Modern Design Nov08

magazine CReaTeD BY DiSeO eaRLe
THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

CAMPAIGNING ART
MECANOO ARCHITECTEN + ECO-ELISE GREEN MACHINE + COUTURE CONSCIENCE + MUST-HAVE FIREPLACES
With our vision your conventional property can be transformed into the perfect
Mediterranean residence. Our comprehensive architectural services use the latest
visualisation techniques to show you exactly how we will reconstruct your home.
Our fixed-price contracts state completion times with compensation for delays
and a 10 year build guarantee.
To discuss the possibilities
call us on +34 951 260 041
CONTEMPORARY
RE-DESIGN
Defining modern architecture and construction
DISEO EARLE
www. d-ear l e. com
editorial letter by michael earle, modern Design editor
Modern Design is Everywhere
Good communication and construction expertise are the keys to successful build
projects. Our multi-cultural team led by a dedicated Project Manager will keep you
updated with regular photographic reports.
Our fixed-price contracts state completion times with a minimum
10,000 compensation and a 10 year build guarantee.
If your design is ready and you would like a quote in 24 hours
call us on +34 951 260 041
SUPERIOR BUILD
DISEO EARLE
www. d-ear l e. com
Michael Earle, CEO of Diseo
Earle, is an American who
grewup in Spain. He studied
architecture at the Boston
Architectural Center where
he later became Professor of
Architecture before returning
to Spain in 2002 to set up
his company. Specialising in
contemporary design and build,
Diseo Earle has grown into an
international practice. A multi-
cultural team of more than 150
work on projects for private and
commercial clients at various
locations around the world,
including Dubai, Cape Verde,
Brazil, Ukraine and, of course,
here in Spain.
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Issue 17
Cover November 2008
Obama Hope Poster
Image courtesy of ShepardFairey
(Article onpage 54)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edition
NmerodedepsitoLegaL
MU-1869/2007
soLiCituddemarCa
2.757.011
C.i.F.
B.92579937
priNtiNg
Grfcas Jomagar
All rights reserved. Reproductioninwhole
or inpart without writtenpermissionis
strictlyprohibited.
moderNdesigNmagaziNe2008
No Advertorials
At Modern Design Magazine were
passionate about researching,
producing and publishing articles
about the cutting-edge design
and innovative technology that
are changing the way we live, and
to share that passion with our
readers. We are totally committed
to disseminating honest, unbiased
information and will remain true to
our readers and our principles by
never compromising journalistic
integrity. Thats why, although we
dont want to rufe any feathers,
our policy is and always will be
not to publish advertorials and we
stand resolutely by that decision.
Staff
moderNdesigNeditor
Michael Earle
mearle@d-earle.com
maNagiNgdireCtor
TrishaMiller
tmiller@d-earle.com
art&desigN
RolandoSnchez Bouza
rbouza@d-earle.com
FeaturesWriters
CarolynMelin
cmelian@d-earle.com
DaveVickers
dvickers@d-earle.com
adVertisiNg
IainFenwick
Tel: +(34) 670966358
ifenwick@d-earle.com
marKetiNgdireCtor
AmandaFisher
afsher@d-earle.com
HumaNresourCes
PamelaWilson
pwilson@d-earle.com
diseoearLe, s.L
c/ Churruca2, 29640Fuengirola
Mlaga, Spain
Tel: +34951260041
Email: magazine@d-earle.com
As this and every issue of Modern Design cleverly illustrate,
modern design is everywhere. Modern fashion is going green,
combining an environmental conscience with cutting-edge
design. Car design is introducing eco-friendly materials
and solar panels integrated within hot, modern designs.
Modern art is continuing to push the boundaries of design,
expressing new points of view on our current world situation.
Pyrotechnics are getting into more challenging designs that
push the frontiers of frework design with aesthetic beauty
and technology. Modern music is evolving, taking greater
risks and combining more infuences to create new and
unexpected sounds. Even current politics is getting in on
the act as the American political machines design new ways
of fooling the public, while artists and creative minds create
protest art along the way. (In the interest of full disclosure, we
support Obama.)
This month we profle Mecanoo, a Dutch architectural practice
that has fought for good design over the years, combining
strong ideas, sustainability and dynamic detailing into what
should be considered as one of the great frms practicing
today. We will become more familiar with them in the coming
months as they continue developing large municipal projects
in Crdoba and Mlaga. These projects manage the pressure
and complexity of collaborating with local governments
without losing the rigour of good design. The new Palace of
Justice building in Crdoba takes the traditional Andalusian
architecture of the city and abstracts it to create an intriguing
and gorgeous structure that reminds us somehow of
the Moorish origins of the provincial capital. Mecanoo is
becoming more and more in demand as they become more
widely known, and are accomplishing great things both in
competitions and in commissioned work. We celebrate their spirit and achievement. With all
the problems in the world today fnancial, environmental, racial and cultural we celebrate
what modern design and powerful ideas can do to make our planet a better place. With new
ways of thinking, new ways of coming together and new approaches towards improving our
world, we can all get through the current mess and together create a ftter, healthier, stronger
and fner Earth for all its inhabitants.
modern Design is also available online at www.modern-design.d-earle.com
For any questions or comments about modern Design magazine, i can be contacted at mearle@d-earle.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4 moderN desigN nOVEMBER 2008
Our in-house architects, project managers and construction teams work together to
design, manage and complete your property within budget and on time. Relax, safe in
the knowledge that your project is in expert hands.
Our fixed-price contracts state completion times with a minimum
10,000 compensation and a 10 year build guarantee.
For more information on our integrated services
call us on +34 951 260 041
MODERN DESIGN
AND BUILD
DISEO EARLE
www. d-ear l e. com
Blackberry!
Joanne stewart used her nod, sent in some
constructive comments about Modern Design
Magazine and bagged herself a Blackberry,
many congratulations to her and thanks to
you all for the comments last month, better
luck next time. As for Joanne, why did you do
it? That dynamite little pocket-ofce is never
going to give you a moments peace mind
you, the games are top notch.
amy hunting eco design
48
evgeny kiselev digital illustration
Contents november
08
ISSUE 17
12. neWs alerts
architecture
16. sPin doctor; Pivotal Design ConCePt
18. a degree oF latitude; MeCanoo arChiteCten
26. on toP oF the World; KezhMa islanD Dubai by Diseo earle
72. humanitarian housing; the FlatPaCK hoMe with PanaChe
art
30. aBstract king; evgeny Kiselev, Digital illustrator extraorDinaire
50. in the Frame; art ForuM berlin
85. think again; art unDer the MiCrosCoPe (Pages 25, 41, 61, 83)
Books & cinema
78. the latest releases
culture
52. agenda; unMissable events on the soCial CalenDar
54. camPaigning art; the battle For the white house
design
38. our shoPPing selection
48. a chiP oFF the old Block; aMy hunting Carves a Career
Fashion
66. green is the neW Black; Couture with a ConsCienCe
30
mecanoo architecten
18
camPaign art: the Battle For the White house
green Fashion: couture With a conscience
54
66
our shoPPing selection
38
Contents november
08
ISSUE 17
gastronomy
62. high Flying cuisine; austrias hiPPest hangout
interior design
42. all Fired uP; hot hearths, Cool Design
PeoPle & Places
28. commuter cryPt; Fast-traCKing CanaDian Culture
motors
86. lean, mean green machine; lotus eCo-elise
music
74. cutting it at 65; seasiCK steve
77. ear to the ground; MDs MusiC Mix
technology
82. rocket science; the MaD worlD oF PyroteChniCs
the latest
80. the latest must-have gadgetry
88. directory
89. PrevieW oF neXt months issue
91. cool coastal living; MDs exClusive ProPerty seCtion
coolest FirePlaces
42
high Flying cuisine
62
lotus eco-elise
the mad World oF Pyrotechnics
86
82
Books & cinema latest releases
78
SurfS up
flying penguinS
Seen in South AmericA
Witnesses to the final moments of a spectacular
rescue plan were left rubbing their eyes in
disbelief last month. A large group of magellanic
penguins were led astray by a school of tasty
anchovies and lost their bearings hundreds
of miles north of their usual feeding grounds.
Animal welfare activists decided to book the
birds a charter to get them home, and millions of
years of evolution were wiped out in an instant
by sending the f lightless birds airborne once
more in a c-130 hercules military plane. With
conditions not much better than certain other
ticketless airlines, it was understandable that the
birds were more than willing to disembark, and
so they did in droves to onlookers amazement
at a safe location in southern Brazil. though
the 1500 mile f light was considered slightly
traumatic for the birds, at least they were spared
the peril of a stopover at terminal 5.
StAtionery deSign
StApler muSeum condemned
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the mBm practice of oriol Bohigas
mainly responsible for the resounding
success of Barcelonas spectacular
architectural transformation circa late 20th
century has finally fallen foul of the
catalan people. his proposal for a new
design museum at the heart of the city
has been given a profound thumbs-down
by Barcelona residents. the design-
sensitive city sent the proposal to the
gallows complaining of its imposing
stature and aggressive and intimidating
form. the final insult was a bulky
overhanging upper section that has now
been accurately dubbed la grapadora
(the stapler). We think it looks a bit like a
super-tanker control deck, but no matter,
the people have spoken, the design is
sunk and mBm have some making up to
do. Just goes to show, youre only as good
as your last design.
Brummy BeAcon
mentAl heAlthcAre
turnS to Architecture
lehmAnS termS
WAll Street ArtiSt petitionS
lurking behind a recession theres always
a success story, and Brooklyn-based artist
geoffrey raymond is getting seriously
popular. the 54-year-old artist has been
painting portraits of Wall Street figures for
years, but in the wake of all the recent
financial fiascos hes kindly given the
public a chance to participate in his work,
and vent some credit-crunch angst at the
same time. raymond posted a portrait
of investment bank ceo richard fuld
outside the manhattan hQ of lehman
Brothers and urged the passing public
to sign his work. After a short time the
portrait was rendered unrecognisable,
signed from edge to edge by a very
bemused new york public. Blood
suckers, read one comment and See you
in the soup kitchen, another. lehman
employees were asked to sign in green
ink and the anger f lowed. the portrait,
the latest in a new special financial-f lop
series by raymond is now called the
Annotated fuld and should fetch a fair
dollar or two in its own right.
itS certAinly
ABoriginAl
Sydney hArBourSide
redevelopment BreAkS ground
Blinkin clever
oculAr mouSe reSpondS to eye movementS
An ocular mouse developed in manaus - at the heart of the Brazilian
rainforest - is opening up the internet and business world to tetraplegics
and those who have either been born without their upper limbs or who
have had them amputated. comprising five sensors placed on the forehead
and temples the neat little gadget captures the users eye movements which
are then transmitted to the computer via a small modem, while the enter
function is achieved simply by blinking. invented by manoel cardoso, a
professor at the federal university of the Amazonas and developed with
the support of Brazils feitoza foundation, the ocular mouse is about to
go into mass production. costing less than 100 dollars apiece, they will be
distributed free of charge throughout the country to anyone in need of one.
if you want to get a really
close (and decidedly lengthy)
insight into Britains latest and
greatest cutting-edge design
and architecture, you might
want to get yourself sectioned.
Birmingham now plays host to
a groundbreaking 70 million
hospital development designed
by healthcare architects
nightingale Associates. the
designers have managed
to encapsulate a safe and
therapeutic environment by
f looding the building with
natural light and utilising a
successful blend of privacy
and dignity for patients.
Artwork and exposure to
beautiful landscape scenery (in
Birmingham?) helps create a
natural comfort zone and the
bright uplifting interior displays
a great understanding of
special patient needs combined
with f lexibility in design.
finally, it looks like the spectre
of the towering victorian
asylum can now be laid to rest.
By the year 2020 youll be able to
harangue a kangaroo in Barangaroo, if
you so desire. the three companies vying
for the opportunity to develop Sydneys
new harbourside headland park and
urban waterfront are lend lease and
Westpac corporation; Brookfield multiplex;
and mirvac projects, leighton projects,
nakheel pJSc and macquarie property
development and finance. this is the
first stage in actual commencement of the
development, so it is now officially off the
ground. the winning applicant will need
the expertise and resources to deliver
220,000 square metres of commercial space
at the southern end of the site, a new
harbour cove and public open space and a
benchmark sustainable precinct. As for the
name a state-wide naming competition
generated 1,600 entries and the winner
Barangaroo; an obvious choice.
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12 moderN desigN nOVEMBER 2008 moderN desigN nOVEMBER 2008 13
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS and CAROLyN MELIN
Bully for them
tAxpAyerS foot the SlAughter Bill
how would you like to know about your part in killing up to 40,000
innocent bulls a year? not me, we can hear you protesting, but news is
news and im afraid we have to take you where you just dont wanna go
sometimes. the european union is spending around 30-million a year on
funding Spanish bullfights and the powers that be in iberia are urging the
eu to recognise bullfighting as part of europes cultural heritage. currently
therefore, our diligent little taxpaying digits have been stained with blood-
money and it needs to stop. Blood sports should be permanently relegated
to history especially when funding like this makes a pure mockery of
current eu animal welfare laws.
Acid BAth
BAy of nApleS iS An ominouS cryStAl BAll
looking into the future has become far too easy of late, not least of all
by means of a very telling aquatic barometer. Scientists have found large
amounts of volcanic co2 gas bubbling up from the seabed around the island
of ischia in the Bay of naples. the world oceans manage to sponge up
25-million tons of carbon dioxide daily; its a process as old as the hills but
one that has been working overtime since the beginning of mans climate
abuse. the unfortunate result of this frantic natural clean-up operation is a
phenomenon known as ocean acidification, but it looks like things are getting
out of hand. the oceans are now 30% more acidic than they were at the start
of the industrial revolution, a change three times greater and one hundred
times faster than at any other time in the last 20million years. Scientists will
use the acid-saturated seas around ischia to investigate the effect of what may
happen to our oceans in the coming decades.
Big Brother getS perSonAl
Airport Security goeS All futuriStic
next time you f ly, forget x-rays scanning your hand luggage, thats
just a rubbish idea. Surely mind reading technology would fair much
better think its a joke? Sorry it isnt, the thought police have hit it
big time with malintent, an x-ray for your mind. By scanning brain
activity patterns malintent can tell if you are up to no good, espe-
cially if you harbour any intention of harming your fellow passengers.
By reading your thoughts and studying facial muscular activity,
malintents developer (mr Burns... its true) believes his system has
opened a technological window into the psyche, the apparent goal of
which is to restore a sense of freedom. now theres an oxymoron if i
ever saw one, domesticate that little device and ill be in relationship
guantanamo for life and twenty.
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modern contemporary traditional stone wood cast iron marble stainless steel remote control
Poligono La Ermita
C/Yunque (Prolog. Fragua) N. 16, 29603. Marbella
Tel: 952 90 24 30 / Mob: 669 621 883
chimeneasmarbe@terra.es
Chimeneas
Marbella S.L.
FREE HOME SURVEY / FULL GAS NSTALLATONS / ALL FLUE PROBLEMS SOLVED / OVER 40 YEARS EXPERENCE
Whether it's modern or traditional you're looking for
- it's impossible to find a better selection anywhere!
Your dream fire surround or fireplace made to measure
The Fireplace Shop
Chimeneas Marbella S.L.
Single
Home
CHIMENEAS febrero 08 ?I/?/08 I?.I Pgina ?
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ARCHI TECTURE. roti . vator
016
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
a very adequate functional living space. His multi-dimensional
solution to future urban overcrowding is certainly a revolution; in
fact three revolutions will deliver all the essential living areas a small
home could ofer. With a total footprint requirement of just 6x6
metres, the relatively compact living area can be complemented by
either an appended kitchen, bathroom or a bedroom but never
two at the same time of course. The space saving is enormous, a
genuine domestic Tardisian philosophy, packed to the roof with
unexpected ergonomic functionality. Apart from the space saving,
the advantages are glaringly obvious especially with a dinner
date on the premises. Imagine rustling up an arousing menu, things
have gone down well but the conversation just isnt fowing in the
required direction. Its so simple; just hit the button and all the dirty
dishes disappear behind the wall leaving only the alluring backdrop
of your plumped-up boudoir. Surely an audible message in itself,
saving all those awkward moments and clumsy pick-up lines for
another day - unless of course she asks to brush her teeth that
could kill the moment. Yes with every up side, theres a down, and
it does seem that jumping into the shower while your partner
has a lie-in could cause some friction, considering theyd have to
be revolved behind a wall to give you access to the wet room. Ah
well, for such a pivotal design concept, itd be a small price to pay,
especially considering how popular owning a revolving room could
make you in the frst place.
that converts the tiny Rotor House into
We all know why were here by now, to scrutinise how design and architecture are evolving, but
did someone mention revolving?
