from spain 20 furniture, textiles, lighting
Milan review
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ICFF review
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New products in the US
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Inside
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2 content
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contents 03 News ID Magazine, ABR, Foodjects, Lladró, Bd Barcelona
06 Projects
EDITOR’S LETTER
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A warm welcome to our fall issue, which focuses on the Milan Furniture Fair, HD Expo and ICFF. Speculation that these events would be underwhelm compared to the triumphant expositions of recent years did not, thankfully, hold true. On the contrary, some 2,700 exhibitors from around the world participated and attendance was down only around 10 per cent from 350,000 last year. Spanish companies admit the economic climate is very tough, but it hasn’t kept them from developing new products. Among the designs that were well received at the fairs were Gandia Blasco’s rug collections, LZF’s Air lamp and the Bellaflor pendant light from B.Lux, which has a ‘shade’ made of silicone petals that can be adjusted to create different shapes. A major talking point that includes a sofa by Moroso blended into a rug by Nani Marquina was an installation by Ron Arad. This issue features an exciting range of Spanish companies: EDDA, a successul industrial design practice; Lagranja, a multi-disciplinary company that designs furniture and installations for a wide range of clients; Sancal, well known to all who love contemporary furniture and Vondom is a young business that has revolutionized the design of plant pots and is working its magic on outdoor lighting and furniture. Arturo Álvarez is one of the most creative and artistic modern lighting companies, while Punt Mobles, which turns 30 next year, has already scored a number of design classics.
Santa & Cole, Alarwool, Toyota, Feria Habitat
08 Oudoor review Outdoor living
09 Awards Spanish companies enjoying international awards
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10 New products in the US 12 The future’s bright Review of the one and only Milan Furniture Fair, still the biggest and best
14 Live in rooms full of light Euroluce saw Spanish companies unveil many innovative new lights
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16 HD Expo 09 The best in hospitality solutions
With best wishes
18 ICFF 09 Bold and playful
20 Bathrooms Spain’s bathroom companies are injecting color into their designs
22
Belén Cristino Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami
22 Lagranja Profile of Lagranja, the highly successful Barcelona design practice
24 EDDA Industrial design company EDDA works on tremendously diverse projects
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26 Punt Mobles Profile of renowned furniture company Punt Mobles
furniture, textiles, lighting
Cover: Bonn tables by Toni Pallejá (Porcuatro) for ABR
28 Vondom
Design US Version: Production Director: Fernando Blanco Design: R. Jaramillo Trialtea USA Tel: 305-285-0552 www.trialtea.com
30 Arturo Álvarez Arturo álvarez lights are a visual delight as well as technologically advanced
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The views expressed in From Spain are not necessarily those of the Spanish Embassy nor of the editorial team. The Trade Commission of Spain 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.
Milan review
ICFF review
New products in the US
Inside
Vondom is changing perceptions of plant pots and outdoor lighting and furniture
news 3
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news I.D. magazine’s special issue on Spanish design
Interior design magazine I.D. focused its May issue on Spanish design. Nearly 100 pages were devoted to design in Spain today, starting with the cover by Javier Mariscal and continuing with an editorial describing Spanish design as “spontaneous”, “fresh”, “lively”, “passionate”, and “audacious”. There is an interview in the magazine with distinguished designer Jaime Hayón and a section that features the 10 Spanish designers that everyone should know, including Alex Trochut whose illustrations appear throughout the issue. The design studio of Cul de Sac, one of the strongest in the industry, is profiled in this issue; and in a piece on Uno Design’s six studios, we see why it is considered the most creative Spanish brand of the moment. The special on Spain ends with a fantastic story about the work of “Maestro” Santiago Calatrava.
Cul is cool by Otto Canalda for ABR
María USB by Luis Eslava for ABR
Bonn tables by ABR on cover of ICFF Catalogue Bonn auxiliary tables from the Barcelona-based company ABR are on the front cover of the ICFF show catalogue, a publication of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the largest design expo in the United States. ABR’s Bonn tables are made out of a folded piece of flat metal with different finishes in bold, lively colors. They complement the Koln armchair, also designed by Toni Pallejà, creative director of the Catalonian studio Porcuatro. The Bonn table is another expression of the young, eclectic and courageous design style that has brought ABR international acclaim. It is also reflected in two of the company’s most impactful pieces: the Cul is Cool stools by Ramón Ubeda and Otto Canalda; and the USB flash memory stick, Virgin Mary, by Luis Eslava. Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
4 news
news
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Foodjects combines design with Haute Cuisine in Washington The Embassy of Spain, through the USA Spain Foundation, organized an exposition on Spanish food and design called “Foodjects: Design and the New Cuisine in Spain”, which took place from May 8 to June 17 at the store Apartment Zero in Washington, DC. The exposition was the brainchild of noted Spanish designer Martín Azúa and relied on the cooperation of Ferran Adrià to demonstrate the relationship between industrial design and haute cuisine. One hundred design objects for the kitchen and everyday living that unite functionality and design and were created and produced in recent years by leading Spanish designers, were included in the exposition. Among the objects on display were cutlery by Javier Mariscal; glasses by Oscar Tusquets; a coffee set by Patricia Urquiola; decorative pieces designed by Jaime Hayón for Lladró; a ham holder by Alejandro Mingarro and a spherification kit from Cosmic.
