Kirjahaku

For many of us, our sofa is our favourite piece of furniture. But nowadays, with living space increasingly limited, our sofa often plays more than one role in the home. It becomes a decorative centrepiece, allowing us to put our own stamp on our living space; it may extend a child’s play area or double up as a bed. As a result, we have become demanding about every aspect of design. We expect multifunctionality, originality in form, and materials that are practical and long-lasting. This generously illustrated volume celebrates the creativity of more than 160 designers and brings together the very best in sofa design from the 20th and 21st centuries. As well as design icons by the likes of Josef Hoffmann, Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier and Arne Jacobsen, it showcases the most inventive creations of recent years from designers who continue to redefine and expand this field of design. With profiles arranged alphabetically by designer, the book comes complete with practical advice on buying a sofa and styling a living space, and includes a timeline of sofa design. This treasure trove of exciting creations and handy tips will appeal to anyone in search of inspiration for their own home, or with an interest in furniture design in general.

As many parents know, decorating and furnishing a child’s room can be both a pleasure and a problem: you have somehow to find a balance between practicality, playfulness, comfort, safety, originality and making the most of the space available. Some of the world’s best-known designers and design companies have risen to the challenge of creating furniture and accessories specifically for children. Rather than being merely scaled-down adult designs, the best designs for children should respond to their express needs: as well as being durable, safe and easy to clean, they should nurture a child’s development and encourage creativity and the use of imagination. This stylish book presents some 250 designs for children, both iconic pieces of furniture, furnishings and toys and more recent creations based on the latest technological advances. From Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Aarnio and Nanna Ditzel through to Marcel Wanders and Javier Mariscal, and from Knoll and Artek to Alessi, MDF Italia and Magis, the biggest names in design have produced beds, tables, chairs, storage, rugs, cutlery and playthings that can be used from children’s earliest days through to the start of adolescence. With a fresh, appealing layout, the book is divided into three main sections – furniture, accessories and toys – within which the designs are further arranged into such categories as cribs and cots, bookcases, mirrors, mobiles and rocking horses. Throughout, concise descriptions are accompanied by colourful and lively illustrations. Whether you are a style-conscious parent seeking ideas for a functional yet fun nursery, bedroom, playroom or study, a design professional or simply a fan of contemporary design, this is an enchanting

Wood has undergone quite an image change - as future and trend researcher Matthias Horx puts in a nutshell: "Wood is Style". It has come out of the corner of the traditional and rustic and moved to the top of high-tech building materials. In addition to the well-known ecological and building biology aspects, innovative timber construction technology allows a great deal of design freedom, is extremely precise, and at the same time manages to enrich even very daring architecture with the factors of warmth and coziness. Using wood in combination with or in contrast to other materials such as metal, glass, bricks or exposed concrete is an option that architects and designers are increasingly choosing for their designs. The planners' willingness to experiment is now also evident in the color scheme of wooden houses and interiors. This publication offers a unique overview of its use for residential buildings from all over the world and introduces architects, interior designers, and builders to the diversity of contemporary timber architecture.

Historically, women architects were disappointingly absent in the news and at awards ceremonies, but now they are spearheading some of the most exciting and important projects in every corner of the globe. These profiles of fifty female architects bring to light some of those projects and highlight pioneering women architects. Each architect is introduced in double-page spreads that include a brief biography, an overview of her philosophy and vision, and stunning photographs of her most significant works. Interviews with several of the architects provide a global perspective on how women are changing the face of the world—including feminist icon, philanthropist, and Nigerian “starchitect” Olajumoke Adenowo; Tatiana Bilbao, who is leading the way in sustainable Mexican architecture; Rossana Hu, who is fighting to preserve Chinese village culture in her rapidly urbanizing country; and Elizabeth Diller, who created the High Line, one of New York City’s most beloved public spaces, and helped redesign the city’s Museum of Modern Art. This volume offers indisputable and inspiring evidence that the architectural profession is no longer just a man’s game.