Luigi Colani is a designer with a pretty
radical view on the future, well, radical
enough to take a permutation of the
naf n nasty revolving bed from the
1970s and turn it into a functional
space-saving device of the future.
Luigis ambitious spin on the revolving
bed becomes a rotating living platform
rotor home
Colani RotoR House > by Hanse Haus
Theres only so much you
can pack inTo a sTudio
righT? noT in designer
luigi colanis compacT
world; according To
him, a 6x6 living space is
now enough To provide
all The home from home
comforTs you could
imagine.
01
> inside dimensions
> walls
> diameter of the rotor
> weight of the rotor
> drive of the rotor
6 m X 6 m
premanufactered HAnSE HAUS wall, d = 21
cm with horizontal profled boards, made of
oil treated, Canadian red cedar wood
3.75 m
approx. 800 kg
electric motor, approx. 370 Watt, chain
wheel drive
>01.
The seductive Rotor room in
Boudoir mode
>02.
Canadian Red Cedar wood-
panelling lines the outside.
>03.
At the push of a button, the
wet room is revealed.
02
03
moderN desigN nOVEMBER 2008 17
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ARCHI TECTURE. eco. aestheti ci sm
018
MECANoo
Founded in 1980, Mecanoos origins
lie in the urban renewal of Rotterdam
where its frst project was the
Kruisplein Youth Housing scheme.
Traditionally more utilitarian than
pleasing to the eye, social housing
has rarely scored highly on the
aesthetics scale, particularly when
were talking almost thirty years ago.
But not to be daunted, and starting
out as they meant to carry on, May it
also be beautiful? was Houbens frst
question. Happily falling on receptive
ears, Mecanoos designs consequently
brought about something of a
revolution in terms of public housing
developments and having made a
name for itself in a typically tough
and challenging feld, the company
was on its way. Schools, parks,
residential developments, theatres,
libraries, squares, street furniture,
highways, skyscrapers and museums
have followed, and while beauty is by
no means Mecanoos sole objective,
it is a common thread linking all their
many projects whatever their size,
scope, end-use or location.
Imprinting its own distinctive
hallmark on every assignment it
undertakes, Composition, Contrast,
Complexity the title of one of the
many books that Houben has written
over the years succinctly sums up
the Mecanoo philosophy.
For me, architecture is not a purely
intellectual or conceptual game,
she explains. In the end the result
should stir all the senses. Its all about
bringing the separate elements
together in a single concept, the
arrangement of formand emotion,
creating architecture that is warm
and always ofers a rich sensory
experience.
The lavish use of a diverse array of
materials including wood, copper,
concrete, bamboo, brick, pebbles,
zinc, stone, vegetation, glass and
planes of saturated colour further
add to the eloquence with which
her structures express themselves,
fuently embedding themselves in the
culture and climate of the cityscapes
and landscapes that they inhabit.

A dEGREE OF LATITUdE
The frst phase of a large-scale
master plan encircling the Dutch
city of nijmegens neerbosscheweg
district, the FiftyTwoDegrees Business
Innovation Centre the name refers
to its precise location: Latitude 52n
is an iconic 17-storey tower whose
eight lower foors are ten degrees
out of plumb so that in profle it leans
seductively towards the metropolis as
if responding to its vibrant
> project
> location
> client
> design
> construction
> area
Business Innovation Centre
FiftyTwoDegrees
nijmegen, netherlands
Ballast nedam Bouw, Arnhem;
ICE Ontwikkeling, nijmegen
2004-2005
2005-2008
70,000m2
GoING duTCh
and waterways, I see buildings as mountains: dutch Mountains. so
at Mecanoo, we throw ourselves into thinking up buildings that do
not want to be a building but a landscape, says Francine houben,
its founding partner, creative director and lead architect. Combining
the virtues of aesthetics, originality and sustainability, its a concept
thats winning the delft-based frm an ever-increasing number of
major competitions and awards from around the globe.
With its low-lying topography intersected with rivers
WoRds: CAROLyN MELIN IMAGEs: COURTESy OF MECANOO ARCHITECTEN
Images: Christian Richters
>
> magnetism. Eighty-six metres
tall and standing atop a verdant
slope forming the grassed roof of
the parking area for 600 cars and
a covered Plaza with shops and
restaurants, its fusion with the leafy
park that surrounds it is almost
seamless.
Something of an avant-garde take on
Pisas landmark Leaning Tower, the
buildings signature inclined formwas
achieved by the hybrid construction
of steel and concrete, whereby on
each intermediate foor the elevation
shifts in relation to the cores. The
use of prefabricated cladding
meanwhile not only signifcantly
shortened construction time to the
rate of one foor a week, but also
created FiftyTwoDegrees hallmark
pixellated faade. A multifunctional
complex comprising ofces,
conference halls, theatre, catering
facilities, apartments, retail and sports
facilities, the buildings interior is
every inch as striking and dynamic
as it promises to be fromoutside. A
stunning mahogany-clad undulating
wall serves as a visual connection
subliminally indicating the route
through the tower, while each work
station within the environmentally
sensitive electronic research
laboratories and production sites
that it houses has individual climate
control.
TURNING OVER A NEWLEAF
In stark contrast and perhaps in
deference to its neighbouring
monolithic Brutalist 1960s Lecture
Hall, the Delft Technical Universitys
enticing Library designed by
Mecanoo and which won the
Steel Building Prize 1998 and
Corus Construction Award 2000,
unobtrusively burrows its way
underground.
A birds eye viewof the netherlands
nerve centre of knowledge and
research reveals little more than
its conical spire-like roofight. Its
footprint treading softly on the
lawned surface which doubles as
the buildings turf-clad roof the cone
houses four levels of reading rooms
and places of study each fooded with
natural daylight. The sweeping glazed
faades and grassed roof pinched
up on one side like a sheet of paper to
accommodate the columns beneath
and the installation of a geothermal
heat exchanger together represent
a master class in eco-architecture,
sustainably addressing the all-
important issues of thermal and
acoustic insulation, as well as natural
heating, cooling, solar shading,
ventilation and daylighting.
Visited by 3,000 students each
day and also incorporating an
underground temperature- and
humidity-controlled book archive
housing a million reference tomes,
as well as the university publisher,
ofces, bookshop, bookbinder
and a vault for valuable ancient
publications, the Library exemplifes
not only cutting-edge aesthetic
architecture, but comfort and the
ultimate in environmentally-friendly
technology, too.

SETTING THE SCENE
Hewn fromlocal sandstone and
looking for all the world as if it has
sprouted fromthe Spanish soil on
which it stands, La Llotja a landmark
theatre and congress centre currently
under construction in Lleida, or
Lrida, Catalonias second city
seems almost to hover above the
public square close to the River Segre
and with the Seu Vella mountain
range providing a dramatic backdrop.
library, delft technical university
A birds eye view of the netherlands
nerve centre of knowledge and research
reveals little more than its conical spire-like
roofight, its footprint treading softly on
the lawned surface which doubles as the
buildings turf-clad roof.
Images: Christian Richters
archiTecTure
should sTir
all The senses
and is never
a purely
inTellecTual,
concepTual or
visual game
> project
> location
> client
> design
> construction
> area
> awards
Library, Technical University of Delft
Delft, netherlands
InG Real Estate, Den Haag; Technis-
che Universiteit Delft
1993-1995
1996-1998
ca. 15,000m2
Steel Building Prize 1998, Corus
Construction Award 2000
An amalgamof diferent buildings
linked together by sound-insulating
foyers, the cantilevered structure
provides welcome shade to the outer
forecourt designed to accommodate
al fresco events, while the colourful
roof garden with its pergolas
covered in wisteria, clematis and
trailing ivy is not only an appealing
focal point for residents and an
informal meeting place for visitors
and delegates, but in hot summers
also helps to ensure a cool interior.
Inside, marble and wooden foors and
white plastered walls predominate, >
> project
> location
> client
> local architect
> design
> construction
> area
La Llotja
Lleida, Spain
Centre de negocis i de Con-
vencions S.A., Lleida
LLAB Architecture, Barcelona
2004-2006
2007-2009
37,500m2
Name of Project
One morning, when Gregor
Samsa woke from troubled
dreams, he found himself
transformed in his bed into
a horrible vermin. He lay on
his armour-like back, and if he
lifted his head a little he could
see his brown belly.
Name of Project
One morning, when Gregor
Samsa woke from troubled
dreams, he found himself
transformed in
> while the theather itself with its
delectable palette of bright, berry-
hued tones echoing Lleidas fame as a
fruit-growing region is reminiscent
of an orchard with its dark wood walls
from which trees of light emerge.
An inland city 150kms northwest
of Barcelona, Francine Houben
explains that Mecanoos intention
was to endow the complex with the
feeling of an urban beach; a vision
summarily achieved by the open-air
square with its mellow-toned paving
and graceful palm trees swaying
gently in the breeze.
LAW... ANd ORdER
The rapid expansion of many of
Spains cities has all too often resulted
in a mish-mash of anonymous housing
blocks interspersed with nondescript
public squares. So Mecanoos
intriguing challenge in designing the
ancient city of Crdobas newPalace
of Justice comprising twenty-six
courtrooms, a Forensic Institute,
ofces, archive, caf, car park, prison
and a facility for formalising marriage
ceremonies was howbest to create
a sizeable public building totally at
one with the historic Casco Antiguo,
but without imitating it.
To achieve their objective, the Delft-
based architects opted for a strategy
of integration through fragmentation;
slotting the required volumes and
all-essential associated patios into
sections taken fromthe Old Towns
street plan. Crdoba is renowned for
its fower-flled patios and centrally-
placed fountains providing light
and much-needed ventilation to
adjoining rooms during long, sultry
Andalusian summers, and in addition
to benefting the Palace of Justice in
the very same way, they also give the
building a strong identity refecting
the citys Moorish origins. Crdobas
traditional architecture is also re-
interpreted and given a subtle modern
twist with the structures elegant
perforated faades, characterised
by delicate gossamer-thin fligrees
both absorbing the heat and fltering
the light, thus demonstrating that
sustainability can often be logically
drawn fromthe history of regional
architecture.
ORGANIC INSTALLATION
A 1:4 scaled segment of Mecanoos
award-winning design for the national
Performing Arts Center in Kaohsiung
was the basis for the captivating A
Piece of Banyan Pavilion, created for
this years edition of Milans famous
Salone del Mobile; a tempting
foretaste of Taiwans future theatre
complex which, with construction
due to begin next year has won the
coveted Cityscape Architectural
Award 2008.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arguably representing Mecanoos
largest and most ambitious project
to date, Taiwans national Performing
Arts Center is to be built at the Wei-
Wu-Ying Metropolitan Park, formerly
a military complex, in the city of
Kaohsiung a major seaport with a
population of 1.5 million. Featuring
a concert hall, opera house, black
box and both indoor and open-air
theatres, and with a total capacity
of 5,600 seats, the design brief also
covered the surrounding 65-hectare
park forming an integral part of the
overall scheme. A logical extension of
the theatre complex where building
and landscape combine to create a
unifed whole, the Houben teams
plans for the park include meandering
paths leading to a botanical garden, as
well as a bamboo grove, playground,
tea pavilion and butterfy garden
while the coalescence of gentle
slopes, plunging valleys and tranquil
pools result in a range of invitingly
intimate public spaces varying in size,
scale and proportion.
Taking as its inspiration the giant
centuries-old banyan trees indigenous
to the region, because of the
openings in the roof, together with
its passageways and open spaces,
an almost porous building cleverly
blurring the line between interior
and exterior has been achieved.
Partially covered with grass and lush
vegetation, the roof is an informal
public leisure and recreational space
as well as providing the complex
with natural efcient cooling.
The appealing open-air theatre
reminiscent of Ancient Greece is also
located on the roof, at the exact point
where it sweeps down to touch the
ground.
THE FUTURE
In the UK, the Houben teamare
summarily challenging conventional
perceptions of mixed rented and
owner-occupied housing estates
with their Fox Hill development on
the outskirts of Shefeld, taking as
their inspiration the Peak Districts
centuries-old traditional drystone
walls and felds of grazing sheep;
while just this summer Mecanoo also
scooped the prestigious award to
design and build Birminghams new
193mLibrary. Increasingly invited to
take part in competitions for iconic
projects across Europe as well as in the
Far East and Asia, like a line of latitude
Mecanoos aspirations look set to
encircle the world.
la llotja, lleida
Seeming almost to hover
above the public square,
the cantilevered design of
the theatre and congress
centre provides welcome
shade while the colourful
roof garden helps ensure a
cool interior.
Palace of Justice, crdoba
(opposite page)
Crdobas traditional
architecture is re-interpreted
and given a subtle modern twist
with the structures elegant
perforated faades, characterised
by delicate gossamer-thin
fligrees absorbing the heat and
fltering the light.
> project
> location
> client

> design
> construction
> area
Palace of Justice
Crdoba, Andaluca, Spain
Consejera de Justicia y Ad-
ministracin Pblica, Sevilla
2006
2008-2011
48,000m2
x
a Piece of Banyan Pavilion
(above)
A foretaste of Taiwans future
national Performing Arts
Center in Kaohsiung, the
installation created for Milans
Salone del Mobile is a 1:4
scaled segment of Mecanoos
award-winning design.
Images: Andrs Otero.
national Performing arts
center, taiwan
(above)
Inspired by the giant banyan
trees indigenous to the
region, work on the almost
porous building cleverly
blurring the line between
interior and exterior is due
to start in 2009.
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THI Nk. under. eXami nati on
025
>Fertilizer
Photomicrographs.
Abstract images through
the microscope
(Crystal Photomicrography)
Photographer: Stefan Eberhard
Article on page 85
> project
> location
> client
> collaborators
> dimensions
A Piece of Banyan Pavilion
Salone del Mobile, Universit degli
Studi, Milan, Italy, 15 April - 1 May 2008
Interni Mondadori, Milan, Italy
Iris Ceramica, Modena, Italy;
CWI Lighting Design, Taipei, Taiwan
20 x 3.5 x h 4.3 m
> project
> location
> client

> local architect
> design
> costruction
> area
> awards
national Performing Arts Center
Wei-Wu-Ying Metropolitan Park,
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Council for Cultural Afairs, Taiwan Hsing-
Hua Lo Architects & Associates, Taipei
Hsing-Hua Lo Architects & Associates, Taipei
2007-2009
2009-2012
100,000m2
Cityscape Architectural Award 2008
WoRds: CAROLyN MELIN IMAGEs: dISEO EARLE ARCHITECTS
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ARCHI TECTURE. sea. change
026
Where land is at a premium perhaps never more so than on a diminutive 29,000m
2
manmade island foating in the Arabian Gulf and zoned for high density construction
the obvious architectural response is to build tall. But if high-
rise is the very last thing on a developers agenda, then clearly
its time for an altogether more visionary approach. For
Costa del Sol-based architects Diseo Earle, the fundamental
objective of their low-rise Kezhma Island Dubai project was
all about creating a harmonious balance, maximising the
volume of building, yet at the same time ensuring open,
totally uninterrupted pool, garden and sea views from each
and every one of the 128 spacious apartments, duplexes and
water villas; while also providing the exclusive residential
development with a broad spectrum of onsite leisure
facilities, and at the same time subliminally engendering the
atmosphere and laid-back appeal of the Caribbean.
WHERE IN THE WORLd. Conceived by the ruler of Dubai, His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The
World a manmade archipelago of 300 miniature islands
and atolls four kilometres ofshore and protected by an
oval breakwater has ingeniously created for the Emirate
around 230 kilometres of additional shoreline. On The World
map, Kezhma Island Dubai lies within the outlying area
corresponding to Siberia.
