photography by Kevin Byrd

Architect Matteo Caimi, Curator-MA-ology and MA Director of Architecture & Design (seated center left) 

It was serious business and lots of fun in May when the MA09 Design Is Human launch night made it clear to the nation that the state of contemporary design in Atlanta is flourishing and steadily maturing. The kickoff served to showcase leading and emerging international and Atlanta-based creative talent while celebrating what in the minds of many makes Atlanta a destination for thoughtful and elevated design locally, nationally, and from around the world.

Architecture exhibit by Gernot Riether

Launch Night highlights included the much anticipated 2009 Architect Scale Models/ Renderings Exhibition by Atlanta studios Phobos 7, Philip Babb Architects, Dencity, Harrison Design Associates, Surber Barber Choates & Hertlein Architects, Lightroom, and Robert M. Cain Architect, just to name a few; from Italy- Zanotta’s 40 Years of Sacco chair exhibit and paintings by the acclaimed Milan-based painter Marco Grassi; Atlanta-based contemporary furniture design exhibits; display of amazing sustainable wall and panel products by 3form; installations by designer and architect- Georgia Tech professors Claudia Winegarden and Gernot Riether; contemporary children furniture exhibit by The Seed Factory, and for the first time-a Georgia Tech Industrial Design student designer exhibit.

Claudia Winegarden, designer and assistant professor Georgia Tech Industrial Design Program demonstrates her installation during MA09 Launch Night

MA09 Launch attendees enjoying themselves inside Zanotta lounge celebrating 40 Years Sacco chair. Sacco courtesy courtesy Zanotta Italy

Caught in attendance Donna McCoy (Former Senior Fashion Editor, Essence Magazine ) and Terry Enoch 

3form delighted MA09 Launch attendees with its cutting-edge sustainable products for home and office

Acclaimed Italian and Milan-based painter Marco Grassi

SMFD side table

The Seed Factory’s Children Contemporary Furniture Exhibit

MA09 Launch Night was attended by over 1500 creative professionals and lovers of contemporary architecture and design and took place in a very cool and large raw space in the mix-use White Provision development, located in Midtown West next to Star Provision.

Lamp by student designer Michael Gluzman

MA10 Design Is Human is May 2010!

To get more details about MA10 Design Is Human and learn ways your design-related business can exhibit, sponsor, and advertise, contact info@modern-atlanta.org

MA’ology “The Italian Style” Set The Mood for MA09 Design Is Human

photos by Kevin Byrd

MA-ology “The Italian Style” & CARE Fundrasier was a huge success. This headliner event was a fundraiser benefiting CARE International and its work with women in Africa. The Italian Style is an all-inclusive exhibtion about Italy’s elevated status in world of international design.  For design, “The Italian Style”’ featured Zanotta celebrating 40 years of the revolutionary Sacco chair. On the fashion side, it was serious business and all Marni with some very cool and eclectic ensembles taken from Marni 2009 Spring/Summer collection, all courtesy Jeffrey Atlanta and Jeffrey New York. Italian art ramped up the fun serveral notches as acclaimed Milan-based painter Marco Grassi held his first major one man show in the USA. The Atlantan was MA-ology’s official media sponsor.

MA10 Design Is Human is May 2010!

To get more details about MA10 Design Is Human and learn ways your design-related business can exhibit, sponsor, and advertise, contact info@modern-atlanta.org

Featured interview in the MA09 Design Is Human publication, written by MA contributing writer, Moria Deshpande. Photography by Jorge Menes unless otherwise stated.

BLDGS INTERVIEW by Moria Deshpande

Bell and Yocum are Mack Scogin Merrill Elam alums that come from a background of large public projects, which makes them well qualified to push the boundaries of residential architecture. Large institutional projects are very complex and involve many disciplines. On this aspect of their practice, BLDGS says, “You can’t deliver a project that has holes in it. You can’t leave it to someone in the field to figure out, because there is too much at stake. Our training is to figure out everything, down to the smallest detail. We enjoy it and bring that level of coordination and thinking to the smallest of our projects.”

