Balance, Design
April 26, 2013
By Amy Feezor
Get a glimpse at what we’ve been reading this week.
1. Cool Hunting’s preview of our redesigned Mirra 2 Chair by Studio 7.5.
2. Phaidon’s preview of the Wireframe Sofa by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin.
3. “The Psychology of Seating” at Dwell.com.
4. A look inside the portfolio of Sydney architect Madeleine Blanchfield, which demonstrates “the new Australian aesthetic,” at Desire to Inspire.
5. More from Australia: this simple modern home by architect Jessica Liew in Melbourne (via HomeDSGN).
6. 10 chalets, spas, and sanctuaries that help combat stress via Architizer.
7. This south-facing home just above the Miño River in Spain, built mostly of glass and concrete, at Inthralld.
8. The mix of mid-century modern and vintage industrial style at Irvine-based design firm Mattson Creative, courtesy of California Home + Design.
9. The American Institute of Architects’ top ten sustainable projects of the year, covered at Dezeen.
10. Did you see the making of our “Everywhere in Your Day” contest video? If not, be sure to check it out here.
Featured in photo: Branca Chair by San Hecht and Kim Colin
Balance, Design, Products
March 11, 2013
By Jamie Latendresse
In honor of Women’s History Month, this week’s round-up presents some of our favorite collaborations with female designers. Working together, these pairings, teams, and ensembles channel the creative energy generated when the genders mix it up.
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Design, Products
September 4, 2012
By Jamie Latendresse
The notion of the traditional office is quickly morphing into a new kind of workspace–one that can exist anywhere and in enumerable configurations. With a nod to Herman Miller’s new suite of anywhere office products, here are six ways to creating offices anywhere.
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Design, Products
October 5, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
This week’s Design for You prize is the Setu chair by Studio 7.5. Here’s their story:
“Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, and Carola Zwick began their partnership in 1992. They were looking for the freedom to work on projects that interested them. And for the freedom to do so without bosses and titles.
And that’s pretty much how they’ve operated ever since. “Everybody does everything,” says Burkhard, speaking for the group that now includes Carola’s brother Roland Zwick. “That’s how we cultivate ideas and maintain our openness and curiosity.”
The group’s name—Studio 7.5—comes from an early idea to rent a 7.5-ton truck, put a model shop in it, and drive from one project site to another. Obviously, freedom of movement is a big deal for these designers. They move freely—and smartly—when designing products for their clients.
Going from concept stage to the model shop, sometimes within a day or two, they begin to create rough prototypes. And like kids let loose with a pile of clay, this is their favorite activity.
You really have to work in three dimensions when designing products,” notes Claudia. “So we don’t spend much time on fancy renderings. Computer drawings just don’t give you the feel, the touch, the smell.”
And they love designing furniture. “What’s so interesting about designing furniture as opposed to, say, a tape recorder, is that the designer who designs the recorder comes in last in the chain of command,” explains Roland. “It’s just the beautification or ‘packaging.’ With furniture, it’s far more holistic.”
They find designing office chairs in particular to be the most rewarding. One reason is their experience working with Herman Miller on their award-winning Mirra chair and their newest design called the Setu chair. “We define not only how the chair looks but how it performs,” says Carola. “We’re very involved with its physical behavior, because beauty is not only what you see, it’s also what you feel.”