Design Bureau Issue 30

AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR OF OUR DB OFFICE, P.66

With design-centric gift picks from Design Milk’s Jaime Derringer, Warby Parker cofounders Neil Blumenthal and David Gilboa, designer extraordinaire Jonathan Adler, MoMA veteran Chay Costello, and photographer Nigel Barker! p.55

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Nov/Dec 2014

CONTENTS Issue 30 COVER FEATURE

Gift Guide /p55

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Force chris@alarmpress.com ----MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Koellner akoellner@alarmpress.com

Five guest curators share with us what design-centric presents they’re eyeing this holiday season.

DESIGNER Michael Bodor michael@alarmpress.com ----EDITORIAL INTERNS Vincent Caruso Jessica Barrett Sattell Chloe Stachowiak Sam Willett DESIGN INTERNS Eleana Daniel Zhenqi Ong ----CONTRIBUTORS Lincoln Eddy, Brandon Goei, Rachel Hanel, Emma Janzen, Jill McDonnell,Margaret Poe, Risa Seidman, Alan Shortall, Bradford Shellhammer, Patrick Sisson, John Taylor, Kayla Unnerstall, J. Michael Welton ----MARKETING DIRECTOR Jenny Palmer jenny@alarmpress.com MARKETING COORDINATOR Elli Gotlieb elli@alarmpress.com CLIENT-SERVICES MANAGER Krystle Blume krystle@alarmpress.com ----SALES DIRECTOR Brian Munoz brian@alarmpress.com ACCOUNT MANAGERS John Buda, Michele Cesario, Matthew Hord, Esther Kim, Peter Kovic, Bianca Richier, Courtney Schiffres, Randy Taylor, Hillary Thornton SALES REPRESENTATIVES Rachelle Brooks, Greg Curtis, Ellie Fehd, Gail Francis, Kellan Hegedus, Shannon Painter -----

FEATURE:

Welcome to Design Bureau /p66 Step inside our Chicago office for an exclusive tour of where the DB magic happens.

Gift Guide photo by Rachel Hanel. Office photo by Alan Shortall.

FINANCE DIRECTOR Bob Achettu bob@alarmpress.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Nathan Krout nathan@alarmpress.com CONTROLLER Matthew Stupp matt@alarmpress.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Lauren Kiddy lauren@alarmpress.com

The jet-set drama of mid-20th century style comes to life in the sleek, sensuous lines of the Sotria™ Bath Collection by Brizo.

Available exclusively in showrooms. brizo.com

VISIT US IN LUXEHOME AT THE MERCHANDISE MART SUITE 127 / dream2oshowroom.com Showroom Hours / Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM, Sat 10 AM - 3 PM

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Nov/Dec 2014

CONTENTS Issue 30 EYE CANDY

Patkau Architects/p88

ON THE COVER Photography: Rachel Hanel Styling: Hillary Thornton Gift items: Jennifer Fisher 3 peak spine cuff; Jean-Michel Basquiat plate; Vertical garden planter by Kim Fisher Designs; Byrd & Belle Macbook sleeve; Mohawk lollipop holder by Jonathan Adler; Lego White House. For more information, turn to p.55.

----A one-year subscription to Design Bureau is US $24 (international $48).

Visit our website at wearedesignbureau.com or send a check or money order to: Design Bureau 900 North Franklin Street Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60610 (T) 312.386.7932 (F) 312.276.8085 info@alarmpress.com

Design Bureau (ISSN 2154-4441) is published bimonthly by Alarm Press at: 900 North Franklin Street Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60610

Mossy rocks and groundwater meet high-end design in this stunning island home that rests on a 44-foot cliff.

DESIGN THINKING

Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional mailing office(s). POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to Design Bureau at 900 North Franklin Street Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60610 ----Retailers: To carry Design Bureau in your store, please call 201.634.7411.

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HOTEL RENOVATION:

INTERIORS:

Gabellini Sheppard /p46

Project Interiors /p51

NOTES FROM THE BUREAU

Š 2014 Design Bureau.

All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.

DESIGN BUREAU is a trademark of Design Bureau.

PLUS

DB RECOMMENDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 DESIGN THINKING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 NOTES FROM THE BUREAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 EYE CANDY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 OFFICE DESIGN:

GUEST COLUMNIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Perkins Eastman /p80

FOR HIRE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

ARCHITECTS & ARTISANS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Patkau Architects photo by James Dow and Patkau Architects. Gabellini Sheppard Associates photo by Michael Kleinberg.

Project Interiors Chris Bradley Photography. Perkins Eastman by Sarah Mechling.

DESIGN BUREAU

Torsion >> Bright Nickel with Maple Blades

Nov/Dec 2014

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

This year, we celebrated Design Bureau’s fourth birthday—and how far we’ve come in that time.

From being one of a few select publications invited to Milan for a preview of this year’s Salone del Mobile to finishing our new office with some help from the likes of Fritz Hansen and Coalesse to having fantastic personalities like Nigel Barker curate our annual gift guide (p.55), it’s been a hell of a year. And we can’t wait to show what we have in store for 2015.

This issue really is an embodiment of what the magazine has come to mean, as well as a look at the past 12 months our DB family just experienced. On page 66, we take our readers on an exclusive tour of our Chicago office where this magazine is made. The Informer features a great tale of young people using design to change the world via awareness and media

platforms (This is Rubbish, p. 24), brings you a book roundup that speaks to various disciplines (just like this magazine—p. 22), and includes an array of our very own gift picks, from an architecture-inspired jewelry line to a collection of clever typographic postcards. Plus, as usual, we’ve got a whole slew of aweinspiring architecture and interior design all worthy of feasting your eyes upon.

While we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in four years, we can’t wait to see what the next four hold: the places we’ll go, the people we’ll meet, and the stories we’ll tell. Happy holidays.

----Chris Force Publisher & Editor-in-Chief chris@alarmpress.com

Celebrating the modern idiom modernfan.com

Photo by Jim Krantz, jimkrantz.com

DESIGN BUREAU

Nov/Dec 2014

FOR THE RECORD

FACTUALLY SPEAKING Stats, factoids, and random info from behind the scenes of this issue

Issue 30

4,000

“A good gift makes the recipient feel even more chic and glamorous than they already are.”

The number of gemstones in The Unseen’s Swarovski cap, which “becomes a reflection of the inner human thought,”thanks to the stone’s similarity to our bones (p.29).

— JONATHAN ADLER, DESIGNER, P. 61

KÖLSCH The type of beer singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten brewed exclusively with Chicago’s Goose Island for the 2014 Pitchfork Music Festival last summer (p. 26).

DESIGN BUREAU ON INSTAGRAM

561 The number of pieces in Lego’s White House kit, chosen by famed fashion photographer Nigel Barker as one of his picks in our 2014 Gift Guide (p. 64). @chezchicago decked out w/ our latest cover for #DBTurns4

The DB team is ready to celebrate! #DBTurns4 #happybdayDB

Behind-the-scenes: our Nov/Dec issue’s gift guide shoot is happening now! #designbureau

Secret to staying young?

Beer+arcades @HQ_Chicago

See more of our photos on Instagram. follow us @designbureaumag ISSUE 29

IVERS

AR

Y

ANN

2014 HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO’S DESIGN COMMUNITY, P.65

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The Inspiration Issue “Loved the varying personalities present in your inspiration feature!

Fantastic, differing perspectives.”

— A.C., VIA E-MAIL

“Thank you for bringing great design to the world!”

— D.J.S., VIA TWITTER

THE INSPIRATION ISSUE WITH GUEST EDITORS STEPHEN BURKS, ASIF KHAN, KARIM RASHID & BROOKE SHADEN

“The best DB cover of the year!

— T.Y., VIA MAIL

Comments, criticism, questions, suggestions, love letters, hate mail...

We read it all. e-mail us your thoughts: letters@wearedesignbureau.com Lorem Ipsum Omnim qui comnistis molorpore nonectatis esciet iuntorest

EGG The name of Republic of Fritz Hansen’s iconic chair that sits in both our lobby and editor-in-chief’s office (p.66).

TWITTERVERSE: 140-character shout-outs to Design Bureau

@NerveCollective The new @DesignBureauMag smells like velvet Heidelbergs #printperfume #offsetsexy @VisualizeChange Hats off to @DesignBureauMag. Great evening to celebrate everything they’ve accomplished. @YettaStarr Congrats to @DesignBureauMag on #DBTurns4, keep the print alive!

join the conversation at

twitter.com/DesignBureauMag

Nov/Dec 2014

DESIGN BUREAU

DESIGN BUREAU CONTRIBUTORS

Brandon Goei has previously worked in a sushi factory, as a personal driver, doing motion capture, and handing out hummus samples, among other things. None compares to writing about music and design. His work has previously appeared in Alarm Magazine, Pitchfork, Portable.tv, and others.

Margaret Poe is a Chicagobased freelance writer and editor. Her writing career started in junior high, when she began contributing to her hometown newspaper in Iowa. She has continued to cover the stories of colorful characters ever since. When she’s not interviewing inspiring designers, she’s scouting out the best sushi to be found in the Midwest.

A born problem solver and creative thinker, internationally published photographer Rachel Hanel is is known for her eye for detail and knack for lighting. Her past projects include photographing advertising imagery for international clients such as Primaloft, Old Navy, Walgreens, and Contingo. rhanelphotography.com

Alan Shortall left his native Dublin, Ireland in 1983 to pursue his photography career in New York. His clients include Crate & Barrel, Nucraft, Target, Chicago Magazine, CS Interiors, Veranda, as well as numerous interior designers and design firms.

He lives in Chicago. alanshortall.com

Alan Shortall P H O T O G R A P H Y

www.alanshortall.com

auto-reverse sofa - designed by g. vigano blob floor lamp - designed by g. carollo jupiter relax chair - designed by m. lipparini isola coffee table - designed by g. guillaumier showroom - two hundred lexington avenue, new york, ny 10016 +1 (212) 696 0211 www.atelier-nyc.com info@atelier-nyc.com

exclusively at

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Nov/Dec 2014

Design Bureau Recommends...

Our staff is always on the lookout for cool gear. Got a tip? E-mail us at letters@wearedesignbureau.com.

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02

01 Paniepesci (Loaves &

Fishes) by Alessandro Zambelli, price upon request, alessandrozambelli.it

“If Pantone and ‘Game of Thrones’ had a baby, it would be this chair.”

