Residences et al. Chapter 5: Homes in space are oddities?

Image above: Photo-collage with the help of: 

http://more-sky.com/data/out/12/IMG_564930.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/BestPhotosCrete/photos/a.1614153178804433.1073741828.1614148718804879/1896946517191763/?type=3&theater

http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=RESOURCE&cresrc=4939&cnode=180

The exploration of other planets is already a reality, not just an endeavor. Robotic vessels travelled up to Pluto, reaching its surface but human ambition and curiosity do not stop there. The colonization of planets -(not just with current space stations for experiments), designed to actually host civilians-not in scientific centers/ shelters but in habitats- will reach the next level the decades post 2020. Thus includes intersection of many advanced technologies, supported by the human, emotional intelligence to actually create something out of nothing: this is what we refer to as avant-garde.   

Planet Earth continues to be regarded as the ultimate platform for the most extravagant or alien – residential, architectural attempts: our real and only home,  that provides for us, in order to design and build suitable houses for humans. Soon enough though, because of human negligence and ill will, our blue planet is getting to a crucial point, regarding  its survival. Which are the biggest myths about finding a way to install housing units in other planets, once we reach them, explore them and colonize them? Here is a short account of some actual issues and facts on building houses in space, now- at a glance: 

1. We are accustomed of seeing igloo-shaped constructions in major Hollywood films, as the temporary residences of the heroes-astronauts. The truth is though, that a home in space in a reachable planet like Moon, Mars or even Jupiter will be designed to be subterranean, almost entirely- to avoid the effects of radiation on its occupants and also to use energy from geothermal or other forms of fossil, subsoil sources. Solar energy can not be considered as adequate or such, for instance after Jupiter, we cannot count on solar panels for energy, since solar power drops significantly because of the Sun distance). 

2. Water recycling is fundamental and totally achievable, up to 95%, since all the known planets in our system do not have drinkable water. Water is also heavy to carry in an expedition, therefore ergonomically non-feasible because of disposables (bottles, containers etc). In a space residence all water consumption is done and recycled as clear, drinkable, usable water by current, toilet-filtering, super advanced technology- already applied in the space station located on the Moon.  Fecal matter is equally recycled and managed as solid waste, with NASA still searching for more sustainable future solutions  to the subject.  

3. Throughout history, engineers, designers and architects, had to struggle with the transport of really heavy construction materials for buildings. In space there is no gravity, so while the mass remains unaltered, weight drops to 1/3 of its equivalent on earth. Smart architecture in space has an extra facility, the fact that levers and cranes  for huge weights are not really needed.  

4. Physical and mental well-being are very important for every resident of a contemporary home. In space, applications for self-diagnosis are already established, in order to prevent health conditions (provided that the hospital is not exactly at close range!). Micro-cultivations in vitro are also possible in the space home of the future, since the portion-control food supply in space is highly nutritious to say the least- but Spartan for the time being. 

5. Refraction and defraction of light on earth, change dramatically once you live in outer space. The lighting design of a residence on a different planet is also a challenge, since once in universe's total darkness the light source does NOT diffuse at all and the light positioning inside and outside the space residence needs to be thoughtfully planned. 

So, what do you think? Are you ready to relocate? -)) 

Warmest regards* 

*A4D-D4A  

FEBRUARY NEWS....

A fresh round of exhibitions, corporate events, international fairs, workshops and online presences....all running from this month and onwards, or scheduled to be up shortly...
Keep note:

1. The MUDE (central image above): Fashion and Design Museum of Portugal in Lisbon is closed due to an entire renovation of its central building, since last November. Nevertheless, ongoing events and exhibitions related to its content and mission, are happening all over the Portuguese capital, such as Grafic City: an exhibition that strongly reveals the urban, advertising and typographic identity of Lisbon...Up until the 18th of March 2017, get all relevant info by following the link:

http://www.mude.pt/exposicoes/grafic-city_76.html

2. Design Museum, London, UK presents a brave exhibition with the opportunity of Beazley Designs of the Year contest. Six design categories (Design/Architecture: Better Shelter, plus Graphic/Product/ Fashion/Transport Design) and their prominent winners, impose the way of the future on the design map. Book your tickets until the 19th of February 2017:

http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/beazley-designs-of-the-year

