Jaime Hayón // Spanish Artist & Designer

Now I don't know about you but I am pretty terrible with names. I tend to recognise designs but have no idea who designed it....which is very naughty! So as a conscious effort to recognise designs and their designers I have started this section called 'creative signatures'.  

While the Milan Furniture Fair 2011 was in full swing a name kept popping up. That name was Jaime Hayón. His work can be summed up with one word. Incredible. 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

The following information has been sourced from the Hayon Studio website. All rights and ownership of the information and images displayed on this post are owned by Hayon Studio.

Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon was born in Madrid in 1974. As a teenager, he submerged himself in skateboard culture and graffiti art, the foundation of the detailed, bold-yet-whimsical imagery so imminent in his work today. After studying industrial design in Madrid and Paris he joined Fabrica in 1997, the Benetton-funded design and communication academy, working closely with the legendary image-maker and agitator Oliverio Toscani. 

Groninger Museum 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

In a short time he was promoted from student to head of their Design Department, where he oversaw projects ranging from shop, restaurant and exhibition conception and design to graphics. Eight years later, Jaime broke out on his own, first with collections of designer toys, ceramics and furniture, followed by interior design and installation. His singular vision was first fully exposed in ‘Mediterranean Digital Baroque’ at London’s David Gill Gallery, an exciting mise en scène, largely executed in ceramic, followed by ‘Mon Cirque’, which traveled to Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris and Kuala Lumpur. These collections put Jaime at the forefront a new wave of creators that blurred the lines between art, decoration and design and a renaissance in finely-crafted, intricate objects within the context of contemporary design culture.

FAVN for Fritz Hansen 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Jaime’s esteem and knowledge of artisan skills and his inherent creativity has allowed him to push the boundaries of many mediums and functions, resulting in collections for clients as diverse as ArtQuitect (bathrooms) b.d. ediciones, Established and Sons and Moooi (domestic furniture), Metalarte and Swarovski (lighting fixtures), Berhardt Design (textiles), Piper Heidsieck (champagne buckets), Gaia and Gino (vases) and Bosa Ceramiche (ceramic objects). He has conceived two important collections for Bisazza. Most recently, he has created the ‘Rencontres’ collection for Baccarat; a collection of vases and lamps that reinterpret the firm’s famous cut crystal by adding elements in ceramic and plastic.

Baccarat Candy Lights 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

His ongoing work as a creative consultant for the Spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladró has resulted in a new direction for the company, as well as Jaime’s own collection ‘Fantasy’. Adding to his acclaimed intramurals for Madrid’s La Terraza del Casino restaurant and Camper footwear stores, Jaime is currently working on interiors for leading hotels, restaurants and retail establishments around the world. Jaime currently resides in London, with offices in Barcelona and Treviso (Italy). His work has appeared in the most prestigious art and design publications worldwide. He has won numerous awards including ‘Best Installation’ (Icon Magazine), ‘Breakthrough Creator’ (Wallpaper Magazine) and the 2006 Elle Deco International Award. In 2008, Jaime was guest of honor at Belgium’s Interieur Biennial, the youngest person ever to receive the accolade. 

One of my favourite pieces that Jaime Hayón has designed is FAVN for Fritz Hansen. This is an exquisitely executed piece suitable for various applications.  

FAVN is the Danish name for embrace. This piece is the result of a creative dialogue between Jaime Hayon and Fritz Hansen. "I wanted the sofa to be based on a shell. A shell being hard on the outside, soft and welcoming on the inside. I wanted to create a form that embraces you, something really organic - that's why we named it FAVN". "FAVN is an evolution of Fritz Hansen's design language that brings together the qualities of Spanish and Danish design". 

FAVN for Fritz Hansen 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

The new sofa is presented in ten unique Designer Selections; light grey, sage green, clear beige, taupe, chocolate, moutarde, red, violet, dark blue and black. It includes a mix of three fabrics to express the form of its three main components; the shell, seat and back and decorative cushions. The combination of texture and tone is appealing to the visual and emotional senses.

