MINI LIVING "Forests" Installation by Asif Khan

MINI at the London Design Festival 2016

At the London Design Festival 2016, MINI is collaborating with Asif Khan, whose installation MINI LIVING "Forests" explores three interpretations of these "spaces between spaces".

In cities like London and New York, affordable places to live are in short supply. House/flat shares or one-bedroom apartments that fall within a reasonable budget offer barely enough room for our everyday needs. At the same time, the world of work is also undergoing a period of change as workplaces go mobile and self-employment blooms. These developments have led to "third places" – those that lie between work and home – growing in importance. At the London Design Festival 2016, MINI is collaborating with Asif Khan, whose installation MINI LIVING "Forests" explores three interpretations of these "spaces between spaces". They are each designed to encourage specific uses: relaxation, getting together or productivity. The design of the three spaces uses plants to improve city living.

"As an urban brand, MINI is well aware of the challenges affecting cities and of the complex ways in which mobility, architecture and the people who live in cities interact," explains Esther Bahne, Head of Brand Strategy and Business Innovation at MINI. "The MINI LIVING 'Forests' installation reflects our understanding of the 'creative use of space' when it comes to shared urban areas. And it sees us continuing the conversation on future city living which we started with the 'MINI LIVING – Do Disturb' installation at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan.”

The city as an extension of our personal space.

Third places already provide important contact points in our modern urban society. They are places where we meet and relax, or places offering certain services, which are generally privately owned and food/drink-related. Freelancers, for example, often use cafés as offices and restaurants as meeting rooms. As a result, these venues do not fulfil their purposes as such, instead merely performing add-on roles. And many are not open to all or places you can make your own. At the London Design Festival, MINI and Asif Khan are putting forward an alternative approach to third places as we currently know them, creating spaces which can be accessed by the public, used as desired by each visitor and tailored to the needs of our urban society. What makes this fascinating is their focus on “activating” potential spaces in the city, at the same time as offering its population new ways to use them. "Increasing urban density around the world requires us to find new creative avenues for utilising the space we have and the potential it offers," says Oke Hauser, Creative Lead for MINI LIVING. "The invigoration of our public spaces and the way they link in with our private spheres provide particularly broad scope for re-thinking our cities and our approach to urban planning."

MINI is using the motto "Your Side of Town" to urge people visiting the installations to discover the city and the ways in which its spaces can be used, and to bring them to life to their own benefit.

The concept.

MINI joined forces with London-based Asif Khan, who investigated the "third places" theme by using urban greenery to design a series of installations. "My response to the theme is inspired by the Japanese concept of 'shinrin yoku', which literally means 'forest bathing'. It means every sense switches to absorb the forest atmosphere, what you hear, what you smell, even the feeling underfoot. On another level, we use plants as a tool to assert our personal space at its boundary with public space, whether on our desk at the office or at the perimeter of our home. The project brings these two ideas together for visitors to experience new sensations within the city," says Khan.

The three installations are located within walking distance of one another in Shoreditch, London, forming a network that visitors can explore and experience. Their clear material language creates a deliberate contrast to Shoreditch’s urban setting. They are all rectangular forms, with walls made from several layers of transparent, corrugated polycarbonate. The green of the plants shines through the walls and offers an early indication of the fascinating setting inside. From the inside, the materials of the walls construct a purposefully diffused connection with the outside world and, as a result, generate an intimate, private space amid the hustle and bustle beyond.

Connect. Create. Relax.

The three rooms that make up the installation differ in both external size and intended usage. Inside as well, each installation greets the visitor with a unique landscape. The Connect Space is a place for meeting up and catching up – spontaneously or pre-planned. A large table forms the centrepiece of the room, which can be used as an evening dining area, for example. The plants both allow visitors to immerse themselves deeply in the forest ambience and play their part in an extremely intense communication experience.

The Create Space offers the best possible ambience in which to focus on work; it represents an island of creativity and productivity. The flexible arrangement of furnishings inside means the space can be used in a variety of ways. One wall reveals a terraced landscape, providing the ideal backdrop for pitches and presentations, for example.

