bicycle – DesignApplause

2016 german design award select winners.

Nov 23, 2015

above> german design award installation at ambiente 2015 | click on image to engage lightbox | 18 images

the 2016 winners of the german design award have been made public. the gda is this one of the best award programs around. a very wide breadth of product submissions for cars, motorcycles, med & industrial equipment, architecture, it seems like everything. they’re also one of the best at showcasing winners in a huge installation at ambiente, a heavy investment in print and well represented online. this represents a heavy monetary investment in design. the above slideshow is a glimpse at 2015 during ambiente 2015. the german design award is hosted by the german design council who celebrates its 60th year in 2015

below are a sampling of 2016 winners.

above> lichtgrenze

category> event / light installation for 25 years fall of the wall celebrations in berlin 2014
client> kulturprojekte berlin gmbh für die stadt berlin
design> whitevoid / christopher bauder

award> gold 2016
jury statement> michel casertano | dr. angelika nollert | prof. hartmut a. raiser

from the 7th to the 9th of november 2014, berlin remembered the 25th anniversary of the fall of the berlin wall and the reunification of the city. in line with the festivities, there was a fascinating light installation that marked the former path of the wall with illuminated balloons along a 15.3 km stretch. on the final evening of the installation 8,000 balloon caretakers released the balloons into berlin’s night sky, each carrying a personal message. a moving project with enormous symbolic and charismatic power that made an impact far beyond the borders of germany. the project was realised through private financing – not by the city, which meant that there was a comparatively small budget. this is an impressive demonstration of the fact that one can create something extraordinarily effective even with limited means.

above> tentsile tree tent: stingray.

category> sports, outdoor activities and leisure
producer> tentsile
design> tentsile / alex shirley-smith

award> gold 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

the tentsile stingray is a new kind of tent that is hung between three trees, poles or branches and floats in the air, extending the radius of experience from two to three dimensions. the occupants (up to three people) are not only protected from the weather, but from wild animals and insects as well. the form changes according to the tent’s tension, making it seem almost like a living creature. this fascinating tree tent is an innovative outdoor tool that totally reinterprets the leisure tent system. at once functional and poetic.

above> aerfast 20th anni by storck.

category> transportation / racing bike
producer> storck bicycle
design> storck bicycle / mario kuban

award> gold 2016
jury statement > johannes barckmann | prof. andrea lipp | jürgen lewandowski

for its 20-year anniversary, the legendary bicycle manufacturer is releasing selected models as a limited edition set. the models have special anniversary paintwork and high-quality components. the set also includes a platinum handlebar and a seat with special supports. the frame is adorned tastefully with the master’s signature. a polo shirt with the brand name and a certificate signed by markus storck himself round off this exclusive set. the combination of technical perfection and dynamic styling reflects storck’s authentic passion for designing bikes: absolutely functional, absolutely carbonic! absolutely perfect.

above> timber structure sports center

category> architecture
client> kogakuin university
design> ft architects / hiroko tominaga

award> gold 2016
jury statement> mårten claesson | dr. michael peters | stefan von terzi

this pair of extraordinary buildings on the campus of the kogakuin university in tokyo houses a japanese archery facility and a boxing club. the two wooden structures made of native, local woods each cover a space of around 7.2 m x 10.8 m. this is about the size of a traditional japanese temple, and these spaces are similarly open and minimal, which has a positive effect on the athletes’ concentration. the special quality, however, is the support-free roof construction, which was planned and realised based on traditional japanese wooden structures. a fascinating statement that contributes to keeping this architectural style alive in the cultural memory. the way these buildings have transformed functionality into aesthetics can only be described as sensational.

above> bentley – exp 10 speed 6

category> transportation / concept car
producer> bentley motors
design> bentley motors

award> gold 2016
jury statement> johannes barckmann | prof. andrea lipp | jürgen lewandowski

the designers of the exp 10 speed 6 achieved a fantastic reinterpretation of the british legend and a self-aware statement of luxury and extravagance on the highest level. this is particularly apparent when looking at the interior. the door panels are not covered with leather matching the material used for steering wheel and seats like usual, but instead are covered with high-quality wood. the possibilities in high-quality processing and craftsmanship are demonstrated here. the exterior inspires with a progressive/elegant design vocabulary that transports the classic car into the future. muscular, athletically shaped surfaces that are inspired by aerodynamic shapes such as aircraft fuselages and aerofoils convey dynamism, power and speed. an extraordinarily beautiful automobile that perfectly combines aesthetics and precision – and is unmistakably a bentley. it couldn’t be done better!

