Blog:Proleno

Grand Central is an expandable table that transforms from space-saving occasional table to the centre piece of a room. The tabletop is divided into 22 pieces that fold out in a spectacular way through its advanced construction. Dramatic and poetic at the same time! The inspiration comes from a pop-up map of New York.

Sanna Lindström and Sigrid Strömgren are two independent designers based in Stockholm and Gothenburg, Sweden. Grand Central is their first piece together and it is currently dispalyed at Salon Satellite Milano which is running until 19^th April.

Dutch designer Frederic Roijé presents his new project, an architectural hen house in which to breed and retreat. It is manufactured in wood finished with a durable coating. The concept behind the design is “respecting nature”.

I think that the image speaks loudly. I say “lucky hens!”.

Intriguing to look at. Practical in use? Well, time will tell I guess. We hear that Magis will be launching Spun, a rotating outdoor stool designed by British architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick, at the next Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, 14-19 April 2010.

The chair is in rotational moulded polyethylene and is, allegedly, suitable for outdoor use. For me, the jury is still out and I wonder if this is design for the sake of design with little or no consideration for its practical use. I hope I am wrong, however, and that it proves to be a huge success.

Min-Kyu Choi has been awarded the Brit Insurance Design Award 2010 at London’s Design Museum.

The ‘Folding Plug’ has won the product design category of the Brit Insurance Designs Awards, the Oscars of the design world, which showcase the most innovative and forward thinking designs from around the world.

The UK Folding Plug transforms from a bulky three-pin plug into a portable, hassle-free plug ideal for people on the go. When not in use, the UK Folding Plug transforms into a 10 mm-thick flat object.

A product range built around this design will be launched in 2010.

ASPACE has pushed the frontiers of design with their stunning new Uffizi bunk bed collection. Fans of this renowned children’s furniture company are sure to be bowled over by the sheer audacity of this cool, cutting edge design. The collection was designed by Argington of New York, and is exclusive to ASPACE in the UK.

The Uffizi collection offers loads of fun and functionality for the children but with an aesthetic that reflects the lifestyle of stylish modern parents.

The Uffizi has several configurations including a semi enclosed bunk with window-like openings which kids will love and friends will covet! The matching toy box (with static feet and castors, plus slow-close safety hinges) offers useful and stylish storage. The matching bookcase / storage cupboard is a gorgeous piece of minimalist furniture in its own right which could work equally well in the bedroom, living room, playroom or study.

The bunks can be arranged three different ways with no extra parts needed:
• Classic Bunk style
• Cantilever Bunk with Desk
• High Sleeper for older children and teenagers

The Uffizi system offers stunning detail, complete versatility, real practicality, and, most of all, immense style.

Demand is expected to be high so ASPACE has announced the opening of a waiting list with initial stock arriving late April 2010

More details at ASPACE.

Roderick Fry has designed an extremely stable and easy to mount table for French producer Moaroom.

Pi is a flat-packing table, which helps minimise its carbon footprint during shipping. The table is simply assembled by inserting a tabletop, without any screws or Allen keys. Simply slide in a wooden board and to block the board just reposition the feet on the floor to insure a maximum stability. The trestles can be purchased separately or of course you can just use your own. They say that the simple things are the best and this is simple in the extreme!

Though dealing with being stuck inside a burning building is a very uncommon scenario, there is now an invention that could help you survive such an event. The Dang Jingwei Firescuba was conceived just for that very scary scenario.

A fairly basic design using a cardboard and carbon filter, it creates a pocket over your nose and mouth to allow easy breathing until the emergency services arrive.

Firescuba is designed to protect people from smoke inhalation in the case of a fire. It is low cost, easy to manufacture, and very thin, which makes it easy to distribute or store at appropriate locations.

Though The Dang Jingwei Firescuba seems like nothing more than a French fry container, it is sure to give you those extra essential minutes of survival until the fire department arrives!

Maybe this is something that all businesses, especially those in high-rise office blocks, should consider.

‘Ru’ is a wooden chair created by Shane Schneck and commissioned by Patricia Urquiola for Promosedia. The chair is made by Danish producer Hay and debuted at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010.

Its strength is gained by cross laminating layers in the seat. The methodology used enables a cantelivered surface and robust structure with a series of laminated ‘bridges’ completing the form. The chair is also stackable and without the additional two legs of conventional chairs it can be suspended on a table for easy cleaning.

At Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010 (Feb 9^th to 13^th 2010), Wästberg launches a lighting fixture developed in collaboration with French designer Inga Sempé.

This elementary lamp is meant to be as simple and solid as a nail or a push pin. As with traditional tool machine lighting, the mechanics are sturdy and long-lasting, with the aim of improving classical industrial elements: the clamp is inverted to offer a better way of using it.

The lamp mixes solidity and lightness: a thin beam joins the two opposite pieces of the lamp: the heavy cast foot to a delicate shade.

The lamp, called Sempé, features an LED solution, hand spun aluminum shade and steel beam, clamp or base in cast iron.

News reaches us from London’s Design Museum of a three day half term course for 12-16 year olds.

Explore the various techniques and processes employed by design group Farm Studios and take a closer look at their work during Designers In Residence. Working alongside product designers Giles Miller and Sebastian Hejna, participants will explore current exhibitions and develop skills to create their own product design solutions and prototypes on this exciting 3 day course.

So, if you are looking for something to keep your not so little ones busy this half term, especially if they have an interest in design, this is a must!

Monday 15 February – Wednesday 17 February 2010
10.30am – 3.30pm each day
£125.00

For more information or to book a place contact the Learning Team on 020 7940 8782 or by email: learning@designmuseum.org