New York Museum of Arts and Design celebrates renaissance of ceramics with Lladró Several pieces from the Spanish company Lladró are now on display at the New York Museum of Arts and Design as part of the exposition “The Art of Industrial Ceramics”. The exhibit features over 200 pieces by 50 artists, designers and industrial manufacturers that represent contemporary innovation in industrial ceramics and the renaissance of ceramics in the world of art and design today. The museum chose distinguished ceramic artist and designer Marek Cekula to curate the exposition that features both functional and conceptual works as well as the technological advances that gave rise to new uses for ceramics. Lladró exhibits cups from its Equus collection, designed by Bodo Sperlein, and the Ovalo mirror from the Re-Deco collection.
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Bd Black Label Collection pays homage to Dalí The Spanish firm Bd Barcelona Design has launched Black Label in the United States, a revamped, limited special edition of the Leda furniture collection by the brilliant artist Salvador Dalí. Dalí drew this collection in 1935 and Bd Barcelona produced it in the 1990´s, paying scrupulous attention to the artist’s instructions. In 2009, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Dali’s death, the design firm is paying homage by reinterpreting the collection in black. Bd Barcelona Design (founded in 1972 as Bd Design Publishing) is one of the most internationally renowned Spanish design firms around, and its catalogue features the work of some of today’s most creative designers including Jaime Hayón and Javier Mariscal. The firm is also the worldwide exclusive producer of modern furniture by Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí.
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
6 projects
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projects Santa & Cole lightens up Boston bank Santa & Cole is one of the leading design companies of Spain. Their impressive collection includes some of the finest lighting and architectural products we have ever seen including such classic works like the Tripode G5 Floor Lamp by Equipo Santa & Cole and the Royal Floor Lamp by Arne Jacobsen. Its unusual (in view of its breadth) portfolio of products and services make see itself as a knowledge industry. Santa & Cole publishes under its brand indoor lighting and furniture products, urban lighting and furniture elements, books and plant elements for urban reforestations. One of its latest projects in the US is the second floor lobby of the ING Bank headquarters in Boston. Santa & Cole installed an Estadio lamp, which is visible from the street as the dominant interior element as one approaches the entrance. With a diameter of over 8 feet, the Estadio 250 by Miguel Milá (2002) is an impressive lamp for any public interior space. The Estadio is a powerful ring of light inspired by medieval iron chandeliers and by its more recent antecedent, the Adolfo Loos lamp in the Café Museum in Vienna. Suspended by three steel cables, it imposes a blazing presence in large open spaces. Blocks of pressed glass sections fitted inside the iron and carbon allow rings create the striated luminous beams of light and shade. The overall effect is dramatic.
Alarwool’s carpets grace the best hotels in the US The leading carpet manufacturer in Spain Alarwool SL is celebrating a successful year with a significant expansion of their business. Alarwool has successfully broken into the American market – it now has offices in Los Angeles and San
Francisco. With these as a base, they have succeeded in developing high-profile projects in collaboration with America’s most prestigious hotel chains. Alarwool’s commitment to producing high quality products and their competitive pricing have made them particularly appealing to major names in the hospitality industry, including Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, Hilton, Millennium and the Kimpton Group, to name a few. Alarwool SL worked with the designers from the Kimpton group in developing public spaces, lobby and corridor carpets for the Hotel Triton and Hotel Monaco projects in San Francisco, CA. Hotel Triton was a collaboration of 9 San Francisco artists that inspired the hotel design in creating a uniquely hip style. The Hotel Monaco San Francisco is a glamorous, romantic boutique hotel with Frenchinspired architecture.
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projects
Toyota turns to Spanish designer for IQ car interior Versatile Valencia designer jmferrero has turned his attention to cars, creating the interior of Toyota’s latest model, the IQ. The compact city car, which has very low emissions, was launched at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year under the slogan ‘Concept car, European Fashion Concept’. Its curvaceous interior is sporty and comfortable with integrated safety features. It is the first of a series of six interiors the designer has created for Toyota. jmferrero, 31, who founded and runs the design practice Estudihac, first collaborated with Toyota in 2006 after their paths crossed at Tokyo Designers’ Week. As well as industrial design, Estudihac undertakes product and interior design projects for a wide range of clients, including furniture and lighting companies Sancal, Punt Mobles, do+ce, Uno Design and Vondom. He has also worked for Porcelanosa.
