from spain 16 furniture, textiles, lighting
Light and shade
Inside: Milan review Light+Building Company profiles
Inside
Sensational modern lighting to set the mood
2 contents
From Spain 16
contents 3 News Awards, ROJO, Noon Barcelona, Laia, Concepta and RS
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8 Fun and Games 11 Work in Style 12 Light Fantastic 14 HD Expo review We know hospitality
16 ICFF The biggest showcase of design from Spain in the US
18 New products in the US Check where to find the latest
20 Projects Carpyen in New Delhi, Viccarbe in Denia, LZF in Frankfurt and Gandia Blasco in Miami
22 Free thinker Profile of independent designer Luis Eslava, who does great things with Velcro
24 Clean good looks The latest bathroom products from Spain’s top manufacturers
EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to our autumn issue, which starts with a chunky news section to bring you up to date with what’s happening in world of Spanish contemporary design. And a lot has been going on. Awarded worldwide from Germany`s Red Dot Museum to ICFF`s Editors Awards, our designs have gained international recognition. Some of our most exciting designs have been on display at New York`s Conran Shop at ROJO, an event full of red design. We introduce Noon Barcelona, a new experimental lighting company that can only further enhance Spain’s reputation for leading the way in modern lighting, both in terms of design and technology. And design studio Laia is presenting exciting new collections of tableware designed in conjunction with the country’s top chefs, in particular Ferràn Adrià of the world-famous El Bulli restaurant. In addition, we bring you a comprehensive review of products launched at renowned furniture fairs such as Milan, Frankfurt, New York`s ICFF and HD Expo Las Vegas. Spanish companies showed pieces that managed to be elegant, fun, sleek and imaginative – again, further bolstering the country’s status as a leader in contemporary design. We review the work of designer Luis Eslava, curator of ROJO`s New York edition. He has made a strong name for himself with his exciting, eclectic range of products that vary from a Mother Mary USB stick to lampshades made from Velcro. We also look at furniture company CasaDesús, lighting manufacturer Vibia and Gandía Blasco, makers of stylish outdoor furniture and rugs.
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26 Differentiate and illuminate Company profile of lighting company Vibia, part of Grupo T Difussion
Belén Cristino Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami
28 Living in sunshine Gandía Blasco is riding high, with major expansion plans for 2008
30 Effortlessly stylish Profile of CasaDesús, the Barcelona furniture company
from spain 16 furniture, textiles, lighting
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Light and shade Sensational modern lighting to set the mood
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The views expressed in From Spain are not necessarily those of the Spanish Embassy nor of the editorial team. The Spanish Embassy Commercial Office accept no responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to From Spain, nor for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, nor for errors in contributed articles or advertisements. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Inside: Milan review Light+Building Company profiles
Inside
On the cover: IZ chair by Francesc Rifé for Samoa
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news
awards Top awards for Spanish companies The outdoor furniture company Samoa won ICFF`s Editors Award in the outdoor category, for the two collection IZ and LYN, designed by Francesc RifĂŠ. The well established in the US Spanish companies Vibia and KRON were awarded by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) at the 12th Annual IIDA/HD Product Design Competition held in Las Vegas during the 2008 HD Expo. Vibia was winner in the lighting category for Slim lamp and KRON in outdoor seating category for its Lo & La chair. Another lighting company, LZF, won a Design Plus award for its Link lamp by Ray Power at the Material Vision exhibition held in Frankfurt last November. Link is made from Polywood veneer. Office furniture manufacturer Actiu has won a Red Dot Design Award. Plek seating range designed by Alegre Industrial was selected among 3,200 products submitted from 51 countries. It has a moulded aluminium frame, comes with or without arms and can be used in three different positions.
IZ Collection by Samoa
Slim light by Vibia
Link lamp by LZF Actiu Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
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4 news
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news Launch of experimental lighting studio, Noon Barcelona
Mina iris suspended LED lamp with multiple functions by Admir Jukanovic
Noon Barcelona is a new experimental lighting company based in, as the name suggests, Barcelona. The studio’s aim is to design and manufacture highly innovative, idiosyncratic lamps based on the designers’ experiment’s with new lighting technologies to create “unique lifestyle ambiences”. Designers working on the initial collection include Admir Jukanovic, jmPruna and Jordi Ribaudí.