— Michael Bodor, designer

02 Yohann iPad stand, $99, yohann.com

“This iPad stand makes everything, from reading magazines to watching Netflix to hooking up a keyboard and getting some work done, easy.”

— Amanda Koellner, managing editor

03 03 OON power outlet by Okum, $79, okum.co

“Logic meets design—the OON provides functionality in all that you can ask for of a power outlet but also allows itself to be a design feature in your room.”

— Esther Kim, account manager

04 Ketamina by Peretto for

04

Lucitalia, $1,599, eurolite.com

05

“I’m a firm believer that great lighting can dramatically transform any space, and this fixture takes that belief to a whole new level.”

— Krystle Blume, client services manager

05 Kennedy duffel by

Jack + Mulligan, $158, jackandmulligan.com

06

“Not only are the colors of this duffle perfect, but it is also the perfect size for everything—weekend getaways, afternoons at the beach, commuting to work, going to the gym (OK, I don’t go to the gym, but if I did, it would be the perfect size!).”

— Jenny Palmer, marketing director

06 Table de Milàn, price upon request, biagetti.net

“A table whose color scheme can perfectly match all flavors of ice cream without sacrificing a lick of its elegance or charm is a luxury to behold.”

— Vincent Caruso, editorial intern

Images courtesy of the companies featured

maison inc interior design

1 6 1 1 n w nort hr u p

p ort l a nd

portland

503.295.0151

m a i s oninc . com

DESIGN BUREAU

THE INFORMER News & musings from the world of design

Nov/Dec 2014

SNAKES ON A DRUM For this illustration, commissioned by a new comedy magazine, Jose Miguel Mendez was inspired by the goofy relief that could come from dancing around “smacking a drum with a rubber snake.”

Image courtesy of Jose Miguel Mendez

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The Informer

Nov/Dec 2014

PIXELS & PRINT

Fill in the Blank: Jose Miguel Mendez Art can be defined as the product of what its creator sees and takes in and how what lies in front of them can bend that artist’s perception. Jose Miguel Mendez, a London-based illustrator, instead looks backward—a direction that has allowed him to craft his own illustrative language.

Mendez started out as a graffiti artist in Madrid, where he was able to create in a still-developing scene. From there, he continued to draw obsessively, worked on growing professionally, and strove to create without concrete boundaries. His imagination has allowed him to erect cartoonized cities for Facebook and Jess3, assign the face for Italy’s Lullaby Fest, and create album artwork for the likes of MF Doom. Here, we discover what else fuels his zany artistic drive. aZ MY FAVORITE ALBUM TO LISTEN TO WHILE WORKING IS… Z by SZA.

IF I WEREN’T A DESIGNER, I WOULD BE… a musician.

MY IDEAL SATURDAY AFTER-

NOON CONSISTS OF… hanging out with my friends in a pub around my neighborhood, Dalston.

MY FAVORITE GUILTY

IF I COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY DESIGNER DEAD

PLEASURE IS… eating fried

chicken after a night out.

OR ALIVE, I WOULD CHOOSE…

Victor Moscoso.

MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION

IN THREE WORDS, MY OFFICE

tions I have seen or lived.

IS… full of randomness.

COMES FROM... stupid situa-

IF I COULD REDESIGN ANY MY SPIRIT ANIMAL IS...

a dachshund.

MY BEST IDEAS COME TO ME TOP: “Help! Nobody is Attacking Me”, Pathurst EP MIDDLE: “London” for Show Us Your Type, “Facebook City” BOTTOM: Jess 3 holiday card FACING PAGE: Lullaby Fest poster

Images courtesy of Jose Miguel Mendez

WHEN… I feel completely

relaxed.

CLASSIC ALBUM COVER,

IT WOULD BE… Check Your

Head by Beastie Boys.

Nov/Dec 2014

The Informer

DESIGN BUREAU

Image courtesy of Jose Miguel Mendez

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The Informer

Nov/Dec 2014

TRAVEL & CULTURE

Elevated Eating This German restaurant sits atop the country’s most-frequented mountain—and has the design chops for the serene spot

By Chloe Stachowiak

When Pool 2 Architekten began renovating the Drachenfels restaurant, a luminous glass building nestled on the Drachenfels Plateau in Germany, taking the area’s past into account was just as important as the clientele’s needs in the present. Standing atop the country’s most-visited mountain, the restaurant would Photos by Lukas Roth

need to potentially satisfy the 900,000 guests estimated to climb the Drachenfels annually—but still suit the rich culture and history engraved in its rocky surroundings.

Although the restaurant itself has only been part of the Drachenfels landscape since 1976, the mountains have influenced life in the area

for as long as they have stood.

They’ve inspired countless movements in German thought and lore, from 19th Century Romanticism to intoxicating legends about castle ruins and dragons. The architects wanted to design a building that would seamlessly blend in with this history without detracting from the mountain views—something its original

‘70s Brutalism style couldn’t do.

The solution was to construct a sleek, all-glass building softly illuminated with Licht Kunst Licht AG lights—a design that would offer its guests a breathtaking experience by both day and night and capture the romantic splendor of the Rhine valley it overlooks.

Mission accomplished. a

Nov/Dec 2014

The Informer

DESIGN BUREAU

Construction Managers & General Contractors

TRAVEL & CULTURE

A Stylish Spin on the Carryall

By Chloe Stachowiak

Remember the Trapper Keepers of our childhood?

So does This is Ground, an LA-based company who used the classroom classic as inspiration for the brand’s latest offering, the Mod. Sleek and

DB GIFT PICK FOR MORE, P.55

highly customizable, it’s a travel carryall that houses everyday essentials—tablets, notepads, cards, earbuds, pens—in luxurious leather-bound style. Items are stowed away in the magnetic modular inserts, which snap right into the case’s binder-style rings and can be changed out depending on the owner’s needs. And, with insert styles including the Writer, Executive, Musician, and Shooter, there’s a perfect Mod for every vacation, business trip, and commute to work. Using a binder has never been so chic. a

“Figure3 shares our quest for professional services and quality deliverables. We were honoured to be part of the Coca-Cola Team.”

MARANT Construction Limited 200 Wicksteed Avenue Toronto, ON Canada M4G 2B6 T 416.425.6650 Image courtesy of This is Ground

www.marant.ca

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The Informer

Nov/Dec 2014

OBJECTS & GEAR

DESIGN

BY DUFFY Art and function collide with the “concepts of gravity, geometry, and illusion” in these handmade-to-order pieces crafted by Christopher Duffy, founder of Duffy London, and his team of designers and manufacturers. Each is inspired by specific quotes (well, almost: “In the case of the Abyss Table, the quote did not inspire the piece initially, but it did come to mind the second I came up with the concept and repeated over and over in my head,” Duffy says), these pieces offer whimsical optical illusions while remaining rooted in undeniable functionality. a

01 The Abyss Table “And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also

gazes into you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Duffy London strives to manifest conversation with each of its products, and if caught staring into the detailed, aqua abyss locked into this table, one is reminded of the intricacy of our Earth’s core.

02 The UP Balloon Table “Growing old is compulsory; growing up is optional.”

– Bob Monkhouse

Continuing Duffy’s fancy for defying physics, this table’s glass surface is supported by shiny gold and silver balloons, with their strings serving as the table’s legs—sure to inflate a guest’s reaction to any room.

03 Swing Table “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow

old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

Serving dinner or conversing with family and friends can go air-born effortlessly with this table’s swinging chairs. Plus, vacuuming is easier than ever without the legs—a major bonus.

This page: images courtesy of Duffy London and Tom Oxley Photography. Facing page: image courtesy of Murals Your Way.

Nov/Dec 2014

The Informer

DESIGN BUREAU

PIXELS & PRINT

Murals Made Modern A Minnesota company gives the traditional art form a user-friendly makeover By Chloe Stachowiak Murals have inhabited public and private walls for centuries— but, thanks to Murals Your Way and its customizable line of wall art, the age-old craft has finally joined the 21st Century.

Created in 2004, the company specializes in large-scale prints that, with more than 850,000 designs to choose from and seemingly endless personal-

ization options, is breathing modernity into the mural.

“Remember the pre-printed Hawaiian sunset murals from the ‘70s? Those murals were produced by Environmental Graphics, which our owner— Ted Yoch—is still a part of,” says Jackie Just, director of marketing for Murals Your

Way. “He knows the murals industry well and in 2004 realized that homeowners and businesses were looking for more personal, customized wall art.”

For the past decade, the company has been printing murals on canvas and vibrant vinyl, which are hung like wallpa-

per or via the DIY-friendly SmartStick, which can be easily adhered and removed.

The hardest part? Selecting a mural from so many options.

“Choose one that evokes something personal. A photo from the beach where you honeymooned that lets you unwind and rejuvenate. Or a vintage map of your favorite city.” a

e r u t a Sign

Construction Group Connecticut

New York

Connecticut

745 E Main Street

160 7th Street

250 Constitution Plaza

Stamford, CT 06902

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Hartford, CT 06103

Signature Construction is proud to work with Paul Johnson & The Perkins Eastman Team Lorem Ipsum Omnim qui comnistis molorpore nonectatis esciet iuntorest

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The Informer

Nov/Dec 2014

OBJECTS & GEAR

Driving Out the Darkness BellacorPro marries inspiration and information to let its (digital) light shine By Jill McDonnell Design, like life, is all about reinvention. After nearly 15 years as a leading e-commerce source for lighting and home furnishings, BellacorPro recognizes the rejuvenating effects of a little refresh, which is why both its consumer and trade professional sites premiered a new look this October. But

Image courtesy of Bellacor

just as beauty is more than skin deep, this update is not merely an exercise in vanity.

“We really want to create a better customer experience,” BellacorPro president and CEO Brenda Boehler says.

“Through enhanced product information, more videos, and new images, we’re helping

make sure that we deliver the right product for the end user.”

BellacorPro offers more than 300,000 products that run the gamut of styles (think both elegant rustic and midcentury modern), price points, and types (from wall lighting to game rooms to bedroom furniture). In addition to more robust product descriptions, Boehler looks forward to the layer of inspiration the sites now contain. BellacorPro manager Josie Lowry added that the site refresh will now allow products to be organized by trends.

“Inspiration is how people shop today,” Boehler says.

“We’ll showcase designer’s

product reviews and also highlight the way they use these products in their work.”