Brand new look for Habitat Valencia CuldeSac has designed the new visual identity for Spain’s leading design fair, Habitat Valencia (see above). The inspiration for the logo is scientific – the orbit around the nucleus of an energy charged atom. The next Habitat Valencia takes place from September 21 to 26 and the organisers wanted an identity that would give the fair a dynamic force and generate ideas. CuldeSac, which is based in Valencia, works on graphic, product and interior design projects in Spain and around the world. It has recently designed Bowler, a line of furniture for Belgian manufacturer Indera; and the Atlantic sofa for Bernhardt Design, one of the oldest familyowned furniture companies in the US. Bowler and Atlantic were both launched at the Milan Furniture Fair. CuldeSac has three divisions: Creative Space, which handles product and interior design; Experience, which deals with PR and event production; and Communication, which looks after strategic branding and communication. CuldeSac products were showcased at New York’s ICFF show. The
comapany showed off its ceramic designs at the Fragile porcelain, glass and ceramics exhibition that took place in Kuwait in July. Other designers showcasing there included Jaime Hayón.
Trade inquires 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 outdoor review
Nenufar by Yonoh and Ona by Lievore Altherr Molina for Samoa
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Nao-nao by Yolanda Herraiz for Gandia Blasco
Outdoor Living Spain’s reputation for manufacturing high quality outdoor furniture continues to grow. Samoa is launching the Ona sunbed by Lievore Altherr Molina. It is designed to fit the contours of the body and is available in a variety of bright colors. Among the latest Kettal products is the new Atmosphere collection by Marcel Wanders. This elegant modular range has pieces that can be mixed, matched and configured in different ways. They can be found at Kettal`s flagship showroom in the US, at 147 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, Miami. Gandia Blasco’s new ’09 outdoor collection includes a double swing, sofas, a stackable chair and an extended range of pergolas designed by José A. Gandia. All these products can be found at their New York showroom at 217 East 59th Street. Expormim design pieces are inspired by everyday life. With simple lines, Expormim creations look good in any contemporary setting. They represent great value and are ideal for specifying in a wide range of hospitality projects and budget wether indoor or out. Expormim products are distributed in the US by Jane Hamley Wells. Bonestil’s Rita Chair is part of a collection designed by Ximo Roca, which includes chair, armchair, bar stools and relax armchair. Characterized by its stability and lightness, they are stackabale and totally suitable for indoor and outdoor. In the US, Bonestil products are distributed by Silver Associates.
Chicago lounge chairs by Expormim
Rita chairs by Ximo Roca for Bonestil
Atmosphere collection by Marcel Wanders for Kettal
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Crystal Candy set by Jaime Hayón for Baccarat
Awards Biplax’s Diva seating collection by Jon Santacoloma won second prize in the sustainable living category at the International Design Awards in Los Angeles. The Chicago Atehneaum Museum granted the Good Design award to: LZF for its link lamp by Ray Power; Arturo Álvarez for its Gea light; DAB for its Noray exterior lamp by Josep Lluis Xuclá and to Stua for its Nube chair by Jesús Gasca. Stua, won the Spanish National Design Prize as well, the country’s most prestigious design award. International Design Plus 2009 awards were given to bathroom companies Cosmic and Roca, the former for Flow by Martín Azúa and the latter for W+W by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti, which combines a toilet and washbasin in a single piece. Outdoor furniture company Gandia Blasco won the 2009 Red Dot Product Design award for its Sahara Flowerpots designed by Pablo Gironés. It also received an ICFF award for “Mangas”, a piece from their rug collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola. ICFF also acknowledged well- known designer Jaime Hayón yet again, for the “Crystal Candy Set” that he created for the French company Baccarat. Several Spanish booths had Hayon’s products on display. The official show magazine Hospitality Design and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) presented the awards at HD Expo in Las Vegas. Vibia won for its “Ameba” lamp, designed by Pete Sans; and Santa & Cole was awarded for its “Belloch” chair by design studio Lagranja. The big winner, without a doubt, was Expormim with two prizes: one for its oriental style double-seated lounge chair “Tunis” (in the lounge category); and another, in the outdoor furniture category, for the amusing “Air Chairs”, designed by Ebualà.
