From Spain Magazine 14

furniture, textiles, lighting

from spain14

Insi

de

Lights or artLuzifer’s bright idea to raise money for a charity

Valencia review

News and projects

Company profiles

03 NewsInteriors from Spain, Rojo, Gandia Blasco,Kanpazar and Santa & Cole

06 On their mettleComprehensive review of this year’sHabitat Valencia Forward fair

10 Tokyo Designers’ WeekSpanish designs prove a big draw in Tokyo

11 Simply marvellousLuzifer lighting project to raise money for Spain’s Make a Wish foundation

12 Hearts and mindsReview of 100 % Design show at Earls Court 2

14 Novelties from SpainExamples of the novelties of spanishcompanies you can find in the USA

16 ProjectsMarset supplies lighting to Malaga hotelStua wins big contract in Paris

18 Modern eleganceProfile of Viccarbe, which makes superstylish furniture for contract and home

20 Work ethicWe meet designer Mario Ruiz, who hasput gracefulness into office furniture

22 Bright lightsThe newest and best lights for inside,outside, domestic and contract use

24 Infinite varietyPaco Capdell sings in praise of chairs,our most loved piece of furniture

26 Quirky but practicalProfile of designer Martín Azúa

28 Light and shadeA look at young Barcelonalighting company Bover

30 Fashion senseRug company DAC designs to impress

From Spain 14contents2

EDITOR’S LETTER

Need new text

With best wishes

contents

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10

Belén CristinoTrade Commissioner of Spain in Miami

On the cover: Some of the 21 lamps designed by differentartists for Luzifer’s effort to raise money for a charity.

The views expressed in From Spain are not necessarilythose of the Spanish Embassy nor of the editorial team. The Spanish Embassy Commercial Office accept noresponsibility for the views expressed by contributors toFrom Spain, nor for unsolicited manuscripts, photographsor illustrations, nor for errors in contributed articles oradvertisements. Reproduction in whole or in part withoutwritten permission is strictly prohibited.

From Spain 14

Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: [email protected]

news 3

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INTERI RS FROM SPAIN

FEATURE FEATURED PROJECT

JAIME HAYÓN: AVANT-GARDESOPHISTICATIONRefurbishment of Casino de MadridRestaurantLa Terraza del Casino de Madrid presents a

spectacular, new avant-garde, modern space.

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On their mettleSpain’s contemporary designers demonstrated their creativity, ingenuity and love of colour at this autumn’s Habitat Valencia Forward furniture fair.

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From Spain 14news4

news

Seeing RedHeld in November 2007 at the Geoffrey Drayton

furniture showroom in London, Rojo has been, asits name suggested, all about Spanish interiorproducts. Red because it is the favourite color ofNani Marquina, doyenne of contemporary rugdesign and curator of the exhibition together withthe young and avant-garde designer Luis Eslava.On show, a mix of commercial and experimentalproducts from designers such as Jon Gasca,Jaime Hayón or Emiliana Design Studio, just to putan example, and their manufacturers, like Santa &Cole, Vibia, MO, Viccarbe, and many others. Redwas celebrated with the aim of exploring,promoting, rejoicing and, of course, enjoyingSpanish design. And… London’s edition may notbe the only one…

New looks forGandia Blasco’sNY Showroom

Gandía Blasco is, oncemore, in the news. This time,because of the restyling ofits centric showroom in NewYork. And with it, they havedefinitely achieved thecompany’s soul oftransporting you to apleasant and relaxingoutdoor paradise in the heartof the city that never sleeps.

But not only has itchanged looks, it has alsogrown in size, reachingalready 350 sqm, by openingthe basement floor whereyou may well now admire itsnew textile proposals.

We invite you to come and enjoy it at (No) 59thst (at 2nd Av.).

From Spain 14


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Kanpazar head to come

Santa & Cole awarded with IDEA 2007 prizeSanta & Cole has been awarded with the IDEA 2007 Bronze prize in the urbanfurniture category for its bicycle-rack KEY, designed by Lagranja (Gabriele Schiavonand Gerard Sanmartí). These awards are delivered each year by the Industrial DesignSociety of America and are one of the most prestigious in industrial design throughoutthe world.

Santa & Cole, a company with vision and a strong point of view has been editingelements of domestic and urban furniture and lighting, plant elements, as well as booksfor the past 20 years.

In North America, the company`s urban elements are offered by Landscape Forms,while Ameico offers their lighting products.

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From Spain 14valencia review6

On theirmettle

Habitat Valencia Forward is the key home showground for Spain’s topdesigners and it’s an event the international design community cannot afford to miss.

