Barcelona

Not BLOGGING for some considerable time managed in the interim to spend two breaks in Barcelona, a city I found from a historical architectural point of view both fascinating and stimulating with a quality and thought of detailing most rewarding.

I stayed in both occasions at the Mercer Hotel, a design boutique hotel with only twenty seven rooms located in the Gothic area. This hotel is really a hidden gem part of the building incorporating the roman wall with the original decorations, the “new” part of the hotel being built in the 18^th century. The interior is a voyage of discovery, integration of the old and new a total credit to both the architects and interior designers. Though how taxi drivers traverse the passageways is a feat in driving skill. Most will not try.

I can’t praise the staff enough, “going the extra mile is the norm”. The hotels website is www.mercerbarcelona.com/en  if you appreciate service excellence this hotel will not disappoint. Check out their brochure photographs a hidden gem.

On this last trip we took in the house Lleó Morera the link is http://www.casalleomorera.com/es  a late nineteenth century restoration, the decor is of the period with exquisite detailing and architectural features. The thought that went into every small item such as concealed folding door locks and hinging speaks volumes of the architects thought process. The building has been recently renovated yet it is the original concept and material usage that allows the interior to be as fresh today as when it was originally renovated. How many of today buildings 120 years later will have stood the test of time.

One can’t go to Barcelona without exploring the Gaudi heritage, for me the exterior of “La Sagrada Familia” was not of the most interest, though Gemma explained the significance of the detailing and thought process of the exterior. The interior is truly remarkable, Gaudi’s interior does not like the majority of spiritual buildings glorify man but rather a Supreme Being, take out the Christian insignia and the interior could be used for any religion.  The quality of detailing, use of materials and play of light is totally spiritually uplifting .

On the two trips to Barcelona this year I use the services of a tour guide www.gobarcelonatours.com with Gemma as my guide. Her knowledge of the history, architecture and local places of interest was outstanding. I indicated my interest in design and architecture, with a side issue of interesting non tourist places to eat, she couldn’t have been  better.                                                 

One of the main positives of a personal registered guide for me is using the time in the most productive way, not getting lost and most defiantly not standing in queues, if you are in Barcelona and want to make to most of your time Gemma will not disappoint.

The photograph shows a coffee shop used by Picasso were we passed a pleasant break from the walking.

To Barcelona I will return.

An Oval range

I first produced an A frame desk end frame back in 2007 marketed as QUANTUM and sold a considerable number to an insurance company prior to the happenings of 2008 when the plug was pulled on the contract.

The oval tube that I found was a break away from the square section that I believe is of a previous fashion phase. 

As the substructure I have continued to used the triangular section steel which we have utilised in more than 3000 workstations in the past year it has a proven track record and with the junction of the tubes close together in the end U channel provides for an extremely stable construction coupled with the KD assembly which makes for quick assembly and practical transport.

The attached renderings are computer generated but all components for this product including purpose designed height adjusters have been finalised and the range accepted by a major retailer on an exclusive basis for marketing in the 2015.

After eighteen months

AFTER EIGHTEEN MONTHS

Not having committed anything to the journal for over eighteen months I will start with the latest project and then work backwards.

Recently, on a visit to Barcelona, I visited an architecture shop where the notation was “everything is in the detail” with my latest design “SHARD by workspace” I believe that the detail is everything.

For possibly a year the desire to incorporate different colours and materials within the leg structure has been nagging me. With SHARD I believe I have accomplished this by using laser cut components welded into a Tee section and powder coated. The facing plane is then clad in brushed stainless steel.

 We have manufactured several boardroom tables in this design but I wanted see how I could detail a glass table.

  

 The UV bonded disc was detailed to incorporate the top of the leg housing so that all fixing details were completely hidden. This detail also added strength to the table's         lateral stability. The glass top 2000 x 1000 x 12mm is completely stable with no movement whatsoever. The leg is angled and tapered on two planes  giving a slim profile the market is also adopting (confirmed by a recent visit to Orgatec in Cologne) visual lightness being the latest fashion trend coupled with the use of colour.

   

The integration of the height adjustment into the base of the leg is by means of a machined tapered bush that slots into the laser cut leg sections. With this detail I was able to conceal all the structural welding. The leg assembled requires no visual grinding to clean welding allowing for clean lines.

 It is all in the detail even though fabricated it is totally hidden.

“SHARD” is the third design completed within the last twelve months where two elements are brought together allowing  for the use of either two different materials or two materials coated in different colours. 

"Shard" glass by Workspace

AMSTERDAM

Whilst my BLOGGING was never intended to be a travelogue but I would like to share a recent visit.

Prior to attending INTERZUM in Cologne I managed to grab a weekend away in Amsterdam. Though travelling through Schiphol on many occasions I have never found the time to explore the City. Like any city a weekend is totally insufficient to do justice to exploring the beauty and taking in the character I was more than pleasantly taken by the experience in the limited time I had.