WATER WRAPPEd. In a region where mainland temperatures
often hit 50C, The World is caressed by welcome sea breezes.
Kezhma Island Dubai meanwhile has been conceived as a
veritable oasis, not only encircled by the ocean but where every
corner is pervaded by the gentle sound of running water. Each
unit has its own private pool, and access is via a footbridge
spanning the water channels perhaps inspired by the ancient
Moorish gardens of Andalucas renowned Alhambra while
waterfalls tumble down the sleek contemporary faades of
the buildings, cascading into the swimming pools and water
features beneath.
kezhma island dubai has been conceived as
a veriTable oasis, noT only encircled by The
ocean buT where every corner is pervaded by
The genTle sound of running waTer.
kezhma island dubai
PeRfeCt equilibRium > by Diseo earle architects
ISLANd LIFE. Adding to the general sense of openness despite
the high density construction, a broad boulevard fringed with
shade-giving pergolas and tall palms runs through the centre
of the complex, with a plaza-style courtyard housing various
restaurants. Other high-profle amenities include a marina,
beach club and heliport, while the highly covetable water villas
all but hovering just above the surface of the sea on their stilts
each has its own private mooring.
SUSTAINABILITy. Sound, environmentally-friendly resources
alsohave animportant role withinthis perfect equilibrium, with
water collection and passive cooling systems, as well as solar
panels and the use of recyclable materials all playing their part.
> project
> architect
> location
> date
> area
> materials
Kezhma Island Dubai
Diseo Earle Architects
Dubai, UAE
2013
28,887m2
Concrete slabs, wood, ceramic, brick
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
IMAGEs: COURTESy OF ELIzABETH GydE, dIAMONd ANd SCHMITT ARCHITECTS
tube Pharaoh
museum stoP > mind the gap
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PEOPLE. &. PLACES. under. ground
028
the proceedings for the mysterious gold-clad Mexican civilisations, and
subsequently we travel rapidly eastwards to traditional China - but not
without making a stop and inspection of the load-bearing genius of the
Ancient Greeks, who loved an architectural challenge or two. To cap of
the design the architects have updated ceiling lighting and introduced
a newmonolithic wall fnish to help create a pristine, contemporary
backdrop. This intrepid re-imagining of the subway platformas
a hypostyle-hall is part of a newinitiative calledArts onTrack, theToronto
Community Foundations commitment to beautifying public spaces in
the city. This, the frst project of the initiative has electrifed the stufy
underground atmosphere and enthused travellers; ticket sales are on the
up at the Museum. All in all these fne looking burdened-buttresses make
a comprehensive representation of the ancients, while shrewdly inspiring
a newpillar of thought among the tired and weary.
There will be no excuse for missing Museum stop on the Toronto subway from now on. The less-than-appealing former underground station has received
a generous overhaul, the likes of which would have
adventure-archaeologists literally spinning out. In
fact Indiana Jones is the only thing missing fromthis
commuters crypt, and its not until a train rolls in,
instead of a giant stone ball, that you get a clue of
where you might be. Architects Diamond and
Schmitt have draggedTorontos cultural renaissance
underground in this dramatic renovation. Five column
designs, based on ancient artefacts, are repeated
throughout the stop and charged with the intrepid
duty of supporting the stations striking newimage. The
artefacts provide strong visual clues about activities
above ground in the Royal Ontario Museumwhile
representing a diverse section of global ancient history.
Firstly, the Ancient Egyptian, Osiris Pilaster wouldnt
blink an eye at its subterranean demeanour, the pillar
looks right at home here, despite the brushed-steel
environment she props up. Commuters are rapidly
transported fromthe depths of Tutankhamens Tomb to
the plight of Canadas frst nations in the shape of the
aptly (and slightly long-windedly) namedWuikinuxv
First nation Bear House Post try saying that on your
way home after a fewbottles of Moosehead!
next, heading away fromTutan andtotem things get
slightly easier on the tongue. Toltec Warrior holds up
archiTecTs diamond and
schmiTT have dragged
ToronTos culTural
renaissance underground
in This dramaTic renovaTion
where The arTefacTs provide
sTrong visual clues abouT
acTiviTies above ground in The
royal onTario museum, while
represenTing a diverse secTion
of global ancienT hisTory.
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ART. di gi tal. desi gn
030
(opposite)
the dreamFactory
From Evgenys
personal portfolio
Evgeny kiselev
Evgeny is 28 years old, a mature
digital illustrator inspired by travel
and culture. he lives in st. Petersburg
and takes regular expeditions
eastwards, returning only when his
mind is full to the brim with abstract
mental images of a vibrant and
garishly colourful continent. his
works are the result of what ebbs
from his trail-trodden psyche.
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
The Promised Land
Russian Illustrator Evgeny kiselev
hes a pretty nice guy is Evgeny, in fact to be one so sure of your own place in the digi-
tal art world must be warming to say the least. But sure he is, and as if to prove it, his
accomplished ever-swelling portfolio shows why this incredibly competitive illustra-
tive art forum is just about ready to crown him king of the abstract.
own personal inspiration and this
monumentous achievement has paved
the way for some exciting commissions
froma list of famed corporate clientele.
nowat the age of 28 Evgeny considers
himself a mature designer, his confdence
is ever-growing and the need to enter
competitions died along with any
self-doubt. Like any successful artist
he just wants to be himself and it looks
like the world is going to let him. As
a result his emotional integrity fows
easily through his work - occasionally
displaying a certain amount of chaos -
but more recently concentrated on the
more refned composition. He can spend
literally hours on every small detail and >
03
04
05
As a bright youngster in St. Petersburg,
Evgeny had his sights on a life of
journalism, working at an entertainment
magazine he found himself in charge of
creating colourful front and back issue
covers. Realising he wasnt half bad at
his monthly task, he began preparing an
impressive tablet of his digital creations.
People warmed to his natural ability, a
new career conduit opened up for him
and he grabbed the opportunity with
both very capable hands. To inadvertently
fnd ones true vocation like this is a
blessing, and Evgeny seems to know
only too well how lucky he is, but hes a
grafter, these dynamic compositions are
seriously technical and take a great deal
of efort to layer together. The inspiration
seems straightforward enough however,
and considering Evgenys creative palette
is as extensive and diverse as his bright
and garish colour palette, conception
seems like a natural progression. In
his spare time he treads the India trail,
occasionally veering of towards South
East Asia, but always in search of a
cultural catalyst to set his creative juices
fowing. Interestingly, his work never
wanders far from the stimulation of the
billion-strong sub-continent, as rich and
creamy in cultural depth as a bang lhassi
at a Mumbai wedding and as outlandishly
colourful as a Punjabi people-carrier,
and though complicated in structure,
much akin to the inspiration, it just works
somehow.
It was in 2004, just after one such tie-dye
outing that Evgeny dove deeply into
creating abstract vector illustrations,
by entering and winning a number of
online competitions he gave himself the
confdence to quit all other appointments
and fully pursue an artistic career. This
initial foundation of confdence coupled
with the fact that he could fnally hush his
alarmclock was enough to drive himon
and nowhe just cant stop. not that he
could if he wanted to; hes become a very
popular fgure in the fnicky world of digital
illustration and things are getting serious.
Creating the cover of Computer Arts
Magazine is a pretty haughty achievement
for a digital designer considering
thats where most illustrators gain their
in his spare Time
he Treads The india
Trail, occasionally
veering off
Towards souTh
easT asia, buT
always in search
of a culTural
caTalysT To seT
his creaTive juices
flowing.
artworks fromevgenys
personal portfolio.
>01. Brazil
>02. Wizard
>03. tpon-1
>04. tpon-2
>05. muchomory
01
02
10
> the resulting compilations can take
anything between a fewhours and a few
weeks to create, obviously depending
on the complexity of the emotion
and of course the level of depth and
difculty. If you question Evgeny about
categorising his style he goes scientifc;
in his eyes, the natural infuences forge
a kind of Biotech-style, a combination
of microbiology and futuristic design,
which is all well and good, but there is so
much more. The intricate layering of each
composition creates stunning depth, a
spatial experience capable of carrying
the observer way beyond the confnes
of any 2 dimensional canvas. Its this
unusual illustrative vortex that captures
the mind, but the complexity is humane
and involvement rests securely within the
eye of the beholder. Theres no need to
probe too deeply to enjoy one of Evgenys
compositions, just keep it simple, but if
you want to (and if you have time) you can
go all the way to Delhi with him, tracking
the intricate depth reveals a kind of puzzle,
and its pretty entertaining stuf.
In the end Evgeny is just a normal
humble guy, perhaps an inspiration
>06. chocopack
Chocolate packaging.
Illustration by Evgeny
Kiselev, production by Alex
Merlinni
>07. Wisli; artworks on
umbrella canvas
Design and illustration by
Evgeny Kiselev, production
by Zaur Guseynov
>08. green Waistcoat
Artwork applied to
sleeveless jacket.
>09. Pinky
Personal artwork.
>10. it was a dream
Personal artwork.
to a generation, but likeable. Talented
and hard working he is, but whats
truly remarkable is how his almost
photographic memory returns from a
long and dusty expedition packed to
the brim with imagery. And whereas
most of us would take a week of to get
our city feet back and then search for a
mundane job, hes found the link; a way
to express his observations, a way to lay
down these incredible multi-dimensional
experiences and share them with the rest
of us. More importantly perhaps, as most
of us would agree, these incredible visual
travelling journals make him enough
cash to carry on following his dream
and subsequently voyage to the outer
reaches of his promised land.
And wouldnt we all just love an excuse
like that. x
06
08
07
09
12 11
13
>12. miller advertising
illustration for beer ad
campaign in St. Petersburg,
Russia.
>13. snickers advertising
Wall design for Adrenalin
Skatepark powered by
Snickers (BBDO Moscow)
>11. Prostranstvo
Intricate dual-tone design
from Evgenys personal
portfolio.
For f ur t her i nf or mat i on and
det ai l s of your l ocal suppl i er
cal l +34 952 493 413
h t t p: / / www. qv sl . com
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MD Magazine 4-4.indd 1 20/10/2008 16:08:14
sho
ng
PPI

WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
Orchid MOMents
infinite cOMfOrt
iOn Out the prObleMs
> theorchidchair fromsilenceandgrace
> e-turndesignedbyBrodieneill
> lightair ionFlow50fromlightair
ecO-lick
> lesPaul exoticWoodguitarsfromgibson
riff without causing a rift - in the environment at least. the trouble with hardwood is that it looks great, sounds
terrific - but is extremely unsustainable. rockin from the rainforest just aint cool - you hip? anyway gibson
have changed all that by introducing a smartwood line of guitars, all harvested from managed renewable
forests and certified by the rainforest alliance so you can get on with whats important swinging your axe -
without harming a soul. www.gibson.com
Paying homage to the sixties, we all do it; silence and grace have flung
the peace-loving decade right in front of our peepers. the orchid chair
is fluid, seamless and incredibly comfortable. the one-piece moulded
epoxy fibreglass shell moulds to the users posterior, proving that
design from the sixties is even cooler when combined with modern
materials and manufacture know-how. and, if that doesnt sell it, then
silence and grace pack a free feather-duster in with the orchid just to
keep things nice n pure. www.silenceandgrace.com
as a tribute to the world of 3d design, e-turn is really cool. 3d modellers are constantly trying to
make their creations look like part of the real world (less of the virtual and more of the reality) but
e-turn makes no such pretences. a sculptural, hand-lacquered fibreglass bench representing pure
state-of-the-art continuous-line 3d modelling. a combination of the name and the moebius-like
form make a very strong reference to eternity which, coincidentally, is also about as long as it
takes to become a proficient 3d modeller. www.kundalini.it
For those who dont know; ionisers
is good stuff, silent little low-voltage
fresh air machines that sit in the corner
of your living room spewing out oodles
of fresh, mountain-like therapeutic air
torrents that clean up dust, ciggie smoke,
colds, flu and horrible smells. great
as they are, its definitely a field where
science normally predicts design, so it is
great to see the ionflow 50. With its slick
ornamental form and integrated up-light,
its like a lava lamp with an actual use.
www.lightair.com
desk laMp pOssibly flavian dynasty?
> anglepoiseFiftybyanglepoise
if you cant think of a new revolutionary concept, just take an old one and strip it of all its functionality dont you just love this cranky design forum?
anglepoise Fifty is the image of its predecessor - the anglepoise desk lamp - only its frozen at fifty degrees and cast within a polycarbonate backbone
sheet. completely stripped of production complexity, the new lamp is like a fossilised version of its daddy, and becomes strangely compelling to the
finicky eye of any office design aficionado. www.anglepoise.com
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041
>Palamitic acid
Photomicrographs.
the microscope
Article on page 85
bibliO-technique
cOOl fOr cats
> Bibliothquemikadobycompagnie
> kittylitter Boxesbykittyago-go
shelf, shelf, shelf thats all they ever think about these days or at least a million permutations on the
bog-standard bookcase. i mean, would a ninety degree angle in your house seriously just spoil everything?
saying that, a library like this is in serious danger of becoming a sculptural classic, even if you do wake up
every morning to a pile of cds and books on the floor. We think its got to be worth the effort.
www.editioncompagnie.fr
no self-respecting feline should have to make do with a bog standard litter tray when he (or she) could do it
in style with this super-dooper moggy-pooper. easy-peesy to clean and empty, it wont just give your furry
friend some well-deserved privacy but its decorative top housing is so darn cute and interchangeable, too.
tiddles and tom just wont be able to get their paws on it quickly enough. so go on and spoil them a little,
you know you want to, and you also know it makes scents! www.kittyagogo.com
custOdian Of crunch
> theperfect cereal bowl
bysherwoodForlee
as a publication, we do have to remain
partial, but of course we understand
the importance of crunchy nut
cornflakes. they are perfect, save
one small detail, and the clue is in the
name. crunchy they are, until about
2/3rds of the way through, then the
liquid properties of the milk cause
a molecular breakdown blah blah
blahresulting in devastating flake-
sogginess. the Perfect cereal Bowl
takes this problem head-on. Just allow
your flakes to steep in cow juice until
they reach optimum consistency then
pull the plug, scoff your brekky and
drink the sweet, nutty juice from the
milk receptacle below what a bonus.
Website coming soon.
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I NTERI OR. dESI GN. Fi re. Place
042
>01. steel rocks
Yes it does!
By Elena Colombo
>02. the Firestack
Rolled & stacked
stainless steel funnel.
By Elena Colombo
>03. treewall
Corten steel panel with
acid-etched tree.
By Elena Colombo
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
technology is rapidly moving toward a
greener forum, things are getting pretty
fuel-bill efcient. Still, try telling that to
a pension claimant; theyll laugh their
slippers of at you through 4 layers of
woollen scarf and a cardigan. But this isnt
about social ills; this is all about cutting-
edge design technology, so apologies to
the needy because we need to get all
zoned in and la mode.
These days Masonry Heaters are super
efcient, the fre chamber traps gases for
much longer than any other conventional
design using the fuel more completely
and resulting in a much cleaner burn.
Masonry Heaters burn diferent types
of fuel including coal, gas and of course
wood for that all-important Alpine-winter
ambience. Though pretty hefty in design,
Masonry Heaters store heat in the freplace
05
06
04
03
01
02
due To cerTain relaxed
building regulaTions of The
pasT, some of The archiTecTure
in souThern spain is a Touch,
shall we say, damp-course
proof raTher Than damp
proof. besides ThaT and
despiTe popular belief, we
do also enTerTain a fairly
lengThy chilly period albeiT
in sTops and sTarTs and of
course noThing on a par wiTh
norThern europes big freeze.
sTill, The combinaTion means
we do need To consider winTer
warmTh; all ThaT beauTiful
marble underfooT, iTs like
living in an ice hoTel. so,
go wheel your suffocaTing
calor-gas heaTers and meTer-
Twirling leccy radiaTors
down To The garage; in True
modern design sTyle weve
goT The hearThs ThaT counT.
Okay, lets not mess around, things have
come on a long way since a ficker in
prehistoric mans mind sawhimrubbing
sticks and creating the worlds frst man-
made fame. A fair fewmillennia later and
that same all-essential, life giving, meat
cooking, industrial steel melting, energy
supplying, oxygen fuelled combustion
reaction has become an extremely
fashionable itemof comfort and home
design. Of course, its not arrived at this
point without some intriguing forms of
technological intervention fromsimple
anti-gravitational convection to the latest
eco-smart combustion strategies. So frst
lets understand what we are gazing at
through the chic fickering cosy mood-
ambience that weve managed to harness
and bring before your style-hungry
peepers.
