Christophe Pillet's NEAT Table for Kristalia

Neat Table by designer Christophe Pillet for Kristalia Residential, 2011

This new collection of tables is ideal for any space and use: from the office to home areas. It has an aluminum structure, an integrated cable holder, and a marine plywood top faced with epoxy-lacquered sheet metal.

The thin silhouette and trestle legs give it a lightweight appearance that won't overwhelm the space, accompanying chairs or art.


Leg finish:
Aluminium with white lacquer

Finish of top:
White painted metal sheet

Checking out the NEAT table at Salone del Mobile, Milano 2011:

Designer Christophe Pillet:


Kristalia

Fontable Letter & Number Tables Spell Out C-O-O-L.

Designers Alessandro Canepa & Andrea Paulicelli of Italy's Mamadesignlab have created Fontable, a collection of alphanumeric metal tables.



The new concept in modular elements brings a revolution to the world of furnishing accessories, building upon a graphic matrix to turn it into an item for interior design.





FONTABLE are alphanumeric elements reproducing letters from A to Z in lower and upper case and numbers from 0 to 9 which become modular tables. Each element acquires three dimensions and personality and can be played around with, to customize ever changing and dynamic shapes.





Tables are made in steel sheet with lacquered varnishing in white, black and red, with legs in anodized aluminum of adjustable height allowing to overlap table surfaces. Special finishing and further color variations are available on demand.

Produced in a small atelier outside of Milan under the supervision of Alessandro & Andrea the tables are made from steel sheet with lacquered varnishing in white, black and red. Legs are in anodized aluminum and are height adjustable, allowing overlap of table surfaces.

You can purchase the tables from Outdoorz Gallery.

Solar Powered Soft Rockers (Video & Gallery) By MIT Professor & Students

Professor of the Practice of Architecture, Sheila Kennedy, and a group of Design, Architecture and Engineering students from MIT have designed solar-energy storing modern wood rockers on which you can lounge and chat or charge. Smartphones, cell phones, mp3 devices, laptops and other gadgets can be connected via USB. What's more, the soft rockers are designed with a solar powered ambient light that gives them a soft glow in the dark.











above: Image by SOFT ROCKER TEAM: Sheila KENNEDY, MIT Professor of the Practice of Architecture; James BAYLESS, KVA UC Intern; Kaitlyn BOGENSCHUTZ, KVA UC Intern; Wardad INAM, MIT PhD Candidate, Electrical Engineering; Jungmin NAM, GSD March I 2009, KVA Designer; Shevy ROCKCASTLE, MIT Smarchs 2011; Phil SEATON, MIT March 2012; Matt TRIMBLE, MIT March 2009, RADLAB; Adnon ZOLIJ, MIT BS 2010, Electrical Engineering

Soft Rockers description and video from MIT:
Recharge yourself and your electronics while relaxing with friends outdoors in Killian Court. The MIT SOFT Rockers are smart, clean energy charging stations disguised as outdoor rocking lounge furniture. Unlike conventional ‘hard’ urban infrastructure, The SOFT Rocker leverages its environment in a dynamic manner by using the human power of balance to create an interactive 1.5 axis 35 watt solar tracking system. Soft power electronics designed for this project charge the 12 ampere-hour battery and store solar energy harvested during the day. Put your body weight in play with an interactive, real time energy harvesting feedback loop that senses how you orient the rocker to the sun. Charge or run any USB device from speakers to cell phones and bring your friends to enjoy cool lighting loops at night for social gatherings.



The leaf-like loop form of the SOFT Rockers explores how standard softwood panels can be mass-customized to adapt to the latitude and sun angle of any site using parametric design software and automated fabrication with a lightweight Kuka robotic arm. The SOFT Rocker combines hi-tech and low-tech design strategies: it produces electricity but engages the body and works like furniture “by hand”; it mixes sun tracking and social dynamics; it is a site specific object and a flexible form family of ‘soft’ wood construction. The SOFT Rocker blurs distinctions between pleasure and work and recasts power generation as an integrated and distributed public activity rather than a centralized, singular off-site project of ‘engineering’.  

SOFT ROCKER TEAM: Sheila KENNEDY, MIT Professor of the Practice of Architecture James BAYLESS, UC MArch 2014, KVA Intern Kaitlyn BOGENSCHUTZ, UC BS Arch 2013, KVA Intern Wardah Inam, MIT PhD Candidate 2015, Electrical Engineering Jungmin NAM, GSD MArch 2009, KVA Designer Shevy ROCKCASTLE, MIT SMarchS 2011 Phil SEATON, MIT MArch 2012 Matt TRIMBLE, MIT MArch 2008, RADLAB Adnon ZOLIJ, MIT BS 2010, Electrical Engineer Vicor, Inc. MIT gives special thanks to: • Vicor, Inc. Applications Engineering provided power electronics support. Picor, a subsidiary, provided Cool-O-Ring controllers for battery/load interfacing. • Global Solar, Inc. Technology Development Team provided advance samples of Gen II flexible photovoltaics. • LightTape, Inc. Assisted with manufacture of custom electroluminescent lighting materials • Peter Murray at Fine Finish, Inc., in Waltham, MA.  

images and info courtesy of Arts at MIT

The Transport Series. Furnishings & A Pet Bed Inspired By 20th Century Vehicles.

above: The Wallace Pet bed designed by AvroKO can be used as storage, too

Manhattan based AvroKO is a full service integrated design and concept firm that develops environments, lifestyle brands and products. Retail store design, hotel design and restaurant interiors are just a few of their many disciplines. Their own initiated projects include such hip New York eateries as Public and The Stanton Social, and hotel designs for the Starwood group to name a few.


above: the four principals at AvroKO; Greg Bradshaw, William Harris, Kristina O'Neal and Adam Farmerie

But amongst the talented group's designs lies a small line of furniture called The Transport Series. The collection was inspired by cars and motorcycles from the early 20th century and includes a lounge chair and ottoman, a desk lamp, an adjustable table, a stool and even a pet bed, most crafted of cold-rolled steel, walnut wood and leather.

