didid design studio planned and realised a showroom for the BAUKNECHT brand which was located at the famous Kempinski Hotel Adlon in Berlin, Germany.

The idea was to offer invited dealers an experience that would permanently etch the BAUKNECHT brand and its products on their memory. It was to this end that the Hamburg-based design office didid planned a temporary showroom for the magnificent ballroom of the Hotel ADLON Kempinski in Berlin.

For this purpose, the principle of "a space within a space" was applied, stirring up curiosity of the visitor based on the confined view, guaranteeing an element of surprise and a field of tension due to the disparate nature of the structures. The presentation room, completely covered in 132 sq m of mirrors on the outside, picks up on the modern linearity of the BAUKNECHT brand, whilst simultaneously using its mirror motif to enter into a symbiotic relationship with the ballroom and thereby creating a link to the exclusive ambience of the hotel. The dynamic positioning of the structure creates a spatial experience of a special kind, as new viewing angles continuously arise.

What awaits the visitor inside the mirrored space is the new 240-sq-m BAUKNECHT brand world, which, with its anthracite and black presentation modules and materials such as slate and gray stained oak, forms a strong contrast to the hotel with its predominantly pastel shades.

The withdrawal from environment enables the visitor to focus on the core of the exhibition: the appliances of the BAUKNECHT brand.

+ Project data

Project: Showroom BAUKNECHT
Design: didid | brand environments, Hamburg > www.didid.de
Location: Hotel Adlon, Berlin
Timeframe: 07.-09.09.2013
Photographs: Tobias Wille, Berlin > http://tobiaswille.com

Jonathan Dorthe has created the Wooden Peg Coat Rack. This wall mounted coat rack will help you organize your clothes with style. It has five pegs made of maple wood and a black acrylic plaque to hide the screws. The coat rack is 11 3/4” x 1 3/4” x 4 1/4” deep. Designed by Montreal based Jonathan Dorthe for Atelier-D.

 

Following years of secrecy as a hush-hush getaway for the rich and famous, Laucala Island, the idyllic, one-of-a-kind South Pacific resort, has been unveiled to the public and is currently being refreshed by its original interior designer, Lynne Hunt London. With 25 villas, five restaurants and bars, an 18-hole championship golf course, a chapel, a culture and leisure centre, several beach areas and a spectacular spa, this magical oasis lying to the east of Taveuni, Fiji, originally opened at the end of 2008 as an exclusive resort for those "in the know". Truly unlike anywhere else in the world, Lynne and her team are now introducing new textiles, furnishings and accessories to add fresh layers of interest for loyal guests while remaining true to the original vision for the destination.

Just 12 km2 in area and 6 km long, the island was owned until 2003 by the family of publishing magnate, Malcolm Forbes. Its current owner, Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, selected Lynne Hunt London to transform the island into an inimitable private resort. None of the infrastructure from the Forbes era was useable when the project began construction in 2004, so starting from scratch to bring Mr. Mateschitz's vision to life was a massive undertaking. Working in partnership with architect WATG, landscape architect Scape Design Associates and the local architect and project coordinator Architects Pacific, the team designed the destination with exceptional environmental sensitivity; for example, the masterplan and individual buildings have been oriented so that ancient trees did not need to be uprooted and would create natural privacy screens between villas. Mindful of this ethos, the island itself became the muse for LHL; its sheer beauty and abundant resources inspired the innovative furnishings and finishes crafted from local, natural, and sustainable materials.

Lynne envisioned a design concept for the resort where guests' senses are eased into the rhythms of nature – the surge of tides, the journey from daybreak to dusk, the blossoming of the abundant foliage, and the gentle hum of life beyond. The exquisite colours of the flora and fauna – the most beautiful birds, flowers and insects – as well as the sandy beaches, the lush landscape, and the shimmering ocean with its coral reefs are all embodied seamlessly within the interior design.

