storm from the east

Studio Macura: Adorable Affordables

Studio Macura has announced its expanding line of beautiful objects at very affordable prices, including the Lako (above) and the Boca (below), which we featured April. In distinction to designer objects intended for exclusive gallery editions and limited self production, the Studio Macura collection brings forth compelling designs accessible to a large audience.

The objects, currently created in steel, blown glass and porcelain, are meant to please by their aesthetic, wit and functionality. The premise is that enduring unique designs go hand in hand with larger volumes and reasonable pricing. To make this happen the studio collaborates closely with producers in manufacturing and crafts sectors. ‘Unity within diversity’ embodies the collection rather than a formalistic style. From initial ideas to final solutions, they are developed through experimentation and curiosity quenching.

Imaginative interpretations, technique and commercial sense, are all criteria used in selecting the rising ideas. The designs are conceived, developed and sold in the context of Studio Macura. The inaugural collection will be launched during the Tendence Fair in messe Frankfurt, Germany from 27 – 31 August, 2010, Hall 11.0 Stand A68.

http://www.studiomacura.com/

Sigg Bottle by we+

Young Japanese design team we+ have created two original designs for the famous Sigg bottles.

Using a special ink, the designs on the bottles appear when liquids under 17 degrees celsius are added.

The bottles are available at: http://weplus-sell.jp/

Extrastudio: Tavira Island Regeneration

Extrastudio, in collaboration with landscape architects Oficina dos Jardins, has won the competition for Tavira’s Island Regeneration, in Algarve, the southern coast of Portugal.

Ranked by Lonely Planet as one of the World’s 10 best beaches to travel with children, along with Bali, Hawaii and Sardinia, Tavira’s island is an 11km long spectacular, secluded and unspoiled beach, part of Ria Formosa’s natural park, an idyllic system of islands and marshlands. Together with the regeneration of the small urban settlement, the project addresses the preservation and regeneration of the local natural conditions, integrating human activities into a sustainable system.

Exrastudio will work with sustainability consultants Wee-Solutions in the development of an energy consumption management strategy, waste and water treatment, and in a self-sustained, renewable energy solution. The project will include the refurbishment of all the public buildings on the island, a camping site, a new public plaza and new paths, linking the harbour to the beach. Under a low-tech strategy unique design features will include the re-use of traditional reixa structures, an Arab influenced wood screen, found only in Tavira and materials like white sand-beach concrete and custom made sand-cast furniture. Construction is scheduled to start in Autumn 2011.

http://www.extrastudio.pt/

Swami's Surf

Swami's is a new breed of surf company with a very stylish and mature approach to the surfer lifestyle.

Hailing from and made in England, the brand upholds the traditions of classic English craftsmanship combined with a pure and exclusive aesthetic sense, they are fast becoming the hip and cool of the surf world, the main attraction being their exclusive hand made surfboards (made by some of the worlds top shapers) with something rarely seen in surfing; really awesome graphics.

For their boardshorts they have teamed up with luxury swimwear brand, Orlebar Brown on a limited edition boardshort collection. In addition, the beachwear line includes silk scarves, hand loomed blankets, T-shirts and sterling silver rings.

As with the surfboards, craftsmanship and aesthetics are at the core of the collection, and because the environment is a key consideration for surfers, ecological decisions have played a big role in the creation of the pieces too. The company uses vegetable dyes, ahimsa silk (which doesn't kill the silk worms in the production process) and water based inks, while working with UK craftsmen and NGOs in India to forge ethical ways of manufacturing Swami's goods.

"We have a slightly 'endless summer' way of going about things," says Swami's Giles Dunn "and try to bring out fresh and original products from time to time. I guess it's a reaction to the over saturated homogenized market that's out there."

There's an argument that surfing isn't a sport at all but an art form in its own right, Swami's seems to be pushing the boundaries between design, function and art in their own unique way.

Swami's made on high boards and threads are available exclusively at:

www.swamisurf.com

Bamboo house by Benjamin Garcia Saxe

Benjamin Garcia Saxe's bamboo house is an inspirational, not to mention beautiful, house with an equally inspirational story to go with it.

Built for only US$40,000 and utilising bamboo with a steel structure, concrete, burlap walls and a tin roof, the architect told us he hoped the project "could be an inspiration to others that wish to build very low cost sustainable housing and use the power of design to produce quality spaces using creativity and sensibility", and we agree that it should be.

