Tesla pays off its loan.
tesla pays off its loan. wired $451.8 million to repay the full loan with interest. via washington post [RK]
palace chandelier. Studio ruso.
click > enlarge
Chandeliering Spaces. A temporary site-specific installation in Hampton Court Palace.
chandelier modeled digitally in 3d using rhino
Created by Danish designers Sophie Nielsen and Rolf Knudsen [ studio ruso ]
Solar impulse. Second leg from phoenix to dallas.
22 may 2013 | 5am mst
Solar Impulse, the solar-powered airplane of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, will depart from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport on Wednesday, 22 May for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to complete the second leg of its historic, cross-country journey.
After a successful first leg on 3 May, where Bertrand Piccard flew Solar Impulse from the San Francisco Bay Area to Phoenix, André Borschberg will attempt to set an absolute distance world record in solar aviation. The Phoenix-to-Dallas trip should be over 830 miles (~ 1’337 km). The previous distance record already belongs to Solar Impulse when André flew 693 miles (1’116 km) from Switzerland to Spain in May, 2012.
22 may 2013 | 5am mst
By achieving historical firsts and setting new records, Solar Impulse hopes to inspire everyone to be pioneers and change-makers to bring solutions for today’s challenges. Clean Generation, Solar Impulse’s latest initiative to create a global movement to promote the use of clean technology, is already rallying thousands of people to support the adoption of sustainable energy solutions. The names of those who join this movement are carried on a USB key kept in the cockpit and transported across America as virtual passengers.
Five custom-designed flags displaying the Clean Generation slogan are carried by the pilots and handed over to civic leaders at each stop. The flags are as a symbol of inspiration for citizens, CEOs and policymakers to adopt Solar Impulse’s pioneering, clean-energy spirit. In Phoenix, the Clean Generation flag was handed over to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who visited Solar Impulse at Phoenix Sky Harbor during a dinner organized by the Swiss consulate in Phoenix.
22 may 2013 | 5am mst
[ world record attempt ]
World Record Attempt for Absolute Distance in Solar-Powered Airplane
[ join us ]
All those interested in being part of this movement can [ sign up here ]
05:00 a.m. MST (02:00 p.m. Swiss Time): Take-off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport USA
06:00 a.m. MST (03:00 p.m. Swiss Time): Heading east towards Roswell (NM) – ascending to an altitude of 14,000 ft
01:00 p.m. MST (10:00 p.m. Swiss Time): Passing Roswell continues direction Abilene – cruising altitude 27,000 ft
02:30 p.m. CDT (09:30 p.m. Swiss Time): Flying over Hobbs – border with Texas continues direction DFW
01:00 a.m. CDT (08:00 am Swiss Time): Estimated landing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
The Solar Impulse Across America mission is made in partnership with Solvay, Schindler, Bayer Material Science, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Sunpower and the Swiss Confederation.
[ track the mission via computer / mobile device live ]
During the Across America mission, each flight will be streamed live as well as on Twitter and Facebook. The airplane’s position, altitude and speed will be shown in real time, while cockpit and mission control cameras allow viewers to experience the journey. The third leg of the Across America journey, from Dallas to St-Louis, will be flown by Bertrand Piccard.
above> first leg from san francisco to phoenix 3 may 2013
[ ‘across america’ at-a-glance ]
Early May 2013: First leg San Francisco/Moffett Airfield – Phoenix/Sky Harbor
Mid May 2013: Second leg Phoenix/Sky Harbor – Dallas/Fort Worth
End May – Early June 2013: Third leg Dallas/Fort Worth – St. Louis/Lambert Airport
Early to Mid-June 2013: Fourth leg St. Louis/Lambert Airport – Washington DC/Dulles
Early July 2013: Fifth and last leg Washington DC/Dulles – New York/JFK
Designer mario trimarchi presents at alessi. ICFF 2013.