This September’s show unveiled an impressive and vibrant range offurniture. Teys, for example, won much applause for its bright red Cosmoloungers designed by Andreu Belenguer. Made from moulded fibreglass, theloungers follow the contours of the human body while also evoking afuturistic racing car...think Ferrari or Lambourghini. Nueva Línea’s Bulegodesk with its scissor shaped silhouette is a truly elegant piece, while StoneDesigns’ products – the Nenufar ‘water lily’ table, colourful Sunset shelvingand Rita Chairwood table and chair – show they are a design team destinedto become a household name. Sancal’s Up chaise longue, the Sis loungerfrom Punt Mobles, Nube chair from Stua and Oyyo chairs from Indecasawere just a few of the other many newcomer products that impressed.

Spain’s contemporary designersdemonstrated their creativity, ingenuity and love of colour at this autumn’s Habitat ValenciaForward furniture fairText: Abby Trow

The red fibreglass Cosmo chaise by Andreu Belenguer for TEYS has a certain Formula 1air about it

Bob chair and footstoolby DD by RESOL

ESTOLI’S new Fluofinishes in pink, orangeand green from itsModular Modules (MM)storage buildingcollection by Roviraand Torrente

Oyyo chairs by Nico Smeenk for INDECASA. Made from polypropylene with 10per cent fibre glass

From Spain 14


valencia review 7

Opil bed from Apal range by AZCUE

Rita Chairwoodwooden table chairs

with red legs bySTONE DESIGNS

Nenufar table by STONE DESIGNS is inspired by water lilies

Rita chair by Ximo Roca for BONESTIL

PUNT MOBLES’ Perec slopingshelving unit – not great for your bestchina but ideal for books and records

From Spain 14valencia review8

Té wool rug from GANDÍA BLASCO

SANCAL’S sumptuous Up modular sofa system by Rafa Garcia use varying density foam to ensure comfort

Sand table with cut-outdesign by TEYS

Bulego two-rise bureau made fromwood and chair from NUEVA LÍNEA

From Spain 14


9

FACT BOXExhibitors: Spanish companies: 500 (71 per cent)Foreign companies: 200 (28 per cent)Of foreign companies, 37 per cent werefrom Italy, 17 per cent from Portugal, 8 percent from France. Other countriesrepresented included Kenya, Norway,Holland, Israel, Denmark, UK and Turkey.

The organizers say the fair hashelped to improve the mood ofcompanies finding the presenteconomic climate tough. They sayprofessional visitors at HVF, who madeup the majority, were of high calibrewith real spending power. These peopleincluded interior designers, architectsand specifiers, with a large numberfrom Russia.

Miguel Angel Giménez, chairman ofHabitat Valencia Forward, saysfeedback from visitors and exhibitorshas been positive. ‘And we werepleased to note that professionals fromRussia and former Soviet republicsmade up the biggest sector ofoverseas visitors.’

Eudos sofa system with buttonedupholstery on the seats by GRASSOLER

Aramis sofa from PEROBELL

Victoria rug by NANI MARQUINA

SIS outdoor chaise by VicenteMartínez for PUNT MOBLES. Made

from aluminium and fabric mesh

valencia review

From Spain 14


news 11From Spain 1410 conversational spanish

SpeakingSpanish

Contemporary furniture dealer Noel Hennessy’s West End showroom wastransformed into a vortex of colourful stripes during the London Design Festival. Thestripification of this normally cream walled emporium was the work of celebratedSpanish designer Héctor Serrano to showcase designs he and his fellowcountrymen – Herme Ciscar & Mónica Garcia, Emiliana Design Studio, El ÚltimoGrito, Roger Arquer, Ramón Úbeda, Otto Canalda, Azúamoliné and Martí Guixé –have produced over recent years for companies Metalarte, Punt Mobles, B-Sign,Mobles 114, Arturo Alvarez and ABR.

Conversational Spanish 2 proved a talking point for the crowds who dropped in asthey thronged along the ‘design trail’ – a route that links the modern furniture shopsof London. The trail is part of the design festival, which runs in September tocoincide with the 100% Design fair at Earls Court.

Noel Hennessy’s showroom played hostto Conversational Spanish, an exhibitionof modern design held during the LondonDesign Festival

A new slant on the goldfish bowl from ROGER ARQUER

V light by ARTURO ALVAREZ juxtaposed against black stripes

Red stripes to showcase Flod stools from Mobles 114 and Campanela lightsby Emiliana Design Studio for METALARTE

Ego mirror by Martí Guixé for B-SIGN

tokyo designers’ week

SpainPlaytime

By Yourself shelvingsystem from STONE DESIGNS

Spanish design was a majordraw during Tokyo Designers’Week, demonstrating that the Far East is fast developing an appetite for Europeancontemporary furniture and lightingText: Noah Dugall

Spending power is strong in the Far Eastdespite these uncertain financial times andEuropean companies are rightly pushingto get into this market. Spanishcontemporary design firms are finding that,in particular, Japanese interest in theirproducts is growing as people develop a taste for Western aesthetics.Because of this, Spanish trade organizations have become firm supporters ofthe annual Tokyo Designers’ Week.