Sahara flowrpots by Pablo Girones for Gandia Blasco
Nube chair by Jesús Gasca for Stua Diva chair by Jon Santacoloma for Biplax
W+W by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti for Roca
Flow basin by Martín Azúa for Cosmic
Air chair by Ebualá for Expormim
Mangas by Patricia Urquinola for Gandia Blasco
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
10 new products in the US
new products in the US
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Block Collection by Cosmic, www,icosmic.com Contact: AFNY, info@afnewyork.com
Now
available
in the US
Rob collection by Francesc Rifé for MO, www.martinezotero.com Contact: Jane Hamley Wells jhumzy@janehamleywells.com
Köln by Toni Pallejá (Porcuatro) for ABR, www.abrproduccion.com Contact: Dominic Lepere, dominic@lepereinc.com
nOw in US
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Guitarra by Estudio Mariscal for UNO, www.uno-design.com Contact: Silver Associates, patty@silverassociates.com, michael@silverassociates.com
Low by Werner Aisslinger for Joquer, www.joquer.com Contact: Jane Hamley Wells, jhumzy@janehamleywells.com
By Yourshelf by Stone Designs for RS, www.rs-life.com Contact: rafa@rs-life.com
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
12 trade shows review
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Stone and wood B tables from Extrusions collection by Konstantin Grcic for Bd
Milan 09: The future’s bright Those who predicted that this year’s Milan Furniture Fair would be full of long faces and empty order books came away more than pleasantly surprised. The design industry is, in fact, very much alive – particularly in Spain
Yellow Club chair with privacy screen by El último Grito for Uno Design
Pey meeting table by Massana Tremoleda and Eduard Juanola for Mobles 114
Lottus chair and table by Líevore Altherr Molina for Enea
MILAN FURNITURE FAIR 2009 Milan proved a most welcome respite from all the economic doom and gloom of recent months. It was, as usual, a place to eat, drink and be merry, while marvelling at the tremendous design talent that’s out there. More than 2,700 exhibitors took part and visitor numbers weren’t far off the 350,000 mark of 2008. Spanish designers made up a strong contingent, showing a diverse range of first class products. Bd, Nueva Línea, Joquer, Uno Design, Andreu World, Punt Mobles, Indecasa and Mobles 114 were among those exhibiting. Among the many highlights was Ron Arad’s installation featuring a sofa that blended into a rug by Nani Marquina.
Dunas outdoor range, by Jordi Ribaudi for Indecasa
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Do-Lo-Rez collection designed by Ron Arad, with sofa by Moroso and hand-tufted rug by Nani Marquina Asa lamp by Miguel Milá for Santa & Cole
FUORI SALONI AND ZONA TORTONA Many smaller exhibitions take place throughout the city as part of the furniture fair, called the Fuori Salone. Spanish company Santa & Cole held a special event in its showroom in Via Cosimo del Fante to launch its new Belloch chair and table, designed by Lagranja, and a new edition of the 1961 classic Asa lamp by Miguel Milá. Milá, one of Spain’s greatest contemporary designers, designed the lamp with a black frame, but an additional white framed model has been produced by Santa & Cole. Miguel and Gonzalo Milá also designed Santa & Cole’s Amigo light fitting for indoor/outdoor use. Scores of events took place in the Zona Tortona district and Spanish lighting company LZF and furniture company Viccarbe exhibited their new collections in the Design Lounge, a temporary structure with a bar, restaurant, media centre and bookshop open to the public. Viccarbe showed a new version of Arik Levi’s Layer chair while LZF exhibited its Agatha lamp and Apolo screen by Luis Eslava Studio.
Outin tables and benches with laminate top by Vicent Martínez for Punt Mobles
Indalo storage unit by Indecasa
Roca chair by Estudio Mariscal for Uno Design Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
14 trade shows review
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Grey Twist lacquered aluminium suspension light by Nahtrang Disseny for Carpyen. Made for large spaces such as airports and hotel lobbies
Lea shelf lamp by Alex FernĂĄndez for Bover
Live in rooms full of light
Red REM aluminium pendant light by Yonoh for Almerich
Spanish companies showed ingenuity as well as bold use of color in their new launches at Euroluce, which ran alongside the Milan Furniture Fair
ONNE lamp by Joana Bover for Bover
LĂnea light by Josep Juan Teruel for Blauet
trade shows review 15
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Skyline floor lamp by Martín Azúa for Uno Design
Two-tone Sandy lamp by Eduardo Albors for Vanlux
Clasica table lamp by Modiss has a double transparent and fabric shade
Ocho ceiling light by Josep Patsi for Leds C-4
Bend It Yourself lamp by Luis Eslava Studio for Almerich
Flama by Herme Ciscar and Mónica García for Lampister. It features Crystallized Swarovski Elements
Globo Outdoor lights by Evaluz design team and Ramón Soler
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
Break outdoor light by Xuclá & Alemany for Vibia. It works as a piece of sculpture and emits a very subtle light
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Tunis collection by Expormim
Luccas light by Modiss
HD EXPO 09:
The best in hospitality solutions If you were one of the more than 11,000 attendees at HD Expo in May, you couldn’t ignore the bold statement that Spain made at the premier U.S. hospitality show: Our products can compete with the very best in hospitality design and we want to increase our presence in the U.S. market.
