Toni Prinsse - Post 3 - Grant Featherston

Grant Featherston was self-taught and his signature furniture piece is the Contour chair. He created it in 1951 by developing a cheap way of molding plywood whilst maintaining strength to create the shape; this put him ahead in contemporary furniture design and set precedence for other furniture designers.

Featherston opened his first furniture showroom in 1956 and also consulted to Aristoc Industries for 13 years. He formed a design partnership with his wife Mary in 1966 and they created one of the first multi media chairs “The Wing Sound Chair (Talking Chair)”, an Icon of its time. It was used during Montreal’s 167 EXPO in the Australian Pavilion to “talk” to people about gorgeous Australia. It was made from polystyrene, fiberglass, foam, and hardwood and was covered in wool and vinyl.

His design disciplines also includedproduct development, photography, graphics, jewellery, interiors and exhibitions.

He had a philosophy of good design and opposed the constraints of conservatism. His lightweight and ergonomic designs helped Australians relax on furniture they could “sit on” and paved the way for informal living spaces in the home.

Featherston’s Contour chairs are still very popular today. He passed away in 1995 and was inducted into the DIA Design Hall of Fame in 1996.

http://www.chairblog.eu/2009/10/21/wing-sound-chair-by-grant-and-mary-featherston/

http://australianmodern.wordpress.com/

http://www.dia.org.au/index.cfm?id=179
http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/Documents/Website.pdf
http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/design/

Fritz Hansen - Tom

The furniture company Fritz Hansen has been a leading force in Scandinavian design since it developed its first 'steam bent' plywood chair in 1915. The company has been in existence since 1872 and still enjoys widespread critical and popular success today.

The Hansen aesthetic is instantly recognizable and has been adopted and synthesized by numerous designers over the last century. The most striking aspect of the furniture is the austerity of material and simplicity of form. This is part of the modern school and forms the chief antecedent for today's understanding and interpretation of 'Scandinavian design'.

The company commonly uses plywood as surface panel (as in its 1915 chair) for a wide range of desks, tables and chairs. Wood is often accompanied by leather cushioning and steel framing and construction. The result is an elegant balance of modern industrial method and natural material.

The furniture's form is geometrically refined often revolving around a simple circle or rectangle. Form is thoroughly explored in instances where rather than a combination of 2D panels, the piece becomes a unified sculptural 3D work, for instance the famous 'egg' and 'swan' chairs made under the direction of Arne Jacobsen. Such complex pieces still revolve around a simple geometrical idea. These pieces are synonymous with sixties design but are still popular today possibly owing to the geometric simplicity. The pairing of a simplicity in form and a modern functionality are what distinguish Fritz Hansen furniture.

www.fritzhansen.com/

www.designcraft.net.au/product-list.asp?bID=2

www.deconet.com/decopedia/maker/143/Fritz_Hansen

www.architonic.com/pmcol/fritz-hansen/3100050/1

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Hansen

Thanya post 2: FLORENCE BROADHURST

An amazing designer who lived a life full of wild adventures, of travel, dance and high tea. Born in outback Queensland and as a child learnt to sing and dance. After some time preforming around outback australian towns, and having enough of Australia she set sail to broader worlds, landing in China as" Bobby Broadhurst" she sang and dancing her way through china, "Bobby Broadhurst" opened
 her own preforming arts  studio in Shanghi. Florence then returned to Australia in 1927 and then left for London, she was married; and now went under the name "Madame Pellier" opening a fashion salon in bond st ; That marriage ended. Florence re married "Leonard Lloyd-lewis",  having one son and in 1949 returning to Australia. After a life full of re-invention of herself, at the age of 63 she decided "Australia was afraid of color" and went into producing brightly colored geometrical and nature inspired-over sized designs. Florence was known for her  bold colorful wallpaper designs, In 1959 she opened her studio producing hand painted wallpaper; "the only one of its kind in the world" witch by the mid 70's was selling to the top end of australians and exporting world wide.
Florence drew on vivid images of her fascinating life and travels through Asia and Europe to produce her unique designs of wallpapers, by 1972 her wallpapers were at  over 800 designs and in eighty different colors. Florence also had a background of landscape and portrait painting. Quiet the socialite,  and a wild and wacky woman she unfortunately was murdered outside her  Paddington studio in 1977, which has never solved.  A small Design company "Chee Soon and Fitzgerald " hold the wholesale and re distribution rights for Broadhurst wallpaper, whom today distribute world wide







1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Broadhurst
2. www.signatureprints.com.au/frameset_aboutus.html -
3. www.florencerugs.com.au/ -
4. www.wallpapershop.com.au/store/home.php?cat=96
5. www.theaustralian.com.au/.../florence-broadhursts.../story-e6frg8n6- 1225811499990 -

Florence Knoll - Blog 3 Brett Page

Florence Knoll Bassett is an American architect and furniture designer. In 1938, Hans Knoll founded his furniture company Knoll in New York. In 1943, Florence Schust (Knoll) convinced Hans she could help bring in business to his company even though in America's wartime economy by expanding into interior design by working with architects. With her architectural background and design flair, she succeeded. They married in 1946 and became full business

partner and together they founded Knoll Associates.