During her first visit to Laucala in June 2004, Lynne explored the island and collected samples for inspiration. Distressed timber, seashells, palm fronds and even roots were interpreted as bespoke furnishings, as seen, for example, with the intriguing jellyfish-shaped chandeliers she designed. Made from tortoise shell droplets that hang from traditional woven threads of "magi magi" (the Fijian term for coconut fibres), the fixtures create an alluring play of light and shadows.

LHL also conducted its own research to anchor the interior design in authenticity, including visits to museums in Suva for insight into the origins and mythology of these "dark" Pacific isles sometimes referred to as "the black islands". The relationship between darkness and light is a core concept within Fijian ideology, so Lynne and her team wished to reflect this in the style of the resort. Most of the resort's building construction is modelled after "bures", the traditional wood-and-straw huts that are homes for the locals – and which Westerners regard as dwellings in paradise. Palm-thatched roofs filter beams of light to create playful, atmospheric shadows and provide refuge from the burning sun and rainfall. These bures' open-air plans capture the breezes and enable ambient light to fill the spaces so that artificial illumination can be kept to a minimum. Subtle lighting around the perimeter guides guests at night, and uplighters draw-out the layered nuances of the straw covering overhead. The exterior of the bures is covered in local lava rock and coral plaster, with the interior walls hand-finished in a textured plaster into which individually selected shells and bits of coral have been artfully placed, pieceby-piece.

As this was Lynne Hunt London's first project in Oceania, learning about the regional suppliers was an essential step in the design process. Knowledge gained by visiting local craft centres, shops, showrooms and factories in SE Asia, Thailand, Bali & Australia resulted in a design that feels authentic to the area. If Lynne was not able to find exactly what she wanted, she and her team designed it themselves. For example, all the rugs were hand-woven with 100% New Zealand wool into custom organic shapes and patterns planned especially for each villa. The majority of the fittings were made locally by people on the islands, including the doors, windows, vanities, and the magi magi that wrap around columns and are used for the "jellyfish" pendant lights.

A fortuitous encounter with two German manufacturers based in Fiji led to the collaboration with their company, Mahogany Industries, on the construction of many of the resort's other fittings and joinery.

After developing the perfect colour for the timber – the "Laucala stain" – and reviewing over 200 detail drawings to understand the design intent, the carpenters searched for a local hardwood that would be fit for purpose. The solution was found with the "rain tree", whose timber was pliable enough to be hewn into the organic shapes desired, for example the curved and substantial vanity counters used throughout the villas, yet also provided the strength to support the carved dark Indonesian slate basins on the vanities. Local and sustainably grown, the rain trees were used in their entirety; no parts were discarded in construction, as the vanities' timber slab bases sit atop tree and root stumps. Mahogany trees are also a plentiful species native to the region. As a result, the resort's décor is filled with exquisite pieces such as solid mahogany doors with turned wooden handles and rustic carvings custom designed by LHL.

When the interiors of Laucala Island were first designed, it was understood that the weather conditions and open-air layouts would mean that the furnishings and fabrics – whether from natural fibres or manmade – would be exposed to the elements and therefore have a limited lifespan. The design team had mock-up samples created so that they could test the durability of products and therefore make informed decisions without sacrificing style. However, several years on, items which have become tired are being refurbished by Lynne and her team in a manner that is sympathetic to their initial design.

One of Lynne's key inspirations in shaping the original style of Laucala Island was the hand-drawn, silkscreen patterns created by the mid-20th century Australian artist Florence Broadhurst. Signature Prints granted Lynne access to Broadhurst's flamboyant and authentically "Pacific" textile and wallcovering archive. By shifting the scales and palettes of these celebrated patterns, over 100 customcoloured strike-offs were created to achieve the fabrics used in the guestroom villas and public areas.

For the refurbishment, Lynne is once again interpreting Broadhurst's designs into styles that are ideally suited to Laucala. As was done in the previous incarnation, many of the new fabrics will be custom printed onto Sunbrella base cloths due to their resilience in outdoor settings. In addition, traditional Fijian tapa cloth, which is coconut bark paper with monoprinted motifs, continues to influence the bespoke patterns Lynne is creating for the fabrics and artwork around the island.