Even in the face of all these changes, BellacorPro is not jettisoning a core hallmark that its one-million-plus monthly website visitors have come to expect and rely on: customer service.

“We all have a great passion for design that feeds into everything we do,” Boehler says. “Our account managers are continuously trained in the latest design trends and all our product offerings so that they can successfully perform our job—making the job of our busy clients much easier.” a

Nov/Dec 2014

The Informer

DESIGN BUREAU

STRUCTURES & SPACES

BEACON OF KNOWLEDGE A children’s library center gleams in Queens

By Risa Seidman

of 1100 Architect, the firm behind the library’s design.

The library’s incandescence isn’t just for looks, however.

“High performance glazing on the building’s skin insulates and reduces glare, thus lessening the energy burden on heating and cooling systems,” Riehm explains. “The union of visual innovation and tangible practicality acts as a governing principle in the design of the project.”

At the intersection of Merrick Boulevard and 90th Avenue, the Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC) stands out amidst the squat, brick low-rises of Jamaica, Queens in New York City. Its façade, a luminous, Mondrian-like

mosaic of rectangular glass tiles, draws the eye, creating an inviting space for locals.

“The glowing effect achieved by the façade is a strong visual reminder of the library’s role as a community beacon,” says Juergen Riehm, principal

Inside, the CLDC is no less vivid. The library’s interior sparkles with gleaming white surfaces, infused with neonbright signage and details. A colorful floor map of Queens serves as a focal point for the space, as well as an informa-

tional graphic about the cultural diversity of the borough.

Such a white-based palette might, in other cases, make the space seem too sterile, but the inclusion of cozy reading nooks and social areas lend the library an inviting warmth.

Plus, science- and maththemed exhibits interspersed among the book stacks make the CLDC the only free learning facility of its kind in the area. “The CLDC is visited daily by so many children and their caregivers, as well as public schools using it as a classroom extension for the science and math curriculum,” Riehm says. “The community’s all-out positive response to the project makes us most proud.” a Photos by Michael Moran

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The Informer

Nov/Dec 2014

BOOKS

Read Something

By Chloe Stachowiak

STEVEN HELLER & RICK LANDERS: Infographic Designers’ Sketchbooks (Princeton Architectural Press) In our increasingly digital and data-packed world, infographics are everywhere we look—but the artists and creative processes behind these works are rarely revealed in the magazines, posters, and webpages they inhabit. Infographic Designers’ Sketchbooks is a rare, intimate tour of these designers’ minds—taking the doodles, sketches, and 3D mock-ups that line their private notebooks and splaying them across 351 public pages. With glimpses into the sketchbooks of more than 50 designers—including Deborah Adler, Hyperakt, and MGMT—the book is a testament to the artistic process as well as the craft, creativity, and studio work behind each design.

Images courtesy of the publishers featured

Nov/Dec 2014

DIDIER CORNILLE: Who Built That? Skyscrapers (Princeton Architectural Press) For every awe-inspiring skyscraper that stands—from the Eiffel Tower to the Seagram Building—there’s an architect whose imagination was bold and technical enough to create it. Who Built That?

Skyscrapers celebrates eight of these daring designs and the people behind them, laying out the biographical history and construction stories that shaped some of the most iconic buildings in our cityscapes.

EDITED BY JEFFREY BOWMAN, SVEN EHMANN & ROBERT KLANTEN: The Outsiders (Gestalten) The Great Outdoors is a new frontier in design—more and more graphic artists, photographers, and product designers are looking outside for inspiration, including custom motorcycle builder James Crowe, surf photographer Chris Burkard, and big-name manufacturers like Patagonia. The Outsiders tells the story of these designers, their work, and how their ruggedly hip yet functional products have helped shape the outdoor movement in design.

The Informer

DESIGN BUREAU

ABBOTT MILLER, RICK POYNOR & ELLEN LUPTON: Abbott Miller: Design and Content (Princeton Architectural Press) As a partner at Pentagram, one of the world’s largest independent design consultancies, Abbott Miller has produced award-winning designs for nearly two decades. Abbott Miller: Design and Content is a glossy collection of his innovative strategies and projects which, from magazines and catalogues to editorial projects and exhibitions, have influenced design world and inspired many that inhabit it.

CARA MCCARTY, MATILDA MCQUAID, SUSAN BROWN & KIMBERLY RANDALL: Making Design (Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum) When the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum recently reopened its doors—an expansive gallery and exhibition space located in the renovated Carnegie Mansion—it became the only museum in the US dedicated exclusively to contemporary and historic design. Making Design playfully walks readers through this interactive, oneof-a-kind center for design and the 200,000 collection objects nestled between its walls. a

Images courtesy of the publishers featured

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The Informer

Nov/Dec 2014

FASHION & BEAUTY

If the Shoe Fits

Three college students highlight humanity’s mass overconsumption by designing a shoe made of rubbish By Amanda Koellner

“We need to consume less. A lot less. Yet every decade, global consumption continues to increase relentlessly.” These are the words of Stephen Emmott, the author of Ten Billion, whose book predicts what Earth will look like when its population reaches that very number. The words also

define the mission of This is Rubbish, a fashionable awareness project by three university students from the UK, who have dressed their website in Emmott’s words.

It was because of those words that the trio of Charles Duffy (who brought the technical

This page: image courtesy of This is Rubbish. Facing page: images courtesy of Ploom.

input), William Gubbins (who offered experience with plastics), and Billy Turvey (who cut the film on the process) handpicked trash from the Thames, the English Channel, and the Atlantic Ocean, drove a hatchback full of rubbish back to London, and then filtered, cleaned, melted, and molded select pieces into brightly colored footwear.

“Our aim in this project wasn’t to manufacture consumer-recycled goods,” Duffy says. “We just wanted to raise awareness of the issues; it was the documentation of the process that, in the end, gained the attention of the people, and we hope that message followed through.”

The message certainly seems

to have been heard. Charities and footwear companies (as well as an oil-rigging contracting company) have all reached out to the This is Rubbish guys regarding their own environmental awareness campaigns, leaving Duffy, Gubbins, and Turvey “truly humbled” by the fact that their efforts have extended “as far as the industrial giants that facilitate the problem.”

Still, the team remains wary of humanity’s mass overconsumption. “Plastic is ubiquitous, and many types will still be breaking down by the time our bodies have long decomposed,” Duffy says. “That’s pretty scary, since we’re letting millions of tons of plastic slip into the ocean every year.” a

Nov/Dec 2014

The Informer

DESIGN BUREAU

DB GIFT PICK FOR MORE, P.55

OBJECTS & GEAR

Bring the Heat

Ploom began with a conversation between two design partners—one smoker, one non-smoker—and the San Francisco-based tobacco company has been re-inventing smoking through their modern vaporizers ever since.

Pax, the brand’s small-but-mighty model that eliminates smoke but still delivers taste through conduction heat, pairs perfectly with a cozy felt carrying case and tin of Blend X Black Raspberry loose-leaf tobacco. a

www.eusebionsi.com

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p 610.272.3372

252 East Main Street

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Norristown, PA

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MUSIC

Sharon Van Etten + Goose Island at Pitchfork Music Festival A look into the making of last summer’s collaborative beer from the singer/ songwriter and Chicago-based brewery By Amanda Koellner

For Pitchfork 2013, hiphop duo Run the Jewels created an eponymous dry-hopped Belgian wheat ale sold exclusively at the fest; for 2014, the brewery turned to singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten for the collaboration. When senior brewer in the company’s barrel program, Eric Ponce (a huge SVE fan), received a staff email asking if anyone was interested in working with her on the 2014 installment of the Pitchfork-specific beer, he jumped on the chance.

L

ive music and beer have a healthy relationship. The experience of each is easily improved by combining the two—but rarely does the creator of the former take a stab at making the latter. For the past two years, Chicago’s Goose Island Brewery and Pitchfork Music Festival have fused the two, inviting musicians to work with top brewers on a special beer made specifically for the three-day indie music extravaganza in Chicago’s Union Park.

Photo by Amanda Koellner

The process began with a phone call about what Van Etten generally looks for in a brew—a tad tricky considering the artist fancies herself a red wine drinker above all. “Initially, I said, ‘Are you sure you want to talk to me about this?’ But they knew my background and that I was into wine, so they knew I’d have some type of vocabulary in talking about beer, which was cool,” she says. “But I definitely called my brothers, who are both really into beer, before I talked to everyone to make sure I didn’t sound like a moron.”

The two settled on kölsch (Van Etten’s favorite)— crisp, clean, and delicate— but took into account the fact that the artist also loves pale ales. “Because she likes both, we made a dry-hop kölsch, which isn’t

Right corner: Brewer Eric Ponce and musician Sharon Van Etten chat while enjoying the kölsch they collaborated on before Van Etten’s Pitchfork Music Fest performance.

traditionally how kölschs are made, but we thought we’d give it a shot,” Ponce says. “She wanted it clear, grassy, and spicy, so that helped us decide what hops to use.” He also notes that Van Etten wasn’t looking for a wheat ale (despite the fact that 20% of the malt recipe used for the kölsch is wheat), so the Goose Island team swapped out the ingredient and substituted rye. “It adds a nice, underlying layer,” he says.

“It’s a good complexity to drink during a hot summer day—at about 5% alcohol, it has enough flavor where people can still break it down and appreciate it.”

The beer’s airiness paired well with what Van Etten tends to prefer at a music festival if she opts for beer over her usual wine or her band’s celebratory pre-show shot of whiskey (“which is medicinal—it sooths the throat”). “I know that I like a lighter style because if you’re drinking crazy Belgium beers for hours at a time in the summer, you’ll feel pretty gross after a while,” she says.

The light drinkability of the appetizing Sharon Van Etten brew allowed the singer to sip on a glass of her very own beer as she took the stage to perform on a sunny summer day at the Pitchfork Music Festival. a

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DESIGN BUREAU

Top: Images by Chris Force. Middle left: Photo by Amanda Koellner. Middle right: Photo by Joshua Mellin.

Bottom: Photos by Chris Force.

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FASHION & BEAUTY

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Small Monuments Dowse jewelry nods to architect Louis Kahn

By Jessica Barrett Sattell

When The Design Museum London asked Susannah Dowse to create a jewelry collection that would complement their retrospective exhibit Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture, the UK-based designer became fascinated with the modernist master’s life and work.

Dowse, her established line that is more art-object than adornment, shares the late American architect’s commitment to an elevated use of basic materials.

