As Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design, it is our duty to keep our ears to the ground searching for the latest news making waves, whether big or small, in the art and design community. Through our series Design News, readers will have the chance to learn about the things happening in our networks.
First Shipping Container Home in The Hammer
Shipping containers have been retrofitted into market places like the Scadding Court Market 707, restaurant extensions and also alternative living spaces in Toronto. This time around, the Redhouse shipping container home in Hamilton was built in just one day. “Redhouse was imagined as a single-family home that could, if circumstances called for it, be cleaved into two townhomes. The client wanted space to live, but also hoped to house refugees, new Canadians and friends from abroad.” Modular buildings have so much potential with the use of shipping containers, “[t]hough its layout will be flexible, its design was kept deliberately simple, embodying Wonder Inc.’s self-described lunch-bucket aesthetic.” Imagine the possibilities of how shipping containers are shaping the future of homes by “offer[ing] flexible, durable and cost-efficient housing solutions across the country – including the north.”
See the full article on Designlines
Aerodynamic Rooftop Tent For Roadtrippers
Speaking of alternative living situations, Sebastian Maluska’s rooftop tent could be the perfect solution for those roadtripping on a budget. “Maluska, who studied product design at Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ÉCAL) in Renens, Switzerland, created his tent for adventurous young people who want to travel on a budget, or go to remote areas.” He mentions that there are existing rooftop tents out in the market, but Maluska claims that, “[w]hen closed, the tent forms an aerodynamics shape and can be used as a rooftop storage space.” The Nest tent fits up to two people in a snug waterproof sail inspired shell and “can be accessed through zip-openings on both sides.” With all the openings unzipped, you can easily enjoy all the nature surrounding you in an elevated way.
See the full article on Dezeen
Serving Tools to Combat Obesity
It’s always interesting to see all the new ideas that have been brewing in the minds of design students at their graduation showcases. One of which has been highlighted by Dezeen as a new set of tools to help combat obesity. “Royal College of Art graduate Ponsawan Vuthisatkul has created a series of food serving tools that aim to challenge people’s perception of portion sizes.” The collection of serving tools are more fluid in form, with rounded edges that are intended to fit perfectly into one’s hands. Notably, “[t]he collection takes cues from nutritionists who say that we can easily compare our food portion size with our hand.” With the intention to help society rewire what seems to be a normal portion, “The New Normal…features six tools of varying sizes…to help people estimate five basic food groups and then form a new memory and change behaviour in long-term.”
See the full article on Dezeen
Burton Kramer Recognized with The Order of Canada
Burton Kramer is an American Graphic Designer and Artist who has showcased his work around the world. In fact, “…Kramer is most famously known for his creation of the iconic Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) logo.” This summer, he has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. “The Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Kramer’s accomplishment acknowledges and validates the importance of graphic design in Canadian history and culture.”
See the full article on RGD
