Tape Melbourne - Federation Square

Tape Melbourne is an inspiring installation by Numen currently spanning the West Terrace of Federation Square constructed from 30km of sticky tape. I was fortunate to experience it as I waited to meet Bernie Walsh prior to the Create Design Awards event. I could not help linking this work to the donut selloptape dispenser designed by Catalyst Design Group in 2006. The sellotape donut dispenser was featured in the exhibition STILL09 and was an entry in the 2006 Australian Design Awards. RMIT industrial design alumnus Hugo Davidson is a director of Catalyst. ......That's a lot of donuts!

Tape Melbourne installation by Numen - Federation Square Melbourne

http://www.fedsquare.com/events/tape-melbourne/

Sellotape donut dispenser design by Catalyst Design Group 2006

Heathrow Pod - On demand transport.

Heathrow Airport has unveiled the Heathrow pod, the airport’s most innovative transport system. This system started life as a Bristol University project. I recall this project was often referenced in research by students in the ZeroCar upperpool studio at RMIT which David Flynn and I ran in conjunction with VEIL in 2009. It is brilliant to see concepts like this one developed and realised.

The Pods system was developed by UK company Ultra and BAA and consists of 21 low energy, battery powered, driverless, zero emission vehicles capable of carrying four passengers and their luggage along a dedicated 3.8km guide way. This system has much in common with the ZeroCar studio outcome by Charles Ng pictured below.

The pods will carry the 500,000 passengers travelling between the Terminal 5 Business Car Park and the main terminal each year, giving them a smooth and virtually silent five minute ride. The journey is on demand and non-stop from start to destination at the touch of a computer screen.

Each temperature-controlled Heathrow pod has been designed for privacy and comfort and allows passengers to select their own direct destination. There are no timetables (and no waiting), as a central computer ensures that pods are distributed at each station according to passenger demand. When waiting for a passenger, the pods recharge themselves at battery points, so are always ready to go.

Heathrow Pod interior.

Ladybug electric vehicle concept design by RMIT industrial design student Charles Ng.

http://www.ultraprt.com

Healing Radio - Just looking.

Some free time in Launceston last week allowed for some browsing. This early bakelite Healing radio was grand but not exactly hand luggage and also a bit early also for my collection. A Charles Furey "Moderne" or later models by RMIT alumni Ted Healy or Bruce Hall for A G Healing would tempt me a little more.

Bakelite Healing Golden Voice radio.

Hugh Nagle - A palette of technology

Exploring and developing a bowl concept inspired by the painters palette, UTAS second year student Hugh Nagle has employed a palette of technology for prototyping. Encouraged by Furniture Design program director Simon Ancher, this piece is a work in progress and an outstanding vehicle for exploration of materials and manufacturing technologies.

UTAS furniture design student Hugh Nagle.

Simon Ancher - Life Specifics Exhibition

Life Specifics is an exhibition of new furniture by Simon Ancher. Life Specifics includes six new pieces and is currently on show at the Design Centre Tasmania.

Simon Ancher pictured with new works in Life Specifics Exhibition, Design Centre Tasmania.

Detail of solid blackwood clipped wing bench by designer Simon Ancher

Clipped Wing stools by designer Simon Ancher.

Life Specifics Exhibition by Simon Ancher Studio

Detail of sideboard by designer Simon Ancher

Link to exhibition - Design Centre Tasmania

FutureGrad Workshop - UTAS

The FutureGrad Workshop at University of Tasmania School of Architecture + Design was a huge success and an important initiative to support students graduating from Architecture, Furniture Design and for the first time in 2011 the Interior Design program. Representing the DIA Victorian Branch I was fortunate to attend most sessions which were all informative, engaging and full of valuable insights from an excellent range of presenters and panel members.

UTAS School of Architecture and Design

FutureGrad Workshop September 16th 2011 -  presenters and panel participants - Adam Haddow - SJB Architects, Alysia Bennett - OSA (Office of the State Architect), Cassandra Kiss - Jaws Architects, Ceridwen Owen - UTAS and Core Collective, Garth Ancher - Preston Lane Architects, Geoff Clark - UTAS and Troppo Architects, Guy Paramore - Furniture Design Graduate, Ian Briggs - Plus Architecture, Ian Wong - DIA (Design Institute Australia), Janine Holt - Australian Institute of Architects (Insurance), Jarrod Hughes - Circa Architects and EAT, Jen Smit - Mulloway Architects, Jenni Sharman - DOT (Designed Objects Tasmania), Josh Nester – SEEK, Jude Abell – Futago, Justine Clark - Independent architectural writer, editor, critic and curator, Keith Westbrook - Circa Architects and EAT, Kirsty Máté - UTAS and Eco Balance, Leigh Woolley – Architect, Leila Allbrook - Architect, Madeline Lester - Madeline Lester & Associates, Mark Rhodes – MONA, Martin Green, Mat Hinds – Architect, Mike Wilkinson – Architect, Polly McGee - Startup Tasmania, Poppy Taylor - Circa Architects, Richard Hall - Spatial Oddity and Lateral Building Designs, Sharon Turner-French - ARTAS Architects, Simon Ancher – UTAS, Trudy-Ann King - Green Building Council Australia.

At James Place - Launceston

It was a pleasure this week to make a trip to Launceston representing the DIA Victorian Branch at UTAS in Launceston. The home of James Boag's Brewery, I could not resist this shot given the RMIT student work this week on beverage bottles with O-I Asia Pacific.

Boags Brewery Launceston Tasmania.