Waste Wood Chair by Marjan Van Aubel and Jamie Shaw

London-based designers Marjan Van Aubel  and Jamie Shaw have investigated ways of incorporating waste shavings into design using bio-resin. Between 50% and 80% of timber is wasted during the standard manufacturing process of furniture which was the influence behind their Waste Wood chair.  When bio-resin is mixed with the wood shaving and scraps a chemical reaction occurs expanding it into foam. By adding colour dye and varied-sized shavings from different workshop machines, a colourful, lightweight and mouldable material is created.

London Tent 2012 Report

The second stop during my trip to London Design Festival was this years Tent event. One of larger events being held over the 10 day festival. The event was held together with Super Brands London and was put on show in the Old Truman Brewery.
With such a vast amount of design talent and innovation it was hard to highlight the best on display.
The stand that stood out the most for me at this years event,had to be the carved geometric wood pieces by Hungraian designer Laszlo Tompa. His collection included a range of lighting aswel as stylishly carved boxes. The innovation, skill and standard of craftsmanship was next to none.

Another intriguing piece of design was the domino covered cabinet designed by Dutch design company Schelling and Borsboom. Stylist design with a bit of humour.

This next piece was probably one of the designs I have talked about the most since London Design Festival. A coffee table design by UK designer Toby Poolman which captured your attention as soon as you entered the top floor. A piece which demonstrated excelent innovation and craftsmanship but made the user question its production and the characteristics of its wood material.

It was great to see Eco design palying a big part of this years London Design Festival. One of the best examples of eco design and upcycling was the work of UK designer Sarah Turner. Her beautiful lighting has been designed using recycled plastic bottles which she cuts and forms into 3 dimensional flowers. When speaking to Sarah, it didnt suprise me to hear that she was commisioned by Coca Cola to design a chandelier for this years London Olympics.

London Design Festival Report - "A Place to Gather"

My first stop during London Design Festival, "A place to Gather".
This show was dedicated to showcasing the design work of  Irish designers based both here and in London itself. Organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland and curated by John Legge, the show transformed an old garage in the middle of Shoreditch into a creative,small but inviting hub of contemporary Irish design. All the designs featured were very much Irish in there design, materials and how they were made. Irish Oak furniture by Simon O'Driscoll which was upholstered in Donegal Irish tweed woven my Kieran Molloy, Irish Ash used by James Carroll of Stickman furniture, Irish willow baskets and lighting by Kathleen Mc Cormack of Basketbarn and Irish linen furnishings by Jennifer Slattery brought traditional Irish craft to a contemporary stage.

Culture Night 2012

This year’s Culture Night takes place for one night only, this Friday the 21^st of September. All around Ireland, museums, galleries, historic houses and design studios will open their doors after business hours for a free night of entertainment, discovery and adventure. 2012 marks the seventh year of Culture Night and this year’s programme is the most diverse yet. People of all ages across the country are encouraged to take advantage of this national night and celebrate the art and design Ireland has to offer.

This year at The Malthouse Design Centre, we are opening our doors to every one of all ages to join us in creating a one off design piece where everyone involved will have their personal stamp put on display. A unique opportunity for anyone interested in design.

Nendo's "Bird House"

Japanese design firm Nendo have created a number of hybrid birdhouses that both humans and birds can share. The "Bird Apartments" have been constructed high in the trees at Komoro City’s Momofuku Ando Centre, Japan. The Momofuku Ando Centres main mission is to promote access to nature. Each Bird Apartment contains 78 separate nesting spaces for birds with a small peephole at the back of each where they can be viewed from inside the human living space. The structure’s design pushes the center’s vision to a whole new level by allowing visitors to get a spyglass look at the natural behavior of the birds that nest there.

                               

World Design Capital Helsinki 2012

This years World Design Capital, Helsinki, hosts its 2012 design week this week from the 6th - 16th of September. The theme of this years event is Co-Creation, the main events of which will be held in The Old Customs Warehouse in Katajanokka. Ireland will be represented by winners of the Pivot Dublin and the IDI design challange, The Dublin Design Collective, at the "Everyday Discoveries" Exhibition which will be held over the 10 day event.

 

"A Place To Gather" in London

"A Place To Gather" is a unique exhibition designed by The Crafts Council of Ireland which will be running during London Design Week this month. The exhibition has been specially designed to showcase the work of top Irish designers including Claire-Ann O'Brien, O'Dricoll Furniture, Anthony Cleary, James Carroll and our very own Malthouse Designer Jennifer Slattery.
"A Place to Gather" will transform a recently discovered old warehouse in Shoreditch, into a creative and exciting glimpse of contemporary Ireland. 
The exhibition will open its doors on Tuesday the 18th of September on Chance Street, near Redchurch Street as part of the Shorditch design triangle. 

Claire-Anne O'Brien

Jennifer Slattery

James Carroll