Archive for category Architecture
GOOD DESIGN™ Awards 2009
Posted by Kaitlin in Architecture, Art and Design, Events, News on April 6th, 2010
The GOOD DESIGN Awards presented annually by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies honors the world’s top corporations for setting the highest standard of the best products, branding, and graphic design.
In 2009, a total of 500 awards were given out to the leading industry designers and manufacturers representing 35 nations, marking this year’s awards as the largest ever by country. Some of this past year’s top contributing corporations include: 3M Company, Apple Computer, Inc., Armstrong World Companies, AT&T., The Bosch Group, Continental Airlines, Electrolux Major Appliances, Mercedes-Benz, and the long list continues.
Pictured right is a winner from the robotics/bionics category that I had to share. It’s called Air Penguin designed
by Festo AG Co. KG. These artificial penguins have been taught “autonomous flight in the sea of air”. The knowledge gained from this project will benefit automation production processes in the future.
To view a list of all 2009 winners take a look at the Good Design 2009 website.
For more information about the history of the most prestigious world design award and to submit products and designs for the 2010 GOOD DESIGN Awards visit the Good Design 2010 page.
Tweet This!
Posted by Kaitlin in Architecture, Art and Design, Interior Design, Uncategorized on March 25th, 2010
If your a regular follower of our blog, you’ve noticed we have been telling you a lot about us lately, and rightfully so. Recently, however our marketing team has been focusing a great deal of attention on social media, especially Twitter; and I’ve found some really neat things that I’m dying to share with you. I generally search for interior design, decor, architecture, wall decals, etc. to see new, innovative, and creative trends going on within the industry. There are so many talented and well informed people in Twitterville that are sharing an abundance of information. Here’s what I found interesting and stylish this week:
@yankodesign Nuturing a digital flower - http://bit.ly/cnDOVK How cool? A charming flower you could place on your night stand or in your kitchen that simultaneously works as a humidifier.
@photoshooter Synthetic Habitat: Architecture and Interior Design Photography Website - http://bit.ly/cOMO4M This portfolio by Jorge Parra illustrates the life that permeates from architecture and the use of light in ordinary places.
@modern_designed Surround – Gadget Sofa Designby Naturazz - http://bit.ly/97mDOx Play music from your sofa – I gotta have it! Not only a great asset to entertaining, but also the ideal way to listen to some calming tunes, kick back and relax.
@DesignUpdates Cool Ideas For a Kitchen Bar, A Fun Interior Make - http://interiordesignsense.com/?p=3392 Everyday I find more reasons to remodel my kitchen. This blog offers a multitude of ideas for a stylish and trendy way to arrange and decorate your kitchen. Here’s one that caught my eye:
And as always please be sure to check in with Surface Graphics by visiting our website or Twitter page to see what’s new with us!
Being Green is Gettin’ Easier Everyday
Posted by Brian in Architecture on July 23rd, 2009
A partnership based on Green ideals and an attempt to bring about global change is the inspiration for a Dallas duo’s latest Green home. The Green Labron project is the greenest home in Dallas and one of the first projects to receive Platinum LEED Certification. Every aspect of the construction project was conceived in the greenest manner following all LEED standards and specifications. The entire project was live-blogged and documented for the rest of the world to watch and follow the process of building a green home. From the deconstruction of the original home on the property to the home completion, the Green Labron project has documented every step of building and thinking green!
The green construction process involves concepts such as advanced framing, engineered joints and trusses, and the use of quality materials ensure the house stands up to the test of time. The main goal of sustainable building is to avoid expending the energy and materials to rebuild prematurely. The original home was simply not built to withstand the times lacking any LEED qualifications forcing the duo to rebuild. Read the rest of this entry »
Littlest House on the Prairie
Posted by Wendy in Architecture on June 9th, 2009
One eco-conscious designer takes downsizing to a whole other level with his teeny tiny Tumbleweed “houses” that run from 65-140 square feet in size. More than a decade ago, Jay Shafer took his sustainable living motto to heart when he hand crafted his 89 square foot home which clocked in at almost smaller than your average closet.
The Sliding Home
Posted by Wendy in Architecture on May 4th, 2009
Fit your home to the weather forecast with a house equipped with an adjustable roof. London-based architecture firm dRMM ups the idea of mobile walls with their latest design venture dubbed the Sliding House.
It’s tough to imagine but basically 104 feet of railway tracks allow a sliding 20 ton roof/wall structure to traverse the length of the Suffolk dwelling. The 52 feet long mobile enclosure comes self-powered with car batteries hidden within the shell and wheels built into the walls that roll to cover the various sections of the house. Built to resemble a long, narrow wood barn, the red trimmed home is segmented into the glass enclosed main house, a garage, and an annex. As the insulated steel shell moves down the tracks, sections get covered and uncovered to create instances where a canopy appears or the bathroom gets exposed to the elements while the yard gets covered up.
Here is a series of photos to illustrate how the shell covers the main house: Read the rest of this entry »