FAVN for Fritz Hansen 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

The next project that I would like to share with you is an interior fitout for a jewellery store. I have never seen anything like this before, Octium is truly amazing!

Octium, a new concept jewelry shop, opened its doors in October 2009. Located in 360º mall in Kuwait, Octium presents the work of various exclusive jewelry designers from around the globe. Hayon's design offers an innovative approach to an interior. Most elements where custom designed for the project using contrasting finishes like glossy lacquered woods, natural oak, ceramic, luxurious fabrics...

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

Octium Jewelry 

Source: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

This is just a small taste of what this talented designer has worked on, please visit his website for more details: http://www.hayonstudio.com/

I hope you all enjoyed the first 'creative signatures'. If you have any note worthy designers you think would be suitable for 'creative signatures' please email me as I am always open to fresh ideas!

Sticky Note 16: Weinerwald by ippolito fleitz group

Friedrich Jahn opened the very first Wienerwald restaurant in Munich in 1955. The synonymous fast-food chain expanded over the following decades until it was operating branches in 18 countries. Following the collapse of the group, the company was under varying ownership until the grandchildren of the founding family bought back the rights to the brand in 2007. Their goal is now to build on the long tradition of the company, exploiting both the strength of the brand and the uniqueness of their gastronomic concept. 

The studio was commissioned to develop new corporate architecture for the chain, which has already been rolled out in two Wienerwald branches in Munich. Wienerwald has not only relaunched its visual presence, but also its culinary offering. 

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Chicken, with its naturally low-fat, healthy meat, remains the main staple of the menu. However a second focus on fresh chopped salads has been introduced to move the food chain into the sector of fresh and healthy foods.

 Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

The new interior design underscores the realignment of the brand, while translating the chain’s traditional strengths of high quality, comfort and German cuisine into a contemporary design idiom. Materials and colours reflect the principles of freshness and naturalness, which find their expression in materials such as wood, leather and textiles, as well as in the dominant green tones that complement the fresh white. 

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Gold is used as an accent colour, conjuring up associations of quality and the crisp, gold-coloured skin of the main product, the Wienerwald grilled chicken.

The space has been organised to ensure good visitor guidance, crucial in a self-service restaurant, as well as respecting the need for a differentiated selection of seating. Upon entering the restaurant, the guest is guided towards a frontally positioned counter, which presents itself as a clearly structured, monolithic unit. 

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Menu boards suspended above the counter visualise the range of food on offer. The food itself is also visible: An indirectly lit niche in the rear wall of the service area presents a selection of salads adjacent to grilled chickens turning on a spit. The wall is covered in anthracite mosaic stones, into which frameless, stainless steel units have been precisely inserted, thereby underscoring the high standard of the products. 

A neon green arrow in the centre of the rear wall indicates a hatch to the kitchen where fried chicken dishes are prepared. Order and payment terminals occupy the far ends of the white, solid surface counter. The chopping station is in the middle. After ordering, this is where salads are chopped, chicken is portioned and toppings are added from containers set into the counter under the guests’ watchful eyes. In the wall adjacent to the payment terminal, a display refrigerator stocks drinks and desserts. The restaurant remains odourless thanks to a ventilation and extraction system integrated into the counter area. 

In front of the service counter is a service station made of white solid surface, offering sauces, condiments and cutlery. It stands on golden chicken legs and looks expectantly towards the entrance.

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Green instructions and Wienerwald chickens set into the rustic wood floor show the customer how to navigate the ordering process. The dining area offers a range of seating options catering toward different requirements. White solid surface high bar tables are available for guests with little time on their hands. These are supported by a single leg with a tapering cylinder at its foot, recalling the traditional turned table leg. Alternative seating is available in an elongated seating group upholstered in brown, artificial leather, a reflection of the traditional Wienerwald seating niches.

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Guests are really spirited away into the ‘Wienerwald’ (English: Vienna Woods) here. Overlapping, rough-sawn oak panels on the rear wall quote the forest theme. Round mirrors printed with the outlines of tree and forest motifs are set into this wall. 

