On display earlier in the year at the Milan Fair, the Fernanda Armchair by Baxter is a unique take on an old style leather sling chair.

Baxter is available locally here.

Designed in response to the on going issues of public transportation between outer suburbs of major cities in the US, The Airbia is inspired by  zeppelin technologies, engaging the idea using helium to hover, a proven sustainable and economical approach to energy consumption.

The proposed airship has a capacity to carry 400 people and travel at an average of 150 km/h speed on a hight between 30 – 500 meters. Instead of having a major airship station, Airbia proposes a more dispersed network of station-platforms, that consist of staircases, lifts and ticket spaces. This way the system becomes much more flexible, since these drop off – pick up platforms can be placed almost anywhere in the city.

With lack of on ground infrastructure one of the biggest issues facing cities, and the obvious financial costs related to creating railway lines and underground tunnels, the Airbia offers up a unique alternative consideration for the planners of future cities. 

The design collective known as SMOG Milano, always present an interesting array of objects at each years Satelite Salone. This year was no exception, my favourite piece is this handy little cup and saucer set.

For more of their work go here

A fantastic example of Frank Lloyd Wrights signature style modular patterned masonry, the La Miniatura was constructed in 1923 in Pasadena California. It's method of construction consisted of stacking concrete blocks three inches thick, cast in molds, next to and on top of one another without visible mortar joints.  Wright's attitude to using concrete made him a unique icon amongst other great architects of the time.

"What about the concrete block? It was the cheapest (and ugliest) thing in the building world. It lived mostly in the architectural gutter as an imitation of rock-faced stone. Why not see what could be done with that gutter rat? Steel rods cast inside the joints of the blocks themselves and the whole brought into some broad, practical scheme of general treatment, why would it not be fit for a new phase of our modern architecture? It might be permanent, noble beautiful."

And indeed it was, and still is.

Without question, my favourite creative talent of our time is Fabien Baron. I have been obsessed with his work across all of the genres that I am passionate about for my entire career. Baron's work spans the realms of design, including furniture as shown above for Capellini; magazines - he has been involved with Interview magazine since the Andy Warhol days of the early 1990s, photography, fashion, advertising and graphic design. There is really nothing that he has done that has not inspired me over the past 10 years that I have followed his work. Once again Mr Baron is having an influence in my creative thoughts for Issue Two of Design Folio - the magazine..... my team and I are all very excited by the new direction of the exciting September Issue!!!

To see more of Fabien Baron's work go here.

My old home town's daily newspaper The Christchurch Press, have done a feature on Design Folio in their latest issue of the At Home supplement. Cheers Christchurch Press!

The bike of the future has been unveiled in the UK by Olympic Cyclist Chris Boardman. The new bike includes computer systems that offer finger print recognition, meaning only the owner can unlock the bike.  A mini screen on the handlebars also monitors your progress along your journey, including the ever important calorie burning statistics. In addition the bike features spokeless wheels, making it more aerodynamic while the tiles will be puncture proof. You may have to wait sometime however to ever get to ride this puppy, it's been launched as a cyclists dream concept only, with no immediate plans for development. Typical.

Some amazing architectural photography using some of Brazil's most iconic architectural marvels as the subject by photographer Guido Mocafico. 

To see more of his work visit his website here.

Definitely one of my favourite classic chairs, the Platner Chair designed by Warren Platner for Knoll was recently used to fit out the restaurant in the final scene of Quantum of Solace. Those chairs lucky enough to survive the explositions on set have made it back to a select number of Knoll dealers worldwide (No word on whether NZ made the cut). I think you should make it your mission to track a set down.

Knoll is available locally here.

Polish designer Pawel Grunert has created the SIE43 Chair for the recent exhibition of ecological design in Milan. The chair is made from PET bottles screwed into a steel frame. The bottles can easily be changed if they show signs of damage.