Stephan Schulz

Stephan Schulz
"The ‘Comfy Cargo Chair’ originated from the idea to create a piece of furniture which does not predetermine the surface for the user. The object is not finished, but rather requires creative collaboration by the owner."

Utopia London

 

I cannot vouch for this as I have not seen it yet, but Utopia London looks like a must for London's Modernist Architecture lovers.

"......a documentary film by young director Tom Cordell, explores London's recent architectural history through the eyes of those who helped create it and those whose lives were shaped by it. Focusing on the London Cordell knew as a child, the film shows how architects such as Berthold Lubetkin, Neave Brown, Kate Macintosh and John Bancroft were working together in a spirit of optimism to revolutionise life in the city in the wake of the destruction wrought by World War Two war and the poor living conditions inherited from the Industrial Revolution.
The story goes on to explore how the meaning of these transformative buildings has been radically manipulated over subsequent decades, and, in comparing the attitudes of architects and planners then and now, poses the question; where do we go from here?"

Sarah Braman

Sarah Braman produces fantastic(al) hybrid objects using discarded furniture and building materials. Braman is represented by Museum 52 in NYC, (the London Gallery on Redchurch Street has now closed) and I like the feel of most of their stuff. I would not say there is a 'house style' in any way, but there is a consistent interest in materials and construction, a realness if you like, that comes through.

Skinflint

Brilliantly sourced and refurbished industrial lighting by Skinflint. From Eastern block factories to Cornish warehouses, there are no bright colours here, but the inherent history (and beauty in my book) allow these relics to stand alone and proud. There is a lot of nice stuff on the site and I recommend you have a good look.

Convoy

The blogger image uploader is on the blink at the moment, so in the mean time, why not go to this tumblr site for some good design and style eye candy.

Space to Take Place

Simply awesome photo (click on it for larger version) of the Space to Take Place project in Amsterdam.
The 100m long bench looks to me like the internal steel framework of an unfinished sea defence wall, turned upside down.

Noam Rappaport

James Beckett

 

A big stack of timber is always going to turn a makers head, what is it? where is it form? what is going to become? Do you have any spare?  James Beckett subverts the traditional, presenting the pure timber as a finished peice in its own right. Very subtle composition, interesting weight and balance and a real affinity with the material is shown.

Serpentine Gallery

Only a few days to wait to see Peter Zumthor's summer pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery. I really like Zumthor and I really like the Summer Pavilion concept, so expectations are high.

"The hortus conclusus that I dream of is enclosed all around and open to the sky. Every time I imagine a garden in an architectural setting, it turns into a magical place. I think of gardens that I have seen, that I believe I have seen, that I long to see, surrounded by simple walls, columns, arcades or the façades of buildings – sheltered places of great intimacy where I want to stay for a long time."

And there is another aspect to this years structure, the collaboration with the planting designer, Piet Oudolf. Oudolf is involved in the awesome High Line project in New york where elevated sections of old freight train tracks are turned into special green spaces.
You can see what all the fuss is about from the 1st July.

Front design

Front Design's 'Inlay' is around a lot at the moment, tying in with the trend towards pattern and texture starting to grow. The series is like an accessible, pure furniture version of Bethan Wood's creations. Bethan Wood is far more abstract and challenging (and more interesting for me), but Front Design have made two brilliant, coherent peices, (and gladly opted not to simplify the design to ease the construction process.)

Outward facing

In a time when lots of people want all working parts to be as visually non existent as possible, its nice to see somebody celebrating function. Refining these running gear components into something which is very aesthetically pleasing (and very honest).