UAU office has designed the PEPE Hairstylist Showroom in Turin, Italy.

+ Architect's statement by UAU office

Chromatic and perceptive contrasts enrich in details the essential lines and volumes of this hairstylist showroom where the different customers needs are sum up in a global design project.

The project alternates wooden oak volumes and on design furnitures with plain surfaces, merging into one working and relaxing time.

PEPE Hairstylist Showroom, image courtesy UAU office

Since we were asked to divide the space into two main areas, one reserved to the washing operations, the other one for hairstylist job, we decided to make them clearly different.

PEPE Hairstylist Showroom, image courtesy UAU office

On one side the working area is a wide, bright and flexible space, fully opened towards the beautiful and historical Piazza Solferino: the open space room meets the different needs of customers through the use of mobile furniture elements replacing traditional equipments. On the other side the washing room is conceived to be intense and overpowering, characterized by local audio diffusion and darker and softer colours, being mostly a private place to be used also as relax area.

PEPE Hairstylist Showroom, image courtesy UAU office

+ Project credits / data

Company name: UAU office | http://www.uaueb.it/
Designer/Architect/Artist: Marco Verrando (architect, project manager)
Mansueto Francesco,
Client: PEPE Hairstylist
Project: PEPE Hairstylist Showroom
City/Country: Turin, Italy
Event date: Completion January 2011
Photo: Enrico Muraro

+ All images courtesy UAU

UAU office has designed the Audi Convention in Milan, Italy.

The challenge of the project has been to totally re-dress the hosting location in order to  transform it into an elegant, high level and welcoming space to respond the brand requirements.

UAU office

Audi Convention, image coutesy UAU office

Audi Convention, image coutesy UAU office

+ Architect’s statement by UAU office

A tapis rouge, the climax point of each celebration ceremony, is the concept of the exhibition design project conceived for Audi Regional Business Meeting. A totally red entrance welcomes visitors, while lounge and relax spaces are adapted on white and warm grey colours in a museum mood that doesn't neglect the stately hosting architecture. Cars are displayed under mechanical motorized boxes, being revealed or hidden under according to the congress programme. A very well defined and detached volume hosts the auditorium space, where business meeting and conference take place.

Audi Convention, image coutesy UAU office

Audi Convention, image coutesy UAU office

+ Project credits / data

Company name: UAU office | http://www.uaueb.it/
Designer/Architect/Artist: Marco Verrando (architect, project manager), Francesca Rossotti (architect), Mansueto Francesco
Client: Volkswagen Group Italia
Project: Audi Business Meeting
City/Country: Milan, Italy
Event date: October 2010
Photos: UAU office, Eurostands SpA
Construction: Eurostands SpA

+ All images courtesy UAU

Dutch studio COEN! designed a wall mounted magazine holder FOLDR.

But most importantly perhaps is the fact that the focus has been entirely on the brochures and magazines, and not on the product, it is in fact a perfect tray for the lively covers of beautiful magazines and corporate sales brochures.

Coen van Ham

+ Description by COEN!

FOLDR is a wall mounted magazine holder. It has four shelves to carry many of your beautiful  magazines or brochures. The design is characterized by efficient use of material, timeless simplicity and a clear pattern. Displaying brochures, books and magazines in their full splendour, FOLDR is suitable for both home and office.

Achieving the best possible result using as few means as possible. This is the starting point of designer Coen van Ham. The brochure rack FOLDR reveals what he means by this. The transparent appearance contributes to the strong look of the functional design. FOLDR forms part of the van Esch collection in Goirle. The family business was established in 1972 and specialises in the production of cloakroom systems and hall accessories.

FOLDR, image courtesy COEN! bureau voor vormgeving

The idea for FOLDR was conceived from a need: most brochure racks only have room for a limited number of brochures. The solution that van Ham came up with for this is based on the four spacious shelves on which several magazines and brochures can be placed.

But most importantly perhaps is the fact that the focus has been entirely on the brochures and magazines, and not on the product, it is in fact a perfect tray for the lively covers of beautiful magazines and corporate sales brochures.

Coen van Ham

FOLDR, image courtesy COEN! bureau voor vormgeving

Nonetheless, van Ham has given FOLDR a striking appearance.

I was looking in the visual language for a link to the product that is presented: paper. The product is similar to a fragile folded piece of paper. The holes of the shelves are the carriers of the paper. By continuing this pattern throughout the design it has become a light and open product.

As FOLDR has been made of a single metal sheet the brochure rack hardly takes up any room. For that reason FOLDR, available in matt black and soft silver, can easily form part of a series. This makes it ideal for project design. Due to the subtle design it also looks good in a living environment. Moreover, thanks the ageless design the rack fits in with various styles of interior design.

That agelessness suits van Ham.

A response I often hear is that my designs are so self-evident. As if they have been in the market for years. I think that is why FOLDR fits in so well in the van Esch collection. In twenty years' time it will still be a beautiful, attractive product. That is what I call true durability.

+ Metal, size: 1440 x 280 x140mm.
+ Availability: matte black and mellow silver

+ About

Van Esch (http://www.van-esch.com)
Van Esch is a family business based in Goirle in the Netherlands; it has been operational since 1972.

Van Esch specialises in the production of cloakroom systems and hall accessories. Presenting, storing and receiving are the company's three focal points. Many international top designers create their designs for this innovative company.

COEN! (http://www.coen.eu)
Coen van Ham (1971) is a Dutch conceptual designer, architectural designer and source of creative inspiration. He has studied at Sint Lucas in Boxtel as well as at the renowned Design Academy in Eindhoven. His design agency COEN! is according to many one of the leading agencies in the Netherlands due to its innovative concepts, much talked about designs and inspiring identity development. His style is sober, powerful, colorful and communicative.