The house, completed in January of this year in Costa Rica, was created as a gift to his mother. The story behind that is much better in the words of the architect himself:

My mom and I never had a place we could call home. We met on the streets, always dreaming of a place we could be together. She stayed in the city in order to find comfort in my closeness. I never stopped dreaming of a place where she could find happiness.

Torn apart by the city, she has moved to the forest in search for home. She has found the moon and the sun and they dazzle her every day. She has found beauty in her own cycle of living and her presence in this world. She no longer needs others to compare and measure her happiness.

My mom began to construct the place for her dwelling with scrap wood and plastic bags. She placed her bed on a corner where she could have a direct view of the moon whilst going to sleep. She has told me that that watching the moon reminds her of me.

Perhaps because of her memory of the city, she is afraid that someone will come to disturb her solitude. She has asked me to complete her dream of living safely in the forest, but I know she believes this is a ways for us to always be together.

Inspired by her routine I have given her an internal protected forest of bamboo. At night the cone-like surface of her new home opens to the moon and reminds her that it is me who is holding it in space as she goes calmly to sleep.

http://www.benjamingarciasaxe.com/

Gecko: Voodoo & new stickers

Gecko have introduced a new range of stickers including the wonderful Voodoo key holder, above. Simply hammer some nails into the little voodoo doll and it's ready to hold your keys.

Other new designs are pictured below and all are available through the Gecko website.

Boca by Studio Macura

Studio Macura will launch their first product in May 2010.

The Boca, a porcelain watering bottle for plants and flowers, is made from the finest Limoges porcelain and is available through Studio Macura and a selection of European shops and galleries starting May.

For more information:

http://www.markomacura.com/studio-macura

Gecko stickers: New designs

Gecko have added even more designs to their already extensive range of wall stickers, including  dog's house, sheep headboard, cloud swing, curly tree and São Paulo skyline.

Check out these new designs and many more on their website:

http://www.geckostickers.com/wall_decals_main_catalog.asp

Karl Baxter for Akaoni

Tokyo-based Australian designer Karl Baxter introduces a set of products he has designed for new Japanese brand Akaoni.

The products include a metal business card case made of anodized aluminium with integral 'money clips' for holding business cards, unusually shaped cards, memos and cash, and a walnut document tray that was inspired by architecture and constructed using the traditional Japanese sashimono joinery technique. The collection also includes a stylish leather business bag which 'rethinks proportions...allowing the bag to stand tall.'

www.e-ltd.co.jp

Monika Drożyńska: Picnic bag

Created from various carpet materials, the Picnic Bag is as functional as it is good-looking. The exterior is decorative, whereas the interior contains printed cartoon – a users manual. Snaps on both sides of the bag allow users to open it and lay it flat on the ground, unravelling the bag’s second life: After its contents have been taken out, it becomes a mat, creating comfortable seating especially designed for two people. If you prefer more of a crowd, the bags can be joined together to create more seats.

More of Drożyńska's work is currently on display as part of the 'Fitting in Space' exhibition in Beirut, which runs until 16th of March 2010.

http://www.monika.drozynska.pl/

imm Cologne 2010: Brühl

Brühl has made a wholehearted commitment to eco-protection. The company is the first German upholstered furniture manufacturer to be awarded the "Blue Angel" - the reward for the years of intense effort the company has invested in ecology and sustainability.

At the imm cologne, Brühl will be presenting new evidence of its commitment by launching covering fabrics made of bamboo fibre. Such a concept obviously strikes a chord with consumers: a recent survey by tns-Infratest/Emnid shows eco-aspects play an important role in the purchase decisions of every fourth German with a net income of up to 1,500 euros. That's sales potential nobody can afford to miss out on.

Other designers, brands and newcomers who are willing to shoulder responsibility for our environment will be showing their wares in Cologne from 19th to 24th January.

Harmonie-intérieure 2010 letterpress wish card

Harmonie-intérieure have produced a limited edition 2010 wish card, which looks great and is letterpress printed on quality 450g classic crest solar white paper. They come in sets of ten from only €15, but hurry before they're all gone - there are only 500 being produced.

http://www.harmonie-interieure.com/home2010.htm

Kyoko Hashimoto

We have recently been alerted to the work of Kyoko Hashimoto a Japanese born, Australian raised jeweller, who is producing some very eye-catching and unique work.