This year several events were held within the two main attractions of theweek, Shop Exhibition and 100% Design. Under the slogan Spain Playtime:Fresh Air in Spanish Design, an exhibition of some 50 products was held atthe Spanish Embassy in Tokyo, with the aim of conveying the fun and colourof Spanish design. Top designers Jaime Hayón and Martí Guixé exhibited theirwork, while a group of Spanish companies – Amat, B.Lux, Perobell, Akaba andMartínez Otero – exhibited at 100% Design.

Maia chair by Patricia Urquiola for KETTAL

Canvas chairs by MARTÍ GUIXÉ

Eire bar stool by Cul de Sac for BONESTIL

The lights together could actas a backdrop for a ballet

Luzifer found a novel way to raise money for Spain’sMake A Wish Foundation. It gave 21 artists one of itssimple wood veneer lamps and asked them to transformtheirs into a work of art. The results were utterly charmingand proof that, when it comes to art, great minds don’tthink alike. The lamps were shown at an exhibition inValencia called Las Lamparas Maravillosas and weresubsequently sold at an auction in October.

Artists who took part included: Ximo Amigó, PaulaBonet, Cari Roig, Cuqui Guillén, Antonio de Felipe, MaviEscamilla, M Granell, Javier Chapa, Xavier Mascaró,Carmen Michavilla, José Morea, Miquel Navarro, JoseSanleón, Horacio Silva, Joan Verdú, Sebastián Nicolauand Joan Ripollés.

Lighting company Luzifer has raised moneyfor a charity. It’s amazing what happens when a group of artists let their imaginations run wild

Simply marvellous

Design by Joan Verdú

Monochrome design by Xavier Mascaró

Audrey Hepburn by Antonio de Felipe

From Spain 14


11Profile

From Spain 1412

Mercer table lampfrom MARSET

100% design review

Hearts and minds

With more than 26,000 visitors, London’s 100% Design has become one of Europe’s most popular contemporary design exhibitions, showcasing products fromcompanies ranging from the global to the one-man band.It’s an excellent vehicle for reinforcing Spain’s credentials as as much a power house ofmodern design as Italy and Scandinavia and this year seven Spanish companies exhibited.Among them were Martínez Otero, which showed its Pearson Lloyd Horizon storage systemfor its Mo brand in a host of new colours, and textile company Naturtex, which launchedtwo interesting new products: Tamilux, a wood fibre tatami woven with metallic threads andCanicas, a rug made from colourful wool felted balls. There’s a tendency to think theItalians rule the roost when it comes to glass mosaic, but Onix Mosaico is just one Spanishmanufacturer that makes fabulous mosaic tiles. And they’re eco-friendly too, being madefrom recycled glass.

Spanish design impressed the crowds at this year’s 100% Design exhibition held at London’s Earls Court 2Text: Hari Alexander

Bright new colors in PearsonLloyd’s Horizon storage collectionfor MARTÍNEZ OTERO’S Mo brand

Glass mosaic byONIX MOSAICOis made fromrecycled glass

Part of the official Spanish design stand

Lulu pendant light by Oriano Favaretto

for EVALUZ

From Spain 14


13100% design review

Inox tiles by APAVISA. Based on the processes of steel manufacture, these special porcelain tiles with particles of metal are available in silver, chrome, copper and gold finishes

Stylishly simple new Coma bar stools from ENEANATURTEX’S Canicas rug made from colorful balls of felted wool

From Spain 14novelties14

Presented in international fairs all over the world,these are some examplesof the novelties of spanishcompanies you can find in the USA

Novelties from Spain, always stunning and refreshing

Azafran by PEROBELL: THE CONRAN SHOP New York, 407 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, T: 866 755 9079, www.conranusa.com

Slim by VIBIA: VIBIA, INC.272 Fernwood Ave.Edison, NJ 08837. T: 732 417 [email protected]

Neoromantico by SANTA Y COLE.Indoor: AMEICO, 1 Church Street, NewMilford, CT 06776, T: 1-860-354-8765,[email protected]. Outdoor:ANDSCAPEFORMS, 431 Lawndale,Kalamazoo, MI 49048, T: 1-800-521-2546, [email protected],www.landscapeforms.com