This is good news indeed for residential clients hungry for more than a impressively rendered exterior sketch. Every BLDGS project is fully engineered. Bell and Yocum consider it their obligation to educate the contractor about design intent. “The moment you move off the norm, and start proposing alternative structural approaches or waterproofing details, the contractor doesn’t always have that expertise. Our interest is in creating architecture that is not necessarily something we’ve seen before and that goes beyond standard building techniques, so we have an obligation to figure it out.  If we don’t it puts the design at risk.”

The extra time and effort involved in such an approach is not something in which every potential client will see value. “Our clients have all been very cognizant, very aware and want something different. They want the follow through that assures them of getting what we designed up front on paper. Inventive, perhaps even experimental, architecture is not without due diligence. It takes dedication on both our part and the client’s.”

BLDGS begins every project with a research phase. Its almost an historical approach, considering previous uses of the site and the people involved, in order to understand the unique conditions around each project. “Research gives us a critical frame of reference. The proposals that come out of this process feel appropriate and suitable and capitalize on the discoveries we’ve made. We never start a project simply by inventing an idea or approach we are looking for ideas that are as convincing to us as to anyone else.”  The ideal BLDGS client is moved by ideas and believes that while everyone has to put a roof overhead, it’s how one does it that counts.

BLDGS on Ansley Park Glass House

Such a meeting of the minds happened recently with clients in Ansley Park. The Ansley Glass House emerged from an old structure the owners loved. The house has a uniquely urban relationship with both the nearby park and the glass towers of the Midtown skyline.

“The big constraint for the Ansley Glass House was the site,” Brian Bell explains. “There was limited ability to maneuver. Lot coverage was way beyond the zoning allowance.  While this was grandfathered in, our goal was to work within the pre-existing footprint.” Yocum remembers how the project started. “The clients asked for two things, to get more light into the kitchen and to put a new stair in the back that connected the 1st and 2nd floors. Eventually, for numerous reasons, this led to replacing the whole back of the house.” “To get from the old addition to the new was not an immediate leap,”  Bell adds. The decision to keep the original house was not based on a strategy of fitting in with the neighborhood aesthetic. “The clients simply liked the old house,” Yocum says. “It has good bones and presence. The old house fits the trajectory of their lives up to this time – they had always lived in old houses. But their kids are now out of college, and they have become increasingly interested in contemporary furniture, art – and now architecture. They wanted a compelling relationship between the old and new.”

The glass theme resonates in many ways throughout the house. The owners feel a visual connection with the glass in the surrounding skyscrapers and are also collectors of Steven Rolfe Powell’s glass sculptures. BLDGS honored these connections with an addition that utilizes open expanses of glass to let in the city. The new glass-walled bedroom is itself a sculptural element. It’s an engineered marvel that hangs within a much larger space, defining the room below it and interacting with the rest of the house in an explicitly non-traditional way.

Besides glass and art, books are also central to the Ansley Glass House. “Instead of a library,” Yocum explains, “bookcases are sprinkled throughout the house so the owners are always running into their books. They acknowledge that they may not yet have read them all, but love being surrounded by the things they aspire to.”

BLDGS own aspirations include a practice mixed with both residential and large scale public projects. “It’s compelling to have a vast contrast in size. There is satisfaction in completing something quickly, but we also enjoy the long view. It’s the difference between a two year project and a four to ten year one.” Bell and Yocum are energized by projects that are part of the city and spaces that aren’t cordoned off or privatized.

BLDGS also thrives on constraints. “Part of the beauty is how the constraints have been handled, understanding how things were accomplished. We enjoy having something to push against.” BLDGS measures each structure they have designed against four conditions. “One, that’s it’s buildable. Two, it is within budget. Three, it will stand up over time and four, that it meets our design objective.”