The Relax Space welcomes visitors with an abundance of plants. If offers space in which to take a step back, switch off from the hectic nature of everyday life and relax. Visitors enter via the underside of the installation. Once inside, a bench invites them to take a breather. The vertical space draws the eye upwards, prompting a change of perspective and an avenue for contemplation.

MINI's exploration of third places and the solutions that improve urban life will continue later this year with the launch of a new, long-term initiative in the U.S. A/D/O, a 23,000 square-foot (2,000+ square meter) space for design in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, will introduce a diverse programme of resources for creative professionals, including a prototyping studio, in-house accelerator and open workspace. Built for designers, yet open to the general public, A/D/O will cultivate a platform for dynamic discourse that seeks to become a prolific source of ideas for the future.

The MINI LIVING "Forests" installation is open to the public and available for use during the London Design Festival (17 – 25 September).

Location Addresses:
Vince Court, N1 6EA
Charles Square Gardens, N1 6HS
Corner of Pitfield Street and Charles Square, EC1V 9EY

Opening Times*:
17 September: 10.00 – 20.00 hrs
18 September: 10.00 – 18.00 hrs
19 September: 08.00 – 20.00 hrs
20 September: 08.00 – 22.00 hrs
21 September: 08.00 – 21.00 hrs
22 September: 08.00 – 20.00 hrs
23 September: 08.00 – 20.00 hrs
24 September: 10.00 – 20.00 hrs
25 September: 10.00 – 18.00 hrs

* All times are GMT.

All images courtesy of BMW Group - bmwgroup.com

HGTV Dream Home 2013 Giveaway House Certified for Environmentally-Sound Construction

Earns Platinum LEED Certification from U.S. Green Building Council

Photo Courtesy of Business Wire

[New York], December 12, 2012 - In HGTV's ongoing commitment to responsible home development and eco-friendly building solutions, the HGTV Dream Home 2013 has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The custom-built, 3000 square-foot home, located alongside the tranquil tidal marshland and near pristine beaches in Indigo Park, is part of Kiawah Island, S.C.'s first sustainable neighborhood. Constructed with all eco-friendly alternatives, the HGTV Dream Home 2013 has the highest level of technology with the construction materials, building practices, clean indoor air-quality, energy efficiency, water consumption and geothermal heating and cooling.

According to HGTV professional home planner Jack Thommason, "Utilizing a comprehensive whole house approach, the design team was able to create a home qualifying as environmentally sound from top to bottom. The materials, components, and building techniques work together to form a complete system that is greater than the sum of its individual parts. To pursue and earn this first platinum level certification really speaks to the extra efforts our team took in building the most 'green' home possible."

LEED-certified buildings incorporate the latest green-building design and technology. These homes are designed to lower operating costs and increase asset value, reduce landfill waste, conserve energy and water, be healthier and safe for homeowners, and reduce harmful emissions.

"Our entire design/construction team had the goal of achieving Platinum LEED certification from the onset," said HGTV Dream Home's builder Craig Gentilin. "From the roof systems that create a water and air tight envelope to eliminate air infiltration; the super-efficient insulation materials; the geo-thermal HVAC system that utilizes the constant temperature of the earth for heating/cooling; keeping all duct work inside the insulated envelope to increase efficiencies; all the way to the LED lighting and Energy Star rated appliances, environmental aspects came into the play from the very beginning of construction. Everything partners together to create the greenest Dream Home ever."

The HGTV Dream Home 2013 Giveaway opens for entries on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 at 9 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Feb. 15, 2013 at 5 p.m. Eastern. The fabulous HGTV Dream Home 2013 will make dreams come true for one winner, who'll claim a grand prize package that includes the home, a 2013 GMC© Acadia© Denali© and $500,000.

During the giveaway period, viewers can enter twice online per day: once at HGTV.com and once at FrontDoor.com. HGTV Facebook and Twitter fans can elect to receive ongoing updates and new details.

