Urbanism 20 December 2007
Modular by Le Corbusier
Legendary architect Le Corbusier created the Modular, a universally applicable system of measurements somewhere between the metric system and feet and inches, designed to bring harmony to global industrial production. The system was based on a number of units of measurement related to the human body, and related to Leonardo Da Vinci’s Golden Ratio. Published in 1950, the Modular was used comprehensively in the planning of the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille (1945-52), an icon of modern residential architecture. Presented in a round aluminium box with a certificate of authenticity, this genuine reproduction of the “Modular” makes the perfect gift for any architect, or fans of great architecture. Available from Cite Auckland.
Louis Vuitton Christmas Windows
Looking for a fresh approach to their Christmas window displays this year, Louis Vuitton held a competition at top-tier design school Central Saint Martins in London, challenging students to define what the brand meant to them. The winning design, which will be displayed in the windows of 380 stores worldwide, is a simple but meaningful work by 21-year-old Christopher Lawson and 26-year-old Marcos Villalba; “We did our research and isolated the things we felt were the essence of the brand, focusing on travel, wood and Asnieres, the historic workshop.” The result is ‘Latitude 48.194 / Longitude 02.286’: a three-dimensional topographical map of the area surrounding Asnieres, made from poplar wood, used for the frame of the Louis Vuitton trunks since 1854.
>>Visit www.louisvuitton.com
Corner Bin by Kitman Keung for G.O.D
Kitman Keung Studio has designed this waste bin for Hong Kong-based lifestyle store G.O.D. The triangular shape is designed to occupy corners of tiny spaces and is made of polyethylene with glass fibre. G.O.D is the phonetic sound of the Cantonese slang “to live better”. Next time you’re in Hong Kong, pop into one of the five stores there, or buy online at www.god.com.hk
>>Visit www.god.com.hk
Coloured Leather-Bound Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary
These eleventh edition Merriam-Webster’s Dictionaries come in three different finishes – each one so beautiful that we want to collect the whole set! Choose from brown, red, pink and yellow in Terello hand-stained Italian leather; brown in Crocodile-Embossed Italian Calfskin; or Robin’s Egg and Gold in Genuine Goatskin. Buy online at www.thisisauto.com or www.jennibick.com
>>Visit www.thisisauto.com/detail/7,1,1/
>>Visit www.jennibick.com/leather-dictionary-thesaurus.html
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