Hans Wegner and minimalist Japanese modern architecture

In 2007 two young Japanese architects, Takei Makoto and Nabeshima Chie (TNA Architects), imagined a contemporary design house in a desert and unexpected wooded landscape, near the town of Karuizaman some 185 miles northwest of Tokyo : with this mini-tower, set far from the roads, designed as a serene retreat melding modern shape and natural environment, they won the Wall Paper Design Awards 2008 for the Best New Private House.

Their house is wrapped in rings of glass and wood and has an uninterrupted 360-degree view of the forest. In an area that was dark, this plot of land was originally unmarkable. But they were undeterred by the conditions and set about designing the house : they designed rings around the facade so that areas of private space and utilities could be met. The height of each ring was decided by the function concealed behind it. The glass between the rings allow you to look straight into the forest, so the whole house appears to dissolve into the forest. 

If the architects designed all the furniture and woolcrafts, they wanted one mid-century designer to enhance the minimalist spirit of the area : Hans Wegner's wonderful chairs and armchairs are absolutely perfect in this modern conception of space and life !

         

                 

                 

                    

        

        

http://www.tna-arch.com/archi/archi_wa01.html

http://www.wallpaper.com/news/design-awards-2008-the-winners/2029

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1091

Ideat, n°80, november 2010

... and for these chairs and armchairs in our collection 

http://www.obliqdesign.com/Obliqdesign/Hans_Wegner.html

Hans Wegner & The Pink Wishbone Project

Thanks to Suite New York, a Manhattan furniture showroom, Hans Wegner’s famous Wishbone Chair, made in Denmark by Carl Hansen & Son, will be available in pink for the next year, with 20 percent of its sales going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. And to draw attention to the program, Barneys New York will exhibit chairs that were customized by 20 leading women designers. The designers - Sheila Bridges, Allegra Hicks, Kit Kemp, Laura Kirar, Kelly Wearstler and Bunny Williams among them - created cushions for the chairs that are, for the most part, elegant, charming, and deferential to their iconic host. 

For more see : http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/bcrffurniture

and : http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/chairity-the-pink-wishbone-project/?ref=design

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And now what about Stockholm ?

European Design Hotels' tour part IV...

In the heart of Stockholm's city, Clarion Hotel Sign is the largest hotel. It all started with the idea to create a unique, timeless, first-class hotel. By combining the best of Scandinavian architecture and design it would create a source of inspiration for the guests. A collection of icons in their areas that together would celebrate Scandinavia. 

 

The Swedish architect, Gert Wingårdh, put the idea down on paper and created the spectacular building. Dominated by granite and glass, it leans over the square, reflecting the green park.

 

The interior was provided by Scandinavian design icons, such as Jacobsen, Bruno Mathsson and Alvar Aalto. 

Thus the 558 rooms feature interior design distinguished by its clean lines and timeless appearance. Each floor is dedicated to a classic Scandinavian designer, reflected in the interiors of the rooms. Want to get to know Arne Jacobsen’s classic Egg and Swan? Or are you more into Bruno Mathsson’s Jetson Chair ? The choice is yours !

Sure we will stay there when in Sweden !

http://www.clarionsign.com/hotel.aspx

Retrodesign... in Brussels

European design hotels tour, part III...


One of our friends discovered this brand new exclusive guesthouse : "Tenbosch House". Searching for serenity and freedom of mind, the owners brought Hans Wegner and our favorite midcentury designers'spirit in. 


Can't wait staying there...


The interior designer is Michel Penneman whose creations are really beautiful and in the vintage mood... See : http://www.michelpenneman.com/

http://tenboschhouse.com/

Retrodesign in Copenhagen

If you want to stay in a hotel dedicated to Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner and so on, you should book in "Hotel Alexandra" in the center of Copenhagen....

http://www.hotelalexandra.dk/

"Mobiboom", Louvre museum, Arts décoratifs

A wonderful exhibition shows the evolution of French design from Post WWII years to the 1980s... Beautiful furniture from the major galleries (Jousse Entreprise...) and from the museum's collections to go back to our young age !

(http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/francais/arts-decoratifs/expositions-23/actuellement-501/dans-la-nef/mobi-boom-l-explosion-du-design-en/)