'If You Build It'

Premièring in NY next week, Project H Design's documentary, 'If You Build It', promises to be a very uplifting and inspiring story to start the year. Project H Design is a non-profit organisation passionate about teaching youth to embrace the future through design. Read more about them on their site and you can view the trailer here.

I first heard of the founder, Emily Pilloton, through her book "100 Products that Empower people". A brilliant read that goes beyond the products showcased. Pilloton discusses design thinking, a notion that has stuck with me and tends to influence my opinion regarding the future of design and indeed, my own career options.

fun

On another note, I just came across this artist, a member of 5.5 Design Studio. Being South African, I naturally clicked on the 'boerie' in his collection of works, which led me to the 'L'union fait la farce'. I can't say I quite even know what it is, but it's weird and I like it.

His work seems broad, to say the least! I actually came across his name when I found this quirky paper chandelier. It casts interesting shadows and the options are endless - for a weekend of DIY fun!?

Sugar for my honey

Beautiful lamp design by Polish designer Justyna Poplawska. I found it while looking for different material options for our latest uni project. The sugary appearance, a combination of recycled glass and bio-resin, glows like a treasure.

You can see more of her work here. I also really like Double Cup and Okto.

ella ella ay ay

A new way to (fix and) use all of those discarded umbrella carcasses - construct beautiful floating sculptures. Like this example by SLO Architecture.

pretty passivity

Uni has already managed to keep me very busy with the start of my final BA year.

However, it was during the last few weeks that I had an email waiting patiently in my inbox, subject line reading: 'something for redcacao?' So I can't really take the credit for this one, but rather an interesting article and some awesome and very different passive design examples.

My partner expressed a fondness for the archways and overall feel of the Hudson house (option 1), while I am inspired by the Fablab take on things in Madrid (option 3).

Crossways is a house we followed the building of on the Grand Designs series a couple of years back. It really is unique and seems to be a rather good performer - according to passive house energy conservation.

The final candidate surprised me, as the setting really didn't seem like Canada - but having never actually been there - who am I to say...
I really love the simple feel and clean lines of this design, to me it exudes a sense of calm and I could certainly imagine myself on that pier in those sprawling surroundings.

Two tiny twins

Here are two excellent examples of small living spaces. In both designs, I think that 'treading lightly, with a low impact on the earth' is apparent as a central theme.

1) Meka is a converted shipping container. Modern and sophisticated in design, it covers just 30 square metres. The interior features bamboo, the bathroom in slate, the outside is clad in attractive cedar and 70% of its materials are recycled.

Living in a modest apartment just over this size in Norway, means that my fiancé and I certainly understand small spaces - but this clever and chic design would be a welcome treat. Currently sitting on a New York corner, you can order the cosy abode to your own specifications, with the option to integrate solar power for those wanting to go off-grid.

2) Abé, is an off-grid 'build it yourself' 14 square metre portable unit. Designed using 3D software, the houses are completely customizable, come flat packed and can apparently be assembled in just 2 days! 

While this option doesn't include the necessary functions for long-term living, it's certainly a fun short-term option for a festival, camping or little garden retreat. I think the materials and size contribute to it's romantic and earthy feel. A very clever idea - I think we can expect to see more from this design group.

In your home and on the street...

David Mellor, a specialist in cutlery design spread his talent to the street - here's an interesting article and interview with his son on Dezeen.com.

I particularly like his street bollards resembling salt and pepper mills, and his cheese accessories (which I think relate somewhat to Starck tableware) look to make many a dish more fun.

DM believed that well-designed equipment can improve your life - I totally agree with that notion. You can find out more and view further products here.

back to the books

I recently came across this article on inhabitat.com; offering a course in passive solar design. It could have something to do with the summer holiday nearing an end, my interest in sustainable design, or merely the rainy and cold weather in Bergen right now - but I clicked through enthusiastically, interested in the opportunity. That enthusiasm waned once I realised the fees involved and I moved on.

