Speakers
Omer Arbel, Principal Omer Arbel Office (OAO) and Creative Director for Bocci
OAO - Omer Arbel Office - is a small, experimental, Vancouver-based design practice that blurs the boundaries between the traditionally defined fields of architecture, industrial design, and materials research (www.omerarbel.com). Rather than an epistemology of pure deduction, OAO is known for its commitment to the creative potential of intuition. The practice has grown to be regarded as one of a handful of internationally recognized avant-garde young offices currently innovating in the fields of design and architecture. Arbel is the principal and lead designer of OAO.
Bocci is the now well known maverick design and manufacturing house (www.bocci.ca), for which Omer Arbel acts as creative director. In a world beset by irresponsible and thoughtless consumption, Bocci is a design and manufacturing company focused on making objects which have meaning, value and worth which transcends the patterns of consumption of our culture and suggest a healthier relationship between us and the objects that surround and enrich our lives.
Both companies have achieved instant critical and commercial success at the highest levels of the design and architectural landscape.
Pieces by Arbel have won numerous yellow pencil, good design, ID magazine review, iF and Red Dot awards, have been accessioned into various notable private and institutional collections, and have been featured extensively in the prevalent design, architectural and popular media of our times. He is considered one of the leading young voices in the international architectural and design landscape.
About Omer Arbel
In 2000, Arbel graduated with numerous honours from the University of Waterloo School of Architecture and subsequently apprenticed with several notable architects including Enric Miralles, John and Patricia Patkau, and Peter Busby. Arbel began working as a freelance designer in 2003, focusing on conceptually motivated and materially explorative furniture and objects. Work produced during this period (most notably the 2.4 cast resin chair) facilitated opportunities that led to founding two companies in 2005.Shuman Basar- Writer, Curator, and Educator, London UK Presented by Inform Interions
Show and AWE - Recent Art, design and cultural politics in the United Arab Emirates
Many people are aware of the glimmering, shiny edifaces that have sprung up in Dubai and Abu Dhabi the last few years: staggering signs of hyper-growth that, up until the financial crisis, seemed to defy rational explanation. A lesser known story is the various ways in which art, design and culture have been deployed in the UAE's three main Emirates. Together, they form a fascinating microcosm of questions and tendencies relevant to the world beyond - and that includes us. This talk looks at the spatial politics of art and design in the Gulf from major architectural developments such as Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi to more fluid initiatives such as the Sharjah Biennial.
About Shuman Basar:
Shumon Basar is a writer, editor and cultural critic from London. He co-founded the printed-matter/event collective sexymachinery, and is an editor at the fashion/cultural magazine Tank. His books on Middle Eastern cultural and urban development include Cities from Zero (AA Publications) and With/Without (Bidoun), and he is currently working on a novel, set in the Gulf, entitled World World World! Shumon is also Director of the Cultural Programme at the Architectural Association, London, and co-editor of the forthcoming book Hans Ulrich Obrist Interviews Volume 2. www.bidoun.com/withwithout/In 1997, the trio of college friends John Christakos, Maurice Blanks and Charlie Lazor founded BLU DOT. BLU DOT’s mission is to design and manufacture furniture for everyday people with every day needs. Christakos, Blanks and Lazor focus on pragmatic issues in an effort to arrive at forms that are both useful and beautiful. In this effort, Blu Dot has been recognized for its inventive use of materials, fabrication technology and assembly methods to produce furniture that is determined by an economy of means while maintaining a playful sensibility. Their work has received numerous awards, including the 2003 ICFF Editor’s Award and Good Design awards from the Chicago Athenaeum. In 2002 BLU DOT was nominated as a finalist for the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards, and the founders attended a reception at the White House hosted by Laura Bush to honor the award finalists. Their work has been exhibited at MoMA, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, the Walker Art Center, the Centre Pompidou, and the Yale School of Architecture. BLU DOT’s furniture has been published in Spoon, New American Furniture Design, and Inside Design Now as well as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The New York Times, Abitare, Domus, and Metropolis.