Sophisticated and clubby, with industrial touches from the Machine Age, the furnishings are simultaneously masculine and elegant.










Inquire about The Transport Series here

Wild Limited Edition Designer Furniture From Outdoorz Gallery

Outdoorz Gallery is run by Deborah Sommers & Beth Boutry in Paris. With a love and respect for artisans and their work, the two women began an online site that showcases - and sells - the furniture of award-winning designers from all over the world. They expose people to pieces that are unique, often limited in number and not ordinarily found on furniture websites. You may recognize some of the following designs from having been featured on popular blogs, but most of the pieces were never available to purchase. Until now.

Here are a few of their incredible pieces available for purchase:

Bench No. 3 by Floris Wubben, Netherlands


The graceful lines of Bench No. 3 bring to mind a wave cascading over driftwood or as Rob Cassey from England's prestigious Garden Design Journal puts it " This is an incredibly beautiful and potentially iconic object that reminds me both of Issey Miyake's work and Rie Kawakubo's, with the odd bit of Zaha Hadid thrown in without being the least bit derivative. "





The undulating pattern is achieved by accordion folding a sheet of white polypropylene and attaching it to the wood with white lacquered metal bars. As a result the top of the bench is given its shape directly from its support, the wooden branch. It is just this combination of natural and hi tech materials that make this piece so striking. Each bench is produced by hand in Floris Wubben's studio, and is as unique as the branch which serves as the base. A comfortable bench to sit on the top portion easily supports one's weight. A perfect place to enjoy a view, though perhaps the most striking view is of this unique bench itself.
Materials: wood, metal, polypropylene
Dimensions: L200cm x W50cm x H43cm
Delay: 8 weeks
Price: 3,469 €


Chaise Lawn by Derger Cengiz

An alive chaise lounge, a mobile garden, human transporter, outdoor art by Deger Cengiz. A chance to lie down on the grass, watch the clouds overhead and forget the surrounding urban chaos. Recently on show at the "Best Seats on Broadway" exhibition at Times Square, N.Y., Chaise Lawn blurs the line between sculpture and furniture. Grass seeds included, but the Chaise Lawn also looks great planted with wild flowers or aromatic herbs. Chaise Lawn is currently on exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City.
Price: $1500.00


Cactus Chair, Limited edition/13 pieces

A provocative new design from Deger Cengiz, Cactus Chair examines how visual data affects the users experience. The existence of the large cactus elicits an emotional response, it is temporarily discomforting, a challenge. Though the user knows that the cactus is behind the glass and is not an actual threat he experiences a slight hesitation. Both tempted to sit and tempted to avoid the experience, Cactus Chair is an exciting new piece from Deger Cengiz that challenges our perceptions of furniture and design.
Materials: green tinted high quality plexi-glass, Barrel Cactus (included), river stones
Price: $3,000


Bench & Stone (Carbon Fiber)

Bench by Peter Donders, Belgium (limited edition of 10 pieces)


The Belgian designer created this contemporary, organic piece by twisting a single string of carbon fibre around a form that was then removed. The resulting structure is airy yet incredibly strong and has been aptly described as ”calligraphy in 3D” by Rob Cassy of the Garden Design Journal. Currently the ultimate material available in terms of weight to strength ratio, carbon fiber is used to produce Formula One race cars, the highest quality sporting equipment, as well as the chassis of space crafts. This exceptional limited edition series will be limited to 10 pieces and is suitable for both public and private spaces.
Material: carbon fiber
Dimensions: 300cm x 40cm x 55cm
Weight: 6 kilos
Delay: 4-6 weeks
Price available by request


Stone by Peter Donders, Belgium (limited edition of 10 pieces)


Inspired by its namesake, Stone is created with the same eye for detail, depth and movement as Bench. A unique sculptural / seat, Stone is produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces.
Material: carbon fiber
Dimensions: 164cm x 115m x 39cm
Weight: 6 kilos
Delay: 4-6 weeks
Price available by request


You'll notice that Outdoorz Gallery does not have shopping carts because each piece is actually made to order and handled on a one-to-one basis by email or telephone. The piece(s) will be shipped to you directly from the designer. Once your shipping price has been confirmed and you wish to continue, Outdoorz Gallery will send a purchase order which will summarize your demand. When confirmed you will have the opportunity to pay by bank transfer or paypal, ensuring your secure payment. You will receive updates on the status of your order and the date it is shipped. All of their products are guaranteed.

Their impressive roster of designers:
Peter Harvey / Laurie Beckerman / Pitaya / Con Tatto / Daniel Michalik / Tom Price / Marco Stefanini / Peter Donders / Jessica Carnevale / Deger Cengiz / Alexandre Moronnoz / deborah Sommers / Erik Griffioen / Floris Wubben / Cecile / Planchais / Caroline Corbeau / Nobody and Co / Benoit Lienart / Boris Bally / Michaël Bihain / Lucile Soufflet / Mike Perry

Outdoorz Gallery is associated with Seine 51 Galerie, 51 rue de Seine, Paris and Buckingham Interiors+Design Showroom, 1820 W. Grand Ave., Chicago.


See more at Outdoorz Gallery