ISTANBUL EDITION HOTEL

ESPA at the Istanbul EDITION Hotel

Entrance Elevator Lobby

The brand new luxury lifestyle EDITION Hotel is scheduled to operate and make its European debut in Istanbul in April 2011.  With the extraordinary, 20,000 square foot, three-floor ESPA spa,  Istanbul EDITION Hotel offers its guests an incomparable spa experience integrating beauty, health, and wellness in a setting of fine design and luxury.  An inimitable experience; a stylish immersion into breathtaking contemporary design with influences of Turkish tradition.





Hammam Scrub Room

Spread over three floors, this astonishingly large 20,000 square foot spa with the dark and opulent lighting, and dark materials, such as rich metallic woods, embossed bronze floors and walls upholstered in exquisite horsehair add a truly spectacular design atmosphere.  The play of light was one of the main components in the design inspiration of Hirsch Bedner Associates and was drawn from the faceted cut out patterns found in a traditional Turkish Hammam.  A neutral tone color scheme was applied throughout the ESPA spa as to relax the clients and provide a tone of luxury; opulent chocolate brown marble and cast bronze sinks create a deep sense of calm and warmth throughout the Turkish Hammam.




Hammam





Hammam Steam Room Door






Relax Room





SNOW Room





Pool Heated Chaise Lounges




Reception Lobby Lounge




THE LOBBY of Istanbul EDITION Hotel

Light design has been another key component in this design inspiration; the creation of shadows and streaks of light sets the tone and the atmosphere.   The lutron system installed in the treatment rooms is programmed to have different light levels throughout the varying stages of the treatment: with a welcoming level for arrival, a very low level for treatment, another level for showering, and a level for relaxation.  The spa has both passive and active spaces, and the light levels reflect each space with the fitness room being the brightest.

The Hammam, a truly focal and traditional element of Turkish culture combines the functionality and the structural elements of its predecessors in Anatolia, the Roman thermae and Byzantine baths, with the Central Asian Turkish tradition of steam bathing, ritual cleansing and respect of water.  The Turkish Hammam becomes an intimate and exclusive haven at the ESPA spa; an experience where design meets rejuvenation to soothe the mind and cleanse the body.  The alluring design and the opulent spaces make the guests feel indulged and protected; a spa design that creates an unforgettable experience.

THE LOBBY of Istanbul EDITION Hotel 

Image Courtesy of Istanbul EDITION Hotel

Furthermore, the Istanbul EDITION Hotel is a 15-story tower which includes 78 guest rooms and a full-floor penthouse, it serves as a sophisticated hub providing multiple venues for relaxing and entertaining including the ESPA spa, Cipriani restaurant, lobby bar, drawing room, screening room, meeting rooms and special event space, a business center, and a nightclub.

Fitness Center

Detail of Istanbul EDITION Hotel

Detail of Istanbul EDITION Hotel

Aquariva by Marc Newson

Australian designer Marc Newson has designed a speed boat in collaboration with Officina Italiana Design for Italian boat brand Riva.
Called Aquariva by Marc Newson, the design is a reinterpretation of the Aquariva boat design that incorporates anodized aluminium and a textile-based laminate with the appearance of wood. The design will be available in an edition of 22 through Gagosian Gallery.

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Design

The East London-based design studio BarberOsgerby was chosen for the historic task through a competitive tender run by LOCOG and the Design Council.

The design, engineering and manufacture of the Torch celebrates the best of British talent, with the designers working in partnership with Basildon based product engineers Tecosim and Coventry based manufacturers The Premier Group. Together they have developed the prototypes on show today and the processes for the mass production of the Torches that will start later this year.

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London 2012 Olympic Torch  

The Torch, which stands 800mm high and weighs 800g is made up of four key pieces - an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin perforated by 8,000 circles that are held in place by a cast top piece and base.

Representing the inspirational stories of the 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame, the circles which run the length of the body of the Torch also offer a unique level of transparency - allowing people to see right to the heart of the Torch and view the burner system which will keep the Olympic Flame alive. The circles also help ensure heat is quickly dissipated without being conducted down the handle and providing extra grip.