VILAGRASA: MAGNUSON GROUP, 1400 Internationale ParkwayWoodridge, Illinois 60517, T: 630 783 8100,[email protected], www.magnusongroup.com

Twister by LUJÁN Y SICILIA, THE BASIC SOURCE: 655 CARLSON CT. , ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928, T: 800 428 0044, [email protected], www.basicsourcelighting.com

Naos by ENEA: MAGNUSON GROUP, 1400 InternationaleParkway, Woodridge, Illinois 60517, T 630-783-8100,[email protected], www.magnusongroup.com

low res

From Spain 14


novelties 15

low res

Biarritz by AMAT-3: Various distributors in the USA. Contact Spainheadquarters for more information. AMAT-3 INTERNACIONALS.A.,Cami Can Bros, 5, 08760 Martorell, Barcelona, SpainT: 011 34 937 755 651, www.amat-3.com, [email protected]

Laszlo by FAMBUENA: THEBASIC SOURCE, 655 Carlson,CT., Rohnert Park, CA 94928. T: 800 428 0044,[email protected],www.basicsourcelighting.com

ARTURO ALVAREZ: THE BASICSOURCE, 655 Carlson, CT., Rohnert

Park, CA 94928. T. 800 428 [email protected]

www.basicsourcelighting.com

Wok by ANDREU WORLD:ANDREU WORLD AMERICA222 Merchandise Mart Plaza,Suite 10-132, Chicago, IL 60654,T: 312 464 0900,[email protected],www.andreuworldamerica.com

Reclinable daybed by GANDIA BLASCO: GANDIA BLASCO USA, INC.,217, East 59th St., New York, NY 10022, T: 212 421 6701,www.gandiablasco.com, [email protected]

Antonnio Miró shower by SUPERGRIF: Supergrif USA, INC. 14230 Lochridge Blvd-Unit E, Covington, GA 30014T: 888-742-5131, [email protected], www.supergrif.com

J light by MODISS: IMAGINATIVE CONCEPTS, INC.15 Old Sherman Turnpike - 06801 Danbury, CTP: 203 791 0348, [email protected], www.nalights.com

From Spain 1416 projects

projects

Lighting company Marset has provided an array of lights for the BarcelóMalaga hotel. The hotel, in one of Spain’s most famous holidaydestinations, has a highly contemporary interior, which has been designedby interior designer Jordi Torres, as well as architects Bartolomé Cursach.

One of the main innovations in this project is the use of fluorescent light,an RGB system and the Axis spotlight in the meeting rooms and restaurant.This allows the luminaires to change colour, achieving striking effects,(pictured left is the dining room, where different colours have been set tocreate a theatrical atmosphere.)

Other products used are the Ledpipe LED fitting, Axis and Akira lights inthe bedrooms.

Figueras to the White House

Marset for Malaga hotel

Figueras International Seating – a leader in the designand manufacture of public seating – has won the contractto furnish the White House press room. The prestigiouscontract was won by the company’s Miami-based US arm,which has been successful in pushing Figueras into theAmerican market. Other US companies that have boughtfrom it include Yahoo, Ericsson, Sony, Capital One andLockheed Martin.

The seat selected for the White House press room – fromwhere American presidents have made world-changingstatements – is Flame (pictured), designed by Portuguesearchitect Filipe Oliveira Dias. The seat is finished in beechwood and leather with an aluminium pedestal. The chairalso stands out for its acoustic properties, and has specialfire retardancy features to meet stringent safety standards.

Other major buildings that have Figueras seating include theKhalifa Stadium in Qatar, Gateshead’s The Sage and theShanghai Museum.

From Spain 14


17projects

Stua IN USStua has supplied a wide range of its seating to the Maison deL’architecture in Paris, the headquarters of France’s professionalassociation of architects. Products chosen include: the Malenaarmchair for the reception area; the Globus chair and Deneb tableand bench for the gardens; the Gas chair for the cafe and the Egoachair for the offices.

The furniture was selected because the interior design team, led byKarine Chartier and Thomas Corbasson, wanted vibrant, moderncontract pieces that would demonstrate just how stunning thejuxtaposition of the very old and the very new can be.

The Maison de L’Architecture, which dates back to 1604, is locatedin the enclosure of the Recollets, an old convent near the Gare deL’Est in the 10th arrondissement. This historic building had slowlyfallen into disrepair and was derelict by the early Nineties. It was thenoccupied by a group of artist squatters who called themselves Angesand they covered the walls with graffiti art. They were evicted in 1999and the authorities began to restore the building. The restoration workwas completed in 2003 and part of the complex was taken over by thearchitects’ association.

