Live panel on radical design with Formafantasma and Philippe Malouin

Dezeen has teamed up with Salone del Mobile to live stream a talk with Formafantasma and Philippe Malouin exploring radical approaches to design. Tune in here at 3:00pm.

Dezeen's collaboration with Salone del Mobile will see us live stream a panel discussion in its Open Talks series every day this week during Supersalone.

The fourth talk in the series is a panel discussion on radical design featuring Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of design studio Formafantasma and designer Philippe Malouin.

Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of Formafantasma will take part in the panel

Titled Today's Radical, the talk will be moderated by filmmaker and curator Francesca Molteni.

The panel will discuss how transdisciplinary methods and active engagement are being utilised to radical ends in contemporary design.

Trimarchi and Farresin are the founders of Formafantasma, a research-based design studio that approaches design through a multi-disciplinary lens. Their work investigates the ecological, social, historical and political forces that are shaping contemporary design. 

Philippe Malouin will also be taking part in the panel discussion

Malouin set up his own studio in 2008 after working with British designer Tom Dixon. His portfolio includes work ranging from tables, rugs and chairs, to art objects and installations.

Malouin has also been named president of the jury at Villa Noaille's Design Parade in France.

Molteni is a filmmaker and curator. She was previously awarded the Award for Innovation by the president of the Italian Republic and the Cathay Pacific Award for female entrepreneurs.

Molteni is also a contributor to publications such as La Repubblica, Vogue, Casa Vogue and Elle Decor.

Francesca Molteni will be moderating the discussion.

This year's edition of Salone del Mobile, titled Supersalone, is curated by architect Stefano Boeri as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the cancellation of the 2020 edition.

Taking place in Milan in September rather than in its usual April slot, the special edition of the fair will feature products displayed on a series of parallel walls instead of in branded booths.

Salone del Mobile and parallel fuorisalone events will take place from 5-10 September 2021 in Milan. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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Bethan Laura Wood's Ornate exhibition features furniture informed by boudoirs

British designer Bethan Laura Wood has unveiled Ornate, an exhibition of furniture that seeks to reclaim ideas of femininity, at the Nilufar Gallery as part of Milan design week.

The exhibition features both existing and new pieces by Wood, as well as historical works chosen by Nilufar's gallerist Nina Yashar.

Top: a decadent headboard and sconce lights. Above: the exhibition is designed to resemble a traditional boudoir

The Ornate collection of decorative furniture aims to chart a decade of creative collaboration between Wood and Yashar through the lens of the boudoir – the traditional term for a woman's bedroom or private interior space.

New pieces by Wood include her Meisen cabinets and desk crafted from rippled sheets of handpicked ALPI veneer, which take cues from Meisen kimonos. Also featured is Bon Bon, a pyrex coloured glass lamp arranged like an abstract bunch of flowers.

Two curvy Meisen cabinets are on display in the exhibition

Thinking back on her work with Yashar was what led Wood to create a furniture collection that references a woman's bedroom.

"It was when I started to properly think about all these pieces that Nina and I had been talking and thinking about over the last two years," Wood told Dezeen.

"I was really looking at the placement of objects again and it dawned on me that what we were making was a woman's room, and it's a room made by women together."

The Bon Bon chandelier was informed by sweet jars and designed to echo flowers

Partly informed by Wood's love of costume jewellery, Ornate aims to reimagine decorative objects as large-scale furniture in an architectural space.

According to the designer, this is an attempt to highlight the importance of ornamentation as a design tool and reclaim decorative design, rather than have it dismissed as overly feminine and unnecessary.

"Quite often, a man's collection of wooden spoons is somehow seen as a more legitimate collection than a woman's collection of jewellery," explained Wood.

"But jewellery has, in the past, been one of the key ways for women to show a point of view and identity and embrace a political standpoint," she added.

"So I like the idea of taking those small elements off the body and using them as an anchor point to create 'jewellery' for larger architectural spaces."

Ornate is on show at Milan's Nilafur Gallery

Another piece that displays these ideas is a wiggly headboard that is defined by interlocking curved shapes, which is mounted above a bed next to accompanying sconce wall lights.

It was informed by American sculptor Alexander Calder's 1940s silver bedhead, which he designed for art collector Peggy Guggenheim, as well as the Peacock Room by artist James McNeill Whistler.

Wood's furniture combines embellishment and functioning structure

"I wanted to see if I could design a piece where if you took the pattern away, it wouldn't exist," said Wood.

The Ornate collection also references Wood's travels over the past 10 years, as various techniques learnt from craftspeople across Europe, California, Mexico and East Asia are reflected in the furniture designs.

Mirrors at the exhibition were crafted with Venetian mirror specialists

Bethan Laura Wood is a multidisciplinary designer whose colourful work is known for its material investigation and artisan collaboration. In 2019, she created a playful self-portrait mask for London Design Festival.