Ascot collection by Bodo Sperlein for Lladró
Ameba by Pete Sans for Vibia
Gran Casino Costa Meloneras rug by Alarwool
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Belloch chairs by Lagranja for Santa & Cole
Avila Through Body Porcelain by Roca
Although this was only the second time that Spain exhibited as a group at HD, her high-profile participation was expected. Spain brought together a selection of 22 companies that offer the best in hospitality solutions: design lighting, outdoor furniture, luxurious upholstery, rugs and carpets, bath and tile products, and seating. Among the highlights were products for Metalarte, Lladró and Bd Barcelona from renowned designer Jaime Hayón; Santa & Cole design classics by Miguel Milá and Antoni Arola; Marcel Wanders and Patricia Urquiola collections for Kettal; Stua’s iconic Globus and Onda chairs; and the latest Nube chair. In addition, three Spanish exhibitors: Expormim, Vibia and Santa & Cole received awards from Hospitality design magazine and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Josephine by Jaime Hayón for Metalarte
Table lamp by Mariner
System Pool by Porcelanosa Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
18 icff
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Rocking Animals by Pearson Lloyd for Mo
Wall Champions by Rafael Rodríguez for Rs Barcelona Damson by Ciscar & Mónica García for Lampister
ICFF 09: Bold and playful For the sixth consecutive year, Spain introduced its new products to American and international attendees at ICFF; and once again, to everyone’s delight! More than 23,000 visitors witnessed top quality in the bold, fresh and original designs.
Turkana by Jaime Casadesús for Casadesús
Dk Imperial Limestone by Climastar
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Agatha by Luis Eslava for Lzf Lamps
Formosa by Michael Lin for Nanimarquina
Tout Va Bien by Antoine&Manuel for Bd Barcelona Design
The Spanish Pavilion exhibited solutions from 24 manufacturers of chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting, decorative objects and ceramic coverings. The variety of offerings from Bd Barcelona, designs by Pearson Lloyd for Mo, and simplicity of style from Casadesús were quite impressive; and the Climastar heaters, on view at the New York event for the first time, were a welcome surprise. ABR engaged everyone with characteristic boldness that earned its Bonn tables by Porcuatro the show catalogue cover. RS Barcelona also drew the attention of the more adventurous visitor with its youthful creations by Stone Designs. Spain further displayed its strength in the area of illumination design with 6 companies including Fambuena, whose elegant Swing lamps were a standout. The high point of Spain’s participation at ICFF 2009 came when Patricia Urquiola’s Mangas rug for Gandia Blasco received the ICFF Editors Awards. Swing by Nicola Nerboni for Fambuena
Discoco by Christophe Mathieu for Marset
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
20 bath review
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Rain shower head from Roca’s Vintage collection
Awash with color Spain’s bathroom companies are injecting color into their designs, from orange to vivid purple Waterstone sink and storage unit by Orlano Favaretto for Pom D’Or (Cosmic)
A place for everything... Essencial storage unit by Tomeu Parera for Mapini
Compact sink and storage unit from Cosmic’s Inside collection
Purple rain...Ramón Soler’s indulgent Hidrocrom shower system. It combines water, sound, light and colour for a full hydrochromo-therapy experience
Orbita basin from Roca
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Faro basin by Lavernia and Cienfuegos for Sanico
Red lacquered storage unit with integral basin from Egeo range by Novum, designed by Miguel Herranz
Brightly coloured loo brush holders from Cosmic’s Next range
Wall mounted loo from Kroma collection by Roca
Taps from Supergrif’s Miró collection
Sink and storage unit from Punt Mobles’ Bam collection by Lola Castelló
Supercity wall mounted collection by Sanico
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
22 designer profile
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Infiore pendant light for Estiluz. The petals are made from bi-injected polycarbonate
Ibiza chairs for contract furniture company Concepta
Lagranja: Distinctly instinctive At Lagranja, instinct carries as much weight as reason and energy; and optimism is its guiding force
The team need plenty of Vitamin D..and group sun worship is so bonding
Bamba wall light for Metalarte
One of the most striking aspects of Barcelona design practice Lagranja is its ability to create products and installations for the most diverse array of clients. From lighting to street furniture to sofas to shop interiors and entrances to sports facilities, Lagranja is incredibly versatile. It throws itself wholeheartedly into the shoes of its clients and takes time to understand their brand, their essence, before turning its attention to the specific project commissioned. So a light for Metalarte has to be infused with the spirit of Metalarte – and not the spirit of Lagranja. Which is not to say that Lagranja doesn’t have spirit, because it’s a hugely spirited multidisciplinary practice and one of the most successful in Europe. It says its trademarks are energy, optimism, vitality and a concern for people and Zoo wall light for Marset it endeavors to imbue all of these attributes into its work. Lagranja designers don’t adhere to a rule book, preferring to let theory follow practice and to give as much weight to instinct as to reason. ‘We learn by doing and by listening,’ says María Ruiz, industrial design project co-ordinator.