Italian designer and architect, Mario Trimarchi at Alessi giving a presentation to the press on architecture and his designs. It took 26 years before Mario approached Alessi with the Scirocco designs.
la stanza dello scirocco | mario trimarchi | alessi | 2009
“La Stanza dello Scirocco” is a range of items born out of the abstract and motionless atmosphere of a magic place: the room in large Sicilian country homes where one is forced to seek shelter from the sultriness while waiting for the sirocco to die down. It is a room without windows in which you can do nothing but ponder the wind that is undoing all sublunary things outside. The upshot is a collection of geometrically irregular items made up of small splinters of various sizes, interlaced in an unstable balance. And so I came up with the idea that “La Stanza dello Scirocco” could be recounted through the story of drawings done by hand and through images of shadows, and that we could then ask everyone to exert themselves ever so slightly and make a small input with their own imaginations. ~Mario Trimarchi
[ mario trimarchi ] [ alessi ] [ fragile ]
about diane o’donnel
usa launch of jake dyson’s csys tall. icff 2013.
above> csys tall (left) and csys | booth 2141 and the matter showroom, 405 broome street.
The CSYS TALL by designer Jake Dyson, is being introduced for the first time to the US market at ICFF 2013. It’s a floor-standing version of a lighting system that was introduced in 2012. The CSYS system incorporates the most innovative and sophisticated thermal management and electronics system for LED light management that ensures peak performance from the LED for 37+ years.
CSYS TALL is available in two colors, silver and black, is fully dimmable with a touch sensitive switch and light level memory. A warm white light beam can be adjusted by maneuvering the LED head through the three axes to a desired position. Sleek, intuitive, innovative.
For a detailed history and explanation of the technology read the DesignApplause [ interview with Jake ] Booth 2141 and the Matter showroom, 405 Broome Street. [ jake dyson ]
The ICFF and attendant events. ICFF 2013.
Really doing one of these shows decently is a matter of putting some hours of thought into it alas.
Many of the firms showing at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair also have showrooms in SoHo or other areas downtown from its site, the Javits Convention Center. But while Vitra, Artek and many others chose to take space at the fair as well, American stalwarts Herman Miller and Knoll were not to be found. Such absences suggest that despite some 600 attendees, the fair celebrating its twentieth fifth anniversary is somehow still not yet mandatory attendance.
The ICFF and attendant events all over town were packaged this year as NYC X Design, which meant official city support for the idea of a design week promoted in previous years. The idea of a Milano Manhattan style remains elusive however.
parabola chair | carlo aiello | 2013
Even before the show opened, Carlo Aiello’s Parabola chair has emerged as the ICFF’s star: it suggests a cerebral cousion of Harry Bertoia’s diamond chair, mapping out the space time continuum for Star Trek. Or is it Mr. Spock’s shopping cart?
At ICFF, Molo’s stand, all of brown paper, caught attention. Inside were some of the company’s cloudlike, pleated paper lighting elements.
In an era dedicated to innovation, the classics face a challenge in mixing novelty with durability… Artek offered up new editions of its Aalto stool, much as Converse keeps producing new graphics for the Chuck Taylor All-Star. Carl Hanson celebrated the anniversary of the Wegner Shell chair with new fabrics. (Wegner is 93, the chair is 50.)
stool 60 | mike meiré | 2012
In addition to ICFF, several smaller gatherings and many open houses, parties and panels were part of the event.
Wanted 2013 is the name of a rival gathering of designers in the huge, solidly build brick warehouse downtown near the river called rather ominously Terminal Stores. It showed a more experimental and informal air than ICFF.
Intramuros magazine showcased a homage to Cappellini, who would otherwise be expected on the floor of ICFF at the Javits Center. Bright red examples of Cappellini products sat isolated silver lined booths with a vaguely pornographic mood to them. The Istanbul and South American delegations were impressive.
hai lounge chair | luco nichetto | one nordic furniture company | 2013
Some eyes were caught by One Nordic Furniture Company, from Helsinki, with its lovable Bento chair. Also at Nordic was Luca Nichetto’s Hai chair, which channeled the spirit of Gio Ponti. (Ponti, was also evoked at Vitra, with the Repos wing back chair by Antonio Citterio. Ponti also seemed an inspiration for Toshiyuki Kita’s “@” chair for Ligne Roset. Gio Ponti is the subject of a show to come this spring [ Living “Alla Ponti” ] at Molteni in SoHo.