The interior designers wanted to respect the history of the Recolletsand so left the stone interior walls bare – which in turn meant leavingin situ the graffiti-style paintings. It is this artwork that contributes tothe character of the building.

From Spain 14


viccarbe 19From Spain 14viccarbe18

Viccarbe is a company that describes its clientele as being ‘people wholive in the present and think of the future’. And while its furniture is far fromspace age, it does have a quality that makes you think it won’t look dated100 years from now.

Viccarbe is a new millennium baby – a surprising fact when youconsider the reputation it has achieved in just six years. It was launched in 2001 by Victor Carrasco, who, during his final project as part of hisindustrial design degree, made a case study of ‘the creation of acompany’. That student project made him go ahead and do just that.

Carrasco wanted from the outset to produce versatile, timeless furniturethat could be used both in the home and the workplace. People oftenlament that residential furniture is nowhere near as interesting or stylish as that designed for the modern office – well, Viccarbe took that on board and addressed the issue by metaphorically tearing down the barrierbetween the domestic and contract markets.

Carrasco has done that by putting design at the heart of the company.Not that Viccarbe functions in an ivory tower. It must make products that

ModerneleganceA wonderfully pure aestheticcharacterises Viccarbe, a companythat blurs the boundaries betweencontract and domestic furnitureText: Catherine Barritt

HolyDay seats by JEAN-MARIE MASSAUD

sell and for that reason undertakes extensive consumer research to keepabreast of changing attitudes and so ensure its collections arecommercially viable. The company also has its VIABLE projects division,which produces bespoke products for clients including NH and Marriotthotel groups, the retailer Burberry, Madrid’s T4 Barajas Airport and theReina Sofia museum. It collaborates with architects on these projects, suchas Santiago Calatrava, Richard Rogers, Luis Vidal, Dominique Perrault andVincent Van Duysen. Viccarbe also works with internationally-renownedfurniture designers including Patricia Urquiola, Jean-Marie Massaud, MarkKrusin, Arik Levy and Ludovica + Roberto Palomba.

LEVITT sofa and armchair

Window coat stands by VINCENT VAN DUYSEN

MASS daybeds

Best selling Leg-In table by FRANCESC RIFÉ

Shape stools by JORGE PENSI

Wrapp chairs by MARC KRUSIN

Davos bench by JEFFREY BERNETT

From Spain 14


mario ruiz profile 21From Spain 14mario ruiz profile20

It is often said that no one lies on their death bed wishing they’d spent moretime at work. Well, Mario Ruiz might beg to differ. ‘All we really want to do iswork. The more, and the more varied, the better,’ he says.

And it is the working environment in particular that interests him, as isevident from his comprehensive portfolio of signature office furniture forcompanies including Dynamobel, Bordonabe, Citterio and Castelli. ‘I don’tfeel comfortable if my designs don’t help someone to do their job well.And just like any designer, I always strive for beauty and try to bring

something interesting and different toeach project,’ he says.

Ruiz, 42, is based in Barcelona and hisstudio has two divisions: Mario Ruiz, which is devoted to furnitureand lighting design (contract and domestic) and Costa Design, whichhe founded in 1995 to specialize inproducts linked to technology andindustry. He switches effortlessly betweenthe two and relishes their respectivechallenges. ‘The more sectors youembrace, the more you learn and themore enriching your experience as adesigner. What is most interesting is the

variety of perspectives you have to take on.’ And what he learns from aCosta project he will apply to a Mario Ruiz one, hence he may use anindustrial material in a domestic product.

Work ethicMario Ruiz is one of Spain’s mostprolific designers. But it’s his officefurniture that has made his nameand earned him prestigiousawards.Text: Abby Trow

Solid collection for ESTOLI.Support products for the

bathroom for elderly ordisabled people

Panama illuminated products for METALARTE

Award-winning So Line speaker for Vieta Pro, work done by Costa Design

Domo telephone for Siemens/Telefónica– COSTA DESIGN

Part of BO4 officefurniture range forBORDONABE

Flat outdoor lounge beds for GANDÍA BLASCO

Frame outdoor light fittings forB.LUX. Frame is a device thatilluminates the floor andproduces crossed light beams

Dis chair for DYNAMOBEL.Lightweight with fluid lines

Mario Ruiz runs COSTA DESIGN andhis eponymous Mario Ruiz studio

From Spain 14


mario ruiz profile 21

It is often said that no one lies on their death bed wishing they’d spent moretime at work. Well, Mario Ruiz might beg to differ. ‘All we really want to do iswork. The more, and the more varied, the better,’ he says.