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designer profile
Lagranja isn’t afraid to have fun. The Laika standard lamp takes a pet..dog, cat, who knows.. as its starting point
Award-winning Key bicycle rack for Santa & Cole
Modular Cola sofa for Uno Design
Zip Tap chair for Uno Design, launched at Milan
Hojas (Leaf) rug for GAN
The company was launched in 2002 by Gerard Sanmartí and Italian Gabriele Schiavon. They wanted to work on new ideas in design, architecture and temporary installations and they have more than achieved their goals. While Lagranja’s head office is in Barcelona, Gerard and Gabriele divide their time between Spain and Italy, working on industrial design, commercial interior design and exhibition projects. Several of their products have achieved international recognition, such as the UTO lamp for Foscarini and the Key bicycle rack for Santa & Cole, which won a Red Dot award last year and a City of Barcelona award this year. The company has developed products for many international manufacturers, including Santa & Cole, Concepta, Greggio Argenti, Gebrüder Thonet and Pallucco. It just launched several new designs at the Milan Furniture Fair, including the Belloch stackable chair for Santa & Cole. The latter needed an inexpensive everyday chair that could be lugged around easily. Lagranja put its mind to the task and what resulted is a chair that has a touch of Charles and Ray Eames about it, is cheap to make and is ecofriendly, being made from recycled plastic and wood. Job done.
Oslo adjustable light for Metalarte. Comes in wall or desk models
Trade inquires 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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24 company profile
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EDDA: Design anthropology EDDA is a leading industrial design company. From game consoles to economy cars, it has its finger on the pulse of our fast moving society It comes as a surprise to find that an industrial design company employs social anthropologists. But Barcelona-based EDDA is no run of the mill firm. It doesn’t work on superficial observation or conjecture. Its designers need to understand what people think and feel before they can get to work on a product. EDDA’s founder and studio manager Jordi Milà, 39, explains what this means, using the example of its Go-Up shopping trolley for Playmarket – winner of a Red Dot design award in 2007. ‘When Jordi Milà Playmarket asked us to design a trolley, the first thing we did was to send our anthropologists to the streets and into stores and supermarkets to observe people shopping. They saw over a period of months what people do ...and slowly came to identify the latent needs of a particular market.’ A successful product, he says, is one that addresses those unexpressed needs. In the case of Go-Up, what resulted is a trolley that looks modern, can be folded, is easy to manoeuvre, and works for young and old alike – the latter like it because it aids their mobility and allows them handle heavier goods. Young people like it because they don’t feel embarrassed by the look of it. The range of products designed by EDDA is extensive.Reclining train seats, micro-cars, amusement machines, bluetooth transmitters for motorcycles, medical equipment and lollipop dispensers are just some of the projects it has worked on since Jordi founded the firm in 1995. Key to its success is its willingness to embrace new technologies and to bring in people with the right expertise.Forty staff members covering product design and engineering, graphic design, 3D animation, web and new media, market research and branding and anthropologic research. The team uses the latest software tools as well as Rapid Prototyping (SLS) and CNC machining. Jordi says the studio started to add new services bring the design process
Wisdom Tree by Jordi Milà for Jordi Milà Furniture
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Skin tight massage chair by Jordi Milà
Four seasons lamp by Jordi Milà Hot Rider Fiber stool by Jordi Milà
Jacaré microcar for Brazilian client Giba
and manufacturing closer, because in the past there had been too much distance between design and the end product. The company is not cowering in the face of the recession and is, in fact, launching new sub-brands. These include Jordi Milà Furniture, the first collection of which has just launched at this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. EDDA is also moving into entertainment, with its own production house producing animated content for pre-teens, called www. sweesters.com. This is available online and on television in Spain and Italy and the initial response from young people is that they like it.