About Maurice Blanks:
A native of Midland, Texas, Maurice has a BA from Williams College and an M.Arch from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He worked in Chicago with several architecture firms, including Hartshorne+Plunkard and Tigerman McCurry. In 1996 he founded his namesake architecture firm in Chicago, where he continued to live and practice even after the founding of Blu Dot. He collaborated with the Blu Dot team in Minneapolis electronically and on regular trips. In 2002 Maurice and his family moved to Minneapolis, and he joined Blu Dot full-time. His architectural work has been exhibited in Chicago at the Graham Foundation for the Arts and the Chicago Institute for Architecture and Urbanism.It's Not About The Stuff- A presentation on the process of furniture
Furniture designer Ted Boerner infuses his work with a singular creative spirit, frequently incorporating influences from a variety of cultures that give his designs a distinctive and sophisticated quality of their own. In his presentation, Boerner will share his view that the entire process of design – from the inception of an idea through the delivery of the final piece – is an organic experience in which all aspects should be considered: the aesthetic; the comfort; the resources; the client; and the planet in its entirety. Ultimately, the journey of furniture design is as important as the destination. As Boerner will show, the entire experience can and should be respectful and enjoyable for everyone involved.
About Ted Boerner:
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Ted discovered his passion for furniture design while working as an interior designer in search of products for his clients. Infusing his furniture with a singular creative spirit, Boerner frequently incorporates influences from a variety of cultures, giving his designs a quality of their own that is distinctive and sophisticated.With a well-earned reputation as a provider of exceptional products and service over the past two decades, Boerner’s work is an expression of his desire to breathe positive energy into any context in which he is involved. The importance of a ‘sense of place’, creating a feeling that includes a wonderful flavor of wit combined with the ease and comfort of good design, is evident throughout Boerner’s new creations.
Mark Challen, trend forecasting expert from House & Home Media.
Style and design expert Mark Challen is the Vice-President of Communications for House & Home Media, where he oversees a diverse portfolio of Canadian and international design, fashion and home entertaining clients. Working with companies including Kraft, Unilever and Samsung, Mark creates custom multi-media campaigns for House & Home Magazine.
About Mark Challen
As a trends expert covering the design and style beat, Mark has appeared as a regular guest on House & Home TV, Entertainment Tonight Canada and he speaks to audiences across Canada making relevant connections between cultural shifts in design, decorating, entertainment, and celebrity culture. Prior to his work with House & Home Media, Mark has held editing and public relations positions with several prominent Canadian publications including Canadian Art, Toronto Life Fashion and Toronto Life Gardens. He has a BA in Art History and English from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and has his MA in Art History from York University.
Mark’s lively and motivational image-based talks provide audiences with up-to-the-minute meditations on the style zeitgeist, helping people to stay in the know.
As a trends expert covering the design and style beat, Mark has appeared as a regular guest on House & Home TV, Entertainment Tonight Canada and he speaks to audiences across Canada making relevant connections between cultural shifts in design, decorating, entertainment, and celebrity culture. Prior to his work with House & Home Media, Mark has held editing and public relations positions with several prominent Canadian publications including Canadian Art, Toronto Life Fashion and Toronto Life Gardens. He has a BA in Art History and English from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and has his MA in Art History from York University. Mark’s lively and motivational image-based talks provide audiences with up-to-the-minute meditations on the style zeitgeist, helping people to stay in the know.
Brent Comber, Principal Brent Comber Originals
The inspiration for my pieces stems from my connection to the basic material I use in my work. This connection has everything to do with my personal history and sense of place in the region and community in which I was born.
Modern Whistler
Whistler has some of the most beautiful homes in the world: when Kelly Deck Design was approached two years ago to design a 'modern' home in Whistler, they felt the pressure of creating something new but endearing. Kelly will discuss creative process she and her team undertook to design COmpass Pointe, their most recently completed project.
Janice Lindsay is one of Canada's leading colour designers. With a column in The Globe and Mail newspaper and a newly-published book, Janice is a sought-after colour consultant for residential, commercial, and institutional projects around the world. Born in England, Janice grew up in Stratford, Ontario and majored in art history at the University of Toronto. She began her work as a designer at the Stratford Festival, and went on to design sets and costumes across Canada. After styling for photographers and writing for House and Home magazine, she founded PINK colour & design in 1995. Janice has just launched a signature colour collection with PPG Pittsburgh® Paints.
