Archinect - News

Archinect talks wtih Ivan Blanco, winner of the LA Film Festival Director's Lounge Design Competition

2013-05-14T18:55:00-04:00

Each summer Downtown Los Angeles is home to one of the most creatively-energized film festivals - The Los Angeles Film Festival. This year the festival, hosted by Film Independent, will be taking place from June 13-23. Archinect had the honor to co-host a competition to design the VIP Director's Lounge for this year's event, alongside Film Independent and Designer Pages, with an esteemed jury consisting of director Alexei Tylevich (Logan & Sons/LOGAN); architect Barbara Bestor (Bestor Architecture); actor Nick Offerman; Kimberly Brooks, from Huffington Post Arts; Megan Reilly, from westedge Design Fair; and architect Shawn Gehle (Gensler).

We talked to Ivan Blanco, designer of the competition-winning entry. Ivan heads LA-based multi-disciplinary design studio Blnko Design Labs.

What is your professional background? Where did you study?

Ivan Blanco: My professional background is a bit varied. I went to Architecture school at USC. However, before, during and after that I have ...

INABA Completes Red Bull Music Academy New York

2013-05-13T20:18:00-04:00

Jeffrey Inaba’s firm INABA was commissioned by Red Bull Music Academy to transform four floors of a vacant building in New York's Chelsea neighborhood into a model learning environment. INABA has used dramatic walls and lighting to create unique collaborative work areas in place of the traditional classroom.

Curving walls throughout the 38,000 square foot forum give shape to the distinct spaces. On the ground level the walls extend far into the former warehouse allowing passersby and users unrestricted views across the floor. They reveal a cross section of the types of activity taking place which include performances, private workshops, music production and broadcasting, aimed at making a statement that the space is different in its use from the shops, galleries, and cafés of the area. Below, on the cellar level, the arcing walls of the capsule-shaped lounge are interrupted only to establish long views from the recording studio located at the south end to the open-air patio ...

Only 4 more days to enter the LA Film Festival Design Competition! And we've got a new celebrity judge!

2013-04-09T17:06:00-04:00

As we previously announced, we've partnered up with the LA Film Festival and Designer Pages to host a competition to design the interiors and layout of this year's VIP Director's Lounge at the LA Film Festival. There are only a few days left until the deadline, but don't fret, you can still submit a winning entry!

We're looking for creative solutions to the design problem described in the brief. The winner will be selected both on his/her proposal, AND also his/her experience and previous work as displayed on his/her Archinect profile. If you have a killer portfolio, and some good ideas, we encourage you to submit! The winner will be prominently displayed among a very prestigious group of wealthy and creative people in the entertainment industry, which is a pretty sweet place to market your design skills.

More information can be found on the competition website: competition.lafilmfest.com

Questions? Send to lafilm@designerpages.com

Oh, one more thing, we've just added a ne...

Announcing the 2013 LA Film Festival Director's Lounge Design Competition, co-hosted by Archinect

2013-03-27T14:56:00-04:00

We're excited to announce a competition we're co-hosting with Designer Pages and the LA Film Festival. This competition seeks proposals for the interior design/layout of the VIP Director's Lounge for this year's LA Film Festival.

The winner will have their design executed, with a cash prize and an "Industry Badge" pass to the LA Film Festival in June. The winner's designs will also be on display in the director's lounge throughout the festival, which will be seen by many of the entertainment industry's most influential and respected members (hint: pretty amazing source for new clients).

Take a look at the website for the full details - competition.lafilmfest.com

Navarra, Spain Welcomes Redesigned Parliament

2013-03-25T15:48:00-04:00

A previously historic government building has now become the centre of the Parliament of Navarra, Spain. Designed by Otxotorena Arquitectos, the redevelopment project was part of plans to restore the 19th century Audiencia Building of Pamplona. Covering 11,062 square metres, the €9 million redevelopment project has drawn attention for its architectural aesthetics which incorporate a new glass skin into the parliament building.

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Interiors" Pinterest Board

2013-03-15T17:00:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Interiors.

↑ Secondary School, Braamcamp Freire Pontinha in Lisbon, Portugal by cvdb arquitectos; Photo: invisiblegentleman.com

↑ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Copenhagen, Denmark by 3XN architects; Translucent Ceiling Panels: Hunter Douglas Contract

↑ Brooklyn Rowhouse II in Brooklyn, NY by Robinson + Grisaru Architecture PC; Photo: Catherine Tighe

↑ Brooks Residence in Venice, CA by Duvivier Architects (team member: Tina Hovsepian)

↑ Warren Street Townhouse in Brooklyn, NY by Resolution: 4 Architecture

↑ Buddhist Retreat in Grover, UT by Imbue Design

↑ Shopbop in New York, NY by SHoP Architects

↑ Bellport Residence in Bellport, NY by Calvert Wright Architecture | Spatial Discipline; Photo: ...

