. the conversation will focus on patrizia moroso’s creative collaborations with key designers such as patricia urquiola, and how these important partnerships culminate in the creation of iconic pieces. women in design, with patrizia moroso and patricia urquiola, will be presented on tuesday, june 14 at 6:30 pm, with a reception and display of select moroso pieces.
patrizia moroso is the creative director of the company her parents founded in 1952. from its beginning, the company had an artisanal approach to product manufacturing and an extraordinary creativity in the design process. fostering new talent as well as working with established names in the industry, ms. moroso is known for “working with designers she loves” and it is this exact vision and passion that has led the company to great success.
synonymous with forward thinking design, moroso has collaborated with patricia urquiola, ron arad, konstantin grcic, marcel wanders, tokujin yoshioka, doshi & levien, nendo, daniel libeskind, front, and others. now, more than 60 years later, moroso remains a company distinguished for its quality, innovation and creativity .
a long time contributor and good friend of patrizia moroso, the prominent spanish designer patricia urquiola created unique pieces such as fjord and smock that reflect their special relationship. patricia urquiola designed patrizia’s personal home in udine, italy, a 10,000 sq. foot eclectic abode that was also used for moroso’s catalogue campaign in 2015 that underscores the deep and personal relationship between the designer and the creative director.
women in design is a series that aims to recognize, empower, and inspire female design thinking. luminaire hosted its first women in design edition may 12th at luminaire lab in the miami design district by recognizing the late zaha hadid and lina bo bardi with an exhibition of select design pieces from their collection.
please join the conversation with luminaire on twitter@luminaire_ and on instagram@luminaire_ using the hashtag #womenindesign.
chicagoan’s and visitors, here’s a chance to see one-design ac45f foil catamarans, not on cnn or youtube but in vitro. the event organizers have marketed the chicago round of the america’s cup under the tagline “the windy city is made for this.” we’ll soon find out. some of us are a little disappointed the racecourse is located entirely within chicago’s protective breakwater for safety concerns over choppy lake water conditions. but with moderate wind pressure the high-tech carbon fiber catamarans will raise onto their hydrofoils. they have reached 40 knots / 46mph in open sea conditions. for the first time in its 165-year history, the event will take place on a non-saltwater body of water.
grandstand seats at navy pier’s race village sold old months ago, general admission tickets are still available on the event’s website. [ ac45 techonology ]
bmw is more than major sponsor of oracle team usa’s america cup racing yacht. bmw brings significant engineering and testing capabilities to the team and the company even assigns certain engineers to the team for the entire competition.
design changes have netted a three-fold increase in top speed. with this speed comes a nine-fold increase in drag. the new boats are lighter and shorter and have been honed aerodynamically.
the biggest change over the last ten years of america’s cup yachts is that the current boats “fly” or foil. at speeds around 17- 20 knots, the twin hull catamaran comes up out of the water on carbon fiber foils. these new boats can reach speeds of 50 knots, yet can turn and stop on a dime. as these boats get faster and faster, proven design technology becomes more important.
[ six teams compete ]
the six teams include five challengers: sweden’s artemis racing, emirates team new zealand, groupama france, great britain’s land rover and softbank team japan. the defending america’s cup winner: oracle team usa. points will determine the seeding for the 35th america’s cup final scheduled to take place next year in bermuda. below> october 2015, louis vuitton america's cup world series bermuda
above> oracle wins highly innovative and controversial america’s cup 2013
[ official release ] chicago made maritime history today with lake michigan chosen as the first freshwater venue to host america’s cup racing in the event’s 164-year history.
the louis vuitton america’s cup world series chicago, a qualifying event for the 2017 america’s cup in bermuda, will take place at navy pier from 10 > 12 june 2016.
additionally, organizers announced that chicago-based cme group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, will be the first foundation partner of the louis vuitton america’s cup world series chicago event.
“chicagoans continue to prove their affinity for all sports and now they have the opportunity to add america’s cup sailing to the list. we have no doubt that our amazing city, its residents and beautiful lake michigan will deliver the ultimate experience for the international sailing community.” said desiree rogers, choose chicago chair.
navy pier, celebrating its centennial in 2016, will serve as event headquarters 10 > 12 june 2016, and include a ticketed viewing area, entertainment and vip hospitality areas for fans to enjoy as the high-performance 45’ foiling catamarans race by at 40+ mph close to the shore.
“we are looking forward to a historic year in 2016 at navy pier,” said marilynn gardner, president and ceo, navy pier inc. “we will celebrate our centennial and an event like the louis vuitton america’s cup world series chicago is a tremendous opportunity to welcome new and returning maritime enthusiasts and casual fans to the pier. there is no better way to showcase our newly renovated and reimagined public spaces to the world.”
oracle team usa, the defending america’s cup champion, has close ties to the “windy city.” larry ellison, the team’s principal, grew up in chicago and studied at the university of illinois and the university of chicago. oracle team usa team member matt cassidy called chicago home for the past five years before relocating to bermuda this past spring.
