Metropolis Magazine - Metropolis Magazine March 2013
Shapeshifter
Philippine Lemaire’s four-part Itisy table can change to fit a variety of uses and spaces.
Using Data in Drawings: Inside Niels Diffrient’s Creative Process
By drawing complex diagrams of our bodies, the designer Niels Diffrient transforms constraints into sources of creativity.
By drawing complex diagrams of our bodies, the designer transforms constraints into sources of creativity.
The “Research” in Architecture Research Office Is No Joke
Having reached architectural early middle-age (e.g. 50), ARO now seems poised for greatness.
Having reached architectural early middle-age, ARO now seems poised for greatness.
Olson Kundig Transforms Vacant Storefront Into Brainstorming Space
Serving as an informal R&D lab, Olson Kundig's street-front exhibition space helps them interact with the public and discover new paths to creativity.
Serving as an informal R&D lab, the firm’s street-front exhibition space helps them interact with the public and discover new paths to creativity.
On Glenn Beck and America’s Climate Change Divide
Glenn Beck's new novel makes clear the huge divide between those who think planning may forestall the apocalypse and those who think it will bring it about.
The right-wing crackpot doesn’t realize who he’s borrowing from.
When Feeling Inspired, John Pawson Reaches for a Camera, not a Pen
Instead of the sketchpad, the master of minimalism uses photography as a tool for both ideation and communication.
Instead of the sketchpad, the master of minimalism uses photography as a tool for both inspiration and communication.
Architect-Turned Designer Alan Bertreau Launches Objekten
The new products that Berteau introduced under his own label, Objekten, are simple, user-friendly, and targeted to a middle-range market.
Alain Berteau’s Objekten line convinces customers to balance cost with quality.
Piero Lissoni Is Piero Lissoni’s Toughest Client
The Italian architect might take two hours to draw a house or a chair, and then spend years methodically refining it.
The architect might take two hours to draw a house or a chair, and then spend two years methodically refining it.
A Design Award That Rewards Urban Play
The Playable City Award celebrates fun ways to engage with urban environments and the responsive technologies that make them possible.
The Playable City Award envisions fun ways to engage with urban environments.
The Creative Process | Material Choices – Scholten & Baijings
The designers plunge into the technicalities of pigment and production to suggest bold new directions for an entire industry.
Chicago Nonprofit Launches Furniture-Production Shop
Rebuilding Exchange's new initiative brings construction waste, craft knowledge, and the local community together.
Rebuilding Exchange brings construction waste and the local community together.
Inside Outside: Designing Textiles As Extensions of Architectural Thinking
Inside Outside, led by Dutch designer Petra Blaisse, shapes its stunning textiles through a constant dialogue with its collaborators.
Inside Outside shapes its stunning textiles through a constant dialogue with its collaborators.
Benjamin Hubert Mashes up the “Super Man-Made” With Old Craft
The young London designer has built his practice based on a research-led process that emphasizes materiality and tactility.
Benjamin Hubert has built his practice based on a research-led process.
Morning Watercolors: Inside Steven Holl’s Creative Process
For visualizing concepts and pulling all aspects of a project together, the architect is a firm believer in the art of the watercolor.
For visualizing concepts and pulling all aspects of a project together, the architect is a firm believer in the art of the watercolor.
Sao Paolo’s Modernist Buildings: Beautiful & Soulless
A chunk of São Paulo’s soul is missing in its modernist buildings. Starchitecture has nothing to do with effective place-making.
A recent trip to São Paulo has our editor in chief thinking about the nature of cities.
The Iterative Evolution of Jeffrey Bernett’s Landscape Chair
By responding to market and user feedback, the designer created three distinct versions of his now classic chaise lounge.
By responding to market and user feedback, the designer created three distinct versions of his now classic chaise lounge.
Obsessive Model-Making: Inside OMA NYC’s Creative Process
The firm takes free-form trial and error to almost dizzying heights before locking onto a final direction.
The firm takes free-form trial and error to almost dizzying heights before locking onto a final direction.
A Wall Surface That Emits Light and Absorbs Noise
Philips and Kvadrat join forces to integrate LED displays that combat the "acoustic smog" problem common in offices, hotels, and airport lounges.
Philips and Kvadrat join forces to integrate LED displays into a noise-absorbing panel.