3. The following, crucially important, four exhibitions concentrating on contemporary jewellery- are fundamental for every designer, maker, gallery owner, trader and collector: a. Astonish at Schmuck 2017, in Munich, Germany b. Artistar in Milan, Italy c. 20:20 Visions in Lincolnshire, UK d. handiCRAFT at the MAK, Vienna, Austria. Check all details, maifestos and programs bellow, (some of the above extend up to April 2017):

https://astonishidaroberstein.wordpress.com/ 

http://www.artistar.it/#&panel1-6

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#2020-visions

http://www.mak.at/handicraft

4. Care to finally learn how to knit by the best? Anxious to seriously master geometry combined with the craft of paper folding? Kristen McDonnell (STUDIO KNIT) and Paul Jackson (FOLDING TECHNIQUES) are the artisans/designers/writers/editors/teachers -who will broaden your knowledge to the extreme! Check their online presences and get addicted!

http://www.studioknitsf.com/

http://www.foldingtechniques.com/

5. The major players of the design industry call Valencia " The Milan of the Western Mediterranean". The economic crisis the last 10 years costed the city some of its capital force on the exhibitional sector, but still events like the See You in Valencia program liaises the design-oriented visitor with some of Spain's most important factories and also present an ambitious, international list of contributors. The attractiveness of the country's huge design heritage combined with an non-underestimated industrial force, place SYIV to a high competitive level, offering some innovative lectures, workshops, trade fairs, happenings etc. In the end of February (20-24/2/2017)- check full list of the activities: 

http://www.nosvemosenvalencia.com/en/eventos/


Enjoy to the max!
Cordially<3
A4D-D4A

QUICK REMINDER! Salone del Mobile 2017, SDS and Brutal-esque food for thought!

This year's trail of corporate, commercial, cultural and technological events around the Salone del Mobile 56th exhibition in Milan, Italy (4-9 April 2017), is promised to hit some of the design's industry very sensitive chords. Euroluce biennial Lighting fair is celebrating its 29th edition and it is about to be grandiose in every possible sense, but most importantly, in its effectiveness to showcase and diffuse the important aspects in Lighting design NOW. The latest and most exquisite accomplishments of the industry: domestic, industrial, intelligent, sustainable, eco-friendly lighting devices/ bodies/ installations/mechanisms/designs/networks....You name it, it is going to be there. Euroluce joins Workplace3.0- the international fair dedicated to workspace design and technology, Space&Interiors, the corporate exhibition illustrating a wide spectrum of companies (this year it is focusing on architectural finishes) and SaloneSatellite, the exhibition presenting young, aspiring designers from around the globe- in order to attract the nucleus of the international design community & business and inspire their key factors to provide the solutions for the next generation of constructions. Numerous events, monumental as ever, keeping up with the Salone's tradition to do likewise every year- will compliment the exhibition's core, such as DeLightFul, A Joyful Sense at Work, Absolute Lightness: all made to disrupt the exhibition with the most updated notions and sequences in design, about to tantalize the international audience.

https://www.salonemilano.it/en/manifestazioni.html

Another fair, specializing in surfaces and materials is taking place this February 2017: Surface Design Show in London, UK consists of a real niche for a very specific trade of the design and architectural industry, with mobility around field-related features such workshops, debates, presentations plus an Inspiration Center, a Stone Gallery and a Light School. 

http://www.surfacedesignshow.com

...(announced:-))
In the Post-Factual age, we will have challenges to face inside the labyrinths of the digital Leviathan: "rescheduling" the remains of materials no longer compatible with the sensorial, urban design that tomorrow's society desperately seeks. The Frankestein of Brutalist architecture demands an even orientation from now on, regarding the urbanistic, future treatment -or management- of buildings, materials, appliances, systems, objects: the inheritance of the Post-War era. Can Brutalism be "recycled"? In what ways? Are those ways adjustable to contemporary society and fair to the movement's legacy? This year we will elaborate on these matters, with a few posts on this blog, also from the Residences et al. column. 

http://www.brandlhuber.com   

Enjoy [design] to the max!
A4D-D4A?-))

January 2017: The highlights of the month and some news regarding the [design] outline of the upcoming year:-))

Image above: Collision conference 2017 in New Orleans...( photo courtesy of 
 https://collisionconf.com/collision2017)