Nilufar Gallery was founded in 1979 in Milan by Nina Yashar.

Photography is courtesy of Nilufar Gallery.

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Ornate is taking place from 5 September to 27 November at Nilufar Gallery as part of Milan design week 2021. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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Aluprof's Future Builders series will explore the future of architecture

Dezeen promotion: how artificial intelligence might change the future of architecture is one of the questions that will be put to architects from across Europe as part of a series of interviews organised by aluminium systems supplier, Aluprof.

Future Builders is a platform by Aluprof that intends to serve as a public space for substantive discussion on the future of global architecture in the context of sustainable construction.

It will launch with an interview series taking place throughout September and October this year and will feature a roster of experienced architects.

Future Builders will launch with an interview series

"We have launched a platform on which theoreticians of urbanism and sociologists of space may share their visions with professionals of the built environment including architects, planners, consultants, and developers," said Bożena Ryszka, marketing and PR director at Aluprof.

The first interview, on 16 September, will be with Polish architect Robert Konieczny, founder of studio KWK Promes and designer of several houses with moving rooms.

The live-streamed interviews will explore the future of architecture

Future Builders will also host an interview with Romanian-born, London-based Bogdan Zaha, a lead architect at Zaha Hadid Architects.

Zaha, a computational designer, researcher and lecturer, will discuss with Dr Piotr Żabicki, editor-in-chief of Z:A, one of the largest architecture magazines in Poland.

The two will discuss Zaha's interest in parametricism, an architectural style based on computer technology and algorithms, and how it can improve the quality of space in buildings, cities, and the environment.

The style was named in 2008 by Patrik Schumacher, who leads Zaha Hadid Architects.

The first stage of Future Builders will take place throughout September

Future Builders also plans to interview Portuguese architect Álvaro Leite Siza Vieira, son of Álvaro Siza, whose private home, museum, and gallery designs have won international awards.

Other architects set to feature in the series include Przemysław Łukasik, co-founder of Medusa Group, which is renowned for its post-industrial regeneration projects; and architect Zbigniew Maćków, whose practice, Maćków Pracownia Projektowa is behind the design of multiple high profile commercial projects across Poland.

"The industry must join the fight for a better tomorrow to ensure a future for future generations and the environment," the president of the management board of Aluprof SA Tomasz Grela said, commenting on the platform's wider goal. "That is why we continue activities promoting the idea of sustainable development – we implement a number of initiatives aimed at reducing our impact on the natural environment."

"Architects are inscribed in this fight for a better world by the nature of the profession because by designing investments we change the environment in which people live."

Find out more about and register for Aluprof's Future Builder's platform here.

Partnership content

This article is a partnership between Dezeen and Aluprof. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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RIBA reveals UK's best buildings for 2021

The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced 54 winners of the 2021 RIBA National Awards for architecture including a floating church, the MK gallery and a mosque in Cambridge.

Awarded annually since 1966, the RIBA National Awards celebrates the best buildings in the UK.

This year's 54 winning projects were chosen from the shortlist for the 2020 RIBA Regional, RIAS, RSUA, and RSAW Awards after last year's awards were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Ranging from radical, cutting-edge new designs to clever, creative restorations that breathe new life into historic buildings, these projects illustrate the enduring importance and impact of British architecture," said RIBA president Simon Alford.

The Cambridge Mosque by Marks Barfield Architects was one of the 54 winners. Photo is by Morley von Sternberg

Included on the list are numerous educational projects, including the Centre Building at LSE by Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners and the School of Science and Sport by OMA at Brighton College.

"There are a good number of well-designed school and university buildings that are powerful investments in the future, and I am sure they will inspire young people, their teachers and communities," said Alford.

"I am also thrilled to see many of these make creative use of existing structures. Well-designed education facilities should be the rule rather than the exception – every child deserves an effective learning environment, and these projects provide rich inspiration."

Grimshaw's Bath Schools of Art and Design was one of several educational winners. Photo is by Paul Raftery

Alford also drew attention to the number of projects that adapt and extend existing buildings.

These included the extension to the MK Gallery in Milton Keynes by 6a Architects (pictured top) and Grimshaw's renovation of its former Herman Miller factory into a building for Bath Schools of Art and Design.

"When a new building is essential, we need to make sure it will last and serve the future well – so it needs to be flexible and reusable," he said. "Long life; loose fit; low energy architecture is the present and the future."

"It is therefore very encouraging to see restoration and sensitive adaptation feature so prominently this year; with many buildings acknowledging their history, the needs of the present and the potential of their dynamic future," he added.

Floating church by Denizen Works was also a winner. Photo is by Gilbert McCarragher

The 54 national winners form the longlist for the Stirling Prize – the UK's most prestigious architecture award. The Stirling Prize shortlist will be announced next week with the winner revealed on 14 October.