above> takata maxi

category> baby and child care / children`s car seat
producer> takata
design> takata / reiner nett

award> gold 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

in this excellently designed children’s car seat, children stay both safe and comfortable, even on long trips. this is ensured by the stabile casing and the exceedingly soft padding on the seat itself and the arm supports. the microfiber fabrics are toxin-free and can be cleaned easily. the seatbelt guide has an auto-lock feature, guaranteeing that the belt stays in position, while the airpad safety technology protects the head. parents may enjoy the practical one-handed operation for size adjustment and belt fastening. a well-designed product, considered down to the last detail and visually appealing.

above> karuun® | kc collection

category> material and surfaces / innovative material based on natural rattan
producer> out for space
design> out for space / peter kraft, julian reuter, moritz fuhrmann, miriam bröckel

award> gold 2016
jury statement> nicole huffer | ruwen kaminski | jun.-prof. dr.-ing. jens krzywinski

karuun® is a highly innovative material that provides transformative new dimensions for the design possibilities of rattan. the composition of natural rattan can be understood as a bundle of small tubes, which makes it absolutely unique. the company out for space uses this special quality to inject natural filler material into the material. the result – karuun® – offers increased rigidity, fantastic bending properties, weather-resistance and a wide range of coloration possibilities. the kc collection gives a foretaste of what is possible with karuun®. and it is already an extremely impressive collection. all in all, a promising material that is also very sustainable. exciting.

above> smartintego

category> building and elements / digital lock cylinder
producer> simonsvoss technologies
design> ergon3 design / peter trautwein

award> gold 2016
jury statement> ruwen kaminski | jun.-prof. dr.-ing. jens krzywinski

with this new product line, simonsvoss offers the perfect solution for integrated access control systems. smart intego can be immediately connected to existing complex access control systems — and the smart intego manager makes it easier than ever by auto-configuring the system components and saving a significant amount of time and effort in comparison to other systems. the digital lock cylinder offers various additional functions such as audit trail, time zone management, event management and door monitoring.

above> illa kogelhof by paul de ruiter architects

category> architecture / residential
client> private client
design> paul de ruiter architects / paul de ruiter

award> winner 2016
jury statement> mårten claesson | dr. michael peters | stefan von terzi

villa kogelhof is designed to be completely energy self-sufficient and is located on a swath of land declared a conservation area by the government. the minimalist building, designed with straight lines, rests on v-shaped pillars to take away as little as possible from the protected habitant for plants and animals. the interior of the house is no less minimalist due to surrounding glass panels that enhance the home’s sense of openness and connection to nature. a great design that perfectly plays up interior and exterior, while redefining the standard for natural living.

above> notabag

category> lifestyle and fashion / combination of a bag and a backpack
producer> notabag
design> notabag / adnan alicusic, ilaria gregianin

award> winner 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

notabag is a cleverly-designed combination of carrier and rucksack that can be carried on your arm or back, as desired. a simple motion is all it takes to change the rucksack into a bag or vice-versa. an internal back serves to store your wallet and keys. that means that everything is easy to find without having to rummage around for it. notabag transforms and closes all on its own, meaning that it doesn’t need any additional buttons or closures. if the bag isn’t needed it can fold down to almost nothing. a practical, amazingly designed product for daily use.

above> form

category> furniture / chair and table collection
producer> normann copenhagen
design> normann copenhagen / simon legald

award> special 2016
jury statement> prof. oliver grabes | sebastian herkner

form is a modern cup chair made using plastic mould casting, which is available with and without armrests and also as a bar stool in two different heights. the back and seat are ergonomically shaped and promise comfort and relaxation. form is an example of a flexible design that in principle fits on all frames – even those yet to be developed in the future. the series has now been expanded with a dining table in two sizes – the perfect accompaniment to the chairs.

[ 2016 winners ]

The bike design project. 2014 competition.

Aug 7, 2014

denny | seattle

Five teams in five cities: Chicago, New York, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle – competed to redefine the category of the urban bicycle. On 4 August 2014, the winner is… ‘Denny’. The voting period lasted a week and over 136,000 voters selected the winner. They are no losers here, all pretty cool bikes.

Denny (Seattle) wowed voters with its ingenious handlebar lock design, unique fender system, automatic shifting and modern styling. “It’s inspiration? The diverse community and unpredictability of our home, Seattle. From the auto-shifting electric assist, smart reactive lighting, integrated locking and the redefining of the fender, we’ve created the purist biking experience possible for Seattle riders. Now you don’t have to worry about the hills, rain or an impromptu ‘farmer’s market’ trip. [ Teague ] x [ Sizemore Bicycle ]

blackline | chicago

Blackline (Chicago) takes its name from Chicago’s iconic elevated train lines that run throughout the city, non-stop. A custom smart handlebar with integrated LED headlight and side blinkers utilize GPS enabled turn-by-turn navigation and be securely tracked using a connected smartphone app. The virtually maintenance-free drive train utilizes a sealed 3-speed hub and belt drive, designed to endure the extreme conditions of rural Africa the daily commute in the harshest winters. [ Minimal ] x [ Method Bicycle ]

