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Friday 13 March 2020

Paola Navone's Rafael outdoor collection is inspired by organic shapes and exotic destinations

Uneven slats and giant staples feature in the Rafael outdoor furniture collection, created by Italian designer Paola Navone for Italian brand Ethimo.

The range includes lounge chairs, daybeds, sun loungers and coffee tables, most based on irregularly shaped frames, with the slats arranged as backrests.

Rafael outdoor furniture by Paola Navone

The pieces, designed for Ethimo, are crafted from distressed natural teak, with marble and lava stone tabletops.

Navone cites the natural world and exotic destinations as the inspiration for the Rafael collection, describing its "de-structured" shapes as "almost tribal".

Rafael outdoor furniture by Paola Navone

"Rafael is sturdy, comfortable and friendly," she said. "The slats that form the backrest are all different and held together by big metal staples. This woody, organic shell forms a soft nest of cushions. We have dedicated Rafael to a very special home."

The lounge armchair has a pentagonal seat and a backrest that partially wraps around to one side. It comes in either a lefthand or righthand configuration, so that two chairs can potentially be arranged side by side into a longer lounge.

There is also a daybed that is over two metres long and repeats the same left- or righthand backrest option, and a rectangular sunbed with a slatted base.

A hexagonal shape enters the collection in the large coffee table design, while a hybrid unit combining the lounge armchair design with an attached small side table is also available.

Rafael outdoor furniture by Paola Navone

Aquatic colours are prominent in the collection and seen on both the furniture and the textiles, which Navone also designed.

The wood frames come in a warm "brushed teak" or ashy "pickled teak", while the tabletops are either the emerald-coloured enamelled lava stone Smeraldo or white statuary marble. The textured textiles range from hues of chartreuse and seafoam to grey and white.

Rafael outdoor furniture by Paola Navone

Navone is one of Italy's most celebrated designers. She graduated in 1973 with a degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Turin and worked alongside Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass Jr and Andrea Branzi in the avant-garde Studio Alchimia.

Her more recent projects have included the "imperfect, almost artisanal" interiors for several French McDonald's outlets, which feature clashing prints and pops of colour.

The post Paola Navone's Rafael outdoor collection is inspired by organic shapes and exotic destinations appeared first on Dezeen.

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Human Backbones and Lotus Leaves Inspire Structural Furniture by Mán-Mán Studio

“33 Step Tail Chair” (2016), brass, 31.5 x 25.6 x 32.7 inches. All images © Mán-Mán Studio

Designers Daishi Luo and Zhipeng Tan of Mán-Mán Studio have ensured the stability of otherwise impermanent objects, like delicate lotuses and the human spine. Manipulating copper and brass, the pair conceives of tall spinal chairs with pelvis seats and other stools and tables mimicking the tops of lotus pads. The duo told China Design Centre that their frequent use of copper is in part “because of the charm of the material. Copper is alive, its plasticity is very high, and it is not what we always see.”

Because Luo and Tan release limited editions of each structural piece, their projects work counter to larger productions. “This is an introspection behavior in the process of industry. After industrial mass production meets most of the needs of life, handicraft often represents the products of nature and culture. People begin to pursue the appeal of inner spirit instead of fast consumption,” they said.

To see more of the duo’s anatomical projects, head to Daishi’s and Zhipeng’s Instagram pages.

“The 33 Step Chair 0.1” (2015), copper, 21.6 x 23.6 x 43.3 inches, 40 kilograms

Left: “Lotus Stool” (2015), copper, 19.6 x 21.6 x 23.6 inches, 40 kilograms. Middle: “Lotus High Side Table” (2015), copper, 17.7 x 21. 6 x 47.2 inches, 40 kilograms. Right: “Lotus Console Table” (2016), brass, 78.7 x 27.5 x 31.5 inches, 100 kilograms

“Lotus Stool” (2015), copper, 19.6 x 21.6 x 23.6 inches, 40 kilograms

“33 Step Tail Chair” (2016), brass, 31.5 x 25.6 x 32.7 inches

“The 33 Step Chair 0.1” (2015), copper, 21.6 x 23.6 x 43.3 inches, 40 kilograms

Lotus Console Table” (2016), brass, 78.7 x 27.5 x 31.5 inches, 100 kilograms

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Aaron Betsky named director of Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design

Aaron Betsky has resigned as president of Frank Lloyd Wright's School of Architecture at Taliesin and will become the director of Virginia Tech's School of Architecture + Design.

Betsky, who resigned from the School of Architecture at Taliesin in November 2019, will begin his new role on 1 June 2020, it was revealed this week.

He said that he is "very excited about the opportunities offered by Virginia Tech".

Betsky to expand "global reach, activities, and influence" of Virginia Tech

"The School of Architecture + Design in particular has a stellar history of experimentation and leveraging its position within a land-grant institution to serve its many communities – particularly in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but also beyond," Betsky added.

The dean of Virginia's College of Architecture and Urban Studies Richard Blythe said Betsky's credentials will help to "expand its global reach, activities, and influence".

"Aaron is a proven leader with demonstrated dedication to cross-disciplinary exploration, academic excellence, and educational innovation," Blythe added.

"His international standing and connections in architecture and design are considerable and will undoubtedly help the college expand its global reach, activities, and influence."

Betsky will replace director Hunter Pittman, who has been in the position since 2016. Pittman will become an associate professor and continue research and teaching in undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Betsky's move comes amid turmoil at the School of Architecture at Taliesin

Betsky, who is also a regular columnist for Dezeen, was made president of the School of Architecture at Taliesin in 2017, two years after he was made dean.

