Interior Design Showcase

Alberta and Ferretti

spiparo — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:16:18 +0000

Alberta and Ferretti opened their flagship store in Los Angeles on Melrose Ave. catering to the Hollywood crowd. Sybarite, the architectural firm that specializes in fashion boutiques did the design work including the interior and display system.

The storefront of the 4,300 square foot space has backlit capital letters subtly announcing the name of Alberta and Ferretti on the 1957 building. Chiffon minidresses and metallic stilettos are superbly displayed on freestanding blackened and polished steel fixtures with LED screens mounted above the single hanger system, showcasing each piece individually. The unique sculptural design of the mannequins, forming a point at the base and fit into round holes in the terrazzo floor, allow for easy positioning. Others are held in place by magnets and appear to be freestanding or suspended throughout the store adding to the ultra contemporary overall design.

Plans for other stores designed by Sybarite are locations in Paris, Beirut, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

for more information:

Filed under: Uncategorized

Renzo Piano-Architect

spiparo — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:14:08 +0000

Italian born architect Renzo Piano is well known for his simple yet elegant and highly refined style perfectly blended with function. He has won many of the most prestigious commissions of the past century.

His recent works; The Chicago Art Institute and the California Academy of Science both use design to create eco-friendly sources of light. At the Chicago Art Institute his new wing houses many great modern masterpieces. The sources of natural light beautifully illuminate these fine paintings long hidden from the public.

One admirer said the “serenity of his best buildings can almost make you believe that we live in a civilized world” *

Comments about his redesign of the California Academy of Science note- embracing the enlightened values of truth and reason. Because of its environmentally-friendly design it was featured on the Discovery Channel’s Extreme Engineering series in 2006 and on National Geographic Channel’s Man Made series in July 2008.

Renzo Piano- architect : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/arts/design/14muse.html

Charlie Rose interviews Renzo Piano: http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10318

* Ouroussof, Nicolai (May 13, 2009). “Renzo Piano Embraces Chicago” The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-05-13.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Jeju Provincial Art Museum

spiparo — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:44:10 +0000

Architects Garrison Partners designed the recently completed Jeju Provincial Art Museum in Jon-Dong, South Korea. Situated on Jeju Island the beauty of the landscape accentuates the building surrounded by a pool of water. Made from local stone, the simplicity and naturalness blend perfectly with the environment.

The exterior is designed in a cube form and the exhibition space follows a circular pattern. Inspired by these simple forms it is a work of art itself.

The museum program consists of not only exhibitions but also includes research, conservation and education. read more

Posted in Uncategorized

The Tafoni Floating Home

spiparo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:42:08 +0000

The Tafoni Floating Home, designed by Joanna Borek-Clement inspired by smooth, oval pebbles on the Califoornia coastline, is one of the many houseboats in the Sausolito area. Much more spacious with large partitioned rooms and high ceilings, it makes for a more comfortable living space than most.

Ms Borek-Clement points out that, “Houseboats, as opposed to traditional homes, have no foundations that permanently impact the land. They can be moved from one dock to another to allow the shaded land underneath them to recover.”

Joanna Borek-Clement , educated in Poland, She lives and works in San Francisco, CA. Her design ideas focus on new methods of sustainability and creating Interiors, Architecture and Art that promote and develop these concepts. read more

Posted in Uncategorized

New Work by Japanese Designer Nendo at the Museum of Art and Design in New York

spiparo — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:49:30 +0000

An installation itself, the new furniture and other objects are beautifully displayed on plinths. The freestanding pure white rectangular and circular platforms compliment the minimal, highly sophisticated pieces on them. The ghosted effect creates an illusion as if they were melting into the floor. At the Museum of Art and Design in New York until January 10, 2010. more

Posted in Uncategorized

Tokyo Design Week

spiparo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:45:11 +0000

Of the many designs on view, here are some of the highlights: architect Makoto Tanijiri designed an exhibition based on clouds, an interview with Gwenael Nicolas and Jaime Hayon, Tokujin Yoshioka and Max Lamb, Nosigner’s jewelry box, and plastic relics by Cibone Editions.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Sofa Chats:Interviews with 4 London Interior Designers

spiparo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:48:39 +0000

The Molteni & C Sofa Chats took place at 100% Design in London last month. Nigel Coates discusses the development of modern design in Italy where he also lives and works, Ilse Crawford- how Italian Design influences Briton’s, Matthew Hilton talks about the contrasting British and Italian design cultures, Arik Levy – the differences between design culture in his native Israel and Italy.

Nigel Coates, Isle Crawford, Matthew Hilton and Arik Levy

click here for the interviews

Posted in Uncategorized

Solar Array Vertical Village in Dubai

spiparo — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:40:50 +0000

Architects at Graft Lab have created the Vertical Village, a residential complex with a space age futuristic design complete with restaurants, hotels, shops and a theater. Located in Dubai, where the deserts scorching rays make this system super efficient.

The energy is collected with solar cells at the southern end and the solar electricity produced powers many of their needs – the solar collector array automatically positions itself towards the sun for maximum exposure – the roof has a vein like pattern that sections and distributes the energy more efficiently – and because of the buildings design and position they fall into the shade on the north side to reduce natural exposure and cooling needs.

The complex is expected to be certified with an LEED Gold rating

Posted in Uncategorized

Eco-Pod: For Boston’s Downtown Crossing

spiparo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:47:18 +0000

Boston architectural firm, Howeler + Yoon Architecture has proposed a new eco-pod. The eco-pod would be located on Filene’s stalled construction site at Downtown Crossing. The system grows micro-algae and can be used as a sorce of fuel that produces 30 times more energy per acre than any other fuel crop. It also reduces carbon dioxide emissions. During the growth process and photosynthesis it replaces CO2 with oxygen. The eco-pod system also functions as a research facility. The modules can be redistributed to various parts of the city and neighboring areas as needed.
read more

Howeler + Yoon Architecture

Posted in Uncategorized

Move n Art

peggymasse — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:45:09 +0000

For today’s modern design, Move n Art offers a revolutionary way to display Fine Art. A collection of paintings done by currently living and working artists are produced using DVD technology. The images either remain fixed or float slowly across the screen. Perfect for the new wall mounted flat screens. With the painting displayed on a continuous loop, the television is transformed into a design element and great wall decor. Choose from abstracts for modern styles to landscapes and realism for more traditional settings. With a soothing musical audio track in the background, playing them creates a total ambient experience in the room.

Here is a sample of Move n Art artist: Peggy Tyrrelle Masse

To see all of the titles available go to www.movenart.com
contact: Peggy or John Masse at masse0803@aol.com or (732) 870-8351

Posted in Uncategorized