Some quick news for what is going to happen in design and its related fields within the year 2017! These news concern A4D-D4A areas of interest and related past posts so get ready for more after this small introduction:

1. Collision 2017: The most ambitious, digital technology fair of the planet, put together by the founders of Web Summit, will take off in New Orleans this May 2017, siding the city's famous Jazz festival. Speakers mainly from the U.S , but also from other corners of the planet: promising startups, innovators, inventors, experts and tech journalists- will re-unite to explore the future of the web and of the world. Fundamental area of talks: Deep Learning and the next generation of A.I! Check the lists of attendees on:

 https://collisionconf.com/collision2017

2. It is certain than many things will change and they are already changing in Germany. The country goes through a transitional point in its policies- which can vary from one state to another. That will affect industrial production, therefore design and of course sales. We will get back to the subject the following months- for the time being a small glimpse on Vitra's,the Design Museum- fantastic program of exhibitions: on the 14th of January a new exhibition is launching the program of the year called, The Brutalist Playground. Brutalism in architecture is explored throughout an in-depth but very UpToDate presentation of the movement, supported by an interesting crowd of architects, historians and thinkers. Check all upcoming exhibitions in the Vitra Design Museum official website:

http://www.design-museum.de/de/ausstellungen/detailseiten/the-brutalist-playground.html

3. They' ve established a name as the "Top Exhibition-design technologists" the Milan-based, Italian architects Migliore + Servetto, (with representatives in Seoul, Tokyo and Warsaw) added another sleek installation in their prestigious portfolio. The portrait of La Madonna della Misericordia, by master of the early Renaissance Piero della Francesca, was imposed in an ultra-dynamic geometrical background, inside Sala Alessi, at the Palazzo Marino, in Milan. Flawless execution of the technicalities of the project, but most importantly Migliore + Servetto managed once more to accomplish a difficult task: create an exhibition design that sets the centre of interest/exhibit, within contemporary space and time, by eliminating physical and historical barriers, (photos bellow by Leo Torri at http://www.leotorri.com/).

Follow more exhibition designs by the Migliore + Servetto architectural duo on: 

http://www.architettimiglioreservetto.it/website/madonna-della-misericordia-piero-della-francesca/

4. The 3rd Design Athens convention is approaching this weekend and one of the major thrills of the event is definitely the presence of the Russian creative agency Ermolaev Bureau on the 14th of January 2017, at that 3rd Design Athens stage. The award list of this "Russian creative Storm" is so long and almost surreal- Ermolaev Bureau is one of the reasons to visit good, old Athens for a coffee this weekend, after you purchase your ticket to attend DA3 and the many interesting ventures of the conference this year!
Have a first taste:

http://www.ermolaevbureau.com/

http://www.designathens.com/

Have a great time- Get ready for another dizzy design year!

A4D-D4A?-))

IMM as in IMMer Hoffnung*(eng: Always Hope) … for Design and 2017.

Image above by:  Furnishing Cologne, IMM 2017, Product: Grand Weave, Exhibitor: Gloster 

http://www.imm-cologne.com/imm/press/image-database/Cologne-furnished/index.php 

It is widely claimed in design theory that throughout history, design and its related fields thrived and flourished in times of riches. Prosperity seems to be a crucial factor for design development, while art is fuelled (as it is customarily pronounced) by pain, misery and conditions of constraint.

Industrial production, as it is advancing nowadays, goes through many fundamental changes and product design imposes heavily its virtual presence, either as a material object or as an online service.  Universal financial turmoil and lack of stability, show clearly the struggle for endurance but most importantly: what needs to be done, what kind of amendments will be initiated in order to attain a new Economic Order. The international “Crown of Thorns” – type of circumstances do not prevail creativity, as it is an essential part of human consciousness.  The IMM International Fair in Cologne, Germany is taking seats among its global competitors, again this January 2017- with obstinateness, dynamism and pivotal events- against all odds. It is the first design feast of the year- here follow the most important IMM 2017 chapters to explore: 

1. IMM Cologne Congress 2017: Virtual worlds and smart technologies in furniture e-commerce. The sector remains of extremely high revenues in Germany and elsewhere, therefore many topics will be discussed in the Congress, by the industry’s most prominent animators. Colossal. 

