12.9.10
best free woodworking cutlist
After intensive research for a free solution to a cutlist and nesting software, I have concluded that there is not much out there. Sketchup is the best option. More on this shortly.
26.8.10
Fridge Integration
24.8.10
cutlery trays
Cutlery trays are often overlooked when designing and finishing a kitchen. It is extremely important to get this right & it can mean the difference to a smooth function or disrupted flow when the user cannot find what they are looking for immediately.There are a number of pre-fabricated options out there from Hafele and similar suppliers but generally they do not fit perfectly to your draw. To get that perfect fit and function a custom tray is the only option. Non slip matts applied to the base of the draw provide protection for the more pricey cutlery and helps in stopping your items from slamming into the side when you shut the draw. As a general rule these draws should not be made larger than 750 max, as they tend to get too heavy for the runners and cause rubbing and eventually failure. To get that custom fit the and function the high use objects are usually placed at the front and a hierarchy is applied with the larger less used items at the rear. The image to the left shows a good layout although there is no protective Matt and the expensive veneer will scratch over time causing quite an ugly site when you open the draw.
18.8.10
pivot doors
Seamless pivot doors are quite impressive and I am currently working on one that will be one of its kind.
The hardware was from dorma as follows:
DORTS8560G-DORMA FLOOR PIVOT $33.17
DOBTS8066- H/DUTY ADJUSTABLE TOP CENTRE $73.48
DOBTS8064SSSS- SS TOP CENTER COVER $9.17
DOBTS7421- DORMA FLOOR STRAP TIMBER $34.37
DO355.5SSS- COVER PLATE SS $22.2
The hardware was from dorma as follows:
DORTS8560G-DORMA FLOOR PIVOT $33.17
DOBTS8066- H/DUTY ADJUSTABLE TOP CENTRE $73.48
DOBTS8064SSSS- SS TOP CENTER COVER $9.17
DOBTS7421- DORMA FLOOR STRAP TIMBER $34.37
DO355.5SSS- COVER PLATE SS $22.2
Design Process
The process and the foresight of the process is the absolute most critical aspect of design. Sure design is a very broad term and it can apply to many things in many ways, but what I want to focus on is production of real objects & reproducing similar items is where this foresight is quite easily obtainable but it is in the unknown that if foresight is achieved success will follow.
This may not make sense but I would like to take this opportunity to explain myself. Involvement in a tried and tested manufacturing process, assumptions can be made about the outcome or the result of certain actions. For example cabinet making is an established industry with proven techniques and processes that we can rely on in order to achieve an outcome that is guaranteed. We know how certain timbers will react and we know if we cut a sheet of melamine up and screw it together in certain ways we will create a box that is structural and will last for years.
I see this as pure production and provided the process is adhered to the result is guaranteed due to our prior knowledge and ability to draw on past experience. Although if one element of the process is skipped or not followed through to its full extent the outcome will fail and the result is guaranteed to be unsatisfactory. So how does this relate to foresight in design? Well good design can fall into many categories but a good designer has an uncanny knack for predicting the outcome of certain actions and predicting the way certain materials will react under certain circumstances.
Innovative and new design is then an interesting methodology and it cannot exist without the close relationship to the prototyping phase. Risk is always an element that cannot be avoided but it most definitely can be minimalised with careful planning and prototyping of each and every process involved in achieving the desired outcome.
This may not make sense but I would like to take this opportunity to explain myself. Involvement in a tried and tested manufacturing process, assumptions can be made about the outcome or the result of certain actions. For example cabinet making is an established industry with proven techniques and processes that we can rely on in order to achieve an outcome that is guaranteed. We know how certain timbers will react and we know if we cut a sheet of melamine up and screw it together in certain ways we will create a box that is structural and will last for years.
I see this as pure production and provided the process is adhered to the result is guaranteed due to our prior knowledge and ability to draw on past experience. Although if one element of the process is skipped or not followed through to its full extent the outcome will fail and the result is guaranteed to be unsatisfactory. So how does this relate to foresight in design? Well good design can fall into many categories but a good designer has an uncanny knack for predicting the outcome of certain actions and predicting the way certain materials will react under certain circumstances.
Innovative and new design is then an interesting methodology and it cannot exist without the close relationship to the prototyping phase. Risk is always an element that cannot be avoided but it most definitely can be minimalised with careful planning and prototyping of each and every process involved in achieving the desired outcome.
