design folio

Helix Hotel Abu Dhabi

Claire Sullivan - Friday, April 10, 2009


New York based Lesser Architecture have won a competition to design the Helix Hotel to be built in Zayed Bay, Abu Dhabi. The Hotel is positioned adjacent to the currently under construction and highly anticipated serpentine Sheik Zayed Bridge designed by Zaha Hadid. The name Helix makes reference to the staggered floor plates which will keep public spaces always in flux with no two rooms positioned across from one another having exact views to the other side. As with most hotels in this region, luxury is paramount, a reversed fountain will drop water from the ceiling down through the void into the lower lobby. The roof top will feature a full sized glass bottom swimming pool where the swimmers will be visible from eight floors below at ground level. 


Tom Dixon's Utility collection

Claire Sullivan - Friday, April 10, 2009


Tom Dixon's collection for this years Milan Fair entitled Utility, is a continuation of his exploration into the robustness and longevity of design. Products in the new  collection include pressed glass lighting and stone top tables. Dixon has become a master of the simple, his design focus more directed upon construction, finishes and materials that deliver honest design outcomes.


Tom Dixon's work is available locally at ECC.  www.ecc.co.nz




Regal matters

Claire Sullivan - Thursday, April 09, 2009
This genius little number makes quite clear the power and significance of the head of the table.  Designed by Gumdesign for Silik this table forms part of their new collection to be launched at the Milan Furniture Fair. To learn more about the designers click here.


Campana brothers reinvigorate Athens

Claire Sullivan - Thursday, April 09, 2009
What do you get when you mix Brazilian spirit with Greek culture? A new hotel in Athens will soon showcase the results. The Yes hotel has commissioned the creative force that is the Campana brothers to create objects that will help to reinterpret the old Olympic Palace Hotel originally built in 1958, and considered by many to be one of the best examples of modernist architecture in Athens. The Campana brothers are renowned for their ability to reuse and reinterpret materials and culture from their surrounds, so their take on a different culture will be of interest to the design community. The brothers have formed a local workshop in Athens and have employed an imaginative group of Greek postgraduate students of architecture to work alongside them. Above are some examples of chairs that are being reinterpreted for the restaurant of the hotel. The idea is that part of the original chair remains whilst hybrid additions are added for a new contextual meaning. The hotel is set to open early 2010.
Read more about this project at www.yatzer.com



Hotelicopter

Claire Sullivan - Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Just when you thought that the dreaded "R" word was having an impact on all things related to luxury travel, along comes the Hotelicopter. Featuring 18 luxuriously appointed rooms, designed for adrenalin junkies seeking a truly unique, and no doubt costly travel experience.
 600 thread count sheets, turndown service, fresh flowers, spa, on board yoga studio, tea garden and Japanese garden with Koi pond are among the vast list of amenities available to the onboard guests. 
All sounds too good to be true really! And it is - the Hotelicopter has to be one of the best April Fools hoaxes in some time. The online design blogging community have gone crazy for this genius concept, which is just that a concept. Check out more of the elaborate scheme here.


Paper making

Claire Sullivan - Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka will present his new sofa for Moroso at the Milan Furniture Fair. The prototype sofa displayed will be constructed entirely of paper, highlighting the influences that crumpled paper had on the outcome of his new design. Ideas for more durable fabrics for production will be developed after the fair.
Moroso is available locally at Matisse. www.matisse.co.nz



Sir Miles Warren

Claire Sullivan - Tuesday, April 07, 2009

As a Christchurch girl I have always admired the work of one of one of New Zealand's great architects Sir Miles Warren. His early work was prolific in my childhood neighbourhood, looking at these images reminds me of home. The Forbes house above, designed in 1976 is an excellent example of enduring modern architecture that was so rare for this time. The Christchurch Art Gallery is currently celebrating the work of Sir Miles Warren in an exhibition Miles: a life in architecture. The exhibition runs to 14 June 2009. 

www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz


Recessionary DIY

Claire Sullivan - Monday, April 06, 2009
Belgium based design studio tovdesign have some fantastic design ideas on their website that appeal to our current obsession with all things recessionary. The Kraftwerk chair is constructed using simple and cheap materials all found at your local hardware store. For a mere 7 Euro you can order the plans and guidelines required to make this masterpiece, another $30 NZD (estimate) for the construction materials......showing off your design prowess to your mates - PRICELESS! www.tovdesign.com


Diamond Chair

Claire Sullivan - Sunday, April 05, 2009

Scandinavian furniture manufacturer Houe have put British young designer Benjamin Hubert's Diamond Chair into production after seeing his prototype at the Cologne furniture fair earlier this year. Thus proving that the 25 year old designer, who's been the UK design industry's "one to watch", has a bright future ahead of him. It's also proof that opportunities still exist for young designers with global manufacturers on the hunt for the new and notable. www.benjaminhubert.co.uk


Crystal fusion

Claire Sullivan - Sunday, April 05, 2009
The Swarovski Crystal Palace at the Milan Salone is always a must visit exhibition, and it looks as though this year will be no exception. French designer Arik Levy has collaborated with the 3D effects specialists MGX to create what looks like the antithesis of the usual sparkles on display. Design Folio will be on the ground at the Milan Salone, keeping you updated daily on our finds. We'll look forward to giving you more details about this interesting exhibition. More details on our Milan agenda to follow.