2. Fourth round of the Pure Talents Contest: IMM supports the young designers and design professionals the last 14 years with the launch of this initiative. A tradition, complying with the country’s policy to seriously support and sustain, central Europe’s best, young creative talents. Excellent. 

3. Furnishing Cologne: The event and the campaign, re-picture the city through the product installations of internationally famous, guest-manufacturers. Both an attraction and a trendsetting  capacity, lay beneath. Furthermore, for 2017, the producers of "Furnishing Cologne" are preparing a book as an anthology of all of the photos from the campaign, with accompanying texts about the locations. Joyful! 

4. Designers Market by “blickfang” and “Heimatdesign” (in collaboration with IMM): Open to the public for on-the-spot purchases, Hall 1 will host  a “shopping paradise” for visitors the last 3 days of the fair. A commercial boost for local production and an even more extroverted democratization of the exhibition. Clever. 

We mentioned back in early 2016 that IMM is the first, major, international, house-and interiors exhibition of the year, embracing the design production, operating as a mirror for the entrepreneurial communities and as an initial depository of ideas, before upcoming April when the design world will gather its full, capital forces in Milan, Italy. 
In IMM we trust, thank you Cologne! 

For more information, dates, details, press releases and statistics, please also visit the IMM official website:  

http://www.imm-cologne.com/imm/index-2.php

Happy new year 2017 to all of you! 
Warm regards and best wishes for peace and great endeavors! 

A4D-D4A?-)) 

  

Salone del Mobile: Milan Trend Lab December 2016.

Picture above from: https://fuseproject.com/blog/a-gentle-robot-for-babies/ 
SNOO, a robotic crib designed to offer babies (and parents) quality sleep, by Yves Béhar. 
More explicit information about the project also on:  
https://fuseproject.com/blog/a-gentle-robot-for-babies/ 

A4D-D4A has campaigned in multiple occasions throughout our posts, the meta-futuristic necessities in contemporary living interiors. It is since last year’s IMM and Salone del Mobile editions 2016 and later in Web Summit, that we illustrated the era's new stigma and its multiple facets. Artificial intelligence (Robotics), Augmented reality, Domotics, Internet of Things, Internet of Everything, Intelligent furniture, Ultra-Digitization objects….are some of the new terms introduced to describe the new foundations of design production, a generation of makers combining the object with the code in it, and eventually its multiple uses and participative nature within the urban community.  

…“Furniture and furnishings thus “learn” to dialogue and connect with technological devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.), becoming an integral part of the new digital ecosystem. Technology introduces an “intelligence quotient” into furnishing, providing items with actual superpowers that enhance their functional performance and enable them to communicate with each other.” … 

“…In this new domestic scenario, design weaves an invisible web that seamlessly connects the on and offline dimensions in an experiential continuum. This seamless, junction-free network turns the habitative space into a dynamic, thinking ecosystem, capable of almost “magically” understanding and responding to the wishes of its inhabitants…” 

(Extract from Living Scapes-Salone del Mobile- Milano Trend Lab relevant  press release - check all recent press releases on the Salone official website:) https://www.salonemilano.it/en/media/comunicati-stampa.html

Salone del Mobile Living Scapes-Milan Trend Lab launched a series of products and platforms, modifying our habitats as destinations of hyper-interactive comfort: search by name or by site: 

August Home Access System: 
https://fuseproject.com/work/august/home-access-system/?focus=overview

Silk: 
https://www.silk.co/

Lift-Bit:  
http://lift-bit.com/ 

June:  
https://juneoven.com 

Beddi Intelligent Alarm Clock:  
http://wittidesign.com/en/beddi/ 

Amazon Dash Replenishment Service: 
https://developer.amazon.com/dash-replenishment-service

Caia Smart Mirror:   
http://solenica.com/ 

LaserEgg:  
http://originstech.com/products/laseregg/

Ecoisme:  
http://ecois.me/en 

Savant home:  
https://www.savant.com/

FurniQi: 
http://www.fonesalesman.com/products/furniqi-side-table

Sony Multifunctional Light:  
http://www.sony.co.jp/Products/multifunctional-light/ 

Yumit:  
www.yumit.io/

Controversial? Those technologies exist the last 18 years, (far from being chimbrids= chimeras and hybrids) and will constantly produce an abundance of new items from now on, destined to respond to every (new) human task. It is an industrial revolution no2, it is 100% happening NOW and it is reshaping the future of design- as society it self is remapping people’s domestic interfaces. 
To be continued! 