2.8.10
stone benchtops
Steel reinforcement requirements necessary for counter-levered stone bench-tops
- Generally a 300mm overhang is not necessary for any steel reinforcement, provided it has sufficient substrate.
Any overhang greater than 300 will require reinforcement up to 600mm overhang the general rule is to have a ratio of 50 - 50 with 50% of the steel embedded into the substrate while the other 50% is supporting the counter-levered stone. If the counter-lever is to be greater than 600mm then a 1/3 - 2/3 ratio is required with the 2/3'rds embedded into the substrate.
A 6mm plate works well and allows a nice thin material thickness and bench edge detail. Although for some overhangs it is necessary to be using some RHS (rolled hollow section) to support the stone. The critical factor here is to never allow the stone to have direct contact with the steel as this will cause the stone to crack.
- Generally a 300mm overhang is not necessary for any steel reinforcement, provided it has sufficient substrate.
Any overhang greater than 300 will require reinforcement up to 600mm overhang the general rule is to have a ratio of 50 - 50 with 50% of the steel embedded into the substrate while the other 50% is supporting the counter-levered stone. If the counter-lever is to be greater than 600mm then a 1/3 - 2/3 ratio is required with the 2/3'rds embedded into the substrate.
A 6mm plate works well and allows a nice thin material thickness and bench edge detail. Although for some overhangs it is necessary to be using some RHS (rolled hollow section) to support the stone. The critical factor here is to never allow the stone to have direct contact with the steel as this will cause the stone to crack.
laminating plywood or other sheet material
The normal cabinet makers way of laying up laminate
...with Plywood on bench spray with Wilson Art 950 spray contact adhesive
Laminate on horizontal bench just behind it and spray with adhesive
...let set up for about 2-5 mins depending humidity
...lay sticks on 12" centers on plywood
"fold the laminate" down onto the sticks.
...pull sticks out from center working out and rolling with J-roller to add pressure.
-------
flip over and do it again.
Now your ready to cut cabinet parts with both faces already laminated.
...with Plywood on bench spray with Wilson Art 950 spray contact adhesive
Laminate on horizontal bench just behind it and spray with adhesive
...let set up for about 2-5 mins depending humidity
...lay sticks on 12" centers on plywood
"fold the laminate" down onto the sticks.
...pull sticks out from center working out and rolling with J-roller to add pressure.
-------
flip over and do it again.
Now your ready to cut cabinet parts with both faces already laminated.
1.8.10
zero protrusion hinges
The first thing I have decided to have a look at is the overlay hinges from salice and blum and currently the blum does a nice negative protrusion hinge actually -2.3mm.
But be aware that even when using the Blum Zero Protrusion Hinges, if the end user does not open the doors well beyond 90 degrees (they rarely do), the door backs get ruined by the pull outs. After doing them both ways, I think it is better to use your regular hinges and shim the pull outs to clear the doors.
kendo
The 10 years old Spanish manufacturer Kendo Mobiliario recently presented this new family of occasional tables designed by the Barcelona based designer Antoni Arola. ‘Tray’ is composed of a simple angular metal structure and a series of mobile trays that can be given various combined finishes.
23.7.10
Design
Design must be understood as a word that describes both a process and an outcome. It is the process of turning ideas into material things. The word design can be used with legitimacy in many activities, the design of a sales or financial plan, the design of a new organisation, or design for construction. Many individuals have followed a design process in the course of their everyday activities. At some level, it is a natural human ability along with the other innate capabilities such as communication and language.
Industrial Design is the term used when the activity is pressed into service as a formal part of a business enterprise dedicated to creating artefacts as a part of wealth creation. Prior to industrialisation, individuals undertaking design were craftsman, we might speculate on what expertise and knowledge those active in design might need in a future post industrialist age.
Currently, though, the activity of industrial design is generally linked to product development in a manufacturing context.
Industrial Design is the term used when the activity is pressed into service as a formal part of a business enterprise dedicated to creating artefacts as a part of wealth creation. Prior to industrialisation, individuals undertaking design were craftsman, we might speculate on what expertise and knowledge those active in design might need in a future post industrialist age.
Currently, though, the activity of industrial design is generally linked to product development in a manufacturing context.
18.7.10
Silver Lake
Silver Lake takes and retains from the ‘50s a scrupulous choice of materials, whose physical and chromatic qualities are enhanced by a meticulous, deliberate combination of contrasting surfaces.Wood, steel, fabric or leather in a sculptural synthesis that, indirectly, brings to the surface today the Utopian vision of the ‘50s.