Prior to launching her own label in 2006, Kyoko produced conceptual fine art jewellery, exhibiting in some of Sydney's most influential galleries including Object, Quadrivium and Art Gallery of New South Wales. Then, in 2005 she moved to Tokyo where the lure of city's underground fashion and music scene inspired her to start a new jewellery label.

Each of Kyoko's pieces is carefully handcrafted and finished in her studio, currently based in Berlin, Germany. Her conceptual and fine jewellery background continues to inform her current design and her choice of material, form and construction methods.

Find out more, and see more of her work, on her website:

http://kyokohashimoto.com/

Munkii: Vintage

Readers of this site may be familiar with the name Jaren Goh, the Singaporean designer behind the fabulous Black Diamond mobile phone from a few years back. It's good to hear that he is still designing and still producing great looking work, including the Vintage bookshelf for Munkii.

The concept of Vintage was first released in 2007, following which a prototype was displayed in Nhow Hotel, Milan in the same year. The bookshelf is made using eco-responsible MDF and Munkii are currently preparing orders for clients in California, USA.

Sales director Kelvin Goh tells us that more products are due from the company in 2010.

www.munkii.com.sg/

naoLoop Loft

The latest in a line of innovative products from Naolab is the naoLoop Loft, a storage system based on the company's staggeringly useful naoLoop. Like all Naolab products, the beauty is in the use: yes, they look great, but they are designed to be used – and quickly become indispensable.

naoLoop Loft is a 'stealth organizing device' for storing your important stuff and as it is wall-mountable, it not only keeps things from cluttering the floor or work surfaces, it also keeps them in view. Available in uncoated stainless steel and three colours (black, white and green), naoLoop Loft comes with built-in hooks, which, like everything else they make, means that is designed to put to use immediately.

If we seem a little ebullient about Naolab, it's because we love what they do. Consider some of Dieter Rams' guiding principles for what makes good design: innovative, useful, aesthetic, honest, as little design as possible, and then take a look – even better, use – items like the naoLoop. If that seems like lofty praise, we simply invite you to get and use some of their products and find out for yourself.

naoLoop Loft, and other Naolab products, are available at the Naolab Shop.

IMM Living: Belly Up Salt & Pepper Shakers

More from IMM Living, and something a little more seasonal, as they invite you to bring a bit of the Arctic's winter wonderland into the kitchen with their Belly Up Salt & Pepper Shakers.

Designed by Cecelia Lundgren, essential spices are shaken out through the polar bear's head and paws.

http://www.imm-living.com/

IMM Living: Vulcan USB Keys signed by Leonard Nimoy

IMM Living presents what could be the ultimate gift for Star Trek-loving computer users:  limited edition Vulcan USB Keys signed by Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock from Star Trek. What is less known about this salute, the designers add, is that it has roots in priestly blessings.

http://www.imm-living.com/

Timothy Schreiber: DesignTide 2009

In a special feature, designer Timothy Schreiber shares what brought him to Tokyo for DesignTide 2009.

Recently I was lucky to spend 7 great days during Tokyo Design Week in Japan, the country that has fascinated me ever since my early childhood days.

I still remember my first encounter with Japan at the age of maybe 9 or 10. Back then in primary school in Germany in the 80s I was lucky one night to stay up late and watch James Bond You Only Live Twice with my parents. It's the one with the rocket base in the volcano located on a small Japanese island and the New Otani hotel in Tokyo is the headquarters of some of the bad guys. Although it is hard to describe what really happened inside of me during this very first encounter between my European childhood and Japanese far eastern culture, I was somehow very pleasantly touched and there was a mysterious eagerness growing in my head to learn more about this fascinating place and its people. Unfortunately I never made it there for a visit while I was a teenager nor during my (very busy) years at architectural school in Germany.

Finally, after I had finished my education, whilst working in Beijing for the Australian architectural practice which designed the aquatic centre (watercube) for the 2008 Olympics, I went to Tokyo for a 1 week holiday (my first holiday ever since university days actually). I very much liked what I saw, or actually I have to say, I fell in love with it. Everything exceeded my expectations and everything seemed to be custom tailored for me and my personal taste and preferences of how I think our lives and environments should be designed. As a forward thinking architect, designer and science fiction fan, I fell in love with the built environment, the urban density and it's resulting endless possibilities of working, the cultural offerings and the leisure opportunities. Needless to mention the quality of the food, service and the unparalleled friendliness of the people. After a very intense week in Tokyo and Kyoto, I returned to Beijing and....resigned the following day. I had been working in all sorts of different countries for over 5 years by then, but from this point on Japan was my goal. I started taking Japanese lessons whilst working in architecture in Sydney and London, and although I knew I would not be able reach a level of linguistic fluency in the near future, I was doing my best to be prepared as well as I possibly could for my planned future visits to Japan. Of course I also knew that it could be a little bit difficult to find employment with a local company in Japan without good language skills (apart from teaching English maybe), but I was confident that I would have something to offer to the 5-8 architectural companies in Tokyo which are known to hire younger foreign creatives.