Best regards?-))

A4D-D4A  

A System of Global Accessibility: designing Tomorrow with the European Accessibility Act.

Image above: A board game-based idea in the official brochure of the Hellenic Guide Dog Education and Development Center “Guide Dogs Greece”. The Snakes-and-Ladders inspired, playful design (also ideal to simulate on a mobile app), raises awareness about Guide Dogs Fostering and Training program through a series of basic, necessary steps in order to become the accomplished Volunteer Foster Trainer of a fully operational guide dog. Find more information on Guide Dogs Fostering and Training program‘s terms and conditions in Greece- plus relevant links on :  

www.greekguidedogs.com 

e-mail: info@greekguidedogs.com 

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a extremely important set of laws, (under the form of an E.U general guideline), that will change EVERYTHING in the design of products specifications,norms and services on European ground, (mainly regarding the digital market), so those products will become accessible to all, including people with disability or other type of impairment. The EAA concerns primarily the re-design in software, terminals, ticket publishing, art, publications and e-books and e-commerce sectors. The final voting in the E.U parliament for the implementation of EAA as official E.U legislation, will take place in March 2017. 

This November 2016 a congress has been held at the Eugenides Foundation- Athens Planetarium exploring the EAA traits and presenting its many different angles, originally initiated by Syriza MEP Konstantina Kouneva, key introductor in E.U Reports Committee and also rapporteur in EAA Equality and Employment Plan Committee. Mrs Kuneva, an activist and an emblematic figure in the defense of Human Rights defined the purpose of the EAA, which is the obligation to design for all, emphasizing on the various stakes of the Act such as the 3-yr life period of electronic products, the synchronization of local laws, ministries, administrations  and services in each E.U member state, the strict safety regulations, the copyright and intellectual property challenges including patents etc., the complications with guilds and industries that oppose to EAA due to short-term financial interests.

http://kkuneva.eu 

Representatives by many organizations in the wide spectrum of disability, mental or physical – exposed different angles of the Accessibility for All issues such as discrimination, educational reform (no more “special schools” please), economic criteria such motives for companies that apply accessibility norms (ex. Expiry date on alimentary products also in Braille, audiovisual  facilities such SDH subtitling and audio description (AD)), adequate legal framework for security and data protection, deinstitutionalization and investment. It is vital for global economy the transit to new digital infrastructures, made by all, for all and it is expected from E.U to respond to the task. 

Greek Vice-minister of Social Solidarity Theano Fotiou elaborated on digital engineering and how the new on-line platform of the ministry will attempt for the first time to register all citizens with disability and the disability care units, so to create a unique, accurate and legitimate record of all people facing a physical or mental condition of some degree of impairment in Greece (note: the estimates for the actual numbers are based on old statistics, giving an approximate of 200.000 cases in the country)- and eventually claim additional funds if needed, for their sustainable living in society.  

From right to left in the photo bellow, some of the distinctive speakers of the congress: F. Bibassis- Member of the  Education and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (K.E.A.T), G. Lymvaios- Secretary Member of the Greek National Committee of People with Disability, p. Manthopoulou,-Head of People with Disability Office- Ministry of Social Solidarity, Theano Fotiou- Vice-minister of Social Solidarity, Eleni Tsagka- Journalist –Coordinator, Pwlina Papanikolaou- Criminologist- Researcher. 

Accessibility design, its legal support EAA and eventually the European Accessibility Law- are compensating factors for social recovery and economic rejuvenation. 

Accessibility equals Emancipation and Self-Actualization. Let’s get those ATM easy to use for the partially sighted, let’s help the Down-syndrome teens to enter university and let’s  encourage the increasing amount of population developing PTSD, to overcome anxiety and get back to work with soothing apps! The time is now. Please check the sites: 

https://el-gr.facebook.com/DisArtMove/

https://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/about_us/usronmace.htm

https://el-gr.facebook.com/mideniki.anoxi/

http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=node&clang=1

Best regards?-))

A4D-D4A-))