Yellowtrace Spotlight // October 2013.

Did you guys notice it’s October already? How did that happen? This can only mean one thing – it’s time for our October 2013 round of Yellowtrace Spotlight. This month’s design news brings us two fantastic local projects by Woods Bagot in Adelaide and Landini Associates in Melbourne; Danish Design at the House – a not-to-be-missed event at Sydney Opera House; beautiful seating collection by Konstantin Grcic for Magis; brand new stool from DesignByThem; Dinosaur Designs‘ foray into furniture; and quirky cardboard foldable buddies by Foldable.me.

New Products.

Traffic Collection by Konstantin Grcic for Magis.

The new Traffic seating collection, designed by the German designer Konstantin Grcic and presented at the last Salone del Mobile, is now available. Traffic is the first Magis collection of furniture using upholstery. The company is moving in new directions in order to expand its catalogue. The new family of products comprises an armchair, a two seater sofa, two benches, a chaise lounge, and a platform.

Each of the pieces is features a tubular three-dimensional metallic frame accompanied by cushions with simple graphic lines. The structure is available in seven bright colours and the cushions are available in a wide range of Kvadrat fabrics and leather.

Magis
Konstantin Grcic
Corporate Culture

Tuck Stool by DesignByThem.

Tuck is a brand new colourful range of stackable stools that utilise a playful fold pattern for strength and aesthetic lightness. “We were inspired by the structural patterns found in children’s paper fortune tellers. What translated next, were explorations in material folding that would go on to inform the stool’s functional strength and playful aesthetic.” Sarah Gibson

Tuck stool is made from zinc plated steel, which is folded to form a single leg section. Four legs are then used to create a complete stool and are connected using the underside folds. It is these multiple folds that give the stool strength, simplicity, and aesthetic lightness. Tuck stool is happy living indoors or out, comes in a range of colours, and can be customised for commercial projects. Available from the 1st of November 2013.

DesignByThem
Photography: Pete Daly 

Recent Projects.

The Collins, Hilton Adelaide by Woods Bagot.

Global design studio Woods Bagot has blurred the line between expectation and tradition with new signature cocktail bar The Collins. The bar re-establishes an important venue on the ground floor of the Hilton Hotel, reinvigorating a prominent corner of Victoria Square in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia. Inspired by the classic form of a tailored suit, the interiors present a fresh, modern and urban chic approach to a hotel bar.

A blend of precious materials such as brass and marble contrast with wire brushed, stained timber and saddle leather that will age and wear beautifully over time. A spectacular pattern of metallic blades on the ceiling provide a focal point as a combined bespoke art piece and lighting element.

Woods Bagot
Peter Clarke Photography 

Showcasing the creation of a new life for an old building, Landini Associates brief was to restore the former Collingwood industrial warehouse into the new headquarters base for T2.

The aim was to respect and celebrate the original building, while creating a dramatic statement to represent the T2 company’s ethos. Throughout the building, timber beams, columns and brick walls were sandblasted to bring back their original finish whilst a few scuffs and marks are kept as a remembrance of its history. This was contrasted with T2’s trademark dark, streamlined palette.

Perceived constraints were turned into an advantage, exploiting various levels within the warehouse while designing a unified space. This was due to the site being located on a sloped block through to the rear street. This resulted in creating a different arrival experiences for both the public and staff.

The development marks a new era for T2, providing and innovative and functional office space that reflects a deep understanding of culture, urbanity, and of course, celebrates the centuries-old art of tea-making.

Landini Associates
Trevor Main Photography

Archive photo of Jørgen Varming of Steensen Varming in front of Sydney Opera House. Varming is a mechanical engineers who helped build The Opera House.

One Collection Council Chair.

Lightyears Concert P3 Pendant Light.

Design Events.

Danish Design at the House.

By the time the Opera House was conceived in the 1950s, Danish Modernism, which drew on Denmark’s tradition of cabinet-making and craftsmanship to forge something entirely new, was already sweeping the world. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece, and its enduring influence on architecture and structural design worldwide, the Western Foyer of Sydney Opera House will be transformed into an installation inspired by the sparse, elegant modernism of the Danish living room.

The exhibition, curated by Gerard Reinmuth from TERROIR (AU) in collaboration with Karen Kjærgaard (DK), with support from the Danish Arts Foundation & Danish Trade Council, will be an integrated part of the Sydney Architecture Festival.

The exhibition will feature timeless design classics from the Utzon era, together with innovative and experimental contemporary design. Inspired by the Danish tradition of minimalism, functionality and craftsmanship, these new designs are an object lesson in how tradition continues to make the future.

When: Open to the public from Friday 25 October – Monday 11 November 2013.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Western Foyer

Sydney Opera House
Danish Design at the House

Side Tables by Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy of Dinosaur Designs.

Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy of Dinosaur Designs have launch of their first furniture collection of side tables, Liquid Moon and Collage. Having cemented themselves in the Australian design industry, the introduction of larger scale pieces such as resin side tables is a natural progression. Olsen and Ormandy have each designed a collection of side tables, celebrating their individual design sensibility, all which are one of a kind and have been hand made in their Sydney studio.

Olsen’s designs are constantly inspired by the natural world. The curved, organic nature of jellyfish is referenced in her collection, Liquid Moon. Ormandy’s collection, Collage, is a playful combination of shapes, colour and tone. The collection is available in Dinosaur Designs’ Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, New York and online stores.

Dinosaur Designs Online Shop
Nicholas Samartis – Photographer

Miniature Customisable Cardboard Toy People by Foldable.Me.

Foldable.Me makes little cardboard people that ca be completely customised online before they are printed, cut and scored for easy assembly. Once they are created, your miniature cardboard buddies are sent to your doorstep where you bring them to life by folding.

Foldables weigh in at a mighty 10g and stand 8.5 cm tall. Each Foldable is made to order using a secret blend of matt laminate cardboard and high grade inks. They are precision cut and scored to be sturdy little souls – but they wouldn’t be much good in a fight. Watch their funny promo video via the link below.

Foldable.me
Foldable.me Video