About Indigo Park
A collection of 16 green-conscious homes, Indigo Park aims to become the first community with all LEED certified homes within a residential resort. Located just beyond the second gate, Indigo Park is the vision of Dyal Compass, LLC -- DyalCompass.com. Along with Christopher Rose Architects and Royal Indigo Construction, Dyal Compass has developed a community that offers "building with a conscience" without sacrificing luxury, quality, or value. For more information on Indigo Park, visit http://www.kiawahisland.com/real-estate/neighborhoods/indigo-park/.

About HGTV
America's leading home and lifestyle brand, HGTV features a top-rated cable network that is distributed to more than 99 million U.S. households and the HGTV website, HGTV.com, the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination that attracts an average of four million unique visitors per month. The brand also includes the HGTV HOME consumer products line which showcases exclusive collections of paint, flooring, soft goods and other home-oriented products, as well as HGTV Magazine, a new home and lifestyle publication published in partnership with Hearst Magazines.

Great Reads: Restoration Hardware Source Books

[New York], August 19, 2012 - Restoration Hardware is one of the fastest growing and most innovative luxury brands in the home furnishings marketplace.

The brand stands alone and is redefining this highly fragmented and growing market. Restoration Hardware is positioned as a lifestyle brand and design authority, offering dominant assortments across a growing number of categories, including furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, decor, outdoor and garden, as well as baby and child products.

Trendsetter Interiors recently visited this great site - RestorationHardware.com and their exact digital replicas of the Restoration Hardware catalogs and wanted to tell you all about it.

It's very easy to use and can be accessed whenever you are surfing the net.

We suggest you to explore these great Source Books:

Home Source Book - Spring 2012 Catalog
http://catalogs.restorationhardware.com/spring

Big Style, Small Spaces Source Book
http://catalogs.restorationhardware.com/smallspaces

Outdoor Source Book
http://catalogs.restorationhardware.com/outdoor

Westin Hotels & Resorts Unveils New Nature-Inspired Public Space Concept

(Photo: Business Wire)
Westin Brings the Outdoors In with Innovative Vertical Gardens

New Sensory Arrival, Re-Imagined Zoning and Activating Elements Create Haven for Travelers


[Stamford, Conn.], August 14, 2012 - Today, Westin Hotels & Resorts announces that it is applying its industry leading, design-driven approach to the new public space design, allowing travelers to stay balanced, refreshed and connected on the road.

Designed with guests' well-being in mind, the new lobby concept serves as a modern-day oasis for today's demanding travelers by incorporating natural design elements, flexible and functional zoning and conveniently-located retail and grab & go areas. Westin's new public space concept is currently on display at Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and will continue to roll out at participating properties worldwide throughout 2013. Five additional hotels are slated to feature the new concept this year including Westin Indianapolis, Westin Boston Waterfront, Westin Birmingham, Westin Georgetown and Westin Bethesda.

Vertical Gardens Offer a Breath of Fresh Air

The Vertical Garden is a unique focal element of the new Westin lobby concept and was designed not only to improve indoor air quality, but also to create a calming, more natural environment. Although vertical gardens exist in other boutique hotel properties, Westin is the first global brand to incorporate these structures in the lobby space throughout its global portfolio. The brand's in-house design team, led by Erin Hoover, Vice President of Design, was inspired by research conducted by NASA scientists who discovered that growing plants indoors relieves stress while also helping to clean the air. The design team was also motivated by multiple studies of biophilia which indicate that the integration of nature into design results in a range of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, enhanced mental stamina and elevated moods. As the first international hotel brand to go smoke-free in 2006, Westin decided to partner with Ambius, the premier global interior landscaping provider, to create these "living walls" that function operationally in the hospitality environment and further the brand's commitment to ensuring that guests leave feeling better than when they arrived.

