A Thread for Fine Design

[simon le bon]

And also this

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/20998/daniel-buren-monumenta-2012-excentriques.html

*!$ù99ç^^*s

[dale]

Simon
Your posts (in themselves always interesting) always lead me down "link lane" to more amazing things.
Thanks!
http://www.shaas.no/kurs/

These are small Run of River style power generation stations each capable of 30 GW power generation (enough power for about 1600 residences)
Where I live, these are common, but are usually strange looking small dams, and 1000's of meters of obtrusive pipe.
Good on the Norwegians.

Screen shot 2012-05-10 at 5.53.28 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-10 at 5.53.41 AM.png

[thomthom]

http://www.choishine.com/port_projects/ ... dsnet.html

[Hieru]

http://www.choishine.com/port_projects/landsnet/landsnet.html

That's a really good reminder that enriching one's aesthetic experiences is an important function that should influence the form of a design. All too often designers are concerned with function, function, function and forget that form is itself a function.

[thomthom]

They where in the news here in Norway last year when we where having a big debate about new planned power lines going across the country. Most people are oppose to them because they are so brutal - this suggestion for an Icelandic competition came up and I thought it was really great! I'd be perfectly happy with powerlines with this design. I mean - they are huge and you cannot get away from that - so why not make something out of it. They will be seen - so let them look good!

[dale]

I think I have already hinted at it, and as the examples in this thread show, I think there is something extraordinary going on in Norwegian architecture and design.
I have a friend who is a sculptor, and he lives on the prairies, because he says that in the mountains, artistically, "everything has already been done".
He goes on to say that on the prairies, if you erect a grain elevator, its shape and volume have such a presence, simply because of the lack of such on the prairie landscape.
From what I am seeing, Norway has recognized what it takes to create (sometimes in the most mundane structures, such as, power stations, power line towers, truck inspection stations, tourist lookouts) buildings etc, that really enhance the landscape, but also make you take notice.

Truck inspection station http://www.jva.no/ + Jarmund/Vigsnæs Arkitekter

Screen shot 2012-05-11 at 6.07.32 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-11 at 6.07.24 AM.png

[brookefox]

Some friendly push-back on the decorative power lines... Amusing images, meant to make one smile. Is the form so different from the original or really of the same general impact with a bit of whimsy, to be paid for dearly? And to become stale? I'd prefer the 'purely' functional, and elegant in its direct simplicity and reductive nature. 'Sleek', minimal, efficient, less expensive, un-staling, engineered beauty. We are admittedly tired of the 'big electric cats', but I don't see big electric fe/male shapes to be any kind of viable alternative.

Please keep it up, and thanks, Dale.

[dale]

Brookefox
I appreciate any and all feedback, as this thread is just meant to stimulate, it is always in the realm of possibilities that it will stimulate negative as well as positive, (and some just for fun)

http://www.ilbagnoalessi.com
The Elegant "Tuna"

Screen shot 2012-05-19 at 5.41.25 AM.png

[dale]

Also Alessi
I thought this was an interesting use of Metaphor

Screen shot 2012-05-19 at 6.01.50 AM.png

[dale]

Playing follow the links....
http://www.paulinedeltour.com
Part of Pauline Deltours collection for Alessi.
What I found interesting is when I saw these, I immediately thought Waste Paper Basket.

Screen shot 2012-05-19 at 6.08.34 AM.png

But the designer thought...

Screen shot 2012-05-19 at 6.19.58 AM.png

or maybe...

Screen shot 2012-05-19 at 6.10.55 AM.png

But when I saw this I thought "Fan Cage" (for better or worse)

Screen shot 2012-05-19 at 6.11.51 AM.png

[dale]

Designed to take advantage of the fact you don't need a building permit for a building under 98 sq ft in this area of Finland, this came in at 96 sq ft.

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 5.44.20 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 5.44.42 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 5.44.52 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 5.45.01 AM.png

[dale]

At $69.99 it might come in handy. 8mm toy digital movie and still camera
(Available here).http://www.audiocubes.com
The manufacturer here (mostly in Japanese)http://www.fuuvi.com

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 5.58.59 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 5.59.20 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 6.05.40 AM.png

[dale]

Into recycling? Then Scraphacker is for you http://scraphacker.com
No, not trying to get your visa number, just inspire.

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 6.17.40 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 6.17.54 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-05-21 at 6.18.20 AM.png

[stefanq]

Sören Berger, who lives in New Zealand, has been a woodturning artist for 33 years.

He is very well known throughout the world as a teacher, demonstrator and exhibitor, with his art pieces featured in many journals, publications and books.

Each year Sören is invited to America to demonstrate woodturning at big national symposiums, top art and craft schools and woodturning clubs.

In 33 years of full time studio woodturning, traveling and teaching Sören has come to see that woodturners are experiencing a rediscovery of a very ancient art.

The experience that Sören Berger has gained in his travels throughout the USA, Sweden and NZ over the last 17 years has given him a clearer understanding of many of the common problems people encounter while learning to turn.

Modern woodturning has some new materials, tools and technologies which make the processes quicker and more pleasant.