Michael Graves, Joey Shimoda & others Honored at 34th Annual Interiors Awards

2013-01-28T19:08:00-05:00

The winners of the 34th Annual Interiors Awards, presented by Contract magazine, have been unveiled. Besides the top entries in each of 13 project categories, ranging from large and small offices to public space and adaptive re-use, the jury also chose LA-based architect and designer Joey Shimoda as recipient of the 2013 Designer of the Year Award. The 2013 Legend Award was bestowed upon Michael Graves.

The Raw Design Movement for Interior Design

2013-01-21T14:07:00-05:00

In an industry constantly pursuing innovative design that is both environmentally and ethically sound, the implementation of raw materials is directing interior design in 2013. Natural materials are being sourced and taking on new forms as designers reinvent familiar items with sustainable credentials.

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Interiors" Pinterest Board

2013-01-04T15:00:00-05:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Interiors.

↑ Rome Residence in Los Angeles, CA by Fung + Blatt Architects

↑ Fifth Avenue Duplex Penthouse in New York, NY by SPG Architects

↑ Gymnasium Regis Racine in Drancy, France by ATELIER D'ARCHITECTURE ALEXANDRE DREYSSÉ & Sébastien Muller (Photo: Guillaume Clement / Atelier Dreyssé)

↑ Cultural Centre in Cartaxo, Portugal by cvdb arquitectos (Photo: FG + SG Fernando Guerra e Sérgio Guerra)

↑ The Clock Tower in Brooklyn, NY by Minimal. USA

↑ KAUST Offices in Arlington, VA by STUDIOS Architecture (Photo: Bilyana Dimitrova Photography)

↑ Workshop kitchen + bar in Palm Springs, CA by .PSLAB

↑ Residence in Santa Monica, CA by JENDRETZKI LLC

↑ Historical apartment in Bologna, Italy by S...

LAVA designs spaces for 1920s cabaret theatre in found in Berlin

2012-12-04T11:34:00-05:00

LAVA is creating the new interior spaces for an old cabaret theatre dating from the 1920s.

The abandoned cabaret theatre has been recently uncovered in the heart of Berlin.

Built in 1905, the three level musical hall and restaurant has been buried in 30 tonnes of rubble since 1934 when it closed.

Dirk Moritz [Moritz Gruppe] stumbled upon the abandoned three-storey building located behind a courtyard in the former communist east of the city. It had a grand ballroom, a 300 square metre theatre, wall paintings and metres-high stuccoed ceilings and was designed by famous Berliner businessman/architect Oscar Garbe.

The SECRET GARDEN will comprise spaces for small-scale performances and exhibitions, studios, meetings and conferences, luxury apartments for short term and executive rental and a new penthouse on top of the building.

Historic preservation, fire protection and modern comfort levels are considerations. State-of-the-art technology will create a very special us...

History Honoured in German Retail Centre Revamp

2012-11-30T15:03:00-05:00

Modern retailers go to extremes to make their mark and compete within an increasingly competitive market. This often goes beyond out the box design ideals such as virtual retail or smartphone-based shopping processes.

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Interiors" Pinterest Board

2012-11-09T17:55:00-05:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Interiors.

↑ Black & White House in Kuwait City, Kuwait by AGi architects

↑ BAMScape in Berkeley, CA by Faulders Studio (team member: Sean McGuire)

↑ Gansett in Amagansett, NY by Martin Architects PC

↑ Apartment in Hoboken, NJ by Vanessa DeLeon Associates

↑ Summer House in Páros, Greece by Alexandros Logodotis / Logodotis – Art to fit (Photo: Nikolareizi Ioanna)

↑ KONOBA in Mahé, Seychelles by ALBERT ANGEL STUDIO

↑ Schwartz & Benjamin in New York, NY by BR Design Associates

↑ Hollywood Hills Residence in Los Angeles, CA by Griffin Enright Architects

↑ Condé Nast Office in Beijing, China by VEP DESIGN (team member: Viviana Wang)

(Cover pic: Qualm HQ in Rozenburg, the Netherlands by Stu...

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Interiors" Pinterest Board

2012-08-03T15:52:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Interiors.

↑ Earl's Gourmet in Los Angeles, CA by FreelandBuck

↑ Beijing Planetarium in Beijing, China by amphibianArc

↑ J-Pop Culture Center in San Francisco, CA by Kwan Henmi Architecture Planning

↑ Winthrop Road in Boston, MA by Butz Klug Architecture

↑ Saifi Residence Staircase in Beirut, Lebanon by .PSLAB

↑ Ozuluama Residence in Mexico City, Mexico by Architects Collective

↑ MNA Office and Design Studio in New York, NY by Michael Neumann Architecture

↑ Garden Pavilion in Seattle, WA by Kim Mankoski

↑ Soho Development in New York, NY by John Szot

(Cover pic: Archohm Studio in New Delhi, India by Archohm)

Click here to see more "Ten Top Images on Archinect's Pinterest Boards"...

Granada Store Reform by A-cero

2012-07-18T14:59:00-04:00

Spanish architects A-cero have sent us photos of one of their latest projects: a catchy store design with bold colorblocking for the footwear brand Camper's first store in Granada, Spain.

