CSM and Bisley alliance

Office storage manufacturers, CSM Australia and Bisley Office furniture UK, have formed a strategic alliance.

The merger will allow the interchange of design and product development concept and provide the Bisley products to the Australian market.

Bisley is a giant in the UK and also amongst the largest office storage manufacturers in the European Union.

The merge of this international giant with Australia’s leading manufacturer in the same field is a bold move forward.

CSM has already released Bisleys revolutionary ‘Bite’, a personal mobile storage unit shaking up the Australian marketplace.

CSM
csm-office.com.au
1300 656 946

British Council call for eco-ideas

Got a big green idea? Or a sustainable business strategy?

The Big Green Idea is a new funding initiative from the British Council designed to help put eco-visionary ideas into action. Offering five grants of $10,000 to help kick-start projects, they are calling for submission ideas for addressing some of our biggest sustainability challenges while making a positive impact on the way people live.

Check out the website for full details. Deadline for submissions 4 December.

The Big Green Idea
biggreenidea.com.au

Woods Bagot opens in Shanghai

The doors swung open today to the latest Shanghai studio of international interior design and architecture powerhouse, Woods Bagot.

Being dubbed the 2009 AJ100 International practice of the year was the result of 25 years of escalating strength within the Asian region. This is yet another step.
“I am confident that the breath of talents in our Shanghai studio, together with those in our studios in Beijing and Hong Kong, will continue to deliver some of the most extraordinary and award-winning architecture designs for our clients in the region,” said Ross Donaldson, Global Executive Chairman and CEO, Woods Bagot.

Look out for the recently opened, ‘Plaza 358’ in Shanghai for an example of their high-tech creativity.

Woods Bagot
woodsbagot.com.au

Corporate Culture to hold debate on Replicas tonight

Following on from the successful Melbourne debate – "Is there any value in what interior designers do" – in July as part of the State of Design Festival, Corporate Culture will tonight be holding another debate as part of the same ‘Value’ series of events at their Sydney Showroom.

This debate will discuss the topic: ‘Is there any value in …. Replica furniture'. This debate will be a lively, spirited and fair debate that discusses both sides of the issue and attendees will hear from a diverse range speakers from the furniture, architecture, design, fashion and publishing community.

Indesign Editorial Director Paul McGillick will be presenting.

Check out the Authentic Design Alliance’s website and blog to see more and Corporate Culture’s blog.

authenticdesign.com.au

AIA announces Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards

The Australian Achievement In Architecture Awards take the personal approach

Australia’s Gold Medal for Architecture will headline a new annual award ceremony being introduced by the AIA, highlighting the achievements of industry professionals.

The National Architecture Awards have been running since 1981, showcasing the best of home grown projects based on their quality of conception, client satisfaction, environmental performance and their architectural contribution.

The Institute’s National President, Melinda Dodson hopes that the new ‘people-focused’ event will ensure a higher level of recognition for the work of the individual input on projects.

“Headlined by the Australian Gold Medal for Architecture announcement, the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards will include the Glenn Murcutt Student Prize, Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize, Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture and Dulux Study Tour winners,” Ms Dodson said.

The AIA say there is also scope for the development of new prizes recognising individuals making a contribution to the architectural profession.

The one-hour cocktail-event ceremony will be held in a different state each year from March 2010.

architecture.com.au/

Interior Design Excellence Awards 2009 winners announced.

The Interior Design Excellence Awards were announced last night (Thursday 13 November) in Sydney. Over 550 people attended the event at the Ivy Lounge in teh city CBD, congratulating 275 shortlisted entries and a selection of lucky winners.

Named as the Overall Winner was The Ivy, a collaborative project between Hecker Phelan & Guthrie, Woods Bagot and Cornwell Design.

Category winners are as follows:

Designer of the Year
Helen Kontouris

Emerging Designer
WSH Architects

Residential Single
Kensington Lighthouse, Tandem Design Studio
Highly Commended: Fig Tree Pocket House, Owen & Vokes; Brimar Court, Chris Connell Design

Residential Multi
Fjall, Hecker Phelan & Guthrie
Highly Commended: Ivy penthouse suites, Hecker Phelan & Guthrie in association with Woods Bagot and Cornwell Design

Retail
Aesop Doncaster, Ryan Russell
Highly Commended: Cascade Coil Stand – designEX 2009, HASSELL

Major Commercial
The Gauge – Bovis Lend Lease Melbourne Offices, Hecker Phelan & Guthrie in association with WHO Design and Lend Lease
Highly Commended: HASSELL Warry Street, HASSELL