Responding to a call in the brief to recognise the fact that more than half of the London 2012 Torchbearers are expected to be young people aged between 12 and 24, several design features have been implemented to produce what will be one of the lighter Olympic Torches. Crafted from an aluminium alloy, developed for the aerospace and automotive industry that is lightweight whilst having good tensile strength and excellent heat resistance, the 8,000 circles also reduce the weight of the final design whilst ensuring strength isn't compromised.

The torch will be carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers on a 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, which will take the Olympic Flame on an 8,000 mile journey across the UK next summer. From the start point of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay at Land's End on 19 May 2012 an average of 110 people a day will take centre stage by carrying the Olympic Flame on its journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"This is a great example of how government procurement and design can come together - not just to create a beautiful, iconic example of design excellence, but to provide real business opportunities and to show the world that Britain is a leader in design-led innovation and manufacturing," said David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council. "I am sure the whole of the UK design industry will join us in congratulating Barber Osgerby on what is a huge achievement."

'dressed' collection by marcel wanders for alessi

asked about whether the form and aesthetics of the pieces or their functional needs were the starting point for his design process,
wanders underscores the interconnectedness of the two. 'function is not the reason we love things,' he reflects: 'function is where
we start. [but] decorations play a role in understanding the object' and so the engravings and delicate profiles of the 'dressed'
collection, for example, are designed to suggest the objects' use in more ceremonial, special occasions.

in fact most of wanders's design process involves writing and conceptualizing, not sketching. only after developing the ideas
and design elements that he wants to include in a piece does he go to his studio to make drawings, seeing the object for the first time.


part of the 'dressed' collection by marcel wanders for alessi
image © marcel wanders



additional pieces from the 'dressed collection'
image © marcel wanders



close view of mug, saucer, and spoon
image © marcel wanders

marcel wanders:

'as a kid, I loved making gifts: finding the right thing, packaging them... and by doing so I learned that a good gift
has two very important qualities. one is that when you open it, and you see what you got, you think, 'of course;
I didn't even know that I needed this, but this is so [perfect for] me; this is something I would love to have.'
the other [thought] that happens at the same time is, 'oh yes, of course, this is something I can only get from this person.'
so in fact a good gift celebrates the relationship between two people: celebrates the relationship between someone
who gives something and someone who receives something. design for me is the same thing. in all the products
you have both parts, and they work together.'

full view of the silverware pieces
image courtesy of alessi



full view of the silver tray
image courtesy of alessi

closing up the conversation, wanders admits that one of his creative dreams is to design a mosque.
asked what would be inside, he responds:

'there would be people inside! objects have a story; they speak, and I think we all in our own way
are sensitive to their words. and that's a beautiful thing about design: it speaks about the normal things
in life. so you find it everywhere; everybody relates to it.

I think design is able to show the identity of people, but also how people can live together, share together;
how people can be brought together without problems. it's able to speak about life in a really simple and nearby way,
and therefore to pour a different light on things like different cultures who have blended together.  

I think it is important that design plays that role, that [designers] are able to show our respect for people by what we do.'

marcel wanders at alessi during new york design week 2011

Bluarch Designs New York's Omonia Bakery

Designed by Antonio Di Oronzo, principal of bluarch, Omonia Bakery is a brand new project for the family that behind the renowned Omonia brand famous for its Greek pastries. It sells pastries and breads prepared on premises in the see-through kitchen.




The design of this store celebrates indulgence, the suspension of one's everyday grind through the consumption of a sweet delight. The space is soft, warm, sexy and decadent... as chocolate.

Much like the physiognomy of a pastry, the design offers the exciting anticipation of a pastry in-fieri... the liquid concoction, the minced ingredients. The space shifts organically with the narrative of flavors as patrons taste the succulent delicacies.





The main feature of the 1,000SF interior space is a fluid surface, which covers the ceiling and the side walls to different heights. This surface warps in bubbles and negotiates a system of 6-inch tubular incandescent light bulbs and an arrangement of red cedar wood spheres. The epoxy flooring continues to the walls via filleted corners. A shelf and LED strips navigate the transition with the chocolate surface.



