DESIGN-AWAY: January 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

LIBRARY BORE TO LIBRARY ADORE

Seattle Public Library

887383014_spl-program-diagram-i-rex program diagram

Program requirements (left) transformed into the design of the building (right).

Layout of the building by floor.

The book spiral (above) contains the entire dewey decimal system organized as one continuous run. (like a parking garage) This system allows for a easy way to find the book you are looking for.

This video explains the process of designing the Seattle Public Library and the steps they went through to come up with this amazing final product. Libraries no longer have to be dark,quiet places filled with books that smell a million years old.They can be bright beautiful spaces that people can LEARN to enjoy!!

(Watch first 9min and 40sec)

ENJOY!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

CARPET WITH AN ELECTRICAL TWIST

This eco and health friendly wool carpet was designed by Dutch designers Yvonne Laurysen and Erik Mantel. But, this is no ordinary wool carpet...this carpet contains something that can BRIGHTEN and ENLIGHTEN your mind...something that can SHINE and LIGHT your way through interior spaces...this carpet contains embedded LED lights!! This carpet is made from 100% wool felt strips that are formed around eye-like forms that look like wood knots. Each knot can be filled with either an LED light or wool filler. The lights can be placed in a way that it forms directional paths or they can be placed randomly to create a sparkling effect. Because wool is nonflammable, water repellent, breathable, and acoustically absorbent it is the perfect material to house LED lights in any interior.