Besides all the standard wood, gas and
oil burning solutions, there is so much
more these days, and of course, the way
coolest
fireplaces
Dont do it by Hearths
>04 the nest
Back to nature
with cast bronze
branches.
By Elena Colombo
>05. Branchwall
Stainless steel
vertical rods.
By Elena Colombo
>06 Fire cage
Curved stainless rods
with steel orbs.
By Elena Colombo
>
> casing, letting it seep gradually into the
chilly surroundings. Youll be down to your
scants in no time at all - and additionally,
theres roomwithin all that mass for an
oven or two so you can bake up a treat
while you steep in the warmglow.
Secondary combustion is also
very efcient, but aimed more at
sustainability. Usually wood burners;
they contain a special refractory liner
that burns smoke particles before they
reach the chimney outlet. Okay you
still need a chimney for convection and
for hanging your britches on, but no
smoke? Thats really something for the
smog-spluttering environment, and a
grate start for the homeowner with more
than a hint of global culpability. Imagine
it - style, warmth and zero(ish) emissions
its a design package that should thaw
out any surging carbon defcit.
Gas and gas log fres are constantly
evolving in design and efciency, and
when you require great looks combined
with plenty of heat, gas is a good choice.
Zero clearance models take the design
aspect to newlevels of versatility and even
some freboxes are gas driven, though
providers tend to label these decorative
rather than ambient solutions.
Ethanol fres are by far the most efective
decorative solution. Denatured ethanol
fuel is stored within a stainless steel
burner chassis in the fre, and burned of
as desired. not only is this a smokeless,
fumeless solution, but the fexibility in
design is unsurpassed. By not requiring
a utility connection, you can basically
ft these dauntingly sexy little units
anywhere, and in all shapes and forms.
Wall mounted is all the rage and some of
these zero clearance models incorporate
picture-style frames that can elevate
your roomto a warming gallery space,
dedicated solely to the artistry of
combustion. Many freboxes are of the
ethanol strain, and again fexibility allows
for huge diversity in design. Some even
possess dual functionality in the formof
iridescent cofee tables or water features,
the sound of tumbling liquid partnering
up with the fames for a double hit of
tranquillity. nothing could be better as
a focal point than a soothing, sensual
frebox, or dare we say fre sculpture (more
>>>
Hang it on the wall;
special wall mounted
or cavity ftted designs
from Planika.
>10 ground Floor
White
A cofee table with
integrated glass
cylinder containing a
soothing fre.
The modern fireplace has Truly
become The laTesT musT-have
original home furnishing, and
no sTaTe-of-The-arT minimalisT
designer crib should even
consider being wiThouT one.
10
07
08
09
>
> toward the upper end of the market)
that ofers 360 navigation and fickering
hypnotics that would keep even Paul
McKenna hushed-up, at least until you did
your own disappearing act.
Speaking of focal points, the fre has
always been that; a place to huddle round,
something to aimyour furniture at, a kind
of Victorian TV set if you like. Only with the
coming of the radio/video age have we
drifted away, wilfully switching channels
toward a more dramatic surround-sound,
wide-vision medium. But, with the
technological developments, increased
safety, sustainability and fexibility in
application of the modern freplace,
domestic design is making a solid U-turn.
The age-old fame is once more becoming
the centre of attention. So as your
armchair slowly revolves with the times
(away fromthe domain of the 42-inch
plasma) and locks onto a newtarget,
rest assured as you ogle the iridescent
glow, you are actually residing at the
pinnacle of fashionable living (imagine,
all that entertaining comfort and no
commercials). The modern freplace has
truly become the latest must-have original
home furnishing, and no state-of-the-art
minimalist designer crib should even
consider being without one. x
>11. corello Bronze by
Flamerite Fires
Remote controlled electrical
installation.
>12. vision
Double-sided design, tough-
ened glass with surround in
a range of colour options.
Designer Range by Eco Smart.
>13. kephren by arkiane
Pyramid sculpture using
vacuum smoke evacuation
from underneath the fre.
11
13
15
14
>14. ittala
A combination of fre
resistant glass and steel,
designed by Studio
Suppanen.
>15. X-Board
natural soapstone fnish,
steel ventilation shaft and
wood storage compartment.
Attika by Esteller.
12
04
and extremely durable design and manufacture. They firt with the deconstructive, like
a jigsaw would, but totally hold their
own in the real world of functionality.
The difering textures each tend to
relay a unique story of their own, some
identifying the original source of the
recycled part, others far too machine-
laboured to betray the exact truth. So
what are you sitting on, where has it
been and why did it end up in Amys
scrap box? The mystery will never truly
unravel, just as the mystery about my cut-
and-shut Capri never truly came to light.
Still, thats the kind of uniqueness we can
well do without, whereas Amys candid
individuality provides a guaranteed
more palatable exclusivity. I mean lets
face it; even in a set of six, wed have to
understand that the word set should be
used fairly lightly. x
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dESI GN. oFF. cuts
048
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
In harder times design takes a bit of a tumble down the priority list, but its not always necessarily a bad thing.
crazy carving
Your design is just a patch on amy Huntings
To our delighT, These pic-
n-mix fixTures and fiTTings
represenT Truly accomplished,
well finished and exTremely
durable design and
manufacTure. They flirT wiTh
The deconsTrucTive, like a
jigsaw would, buT ToTally
hold Their own in The world of
funcTionaliTy.
>01. Bookshelf on its side
>02. the lamp, easy hanging
>03. loaded Bookshelf
>04. the Patchwork chair
Some of the greatest, most time-enduring
concepts were knocked up out of necessity from
remnants and bits of stuf lying around the cutting
room/workshop foor. Take the patchwork quilt for
example or stained glass windows, I even had a
patchwork car once, not recommended truthfully,
but it fulflled its requirement
The true cut-and-shut master of domestic design
joinery is Amy Hunting, and shes rightly identifed
the current ecological crisis as a depression of sorts.
To compensate for mans incessant inclination to use
up vital resources, like the climate is as throw-away
as say, a throw-away camera, she has decided to
ofer old discarded chunks of hardwood a second
cutting-edge life cycle. Its a small relief for the
planets depleted rainforests, and, after hearing
about patchwork carpentry and expecting a kind
of botched - protruding nail - tree-camp dynamic, a
huge relief for us. To our delight, these pic-n-mix fxtures and fttings represent truly accomplished, well fnished
03
01
02
04
03
02
>01. magnus larsson
Untitled (Portrait), 2006
57 x 47cm
Oil on Canvas.
Courtesy of Gregor Podnar,
Berlin / Ljubljana.
>02. susanna majuri
Save, 2007
90 x 135cm
C-Print on Diasec.
Edition of 5 + 2 ap.
Courtesy of TaiK, Helsinki.
>03. nicole eisenman
Self-infictedArt, 2007
Watercolour And Ink
On Paper.
Courtesy of Leo Koenig,
new York.
>04. nicholas hlobo
Ungamqhawuli, 2008
155 x 125 x 64cm
(excluding ropes)
Vinyl, ribbon, fabric,
wood, synthetic ropes,
pulley, hooks.
Performance: Michael
Stevenson, 6 March 2008.
Courtesy of Michael
Stevenson, Cape Town.
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ART. i n. the. Frame
050
WoRds: CAROLyN MELIN
a Treasure Trove
for collecTors and
lovers of cuTTing-edge
conTemporary arT,
The galleries Taking
parT from europe,
The usa, cenTral and
souTh america, japan
and india have each
been selecTed by an
inTernaTional jury and
TogeTher represenT a
sTellar line-up of some
of The mosT collecTible
of avanT-garde arT
around.
Running from 31 October to 3 november, Art Forum
off the Wall
aRt foRum beRlin > messe fairground
he pays greater attention
both to skin and clothing.
UngamqhawUli (04). With
his afnity for unconventional
materials such as ribbons, soap,
rubber inner tubes and leather
often appearing in his works exploring Xhosa traditions, homosexuality and just about
anything that people fnd embarrassing in society, award-winning nicholas Hlobo was
born in Johannesburg in 1975. Hes recently had a solo exhibition at the Boston ICA;
currently features on the third Guangzhou Triennial, China (5 September 9 november
2008); and other showcases this year have been hosted by new Yorks Studio Museum
and Londons Haunch of Venison. Self-inflictedart (03). Cementing her fame and
notoriety as thebad girl of contemporary art back in 1995, nicole Eisenman is a new York-
based artist whose wittily subversive work often questions issues of gender while turning
clichs inside out to create beautifully painted scenes that lure you in before suddenly
stopping you dead in your tracks with content that may not be quite as humorous as it
initially seemed. x
.Berlin this year celebrating its 13th annual edition is a potent
magnet for established and up-and-coming young artists and
contemporary art dealers alike, attracting to the hip German
capital more than 120 galleries from over 25 diferent countries
around the world. Launched in 1995, well before
Londons Frieze and new Yorks Armory Show, Art Forum Berlin
epitomises the citys progressive and hugely vibrant atmosphere
which in recent years has led to it becoming a global art centre
teeming with energy and creativity as demonstrated partly by
the fact that virtually every one of Germanys prodigious array
of talented new artists has made it their home, and partly by
the plethora of major exhibitions many of them premieres -
hosted by the metropolis. A veritable treasure trove
for collectors and lovers of cutting-edge contemporary art,
the galleries taking part from Europe, the USA, Central and
Southern America, Japan and India have each been selected
by an international jury and together represent a stellar line-
up of some of the most collectible of avant-garde art around.
Save (02). The mystic and surreal photographs by Finnish artist
Susanna Majuri who together with Ola Kolehmainen and
Miklos Gal forms a part of the Helsinki-school photographic
movement and who won the Gras Savoye Photographic Award
2005 in Arles are like short narrative scenes reminiscent of
movie stills of a fascinating story as yet untold. Creating bizarre,
odd, or even surrealistic atmospheres and situations for her
main characters, her compelling images are ambiguous, leaving
the viewer to imagine the bigger picture that lies beyond the
frame. Untitled (01). Working in the meticulous medium of oil
on canvas, Stockholm-based painter Magnus Larsson explores
the space between traditional portraiture and contemporary
imagery, combining a diverse range of elements inspired by
traditional portrait painting, fashion images and comics. Indeed,
his works have often been compared to the drawing style of the
comic book genre although his fgures tend to be pared down
in terms of context, while conversely in each and every painting
01
NOVEMBER>dECEMBER 2008
ALBERTO GARCA-ALIX RETROSPECTIVE
One of Spains foremost portraiture and still life photographers, De Donde No Se Vuelve is a
major alberto garca-alix retrospective comprising 200 works of varying formats described
as a journey through his memory. awarded Spains prestigious national Photography Prize
in 1999, his images are often provocative, sensual and personal. an audiovisual work created
specifcally for this madrid showcase runs parallel to the exhibition.
museo nacional Centro de arte Reina Sofa, madrid, Spain
november 5 February 23, 2009
www.museoreinasofa.es./museoreinasofa/live/exposiciones/futuras.html
GREEN FESTIVAL
a joint project by ngOs global exchange and
Co-Op america, green Festival events - a forum
for ecological balance, a sustainable economy and
social justice - take place this month inWashington
DC and San Francisco. Featuring how-to workshops;
cutting-edge flms; fun activities for kids; organic
beer and wine; vegetarian cuisine and diverse live
music, highlights include bothThe Power Foods and
Fair Trade Pavilions.
november 8 9 >Washington DC, USa
november 14 16 > San Francisco, Ca, USa
www.greenfestivals.org
LE CORBUSIER: THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE
Featuring unique drawings, models, paintings, textiles, furniture, photographs and flms, Le Corbusier - The
art of architecture takes an in-depth look at the architectural projects, interior designs and art of the most
infuential 20th century architect, revealing the man behind the myth. an exhibition of the Vitra Design
museumin co-operation with the RiBaTrust and the netherlands architecture institute, the showcase is
divided into three sections: Contexts, Privacy & Publicity, and Built art.

The Crypt, metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool, UK
Through January 18, 2009
www.architecture.com/Whatson/exhibitions/lecorbusier/exhibition.aspx
PAUL WELLER: 22 DREAMS TOUR
UK & IRELAND
Heading home after a series of international gigs that last month included
Dubai and Brazil, The modfather - credited with having penned a
soundtrack to a generation - concludes his world tour with a round-up of
venues the length and breadth of the UK as well as stopping of in Dublin.
The tour kicks of at K2 in Crawley on november 6 &7, and ends at Londons
Carling academy Brixton on november 24 26.
www.paulweller.com
SEVILLA
EUROPEAN
FILM FESTIVAL
The 5th edition of the
Sevilla Festival de Cine
Europeo opens with the
eagerly-awaited Spanish
premiere of italian movie
gomorra, directed by
matteo garrone, which
shocked Cannes and
carried of the grand
Jury Prize. Other flms
enjoying their frst
outings in Spain include
the acclaimed il Divo
(Paolo Sorrentino) and
director Dany Boons
chez les Chtis, the most
successful comedy ever
in the history of French
cinema.

Sevilla, Spain
november 7 15
SAN SEBASTIAN GASTRONOMY CONFERENCE
at the 10th Congreso gastronmico, Spains top chefs show of their culinary skills, vie for
awards and hold masterclasses where visitors can discover the art of creating pintxos, the
Basque Country equivalent of tapas, as well as learning how to prepare gourmet dishes with
luxury ingredients such as trufes. But since good food doesnt necessarily have to cost an
armand a leg, other more humble highlights include Best Tortilla contests.
Palacio de Congresos del Kursaal, San Sebastin, Spain
november 24 27
www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=43819
WOMAD LAS PALMAS
The World Of music and Dance
Festival returns to Las Palmas for
another sensational weekend
line-up of fab vibes, arts and dance
fromaround the globe. DJ sessions,
workshops for grown-ups and kids,
the global market and Childrens
Procession are all part of the formula
together with a vibrant city, the
inviting sands of Playa de las Canteras
and the legendary Canary island sun
that has made Las Palmas one of the
most popular WOmaD venues outside
the UK.
Parque de Santa Catalina, Las Palmas
de gran Canaria, Canary islands, Spain
november 6 9
www.womad.org
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art architecture design theatre & music others
RICHARD SERRA
AT THE GAGOSIAN GALLERIES
Richard Serras frst exhibitions in London since Weight
and measure was presented at the Duveen galleries
of the Tate gallery in 1992, the gagosian gallery is
showcasing the american sculptors three new leviathan
steel sculptures at their Britannia Street gallery, together
withforged drawings small, geometric forged steel
plates with paint stick applied to the surface while his
new works on paper are being exhibited at the Davies
Street gallery.
Richard Serra: Sculpture
gagosian gallery, Britannia Street, London, UK
Through December 20
Richard Serra: Drawing
gagosian gallery, Davies Street, London, UK
Through november 22
www.gagosian.com
www.festivaldesevilla.com
all information correct at the time of going to press.
Agenda&Events
THEPALINSCREAM
A modernist electoral play on
expressionist Edvard Munchs
horror series. Radical artists
tend to utilise well-known imag-
ery to draw public scrutiny and
force their opinions across. here
the notorious scream makes a
very effective vehicle of opinion
with a competent self-explana-
tory message.
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CULTURE. electi on. art
054
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
04
05
>04 art attack
The rather respected new
Yorker decided to print
a satirical cartoon cover
depicting Mr. & Mrs. Obamas
famed victory punch at the
Democratic convention.
Dubbed theTerrorist Punch
by Republican radicals,
this little joke backfred on
the magazine, and though
completely unintended,
caused a huge controversy.
>05 caricatures
Bob Staakes presidential
homage to historical
caricaturist Paolo Garretto.
Unless you live under the comfort-blanket
of a complete media black-out or in
other words you live in a feld - then
theres a strong chance that for the last
year or so you might have noticed a small
election thingy going on across the pond.
nowa year is a long time and boy do we
just not get it, what seems to be daily
entertainment for American folk is just
another colossal head-scratcher for the
rest of us. But right now, transcending this
perplexing editorial time-tunnel thats
governed by a stringent magazine pro-
duction schedule, you happen to know
the answer to it all and I dont, and let
me tell you Imscared!