The kitchen is exhibited to the public, as it sits simply within a tempered glass box. Therefore, the exquisite level of craftsmanship of the project - with its unforgiving alignments and complex details - is paralleled with the refined artisanship of Omonia's pastries.

Fritz Hansen's FAVN by Jaime Hayon

The Republic of Fritz Hansen has recently launched FAVN, a new sofa designed by Jaime Hayon. FAVN (Danish for Embrace) is the result of a creative dialogue between Jaime Hayon and Fritz Hansen.

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FAVN  

"FAVN is an evolution of Fritz Hansen's design language that brings together the qualities of Spanish and Danish design," said Jaime Hayon. "FAVN is picking up from the long tradition of Arne Jacobsen in the sense that I wanted to create a form that was based on a shell, like the Egg and the Swan which looks equally beautiful from all angles."




The sofa is available in a wide range of colors: light grey, sage green, beige, taupe, chocolate, mustard, red, violet, dark blue and black. Each FAVN includes a mix of three fabrics to express the form of its three main components; the shell, seat and back and decorative cushions.

jaime hayon: bala + time piece + beetly bridge chair for sé collection

jaime hayon: bala + time piece + beetly bridge chair for sé collection II



'sé collection II' by jaime hayon
image courtesy of sé


spanish designer jaime hayon presents three new additions to his collection for london-based brand sé
which originally debuted last year. shown at spazio rossana orlandi during milan design week 2011,
the additions expand on the already complete range of classic tables, mirrors, armchairs and sofa.

simple and minimal in their design, the 'bala' side tables appear to float off of the ground, balancing only on a
slightly curved base. topped with a slab of carrera marble, the small side tables are made from solid ceramic
and are available in a range of glossy and metallic finishes.



'time piece' side tables
image courtesy of sé


'time piece' a series of variously sized side tables have been re-released in a solid wood version.
finished in a range of colorful lacquers, the stacked and contouring tables are a playful alternative to the
previously designed solid bronze collection.



in a few of the available lacquer colors
image courtesy of sé


representing a first for the french furniture brand, 'beetly bridge chair', is supported by a french walnut
wood base. the original was created with metal legs that seemingly disappear into their environment
while the updated version features bolder, more prominent and masculine lines.



beetly bridge chair with wooden legs
image © designboom



beetley bridge chair and time piece side table at milan design week 2011
image © designboom



front and 3/4 view
image courtesy of sé



designer jaime hayon

HSBC private bank commission

hella jongerius: daylight for HSBC private bank commission


'daylight' by hella jongerius for HSBC private bank commission

on the occasion of design miami / basel 2011 HSBC private bank has commissioned dutch designer hella jongerius to create a new piece for the bank's connection collection of limited edition design which first began in 2008.
jongerius whose practice is very much embedded in the fusion of industry and craft in combination with a strong research of color, has designed 'daylight', a table that explores how daylight changes and influences our perception of colors. Tthe furniture object consists of a wooden structure with a tabletop covered in multicolored resin blocks that are presented in two layers. The first is that of semi-transparent colors that reference the changing hues of natural daylight, with the underlying layer made up of solid color blocks. there is also the contrast of matte and glossy finishes, resulting in a table surface that exhibits how
colors can be versatile, particularly during the day when light is changing continuously.

detail of the color blocks which make up the tabletop


'this piece is more than a table - it is a work of art and an exploration of color. we feel that it is an important piece of design that,
as well as being decorative and functional, also tells a story and will be an important piece in years to come.'
- tony joyce, global head of marketing & communications, HSBC private bank

The table is set to be unveiled at design miami / basel in june 2011 within the HSBC private bank lounge
and will be then showcased at the HSBC private bank's head quarters in geneva, switzerland.



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detail of the two layers of color blocks - the top consisting of transparent colors refering to the changing hues of natural daylight, and the underlying layer made up of solid color blocks