Dowse found many parallels between her own work and that of Kahn and shaped her collection to pay

homage to the design visionary through a harmonious usage of simple geometric forms and finishes to reflect light—just like his buildings.

The assortment of steel and brass necklaces and earrings feature playful combinations of strong shapes, such as circles layered upon triangles or hexagons nestled within grids.

Although the show closed in October, the pieces will be available at the Design Museum London through the holidays, as well as on the museum’s website and through Dowse at dowsedesign.co.uk into 2015. a

Mechanical Systems, Electrical Systems, Fire Protection & Plumbing, IT Infrastructure Telecommunications, Multimedia, Security, Mission Critical, Commissioning & Peer Review

Robert Derector Associates is proud to be an

integral part of the design of the new ROW Hotel NYC with Gabellini Sheppard.

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FASHION & BEAUTY

A Modern Mood Ring—Cap Style The Unseen melds science and fashion on this Swarovski gemstone piece By Amanda Koellner When Swarovski approached The Unseen—a luxury design house that uses specific materials to mesh biological, chemical, and electronic science into fashion—to take a fresh look at the technological potential behind the iconic brand’s synthetic stones, The Unseen’s Lauren Bowker wasn’t sure what to expect.

She certainly couldn’t have predicted that through this collaboration, she and her team would discover that the gemstone black spinel is so similar to the human bone that it can be “compatible with the human, enabling each stone, when worn, to act as a conduction insulator, absorbing energy loss from the head.”

“It was a happy accident,” she says. “We knew that this stone would be much more sensitive than a regular stone, so we did some research to look into the brain’s activity and how the black spinel reacted.

It was a case of sitting and playing with it until every person that wore it resulted in a different pattern.”

people on various wearable technologies (“It doesn’t all have to be wires—it can be more poetic. It doesn’t have to be plastic.”), as well as to create something that inspires people to look at the world differently and take note of what’s around them.

The 4,000-gemstone cap, which “becomes a reflection of the inner human thought,” will remain an exhibition piece with the prime purpose of showcasing The Unseen’s technology and Swarovski’s research—for now. “We’ve had a mass influx of people wanting to buy the piece or wanting us to create something for them,” Bowker says. As a result, The Unseen will soon release a new product line that will allow people the chance to buy into the technology they’ve recently developed— and, we hope, indulge in mood garments of all varieties. a

Bowker, who has a chemistry background and has worked with “every material under the sun,” says that projects like this define The Unseen’s core mission. “For us, everything has to both have a purpose and look good,” she says.

“We rely, 50/50, on the technology being great and the design looking great.”

She also says the design house strives to educate Image courtesy of The Unseen

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Nov/Dec 2014

ROLL OUT THE CHARM A collaboration between stationery powerhouse Rifle Paper Co. and surface designers Hygge & West makes for playfully elegant wall coverings By Jessica Barrett Sattell

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PIXELS & PRINT

The whimsical illustrations of botanicals, cityscapes, and animals that garnered a cult following for stationer Rif le Paper Co. are finding new fans thanks to a fresh wallpaper collection with designers Hygge & West. The two companies share a history of using artisan-printed forms to communicate better living, making the partnership a natural fit.

Hygge & West cofounders Christiana Coop and Aimee Lagos collaborate with different artists for each of their collections, but this is their largest to date with an internationally recognized brand. “Aimee and I are both huge fans of Rifle Paper Co. and knew [Rifle co-owner and artist] Anna Bond’s work would translate beautifully into wallpaper,” Coop explains.

“We were also wanting to add a floral and colorful collection to our offering, so collaborating with Rifle was truly a no-brainer.”

Screenprinted in Chicago, the collection features six designs, including several of Rifle Paper Co.’s alreadypopular illustrations such as signature floral Rosa and modern City Toile as well as two newcomers, Pineapple and Safari. Three of the patterns were created with five layers of color, a first for Hygge & West. “I can’t get enough of the Pineapple, and Aimee’s top pick is the Peonies,” Coop says.

“But we truly love them all.”

The small scale and spectrum of colorways for each design will ensure the versatility of the collection, adding a touch of joy to spaces from powder rooms to dining halls. a

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Rifle’s pineapple design symbolizes “friendly hospitality and a warm welcome to guests.” The pattern is available in five unique colors with soft metallic touches that shift in the light.

This page and facing page: images courtesy of Hygge & West

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AUDIOVISUAL • MEDIA • VISIONING

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PIXELS & PRINT

Well Played The DESIGNerd 100+ app schools design aficionados By Jessica Barrett Sattell What student at the Royal College of Art, London designed the Rolling Stones’ famous tongue logo in 1970? Who founded Penguin Books in 1935? Which two people developed the Helvetica typeface? If you know the answers to any of these questions (or are dying to find out), turn to the DESIGNerd 100+ trivia app.

Developed by Australiabased designer and publisher Kevin Finn for diehard fans of typography, packaging, publishing, branding, and graphics, the first-of-its-kind trivia game series features a collection of timed multiple-choice questions interspersed with factoids ranging from typeface development to Pantone color names. The simple, cheerful interface makes for a fun—and,

DB GIFT PICK FOR MORE, P.55

be forewarned, highly addictive—way to learn graphic design history.

Finn took on the first of three volumes while design powerhouses Steven Heller, Lita Talarico, and Stefan Sagmeister authored the remaining questions. The game engages enthusiasts while also sharing what information respected designers think is relevant to a well-rounded understanding of the craft’s history.

The app, which is currently available for the iPhone with plans to launch on Android soon, features two editions: the 100+ Free edition containing Finn’s volume and the 100+ Series, which houses all three volumes. Get ready to proclaim your design nerdery with a tap of your screen. a

Letterform Love One hundred art cards from Friends of Type

By Jessica Barrett Sattell

One evening in 2009, two type-happy designers built a website on a whim to house a cheery orange rendition of the sentiment “thank you and fuck you.”

Two days later, two of their pals joined the newly dubbed Friends of Type collaborative, and the group has been bringing their enthusiasm for typographic experimentation to the digital masses since.

After five years and hundreds of drawings, the four have released Keep Fresh, Stay Rad—a box set of 100 postcards. With sentiments ranging from “ain’t no thang” to “you make me happy,” there’s something for everyone. Plus, the set includes a mini-zine that highlights the group’s inspirations and process, making it a no-brainer of a gift for type geeks. a Images courtesy of the companies featured

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Nov/Dec 2014

TRAVEL & CULTURE

My View: One trip, one photographer, five photos

Magdalena Wosinska The Midwest

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n LA transplant born in Katowice, Poland, photographer Magdalena Wosinska (pictured above) uses her edgy, California-sunsoaked work to explore what it means to be young, vibrant, and free and takes her audience to all of the places—from skate parks to metal shows—that this youthful energy thrives. Here, Wosinska shares five photos from a recent road trip across the Midwest, revealing the spirited sides of America’s heartland in states like Kansas and Missouri. a

Photos by Magdalena Wosinska, magdalenawosinska.com

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OBJECTS & GEAR

THE DESK GETS A FACELIFT Continuity and function unite in the name of office style

In a nine-to-five job, an office desk can be a second home.

When luck has you down, a picture of family or friends can perk a smile. Maybe a cartoon from the last week’s paper can lend a much-needed laugh. Style, on the other hand, isn’t as easy to come by.

When Ken Tomita and Joe Mansfield, the founders of handcrafted goods purveyor Grovemade, visited a college friend—and co-founder of AirBNB—at the apartmentsharing company’s San Francisco headquarters, they were in awe of the “most amazing office ever with

the nicest of everything.”

“However, they were all using shoeboxes to elevate their computer monitors,” Tomita says.

“We both noticed immediately that we could solve that problem and do it well, appealing to the designer crowd.” Once they settled on the structure for a sleek, all-natural monitor stand, the opportunity for a larger assortment of office accessories became obvious.

And thus the brand’s “Desk Collection” was born.

Crafted largely from Eastern Hardrock Maple and Black Oregon Walnut, it includes—

By Sam Willett

in addition to the monitor stand—a keyboard tray, keyboard wrist pad, mouse pad, pen pot, ruler, desk lamp, planter, and paper-clip holder.

The result? All of your office materials living in polished, convenient harmony.

“We want the customer to be able to make their workspace both comfortable and beautiful,” Tomita says. “It’s difficult to put together a collection of products from different companies and make them look good together. We solve that problem by providing an entire collection that has great design continuity built in.” a Images courtesy of Grovemade

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Nov/Dec 2014

IN THE DETAILS A West Village townhouse is transformed with intricacies—and one killer indoor pool

By Kayla Unnerstall and Jessica Barrett Sattell

Revamp Interior Design: West Village Townhouse Rooftop pools are a dime a dozen in Manhattan. But an abovefloor-level indoor lap pool, lit from a skylight that doubles as a backyard patio? Now that’s something still worth marveling over, especially when one of its walls is encased in glass.

Resembling a long, adult-size fish tank, the pool is just one impressive element in the massive reinvention of this West Village townhouse. Trying to please their laid-back yet playful clients, Cece Stelljes and Danielle Fennoy from Revamp Interior Design used unique and intricate details to tell the story of a British family of six—from the custom cowhide rug in the entryway to the textured plaster walls in the dining room. a

Photos by Eric Laignel

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The slow and dated elevator—think wood-laminate paneling—was refreshed with custom embroideredand quilted-leather panels for a jovially abstract take on a polished sitting room. “The design was conceived entirely by hand one afternoon over lunch,” explains Fennoy. “ We laughed and sketched out the fun idea, and crossed our fingers that they’d go for it. They did, and then it was all a matter of execution.”

The townhouse was originally designed and then renovated for previous occupants—a family with completely different needs from the current art-loving residents. The existing dining room was originally going to be a music room for the first owners thanks to its prime acoustics, but the bold colors paired with subtle hardwood now make the space shine as an entertaining area.

Throughout the space, Revamp placed an emphasis on texture, and the home’s neutral color palette allows for a variety of art and accessories to rotate— such as the master bedroom’s knotted sculpture by artist Dana Barnes. That room was also updated with a functional and luxurious wood wardrobe with details such as plush carpeting, a feathered chandelier, and kaleidoscopic wallpaper.

The faded mural by Eskayel in the kitchen keeps the walls subtle yet energetic, and a 13-foot custom lacquer- and resin-coated table in the kitchen doubles as a ping-pong table on occasion. These details make the kitchen the family’s favorite room in the house—another rarity. “The room represents our clients to a T,” Fennoy says. “They’re casual, warm, and extremely playful. It’s great to see how the design perfectly accommodates their lifestyle.”