The monumental entrance hall of the Netherlands Broadcasting Music Centre, originally designed by architect Elling and afterwards restyled by ‘Architects Cie’ is metamorfosed into a fresh and spacious whole. The new reception and waiting room have been transformed into two large kiosks. All in harmony with the existing building but definitely bearing the Coen van Ham signature. The brightly coloured new furniture give the library and large entrance hall a sparkling, musical red blaze.

Image courtesy COEN!

Image courtesy COEN!

+ About COEN!

Coen van Ham (1971) is a Dutch conceptual designer, architectural designer and source of creative inspiration. He studied at the renowned Design Academy in Eindhoven.

COEN! is one of the leading agencies in the Netherlands on account of its innovative concepts, stunning designs and inspiring workshops. His style is colourful, graphic, sober and communicating.

COEN! shapes and guards over identity. Designs for your works of art, corporate identity, product and interior are all based in a powerful and unique concept. Designs by Coen van Ham have been included in several design and art collections. His work was shown in a diverse range of exhibitions worldwide. Coen's work has been featured in numerous magazines and books.

+ Project credits / data

Project: Entrance, library and media café of the Netherlands Broadcasting Music Centre
Client: Netherlands Broadcasting Music Centre, Hilversum, the Netherlands.
Interior architect: COEN! design agency, Coen van Ham, Eindhoven | http://www.coen.info/
Interior builder: Interieur Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn
Furniture: Tables and desks designed by COEN!, chairs by Allermuir, lamps designed by Bert Jan Pot for Moooi
Floor: +/- 800 m2
Start design: 2008
Start building: 2008
Delivery: 2010
Photo: COEN!, Roy van de Meulengraaf

+ All images courtesy COEN!

After the successful launch of the Cap stool from Sweden‘s design provocateurs DFTS Factory, January 2011 sees the release of an add-on lighting solution which gives even more ways to enjoy the piece.

Each Cap package will now include a special light holder, which lets you turn the Cap from a stool into a light at the flick of a switch.

Cap (illuminated), image courtesy DFTS Factory | Photo by Fabian Björnstjern

It's a logical progression of the design, adding a little extra value to the piece that also makes things a bit more fun for the user.

Gustaf Kjellin, DFTS Factory co-founder

The light sits on a little holder, while any excess cable can be wound inside Cap to keep things clean or outside if you're feeling a little more haphazard.

Cap (illuminated), image courtesy DFTS Factory | Photo by Fabian Björnstjern

It's also good to play around with the kind of bulb you use, as the translucent nature of the plastic Cap gives some interesting scope in terms of colour and shadow.

DFTS Factory co-founder, Andreas Aaltonen.

From now on, two different versions of Cap will be available. The first option, Cap (opaque), will include the light holder as standard. The second option Cap (Illuminated) will include the light holder, cord, plug and light fitting but this is only available to European customers.

+ For more information, click to visit http://dftsfactory.se/

+ About DFTS Factory

DFTS Factory is a designer-driven producer of truly interesting, engaging pieces of design. Founded in 2010 by Andreas Aaltonen and Gustaf Kjellin, the company is marked by clever thinking, a nod to the environment and a refusal to blend into the crowd.

+ All images courtesy DFTS Factory

A new work in the Light Installation Series 2002 – Present
Opening Thursday, February 3, 2011, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
On view through May 25, 2011

Rice University Art Gallery has commissioned a new installation by New York artist Mary Temple. In her “light installations,” Mary Temple paints directly on walls and floors creating experiential environments in which light and shadows appear to be cast from nearby windows, despite the absence of a natural light source.

Stand, 2010 ~ Light Installation Series 2002 - Present ~Latex paint on existing architecture ~14 x 52 x 44 feet ~ Hunter College Time Square Gallery ~ Courtesy Mary Temple & Mixed Greens, NYC | Photo by Etienne Fossard

Temple’s virtuoso painting technique not only tricks the eye, but also poetically freezes the ephemeral, fleeting moment of passing time. The opening celebration will take place on Thursday, February 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, and will feature remarks by Mary Temple at 6:00 pm. Complimentary beverages, including ale from Saint Arnold Brewing Company, will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

I’ve thought about it a lot and I think the only other time you would notice that kind of light and beauty is on a Sunday morning when you are having coffee. You are relaxed, you have time to notice, and your brain will actually let you notice that. You are in a different state; your body and your mind associate that image with the feeling of, ‘It’s my day off.’ To be able to create a couple minutes of that for someone is important to me.

Mary Temple

+ For more information, please visit http://ricegallery.org/

Southwest Corner and 3 Pillars, North Light (detail), 2006 ~ Light Installation Series 2002 - Present ~ Latex paint on existing architecture Spans 70 feet University Museum at Albany, NY ~ Courtesy Mary Temple and Mixed Greens, NYC

Extended Afternoon, Phase 3, (detail) 2005 ~ Light Installation Series 2002 - Present ~ Latex paint on existing architecture, hardwood planks, wood stain, varnish 17 x 24 x 23.5 feet ~ The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT ~ Courtesy Mary Temple and Mixed Greens, NYC

+ About Mary Temple

Mary Temple received a BFA and MFA from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. She has had solo exhibitions at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York; Brooklyn Museum, New York; Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, New York, and The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, Connecticut. Her work has been shown in recent group exhibitions at The Drawing Center, New York; Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Maine; Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, and Western Bridge, Seattle, Washington.

In 2010, she was the recipient of a Basil H. Alkazzi Award for Excellence in Painting, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Painting, and the Saint-Gaudens Memorial Fellowship. Mary Temple lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

+ All images courtesy Mary Temple & Mixed Greens, NYC