THE STORy SO FAR, INSHORT. Weve had
a cuckolded ex-frst lady, who most prob-
ably doesnt inhale, running for a candi-
dacy frmly supported by the ofending,
philandering impeached ex-president.
She ofcially threwin the towel, then that
very party made political history by nomi-
nating an African American presidential
candidate.
In an efort to outdo this audacious politi-
cal manoeuvre, the other party, led by an
authentic ex-PoW(with war injuries and
all) nominated a gun-wielding, moose
huntin evangelical woman as vice-
president, who so far lets face it, has had
a fewbumps along the way not least of
all the illegitimate one in her daughters
belly. Phew! Does this sound like a race
to the Whitehouse to you - or an episode
of Desperate Housewives?
THE ART. As you can imagine in a situa-
tion like this, and with the modern day
internet rampant full of great aunts and
grandmas sending damning email peti-
tions round quicker than they do recipes
for pumpkin pie image is everything.
And, even though its all over now, it is
that imagery that we would like to pursue.
Why? Because whoever it may be today,
frmly ensconced in The Oval Ofce at the
rickety helmof our volatile planet, you
can guarantee they had the best damn
teamof artists, graphic designers and PR
people that a party election budget could
buy. So, if you were wondering why a
design magazine was poking its nose into
stuf best left well alone, before the fact
even, then understand that in this day and
age, a picture speaks a million-plus words,
and just possibly, graphic design and art
has never played (nor maybe will it ever
play) such an important role in history.
THE SURFERS VOTE. 2008, more so than
any other election, has been fought
online, and if the Kennedy faction enter-
tained the frst presidential campaign
to fully utilise television networks to
command a majority, then Obama is the
modern day JFK. We need only take a look
at the Obama website, a user-friendly
interface cleverly disguised as a social
networking site a political Facebook
impersonator that has gone down a
stormwith the electorate. Obamas web
designer though probably briefed to the
verge of insanity has hit the nail-on-
the-head as far as electoral appeal goes,
and the ingenuity alone has managed
to sufocate McCains dowdy attempt at
stars and stripes patriotic domain-design
at a massive rate of four hits to one. The
online presence of each opposing party
has been perfectly represented by web
design; a dusty old-fashioned approach,
perhaps leaning toward a more tactile
hand-shaking, baby kissing, on the street
state-visit understanding of confdence
boosting; versus a cutting-edge compre-
hension of the Blackberry generation, the
all-important e electorate. The McCain
camp has turned its back on the internet
to some degree, confdently aiming for
the older, more stable electorate, but is
the internet solely a tool for reaching out
to the youth? Considering we use it to
buy cars, shop, read the news, learn, cure
lonely hearts and trawl over the decades
on You Tube, then perhaps that was a
mistake only you knowthe answer >
01 02
03
>01.obama website
This social networking
impersonator has gone down
a treat with thee electorate,
online is obviously a biggie for
the Obama camp.
>02.mccain website
McCain has turned his back
on the surfer to some degree.
Looking like a banner for a
Hollywood movie, The McCain
domain has failed, Online
visits are 4:1 in favour of
Obama.
>03.democrat donkey and
the republican elephant
Yes each party has a famous
logo, and we can thank
cartoonist Thomas nast for
that. In Andrew Jacksons
1828 election campaign,
his opponents called him a
jackass and Jackson decided
to use the stalwart workhorse
image for his party insignia.
nast developed it, and in
one of his cartoons (Harpers
Weekly, 1874) he depicted the
donkey, clothed in a lions skin,
scaring of other zoological
creatures. One of them was
an elephant, and that quickly
became associated with the
Republicans.
10 13
11
12
>10. hopeless
A satirical take on Shepard
Faireys HOPE image.
>11. cover up
Esquire get into gear for an
Obama victory.
>12. Poster pun
Pro Democratic satirical
poster campaign from
designersforobama.org
>13 mosaic hope
Mosaic Hope poster made
out of high-resolution images
from Flickr.
MERCHANdISE. Another incredible
weapon in the party armoury, and
something thatd be considered
completely tone deaf as far as
European election campaigning goes,
is merchandise. Both Democrat and
Republican have resorted to warring on
the gizmo/fashion/baseball-cap front. The
Democrat swoops in with blanket T-shirt
bombing raids, littering the country
with cheesy fashion design bordering
on the sickening, only to be fanked by a
Republican move of equal style audacity.
Perhaps a hick bumper-sticker campaign
or eco-shopping carriers designed to bag
more than just your proverbial groceries.
Everyone likely to buy a T shirt, badge,
mug or bumper-sticker is targeted, from
nASCAR freaks to Beagle owners (Beagles
for Barack) and Hells Angels to Hockey
Moms no one is safe fromthe clutches
of the political accessory. Whatever the
strategy, this political bunk-fght is fairly
ingenious, craftily aimed at the correct
state-specifc demographic and at the
same time, a colossal money spinner.
Much of this party-paraphernalia is far,
far frominexpensive, so while youre
campaigning for the ballot, why not fund
the next fnancial crisis? Barack Obama
has raised absolute millions in this way.
ACTIONMAN, A STEP TOO FAR. Whatever
any of us may think of election
memorabilia, nothing at all would be
more alien to a Euro election campaign
than senator dolls. Across the board,
right or wrong, America seems to think
its socially acceptable to release senator
dolls; its true! And why stop there, surely
theres a whole market for senator doll
accessories; perhaps a mini-moosehead
trophy for the Barbiefed Palin; a scale
Guantanamo for her once incarcerated
boss; a Tracey Island for the shamed
and outgoing Bush doll; a monumental
swing for Gordon Brown; a Peace Envoy
disguise kit for Tony and a mini red
carpet for Obama to roll out for himself at
Hollywood functions and cocktail parties.
These action fgures must be the biggest
no-no of the century and anyone found in
possession of a political dolly should be
thoroughly investigated.
THE REAL SkILL. Again with the web at
work, graphic design has made a huge
impression on the swayable voting
public, and thats what its all about. By
creating an image that pops a neurone-
fuse in the minds of the hesitant, the artist
can elucidate emotion, perhaps clarify a
burning question, underline pride or even
illuminate a fear. A striking image gets
under the skin, dragging voters toward
a block of text propaganda, or simply
training thought >
06
07
08
09
>06 &07 top designers
Top designers - unashamed of
their opinions - have jumped
on the election bandwagon;
like this T-shirt design by Juicy
Couture and grocery bag by
Mark Jacobs.
>08 knock-on effect
Bumper stickers for McCain
>09 Barbybaric
Political action dolls are
for real!
break! One guy, in answer to aggressive
questioning about his motives for wearing
a nailin Palin logo, replied; Shell be just
too damn cute to annoy the communists,
theyll just fall for her charm! Its
comforting to realise that the delicate
equilibriumof planet Earth rests with such
a discerning public, Imsure youll agree.
So, sex, race, culture, even war injury, its
all out there to be exploited and trust
us, exploit they do, constructive, negative,
occasionally amusing, often nauseating
but always clear satire rules. The
strength of the message clearly illustrates
that however misguided they may be
sometimes; Americans are fully engaged
in the entertainment, and like waiting for
the climactic outcome of the Superbowl
(yet another unfathomable mystery), they
totally care.
And this is where the USA difers from
a much more impartial Europe, the
patriotic electorate really does care;
about what, its difcult to fathom
sometimes, but with ballot turn-out
percentages numbering in the 90s
compared to current UK turnouts
numbering around 38%, there is a
lot of persuading to do here. And the
designers, well, they are best described
as the cheerleaders of the campaigning,
an arty dance routine that runs in
tandem with the political folly - expertly
choreographed to turn the heads of the
undecided but crucial minority - that
literally number in the millions.
So there you have it, the whys and
wherefores. A massive chunk of
the northern Hemisphere with a
proportionate multi-ethnic, socially
diverse population in need of persuasion,
it takes some doing and might explain
why it all takes so infuriatingly damn
long. Wed love to say, And so it should!
considering the global importance of
holding such an ofce, but unfortunately
the futility of the last eight years in
that department would lay down the
signifcance of such a statement. And,
remaining impartial as a publication
is paramount, so, if you now happen
to be staring down the barrel of yet
another Republican, oil-drenched world
constabulary, lets hope that the USAs
long-sufering controversial health care
system stays well enough to keep John
McCain hobbling around, at least long
enough to see out his term. x
> subliminally. Designers have cradled
the idea of pushing their beliefs forward,
using their dexterity to try to manipulate
the tentative imagination of millions.
The nature of the World Wide Web and
being that most American homes are
connected to a terminal - invites the
notion of a colossal poster campaign.
AMERICA nEEDS YOU and millions of
desktops suddenly become the welfare
ofce walls, backlit bus-stop panels and
domestic billboards of the electorate e
campaign. It becomes impossible to be
unafected, and coupled with the antics
of the candidates, infuriatingly awkward
to remain impartial.
In such a short period (even though it
seems like an eternity to us) independent
designers are smart enough to realise
that trying to create a brand new
artistic following would be futile, so
they dedicate works to the infamous
imagery of trends gone by, like Bob
Staakes presidential homage to historical
caricaturist Paolo Garretto; the Palin
Scream a modernist electoral play
on expressionist Edvard Munchs horror
series and a number of obviously Warhol-
esque pop-art entries. It makes for good
viewing and holds massive appeal, much
more at least than any egotistical artisan
trying to impose their own genre on a
slightly hypnotised public who care little
about the actual message medium, and
more about the outcome. Despite the odd
purely artistic lunge at an image-hungry
electorate, like Shepard Faireys HOPE
contribution to the Barack campaign, a
very clear message needs to be conveyed;
enter the satire. In the home-straight, the
mud slinging last mile of the election,
nothing works better than satire to
deliver a punchy express-mail message to
the masses. Subtlety just doesnt work in
this dog-eat-dog world of propagation (as
illustrated by the rigmarole surrounding
the faux partiality of the front-cover of
The newYorker) and 9 oclock watersheds
are regularly breeched by badge wearing,
mug wielding, banner waving patriots
with a grudge to bear. Id rather be
nailin Palin probably illustrates the full
extent of the sludge. Anyone sporting
this descriptive little anecdote is most
probably a radical, recognising the
specifc need for a supposedly raunchy
female presence in the Oval Ofce (with
her fnger on the button obviously).
Sure sex sells, but Sarah Palin? Gimme a
>What a font says about a man
Much can be told fromtypography, McCain uses the Optima font. not quite sans and
not quite serif, sort of in between, moderate. The same font was used on the Vietnam
memorial a war responsible for his hero status. Obamas Gothamfont is sharp, well
defned and crisp, a bit like one of his suits. The font promotes a young and hip image,
refned but corporate refecting confdent and contemporary ideals.
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061
>vitamin c
Photomicrographs.
the microscope
Article on page 85
moderN desigN JUnE 2008 63
card in your pocket, and there youre stuck til they call your fight. At Salzburg
Airport, on the other hand, many of the visitors wont even be checking-in.
Though theyre embarking on a gastronomic world tour, for Austrian foodies this
isnt the start of their journey, and neither will they be clocking up a single air
mile, because their destination is Hangar-7.
THE VISION. The brainchild of Dietrich Mateschitz the man who brought us the
Red Bull Energy Drink Hangar-7 was created not only to house the ever-
growing collection of historic aircraft belonging to the Flying Bulls display team, and clearly worthy of a more distinguished home than the average hangar with all the
03 Flying high
Twin cylindrical
towers house two
chic bars, ofces and
the groundbreaking
Ikarus Restaurant.
Martin Fuchs /
Red Bull Photofles.
02 Turbot Prawns
with Quinoa Risotto
Guest Chef September
2008; Gastn Acurio.
Helge Kirchberger /
Red Bull Photofles.
01
02
03
inherent design appeal of a shoebox,
but also to bring together under one
soaring roof, science, technology, art
and entertainment.
THE REALITy. Taking almost four years
to plan, develop and build and only
a cab-hop from Salzburg Airports
main terminal since opening its
doors in August 2003 Hangar-7 has
become an international hotspot for >
01 The hippest hang-out
An international hotspot
for aviation afcionados and
lovers of fne dining.
Helge Kirchberger /
Red Bull Photofles.
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GASTRONOMy. moveaBle. Feast
062
Whether youre fying out or heading home, and members of theplane-spotting fraternity aside, if theres one place you dont want to hang around in a moment
longer than is absolutely necessary, its the airport. Unless that is, its Salzburgs W.A. Mozart
Airport, where even the most jet-lagged of seasoned travellers will fnd it hard to tear
themselves away. Why? Because Hangar-7 the iconic 3,700-square metre glass-and-steel
ellipsoid thats not only home to the high-fying Ikarus Restaurant, but is also an aviation
museum, working airport, contemporary art gallery and the chicest of bars all rolled into one
is the hippest hang-out in town. Airports and fne dining dont generally make the most natural
of bedfellows. There are exceptions of course. Bostons Logan International has award-winning
chef Todd Englishs Bonfre; Sydneys Qantas Terminal boasts neil Perrys legendary First Lounge;
and Heathrow T5 passengers can always while away the time in Gordon Ramsays Plane Food
more Hells Airport than Hells Kitchen. But irrespective of whether youre dining on caviar
and Chablis or queuing for a soggy sandwich and a Coke, if youre eating in a terminal eaterie,
basically its because its par for the concourse. Youve checked in your bags, got your boarding
Dining on a Higher Plane
04 Walking onair
The stunning Threesixty Bar.
Daniel Grund /
Red Bull Photofles.
06 Eye candy
HangART-7 a showcase
for contemporary art.
ulrichgrill.com /
Red Bull Photofles.
05 Flying machines
north American
B-25JMitchell beneath the
360 Bar. ulrichgrill.com /
Red Bull Photofles.
07 Gastronomic tour
de force
Roland Trettl and Chef de
Cuisine Laurent Audiot.
Joerg Lehmann /
Red Bull Photofles.
08 Cooking up a storm
Guest Chef August 2008:
Grard Depardieu.
Helge Kirchberger /
Red Bull Photofles.
iKaRUS gUeST CHeF
nOVemBeR 2008
Normand Laprise, toqu! restaurant,
montreal
agastronomic institution in montreal
where hes been voted best chef for 15
consecutive years, Laprises Toqu!
Restaurant boasts 4 stars fromthe
Canadian Culinary Federation in Quebec
and 5 diamonds both fromthe Caaand
its american counterpart, the aaa. as a
taste of what you can expect, one of his
signature dishes created especially for
this months visit to the ikarus Restaurant:
Princess Scallops marinated in Red Bull
and vodka with caviar, strawberries and a
lime foam.
iKaRUS gUeST CHeFS
DeCemBeR 2008
danyel Couet &paul svensson, F12,
stockholm
artistic and deconstructionist, Swedens
pre-eminent chefs, dissect the colour and
formof their ingredients, reassembling
theminto surprising newcreations.
07 08
> aviation afcionados and lovers
of fne dining, while well-heeled
Austrians regularly fy in for the
evening, handily parking their
Gulfstreams or Lears on the doorstep.
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES. The
HangART-7 gallery showcases a
changing line-up of contemporary
works by up-and-coming artists.
Then theres a trio of the coolest bars
including the appropriately named
Threesixty which, suspended from
the apex of the glass dome and with
its transparent foor providing a
birds eye view of the vintage fying
machines parked beneath, is probably
the closest youll ever get to walking
on air. The must-visit hi-tech Mayday,
on the other hand, has an ingenious
bar counter whose interactive
surface means that animations of
the Flying Bulls dart niftily between
the champagne futes and highball
glasses, transporting from guest to
guest for-your-eyes-only messages.
THE IkARUS CONCEPT. Masterminded
by patron Eckart Witzigmann and
executive chef Roland Trettl, the
groundbreaking Ikarus raison dtre
is both audacious and truly original.
A culinary tour de force, each month
a diferent award-winning chef
chosen from the elite ranks of the
international world of gastronomy
is invited to do a four-week stint in
the kitchen. The sheer enormity of
such a project is mind boggling with
its intricate planning, organisation,
logistics and attention to detail, but if
ever there was a duo totally unfazed
by the prospect of pulling of the
ultimate moveable feast month in,
month out, these two professionals
are clearly the men for the job. Their
credentials speak for themselves.