Photos by Eric Laignel

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Hotel Renovation / Gabellini Sheppard Associates Row NYC nods to its city, p46

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Interiors / Rob Bowen

Residential / Project Interiors

A fresh take on bank design is anything but traditional, p48

A contemporary Chicago bachelor pad that’s both sleek and rustic, p51

Design Thinking DESIGNING HAPPINESS Coca-Cola’s new Canadian headquarters was planned to resonate with employees

Photo by Steve Tsai Photography

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Photo by Steve Tsai Photography

Design Thinking

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Sweet Tooth for Success It doesn’t take a thirsting gullet to recognize CocaCola as the illimitable champions of beverage.

It’s only appropriate then that their newly relocated Toronto dwellings be outfitted with palatial flavor.

The most stunning feature, as put by Carlo Martini, VP of project delivery services at Marant Construction, is its three-story atrium centerpiece. “The details needed to be crisp and expertly completed,” Martini stresses. “It can be seen from all floors and meeting rooms,” gracing all occupants with refreshing grandeur.

BY EMMA JANZEN

When The Coca-Cola Company acquired the North American operations of Coca-Cola Enterprises in 2010, Coca-Cola Canada needed to merge operations into one centralized facility.

Knowing the existing suburban offices would not accommodate their growing needs, the management team targeted the dynamic energy of downtown Toronto to infuse the organization with a renewed sense of vigor.

The new LEED CI Silvercertified headquarters—a 103,000-square-foot, threestory addition perched on top of the former Toronto Sun offices—reflects the company’s business imperatives of delivering happiness from the façade down to the floor plan.

For the exterior, design firm Figure 3 teamed up with building developers First Gulf and Pellow + Associates Architects to create a wavy glass envelope design

to mimic the brand’s iconic “Coca-Cola wave,” and signal to the public that the offices will embody a bold but lighthearted sense of playfulness.

Inside, in order to cultivate a vibrant atmosphere where employees felt engaged and invested in the business’s day-to-day activities, the building is designed into four specific areas or “zones” delineated by the sorts of activities that take place within each. At the core, a central atrium CONTINUED g Photo by Steve Tsai Photography

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(CONTINUED) spanning from the ground level to the roof allows buckets of natural daylight to wash through open public spaces, encouraging socialization both in those areas and in the flanking cafeteria and outdoor terrace.

Conference areas for meetings and lounges surround the atrium, and portals that lead to quieter office areas of each floor act as transitional “decompression zones” that separate the social activities from workspaces.

A sub-project of the overall design is a building-wide environmental branding scheme that features wallsized graphics and art installations from the company archives, featuring both current and historic campaigns.

Figure 3 principal and strategic partner on the project Caroline Hughes says the goal is to give employees the feeling that they are an immediate part of the company’s global, national, and local initiatives.

“By designing a space that focuses on connecting Coke’s people to their workplace, people feel connected to one another, the company, and of course, their work, ” she says.

Hughes also says she believes the overall design succeeds at keeping employees engaged on all intended levels. “The best thing about the design of the new Coca-Cola Canada HQ? Hearing that Coke’s people are happy working there.” a

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Photo by Steve Tsai Photography

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Nov/Dec 2014

GRIT AND GRANDEUR A Times Square hotel offers a respite from—and pays homage to—the city that never sleeps

BY MARGARET POE

Situated as it is, on New York City’s Eighth Avenue in the heart of Times Square, the marquee is all but mandatory. But the high-wattage bulbs welcoming guests to the Row NYC do more than light many a selfie on the sidewalk below. They also animate and beckon visitors to step in the door, Photo by Michael Kleinberg

says Michael Gabellini of Gabellini Sheppard Associates, whose firm was tasked with transforming the hotel’s public spaces. Once they walk inside, guests are immersed in a street-smart aesthetic throughout the newly renovated hotel.

The building has greeted

tourists since opening as the Lincoln Hotel in 1928, among the largest in the city at the time. And after a two-year, $140 million renovation, the look is contemporary city chic— with a sense of history.

From the poured concrete to the jet-mist concrete and blackened steel, the materials are “embedded

into the street character of New York City,” Gabellini says. This sense of “refined grittiness,” as he calls it, pairs well with rich recessed lighting within the slatted wood canopy ceiling to create a warm, inviting ambience.

A nod to the city’s many stages, the two-story,

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Sound and Vision The medley of lights and screens Row NYC offers its patrons is a sharp turn from what the adjacent cacophony Times Square subjects busying workaday New Yorkers to.

“We agreed that when you enter this space, it shouldn’t sound like a club,” Jon Reeves, TAD Associates co-owner and multimedia visionary for Row NYC, assures us. “You have to transition off the noisy 8th Ave into a space that is new, different, and its own intentionally curated environment.”

Engineering Design Executing the hotel’s design plans wouldn’t have been possible without the engineers at Robert Derector Associates, who helped solve the structural dilemmas that came up during the process.

“Lattice ceiling design proposed by Gabellini presented a challenge for the HVAC design and air distribution,” says Dan S. Benjamin, a partner at the firm. “So we provided a high air-volume, low velocity solution.”

panoramic lobby is crafted as a theatre-in-the-round, with the second story overlooking the lower-level entrance. The common areas serve dual purposes, according to Gabellini: seamlessly moving crowds through the space while simultaneously providing an intimate, hospitable gathering area. He

sees the sweeping lobby as “an urban embrace.”

It also lets visitors into District M—European cafe by day, pizza bar and cocktail lounge by night—“to feel cocooned from the motion of Times Square,” he says, “while maintaining the allure and ‘see and be seen’ feeling throughout.”

That camera-ready sensibility is evident in the works by legendary paparazzi photographer Ron Galella featured in District M’s digital art gallery, highlighting the exuberant energy of Manhattan in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. In the reception area, an installation by New

York-based artist Yorgo Alexopoulos “is the culmination of a visual tour de force,” Gabellini says.

Even the name reflects a deep sense of place. It’s called Row NYC, explains Kimberly Sheppard, because the hotel offers “a front row view of quintessential New York City.” a Photos by Michael Kleinberg

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Nov/Dec 2014

After a total gut rehab, this bank’s reimagined layout was designed with an eye toward color and a focus on modern bank service.

Too Big to Fail Designer Rob Bowen’s oversized ambitions for C1 Bank’s Wynwood Branch resulted in a new look for community banking

BY PATRICK SISSON

It wasn’t an atypical request for St. Petersburg interior designer Rob Bowen to redo CEO Trevor Burgess’s home. Residential was his focus. But when Burgess, leader of the fastgrowing C1 chain of banks, asked him to design a local branch, Bowen hesitated.

“After coming from designing homes, I had no desire to do banks,” Bowen says. “They’re so sterile.

But it’s a totally different culture at C1. Every location is a direct nod to the community in which it exists. It’s fantastic.”

Two years and 18 branches later, Bowen has found a client, a partnership (he’s Photos by Harvey Smith

worked with the same contractor and architect each time), and the creative freedom to challenge people’s perception of this type of staid commercial design. His recent design for the company’s new location in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood stands as his biggest statement.

“I love seeing people walk inside,” he says. “They’re confused, not sure if it’s an art space.” Burgess wanted a show-stopper to introduce the West Floridian chain to Miami.

He responded with his version of what a financial institution could be—a modular showroom with bright colors, modern art

from nearby galleries, and a half-melted black Murano chandelier—itself a symbol of the tweaked and twisted interior concept.

“I get why banks are pretty stuffy,” Bowen says. “But with all this technology, I know you’re not sticking anything in a vault. It’s a bank, but it doesn’t have to look like a bank.”

As part of a total gut rehab, Bowen reimagined the layout with an eye toward color as much as service design. The center circular area where the teller sits reduces lines and waits. Two “pods” for client meetings— boxes within boxes—have an “I Dream of Jeannie”

effect, according to Bowen.

The colorful spaces within the blown-out white of the main room offer a sensory experience—an escape in tonal colors to make customers more comfortable.

More intriguing, the modular bank has a second life as a party space.

Everything can be moved, shifted and broken down (the center teller space turns into a great bar).

Runway shows, product launches, and private parties are all possible. It’s not Wall Street extravagance; rather it’s a bank integrating itself into the community—an example of C1 having a different view of the bottom line. a

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A half-melted black Murano chandelier serves as the centerpiece for this stereotypechallenging bank design.

Photos by Harvey Smith

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WELCOME TO THE CONCRETE JUNGLE Rustic details, sleek furniture, and crisp skyline views culminate in this Chicago bachelor pad

BY JOHN TAYLOR

Sometimes, all it takes is a sledgehammer. When Project Interiors founder Aimee Wertepny and designer Jennifer Krantz were given the green light from a prolific 28-year-old bachelor seeking “a place for shaking cocktails, shaking hands, and shaking all pretense about what his ‘grown up,’ pie-in-the-sky condo should look like,” the two came in swinging, literally. “Knocking down walls, extending walls,

cladding walls, dropping in a steel fireplace partition,” she says. “Game changers!”

We caught up with the duo to learn more about the decisions behind the sleek and contemporary design.

You dubbed this project “Concrete Jungle.” Which details best represent the overall intended aesthetic?

The leather-wrapped brass chandelier; the gnarly, tangled string-theory

chair; the contrast of bright white lacquer against raw steel; the obvious view to the city; and beyond. This place is all architectural glitz with lots of laughs.

Can you tell me about the wall behind the bed?

Our buddy [who] we fondly refer to as “the garbage picker” had us eating our words when he showed us these old factory doors.

The chipped paint and

rusty hardware make the perfect gritty backdrop against the crisp skyline views and sleek furniture.

What challenges did you two find yourselves up against?

Working with such a long, narrow space presented some challenges—we seamed rugs together to make one large area rug to cover the long expanse.

CONTINUED g Also, the Photos by Chris Bradley Photography

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The chipped paint and rusty hardware of the wall behind the bed—made from old factory doors—became the perfect gritty compliment to the condo’s crisp skyline views and sleek furniture.

lighting was a challenge. The raw concrete ceilings didn’t offer any overhead light, but a custom-designed steel contraption mounted to the ceiling makes this hottie glow when the sun goes down.

(CONTINUED)

With so many cool aspects of design at work here, which are you most proud of?