merge | nyc

Merge (New York) is inspired by the variety of cycling needs in New York City, a tough proving ground for an urban bike. Merge is a compact and nimble ride, offering its rider confidence when navigating tight spaces. Merge’s thoughtfully designed features include cargo, lighting, security, and a USB charging port. [ Pensa ] x [ Horse Cycles ]

solid | portland

Solid (Portland) is inspired by the diverse beauty and soul of Portland’s urban energy and raw beauty of its surrounding forests. Solid is the first connected (“Discover My City” mobile app) 3D-printed titanium lifestyle bike, capturing the essence of the city and the best of both worlds – hand-built craft and modern manufacturing. [ Industry ] x [ Ti Cycles ]

evo | san francisco

EVO (San Francisco) is a hybrid blending utility of a city bike with robustness and geometry of a mountain bike to satisfy the city’s diverse lifestyle and terrain. An innovative plug-and-play quick-connect mounts enable users to rapidly attach or detach cargo accessories, ranging from a child seat to different racks for carrying everything from groceries to surf boards. Inspired by San Francisco’s famous towers and bridges using 3D-printed steel lug and tube construction. [ Huge Design ] x [ 4130 Cycle Works ]

[ The Bike Design Project ] a pioneering bike design competition which partners five high-level design firms with American bicycle craftsmen to create the Ultimate Urban Utility Bike. The 2014 competition includes teams from the city of Chicago, New York, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle. The winning design will be will move into production with the competition’s Manufacturing Partner, Fuji Bikes, for its retail debut in 2015. “The Bike Design Project” teams created their unique vision of tomorrow’s bicycle for the everyday rider with innovative designs and features that benefit transportation cycling.

[ Oregon Manifest ] exists to celebrate and amplify bike craft, design and innovation. They provide an independent innovation platform for designers, engineers, craftsmen and makers to collaboratively develop bike designs that can expand transportation options for the everyday citizen. They are a nonprofit organization that values the process of making, the spirit of ingenuity, and the passion of brave undertakings.

bike the drive chicago 2014.

May 25, 2014

A Memorial Day Weekend tradition, started by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2004, an avid biker himself, Lake Shore Drive is closed for cyclists. From 5:30a to 10:15a you can ride north to Bryn Mawr then go south to the Museum of Science and Industry as many times as you want, a loop of 30 miles. This is a fun(d)-raising event costing $62 dollars. But with online registration already closed on the morning of the event, and an expected 20,000 riders, getting a free pass is not too strictly enforced.

[ bike the drive 2014 ] [ chicago peddles bike-friendly image: blair kamin ]

can cars and bikes ever get along? forbes.

Apr 20, 2014

can cars and bikes ever get along? an excerpt looking at america’s conflict over bicycles. via forbes [RK]

lucetta magnetic bicycle lights by pizzolorusso.

Feb 27, 2014

An innovative bike light that does not need to light the way as much as to make others aware of your presence. Lucetta is set of two small magnetic bicycle lights. Easily attached to several different parts of a bicycle, the two small lights – white for the front, red for the rear – are switched on and off with just one click.

Made up of two small magnetic lights, the Lucetta is the new, essential light for your bike. Easy to attach to any bike, the two small lights – 1 red and 1 white – switch on with just a click and are guaranteed to stay securely in place even on the bumpiest street. You can select a steady beam, a slow or fast flashing light by simply clicking the light on the bike. When you reach your destination, remove the lights, join them together and slip them in your pocket ready for your next outing.

• Includes: white front LED light + red rear LED light
• Steady light / slow flashing / fast flashing modes
• Wide angle for best visibility
• Run-time: up to 40 hours
• Available in 3 colors: black, red, white
• Power supply: 2 x CR2032 batteries per light
• Intensity: 15000 mcd white / 4000 mcd red
• Batteries included
• Weather-resistant

designer: emanuele pizzolorusso
producer: palomar
period: 2013

about boo hill

Designer katrin schnabl and bike shop jc lind partner with Luminaire(x).

Mar 8, 2013

click > enlarge

On Saturday, 9 March 2013, LuminaireX introduces two new partners to the experimental, ever-evolving, dynamic design community. Katrin Schnabl, the eponymous women’s designer brand by Katrin Schnabl, will present her Spring 2013 collection, celebrating women with modern classic clothing typified by bold colors and shapes and enhanced by exquisite tailoring. Visitors will also experience LIMB, a limited edition series of framed, knitted plastic membranes, each hand knit from a distinct variety of recycled plastic bags and suspended from a welded frame. The work draws from the tension of negotiating contradictions in desire and activity, between the individual, the environment and the community.

