Modern Architecture

[ Filed under Furniture & in the Chairs category ]

Yet another brilliantly efficient German design, this new twist on the classic folding chair concept is at least a worthy prototype to potentially replace its predecessor.

Still also a little German in its lack of comfortability, though, it could arguably use some cushions if intended for extended use.

Finally, also in German tradition, it is titled with a single compound word: Klappstuhl – for now simple plywood and single-color-painted variants are available with other options soon to come.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Flat-Pack Folding Shelves: Colorful Sheet-Metal Wall Storage

Flat Pack Plywood Furniture Designs

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Contemporary & in the Architecture category ]

The plan is at the heart of this elegantly elemental forest home set with a light touch (atop elevated footings) on an island in Finland.

The layout thrusts residents back out in four different directions, taking focus off the smallness of the space and emphasizing its intentional lack of center.

Designed by Avanto Architects (images by Anders Portman and Martin Sommerschield), the secondary functions (for it also omits core uses) of the retreat each exist on one arm of a four-pronged spiral.

Outside, dark stain makes it blend with the landscape, except for soft squares of light at the terminus of each arm. Inside, bright white walls make the spaces inviting, lively and open.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Tree House: Small Square Home Hides a Wood Spiral Inside

Stylish House on Stilts has 360-Degree Deck & Spiral Stairs

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under More & in the Installation Art category ]

Like an anatomy lesson played out with inanimate objects, this museum exhibit bridges that fine gap between art and design.

Bulgarian artist Konstantin Achkov is intentional in his choice of displays, creating patterns that can be appreciated as stand-alone pieces but that also challenge the viewer to try and mentally assemble them into a greater whole.

Each dark furniture object is matched with light elements on a dark board – if anything, one might wish that they were not set right next to each other, so that visitors to the gallery might have to guess which flat works matched which physical objects.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Grade A Plywood Plans: 6 ‘Puzzle-Piece’ Furniture Ideas

Fashionably Fun: Plush Black & White Puzzle-Piece Furniture

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Green Homes & in the Architecture category ]

One big key to small-spacing living is vertical space – with nine feet in each horizontal direction, the only way to go is up. At the same time, this particular design manages to look like it evolved somehow organically, with elements not simply occupying every spare spot.

Everything manages to coexist and flow within the limited area provided, including custom chairs, tables, kitchen zone (with microwave and refrigerator), full-sized shower, composting toilet, washing machine and double bed.

LED lights and recovered heat help keep fixture needs to a bare minimum, while a timber frame with red and plywood surfaces add texture and color to keep the interior interesting and engaging.

The project was “conceived, designed and managed by Dr Mike Page, engineer and Reader in Cognitive Psychology at the University’s School of Psychology” and featured at the Edinburgh Science Festival.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Micro-Home Concept Turns Electric Cars into Spare Spaces

Solar Shrub: A Green Car or Mobile Suburban Micro-Home?

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Tables & Stands & in the Furniture category ]

Some designs start with practical realities, others with artistic inspiration, but some mix the two from start to finish, like this hybrid glass-and-wood Grand Canyon Table.

Amit Apel introduces a river of glazing sandwiched between wooden panels that is neither devoid of use nor specific to any particular purpose.

The result is a visual highlight as well as a place one could imagine would evolve a specific meaning or usage over time – perhaps that is where you put a piece of sculpture, or the book you are currently reading, versus the general-purpose rest of the surface area.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Eating Thin: Extremely Skinny Dining Room Table Design

ExhibiTable: White Reading Table with Wood Storage Slots

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Lamps & Lights & in the Furnishings category ]

Like line drawings brought to life, these quirky minimalist lighting elements manage to be cute, simple, playful and contemporary all at the same time.

As an added surprise, the video illustrates their flexibility as well – the sharp-seeming corners are really not as risky around the edges as they look.