Florence felt architects should contribute their design ability to furniture as well. Some of these furniture designs would become design icons of the 20th century and have remained in the Knoll line for decades due to their timeless design. When Hans Knoll died in 1955, Florence Knoll took over operation of the company. Florence Knoll herself designed chairs, sofas, tables and casegoods during the 1950s, many of which remain in the Knoll line to this day.

Her American interpretation of minimalist, rationalist design theories is clearly evident in Knoll's storage pieces. She mixed woods and metals to great effect and added laminates as they became popular. Dressers and desks are all square in design but never lack for quality. Hanging cabinets have glass shelves, sliding doors and drop down fronts that can be used as bars.

In the 1950's Florence Knoll's work was often displayed at the Museum of Modern Art's "Good Design" exhibits. Although Knoll did a great deal of residential work, the International Style she worked in was specially in successful corporate offices.

Knoll's vision for the new office was clean and uncluttered, and the corporate boom of the 1960's provided the perfect opportunity for her to change the way people looked at work in their offices. Her open plan layouts created clean, uncluttered spaces a perfect venue for her furniture. Companies embraced this new way of organizing business space.

Her belief in "total design" – embracing architecture, manufacturing, interior design, textiles, graphics, advertising and presentation – and her application of design principles in solving space problems was what lead her to wining the prestigious National medal of arts award. Knoll remained with the company as the director of design until 1965 when she retired completely in 2002.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Knoll

http://www.knoll.com/designer/index.jsp

http://www.knoll.com/designer/designer_detail.jsp?designer_id=83

http://www.r20thcentury.com/biography_detail.cfm?designer_id=71

http://www.erinedwardsdesigns.com/fk/biography.htm

Toni Prinsse - Post 2 - Mod Green Pod

This is a young company established by co-founders Nancy Mims and Lisa Mims, sister-

in-laws. They decided to create their company after discovering that “green” textiles were not a

vailable to design their homes creatively.

For almost a decade Nancy was a successful textile print designer and Lisa u

sed her previous experience as a brand manager for Gillette and a consultant for several fashion start-ups to establish the company. Lisa now consults to Mod Green Pod from her home in England

Mod Green Pod’s fabrics are printed on 100% certified organic cott

on grown in the Untitled States. They weave and print their product line completely in the USA which helps reduce their carbon footprint by reducing energy used in shipping. They are a member of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and ensure they follow the fiber standards set forth by the OTA. They use low-impact pigment and dyes and com

ply with Global Organic Textile Standards.

They are making their mark on the sustainable design scene by putting a modern twist on the damask, a baroque classic. Their fabrics are hand silk-screened on tables by artists in New England. Their wallpapers are produc

ed from water based inks and

Forest Stewa

rdship Council certified paper.

https://modgreenpod.com/about-us/?osCsid=fg3rssgqcqchbfrvtla51fe9c5

http://modgreenpod.blogspot.com/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/organic_cotton_4.php

http://inhabitat.com/eco-decorating-mod-green-pod-wallpaper/

http://www.thegreenstylist.com/2011/02/make-a-statement-with-mod-green-pod-wallpaper/

NIKE Considered -Mitzi Curtis- post 1

Nike Considered is a organisation that supplies athletic footwear, clothes and sporting equipment. By using the Cradle to Cradle Design, the company is able to manufacture goods made with less waste, less toxic materials and less energy. The simpler the design of the item the less production steps taken. Elements needed for process are primarily found within a 200 mile radius of the corporation and are more sustainable, for example; organic cotton, recycled polyester and environmentally preferred rubber.

It is and ever developing standard of innovation and sustainability. Nothing is wasted. Nike are doing their best to encourage people to recycle unwanted things or to donated them to a company where they will break-down the product and make something new.

The results of this process is amazing. Their shoes allow everyday people to use their natural foot muscles and wear clothing that is more breathable for the skin.

“This tool is about making it simple for designers to make the most sustainable choices right at the start of the product creation process. Over the past four years it has proved to be invaluable at Nike and has helped us create products with a higher sustainability standard. Recognising the decline of natural resources and the need to move to a low-carbon economy, the tool is a practical way to rate how apparel designs score in reducing waste and increasing the use of environmentally preferred materials while allowing the designers to make real time adjustments." http://www.nikebiz.com/responsibility/

"The company has a publicly stated goal to 'Minimize or eliminate all substances known to be harmful to the health of biological or ecological systems.' " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_Considered

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_Considered

2. http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/gamechangers/en_US/considered

3. http://help-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13764/~/what-is-nike-considered

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_to_Cradle_Design

5. http://www.nikebiz.com/responsibility/

Post 1 - Toni - Wet Women, LLC

Owner and Manager of Wet Women, LLC , Morgan Fisher received from her mother a book called “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we make things” by William McDonough and Michael Branugart of MDBC. The book ignited Fisher’s interest in using the Cradle to Cradle concept for Wet Women, LLC products.

