Levi Van Veluw, a multidisciplinary artist from the Netherlands, has created a new series of installations, videos and photographs entitled Origin of the Beginning. His three “room” installation is made up of over 30,000 small pieces of wood. Each of these rooms are life-size installations which are also featured within photographs and two minute long videos. In one of these, Levi (the anonymous figure in the installation), lights the edge of the room’s desk, reflecting the artist’s fascination with fire during his childhood. The artist explores the lonely, dark side of his childhood, spent in solidarity in his room. Each of the pieces is dimly lit, exemplifying the ominous mood of the series. Veluw demonstrates his excellent craftsman skills, making and gluing on each wooden ball, block and slat individually, ensuring the works are of a high aesthetic. This new and intriguing form of self portrait is also able to form a narrative behind the image through Veluw’s character and the strong evocation of a sad and sombre mood.

Story by Sarah McKenzie

Cunningham Architect’s House on Cedar Hill, is a magnificent example of contemporary minimalism. Located in Dallas, Texas, the house is situated alongside a native stacked-stone wall that runs 181 feet long and stands 21 feet high. The main living quarters are long and low, nestled amongst the dense brush surrounding. This is contrasted by the observation tower, located at the Northern end of the building which gives the residents the ultimate view of the stunning scenery, including several thousand acres of protected native bush and the distant cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. Utilising their natural surroundings, the architects have used many Texas woods such as native pigmented stucco. Copper, slate and glass materials are also used to complete the home. Architects have made sure that the home does not detract from its habitat, blending in with the native environment through its natural stone exterior. The building exploits the outdoors; many windows allowing the residents to feel a part of nature within the comfort of their own home. This 6,700 square foot home was the rightful recipient of the 2008 Dallas AIA Design Award.

Story by Sarah McKenzie

Japanese design studio Nendo has extended their Dancing Squares collection with these new additions. They explained that they 'assembled square planes to create a sense of motion in this series of objects. One part of the bookcase is frozen in a tumbling cascade, creating variety in the way books can be stacked...[likewise] lamps roll about but are stable [and] thanks to their planes, cast light in many directions.'

Last Thursday evening saw the launch of our September (Spring/Summer) issue of Design Folio at Matisse in Parnell. Along with the celebrated opening of Vitra Home, two hundred odd members of the architecture and design communities joined us to celebrate our biggest issue yet. With delicious wines provided by our friends at Man O' War vineyards and beer from Peroni, it was a great night for design. If you missed out on a copy of this bumper issue purchase a copy by emailing your interest .

(Above: furniture by Tim Webber)

We're very excited to announce our inaugural Design Folio Incubator Award presented by Peroni. Nurturing the best original, innovative and authentic design produced locally, this award will give one talented New Zealand designer the chance to meet some of the most influential designers and manufacturers in the world at the Salone del Mobile in Milan 2012 with Design Folio's Editor-in-chief. From this point onwards, we will also be publishing a selection of the entries as they come in on the website along with a profile about the respective designer...designers make sure you enter!

For more information on this award and entry criteria go here. 

Above: Simon James

Exciting things are in the midst for New Zealand designers. Simon James of Simon James Design and Scott Bridgens formerly of UK design brand Tom Dixon have formed a furniture and lighting company named Resident, and with it, they're taking New Zealand design to the world stage. Operating from here but with a distribution hub in the UK, we caught up with the pair to find out more about Resident and its future. 

Tell us about Resident?

We launched Resident, a New Zealand Furniture and Lighting brand this year. Run by Scott Bridgens and Myself, it’s based here, with the main distribution hub operating out of the UK. We’re working with a select few designers from NZ and around the world, and pushing these respective designs into the international market.

Above: Flyover table by Jamie McLellan

When did you come up with it, I think we spoke a number of years ago about a similar concept?

We’ve wanted to do this for years; it was just a matter of bringing together the right people. Scott came on board in December after a stint with Tom Dixon in London. Between us we have a good range of skills and abilities that we hope will bode well for a good period of growth and innovation.