The 25 luxury villas are available in one, two and three-bedroom configurations and feature large outdoor bathing areas with oversized carved stone bathtubs and Indonesian slate and pebble-lined showers in the gardens. Many of these residences benefit from direct beach access, private pools and yoga decks with views onto the ocean or the coconut groves. Three styles of villas have been designed: the beach-front Plantation Villas with their soothing natural tones of brown, beige and black; the Seagrass Villas located along the shores of Seagrass Bay which sparkle in shades of aqua, turquoise and azure; and the hillside Plateau Villas dressed in an elegant palette of teals and navy blue.

Throughout all the villas, inspirational regional artefacts, antiques and many other bespoke pieces engage and fascinate, ensuring that the experience is unique and authentic.In addition, three even more exclusive residences have been created. The Overwater Villa has its own jetty and is situated in an especially private area along a recessed bay on the island. Here, outdoor living is celebrated with a fluid layout comprising multiple decks on stilts over the water, open-air dining pavilions, outside showers, and an infinity pool carved into the rocky boulders. Inside, the shades of hot pink and coral create a vibrant feel in the living room, while yellow, turquoise and cream provide a more serene ambience in the two bedrooms.

Positioned on its own peninsula in the one of the more hidden parts of the island, the one-bedroom Peninsula Villa offers the ultimate in exclusivity. Graced with a private pool and its own beach which is accessed by a unique, 84-step timber staircase, separate living and bedroom areas nestled into the cliff sides are designed in passionate shades of red and coral.

 

The Hilltop Villa is Mr. Mateschitz's home when he is in residence and is located in the same spot where Mr. Forbes lived when he owned the island. The most exclusive and private of all the villas, it has three individual residences, two of which have private pools, designed in rich burgundy, espresso and ivory tones. These, alongside multiple alfresco dining terraces, are part of the generous 11,000 m2 footprint which stretches over the gentle hillside. With a 360° vantage point, the Hilltop Villa affords views of the entire island as well as a panoramic vista of the neighbouring isles.

All the restaurants and bars on the island have been designed by LHL to ensure there are new discoveries and cuisines that will delight guests throughout their stay. The Plantation House Restaurant is a traditional and formal fine dining establishment replicating the architectural style of Malcolm Forbes'original Plantation House, which was located on this same inland site overlooking the coconut plantation. Stunning black and white images of tattooed Oceanic slanders photographed by Gian Paolo Barbieri provided the inspiration for the natural sepia tones and textures in the venue's design, softened by the red and yellow hibiscus patterns of the sofa cushions. The motifs of these tattoos also adorn the table top crockery custom-created by Lynne. At the Seagrass Restaurant, seafood and Asian specialities, including a teppanyaki grill at a private table, are served in an alfresco setting along the craggy terrain of the shoreline. Those looking for something more casual may indulge in barbequed fare or fresh seafood at the Beach Bar. The Rock Lounge is chill-out central, perfect for sipping Laucala's signature Sundowner Cocktails under a thatched canopy pergola overlooking the ocean.

Flickering candlelight casts nuanced shadows amongst the lush jungle of foliage that mingles amongst the tree root cocktail tables and low wicker lounge chairs whose internal lighting adds to the surreal drama.

A highlight of Laucala is its spectacular Pool and Pool Bar area. "Clamshell" pavilions provide shade for the seating groups nestled under the thatched roofs. Sun loungers and umbrella tables dot the winding terraces along the perimeter of an expansive, waterfall pool which surrounds a second, extraordinary glass-walled pool. Located next to the island's 18-hole championship-standard golf course is a thatched-roof clubhouse designed in a contemporary, casual style with tribal carvings in the timber beams above the bar, a curved sofa with cool cotton cushions, and reclined wicker chairs in which to relax after a hot day on the greens.