They say you can never be too skinny or too rich, right?

Well, this lady needed to put a little meat on her bones…we extended a wall to create a foyer, clad it in ebonized wood, and gave the overall appearance of more mass. Because in architecture, unlike our waistlines, bigger is better. a Photos by Chris Bradley Photography

Nov/Dec 2014

rhanelphotography.com 312-878-0138 info@rhanelphotography.com

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Ever wish you could peep the holiday shopping lists of chic people like Design Milk’s Jaime Derringer, the guys behind Warby Parker, Jonathan Adler himself, or famed fashion photographer Nigel Barker?

Look no further than the next 10 pages, which hold the key to surprising your friends and family with unique, design-centric gift picks from some of the industry’s most sleek and stylish figures. Holiday shopping stress—your powers are no good here.

Photos by Rachel Hanel // Styling by Hillary Thornton

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Gift Curator

Jaime Derringer Founder and executive editor of Design Milk

Considering she makes her living out of being a total style guru, Jaime Derringer knows a thing or two about picking out a good gift. Her exceedingly popular blog, Design Milk, has been featured in countless publications and showcases some of the coolest gear and gadgets the design world has to offer. Case in point?

This dazzling collection of sure-to-impress presents.

“Choosing a gift for someone, especially someone with a modern sense of style, can be a challenge,” she says.

“From fashion to home décor, there’s definitely something here for everyone on your list—and they’re guaranteed to toss the gift receipt.”

Nell and Mary mountain carryall tote bag, $85, nellandmary.com Ceci Thompson Rosie table lamp, $149, cb2.com Vertical garden planter for succulents and air plants, $212, etsy.com/shop/ kimfisherdesigns Kaleido trays by Clara von Zweigbergk for Hay, $222, dwr.com Finell slide serving tray, $450, finell.co

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Gift Curators

David Gilboa & Neil Blumenthal Co-founders of Warby Parker

“All of these gifts are things I’d love to receive myself. They all have clean design, quality craftsmanship, and effortless style in common.” Given the classy collection of items here, these are understandable words from Neil Blumenthal, half of the visionary team behind hip eyewear purveyor Warby Parker.

Blumenthal’s fellow co-founder Dave Gilboa thinks a great gift should always be thoughtful— “whether it’s something that you know that person will love or something funny and unexpected,” he says.

Hard Graft flat pack, $372, hardgraft.com Shinola Bixby bicycle, $1,950, shinola.com Harry’s The Truman Set, $15, harrys.com Byrd & Belle Macbook sleeve, $78, byrdandbelle.com

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Gift Curator

Jonathan Adler Designer

“If your heirs won’t fight over it, we won’t make it.” Such is the guiding motto behind Jonathan Adler’s eponymous brand, which now has more than 25 stores worldwide, an e-commerce site, and a wholesale business with more than 1,000 locations. The potter, designer, and author’s personal motto when it comes to shopping for others falls along those same lines: “A good gift makes the recipient feel even more chic and glamorous than they already are.” We agree.

Mohawk lollipop holder, $98, jonathanadler.com Play by Comme des Garçons Chuck Taylor high top, $110, barneys.com Mr Turk freeway plaid Sorrento trunk, $108, trinaturk.com Fran’s Chocolates salted caramels, starting at $30, franschocolates.com Jennifer Fisher 3 peak spine cuff, $945, jenniferfisherjewelry.com

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Gift Curator

Chay Costello Assistant director of merchandising at MoMA

The past 15 years of Chay Costello’s professional life were spent growing with the Museum of Modern Art—from her beginnings as a product developer to globe-trotting in pursuit of the latest and greatest designs as the museum’s jewelry, textiles, and personal accessories buyer.

“The best gift involves an element of surprise,” she says. “What we all truly desire is something we didn’t know we wanted but that speaks to us immediately in the beauty of its form or the elegant simplicity of its function.”

Kinematics smooth black necklace by Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg, $125, momastore.org Robot battery pack, $55, momastore.org Metallic blue bao bao tote

by Issey Miyake, $425, momastore.org QLOCKTWO watch by Marco Biegert and Andreas Funk, $890, momastore.org Jean-Michel Basquiat plate, $125, momastore.org Sailing ship kite by Emily Fischer, $40, momastore.org Horsehead nebula silk scarf

by Céline Semaan, $200, momastore.org

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Gift Curator

Nigel Barker Photographer

Most known for his 17 seasons as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, Nigel Barker has been surrounded by beautiful people and amazing design for the past 20 years, allowing him a unique perspective on how “cool” evolves and changes— straight from the source.

“I always like to give things to people I love that make me happy—that I find delicious or fun,” says the photographer, whose resume also includes filmmaker, philanthropist, and author. “That way, my own enthusiasm for it hopefully is contagious and you end up sharing something in common from there on out.”

Art Van orthopedic pet napper, $129, artvan.com Smythson of Bond Street Panama men collection Marshall travel wallet, $540, smythson.com Shut X Nigel Barker skateboard, $65, shutnyc.com Color wheel umbrella, $29, karmakiss.net Mara Hoffman v-wire top in rainbow bird black, $122, marahoffman.com Side ruched bottom in rainbow bird black, $122, marahoffman.com Swiss army super tinker, $33, swissknifeshop.com Lego White House, $49, shop.lego.com

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OFFICE TOUR

WELCOME TO

DESIGN

BUREAU

H

ere at Design Bureau, our daily grind consists of sifting through, rounding up, and sharing with our readers the best design the world has to offer.

We know—it’s a great gig. And, as the pages of our magazine reveal, a large part of that gig includes writing about workspaces that think outside the cubicle and use great design to foster creativity and innovation.

With its open layout and crisp, clean palette punctuated by designer furniture and eclectic artwork, our very own office is just the kind of space we’d feature in the magazine. From our publisher and editor-in-chief Chris Force’s custom Thos. Moser bookcase to our iconic Fritz Hansen Egg chairs in the lobby, the office speaks to the work we do and inspires our staff to be the best versions of themselves.

So without further adieu, enjoy this exclusive look at where the DB magic happens.

Photos by: ALan Shortall photo assisstant: Joshua arends

OFFICE TOUR

Kidney-shaped pendant light

by MDD

Valde reception desk

by MDD

Egg chair

by Republic of Fritz Hansen

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Thos. Moser custom Element bookcase by director of design and product development Adam Rogers

OFFICE TOUR

Arco lamp from Flos

Element credenza

by Thos. Moser

Egg chair

by Republic of Fritz Hansen

Little friend table

by Republic of Fritz Hansen

Reoriented teal carpet squares

by FLOR

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Acuity chair

by Allsteel

Teamworx

by DeskMakers

BenchWorx

by DeskMakers

OFFICE TOUR

Circa pendant lamps

by Pablo Designs

Highway chair

by Dauphin North America

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BenchWorx

by DeskMakers

Grey mesh-back office chair from Bellacor

OFFICE TOUR

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Tube top pendant lamps

by Pablo Designs

White gloss Greenwich sideboard from Inmod

Milliner black carpet squares

by FLOR

OFFICE TOUR

Romeo moon pendant lamp

by Philippe Starck from Flos

Bindu executive chair

by Coalesse

Custom conference table

by Restaurant Chair Repair

Dashed off jailbird carpet squares

by FLOR

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Nov/Dec 2014

Notes From the Bureau Baird & Warner

TUNNEL VISION Although the glass walls suggest a Modernist bent, Chicago’s Claremont House leans toward making a more classic statement on home design It’s comparable to finding a hole in the landscape.

When locals first encountered the Claremont House—a standout amid rows of classic bungalows in Chicago’s St. Ben’s neighborhood—it was a jolt to see through the home and into the backyard from the sidewalk.

“When the translucent blind is open and you can see the light come in through the back, people slam on their breaks, because that moment is so different,” says architect Brad Lynch of Brininstool + Lynch, who designed the house for his family. “People think it limits privacy, but when the blinds are down, it’s really not noticeable.”

Completed back in 2007, the steel-framed 4,250-square-foot home on the city’s northwest side was designed with a nod toward past trends in urban architecture. It’s relatively straightforward to compare the brick-clad structure to its Modernist precursors. The see-through nature of the 10.5-by-15-foot front and back glass panels actually stare visitors in the face, while the side stairwell leaves the view unobstructed and provides natural light and air circulation.

But Lynch was also thinking about how past Chicago buildings, from mansions on Prairie Avenue to early neighborhood homes, revolved around a front porch that served as a space for community and communication. Since gentrification, many new homes have been oriented towards the backyard, he said; it leaves side windows, normally closed because of privacy CONTINUED g Photos by Christopher Barrett

PROJECT DETAILS FROM DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

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MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SUITED TO THE MIDWEST

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Notes From the Bureau

Nov/Dec 2014

concerns, as the go-to source for natural light. Lynch’s solution was to provide a new view toward neighborhood interaction, contrast it with a private second story, and anchor the structure in its environment.

(CONTINUED)

As of this fall, the home was on the market through Robert John Anderson of Baird & Warner Brokerage, a rare chance to move into an awardwinning and significant work of architecture.

– Patrick Sisson Freese Architecture

RESIDENCE AS REVIVAL Freese Architecture’s GreenArch brings affordable, beautiful housing to a historic district Low-income housing doesn’t usually inspire.

The words themselves conjure a certain mental image, and it certainly isn’t one designed by an award-winning architectural firm with the comfort and health of its residents in mind.

But such is not the case with GreenArch. The city of Tulsa, OK hired Freese Architecture, founded by Brian Freese, to create a combination of affordable housing and commercial spaces that would serve as another linchpin in the continued revival of the historic Greenwood district.

“We agreed that although it should be a modern building, it shouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb in the district,” Freese says. “Most of the buildings in Greenwood are two- and three-story masonry structures so the first two stories of GreenArch are a dark masonry that complement the district’s palette. The remainder is a fiber cement board, in two different colors.” This basic approach applies to the interior of the building as well. “The floors of the units are an exposed plywood, with a clear sealant,” Freese says. “They’re very durable and give the units a little more of a hip, raw look.”

The simplicity of the materials should not belie the complexity of the building. A hallmark of Freese’s work is the abundant use of natural light, and that is evident here. Around the building are white extruded window groupings, imagined by Freese as stylized “flowers.” “Basically, wherever one of these extruded elements is, that’s where we celebrate the invitation of natural light into the units,” he explains.