Ranging from 100 to 300 square feet, each Vertical Garden is custom-designed and integrates wall-mounted plant modules with infill panels of unique textured materials inspired by the interior architecture and the location's regional identity. Experts from Ambius work with Westin's Brand Design Team and the individual properties to determine which plants are best suited for their lobby space, depending on the amount of natural and artificial light, as well as the location's natural climate. These range from low- and mid-light plants including Variegated Philodendron, Golden Pothos and Dallas Ferns, to high-light plants such as English Ivy and the Purple Waffle Plant, all selected by the design team for their detoxifying, high-oxygen producing properties that improve overall air quality. Some of the systems are also designed with a UV filter, allowing for the use of grey water and therefore providing an even further positive impact to the environment over the life-span of the Vertical Garden.

Sensory Welcome = Energizing Haven

Upon arrival in the new lobbies, guests are transported from the everyday and are greeted with a unique balance of calm and energy, beginning with a more customized experience at the new Westin check-in pods. These free-standing structures replace the outdated hotel check-in desk and are ergonomically designed with work surfaces at optimum heights and a more spacious, personal guest interaction area. Westin's signature white tea scent, combined with custom music, calming tonal colors and soft, atmospheric lighting creates a fresh and soothing ambiance. A new back-lit feature wall, on display behind the check-in pods, was created by transferring one of Westin's 28 X-ray nature images onto a solid core material, creating soft visual texture and subtle movement. This new relaxing arrival zone allows travelers to let go of their stress and enter an inviting, uplifting space that helps them stay balanced, refreshed and ready to achieve.

Re-Imagined Zoning Creates Opportunities for Working and Playing Well

Whether enjoying downtime with friends and family or conducting an impromptu meeting with colleagues, Westin's new lobby concept provides guests opportunities to both work and play well through new zoning. The Dock is an active, adaptive space ideal for meetings, browsing the internet or engaging in conversation. Consisting of meeting tables designed with connectivity in mind, The Dock features conveniently located power outlets, integrated lighting and easy access to computers and printers. Thoughtfully designed seating zones have also been created to meet the needs of modern travelers, with power panels built into side tables for easy accessibility. Flexible spaces can easily transform in order to accommodate varying levels of interaction and intimacy, from semi-private meetings to casual gatherings with friends. New acoustic and architectural screens have also been added to improve sound control and help create a more intimate setting.

Grab & Go Café and Westin Retail Store Create Natural Flow of Activity

Conveniently located in the Westin lobby adjacent to the new seating zones, the Westin Grab & Go Café and the signature Westin retail store make it easy for guests to grab a quick bite or finish up their last-minute shopping. The Westin Grab & Go Café will vary at each property, ranging from an enclosed café space with a heavenly sky light and a central communal table to a transitional café/bar experience that adjusts to a lively, engaging lobby bar experience in the evening. Taking a page from its sister brand W Hotels & Resorts, credited for innovating the hotel retail experience, Westin will also debut a signature retail store, offering a curated selection of Westin innovations, including Heavenly bedding, bath products and white tea scented products for the home.

Westin Continues to Innovate

The brand's innovative new public space concept joins a host of initiatives recently introduced by Westin Hotels & Resorts that have been designed with the guests' well-being in mind. Most recently, Westin announced its revolutionary new workspace concept, Project Hive, to meet the changing needs of today's mobile business travelers. In early 2012, Westin refreshed its WestinWORKOUT program to match the evolving fitness trends among guests and further enhance the brand's goal of promoting well-being in travel. In September 2011, Westin launched a brand-wide Associate Enrichment program, introducing the brand's "Elements of Well Being Platform" to more than 25,000 associates around the world through key touch points. In May 2011, the brand unveiled its groundbreaking "For a Better You" ad campaign that uses artistic imagery to depict the "Elements of Well Being" that help Westin guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. In December 2010, Westin announced an exclusive partnership with New Balance, helping hotel guests overcome the hurdles of exercising on the road by providing New Balance footwear, apparel and fitness program content to its guests to borrow.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts offers innovative programs that transform every aspect of a stay into a revitalizing experience. All Westin signature services - like the Heavenly Bed, delicious SuperFoods and WestinWorkout studio - have been designed with the guests' well-being in mind. Westin hotels, with more than 186 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information on Westin Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.westin.com or www.facebook.com/westin. Follow Westin on Twitter, @Westin.