Studio GORM

Studio GORM is a collaboration between John Arndt and Wonhee Jeong. They met while studying for their masters at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Their office is currently located in Eugene Oregon and are teachers in the product design program at the University of Oregon. Lucky students!

Shown here are two projects: “Flow and the kitchen of terrestrial mechanics” and “Peg”.

The “flow and the kitchen of terrestrial mechanics” project unites nature and technology to efficiently utilize energy, waste, water and other natural resources in a cyclical transformation. This isn’t just a pretty kitchen. Beyond being a place to prepare food the intention is to shed light on how a natural process works, where food is grown, stored, cooked and composted to grow more food. For example the water from the dish rack drips on the plants, which are grown in the planter boxes. The counter top features a built in waste receptacle which dumps the scraps easily during food preparation. Once the receptacle is full it only needs to be tipped to transfer the wasted into the worm bin composter. Yes worms!! This isn’t for the weak at heart. The worms convert the debris into nutrient rich fertilizer which can be put back into the soil to help abundant plant growth.

The flexible furniture system called “peg” with it’s interactive spirit inspires multiple scenarios. The project takes it’s inspiration from a eclectic sources such as the shaker peg rail, the Korean wall hung table, the tinker toy and the lowly shop broom. The mix of materials are unexpected with the combination of laminated chipboard, douglas fir and upholstery. It feels relevant. The storage system is a work of art as it hangs comfortably on the wall. A space could be transformed easily depending on the activity. So smart.

Go to their site and check out their work. I like the shed/shelf and the platform bed projects. Consistently strong. Click.

DTL Fleischmann

DTL Fleischmann is a revival of the eccentric Baroque typefaces cut by Johann Michael Fleischmann in the 18th century. The digital DTL Fleischman was created by Erhard Kaiser, a German designer for the Dutch Type Library. The robust typeface consists of text and display cuts making the font incredibly flexible for editorial design. The font features attention-getting ornate serifs and a large selection of ligatures that gives it’s characteristic form. In 2007 I selected Fleischmann to use exclusively in the redesign of American Craft magazine. Two years later I still enjoy working with Fleischmann as much I did in the first issues. It’s beautifully crafted and it can handle all of the typographical detailing that the magazine needs. What else can one ask for?

TAF Architect’s Gabriella Gustafsson and Mattias Ståhlbom

Swedish architecture firm TAF could be described as minimal with a eye for craftsmanship. They find inspiration from simple materials and translate those materials into storytelling experiences. There is always a nod to the handmade which makes it intriguing for me even if it’s machine made. For example in the cuckoo clock project, I like the contradiction and playfulness between the bird’s crude woodwork execution in contrast to it’s refine minimal powder-coated metal house.

To learn more about the talented duo I found an article about TAF on Icon Magazine online.

Estelle Hanania

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting French photographer Estelle Hanania. We were fascinated by the stories she chooses to tell with her pictures. One series called the “Demoniac Babble” captures a yearly pagan ritual in Switzerland where a group of men roam from farm to farm, singing and drinking in celebration for winter and to frighten the bad spirits away. For months men create their demonic outfits. At first glance in these images, the men appear to be plant-like sculptures but upon closer inspection you realize that they are humans dressed in these outlandish earthly costumes.

She also has an eye for fashion. I’m including some images of her latest catalogue for Urban Outfitters. They really elevated their look with this catalogue. It’s more minimal and sophisticated.