Tuesday, 17 March 2009

Siftables



Each block is a bundle of rather impressive technology. "Each Siftable has a color OLED screen, four infrared communication modules—one in each direction in the horizontal plane—a 3-axis accelerometer, and a Bluetooth radio," he explained. "They can talk to each other side-to-side, or to a computer or other Bluetooth-enabled device over the Bluetooth radio. The cases were designed and made by Amit Zoran (MIT Media Lab) and Noah Murphy-Reinhertz (polysaturated.com)."

The concepts behind Siftables seem to draw a strong reaction in everyone who watches the demo. Merill says that they will be blogging as they go, and interested parties can sign up for updates at Siftables.com.

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Piet Hein Eek





These are all products in the collection. A large amount is furniture made in small series. Because of our flexibility, we are able to make even these products made-to-measure. The collection doesn't go by season, but adds on piece by piece. In the course of time a broad collection arose.

Commissions

When working in commission, it's my goal to come to a design in which the client recognized himself. We achieve this by intensive conversations in which we get to a shared idea. After this I put the idea into a concrete design. To me it's a challenge to make designs which the client expereriences as obvious.

Free work

The free work brings the theme of the rest of the work to a head. We do not make unpersonal mass-products but unique products of worthless material; waste material from the industry and nature. Instead of minimalizing the amount of work we process the material with angel's patience. The attention for these products is exemplary to our work. The materials we use are uncommon and modifying. Because of this, products arise that suprise me too. I would never have come up with the tree-trunk chair, if I'ld design from my traditional sense of beauty. Allthough this chair didn't come from this, it does appeal to it. Therefor the self initiated work also serves to shake off my own truths and shift my bounderies.

Backgrounds

To give a complete image, I will illustrate our working process and the thread though our work here below. You will also find texts on the site that will explain certain products or projects.

Method of working

While designing, material, technique and organisation are modifying factors. Because these factors are, or are chosen, different all the time, the designs are very different also. Our approach and pragmatic method of working stay unaltered by which you will sooner see a connection in methods of work than in appearences.
For example I take the tree-trunk chair. This chair evolved from the nature project. A project in which I make products from material that, more or less, was withdrawn from nature. To let the material florish it had to be processed in a simple technique. By using a specific screwed connection, the planks can now be joined square to each other.

The thread

the scrapwood cupboard from 1990 was my reaction against the prevalent craving for flawlessness. I wanted to show that products that aren't perfect still can appeal to our sense of aestetic and functionality. I also wanted to design a product that could be made with limited means, material that was abundant. The combination of uncommon material and also uncommon, but simple methods of working became the thread through our work. Because of the expanded possibilities the variety in work has grown. Still, the challenge remains to get the maximum out of the circumstances.

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Hans Brinker Budget Hotel, Accidentally Eco-friendly



Hans Brinker Budget Hotel, created by K.K.Outlet.

For Location

KerkStraat 136-138
1017 GR Amsterdam
Holland

For More Information
http://www.kkoutlet.com/
www.hans-brinker.com/

Monday, 1 December 2008

Grandpa's Soap Co.

For generations, people have relied on GRANDPA'S Pine Tar Soap products for their personal hygiene needs. Our loyal customers rave about the many benefits of using GRANDPA'S Pine Tar Soap.

Grandpa's specialty soaps offer you a wide range of products developed to clean and pamper a variety of skin types.

Looking for Grandma? - What started out as a simple project to create a special 125th Anniversary carton for Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap, mushroomed into a year long undertaking of creating a new look for the entire Grandpa Soap Company line. As a result, all the cartons got a facelift with Grandpa's name and logo. We hope you like our new look as much as we do. We have not changed any of our soap formulations even though the shape and package may look new. And, yes, Grandma & Grandpa are still together after all these years!

Grandpa is confident that you will enjoy his soap as generations have since 1878. Times have changed but our commitment to bring you the highest quality personal care products remains.


$4.53 for a single bar
Excellent for bathing, showering, shaving and shampooing. Many loyal users have been telling us for generations how "wonder"ful it cleans, moisturizes and deodorizes. They have described it as being helpful in removing scales of Psoriasis, Dandruff, Eczema and other skin irritations. No added colors or fragrances.
"Soap from a simpler time."

Sky Village



MVRDA
and ADEPT designed their Sky Village to include retail and office space,
housing units, a hotel, and a park around the base of the building.

Sky Village is designed as an acropolis of stackable green-roofed units
The shape of the volume minimizes impact of shadows to the
surrounding houses and without blocking the views on ground level








The Sky Village also includes many wonderful green building elements,
like greywater recycling, 40% recycled concrete in the foundation,
and the structure’s façade willincorporate a variety of
renewable energy technologies.




Friday, 28 November 2008

William Morris, Environmental Designer


William Morris
(24March 1834 - 3 October 1896)
English architect, furniture and textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist.

Environmental Design has been defined: "We live in the world by design. Creating the everyday environment in which we live involves complex systems of cultural meaning, visual communication and the use of tools, technology and materials. William has been imposing his ideas through his conceptual graphics, architecture, and art. He has been internationally recognized as one of the most influential environmental designer.



William Morris once says,
“Forget days past, heart broken, put all memory by!
No grief on the green hillside, no pity in the sky,
Joy that may not be spoken fills mead and flower and tree.”


William Morris Gallery and Vestry House Museum opening hours

William Morris Gallery opening hours:
Thursday - Sunday, 10am-5pm
Tuesday - Wednesday, pre-booked groups only

Christmas closure: 22 December 2008 - 2 January 2009

Waltham Forest Council, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4JF

For More Information,
Please visit
http://www1.walthamforest.gov.uk/wmg/home.htm


Morphotex structural colored fibers


Inspired by: Wing scales diffract and scatter light: Morpho butterflies.





Wings of Morpho butterflies create color by diffracting and scattering light.






Morpho butterfly is called “ a living jewel ”.
Its wings of cobalt-blue which shine beautifully
do not actually contain any blue pigment.





MORPHOTEX®





Teijin Fibers Limited has made the world’s first structural chromogenic fibers “

http://www.teijinfiber.com/english/products/specifics/morphotex.html