The culture and leisure centre has been designed as a place for guests to enjoy local Fijian performances of "meke", the ritual, rhythmic combination of chanting, singing and drumming used to pass important tales and legends from one generation to another. Dances and music are presented outdoors, and under the double-story, thatched roof pavilion is a relaxation area with groovy rattan chairs where guests can play cards and board games. The space also includes a fitness centre, changing rooms and a library with books about Fiji and the Pacific islands, including one created by Lynne about the making of Laucala entitled "A Dream Realised". Here, guests are also given the opportunity to learn about local art forms such as magi magi and tapa cloth, and even practice making these crafts themselves.

As an idyllic romantic destination, Laucala has it all – even a tiny white chapel for weddings. Inside, beautiful, solid timber pews with custom designed carvings seat a handful of guests in the cosy and intimate setting. The spa's décor is resplendent with authentic, nature-based luxuries and products. In the reception area, a custom curved wooden sofa is adorned with soft unbleached canvas seat cushions and with throw pillows covered in a bespoke Florence Broadhurst fabric. On each side, floor lamps formed from resin shades wrapped in supple bamboo frames emulate wild sea creatures with their organic shape. A hefty slab of richly polished rain tree timber sits atop a base which is clad in sandy hued coconut palm strips to create the welcome desk. The focal point of the adjacent villa, where guests await their treatments, is the magnificent set of chairs and a coffee table individually hewn from grand tree trunks sourced in Bali. The irregular forms and clefts of the timber have been retained for their inherent natural beauty.

Therapists prepare healing potions, scented oils and candles derived from flowers, seeds, herbs and fruits indigenous to the island. These are used for aromatherapies provided in the beauty salon, manicure / pedicure area, and four large individual treatment pavilions composed of a sequence of spaces offering different experiences. While every spa villa has a private, internal area with two massage tables for couples, one of the versions also includes Vichy shower beds for guests to enjoy.

Interior relaxation rooms have antique Balinese beds alongside "fire bowls" carved out of lava rock as well as "foot ritual bowls" where reflexology therapies promote deeper levels of calm. Outdoor bathing areas overlooking the Pacific Ocean have tubs and washbasins carved from solid slabs of Indonesian slate.

The artwork and artefacts on the island are original and have been inspired by Fijian culture. LHL commissioned hand-painted, contemporary textured paper works interpreting turtles; water colours; native tapa designs; beautiful seashells in shadow boxes; and paper butterflies in timber frames. Original and antique sculptures were also sourced from around the globe. Lynne Hunt London has poured years of labour and love into Laucala Island. Throughout the resort, guests are engaged with intriguing textures, scintillating colours and whimsical organic materials which flawlessly express the imaginative craft legacy of Oceania. The result is an authentic, unforgettable and utterly luxurious immersion into the sheer beauty and mystique of Laucala.

+ About Lynne Hunt London

Lynne Hunt London creates a kind of luxury that is contemporary, fresh and full of unexpected twists. The design is audacious, not ostentatious, drawing inspiration from local environments and cultures to create interiors that range from the chic and urban to the organic and whimsical. From their Chelsea studio, a small team of designers work with Lynne on projects for hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars, both in the UK and much further afield. Lynne's experience encompasses newbuild and refurbishment interiors for some of the world's leading destinations and hoteliers, from London to the South Pacific via the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Lynne Hunt London works on residential projects too, freshening period properties and working closely with architects to shape and style new homes. The diversity of the projects is an inspiration in itself. The studio has designed entire resorts and family tabletops – there isn't an element of interiors that the team hasn't loved imagining and interpreting in their own way. www.lynnehunt.co.uk a

+ All images courtesy Lynne Hunt London

Resort Planning

The fundamental success of the Laucala Island resort can be traced back to the highly detailed approach to the planning of the site at the outset of the project. Working closely with the lead architect, Scape Design Associates meticulously located all the architecture and resort facilities to maximise drama and the overall guest experience, the result being, for example, the dramatic settings of the key F&B facilities and the three special villas.

