Campsite is a New York based design blog and studio run by visual designer Max Ritt.
Peter Zumthor has long been one of my favorite architects. His designs strike a great balance between classical Swiss structures, and more modern approaches in both materials and construction. These small Chalets in Leis are a prime example of a Zumthor’s take on the classic Swiss mountain huts.
(via Wallpaper »)
Having been an avid TeuxDeux user since it launched it makes me very happy to hear they are taking it to the next level. Sure this means they are going to start charging a subscription fee, but they aren’t just starting to charge for an already existing product. The whole TeuxDeux team worked over the last few months to rebuild the entire app from the ground up and make an entirely new iPhone app. It is one of the greatest apps available and is run by super talented and amazing group of individuals right here in Brooklyn.
Simple, utilitarian, beautiful. Those are the first three adjectives that come to mind when I saw these tools designed by Kacper Hamilton for Swiss ski company Zai. Both the name and design pay homage to the Japanese Higonokami (“Higo”) crafted by metal smiths for centuries. The design and manufacturing follow in the footsteps of the original Higo craftsmen, with the utmost attention to detail. Another element that Zai requested was for the entire tool to take up the least amount of space as possible, or order to make the tool as efficient as possible for skiers and backpackers to stow.
Towards the end of the summer the heat always starts to wear on me and I start dreaming of winter, snow, and places like this. Summit Shelter designed by Tilla Theus is perched atop Weisshorn Arosa a pristine and beautiful mountain in Southern Switzerland. The modern structure is clad in sleek geometric metal siding, and panoramic windows offering 360 degree views.
(via SUBTILITAS »)
Having a comfortable, functional, and inspiring space to work in is one of the most important aspects of staying productive. This studio designed for the Swiss painter Rémy Zaugg is a workspace I feel confidant I could work well in. The light and airy interior gives off the feeling of work completed. The design was completed by Herzog de Meuron in 1995, but as much of their work does, still feels current today.
(via SUBTILITAS »)
Swiss mountain cabins and barns are one of my favorite types of structures. The simplicity of form and materials coupled with the natural surroundings are of unparalleled beauty. This renovation by Ruinelli Associati was originally a small barn used by farmers and has been converted into an amazing holiday home.
(via Daily Icon »)
A ski cottage in Switzerland is just about the ultimate dream possible in my mind. Oberschwändiberg Cottage designed by Swiss architects Althammer Hochuli was prefabricated in pieces and assembled on site with a helicopter. The below photo is probably my favorite of all as it shows one of the main wall panels moved into place. The site was inaccessible by truck so all the supplies and construction had to be done using a helicopter, but the view is definitely worth it.
(via SUBTILITAS »)
Creative Mornings, the breakfast lecture series(now empire) with 29 chapters spanning the globe is partnering with RISD and John Maeda for a themed month. This June every Creative Morning around the globe, including a special pop-up at RISD’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island will be on the topic of art and technology. This intersection is of particular relevance and importance to those of us creating the design both visual and structural for the web and applications.
(via swissmiss »)
Since summer weather has already descended in a steamy cloak of mugginess let’s keep the cycling theme going today with this awesome bike storage shelf designed by Thomas Walde. This unit is produced in Switzerland and available for sale over at Postfossil.
(via NOTCOT »)
Renovated Swiss mountain farmhouses are one of the most beautiful structures in existence. This particular one was originally built in 1862, and was renovated with the focus being a balance between conservation of
heritage and necessary updates. Charles Pictet did a wonderful job of that and stayed very true to the original homes structure and reorganizing it’s contents and layout. The result is a home which fits it’s surroundings, but is a more contemporarily appropriate.
(via SUBTILITAS »)
The buildings designed by Richard Neutra are some of the most iconic structures of the last hundred years, and maybe even all time. These photos by Iwan Baan, of the Rentsch House capture this classicism in all it’s glory looking out over an idyllic Swiss mountain-scape.
I love vintage European posters and skiing, so this collection of posters for sale over at Vintage Seekers really caught my eye. Spanning from the 1930s to 1980s these posters display a nice view of design history through the acute view of a specific medium for a particular industry.
Graphic designer Mike Joyce has an ongoing project called swissted where he recreates rock posters through the lens of Swiss modernism. The resulting posters are a beautiful study in the practice of design, and for some reason have a much greater intrigue than all those minimalist movie poster interpretations that have been circulating.
The one promotional emailer I never seem to dread, and always open is that from the good folks of Tattly. This week I was happy to see a couple of great new seasonally appropriate designs. My new personal favorite are the Wintery Trees, designed by Josh Smith.
The use of concrete and wood makes for a very classic and warm looking space, which is very surprising. The forms and lines are derived from typical local homes, but the use of materials really sets this place apart. Also the way it is sited and interacts on the street side. Design was carried out by Swiss duo Lacroix Chessex.
(via SUBTILITAS »)
The Swiss just do it better. One thing I have been looking at a lot and is becoming a thread of sorts here on campsite is the idea of reinventing or re-envisioning designed objects, which have become pedestrian or banal. This atypical wayfinding system designed by Tina Stäheli–Shinohara illustrates this perfectly. It falls somewhere between constructivist art and signage, and thus changes how we engage and use it. Equal parts art and information in my opinion would allow the user to be more connected to the information on the sign and be able to understand and apply that information more easily. I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this so please feel free to leave a comment.
(via swissmiss »)
The beautiful mountainsides of Switzerland provide the perfect canvas for built in structures. I have seen this demonstrated both in unique hobbit like dwellings all the way up to ultra modern luxury lofts dug into a hillside. Here we see probably the pinnacle of garage design in the entire world. Kunz Architektur has used to the ground to enclose and also frame parking for a clients car collection. Part display and part storage the juxtaposition between the grass and wild flowers, and the concrete glass and steel of the cars is awesome.
(via SUBTILITAS »)
The melding of the history of this structure and the beautiful modern renovation is in my eyes a great illustration of Swiss culture and design both past and present. My favorite part are the exposed aged beams from the original structure. This perfect little cabin high up in the alps was designed by Personeni Raffaele Schärer and the amazing photos were shot by Tonatiuh Ambrosetti.
(via WANKEN »)
My friend and mentor Tina Roth Eisenberg who most of you probably only know by her moniker swissmiss has launched her newest and in my opinion most inventive project to date. Yesterday Tattly launched in beta and today it goes live for the rest of the world! An online store for “Designy temporary tattoos” as their tagline puts it carve out an awesome little niche in growing market of goods by designers for designers. The tattoos are designed by contemporary greats like Frank Chimero, Jason Santa Maria, Chris Glass, Jessica Hische and many more. Who by the way are all personal friends of Tina. Could this woman get any more impressive? Yes she can. Her other projects in addition to her blog include Creative Mornings, teuxdeux, Icebreakertags, and hopefully a whole slew of other cool projects in the future.
They really know how to do it in Switzerland. Little private ski resort, Whitepod with beautiful modern igloos. What more could a ski fanatic want? Both the lodge and igloos located at around 6,000 feet above sea level have astonishing views of the valley and snow surroundings.
(via WANKEN »)