“chicago is a world-class city, and navy pier’s lakefront architecture creates the perfect sailing venue to showcase the excitement of the modern america’s cup,” said sir russell coutts, america’s cup event authority chief executive officer and five-time america’s cup winner. “regardless of wind direction, spectators are guaranteed up-close racing action.”
chicago’s selection as a host for the louis vuitton america’s cup world series is due in large part to don wilson, a passionate sailor, longtime chicagoan and ceo of drw, a chicago-based principal trading firm. he founded the chicago match race center (cmrc) in 2009 with the goal to bring world-class match racing to the shores of lake michigan. cmrc is the host management company for the event.
“when the international sailing world arrives in chicago next summer, they will understand why lake michigan is called the third coast,” said wilson, chairman, louis vuitton america’s cup world series chicago.
“today’s announcement is just the beginning. thanks to our partners, including navy pier, the chicago sports commission and cme group, we are building the foundation for stadium sailing and the america’s cup in chicago.”
for more information about the louis vuitton america’s cup world series chicago event, visit http://acws-chicago.americascup.com/
energizing the everyday recognizes the collecting vision of george r. kravis ii and its synergy with cooper hewitt’s broad and diverse collection of modern and contemporary design. energizing the everyday recognizes the collecting vision of george r. kravis ii and its synergy with cooper hewitt’s broad and diverse collection of modern and contemporary design. an early interest in records and a background in broadcasting inform kravis’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of radios, televisions, and technology. as kravis’s passion for design grew, he expanded his collecting efforts beyond american electronic devices to include industrial design and furnishings for the home and office from the united states, europe and asia. the exhibition features highlights of the kravis collection dating from the early 20th century to the present. from industrial design and furniture to tableware and textiles, the exhibition makes visual and material connections across time and geography to relate the far-reaching impact of design on the enhancement of daily life.
two italian designers andrea trimarchi (1983) and simone farresin (1980) are amsterdam based studio formafantasma. their coherent body of work is characterized by experimental materials investigations and the exploration of such issues as the relationship between tradition and local culture, critical approaches to sustainability and the significance of objects as cultural conduits.
in perceiving their role as a bridge between craft, industry, object and user, they are interested in forging links between their research-based practice and a wider design industry.
lexus asked formafantasma to create an exhibit themed anticipation for the 2016 salone del mobile. the designers interpreted this theme through the identification of elements within the company’s production that will be fundamental for the future. this includes the quest to develop and further evolve ecological technology for application in mobility, and the fusion of machine, craftsmanship and tradition.
drawing inspiration from the new lexus lf-fc flagship concept, they designed three site-specific installations that respond to the architecture of the location, a former metal factory.
in the first and largest space, they apply advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology similar to that of the lf-fc to power a kinetic light installation. they designed four pieces in stainless steel — ranging in height from 2 to 6 meters — that move slowly, creating a subtle choreography. the sculptural objects are mounted on a highly reflective pink platform. tanks located under the platform supply the hydrogen used by the “hydrogen fuel cell stacks” to produce electricity to lit our kinetic lights.
in the tradition of lexus supporting talents in different creative fields, the room also hosts a food tasting by the recently michelin-starred, japanese-born, milan-based chef yoji tokuyoshi. we collaborated with chef tokuyoshi, advising him to work on the theme of water, since it is one of the hydrogen-richest elements in nature and the only byproduct emitted by a hydrogen fuel cell technology.
the second space, which hosts the annual lexus design award (a competition for emerging talents in the design field), features a series of metal stools, whose simple form highlights their finish. we used the same paint process applied to the lf-fc. it involves a sophisticated method of layering colors by hand and machine that is based on traditional japanese lacquering techniques. the result is a subtle, yet complex tone that appears either dark grey or blue depending on how light touches it.
after visiting lexus in japan and learning more about the company, the designers based the design of the installation for the third space on lexus’ legacy, which can be traced back to japan’s early mechanized textile industry. as an homage to these beginnings, a loom-like machine pulls and releases thousands of threads that, when stretched, recreate a three-dimensional outline of the lf-fc.
in terms of materials, the installations mix contemporary finishes, such as car paint, cast resin and stainless steel, with more traditional materials such as cotton fabric and pine wood. the industrial interiors of the space are softly illuminated using several light boxes referencing traditional japanese architecture.
since its debut in 1989, lexus has earned a worldwide reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service. lexus is the hybrid leader among luxury brands, offering products that provide the best in innovative technology and premier luxury.
pedrali / pavilion 10 b19 / c28
designed by simone mandelli – antonio pagliarulo, the nolita collection’s sunny disposition shines through with the introduction of a new lounge chair, designed for times of pure relaxation outdoors. stackable and easy to move around, the entire nolita collection, is made of steel for maximum durability and reliability. a seat cushion is available as an accessory.
zucchetti. kos / pavilion 24 e15 / e21
designed by ludovica+roberto palomba, wazebo a mini-wellness shower pavilion, already a winner of the design plus and good design award 2015
<duravit / hall 22 – stand and 23 and 27
introducing modular and minimal l-cube by christian werner, and (below)me by philipe starck, an aptly named range of washbasins, toilets, urinals, shower trays, and accessories ///
vondom / pavilion 10 d31 daybed ulm with parasol by ramón esteve. made of polyethylene resin by rotational molding. recyclable 100%. item suitable for indoor and outdoor use. available in different finishes.