Archive for 10.2009

Cantilever Piano

A while ago, we tweeted about a concert grand piano that was designed by Audi. But now I just ran into this gorgeous piano Cantilever; what a minimalist beauty!

The Cantilever is actually a concept for an electronic piano, and designed by British design office Industrial Facility for Yamaha, who exhibited it on the Milano Salone del Mobile 2008. In their concept description, Industrial Facility writes:

An identity stripped to its most basic elements, allowing onlookers to project their own sense of beauty.

Now that’s a pretty darn good description of what minimalism is about.

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Minimal chapel

Dutch architecture agency Zecc transformed an old Catholic church in the Dutch city Utrecht into one spatial residence with a minimal appearance.

The character of the small church is maintained and where possible reinforced. It’s kept minimalistic and given abstract shapes, by which it intensifies the contrast with the original soft shapes of the chapel. For extra daylight roof windows are added, through which diffused light enters the chapel.

Some original furniture is re-used in the new atmosphere, like the church benches in the dining-zone. Also the table is made out of church benches.

This beautiful chapel has been nominated for the Dutch Design Award in 2008 and I can’t wait until it will be put on sale.

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Serpentine

This is the shower head of Serpentine, a garden shower that is both pure in beauty and elegant in functionality.

The Serpentine is designed by Belgian designer Tom de Vrieze for Extremis. The shower is no more than one piece of bended stainless steel tube, onto which you simply plug your garden hoze.

Plus, thanks to its really light construction, you can just pick it up and place it anywhere.

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Bahia

This is Bahia, a stylish sun bed designed by Nicolas Milan from Sequoia Studio, a french agency based in Paris and Hong Kong.

Apparently, inspiration for the Bahia design came from Asian culture, using wave forms and shinny colors. It is made of superwhite Corian, and is offered with a range of colourful cushions.

Now if only I had a pool…

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Dyson Air Multiplier

Dyson’s Air Multiplier is the world’s first fan without blades, and really blew me away (get it? huhuh).

Air is taken in through the openings in the foot, and is amplified before it is squeezed through a 1.3mm aperture around the ring. Dyson promises a more powerful and more steady airflow as a result.

Make sure you also check out the Air Multiplier’s great press kit, giving you ‘twenty uses for the old buffeting blade’.

Photography courtesy of Gizmodo.

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Nativity set

Get ready for a minimalist Christmas, with this hilarious nativity set by German artist Oliver Fabel!

It consists of 11 hand-painted pieces, and comes in both German and English.

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VAP posters

NYC-based designer Rocco Piscatello is spreading the love!

Back in 2001, Picatello initiated a lecture series about graphic design, where he invites high-profile designers to come and speak. The ever-continuing lectures are free, and open to the general public. He calls it the VAP: Visiting Artist Program,

For each speaker, Picatello designs a unique poster, often highly typographic and based on the speaker’s initials or name. Over time these have accumulated in an impressive set of posters.

Piscatello and his team are selling the posters on their site, using the proceeds to support the VAP. Great initiative! (thx, Josh Berta).

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Paper Chairs

These lovely chairs were designed by Japanese architect Junya Ishigami. They were first shown in 2008 at a Canon exhibition, during the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Although they seem to be made of paper, and look really fragile, they can actually support the weight of a sitting person.

The images of dandelions that cover the chairs were printed by Canon; what a perfect marriage.

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Arne Jacobsen Cutlery

Have a great minimalist diner with this minimalist cutlery set from the well-known Danish architect and furniture designer Arne Jacobsen. This simple in form set was created in 1957 and is more contemporary-looking than ever.

The simple lines harmonise beautifully with the finish of the craftsmanship. Each piece fits naturally in the hand inviting its user to enjoy freedom and ease in movement.

Arne Jacobsen’s set has been termed the ‘no-nonsense cutlery’, and its classic style attracts new supporters even in the new millennium. The set is produced in matte-finish stainless steel and includes a dinner fork, a dinner knife, a salad fork, a desert spoon and a child’s/tea spoon.

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Water tower, Delft

The water tower of Delft, The Netherlands, was built in 1895. After a period of non-use, talented Dutch architects of Rocha Tombal gave it a new purpose.

The revived tower is now home of two meeting/meditation rooms, a restaurant (located in the old water tank), and a water shop.

On the outside nothing seems to have changed since 1895 – but when you enter… See for yourself!

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