Go up shopping trolley for Playmarket, winner of a Red Dot design award
Trade inquires 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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Mariola sid eboard by Vicent Martínez
Punt Mobles: So solid crew Aalt stools by Lola Castelló
Punt Mobles has 30 years’ experience in creating enduringly stylish furniture that frequently has more than a touch of ingenuity Punt Mobles has achieved that rare feat of creating furniture that combines a lightness of being with design gravitas. Many pieces are fun – sloping bookshelves for example – but the premise behind them always stands up to scrutiny. Designs are never frivolous or gimmicky. The Valencia-based company was launched in 1980 by designers Vicent Martínez and Lola Castelló and technician Francisco Fernández. They chose to call it Punt Mobles because punt in Catalan means point and a point is the start of a line and of a journey. The team’s philosophy is ‘to cut to the very essence of things’, be exacting in their thinking and to design for the times we live in. They are sticklers for perfection ‘because the final product is the greatest public statement a company can make.’ This commitment to quality means Punt Mobles does not succumb to pressure to be constantly churning out new products merely for the sake of newness. The company – a winner of the prestigious Spanish National Design Award – likes to give people furniture that will enhance their lives not only by looking great but by being amazingly useful or ingenious. They devised double shelving/bookcase systems on wheels for people living in small spaces. One bookcase sits behind another, but looking at the piece face on you would never know. Fed up with seeing two people go red in the face trying to pull apart an extendable table to slot in an extra leaf, they developed tables that can be extended using just one finger. They know
Boing bathroom collection by Vicente Blasco
Enduringly successful Lite extendable table from Literatura range by Vicent Martínez
company profile 27
from spain 20
Rítmica coat hanger unit made from curved plywood by Vicent Martínez
Sussex bed range by Terence Woodgate
Perec sloping bookshelves by Carles Muro + Charmaine Lay
Geométric modular storage system by Vicent Martínez
people like to rearrange the furniture periodically, so they make theirs light weight, and their chairs have covers that are genuinely easy to remove and wash. Punt, as it calls itself, likes to work with the most talented designers. It has collaborated over the years with Terence Woodgate, Vicente Blasco, Jorge Pensi, Pedro Miralles, Isabel Martínez and Alejandro Minaña to name but a few. The company opens its doors to young designers – provided their ideas can stand up to rigorous scrutiny, and also provides a contract service. It works with architects and specifiers to develop products that are tailor-made for a space, whether it’s a hotel, office or restaurant.
River storage unit by Terence Woodgate
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
28 company profile
Vondom: Inside outside
from spain 20
The Jut furniture range was launched last autumn. It is made from polyethylene resin using rotation moulding techniques. Vondom is presently the only Spanish company manufacturing from technical resin
Vondom has taken the humble plant pot and turned it into a showstopper. Now the company is turning its left-field mind to lights and furniture. Inside, outside... they should fuse seamlessly into one, it says It just goes to show. Take a humble object that no-one’s given any thought to for centuries, apply some contemporary design intelligence and hey presto, everyone sits up with a start. That is what Valencia-based Vondom has done with the flowerpot, turning it into a fully paid-up member of the 21st Century, a product to add chic to any outdoor space. And people liked the pots so much that they wanted some small ones for their interiors and so indoor and outdoor became one. Yes, Vondom has breathed new life into the pot... and it’s doing the same for exterior lighting and furniture. Launched in Valencia in 2006 by José Albinaña Tomo, the company has not reinvented the wheel but does like to do radical re-thinks. Why make pots from heavy clay or ceramics, when rotation molded polyethylene resin is so much lighter? And why not put LED lights into the base of the pots so you can illuminate them? Why not build in a self-watering system so your plants need not die of thirst should you go away for the weekend? For the large pots, doesn’t it make sense to put them on castors so they can be moved around easily? Such are the manifold benefits of Vondom’s Aigua
Jut chairs come in a host of vibrant colors
company profile 29
from spain 20
Mora outdoor light by Javier Mariscal is based on traditional punched metal lamps
A rainbow of colour whenever you want...The Second Light looks like a giant incandescent bulb. It is made from polyethylene and stainless steel and has color changing LEDs inside
Chemistubes vases by Teresa Sape
Organic-shaped Blanca light for outdoor or indoor use by Javier Mariscal, launched at Euroluce
New for ‘09, the Vases collection by jmferrero is based on the cut of diamonds. Pots are covered with metallicized lacquers, giving them a wonderful sheen
and Llum collections. Its newest pot range is Vases, designed by jmferrero Estudi Hac, and launched at Euroluce. Based on the cut of diamonds, the pots have metallicized lacquer coatings to give them a lustrous sheen and they can be fitted with integrated LED bulbs for night time illumination. The company is equally committed to producing fun and exciting lighting and furniture that can be moved easily between inside and out. The Second Light is shaped like a light bulb and has color changing LEDs inside so different moods can be created. Rigorous safety standards are applied – all Vondom lighting is made to withstand even the most torrential of downpours. Its outdoor furniture – which likewise can withstand whatever the weather throws at it – tends to be strikingly rectilinear in shape and products can be specified in a range of colors. All pieces are ergonomic and have drainage channels so puddles don’t form on them should it rain. It is this thoughtfulness and attention to detail that makes Vondom such a hit.