In this, its second year, it hosted talks and such events as the School of Visual Arts Products of Design program’s meta design interpretation of the show. (url.)
pixel chair | valerie chin | 2013
There was student work, as at ICFF. The Rhode Island School of Design dispatched the alumni show originally curated by its chief, John Maeda, for the Milan fair. One witty example was Valerie Chin’s “Pixel” chair.
The curatorial group Sight Unseen produced a showcase at The Standard Hotel. This year, the American Design Club returns to Noho with its ninth group showcase, entitled Trophy: Awards We Live With. The group’s organizers explain: “A trophy is a memento, token, or symbol, used to commemorate an achievement or victory. Whether they are awarded, stolen, or created, trophy objects can come in many forms.”
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about phil patton
Concord by claeson koivisto rune. ICFF 2013.
Claesson Koivisto and Rune for Capdell
concord | claesson koivisto and rune capdell | 2013
concord | claesson koivisto and rune capdell | 2013
[ ckr ][ Capdell ]
about diane o’donnel
Be original at new york design week.
Be Original, in its commitment to initiate discussion on the importance of preserving original design across North America, will appear at a number of events and locations throughout what has become known as New York Design Week.
[ Tradeshow Exhibits ]
Be Original will appear at New York City’s two largest design tradeshows: WantedDesign, 17 > 20 May at the Tunnel (269 11th Avenue), where the group will have a booth at the 11th Avenue entrance, and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), 18 > 21 May at the Javits Center, booth #976. At each fair, Be Original will share information on the initiative and host giveaways and social media contests to help promote the campaign, with branded buttons and chances to win and an exclusive LunaTik Life iPhone case designed by Scott Wilson, Founder and principal designer of MINIMAL studios.
Events Hosted by Be Original Founding Member Companies
Additionally, employees will be wearing Be Original t-shirts during select events hosted by Be Original founding member companies, including Alessi and FLOS on Monday, 20 May and Tuesday, 21 May to raise awareness for the movement and spark conversation about original design and authenticity.
[ Be Original ]
A movement formed by Alessi, Artek, Bernhardt Design, Cassina/Poltrona Frau/Cappellini, Emeco, FLOS, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller, Kartell, Ligne Roset, and Vitra which is committed to initiating discussion on the importance of preserving original design across North America through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and consistent efforts to promote this agenda in various design contexts.
[ be original blog ] [ facebook ] [ icff ] [ New York Design Week ] [ twitter ][ WantedDesign ] #BeOriginal #wanteddesign
Scandinavian design auction. Wright.
auction > 16 may 2013 | noon CST
Wright Auction Houses launches their Scandinavian Design Auction—showcasing pieces by Alvar Aalto, Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, and Poul Kjaerholm. Known for its elegance and seamless integration of material and form, Nordic furniture was instrumental in launching the modern design movement of the twentieth century, and remains among the most sought-after modern furniture today. The lot includes several of Jacobsen’s Egg and Swan chairs, as well as an Aalto Paimio lounge chair.
Wright says, of the collection: “Designs issuing from Scandinavia in the 20th century shifted the paradigm of modernism towards a fundamentally human ethos which has been, and remains, a standard for function, quality and beauty.”
A highlight of the sale is a collection of Swedish carpets from Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, the studio that commissioned Barbro Nilsson and Marianne Richter. A graphic, yellow wool carpet by Richter will likely carry the auction’s highest price tag; it’s estimated to go for $30,000-40,000. Peruse the lot at your leisure at [ wright ]
ph 4/3 table lamp | poul henningsen | louis poulsen | 1927
falurutan carpet | barbro nillson | märta måås-fjetterström | 1952
veckla vessels | stig lindberg | gustavsberg | 1951
pk 9 chairs | pool kjaerholm | e. kold christensen | 1960
desk | bodil kjaer | desk | e. pederson and sons | c. 1960
>1 ph 4/3 table lamp | poul henningsen | louis poulsen | 1927
>2 desk | bodil kjaer | desk | e. pederson and sons | c. 1960
>3 falurutan carpet | barbro nillson | märta måås-fjetterström | 1952
>4 veckla vessels | stig lindberg | gustavsberg |1951
>5 pk 9 chairs | pool kjaerholm | e. kold christensen | 1960
>6 lounge chair | peter karph | christensen & larsen | c. 1966
>7 model 162 dining table | borge møgensen | søborg møbelfabrik | 1953
>8 model K10-11 floor lamp| tapio wirkkala | idman |1958
>9 l-leg desk with return | alvar aalto | artek | 1933
>10 carpet | marianne richter | märta måås-fjetterström | c. 1950
>11 model 3217 sevener chair | arnie jacobsen | fritz hansen | 1955
>12 model A331 beehive ceiling lamp | alvar aalto | valaistustyö ky | 1953
[ scandinavian design ] includes nearly 250 works of exceptional design. Each item will be featured in our award-winning, full-color auction catalog as well as presented in our online preview at [ View lots ] | 1440 West Hubbard Street Chicago | 312 563 0020 [ wright auction ]
auction > 16 may 2013 | noon CST
Cooper-hewitt national design awards 2013.