Commercial under 1,000m²
Untitled, Jackson Interiors

Hospitality
The Ivy, Hecker Phelan & Guthrie in association with Woods Bagot and Cornwell Design
Highly Commended: Caffe Moda, Chris Connell Design

Product
Breathe Outdoor Lounge Collection, Helen Kontouris Design
Highly Commended: Heron Chair, Charles Wilson Design; Flint, Spaceleft for Tait

Sustainable Product
‘Freefold 02’, Freefold Furniture

Sustainable Project
HASSELL Warry Street Studio, HASSELL
Highly Commended: Green Building Council of Australia Head Office, BVN Architecture

Institutional
National Portrait Gallery, Johnson Pilton Walker
Highly Commended: Monash Architecture School, WSH Architects; Over the Front: The Great War in The Air, Freeman Ryan Design

An exhibition of shortlisted entries is on show until 22 November at Customs House, Sydney.

Thonet Photo Comp – deadline extended to 31 December 2010

Marking the 150^th birthday of their classic café chair, ‘No 14’ (known today as the '214’), Thonet is holding a worldwide photo competition.

Entrants are asked to submit photos of the '214’, with a jury selecting 214 of the best images from all submissions.

Anyone can take part in the competition with prizes including a trip to New York, and a trip to Thonet’s Frankenberg headquarters in Germany.

In addition to this, the photographers behind the 214 best photos have the opportunity to have their work featured in an anniversary publication.

The deadline has been extended, with all submissions due 31 December 2009.

Thonet
thonet.eu
214x214.com

FY2K's Clearance Sale – starts Saturday 28 Nov!

Make your way down to FY2K from Saturday 28 November for their Clearance Sale.

You'll find up to 70% off floor stock, warehouse stock, end of line and sample stock – all reduced to clear.

Plus 15% off forward orders (conditions apply).

Fantastic bargains include the 'VINCENT' table from Casamilano, 'Cherner' chairs in natural beech, Emmemobili's 'COIBA' bed, plus loads of chairs, credensas, tables and sofas.

For more information visit FY2K at 17 Thurlow Street, East Redfern, Sydney.

FY2K
(61 2) 8399 1644
fy2k.com.au

Time is running out – enter the Australian International Design Awards now!

2010 Australian International Design Awards close Tuesday, 1 December 2009.

Time is running out to submit entries in Standards Australia’s 2010 Australian International Design Awards, recognising product design and innovation excellence.

With products ranging from cars to household items and designer furniture already submitted, the 2010 field of entrants is shaping up to be an exciting showcase of Australian and international design and innovation.

Applications must be completed by Tuesday, 1 December 2010 to be in the running.

Recent winners have included Marc Newson, Herman Miller, Siemens, Konstantin Grcic, Schamburg + Alvisse, The Fire Company, Megara, and Fisher & Paykel.

Products are assessed on their individual design merits against a range of criteria including innovation, visual and emotional appeal, functionality, quality and manufacture, human factors and environmental sustainability.

By participating, companies may achieve independent design endorsement, increase their exposure to consumers, potential clients, product manufacturers and design-related businesses as well as gain international recognition and a local marketing edge.

Entry is now open to all professionally designed products on the Australian market including products designed by Australians for overseas markets.

 Enter online at designawards.com.au

 Entry closes Tuesday 1 December 2009, 5pm AEDST.

Entries submitted and completed before 13 November will be included for selection in a special BRW Magazine feature article.

Australian International Design Awards
(61 2) 9237 6090
designawards.com.au

A sneak peek of entrants in the Architecture and Interior Products category, sponsored by Indesign:

'Faraway' , Zucchetti Rubinetteria Spa,  2010 Entry

'Miele DA 5000 D Island Cooker Hood',  Miele Australia , 2010 Entry

'Be',  Formway Design , 2010 Entry

'Element Task Light',  Humanscale  and Schiavello,  2010 Entry

The Finders Keepers market in Sydney this December

The Finders Keepers market is back in Sydney by popular demand.

Back by popular demand, Sydney’s much-loved design market ‘The Finders Keepers’ will return in December.

The Spring/Summer edition of the market will be held once again at contemporary art centre CarriageWorks in Sydney’s inner west.

The market will be held over two days, Friday 4 December, 6pm – 10pm, and Saturday 5 December, 10am – 8pm.

The markets will showcase over 80 emerging designers, artists and musicians.

First round of designers have been announced including designers from all around Australia and New Zealand.

The Finders Keepers
thefinderskeepers.com