SOM (chicago) wins 10th annual steelcase design competition with modernist menorah.
the winning design created by SOM’s Colin Gorsuch, the menorah is a cast piece of solid wax that mimics the liquidity of the ancient consecrated oil.
as the menorah burns, its 8×8 framework is revealed. the melted wax falls onto the wooden base and paints a pictorial timeline of the Hanukkah celebration.
created by SOM’s adrian mcdermott. in traditional christian symbolism, the wreath evokes the circle of life and immortality.
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full SOM statement]
via archpaper
Concerns have been raised about discrimin – ation in admissions to art and design colleges, following the publication of new research.
The report, Art for a Few, scrutinizes admissions by examining institutional statements, prospectuses, websites, interviews with tutors and observations from 70 admissions interviews at five unnamed institutions. It has been commissioned by the National Arts Learning Network, and authored and researched by University of the Arts London. via designweek DA editor’s note: art & design not alone.
trek lime is no lemon. here’s why.
the people have spoken. after one month of online voting, 198 finalists, the Trek Lime wins the 2009 people’s design award—the fourth annual cooper-hewitt design museum competition.
Introduced as the answer to the millions of American adults who do not ride a bike, the Trek Lime bike was the first to feature Shimano’s revolutionary Coasting system. At the center of Lime’s design is the reminder that riding a bike should be as enjoyable today as it was when you were a child.
With its comfortable, upright riding position, automatic transmission, and pedal brakes, Lime is designed to ride the way we did as kids — spontaneously, socially, and to experience the sheer joy of motion. Lime is the ideal bike for the casual rider who wants a fun, convenient and stylish way to run out for a cup of coffee or a breath of fresh air.
The specs:
Frameset
Sizes S, M, L
Frame Alpha White Aluminum
Fork High tensile steel
Wheels
Wheels Shimano Coasting dynamo front hub, 3-speed rear hub; alloy rims
Tires Bontrager Cruiser, 26×1.90″
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Coasting, automatic
Front Derailleur n/a
Rear Derailleur n/a
Crank Bontrager Satellite 33T
Cassette Shimano 20T
Pedals Nylon platform
Components
Saddle Bontrager Suburbia
Seat Post Steel
Handlebars High tensile steel, 45 degree backsweep
Stem Alloy
Headset Threaded, semi-integrated
Brakeset Coaster
Extras Kickstand, chainguard, hub covers, top tube pad
Launched in 2006, National Design Week is an education initiative offering free admission for all museum visitors and hosting a series of public programs surrounding the National Design Awards. See what your city is doing…
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the National Design Awards. Browse past winners and finalists by selecting a year from the list below.
Browse this year’s People Awards winners.
Sources
dwell
yanko design
artdaily
mediabistro
bandlbicycles
bikeportland.org
notcot
jacksbikes
bikejuju
endless-sphere
treehugger
Co-design challenge winner Aston Martin and architecture super-firm Foster + Partners have teamed up to give the famed double-decker Routemaster a makeover.
Designed in collaboration with Aston Martin in response to Transport for London’s competition to design a new bus for the city. There are two first place winning design challenges pre-opinions with a vehicle that is environmentally sensitive, accessible and reinvents a much-loved symbol of London for the modern era. After an intense period of research which included canvassing opinion from passengers, drivers and conductors, the team worked to design a new bus from the inside-out. In doing so, consideration was given to a wide range of issues including layout, use of materials, motive power, passenger experience and the impact of the bus on the environment of the city.
The bus is designed to navigate the dense and varied streets of London, employing innovative technologies to allow for greater maneuverability and energy conservation. Optimizing safety, the driver’s cabin provides panoramic views as well as incorporating screens to supervise CCTV images and radio communications with the on-board conductor. Much like a car or a building, the design evolved in response to the needs of its users. The layout, lighting and wooden floors are conceived to encourage a spirit of warmth and community. The arrangement of the decks is driven by comfort and particular consideration is given to the selection of reconstituted leather upholstery to create a tactile ‘living room’ feel, especially in the saloon-like lower deck.
The new bus is zero emissions ready, accessible for all and will set new standards for sustainable public service vehicles. Passengers benefit from views from the top of the deck through a glazed roof which incorporates solar cells to absorb sunlight and generate energy. By filtering daylight the internal temperature is well controlled. The bus design re-introduces the rear open access platform that made London’s Routemaster bus so popular up until its withdrawal from general service. This is supplemented by a side door to facilitate access for those with impaired mobility as well as families with young children.
Below: Co-winner and alternate bus concept by capoco design
aston martin
capoco design
foster + partners
NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair, the National Exposition of Contract Furnishings, is the largest exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment in North America. NeoCon features the latest trends, products, and concepts in office, healthcare, hospitality, residential, institutional and government environments, all under one roof at Chicago’s famous Merchandise Mart.
Producer: Neocon
Follow on Twitter #Neocon09
If you’re a British designer wanting to travel but lacking the funds, then get your application in to BA’s Great Britons competition – the 3rd round’s now open for entries!
Apply here
Winners announced.
Categories include: architecture, communication, fashion, interaction, interior, landscape, and product design. The National Design Awards were conceived by the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum to honor the best in American design. Cooper-Hewitt’s fourth annual National Design Week will be held Oct. 18-24.
Studio Daniel Libeskind Wins International Master Plan Competition to Create 34 Million Square Foot, $20 Billion New Riverfront Development District in Seoul, South Korea.
The plan, called Archipelago 21 because each of the linked neighborhoods functions like “islands” within a sea of green park space, will contain a total of 34 million square feet of built area. The $20 billion development is slated to break ground in 2011. The development entity is Yongsan Development Co., Ltd, a South Korean conglomerate. The district will also contain new cultural institutions, educational facilities and rapid transportation systems.
“We are proud to be selected for this major project from among so many distinguished firms,” Mr. Libeskind said. Finalists included Asymptome, Foster+Partners, Jerde Partnership and Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Studio Daniel Libeskind worked with ARUP and Martha Schwartz, Inc. on the winning entry.
Daniel Libeskind established his architectural studio in Berlin, Germany in 1989. Upon winning the design study for the World Trade Center Site in February 2003, Studio Daniel Libeskind moved its headquarters to New York City and the office is now headquartered two blocks south of the original World Trade Center site. SDL also has two European offices based in Zürich, Switzerland and Milan, Italy; as well as a number of site offices located around the world: San Francisco, Denver, Bern, Toronto, Milan and Hong Kong.
Daniel Libeskind’s architecture continues to reflect his profound interest and involvement in philosophy, art, music, literature, theater, film, and urbanism.
via bustler
