Cool Hunting
| 18 July 2008view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
The Glass House
by Ami Kealoha
In this video RISD president John Maeda narrates a visit to Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan, CT. Maeda shares his impressions and talks about how it relates to his thoughts on simplicity. Meanwhile, we explore the site (there are actually several buildings on the property in addition to the Glass House), shot over a couple picture perfect spring days.
Purisme Carbon Fiber Letter Opener
by Brian Fichtner
With the bulk of our correspondences now taking place digitally, it's no wonder letter openers have been relegated to the luxury gift category. But the humble object remains one of those iconic pieces of design; Enzo Mari designed a whole series of them for the Italian company Danese in the '60s. Now comes the advent of the carbon fiber letter opener. Designed by the Austrian studio Purisme, this ergonomic opener is both an office accessory and a weapon for self-defense. It also won the Red Dot Product Design Award, 2008.
Skinny Vinny Bags
by Ami Kealoha
by Nicole Schlomann
Product designer turned bag maker, Vincent Lai founded his line of stylish totes and messenger bags in 2007 and calls it "Skinny Vinny," a nickname that his friends tease him with.
Lai crafts bags that use architectural and geometrical shapes along with little details like hidden pockets and contrasting trim colors. Handmade in Brooklyn, with each bag hand finished by Lai, the canvas satchels are "straightforward" and "no-fuss," yet completely polished. Says Lai, "Our mission is to create functional products that create a sense of urban sophistication, with tailored craftsmanship and unique designs." In addition to providing urbanites with the perfect pouch for their everyday baggage, the charitable Lai also gives back partial proceeds of each piece to the National Resources Defense Council.
Revolving Architecture Book
by Brian Fichtner
If you thought that rotating restaurants and houses were simply relics of our space age past, consider the handful of dynamic architectural projects being developed in the coming decade. The most notable being the Dynamic Tower in Dubai, an 80-story mixed use structure by Florentine architect David Fisher, whose every floor is capable of rotating a full 360 degrees. What better time for us to evaluate the history of these extravagant structures than now, when they stand poised to join the urban theme parks of the Middle East?
"Revolving Architecture: A History of Buildings that Rotate, Swivel, and Pivot" by Chad Randl is a sweeping survey of dynamic architecture that takes readers well beyond the 20th Century. The book begins with the earliest revolving structures; the legendary supper rooms in Nero's Domus Aurea date as far back as the first century. Randl devotes a good portion of his study on early designs from 1900-1945, buildings that were designed as treatment centers, summer retreats, and amusements.
These relatively modest kinetic structures laid the foundations for the opulent eateries in the sky that tended to dominate post-war rotating architecture, a broad concern for much of the latter part of the book. Randl closes the study by looking at more recent residential dwellings, an interesting survey of eccentric homeowners as much as architectural tour. In all, the book provides ample opportunity for us to marvel at our predecessors, though it tends to lack any true opinion as to whether revolving architecture is an evolution, or simply another sign of our hubris.
Rickshaw Commuter Messenger Bag
by Ami Kealoha
by Kyle Small
The new Rickshaw Commuter Messenger Bag is a durable and functional addition to an already growing collection of bags we have here at CH HQ. Strong and sturdy, this is a bag that you can rely on for years to come. Built to survive a downpour of rain, as well as the rigors of bike messengering (Rickshaw founders are Timbuk2 alums), you're definitely getting your money's worth. And with as many pockets, sleeves and loops as it has, this shoulder bag will fit just about everything you need for a solid days work, whatever that may be.
With a large rear pocket including sections for everything down to a cell phone, the bag offers plenty of easy access if you are ever in a rush. And inside, of course, there is a detachable sleeve for your laptop—pretty much an essential for us as this point.
In addition to bike messenger roots, another design value that Rickshaw's incorporating into their ethos is a customizable aspect. Some compartments come out, the front flap can be securely closed in two different ways (either with buckles or velcro) and other models have inserts transforming them into diaper bags. When ordering on their site you can choose between a bunch of different designs and colors (we opted for all-black).
If all that wasn't enough, Rickshaw even offers a version made from recycled plastic bottles. Bags start at $160 for a small bag and $180 for a medium bag from Rickshaw's site.
