2/19/09

New York’s Office for Design & Architecture (ODA) recently unveiled its plan for the conversion of an old gas station into the Long Island City Bakery, According to the ODA the project will be “situated at the crossroads of the older commercial Long Island City and the newer residential Long Island City with housing developments near the East River.”

The ODA has said there will be a two fold design approach to the construction of the bakery. “The first process involves the conversion of a gas station mechanics garage into a warm, inviting and sustainable environment. The second challenge is to evoke the idea of a bakery into an architectural expression that responded to the owner’s tight budget.”

The use of steel channels and wooden dough rollers in the exterior design of the building will help to create an innovative rain screen. These design elements will be complimented with grass throughout the parking lot and Boston Ivy that will continue vegetation up the front of the building.

The design team plans to utilize and refurbish key existing elements of the building including walls, garage doors, and skylights. Leaving these elements exposed “recognizes the past use of the garage while integrating the new ideas centered around baking.”

Posted by Nicholas Van Kuren

2/12/09

It’s always a treat when an original SoHo loft is featured, especially since it’s the neighborhood where the whole loft movement began a few decades ago. And this 7,200 square-foot space located on the corner of Wooster and Broome street is idyllic. The loft takes up the whole first floor of a landmark red-limestone building and has been meticulously stripped down to incorporate as many of the original elements feasible for modern living. Read the full article called Undoing the Cover-Up for the full story. Also, be sure to check out the NYTimes Slideshow to see even more images. Here’s a preview:

2/10/09

While fashion collaborations have been ubiquitous in recent years and hit virtually every major retail chain, it’s yet to become a mainstay in the realm of home design. Brands, as well as designers, are continually looking to reach a wider audience and we’re excited for the possibilities. One collaboration we’re particularly excited for should appeal to any modernist aficionado.
New York based artist David Foote is releasing a collection entitled “David Foot Limited Edition No. 10″ with the likes of BoConcept, Jaboneria Marianella Soap , Izola Shower , Ortolan NYC and Barterhouse Wine among others for a capsule collection including apparel, jewelry, skis, and a skateboard in addition to the interiors bearing his signature print. Foote chose a favorite painting from his New Girls collection and adapted it with brands he admired for their design aesthetic.
Kicking off today, and available for the next 60 days, all items will be available at BoConcept store in Soho, with a portion of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

BoConcept Ottoman, $1900

Ortolan NYC Organic Pillows, $245

Jaboneria Marianella Soap, $17

Izola Shower Curtain, $60

Barterhouse Wine, $75

Posted by Erin Ryder
Photos by Liam Alexander

2/9/09

It’s a challenge for designers to get a break these days with the economy in such a downward spiral. Though some smart, savvy, eco-friendly, and determined to mind the the value of the dollar, have turned to sustainable design as inspiration.

Suzanne Tick and her husband Terry Mowers are exploring innovative ways in which materials from your local dry cleaners can be used to generate a type of modern textile. By using the plastic wrap and paper, the wire, and the cardboard from the dry cleaning packaging, they’ve come up with quite a modern pattern for their loom.

Tick is also launching another new line with Knoll Textiles this year, rightly titled State of Matter. The line includes two upholstery fabrics, a drapery, and a panel fabric. Today, Tick and Towers opened up their NYC live/work space to give us (and other industry creatives) a sneak peek at the new fabrics.

So think twice before you pitch those dry cleaning bags–it’s possibly plastic never looked so beautiful as art.

Photographs and post by Linden Hass

2/6/09

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Moroso, the cutting edge furniture company, has decked out their window with Ron Arad’s Soft Heart rocking chair. The window installation went up on February first and can be seen from the street side at 146 Greene St. in New York.

In partnering with Moroso now over a decade ago, Ron Arad jump-started his move from functional artwork to design for industrial production. The partnership began with Arad’s iconic spring collection of 1991, from which the whimsical rocking Soft Heart is from. This collection was Arad’s first venture in the industrial process and since then he has been an innovator in the field.

I have not had a chance to get down and check out the storefront yet, but hope to do so this weekend.

Posted by Nicholas Van Kuren