Design: Rodhus launch new creative workspace in Brighton

Rodhus Art and Design is the new creative hub for local designers and makers in Brighton. Providing studios and shared workspace, Rodhus hopes to be a thriving creative environment where designers can share their ideas and talents, as well as making use of the in-house offices, design library and gallery.   

Having seen this vast space as a fully functioning lighting factory, owner Richard Ainsworth has done wonders in transforming the interior into a fresh and exciting workspace that stays true to its industrial roots. It is great to see this industrial building continuing to be used as a creative space, rather than being sold off and developed into housing like so many other industrial sites.

Championed by non other than leading designer Sir Terence Conran, Rodhus looks to have an exciting future!

“I strongly support anything that promotes both good design and manufacturing in this country because it is vital for all our futures. For Brighton to have its own centre is an excellent idea as it is a creative hub in its own right - which is one of the main reasons why we have such a successful studio of our own there. I wish Richard Ainsworth every success with this venture and next time I am in Brighton would be delighted to visit...”

Sir Terence Conran - December 2010

Carly

Design: New career path for redundant tins!

  

Art & Culture: ‘Home’ exhibition launches Rodhus

The ‘Home’ exhibition celebrates the launch of Rodhus, a design resource centre and professional environment for designers. Set up by Richard Ainsworth, with the help of Abbi Kiki, Rodhus is a creative hub, offering workspace and professional services all under one roof.  

As part of the ‘Rodhus’ launch, the ‘Home’ exhibition showcases the work of talented designers and makers; from artwork and home accessories to lighting and furniture. The combination of the designers work all in one space creates an exciting and quirky show with an air of urban chic about it. Many of the pieces on display wouldn’t look out of place in the glossy pages of Elle Decoration, proving that local talent is thriving.

The highlights for me were Sylph Baier’s handthrown earthenware ceramics, Rachel Eardley’s quirky original drawings and Elsy and Vine’s knitted lambswool cushions, all vying to be in my home!

The ‘Home’ exhibition takes place from 21^st June until 25^th July at the Rodhus Gallery, Brighton. Check it out!

Carly Gordon

Art & Culture: Get creative with a new Niki Jones Notebook

For those of you who love journaling, writing or just doodling and like somewhere really special to do it, check out these beautiful note books from Niki Jones. The selection of great colours and patterns of the silkscreen printed covers gives them their beauty and the textured pages of the recycled paper gives them a rustic and vintage feel. They are handmade, stitched and bound in India, so each one is unique.

They are 20 x 17 cm, perfect for slotting in your handbag and carrying with you where ever you go and they have 100 pages, so lots of space for really getting stuck in.

These notebooks will surely ignite your creativity and inspire you to do your best work.

Lydia Vine

Design: London Jewellery Week 2010 goes Ethical

As part of London Jewellery Week, Treasure is hosting an exciting jewellery exhibition showcasing collections from Britain’s up and coming jewellery designers. This year the event hopes to raise the profile of the emerging ethical jewellery movement with Essence Ethical Jewellery Pavilion. Essence will act as a platform for eight ethical designers who share the vision that sustainable products do not have to sacrifice design or quality, including collections by Fifi Bijoux, Choo Yilin and Leblas.

The event will also hold a series of debates, presentations and seminars with industry professionals, highlighting the ethical issues faced by the industry and consumers today.

London Jewellery Week takes place from the 7th – 13^th of June 2010 with events across the capital.

Carly Gordon

Design: ANNE KYYRÖ QUINN – INNOVATION IN FELT

Anne Kyyrö Quinn creates interior textile design installations from natural felt; cut, sewn and assembled by hand into huge, structural designs which echo sinuous wave forms and organic patterns. She also makes smaller interior design items such as runners, screens and cushions, all with her trademark style of three-dimensional patterning - loops, pleats and twists of felt in rich, bright colours.

A particularly impressive installation can be seen at the Iceworks in Camden (pictured) created in collaboration with artist Francesco Draisci, where a set of huge felt curtains running on electronic track help to cleverly bring down noise levels in quiet spaces, and to protect projector equipment when not in use. As the curtain expands, a honeycomb structure is revealed, with surprising flashes of bright colour in contrasting fabrics and textures.

If this inspires you, and a giant commissioned wall piece is beyond your budget, you can always have a go yourself at home with the help of Anna's book Felt Furnishing, featuring 25 contemporary felt design projects for you to try - available to buy from Amazon.

See more of Anne Kyyrö Quinn's work on the studio website.

Sophy Colbert

Design: LAZERIAN BRAVAIS ARMCHAIR AND RADIOLARIAN SOFA – A GEOMETRIC CARDBOARD FANTASY

Naturally occurring geometric structural formations, such as wasp nests, have informed the design of this beautiful cardboard chair and sofa.

Cardboard is an incredibly strong and surprisingly durable material. It has a soft and tactile surface, which gives it a warm quality. For designers, it also presents a pleasing contradiction - a disposable packaging material that is actually very tough and long lasting.

The designers at Lazerian have really let rip with these creations - a geometric frenzy comprising hundreds of components, each hand cut and glued into position. The shapes appeal to the sci-fi nerd in me - I can picture some kind of alien overlord sprawled in the throne-like armchair, yet the texture and colour of the cardboard give warmth and a humanity which nicely balances the harsh, angular shapes. A fairly hefty price tag certainly negates any disposable connotations associated with cardboard - after parting with this kind of money I would love and cherish these pieces for a very long time indeed!

The Bravais armchair and Radiolarian sofa are available to buy direct from Lazerian.

Sophy Colbert