Widely acclaimed for introducing
nouvelle Cuisine into Germany and
Austria, Eckart Witzigmann was
named Chef of The Century by the
prestigious Gault Millau in 1984 and
just one year after opening Aubergine
his frst restaurant became the
frst German chef, and at the time
only the third outside France, to
be awarded three Michelin stars.
While Witzigmann has his feet frmly
planted on the ground, however, its
South Tyrolean celebrity chef Roland
Trettl whose legendary Cas Puers
Restaurant in Mallorca earned him his
frst Michelin star when he was just
26 who takes to the skies, travelling
the globe for around 120 days each
year in search of future Ikarus guest
chefs and working with them in their
own kitchens before inviting them
to showcase their skills at Hangar-7.
Conveniently, the Red Bull plane
at his beck and call is parked just
outside his ofce.
Its a gastronomic partnership
made in heaven. Thanks to them,
Austrias high-fying foodies have
the mouth-watering opportunity of
experiencing the very fnest cuisine
from all corners of the globe without
having to set foot outside Salzburg,
while for overseas travellers visiting
the famous city or honing their on
piste skills, well, its the best reason
yet to break with tradition and make
sure of arriving at the airport really
early for a change. x
in 5 years, Hangar-7 has welcomed:
>1 million visitors
>100,000 ikarus diners
>54 guest chefs contributing 1,000 signature recipes
> and hosted 11 art exhibitions
04
05
06
>Myco Anna
Ethical, organic and Fairtrade, all
their designs feature 20% 100%
recycled materials.
Images: Courtesy of Agnieszka
Stalkoper.
Green & Gorgeous
Conscience on the catwalk
From shapeless shifts, fower-sprigged dirndls and woolly leggings to must-have runway eco-glam, ethical fashion has
come a long, long way since
its humble, home-spun
beginnings back at the
start of the 70s. Never has
it been easier to indulge
our ongoing love affair
with cutting-edge designer
labels without renouncing
our environmental and
social conscience
because so far as ethical
haute couture is concerned,
green is the new black.
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FASHI ON. ethi cal. chi c
066
With a higher profle than ever before
just as well considering the sorry
state of our ailing planet, and the
pitiful wages and dangerous exposure
to toxic chemicals endured by textile
producers and garment workers
in developing countries ethical
fashion includes among its celebrity
fan following the likes of movie stars
Scarlett Johansson, natalie Portman,
Brad Pitt and Leonardo di Caprio,
while U2 frontman Bono and wife Ali
Hewson went one better by launching
their very own Edun label in 2005. >
> FASHIONING A BETTER PLANET. Last
month alone, Paris hosted the 5th
edition of its must-visit Ethical Fashion
Showheld at the Carrousel du Louvre
fromOctober 9 12, billed as the
worlds largest eco-couture showcase
and founded in 2004 by Isabelle
Quh; and on the other side of the
English Channel the London College
of Fashion - which notably launched
its own Centre for Sustainable
Fashion earlier this year hosted the
Sustainable Fashion Conference 2008
running fromOctober 27 28. The
UK, USA, Canada and South Africa are
just some of the increasing number
of countries where environmentally-
friendly fashion shows nowtake
place annually, while designers from
Ghana to Denmark and Canada, and
fromMali to Japan and Germany are
all bringing an astonishing range of
avant-garde creativity and ingenuity
to a genre once dismissed by
fashionistas as frumpy and dull.
SEWING THE SEEdS. In Britain at
least where most people at the time
dressed almost exclusively in clothes
made fromsynthetic fbres which,
although they were uncomfortable
since they didnt breathe, were at least
cheap to produce and buy designer
labels Monsoon and Katharine
Hamnett were both instrumental
in dragging the obstinate world of
fashion towards a greener future.
Following a period of selling shaggy
woollen coats on Londons famous
Portobello Road and hand block-
printed clothes fromRajasthan, Peter
Simon founded Monsoon, opening
his frst shop in Knightsbridges
swanky Beauchamp Place in 1973. His
original focus was always on clothes
with an ethnic origin fromfaraway
places, including unusual dresses
fromAfghanistan and countries en
route. Chic and oh so cool, it was a
look that caught on overnight with
high-profle clients such as British
actress Jane Seymour leading the
way. Accessorize, Monsoon Home,
Monsoon Baby, Monsoon Angels and
Monsoon Boy were later launched
and today there are more than 500
Monsoon stores around the world.
Putting its money where its mouth
is the organisation operates in
accordance with its own stringent
Fairtrade, ethical and environmental
policies, supports emerging artists
through the Monsoon Art Collection
highlighting both indigenous culture
and globalisation, and through
The Monsoon Accessorize Trust has
established a wide range of projects
aimed at alleviating poverty in Asia
with which it has had long-standing
trading relationships.
QUEEN OF GREEN. Katharine
Hamnett achieved stardomas a
controversial eco-heroine fashion
designer more than 30 years ago, not
only dressing Liz Taylor but in 2004
famously sending naomi Campbell
down the catwalk wearing a top
bearing the legendWear a condom.
named Designer of the Year by the
British Fashion Council in 1984, she
pioneered organic cotton production
in the 1990s according to the World
Health Organisation there are three
million poisonings and 20,000 deaths
annually frompesticides afecting
growers and garment workers and
passionate about Fairtrade and a
whole raft of other environmental
issues, she owns a farmin Mallorca
where shes currently endeavouring to
organise the local community into a
fully-functioning organic Co-operative;
and sold her London home to fnance
the online Katharine E Hamnett
eco-store.
BLOOd, SWEAT &TEARS. It was as far
back as 1992 that the US media blew
the whistle on sweat-shop labour,
naming and shaming among others
Levi Strauss. Suddenly the world was
alerted to the fact that big brands had
lost control of their supply lines and
that cheap fashion came with a very
expensive price-tag in terms >
FashionWithout Victims
Ethical fashion refers to clothing that has
been made, worn and passed on in a way
that is compassionate to people, animals
and the environment, and has to tick at
least one of the following boxes: sustainable
trade and manufacture; the use of organic
materials; the inclusion of vintage or
recycled fabrics; and fashion that does not
involve cruelty to animals.
>revamp
The appropriately named
Spring / Summer 2009 Rekindled Love
Collection, featuring recycled fabrics.
Image: Courtesy of Hugh OMalley.
>revamp
Variations on a sustainable theme.
Dress: Fernando Viana.
Necklace: Kotomi Yammura.
Image: Courtesy of Hugh OMalley.
>Junky styling
Waste not, want not
sassy design at London
Fashion Week 2008.
Image: Courtesy of
Duncan Bone.
>Bllack noir
Glam gone underground. Street savvy
without renouncing environmental and
social ideals.
Stylist: Mattias Karlsson.
Image: Courtesy of Hasse nielsen.
>noir
Giving a little back to the world
haute couture with a conscience.
Stylist: Yvonne Sporre.
Image: Courtesy of Marc Hom.
> of a sustainable environment and
fair wages for workers. Eight years
later, naomi Kleins worldwide best
seller No Logo further exposed the
uncomfortable truth behind many of
the globes leading labels. Earlier this
year, BBC3s Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts
reality show has gone some way
towards communicating the plight of
Indian cotton workers for which many
high street stores should shoulder
their share of the blame, while on
sister channel BBC2, Twiggys Frock
Exchange hosted of course by the 60s
most iconic of supermodels, talks up
the virtue of swapping clothes as the
ultimate eco-friendly way to style.
CUTTING IT. Shwopping (as in
swapping clothes), bamboo and
hemp are just a fewof the buzz words
currently doing the rounds in ethical
fashion circles. Environmentally-
sourced bamboo and hemp are both
ecologically sound alternatives to
non-organic cotton; growing fast, not
requiring much in the way of precious
water and needing no chemicals. As a
bonus, since hemp is anti-bacterial, it
doesnt require such frequent washing.
To name but a fewof the seriously
cutting-edge designers creating
eco-fabulous runway fashions, theres
Lac Et Mel who, in co-operation with
the German Branch of the WWF are
blazing a trail with their carbon neutral
collections which recently went
down a stormat Berlins Mercedes-
Benz FashionWeek; newYorks Linda
Loudermilk; Quebecs Myco Anna;
and South Africas Lunar. Talented
London-based Mark Liu specialises in
zero waste cutting techniques; Junky
Styling sources secondhand clothing
fromMalawi and traditional textiles
fromthe region for their stunning
recycled fashions; and Japans Aoi
turns his skills to crafting beautifully-
cut coats and dresses made from
ancient kimonos.
OUT OF AFRICA. Copenhagen-based
noir recipients of the Dansk Fashion
Award for Ethical Brand of the Year
2008 have recently created their
own cotton brand Illuminati II, the
sole purpose of which is to produce
the fnest fabrics from Africa. Made
from Ugandan cotton certifed
both organic and Fairtrade, and
manufactured in Uganda and Europe
for onward sale around the globe to
leading luxury brands, noir founder
Peter Ingwersen says, We want
to be known as the frst brand to
bring sophistication and sexiness to
corporate social responsibility. In all
links of the value chain, production
will take place in accordance with
the ILO Conventions and principles
of the Un Global Compact, thus
ensuring an ethically, socially and
environmentally sustainable process
from production to end product.
The ofcial launch of Illuminati II is
scheduled for the end of the year
with the frst collection of luxury
cotton fabrics expected to be
available for wholesale in 2009. noirs
7th ready-to-wear collection Spring
/ Summer 2009 and launched at
fashion weeks around the globe has
been described as encapsulating
a mlange of metaphors from
feathered nymph to glossy rock glam.
Their Bllack noir range, meanwhile,
is a difusion line echoing noirs
seductive yet sustainable stance
on style. Designed to appeal to
a younger market, the label is
noirs rather more price-conscious
alternative yet still at the very
sharpest end of style and possessing
the same irreproachable credentials
as its parent group.
Well leave the last word to up-and-
coming young British designer Julia
Smith, whose transparent supply
routes, clean production and use of
fabrics such as hemp silk epitomise
the philosophy and essential
hallmarks of eco-friendly fashion.
Styling herself not as an ethical
designer, but merely a designer, she
modestly says, Thats how fashion
should be anyway. And who could
possibly argue with that? x
>monkee genes
The worlds frst organic denim
jeans approved by the Soil Asso-
ciation. Purple Skinny model:
Abi Plowright.
Image: Courtesy of Chris Webb.
>Bora aksu (right)
As if by magic, the London-
based Turkish designer
reworks everyday items quilt
covers, tea towels and even
granny undies into alluring
and ultimately wearable fab
little eco-numbers.
Image: Courtesy of Ian Gillett.
>goodone (below)
Award-winning sustainable,
one-of, edgy designs from
handpicked, locally-sourced
recycled fabrics.
Image: Courtesy of GoodOne.
ThE ThATCoMEsINA hoME
W
o
R
d
s
: C
A
R
O
L
y
N
M
E
L
I
N
IM
A
G
E
s
: C
O
U
R
T
E
S
y
O
F
B
S
B
d
E
S
IG
N
> project
> location
> architect
> partners
Abd demonstration site
Soshanguve, South Africa
BSB Design
Blessman Ministries Inc.,
Barclays Bank, ABSA & Africon
ABOd>makingadifference
Aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound, durable, functional and
simplicity itself to assemble, three of these innovative low-cost
Abd units have already been built at a government test site in
Soshanguve, 100kms north of Johannesburg, demonstrating Iowa-
based BSB Designs commitment to helping to make the world a better
place in which to live. Because as company chairman Doug Sharp points
out, Every family deserves to live in a home designed by an architect.
Its a noble philosophy and one with which Modern Design Magazine
wholeheartedly concurs.
>easy does it
An Abod unit can be assembled in less
than a day, the only tools necessary - an
awl and a screwdriver.
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ARCHI TECTURE. humani tari an. BluePri nt
072
Worldwide, over 600 million people
are living in overcrowded, inadequate
and poor-quality housing slums,
squatter settlements, shacks and
shanties,says Sharp, and its our
hope that Abd will allowour frm
to give something back to society.
Through a partnership with Blessman
Ministries Inc., a US-based charity
that has been providing medical care
and meeting the basic needs of many
African orphans for four years, BSB
Design via its subsidiary Advanced
Design Innovation LLC is a pioneer
in the fght to put an end to destitute
living conditions and homelessness
around the globe. next spring the frst
20 homes to accommodate children
whove lost their parents to the
devastating Aids epidemic in South
Africa are due to be constructed by
volunteers in the town-
ships of Mokopane and Rustenburg.
IMPROVEd QUALITy OF LIFE. The simple
but ingeniously-designed Abd arrives
fatpack-style in a box measuring 4-ft
x 12-ft x 2-ft and can be assembled in
less than a day by a group of just three
or four people. The only tools needed
awl (1); screwdriver (1) are included.
The structure follows the principles of
the pleasingly organic curves of the
Catenary Arch, lending the units a less
rigid and utilitarian feel than the typical
box-shape, so that even the basic
16-square metre starter home provides
an enhanced sense of open roominess.
Comprised primarily of non-
combustible materials an important
consideration when homes are
clustered closely together and various
households are likely to be cooking
over an open fre interchangeable
end panels allowfor customisation
while adding to the Abds inherent
versatility. natural lighting foods in
through the wave-shaped Plexiglas
panels; and without the need for a
foundation, the homes can adapt to a
variety of site conditions. Extensions
of the corner arches allowowners to
bolt the structure securely into the
ground, yet the units can also be easily
disassembled for relocation to another
site. Economically priced (according
to current manufacturing estimates, a
newAbd unit housing a family of six
can be built for around $3,500), their
high quality and enduring structure
give thema useful life of 20-30 years,
making themsuitable for micro-
fnance home loans for frst-time, low
income purchasers in economically
depressed regions.
PERSONALISEd HOMES. Two or more
Abds can be connected together in
various confgurations to provide more
spacious accommodation and theres a
wide choice of easily installed upgrade
options, including multiple colours and
fnishes; kitchen, cooking, wardrobe
and toilet/shower/bath units; loft and
porch extensions; as well as a selection
of diferent foorings and door designs
fromwhich to choose. The arch can be
expanded to increase the interior living
space, and in addition to providing
practical, comfortable and far better
standards of housing, the concept
also adapts well for use in community
projects such as schools, play areas,
central water sources, open cooking
and gathering areas and so on. In
recognition of Abds groundbreaking
design, the American Institute of
Architects have recently granted it
their prestigious Small Project Award. x
IN hIs book ThE huMANbody, IsAAC AsIMov RElATEd ThE ANECdoTE AbouT A sEAsICk
PAssENGER WhoM A sTEWARd
ChEERFully AssuREd ThAT Nobody
EvER dIEd FRoM sEAsICkNEss. ThE
PAssENGER MuTTEREd, PlEAsE
ITs oNly ThE hoPE oF dyING ThATs
kEEPING ME AlIvE. IN ThAT CAsE youd
ThINk ThAT A suFFERER oF MoTIoN
sICkNEss Would sTAy FEET FIRMly
FIxEd oN ThE GRouNd, buT FoR Ex-
boxCAR hobo sEAsICk sTEvE, IT jusT
AINT IN hIs blood. ANd, PERhAPs ThE
PARAllEl bETWEEN ThE ANECdoTE,
ANd sEAsICks CuRRENT CARdIAC
AFFlICTIoN, Is ThE oNly loGIC bEhINd
ouR oFFICE CuRRENTly ovERFloWING
WITh ThE bANGIN ThREE-sTRINGEd
Muddy dIy-bluEs vIbE oF A MAN Who
RECENTly AlMosT Took A FREE RIdE
oN ThE CElEsTIAl ExPREss.