From luxury apartment towers to offices, places of worship to museums, brutalist architecture is having a 21st-century moment- and this book is here to explore the new interpretations of the style. Designed with the same bold aesthetic that informed Le Corbusier himself, this book features fifty recent examples of how architects around the world are embracing the principles of brutalism - simplicity, functionality, and rawness - reimagining them for today's standards and tastes. Drawing from the radical approach of the controversial architectural movement, today's Brutalist buildings are both sophisticated and elegant. As the hundreds of exterior and interior photos in this book reveal, architects have taken advantage of new technology to make concrete-based structures that are refined and alluring, as well as stylish and modish unlike their predecessors. Each chapter is dedicated to a different type of building and is introduced with a selection of iconic structures as an essential visual reference for Brutalism's new look. In some instances the overall strength of the aesthetic is paired with equally forceful materials such as glass, metal and brick; other examples show how classically brutalist lines are integrated into generously proportioned, light-filled spaces. An informative celebration of Brutalist architecture's legacy, this book is an exciting exploration of how today's most innovative architects are discovering the inherent beauty of powerful concrete volumes that was at the heart of Le Corbusier's original vision.

Natural, renewable, reusable, and aesthetically pleasing, wood is the consummate building material. Thanks to incredible advances in both application and sustainability, it is being used across the world to create new and surprising styles. This exhilarating global survey features exquisite photography that captures a wide range of twenty-first century construction in residential, public, cultural, educational, commercial, and entertainment-related spaces. From the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center in Shizuoka, Japan and the Eystur Town Hall in the Faroe Islands to the College of Forestry at Oregon State University the newly completed Coarvematta National Theater High School in Norway, each building is featured in double-page spreads with lush color photographs that allow readers to appreciate timber’s intrinsic qualities against a variety of backgrounds, scales, and typologies. Plans and building specifications are accompanied by the latest developments in research and design. Eco-friendly and robust, timber’s applications are almost unlimited, extending to the tallest skyscrapers, and to every livable corner of our planet. This volume offers encouraging proof that architects around the world are responding to a climate crisis in ways that not only preserve the earth, but also provide pleasing environments in which to live, work, and play.

Filled with striking photography as well as design inspiration and hope for a better tomorrow, this beautifully designed volume profiles the work of a global selection of visionary architects who are reimagining our built world for the future.Driven by the desire to reduce environmental impact and reimagine the possibilities of their discipline, architects around the world are creating cutting-edge buildings that make use of the latest technologies while drawing from time-honored, traditional techniques and materials. This book profiles 75 of those pioneering architects in stunning double-page spreads that highlight their careers and their most relevant work. Divided into chapters on sustainable materials, energy efficiency, innovative technologies, architecture and greenery, and the repurposing of historical structures, this volume showcases groundbreaking examples envisioned by architects such as Anna Heringer, who employs local craftspeople and uses natural elements to create life-improving, harmonious structures; Finnish architect Pekka Littow, whose off-grid structures are both self-sufficient in their use of water and electricity and inspired by a deep-rooted connection to nature; and Shigeru Ban, who is noted for his use of unconventional building materials, such as paper and cardboard tubes. Works by Mario Cucinella, Koichi Takada, Heatherwick Studio and BIG, and other world-spanning architects, illuminate the latest accomplishments taking place at the nexus of technology, environmental sustainability, and groundbreaking innovation, at a crucial time for our planet.

As the fascination with plastic is now over for both aesthetic and environmental reasons, more and more designers are going back to one of the most traditional materials: glass. Free of any synthetic characteristics, glass is authentic and, if treated with skill and imagination, it can provide stunning results. Designing Transparency features the glasswork of a myriad of designers dedicated to creating visually striking and sustainable pieces. Glass has been used for centuries to create tableware or design objects, but now designers from all over the world are pushing the boundaries of the material's optical properties. Playing with transparency can lead to intriguing solutions. The featured designs in this book -- such as screens, carafes, lamps, tables, seating, and shelves, all made from glass -- show the possibilities for introducing visual lightness into spaces via transparency.

"This comprehensive volume rounds up 500 showstopping examples of contemporary lighting design and dissects exactly what makes them so special." — Elle Decoration "A real treat for fans of good and effective lighting. There will be several hundred in it the most important models of modern design." — Viva! Poland "Within the pages of Sculpting Lights, an exquisite compilation awaits, showcasing the epitome of contemporary lamp design." — Indulge Magazine Sculpting Light gathers the finest of modern lamp design in one volume. Whether chandeliers, pendants, or table lamps, whether sculptural or minimalist in design, they are exclusive decorative elements during the day and conjure up a very special atmosphere in the dark. Iconic examples are represented in the book as well as examples of bold experiments with forms and materials. Three types of light sources are presented: Ambient, Spotlight and Outdoor. Legendary designers reveal their sources of inspiration and personal favourites, and well-known manufacturers are presented in portraits.