When asked to define their architectural style, they shy away from the word modern. They have a tremendous respect for the Modern movement, historically. “It serves as the foundation of our education and how we practice, but the term has become diluted. Today you can’t call yourself a modernist because we are past that point in time. It’s used as a sentimental term. We are more comfortable with the term contemporary. We are practicing in our time, influenced by things in our time. But we don’t think we’ve achieved contemporary. We’re a young practice and are still searching. There are contemporary challenges, technologies and approaches to design that we have yet to fully engage.” Given the speed with which BLDGS is becoming entwined with Atlanta’s cultural and architectural community, it won’t be long before BLDGS has secured their position at the vanguard.

On location at BLDGS studio, MA interview with Brain Bell and David Yocum of BLDGS (seated). MA contributing photographer Jorge Menes (standing) has a chat with Brain and David.  Photo courtesy, Moria Deshpande.

Learn more about the office of architects Brian Bell and David Yocum by visiting www.bldgs.org

Moria Deshpande is a freelance writer and design enthusiast. See more at www.stilettocreative.com

“CRAFTdesign” Talk highlights Trends in Contemporary Design

Manfred Junker, Poggenpohl Mobelwerks

CRAFTdesign was Moderated by Linda O’Keeffe, Creative Director, Metropolitan Home

CRAFTdesign Panelists:

Dan Fomosa, Design & Research, Smart Design

Manfred Junker, Chief Designer, Poggenpohl Mobelwerk, Germany

Claudia Winegardner Phd, Georgia Tech Industrial Design Program

Linda O’Keeffe, Metropolitan Home            Dan Fomosa, Smart Design

Claudia Winegarden Phd, GA Tech ID

CRAFTdesign Talk proved to be an informative and entertaining discussion about the rising interest and contemporary design’s acceptance of the detail-oriented, intellectual and oftentimes emotional appeal achieved by combining craft values and design. The result is the creation of desirable “hybrid” new antiques and expressive objects that borrow from craft traditions while ever mindful of the fact that  we live in modern times.

Pretti Ayyangar, CRAFTdesign Presenter

CRAFTdesign Talk took place at Atlanta High Museum of Art and was part of design related activities scheduled during the week of  MA09 Design Is Human, 12-17 May 2009.

Funishings Courtesy, Context Fil de Fir floor lamp courtesy, SFMD

MA10 Design Is Human is May 2010!

To get more details about MA10 Design Is Human and learn ways your design-related business can exhibit, sponsor, and advertise, contact info@modern-atlanta.org

For 2009, MA-ology examines leaders in Italian creativity and is rightfully-so named “The Italian Style”, and promises to be a very hip international exhibition centered around the famous “Made In Italy” brand and its global contribution to architecture and design, fashion, and art.  “The Italian Style” features Zanotta’s famous and revolutionary Sacco armchair, courtesy Zanotta (Italy); in collaboration with Jeffrey Atanta and Jeffrey New York, cutting-edge Italian fashion from names like Marni, Prada, Gucci, and 6267; and paintings of the exceptionally talented and acclaimed Italian painter, Marco Grassi (Milan).  Entrance to MA-ology “The Italian Style” is $20 at the door and expected to sell out early (proceeds will benefit CARE).  Students with ID are allowed in for half price. For more “The Italian Style” click here.

CARE International 

MA’s concern about global events that especially negatively impact the lives of innocent women and children is very real and is in part why the event is called Design Is “Human”.  Rising the awareness in 2009 will be no exception as CARE’s Derek Kayongo returns for MA09 to speak passionately on behalf of CARE’s work with women to create permanent social change. Woman are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. Proceeds from “The Italian Style” ticket sales and the paintings of Marco Grassi go to help support CARE’s work with women and children. For more CARE Fundraiser click here.

