I have been coming across these 3-D puzzles and toys that are fascinating for kids and adults. Not only do they teach one to see in a non-linear manner, the craftmanship is amazing. I suppose 3-D computer modeling makes this kinda easy, still the idea is what is fascinating One example is the D-Torso range from Aki Corporation, Japan, these “toys”, or one of them, was awarded the Good Design Award in 2001.
So long ago, I signed up for the signed up for the 2012 sketchbook project. And then as all human being do, I sat on the project for a bit. And now the deadline draws closer, and nails are being bitten. So I are embarking on a frightful personal journey and starting work on my Sketchbook.
Although there are many things that people do with their sketchbooks-make them colorful, make them crafty and unique (Check our Natalie Malik, and Riyo’s books shaping up), I am going to do the plain thing. I’m going to treat my book like a sketchbook and just sketch. My theme is Monochromatic. My tools are below. And you can find the direct link to my progress here.
I plan to sketch one thing each day now until Jan 16th, 2012. It will be a thing that inspires me, or just makes me curious. I’ll try to write a little note on the location of the object. And maybe, just maybe, if you are lucky, I’ll post the Latitude and Longitude of the object. Just because I’m a geek like that.
Check out Dijitalfix– this great digital products shop in Brooklyn. Although Brooklyn’s offerings are covered extensively by Design*Sponge Grace Bonney, we think we may have found something that has not featured on D*S yet ;).
It is the coolest store for the gadget-ally inclined, like myself. What draws you in are the custom chairs that the owner designs and builds. What keeps you there are the high end products that they carry.
And this cool suspended table–I went ga ga over it. The suspension detail is to die for-so simple and elegant! Check out the cool bamboo toothbrushes, and other paper goodies on it.
Dear Readers,
We hope you enjoyed reading about Canstruction here. We were also live tweeting as the awards were being given out-hope you caught that on Twitter (@ASMDESIGN1) last night.
This past week has been unusually weird and busy in a number of ways. Things are changing elsewhere and at ASM Design- professionally as well as personally. During this time (and it may be for the next 2 months or so) there are happy moments, planned travel overseas (India and around) and some necessary tasks that must be taken care of. In the midst of this, we will try our hardest to maintain regularity of our featured posts, but sometimes we may not be able to make our daily schedule.
Posting is a commitment we take very seriously. We work quite hard to make sure that you get something unique each time you visit. And if we blog about what others are blogging about too, then we try to make it unique in our own way-either by being the only LIVE blogger or by providing our own spin on it.
We hope that you will pardon our occasional absence from now until the end of the year. Keep checking back for fun stuff, more KidSpace, UrbSpace and LightSpace!
Love- ASM DESIGN
Apologies for the delay everyone. Unavoidable circumstances and all…
SO here’s what you guys have been waiting for (and finally found it on other internet sites and blogs): Completed Canstruction Entries for this year: My FAVES! The awards get announced Nov 14th so watch this space for an updated.
My FAVE for STRUCTURAL INGENUITY
Skanska, USA are working on the actual renovation of the Brooklyn Bridge right now. The team decided to build it, fully structural, just like the real bridge! Since I have a love for all bridges and all ideas that start off crazy-this one would have to be my pick for STRUCTURAL INGENUITY. (Although b/w you and me, they could have worked on making those tension cable “strings” POP a bit more visually. Right now they sort of merge into the structure from every angle that you look at it. I had to work a bit to get them to show in my pictures, but that could just mean I’m not a great photographer)
Here’s the “official” pic, courtesy Canstruction/Kevin Wick.
I’m also rooting for an HONORABLE MENTION for “Alexander McCan” by KPF Architects. These guys won the GOYA sponsorship for their idea. But the manner in which they constructed this giant shoe is incredible. They used a 3 can matrix, lined them up on plans and taped them together. They use minimal supporting/layering elements AND managed to get a pattern on the front of their ginormous rendition of Alexander McQueen shoe.
My FAVES for BEST of SHOW
Again SKANSKA’s bridge simply because the it is awesome. However I have a couple of other faves in close succession.
The “Loaded Dice” by Gensler and WSP Flack & Kurtz. Why? Because it is a cube so perfectly made! The slice out of the cube, represents the near perfect use of color from the labels. (At one level it reminds me of this cake by Darla, one of my favorite bakers) Of course the Gensler+WSP team is gunning for everything but I think they are a shoo-in for BEST MEAL but also might get BEST Of SHOW. Also, if there was an award for Best-Music-Played-While-Building-Can-Sculpture and Most-co-ordinated-team, they would have gotten that one as well.
The “official” pic, courtesy Canstruction/Kevin Wick.
My FAVE for BEST USE of LABELS
The “Root Against Hunger” by Dattner Architects. Simply because it is a really great way of getting a 3D quality to your Can-sculpture and using putting labels to real good use. And their T-shirts matched their idea for their sculpture. I think they may get BEST USE of LABELS.
My FAVE for JURY’s FAVORITE
I would have to say that this one is a tie between Skanska’s Bridge and Gensler+WSP’s Cube.
My FAVES for HON. MENTIONS
Actually titled “Hungry Birds”, Ennead Architects target are inspired by this populist icon of present day gaming. They wanted to build something that would appeal to adults and kids alike. I’d say they’re bang on the can!
But the jury is still out on whether DeSimone Architects did a better job than Ennead.
“Can-tanership” by Halcrow. These guys have been wanting to participate in Canstruction for many years now. Finally here, their idea is simple, elegant and reflective of what their company’s strengths are.
The Converse Shoe. Loving the lace.
Stop/Walk sign by CetraRuddy
“Ti-canic” by Robert Silman Associates
(These folks also get the prize for Great-Sense-of-Humour while building their sculpture)
The structures are really starting to shape up. Until they are judged we will not be posting anymore live pictures. Judging should be at 7am on Nov 10th.
More tomorrow.
Angry birds starting out.
ASM DESIGN 