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Collection by Diana Budds

Dwell Design Lab Recap

Over the weekend of October 29th and 30th, Dwell hosted its first ever Design Lab in San Francisco. Bay Area-based designers, architects, and landscape architects gathered at the Millennium Tower to share their latest works with the public. The Bay Area is known for possessing an eclectic style, one that is as unique as the denizens that call the region their home, and the exhibitors on hand represented that sensibility as seen in the steampunk-like lighting by Jefferson Mack Metal, the verdant living walls by Kellee Adams, and the peaceful bedroom made from reclaimed materials by Reba Jones. Here's a recap of the Design Lab exhibitiors.

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Designers, architects, and the public interested in learning more about the latest design trends gathered on the 52nd floor of the Millennium Tower on October 29th and 30th. Exhibitors included The Urban Lab, Jefferson Mack Metal, Kendall Wilkinson, Tres McKinney Design, Domicile, David Mast Design, Berkeley Mills, Butler Armsden, Min|Day, Dig-It Landscape Design, Barbara Scavullo Design, Michael Merrill Design, Sand Studio, Martine Paquin Design and Consulting, Willem Racké Studio, Rann Valdez Stone, Jiun Ho Design, and Fireclay Tile.
Designers, architects, and the public interested in learning more about the latest design trends gathered on the 52nd floor of the Millennium Tower on October 29th and 30th. Exhibitors included The Urban Lab, Jefferson Mack Metal, Kendall Wilkinson, Tres McKinney Design, Domicile, David Mast Design, Berkeley Mills, Butler Armsden, Min|Day, Dig-It Landscape Design, Barbara Scavullo Design, Michael Merrill Design, Sand Studio, Martine Paquin Design and Consulting, Willem Racké Studio, Rann Valdez Stone, Jiun Ho Design, and Fireclay Tile.
Custom furniture maker Berkeley Mills exhibited their Zahma dining table and chairs. "Our pieces are for people who care about how a piece of furniture is made and knowing that it was built by a craftsman," says Berkeley Mills' Leo Ickovic. "These are heirloom pieces that will last a lifetime." There is a remarkable level of workmanship in these pieces, which reflect an Arts & Crafts and Japanese aesthetic. In addition to furniture, Berkeley Mills also fabricates wooden architectural details. I was first introduced to Berkeley Mills when I was in elementary school and I can confidently say that they're among the most skilled furniture makers and woodworkers that I've ever come across. Click here for their portfolio and definitely stop by their showroom/workshop on 7th street in Berkeley.
Custom furniture maker Berkeley Mills exhibited their Zahma dining table and chairs. "Our pieces are for people who care about how a piece of furniture is made and knowing that it was built by a craftsman," says Berkeley Mills' Leo Ickovic. "These are heirloom pieces that will last a lifetime." There is a remarkable level of workmanship in these pieces, which reflect an Arts & Crafts and Japanese aesthetic. In addition to furniture, Berkeley Mills also fabricates wooden architectural details. I was first introduced to Berkeley Mills when I was in elementary school and I can confidently say that they're among the most skilled furniture makers and woodworkers that I've ever come across. Click here for their portfolio and definitely stop by their showroom/workshop on 7th street in Berkeley.
Architect Reba Jones of San Francisco-based Butler Armsden presented an serene bedroom vignette consisting of designs made from reclaimed materials, which included a blanket stitched together from sweaters sourced from the Goodwill. I loved the comforting color and materials palette she used. The glass sculpture on the headboard is from Tord Boontje's tranSglass line for Artecnica.
Architect Reba Jones of San Francisco-based Butler Armsden presented an serene bedroom vignette consisting of designs made from reclaimed materials, which included a blanket stitched together from sweaters sourced from the Goodwill. I loved the comforting color and materials palette she used. The glass sculpture on the headboard is from Tord Boontje's tranSglass line for Artecnica.
Kellee Adams of Dig-It Landscape Design presented this lush living wall featuring succulents and edible plants.
Kellee Adams of Dig-It Landscape Design presented this lush living wall featuring succulents and edible plants.
Among the materials exhibitors, Fireclay Tile had one of the most impressive backstories. Their artisan tile is made from recycled and upcycled materials like glass remnants from window installations, porcelain from decommissioned commodes, glass bottles, and granite dust from quarries. I especially like their recycled glass tile (shown here on the left), which comes in 40 colors and 17 different shapes and sizes.
Among the materials exhibitors, Fireclay Tile had one of the most impressive backstories. Their artisan tile is made from recycled and upcycled materials like glass remnants from window installations, porcelain from decommissioned commodes, glass bottles, and granite dust from quarries. I especially like their recycled glass tile (shown here on the left), which comes in 40 colors and 17 different shapes and sizes.
A handful of the raw materials that make up Fireclay's tiles.
A handful of the raw materials that make up Fireclay's tiles.
Most architects and designers will agree that the execution of details is key to a successful design. No matter how good something looks on paper (or in AutoCAD, as is the case with most concepts these days) it has to translate. That's where The Urban Lab comes into the picture. From Mare Island, just west of Vallejo, Urban Lab's design studio and fabrication lab headed by Tony Orantes and Norberto Melendez turns out a diverse array of projects: public benches in the plaza just outside of the Contemporary Jewish Museum (one of my favorite public spaces in the city), the massive rustic door for Nopa (one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants), smaller details like capitals for Greek-style columns and holders for soap bottles. They also fabricated one of the doors in Dwell founder Lara Deam's Mill Valley home.
Most architects and designers will agree that the execution of details is key to a successful design. No matter how good something looks on paper (or in AutoCAD, as is the case with most concepts these days) it has to translate. That's where The Urban Lab comes into the picture. From Mare Island, just west of Vallejo, Urban Lab's design studio and fabrication lab headed by Tony Orantes and Norberto Melendez turns out a diverse array of projects: public benches in the plaza just outside of the Contemporary Jewish Museum (one of my favorite public spaces in the city), the massive rustic door for Nopa (one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants), smaller details like capitals for Greek-style columns and holders for soap bottles. They also fabricated one of the doors in Dwell founder Lara Deam's Mill Valley home.
Here's Urban Lab's installation outside of the CJM. Stay tuned for Senior Editor Jaime Gross's picks from the event. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
Here's Urban Lab's installation outside of the CJM. Stay tuned for Senior Editor Jaime Gross's picks from the event. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!