Then, just today, I read about different (and more low-tech) sustainable building workshops being run across the US... and I thought, since I can't get involved over there - there must be some good online options to keep abreast of avant garde techniques and methods that can also contribute to my studies in Scandinavia. I didn't have to search very hard before coming across this site, listing various institutes that offer downloadable course material (called OpenCourseWare or OCW).

While my semesters are pretty jam-packed and we do have our own recommended reading, it's always interesting to see what other leading institutes (such as MIT) have to say and to have access to material from subjects that might not be offered at your own school.

I've done an advanced search to find courses that link to my own specific interests. You can do the same here.

au naturel

Summer holidays with plenty of time to catch up on some reading, a recent cabin trip with family in the densely forested Kvamskogen area and beautiful use of the simplest of materials... are what inspired today's post.

I saw this article in the Independent some time ago - listing the ten best architecture books - but the end of study year meant that there was no time to give it my full attention. I've now gone back and chosen my favourite three... they're in my amazon basket as I type :).

One of them is no.4, entitled "Wood - Architecture now! Vol 2" by Philip Jodidio. Living in Norway and being surrounded by Scandinavian design means that wood is often on the cards as the design material of choice. After a brief peak at the pages in this book and a quick glance at Jodidio's other titles, I think I'm in for a treat.

I am often drawn to materials in their raw form and usually prefer the more rustic, natural look to super polished and glossy (although, often, a combination is even better!). I really enjoyed i29's use of regular plywood to shape and add character to this modern home in Holland.

They seem to prefer cleaner lines and a calm palette, but that only helps to accentuate other details like their lively take on this interior wall.

bright in blue

Summer might seem an odd time to be posting about this, but if you're on the west coast of Norway... not so much! It bucketed down just yesterday, but at last, things are looking up.

I came across a very cool 'rainy day project' and good use for all of those big blue Ikea bags we seem to stash away at the back of our cupboards: DIY raincoats!

Upcycled, durable, fun - and perfect for damp music festivals :).

Instructables.com provide the instructions and 'print-off' pattern.

in your place

I have to thank my hairier half for finding this fun site - it's a collection of creative people in their spaces. Many are homes, others are restaurants, cafe's, or urban gardens etc.

It's a peek into spaces that people have made their own. I believe most request to be showcased, so they must be rather happy with their place and, therefore, to share it with us :).

There are very many to look at, but those I particularly like are:
Cheri and David's apartment in Soho, NY - earthy, raw brick, origami and the loose feel.
Eric and Mya's Hartwood Restaurant in Mexico - I'm a sucker for good food :), along with the bright colours and rustic outdoor space.
It might be my love of wood, but Lyndsay and Fitzhugh's home in Brooklyn is fresh and quirky with interesting pieces.

rural retreats

I recently came across two very different but equally beautiful rural spaces. It will come as no surprise that both were found on 'inhabitat.com' - one of my favourite online haunts.

The first is a simple, rustic, open structure in rural Austria, while the second lies across the ocean in the north American Sonoran desert.

The clean lines and calming palette of the Austrian abode sit well in the surrounding landscape. I love the iconic A-frame shape and open space. 

The sprawling desert home and its earthy materials rest comfortably on the beige sand. The expansive windows reflect the alluring palette of the evening sky.

a new housing palette

End of study year means that it's been some time since I've posted. Another two weeks and I'm nearly free for summer holidays!

I've got a bit of a breather this weekend since we've just been celebrating Norway's national day (17th May) and everything's basically shut down for the weekend.

A theme that's come up recently (since I had to write a text for my studies on my reasons for choosing this field and where I see myself professionally) has to do with forward-thinking design, news ways of using current materials and designing 'with' the other 90%.

This article / interview in 'inhabitat.com' includes some exciting and innovative thoughts with regards to housing designs with the future in mind. Choosing more relevant and environment based sustainable builds that are 'alive' and able to perform in varying conditions.