Rococo by jmPruna. An exterior screen conceals within an array of sculpted shapes
Casiopea copper pendant light by Jordi Ribaudí
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news
Spain REDesigns Following London`s successful exhibition, ROJO visited NYC. Parallel to ICFF ‘ 08, ROJO (Spanish word for red) has been on view in New York through June 8, at The Conran Shop. Nani Marquina, the doyenne of contemporary rug design paired up with the young and avant-garde designer Luis Eslava to curate the exhibition. Eslava created an esthetic universe where rugs by Nani Marquina were displayed along with a selection of red products from Spain’s most renowned designers including, Luis Eslava, Jaime Hayón, Emiliana and Odosdesign. The pieces selected for the exhibition are considered to be a sample of the best in Spanish Design today, manufactured by the most representative design brands “Made in Spain”: ABR, Almerich, Andreu World, Arturo Alvarez, Blux, BD, Concepta, Capdell, Fambuena, Gandia Blasco, Luzifer, Marset, MO, Nani Marquina, Perobell, Punt Mobles, RS Barcelona, Santa & Cole and Vibia. More than 1600 people, including professionals and design enthusiasts, attended the May 16 opening of the exhibition.
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
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6 news
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news Concepta presents Dress for Success We chairs with removable brightly colored polyamide covers by Amaya Arzuaga
Cinco by Nacho Amor
Furniture company Concepta has unveiled a line of its furniture that was “re-invented” by fashion designers and artists. The collection, which eclectic finished products was introduced at a Madrid exhibition in the spring, surprised and impressed audiences. Taking part in the project were fashion designers Ailanto, who chose to cover Concepta’s Edgar Soft sofa by Manel Ybargüengoitia in linen patchwork; fashion designer Amaya Arzuaga who covered the We chair by Francesc Pons with a removable polyamide and legs finished in gold or chrome; and graphic designer Jordi Labanda who also upholstered the We chair in velvet and Swarovski crystals.
Stone Designs and Rs Barcelona present their new brand at ICFF Stone Designs, the Madrid-based design duo, and Barcelonabased Rs Barcelona have joined forces to create a new contemporary furniture brand, RS. ICFF was the first fair where they assisted together under the same brand. The rationale behind the merger is to bring together the creativity and vitality of Stone Designs and the manufacturing skill and capacity of Rs Barcelona – which is known for its stylish football tables. Stone Designs has up until now been one of the few independent design studios that undertook the manufacturing of its products. This, as any designer know’s, is very time-consuming. So by teaming up with Rs Barcelona, the studio will be free to concentrate on design. RS’s head office will be in Viladecans, Barcelona, while the showroom will be in Madrid.
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news
Appetite for design Laia, the multi-disciplinary design studio based in the Basque Country, has worked closely with Spain’s top chefs to develop several stunning new modern tableware collections. Already used in top restaurants around the world, the collections were made to fit around the needs of chefs. Laia consulted closely with Michelin starr chefs Andoni Luis Adúriz and Ferràn Adrià – whose El Bulli restaurant near Roses in Catalonia is widely considered to be the best in the world. The resulting Oh! Luna collection, for example, features flat surfaces, which allow chefs to lay out food in the same way an artist would work on a painting. Ferràn Adrià says Oh! Luna also lets chefs the challenge themselves create dishes that fit to the plate or container they are to be served on. Oh! Luna is manufactured by Cerámica Industrial Montgatina in Barcelona and comprises 27 pieces in pure white china. Linneo and Tabula are two other collections in the Laia line, produced by CIM.
Distinctive white china coffee cups
The designers consulted top chefs on the shapes they wanted
Rectangular flat Jardin plate from Oh! Luna collection
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
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8 milan review
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Chaises longues from Andreu World’s new Andreu World Outdoor division Horizon storage unit by Pearson Lloyd for MO
Fun and games They came, they walked, they talked, they partied. And they liked what they saw. Spain’s newest designs were very well-received by visitors at this year’s Milan furniture fair, who loved the exuberance of many of the products
All in black – A Century of Chairs from BD, with designs by Antoni Gaudí, Dalí, Oscar Tusquets and Ramón Úbeda
Basic chair from Gandía Blasco by Odosdesign
Rocking animals by MO
Large sofa from LandscapeOne collection by Liévore, Altherr, Molina for Andreu World Outdoor
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milan review
Onion pendant shade by Bang Design for LZF
ICEX, the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade, took its Spain Playtime exhibition to Milan. This was a larger version of the exhibition first shown in Tokyo last November. Curated by Ana Mir and Emili Padrós of Emiliana Design, the exhibition took place in Hotel Nhow in Via Tortona, at the very heart of Fuori Salone. Sixty-six pieces of contemporary furniture, lighting and decorative accessories were on view from 16-21 April. Among the companies featured were Uno Design, Bonestil; Nani Marquina, DO+CE, RS, ABR and Delica.