Sören’s interest over the last 4 years has been focused on developing tools that enables everybody to create beautiful objects with ease of use.

This dedicated development has resulted in a range of innovative and outstanding products enjoyed by woodturners worldwide.

[dale]

I can see Sören Berger is quite an innovator after doing a little follow up on him. I had not heard of him, and appreciate the post.
It is really nice to see a person with his talent spending his time teaching.
I have to say I am surprised that the shade in the video is stable enough not to split with the heat of the light, but that is why he is the teacher.

[David_H]

Those are beautiful lamp shades, but it seemed a of wood ended up on the shop floor!

I wonder if he's ever cut section out of a giant redwood and hollowed himself out a garage for his car!

[pbacot]

Those are beautiful lamp shades, but it seemed a of wood ended up on the shop floor!

I wonder if he's ever cut section out of a giant redwood and hollowed himself out a garage for his car!

Well I imagine that piece was firewood otherwise, probably grown in a plantation as they do for much lumber down there (if it's pine especially).

But just last night I was barbecuing with cedar wraps. They are cedar sheets like paper. I was holding it up to the light and imagining a lamp shade (this one square) with cedar panes. But I was also noting how the sheets looked like prime lumber, in that case, to be cooked with my salmon--another resource I should probably leave for posterity

and now this today. Interesting.

[EscapeArtist]

Too true. But then some European countries have much stricter rules about tree harvesting and forest management. Usually replacements are planted, unlike here.

[brookefox]

Apologies to Dale: A thread for fine design and criticism. I dunno, like some may have thought, using a giant round to extract a beautiful veneer seems very wasteful. He's a turner, so he turns. A chemist might use plastic. I'd prefer a shade of wood be made more conservatively, or if not more 'appropriately', not at all. A shade made of veneer would have a seam and be weaker, until plasticized, but 30 could be made rather than one, and perhaps something nice could be made of the seam (e.g., fingers).

[d12dozr]

Re the lampshade, here's what the video description says:

!!! Please before you write a negative comment about the waste of wood, please realize , this is fast growing pine, it had already been cut down to be used as firewood, the centre of the log is sap wood and is very poor quality, and all the wood chips are reused in another way, for heating, or in the garden. We appreciate your care for nature, and assure you that we too have the same regard for what our planet gives to us.

I think its a great use for what would otherwise just be firewood.

[brookefox]

I watched the video in place and didn't post anywhere but here. (I also have in place a no negative comments about my negative comments request, also posted elsewhere.) Regardless of what claims the author of the disclaimer may have made, my eyes show me otherwise. The center of the log does not look to be of very poor quality; making compost or heating chips in this fashion is, I think, energy wasteful. If the intended use as firewood was defeated by this use of this piece, some other round would be used as firewood? The disclaimer seems like rationalization to me. In my view the end result would be better and more elegantly achieved by other means.

[Roger]

Interesting arguments. In fact veneer would be stronger and look a hell of a lot better. With the grain of veneer bending around the lamp the grain resists deformation by bending around the cylinder of the shade. For this reason the veneer is thinner. The turned piece has vertical grain and will easily separate along the grain at the slightest pressure and must therefore be thicker. Looking at the light transmitted through the wood, the veneer is produces a delicate and even look. The turned piece is thicker as it has to be and you can see irregularities in the form of tool marks. My preference is for the veneer.

[dale]

This may be a case of a master turner strutting his stuff, and from what I have read about Sören Berger after stefanq's post he does a lot of demonstration work to exemplify his craft.
Here is a quote from the Mint Museum of Craft and Design website:

"Turned-wood objects embody a provocative combination of the natural and the manmade. The dialogue between an artist and the wood on the lathe is a balancing act between precise control and the forms of chance, a collaboration of hand, machine, mind and matter. The allure of a turned-wood piece resonates from the interaction of the material's inherent beauty and the turner's mastery of technique, concept and form".
Those among us who have turned wood would probably agree it is a specialized part of woodworking that requires years to master, and what he does in this video is ultra difficult.

As for the larger issue of blatant waste. I don't think it can ever hurt to have this pointed out.
My last residence on Gabriola Island had rainwater collection as its only water source.
I can tell you how tuned in you get to how people waste water, even if it is something a simple as running the tap constantly as you brush your teeth.
It makes me wonder how much energy I have caused to be wasted in the posting, storing, distribution and viewing of this Thread.
I guess I better make em count.
So while we are on the subject
Wild Lilac burl turnings
Hap Sakwa

Screen shot 2012-06-07 at 6.06.46 AM.png

[solo]

Not quite fine design, but a great idea.

306937_429009813796029_599281620_n.jpg

[mitcorb]

Where's the beer slot?

[brookefox]

Stemmed beer mugs are the latest, man.

[bmike]

i'd think moving that slot out closer to the end of the armrest would be better, more room for arm resting... and all.

[dale]

As a dedicated wino, I love em.
do you remember these

[brookefox]

Where's the beer slot?

This might be more of what you are looking for...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Add-Cup ... /?ALLSTEPS

Add-Cup-Holders-to-your-Resin-Adirondack-Chair.jpg

[Hieru]

Monoblock........Nooooooooooooo!