Its not like 65-year-old Seasick
intended things this way, though hes
always lived on the fringes of some
sort of musical vocation, it wasnt
until he had a heart attack fve years
ago that he decided sitting around
and waiting for your calling just aint
the way to go. His long-sufering
norwegian wife, whod only just
settled the man down after spending
the last 25 years in 56 diferent
houses across the world, decided it
was time to send him on the road
once more. A reason to be seemed
a better option than watching him
waste away to sickness, and besides, some rather tenacious
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
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MUSI C. acci dental. hero
074
Irish music promoters just wouldnt let go of badgering himto come and do a gig in Dublin. He survived it, played solo to a Guinness-fuelled crowd that went completely wild and then
>seasick bustin his
cap on stage
Theres some serious
hardship hidden
under them whiskers,
and Seasick is more
than ready to bust a
yarn on down to his
blues-sodden fock.
>
Music for all ears
Everything Is Borrowed
> The Streets
They never really had to borrow a sound, but The Streets needed a bit of a sweep, so to speak. Still their familiar
individuality runs straight and true through a heavily scornful Everything is Borrowed, and like true Chav-kind, they seem
to have moved on from the incessant cheap drug intake (with chips and drinks) to a more family orientated domain.
Obviously, after leaving a wake of angry pram-faces strewn across the Brummy landscape, Bebo is reproducing - and
rapping his heart out about the small-print tribulations of settling down. If you need a cynical musical accompaniment to
help get you through the credit crunch this album is it.
Off With Their Heads
The Kaiser Chiefs >
Can they ever do anything wrong, except try and call themselves punks? And, as if the last two albums werent
executed well enough, Mark Ronson grappled the main producers axe handle of Off With Their Heads and
fortunately managed to swing far enough away from all that incessant horn blowing that got him famous.
Overplayed as both the Chiefs and Ronson are, they seem to have pulled it off once more, and youll be
guaranteed to be mudding up your drainpipes and Converse again to next summers crafty-northern festival
headliners.
Tennessee Pusher
> Old Crow Medicine Show
Okay, these days the old deep-southern fddle sawin sound of bluegrass aint exactly mainstream, but ever since the
backwater Cajun torment of The Deliverance soundtrack, it still makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
You either love it or you hate it, and this modern-day take on the genre is sure to drag in a few new revellers while
satisfying plenty of bib-and-brace boilersuit diehards. Nashville based (where else) Old Crow Medicine Show will take
you right back to sticky summer nights on the wooden veranda, squishin cooties and nodding off to Grandpaws yarns-
on-a-loop.
Skeletal Lamping
Of Montreal >
Supposedly intellectual psychedelic rockers Of Montreal are headed up by Kevin Barnes, a married white man
whose alter ego is a black transsexual named Georgie Fruit You still here? So, needless to say its pretty
entertaining stuff, ever so slightly appealing to unemployed University post-grads and - particularly with this
musical probe into the glam-rock genre those who enjoyed the Scissor Sisters, which is a lot of us to some
degree. Its synthesised, thought-provoking electronic depression fuel. Nutty new romantics meet The Sparks at a
Ziggy Stardust concert it can only mean one thing, this months mucky Mel B award and well deserved too.
Appeal to Reason
> Rise Against
Rise Against sound like an unusual collaboration of The Soundgarden and Metallica, and needless to say, form a band
of pretty hardcore American Punk Rockers. It could be a good move to release Appeal to Reason this month, considering
its pretty political n all. Not the happiest of song subjects, like aggro-folk track Hero of War, for instance, based on
material that soldiers from Iraq divulged to the sympathetic band. A bit of a kick in the retreating backside for the Bush
administration delivered by the steel toecap of some seriously fuzz bustin American punk thrash hardcore.
Droppin Science Fiction
The Mighty Underdogs >
Hip hoppers just love rapping about bad things, you know guns n stuff, the cock the hammer bullet in yer
brain type of thing - must make em feel all homey - like wearing slippers. Anyway, that makes The Mighty
Underdogs a truly accomplished hip hop medley of accomplished Home Boys and boy do they rock. Droppin
Science Fiction takes a rappy excursion into hip hop with explosive-hard rock undertones, not dissimilar to
RATM, like angry poets with a beatbox and very loud guitars. Heavy subject matter but shoulder bobbing, head
bangin mayhem will ensue.
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
shipped on back to norway, Sealegs securely
in hand. The following weeks paved
the way to the current unknown
to blues-bourgeoisie success story
and an ill-advised celebratory trip on
a Booze Cruise between Denmark
and Sweden, involving a few sips
of beer and a resulting seven hours
of vomiting, led to his fateful stage
identity. Fortunately for him now, he
can aford to fy.
>Trance Wonder
Seasick plucks on his
famous Three String
Trance Wonder, sold
to him by a boxcar
buddy who made
a quick-turnaround
illicit proft of 50
bucks. Steve is sore
and still singing
about it to this
day.
hes as raw
as Tekkamaki,
and drummer
friend chucks
in The essenTial
wasabi-beaT
sauce To help
sTing iT all
down To a
blues-hungry
public.
So for those who dont yet know
who this accidental blues legend
is, let me elucidate. Seasick Steve
(defnition): A grey-bearded checky-
shirt pensioner who entertains
thousands of young enlightened
blues revellers with his own unique
inventory of musical instruments
including:
1. the three string trance Wonder
(defnition): A normal guitar bought
for $75 in Como, Mississippi from
a man named Sherman who
incidentally turns out to be a right
tanker considering hed bought
it for just $25 the day before. The
Three String Trance Wonder by
defnition has only three strings,
uniquely tuned by Seasick and
amplifed by an old Harmony pickup
that sits precariously on the body
with the aid of a good helping of
duct tape. Steve vowed never to
add another string so he
could conveniently
tell the world of
how his good
friend Sherman
ripped him of. Its
made them both very
famous indeed.
2. the one string
diddley Bow
(defnition): A
makeshift blues
instrument
deriving of a 2-foot length of 4x2
with screws at either end spanning a
single, loosely-strung guitar string.
The player plucks on the string and
uses a slider to fret the tone which
in Steves case is an old screwdriver.
3. the mdm, The Mississippi Drum
Machine (defnition): A small wooden
box for stomping on. Decorated in
hobo memorabilia and covered in
carpet, Steve often uses the MDM as
his very own play-along DIY rhythm
section.
After transporting this little lot, on
invitation, to an enthused Jules
Holland Hootenanny to thump in the
new Year 2007 with a live rendition
of Dog House Boogie, hes never
really looked back. As a new artist,
Seasick held lots of appeal and it
was defnitely time for something
diferent. The public fancied the old
bearded blues-man phenomenon
and initially eyed him as an
accomplished veteran showman, only
when the music press followed his
true story did his genuine quirkiness
launch a frenzied following. His
unpretentious approach to writing
is pretty quirky too, and the hobo
history runs straight and true through
his lyrics. His frst single Cheap,
initially recorded on a four-track tape
recorder in his kitchen was so named
due to the miniscule costs involved
in running a tape in your kitchen.
The new revered album I Started Out
With nothin and I Still Got Most of
It Left tells a similar, and not wholly
untrue story of where the ever hobo-
humble Seasick Steve thinks he truly
resides. But after winning the MOJO
Award for Best Breakthrough Act
in 2007 and absolutely stealing the
show this summer at festivals such as
Glastonbury and T in the Park he is
actually far from boxcar broke.
Its heaven to watch,
this old boy
banging out
Gutbucket
Blues on his
3-string, and even if he dropped a
clinker no one would notice, how
could you when there are another
3 whole strings missing? The
performance is infallible, hilarious
like a musical Grandpappy bustin
his favourite yarn down through the
generations. Yeah sure hes a likable
old character, but it doesnt end
there; festival Seasick brings on the
band namely the guy he refers to as
his drummer friend. Drummer Friend
is the Meg of Seasicks onstage White
Stripes setup, and together, like the
veritable Rock n Roll brother-and-
sister act - although slightly less
appealing in the looks department
they rock the crowd to sludge
thumpin, 3-string air-guitar blues
ecstasy. If you counted Seasick as one
of the best raw musicians of the 21st
century, youd be correct, hes as raw
as tekkamaki, and Drummer Friend
chucks in the essential wasabi-beat
sauce to help sting it all down to a
blues-hungry public. Basically, ifn
you get the chance to witness this
pair o hobnail hobos bustin their
caps to a Mississippi mud-slide
groove and lyrics from a lifetime of
struggle, angst and freight jumpin,
then do it!
And that is it really, the reason
why Seasick Steve is only now
launching into the musical stardom
stratosphere, hes needed his sixty
odd years to feel the anguish. Born
in Oakland, California, Steve Wold
left home at 14 to a lengthy freight-
train-hopping and migrant-working
hobo lifestyle, before eventually
settling in Tennessee, via the UK,
Hawaii, Washington State and god
only knows where else. Its been a
tough ride, but something he looks
back upon with a slightly tongue-
in-cheek fervour, and thats what
appeals. So, frisking his whiskers
for a good 3 score and fve has been
enough to give him the soul-trodden
edge to win over crowds with
consummate laid-back ease and
thats what he does best. The musical
money machine does the rest, and
theyre not wasting any time. This
grey old fnger-zinger has become
one massive rolling freight train of
downloads and the ipod expressway
is crisscrossing him around the
UK and Europe to places he never
dreamed of reaching. As for how
long this accidental and somewhat
unlikely blues-cruise will last, there
just aint no tellin, but regarding a
couple of heart attacks, dont let that
worry you, it just makes for a good
song or two and proof perhaps of
our soft spot for the downtrodden
underdog, the fact we all love a good
story and a great blues lick. x
>
the screen adaptation of bestselling novel Q and
A by vikas Swarup, the story begins with main
character Jamal malik in the hot seat on indias
version of Who Wants to Be a millionaire, trouble
is hes just an orphan from the slums of mumbai.
even worse for him hes brilliant at the game and
while only one question away from the big prize,
they break from filming. that night hes arrested by
a very suspicious police commissioner for cheating
but there was no coughing in the audience
maliks perilous life in the slums provided him with
all the knowledge he needed and the film takes us
through his many encounters of violence and love,
each one providing the key to each answer. in the
final nail-biting moment when 60 million viewers
await the 20-million rupee question, we find out
maliks real reason for being there.
this should be a fascinating, satirical biography
of a man scorned, the surreality of the Bush years
and perhaps a lesson for the electorate. W is a
biographical take on the life of george W. Bush,
his blundering failures at just about everything,
past and present, and his fantaisical decision
making leading up to the iraq war. trouble is
Stone made the whole film in 46 days, a bit of a
rush to beat the election, and it tells. not quite
bold enough in some ways and not quite as
hilarious as it really should be, saved perhaps only
by some excellent acting. Jfk or nixon it never
will be, but interesting all the same, what with old
george handing the keys over this month lets
hope he had to change the Born Again key fob.
okay its not exactly cinema, but this freebie from
the great informer deserves a slot in the movie
section. Available online, the film is an analogy of
moores controversial tour of college campuses in
2004. As he rallied in 62 different cities trying to
convince young people to vote for John kerry, his
crew followed him, and the result is this uplifting
documentary of a man preaching to a long-lost
f lock who seemed to have forgotten that they
represent a giant chunk of the American electorate.
comedy moments come in the form of moore
beating back his detractors who try to halt his
crusade on numerous occasions. moore released the
movie insisting it should be free in the hope that
Americas youth would embrace the idea once more
and go to the ballot.
> director
> starring > director
> director
> starring
Danny Boyle
Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal,
Anil Kapoor Oliver Stone
Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Richard
Dreyfuss, Thandie newton
Michael Moore
Slumdog Millionaire
W
Slacker Uprising
the first-ever architecture yearbook that
concentrates on global architecture, Skira presents
a detailed insight on over one hundred of the
worlds most exciting builds and designs of the
last year. each beautifully illustrated selection is
represented in detail and bolstered by interviews
and insights from the architects and designers
responsible. many include critiques from well
known figures and exciting predictions of what
the future holds for architecture. this is a quality
must-have product for the aficionado; stylish,
informative, sophisticated, and produced to the
highest standards.
this book, the sequel to friedmans bestseller
the world is f lat, is a call to action. the plAnet
needS you more than it ever did. this eye-
opening report on the effects of climate change,
population growth and globalisation shows an
exhausted planet unable to keep up with mans
burdensome requirements. But its not just all
doom and gloom, friedmans hands-on frontline
research from every corner of the earth shows how
our generation can offer realistic solutions to the
malaise. how we could become the true heroes of
history and turn an inevitable eco-calamity into the
triumphant conquest of the ages. forget Alexander
the great, its us wholl be robbing the limelight in
a millennium or so nice dream.
An extension of his Bad Science guardian column,
Ben goldacre takes us on an entertaining literal
lab-test of damagingly inaccurate popular science.
for instance, the reason youll pay twice as much
for a certain brand of aspirin when theres a per-
fectly sufficient, equally dosed alternative in a less
well known packet. more interestingly he attacks
certain not-so-qualified bogus biologists like the
infamous poo lady gillian mckeith, whose tv bol-
stered nutritional nonsense and enematic inspec-
tions humiliate tubby folk and bore the brains out
of us on a weekly basis. i always wondered how
she managed to dish out such evil berry-munching
punishment to her victims and manage to look so
shoddily undernourished herself. A compelling and
shockingly revealing read with plenty of laughs to
ease you back into the real world.
> author/editor
> publisher
> author/editor
> publisher
> author/editor
> publisher
Luca Molinari
Skira
Thomas L. Friedman
Farrar, Strauss & Giroux
Ben Goldacre
Fourth Estate y08 The Skira yearbook of
World Architecture 2007-2008
Hot, Flat and Crowded
Bad Science
books&cinema
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
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we have the balls to go green! www.homeenergy.se
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YoYo check it out
Pico boo
iYoyo ipod charger
by Peter Thuvander
Pico Projectors are going
to be massive
Millions of ipods and iphones need
absolute megawatts of electricity,
just to run those little widgety things,
so charging themup collectively
is basically an ecological disaster.
Consequently we love any design
ideas in the human kinetic/solar-
charging department. Still, eco-
charging can be a touch-and-go
forum, some good some bad, but no
method is more up and down than
the iYoYo charger. Electromagnetic
energy generated by complete and
utter fun - it sounds like a relishing
prospect, unless youre at a conference
or something. Walkin the dowg and
cradles just aint going to bag you that
contract. (Conceptual design)
Theyre here; yes Pico Projectors are a
reality and will be coming to a mobile
device near you soon. Forget squinting
at 3x2-inch videos of your kids or cat
being silly on a tiny mobile LED screen.
next time you renewyour contract
your phone could well contain a
mini projector, which in the correct
conditions will project a vast image
(at least vast in the mobile gadgetry
sense) onto any decent fat surface.
Toshiba already plan to release a
slightly Zippo-esque hundred-gram
Pico Projector in 2009blimey, itll
smash Maglight into insignifcance,
nowyou can watchThe Sopranos
while trying to fnd your way home in
the dark! www.microvision.com
must have gadgetry the.latest h
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
Pipe dream
The Blade eco-tailpipe attachment
Forget pimp my ride, Blade my ride The Blade attaches easily to your
standard car tailpipe, and by regulating your exhaust pulse-profle, cuts
CO2 emissions by up to 12%. Same goes for fuel consumption, so all you
environmental nIMBYs out there have got a good reason to go green as well.
Importantly, as well as regulating engine and fuel efciency, the Blade acts as
a flter, capturing those nasty hydrocarbon particles that tend to clog kiddies
lungs. One disadvantage, youll have to say goodbye to your throbbing
chrome-decorative pipe tip they just dont ft so thats tuning fans and
luxury owners out of the fray; freaks!.. www.bladeyourride.com
Skyros loadsamoney! Commuter Scooter
By Siddharth Kambe Toyota Winglet stand-up scooter
Weve unearthed an incredible looking entry to the Spark Awards international
design competition. The Skyros is an automated aerial camera that fings itself up
to about 120 feet, stabilises using gyroscopic rotors and starts snapping. Built-in
sensors guide Skyros back down to the user so she wont go MIA, and then the
base unit downloads the incredible birds-eye photo sequence. Why? Well there
could be a number of reasons, you might not quite have made it home on your
Beer Scooter (after a hefty night out) and need to locate it, or perhaps your Google
Earth sector is particularly low-res. Whatever it may be, there is no denying that
this is sexy design, and we reckon Siddharth will be quids in. (Conceptual design)
We cant pretend that this latest concept from Toyota Motors goes any distance
to improving well-being. A good walk is essential for getting the old blood
fowing - but as for convenience - we can see this working. The Winglet is light,
portable, and needing only an hour on charge, extremely efcient. On-board
intelligence adjusts power to correct balance making things very easy to control.
