Another enjoyable and fashionable creation coming out from Sand & Birch’s studio.

Optical is a nearly half spherical pouf, upholstered in cotton or leather, and crossed by one or two eye-catching ribbons made of Carbon Flex, an hi-tech material that Sand & Birch has decided to experiment in its furnitures.

From a frontal perspective, they surround and define its shape, giving the sense of an optical illusion. Viewing the pouf from the top, you can turn on your imagination: is Optical a glazed cake? A chocolate candy? A jewel box? Just sit and think about it!

+ Designer: Sand & Birch Design studio | http://www.sandbirch.com/

Optical Pouf, image courtesy Sand & Birch Design studio

Greek designer Alexander Xanthakis designed the chair “26.50 EUR per kilogram” Aluminum serie. The chair has evolved, more versions are available, an aluminum structure instead of steel, a plywood seat, and a backless version.

"26.50 EUR per kilogram" Aluminum serie - Prototype in steel, image courtesy Alexandre Xanthakis

"26.50 EUR per kilogram" Aluminum serie, image courtesy Alexandre Xanthakis

+ Design statement by Alexander Xanthakis

Economical situation push young designers like me to think humbly in order to succeed. There is no money to spend in expensive furniture today, at least in Greece where I live. In order to sell my design, the object should be clear, strong and affordable: Minimal because it has to be.

"26.50 EUR per kilogram" Aluminum serie - Explosion of parts, image courtesy Alexandre Xanthakis

The contradiction nowadays is the association of minimal design to luxury. A minimal object cannot be expensive; it is a need for the furniture market.

80 Euros per chair (26.50 EUR/Kg) is the production cost that I can't exceed, the value at the moment when mounted pieces of material become furniture. This concrete limit constrains my process and pushes me to give an optimized product and a realistic project.

My methodology is to think in a minimalistic way from the raw material, during the production labor, until the way of selling the final product. Each constituting details should satisfy both structural aesthetical and economical function.

"26.50 EUR per kilogram" Aluminum serie - Details, image courtesy Alexandre Xanthakis

+ Technical data

Designer: Alexandre Xanthakis
Dimension: H80xD50xW40cm
Seat Height: 46 cm
Weight: 3 Kg
Material: Aluminum
Seat options: Pine Plywood seat or Polyurethane foam.
Mounting: 5 parts mounted with screws.
Patern.pending: 20100600212

+ All images courtesy Alexandre Xanthakis

Spanish architectural studio Diaz and Diaz Architects, in collaboration with Antonio Desmonts Sierra have completed the Building of Control CCS of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol for Port Authority of Ferrol-San Ciprián.

As the prow of a ship ready to weigh anchor and set sail, on the hammer of the main dock of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol, opened to the views of the estuary. The aims: uniqueness and presence, functionality and flexibility, “intelligent” and “high-tech” building; economy and easy maintenance.

Building of Control CCS of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol, image courtesy Diaz and Diaz Architects

Building of Control CCS of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol, image courtesy Diaz and Diaz Architects

Building of Control CCS of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol, image courtesy Diaz and Diaz Architects

Building of Control CCS of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol - Southwest elevation , image courtesy Diaz and Diaz Architects

+ Project credits / data

Architect: Diaz and Diaz Architects | http://en.diazydiazarquitectos.com/
Project: Multipurpose Building for the Port Authority and Control of the Outer Harbour of Ferrol in collaboration with Antonio Desmonts Sierra
Location: Harbour of Ferrol, Spain
Client: Port Authority of Ferrol-San Ciprián
Surveyor: FernandoBores, Jose Salas
Constructor: Dragados
Date: 2010
Area: 2130 m²

+ All images and drawings courtesy Diaz and Diaz Architects