DING3000 writes of their work: “The quick hand sketch of an archetypical lamp was the inspiration for 2D LED. By means of modern LED technology it is possible to keep the body of the lamp as thin as possible, which gives the luminaire the appearance of a sketched line. The sheathed metal hose within the foot provides an adjustable hood. 2D LED is available as table or floor lamp.”

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Contemporary Cool: Long & Flexible Swing-Arm Floor Lamp

Retro Lampshades: Vintage Tapes into Table & Floor Lamps

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Lights & Mirrors & in the Fixtures category ]

You could call it a conversation piece perfect for a dinner party, but you might want to say so softly, or “they” might hear you.

Functionally, it looks like quite a compelling set of little spotlights, all suspended from a black powder-coated steel frame that articulates on demand. But of course there is some social commentary here, too, about Big Brother who might just be watching … even in your living room.

Designed by Humans Since 1982, this is one of many similar ‘minimalist message’ pieces from a collective that likes to use simple blacks and whites coupled with ordinary objects to make subtle statements on all kinds of curious fronts.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Cool Curved Couch: Design Your Own Custom Sectional Sofa

Convertible Modular Couches for Collaborative Spaces

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Kitchens & in the Interiors category ]

When it comes to conversions – particularly ones with sweeping views – it is hard to beat the minimalist approach, letting context and background speak for themselves.

And so it is with this project by Minimal USA, a partial renovation in DUMBO on the waterfront, in the most luxurious residence the area has to offer (valued at 25 million dollars).

The building and tower itself date back to 1915, with the top later converted into a whopping 6500-square-foot loft that looks out in all directions.

Imported this, triple-lacquered that, the details are of course top-of-the-line stuff, but really, the best part about them is their simplicity in shape, style and detail against an amazing series of architectural and urban backdrops.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Green Conversion: Religious Space to Spacious Loft Condo

Ping-Pong Apartment: 25,000 Balls Make Off-the-Wall Decor

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under More & in the Gadgets & Tech category ]

It is a technophile’s worst nightmare: being stranded away from home with no power outlet to charge a depleted gadget. Designers Haimo Bao, Hailong Piao, Yuancheng Liu & Xiameng Hu propose Continuance as a brilliantly simple solution to this dilemma.

Continuance is a line of rechargeable batteries with a powerful addition: a USB port on the side. The addition of a USB cord lets the stored power in the battery transfer to another location.

The USB plug allows users to charge gadgets when away from home – provided they can remember to slip one or two of the batteries into their pockets before leaving.

The concept, an iF Concept Design 2011 entry, is a clever answer to a common problem. It may need some further development before it can go into production, but when/if it does we’ll be first in line to take some home.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Redesigned: 3-Prong Power Cords into Flat & Portable Plugs

Vintage Reinvention: Sliding Multi-Plug Power Strip Solution

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]

[ Filed under Odds & Ends & in the Furnishings category ]

Glancing at a clock constantly, whether you are waiting for something or not, only serves to cause stress. Perhaps the way to ease this stress is to hang up a clock that is less about precision and more about visual language.

The About Time clock, designed by Fullbright scholar Louie Rigano, is composed of three overlapping plastic circles. Each circle’s size is equal to the orbit of a traditional clock’s corresponding hands.

The outer-most point of each circle points to the spot that would be represented by a number on a traditional clock, indicating the time by a rather broad space rather than the precise tip of an arrow. Still, one would be hard-pressed to glance at this clock and know for certain what time it is at that moment.

As time passes, the circles all move around and around, constantly creating new shapes and new colors. Replacing stress-inducing numbers and arrows with the lovely fluid visual language of colors, shapes and movement serves to create an entirely new – yet utterly baffling – sort of timepiece.

---

Keep Going – Check out this Great Related Dornob Article:

Digital + Analog = Dynamic Retro-Futuristic Clock Design

Clever Transforming Wall Clock Changes Shape Over Time

---

[ Dornob | Archives | Categories | Privacy | TOS ]