Llum illuminated plant pots have lights integrated into the base
Trade inquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: newyork@mcx.es
30 company profile
from spain 20
Arturo Álvarez: The art of lighting Arturo Álvarez is a world leader in contemporary lighting. Its designs are as much works of art as they are functional and it’s this approach that has won the company such acclaim
Dos Cubos chandeliers
When talking about Arturo Álvarez, the phrase ‘decorative lighting’ doesn’t seem entirely appropriate. Substitute art for decorative and you’re on stronger ground, because it conveys more about what lies at the heart of this highly creative and distinctive company. Its designs are meant to be enjoyed as objets to look upon in wonder during daylight hours as much as they are to provide atmospheric light to darkness. Or to put it another way, they don’t need electricity to animate them. The Galicia-based company takes the name of its chief designer, who founded the business 15 years ago. Arturo’s approach from the outset has been to design products that have strong personality as well as to experiment with new materials and technologies. And he has stayed the course, never veering into mass production or trying to pander to the mainstream. An artist as well as a designer, Arturo has designed the majority of pieces in the company’s collections but he is also working with other notable designers, including Héctor Serrano, El Último Grito and Martín Azúa. These collaborations are made under the umbrella of a new division, LAB Arturo Álvarez, which lauched last year. Described as ‘a new setting, a laboratory of ideas’ the LAB is where designers can innovate and experiment, not only with ideas but with the very latest technologies – particularly in the area of energy efficiency, given the impending demise of incandescent bulbs. Héctor Serrano designed the V collection, Martín Azúa is responsible for the Lua outdoor/indoor collection and LAB has also worked with El Último Grito. Arturo Álvarez handmakes its products in Spain to exacting specifications
Gea floor lamps
company profile 31
from spain 20
V by Héctor Serrano
Metrica fixture, launched at Euroluce
Lua by Martín Anzúa
Norman table lamp
using the highest quality materials. It is also able to tailor-make fixtures for clients, who may want a unique light for their home or business. The company, which launched several new products at Euroluce in Milan, is experiencing growing demand from hotels which are increasingly looking for exclusive as opposed to off-the-peg lighting. Lamps from the Gilda collection were specified in black and gold glass for the Accor Hotel in Luxembourg, while fixtures from the Cebra range are prominent in the Sheraton in Dubai. Exports are important to the company and it is selling well in the US, the Middle East and in Europe, with France a particularly strong market. Arturo Álvarez products do represent an investment and the company takes steps to authenticate them, so buyers can be sure they have the real thing. Measures taken include engraving the brand name into the metal base of each lamp.
Betty floor lamp
Trade inquires 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 the US. If you are interested in purchasing them, please contact directly the manufacturers listed below or the Trade Commission of Spain in New York.
Almerich www.almerich.com Arturo Alvarez www.arturo-alvarez.com B BD BARCELONA www.bdbarcelona.com Blauet www.blauet.com Bonestil www.bonestil.es Bover www.bover.es C Carpyen www.carpyen.com Casadesús www.cycsa.es Climastar www.climastar.net Concepta www.concepta.es Cosmic www.icosmic.com Cul de sac www.culdesacdesign.com E Edda Design www.eddadesign.com Enea www.eneacontract.es Estudi_Hac www.estudihac.com Evaluz www.evaluz.com Expormim www.expormim.es F Fambuena www.fambuena.com
N Nani Marquina www.nanimarquina.com
H Hayon Studio www.hayonstudio.com
P Patricia Urquiola www.patriciaurquiola.com
I Indecasa www.indecasa.com
Porcuatro www.porcuatro.com
J Javier Mariscal www.mariscal.com
Punt Mobles www.puntmobles.com
Joquer www.joquer.com
R ROCA www.rocatile.com
Jordi Milá www.jordimila.com
RS Barcelona www.rs-barcelona.com
L Lagranja www.lagranjadesign.com
S Samoa www.samoadesign.com
Lampister www.lampister.com
Sanico www.sanicoenterprise.com
LEDSC4 www.leds-c4.com
Santa & Cole www.santacole.com
Lladró www.lladro.es
Stua, S.A. www.stua.com
Luis Eslava www.luiseslava.com
Supergrif www.supergrif.com
LZF www.lzf-lamps-com
U Uno Design www.uno-design.com
M Martín Azúa www.martinazua.com
V Vanlux www.grupoblux.com
Mapini www.mapini.com Mariner, S.A. www.mariner.es
Vibia (Grupo T Diffusion, SA) www-vibialight.com
Marset www.marset.com
Viccarbe www.viccarbe.com
Martinez Otero www.martinezotero.com
Vondom www.vondom.com
Metalarte, S.A. www.metalarte.com Mobles 114 www.mobles114.com
WANT TO find out more about Spanish design? Visit the website interiorsfromspain.com and find out about Spanish interior design products and designers. You can subscribe to our free monthly newsletter and keep up to date with the latest news.
If you want to receive a free copy of this magazine or have trade enquires, contact the Trade Commission of Spain in New York
Modiss Iluminación, S.L www.modiss.com
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