I particularly enjoy the lift house idea and the clever architecture and humour in the porchdog house. Then there's the simplicity and accessibility of the straw bale housing and pallet designs.

You can read more about porchdog here

Light Show

Having spent the Easter holiday in the frosty UK, I was lucky enough during our one day rushing around London to spend an hour at the Hayward Gallery Light Show. Located on London's south bank, the gallery features a number of light installations by some new and other well-known names in the industry. If you haven't yet been, it's a must see!

The show has just been extended until May 6th and it's recommended to book tickets in advance. You can read more about it here or watch a short video snippet that's sure to tickle your interest...

I really enjoyed Jim Campbells clever use of tiny LED bulbs to create various shadow imagery and Doug Wheelers dreamy approach to definitions of space. The exhibition features both small, clever concepts, such as the light bulb and mirror by Bill Culbert, as well as larger, colour infused illusionary environments as made by James Turrell.

 

Francois Morellet creates very poetic pieces. His work is featured in one of the first halls, but perhaps he should have had his own space to showcase this beautiful piece:

One criticism I might add is that due to its popularity, there are too many people in the exhibition space at one time. This definitely detracts from experiencing the various spaces as one should. Perhaps having extended the exhibition end-date will fix this!

amongst the leaves

I drew attention to Ross Lovegrove's alpine capsule in my post titled just beautiful a short a while ago... and since I was inspired to work on a camouflageable space in nature for a university project myself, a friend sent me this link yesterday - an archive of interesting mirrored buildings.

This particular project grabbed my attention. Located in north Sweden, what's stopping us!?

Of the various rooms, I like the look of the mirror cube. Imagine spending a night there amongst the trees. Alas, since checking the rates... I may have to settle for a guided tour : /

beneath the surface

I had it in mind to post about 3D printing this week - and it will come - but I just had to mention something I'm working on right now at university. The course is about exploring the 'poetry of space' and the project due for tomorrow morning is creating a 'happy place' in 1:1 scale. As broad as the brief is, one sure thing came to my mind from my younger days growing up along the coast of South Africa... the promise of the sea and feeling of sand underfoot.

I ended up combining this with a favourite memory from when I lived in Lisbon a while ago - the fluorescent jellyfish in the Oceanarium (Europe's largest indoor aquarium!).

I've been working on incorporating the feeling of bare feet in soft sand, the visual (jellyfish dancing in the dark), the blue-black ocean surrounds and then a sound bite... I originally had the idea to use waves (that we hear from outside) and underwater (that 'they' hear beneath the surface), but then I thought about the dance - and I woke up to the sound of Strauss' 'The Blue Danube' in my head. It was perfect - especially since the jellyfish keep in time ;)

It's quite an abstract space and rather dark in there for my basic camera to do it justice, but here is a pic and you can view the vid below.

spinning

... only, your legs aren't required to power the chains and the sweat is more likely due to nervousness than exhaustion. A friend sent me video and we plan to try and make our own in a few weeks. Very exciting to see what ceramic options are possible using this method! If we feel like even more of a challenge, might even give this a try!

Upcycling

If ever we talk about upcycling, it seems like such interiors are a good example... a lovely home by Blesso Properties. Among other things, their main design principle is to make use of salvaged materials, such as reclaimed and recycled wood, post-consumer materials (like blue jeans!) and of equal importance, they're durable. Proof that recycled doesn't necessarily mean lower in quality or aesthetics!

Just beautiful...

Ross Lovegrove's Alpine Capsule. It took me a while to find, even though it's apparently been around since 2008. We're currently busy with a project at university to do with creating space in a dramatic, outdoor, coastal setting. I wasn't sure how I wanted to go about it, since I didn't want to add anything new, visually, to the rugged, raw surroundings... This is the perfect material - simply mirroring the surrounds to completely blend in with the environment. A totally unique overnight experience!