Design Folio - New Zealand’s leading design magazine

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.

Window Shopping - Design Denmark

Claire Sullivan - Friday, April 03, 2009

My favourite showroom find this week is the Stingray rocking chair at Design Denmark. Designed for Fredericia by Thomas Pedersen, the chair seat resembles an undulating Stingray moving across the ocean floor. Design Denmark have a stunning black ash wood version in store, with a wide range of other seat options including leather available. www.designdenmark.co.nz

Happy Birthday Mr Gehry

Claire Sullivan - Thursday, April 02, 2009

Canadian born architect Frank Gehry has just celebrated his 80th birthday. Gehry is undoubtedly one of the greatest "Starchitects" of our time. He has successfully exceeded the bounds of contemporary architecture to create an inspiring new wave of structural artistry that has changed the way public buildings are considered, and paved the way for following generations lead by the likes of Zaha Hadid. Happy Birthday Mr Gehry! Our world is an amazing visual symphony because of you.

Hella Cool

Claire Sullivan - Wednesday, April 01, 2009

If you happen to be in Paris anytime soon a visit to Gallerie Kreo would be well worthwhile. Dutch designer Hella Jongerius (who's profiled in our latest issue of Design Folio) is exhibiting some new and quite simply outstanding work. Jongerius is renowned for her unique ability to create personal and meaningful work that considers the relationship that people will have with an object. " If you create products that have real meaning for people, they are likely to last longer because they will want to keep them."

The Frog Table, Turtle Coffee Table and Artificial Vases above are all part of the new collection. Locally you can admire the work of Hella Jongerius at Cite where you'll find pieces she has designed for Vitra.

Campana brothers reinvigorate Athens

Hotelicopter

Paper making

Sir Miles Warren

Recessionary DIY

Diamond Chair

Crystal fusion

Window Shopping - Design Denmark

Happy Birthday Mr Gehry

Hella Cool

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