Each of the 25 deluxe villas, divided between two beaches and a prominent hillside ridge, were designed as a cluster of pods. These can be individually twisted to provide stunning views from key windows, beds and sofa locations, even giving the bathrooms prime views of distant islands. In this way specific trees and landscape features could be retained and even integrated sculpturally into the design.

The 5000 sqm naturalistic saltwater lagoon, the largest of its type in the whole of Asia, with its walk-in beaches, secret coves and tropical sun decks was laid out across the centre of the resort in order to unite the key public areas – cultural village, gymnasium, guest lounge and main feature pools which had all been elegantly been placed around a picturesque mountain spur – to the sea.

Aesthetics and style

It was Scape's challenge to capture the essence and beauty of the island within our work. Drawing on lessons learnt from the local culture and vernacular, the aesthetics and style of the resort were conceived.

The resort buildings are unconventional, and were approached with inventive imagination. However, the key to their success is the blurring of the boundaries between architecture, interiors and landscape.

For example, the villas have been designed to fully open up to the elements with interior spaces flowing into and uniting with the surrounding landscape. Internal and external bathrooms have been provided as well as internal and external lounges through the provision of an array of sun decks and covered shade structures, all set within lush but naturalistic garden settings.

Each villa is then provided with its own unique and luxurious freeform infinity edged pool, complete with pool side fire bowl, in-pool seating and shade pavilions, whilst the exquisite main resort pool is a joy to behold, with weirs and cascades, and a glassed fronted lap pool which stretches out to meet the sea.

Not forgetting the mighty salt water lagoon. It is here that the very concept of luxury is redefined through a sense of tactility and tranquillity, exclusivity and sensuality.

The Challenges

The island was covered by approximately one third coconut plantation and two thirds in a variety of habitats including lowland rainforest, coastal communities and mangroves and swamps. This unique biodiversity is home to some of the rarest creatures in the South Pacific. Many birds, reptiles and amphibians inhabit the island which is seen as a haven for many rare species in Fiji. The preservation and retention of this unique biodiversity was a major goal of the client. Therefore Scape's role was to review and challenge the placement of every single piece of architecture, every road and every pool in order to satisfy the overriding environmental constraints of the brief and to guarantee the long term sustainability of the island. As a result, the buildings were located in such a way as to be sensitive to the local terrain, whilst also aiming to provide extensive view corridors to distant islands or island features. Existing vegetation was used to frame views whilst providing both privacy and intimacy for the guests.

The planting design for the project was the biggest challenge for Scape as landscape designers. This required an extensive search for native plant species throughout Fiji. Also many species observed on the island were transplanted and reproduced in the island's own nursery. The objective of the planting design was to provide the guest with a unique, tropical Fijian experience that is a pleasure to the senses and yet integrates as much as possible into the existing environment. Design emphasis was on fragrance, texture and colour whilst the shrub and groundcover mixes were set out as variations on a theme throughout the entire site to provide continuity of atmosphere and sense of place.

SCAPE DESIGN ASSOCIATES ? SUSTAINABILITY CHARTER

The global challenge for the 21st Century is one of environmental sustainability. There is now an overwhelming body of scientific evidence showing that climate change is a serious and urgent issue. In this environmentally conscious era, there is a growing need for creating developments that are designed and constructed in a sustainable manner, and that when operational, maintain a selfsupporting ecological footprint. The following sustainable objectives form the proposed sustainability charter to which Scape Design Associates always aspires when creating its resorts across the world.

1.1 Creating a Legacy – to create a sustainable resort community with a lasting environmental legacy that the host country and client team may be proud of.

1.2 Preserving the Unique Environment – to develop a world-class resort that inherently fosters a strong relationship between the guests, the local community and the unique environment of the region. This will be achieved through a development that identifies, protects, preserves and maintains the area's rich natural habitats and the diversity of fauna and flora that they so vitally support.

