TYIN - Designing for a Purpose

Especially in the field of design and architecture, it can sometimes be easy to get caught up in the glamour of the job and the excitement of creating spaces that wow and impress. I will admit that one of my favorite things to do is to explore and "travel" to these grand spaces, whether it be a fancy hotel or boutique store, and hopefully through these posts I have ignited a spark of creative inspiration and love of design for you. At the very least, I hope I have given you a glimpse of one of my passions, that would not be accurate without showing the most important reason that I love design and the potential it has to improve life. To illustrate this reason, let me introduce you to a firm that I feel encompasses this spirt of using their talents to serve people who need quality design the most.

TYIN tegnestue is a Norway firm that uses their abilities to make "significant contributions to humanity" above all else. Their projects range from sleeping huts to training centers to libraries, and their team has completed projects in Norway, Thailand, Uganda and Indonesia. One of my favorite aspects of their projects is that their designs not only serve the final users, but they involve the community and use all materials from nearby sites or local merchants.

The Klong Toey Community Lantern is located in Thailand serves one of the "largest and oldest areas of informal dwellings in Bankok." The project's main function of creating a football court and public playground, but it also has a long term goal of improving some of the social challenges of the area, which can be attributed to "lack of public services like healthcare, affordable education, sanitation and electricity." The structure is unique as it was designed and built within three weeks after a year of preparation.

Another project that TYIN has completed are the Soe Ker Tie Houses or Butterfly Houses located in a small village on the Thai-Burmese border. These houses serve as shelter and "a place to call home" for refugee children, and every part of their design serves these users. Some of these design decisions include the specially shaped roof, which provides natural ventilations and potential for rainwater collection and storage for dry season, and the raised foundations, which prevent moisture or rotting problems.

TYIN's design of the Old Market Library in Thailand addressed the refurbishment of the library and also the desire to "strengthen the passion in the neighborhood." The team worked with the community throughout the whole process to solve the challenges of flooding and rising water during flood season, and made it a goal to use local and reused materials

While TYIN has won well-deserved awards for their designs, these awards are insignificant in comparison to the impact that their spaces make for populations in need around the world. Especially as a designer, it is easy to criticize little imperfections in the places that I encounter daily, but seeing how solutions like these can improve life excites me and motivates me to be searching for opportunities outside of my bubble to use my passion and degree to serve others.

Be sure to read more about TYIN's projects on their website or watch some of their videos on their YouTube Channel!

via TYIN Architects

Electric Dreams - The Idea of "Too"

Every once in a while I come across a designer or group that has such a unique style that I am "forced" to explore all of their work. Recently, I discovered a Swedish architecture/design studio that specializes in brand environments. They say that they like things "that are too colourful, too weird, too beautiful, too dark, too many..." I think you may easily agree that this is true after seeing some of my favorites of their work.

This first design is called Fabricville and is from the head offices at Fabric Retail Global in Gothenburg, Sweden. I think this first room meets their category of "too dark." On the bright side, the darkness allows the pendant lights to become a feature statement in the room.

Throughout all the rooms of this space, a monochromatic approach is taken, and all of the furniture and finishes are a single color. Specifically in the white room below, I love its whimsy feeling, and especially the ceiling feature's contribution to this feeling.

This next design is for Monki, a girls' fashion store. The first thing that caught my attention was the design of the dressing rooms. The whole store design has so much personality, which I realized after reading the concept of the store is for good reason. For example, when you enter the dressing room, you are said to be going into a hollow oak, with clothes hanging from glowing branches, and accessories displayed on shiny mushrooms. 

The last design from Electric Dreams that I will share is for a mobile phone company in Sweden, Dialect, that wanted to present their concept of "You." Throughout the space their are many opportunities for customers to try out the products in this unique environment before actually making a purchase. My favorite part of the shop is the purple flower-like light features. This space might also fit into their category of "too dark," but I definitely think they made up for it with their other design elements. 

Electric Dreams has several more designs that push the limit on being "too colourful, too weird, too beautiful, too dark, too many..." so be sure to check out their website!

via Electric Dreams

Inamo Restaurant - A Change in Ordering Food

We all have been at a restaurant where the waiter somehow abandons our table, forgetting to take our order or refill our drink. I never thought there would be a solution to fix this problem, but the innovative restaurant owners of Inamo in London have come up with a solution: interactive tables.