RS2 red football table by Rs Barcelona
Potten china by Renske Papavoine for Nani Marquina
Bonn tables by Toni Pallejá for ABR Design
OM seat by Martin Azúa for Mobles 114. Monobloc polyethylene armchair for indoor and outdoor use
Add Up table by El Último Grito for Uno Design
Flaca chair by Serra & Delarocha for Concepta. It has been upholstered in wool and decorated by hand by fashion designer Juanjo Oliva. He also put a protective silk fabric cover over it
Lula aluminium chair by Lagranja for Uno Design Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
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10 milan review
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Trio of red Farolillo lantern style lamps by Bang Design for LZF Zip chairs by Lagranja for Uno Design
MILAN FURNITURE FAIR 2008
Mauleon dining collection from Nueva Línea
Hera armchair with square base and available in various colors by Enrique Martí for Sancal’s Proyec brand of upholstered furniture
It’s the biggest, brashest, noisiest and most ebullient furniture show in the world and if interiors are your thing,you’ve just got to be there. Well over a quarter of a million people descended on the city, ready to wine and dine and wheel and deal to their heart’s content. In short, the fair was a huge success. This year’s event had 1,380 exhibitors from the domestic and contract furniture, kitchen, office and bathroom sectors. Of those, 68 were Spanish companies, coordinated by trade associations ANIEME and SIDI, supported by ICEX, the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade. Spanish contemporary design is hugely respected and the new collections unveiled this year were greeted warmly by architects, interior designers and professionals in the hotel and leisure industries. Among the highlights were Andreu World’s new outdoor collection and Uno Design’s new lines, which were art directed by celebrated designer and artist Javier Mariscal. The BCN exhibition in Superstudio Piu in Zona Tortona was widely attended. BCN is not only short for Barcelona, but it is a collaboration between three Barcelona based companies: BD Barcelona Design, Camper and Nani Marquina. The three laid out seats, shoes and carpets to cover 270 sq m – no mean feat. The highlight of this installation was undoubtedly Jaime Hayón’s glossy red shoes,now produced by Camper.
1mas1 sofa/sidetable system by Odosdesign for Proyec, a new upholstery brand from Sancal
ofitec review 11
From Spain 16 New Pey storage unit in white (160cms high) by Massana Tremoleda for Mobles 114. System also launched in black
LA modular seating by Burkhard Vogtherr for Kron. Base structure is made from steel tubing
Work in style Spain’s reputation for designing super stylish office furniture was enhanced at this year’s Ofitec exhibition held in Madrid Elena stacking chairs by Robby and Francesca Cantarutti for BSC Seating
Absolut high stool by Jorge Pensi for Akaba. Made in one piece of polyethylene
Chair from System Chair by Josep Lluscà for Enea
Mimosa chair by Aitor García de Vicuña for Ofita Ash steel ashtray by 2-0 disseny for Vilagrasa
OFITEC 2008 New swivel version of Don office chair by Sellex
The ninth bi-annual Ofitec exhibition was held in Madrid in Feburary and focused on work space organization. Architect Pedro Feduchi and design management consultant Xenia Viladàs held seminars to consider how office layouts are changing to meet new technology and ‘hot desking’ resulting from people working some of the time at home. The fair had 11,000 visitors, a 3% increase over 2006. 1500 visitors were from overseas.