    For this excursion I stayed at the Conservatorium Hotel a beautifully restored building full of the original character and features. The interior design and the new atrium is a tribute to attention given when thoughtful detailing is used in the integration of the old with the new.  For the designers eye it is a pleasure to experience a well crafted environment and for the traveller the quality of service and assistance given by the hotel staff well worth a recommendation. You can check out the hotel on www.conservatoriumhotel.com

  One of their suggestions was to see the city by a canal tour and organised a trip aboard the “Paradis” a beautiful small classic saloon boat built in 1920 and superbly maintained. The tour having a personal guide in the form of the extremely well versed captain leading you through the canals away from the crowds explaining in detail architectural and historical points of interest was indeed a highlight of the trip and one I would have no problem recommending.

 The vessel being the smallest available was able to navigate the narrowest of the waterways not possible with larger tour boats. The classic boat owner’s web site is www.privateboattours.nl which shows the vessels available for hire and their offerings including an evening dinner cruise which I believe gives a totally different aspect in seeing the interiors of both house boats and houses as dusk turns to darkness.

A trip to any city would not be complete without a visit to either an art gallery or museum; with the time constraint I chose the former and as the Vincent van Gogh exhibition had only just opened that was the option I chose. Problem with all new openings even arriving on a Sunday morning before it opened you join the crowds which does not assist any study. What would the works of art say to me was possibly my main objective. As a designer schooled in the basics of design, perspective drawing was one of the foundation stones. It is said Vincent battled with perspective all his life, but to me his constant striving for new techniques in presentation and material usage and the use of colour is that which spoke to me. In one section you are able to see under magnification the colour usage. The colour variations and tones in a single brushstroke were truly amazing the craftsmanship illustrating both what his mind and eye was seeing.

  While the financial value of the art does not speak to me his constant passion for his work and constantly searching forward spoke volumes. The only negative element was in finding a little something to remind me of the visit; in turning it over the “made in china” tag encouraged me to return it to the shelf.

The streets of Amsterdam are a joy to stroll though both in the architectural features and the vibe, irrespective of the European weather pattern. You do not have to spend a euro to enjoy the detailing and building crafts of the past, visit open markets or the experience the sound of an old pipe organ in an ancient church which moved me as generally I hear rather than listen to music.

The European weather has to be contended with but the large umbrella the hotel supplied was well used and my scarf appreciated, I believe it was late spring. Would I visit Amsterdam again yes – stay at the Conservatorium again yes but the Attic Rooms look interesting. An evening classic boat trip a good reason to visit Amsterdam once again.  

FLUID insitu

I really could not resist posting this, think it is so beautiful.

A design called FLUID

Office furniture design is indeed fluid; changing with not only client, market and production influences but as designers continue to refine their creation.

The glass desk was part of that continual evolvement. The position of the leg structure or rather the direction of the detail elements following the first prototype caused me to reconsider this detail. In the distant past it would have been a matter of making a second prototype, the first had proven that the lateral stability was totally rigid.

Today with the use of computer generated renderings it is possible to create the visual image making further prototypes unnecessary. Following the reading of an article in SABS March news by Continuum’s “+” Brian Gillespie on Should Designers fear Design – Thinking MBA’s an article I enjoyed reading and concur totally with part of that article that said “it takes design education followed by experience, focus and maturity.” to add to maturity maybe “vision” for without vision can we really move forward. It is my opinion that the main purpose of any academic institution is to teach the student how to think in a particular direction, and record that thought using any suitable instrument.

My decision with the Desk design after seeing the second rendering – stay with the original idea.

Any interaction between academic institutions can only be good, each have their own focus and area of expertise, my concern would rather be not only the chasm between academia and industry but the use of the internet as a source of design inspiration where plagiarism is an easy option not only for the student but for the academic institution in their desire for positive academic statics. 

Really really excited

I have for several years been wanting to produce a frame constructed out of stainless steel rod. With the new Workspace Benching support structure I had the elements have allowed me to explore shapes not only in harmony with the triangular construction of the main support beams but having the physical strength to carry work surfaces and screens.

The visual lightness of the rod section having a high polished finish together with the triangular construction shape has given me a quality of design finish that can be equally used in benching configurations, single desks conference and meeting tables. The upper frame assembly of the design being exceptionally versatile that can be amended to suit many different applications with exceptional spans achievable.

The design is not for the mass market, I believe its appeal is to a small group of designers who appreciate a design that is different to the norm but having a practical base. Added to the basic design when used for benching or meeting tables, where cable reticulation is required, the wire element is reflected in the CPU holders, cable trays and vertical cable reticulation.

My next task is to utilise the concept incorporating glass to produce an executive desk or table. It is such great fun at times to play with designs such as this and I am most fortunate in not only having my own factory enabling me to experiment but not being part of the corporate world I do not have Accountants to dictate the way. It would be beautiful to have an unlimited budget for research and development but the local market does not allow for such luxuries.

Words communicate the way I feel about this new design BUT graphic images complete the picture, a love it or hate it design BUT not for the mass market.