 

How the table works is there is a circular trackpad, which is actually projected from above, that you move your hand around. While you do this, your table displays pictures of menu items, descriptions, and prices. These pictures of these menu items are even shown on your real plate, which is set in front of you during this whole time. When you have made a decision, no need to wait for your waiter. Simply click the order button.

 

 

Not only do the tables make this restaurant a unique location, but the other finishes in the space make Inamo an inviting environment. I especially love the light fixtures graphic patterns that fill the walls and windows.

 

 

 

The need for projectors above the tables in the dining area definitely give a futuristic feeling in the dining rooms. Inamo's innovative concept definitely makes me wonder if the future of restaurants and their menus will soon change with the constantly changing technology.

To see more of this London restaurant be sure to visit Inamo's website, where you can take a virtual tour of the space!

via Inamo Restaurant

High Rollers - Can Bowling Be Classy?

In my pre-design student mind, I would have never thought of the possibility of designing a bowling alley in a way that makes the odd sport of bowling somewhat classy. I will admit that I have been proven wrong as this bowling alley that brings us to Mashantucket, Conneticut in the United States and forces us to put on our ties and cocktail dresses, but if you are worried about your bowling shoes not working with your dress or even if the idea of getting dressed up to bowl scares you, no worries! Typical bowling garb is also acceptable!

This bowling alley takes more of the nightclub or lounge approach with its furniture and finishes selection, and maybe the thing that I appreciate the most is that there is not the typical bowling alley carpet. (I'm sure most of you are familiar with the glow-in-the-dark neon and black carpet that fills so many bowling alleys.)

I also appreciate the abundance of seating that is provided,which is also in a formal, tufted style, and provides many defined spaces for guests to enjoy.

I still cannot get over that there are chandeliers in a bowling alley, and not just a few. They are everywhere!

I'm not sure if this post motivates you to want to take give bowling or bowling alleys another shot, but I know that it inspires me. Unique and unexpected design can be anywhere, and it definitely has a role in shaping the outlook of the users of the space. 

So what do you think? Can bowling be classy?

via High Rollers

Selexyz Dominicanen - An Unexpected Location for a Book Store

I love old architecture turned into unexpected businesses or spaces, and this next location is just that: a 13th century deconstructed Dominican church in the Netherlands turned bookstore. Prior to the transformation in 2007 into the Dutch bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen, this church was used as a warehouse, archive, and bicycle storage depot. The design of the bookstore was done by Merks + Girod architects in Maastricht, Netherlands.

I appreciate how the design works around the historical architecture of the building, allowing visitors to experience every part of the beautiful architecture.

Thankfully they did not forget to include the always important cafe-coffeshop!

Lastly, check out one of my favorite parts of the bookstore: the entrance!

Via Merkx + Girod

Potato Head - New Design from Old Things

Lucky for me, my sister is quite the real traveler, and her most recent endeavor brought her to Indonesia for several months. (check out her blog!)  During one of her endeavors, she came across a restaurant with its walls and ceilings covered in shutters. I loved the concept and design of it from the pictures she sent me, but learned that it was actually was not an original concept and was actually a copy of Potato Head, another restaurant and bar with locations in Jakarta and Bali. To give credit to where its due, let me introduce you to Potato Head.

Potato Head and was designed by Indonesian architect, Andra Matin in collaboration with the restaurants owners, who were looking to create a space that was "totally different than the rest have to offer."

 In addition to the vintage industrial style that is brought in with the shutters and metal railings, other unique aspects of the design include a green wall, bar stools made from tractor seats and vintage childrens nursery lamps on the tables.

They also have some pretty interesting murals!

Be sure to visit their quirky website for a unique experience, and to see more of the design. I promise it is worth checking out!

via Potato Head, Rogue Art and Asia Bars & Restaurants

Bangkok University - Unpredictable University Design

Finding the perfect homework spot can be a struggle during the 3, 4, or 5 years that we spend in college, but Supermachine Studio seemed to have an idea exactly what they thought students in Thailand were looking for at the "Creative University." I found this project particularly interesting as I am currently a student assistant for the interior designer at my university, where everyday I encounter design decisions and opportunities to help to make the campus a more beautiful place, but never before have I seen a university with design like this one.

Let me welcome you to Bangkok University's BU Lounge.

