Product Runway - FIERCE! May 8, 2008

Held last Friday in Seattle, Product Runway was an event featuring fashions created by interior designers made with product samples. It featured amazing designs from carpet, tile, office systems, panel fabric, lighting, vinyl, wallcovering, and upholstery textiles.

The competition was won by GGLO who teamed up with Atlas Carpet. Celebrity judges included Angela Adams, Jack Mackenroth (the total cutie from Project Runway that looked like a Who from Whoville), and June Rau, Director of Fashion for Nordstrom.

Check out all the photos here. I insist, you have to see it to believe it. Totally inspiring.

NeoCon Preview - Dauphin May 7, 2008

Dauphin has relaunched their brand recently with ads in Interior Design Magazine and Metropolis. Their new coporate identity is sleek and modern which compliments their recent new introductions well. (The Lab loves the Sulu Chair!)

Their newest introduction which will be launched at this year’s NeoCon and available in August is the Riola Conference Chair. The starting list price $1295. Standard polished silver frame finish.

The rib-knit upholstery and arm pads are available in multiple colors. From Dauphin ‘A new type of patented cover material. As a type of flexible knitted fabric, it integrates, woven in three dimensions, different zones of hardness and therefore provides the exceptional level of comfort.’

Sweet! May 6, 2008

From website: ‘GreenPix is a groundbreaking project applying sustainable and digital media technology near the site of the 2008 Olympic Games. Featuring the largest color LED display worldwide and the first photovoltaic system integrated into a glass curtain wall in China, the building performs as a self-sufficient organic system, harvesting solar energy by day and using it to illuminate the screen after dark, mirroring a day’s climatic cycle’

Via Treehugger

Graphic Concrete May 6, 2008

Great new resource! (Thanks Miss Dubois)

Graphic Concrete out of Finland has developed a method of transforming concrete into a tactile, graphic surface.

From their website: ‘The patented Graphic Concrete technology involves applying a surface retarder to the surface of a special membrane. This method allows concrete product manufacturers to produce different types of high-quality patterned concrete elements and slabs. In addition to being patterned, the concrete surface can also be smooth or completely exposed fine aggregate.’

You have to see pictures and feel the sample to fully understand the product. More pictures here.

You must contact them directly for pricing and it is best to do it during the beginning of your project so they can help you through the process.

Samples available in the Library.

i Saloni 2008 May 5, 2008

New video The Lab put together of the highlights of this years Salone Internazionale del Mobile.

Pictures courtesy of designboom, MoCo Loco, Core 77, and Inhabitat.

Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk May 5, 2008

Great video of an interview with Ray Anderson, Founder of Interface Inc. The video was shown during an episode of The Weather Channel’s Forecast Earth this past weekend focusing on sustainable building. Click on the links below to view the video (be prepared for a 30 second ’sponsor’ message before the interview begin to play).

Interview Part 1

Interview Part 2

Interface have been pioneers in the field of sustainability for years. From powering their plant using methane from a landfill to being the first carpet manufacturer to recycle carpet back into carpet. See Interface’s dedicated sustainability website for more information on their extensive goals and processes.

The Lab will be touring the Interface modular tile (Flor) mill in the fall and will bring an in-depth report afterwards!

New from Malik May 1, 2008

The Rubicon Series (link to Brochure PDF)

• Eight finish options
• Wooden Frames have antiscratch and UV resistant finishes
• Upholstery options include fashion-foward fabrics, metallic faux-leathers, and COM
• Prices starts at list $969 for the Side Chair to $2664 for the Two-Seat

Go to Malik’s website for more information on these new pieces in their great collection of furniture.

Malik binder is available in the Library.

Corian Hearts Missoni April 30, 2008

Delicious display of DuPont Corian at this year’s Milan Fair. The Corian Loves Missoni exhibition shows the endless possibilities of Corian by way of fabrication, color and other methods (sublimation) of manipulating this design staple material.

See more images here. General info here.

Knoll Luxe April 30, 2008

New from Knoll, Knoll Luxe.  Their high-end textile line in gorgeous colors and textures that you just have to touch.  From their website: ‘Designed by creative director Dorothy Cosonas, the line incorporates the modern, minimalist style of Florence Knoll, who started the industry’s first commercial textile program in 1947.’

‘Knoll Luxe will maintain a separate identity through graphics and unique marketing materials, including tickets, sample folders and brochures made from FSC-certified recycled paper, and a sample box made from recycleable 100% acrylic. There will also be a separate web presence: www.knoll-luxe.com.’

The above mentioned sample box is in the Library.

Woof April 28, 2008

Fun rooftop installation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York until the end of October. Jeff Koons On The Roof.

Picture from the NYT.

(The Lab is not obsessed with balloon-shaped dogs BTW)