Jacob Slevin sums up NeoCon 2012

2012-06-28T17:09:00-04:00

I'm not an analyst nor economist, but my observations are as follows: 1. Private-sector construction as a percentage of total construction appears robust considering the state of our economy. 2. Without question, digital content consumption is no longer the future, but rather the present. More interesting, there are nearly more architects and designers consuming content on their mobile devices than in magazines.

Designer Pages' CEO Jacob Slevin summarizes this year's NeoCon for HuffPo with video coverage, interesting attendee demographic data, and some of his personal favorite stand-outs.

Ten Top Images on Archinect's "Interiors" Pinterest Board

2012-05-04T14:00:00-04:00

In case you haven't checked out Archinect's Pinterest boards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various Archinect Firm and People profiles.

Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the board Interiors.

↑ Coffee Bar Montgomery Street in San Francisco, CA by jones | haydu

↑ Lakeside House in Kent, NY by Resolution: 4 Architecture (Photo: Floto + Warner)

↑ National Olympic Committee House in Tbilisi, Georgia by Architects of Invention (Photo: Nakanimamasakhlisi Photo Lab, Nika Mdivani, I. Kopocova)

↑ The Standard NY Hotel in New York, NY by Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors

↑ Foyer design inside the Oslo Opera House in Oslo, Norway by Olafur Eliasson (Photo: Katherine York)

↑ Signal–Return in Detroit, MI by M1/DTW

↑ Infinity Chapel in New York, NY by Hanrahan Meyers Architects

↑ Casa Estudio in Mexico City, Mexico by Taller de Arquitectura

↑ Dune Road Residence in Br...

Inside Apple HQ

2012-04-06T19:38:00-04:00

Insiders call it the Mothership. It’s Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, and to Apple fans, it’s a place thought of with romance and wonder. Only the privileged elect have ever been deep within its most secretive recesses, but after an extensive search, I turned up more than 30 inside pictures that Apple probably doesn’t want you to see.

Wow, for all the effort put into Apple's product design, I would expect a little more for their workplace.

'Mad Men': The story behind Don Draper's new digs

2012-04-06T11:39:00-04:00

Apartment 17-B, right, set decorator Claudette Didul said, is "in a high-rise that feels like it was built in 1960 with a white-carpeted sunken living room and a fascinating fireplace and a Case Study-style kitchen with two pass through windows." It also sports walnut cabinetry with a built-in television set and one of those new-fangled-for-the-time push-button phones.

How Roger Thomas Redesigned Las Vegas

2012-03-19T11:29:00-04:00

Wynn’s hotels are famous for having brought a luxurious, five-star approach to Vegas. But their real achievement may be psychological: they have remade the architecture of gaming itself. The received wisdom of modern casino design was codified by a former gambling addict named Bill Friedman in his book “Designing Casinos to Dominate the Competition.”

Jonah Lehrer pens a piece in this week’s issue of the New Yorker, in which he visits Roger Thomas, the head of design at Wynn Resorts, who has revolutionized casino design in Las Vegas.

Pratt Institute Student Wins 2012 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship

2012-02-23T14:39:00-05:00

Tina Uznanski, a student in the interior design program at the Pratt Institute, has recently been announced as winner of the 2012 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship competition. Along with this award, Tina will receive an academic scholarship and a summer 2012 internship with Gensler’s London office.

Deyan Sudjic's London Spacecraft, 1985

2011-12-29T12:28:39-05:00

British journalist and author (then) and now Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic's awesome London loft, designed by Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick. It actually itself looks like a small Design Museum itself, or a spaceship that's been travelling around galaxies, curating.

Inside David Lynch's Paris nightclub

2011-09-06T14:05:31-04:00

... the place is inspired by the deeply strange Club Silencio in Mulholland Drive. Everything from the toilet bowls – black on black – to the saltiness of the nuts on the bar was decided on by the master himself. He even created the 1950s-inspired furniture, the chairs designed to "induce and sustain a specific state of alertness and openness to the unknown". This is Lynch's answer to Warhol's Factory, the existentialists' Café Flore, the dadaists' Cabaret Voltaire.

David Lynch has opened his private nightclub in Paris, which he designed.

Sixth Annual Design Is… Award Winners Announced

2011-08-22T14:53:17-04:00

In its sixth year, the Shaw Contract Group Design Is… Award program honored oustanding projects by architecture and design firms. Through these winning projects, selected from commercial and hospitality spaces from around the globe, design is teaching, inspiring, healing, and uniting.

An Illusion of Familiarity

2011-07-19T18:06:42-04:00

Based upon the woman's story and Moulin's research, Mabon and Hayes constructed a film-style set for the chronic déjà vu sufferer, complete with marks on the floors, visual instructions and specially-designed objects. They also created a very detailed schedule to give a feeling of continuity and help the woman go through the day with as few surprises (hence risks of déjà vu) as possible.