1.3 Water: an arid country's greatest asset – although zero water run-off maybe extremely desirable we understand that this may not always be practical, However we aim to mitigate water loss wherever possible, counteracting any potential environmental impacts from nutrient input, organic and inorganic contaminants and sediment. Whilst groundwater exploration programmes may establish sufficient re-charge rates of water for a development, increasing demands from local and regional developments may greatly limit this prediction in the future. Therefore at Scape we recommend that each development aims to recycle all of its discharged water through chemical and biological treatment of foul and grey waters, rainwater collectors and detention ponds.

1.4 Greenways for Healthy Living – to establish a series of interconnected greenways which will link existing and proposed large and small open spaces, providing valuable wildlife corridors for indigenous fauna. These greenways will be located conveniently along resort pathways and places of leisure to encourage walkable and cycleable routes as part of a sports & wellness agenda as well as helping to reduce transport emissions.

1.5 Enhance Local Biodiversity – to establish an on-site nursery and botanical centre, which will develop, monitor and manage healthy, vigorous and site-adapted plant stock direct from seed. This will enhance local biodiversity and aid establishment of local hardy species.

1.6 A Sustainability Rating System – We recommend that each project be linked to an established sustainability rating system. The client and design team will then be responsible for producing an Environmental Management Plan and ensuring that all building construction and components conform to the proposals that are adopted from that document.

+ About Scape Design Associates

Scape Design Associates is a world-leading landscape architectural practice specialising in the design and detailing of international high-end landscape projects for the hospitality industry. Over the last decade, Scape has master planned and designed some of the finest landmark projects in the global hospitality, residential and commercial markets. The company's founder, Phil Jaffa, leads an international team which transforms outline concepts into award-winning, sustainable schemes – often in collaboration with leading architects, interior designers and artists from all around the world.

+ All images courtesy Scape Design Associates

The project consists of the Corporate Identity for the ANV worldwide office network and the Barcelona headquarters, located in the Perrault's Diagonal 123 building with an office space of 600 m2 and a spacious terrace.

The young company looked for a working environment that would reflect its horizontal structure and spirit, based in communication and new technologies. The client wanted the Barcelona headquarters to embody this philosophy in a representative and functional space.

The proposal achieves the outfit of the existing space creating a large central "communication band" that combines reception, distribution, communication and meeting functions, running the entire floor from a white projection wall to the terrace. Around this band different functional areas are placed: a waiting area, a big open office space, a pantry, an open meeting room, diverse meeting rooms and one management office.

The project includes the design of specific furniture typologies that improve working practices while adding a touch of orange, ANV's corporate color: the 5 m long seamless team desks designed to enhance the establishment of flexible task forces; meeting and reunion desks that support short, stand-up to teleconferencing meetings to connect to their other offices; team whiteboards walls implemented throughout the office to enhance inner collaboration; or breakout and leisure furniture for the relaxation of the employees.

The exterior terrace allows for fantastic views of the sea, the Jean Nouvel's park and the Poble Nou district. The terrace is formed by different functional areas including the central band, transformed into a platform protected by a light roof and furnished with a long table with a bar and a DJ mixing desk, and different seating and lounge areas. The terrace is decorated with palm trees and bushes that are illuminated after sunset.

+ Project facts

Architecture and interior design: YLAB ARQUITECTOS BARCELONA
www.ylab.es / www.facebook.com/YLAB.arquitectos
Authors: Tobias Laarmann & Yolanda Yuste López
Project: Corporate identity and office refurbishment
Client: ANV
Area: 600 m2 interior + 200 m2 terrace
Location: Avda. Diagonal. Barcelona
Photos: YLAB ARQUITECTOS BARCELONA
Industrials: Coter S.L. de construcciones, Ebanistería Agüera, Agrostís Serveis Integrals de Jardineria

+ All images and drawings courtesy YLAB ARQUITECTOS BARCELONA