Book: Reinventing the Automobile


www.mitpress.mit.edu

Reinventing the Automobile – Personal Urban Mobility for the 21st Century
MIT Press by William J. Mitchell, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, and Lawrence D. Burns

The cars we drive today follow the same underlying design principles as the Model Ts of a hundred years ago. In the twenty-first century, cars are still made for twentieth-century purposes. They’re well suited for conveying multiple passengers over long distances at high speeds, but inefficient for providing personal mobility within cities—where most of the world’s people now live.

The authors reimagine the automobile, describing vehicles of the near future that are green, smart, connected, and fun to drive. They roll out four big ideas that will make this both feasible and timely.

Four Big Ideas That Could Transform the Automobile:

– Base the underlying design principles on electric-drive and wireless communications rather than the internal combustion engine and stand-alone operation
– Develop the Mobility Internet for sharing traffic and travel data
– Integrate electric-drive vehicles with smart electric grids that use clean, renewable energy sources
– Establish dynamically priced markets for electricity, road space, parking space, and shared-use vehicles

Post by Nancy Bendtsen

Visit, relax, and enjoy our Library

Not everyone knows or has a chance to enjoy our little gem of a library.

Tucked behind the floating staircase on the main floor of our 50 Water location, the library houses volumes on architecture, industrial, furniture, fashion, interior and a slew of other design fields. Even added to the mix are interesting and notable editions of art and cook books.

Curated by Nancy Bendtsen and staff, the library is constantly changing with new additions.

Peruse the latest magazines or flip through the bio of your favourite designer.

Introducing D-Line Hardware


www.carlf.com/dline

In 1973 D-Lines first product the Ø 14mm U-Shape handle was manufactured and has since been the defining visual language for the rest of their design.

Click here to view and download catalogues

For decades they have been producing precisely machined hardware for both home and contract use. Made from stainless steel the collection consists of a range of door handles, pulls, passage sets, hooks, and a variety of other architectural hardware.

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Shawn Place Works


www.shawnplace.ca

Early last year Shawn Place came to us with a prototype of his rocking chair. With a several more of these prototypes (one currently at my family home) he came to the beautifully proportioned SP210 rocking chair.

The frame is made of rift cut white oak with a soap finish. The seat and back are hand caned by Shawn in his Prince George workshop.

A great piece of Canadian design and craftsmanship. Try it out in store today.

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New in stock | Tom Dixon

We’ve been working with Tom Dixon for sometime now and we just can’t get enough of it.

The raw and industrial nature of many of his products really add a nice layer of texture to our contemporary settings.

New candelabras: Spin Floor and Crown
New lighting: Pipe, Lean and Pressed Glass
New accessories: Beat Vessels

To view more products by Tom Dixon visit www.informshop.com

View the Tom Dixon Catalogue here

Emeco Navy destruction videos


www.emeco.net

W+K London have been working with Emeco and some of their online marketing. A while back they made videos of some unorthodox test methods on the Emeco Navy chair, the indestructible and lightweight aluminum chair.

Originally designed for the US Navy, their product is truly remarkable. The materials strength and lightness speaks of its industrial nature.

Not sure if these tests are applicable to real life in any way but you won’t be seeing these chairs in a dumpster any time soon.

Visit W+K London to see their work at http://www.wklondon.com/

Purchase Emeco products online at www.informshop.com

Accessories by Isaac Reina


www.isaacreina.com

Isaac Reina started a fashion line under his name in 2006 and opened his first shop in Paris the same year.  Previously working with Hermès, he is the currently an accessories designer for Maison Martin Margiela.

Attention to detail is evident when you look at the quality of his minimal and timeless collections.  There’s not a single part of his design that is excessive. This makes his line so unpretentious and something that can be used for the rest of our lives.  For many of us who believe in craftsmanship, you can truly find the appreciation through the quality of his work.

Post by Lizzy

Introducing BACCARAT Crystal


www.baccarat.com

New to the store are the fantastic French crystal makers Baccarat. With a heritage starting in 1764 by permission of King Louis XV, the factories are located in the village of its namesake in Northern France.

The STARCK ZENITH CHANDELIER shown above was originally designed for the Maison de Baccarat, when the company moved its headquarters to Paris. The witty play of light and dark by Philip Starck was so popular that the chandelier was added to the collection.

Collaborations with some great designers has reinvented Baccarat for many contemporary applications. The collection below was designed by Arik Levy the Torch pendant and table lamp, and the Fantome suspension lamp. These designs stay true to the roots of Baccarat but break down their traditional chandeliers to their basic forms.

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