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Different-sized pendant luminaires at varying heights hang over the tables. These are sheathed in a roughly woven fabric in three shades of green and ensure a pleasant atmosphere. Forest images in different shades of green on wallpaper occupy one side wall, as well as transparencies on the windows. The view into the restaurant from the outside thus becomes a multi-faceted experience in which the individual elements on the mirror and glass surfaces reflect and overlap one another, making the brand world a truly holistic experience. 

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

A display of dining plates on the wall is dedicated to the Wienerwald company and its long tradition, reminiscing on the history of the brand in 14 motifs. They pay tribute to Friedrich Jahn, the brand’s founding father, and show a photograph of the first Wienerwald restaurant. The new restaurant design repositions Wienerwald as a contemporary fast-food chain. Traditional elements of the brand have been incorporated and translated into modern spatial elements with an exciting twist.

Photographer: Zooey Braun

www.zooeybraun.de

Now, a little bit about the talented designers:

ippolito fleitz group is a multidisciplinary, internationally operating design studio based in Stuttgart.

We are identity architects. We work in unison with our clients to develop architecture, products and communication that are part of a whole and yet distinctive in their own right. This is how we define identity.

With meticulous analysis before we begin.

With animated examination in the conceptional phase.

With a clarity of argument in the act of persuasion.

With a love of accuracy in the realisation.

With a serious goal and a lot of fun along the way.

Working together with our clients.

As architects of identity, we conceive and construct buildings, interiors and landscapes; we develop products and communication measures. We do not think in disciplines. We think in solutions. Solutions that help you become a purposeful part of a whole and yet distinctive in your own right.

We architect your identity.

'Thank you' to ippolito fleitz group for allowing me to blog about this amazing project, please check out their website:

http://www.ifgroup.org/

Please feel free to leave comments as I always love hearing from you.

Have a wonderful evening!

Sticky Note 15: Modrian Bookstore (Knjigarna Modrijan)

Recently, I noticed a large amount of viewers from Slovenia visiting 'Little Yellow Sticky Note'. This made me quite excited as I have a huge soft spot for Slovenia having travelled there a number of years ago and absolutely loving the place and the people. 

While I attempted to control my excitement I began to think about Interior Design in Slovenia. So I undertook an intense google session to see what was happening in the world of Interior Design in one of my favourite places. What I discovered was an eclectic mix of unique and modern interiors. In particular, I discovered a wonderful design firm called AKSL Architects. They have an amazing portfolio of work that you can check out at:

http://www.aksl.org

AKSL Architects have generously allowed me to blog about Modrian Bookstore (Knjigarna Modrijan) and for that I would like to say 'Hvala lepa' which is 'Thank you very much' in Slovenian.

 Photographer: Miran Kambič

Photographer: Miran Kambič

The Mondrian Bookstore is housed in a building in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The building was completed in 1938. Modern interiors set in a historical building always have an inherent charm, which is what Mondrian Bookstore pocesses.  

What I love about this bookstore is that it has a very distinct atmosphere that makes visitors immediately feel at 'home' with the environment. With the warmth of the materials used throughout the space and the way in which the books have been displayed like they are sitting in a bookcase, you would think you were standing in your own living room. 

Photographer: Miran Kambič

Photographer: Miran Kambič

The blue high back chairs in this photograph are being commonly used in office spaces to create small informal meeting areas. AKSL have cleverly placed these chairs into this bookstore as the chairs have acoustic qualities and visual screens which creates a peaceful oasis to sit and read a book. Infact, the designers have have used many notable furniture pieces, can you guess what they are?  

Photographer: Miran Kambič

The books are arranged by subject area in a bookcase style format along with mobile pedestals that can be moved around the space. This gives the space flexiblity to be multi-functional. The client required functions such as book presentations, cultural events, press conferences and slide shows to be performed in the bookstore. I personally cant think of a better place for those functions!