The fresh design—melding historic materials with the modern and functional—and abundant amount of natural light have attracted local entrepreneurs. This is most evident in several live/work units where businesses “have a shop Top: photos by Christopher Barrett. Bottom: photos by Ralph Cole Photography.

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Notes From the Bureau

DESIGN BUREAU

or studio open to the public on the street, and live on the backside.”

Freese hopes that GreenArch’s popularity will continue to breathe new life into the Greenwood District. “We like to think of this as a more open development,” he says. “There are people with their workspaces right on the street. It engages with the entire neighborhood.”– Lincoln Eddy Jill Wolff Interior Design

CALIFORNIA COLOR Jill Wolff Interior Design fashions a home with a lively palette and a comfortable feel In its most simplified form, building a house is a fairly straightforward recipe: combine at least four walls, top with a roof, garnish with a few windows and doors, serve. Creating a home, on the other hand, is a different matter. It’s a process without any concrete steps, and one that can take ages of REMODELING MODERNITY trial and error without a Like the homes that Jill Wolff guarantee on results. designs, a company’s reputation is assembled from the Despite the esoteric ground up. Proudly standing nature of the work, Jill apart from their competitors Wolff, along with Sandra by utilizing T1 grade tin-plated Anaya and the rest of steel (popularized in the early her team, specializes in 1900s), American Tin Ceilings creating a warm, com(ATC) has grown into the fortable, and impeccaworld’s largest producer and bly stylish home for her shipper of tin tile—a feat that clients, which is exactly likely helped Wolff discover what makes the “Breezy the company via Google. Brent wood” specia l.

The butler’s pantry of Wolff’s Personalizing the project coastal Breezy Brentwood started with getting to project hosts an original ATC know the clients’ needs. backsplash pattern in shim- “They wanted a beachy, mering brushed satin nickel. bright, open, and light “It’s a great representation environment,” Wolff of how tin can be used in any says. “They have two design style,” affirms Lauren young kids, and needed Monitz of ATC. something durable—you know, so that the kids wouldn’t destroy it—but also comfortable. I think we accomplished that.”

The home’s layout boasts an open plan and catches eyes with splashes of an eclectic palette.

“They were so open to the use of vibrant colors,” says Wolff. Accents spread across walls, furniture, and other details and pop in shades of peacock blue, coral red, and neon green, alongside a variety of textile patterns. “They were really open to having fun with color,” Wolff continues. “I think the freedom of being able to express the fun and the nature CONTINUED g Top: photos by Ralph Cole Photography. Bottom: photos by Adam Latham.

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of the house through color was one of my favorite aspects.”

(CONTINUED)

As for the name, it came about in a way that captures the essence of California living embodied by the home—nonchalant, but impeccably on point.

“I was just talking to somebody and looking at a picture of the project with them,” recalls Wolff, “and they said, ‘Oh, it looks so breezy,’ and I thought, ‘You know, it really does.’” – Brandon Goei Perkins Eastman

MINING GOOD DESIGN An international titanium mining company finds a sleek look in a new city In 2012, Tronox, a titanium ore mining and processing company, was in the midst of a huge overhaul. Along with completely rebranding, the company had just moved from Oklahoma to Stamford, Connecticut, and they needed a shiny, new office to match the new company profile. But there were a couple of hitches: the new Tronox headquarters had to be completed in six months, and the company’s CEO and COO—the point people on all design matters—would be traveling extensively during that time.

Paul Johnson, senior project manager at design firm Perkins Eastman, didn’t balk at the challenge. Johnson’s team designed the new Tronox headquarters around the MINING AND REFINING company’s main product: Since 1990, Greg Sherwood, titanium dioxide. Black project manager at Signature ore is mined from the Construction Group, has gotten earth, but proprietary his hands dirty planting the processing turns it white. framework for over a decade’s In fact, titanium dioxide worth of uncompromisingly is used to whiten paints eco-friendly business strucand plastics. “So we took tures. Sherwood and his team those two opposites, and overcame the challenge of [we presented] an almost slender time constraints while monochromatic design retaining the green streak his palette,” Johnson says. company is known for.

He and his team used white lacquer panels in the reception area and dark carpet for the titanium dioxide effect.

Along with the color of its product, Johnson wanted Tronox’s offices to reflect its standing as a global company. One way to accomplish this was to theme Tronox’s conference rooms— naming each for an international location. (For example, the South African-themed room features a zebra graphic.) To further drive home Tronox’s globalism, Johnson commissioned a custom Corian panel behind the reception Top: photos by Adam Latham. Bottom: photos by Sarah Mechling.

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DESIGN BUREAU

desk that features a laser-cut map of the world.

It was an ambitious project, but Johnson and his team not only completed it in the allotted six months, they won a Building Owner and Manager Association (BOMA) award for it. “We were able to give them sleek, clean high-end design,” Johnson says.

“And by selecting specific materials, we made the design work within their budget.” – Risa Seidman Welly Lei Studio

INSECT NOIR Ants scrawled on the walls are just one design element that has this Manhattan restaurant crawling with unique style In the case of this Mexican restaurant, Black Ant isn’t just a clever name; it’s also the cuisine du jour and the driving interior design theme.

With a menu sprinkled with chicatanas—or ants— it’s no surprise that co-owner Jorge Guzman and designer Welly Lei turned to the tiny critters for design inspiration. But instead of simply throwing a few bug photos on the wall and calling it a day, Lei says they looked to the Aztec legend of Quetzacoatl to help root the visual details in storied Mexican history. “The Mesoamerican hero transformed himself into an insect to save his village by leading them to maize,” Lei says.

“From that we created the decorative tiles and the wall pattern art and logo which repeats the black ant theme.”

Many have called the provocative space “Mexican noir”—a comparison that rings true as the four dining areas are grounded in a bold, saturated color palette and riddled with alternating areas of shadow and light. Contrasting elements enhance the surreal atmosphere as sleek graphic tiles clash with rustic wood reclaimed from local bowling alleys, modern and edgy large format photographs jump out from a stark concrete backdrop, and pockets of living wall installments punctuate the darkness with moments of organic warmth. The furniture is also an eclectic mixture of old and new, a motif that Lei calls “mid-century meets old-school tufted look.”

The entire restaurant feels vivid and seductive, but perhaps the most clever design element is the concrete tiles that line certain walls—an imaginative endeavor created by artist Igor Sokol. Each tile features a subtle but intentional ant-like pattern abstract enough to not scream “ant” while still getting the theme across. Sokol hand-stamped all 450 pieces on site, adding a detailed and astute element to La Hormiga Negra. – Emma Janzen Top: photos by Sarah Mechling. Bottom: photos by Prince Rumi.

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Eye Candy

A Contemporary Canopy The renovation of a Los Angeles home brings the outside in

BY MARGARET POE / PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS JONES

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In renovating a home that endured countless additions since it was built in 1971, Chad Oppenheim embraced the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi—the idea of finding beauty in imperfection. He wanted to create a home perfectly suited for his wife and their children.

Doing so took a holistic approach—not architecture alone, or interior design, or just landscape design. It took the whole package, as he worked to take advantage of the pristine setting. In essence, Oppenheim was answering the question, “How does one design a life?”

S

itting in the renovated kitchen of this Hollywood Hills home, you forget you’re a stone’s throw from Mulholland Drive—and that you’re surrounded by glass, wood, and steel.

You forget you’re in a home, period.

“You really feel like you’re in the landscape; you’re in the hills. You’re not in a building,” says architect Aaron Neubert, design director at Aaron Neubert Architects.

The home ascends into the woods surrounding it.

And the woods find their way into the home—as evidenced by the stately sycamore jutting through the kitchen, family room, master suite, and roof deck.

That was exactly the intent of the owners, who sought to combine two aesthetics: chic mid-century modern meets rustic contemporary treehouse.

In considering the renovation, the owner initially assumed they’d try to match the existing post-and-beam

home, built in 1957. But as Neubert’s wont to do, he posed a question: “Is there a more interesting way to do it?” As a result, they embraced a 21st-Century sensibility with steel beams and concrete floors, setting the tone for the 1,500-square-foot addition.

For all its striking elements, from the bold rugs and textiles to the arresting black-and-white wall drawing by American artist Sol LeWitt, the view of the Santa Monica Mountains is the real show-stopper. There are some cool details inside the home, Neubert admits, but when it comes down to it, “those things become secondary,” he says. a

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It’s no surprise that a home with a tree bowing through it at a 45-degree angle would embrace a fluid notion of exterior and interior spaces.

Nearly floor-to-ceiling windows give way to outdoor couches and a fire pit, ensuring a seamless transition between the sycamore inside to the ones beyond the glass.

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A Natural Fit Mossy rocks and groundwater meet highend design in this stunning island home

BY CHLOE STACHOWIAK / PHOTOS BY JAMES DOW & PATKAU ARCHITECTS

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n a remote island in the Pacific Ocean—hidden in a mass of tall, moss-covered fir trees and on top of a 44foot cliff—stands the Tula House. Designed by Patkau Architects, it’s a breathtaking home that, from its expansive glass walls to a floor built from shard-like metal plates, is unlike anything the Strait of Georgia has ever seen.

“The house is inspired by the landscape,” says principal John Patkau, noting the hills, densely vegetated valleys, twisted trees, and rocky shoreline that characterize the area.

“Each of these aspects of the landscape is captured in a different aspect of the house, whether panoramic views of the ocean from the living room, to views of the beach below through glazed portions of the floor, to views into the

Even the roof of the house reflects its surroundings: planted in moss and natural ground coverings, it visually connects the home to the richly wooded island it inhabits. This feature, along with other natural-inspired elements like a tidal basin in the kitchen or a mossy rock in a bedroom, makes the home and its backdrop indistinguishable; rather, they are one in the same.

base of moss-covered rock precipices, to the pool of groundwater captured in the courtyard, as well as the apparently irregular geometry of the plan.”

The capricious topography allowed the home a “rich and diverse response to the site” that—coupled with the high quality of both the design detailing and construction execution—rendered the project a breathtaking success. a

Because groundwater flows unremittingly through the site, an entry courtyard pond momentarily captures it. The ground plane of the courtyard and interior floor of the home are large, shard-like concrete plates, which compliment the concrete walls throughout.

The home’s location on a relatively remote island made for a complicated building process. “The logistics of construction were a significant challenge, especially given the design, which focused on architectural concrete, steel, and glass as the principle building materials,�

Patkau says.