And it is the working environment in particular that interests him, as isevident from his comprehensive portfolio of signature office furniture forcompanies including Dynamobel, Bordonabe, Citterio and Castelli. ‘I don’tfeel comfortable if my designs don’t help someone to do their job well.And just like any designer, I always strive for beauty and try to bringsomething interesting and different to each project,’ he says.

Ruiz, 42, is based in Barcelona and his studio has two divisions: Mario Ruiz, which is devoted to furniture and lighting design (contract and domestic) and Costa Design, which he founded in 1995 to specializein products linked to technology and industry. He switches effortlesslybetween the two and relishes their respective challenges. ‘The more sectors

you embrace, the more you learn and themore enriching your experience as adesigner. What is most interesting is thevariety of perspectives you have to takeon.’ And what he learns from a Costaproject he will apply to a Mario Ruiz one,hence he may use an industrial material ina domestic product.

Prizes he has won include the Delta dePlata ADI-FAD and Red Dot awards – thelatter three times, with one for the Disoffice chair for Dynamobel. A book of hiswork has published by Actar. Recentprojects include the Pausa lamp forBlauet and bathroom support productsfor Estoli.

Solid collection for ESTOLI.Support products for the

bathroom for elderly ordisabled people

Panama illuminated products for METALARTE

Award-winning So Line speaker for Vieta Pro, work done by Costa Design

Domo telephone for Siemens/Telefónica– COSTA DESIGN

Mario Ruiz runs COSTA DESIGN andhis eponymous Mario Ruiz studio

From Spain 14


lighting 23From Spain 14lighting22

Bright lightsLighting innovations continue apace atSpanish manufacturers, which aremarrying the latest technology withsleek design to produce a newgeneration of products

E-Llum standard lamp withglass shade by King &

Miranda for INLIGHT!

Ona exterior lights by MILAN ILUMINACÍON

GEA floor light by ARTURO ALVAREZ is madefrom silicone. In white, black, orange or blue

Stage directional light from VIBIA

Axis white suspended light by MARSETTekno recessed stair lights by Josep Lluscá for BLAUET

Mojón light-seat by Miguel Angel Ciganda for B.LUX. Zinc-finished metal body with polyethylene seat. Requires two 26w fluorescent bulbs

Aitana suspended light by Gabriel Teixidó for CARPYEN.

Ona undulating wall light with metallic finish from ESTILUZ

Mini Blow table lamp by ClaudioZappone & Giorgio Palermo forALMERICH – a small version ofits majestic Blow parent

From Spain 14


paco capdell profile 25From Spain 14paco capdell profile24

Ask people which item of furniture they like most and the answer tends tobe chairs. Ask designers what they never tire of designing and a goodmany will answer chairs. Look back in history and some of the most iconicpieces of furniture are chairs. Countless books devoted to the chair havebeen published. Without doubt, our – mostly– four-legged friend is one ofthe most designed, written and talked about and sought after products.

Which explains why Paco Capdel, based in Valencia, continues to beunashamedly one-dimensional in its product line, remaining as excited bythe chair as it was when the company launched in 1967. Some of itsdesigns are already modern classics, heading for iconic status. Theseinclude the Xuxa chair, designed by Vicente Soto, which recently reachedthe landmark figure of 150,000 units sold.

Paco Capdell’s skill lies in its unerring ability to produce designs thatdon’t date, that rise above trend and fashion. It works with the bestdesigners, who develop designs through inspiration. Merche Beltrán’sstarting point for her Duna chair and stool, for example, was dunes in thedesert. The chair has a wooden structure and a gently sculpted form andis smartly casual, ideal for restaurants and bars.

Other key products are the Regata, which is made from polypropylene.It has recently been updated to include a version with an upholsteredseat. The Kalida easy chair has a metal structure and an upholsteredseat and back rest. A surprising feature is an almost complete lack ofcurved forms. Hit displays sharp lines and has a youthful spirit, whileLiberty, a dining chair, again by Vicente Soto, gives a fresh interpretationof minimalism using a combination of chromed steel, wood andupholstery.

Infinite varietyPaco Capdell remains as inspired by the chair as itwas when it started in business 40 years agoText: Hari Alexander

Multicolored Señorita chairs with their distinctive triangular shaped legs

Duna high chair by Merche Beltrán

Kalida chair. It has a metal structure and upholstered seat and back

Hit chair gives a stylishness to public spaces

Stool version of Hit

Bat chair

The hugely successful Regata chair, made from polypropylene

Martín Azúa is a designer who thinks about the small picture as well as the big. Because daily life is enhanced by having little things that work well. And if they are multifunctional and don’t take up much space, so much the better.

