With a new year often comes new change or at least the effort or desire to do so. For some its appearance, for others its commitments and then for those in the world of all things ’Design’ it’s always ‘morphing’ new year or not. They say designers simply ‘re-invent the wheel,’ perhaps better said ‘inspired by it.’ Good design looks to the past and designs for the future. Good design has one ear to the ground while looking upward and good design keeps heads turning, hopefully creating a buzz that will then generate further innovation. In today’s social 24/7 world, it is difficult to be truly unique, but often design does not have to be 100% unique in order to be effective or push the envelope just enough to improve on what has been done to date. That’s why I chose to call this blog segment “MetaMORPHosis” because just like the butterfly, whose bodice was once the base of the caterpillar, innovation takes flight in the form of new exquisite wings.
The physical design development of the shoe has a new ‘platform’…that of 3-D printing capabilities. Innovative designers are embracing the 3-D printer and its limitless forms-in this case ‘platform heels.' A literal Metamorphosis of material/shape and colors. Source: http://mocoloco.com/archives/015142.php
"Landscape House" (above) is the brainchild of architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars. He describes it as "one surface folded in an endless Mobius band," or sort of a giant figure 8. According to its creator, walking through its continuous looping design will seamlessly merge indoors and outdoors in an effort to model nature itself. The house would cost between $5 million and $6 million, according to the BBC, and there's already been interest expressed by museums, private individuals and others, according to Ruijssenaars. He told the network that someone in Brazil plans to buy one to display native art he's found in a nearby national park. All that would be innovative enough on its own. But to take it a step further, the architect plans to build "Landscape House" using the emerging technology of 3-D printing."Source: _http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/22/tech/innovation/building-3-d-printer/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
The design industry during the 20th century was well defined in sector and discipline, Architects, Interior designers, Product designers and Fashion designers. Yet today it seems a true metamorphosis of trade and ideas is flowing and evolving. Furniture designers are more than ergonomic masters; they are installation artists and offer pieces of unmatched sculptural beauty. The challenge going forward is to design a piece that is not only functional but aesthetically nouveau in concept and finish. Source: The bye bye bird table by http://web.fplusk.com/
These glass tiles literally ‘morph’ as a result of temperature changes. Installed in a shower unit, the owner can see the rainbow effect transform before them as water cascades on the tiles changes their color. Source:http://freshome.com/2009/03/02/temperature-sensitive-glass-tiles/
'Sky Cloud' by Michael Jantzen has designed a temporary living structure that offers flexibility in form and use. The mood-ring like wrapped skin panels are supported by elongated rods (as seen above) and a triangular frame (as seen below designed by Alex Shelest ) configuration gives durability and strength to the owner’s preference of built designs.Source above: _http://io9.com/367733/air-pavilion-is-an-architechtural-mood-ring Source below: http://www.archinoma.com/media/photo/y-bio_2009/bio_01401.jpg
Metamorphosis of building material and the ability to manipulate a structure’s form is one way designers and architects are pushing the 2013 envelope. Another is simply to re-define a space/ living environment where the once obvious use is re-interpreted and envisioned for the better. Case in point, the garage to home conversion below. A stellar example. Source: http://imgur.com/a/ny4uA
Often talked about heavily during the post WWII era was pre-fabrication of mass housing. Fast forward to the 21st century in New York and it is finally becoming a reality, a new way of building and designing for tight square footage spaces. The stacked housing version verses single dwellings is taking shape with the assistance of impressive crane work. "The winning design, “My Micro NY,” to be built on a city-owned site at 335 East 27th Street in Manhattan, will consist of 55 micro-units each measuring between 250 and 370 square feet." Source: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/city-unveils-winner-of-tiny-apartment-competition/?hp
“Villa Vals” (below) by architect Bjarne Mastenbroek and Christian Müller, strived to achieve a ying/yang harmony with the exterior Alpine landscape by complimenting the existing environment not a forcing a shape upon it that opposes it natural curves. The result is a residence that is as inviting as it is continuously intriguing. It is in the intrigue that the form never tires while at the same time remaining innovative and alluring at the same time. Source: http://www.architonic.com/aisht/villa-vals-search-bjarne-mastenbroek-i-c-w-cma/5100267
The feeling of transcending or being part of an experience offers novelty. The recently installed metro station in Naples (below) by former Venice Biennale director Achille Bonito Olivia has a similar effect and too is underground . The ceiling/wall tile layout soothes the commuter and temporally suspends time as the interior space becomes ‘space’ literally. If not for visual effects, the environment certainly reduces stress levels. The random tile design does not stagnate and gives the commuter variety in their daily travels. The spce becomes a literal "Metamorphosis" merging, design, art, sculpture, architecture and beyond....space. Source: www.thecoolhunter.net