What is it that makes our everyday life special? Beautiful moments, but also beautiful things. At least that's what art historian and author Agata Toromanoff believes, as she embarks on a quest for luxury objects that one doesn't typically come across. Toromanoff curates everyday items that have undergone a process of artification. They now serve as statement accessories that delight their owners anew every day, whether it's a golden paperclip or a crystal-adorned coffee mug. Luxury resides wherever the extraordinary finds its place. The photo book surprises with magnificent shots of exceptional designer objects that are not mere decorations, but also carry the intention of adornment alongside their practical function in everyday life. It undoubtedly elicits a sense of wonder from its readers. The objects featured in the high-quality photos stand out with their appealing product design, high quality, and the materials used. Agata Toromanoff enriches the opulent visual world of her book with informative texts and background knowledge about designers and designs. For those who love luxury, Everyday Luxury will undoubtedly be a source of inspiration and joy. As a high-quality gift, this book can convince through its uniqueness and creative approach to the concept of luxury. Text in English and German.

Architecture writer Agata Toromanoff introduces the Netherland’s 40 most influential contemporary architects and a selection of their most celebrated buildings in full colour photography. This volume showcases works from the most famous Dutch architect-designers such as Benthem Crouwel Architects, Mecanoo, MVRDV, OMA, UNStudio, atelier PRO architekten, LEVS architecten, Paul de Ruiter Architects and many more. Several pages are dedicated to each architect, outlining their influences and ideas and revealing the designs that have brought them fame. Discover the true extent of the creative achievements that lie within the careers of these architectural giants. Captivating biographies alongside breathtaking photos. A book that is both informative and beautiful. Text in English and Dutch.

Picturesque Scandinavian archipelagos and extra-long summer days create the perfect environment for dreamy homes. Summer houses that blend smoothly into their surroundings help us reconnect with and merge into nature. But even in the long, dark winters, these homes must be destined to withstand exceptional weather conditions. The main features of these houses are the abundance of light, large windows and free, minimalist interiors. This selection of 40 stunning houses defines a perfect summer escape for those Scandinavian days that seem to last forever and, at the same time, an ideal place to spend the long winter days.

This book features the best and most spectacular conversions on the international architecture scene, accompanied by an insightful text and photographs. It includes over 60 projects around the world, including work by Hassell + OMA, David Chipperfield, Heatherwick Studios, Ney + Partners, Herzog & de Meuron, Zaha Hadid and many others. The author explores how these architects creatively approached the conversions of older buildings, ultimately finding a new functionality and life for them in the 21st century.

In Curved: Bending Architecture, the author seeks out the most sensational contemporary buildings from around the world that incorporate wave-like, rounded forms into their design. Curved forms in architecture are found throughout history (like the Colosseum in Rome) but today’s constructions explore the curve to its utmost fluid and freeform potential. From Zaha Hadid to Bosjes Chapel and from Brussels to China, this is a selection of amazing buildings by world class architects who think outside the box and have redefined the built world around us.

"It's a great way to spark interesting conversations with friends and perfect entertainment if you're coffee-ing solo." — Real Homes "Fascinating new book reveals homes in vertigo-inducing locations, from a house clinging to a cliff to a gravity-defying mountain hideout." — Daily Mail In Living on the Edge, the author goes in search of the most amazing and seemingly unfeasible buildings which are situated at the edge of deep chasms and on steep cliffs. These houses are the work of architects who approach complexity and difficult conditions with imagination and a talent for thinking outside of the box. This book shows how, with the help of innovative techniques, fear of heights-inducing homes have been built at the most challenging locations all over the world. Living on the Edge is a book for architecture lovers without fear of heights!

Architecture writer Agata Toromanoff introduces Belgium's 40 most influential contemporary architects and a selection of their most celebrated buildings in full colour photography. Belgian architects have been doing well for years and have international allure. This volume showcases works from the most famous Belgian architect-designers such as Vincent Van Duysen and EPRICUM to emerging architects such as Oyo Architects. Several pages are dedicated to each architect, outlining their influences and ideas and revealing the designs that have brought them fame. With this great reference work, you can discover the true extent of the creative achievements that lie within the careers of these architectural giants. Captivating biographies alongside breathtaking photos. A book that is both informative and beautiful. Text in English, Dutch and French.