The METI school (Modern Education and Training Institute) building was built by experts and volunteers from Germany and Austria together with craftsmen, teachers, parents and students from Bangladesh from September to December 2005.
In order to create jobs and to build up a capacity for producing sustainable architecture it is essential to include local workers in the building process. Training through “learning by doing” should help the local craftsmen to improve the standards and condition of the rural housing in general.
Thick walls assure a comfortable climate on the ground floor of the building. Sunlight and ventilation can be regulated through the use of shutters. The vertical garden façade shades the openings in the walls and protects the natural earthen walls from erosion through rainfall and helps reduce the indoor temperature through evaporation...
To test the construction techniques, joints and bearing strength of the ceiling, a 3 m long test section was built as well as small part of the roof beam construction. These constructions were then tested and analysed in the laboratory to ascertain their structural capacity. The results of the tests led to modifications in the construction technique.
An extremely stable and easy to mount table designed by Roderick Fry for French producer Moaroom.
Pi is a flat-packing table, which helps minimizing carbon footprint during shipping. The table is simply assembled by inserting a tabletop, without any screws or Allen keys.
It is very easy to slide a wooden board in the superior angle (natural wood, plywood, old floorboards or even old wooden doors) and to block the board by repositioning the feet on the floor to insure a maximum stability.
Its strength is gained by cross laminating layers in the seat. The method makes possible a cantelivered surface and robust structure. A series of laminated ‘bridges’ complete the form. The chair is also stackable and without the additional two legs of conventional chairs it can be suspended on a table for easy cleaning.
'Match' Radio by Gabriele Pezzini (AreaPlus 2007) - 'Pago-Pago' by Enzo Mari (Danese 1969)
This exhibition is born from the idea of comparing the work of two designers who agree upon several aspects of their working practices in spite of having been formed in very different periods of time.
Enzo Mari, maestro and moral conscience of design, and Gabriele Pezzini, seeker of exactness in design: two generations faced to the same problems, both advocates of a point of view focused on what is essential, doing what they know how to do best: analyse and decipher.
Both creators will be showing some of their major pieces in the exhibition opening at the Alain Gutharc Gallery in Paris on January 9.
'Box' by Enzo Mari (Castelli 1971) - 'Wired' Chair by Gabriele Pezzini (Max Design 2004)
"The parallelism that we trace in this small exhibit goes beyond the exposed products. These represent us and are a pretext to compare two generations that share a vision and discuss over the same issues. Che Fare (What to do), the title of the exhibition, poses a clear question, although it does so without using the question mark, as we probably know there is no answer. The uncertainty on what the project will be and on the drift of society, on the future of many young people who are facing this profession/passion today, is evident enough and cannot be hidden away any more." Gabriele Pezzini
'Moving' Stool by Gabriele Pezzini (2004) - 'Putrella' by Enzo Mari (Danese 1958)
Exhibition "Che fare" Enzo Mari / Gabriele Pezzini From January 9 to February 20 2010
A palm-sized modular toy created by Kelly Harrigan, a fourth-year industrial design student in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech, has been awarded a design patent.
The toy, named Ferra, won first place last year from Swiss Toymaker Naef Speilzeug.
Naef asked for game or design objects appropriate for ages 3 to 99, made primarily of wood. There were 107 entries in the company's inaugural toy competition.
Harrigan layered the wooden shapes of her toy with magnets "because people are fascinated by them at any age," she said.
"I wanted to design a toy that makes you want to experiment and learn about the capabilities of magnetism." The name, Ferra, came from the type of magnet she used -- a ceramic magnet called ferrite. "The curvy modular design allows for smooth movement between pieces and the opportunity to create several configurations," added Harrigan. "And it feels good in your palm."
This is the first eco piece manufactured by Artelano. The bookshelf designed by Ora-Ito is made out recycled material taken from certified forests. The assemby is done without fastenings, by simple fitting of the different elements: Ecco (here you are)!
Jihyun Ryou, Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, did his Master Thesis about food preservation. By accumulating traditional oral knowledge, he looked at a feasible way to bring the knowledge into everyday life.
"Through the research about the current situation of food preservation, I’ve learned that we hand over the responsibility of taking care of food to the technology, refrigerator. We don’t observe the food any more and don’t understand how to treat it.
Therefore my design looks at re-introducing and re-evaluating traditional oral knowledge of food, which is closer to nature. Furthermore, it aims to bring back the connection between different level of living beings, us as human beings and food ingredients as other living beings."
Verticality of Root Vegetables -carrot, raddish, leek...etc. Keeping roots in a vertical position allows the organism save energy and remain fresh for longer time. This shelf gives a place for them to stand easily, using sand. At the same time, sand helps to keep proper humidity.
Dryness of Spices Rice absorbs the humidity easily. The spice container with rice inside helps spices stay dry without forming into a mass.
Humidity of Fruit Vegetables -zucchini, aubergine, pepper...etc. We tend to think zucchini, aubergine, cucumber, etc. as vegetables. But they are biologically fruits. This shelf gives them a space to be outside the fridge. Also through the ritual to water them everyday, they will stay fresh.
Joseph Ribic is launching Objeti, a new design and manufacturing company which features the Aerialist Series™, their first line of furniture.
The Aerialist Series are a set of versatile coffee tables which, with a turn of a lever, easily convert to an ottoman or additional seating.
The surface of the table top transforms to reveal the upholstered cushion. Simply turn the spring loaded lever to unlock one of the squares, allowing it to rotate along the fixed axis. As you rotate the top you will notice it will click, or locate, every 30 degrees, which is a safety feature assuring the top does not spin out of control. In order to lock the table top again, make sure it is located in the correct position and turn the lever back into position.
Green Furniture Design focuses on the concept of sustainable design,
which centers not only around a responsible use of materials and
methods of manufacture but also on issues of object life span, energy
usage, and recycling/disposal. The exhibition explores how 21st-century
furniture makers seek to modify our aesthetic expectations—especially
when it comes to forms that are multifunctional, recyclable, or made of
alternative materials. Work by contemporary artists is featured
alongside historical objects, exploring roots of the green idea in
furniture design.
The exhibition curators also strive to achieve a level of "green curating" that cuts down on this exhibition's carbon footprint. The team is scaling back the use of paper in design, planning, and writing practices related to the show; incorporating local objects and materials that do not require crating and shipping from far away places; and using bicycle transportation for objects from as far away as Madison and Green Bay. In the gallery, the design team will use recycled materials for labels and platforms. Electronically activated lighting will control energy consumption, as well.
'Softseat' made from kraft paper and recycled cardboard (by Molo)
'Adjustable folding chair' made only from small wood scraps-- recycled and renewable (by Hongtao Zhou)
'Soft Rock' seat reusing sweatshirt and other recycled materials (by Tanya Aguiñiga)
This exhibition is curated by Ethan Lasser and guest curator Hongtao Zhou. Photo credit: Hongtao Zhou
Exhibition 'Green Furniture Design'' Milwaukee Art Museum From November 12 to March 14 2010
From his studio in the Kreuzberg neighborhood of Berlin, Swiss designer Daniel Heer manufactures high quality leather bags ('Chrom'), seating furniture ('Keil'), and horsehair mattresses ('Rosshaar'). In doing so he is part of a family tradition dating back more than one hundred years, a tradition that he carries over into his contemporary designs.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.
advertising
DESIGNER FURNITURE SALE
Great selection of home furniture: Bedrooms, living rooms and wardrobes.
MODERN FURNITURE
Designer modern furniture and contemporary furnishings from top Italian furniture manufacturers and renowned European furniture designers for every room in your home.
photo by Fredrik Carlson