katrin schnabl

LIMB | katrin schnabl

A bit of a surprise, and a fun one at that, the other partner is a bicycle shop. JC Lind, a truly unique bike shop, dedicated to spreading the European biking culture to Chicago and North America. At LuminiaireX, on display will a specialized cargo bike along with two stylish and practical city bikes designed for everyday urban transportation – a literal form and function pairing.

christiania trike

vanmoof m2 6

antibodi | patricia urquiola | moroso | 2006
By joining hands with these two like-minded partners representing the best of their fields, LuminaireX continues the company’s tradition of collaborating with others to expand the understanding of design for the public it serves. LuminaireX will also continue to offer great design at affordable prices. Notably, these designs represent some the same celebrated designers found in Luminaire’s showrooms, including Patricia Urquiola, the Bouroullec Brothers, Konstantin Grcic, Philippe Starck and many, many more.

8> christiania trike ( on display )
9> vanmoof m2 3 ( on display )
10> vanmoof m2 6 ( on display )
11> pilen lyx step over
12> pilen lyx step-through
13> yuba mundo ( child seats not included )
14> winther wallaroo

[ about 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. The component parts of this unifying philosophy – the necessity of design education, the desire for limitless inspiration and the requirement for impeccably detailed execution – affect every item in our collection and reflect our dedication to make good design accessible to all.

[ about luminaire chicago ]
Since its opening in 1989, Luminaire Chicago has captivated visitors with expertly curated environments and an exceptional event program with many design luminaries including Massimo Vignelli, Jasper Morrison, Maarten Van Severen, Patricia Urquiola, Naoto Fukasawa, Amanda Levete, Bouroullec Brothers, Konstantin Grcic, Claudio Silvestrin, and Piero Lissoni to name just a few. The three-level, 21,000-square foot showroom displays the latest collections from the world’s most preeminent designers, consistently evoking the company’s philosophy of how good design can affect people’s lives.

luminaire(x) | 301 west superior / floor 2 | chicago | 312 664 9582 | mon > sat 10 > 6

Neo volt foldable urban bike. Item.

Jan 2, 2013

click > enlarge

We’re beginning to see more folding bikes on the streets but there aren’t many, if any, electric bikes like this one. It doesn’t even look electric. A exclusive design, patented by BH, makes the NEO a stylish and attractive bicycle that conceals a powerful battery in its frame with a range of up to 55 miles/90 km. Thanks to its accelerator, it allows riding at 10 moh/6 km/h without having to pedal or speeds up to 27 mph/45km/h.

An innovative 20″ folding mechanism allows this bike to shorten the frame to facilitate entry to elevators, and all kinds of public transportation. There’s also a second folding position for car boot storage.

Equipped with Telescopic, Shimano and Suntour brake and powertrain and Kenda antipuncture reflex tires. Extras include a GPS anti-theft system, a mobile app that can communicate with your mobile telephone by installing a Bluetooth device instead of the LCD display screen, light upgrade kits. You can choose from four types of progressive assistance until reaching a 1:3 assistance ratio (user effort: motor effort) The pedal assistance selection is carried out by means of an intuitive and completely extractable LCD display located on the handlebar. Designed by Item Desarrollo de Producto for Easy motion by BH. [ bh bike ] [ item desarrollo de producto ]

Lightskin led seat post. Epic bike.

Dec 21, 2012

click > enlarge

Here’s a win-win-w1n solution for safety, keeping the weight and gizmos to a minimum, and looking cool. Epic Bike has embedded five LED lights into a seat post. Water-resistant and theft-resistant (with a little common sense) lights that last a minimum of 50 hours on two AA batteries. [ epic bike ]

Cinelli: the art and design of the bicycle.

Nov 5, 2012

laser bike | keith haring | click > enlarge

65 years ago famed Italian cyclist, Cino Cinelli, retired from professional cycling and founded his eponymous bicycle manufacturing company. Credited with setting the standards for frame and component design, “Cinelli has led the evolution of professional cycling and defined the ideal of the classic bicycle: from the classic Supercorsa racing frame to the cutting-edge MASH fixed-gear pursuit bikes ubiquitous on the urban riding scene.”

Cinelli has remained at the forefront of parts manufacturing with boundary-pushing products like the first plastic racing saddle and the controversial Spinaci handlebar, which was banned from professional competition. The company has also sought input from well known cyclists, designers and artists such as Keith Haring, who contributed the record-breaking Laser bike.

The company, now located in San Francisco, has just released a tribute to Cinelli’s legacy. Published by Rizzoli, Cinelli: The Art and Design of the Bicycle, includes a conversation between fashion designer Sir Paul Smith and Cinelli president Antonio Colombo as well as over 200 pages of two-wheeled eye candy.

about perrin drumm

New yorkers turn to bikes after sandy.

Nov 2, 2012

new yorkers turn to bikes after sandy. not how they envisioned but rediscovering the joys of biking. via outside magazine [RK]