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
12 light + building review
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Lesslamp by Jordi Canudas for Metalarte’s Metalab range. Has a thin ceramic screen that can be broken by the user thus creating his/her own design
Umbrella light by WIS Design for Leds-C4
NIM pendant by Arturo Álvarez
Light fantastic This year’s Light+Building fair in Frankfurt was the venue for the unveiling of many striking new collections from Spain’s top lighting companies
América by Jaime Hayón for Metalarte. Structure is made from expanded polyeurethane
Corso wall light by Antoni Arola for Santa & Cole
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Elia black and white table light by Estiluz
Boomerang by Luis Eslava for Almerich
Red Mos 02 pendant by Joana Bover for Bover. Shade is made from translucent ribbon while an opal glass diffuser at the base blends and directs light
Moai fluorescent outdoor pathway light by Eduardo Albors for BLux. It can be anchored to the ground or remain portable. The diffuser is made from UVA resistant antivandal polythene with a white opalescent finish.
Deep aluminium adjustable light by David Abad for DAB
LIGHT + BUILDING 2008 The fifth Light+Building trade fair took place in Frankfurt from April 6-11. This bi-annual exhibition is an important event for Spanish lighting manufacturers, both traditional and contemporary, due to the high number of visitors. This year 165,000 people attended –22% more than in 2006. 119 Spanish exhibitors took part in the show. Highlights included Metalarte’s stand, where the company showed three new lines by Jaime Hayón, as well as Lesslamp, a ceramic lamp you can break and customize to your taste. Marset also showed some great new products, including Discocó by Christophe Mathieu, which is featured on this month’s cover. FIAM: The Spanish lighting exhibition takes place every two years, within the Habitat ValenciaForward furniture event, held in Valencia. The next FIAM takes place from September 23-27, 2008.
Luz Oculta by Joan Lao for Blauet. Made from wood, steel and cotton.
LED Pipe lamps by Joan Gaspar for Marset. This version consists of a lens that directs a clear beam of light produced by a 3-watt LED light source
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
14 hd review
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HD EXPO ’08 Ora-Ïto for Supergrif
Spain shined in its unparalleled participation at the 17th edition of HD Expo in Las Vegas
Patina collection by Apavisa
It was the first time that Interiors from Spain organized a National Pavilion at this show, bringing together twelve companies: Altro+Supergrif, Andreu World, Apavisa, Arturo Alvarez, Bonestil, Estiluz, Expormin, Gandía Blasco, Kettal, Stua, Porcelanosa and Vibia. All of the companies were uniformly decorated in orange and white, and the dazzling slide-show like effect could be seen as soon as people entered the show. The Spanish exhibitors introduced a wide range of hospitality solutions taking advantage of this most important venue to share with the world their belief that design matters.
Maia collection by Kettal Jazz pendant light by Vibia
RDL by Andreu World
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Gilda table lamp by Arturo Alvarez
Cubos lights by Gandia Blasco
Two versions of the Luck pendant light by Estiluz
Nube by Stua
Ark by Porcelanosa
Areanal stools by Bonestil
Palmira collection by Expormin Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
16 icff review
IZ Collection by Samoa
From Spain 16
Zona Collection by Lujan + Sicilia
Mirallmar mirror by BD Barcelona
ICFF ‘08 The biggest Design showcase from Spain, features 23 companies under the umbrella Interiors From Spain The Spanish Pavilion inundated ICFF with cutting-edge design from 23 of the country`s most compelling brands. The companies welcomed visitors to discover their latest design solutions reflecting the variety and quality of design from Spain and ranging from high-end to accessible products: Apavisa, Elira, Porcelanosa (ceramic tiles) Arturo Alvarez, Blux, Fambuena, Luján + Sicilia (lighting), Nani Marquina, Naturtex, Gandia Blasco
(textiles), Gandia Blascov Samoa (outdoor furniture), Lladró (decorative porcelain), Bd, Concepta, Dona, Hurtado, Joquer, Mo, Nomon, Paco Capdell, RS, Stua, and Swala Line (furniture) In addition to products from such companies as Gandia Blasco, Blux and Stua that are well established in the US, this year`s showcase offered exciting new companies participating at ICFF for the first time. Among them SAMOA, which won the ICFF Editor`s Award for outdoor furniture.
