“CalmSpace”, image courtesy Haworth

Haworth joins designer Marie-Virginie Berbet to present CalmSpace, a stand alone, "plug & play" power nap capsule for the office, at Orgatec 2012. Individuals searching for rest enter through an acoustic curtain and lay down on a fabric-upholstered mattress. The user is able to select a power nap period – from 10 to 20 minutes – that includes preset sound and light cycles, which helps the individual fall asleep and wake up smoothly.

“CalmSpace”, image courtesy Haworth

CalmSpace allows individuals to refresh, relax, and reenergize to be ready for productive activity. In times of high-speed work and a demanding economy, many companies offer their employees collaborative relaxation areas like lounges and cafeterias, but few are exploring the benefits of calm, individual relaxation. With an unusual background in neuropharmacology, Marie-Virginie Berbet used her scientific knowledge in her CalmSpace design. The short- and long-term benefits of mid-day naps include improved cognitive abilities (e.g., alertness, memory, learning, and creativity), improved mood, stress prevention, better nightly sleep, and can even lower the likelihood of heart disease.

“CalmSpace”, image courtesy Haworth

In 2011, Haworth tested a prototype of the CalmSpace concept at the call centre of France Telecom Orange in Lyon. Now, Haworth is extending CalmSpace's innovative approach to lifestyle at work to all companies. CalmSpace is a helpful retreat area for people who do intense work, have demanding schedules or are subject to jet lag.

“CalmSpace”, image courtesy Haworth

Developed by Haworth in cooperation with Zyken, who provided scientifically-validated light and sound technologies, CalmSpace is made of dark grey-blue coloured composite material. Acoustic foam is used between the internal and external skin.

Visit Haworth at Stand B70 in Hall 6 at Orgatec 2012 in Cologne.
Developed in partnership with Zyken

“Apollo” – is a new sofa concept created by Tatiana Bortkevica. Inspired by modern architectural forms Apollo sofa has clean and smooth surface. The main concept of Apollo sofa is followed by minimalist lines. With its sophisticated and unusual form Apollo breaks the rule of traditional sofa design.Main body line bends forming two surfaces of different heights.

Apollo sofa can be presented in three different colors: red, black and white. Apollo sofa shown here in red velvet upholstery and based on the stable chrome carcass.

+ About Tatiana Bortkevica

Tatiana Bortkevica is young professional product designer based in Paris. Working in her own design studio Archidea Design, Tatiana is constantly searching for inspiration. This time creating  her new Apollo project, Tatiana found her inspiration in modern architecture forms and lines.

Project Designer: © Tatiana Bortkevica | Studio Archidea Design

© Tatiana Bortkevica

+ All images courtesy © Tatiana Bortkevica

United States of America, Turkey and Hong Kong are the top 3 countries awarded with the A’ Design Award according to WDR (World Design Ranking). The displayed rankings are based on the current aggregated scores of participants between the years 2010 and 2012. The aim of the ranking is to contribute to global design scape through advocating and highlighting good design.

We hope to ignite further competition in the design industry by providing the world design rankings; we believe this is very important for the world, because more competition would lead to better designs; better designs mean longer-lasting products, more ergonomic designs, highly socially responsible projects and so on. At micro-level, the world design rankings help designers understand their world-wide position, however most importantly, at macro-level the world design rankings will push the participating designers, artists and architects to do better, to come up with better products and designs which in turn would create positive impacts for our future generations.

Frank Scott, WDR Representative

+ About WDR – World Design Rankings 

World Design Rankings ranks the countries based on design awards won, currently the data has been provided by A’ Design Awards & Competitions, one of the worlds' most prestigious design awards and competitions with thousands of entries.

+ For more information about the design award, please visit http://www.worlddesignrankings.com, if you are new to this award, see our 10 selected winners of A' Design Award and Competition here.

Dutch Design Week: Izabela Boloz in collaboration with Kasia Zareba have created an outdoor installation 'Waiting Spot' to mark the waiting area for Mini Design Rides – free taxis cruising around the city of Eindhoven during the Dutch Design Week.

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

The blue spot appeared on the street opposite Klokgebouw in Eindhoven. Blue tire tracks emerge out of this field of colour as if a car drove through fresh paint. By using these two elements only, the designers guide visitors towards the spot and intuitively mark the waiting area.

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

'Waiting spot' is created for the visitors of the Dutch Design Week. The purpose is to activate public space in Eindhoven and make streets more lively. Visible from a distance, this blue installation attracts and cheers up people of all ages, turning the waiting time into a positive experience.

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

The pattern of car tire tracks was designed especially for this installation. If you look closer, you will notice the logo MINI which has been used as a basic unit. Looked at from a distance, it is merging into a geometrical pattern. 'The geometry and graphical character of the logo allowed to easily incorporate it into a pattern of car tire traces by simply repeating it' says Izabela.

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

The humorous design matches the concept of Design Rides. Free taxis with large objects on the roof driving from dawn till dusk to bring visitors to different locations of the Dutch Design Week.

“Waiting spot”, image courtesy Izabela Boloz

The installation continues in front of Klokgebouw, Philitelaan, 5617 AD Eindhoven as part of Dutch Design Week, which runs until 28 October 2012.

Concept, design and realisation by Izabela Boloz
Designed and realised in collaboration with Kasia Zareba