Lynda Reeves of House & Home Media, one of Canada’s leading authorities on design & lifestyle tends.
I’m the fourth generation of my family to make my home in North Vancouver, a city situated between one of the West Coast’s busiest harbours and the backcountry forest on the slopes of the Coastal Mountain range. My first business in this community was a landscaping company. I loved the creative aspects of designing gardens as well as working with the rock, wood, soil and other raw, natural materials necessary for their construction. I acquired my knowledge of landscaping the same way I’ve learned my woodworking skills: through my hands.
While running my landscaping business I began to renovate my first home. My search for older wood appropriate to the pre-war construction of my house led me to the harbour area of North Vancouver where the demolition of the old shipyard buildings was underway. Combing through the lumber on the site, it occurred to me what a magical place this was. The touch and even the smell of the old wood evoked in me a powerful sense of history. Many years earlier, my grandfather had driven the streetcar to and from the ship yards and I suddenly had a strong mental image of him driving by, carrying a load of shipyard workers to their job. At that moment, I discovered the capacity of old wood to tell stories in its own rich and expressive language. This discovery inspired me to begin building objects from historically significant wood.
Initially, I made all of my pieces from wood that I salvaged from demolition sites around Vancouver. My material now comes from several environmentally friendly sources. But while my wood choices are in keeping with the precepts of sustainability, this is incidental rather than intentional. I simply want to use wood that best suits my purposes: unprocessed wood with cracks, bark sinews, knots, and swirling and uneven grain patterns. This type of wood is not available from most commercial wood outlets, which generally stock clear, straight-grained wood. Instead, I visit mills, lumber yards and other sources to find cast-off wood in which the lumber industry has little or no interest. For me, this is authentic wood, wood with powerful character and capable of telling the strongest and most vivid stories.
Modern WhistlerWhistler has some of the most beautiful homes in the world: when Kelly Deck Design was approached two years ago to design a 'modern' home in Whistler, they felt the pressure of creating something new but endearing. Kelly will discuss creative process she and her team undertook to design COmpass Pointe, their most recently completed project.
Janette Ewen:
Grace Kelly, Babe Paley, Coco Chanel, Talitha Getty… the list goes on and on! Ever since I can remember, style and fashion icons have shaped my life—from the clothing I wear to the parties I love to throw. After all, life is too short for one not to be fabulous!
Grace Kelly, Babe Paley, Coco Chanel, Talitha Getty… the list goes on and on! Ever since I can remember, style and fashion icons have shaped my life—from the clothing I wear to the parties I love to throw. After all, life is too short for one not to be fabulous!I strongly believe that all of us have a sense of style it sometimes just needs to be awakened and cultivated. With a little practice and an open imagination I know anyone can transform their style and their life—what could be more inspiring!
A love of the finer things has always shaped my life. From stylish home décor and elegant fashions to decadent dinner parties— I truly believe a well-lived life is the only way to live. BUT, here’s the most important part—a well-lived life is not an expensive one! With a little practice and know how I believe that everyone can live an enchanted life while never breaking the bank!
I know all of us have a sense of style it sometimes just needs to be awakened and cultivated. With a little practice and an open imagination I know anyone can transform their style and their life—what could be more inspiring!
Today, I travel (obsessively!), to style capitals such as Paris, London, NYC and Miami (thank you Aeroplan points!) sourcing and seeking inspiration. I regularly bring these tips for a “fashionable life” to Citytv viewers as a Cityline Lifestyle Expert.
In my spare time I shop for shoes, obsess over my dinner party menus and contribute to a number of style publications including The Globe and Mail.
11:00am Ralph Giannone & Pina Petricone of Giannone Petricone Associates Toronto, Canada, Presented by Azure Magazine.