About one year ago during Tokyo Design Week 2008, I resigned from my job with one of the leading architectural companies in London and got myself a ticket to Japan once again. The flight with JAL was fantastic, but by the time I touched japanese ground, Lehman brothers had gone bankrupt. Despite the now economically difficult climate, I had a fantastic time in my small apartment in Shibuya, where I stayed for about 2 months, sending out applications to architects, going for interviews, meeting many very interesting people in all sorts of different fields but mainly from architecture and design. Finally my childhood dream of living in Japan had come true. Unfortunately after 2 months it had become clear that, during the ongoing recession, I was very unlikely to find employment in the architectural sector any time in the not too distant future. I was very lucky to find emplyment with one of the (even more) leading companies in London again, so by Christmas last year I left Japan after a much too short stay, eager to come back as soon as possible.


As I was really impressed with Tokyo Design Week during my stay and all the associated side activities, exhibitions and galleries, I made the decision to come back in 2009 for this event. One of my designs, the e-volved table (above), had been picked up by a Dutch manufacturer at the beginning of this year and launched in Paris in London in August. The company is a very creative young high end furniture maker, but despite their immense success in Europe and America they don't sell their products in Japan yet. Neither has the owner of the company ever been there. When I told him about my plans to exhibit my table at DesignTide 2009, they suggested to team up with me for this event. As a result of this, I was lucky to get some support regarding funding and shipping from them and I think this joint venture was also beneficial for the visitors of DesignTide, who were able to meet and talk to the designer (me) and the manufacturer of the table at the same stand. In addition to that it was great for the owner of the company, to get an initial introduction and impression of the Japanese furniture market. I can say that he was also impressed with the generally very high standards of almost everything in Japan and especially the high level of the local furniture design and workmanship. Last but not least, I think that our designer-manufacturer joint appearance at the show was also beneficial for our fellow exhibitors, as there was a lively dialogue happening between my manufacturer and other japanese designers exhibiting at the show, regarding future collaborations.


It was great for me to spend a week with the owner of this company, as I had previously always just met him for a few hours or half a day maximum and we were able to strengthen our business relationship. Besides that, we sometimes just enjoyed going out for the most beautiful dinners and getting to know other designers. After one week and the end of the show, we were both very sad to leave, as we could have easily kept going with this wonderful lifestyle for much much longer. We were also immensely impressed by the DesignTide show itself and our fellow exhibitors. I personally think it was the best show I have ever taken part in with the highest level of design quality in regards to the exhibitors and also to  the design of the show itself. The 'out of this world' like atmoshpere of the cloud scape designed by Makoto Tanijiri lifted the show to a completely different level of experience and set it apart from anything else I have seen before.


During the show I got in touch with Richard from STFE and we agreed to meet up, but unfortunately it didn't work out after all, so I look very much forward to returning to Tokyo next year and finally getting to know him.

Timothy Schreiber is a designer based in London. To find out more about Timothy and to see more of his work, please visit his website: http://www.timothy-schreiber.com/

Tokyo Design Week 2009: Dotmancando

Is it design or is it art? Who cares - Dotmancando, aka Nitipak Samsen, takes everyday objects and challenges your perceptions and beliefs in fascinatingly original ways, taking on environmental issues, bad habits and much more.

Showing at DesignTide, the Thai designer 'shows work by flipping serious contents with unique ideas and incorporates them into his design'. His website is not to be missed and we hope to see a lot more from him in the future. Inspiring stuff.

Website:

http://www.dotmancando.info/

Gecko Stickers: New Products

Gecko have added a fantastic new set of stickers to their range, including contemporary and traditional lamps, side tables and candlesticks. The stickers pictured above represent only a few of the huge amount of designs on offer - available in up to thirty colours - which you can find on their website.

Website: Gecko Decorative Stickers