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Nov/Dec 2014

DESIGN BUREAU

GUEST COLUMNIST

Cult Following The Fab.com founder and creative entrepreneur offers five tips that will lead to the best gift-buying for the individuals on your list BY BRADFORD SHELLHAMMER

A

s someone who has dedicated his life

to scouting the globe for the world’s best designs, I know a few things about the art of shopping. I also know a few things about what people want. With Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram all giving us the ability to express ourselves, a “cult of the individual” has emerged. This is an army of people who want to be different—not the same. Gift giving was once easy. All your friends and family members liked the same thing and generally followed similar trends. You could buy everyone a sweater from the Gap and call it a day.

Those days are long gone!

Now thanks to technology and social media, your friends and family have become members of this cult. And they want nothing more than to be unique and stand out as individuals.

This makes gift giving harder.

But if you stick to these five basic tips, I think gift giving for a design lover can be rewarding and dare I say fun.

So search for gifts that…

1. Tell a story.

We want to talk about the art on our walls and the earrings we’re wearing. And we want people to notice. That is why we wear jewelry and decorate our homes. Make sure the gifts you give have a meaning and came from an artist’s or designer’s head—from their heart.

2. Have a maker.

Photo

Supporting emerging designers this holiday will be great for you as you’re helping small businesses hang on in their ongoing struggle against big-box retail. This also allows your gift recipient a chance to talk about the person who made their gift, where in the world it came from, and how it was made.

3. Are authentic.

Not everyone can afford an Eames Chair or Aalto Vase. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find authentic products for everyone on your list. There are great, unique, authentic designs in all price points.

4. Make people smile.

How many boring sweaters can one human receive? Give your friends a dinosaurshaped succulent planter!

A diamond paperweight

made from concrete! A cake stand made from repurposed vintage plates! The unexpected always makes a better gift than the expected.

5. Will last forever.

last is irresponsible. Make sure whatever you buy has a story and comes from the maker/designer’s heart. But also make sure the quality and material is something that will last a lifetime.

Consuming things that are disposable or that won’t

The best gifts are the ones that last a lifetime. aZ

Bradford Shellhammer is an entrepreneur with vast experience in creative direction and brand consulting. He is the founder of Fab.com, as well as Shellhammer, a retail consultancy and design firm in New York City, where he currently works and lives. He spends much of his time traveling or relaxing at his weekend home in Sparrowbush, New York.

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SPECIAL EDITION

THE DESIGN BUREAU 100

FREE

THE DESIGN BUREAU 100 A CARDINAL COLLECTION OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN THAT INFLUENCES WHERE AND HOW WE EXIST VOL. I

3/6/14 10:11 AM

Download the 388-page special edition now on iTunes Photo by Eric

Laignel, ericlaignel.com

Photo by Evan Sung, evansung.com THE DESIGN BUREAU 100 / restaurants, bars, and shops

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Though whiske y is aged in char red oak barrels why do we ha , ve to drink it in an environmen that recalls th t at? Why is ever ything always dark—full of oa so k and leather and sawdust?

How can we m ake a modern space that wo for drinking wi rks th friends?

THE DESIGN BUREAU

Uncharted Urbanism

an open of Birchbox wanted of The founders “create an environment office that would ion, and collabocommunicat areas, creativity, open array of breakout ration.” An eccentric booths, and the café, phone possible. including lounges, to make this all culminate

100 / WORKPLACEs

AN EARTHY HIGH-END RESTAURANT’S DESIGN TAKES CUES FROM BOTH THE CITY AND THE WILDERNESS

By Emma Janzen

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FEATURED COMPANY PARTS AND LABOR DESIGN

Location KING AND GROVE HOTEL, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

PROJECT TYPE RESTAURANT

PROJECT NAME THE ELM

In a sea of vintage-clad bars and restaurants in Brooklyn, subterranean restaurant The Elm provides an alternative vision of what it means to be an urban eatery.

Instead of following Williamsburg’s rough-hewn design trends, Parts and Labor Design looked to the complex relationship between the city’s industrial landscape and the wild forests beyond to design the high-end restaurant on the cellar level of the King and Grove Hotel.

Parts and Labor principal Andrew Cohen says that the company kick-started the project by painting a specific framework for the aesthetic. “The

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minimalist, natural architectural palette of concrete and end-grain wood floors, glass partitions, and handmade paver wall tiles lay backdrop to the design elements within,” Cohen says.

The structured palette provides ample opportunity for bringing in carefully chosen details to bring The Elm’s identity to life. “Though there is a level of refinement in the overall design,” Cohen adds, “its true character is found from the most subtle of details to the most overt of sculptural installations.”

Charles Phan

Custom lighting and furniture are key elements of the design. On the industrial end of the spectrum, sculptural pendant lights reference vintage warehouse fixtures, while on the woodland side, a porcelain-dipped steel chandelier was crafted to look like branches or antlers, “complete with shotgun cartridge slots,” Cohen says. Other fixtures that evoke the outdoors are inspired by snowshoes, beehives, bird eggs, and honey jars, and a striking installation of felling and splitting axes seems “simultaneously precious and renegade.”

Owner of Hard

A masculine mix of walnut, leather, concrete, and nickel finishes lends an earthy feel to the dining space of this subterranean restaurant in Brooklyn.

Water

“The attention to detail and combinations of unexpected and luxurious materials is a signature of our work,” Cohen says. The resultant atmosphere is warm and refined yet lively and approachable. The owner particularly likes the use of materials in the space, citing “the mix of walnut, leather, concrete, and the nickel finishes” as his favorite aspects. “It’s earthy and masculine.” aZ

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ARCHITECTS & ARTISANS

The Gift of Architecture A soothing escape to a Florida resort could be just the right present for the holidays

T

he year’s most rewarding holiday gift

for a stressed-out urbanite might be an airline ticket to an award-winning architectural experience at a soothing Florida resort. Streamsong in central Florida comes immediately to mind.

There, Tampa-based architect Alberto Alfonso has turned 250 rough-and-tumble phosphate-mining acres into a surreal and highly luxurious private world of relaxation.

His lodge there is an Aaltoesque organic curvature of lines, inspired by a landscape covered in 100-foottall dunes reclaimed by nature. Outside the lodge

is a freshwater lake, chockfull of 10-pound bass and 12-foot alligators. Ancient dinosaur bones and shark teeth are embedded ashore.

Alfonso took his cues from scars left by the phosphate mining. “The first impression that struck me was this organic line because of the way it was mined, one that’s moving in both the X and Y

directions,” he says. “It’s flat on the banks, and up and down on the dunes, created by mining the largest concentration of phosphate in America.”

He then looked to nature as he drew. “Some sketches led to this idea of a tree that fell across the bank,” he says. “And then there was this sectional idea of Florida underwater.” Suppose, he reasoned, the lodge could represent a cross-section of the site, with roots below the surface, lake’s edge above, and tree canopy in the sky? Further, suppose the hotel rooms became the canopy, and the rooftop was higher still? “It gave me a strategy for moving forward in a rational way,” he says.

BY J. MICHAEL WELTON

The resulting lodge is 300,000 square feet, with 216 rooms and 12 more in a collegial clubhouse, along with a full-service spa, three restaurants, and an 18,500 square-foot conference center. A rooftop bar, 150 feet high, offers views of sunrises, sunsets and much of the Milky Way. Acclaimed golf course designer Tom Doak is responsible for the Streamsong Blue course; Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw handled the design for Streamsong Red. The courses are ranked 12th and 14th in the nation; more are rumored to be on the way.

Happy holidays, indeed. aZ

J. Michael Welton writes about architecture, art, and design for national and international publications. He also edits and publishes an online design magazine at architectsandartisans.com, where portions of this column first appeared.

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FOR HIRE: Meghan Ryan Morris FOR HIRE DESIGN TALENT FRESH ON THE MARKET

When deciding where to take her artistic endeavors to continue her education, Meghan Ryan Morris was quick to choose the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she recently received her MFA in Studio Arts: Visual Communication Design. With creative inspiration from her professors, peers, and surrounding designers, she transformed her playful illustrations into exquisite foldout books, contributions for SAIC’s F Newsmagazine, and interactive exhibits. Now, she’s looking for the newest opportunity to challenge her artistic medium and to continue to absorb inspiration from the Windy City.

What type of design work would you say is your area of expertise?

I was drawn to the Internet early as a democratic medium and means of communication. Even though I’ve put quite a bit of work into and onto the web, I will always love print and publication design, too. Last year, I was given an opportunity to work at SAIC’s F Newsmagazine, and it was a great experience—a truly collaborative environment with valuable eyes and ears taking in and responding to your work every week.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

There’s an essay by Olia Lialina called “A Vernacular Web” in which she describes the aesthetics on the net at the outset of the world wide web as “bright, rich, personal, slow, and under construction.” I try to incorporate that sentiment into all of my work.

What are your career goals? What’s your ideal job?

I keep saying that my goal is to have a job where my brain doesn’t shut down. I want to always be active and be challenged to make something I didn’t know I could. Variety keeps me engaged, so I’m always interested to take on different kinds of projects simultaneously.

Why should somebody hire you?

I’m a hard worker, quick thinker, and fast learner. I maintain a varied skill set, from illustration to web development, and am always excited to learn more.

RÉSUMÉ SNAPSHOT: Meghan Ryan Morris EDUCATION The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL MFA Visual Communication Design, 2014 The University of Georgia, GA Bachelor of Fine Arts, Digital Media Minor, German, Spring 2008

FROM TOP: Narrative infographic; Interactive narrative website (friendsand-neighbors.net)

Meghan likes: Horses, “Grids” by Rosalind Krauss, podcasts, Montrose Dog Beach, Terry Gilliam, “Little Expressionless Animals” by David Foster Wallace, dithering, palm-sized paperback books, traveling, Harold Ramis (RIP)

WORK EXPERIENCE F Newsmagazine Graphic designer, Illustrator, August 2013–present Codesigned Intern, Summer 2013 School of the Art Institute of Chicago Teaching Assistant: Interface & Structure: Web Design, New Media: Crash Course

Are you a design student or recent grad? Are you interested in being featured in For Hire? E-mail forhire@wearedesignbureau.com.

Meghan dislikes: Loud humans/devices on public transit, sour food, malls, rigidity, math, roller coasters, waiting rooms, early mornings, cruel customers, long winters

Want to hire Meghan?

Check out her website: meghanmorris.com