Features revealing the design and development of the world’s most innovative building-products.
In its 13th year, the American Lighting Association’s “Lighting for Tomorrow” competition once again sought out innovative new residential products — from bulbs and fixtures to controls — that bridge the gaps between consumer expectations, design, and energy efficiency. Among the submissions, some of the noticeable trends included an uptick in fixtures and kits that…
While there are many, many more trends to discuss — from stone-effect slabs looking even more realis tic to products being offered in thicker versions for use as outdoor pavers — we’re concluding our Cersaie show recap with a look at the category of texture and shape. Italian tile manufacturers are undoubtedly having fun in this…
Recognizing design excellence, sustainable attributes, and smart use of its products by U.S.-based a rchitects and designers, the Hansgrohe + Axor Das Design Competition celebrated its second installment with an awards ceremony in New York City last week. “This competition offers us a lens into intelligent and inspiring interiors around the country and demonstrates the range…
Worshippers at the Al Aziz Mosque in Abu Dhabi might very well be in awe of Allah not only spiritual ly, but also visually. As the sun sets, the structure’s façade comes aglow with the 99 names of God as described in the Koran, a magical display courtesy of light transmitting concrete by German company LUCEM.…
Our recap of the major trends from Cersaie continues with a look at concrete and cement influences i n Italian tile as well as both visually stunning and subtle-but-sophisticated new graphics, patterns, and artwork. WELCOME TO THE CONCRETE JUNGLEThe trend toward emulating concrete and cement in porcelain stoneware doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone in…
At a party held last night in Tribeca, New York City, paint and coatings giant Benjamin Moore reveal ed its 2016 Color of the Year. Carl Minchew, the company’s Vice President of Color Innovation and Design, said it best at the affair, “Probably a little controversial, probably a little interesting.” That’s because the Color of the Year is...
Recurring themes were aplenty at the 2015 edition of Cersaie, the preeminent international tile and bath show held in Bologna, Italy, each fall. If there was one overarching theme to sum up most of the tile trends observed, it was probably “what’s old is new, again,” though “new twists” was a close second. In either…
The Windy City’s Merchandise Mart is the home of superlatives. When it was completed in 1930, the 4. 2-million-square-foot building ranked as the biggest in the world. Today, it is still Chicago’s number one commercial building. And, within this behemoth, the 650,000-square-foot Design Center is the world’s largest venue of its type, while the separate ground-floor…
Architecture can be defined as a poetic assemblage, a collection of parts that together form spatial experience. Mosaics are similar; multiple small pieces of varied material are combined to form an image. Their application can dramatically transform architectural narratives. Generally understood as interior decoration or art, mosaics are typically made of tesserae, small square stone…