Take his picture frame coat hangers. Such a simple idea – a colourfulplastic circle that you put over a picture that you can also hang a coat or

teatowel over. Or his instant breadbasketthat requires only a napkin and

two metal rings. And why do medalshave to bulky things hanging from aribbon when a piece of metal you canclip to your jacket will suffice. A look through his portfolio tells you he

must be a very thoughtful, sensitive, and unusual man.Azúa, 42, studied design and fine arts at Barcelona University, and he

continues to live and work in the city. In 2004 he started the design studioAzúamoliné with fellow industrial designer Gerard Moliné. Azúa has wonawards for his experimental work and his designs are regularly exhibited incities around the world, including London, Milan, Vienna and New York.

You could give him any object, confident that he’ll improve it. Cooking pans– his version for Faces Kitchenware concertina down into one neat package.His Flod stool for Mobles 114 is so light you can pick it up with one hand. Hislaundry basket for Cosmic is also a stool. Other companies that havebenefited from his approach include the now global shoe brand, Camper,jewellery firm Karatnia and rug manufacturer Nani Marquina. Yes, Azúa is agem. A definite one-off. We all benefit from his input into daily life.

From Spain 14martín azúa26

Lightweight Flod stoolsfor MOBLES 114

Dolce textured rug forNANI MARQUINAby Azúamoliné

Quirkybut practicalMartín Azúa pays attention to the small thingsin life. After all, the devil is in the detail.Text: Abby Trow

Red Simplex basin with hose and laundry basket stool byAzúamoliné for COSMIC

From Spain 14


martín azúa 27

Take one napkin and two metal rings andhey presto! a breadbasket. Don’t get it?Just follow the diagrams.

Clip-on medal - far less cumbersome that hanging somethinground your neck

Kitchenware and utensilsfor chef Ferran Adria,

commissioned byFACES from Azúamoliné

From Spain 14bover profile28

Despite being just over a decade old, Barcelona-based Bover is firmlyestablished as one of the leading names in high quality contemporarylighting. The company was set up in 1996 by Joana Bover who wanted tomake beautiful, timeless products that combined innovative design andcutting edge manufacturing processes. - and she’s been successful instaying true to her founding principles.

Bover’s design team is led by creative director Joana Bover. The companyproduces a wide range of products for the contract and residential marketsand all of its manufacturing is done in Barcelona. It exhibits at the major European trade fairs – Habitat Valencia Forward, Construmat inBarcelona, at Frankfurt and Milan – and it now exports to some 60 countries.Indeed, 45 per cent of its sales are made overseas.

Other key members of the design team are:Christophe Mathieu: designer of the Silantra collection, which won a

Design Plus award at Frankfurt’s Light and Build exhibition last year. Mathieuhas worked extensively for Bover, which welcomes his fresh approach. HisRolanda lamp is another a great success, standing out as a tribute to the1957 Coderch lamp, considered a Spanish design classic.

Rubén Saldaña: he will be presenting shortly his Eos luminaire, an outdoorfitting made from silicone.

Carlos Riart: responsible for the Peana table/light, a versatile luminairethat doubles up as a piece of furniture. The Peana Fonda Europa version hasbeen designed specifically for the Fonda Parellada hotel group.

Lluís Porqueras: a top name who has designed for Bover since ‘03.

Light and shadeBover produces timeless lighting made to exacting standardsText: Jo Mead

Flexo by Joana Bover

Peana 02 table light by Carlos Riart

From Spain 14


bover profile 29

Spock desk lights by Christophe Mathieu

Rolanda pendant by Christophe Mathieu

Mei oval table lamp by Joana Bover

Silantra collection by Christophe Mathieu

Mei 90 pendant by Joana Bover

From Spain 14dac profile30

Modern rugs, while increasingly thick on the ground, so to speak, are oftendisappointing. Overly busy designs, in garish colours, they can prove hard tolive with. The companies that produce them also often fail to think about theirend users and the types of homes they have.

DAC is a company that when it launched three years ago, addressed theseissues. Founders Ignacio Curt and Alfredo Muiños had previously worked forrug company Basarabian and spotted a niche in the market for carpets thatwould fit into metropolitan homes, particularly loft style apartments that have alot of open, monotonous floorspace.

Fashionsense

DAC is a rugcompany

dedicated toproducing

idiosyncraticdesigns for

modern urbaninteriors

Text: Noah Dugall

Bouquet of Roses by Jordi Labanda

Manton de Manila floral designby Victorio & Lucchino

Rabbit rug by David Delfín

From Spain 14


dac profile 31From Spain 14dac profile30

Modern rugs, while increasingly thick on the ground, so to speak, are oftendisappointing. Overly busy designs, in garish colours, they can prove hard tolive with. The companies that produce them also often fail to think about theirend users and the types of homes they have.