Design exhibition, Atlanta celebrates 40 years of Zanotta’s Sacco- courtesy Zanotta (Italy)

Zanotta’s Sacco

“The Italian Style” in a special design exhibition, will celebrate over 40 years of Zanotta’s revolutionary Sacco armchair and its non-stop production. From a cult object and icon of light, modern and informal design, Sacco set an unquestionable all-time international record to become one of the most important expressions of Italian creativity.  For more Sacco click here.

All Sacco displayed in “The Italian Style” are supplied by Zanotta (Italy).  For more Sacco and to find a Zanotta dealer in Atlanta visit Zanotta’s website (www.zanotta.it).

MARNI 2009 Spring/Summer live show,  courtesy Jeffrey Atlanta and Jeffrey New York

Marni 2009 Spring/Summer

Some would say Italian fashion has the same or greater status as does Italian design. We will let the experts decide, but like design, Italian fashion has its world famous brands and designers and leads the industry in new ideas and execution.  Early Italian pioneers like Valentino and Gucci helped make the “Made In Italy” label a status symbol and give a small European country international prominence when it came to creativity.  The Italians say “Moda Italia” (Italian Fashion) and it is all about attitude and outward appearances.  And how one dress is very important to Italians and the clothes have to make a strong statement about who they are, especially when out in public, all part of the Italian tradition and dressing for success.  For “The Italian Style” MA and its Director of Fashion, Ashley Chase is collaborating for the second year with Atlanta’s top fashion boutique who adores Italian fashion, Jeffrey Atlanta (and Jeffrey New York) to present the hottest Italian fashion on the planet. Expect to see the exclusive preview of 2009 Spring/Summer collection and rare runway ensembles from Marni.  Other Atlanta-based collaborators include The Atlantan magazine.

Hair by Diana Paul, Richie Arpino Salon and Makeup by Authentic Beauty

“Keeping it Pink”, Marco Grassi in his first USA One Man Exhibit

Marco Grassi (above)  in his first major exhibit in the USA 

MA and our sponsors are especially proud to announce that Marco Grassi is presenting his first-ever USA one-man exhibition in Atlanta. This special Marco Grassi one-man exhibition is part of MA-ology- “The Italian Style” and CARE Fundraiser to help empower women and improve the lives of innocent children in Africa.

Special Edition Marco Grassi’s paintings for “The Italian Style” will be for sale with proceeds also going to CARE.  For more on Marco Grassi in Atlanta, click here.  For collector’s or buyers interested in presale opportunities of Marco Grassi paintings, contact info@modern-atlanta.org

Modern Atlanta Home Tour Ticket Outlets in Atlanta

Design Within Reach

2451 Peachtree Rd NE

Atlanta, GA 30305

404-841-2471

Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm

Saturday 10am - 7pm

Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Cash or Check Only

(context)

75 John Wesley Dobbs Ave

Atlanta, GA 30303

404-477-3301

Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

Cash and Check Only

Octane Coffee Bar & Lounge

1009 Marietta Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30318

404-815-9886

Monday - Thursday 7am - Midnight

Friday 7am -1am

Saturday 8am - 1am

Sunday 8am - 10pm

Octane accepts Cash, Checks, & Credit Cards

Since 2007,  Modern Atlanta Home Tour has delighted fans of contemporary architecture, design, and urban culture. Its audience has widened, are more educated and appreciative of the benefits of living modern and how to better define their own personal space.

Click here for a map of this year’s homes.

