Acoustic iPhone Amplification

{Image of AirCurve via Griffin Technology}

I saw this over at Better Living Through Design yesterday and thought it was a very cool concept. Utilizing the iPhone's tiny speakers to produce more sound; brilliant. However, I must admit that I'm really not fond of the design. Obviously I know nothing about audio, and even less about the properties of acoustics. Though I cannot imagine myself purchasing one of these, simply because I couldn't stand to look at it. What do you think?

cotw. Pancras Chair

In 2002 Norway Says - a Norwegian industrial design firm, if you can believe that - created the Pancras chair, little did they know that in doing so they would be contributing to putting Norway on the map as an emerging design nation. It won the International Design Award in 2003 for its beautiful function based design. It is one part of the Pancras series, which includes a bench, a table and a barstool. As yet I've only been able to locate one retailer who carries the Pancras series. Visit Funktion Alley for pricing and availablity.

{photos via Norway Says & iform}

The Netherlands Oldest Company

{screen-shot taken from Tichelaar}

Makkum is the Netherlands oldest company, quite a feat I might say. The oldest proof of the company's ceramic manufacturing can be found on a Spanish map dating back to 1572. Essentially, these people know ceramics. They use this extensive knowledge of the craft to fashion extremely high quality traditional ceramic pieces as well as some more modern pieces.

{photos of Work-Series via Tichelaar}

In 2007 designer Dick van Hoff was commisioned to use the company's century old techniques to create pracitcal products. He chose then to use the desk as his inspiration. He created "Work," a series of five desk ornaments. Two desk lamps, a clock, a vase, and a pen-tray. It was an instant success, and has gone on to win coutnless design awards and be featured in even more publications. I don't know about you, but I am very excited to see what else this Dutch company has up it's sleeves.

Charles, Ray and the Polaroid SX-70

I visited The Mid-Century Modernist this morning and saw this great Polaroid promotional film done by the Eames office. What better way to Save Polaroid, then to showcase such a beautiful film done in promotion of the original Polaroid camera. How could someone possibly not want to save this most amazing technology, when you see it explained so beautifully. I would highly suggest watching the video and then popping over to Save Polaroid to find out how you can help keep Polaroid film in production.

An Amazing Fabric + Updated Classics

I happened upon Parkhaus this evening, a company dedicated entirely to making products of high-quality wool felt. At first the company reminded me of another great wool based company, Hard Graft. Though upon further inspection, their product range extends to far more than simply personal accessories. They've created storage boxes, notebooks, lamps, and a great deal of other home furnishings and accessories as well.

{photo of key fob via Canoe, photos of classic chairs via Parkhaus}

However, one of their most notable projects came just under a year ago. They began creating seating pads specially designed to accompany some of the most classic and recognizable chairs out there. They are intended to not only provide additional comfort to the chairs - a concept I'm not entirely fond of - but also to protect them from the everyday wear and tear of use - a concept I can certainly get behind. And that key fob isn't half bad either, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be placing an order for one of those.

The Swag Leg Desk

While researching for that last post I had to constantly tell myself that I did not need to talk about my personal favorite Nelson™ design. I finally broke, what can I say, the Nelson™ Swag Leg Desk is beautiful. It's simple and playful, yet retains a certain level of refinement. Not to mention the plethora of details that went into making the desk completely user-friendly. From its easily collapsible construction, to its multiple dividers and almost hidden pull-out drawers. It is as brilliant today as it was when it was introduced in 1958.

{photo of Nelson™ Swag Leg Desk & Eames® Armchair via Hive}

cotw. Nelson™ Coconut Chair

"Total design is nothing more or less than a process of relating everything to everything." What better example of that concept could there be than a chair inspired by a coconut? George Nelson was undeniably a brilliant designer, and his Coconut Chair is a wonderful example of that. According to Nelson the chair "was developed to give lounge seating comfort together with great freedom of movement." It was introduced in 1955, the same year that Eero Saarinen finished the Kresge auditorium at MIT. The shape of the chair's molded plastic shell seems likely to have been inspired by Saarinen's auditorium, though I wasn't able to find anything directly linking the two.

{photos of Nelson™ Coconut Chair via DWR}

I really enjoy this chair, it just exudes comfort. My only complaint lies in the fact that it is only being manufactured in black leather. Especially after reading the Sept. issue of Dwell; accompanying a blurb about a Nelson™ museum exhibit is a photo of five Coconut Chairs all in different earthtone fabrics. Come on Vitra, give us some options.

Desk ≤ Crescendo C2

The Crescendo C2 follows the basic rule of 'form following function' to a t. However - to use a cliché - it takes that concept to a completely new level. When folded completely it appears to be a rather simple desk, closely resembling that of a drafting table. When unfolded in an number of ways it takes on many other shapes. Learn more at the stilvoll website. I would try to explain more, but I fear all I could do is confuse you more.

cotw. Tripolina Chair

My newest project for RTN. - rather my first real project for RTN. - is going to be a Chair of the Week. I really like chairs, and I feel that there are many great chairs out there that aren't getting enough publicity. That being said each week I will feature on chair, tell a little about it and find the best possible place to purchase it. So I thought it only fitting to kick off this new venture with a chair I've had, well as long as I can remember. It's been in my room for ages, and seems to always attract compliment when guests visit, though I've never been able to tell anything about it. So imagine my glee when I noticed it in the background of a post over at Better Living Through Design. As it happens it is called the Tripolina Chair and was first introduced at the St. Louis Fair in 1904. It's inspired many chair designs since it's introduction including most notably the Butterfly Chair. You can pick up this brilliant chair - and be in fantastic company - at Design Within Reach.