Synapse Side Chair by Teknion at IIDEX/NeoCon 2008.
I recently touched upon the Canadian green loving folks at Teknion when I wrote about my meeting with their team and the Green Solutions crew at IIDEX/NeoCon.
If you’re an Interior Designer and/or Architect actively working the field, you’re undoubtedly familiar with Teknion’s solid reputation as one of the leading international designers, manufacturers and marketers of office systems and related furniture products. However, are you aware of how fiercely green these folks are? And that they’ve been upping their sustainable status for a long time [way before “green” became a buzz word]?
Well, I was actually in the dark about how committed they are to their eco-conscious philosophy, so I was thrilled to hear all about it first hand during my meeting with their amazing PR team [a finely tuned marketing machine if I ever saw one; and hey, I worked in Public Relations for years, so I know good PR!]. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Teknion’s Loraine Buyar, Cynthia Kirkland Odell and Christine Krokker — all of them super friendly and passionate about green design and sustainable solutions. It was quite inspiring to hear about Teknion’s green efforts and to be introduced to their amazing Synapse creation, which made its Canadian debut at this Toronto edition of IIDEX/NeoCon. I was also extremely pleased to hear that Teknion is the first furniture manufacturer to partner with Green Solutions.
Of course, I also won’t soon forget the experience of sitting in their mind-blowing, award-winning booth for our meeting, or attending one of their annual legendary trade only bashes later that evening [they’re green AND they know who to throw a fabulous party, thus scoring them even bigger points with me!]. Sadly, my camera’s flash wasn’t enough to illuminate the festivities, but trust me, it was unforgettable. Complete with a live band and Teknion’s very own President, David Feldberg, belting out some great tunes on stage [and deservedly so, as the company is celebrating its 25 year anniversary!]. People danced their design loving booties off ‘till the wee hours and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Teknion’s eco-friendly Synapse side chair made quite the splash at the trade show, not only with its sleek and modern look, but also with its strong sustainable story. Industrial Designer Carl Gustav Magnusson explains: “My design inspiration was a conflux of the 1960s work of the Danish architect Borge Mogensen and today’s advanced metal-to-wood connection techniques, [resulting in] a modern wooden side chair that combines traditional wood joinery and unique construction to meet today’s increasingly demanding seating sustainability requirements.”
Synapse’s minimal frame is made with sustainably sourced solid Solid Beech or Maple, but what skyrockets its eco-status in my books, is the responsible thought put into its design aimed at low-impact transport and quick installation. Since it can be shipped flat in a carton, the chair requires only one-third the space, thus maximizing shipping and installation efficiencies and ensuring that it assembles on site in less than five minutes. For a detailed diagram of Synapse in its dismantled state, check out the vivid images in their brochure here.
Synapse also minimizes its use of materials by being comprised of only five parts, all of which are replaceable or interchangeable, thus allowing quick replacements in the field, or the option of having independent pieces recycled. From an aesthetic point of view, it also gives one the opportunity to combine different finishes on the same chair if desired. To top it all off, the chair’s non-anodized aluminum seat frame can easily be removed for reuse or recycling.
Smart, flexible and super green. What’s not to love? I’m already looking forward to what they’ll wow us with next year.
Valcucine: Hability Kitchen
Given my Summer hiatus, it’s been a while since I’ve written about my fierce love for Valcucine, the hot Italian pioneers of modern eco kitchen design. They’re one of my favourite kitchen manufacturers and definitely satisfy my need for what I like to call “kitchen porn.” You think I’m exaggerating? Seriously. If you’re a design fetishist and have a special place in your modern heart for cutting edge kitchens, you could literally spend hours drooling over the eco beauties on the Valcucine site.
Furthering my love for their clean designs is the fact that they rank highly on all eco fronts, from production to post consumer use. Most of their pieces are designed with end of life recycling in mind. They’ve even been known to encourage the return of some models when customers are ready to make a switch, just so Valcucine can recycle the units themselves. You can read more about their eco philosophy and practices here or in my first Valcucine post here.
This time Valcucine’s sleek Hability Kitchen has caught my eye, a brilliantly designed space that is universally accessible and created with the wheelchair user in mind. As with the kitchen featured in the canühome exhibit at this year’s Green Living Show in Toronto, I am doubly excited when both eco responsibility and universal access are the priorities. Triple if it’s beautifully done — and this is definitely the case with Hability.
Of course, this smart kitchen can be used by anyone, but Valcucine’s site explains that Hability “provides freedom and ease to the differently-abled cook” and that the winning secret is “Easy Food, a work top cast in a single stainless steel die that allows the wheelchair user to wash, drain, chop and cook at one east-to-clean workstation.”
The clever work top is equipped with removable dish drainers and transportable sinks, along with a self-cleaning system that conveys water to the service sink. This thoughtfully allows the cook to have both hands free to fully enjoy cooking. Valcucine touts Hability as not only sustainable and universally accessible, but also “ergonomically accurate.”
So are ya hooked yet? Uh huh. I knew you would be.
![Recycled Aluminum Bark Vases @ VivaTerra.