Social Space: The City is in the Details
As architects committed to the general practice, Giannone Petricone relish in the richness one type of project affords another. From detailed interiors to large-scale urban design their constant search and preoccupation with cultural nuance, programmatic inflections and ideas about the city leads to spaces that can reorganize social exchanges – no matter what scale. Through the presentation of select recent projects, Giannone Petricone will unravel strategies of surface, materiality, ecology, and urban social engagement that speculate on their capacity to transform the way we live and congregate. Each project joyously indulges in the intimate details which provoke and acknowledge the city.
As architects committed to the general practice, Giannone Petricone relish in the richness one type of project affords another. From detailed interiors to large-scale urban design their constant search and preoccupation with cultural nuance, programmatic inflections and ideas about the city leads to spaces that can reorganize social exchanges – no matter what scale. Through the presentation of select recent projects, Giannone Petricone will unravel strategies of surface, materiality, ecology, and urban social engagement that speculate on their capacity to transform the way we live and congregate. Each project joyously indulges in the intimate details which provoke and acknowledge the city.
Ralph Giannone, since 1995, has been leading Giannone Petricone Associates Inc. Architects in fulfilling a vision for a diverse practice whose work, no matter what type or scale is infused with exceptional rigor in design details and an extraordinary passion for urbanism. The range of awards and international recognition for his work is testament to the strength in diversity of his practise, and how one type of project can significantly inform another. While some of Giannone Petricone Associates’ smallest projects have garnered prestigious international attention, they have also been the recipients of City of Toronto Urban Design Awards – usually reserved for large- scale projects. Re-development projects such as the award-winning Port Credit Village, Collingwood Shipyards, Don Mills Centre and all their design components ultimately allow for the fullest implementation of this world recognized expertise in architecture, urban design and programming. As author of the first LEED certified Canadian interior, Ralph Giannone has seamlessly incorporated best sustainable practices that continue to advance at every scale of production – from selection of green building techniques and materials to overarching urban strategies and enduring flexible programming models. Ralph’s expertise in urban design and building has led him to be invited to join the City of Toronto’s recently appointed Design Review Panel. Comprised of 12 leading design professionals, the panel provides independent advice to city planners in the evaluation of new urban developments and their contribution to the public realm.
Pina Petricone shares her time as Principal at the firm, and as a Professor of Architecture at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, & Design. Pina brings her unique academic and professional perspective to Giannone Associates as a defining feature of the practice, enabling her to contribute intellectual rigor and research to the firm’s projects and processes while she gives real projects academic consideration. Her creativity and love of design has led to some of the firm’s most remarkable projects including Fresh Restaurant on Queen Street, the new Centre for Ethics at the University of Toronto, and the Albergo Massimo, a new business hotel in Rome, Italy.
Pina’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Toronto in 1991, and a Master’s of Architecture degree from Princeton University completed in 1995.
Janice Lindsay is one of Canada's leading colour designers. With a column in The Globe and Mail newspaper and a newly-published book, Janice is a sought-after colour consultant for residential, commercial, and institutional projects around the world. Born in England, Janice grew up in Stratford, Ontario and majored in art history at the University of Toronto. She began her work as a designer at the Stratford Festival, and went on to design sets and costumes across Canada. After styling for photographers and writing for House and Home magazine, she founded PINK colour & design in 1995. Janice has just launched a signature colour collection with PPG Pittsburgh® Paints.Lynda Reeves of House & Home Media, one of Canada’s leading authorities on design & lifestyle tends.
Enduring Style
Trends to treasure, trend to toss. Where do home design trends come from? Which ones have legs and will be good investments for years to come? Lynda Reeves of House & Homes shares her view on decorating that defies fashion andher personal list of no - fail favourites.
He has been The Globe and Mail's design and decor editor since 2007, when he was hired to oversee the new interior design beat for the paper's weekend Style section. Prior to joining Canada's national newspaper, he was a senior editor at two of the country's leading home and garden magazines, Canadian House & Home and Gardening Life. Since starting his career in Bermuda, where he served as a lifestyle reporter for The Royal Gazette, he has also lived and worked in London and New York. Danny speaks frequently on design and decor trends and is a regular contributor to such publications as Canadian Architecture & Design.