What’s your aim?

Our aim is to provide a fresh point of difference in the European design scene and to pave the way for a future of creativity, commitment and design excellence. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to acquire our products, at a price that is competitive in any given local market.

What can we expect from Resident over the next little while?

We’re committed to an active schedule of Product Development, culminating in twice yearly product releases to coincide with the Salone del Mobile in March and the London Design Festival in September. These events will provide premium exposure as well as an opportunity for the products to be seen and compared on a truly global scale, against other celebrated brands. We have a fairly open brief with the designers we work with - but we can already see that a Resident aesthetic is forming in our maiden collection. One of our only guidelines is that the products should flat-pack where possible, and so far, most of them do.

Ultimately we want to build a design hub here in Auckland. An outlet where talented local and International designers can contribute towards Resident and at the same time experience the great lifestyle that New Zealand has to offer.

Above: Spare light by Jamie McLellan and Felix chair by Simon James

What local designers are you working with?

Our first collection includes work from Jamie McLellan, Myself and Jason Whiteley. But we’re expanding…so watch this space. 

When are you launching?

Resident will launch exclusively and for the first time at September’s London Design Festival.

www.resident.co.nz

   

a. Xbox designer on working next door to Steve Jobs [Fast Co Design]
b. Gazoline service station by Da Milano Studio [Designboom]
c. Tribal DDB office by i29 Architects [Daily Icon]
d. 1966 Porsche Typ 906 Carrera [The Coolist]
e. Interactive robotic painting machine [Today & Tomorrow]

With the word vintage banded about so frequently these days, it's rather hard to get excited by the term. However, these latest designs by Canadian furniture designer Alex Jowett of Atelier 688 which use reclaimed materials for their various forms, seem to own the right to don the term vintage successfully. Made from old Manila rope, the lights above are definitely a new take on the traditional pendant, whilst other materials such as broken down kayaks, bike parts and animal skins form the basis of their other coveted objects.

This impressive house, situated in Sao Paulo was designed and built by Fernanda Marques Arquitetos. Occupying 250 square metres, the objective to create a seamless transition between the interior and nature was met, as was the owners' idea of perfect architecture: a country home with a nod to architect Mies van der Rohe. Stone schist was used throughout along with limestone floors and a combination of glass and steel. Exterior living was equally as important to the owners, with a deck, nearly the same size as the house, surrounding the interior. Inside, the furnishings have a mid-century/ modernist appeal, with furniture pieces from many of the greats including Oscar Niemeyer's Lounge chair. Likewise, glass objects by coveted designer Jeff Zimmerman can be found lining the bookcases. A stunning execution from the architecture right down to the soft furnishings.

For more work by this architect go here.

One of our own Design Folio incubator designers, Jonathon Logan is the 2011 winner of the Australian Launch Pad design initiative. Promoting the support and development of Australian product design , Launch Pad holds an annual competition in which emerging designers can submit their products for consideration. With over 100 entrants, the accolade is a huge recognition of original and innovative design work, with the prize offering huge support in the development of the recipient's current and future design intentions.

Jonathon won with his 'de Sade' table, which was exhibited late last year at our Design Folio Incubator exhibition. The de Sade table comprises of 25 individually turned table legs,  and finished with a slick high gloss black finish. Embracing eroticism in the context of furniture, Jonathon Logan's designs have surrealist undertones with striking outcomes.

Jonathon moved to Sydney earlier this year to focus on his furniture design and says that winning the award is hugely reassuring and encouraging of his future design intentions.

"Launchpad is a really fantastic design initiative, open to unseasoned Australian / NZ designers. It was astounding to be recognised from such a well established judging panel amongst the diverse and well crafted host of designers."

Jonathon plans to continue with theoretical and practical discourse than has evolved within his work, reflecting an undercurrent theme of the 'tension of opposites'.

We are extremely proud of Jonathon and look forward to seeing what is next on the horizon for this talented designer.

Story by Louisa Penney