Cooper-Hewitt announced the 2013 National Design Awards last week. Award recipients will be honored this October in New York, during National Design Week. This year’s jury included architect Thom Mayne, Charles Adler, the head of design for Kickstarter, and Zoe Ryan, curator of architecture and design at The Art Institute of Chicago, among others. First Lady Michelle Obama will serve as the Honorary Patron for this year’s awards.
[ lifetime achievement ]
The “Lifetime Achievement Award” went to James Wines, founder and president of New York based architecture firm SITE. Wines, who is on the faculty at Penn State, is known for his site-specific designs that engage information about the environment. Twenty-two monographs have been published on his drawings and built works.
[ design mind ]
The “Design Mind” award went to Michael Sorkin, the Director of the Graduate Urban Design Program at the City College of New York. Sorkin is also the president of non-profit research firm Terreform and principal of his own eponymous design studio, as well as a contributing editor at ArchRecord.
[ corporate and institutional achievement ]
The “Corporate and Institutional Achievement” award went to TED, the non-profit
behemoth dedicated to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” The TED website surpassed 1 billion views of its TED Talks in 2012.
[ architecture design ]
The “Architecture Design” award went to Studio Gang, the Chicago-based design studio of Architecture It-Girl and MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang. The firm’s projects include the 82-story Aqua Tower and the Nature Boardwalk at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.
[ communication design ]
Graphic designer Paula Scher was awarded the prize for “Communication Design.” Scher, a principal at Pentagram since 1991, has worked with a range of clients, including Bloomberg, MoMA, the High Line, Microsoft and the New York Philharmonic and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
[ fashion design ]
The “Fashion Design” award went to Iranian-born Behnaz Sarafpour, known for her modern elegance and innovative textiles. Sarafpour, one of the first designers to produce a line for with Target’s GO International program in 2006, has had her work exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum at FIT.
[ interaction design ]
Local Projects won the “Interaction Design” award for their media work for museums and public spaces. Under the direction of Jake Barton, the firm is creating all media for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum with Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and the Frank Gehry-designed Eisenhower Memorial.
[interior design ]
Aidlin Darling Design took home the award for “Interior Design.” Partners Joshua Aidlin and David Darling started the firm around a woodshop in 1998, and in the past three years have received more than 40 regional, national and international awards.
[ landscape architecture ]
The “Landscape Architecture” award went to Margie Ruddick, whose work includes New York’s Queens Plaza, the Shillim Retreat in India and the Living Water Park, the first ecological park in China. Ruddick has taught at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Parsons School of Design and Schumacher College in England.
[ product design ]
The Product Design Award went to “NewDealDesign,” a multi-disciplinary design firm led by Gadi Amit. The San Francisco-based studio’s designs include the Lytro Light Field Camera, the Fitbit Wireless Trackers, and the Netgear Platinum II home router.
[ smithsonian | cooper-hewitt | national design museum ]
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. Founded in 1897, the museum has been a branch of the Smithsonian since 1967. The museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational programs, exhibitions and publications.
The museum’s main facility, housed in the Carnegie Mansion, is undergoing renovation as part of a $64 million capital campaign that includes enlarged and enhanced facilities for exhibitions, collections display, education programming and the National Design Library, and an increased endowment. During the renovation, Cooper-Hewitt’s usual schedule of exhibitions, education programs and events will be staged at various off-site locations. The renovated facility is scheduled to reopen in fall 2014.
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about carrie neill