Bark is really hot right now. Seriously. The idea of bringing the outdoors in has been a décor trend for a couple of years now, but currently, the textural and whimsical aspects have become more prominent. Nothing says nature like bark – or any type of forest imagery for that matter. However, it’s vital to restrain yourself when incorporating these natural elements. Remember that it’s more about making a fun and graphic statement, rather than a literal one. Otherwise you’ll end up with a dark, depressing, wood-filled 70’s rec-room – and I’ve seen enough of those in residential basements to last a life time.
If you’ve got the January 2008 issue of Canadian House & Home Magazine, check out page 66 for the “Forest” scheme, cited as one of the Top 10 Trends of 2008 for the home [and predicted to continue well on into 2009]. They don’t have their article on-line, but Toronto’s popular lifestyle show, CityLine on CityTV, recently covered these trends and has some photos of the “Forest” theme here. It’s a good example of the trend, though I’d probably eliminate one of those tables. Restrain, design lovahs, restrain…
Back to the eco.hip vases featured above: Artisans have taken recycled aluminum and craftily molded it into shape, carefully capturing the authentic look of birch — right down to its delicate paper-like texture and intricate veins. Another successful case of modern meets organic in the world of eco.chic.](http://26.media.tumblr.com/JEVcJTTe64vjxpo50T35xTR4_500.jpg)
Recycled Aluminum Bark Vases @ VivaTerra.
Bark is really hot right now. Seriously. The idea of bringing the outdoors in has been a décor trend for a couple of years now, but currently, the textural and whimsical aspects have become more prominent. Nothing says nature like bark – or any type of forest imagery for that matter. However, it’s vital to restrain yourself when incorporating these natural elements. Remember that it’s more about making a fun and graphic statement, rather than a literal one. Otherwise you’ll end up with a dark, depressing, wood-filled 70’s rec-room – and I’ve seen enough of those in residential basements to last a life time.
If you’ve got the January 2008 issue of Canadian House & Home Magazine, check out page 66 for the “Forest” scheme, cited as one of the Top 10 Trends of 2008 for the home [and predicted to continue well on into 2009]. They don’t have their article on-line, but Toronto’s popular lifestyle show, CityLine on CityTV, recently covered these trends and has some photos of the “Forest” theme here. It’s a good example of the trend, though I’d probably eliminate one of those tables. Restrain, design lovahs, restrain…
Back to the eco.hip vases featured above: Artisans have taken recycled aluminum and craftily molded it into shape, carefully capturing the authentic look of birch — right down to its delicate paper-like texture and intricate veins. Another successful case of modern meets organic in the world of eco.chic.
Recycled Aluminum Bark Candlesticks @ VivaTerra.
These fun candlesticks would look great on a dining table, whether you’re enhancing an urban country theme or just throwing them in for a whimsical touch to your modern space. Contrasting a clean-lined background with organic art can really add life to a room, and in the case of these candlesticks, can also be a great conversation piece at the table.
![orange22 Botanist Flow Tables @ Design Public.
These versatile and modern tables from orange22 are enviro.friendly from start to finish. They’re made with a single piece of aluminum, cut and bent into shape.
Their site explains that not only is aluminum one of the largest recyclable materials in the world, but “the energy required to recycle aluminum is only 5 percent of that used to produce aluminum from its original source, bauxite ores”.
To up the eco.points on these tables, orange22 uses the process of VOC-free powdercoating versus liquid paint, so the finish on these beauties in completely non-toxic.
If you prefer an organic look, any of these pieces can be faced with a wood veneer instead [shown above] — plenty of finish options all around. Their bench version can also be fitted with a removable pad for comfortable seating.
::more orange22 products here::](http://28.media.tumblr.com/JEVcJTTe64krsa4qdKfyetHk_r1_500.jpg)
orange22 Botanist Flow Tables @ Design Public.
These versatile and modern tables from orange22 are enviro.friendly from start to finish. They’re made with a single piece of aluminum, cut and bent into shape.
Their site explains that not only is aluminum one of the largest recyclable materials in the world, but “the energy required to recycle aluminum is only 5 percent of that used to produce aluminum from its original source, bauxite ores”.
To up the eco.points on these tables, orange22 uses the process of VOC-free powdercoating versus liquid paint, so the finish on these beauties in completely non-toxic.
If you prefer an organic look, any of these pieces can be faced with a wood veneer instead [shown above] — plenty of finish options all around. Their bench version can also be fitted with a removable pad for comfortable seating.
![orange22 Botanist Flow Tables @ Design Public.
I seem to be on a roll with finding unique orange pieces. They’ve been popular for a while and as a designer I see orange showcased in many showrooms and hospitality/retail venues — even in clothing trends — but I’m still not seeing a lot of it in residential projects. I can understand the hesitation for a homeowner, though, as it really is a step in a bold direction [and a challenge for so many who won’t bust out of the beige box].](http://26.media.tumblr.com/JEVcJTTe64krexf3khABUt9X_500.jpg)
orange22 Botanist Flow Tables @ Design Public.
I seem to be on a roll with finding unique orange pieces. They’ve been popular for a while and as a designer I see orange showcased in many showrooms and hospitality/retail venues — even in clothing trends — but I’m still not seeing a lot of it in residential projects. I can understand the hesitation for a homeowner, though, as it really is a step in a bold direction [and a challenge for so many who won’t bust out of the beige box].
orange22 Botanist Flow Tables @ Design Public.
A fun shot of the many finishes available for these versatile cocktail and end tables, which can be configured to cross-stack on top of each other in a myriad of ways.