Photographer: Miran Kambič

Particular attention has been paid to the lighting throughout the space. Direct and indirect lighting has been used over the bookcases. I love this effect as it gives a halo appearance to the bookcases. The large blue chandeliers in the central space contributes to the warmth and comfort of the interior. 

Photographer: Miran Kambič 

Photographer: Miran Kambič

If you look closely at some of the photographs, intimate reading spaces are scattered throughout the bookstore. They are made up of a black reading chair and black floor lamp which contrasts directly with the warmth of the rest of the interior. I just love these cosy spaces, it makes me want to grab a coffee and a book and hide away for a few hours!  

The warms tones and ambient lighting make this an approachable space for kids and adults, I just love the little furniture for kids! 

Photographer: Miran Kambič

Photographer: Miran Kambič

The glass panels enclosing the stair case and the managers office on the mezzanine level add to the openness of the space, this is my personal favourite feature. Detailed and executed just beautifully!

This bookstore is more than a place to buy books, it is truly an experience.

Architect: ASKL Architects

Client: Modrijan Publisher Ltd.

Project completion: September 2009

Gross Area: 370 m2

Net Area: 300 m2

Value: 90 338 EU

Photographer: Miran Kambič

Please feel free to leave comments as I love hearing from you.

I hope you all have a lovely evening and please stay tuned for more work from the wonderful team at AKSL Architects.

Little Yellow Sticky Note Loves... A punch of colour that is pS Arkitektur

I am really excited about this blog 'Little Yellow Sticky Note Loves...pS Arkitektur' and I just know that you are going to be too!!!

This studio is ultra dynamic in so many ways. What I love about pS Arkitektur is that they are not afraid to use bold colour, graphics are an integral part in many of their projects and the furniture selection is just...wow!

Image: PS Arkitektur

A little bit about the studio straight from pS Arkitektur:

We enhance our clients image and business capacity through innovative architecture and design. Our motto is Architecture for change.We work with a broad range of projects ranging from urban planning to buildings and commercial interiors. 

Our aim is to create unique buildings and interiors that speak for themselves.We reveal the potential, visualize the hidden and suggest improvements. Architecture and design is a means of competition that creates withstanding value. In cooperation with the client we define the specifications and goals of the project in order to create a design that communicates and strengthens the client´s identity.

Our strength at pS Arkitektur is that we take an overall responsibility for the project throughout the process - from conceptual sketches to finalised product. Along the way we combine our knowledge and experience with that of the other collaborators.

Image: pS Arkitektur

Photographer: Jason Strong

pS Arkitektur have a range of amazing office fitouts which they have completed, I decided to focus on one of their accomplishments called 'Dynabyte'. 

Dynabyte is a young and fresh Swedish IT consulting firm that required a new office for their growing company. pS Arkitektur have created a fun and playful interior, yet, it has serious elements to meet the functional needs of the business.

Image: pS Arkitektur

Image: pS Arkitektur

There is a perfect juxtaposition between the city graphic on the wall and the fun bright yellow elements of this space.

I also love what is sitting on the table...

Image: pS Arkitektur

Image: pS Arkitektur

Even the cords are colourful!

Image: pS Arkitektur

Image: pS Arkitektur

Image: pS Arkitektur

Image: pS Arkitektur

Image: pS Arkitektur

It is so enjoyable to find innovative workplace design all over the world. Companies, from every part of the globe, are now understanding the importance of providing a unique working experience for their employees. As designers, it is our role to continue to challenge the idea of a 'typical' workplace. pS Arkitektur do just that with Dynabyte and many of their other office designs.

pS Arkitektur are also responsible for the new Skype office. I have included a few teaser photographs...check out pS Arkitektur's website for the full details.

Image: pS Arkitektur

Photographer: Jason Strong

Image: pS Arkitektur

Photographer: Jason Strong

Image: pS Arkitektur

Photographer: Jason Strong

I would like to give a huge 'Thank You' to pS Arkitektur for allowing me to blog about them and their projects. Please check out their website, you will be incredibly inspired!

http://www.psarkitektur.com/

Please feel free to comment as I love hearing from you.

Have a wonderful week!