His move to Virginia comes amid turmoil at the School of Architecture at Taliesin, which Frank Lloyd Wright established in 1932.

In January, the school made the "gut-wrenching decision" to close as it could not come to a financial agreement with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. But earlier this month, the school voted to reverse its decision to close after a public outcry allowed it to secure additional funding.

The vote, however, does not necessarily secure the school's future as the foundation, which owns the buildings the school is housed within, has to approve the decision.

"The school board is now calling on the foundation to allow the school to extend its existing agreement so it can remain open, but the foundation is being resistant and still retains the power to force the school to close unless a deal is reached," the board said in a statement.

The decision to close the school led to an outcry in the architecture industry. Architect Ben Aranda called it "a tragedy" in a comment thread on Dezeen. "The foundation has removed the soul of Taliesin for selfish interests," he added.

First-year student Alex Martinec also reflected on how the closure could mark not just the end of a physical institution, but the architect's way of thinking.

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation stopped funding school in 2017

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation funded the school up until 2017. The two separated after the school was threatened with losing its accreditation to award architecture degrees as it was not an independent organisation.

The institution was renamed the School of Architecture at Taliesin as part of its break from the parent organisation.

Betsky, 62, was born in Missoula, Montana but grew up in the Netherlands. He returned to the US to study, gaining a bachelor's degree in history, the arts, and letters and an architecture masters from Yale University.

He has taught at the University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, the Taubman School of Architecture and Design at the University of Michigan and SCI-Arc.

Betsky has also served as artistic director of the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale, and director of the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Netherlands Architecture Institute. He was also curator of architecture, design, and digital projects at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Photo is by Roderick La Foy, courtesy of Virginia Tech.

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Amazing Underwater Photographs Capture the World’s Only Known Pink Manta Ray

All images © Kristian Laine, shared with permission

Australia-based photographer Kristian Laine recently got a glimpse at a particularly special underwater creature: the world’s only known pink manta ray. Spanning about 11 feet and nicknamed Inspector Clouseau after The Pink Panther, the aquatic animal lives near Lady Elliot Island, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef. “I had no idea there were pink mantas in the world, so I was confused and thought my strobes were broken or doing something weird,” Laine told National Geographic.

Project Manta has been studying the male fish since he was discovered in 2015. After conducting a skin biopsy, the organization concluded that the unusual hue is not due to diet or disease but rather is likely a genetic mutation called erythrism, which causes changes in melanin expressions. Most manta rays are black, white, or a combination of the two.

For more of Laine’s underwater shots, follow him on Instagram or Facebook. You also can purchase one of his photographs of Inspector Clouseau and other ocean fish from his shop. (via My Modern Met)

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AHEAD Asia reveals region's best hotels for 2020

Dezeen promotion: a wabi-sabi-inspired hotel in a remote Chinese village and a luxury yacht that sails the seas of Indonesia are among the projects to be celebrated in the 2020 edition of the AHEAD Asia awards.

The AHEAD awards spotlight outstanding hospitality projects from four different regions of the world: Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

This year's winners from the Asia region were announced via an online presentation, following the cancellation of the physical ceremony due to the global coronavirus outbreak.

China is home to several of AHEAD Asia's winning projects. Among them is Sunyata Hotel Meili, which came first in the Hotel Conversion category.

It takes over one of the 23 households that populate the remote village of Wunongding, and features earth-tone interiors that draw upon the ancient philosophy of wabi-sabi.

Other first-place Chinese projects include the Capella Sanya hotel, which scooped the Landscaping & Outdoor spaces award, and Grand Hyatt Xi'an, which won the Guestrooms category.

Champions from elsewhere in the Asia region include The Lindis, which topped the Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps category.

The five-bedroom boutique hotel hides amongst the mountains of New Zealand's Ahuriri Valley and was commended by judges for its off-grid energy solutions.

Rosewood Bangkok's Nan Bei eatery came first in the Restaurant category.

Judges were impressed with the number of decadent decor details that have been incorporated in the venue, which includes a seven-metre-high light installation and blue-lacquered ceilings.

The Bar, Club or Lounge category was also won by Rosewood Bangkok's Lennon's – a speakeasy-like watering hole where guests are encouraged to bring their own vinyl records to be played by the in-house DJ.

The award for the Transport category was also given to The Oracle – a custom 35-metre-long yacht that traverses the seas of Indonesia.

The physical ceremony for the AHEAD Asia awards will now take place 7 September at the Andaz Singapore, where the Hotel of the Year will be announced.

Last year, the prestigious title was won by Amanyangyun Shanghai – a contemporary hotel that occupies a pair of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings in China.

See below for the full list of winners:

Bar, Club or Lounge
Lennon's at Rosewood Bangkok, Thailand

Event Spaces
Grand Ballroom and Junior Ballroom at Rosewood Hong Kong, China

Guestroom
Grand Hyatt Xi'an, China

Hotel Conversion
Sunyata Hotel Meili, China

Hotel Newbuild
Rosewood Hong Kong, China

Hotel Renovation & Restoration
Raffles Singapore

Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces
Capella Sanya, China

Lobby & Public Spaces
Grand Hyatt Xi'an, China

Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps
The Lindis Ahuriri Valley, North Otago, New Zealand

Resort
Six Senses Bhutan

Restaurant
Nan Bei at Rosewood Bangkok, Thailand

Spa & Wellness
Hôtel de la Coupole, Vietnam

Suite
Grand Harbour Corner Suite at Rosewood Hong Kong, China

Transport
The Oracle

Visual Identity
Moss Hotel, Australia

New Concept
Hanare, Tokyo

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