Lets hope its got a hefty chassis, if youre truly going to jump on one of these
every time you see a smooth piece of pavement the pounds are gonna pile on.
I can see it now, thousands of Winglets transporting a generation of wobbly
McMufn-tops through the local fast-food drive-in. www.toyota.co.jp
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TECHNOLOGy. Badda. Boom
082
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
Fawke lightning
enteRtainment PYRoteCHniCs
> light the blue touch-paper and run
It seems that most people love freworks, save a fewdevout
pet lovers and the odd case of shell-shock so here it is, a
bravely descriptive magazine-style grope into the mad
world of pyrotechnics so if on the 5th you happen to be
stuck indoors covering your cats ear-drums, you can still
enjoy the spectacle, albeit in a touch more literary, feline-
friendly manner. Fireworks have been around
for centuries, invented around 1200 AD by the Chinese and
were originally, perhaps, mans only answer tohis fascination
with the stars, which are strangely enough, a phenomenon
also forged by an excruciatingly large bang. Anyway,
whatever the magnitude, explosives are pretty hazardous
and making these little merriment-mortars is without doubt
a job for the most safety-conscious of pyro-professional - or
soyoudthink. Aseveral thousand-strongbunchof amateurs
known as the Pyrotechnic Guild are currently locked away in
gardensheds (andburns units), riskinglife andlimbkindling
hopeful knock-ups of the next generation of rockets and
starbursts. It sounds like combustible carnage, but all the
pioneers - professional and amateur alike - are obsessed
with design. Its this love of the aesthetic of freworks that
forges pyrotechnology forward; frst the chemistry involved
to create just the right colour (lime green is the next sought-
after colour in the explosive palette); then the ballistics to
obtain the optimum trajectory with maximum sky-burst;
and nowmore than ever, the physics involved in patterning.
Patternshellingis ascientifc wonder, andyoucanguarantee
that thoseimpressivecountdownnumbers andoutlines that
blitzed the Beijing Olympics left a trail of singed sheds and
bombed out cellar-labs across the globe. So, the technology
behind all this combustible know-how is driven by passion,
and it seems the scientists behind it are poised tolight the
blue touch-paper and run froma whole new generation of
pattern shelling, musically choreographed mega-displays
the likes never seen before. Its a very exciting time for
entertainment pyrotechnics; thefutures bright andbloody
loud. So next time you end up in an emergency
waiting room full of semi-deaf folk with busted ear drums
and rows of stif-necked victims staring at the ceiling head
muscles frozen at optimumpyro-observation angle - please
just remember all the scientifc know-how, the love, the
physics and the sacrifce behind it. It is little consolation
but fascinating all the same. x
What with the old 2-dimensional, static non-video demeanour of the humble printed publication, you
wont open many magazines and fnd a design article on
freworks. The spectacle of entertainment pyrotechnics is
generally reserved for the blackened heavens, a natural blank
canvas for those synchronised badda-boom light and sound
sky-salsas that make you whoop and holler with delight.
Anyway, its that time of year, so here we go
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083
>sodiumthiosulfate
Photomicrographs.
the microscope
Article on page 85
microcosmic art
Photomicrographs by Stefan Eberhard
Stefan Eberhard has the smallest photographic studio in the world, and we
dont mean a couple of lights and a tripod in the cupboard under the stairs. His
photographic domain belongs purely under the microscope, which is where
our Think has placed him this month for an artistic examination. normally when
you associate photography with a lab, its when you pop into Superdrug to get
your holiday snaps done, but Stefan is a Research Professional at the Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Hes a true life white coat lab researcher whom, while studying the biological
functions of cell-wall carbohydrates in plant development realised the potential
of an artistic application for his microscopic portraits. These photomicrographic
images of the crystalline substances familiar to his work and perhaps more
importantly familiar to us as everyday substances - are painstakingly reproduced.
There is a whole long-worded scientifc glossary on how this all actually happens,
but in relatively simple terms by using cross-polarising flters, the colourless
birefringent crystalline subject material shows its normally invisible capacity
to refract light into two separate rays of difering velocity. Subsequently it
explodes into blocks of bright colour, thus creating this incredible artistic insight
to scientifc study and research (imagine the difcult version). So, if you ever
wanted to get really close up and personal with fertiliser, or you have a particular
afnity with the molecular appearance of Sodium Thiosulfate, then Stefan has
made your week. Seriously though, such a crossover between science and art,
this colourful fusion of the two disciplines of photography and microscopy is
seriously important stuf. And, we fnd it extremely comforting to know that
once the white coats have fnished their indispensable duty of advancing our
understanding of the microscopic environment, they can aford us all a bit of
eye-widening optical pleasure. x
01
02
03
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
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085
>01. cystine
Photomicrographs.
the microscope
(Crystal Photomicrography).
>02. niacin
Crystal Photomicrography.
>03. the artist
Research professional
and photographer Stefan
Eberhard.
methodology. However, both certainly fall under
the dont knock it til you tried it category and
in no way should anyone recommend the two
together. Obviously anyway, Lotus didnt know
the meaning of such cautionary advice and by
disobediently amalgamating the two theyve
created a monster but one that will leave a
relatively sensible green trail in its wake.
Speaking of green, Lotus disagrees with most
manufacturers on where to concentrate all the eco-
efort. Despite the sports category obviously not
lending itself well to the electric-hybrid solution,
and anyway, electricity not exactly being all that
sustainable, they think weve gone a bit overkill
on simply reducing emissions. Far better they
say if the manufacturing processes and materials
used in building most cars (which are just as
environmentally damaging) could be changed.
So, by creating a new Elise as many of us already
know an endearing twitchy 2-seater thatll wham
your serotonin levels into overdrive on a track day
and sustain a massive grin on your mush for weeks
theyve managed to change the whole dynamic
of motor manufacture. This badboy grew from
the ground, no messin, the list of body materials
comprises hemp panels, eco-wool, sisal carpets and
revolutionary water-based paints. I know, it sounds
like stuf youd use to erect a hippy compound and
no doubt if you left one out in the rain for long
enough it would biodegrade, but theres a point
to it all. Besides the Gods at Lotus quelling literally
tonnes of manufacturing carbon-discharge, the
lightweight stature of the car delivers a pounce
as yet unknown to the afordable sports-leisure
category. An improved Elise S then; it all sounds
a bit too good to be true. But wait theres more;
lightweight means fuel-efcient, and this is where
the true green credentials reside. So, 0-60mph in
5.8 seconds and 34mpg (pedal to thepetal?),
with biodegradable parts and an all new eco-
educational cockpit with fairy-lights signalling fuel
efcient gear changing (yes, theres an of button),
this car treads very lightly on the planet (not to
mention the roof-integrated solar panels that run
the complex electronics system). Obviously, not as
lightly as your proverbial Toyota Prius type carriage,
but hows one of them going to sort out your
mid-life crunch? And though times have moved
on since the good old days of bits fying of your
Lotus and breaking up on impact with the tyre wall,
at least if it still happens it wont take too long to
say grow a new wing mirror.
Crafted to deliver the ultimate racing high, a
sustainable sports breed has fnally arrived in the
tree-hugging form of Eco-Elise; and its now rolling
out of a plant near you. x
> project
> manufacturer
> body style
> engine
> weight
> length
> 0-60
Eco-EliseS
Lotus
Sustainable 2-seater Sports
Mid mounted Toyota 2ZZ-GE Straight 4
828 kg
3785 mm
5.8 seconds
>02.
An extremely climate-
considerate cockpit for a
speed machine.
02
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MOTOR. home. groWn
086
Hempathy for the devil
lotuss new Eco-Elise
WoRds: dAVE VICkERS
>01.
Absolutely no problem
in the looks department.
speed camera numbers
are on The up, so if
you need a Thrill and
youve goT The odd 40
grand kicking around
The eco-elise should
provide a few grins on a
Track day. buT will all
ThaT green credenza
leave you languishing
on The grid?
Hybrid schmybrid, forget
all that cleaner-than-clean eco-stuf for a minute,
just a minute mind; we cant aford to be promoting
the old fossil that is fossil fuel - can we? Lotus,
the sexy little motor company that can has gone
and done it again; and as if possessing a centre
of gravity lower than a squirrels undercarriage,
handling better than a Swiss airport terminal and
a look that turns WAGs to witches isnt enough -
theyve gone and made the Elise all planet-friendly.
Anyone whos driven an Elise will know that even
though bits sometimes fy of at high speed, an
instant rapport between driver and machine
quickly develops to full blown infatuation. In that
very same way, many would agree that the hemp
01
plant could procure the same kind of appeal though (in a certain form) inching toward a much less street-legal

Directory
Promote your business with MODERN DESIGN for 100 euros.
For more information call 951 26 00 41 or email at: ad@d-earle.com
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www.keyestatesproperty.com
www.keyestatesworldwide.com
Tel. (0034) 952 939 441
KEY ESTATES is an established estate
agent based in Calahonda on the Costa
del Sol. We also sell properties in all
emerging markets.
jeff couch interior architect
design & construction tel: 689 21 79 77
To find out more or to book your place
Tel 607 597 241 or email info@iohmagazine.com
The ioh 8 week Fit Club
starts Mid January
Want to lose weight and get fit in the New Year?
The 2nd ioh Fit Club
The only expert run weight loss club on the Costa del Sol
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Untitled-1.indd 2 29/10/2008 15:37:29
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P R O P E R T y . s e c t i o n
091
92 93
Situated in La Panera, an exclusive private development of just 28
individual villas near Estepona, Las Olas sits in a commanding position
overlooking the Selwo Wildlife Park. La Panera is a protected area
due to its proximity to the park.
Extensive glazing affords spectacular panoramic sea views to the
South over to Gibraltar and North Africa. The Sierra Bermeja mountains
frame views to the West and to the North East the La Concha mountain
forms the backdrop to views over Marbella.
The unique rooine of the hill-top villa caps an L-shaped series of
cubes, which dene the living spaces and incorporates solar panels.
Electricity generating photovoltaic panels are used as shaded canopies
over the glazing. Pivoting decorative wood panels provide adjustable
shade to the outside dining and kitchen area. The villa is surrounded
by various terraces and balconies.
The impressive entrance to Las Olas is via a cube oating on a water
bed, which leads into a double height atrium, from where the open-
plan living area is accessed. In addition the ground and basement
oors comprise a kitchen, media room, games room, guest apartment
and plant room. A cantilevered staircase leads to the rst oor with
three en-suite bedrooms. A modern take on the galleried landing
leads you across a bridge to an impressive master suite with a wrap
around cantilevered terrace.
Las Olas, a unique contemporary villa, is set in stunning countryside
but just 2.5kms from the cosmopolitan New Golden Mile.
Las Olas
Build 492 m on a 2,373 m plot
For more information call Amanda Fisher on +34 951 260 041 www.blueprint-unique.com www.blueprint-unique.com
Villa Vista de Aguila is situated on one of the nest original plots on the
prestigious Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club near Marbella. The
900 acre private estate includes a golf course, clubhouse, equestrian
centre, tennis club and spa facilities all surrounded by a protected
natural biosphere. The position is idyllic and the views breathtaking,
overlooking the mountains surrounding Marbella, over the golf course
and out to the Mediterranean.
The villa of two wings is connected via a triple height atrium where
the enormous window frames wide reaching views and creates an
impressive entrance. Villa Vista de Aguila is a contemporary take on
Balinese styling. The open plan living areas with their high ceilings and
huge wooden windows, a unique feature of the house, throw light
patterns into each room and enjoy fantastic views.
A living room, a kitchen linked to an open dining area and a Guest Suite
are all located at entry level. The rst oor comprises the Master Suite
with dressing room, bathroom and private lounge plus an additional
two bedroom suites.
An impressive pergola with inset wood detailing sits with its columns
in the innity pool, linking external with internal. Various terrace areas
provide changing views and shade. The basement houses a media
room and study also with its own terrace.
This villa will provide a modern lifestyle far enough from the crowds to
relax but close enough to enjoy ne dining, beach life and local culture,
with just a ten minute drive down to the main coastal road.
Villa Vista de Aguila
For more information call Amanda Fisher on +34 951 260 041 www.blueprint-unique.com
94 95
Magnicently positioned at the highest point in La Panera sits Los
Canales. La Panera is an exclusive private development of just 28
individual villas near Estepona. Protected by its proximity to the
Selwo National Park, La Panera is situated amidst beautiful natural
countryside just 2.5kms from the cosmopolitan New Golden Mile.
Los Canales has the nest position within the development, with
superlative 360 views over the Mediterranean to Gibraltar and North
Africa, West to the Sierra Bermeja mountains and North East to La
Concha and Marbella.
A 60 metre drive leads to the front of the villa. Steps bordered by a
water canal feature lead to the glass fronted entrance. The water
canal follows the entire rear contour of the villa and at one point passes
under a glass wall and through the entrance hall contextualising interior
with exterior. The open-plan living areas are dened by a central cube
with replace. This level also comprises the kitchen, breakfast area,
bar, study/TV room and the dining room, a glazed cube which partly
oats above the swimming pool at which point the oor is also
glazed.
A semi-circular staircase leads to the rst oor galleried landing with
seating area opening out to a balcony. From here a bridge leads to
the master suite situated in its own wing. Mostly glazed walls afford
the bedroom panoramic views and the entire wall behind the double
whirlpool bath is also glazed. The wrap around balcony is cantilevered
over the swimming pool. Three further bedroom suites with balconies
are in the opposite wing on this level.
Numerous additional features also include concealed solar and
photovoltaic panels to heat water and provide electricity. Los Canales
is an exceptional villa.
Los Canales
www.blueprint-unique.com
For more information call Amanda Fisher on +34 951 260 041
96 97
The prestigious Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club, situated near
Marbella, is home to Villa Innidad, located on one of the nest
plots. The position is idyllic and the views breathtaking, overlooking
the mountains surrounding Marbella, over the golf course and out
to the Mediterranean. The 900 acre private estate includes a golf
course, clubhouse, equestrian centre, tennis club and spa facilities, all
surrounded by a protected natural biosphere.
The most unusual feature of this modern villa is the structure housing
the main living area which hangs mid-air looking out to sea. The
cubes front wall is fully glazed giving the impression of an innity
room compelling you towards the view.
Accessing Villa Innidad is via a bridge suspended over the outside
area of the lower level. On this level is the open plan living area and
staircase down to the lower level. The heart of this level is the central
kitchen which denes the whole space. Two terraced areas with
pergolas face East and West catching the morning and evening sun.
The innity pool with adjacent pergola is also on this level. Every room
has spectacular views.
The lower level comprises an enormous Master Suite with spa bath and
dressing room and a further two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
all accessing a large terrace.
Villa Innidad an innite range of possibilities.
Villa Innidad
For more information call Amanda Fisher on +34 951 260 041 www.blueprint-unique.com www.blueprint-unique.com
98
A highly unique, contemporary villa to be built in La Quinta with fabulous
views over the golf course and towards the La Concha mountain.

State-of-the-art design incorporates sustainability features that reduce
the carbon footprint to practically zero, but by no means has the design
element of the building been forfeited over ecological function.
Upon approach, a oating glass walkway runs to the entrance of
a double height glass atrium enjoying stunning 180 views and
comprising the main living room, dining room and kitchen, two terraces,
swimming pool plus separate guest accommodation situated at the
far end of the plot.
The luminous main living area hovers above a mirage of water
which appears to merge with the swimming pool but is in fact part
of the cooling system. Complemented by solar panelling, smart glass
technology, geo-thermal heating systems and water management
processes, waste and running costs are reduced to an almost self-
sufcient level.
Stairs lead down to a lower level housing three bedrooms,
two bathrooms, a master suite, TV room, family living room and an
en-suite study. This is a strikingly original home packed with a
wealth of design and sustainability features epitomising 21st century
luxury living.
The Mirage
Build 650 m on a 3125 m plot
For more information call Amanda Fisher on +34 951 260 041 www.blueprint-unique.com
Lr ssen Yacht s Tel . : +49 421 6604 166 emai l : yacht s@l ur ssen. com www. l ur ssen. com
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THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

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