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Chandelier by Lladr贸
Par chair by Joquer
Singular Laca clock by Nomom
Zulu mama by Swala Line
Gueta table by Dona Living Les Racines by Fambuena Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
18 new products in the US
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New products in the US
Zeros by Bonestil, www.bonestil.es Contact for the US: Silver Associates 914-285-0200, patty@silverassociatesny.com; michael@silverassociatesny.com
Even Collection by Hurtado, www.hurtadomuebles.com Contact for the US: Hurtado USA, Inc., 336-885-6660, hurtado@hurtadofurniture.com
Copenhagen Screen Wall by MO, www.mozoo.es Contact for the US: Jane Hamley Wells, 773-227-4988. info@janehamleywells.com
Equis by Ofita, www.ofita.com Contact for the US: Movitem, 954-923-1008, info@movitem.com
Grace by Fambuena, www.fambuena.com Contact for the US: The Basic Source, 800-428-0044, sales@thebasicsource.com
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POD by LZF, www.lzf-lamps.com Contact for Miami: European lighthouse info@eurolighthouse.com
Manhattan by Kettal, www.kettal.com. Contact for the US: Grupo Kettal North America, 786-552-9002, info@grupokettal.com
Vase Recyclos II Collection by Lladr贸, www.lladro.com Contact for the US: 800-634-9088 (Toll free) 201-807-1177 customer-services@us.lladro.com
Iris by Estiluz, www.estiluz.com Contact for the US: Estiluz , Inc USA, 201-641-1997, estiluzinc@estiluz.com Gracia Stool by MOBLES 114, www.mobles114.com Contact for the US: Jane Hamley Wells, 773-227-4988 info@janehamleywells.com
City by Sonia, www.sonia-sa.com. Contact for the US: Sonia America Inc.: 888-SONIAUS sonia.usa@sonia-sa.com
Ala by B.Lux, www.grupoblux.com Contact for the US: Global Lighting, 914-591-4095, info@globallighting.net
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
20 projects
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projects Carpyen lighting for New Delhi hotel Carpyen has supplied its Max ceiling lights designed by Gabriel Teixidó to the Hotel Meridien in New Delhi. They hang in public areas of this fivestar hotel, which has 355 bedrooms and five restaurants. Carpyen has long experience of the hotel sector. It has worked on many projects, with clients including Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton and Intercontinental. Its lights are also used in the London Business School, David Lloyd tennis centres in the UK, casinos in Auckland, New Zealand and Estoril in Portugal and the university library in Madrid.
Restaurant’s Last Minute choice Valencia-based furniture company Viccarbe has supplied its Last Minute stool – designed by Patricia Urquiola – to the La Seu restaurant in Denia, Valencia. Last Minute is a distinctive design, with a low bucket seat on a slender metal frame. The restaurant specifed the product in white to complement its clean, natural and unadorned interior design. Viccarbe is this year launching the Layer chair by Arik Levy. It will be shown at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York.
X marks the spot for LZF Lighting company LZF (formerly Luzifer) has supplied its X Club lights to the Conexxion building in Amsterdam’s main bus station. The X Club, designed by Burkhard Dämmer, has a Perspex diffuser and a fluorescent tube. The light is available as floor, wall, table or suspended models. New from LZF for ‘08 are designs launched at the Milan Furniture Fair: Anfora and Dadá by Miguel Herranz; Farolillo and Onion by Bang Design; Poppy by Burkhard Dämmer and Totem by Burkhard Dämmer and Mariví Calvo.
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Gandia Blasco for Gansevoort South Gandia Blasco furnished all the outdoor areas in the new Stephen B. Jacobs Group designed seductive seaside hotel, Gansevoort South in Miami, a sister hotel to the Gansevoort in New York´s Meatpacking district. The Gansevoort South has over 300 guestrooms and includes fine amenities such as a David Barton Gym and the STK restaurant. Gandia Blasco’s furniture all over the hotel: at the Rooftop pool with unreal views of the ocean and the bay; the mezzanine semi-circular pool deck with private cabanas; and the exclusive oceanfront Beach Club.