See the full list of winners, divided by RIBA region, below:

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East
› Cambridge Central Mosque by Marks Barfield Architects
› Imperial War Museums Paper Store by Architype
› Key Worker Housing, Eddington by Stanton Williams
› The Water Tower by Tonkin Liu

Peter Barber Architects' Peckham housing was one of the winners. Photo is by Morley von Sternberg

London
› 95 Peckham Road by Peter Barber Architects
› Blackfriars Circus by Maccreanor Lavington
› Caudale Housing Scheme Mae Architects
› Centre Building at LSE by Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners
› Centre for Creative Learning, Francis Holland School by BDP
› English National Ballet at the Mulryan Centre for Dance by Glenn Howells Architects
› Floating Church by Denizen Works
› House-within-a-House by Alma-nac
› Kingston University London – Town House by Grafton Architects
› Moore Park Mews by Stephen Taylor Architects
› North Street by Peter Barber Architects
› Royal Academy of Arts David Chipperfield Architects
› Royal College of Pathologists by Bennetts Associates
› The Ray Farringdon by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
› The Rye Apartments by Tikari Works
› The Standard by Orms
› The Student Centre, UCL by Nicholas Hare Architects
› Tiger Way by Hawkins\Brown
› Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Populous
› Wooden Roof by Tsuruta Architects
› Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children by Stanton Williams

Windermere Jetty Museum won one of two awards for Carmody Groarke. Photo is by Christian Richter

North East
› Lower Mountjoy Teaching and Learning Centre Durham University by FaulknerBrowns Architects

North West
› Pele Tower House by Woollacott Gilmartin Architects
› The Gables by DK-Architects
› The Oglesby Centre at Hallé St Peter's by Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio
› Windermere Jetty Museum by Carmody Groarke

Brighton College was another winner. Photo is by Laurian Ghinitoiu

Scotland
› Aberdeen Art Gallery by Hoskins Architects
› Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh by Bennetts Associates
› Sportscotland National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde by Reiach and Hall Architects
› The Egg Shed by Oliver Chapman Architects
› The Hill House Box by Carmody Groarke

South & South East
› Brighton College – School of Science and Sport by OMA
› Library and Study Centre St Johns College Oxford University by Wright & Wright Architects
› MK Gallery by 6a architects
› Moor's Nook by Coffey Architects
› The Clore Music Studios New College Oxford University, John McAslan + Partners
› The Dorothy Wadham Building Wadham College Oxford University, Allies and Morrison
› The King's School, Canterbury International College by Walters & Cohen Architects
› The Malthouse, The King's School Canterbury by Tim Ronalds Architects
› The Narula House by John Pardey Architects
› Walmer Castle and Gardens Learning Centre by Adam Richards Architects
› Winchester Cathedral South Transept Exhibition Spaces by Nick Cox Architects with Metaphor

Tintagel Castle Footbridge was designed by Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates. Photo is by David Levine

South West
› Bath Schools of Art and Design by Grimshaw
› Redhill Barn by TYPE Studio
› The Story of Gardening Museum by Stonewood Design with Mark Thomas Architects and Henry Fagan Engineering
› Tintagel Castle Footbridge for English Heritage by Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates
› Windward House by Alison Brooks Architects

Maggie's Cardiff was the only winner in Wales. Photo is by Anthony Coleman

Wales
› Maggie's Cardiff by Dow Jones Architects

West Midlands
› Jaguar Land Rover Advanced Product Creation Centre by Bennetts Associates
› Prof Lord Bhattacharyya Building University of Warwick by Cullinan Studio

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Watch a virtual fly-through of the Uncensored Library in Minecraft

This one-minute video shows how BlockWorks collaborated with has non-profit organisation Reporters Without Borders to build a virtual library to support freedom of speech.

Created as a digital home for political journalism The Uncensored Library was designed by BlockWorks – a collective that specialises in Minecraft-based architecture.

The group worked with Reporters Without Borders to create the library in the Minecraft game, which has over 145 million active players per month, as a space that can be accessed worldwide and is less heavily regulated than other mediums in countries without a restricted press.

This video shows the library rendered in the game.

Players can read articles through virtual books.

Inside the Uncensored Library, players are able to discover journalists' work that has been censored in their country of origin.

Minecraft's book-crafting function allows players to add their own writing, but books cannot be removed or destroyed.

The library was built in a neoclassical style which has often been used in the western world as a display of culture and power, referencing the ancient civilisations of Rome and Greece.

The library is housed on a floating island within the Minecraft universe.

BlockWorks aimed to subvert those meanings, instead using it to represent the power of knowledge and truth under oppressive regimes.

The project is supported by Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of the late Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as internationally acclaimed writers like Nguyen Van Dai and Yulia Berezovskaia.

Blockworks' other projects include a collaboration with the Guardian to create an alternate, more sustainable vision of urban living, and a five-day youth workshop with RIBA on borders.

Read more about The Uncensored Library ›

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