The lounge's reading cave is made up of thousands of "ribs that break the space up into many rooms for various types of student functions.

I am a big fan of chevron patterns, so I love the graphic floor detail.

In front of the reading cave is what the designers call the "Big Sofa." The flexibility and customization that this seating allows for makes it the perfect solution for the space.

And what student lounge is complete without a giant panda? Students can go inside the backside of the panda and up to the head where they can look out the mouth. I think that the most interesting design idea of this panda is that in the future, the intent is that students will someday paint it to be a different animal. The designers also wanted students to have the opportunity to paint the white columns found throughout the space in order to promote creativity and make the space their own.

The upper level of the student lounge gives students a bit of a study break. This pink and white dot structure is a karaoke house!

A similar house structure on the second level is a practice room for bands and music groups.

As you can tell, in this space nothing is predictable, so the pool table is also unique with its adjustable holes and extra long length. In this upstairs village area you will also find a giant dartboard, makeup counter, rounded pingpong table, and Kung-fu style style stress release area.

Bangkok University has several other unique spaces on its campus, including its Creative Center and Admissions Cafe, so be sure to check them out at Supermachine Studio's Blog, and be sure to comment to tell me what you think!

via Supermachine Studio

Inntel Hotel - A Stack of Dutch Design

To give you a glimpse into my past, I grew up in a small Iowan town that cherishes its Dutch heritage and even annually celebrates with a three-day festival complete with Dutch costumes, poffertjes, wooden shoes, and as many tulips as the unpredictable Iowa weather will give them. While I no longer fit into my Dutch costume, and long gave up my days of marching in wooden shoes in our high school band, anytime I see anything with a Dutch resemblance, I am taken back to those days. Lucky for me, this next destination brings us to a 160-room hotel in a suburb of Amsterdam, the Netherlands designed by WAM architecten and Molenaar & Van Winden architecten. I quickly fell in love with the unique lego-block stack of typical Zaan houses that make of up the façade of Inntel Hotel.

The single blue house at the top of the structure is a reference to Claude Monet's "The Blue House" painting.

The grand staircase welcomes guests into this modern Dutch getaway.

 

Each of the 160 rooms are unique and their categories or themes are divided by the features of the room. For example, Taste Deluxe Rooms are inspired by chocolate, biscuit, cheese and mustard flavors.

The Tsar Peter Suite is known as the most unique suite and is designed after the Tsar Peter House, the oldest house in Zaandam. 

Other rooms and suites include the Craft Deluxe Room, Factory Deluxe Room, Founders Junior Suite, and Founders Suite.

Shown below is the hotel's Bar & Restaurant Puur Saen, featuring more of the historic pictures of the region that are found throughout the entire hotel, complementing the modern twist on Dutch design. I think that it would be hard to leave the Inntel Hotel without an appreciation and increased knowledge of the Zaan region, which proves that the architects and designers successfully carried out their concept. 

And here is the pool. I would definitely say that design of the space and chosen finishes promote the goal of calmness and total relaxation.

Be sure to check out the hotel's website to learn more about the hotel's unique rooms or book a stay!

[Pictures via iDesignArch & WAM architecten]

Design Down Under

This next destination brings us to a quirky Australian hotel called QT Gold Coast. The hotel's website gives a perfect description of Nic Graham + Associates design intent: "nostalgic surfer chic meets miami catwalk cool." This hotel is filled with bold, modern furniture, lighting and finishes that I'm convinced would brighten up anyone's mood. There seems to be so much to do and see, keeping artists, vacationers and surfers occupied. I personally love the custom light fixtures in the lobby (below) and feel they are a perfect addition to the space whether you are looking at it from below....

or above.

I also like how the quirky and modern beach vibe is carried through every space in a unique way and even as the function of spaces change, guests see repeated design elements and furniture pieces.

Bold patterns and clean, modern style continues into the guest rooms and complements the beautiful views of Australia. I also appreciate the graphic tile work in the bathroom complemented with mirror placement that reminds you to continue having fun!

And here is the hotel's Spa Q. I especially love the perfect mixture of textures found through this space with the metallics, basket light fixtures, metal chairs, and fur. 

And don't forget about the cafe, Fixx, complete with a variety of treats and an organic menu.

Be sure to explore the rest of the hotel or begin planning your Australian getaway by booking a stay at QT Gold Coast on their website!

via freshome and QT Gold Coast