Art Basel and Design Miami return to Florida, the Eames chairs gets reevaluated, and nightclub design’s evolution. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Nighttime is the right time
ArchDaily dives into the history and often misinterpreted legacy of nightclub design. Charting the evolution of the concept from the launch of Electric Circus in New York 1967 through contemporary haunts like London’s Ministry of Sound, technological innovation and multimedia and multidisciplinary stand out as key fixtures in the spaces where experience is everything. Once a symbol of exclusivity, the pedigree of nightlife design is now trending toward a community-driven ethos, where function and form find the right groove.
David Adjaye to design slave memorial in Barbados
David Adjaye; photo by Chris Schwagga
Adjaye Associates has announced plans to design a memorial focused on the impact of slavery in Bridgetown, Barbados. Dezeen reports that the project will be developed on a rammed-earth mound and will comprise a museum and research institute as well. The project will also occupy a swath of land beside the Newton Enslaved Burial Ground, where an estimated 570 West African slaves are buried. The design will respond to the setting with 570 vertical timber columns arranged in rows. It is estimated that a total of 400,000 enslaved Africans were transported through Barbados during the 17th and 18th centuries. Groundbreaking on the memorial is slated for November 30th, 2022—the one-year anniversary of Barbados’s status as a republic.
Comebacks, collaboration, and innovation abound in Miami
NFTism, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and powered by JOURNEE
Design Miami wrapped its 17th edition in the Magic City last week, with a slew of standout features. The program announced a partnership with Louis Vuitton for the development of a new digital shopping experience on Design Miami’s online marketplace, which includes a travel-inspired collection. This year’s iteration marked Tom Dixon’s return to the fair, where the designer showcased Tom Dixon MASS by Design Research Studio, a range of collectible pieces called Limited. New functional and decorative designs by 15 artists were unveiled by the Future Perfect, which was showcased alongside a lineup of contemporary ceramic exhibitors from Jeffrey Deitch to Sakari Kannosto. The largest Curio program to date was also hosted, with more than 19 presentations from galleries and designers like Twenty First Gallery, J. Lohmann Gallery, and Harry Nuriev. Zaha Hadid Architects also left its mark with the design of the gallery for NFTism, a virtual experience exploring architecture and social interaction in the metaverse.
Does the Eames Chair deserve the hype?
Few furniture designs have endured the decades with a legacy as esteemed as the Eames Chair. But does it deserve such acclaim? Architectural Digest examines the iconic chair and ottoman and access its comfort, practicality, durability, cost, and versatility. Spoiler alert: the Eames Chair has earned every “Ahhh” it has provoked from anyone who’s ever sat in one.
Partner Spotlight: NuWud
NuWud’s scratch-proof, dent-proof, fire-rated flooring tells an incredible story. Over five years, the company developed something sustainable (repurposed tree roots combined with an organic proprietary resin) and beautiful that reflects its “flooring with a purpose” philosophy. Now, 8 million square feet later, NuWud is at the forefront of a flooring revolution. Executive editor Alissa Ponchione chats with NuSolutions Group creative director Emily Carr to learn more: Watch now.