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
22 luis eslava
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Face to Face Velcro lampshade for Almerich
Free thinker Luis Eslava is leaving the up-and-coming group of young designers and moving into the fast lane. He’s known for letting his imagination run wild, but don’t think he doesn’t care about function Wall decoration made from Velcro as part of Luis’s Face to Face exhibition celebrating Velcro held at the Design Museum in London last year. Right: Lawn chair
Eslava with My Mess. Hang up your clothes, shoes, towels and build a room divider/screen
Luis Eslava is one of those designers whose work you look at and initially think ‘hey, that’s a bit strange....’ Then you look more closely and see how the thing works, the penny drops and you think ‘what a good idea, what a clever guy!’ Luis now has a substantial body of work to his name, despite being only 32, and it is clear he is a formidable and unconventional talent. His work is never derivative and he can’t be accused of playing safe. His designs tend not to be sleek or elegantly refined in appearance, rather they retain an experimental quality, which is their charm. His ideas often stem from the way he lives, such as his My Mess hanging system. He is, he says, a messy person whose room is littered with piles of clothes and shoes and ‘these piles of objects become the landscape of my life’. So why not celebrate mess as an acceptable part of human behavior, he asks? Hence, he designed a clothes hanger that also works as a space divider, a light diffuser, a curtain. ‘The user will customize it with their clothes and it will grow with everyday use,’ he says.’ He likes to inject humor and sometimes irreverence into his work, witnessed in his Oh Maria Keep My Data Safe USB stick, for which he won a Delta de Plata award in 2007 from Spain’s Industrial Design Association. It’s hard to think of many people who would turn the Virgin Mary into a USB stick but Luis said the idea came to him when he was working on a four-day
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luis eslava
Tyvek World installation. Tyvek is a synthetic material from DuPont that superficially resembles paper but is, in fact, immensely strong
Trompeta light for Almerich. The idea is to have a light as a continuous form
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Orange Buc table with removable segment in which to store magazines and papers
Tapa stool. Use two to create a high seat
‘Oh Maria Keep My Data Safe’ USB stick is produced by ABR
project as part of his studies at London’s Royal College of Art in 2004. ‘The project was called “lucky charm” and my idea started as a graphic image of Mary plus a USB port. I developed it further by creating the Virgin of Data...’ The product is now in production and selling well. Born in Valencia in 1976, where he grew up and is now based, Luis qualified as an industrial engineer in 2003 and in 2004-5 moved to London to take a post-graduate course in product design at the RCA. Before setting up his own studio, he worked as a freelancer for El Último Grito, and for Camper, Nash & Flower, Gemma Bernal and Okusa Ltd in Tokyo. He says he is inspired by observing daily life, objects and actions and behavior. As to the product he wishes he had created, no, it’s not the paper clip or the TetraPak. ‘It’s the broom. Such a useful object,’ he says. Street Balcony – fun things to climb on in the park or lean on in the street as you watch the world go by Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
24 bathroom furniture
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Sixty collection by Marta Ripollés and Lucía Chover for Zoe Disseny
Basin from Growing collection by Lucía Chover and Santiago Martín for Zoe Disseny
Slender Ela storage unit by Francesc Rifé for Inbani Design
Clean good looks Spain has become a dominant player in the contemporary bathroom sector. And with designs like these, it’s easy to see why
Pieces from Punt Mobles’ Sussex collection, designed by Terence Woodgate
Alu collection by Miguel Herranz for Novum
Art small round basin from Roca
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Siluet basin by Sergio Rochas for Inbani Design
Shower fittings from Roca’s Element range
Bath from Roca’s Element range
Slimline loo from Sonia’s SX1 collection
Tambo curved basin and storage unit by Sergio Rochas for Inbani
Moorea range by Rico for Maderó. Features glass and lacquered surfaces. Units are available in several sizes
Sonia’s Versatil collection
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
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“Jazz” table lamp version, designed by Diego Fortunato
“Nobel” pendant light, designed by Oesterlund
Differentiate and illuminate Vibia lighting is elegantly modern, distinctive and beautifully made
“Duplo” pendant light version, designed by Jordi Vilardell
“Gigantic”, designed by Estudi Blanc
Vibia is enjoying a high profile, with accolades for its striking, fresh modern designs. The company works with top design names such as Liévore, Altherr, Molina, Diego Fortunato, Ramón Benedito, Carlos Riart and Jordi Vilardell and this collaboration with independent designers means the product range never becomes stagnant. Vibia was launched in Barcelona in 1988 and it merged with Grupo T Difussion in 1999, becoming its third brand – the other two are furniture systems brand Tramo and BSC Seating. The group’s objective is to offer interior products with a strong design element combined with extremely high manufacturing standards. Vibia has a presence in 60 countries and works with 2,500 dealers worldwide. It is strong in the US. Its main offices have recently moved to Edison, New Jersey and it has also had a subsidiary on the west coast of America since 2000. The company invests heavily in technology and has
“Forest” floor lamp version, designed by Ramos & Bassols
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company profile
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“Infinity” pendant light, designed by Robby Cantarutti
“Swing” wall fixture, designed by Lievore, Altherr, Molina
“Plis” table lamp version, designed by G. Bernal & Associats
a production capacity of 100,000 lamps per year. Since it launched, it has always been what it calls a ‘brandorientated project’ with a clear identity that helped it stand out in what is a highly fragmented sector. It says it sets itself apart from the competition ‘with a business policy that promotes research and development combined with a nonconformist philosophy that rejects conservative rules and sees each project as a new challenge requiring a new perspective’. It strives for balance between technology, functionality and form and insists on using fine materials which are often hand-crafted. This year Vibia presented three lines at the Light+Building fair in Frankfurt: Corner, by Óscar and Sergi Devesa; Tree, designed by Pete Sans and Big, by Liévore, Altherr, Molina.
