Surface to Air presents: The Hansen Family X Steven Harrington

Exhibition of Steven Harrington and Gesa Hansen (Designer of the Hansen Family), with Axes created by Best Made Company, 9th September 2010 in Paris. This video was produced by Stephen Roques for Roques Factory.

Vitra's Hidden Heroes

Visit this amazing site and learn about all the brilliant things we take for granted.

"The Vitra Design Museum, in association with Hi-Cone, presents "Hidden Heroes", an exhibition dedicated to these common objects that we use on a daily basis — coffee filters, ear plugs, bottle caps, clothes pins, etc. — without ever knowing their history, their inventors.

This exhibition introduces these everyday heroes together with patent drawings by their inventors, with historical and contemporary advertisements and films, and also with design and art objects that have been inspired by them.

The exhibition has an online presence through a beautifully crafted website designed by Grimm Gallun Holtappels."

Via vitra's facebook and cpluv.

Vitra x ELLE Deutschland by Pasquale Abbattisata

Pasquale Abbattista is one of the first fashion photographers to shoot on Vitra's Campus grounds including inside VitraHaus. Surrounded by masterworks of both the 20th and 21st Century, the results were stunning.

Two fashion photographers have been allowed to shoot on location at the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein since now. Have a look at Pasquale Abbattisata's shoot realised for ELLE Deutschland - which was the second one. Vitra likes it!

This is just a sample, see the full shoot on Vitra's Facebook.

Gesa Hansen nominated for German Young Designer Award

21st Century design that truly resonates with 20th Century enthusiasts is an uncommon feat, but that is exactly what happened when I first saw the work of Gesa Hansen. I featured Gesa in The North Elevation's first ever Spotlight, and she has since begun to take the contemporary design world by storm. After winning 2 Red Dot Awards in the category "Best Product Design" (with her works subsequently becoming part of the Red Dot Design Museum collection), she is now nominated for the Young Designers Award 2011 by the German Design Council. Well deserved, the future looks bright for The Hansen Family.

Via The Hansen Family Blog.

Spaces: Sean McEvoy's Penthouse in Paris

"A structure of steel and glass, added by interior architect Sean McEvoy to his rooftop apartment on the Right Bank, offers unobstucted views of Paris.... The raised floor is waxed concrete....

The 1,100 square-foot space is rigorously spare. 'Some people would find it hard,' McEvoy admits, 'but I find it very restful.'  It is also free-flowing and refreshingly open.  The cube that contains the bathroom and closets, for instance, doesn't quite reach the ceiling.  The kitchen is defined simply by a 16-foot-long Corian bar, which links the two ends of the apartment.  If need be, they can be separated with the aid of a cleverly concealed sliding door. 'We just wanted the space to explode basically - for it to pour out,' declares McEvoy.  To create continuity, wood flooring with boards of equal width is found both in the main living space (oak) and on the terraces (teak).  Expansive steel-frame windows are left without curtains or blinds. 'For me, the space is like a tent,' he says.  'On a really hot day, we open all the windows.  It's like being in the shade outside.'"

The furnishings are a mix of vintage modernism and McEvoy's own designs.  The raised lounging area includes a pair of Pierre Paulin Lounge Chairs with a Max Bill coffee table.  Behind it is a vintage Joe Colombo floor lamp, and a modular daybed designed by McEvoy.  Jasper Morrison stools flank the countertop, and a Morrison chair sits behind a McEvoy desk, fitted with another Colombo lamp.  The bed was also designed by McEvoy, dressed with a Hermès cashmere throw.

Quoted text by Ian Phillips for Elle Decor.
Photography by Xavier Bejot.

Spaces: Chelsea Hing + Design Consultants: Melbourne Penthouse

A beautiful penthouse project by Chelsea Hing + Design Consultants in collaboration Sophie Moore Pty Ltd.

"Arguably one of Melbourne’s best apartments, this penthouse enjoys 270 degree views around the CBD & looks out over the Fitzroy gardens. To capitalise on such an amazing position the clients’ brief was for the apartment to feel like a sophisticated New York address as if it was overlooking central park. With this in mind CHDC in collaboration with Sophie Moore Pty Ltd approached the design loosely around the concept of public & private spaces."

Anchoring the dining room is an Italian modernist classic from 1975, Cassina's La Barca Dining Table designed by Piero De Martini.

Photography by Nik Epifanidis.

See the rest here.

Creative Spaces: Yoshiro Nakamatsu (is a Modern Willy Wonka)

You may not know the name, but his products have shaped modern society. Yoshiro Nakamatsu (whose inventions include the CD/DVD, floppy disk, taxi-cab meter and the karaoke machine) is arguably one of the greatest minds in human history. Quite a character and still actively developing products at 81, take a look into his fantastic world.

Via Joe is the New Black.

 

Top Ten Designer Gifts

Matt in New York emailed me to check out Things I Have Seen's top ten design gifts. Though intended as a Christmas wish list, these items are great gifts anytime of the year, with the Eames House bird as my personal favorite.

Spaces: Joseph Dirand: Distrito Capital Hotel

"The Distrito Capital hotel opened earlier this year in the Santa Fe neighbourhood of Mexico City. The 30 room hotel features interiors designed by French architect Joseph Dirand.

Surprising interiors, dazzling panoramic views and double-height ceilings are a few of the eye-catching highlights of Distrito Capital. Located in the highest area of Mexico City – the skyscraper district of Santa Fe – this hotel is a testament to how cool Mexico’s capital has become in recent years.

Designed around the idea of creative minimalism, the 30 well-appointed guestrooms and suites look more like chic art spaces than hotel rooms. Any visitor will be simultaneously awed by impeccable design touches and excited by personal service flourishes. Fashionable without being zeitgeist-y, the inviting décor allows visitors to truly kick back and relax."

The monochromatic interiors feature a host of 20th century modernism, including: Verner Panton Spiegel lamps, an Augusto Bozzi lounge chair, Wim Rietveld armchairs surrounding Hans Wegner coffee tables, Dieter Rams sound systems (wow!), Poul Kjaerholm daybed, Eero Saarinen Tulip tables with wood legged Executive armchairs, Hans Wegner Elbow chairs, Charlotte Perriand bookshelves, Warren Platner coffee table, Serge Mouille 3 arm wall lamps, and Saarinen/Eames Organic armchairs. There are some contemporary furnishings by notable designers as well, including Tom Dixon and Marc Newson. The sculpted bar stools are amazing, but I can't remember the designer (please leave a comment if you know).


Via Contemporist.

Etsy Goodness

Handmade goodness from Etsy, that any modernist can appreciate:


Multifaceted gold-leafed candleholders from Jean Pelle.

Stainless steel envelope-shaped mailboxes from Theory and Practice.

Ceramics from Element Clay Studio.

Repurposed Burlap bags by Brin and Nohl.




P.S. the holidays are just around the corner....