Minimalist fitting
17.7.10
Designer Cards
Checkout our new range of gorgeous greeting cards for all you design crazies out there! Perfect for birthday's, mother's day or anything. The numbers are limited so be quick.
http://designheist.blogspot.com/2010/07/contemporary-out-door-setting-inspired.html
http://designheist.blogspot.com/2010/07/contemporary-out-door-setting-inspired.html
16.7.10
TUPA Stool
The Spanish design duo Marina68, founded by Rafel Oliva and Cristian Montesinos realised this playful stackable stool made from a cork body clammed into a frame of powder-coated steel tube.
The process is quite simple and seems to be very influenced by our Scandinavian friends, available in a range of candy colours this stool is attractive but I'm not sure about the comfort and practicality.
To look at this a little closer the cork body seems quite hard, and although this is something we seem to turn away from as a sitting/resting device I like the fact that the design is playing with this element, it challenges the user to rethink what is furniture. Ergonomist's are all for this these days and maybe for a posture correction device this method could be explored.
Another notable point is the fact that there is no mechanical fixings for the stool and the cork body is held in place by the flex of the rolled steel tubing, with a powder-coated finish this is durable and will not rust.
Together with the industrial rubber feet the overall feeling is definitely not a high end piece of furniture but something that would not be out of place in a small trendy inner city apartment.
Finally the stack-able attribute saves on space and promotes the use of more than one stool, I can see this being quite functional and ten points for simplicity.
15.7.10
Stefan Wieland Furniture
'Stolz und Schabernack' by Stefan Wieland
The names of his works are as bloomy as they are colourful in appearance: ‘Stolz und Schabernack’ . The German designer Stefan Wielands creates loud and expressive lamps and furniture made from roughly worked – welded, painted and bent materials such as acrylic / glass, veneer or laminate. In his likewise crude but beautiful explanations you will read comments like “To provoke errors and then cultivate them”, “Sunshine, o sunshine, how you are shining in my cup of peppermint tea” and “to split a painting into fragments and restructure”.
These pieces have a very urban feeling to them and would not look out of place in a dark alleyway or streetscape of brunswick. A standout non-the-less. I like the contrasting colours as the viewer is to walk around the object, this could be applied to tv units / kitchens or even wardrobes, I really like the potential this innovation has. Seemingly endless.
14.7.10
Minimal Seating
Another modular furniture piece, successfully designed and manufactured. The angular legs support the joinery and focus the pressure inwards achieving a collapsible leg that supports the case without any mechanical fixing, the unit can be flipped and arranged to suit a limited number of arrangements. It gives the user controlled flexibility.
13.7.10
The Royal Collegue of Art graduate Nicola Zocca presented this tricky joinery within her final year project at this year’s degree show. All pieces of her ‘Shrink’ series, a chair, a bookshelf and a side table, are based on the same simple but inventive process: hot heat-shrink plastic ribbons are tightly wrapped around the joints and fixed by cramming them into a groove. After cooling down a perfectly fitting joinery is shaped.
Personally I am not sure if this is all that inventive, there seems to be an emerging trend with this method and its hard to say who was the innovator.
9.7.10
Wood work training manuals
An introduction to joinery
A practical guide for increasing skills in both carpentry and joinery, this well thought out guide is very useful for both trade and designers.
Joining solid timber
Practical guide for joining solid timber.
General solid timber
Complete solid timber training manual.
Wood workers pivots
Short guide for pivot doors
A practical guide for increasing skills in both carpentry and joinery, this well thought out guide is very useful for both trade and designers.
Joining solid timber
Practical guide for joining solid timber.
General solid timber
Complete solid timber training manual.
Wood workers pivots
Short guide for pivot doors
8.7.10
Neubrandenburg is a small city in former East Germany. Its townscape is decisively characterised by apartment buildings made from precast concrete slabs – typical GDR social housing. The young German architect Peter Grundmann broke this static architectural order with this single family house located on a small lot of only 7 m right between two existing blocks of flats – and incurred the wrath of especially elder inhabitants.
Quite a cool aspect with the dynamic curtain waving in the breeze, adds flair and creativity quite a rare quality in todays architecture.
29.6.10
what is good design
What actually is good design?
This is a question I ask myself all the time and it seems to be ever evolving.
Sure good design is timeless, but how is something 'good design' if it does not have the opportunity to be timeless?
Is timeless design still achievable?