“Balance” floor lamp, designed by Jordi Vilardell Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
28 company profile
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Living in sunshine Gandía Blasco is a company associated with glamorous outdoor living. But it has a long and rich history that lies in blankets and bedspreads
Text: Noah Dugall
356 white lounger chairs and tables. The company is keen to sell as lifestyle as well as products
Multi coloured Sliding sun loungers
Sky rug by Francesc Rifé
You could be forgiven for thinking that Gandía Blasco is a trendy young company from its beguiling visual identity. It presents its contemporary outdoor furniture in a context of beautiful young people living serenely in luxurious ocean-side villas. This strategy of offering a lifestyle has been very effective and the company last year achieved a turnover of 12 million euros. Nearly 90 per cent that turnover was generated by sales of outdoor furniture, which Gandía Blasco exports to ever more countries, as well as selling well at home. Its products are sold in Italy, the US, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, the UK, France and Mexico. Demand is such that it now has six showrooms in Spain and seven overseas – in Belgium, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, Mexico, and the US. Expansion plans for this year are ambitious. It intends to open a new showroom in Barcelona and ones in Bombay, Oslo, Puerto Rico and Milan. But the company is, despite its youthful image, one that is approaching 70. It was set up in Valencia in 1941 as a manufacturer of blankets and bedspreads by José Gandia Blasco, the father of José Gandia, its current president. But by the mid ‘80s demand for bedspreads was falling. So the company changed direction by moving into rug design and manufacture, and subsequently into furniture and outdoor furniture in particular. The emphasis has been on innovation and design and Gandía Blasco now has a 6,000 sq m factory capable of producing 25,000 products a year. The company designs in-house, led by José Gandía and product director Pablo Gironés. But it also works with outside designers, including Patricia Urquiola, Francesc Rifé, Odosdesign, Marie Mees and Marc Krusin. Gandía Blasco presented two collections at Milan this year - a lighting collection and El Saler, an outdoor range. New rugs are also on sale, designed by, among others, Odosdesign, Marc Krusin and by José Gandía – this boss is no slouch!
