Posts from — March 2010

Aesthetically pleasing as they may be; it looks like blinds and shades have new competition- this time from the window glass itself. Enter Smart Energy Glass, a new innovation from Dutch Peer+ that turns windows into solar energy collectors with an added plus-a  customizable appearance.

Not only are Smart Energy Glass windows available in several colors, but they can switch between three modes: dark, bright and privacy, which scatters the light passing through. Even better, the glass serves to collect solar energy, which can then be used directly or fed back to the grid.

 But it also occurred to me that this could also be an opportunity for window covering maunfacturers. How cool would it be if the energy stored in the glass could be used to power motorized blinds, shades or draperies. Somfy and BTX please take note!

Users can control the darkness mode of the windows at will, depending on light conditions and energy concerns. Privacy mode generates the most energy, while bright mode is the least productive. Corporate logos can even be incorporated into the glass, Peer+ says.

Peer+ is currently working on its first pilots in the Netherlands, and is seeking further projects for testing.

See the video below

Smart Energy Glass from Peerplus on Vimeo.

Via PSFK

Reme Bouchaniche USIN-e was one of the winners of imm Cologne’s Interior Innovationawards at January’s Furniture Fair. I caught up with him the next morning and had a chance to ask a couple of questions as he demoed his winning entry to the crowd around his booth.

 Why Lighting?

I see lighting as a fashion accessory for the home; plus I wanted to explore working with new materials and lighting seemed like a good choice.

What role did materials play in the design?

 I like to explore materials especially materials under tension. I also wanted to explore the relationship between the construction of an object and how it “works”.

 What was the one thing you learned from this project?

To think simple.

His inspiration was based on the principle of an organic body composed of skin and skeleton. In pulling the pendant light’s center rod, the intensity of the light is raised or lowered; coinciding  with the pulling of the light’s fabric membrane. In order to produce a flowing and expressive movement, the designer concentrated on a very precise and harmonious gesture focused on one point. In this way, the lamp becomes a temporary shape creating a poetic time from daily use.

I just finished a story for Plinth and Chintz about the wildly creative young designers that I are setting the design world on fire. I wanted to share some of their stories with you.

Eine Wand - We came across this team while walking the Passagen showrooms and my first thought was IKEA where are you? The ID Modus team takes its inspiration fromwhat they call folding architecture. Imagine this wall system in your first studio walk up or in your tween’s room with some of the pieces opening up to storage. Paint in in Mondarian style, wall paper it, turn it into a dry erase board . It’s genius!

I’ll be speaking in Austin, TX  Saturday,  March 20, 2010  for Design Arts on the following topics:

 Textile Technology 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Design professionals have a responsibility to their clients to understand how today’s fabrics are produced and how it affects their health, safety and welfare. With a production process involving the use of over 2000 chemicals and thousands of gallons of water, we explore textile production as it relates to building codes, energy codes, GOTS standards, LEED, cradle to cradle certification and sustainability. This seminar also narrows in on weaves, printing processes, dyes and finishes to provide an understanding of the various characteristics and properties that make fabrics appropriate for use in interior environments.

World Tour: The Hottest Designs from Around the World  1:00 pm  – 5:00 pm

Trend watching is more than spotting the next new color, fabric, or hot designer. It’s about observing change and understanding how to transform change into opportunity: Opportunity for higher financial returns and opportunity for increased well-being for the end-user. We first explore trend dynamics, then look at the newest products and trends from some of the world’s leading design shows. We also examine how best practices and transformative changes from other industries can be applied to your designs, your marketing, your sampling and your business. Finally, we look at how social and cultural currents will impact design over the next 5 to 10 years, including advances in information technologies, universal and barrier-free design.

 Visit Design Arts for more details.

I’ll be speaking in San Antonio, TX Friday,  March 19, 2010  for Design Arts on the following topics:

 Textile Technology 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Design professionals have a responsibility to their clients to understand how today’s fabrics are produced and how it affects their health, safety and welfare. With a production process involving the use of over 2000 chemicals and thousands of gallons of water, we explore textile production as it relates to building codes, energy codes, GOTS standards, LEED, cradle to cradle certification and sustainability. This seminar also narrows in on weaves, printing processes, dyes and finishes to provide an understanding of the various characteristics and properties that make fabrics appropriate for use in interior environments.

World Tour: The Hottest Designs from Around the World  1:00 pm  – 5:00 pm

Trend watching is more than spotting the next new color, fabric, or hot designer. It’s about observing change and understanding how to transform change into opportunity: Opportunity for higher financial returns and opportunity for increased well-being for the end-user. We first explore trend dynamics, then look at the newest products and trends from some of the world’s leading design shows. We also examine how best practices and transformative changes from other industries can be applied to your designs, your marketing, your sampling and your business. Finally, we look at how social and cultural currents will impact design over the next 5 to 10 years, including advances in information technologies, universal and barrier-free design.

 Visit Design Arts for more details.