DESIGN MAKER

IKEA's bringing the playground inside for an affordable $50. "The VIPPIG seesaw is comprised of two bent plywood pieces secured at the ends--a sculptural design that won't insult a sophisticated decor, unlike sit 'n spins or bouncy castles". They say that "rocking helps develop a child's sense of balance and the brain to sort sensory impressions," but we're walking funny and feeling a bit short on the sensory impression stuff, so maybe we'll have a go...it's recommended for children 3 years and up.

FLOTspotting : Reed Crawford From the Coroflot portfolio of : Reed Crawford

An embedded flexible cable allows Reed Crawford's Formable Furniture to transform from a flat pile of slats to an actual chair or table, reminiscent of gigantor watch links. While the cable is loose, the structure can be manipulated into the desired shape to be held in place by tightening and locking the cable.

Brooklyn-based designer David Scott of DESU Design has introduced six new furniture pieces forming the Plateau series, produced by Material Process Systems. Each piece is directly inspired by ancient monolithic and slab-based forms, and are composed of Richlite, a natural, durable, and eco-friendly fiber composite. The collection is designed for both indoor and outdoor use and feature integrated recesses for plants, stones or water. This would be an ideal bench centred around an array of flowers or a tadpole pond etc.

XRCADE: Videogame gym for kids

Once upon a time kids ran around outside and played stickball in the streets, but now that that only exists in Normal Rockwell paintings, the slack is being taken up by the Nintendo Wii and, if Denver-based iTech Fitness has its way, its XRCADE fitness centers for children.

XRCADEs have some of the features of gyms, like climbing walls and recumbent bicycles, some of the features of arcades, like DDR machines and snowboard simulators, and some of the features of children's play centers, like padded obstacle courses. With six XRCADEs in operation nationwide and more to come, iTech Fitness CEO Mike Hansen believes they've got the perfect balance of videogames and physical activity to keep kids engaged, unlike a conventional gym.

"These kids grew up in such a technology-driven environment," [Hansen] says. "With video games, they have control and they have a challenge. Put them on a treadmill and they don't see any gratification. Give them a game and they get instant gratification."

"Most of the kids who don't enjoy sports lead more sedentary lifestyles," [Lisa Witherspoon Hansen, co-research director of the USF-XRKade exergaming research lab] says, "but (playing activity-driven video games) becomes something they can do just as well as the athletic kids. We'd like them to enjoy being active, not dread it, or they won't continue doing it."

Article on the gym here.

Simon Daniel-Brown's Coathanger seating wins 2007 RSA Wired Award
Recent Northumbria University graduate Simon Daniel-Brown has received the 2007 RSA Wired Award for his Coathanger seating design that references the classic wire clothes hanger. The driving factor behind Brown's design is selective sociability in public places, attracting all types of users to a communal resting point. People can choose to interact or not be disturbed depending on exactly where on the structure they sit. The design is modular, comprised of straight, short curve, and long curve segments that can be joined and arranged in adaptable formations to fit a wide range of environments. The chrome-plated wire components are set in an undulating pattern which discourages people from sleeping on them and they allow dirt and rain to pass through, keeping the bench clean and inviting for all passersby.

Quick post of some pics from Tent London (formally-known-as '100% East') which has a very impressive line up and presentation. Will update with details later as we're about to head back for their rival opening to the official 100% Design Party at Earls Court tonight. Stay tuned for further coverage.

(German accent) "Conventional gutters can be so boring."
House in Dresden, Germany via deputy dog