company profile
From Spain 16
Na_Xemena daybeds
Picnic deckchairs in bright colours
Installation using Tipi tents
New Remiendos rug by Odosdesign for GandĂa Blasco. The company was a producer of rugs and carpets before it moved into the distinctive outdoor furniture for which it’s known today
Ensombra parasol designed by Odosdesign Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
29
30 company profile
From Spain 16
Low armless sofa from Brucke collection designed by Giancarlo Vegni and Gianfranco Gualtierotti
Effortlessly elegant CasaDesús is dedicated to the design and manufacture of sofas and chairs, with skilled craftsmanship at the heart of the company
Gilbert chair with buttoned back The range is suitable for contract or domestic use
CasaDesús is a company that has remained true to what it set out to do when Jaime Casadesús launched it in 1973. That is to make fine quality sofas and chairs in timeless styles. Unlike so many companies, it has not diversified into increasingly unrelated new markets. Instead it has ploughed its furrow and proved that if you stand firm and maintain rigorously high standards, you can withstand the inevitable ups and downs in your market. Based in Barcelona, the company
manufactures for the residential and contract markets. Its products – which do include some tables and shelving units – are high-end and as such, clients are able to specify precise requirements in terms of dimensions and finishes. CasaDesús products are sold throughout Spain and it has distributors in many European countries, in the US, Asia and Australia. Its products are widely specified for hotels with clients including NH Hotels, Hesperia Hotels, Otusa hotels and the Puerta
company profile 31
From Spain 16
The Brucke sofa looks completely different upholstered in black and with arms
Gilbert chair
Turkana chaise longue
Yellow Kristy sofa
Chair from Turkana range
Castilla Hotel in Madrid. The company has three main lines: Modern, New Classic and Furniture. It has a small group of designers who work with Jaime. They include American-born Nancy Robbins, who has lived in Spain since 1972, Italians Giancarlo Vegni and Gianfranco Gualtierotti and Marcus Ferreira. They don’t work exclusively for CasaDesús but their input over many years has ensured a continuity of design and acts as a cohesive force. The company’s factory uses the latest technology but there is still some hand-finishing of products. Materials used to make the furniture include beech wood and steel and CasaDesús has an extensive fabrics catalogue.
Sofa from Vintage collection designed by Jaime Casadesús in 2006
Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
contacts NOTE: Please be advised that the majority of products featured in the magazine are available in US. If you are interested in purchasing them, please contact directly the manufacturers listed below or the Spanish Trade Commission in New York.
A
FIGUERAS
NUEVA LÍNEA
ABR DESIGN
www.figueras.com
www.nuevalinea.es
www.abrproduccion.com
G
O
ACTIU
GANDIA BLASCO
ODOSDESIGN
www.actiu.com
www.gandiablasco.com
www.odosdesign.com
AKABA
I
OFITA
www.akaba.net
INBANI
www.ofita.com
www.inbani.com
ALMERICH www.almerich.com
P
INDECASA
PACO CAPDELL
www.indecasa.com
www.pacocapdell.com
INLIGHT!
PAVIMENTS MATA
www.inlight.es
www.pavimentsmata.com
K
PUNT MOBLES
KRON
www.puntmobles.com
ANDREU WORLD www.andreuworld.com
ARTURO ALVAREZ www.arturo-alvarez.com
B
www.kron.es
BD www.bdbarcelona.com
BLAUET
R
L
ROCA
LAMPISTER
www.roca.com
www.lampister.com
www.blauet.com
LAIA
B.LUX
www.rs-life.com
www.laiaweb.com
www.grupoblux.com
LEDS C-4
BOVER
RS
www.leds-c4.com
S SAMOA www.samoadesign.com
www.bover.es
LUIS ESLAVA
BSC
www.luiseslava.com
SANCAL www.sancal.com
www.barcelonaseating.com
LZF
C
www.lzf-lamps.com
CARPYEN
M
www.carpyen.es
ESTUDIO MARISCAL
CASADESÚS
www.mariscal.com
www.cycsa.es
MARSET
CERÁMICA INDUSTRIAL MONTGATINA (CIM)
www.marset.com
www.cim-montgatina.com
METALARTE www.metalarte.com
SANTA & COLE www.santacole.com SELLEX www.sellex.es SONIA www.sonia-sa.com STUA www.stua.com
www.mozoo.es
U UNO DESIGN www.uno-design.com
DAB
MOBLES 114
V
www.dab.es
www.mobles114.com
E
MODISS
CONCEPTA www.concepta.es
MO
D
ENEA
www.modiss.com
www.eneacontract.com
N
ESTILUZ
NANI MARQUINA
www.estiluz.com
www.nanimarquina.com
F
NOON BARCELONA
FAMBUENA
www.noonbarcelona.com
www.fambuena.com
NOVUM www.novum.net
If you want to receive a free copy of this magazine or have trade enquires, contact the Trade Commission of Spain in New York, attention Habitat Department, at newyork@mcx.es. ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494
from spain 13 furniture, textiles, lighting
Recline in style A taste of Valencia
Valencia review Fabrics special
Inside
Company profiles
To find out more about design from Spain visit www.interiorsfromspain.com You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter!
VIBIA www.vibialight.com VICCARBE www.viccarbe.com VILAGRASA www.vilagrasa.com Z ZOE DISSENY www.zoedissenymobles.com