Cradle to Cradle Certification is a multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s safety to humans and the environment and design for future life cycles. MDBC the company created by William McDonough and Michael Branugart is based on the Cradle to Cradle concept.

Fisher’s love for the Ocean inspired her

to, with the assistance of MDBC, create a surf wax that is harmless to the

ocean, sea life, beaches and people. The surf

wax is nontoxic, biodegradable, and comp

ostable to the air, soil, and water. Packagings of the surf wax are 30% recycled steel tins that can be reused and recycled.

To achieve “Cradle to Cradle” certification there is a strict criterion to meet. Out of the four levels of certification this surf wax has reached the 2nd level, silver.

Marketing has benefitted strongly from Cradle to Cradle certification. According to Wet Women, LLC any future product development will be in conjunction with M

BDC to ensure it meets the Cradle to Cradle criteria.

http://www.mbdc.com/client_profile.aspx?linkid=4&sublink=14&cid=129

http://www.mbdc.com/default.aspx

http://www.wetwomensurfwax.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_to_Cradle_Design

http://www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm

Nike Grind - Brett Page post 1

In 1990 Nike employee Steve Potter envisions shedding old Nike shoes into a reusable material. The Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program recycles all brands of athletic shoes to create premium sport surfaces such as soccer pitches, football fields, tracks, basketball courts and tennis courts.

Times have changed – for the better. Today, recycling household waste like plastic, glass, paper and cardboard has become second nature for people around the world. With Nike Reuse-A-Shoe bins available at more than 300 locations in the United States, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, it's becoming easier than ever to find a shoe recycling facility. Each facility creates different ways to reuse the shoe for example, The Memphis center uses a “slice-and-grind” technique, where each shoe is cut into three slices – rubber outsole, foam midsole and fiber upper. These slices are then fed through grinders and purified. Where in the Belgium facility, which opened in 2005, They grind shoes up whole, then passes the material through a series of complex separators.

With Nike's success over the years they have been able to create more innovative ways to use the recycled shoes moving into carpet underlay, playground and safety surfaces and more recently indoor wood courts with Nike Grind Foam, made from recycled material found in the midsoles and uppers of athletic hoes, is incorporated into durable, safe cushioning for indoor wood courts and gym floors.

since 1990 25056779 Pairs of shoes collected globally since 1990.

http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/the-impact/about-shoe-recycling

http://help-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/98/~/nike's-shoe-recycling-program

http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/using-nike-grind/indoor-wood-courts

http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/the-impact/our-mission

http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/faqs

Ford Model U

Fords first cradle-to-cradle car is powered by the world's first supercharged hydrogen internal combustion engine, equipped with a hybrid electric transmission and pioneering green materials and processes, Model U is a vision for the future. It is Ford's model for change - exploring the benefits a vehicle provides to its users, the way it is manufactured and how it impacts the world.

It is designed for mass production, but has nearly infinite capacity for being personalized and upgraded. It offers advanced technologies that respond to customers' desires for convenience, entertainment and continuously improved safety. And it looks at how building a car, truck or SUV can strengthen the environment.

Inspired by how the Model T revolutionized personal transportation in the last century, a team of Ford researchers and designers created Model U. It is a clear expression of Ford Motor Company's strategy to follow future automotive technologies without compromising today's customer expectations for personal mobility. It is a car designed to meet the customers’ needs as well as help the environment.

Model U starts a new cycle for Ford; Emissions, safety and fuel economy, also green materials and processes, are all key questions facing the entire auto industry.

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=14047

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2004/12/wip_ford_model.php

http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/ford-model-u.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwdo5HXCxAs

http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/concept_cars/ford_model_u.html

United States Postal Service and CBDC - Tom

The United States Postal Service was interested in the Cradle to Cradle philosophy and a movement towards more sustainablebusiness practice. This first stage of the ongoing effort was completed in September 2010. Areas of the USPS business that CBDC looked at include alternative fuels for transportation, greener production facilities, recycling or 'upcycling' processes for waste but the predominate focus was on the USPS range of envelopes and packages.

2 years of design research and work on the USPS product range where MBDC established 350 component materials which a further comprise 1800 individual ingredients.

An important aspect of the MBDC approach is the recognition that a business is an economical and financial unit and much of its work is the practical integration of sustainable design into the business. For UPS to achieve the certification on its product range involved working with 20 primary and 250 additional suppliers across the world in assessing and changing the materials that make up the product. Today there are 700 million certified envelopes and packages produced annually.

USPS as a business and MBDC as consultants recognize the significanceof an ongoing process and a long term approach. A corporation can't change its process overnight and would never undertake environmental practice if it were uneconomical. USPS currently has a sustainability department with key areas of focus and an implementation strategy that was developed with and will continue to work on with MBDC.

www.mbdc.com

www.mcdonough.com/product.htm

www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm

www.usps.com/green/welcome.htm

www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007