DAC is a company that when it launched three years ago, addressed theseissues. Founders Ignacio Curt and Alfredo Muiños had previously worked forrug company Basarabian and spotted a niche in the market for carpets thatwould fit into metropolitan homes, particularly loft style apartments that have alot of open, monotonous floorspace.

Fashionsense

DAC is a rugcompany

dedicated toproducing

idiosyncraticdesigns for

modern urbaninteriors

Text: Noah Dugall

So in 2004 they decided to open their own business in Barcelona, with the objective of offering distinctive designs made from the highest qualityfibres, both natural and man-made. To achieve their goal, Curt and Muiñosworked from the outset with top designers. They have two brands: BSB, arange of rugs by international designers, and DAC, which manufactures rugsdesigned only by Spanish fashion designers and interior designers. Theseinclude well-known names such as Ailanto, David Delfín, Jordi Labanda,Jaime Beristain and Victorio & Lucchino.

Labanda has created the Damasco rug for the coming season. Preciselydrawn faces of women are his inspiration and he has created a piece thatfeatures women’s profiles, some with headscarves and sunglasses to give theeffect of a life of ease on a sunny riviera. In his trademark black and ecru orblack and green, the rug is made-to-measure from New Zealand wool. Inaddition to commissioning striking design, DAC offers customers a bespokeservice that includes advice on the care and conservation of rugs.

Jordi Labanda’s striking Damasco rug in black and ecru New Zealand wool. Hand-tufted and hand-knotted.

Bouquet of Roses by Jordi Labanda

Elipse by Ailanto Manton de Manila floral design

by Victorio & Lucchino

Rabbit rug by David Delfín

Stamp rugs by David Delfín

AANDREU WORLDwww.andreuworld.com

ARTURO ALVAREZwww.arturo-alvarez.com

ALMERICHwww.almerich.com

APAVISAwww.apavisa.com

AZCUEwww.azcue.com

BB-SIGNwww.b-sign.es

BD EDICIONES DE DISEÑOwww.bdbarcelona.com

BLAUETwww.blauet.com

B.LUXwww.grupoblux.com

BONESTILwww.bonestil.es

BORDONABEwww.bordonabe.com

BOVERwww.bover.es

CCARPYENwww.carpyen.com

COSMICwww.icosmic.com

DDACwww.alfombrasdac.com

DD BY RESOLwww.by-dd.com

DYNAMOBELwww.dynamobel.com

EENEAwww.eneacontract.com

ESTILUZwww.estiluz.com

ESTOLIwww.estoli.com

EVALUZwww.evaluz.com

FFAMBUENAwww.fambuena.com

FIGUERASwww.figueras.com

FACESwww.facesdesign.com

GGANDÍA BLASCOwww.gandiablasco.com

GERARD MOLINÉwww.gerardmoline.com

GRASSOLERwww.grassoler.com

IINDECASAwww.indecasa.com

INLIGHTwww.inlight.es

KKETTALwww.kettal.com

LLUZIFERwwwluziferlamps.com

MMARIO RUIZwww.marioruiz.es

MARSETwww.marset.com

MARTÍN AZÚAwww.martinazua.com

MARTÍNEZ OTEROwww.mozoo.es

METALARTEwww.metalarte.com

MILÁN ILUMINACIÓNwww.milan-iluminacion.com

MMSIE7Ewww.mmsiete.com

MOBLES 114www.mobles114.com

MODISSwww.modiss.com

NNANI MARQUINAwww.nanimarquina.com

NATURTEXwww.naturtex.es

NUEVA LÍNEAwww.nuevalinea.es

OONIX MOSAICOwww.onixmosaico.com

PPACO CAPDELLwww.pacocapdell.com

PEROBELLwww.perobell.com

PUNT MOBLESwww.puntmobles.com

RROGER ARQUERwww.rogerarquer.com

SSANCALwww.sancal.com

SELLEXwww.sellex.es

STUAwww.stua.com

STONE DESIGNSwww.stone-dsgns.com

TTEMAS Vwww.temasv.com

TEYSwww.teys.com

TROLLwww.troll.es

VVIBIAwww.vibia.es

VICCARBEwww.viccarbe.com

contacts

NOTE: Please be advised that the majority of products featured in the magazine are availablein US. If you are interested in purchasing them, please contact directly the manufacturerslisted below or the Spanish Trade Commission in New York.

Someone you know wants to find out more about Design From Spain?It's easy. You may get this newsletter simply by contacting the TradeCommission of Spain in New York, attention Habitat Department, [email protected] and requesting your free copy!!

Trade enquires to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: [email protected]

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