Many people speak of good quality as if it were made up of good workmanship and good materials alone: but without good design it is impossible to make the most of these qualities. Good design, indeed, is an essential part of a standard of quality. Without it, the manufacturer cannot give the best service, through his products, to the consumer – to the community of which he is himself a part and from which he derives his livelihood.
What does the consumer demand in a manufactured article? He demands something which is well made of good and suitable materials, which does its job efficiently and gives him pleasure, at a price he can afford to pay. So the first design question is “Does it work?” you have all seen clocks with hour and minute hands so similar that it is not easy to tell the time, teapots which do not pour well, kettles which burn your hand, handles which pinch your fingers. These are all examples of bad design, and there are many others. Although Phillipe Starcks juicer that cannot juice and actually ruins the product if it is used the way it is designed to be used is considered good design. It is more common to be seen in the living room on display rather than in the kitchen.
This is a question I ask myself all the time and it seems to be ever evolving.
Sure good design is timeless, but how is something 'good design' if it does not have the opportunity to be timeless?
Is timeless design still achievable?
Many people speak of good quality as if it were made up of good workmanship and good materials alone: but without good design it is impossible to make the most of these qualities. Good design, indeed, is an essential part of a standard of quality. Without it, the manufacturer cannot give the best service, through his products, to the consumer – to the community of which he is himself a part and from which he derives his livelihood.
What does the consumer demand in a manufactured article? He demands something which is well made of good and suitable materials, which does its job efficiently and gives him pleasure, at a price he can afford to pay. So the first design question is “Does it work?” you have all seen clocks with hour and minute hands so similar that it is not easy to tell the time, teapots which do not pour well, kettles which burn your hand, handles which pinch your fingers. These are all examples of bad design, and there are many others. Although Phillipe Starcks juicer that cannot juice and actually ruins the product if it is used the way it is designed to be used is considered good design. It is more common to be seen in the living room on display rather than in the kitchen.
27.6.10
Contemporary Dark Walnut Bathroom Furniture by Toto
Bathroom brand Toto is bringing nature back to the bathroom with its latest release, the NC Series bathroom furniture. Made of warm, natural-finish dark walnut, these coordinating counters and cabinets welcome the wood’s grain and feature gently rounded edges for a softer appearance. They look great when combined with the cool, contemporary materials characteristic of today’s bathrooms – marble, chrome and glass. The contrast only deepens the organic appeal of these pieces, which also incorporate storage for all your lotions and potions. If you love the shape but prefer a more contemporary look, these counters and cabinets are also available in a glossy-white finish. To learn more about the NS Series furniture, visit Toto
Small Home Design in Tokyo – angular house by Schemata Architecture
What a modern example of city living – this small home design by Schemata Architecture has been dubbed the 63.02° House for its unusual angle along a main road Nakana, Tokyo. The slant of the home – 63.02 degrees – allows for a wider and deeper view while creating the appearance of more space, both from the outside and in. From its slightly-off angle to its concrete facade, sharp angles and the expansive windows making up a majority of the home exterior, this modern residence is unlike any of its nearby neighbors in this dense urban center. This design of 71.4m2 may be small, but is certainly a great lesson in the use of space.
26.6.10
rubber delight
Simple yet effective use of scale results in this rubber furniture that is flexible and comfortable. Suiting a variety of interiors this is a diverse answer to what currently seems to be quite a competitive era of furniture design we are currently in. I was excited by this piece and that doesn't happen everyday.
interior trees
One of the coolest emerging trends is indoor plants & trees, they contribute to any decor and give a soothing ambiance hard to match by anything man made but how do you choose the right one for your climate and space?
One of the easiest tree-like houseplants to grow is the Howea Palm, also known as Kentia Palm. Also, the Ficus benjamina (weeping fig), Ficus elastica (rubber plant), and the Ficus lyrata (fiddle-leaved fig) are great choices. The Schefflera is also a superb long-lived house plant that you might consider.
All these plants will need to be watered regularly. Another thing to keep in mind: if you are going to be gone from home often, you might want to look into a plant sitter to keep your plants healthy while you're away.
welcome
In short 'Design heist' is an ever evolving love of design and interiors.
I am an industrial designer and currently working in the interior / manufacturing industry. Based in Melbourne, Australia I endeavor to use this blog as a way to keep track of current trends and industry competition. I will post work from around the world and from my own projects. Enjoy the journey...
I am an industrial designer and currently working in the interior / manufacturing industry. Based in Melbourne, Australia I endeavor to use this blog as a way to keep track of current trends and industry competition. I will post work from around the world and from my own projects. Enjoy the journey...
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