BLDGS, Ansley -2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

TaC Studios, Ashley- 2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Rain Shine House- 2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Bickley House- 2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Dencity-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

A.M.H. SIMBLIST at SERENBE-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Modern Flat, Harrison Design Associates-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Beals Resident designed by Lightroom-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Dencity, Montgomery Ferry-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Ridgewood-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Pine Street Residence, Carlson & Mosley Architects-2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

Inman Green- 2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

East Avenue Residence, TaC Studios- 2009 Modern Atlanta Home Tour

For 2009,  we are excited to feature beautiful contemporary homes and interiors designed by Altlanta’s leading contemporary studios with names like Dencity, BLDGS, TaC Studios, Lightroom, and Harrison Design, just to name a few.  Come see the latest trends in contemporary architecture and design in Atlanta on this self-guided tour of modern homes.  Addresses and general map will be provided in the MA Event Guide. Cost for tour tickets: only $35 for both Saturday and Sunday tours which includes entrance to the MA09-Design Is Human Opening Night Kickoff Party and Exhibitions.

Tickets available online and at select MA ticket outlets beginning March 31, 2009.

Download MA09 Home Tour Details PDF

Ticket Outlets in Atlanta

Design Within Reach
2451 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-841-2471
Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm
Cash or Check Only

(context)
75 John Wesley Dobbs Ave
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-477-3301
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Cash and Check Only

Octane Coffee Bar & Lounge
1009 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-815-9886
Monday - Thursday 7am - Midnight
Friday 7am -1am
Saturday 8am - 1am
Sunday 8am - 10pm
Octane accepts Cash, Checks, & Credit Cards

To get tickets, click on “Buy Tickets” above or here

Join MA and event attendees for a celebration of all that is Modern Atlanta. The event features Architect Scale Model and Renderings, Contemporary Furniture and Design Exhibits by local, national and international designers and students work from GA Tech Industrial Design department.

Other features include premiere of GA Tech College of Architecture exhibit.

Modern Atlanta Home Tour tickets on sale at the door. Cost for 2-day home tour is only $35 which includes entry to MA Opening Night Kickoff. Cost to attend mixer only: $10 at the door.

MA09 Launch Night is in part sponsored by

Adrienne Grzeskiewicz, Regional Sales & Design Manager of bulthaup, and her team cordially invite you to celebrate the Atlanta launch of the new bulthaup b1 system.  A system reduced to the absolute essentials, precision planned and perfectly finished by bulthaup’s engineers and master craftsmen, now with attractive pricing.

Wine and hors d’ouevres will be served.  Please join us to experience this exciting system yourself.

bulthaup is a proud top sponsor of MA09 Design Is Human.

Hear SieMatic designers discuss “SmartDesign” - a campaign launched to emphasize efficiency, value and new range of cost effective, reproduction door styles. In today’s economy, maximizing space and value is paramount and this is not lost on a SieMatic kitchen. A new line of textured laminate doors in a fashionable color palette allows uncompromising design to a cost-conscious market. Interior drawer systems, “magic” corners, Multi-Matic accessories, and creative architectural solutions make for an affordable and efficient designer kitchen.

Also preview the interactive SieMatic S1; ultra-modern technology for the kitchen including touch screen technology, integrated music dock and television, inspired modern design and sleek aesthetic.

SieMatic is a proud top sponsor of MA09 Design Is Human.

Manfred Junker, chief designer for Poggenpohl Mobelwerke in Herford, Germany will explain the distinction between Poggenpohl’s two clear design languages: Modern Purism and Modern Classic. Winner of more than 10 internationally recognized design awards, including the prestigious Red Dot and Good Design awards, the +Segmento, +Integration and PLUSMODO kitchen design philosophies will be addressed.

Poggenpohl Porsche Design P’7340 Kitchen

Segmento Kitchen

Other topics will include: The Kitchen as a Work of Art and Poggenpohl’s partnerships with famous architects and designers, including Luigi Colani, Jorge Pensi, and most recently Porsche Design. Mr. Junker will provide a “behind the scenes” tour of the new Poggenpohl Porsche Design P’7340 Kitchen shown for the first time in Atlanta on May 13. The environmental aspects and precise details of the P’7340 kitchen will be highlighted: 8mm aluminum titanium frame, internal honeycomb structure, +Motion Drive technology and more.

Invitation

Poggenpohl is a proud top sponsor of MA09 Design Is Human.